Chapter 194 Strategy, Death of Jiuniang
It is also said that when the imperial edict came out, Lu Lingxuan wanted to go to the East Palace to find Prince Gao Wei, and wanted to use Gao Wei and Empress Hu to intercede and redeem Gao Zhan's edict to revoke her title. But she didn't expect that as soon as she arrived in front of the carriage door, she was stopped by the palace. The middle guard informed that His Majesty had issued an order that Lu Lingxuan should not enter the East Palace again.
Lu Lingxuan was very angry, but she didn't dare to say anything. She had to return to her Lu Mansion angrily, and then she learned about the three imperial edicts issued by Gao Zhan.
"You actually deprived me of my title without even giving me a chance to defend myself. It seems that Your Majesty really doesn't trust me anymore!"
Seeing Lu Lingxuan muttering to herself, with a gloomy and unpredictable expression, Mutiva was a little frightened.
"Mother, what should we do now?"
Losing the emperor's trust means that all the power she once had will be taken back, and the son who became powerful because of his mother will become nothing.
Lu Lingxuan endured it for a long time, but finally couldn't contain her inner resentment and turned over the table full of Saeki papers.
And these papers were filled with her analysis of the people in the court and her loyalty to the emperor. It was a memorial she planned to submit to Gao Zhan after carefully considering every word.
"Oh, do you think I will lose if Gao Zhan takes over my power? No, I am not like the Liugu clan and have no successor..."
"Gao Zhan is using Xie Zhen now just to use Xie Zhen to fight against the Han aristocratic families in Yecheng and the Xianbei nobles in Jinyang. He wants Xie Zhen to be his lone minister and direct minister, but if Xie Zhen is such a person, There are partisan forces that rely on others, which will inevitably arouse Gao Zhan's suspicion and dissatisfaction. When the time comes, his end will only be worse than mine! "
"So, we have to find loopholes in him to make him lose Gao Zhan's trust in him. We must make him lose Gao Zhan's trust..."
At this time, Lu Lingxuan was muttering to herself, her expression was quite distorted, and she looked very uncool. Mutipo felt a little scared, but she heard her laugh in a low voice again:
"Yes, we still have the prince. As long as we can firmly control the prince Gao Wei, when Gao Zhan dies, we will have a chance to return to the court!"
"Mother……"
Mutiva was so frightened that she quickly knelt down and advised: "Mother, please be careful what you say, lest the walls have ears!"
Hearing this, Lu Lingxuan slowly tightened her fists, suppressed the jealousy in her heart, and said to herself: "Yes, the more times like this, the more calm I should be. A temporary failure is nothing. , Even if I fall down countless times, I can still stand up!”
After closing her eyes and thinking for a while, Lu Lingxuan asked again: "How is the thing I asked you to do?"
Mutipo said happily: "It's done, but I don't quite understand why my mother did this? It's just an abandoned son..."
"It's nothing, I just want to cause trouble for Princess Lanling."
Mutipo was silent for a moment, then pursed her lips and said: "But there is one more thing. There is a detail arranged by Dali Temple to report. Last night Xie Zhen took a woman to Dali Temple to see the Chen family, and I don't know what they talked about. What, that Mrs. Chen was a little crazy. She kept shouting about Princess Lanling in prison and was whipped countless times by the jailers. She fell asleep peacefully until today! "
Lu Lingxuan's expression changed and she asked, "Woman? What kind of woman?"
"I heard that she calls herself Princess Lanling!"
…
Gao Zhan brought Xiao Jinyu to the East Palace of Prince Gao Wei, and explained along the way: "Xie Qing is extremely talented. I want to hand over the prince to Xie Qing to teach him, but the prince is young and has no idea, so I promise Xie Qing to prepare the prince." As the governor, I can mobilize all the guards in the East Palace. From now on, Xie Qing can enter and leave the East Palace freely."
Xiao Jinyu replied: "Thank you for your majesty's trust and love!"
