Ying Tianlong reasoned with Jia Shidao in a half-aggrieved and half-domineering manner. The Emperor of Duzong, who was sitting on the dragon throne, understood what was going on after hearing Ying Tianlong's words. Emperor Du Zong was very appreciative of Ying Tianlong's teasing of the powerful Old Prime Minister Jia in front of all the civil and military officials today. It was not an exaggeration to take this opportunity to teach him a lesson. Who asked him to become more and more disobedient? However, if he really embarrassed Jia Shidao, or even took the opportunity to get rid of him, it wouldn't work.
Du Zong knew very well that half of the civil officials in the court were Jia Shidao's men, and at least one-third of the generals were recommended by him. If he was really angered, he and his men would quit, and the court would be paralyzed.
After thinking for a while, Du Zong said," Brother, Minister Jia did not say that you used stones as gold to deceive me. He only said that you don't know how your gold suddenly turned into stones. This matter is very strange. I order you two to investigate this matter within three days and give me an explanation." However, Minister Jia, the servants in your residence are really too much. They set up a forbidden area, blocked the emperor's younger brother who was ordered to meet the emperor, and even robbed the carriage. They really should be properly controlled, or they will cause trouble for the old prime minister. Alright, court is dismissed."
The Sect of Degrees had given Jia Shidao a way out, so Ying Tianlong stopped pestering him and Jia Shidao didn't have a chance to get angry. However, Ying Tianlong and Jia Shidao both knew that the matter was not over yet. It was up to them to deal with the aftermath.
After the court session ended, Du Zong called Ying Tianlong to come with him to the royal study on the east side of the throne room.
After entering the royal study, Ying Tianlong was about to pay his respects again when Du Zong hurriedly stopped him and said,"Imperial Younger Brother, you don't need to perform the etiquette of monarch and subject anymore. In the future, as long as there is only Imperial Younger Brother and Zhen, we will address each other as brothers.”
Ying Tianlong pretended to be terrified and said,""Long live, how can the etiquette of monarch and minister…"
"Royal brother, this is zhen, oh, this is brother's heartfelt words. My royal brother, my heart is filled with bitterness and embarrassment. Fortunately, you are here now. You have to help me carry this burden. Haha, you've played a lot of tricks on Jia Shidao today. I'm so happy. Hahaha, Imperial Brother, did you already plan this and deliberately take a detour to pass by the Jia Residence? Haha, you've made Jia Shidao owe his brother a million taels of gold. Hahahaha, asking him to take out a million taels of gold is worse than killing him.”Du Zong's words suddenly made him seem a few years younger.
"Long live, oh, royal brother is wise, this little brother knew that this little trick couldn't be hidden from royal brother. However, after walking around Taihu Lake, I felt that it would be intolerable if Jia Shidao didn't spit out some blood.”
"Yeah, I've made Jia Shidao fat all these years, and he's getting more and more indecent. Now you dare to collude with the officials to corrupt the food funds I gave to the refugees. Your crime is really unforgivable.”Du Zong said somewhat angrily and somewhat helplessly.
"If that's the case, why doesn't Imperial Brother dismiss him from his post and behead him instead?" Ying Tianlong asked.”
"Sigh, how can the affairs of the court be a child's play? The Song Dynasty was in a precarious situation. How could it be resolved by killing Jia Shidao? In the once prosperous Great Song, the former emperors spoiled the officials and nobles in the court. There were still a few loyal families who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the court. Even the various generals who were bravely resisting the Mongolian cavaliers had their own plans. Since the Song Dynasty moved south, only Emperor Guangzong and Emperor Ningzong have made some achievements and have given up halfway. Ever since Emperor Shuhuang Lizong, not only was the national treasury empty, but the civil and military officials had internal strife, causing the remaining half of the Great Song Dynasty to be even more precarious. It's not that I'm shirking, but even if I have the heart to turn the world around, there's no turning back.”Du Zong said sadly.
