country

Xiao Suzhen was pregnant, which made Xue Poye feel excited and excited from the bottom of his heart, so he immediately ordered Manager Hu to arrange a table of food and drink, except for Xiao Suzhen, Xiao Yuezhu, Lv Niangzi, Su Mayou, Xiao Lingxian, Monk Mingxu, Zhang Hu and Zhang Hu's wife Hanxiang both sat at the table.

Xue Poye raised his wine glass and said with a smile: "Come on, I drank this glass of wine to warm up." Looking at Xiao Suzhen, he said softly: "Suzhen, replace wine with tea and have a drink with everyone."

Xiao Suzhen nodded meekly, and everyone drank their glasses.

"Actually, it was an accident that Xue Poye came to this world." Sitting on the wine table, Xue Poye said softly, "It was also a winter night. In fact, I don't know how I got there. If it wasn't for Yuezhu, I think that I died overnight."

Everyone listened quietly, although they didn't understand the deep meaning of his words.

"For more than two years, I have experienced many things and met many people. All of this seems to me like a ridiculous dream. Looking back now, I can't understand how I With today's achievements." Xue Poye seemed drunk, and seemed to need to pour out his long-suppressed inner thoughts, and said quietly: "But after I got to know each other and cherish each other, I realized that all of this is very real. Yes, I got the lover I dreamed of, the position I dreamed of, and many friends I dreamed of... This is not an illusion after all!"

"Xue Lang!" Holding a champagne in her hand, Xiao Suzhen gently wiped the corners of Xue Poye's eyes, and said softly, "Are you drunk? Rest early."

Xue Poye held Xiao Suzhen's hand, smiled, and looked at the women with different styles on the table, feeling a great sense of satisfaction in his heart, and said emotionally: "Live well, I will accompany you well, Take good care of you... Live well, live happily, live happily, live freely!"

There was also a burst of warmth in the hearts of the girls.

After eating this meal for a long time, at the table, Xue Poye mostly recalled his life in Hangzhou. Everyone listened to the family history of Master Xue with great interest as if they were listening to a story.

The night was too dark, and it was freezing cold. Xue Poye was worried that the women would not be able to bear the cold, so he immediately let everyone rest. The General Guard Mansion has a huge area, and the other courtyards of Lv Niangzi and Su Mayou have already settled down .

Xue Poye was extremely tired, so he didn't rest with any woman, but let Zhang Hu help him back to the main room.

"Brother Xue...Brother Xue, I would call you like that." Zhang Hu frowned. It's not good to keep it in your heart."

Xue Poye smiled lightly and said, "Brother Zhang, do you see that I am unhappy?"

Zhang Hu sighed: "Brother Xue, although you are usually good at speaking, you never show your emotions too much. It is a bit abnormal to say these words tonight."

Xue Poye took Zhang Hu's hand, went back to the room and sat down, then sighed: "Brother Zhang also knows me!"

"Brother Xue, what's on your mind?" Zhang Hu said seriously, "If Zhang Hu is needed, he will go up the mountain of swords and down into the sea of ​​fire, and he will do whatever he wants."

Xue Poye shook his head, and said softly: "Actually, it's nothing. I just feel that many things in the court seem to have changed when I come back this time."

How could Zhang Hu not know what Xue Poye was referring to, and asked in a low voice: "Brother Xue, are you talking about the change of officials in the imperial court?"

Xue Poye knew that Zhang Hu was following him now, and he was purely from his own family, so he didn't hide it: "Brother Zhang, I only found out that the Minister of the Ministry of Officials has changed when I was at the celebration banquet today. He Ru, who just took office not long ago He is no longer in office now."

Zhang Hu nodded and said: "I also know about this. I heard that He Ru would take bribes and break the law, accept bribes, and was advised by the officials. The prime minister asked the emperor to dismiss him. The new Minister of the Ministry of Officials, You Shaoqing , that is the person appointed by the Holy Majesty himself, and after this person came to power, he immediately deposed many officials."

Xue Poye rubbed his nose, thought for a while, and knew that these new officials were most likely arranged by the little emperor secretly to You Shaoqing. In fact, You Shaoqing was just a cover used by the little emperor to dismiss and appoint officials.

"Brother Xue, in my opinion, you don't need to worry about this matter." Zhang Hu said slowly: "This matter of changing officials may not necessarily be the Holy Majesty's opinion on you, brother."

Xue Poye let out an "oh" and said, "Brother Zhang, how did you see that?"

