The Empress Dowager warmly invited Li Hong to have a meal in Yongle Palace.

This meal opened Li Hong's eyes. For the first time, he knew what luxury was. One dish after another, one female musician after another made Li Hong dazzled, as if he was in a dream.

When the emperor took him away from Yongle Palace, dusk was already coming. The king and his minister returned to the Beigong and chatted for a while. Both of them were in good mood, joking and talking. At this time, Li Hong had completely let go and was completely detained. He felt that although the emperor looked serious, he was actually very good, he spoke very funny, and was kind to others.

The emperor introduced his masterpiece of play to Li Hong, one was a market in the palace and the other was a donkey cart. He said, "I have been busy with the New Year these days and have no time to take you to play. After the New Year, I will take you to play."

Then the emperor talked about the frontier with Li Hong. The monarch and ministers talked about the continuous wars on the border and the frequent invasions of the Hu tribe for a long time. The two talked about the Xianbei people, Wuwan people, Xiongnu and Qiang people, the sufferings of the people on the border, the border policies of the Han Dynasty, and the great achievements of the ancestors of the Han Dynasty to fight against the Hu people.

The emperor said: "I have a wish, that the Han Dynasty's army can defeat the Hu tribe, conquer the Hu tribe, build a large territory for our Han Dynasty, and make great achievements for our Han Dynasty. In this way, I will be a top-notch king in history. Not only can I surpass the achievements of Emperor Wu of the previous dynasty, but I can also be famous in history and immortal forever."

He stood up with a thin body, looked at Li Hong excitedly, and said passionately: "I want to completely defeat the Qiang people, end the disaster of the Qiang people for decades, and then go to the Western Regions to expedition to the Western Regions and submit to the countries of the Western Regions again; I also want to go north to defeat the Xianbei people, annex the blue-eyed Dingling tribe, and then occupy the entire grassland, extending the territory of our Han Dynasty to the depths of the snowfield in the north; I also want to attack the Fuyu Kingdom. Although they have surrendered, this is far from enough. I want to conquer them and turn them into the people of our Han Dynasty."

"Men, can you say that these wishes of my life be realized?" the emperor waved his hand and asked, "Can my wishes be realized in my lifetime?"

Li Hong was filled with excitement when he heard this. He turned over and knelt down, and said confidently: "Your Majesty, I firmly believe that Your Majesty will do it. I am willing to go to the battlefield to fulfill Your Majesty's wishes and fight bravely to fight the enemy."

"Okay, okay, over the years, I have said the same thing to many people, but none of them support me. They all regard me as an idiot. You are the only one who agrees with my idea and says that I can do all this." The emperor raised his hand and said, "Okay, what a brave leopard. In the future, the important task of conquering the Hu people and expanding the territory of the Han Dynasty will be handed over to you."

The emperor immediately looked up to the sky and sighed: "The people, only the people understand my thoughts."

He reached out and helped Li Hong up and smiled, "Zimin, what do you think of Xiao Donghou's future achievements?"

Li Hong's boiling emotions suddenly became cold. Your Majesty finally had to talk to him about the imperial throne. Although there is a difference between being loyal to Your Majesty and being loyal to the heirs of the imperial throne, it is likely that it is the same for Your Majesty. Li Hong knew that he could not hesitate and had to answer immediately, otherwise, Your Majesty would suspect that he had other ideas. At this moment, the monarch and ministers had a harmonious relationship, they were in harmony with each other, and had similar interests. In this case, what reason was there to destroy this harmony and happiness?

"I believe that the little prince is smart, smart, humble and gentle, and will definitely be a wise ruler in the future."

The emperor immediately looked happy. He grabbed Li Hong and asked happily: "Do the people really think so?"

"I am loyal to Your Majesty, and I have no other intentions." Li Hong knelt down again and bowed and said, "The heart of my son is only to be seen by heaven. If there is any violation of the oath, the heaven will be punished and destroyed."

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Li Wei, Zhao Yun and his gang were anxious when they saw that Li Hong had not returned for a long time.

In the middle of the night, accompanied by Jian Shuo, Li Hong, accompanied by Jian Shuo of Xiaohuangmen, was escorted by Wei Duan with a hundred cavalry, and returned to Zhangyuetai. Everyone rushed forward to him in a hurry and asked questions.

Li Hong smiled and said, "Your Majesty has been talking to me for a long time and has left me for dinner, so I am late to come back, which makes everyone worry."

"Sir, it's not just worrying. Hu Ding and Qi Chen are going to take people into the palace." Zhao Yun smiled, "They said you have killed the emperor."