When a man is about to die, his words are kind. Did Emperor Duzong know that he was not going to live long? Otherwise, why would he say such a thing? How could he tell his grand ambitions to his royal brother? What would happen in the future? No, the lazy old man repeatedly warned himself that the fastest change in the world was the emperor's face. At this moment, no matter if he was talking to you with a smile or complaining to you bitterly, once your words touched the forbidden area or defense line in his heart, he would immediately change his expression and even kill you immediately. Ying Tianlong wasn't afraid of being executed. Just as he said, the people in this world who could or dared to kill him had yet to be born. However, if he did that, he would lose his imperial power as a guard of honor. This would make it even more difficult for him to do things in the future.
Well, it was better not to say it. However, let's not talk about his grand ambitions. It should be fine to ask him what his plans were, right? Thinking of this, Ying Tianlong bowed and asked,""I have a question I don't know if I should ask Imperial Brother.”
"If you have something to say, say it. If you say something wrong, I won't punish you.”
"Thank you Imperial Brother, Imperial Brother's current situation is as tense as an egg. This official younger brother would like to ask Imperial Brother whether you want to attack, defend, or give way?”
"Attack, I want to attack the Yangtze River at all times and take back all of Great Song in one fell swoop. Unfortunately, this was just a thought. Rang, how can the country that the ancestor built be thrown into my hands? The only thing they could do now was to defend, but could they really defend?”
"For the sake of the Great Song Empire, as long as Imperial Brother has the command, I will die for it.”Ying Tianlong suddenly said emotionally. However, as soon as Ying Tianlong finished speaking, he realized something. The old lazy bum had taught him the art of controlling people. How could he be so easily moved by a few words from Du Zong? It seemed that this Emperor of the Duzong was really not simple. He had to be careful in the future.
The Emperor of Du Zong ignored Ying Tianlong's words. He pondered for a moment and said,""Royal brother, you have come to Lin 'an to assist your brother, so you have to have a place to stay. En, the De Shou Palace that is now known as the North Palace has been changed by my royal brother to Zong Yang Palace, which is a place to worship the Taoist gods. If you don't abandon me, why don't you live here?”
"Imperial brother, this matter must not be allowed. I think Deshou Palace used to be the place where Emperor Gaozong used to ride dragons, and now it is the place where my brother worships Taoist gods. How can my brother dare to live here? Moreover, this minister's younger brother still has to take care of Yun, Gui, and Chuan provinces to fill the granary of our Great Song. He also has to go to the Yangtze River and Taihu Lake to build the invincible navy of the Great Song. Whether or not this minister's younger brother lives in Lin 'an City is not important. In addition, Jia Shidao's mansion is spacious, and Jifang Garden is famous in Jiangnan. I'll just stay in his side courtyard for a while.”Ying Tianlong declined.
"Oh, haha, that's good, that's good. My brother is staying in the Jia Residence, so he can help me take care of that crafty old man, hahaha.”Du Zong said. It seemed that the Emperor of Duzong no longer trusted Jia Shidao as much as before. Then, Du Zong changed the topic and said,"Sigh, brother, the Mongolian cavaliers are acting recklessly now. The civil and military officials in the court are mostly weak and incompetent. What do you think we should do, emperor? Oh, that's right, I haven't asked who your master is. Royal brother, tell me about your past so that I can know more.”
" Royal brother, since I was born, I have been taken care of by the people around me according to the arrangements of the late emperor. When I was five years old, I had three masters. Master Wu was Mo Li Sanren, Master Wen was Misty Scholar, and I learned strategy from the fishing old man in Taihu Lake..." Ying Tianlong told Du Zong about his experiences.
Emperor Du Zong was pleasantly surprised when he heard this." Aiya, so you are the master of the three experts. Hahaha, good, good. No wonder you are so talented in literature, martial arts, and martial arts."”
"Royal brother, you're praising me." Ying Tianlong bowed.
"Hey, Imperial Brother, although I'm not as talented as you, I'm not blind. That day, when I was inside the Meridian Gate and my brother was outside the Meridian Gate, no matter how loud I ordered the chamberlains, ordinary martial arts experts outside the Meridian Gate would not be able to hear it. Not only did my brother hear it clearly, but the words he delivered to my ears were also clear and did not startle me. How can an ordinary person do this?"
