lady, please calm down

In early December, envoys from all parties gathered in Caizhou.

On the seventh day of the lunar month, at a meeting chaired by Huaibei Economic Strategist Chen Jingyan, the new organization 'Tiance Admiral's Mansion' was revealed for the first time.

This official office is neither a subordinate of Da Qi nor has anything to do with Da Zhou. It is an agency directly under the royal palace and under the direct leadership of the King of Chu.

In addition to Chen Jingyan, who also serves as the chief historian, and Zhe Yanwen, the military consultant, all the four countries and five dynasties need to send permanent officials to the government to coordinate the dynasties to jointly send troops to destroy the rebellious minister Wan Yanliang for the Jin Emperor.

As soon as this news came out, there were mixed reactions from all parties.

Zhang Chunxiao, Minister of the Ministry of War of Qi State, and Zhang Shuye, Deputy Privy Envoy of Anfeng Dynasty, responded immediately and agreed immediately.

Xixia Prime Minister Odaochong met Chen Jingyan's gaze and did not express his position on the spot. As a minister of the defeated army, of course he did not dare to resist alone. He wanted to wait for a while to see the attitudes of Zhang Hao and Luo Ruji.

The latter two can be regarded as leaning towards the King of Chu to a certain extent, but they have not completely abandoned the court they were originally loyal to. They must consider the reaction of the court after agreeing to the King of Chu's request.

Chen Jingyan's proposal, on the surface, was to jointly help the Jin Emperor suppress thieves, but in fact it was related to the issue of military command. By ordering officials from various countries to be stationed in Tiance Mansion, wouldn't it be clear that the King of Chu was above all other countries.

If the troops were sent back to Tiance Mansion for unified command, it would be a tacit agreement to hand over the country's military command to the King of Chu.

These two incidents are major events that shake the foundation of the country!
Seeing that the three of them did not express their opinions, Chen Jingyan said calmly, "Then I will wait for you on the 15th, and I must give you a reply before the 22nd of the twelfth lunar month."

Fifteen days were enough for Luo Ruji to report the matter to Lin'an.

Zhang Hao was more convenient. Han Chang, who was staying in Nanjing, and Guo An, who was stationed on the front line of Daling River, had already completely turned to the King of Chu. The only people he needed to discuss were the prince and the queen who listened behind the curtain.

Now the prince and the queen are in Caizhou.

Only Aodaochong is traveling thousands of miles to Xingqing Prefecture in Xixia. Even if the delivery is urgent, it will be difficult to get back and forth within half a month.

"So that Mr. Chen knows that the foreign minister and the Emperor of Daxia are separated by thousands of mountains, and half a month may not be enough."

O Daochong very carefully stated the difficulties he was facing, but just such a sentence made Chen Jingyan furious.

I saw this usually gentle and elegant Confucian official slamming the table and shouting: "Lord O, are you trying to deceive me, the King of Chu, into a good-hearted person? You are following Jin Ni and disturbing my account in Tokyo, and we, the Qi Dynasty, have not settled with you yet! Now! I gave you a chance to atone for your sins, but you kept pushing back! I said it would be fifteen days, and if you can't give me a satisfactory answer by then, you'll have to bear the consequences!"

The lid of the tea cup on the table jingled as it was shaken.

Ao Daochong was as silent as a cicada, murmuring and not daring to speak. Even Luo Ruji and Zhang Hao were a little uncomfortable. Chen Jingyan was scolding Ao Daochong, but he was not talking to them.

On the same day, after the meeting, Zhang Hao went to the Chengnan Wanguo Pavilion.

This is a complex of buildings in Caizhou specially used to receive envoys and foreign guests. The queen and the prince stayed here after arriving.

When she learned of Zhang Hao's arrival, it was the queen who came to meet him. After some greetings, Zhang Hao asked about the prince's condition.

Chai Yuanyi sighed softly and said: "What happened the day before yesterday was a big blow to the prince. He has been behind closed doors for two days since he came back."

"Queen Lao persuaded the prince."

Zhang Hao also sighed, and then talked about today's events, but Chai Yuanyi only took a few breaths to make a decision for Wanyan An, "Now that His Majesty is seriously ill, and Wanyan Liang is causing trouble, can I and the Crown Prince make a decision?" In addition to Mr. Zhang and other loyal people, I rely on heroes like the King of Chu. Now that the King of Chu has made a decision, Mr. Zhang will fully cooperate with the King of Chu."

Zhang Hao was originally a minister of the Liao Dynasty who surrendered to the Jin Dynasty, and his loyalty to the Jin Emperor was all based on the bravery of the Jin army. Now that Huaibei has become a climate, he naturally does not have the consciousness to coexist with the Jin Dynasty.