Li Hong patted Gu Ding and Qi Chen's shoulders with emotion and said, "I'm fine. Thank you."

When Hu Ding and Qi Chen saw Li Hongping's return, their heart finally fell to the ground. The two of them laughed, their joy and excitement were beyond words.

"Sir, have you seen the Empress Dowager?" Li Wei asked anxiously, "What has Your Majesty talked to you?"

"I met the Empress Dowager. I stayed in Yongle Palace for one day and met Princess Changping and the Little Prince. Today I have a long experience. I have eaten a meal in the palace. It is so luxurious and luxurious that you can't imagine it."

"Sir, tell us." Jiang Wu said enviously, "How can the emperor and the empress dowager have a meal?"

"Don't talk about this for now." Li Wei stopped him, "Sir, what has Your Majesty talked to you? What is the purpose of this trip to Beijing? Are we still in danger? When will Your Majesty imprison us?"

"There is no danger." Li Hong said, "Your Majesty summoned me to Beijing for the sake of the imperial throne. He has asked me."

"How did the adults answer?"

"I agreed." Li Hong said, "At that time, I had no choice but to refuse."

Li Wei gasped. Zhao Yun, Jiang Wu, and Pang De looked at each other.

Hu Ding and Qi Chen were not very concerned about this matter. In their thoughts, whoever has a strong fist is the boss, and there is no difference between elders and young people. What they care more about is Li Hong's life.

"Sir, when will we leave Luoyang?" Qi Chen asked, "Do you leave immediately?"

"It will take a long time," said Li Hong. "In February, the emperor and the empress dowager will return to their hometown in Hejianguo, Jizhou to worship their ancestors. The emperor asked us to accompany us. It is estimated that we will not be able to return to Xiliang until at least April."

"Then we can have fun in Luoyang." Hu Ding said, "Sir, the emperor said, when can we let us walk around at will?"

Li Hong shook his head. Li Wei said seriously: "Your Majesty will never let us walk around in Luoyang."

"Why?" Hu Ding asked strangely, "Then we won't go to Luoyang for nothing, and we've seen nothing."

"In order to ensure that the emperor's ideas do not change, the most reliable way is to prevent adults from contacting any powerful people in Luoyang." Li Wei said, "From this moment, the adults are really imprisoned."

"Sir, will you enter the palace tomorrow?" Pang De asked.

"Tomorrow morning, I will go to court to report my duties and accept inquiries from the emperor and all the ministers."

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

The 25th day of the twelfth lunar month is called "the chaotic year". This is because after sending away the Kitchen God, it was not until New Year's Eve to welcome the Kitchen God back. Therefore, during this period, there is no god in the world and there are no taboos. People often regard this day as the day of marriage.

Court discussion.

There are many contents of the court today. First, Li Hong, the General of the Qiang Guardian, reported his duties, and then the Taichang Liu Yan explained to His Majesty the arrangements for activities such as sacrificial celebrations around the New Year. Zongzheng Liu Yu reported on the handling of the emperor's return to Jizhou, the general reported on the expansion of the Northern Army and the recruitment of the Jizhou Governor Wang Fen, etc., about fifteen or sixteen items in all sizes.

Li Hong stood in the huge Jiade Hall for the first time, participated in the court meeting for the first time, saw all the three ministers and nine ministers, and felt power and glory for the first time, he was both excited and nervous.

Li Hong began to speak stutter. All the officials in the hall stood quietly, solemn and solemn, only Li Hong's monotonous and stiff voice echoed around the hall. After Li Hong spoke for a while, his nervous mood gradually calmed down, his tone began to become smoother and louder.

Li Hong talked about the situation in Xiliang and the gains and losses of the Yicheng War. Then he changed his mind and began to denounce corrupt officials in Xiliang. He listed the serious consequences of the corruption in Xiliang's administration. He shouted loudly in the court, his voice and expression were harsh, his fingers were shattered, and his momentum was astonishing.

"I would like to report to Your Majesty that all corrupt officials involved in the corrupt Xiliang are strictly prohibited from atonement with money. They will be beheaded and displayed in public to pacify the 600,000 people in Xiliang. Only in this way can the disaster in Xiliang be stopped again." Li Hong said loudly, "If corrupt officials do not kill them, the rebellion in Xiliang will never be settled."

One stone stirs up a thousand waves.

Zong Zheng Liu Yu, who was standing near him, wanted to rush up and kick him. This idiot, when he arrived in Luoyang and the court, was still so rampant that he didn't know how to live or die. He was so angry that he was so anxious that he could not help.