"Imperial brother praises you. That day, this little brother was a little rash in his eagerness to meet the emperor. Fortunately, he did not startle the emperor. Otherwise, this little brother would not be able to sleep and eat in peace.”Ying Tianlong pretended to be terrified.
"No matter, no matter. I can't be happier to meet my brother. With my brother by my side, I can rest easy.”
With a thud, Ying Tianlong walked up to the Emperor of Duzong and knelt down."This subject is afraid. Your Majesty has praised this subject too much.”
"Royal brother, quickly get up. Didn't this elder brother tell you? There are only brothers here, not officials. Royal brother, you can't be like this anymore, or else this elder brother will be angry.”
"Chen, Chen's younger brother respects, respects imperial brother's holy will, imperial brother must not move.”Ying Tianlong said. After thinking for a while, he said to the Emperor,"Imperial brother just said that the Mongolian cavaliers are now unrestrained, and the civil and military officials in the court are mostly weak and incompetent. My younger brother thinks that now is the time for the country to use people. Why don't Your Majesty issue an imperial edict and summon the virtuous, loyal, and resourceful people south of the Yangtze River to come and protect the country?”
"How could I not want to do this? It's just that although there are virtuous, loyal, and resourceful people coming, if there is no one with a high reputation to command, it will be useless.”
Hearing the Emperor of Du Zong's words, Ying Tianlong immediately thought of a loyal and virtuous minister, Wen Tianxiang. Ying Tianlong thought that why not take this opportunity to recommend this great hero whom he had admired for a long time in front of his Imperial Brother, so that he could enter the court earlier and secretly assist and help him, working together to reverse the world and restore the mountains and rivers? Thinking of this, Ying Tianlong deliberately pondered for a moment and said,"Yes, Imperial Brother, I heard that Wen Tianxiang, the former Minister of Justice Zuo Si Lang Guan, Hunan Commissioner of Punishment, and Ganzhou Zhiwei, is a virtuous person with a high reputation. If we invite Wen Zhiganzhou to come, he will definitely be able to lead the army to defeat the enemy and the north of the Yangtze River. I also heard that Lord Wen is currently idle at home. Why doesn't Your Majesty summon him and order him to enter the court as an official to assist the country?”
"Wen Tianxiang? Alas, Wen Tianxiang is too frank. He even contradicted Prime Minister Jia Shidao several times in front of me. He even interfered when I wanted to build a yard to relax. Yes, in the sixth year of Xianchun, I dismissed him as a citizen.”Du Zong glanced at Ying Tian Long.
"This minister's younger brother guessed that imperial brother's dismissal of Lord Wen was probably to protect Lord Wen? How could Jia Shidao tolerate Lord Wen's integrity and the deacon's justice? His Majesty loved loyal officials and did not want Lord Wen to become a vengeful soul under the blade of a party in the court, so he protected him by deposing him. Royal brother, what does this official guess?" Ying Tianlong cunningly turned black into white. Du Zong was very pleased with his words. Du Zong said,"Ai, zhen has met a bosom friend. Royal brother, ever since Wen Tianxiang was dismissed, there have always been some people inside and outside the court criticizing zhen family. Today, I have heard a truly fair sentence.”
"Royal brother is the true dragon, the Son of Heaven. How can the mortals know what royal brother does? His Majesty loved loyal officials, and what was even rarer was that Lord Wen was also loyal to the Emperor. Your Majesty…"
"Royal brother, this is the time for the country to use people. Zhen doesn't want to think too much. Moreover, I also heard that Wen Tianxiang's loyalty to the country is even greater than before. Imperial brother, I order you to personally go to Luling in Jiangxi Province to announce the imperial edict. Wen Tianxiang will be appointed as the right prime minister and can follow the imperial edict to enter the court to govern the country.”
"My brother has received the decree. My emperor is wise. Long live my emperor, long live, long live…"
"Haha, Imperial Brother, there are only the two of us here. If I really live to be ten thousand years old, wouldn't I be annoyed to death by the government?”
"Oh, Imperial Brother, if there are no other instructions, then this little brother will go prepare to announce the decree to summon Wen Tianxiang into the palace to meet the emperor.”