Having said that, Xiao Jinyu was reluctant to teach Prince Gao Wei in her heart. In fact, the original owner's resistance and hatred towards Gao Wei was so deep that she felt very disgusted and unhappy when she heard the name. Regarding this The ridiculous things done by the later masters who led to the demise of the Northern Qi Dynasty are jaw-dropping and too numerous to write down.
Gao Wei, who was timid, timid and introverted, did not like to meet the court officials. He was keen on lewd pleasures. He claimed to be the Emperor Wuyou and ignored political affairs. He even had beautiful bodies displayed for the ministers to admire.
King Gaochuo of Nanyang liked to keep dogs. He once let the dogs eat the babies in the hands of women to vent his dissatisfaction. When he saw the women crying, he asked the dogs to bite the women to death. When news of these acts reached Gao Wei's ears, Gao Wei not only did not blame him, but also shared the same odor with them, looking for more cruel entertainment methods, taking pleasure in stinging people with scorpions and watching their bodies twist in pain.
This is a person who is basically bad to the core!
He favored traitors, killed loyal ministers indiscriminately, was lewd and cruel, even worse than Emperor Wenxuan Gaoyang!
When he walked into the East Palace, Prince Gao Wei was playing hide-and-seek with the young palace maids. Suddenly, his hands caught Xiao Jinyu's sleeves. Xiao Jinyu quickly dodged away. Gao Zhan was furious and scolded: " Damn it, what are you doing?"
Gao Wei took off the cloth in front of his eyes, saw Gao Zhan, and knelt down with a plop: "Father! I know my mistake! I know my mistake!"
Although Gao Wei is only eight or nine years old today, he has already established the Crown Princess Hu Lü, who is the daughter of Hu Luguang. After all, Hu Luguang is the representative of Xianbei nobles and the first-class military and political power in Jinyang. Therefore, as soon as Gao Zhan succeeded to the throne, he appointed Hu Luguang's daughter as the crown princess for Prince Gao Wei, in order to win over the Xianbei nobles and powerful forces.
Although the Xianbei forces in Jinyang and the Han clan forces in Yecheng have been at war with each other, in terms of military strength, Jinyang Xianbei is more capable of protecting the country and deterring the enemy. The Northern Qi Dynasty has been trying to balance it since Gao Huan came to power. Even the integration of these two forces has not been effective, and the contradiction between the two has even intensified.
Xiao Jinyu also knows the reason why Gao Zhan wants to reuse her now. In addition to the life-saving grace of blocking his arrows, he probably wants to use her to balance these two powerful forces. In other words, he just wants to be loyal to Wei. He is the emperor's lone minister.
And cultivating the heir to the throne is the most critical step.
Perhaps he had wanted to leave this important task in Lu Lingxuan's hands...
"I haven't been to the East Palace for a long time. I saw the prince today. He looks like this? Is this what Lu Lingxuan taught you?"
Gao Zhan was so angry that he pulled out a guard's sword from the side, and struck the little palace maid who had just been playing with Gao Wei with his sword. The little palace maid didn't have time to scream and fell to the ground, blood splattered all over Gao Wei. , so frightened that Gao Wei screamed.
Xiao Jinyu also looked at Gao Zhan in horror.
"When my brother Emperor Wenxuan was still alive, he used imperial prisoners to teach his son Gao Yin to temper his weak character. I think you are no different from Gao Yin now!"
"Go, take this sword and kill her!"
Gao Zhan was referring to another little palace maid who had just had a great time with Gao Wei. The little palace maid had already turned pale with fright, was trembling, and was kneeling on the ground begging for mercy.
Gao Wei didn't dare to take the sword. He raised his head and glanced at "Xie Zhen" who was looking at Gao Zhan in surprise.
Xiao Jinyu secretly clenched her fists and advised in a low voice: "Your Majesty, I thought that in order to temper the prince's character, this method is not necessary. Moreover, the prince is young, so it may be counterproductive!"
"Then according to Xie Qing's opinion, what method should be used?"
"Your Majesty, Confucius said that a gentleman has nine thoughts, which are to constantly think and improve himself in life, so as to become a virtuous man. In the same way, if you want the prince to become a strong man who is brave, resolute and independent, you should also do more Practice it in life and experience it from the people.”
