Work overtime

(This chapter is about four new pieces of bad news about national affairs, not romance)
  In the wind and rain, Li Beichen sat on the road in a sedan chair to inspect and express condolences to those injured in the early morning worship service in the East Sixth Palace: Xi Ronghua from Yanxi Palace, Qi Guiren from Jingren Palace, and Wei Yaosheng from Chengfu Palace.

Fang Xuan's attendant lived in Shufang Palace, the most remote part of the West Sixth Palace, so Li Beichen could only order someone to send some tonics to express his condolences.

It was raining so heavily, and there was another double national mourning in the palace. No one expected that the emperor would come to visit them in person. Everyone was flattered, with tears in their eyes, and their condition was more than half improved.

Even though the emperor only came into the palace to take a look, asked a few questions about his condition, and told him to take good care of himself. Everyone was deeply touched that their leader came to visit in the rain, thinking that they were particularly taken into consideration by the emperor.

In fact, it is just a routine matter. Li Beichen naturally knows how to manipulate people's hearts.

The icing on the cake is not as good as providing timely assistance. Visiting them at this time is more useful than ever.

In Chengfu Palace, Li Beichen met the three concubines.

The person with the highest status among them is Xie Guiren, because she often went to report the minutes of morning meetings before, so she looked familiar. But thinking that she used to be Concubine Jing, I suddenly felt a little unhappy.

The lowest is Wei's agreement. Li Beichen actually remembered her.

The last time she finally had the chance to sit in bed, she was too sincere. She sat on the edge of the bed in thin gauze and waited, shivering from the cold. She didn't even know how to lie down in bed, and she was so cold that she had a high fever.

This time, someone stepped on his foot in the chaos, but he tried his best to wave to the emperor and said that it didn't matter to him. He would go to the funeral palace to mourn after the swelling subsided later. He was as sincere as ever.

She had a small face and a big palm, and she spoke with a simple and innocent energy, which made Li Beichen feel quite fond of her.

Hearing that she was from a commoner family, because the elders in her family had been officially praised as filial sons and chaste wives, she was recommended to the draft by the local government for being virtuous and kind-hearted. However, after entering the palace, because of her low status and lack of background, Li Beichen felt pity and ordered Liang Xiaobao to take care of her. Wear some.

The other one looked surprised. After hearing the self-introduction, it turned out to be Su Changzai who had moved here from Heshun Palace.

He has a fair, round face with no cheekbones visible. When looking at the facial features alone, there is nothing outstanding. When put together as a whole, he looks soft, round and harmonious.

Her speaking voice was neither urgent nor slow, and she spoke eloquently. She was very gentle and dignified. At first glance, she was from a real lady.

Li Beichen casually asked her about her origins, and found out that she was the prefect of Shaoxing Prefecture and the legitimate second daughter of a fourth-rank official in the imperial court. I didn't expect that twenty days after entering the palace, he would be so low-key. It was completely different from the high profile of Ye and Murong, but it made Li Beichen look at him with admiration.

He had a calm and distant attitude towards all his concubines, showing no likes or dislikes. But the concubines he visited were all satisfied, and their slaves were all excited that their master showed his face in front of the emperor.

Not long after I returned to the funeral palace and knelt down in front of the Queen Mother, someone reported several pieces of bad news one after another.

In one case, the Tatars took advantage of the national mourning to launch violent attacks from the vicinity of Datong Town and Jizhou Town. Datong Town was in a hurry, and their intention to take the opportunity to go south was obvious.

Secondly, the rebellion in Ningxia has not been put down for a long time, and there were obvious command errors.

Third, it rained heavily near Juyong Pass for the first time. The peasant army fell apart after hearing that King Pingxi had been captured and executed. Only the two nephews of Princess Pingxi were still resisting.

Fourth, the queen's mother, Mrs. Xie, a first-class concubine, fainted and is currently resting in Kunning Palace.

It can be said that when the house leaks, it rains all night. Good things never come in pairs, and misfortunes never come alone.

Of course there is good news. The commander of the Shandong capital who followed King Pingxi in rebellion was controlled by his subordinate Tongzhi, the commander of the Shandong capital, and successfully prevented the army from moving northward, waiting for the emperor's dispatch.

There is also some good news. Envoys from various countries asked for permission to pay condolences to the Queen Mother and express the condolences of the royal families and heads of state of various countries.

When Taizu raised troops in Nanjing, he eventually settled in Beijing. There were many people who opposed it. After all, in order to ensure the safety of the royal family, historically, dynasties generally chose plains as their capitals, with "the emperor in the center and the princes guarding the borders."

Judging from the achievements of Taizu and the late emperor, moving the capital to Beijing not only effectively solved the border defense problem, but also facilitated the campaign against the Mongolian nomads in the north, greatly expanded the northern territory, and incorporated the northeastern region into the dynasty's territory. However, "the emperor guards the border" means that he is often faced with the pressure of troops approaching the city. It is a routine operation of Taizu and the late emperor to conduct military expeditions in person.