In the court, for a moment, the sound of "I have written a memorial..." rose into the sky, and the attendants, the three ministers, the nine ministers, and the officials of all sizes rushed to speak.

The emperor smiled coldly, stood up suddenly, glared at his little eyes, and roared in a low voice: "Whoever quarrels anymore, I'll take it out and kill it!"

In an instant, the court became quiet.

"Are you all going to impeach Li Aiqing? I know that tomorrow, tomorrow's court discussion will be one thing, how about impeach Li Aiqing? There are so many things today, so don't say it. You all agreed on the matter as soon as possible, so everyone should go home early to prepare for the New Year."

The emperor then changed into a smile, waved at Li Hong, and said, "Li Aiqing is right. For the sake of the Han Dynasty's country, I do want to kill these people." He pointed to Situ Cui Lie and said, "Cui Aiqing, you will handle this matter."

As soon as the emperor finished speaking, there was a wave of turmoil in the court.

The emperor went back on his word and collected the money for atonement. He wanted to repent and arrest the person and then kill him. What kind of emperor is this? The ministers were extremely angry and their words were not nice. Li Hong was really ignorant. At this time, he was all the target of public criticism. He was still rushing to sing the opposite tune, and repeatedly asked the emperor to kill corrupt officials and kill him immediately. The ministers wanted to surround him and beat him to death. Li Hong was probably a dead pig, not afraid of boiling water, and no one was afraid of anyone. He even quarreled with the thin Central General Attorney Zhang Rang. Seeing Li Hong's aggressive look, he seemed to be trying to kill Zhang Rang at any time. The Grand Marshal Zhang Wen and Zong Zheng Liu Yu hurriedly pulled the two away.

Liu Yu whispered: "Zimin, what are you doing? Do you think you can do whatever you want with the support of the emperor? Do you still want to go back to Xiliang if you keep making trouble like this?"

Li Hong was very grateful when he saw Liu Yu's angry look. He leaned over and leaned over to Liu Yu's ear and said, "Sir, this is all the instructions given by His Majesty. Do I dare not do it?"

Liu Yu was stunned. Li Hong turned around and took two steps tightly, raised his hand and shouted: "Your Majesty, if a corrupt official does not kill, Xiliang will not have a stable day!"

The Grand Marshal Zhang Wen leaned over and knelt down, and tried his best to persuade him: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty is a golden word. How can you go back on your word? It only brings ridicule to the world..."

The emperor interrupted him without hesitation and said, "Master Taiwei, what do you think you should do?"

Zhang Wen hurriedly replied: "Your Majesty, I think this matter is complicated and it is difficult to handle it safely for a while. Moreover, this matter is not the content of the court discussion today. Should I discuss it later?"

"I don't think so. You are right. I cannot go back on my word and break my trust from the people of the world. Let them pay double the money for atonement according to the size of their personal guilt and pay it immediately. Otherwise, after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, all heads will be beheaded."

There was an uproar. In the end, His Majesty still wanted to ask for money. The ministers immediately understood. No wonder His Majesty suddenly agreed to pay for his own money to go home to worship his ancestors a few days ago. It turned out that he had already made arrangements. He and Li Hong sang and played with the ministers once. Everyone was so angry that they all looked as if they were ashen, they wanted to eat Li Hong's meat. They couldn't hate the emperor, so they had to hate Li Hong.

General He Jinluo praised: "Your Majesty is wise. This method is indeed a hit in one fell swoop. It not only blocks the mouths of the world, but also punishes corrupt officials. You can also warn other corrupt officials. Your Majesty is wise."

The emperor snorted without a smile and said, "I feel comfortable hearing this from the General. Jingzhao Yin and Beidi County Government both came to memorial, saying that the Xianbei people were ready to move on the border and might invade the national border. Therefore, I plan to recruit Li Aiqing's army of Western Expedition to settle in Chang'an, thinking that it would support me, what would the general want?"

He Jin's face stopped, and then he said loudly with a smile: "Your Majesty has a far-sighted vision and has been deeply understood by the key points of military tactics. Your Majesty is wise."

The emperor smiled slightly, and a hint of mockery flashed across his face.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

The subordinates of Wang Fen, the governor of Jizhou, rushed to Gaotang City in Pingyuan County, Qingzhou.

Gaotang is a place that is very famous and is the famous capital of Qi during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.