Gao Zhan thought for a while and didn't quite understand, so he asked: "Do you mean to release him among the people?"
When he asked, Gao Wei became anxious. He had never been out of the palace and was very afraid of the world outside the palace, especially when he heard that his father was assassinated when he left the palace. This kind of fear of the unknown world The fear is even deeper.
Xiao Jinyu rolled up her sleeves and replied: "Your Majesty, please give me some time and let me give it a try!"
"Well, I'll just wait and see the result!"
After Gao Zhan finished speaking, he sternly asked Gao Wei to stand up, pointed at Xiao Jinyu and said: "From now on, this Minister Xie will be your teacher, and he will teach you your lessons!" "Where is the sister? She goes Where is it? Why don't you let her teach me?"
The sister Gao Wei mentioned was Lu Lingxuan, and Gao Zhan became angry and displeased when he heard the mention of Lu Lingxuan.
"From now on, her name is not allowed to be mentioned in the East Palace, and she is not qualified to teach you!"
Gao Wei also wanted to defend Lu Lingxuan, but was caught by Gao Zhan's angry eyes and swallowed what he was about to say.
After saying this, Gao Zhan took Xiao Jinyu out of the East Palace, and at the same time handed her the imperial guard talisman for mobilizing the guards of the East Palace.
"In a few days, the envoys from the State of Zhou will arrive in Yecheng. However, the assassination in Yecheng has not yet been found out. In order to avoid any changes in the peace talks, I need to entertain the envoys from the State of Zhou on my behalf, Sir Xie. !”
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
"In addition, our Qi State's secret spy organization will be dispatched by you from now on..." As he said, he took out a jade token from his sleeve and handed it to Xiao Jinyu's hand, "This is the token for dispatching secret spies. Since From now on, you will take care of it!”
"yes!"
"And what you said about Duguluo, I asked Governor Liu to take you to see this person!"
…
It turned out that Duguluo was also imprisoned in a very secluded courtyard in the Beigong. The Beigong was already abandoned in many places, with ruins and walls, and there were very few repairs. The courtyard where Duguluo lived was even more primitive, with only a few buildings visible. Just a few couches.
Seeing "Xie Zhen" and Liu Taozhi coming, the young and handsome man seemed a little scared and wanted to hide, but Xiao Jinyu said warmly: "Don't be afraid, we are here to let you out! From now on, you will Free!"
The man was about Guan Guan's age, but his expression was as pure and unscrupulous as a child, and he was even timid towards strangers. This was probably the reason why he had been imprisoned here for many years and had no contact with anyone.
"Go out? No, I don't want to go out. I live well here!"
According to Ling Ye, Lonely Luo has been imprisoned here with his mother since he was a child. The only people he may have seen in his life are his mother and the people who monitor him who occasionally visit him.
Therefore, his ability to deal with people is very weak and he almost dare not talk to others.
For him, noble people like "Xie Zhen" are people he never dares to meet in his life, nor can he expect these noble people to lend a helping hand to him. But now, this noble person is very friendly. Walking up to him, he said in a soft tone: "In a few days, your old friends from Zhou will come to Yecheng. I heard that one of your brothers is among these envoys. You can meet your relatives and even follow him." Let’s go back to Zhou Kingdom together!”
After hearing this, the man laughed bitterly: "I don't have any old friends. I have been growing up here and living with my mother since I can remember. For me, this is my home, and my only relative is my mother. Now that she is dead, I have no other relatives.”
Xiao Jinyu can understand this feeling: he has been abandoned for about twenty years and ignored, and until now, the so-called biological father has never thought of welcoming his son back. Probably no one wants to recognize such a father!
"Okay, that's up to you!"
"Captain Liu, please give him all the silver reward your Majesty gave me, and let him buy a house, food, clothing, and live a good life!"
Liu Taozhi had no expression on his face and said hello, then ordered the two guardsmen who followed him to hand over the silver reward originally intended for Xiao Jinyu in front of Lonely Luo.
Lone Luo looked at Xiao Jinyu with some surprise, but Xiao Jinyu didn't look at him again and just said: "Let's go!"