However, Zhang Hao thought that handing over the command of the army would be opposed by the Jin royal family, but he did not expect that the queen agreed so readily.

He couldn't help but think of some rumors about the secrets of the palace, but it also completely removed the last bit of psychological baggage. Since the queen didn't care, then he still had something to hold on to.

As for whether the prince's temperament does not change, whether he will live to adulthood in the future needs two opinions.

The next day, Zhang Hao accompanied Chai Yuanyi to visit the Prince of Chu's Mansion with gifts.

Chen Chu received Zhang Hao in the front house, and the latter expressed his attitude straight to the point, "I am willing to present the tiger talisman seal ribbon, and the King of Chu will dispatch the troops on Nanjing and Zhongjing Road to annihilate the rebel Wan Yanliang."

At the end of the day, he specifically mentioned that the queen would decide this matter personally.

In fact, most of the Jin Kingdom's Nanjing and Zhongjing armies are now on the Daling River front line and are under Zhou Liang's control.

Yesterday, Chen Jingyan went berserk on the spot again and forced several people to fight. It was not a surprise that Zhang Hao handed Chen Chu the two-capital tiger talisman ribbon that only had symbolic meaning.

Chen Chu was just surprised that the other party chose to compromise so quickly.

However, Huaibei was happy to see this, and Chen Chu naturally encouraged him with gentle words.

In the back house, Chai Yuanyi brought heavy gifts and made a low profile visit to the royal family members to apologize for the conflict between Wanyan'an and the children of the Chen family in the past few days.

Today's meeting did not have the political meaning of the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, so Mao'er brought all his family members with him.

Chai Yuanyi brought a lot of gifts today, including sable fur, white fox tail, Dongzhu, and old ginseng, which are special products of the North. Naturally, there are also beautiful jade, gold and silver ornaments for the children.

Mao'er's feelings towards Chai Yuanyi are very complicated. Firstly, she is now the key point for the officials to control Nanjing and Zhongjing of the Kingdom of Jin. Secondly, the officials have had an affair with her.

Before meeting her, Mao'er had imagined Chai Yuanyi to be a model like Cai Hua, coquettish but extremely capable.

But after meeting, Mao'er overturned her guess. Speaking of it, Chai Yuanyi was just a poor person who lived in troubled times and could not get the protection of her family and could only drift with the crowd. She probably only wanted to hook up with officials because she wanted to My body is used as a bargaining chip to save my life.

Anyway, she would never be able to enter the palace with her status, and Mao'er couldn't hate her.

After a conversation in the name of apology, Chai Yuanyi stood up and said goodbye, and Mao'er and everyone saw him off.

After leaving Hanchun Hall, Chai Yuanyi looked back at the beautiful wives in the palace, each with their own merits, and said, "The princess's family is in harmony and joy, which makes Yuanyi quite envious."

When she heard that she called herself Yuanyi, Mao'er thought she was implying something and didn't answer. Then Chai Yuanyi said, "Princess, I asked you to do something for me a few days ago. Please help me. If Yuanyi If she can get what she wants, she will do her best to help the King of Chu achieve great things when he returns to Nanjing. When things are done, Yuanyi will find a Taoist temple outside Anfeng City to practice cleansing, just hoping to meet his mother and concubine every now and then. Filial piety, nothing else."

This was the second time she asked Mao'er to help her intercede with the King of Chu and allow her to return to Anfeng for marriage.

Chai Yuanyi was born in a pitiable background, and she also said that she would enter a Taoist temple to practice pure cultivation in the future to show that she had no other ambitions, which finally made Mao'er relent.

But just when she was about to agree, Cai Hua, who was half a step behind the two of them, suddenly said: "Queen, the prince has to agree to this matter in the end. Why do you go to such a roundabout way to find the princess? You might as well go to the prince. It’s incredible. Anyway, it’s not like the queen and my prince didn’t communicate with each other privately. Uh, bah, bah, that’s wrong. Anyway, it’s not like the queen didn’t communicate with my prince in private.”

Not everyone in the family knew about this. At least Yu Nong, who was following behind, looked up in confusion and said to himself: Hey! Sister Cai is usually so sharp-tongued, but what happened today that she was able to refer to "private communication" as "illicit communication"!
Two words are missing, and the meaning is completely different.

But after listening to Cai Hua's words, Mao'er's originally wavering mind became firm again. It's okay to deliberately not think about some things, but when someone mentions them in person, Mao'er still feels uncomfortable!

Chai Yuanyi had a deep memory of Cai Hua, after all, he almost died in her hands. But at this time, as Chen Chu's political ally, Chai Yuanyi knew very well that she could help the King of Chu digest the Kingdom of Jin at the minimum cost.