Zhang Hu said seriously: "Brother Xue doesn't know something. Since you led the army to leave Beijing, the Holy Majesty has been very busy. In addition to dealing with state affairs and court affairs, he also personally inspected a large number of officials. You have to approach twenty or thirty local officials. Ask about various matters in person. Everyone in and outside the palace knows about these things. They all say that the current emperor is a diligent and good emperor. A month ago, the emperor held an official examination , gathered those talented local officials and some non-talented real-time officials together, and conducted a test. Prime Minister Lan also invigilated the test with the Holy One, which was very strict. After the test, a group of apprentices were dismissed immediately Officials with good looks promoted those who had achieved excellent results in the examinations and filled the vacancies."

When Xue Poye heard this, for some reason, he felt relieved, and he didn't know if it was for himself or for the little emperor.

"The examination questions of the Holy Majesty were also circulated later." Zhang Hu said excitedly: "It is not the crowning article of the Four Books and Five Classics, but some very strange questions. They all ask how to be an official, how to be a good official, how to be an official Afterwards, what methods should be used to improve the efficiency of each yamen, how should the reward and punishment measures be handled, and even asked about the climate conditions of each state capital, the geographical landscape, and the general appearance of mountains and rivers. Not many, but those who answered the above questions are all talented people with excellent reputation among the people."

Xue Poye laughed and said, "I taught him the rare test questions." Suddenly he felt that it was inappropriate to say that, so he just laughed.

Suddenly, he understood the real intention of this transfer of officials.

Of course, the little emperor didn't want to know Xue Poye's henchmen, although it would inevitably affect Xue Poye's influence, but in the final analysis, the little emperor was thinking about the big Chu Jiangshan.

When the emperor ascended the throne, people's hearts were not stable. At that time, it was natural to install more cronies in order to control the situation in the court. At that time, Xue Poye and Lan Wuqing also came from this point. The tone of choosing officials was mainly based on loyalty. Lord, we were short of time at that time, so we didn't even have time to examine our individual talents.

Just like He Ruhui, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, in fact, his talent is obviously not on the table, it is nothing more than good at flattery, because he has to rely on Xue Poye to fly to Huang Teng, so at that moment, he is firmly attached to Xue Poye's feet, At that time, using him would naturally stabilize the official department, and he could use He Ruhui to promote more trusted officials, so as to stabilize the court.

However, Lan Wuqing and Xue Poye's ability to control the situation is obviously stronger than expected. After only a short period of a few months, the most important and dangerous period of the emperor's replacement has been stabilized. The empire has entered a period of development in an orderly manner. .

With the help of Xue Poye and Lan Wuqing, the authority of the little emperor is getting stronger day by day. In this way, the courtiers will be obedient, and the empire will not need too many loyal but incompetent courtiers if it wants to develop. .

The empire needs ministers who can really govern the country and promote the development of the country to serve the huge imperial machine.

The little emperor is undoubtedly a very enterprising person, so he will spare no effort to change officials and choose more suitable talents for the advancement of the empire.

Xue Poye was gratified that the empire had such an emperor, and he was also gratified because this action was probably not aimed at him.

High meritorious deeds, this is the biggest invisible crime of countless power officials in history. Xue Poye undoubtedly made his power reach its peak in the process of supporting the little emperor. Inside and outside the court, political affairs and military affairs are all people who have their own people. , Such a character, on the historical track, will naturally be feared by the supreme ruler.

Xue Poye didn't want to confront the little emperor, that was the situation he didn't want to see the most in his heart. At the banquet, You Shaoqing's words made Xue Poye almost think that this situation was about to start, but Zhang Hu these few days In a word, he suddenly understood that the little emperor was just an enterprising emperor who was only serving the empire, and he should have no hostility towards this master.

Of course, in Xue Poye's heart, there will be a just in case...!

……

The next morning, Xue Poye appeared in the court hall, seeing Xue Poye standing in a familiar place again, the little emperor looked very excited.

Perhaps in the depths of the little emperor's heart, he desperately hopes to have a master he trusts to help him.

At the beginning of the court meeting, the little emperor did not shy away from praising Xue Poye. The officials also followed the little emperor's words and praised Xue Poye for the Northern Expedition. Xue Poye only responded humbly.

The handling of the post-war situation in the Northwest and the matter of rewarding the Northern Expeditionary Army had already been ordered by the courtiers, so there was not much discussion at the court meeting. At the beginning, various domestic matters were discussed.

Xue Poye looked at the little emperor's calm and capable handling of things, with the aura of a king looming, he was amazed in his heart, but he was also relieved.

Suddenly, I saw the Minister of Rites: "Report to the Holy Majesty, the preparations for the Holy Majesty's wedding have been completed. I wonder if the Holy Majesty has anything to say?"

