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Chapter 263 Turmoil ()

The prince suppressed his anger and went to Jingyang Palace with Zheng Chen.

Empress Dowager Zheng fell ill, her vitality was severely damaged, and she looked old and tired. Under the service of the maids, he reluctantly sat up. As soon as he opened his mouth, he asked about sending troops to quell the chaos.

"The Imperial Grandmother is still ill. Just enjoy her life and rest, and don't worry about court affairs." The prince was in a gloomy and confused mood. He really had no mood to talk, so he mustered up his energy to comfort Empress Dowager Zheng: "The imperial court has sent General Wei with 20,000 elite troops. Go to quell the chaos, and the Imperial Grandmother is waiting for the good news from General Wei."

Empress Dowager Zheng's eyes flashed with anger: "This Wang Rong used to coax his confidants and show off a little. Now it's so obvious that he doesn't hide it at all."

"When it comes to leading troops in battle, General Song is much better than General Wei. For his own selfish reasons, he insisted on letting General Wei lead the troops. If something goes wrong, he can't afford the consequences."

As he spoke, he took the prince's hand and said earnestly: "Prince, among the ministers in this court, you have to watch carefully who is loyal and who is traitorous. Some people say they are loyal, but in fact they have evil intentions. Some ministers are not good at words, but they are actually a traitor. A loyal minister."

"Now your father can't even open his mouth, and you have to support him in everything. You have to keep your eyes open and use people."

Next, you must recommend three or two "useful" people.

The prince secretly twitched the corner of his mouth and coaxed Empress Dowager Zheng with some kind words. After half an hour, I resigned and left. I was exhausted both physically and mentally.

When the army is dispatched, food and grass go first. No matter how empty the national treasury is, military resources must be squeezed out.

There was already an example of rebellion in the garrison, and the Ministry of Revenue could no longer withhold military expenditures. Therefore, relief to the victims had to be put on hold for the time being.

Under such circumstances, the news that a large grain dealer in Nanyang County was selling new grains from several northern states and counties was nothing at all.

Even though Prime Minister Wang knew about this, he was not in the mood to care about it. He waved his hand casually and said, "It's not a bad thing if the people can buy food, whether it is used as seed or to feed their belly. Don't worry about it."

The staff said no more.

Wang Jin, on the other hand, couldn't help but ask after hearing this: "Is Princess Nanyang going to take the opportunity to promote new grains?"

Prime Minister Wang glanced over: "So what?"

Others were afraid of Prime Minister Wang, but Wang Jin was not afraid at all. He opened his mouth and said: "A few months ago, Princess Nanyang made a memorial to donate grain for new grains. If the court accepted and promoted it at that time, maybe there would be a good harvest in the north next year. Common people No more hunger.”

"It's easy to say." Prime Minister Wang sneered: "Let's not talk about how much the new grain production will be. If this happens, the Queen Mother will be so powerful that she won't be able to suppress her even if she wants to. By then, the court will All the ministers will turn to the Queen Mother one after another. How can I, the Prime Minister, speak."

Are court battles so important? Is it more important than the life and death of the people?

Wang Jin looked at Prime Minister Wang silently.

There is no better son than a father. Prime Minister Wang obviously knew what Wang Jin was thinking, and said calmly: "Official life is like a battlefield, either you die or I live. If you want to do something, you must first take power. If you have no enthusiasm, you will only hit the south wall and get a bloody head. flow."

"You are already fifteen this year, and you will be sixteen after the Chinese New Year. At this age, you should be grown up and sensible."

Wang Jin responded in a low voice.

Prime Minister Wang said again: "Today I will give you another lesson as a father. You are the most popular in the palace, and the prince relies on you the most. Why do you think that is? Is it your fourth son who can excel?"

"There are many talented people in this world, but the prince only values ​​you, and all the ministers are polite to you. That's because you are my son, Wang Rong. I am the prime minister of Liang Dynasty, the leader of all officials. You, the fourth prince, are , who dares to disrespect and give up three points?”

"Look at Zheng Chen, he is one year younger than you, and his plans are much deeper than yours. Every time he sees me, he is extremely respectful."

"His biological father and I are political enemies and rivals. No matter how hateful and angry he is in his heart, he dare not show any disrespect to me. What is this? This is power!" "When a man is alive, he has to stand high. Otherwise, You have to be patient and give in at every turn.”

This was not the first time Wang Jin heard this. But every time I listen to it, I still feel shocked.

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his head: "Father, I want to meet this Princess of Nanyang."

Prime Minister Wang raised his eyebrows, looked Wang Jin up and down, and suddenly laughed: "What? Could it be that you have some thoughts?"

A trace of flush flashed across Wang Jin's fair and handsome face, and he coughed and said: "Father, don't be ridiculous. I have no connection with Princess Nanyang and have never met, so why are you thinking about it? I...I am just curious, this Nanyang princess The princess is three years younger than me, how can she do so many things?"

As everyone knows, curiosity is often the beginning of emotion.

Prime Minister Wang thought for a while and laughed: "This matter is not difficult. Just find an opportunity and ask the emperor or the prince to issue an order for Princess Nanyang to come to Beijing."

Wang Jin was stunned: "But the Queen Mother sent Eunuch Zhao to the Nanyang Prince's Mansion, and Zheng Zixi even went there in person. The Nanyang Princess didn't even come..."

"That's because they used the wrong method." Prime Minister Wang smiled lightly: "Just give the order and call him. She can't help but come."

What about Princess Nanyang? Do you still dare to resist the decree?

Wang Jin hesitated: "This seems to be bullying others, isn't it good?"

"This is the benefit of having power." Prime Minister Wang raised his eyebrows: "Don't say she is a princess, even His Highness the Crown Prince, when I speak, I have to listen obediently."

Wang Jin had long been accustomed to his father's strong and tough style, so he didn't say anything anymore.

He was indeed very curious about the Nanyang Princess.

She did not enter the palace or show her face, but she was everywhere.

Suppress the bandits with ruthless tactics. He punished Zuo Zhen with ruthlessness and precision. Presenting a new type of shaft plow and new grain seeds, she is clearly a kind and enthusiastic girl. She bribed Eunuch Zhao with a lot of money and sent generous gifts to Jingyang Palace every year. Many important officials in the court had contacts with Nanyang Palace. When it comes to her, some people praise her, some people scorn her, some people respect her, and some people disdain her...

These contradictory qualities happen to be concentrated in the same person.

He wanted to see her.

……

Three days later, the Zhaohe Palace issued an imperial edict calling Princess Nanyang to Beijing for an audience.

This Mingfa imperial edict was drafted by a Hanlin scholar, stamped with the emperor's imperial seal, and Zhu Langzhong of the Ministry of Rites went to Nanyang County to announce the edict in person.

Even though everyone knows that the emperor is now lying on his bed unable to speak, this imperial edict is clearly the intention of Prime Minister Wang.

However, this is still an imperial edict with supreme imperial power that cannot be rejected by anyone.

Zhu Langzhong carried the imperial edict and set out from the capital to Nanyang County under the escort of a group of imperial guards.

The imperial envoy was only halfway there when the news was sent to Nanyang Prince's Mansion and presented to Jiang Shaohua.

……