At least, King Chu will be unable to leave him for a few years.

With this confidence, she dared to come to Caizhou. Now she was no longer afraid of Cai Hua. She looked at Mao'er silently and said in an extremely sincere tone: "Princess, when the Jin Kingdom was in chaos, "Yuan Yi is like a rootless duckweed. Even a slight ripple in the world can make me doomed. With Yuan Yi's meager knowledge, I can't think of any other way to protect myself except to climb up to the King of Chu."

Is this an admission in person?
Yunong seemed to hear something, and quickly tugged on Ayu's sleeves, whispering: "What's wrong with her? Why did she get involved with the young master?"

"." Ayu looked at the gossipy and idiotic Yunong, and said angrily: "I don't know either." Before that, Chai Yuanyi first confessed the events of that year in a sincere manner, then smiled sadly and whispered: "Princess Whether you accuse me of being shameless or greedy for life, my last thought in this life is to meet my mother and concubine!"

After saying that, she turned to look at Cai Hua, "Mrs. Cai asked me why I didn't ask to see the King of Chu in private. Of course it was because of the differences between men and women. In order to survive, I needed to borrow the name of the prince, but now, there is no danger of my life. , who is willing to be humble?"

In the middle of the twelfth lunar month, the new year is approaching.

While Chen Chu was waiting for Luo Ruji and Ao Daochong's reply, he was not idle either.

In fact, as full-power imperial envoys, the two of them still had their own powers, and Chen Chu did not ask them to hand over the two capital tiger talisman ribbons like Zhang Hao did. He only wanted 30,000 troops from Xixia and Lin'an Dynasty, which was only symbolic. He asked for 10,000 horses and horses to accompany the army.

But military power has always been the most sensitive matter in all dynasties and generations. Luo and We seemed to want to wait until the end of the deadline to see if there were any changes.

Within more than ten days of waiting for a reply, the Huaibei Army also made preparations for the winter military parade in the fourth year of Xuanqing.

On December 20th, in the east city of Caizhou, a viewing platform had been set up on the city wall. Under the viewing platform, there were all the officials wearing official robes.

Outside the city wall, people who had already heard the news and came to see the excitement stretched for more than ten miles.

Caizhou inspector Gou Sheng mobilized all the government officials to maintain order below.
The last military parade was in the ninth year of Fuchang when the King of Chu, who was still the ruler of the capital, wiped out the bandits. Many people were still excited thinking about the situation back then.

The background of this military parade is the victory in Tokyo last year and the successful fight against the Zhou army's northern invasion at the beginning of this year.

At the end of the morning, Li Mulezi took Li Zhaodi and a pair of children up the horse path on the city wall.

At first, Li Zhaodi thought that her husband had lost his mind, and hurriedly said: "Master, why did you bring us here? Those who can sit on the city wall are high-ranking officials, and those who watch the excitement can only go outside the city!"

Li Mulezi said calmly: "Are you afraid? I will bring you here and you can just follow. There is a place for our family on the city wall."

While he was talking, Li Mulezi's family had already walked up to the city wall with many civil and military officials wearing official robes. Because he was dressed in commoner clothes and looked unfamiliar, he attracted curious looks from time to time.

This made Li Zhaodi feel more and more embarrassed, until the wife of a Caizhou official who had visited Mao'er accidentally saw Li Zhaodi, and hurriedly stepped forward to greet her and said: "Hey, isn't this Madam Li! I haven't seen you for many days, Madam Li. good."

As the saying goes, there are seven-rank officials in front of the prime minister.

Li Zhaodi was very popular with the princess and the Cai family because of her simple mind and not so many tricks. She is now one of the three chief stewards of the princess's house.

In the eyes of some ladies, she is already a very worthy person to deal with.

When this official wife spoke up, she immediately attracted a lot of attention. When they learned that this stout woman was actually a steward of the palace, many women immediately gathered around her.

Some are thin-skinned and hesitate to move forward, but the husband next to them is anxious and keeps urging in a low voice. The brave ones even dare to say, "Don't think she is inconspicuous now. With the power of the prince, she will become a success in three to five years." Lord of the world, the princess will be the queen! If you want to get close to the people around the princess, there will be no chance!"

However, Li Zhaodi was very unaccustomed to such treatment. After saluting clumsily, she quickly led her family to escape from the encirclement.

As soon as there were few people around, Li Zhaodi's son Li Jia'an, who was studying in the third grade of Lanxiang Academy, immediately said: "Dad, do you want to use your mother's name as an errand in the palace to sneak into the city wall? I think my mother can win the respect of the princess." , it’s precisely because Mom doesn’t rely on her power and doesn’t use the name of princess indiscriminately! It’s not good for Mom to do this.”