"Imperial brother, don't wait. Zhen has called you today for an even more important matter. Now, in order to take over the Great Song in one fell swoop, the Mongolian cavalry had sent troops to conquer the east and the north in order to avoid worries. They wanted to destroy Koryo and the Wei Kingdom and eradicate the Liao and Jin descendants. Now, these countries have sent envoys over, wanting to form an alliance with our Great Song to fight against the Mongolian cavalry. In a few days, the envoys from the various countries will arrive. At that time, my brother will receive them and negotiate with them on my behalf.”
"I'm afraid this little brother is not competent for such a great responsibility.”This time, Ying Tianlong was truly terrified. Such a big matter was not something that he could do as he pleased. If things went wrong, not only would they not be able to form an alliance to fight against the Mongolian cavaliers, they would also lose the trust they had just gained from the Emperor.
"Hahaha, didn't Imperial Brother urge me to die for you just now? Why did he not dare to agree to such a small matter? " Hahaha, don't be afraid, brother. Listen to me, the Goryeo Kingdom, the Wei Nation, and the Liao and Jin Dynasty are all in the northeast. Even if they really want to ally with the Great Song to contain the Mongolians, it's just water from afar that can't quench the thirst of the Great Song. Moreover, they might not be the water to quench their thirst. As long as you don't embarrass the Great Song Empire, as long as they respect the Great Song Empire as the leader of the alliance and pay tribute to the Great Song Empire, everything else is fine. If they could not agree to these conditions, it did not matter if they formed an alliance or not.”
"I understand. I'll go and make preparations now.”
"En, where is the chamberlain?" Du Zong replied with an "okay" and called for the internal affairs director.
"Your servant is here, what is your decree?”Wen Duzong, the chief eunuch, called him to the royal study.
"I've already conferred the title of Imperial Brother, King Nine Virtuous, as a special envoy to receive the envoys of the various countries on my behalf. However, with the Nine Virtuous King's instructions, you must do your best to comply.”
"This servant accepts the decree."
"I accept the decree. Thank you, Your Majesty. Long live my Emperor.”
"Rise, for the sake of the country, we can only work hard for you. En, I have already approved all the other things that Imperial Brother has reported. Imperial Brother, just do as you have reported. However, he couldn't take out much silver.”
"Imperial brother, this minister's younger brother has already said that this minister's younger brother has some assets. Imperial brother doesn't need to worry about this matter. Imperial brother has been tired all morning, please rest for a while. This little brother will take his leave.”
After bidding farewell to the Emperor of the Du Sect, Ying Tianlong left the royal study and walked towards the Meridian Gate. As soon as he stepped out of the Meridian Gate, he saw Lu Yu, who was anxiously waiting for him, stomping his feet and hurriedly coming over to welcome him.
"Second Brother, what's the matter?" Ying Tianlong hurriedly asked when he saw Lu Yu's expression.
"Yes, it's a big deal. Fourth brother, oh, no, wangye…"
"Tong!" Before Lu Yu could finish his sentence, Ying Tianlong gave him a punch and said,"Second Brother, how can you say that? If you continue to say that, we won't be brothers anymore.”
"Hehe, you're really anxious? Isn't this the Meridian Gate outside the Forbidden City? No matter what, you're a prince personally conferred by the Emperor, and you're also a prince of the Nine Virtues. I'm so familiar with your highness, isn't it just showing off and basking in the light? Hahaha.”
"Alright, I'll remember Second Brother's big mistake first. What's the big deal?"
"Fourth Brother, this is not the place to talk.”
"Oh, I'm hungry. How about we go to the Fragrance Restaurant and have a good meal?”
"Haha, okay, I haven't been to the opening of Fragrance Restaurant yet. He didn't know how they were doing, so he could go and take a look.”
"Haha, when the time comes, you, the head shopkeeper, better not scare the lads.”
"If there's anything wrong, don't take offense, Fourth Brother.”
"Second brother, I only care about the silver, I don't care about anything else.”
"You-! Alright, I won't be pretentious with you. Team Tiger's captain has been waiting for you for a long time. Right, I'll get someone to call him over. Only he can explain this clearly.”
It was unknown what major event had happened. Let's watch the next exciting content.
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