Xue Poye was startled, and suddenly understood that the marriage between the little emperor and Ren Xue, the great-granddaughter of General Ren, might be held soon.

The little emperor looked at Xue Poye, and said with a smile: "Xue Aiqing, I'm going to get married, and I'm just waiting for you to come back to host the marriage."

Xue Poye hurried out of the class and said: "Congratulations to the Holy Majesty, the dragon and the phoenix are matched, the Holy Majesty is king in the world, the queen's mother is in the world, the country is peaceful and the people are safe, it is really my great Chu's blessing!"

All the ministers knelt down together: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Your Majesty!"

The little emperor seemed to be in a good mood, he smiled and made everyone calm down, and then he said to Xue Poye: "Xue Aiqing, when you were in the northwest, you told me that the handsome Beihu Yingtu would not fight me for ten years. , This is really a great thing, if there is no war for ten years, my Great Chu can take advantage of the time to recuperate." Suddenly smiled and said to the courtier: "The mind of the barbarians is that they want to use ten years to communicate with my Great Chu. No, gradually develop and grow, and when they grow stronger, they will come to attack our state of Chu. But don't they know that our country of Chu is rich and powerful, with a vast land and abundant resources. After ten years, our country of Chu will be stronger than theirs. At that time, it was the time when my great Chu pacified Beihu!"

All the ministers laughed.

However, many knowledgeable courtiers knew in their hearts that the ten-year non-war was the result of the Northwest War. If Xue Poye hadn't frightened the Hu people and made the Lakers fearful, the ten-year non-war agreement would not have been possible.

"Your Majesty, Beihu's mission will arrive in Kyoto in the next few days to discuss trade matters, as well as to pacify the Qilin Mountains and Hanshui ancient crossing rebellious bandits." Xue Poye said slowly: "Your Majesty is right, our country of Chu The land is vast and abundant, and the basic conditions are ten times that of Beihu, but...!" After a pause, he finally said: "But no matter how good a weapon is, it must be used. I only hope that under the leadership of the Holy One, my ministers and people of Great Chu will work hard to rule the country. , be proactive, and only then will it be stronger than Beihu in ten years' time!"

The little emperor nodded and said: "Xue Aiqing is right. Hu people want to work hard to rule. If I, the Great Chu, still insist on the heavenly dynasty and do not think about making progress, ten years later, I may not be better than the Hu people. Dear friends, I only hope you will wait Do your best and be loyal to the country, ten years later, Beihu will be pacified!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" All the ministers bowed in unison: "Observe the Holy Order!"

After getting up, Lan Wuqing came out of the shift and said, "Your Majesty, if you don't fight for ten years, this opportunity is rare. If Master Xue hadn't defeated the Hu people in the northwest, it would be hard to have such an opportunity. Since the North Hu mission is going to come to the capital to pay homage, According to my humble opinion, in addition to trade and bandit suppression, there may be further communication and exchanges."

The little emperor said: "Prime Minister, how can we communicate further?"

Lan Wuqing said sternly: "If you don't fight for ten years, you don't necessarily mean that you will fight in ten years. You may not have to use force to pay the Hu people. According to what I see, I, Da Chu, can marry Bei Hu, In this way, if Chu and Hu get married, ten years later, there will be Hu in Chu, and Chu in Hu, so there may not be a war at that time."

As soon as Lan Wuqing's words fell, the officials said, "Your Majesty, although what the prime minister said is reasonable, I just feel that something is wrong."

The little emperor raised his hand and said, "Get up and talk."

You Shaoqing got up and said: "My minister thought that if we Chu people married Hu people, we would naturally have nothing to say, but if we let our Chu people marry into barbaric lands, it would be quite inappropriate. I am a state of great Chu etiquette, and the blood of Chu people is benevolent and benevolent. A Hu girl gave birth to a child in Chu, and she was taught by my Chu poetry and books. She can tell right from wrong, but my Chu girl married into Hu, The children born will be taught to be vicious wolves by the barbarians, this...how can this be worthy of the ancestors?"

This is blatant racial discrimination, but Chu State and Beihu have great differences. When You Shaoqing said this, many officials nodded in agreement.

Xue Poye immediately said: "Master You, what you said is not right. The Prime Minister said that Hu and Chu have a close relationship, which is an excellent way to resolve the enmity between the two sides. As for the fact that only Hu's daughter is allowed to marry, and Chu's daughter is not allowed to marry, it is true. It's a bit extreme. If you want to achieve a true integration between Beihu and Dachu, mutual sincerity is essential, and my Chu daughter marrying into Hudi is tantamount to bringing my Dachu's culture into the Hu people, Mr. You Maybe you don’t know how powerful my Chu culture is, as long as it is given space to develop, it can integrate any ethnicity, not to mention mere Hu people, once the in-laws break up, as time goes by, a large number of Hu people of Chu origin appear in Hudi, At that time, would these barbarians still brandish their knives and attack their mother's country?"