Xu Youbo's courtesy name was Ziyuan, and was from Nanyang, Jingzhou. He was a child of the Xu clan of Nanyang. He was ordered by the governor Wang Fen to invite Hua Xin (pronounced Xin) and Tao Gao to Jizhou to plan major events. Hua Xin's courtesy name was Ziyu, and Tao Gao's courtesy name was Qiu Hong. They were both famous scholars in the Plain.

Hua Xin is a steady person, not likes to show off, can control the doctrine of the mean, and has a good popularity. Hua Xin and Guan Ning from the same county, both of them took Yingchuan and Chen Wei as their teacher, and the three of them were called "Yilong", Huawei's leader, Bing is the dragon's belly, and Guan is the dragon's tail. However, one day, Guan Ning broke off a relationship with Hua Xin. Because they were studying together that day, a high-ranking official was passing through the door in a luxury car, and Guan Ning didn't even look at it. Hua Xin was not only stunned, but also praised it. Guan Ning immediately cut the straw mat they were sitting with with them from the middle with a knife. He believed that Hua Xin was a person who was greedy for glory and wealth and was not worthy of being his friend.

Xu You, Tao Gao and Hua Xin were both classmates and friends, and they were familiar with each other very early. After hearing Xu You's introduction, Tao Gao happily agreed. They went to find Hua Xin together. Hua Xin vetoed it without hesitation.

Hua Xin said: "This dethronement of the emperor is not something that we little people like us can participate in. Haven't you seen the fate of Yi Yin and Huo Guang? Lord Wang Fen was tempted by Master Xiang Kai and was very brave and dared to do such a thing. Look, he is dead this time, and maybe he will be killed by the nine clans. In my opinion, Brother Qiu Hong should not go, and Ziyuan would be better off leaving Jizhou Prefecture and return to Nanyang to avoid disaster."

The two of them laughed at Hua Xin for being timid and had no courage, so they set off for Jizhou immediately.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

After the general came down from court, he did not return to the mansion, but went directly to the mansion of Sima He Yong of the general's mansion.

He Yong brought General He Jin into the study. In the study, Yuan Wei, the head of the Yuan family, was chatting with his nephew Yuan Shao.

The general and Yuan Wei exchanged greetings, saluted each other and sat down.

"You guys sit too, just sit all." He Jin asked his staff to sit around him.

"Li Hong is young, very young." He Jin said, "Benchu's words are not wrong. This person is indeed an idiot except for war." He then told the story of what happened in the court today.

"The boss said nothing wrong. Your Majesty successfully won over this barbarian who knows nothing. Now Your Majesty's determination to abolish the legitimate and establish a illegitimate wife is beyond your imagination. He has decided to move Li Hong's 70,000 troops to Chang'an to station."

"Oh." Yuan Wei said in surprise, "Can your Majesty agree to the expansion of the Northern Army?"

"Disagree. He said that the treasury has no money, and it is enough to keep the Northern Army 30,000 people." He Jin said, "Master Taiwei, Lord Situ, Yang Biao, Lu Zhi and others studied too much. In this case, they still wanted to advise His Majesty to turn back in time to avoid bloody massacres in Luoyang. It's pedantic, but the old man is still sober. Seeing that this matter is irreversible, he can only fight to the death."

Yuan Wei smiled and said, "The general doesn't have to worry. When it comes to a critical moment of life and death, the aristocratic families can still weigh the pros and cons and support the general."

"The aristocratic bureaucrats are neither willing to see the traitors and the eunuchs taking power nor the foreign relatives taking charge, so they want to try their best to maintain this balance, which is understandable." Yuan Shao said, "But His Majesty himself is unwilling to be bound by others. He wants to change the status quo, so their advice and efforts are ultimately in vain."

He Yong said: "If you kill the traitor eunuch, the general can completely control Luoyang and gain national authority. At that time, His Majesty came back from Jizhou and could not even be able to establish a prince. However, this seemed to go against His Majesty's wishes. Compared with the traitor eunuch, he seemed to be even less willing to see the general."

"Where is everything going well?" He Jin smiled and nodded, "We cannot underestimate the power of the traitors, nor should we underestimate the aristocratic families in Beijing. As I said, I hope the old man can convince the aristocratic families in Beijing, including Lord Sikong Xu, so as not to be implicated too much and hurt my great man's vitality."

"I will try my best to convince them." Yuan Wei smiled, "I have already told me about the general's plan to get apart. I hope they will look farther, so that they can avoid the disaster on the 16th day of the first lunar month."

"Especially Lord Xu Xiangxu, I have to go a few more trips," He Jin reminded.
Chapter completed!