Looking at his serious son, Li Mulezi raised his hand and slapped Li Jia'an on the back, laughing and scolding: "I am able to go to the VIP viewing platform because of my own ability. Who is relying on your mother's reputation?"

Li Jiaan curled his lips, obviously not believing it.

Li Zhaodi was also worried, but despite her appearance, she was actually very traditional. In order to take care of her husband's face, she held back her words.

His family was like this. Over the years, Li Mulezi made a lot of money, but no one knew what he did for a living. He often went months at a time without seeing anyone. Neighbors speculated that Li Mulezi was doing some shady business.

Regarding this, Li Mulezi smiled every time and never explained.

As time passed, my family came to think so.

For the children, having their mother in charge of their wife's errands in the palace is a status that makes them proud. Of course, their father cannot compare to it.

Here, after Li Mulezi climbed up the city wall, he quickly walked along the wide corridor through the area where low-level officials sat, and continued towards the central arrow tower.

"Master, where are you going? Can't we get in from the front? It seems to be the rostrum where Her Royal Highness the Princess, Chen Jinglue and other dignitaries are sitting!"

Seeing something was wrong, Li Zhaodi hurriedly reminded him.

Almost at the same time, a group of sergeants responsible for the defense appeared in front. One of them saw Li Mulezi and his family walking straight towards this direction. He immediately raised his arms to the crossbar and said seriously: "Stop! No other people can continue to move forward. Please watch the military parade." Go to the city!"

A pair of children from the Li family couldn't help but feel embarrassed because of their father's recklessness. They quickly stretched out their hands and tugged at the corner of Li Mule's clothes, signaling to their father to go back quickly.

Li Zhaodi also blushed, and was about to pull her husband to turn around when she saw Li Mulezi take out an inch-long piece of paper from his arms and hand it to the guard. He took it and took a closer look. On it was a pass issued by the palace. The note not only has the private seal of the King of Chu, but also the signature of the King of Chu himself.

The personal guards hurriedly came to join him. After some confirmation, the company commander immediately said "stand at attention". Dozens of personal guards clicked their heels in unison, and their cowhide boots made a crisp sound.

The accessible road was naturally given way.

Li Zhaodi and her two children were stunned. Before they could figure out what was going on, Li Mulezi had already led the family in.

Because it was still early, there were not many people on the rostrum directly below the arrow tower.

At least, the seats with the names 'King of Chu', 'eldest princess', 'prince of Jin' and 'prince of Xixia' are still empty.

Li Mulezi followed the names written on the seats and when he found his family's seat, there was already a couple sitting next to them. The man was about fifty years old and was wearing a purple official robe.

When Li Mulezi and the old man saw each other, they were both stunned.

But Li Zhaodi had been in the palace for many years, and she recognized the old woman next to the purple-robed official. Isn't this Mrs. Wang of the Marquis of Xucheng, the wife of Cai Yuan, the prime minister of the dynasty, and the mother of Concubine Cai of the palace?

So, who else could the old man holding Mrs. Wang's hand be?
"Folk girl Li Zhaodi has met Mr. and Mrs. Cai."

After all, after staying in the palace for so many years, Li Zhaodi realized what she was doing and quickly bowed and saluted. She winked at Li Mulezi and urged him to follow suit.

Li Jia'an, who was standing at the back, felt that everything was unreal. Just then he saw that the King of Chu's personal guards saluted his father solemnly. Now, the seats that their father had led them to found were also located in the first row of the auditorium, and were actually adjacent to Da Qi Zai. seat?

By the way, isn't my old man just a smuggling guide and thug?
How could he be so arrogant?

Was it a mistake?

Immediately afterwards, the doubts discovered by the younger sister seemed to confirm Li Jia'an's conjecture. The younger sister of the Li family pointed to the note with 'Li Guoluan' written on the seat and said: "Brother! Did Daddy make a mistake? Isn't our father's name taboo?" Mule? It’s clearly written here: Li Guohuan, let’s go quickly! Otherwise, the real owner will come and drive us away, which will make us embarrassed.”

Perhaps because she was anxious, Li Xiaomei's voice was not too quiet, and even Cai Yuan next to her heard it.

I saw the old man looking sideways and said with a serious face: "Your father will not disgrace your people! This is your father's name Li Guohuan. It was given by Yuan Zhang himself. He wanted your father to be the shield of the country and protect all people." Suffering from war! Oh, by the way, Yuan Zhang is the King of Chu."

The whole family looked at Li Mulezi, as if they wanted to re-recognize this husband and father who had "gone the wrong way" and kept his waist tight all day long.

Li Mulezi opened his mouth and wanted to smile at his son, but unexpectedly his eyes turned red first. (End of chapter)