At present, in the court hall, officials with different opinions whispered about this, the public said that the public was right and the wife said that the woman was right.

Xue Poye cupped his hands to the little emperor, and said, "Your Majesty, if you want to have in-laws, you should start with your Majesty. I learned that Hubahai, the head of the northern Hubarhute tribe, has a granddaughter named Borlianyue, who is the same age as the Holy Majesty. She is similar, and loves the Chinese culture deeply, if she is accepted as a concubine, it will surely be a good start for Hu Chu's in-laws."

The little emperor was overjoyed, this Bor Lianyue is Xiang Yezi, that is the little beauty of Beihu that the little emperor has always cared about, and hearing Xue Poye mention it at this time, it really hits his heart, you know what happened to Xue Poye With my knowing eyes and two coughs, all the ministers hurriedly stopped talking.

"This... Prime Minister Lan, Xue Aiqing, and Hu Chu are close relatives, it's not a bad idea, um... wait for the Northern Hu mission to arrive, and then discuss it!" The little emperor pretended to be calm: "Of course, what Xue Aiqing said is very reasonable, that... ...Since that Boerlianyue loves the Great Chu culture, uh...!"

The officials were a little surprised. Normally, the little emperor spoke and acted vigorously, reminiscent of the legacy of the previous emperor. Why did he speak like a fishbone in his throat today?

Naturally, it is impossible for the ministers to know that Bo Erlianyue is the little beauty in the little emperor's dream.

After the court was over, the officials left the palace gate, Lan Wuqing immediately took Xue Poye's hand, and said with a smile: "Master Hou, I have prepared thin wine at home, I wonder if Master Hou is free to sit down?"

Seeing the smiling face of the old prime minister, Xue Poye knew that inviting him to go today was definitely not a whim, and he probably had something to say, so he nodded and said: "I am going to visit the prime minister's residence!"

At that moment, the two of them took the car and came to the prime minister's mansion.

Although the snow has stopped, it is still possible to continue to fall at any time. The white snow has covered the solemn city of Kyoto with a holy coat.

In a very elegant and quiet small room, after Lan Wuqing and Xue Poye were seated, they cut straight to the point and said, "Master Hou, when you were fighting in the northwest, something important happened in the palace!"

Xue Poye said calmly: "This capital is full of big events every day."

Lan Wuqing chuckled, and quickly said in a low voice: "The Empress Dowager wanted to assassinate the Holy Majesty in the palace while Master Xuehou was on the Northern Expedition."

Xue Poye frowned, but he didn't show surprise. The Queen Mother was messing around with something behind, which was also expected by Xue Poye. Now that the little emperor is safe and sound, then the Queen Mother's conspiracy obviously failed.

"How is the queen mother?" Xue Poye looked at Lan Wuqing and asked, "Is imprisoned in the cold palace?"

"Dead!" Lan Wuqing said flatly, "The Empress Dowager has died in the Imperial Garden."

Xue Poye frowned.

The queen mother colluded with Yi Chenyuan to assassinate the little emperor, but was rescued by the eldest princess. People who knew these things could count them on their fingers, but the little emperor also told Lan Wuqing about this matter. After all, Lan Wuqing and Xue Poye is the little emperor's right-hand man, Xue Poye is not in the capital, so the little emperor can only tell Lan Wuqing about it.

When Xue Poye learned the whole story from Lan Wuqing, he couldn't help but heaved a long sigh. When Mingyue King disappeared from Liuheyuan, he felt that this matter had a great relationship with Yi Chenyuan, but he really didn't expect that Yi Chenyuan It turned out to be in collusion with the Queen Mother.

"A lot of people have died recently!" Lan Wuqing stroked his beard and said, "Yang Yao and the old Taoist Xuanyang in the big prison died at the same time one night. , The condition is getting worse and worse, and he just died not long ago... Hehe, these people died at the right time."

Xue Poye's heart sank.

The deaths of these people were definitely not ordinary. Could it be that the little emperor ordered people to solve them secretly?

Lan Wuqing sighed: "Master Xue, I'm afraid you can see that the death of these people may or may not be related to the Holy One, but these are all damned people, damned people will always die Yes." Paused, stared at Xue Poye, and asked softly: "Master Xue, I would like to ask, do you think you and I will become damned people one day?"