But just when Xiao Jinyu and Liu Taozhi stepped out of the courtyard, Duguluo suddenly shouted: "Wait, who are you?"
"He is our most talented scholar, the Vice Minister of the Zhongshu of the State of Qi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Prince's Preparation, and the Prince's Young Master, Xie Zhen!"
Duguluo obviously did not understand the meaning of these multiple identities. He just looked begging like an idiot and asked: "Can I come with you? I am really scared of this place, but I don't know where to go." Where to go, what should I do?”
Xiao Jinyu was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: "Okay! Okay!"
…
Seeing Xiao Jinyu bring a strange man back, several women in Prince Lanling's palace were very surprised.
Especially Xie Yuxuan, she couldn't help but curiously asked: "Who is he? Why did you bring him back?"
"Gu Luo, the son of Gu Zhu, the general of Zhou Guozhu, Gu Xin!" Xiao Jinyu replied, "He is also a poor man!"
Xie Yuxuan also heard that Lonely Xin had such a son, so she asked: "Then what do you want to use him for?"
"Would you believe it if I said I just pity him and let him out?" Xiao Jinyu said jokingly.
"I don't believe it!"
"Manager Liu, please arrange a place for him to live. Let him go to Xinghua Yanyu Building to do something first!"
"yes!"
After Manager Liu took Lonely Luo away, Xiao Jinyu noticed that the faces of Xie Yuxuan, Lady Wei and Princess Liyang were not very good-looking, so she asked, "What's wrong?"
Axiu replied: "Princess, that Chen family, the concubine of the King of Hejian, that is, that Xiao Jiuniang, committed suicide in the Dali Temple Prison early this morning. Some people rumored that it was you Xie Zhen who went to the Dali Temple Prison. That’s why Chen was forced to commit suicide!”
Xie Yuxuan said angrily: "I'm afraid this is coming from that woman Lu Lingxuan again!"
Is Mrs. Chen dead?
After hearing the news, Xiao Jinyu was silent for a moment and then said: "If she wants to spread the word, let her spread it! Our most important thing now is to help King Hejian successfully transport the medicine and cotton clothes to Jinyang. We must do it before the Zhou Envoy Before coming to Yecheng!"
Seven days later, Gao Xiaowan was ordered to take a guard army and baggage to Heyang, Luozhou. Gao Yanzong and Gao Xiaoheng went to see each other off. At the same time, Gao Yanzong ordered a group of black boxes to be moved to the rear of the army to load the baggage. On the carriage, Gao Xiaowan was told to take him to Jinyang and give it to the soldiers stationed in Jinyang.
Ever since the last time Xie Zhen came into the house and beat him up, Gao Xiaowan had been thinking about a problem and was very puzzled. Taking advantage of the opportunity to talk to Gao Yanzong in private, he carefully asked: "Yanzong, Tell me the truth, is this Xie Zhen her? "
Gao Yanzong pondered for a moment and finally replied: "Since you have the answer in your heart, don't ask anymore, so don't be unwilling. Although Xingtai Youcheng is external, he can always avoid something thousands of miles away." It’s a disaster, and if you follow Dugu Yongye and build military exploits, it will also be beneficial to you in the future.”
In the Northern Qi Dynasty, Xingtai was a temporary government agency established in the place where it was stationed during the expedition. It could set up official offices. It was the emperor who delegated power to the ministers around him and made them independent frontier officials. It was similar to a temporary small The emperor of Yecheng has no control over the imperial court.
Gao Xiaowan nodded and said hello, but he was shocked and grateful. After a few words with Gao Yanzong, he led hundreds of soldiers to leave Yecheng. At this time, Gao Yanzong handed two more kits to Gao Xiaowan. He whispered in his ear: "My fourth sister-in-law asked me to give this to you. First, you can read it after you leave Yecheng Station. Second, you can open it and read it after you arrive in Luoyang!"
After finishing speaking, he solemnly added, "Third brother, take care along the way, and also strengthen your defenses to be careful of attacks, especially Lu Lingxuan's people!"
(End of chapter)