Xie's father and son guard Jizhou Town and Liaodong Town respectively. There are not big problems near Jizhou Town.

Xuanfu Town was the place where Li Beiwang established the vassal state, and was a fortress where the Tatars marched straight into the capital from Juyong Pass. Li Beihong's original plan was to go to the areas surrounding Datong Town to guard Yanmen Pass. After thinking about it for a while, Li Beichen decided to immediately summon the King of Jin, Sun Shangli, the Minister of War, and Zhu Shengye, the commander of the Imperial Guards, to the Qinzheng Hall for an audience. He himself took a sedan chair to Kunning Palace to see Mrs. Xie.

He has made preparations for his personal expedition to resist foreign enemies.

By the time Li Beichen arrived at Kunning Palace, Mrs. Xie had regained consciousness under the treatment of the imperial doctor.

Mrs. Xie was greatly surprised and flattered that Li Beichen came to visit in person.

After all, there was a mess after the rebellion and there were so many affairs. It can be said that the state funeral ceremony for the Queen Mother and the Empress was very cumbersome.

Li Beichen frowned, looked solemn, and said very solemnly: "Mrs. Xie, to be honest, I have something to ask of you."

Mrs. Xie was surprised and then understood, "Tatars take the opportunity to invade?"

Li Beichen breathed a sigh of relief and nodded slightly, "That's right. That's why Madam needs to take action."

However, Mrs. Xie clutched her chest and refused sternly: "Your Majesty, I want to do my best to avenge Yirou. However, after days of suffering, I am weak and may not be able to shoulder the important task."

Li Beichen nodded, "Mrs. Xie has been working really hard to take care of the Queen recently. She fainted just now, which must be caused by tiredness and worry. You can rest for a day before setting off tomorrow. Rebellion is inevitable. Although there are many talents in the DPRK, I have no one who dares to believe in my heart. I only believe that my wife is capable and virtuous, and can take on this important life-and-death task. If my wife is really unwell, it doesn't matter. I am the emperor, and it is my ancestral motto to defend the country and the border. It is my duty to drive you. If you fight in person, the hatred of the country and the family will be settled together."

After a moment of silence, Mrs. Xie asked, "Why not send the King of Jin to lead the army? The rebels are hiding in the dark. The emperor has left the capital at this time, and the emperor is going to fight in person. The capital is empty and there are many risks."

"It doesn't matter," Li Beichen said calmly, "The Tatars destroyed our mountains and rivers, killed my people, assassinated the king, and killed the queen. This revenge must be avenged. The King of Jin will go with me, but he has no experience in fighting, so it is difficult for him to do so." Stand alone."

"I never thought that the emperor would have such determination and courage," Mrs. Xie smiled slightly, "As the emperor, the emperor still wants to defend the country with his own body. Although I am a woman, I have followed my husband on the battlefield for many years and killed countless enemies. Years He is getting older and his body is already broken. Now that the country is in danger, how can he hide and survive. I am trusted and valued by the emperor, but I am an old man and have an unjust reputation. However, if the emperor goes on an expedition in person, I will protect the emperor. "

Li Beichen understood what Mrs. Xie meant, and her considerations were reasonable.

Mrs. Xie's voice was serious and sincere, as she had shared the honor and disgrace over the years. Li Beichen felt a little emotional, "In times of crisis, the Xie family always lends a helping hand to me. I really did not misjudge or trust the wrong person."

Respect, trust, dependence, but fear, this is the complex and subtle human nature.

He put his hands behind his back. After thinking for a moment, his eyes gradually became firm and he responded in a deep voice, "With Madam Xie's help, we will definitely win."

Madam Xie's brows widened, "There is something I have to say. There still needs to be someone in the capital to guard against rebellion. If there is no leader, it will easily encourage chaos. The King of Jin has been weak all year round, and the army is bumpy and hard, so it is better to stay in the capital. .”

Li Beichen was waiting for Mrs. Xie's initiative to propose. He seemed to have considered it carefully before simply responding, "Okay. Madam's suggestion is good."

Let Mrs. Xie feel that she has the opportunity to express her opinions and that her opinions are respected, and give her dignity and honor. This is especially important for a person like her who is proud, strong and capable.

Instead, Mrs. Xie smiled bitterly and said with a double entendre: "I am a dull woman, but I am the emperor's sage, and I have no plans left."

Her daughter had lamented to her many times in private that her biggest dream in life was to fight on the battlefield, not to be trapped in the intrigues of the palace. She was tired of such a life and often felt powerless.

Now the emperor finally wanted to lead the expedition in person, but she was no longer there.

Madam Xie suddenly felt sad and whispered, "It would be great if Yirou was here."

Li Beichen pictured Xie Kewei's dignified face in his mind, looking at him with pride and a bit of timid joy.

Shaking his head, his eyes were bright, "Yirou has always been there. As loyal as Chidan is, she will definitely watch us from the sky, beat the Tatars hard, and regain the lost ground."

Life is intertwined with little joys and blessings, and continuous responsibilities. Perhaps this is a complete life, in line with the law of conservation of pain.