A crescent moon slowly walked to the middle, and the spring breeze blew through the heavy eaves of the imperial city in the night. In the streets of the night, a servant gallops on horseback to break the peace of the night. Just like Zhao Shangshu's visit to the scholars of the guards, before the curfew came, the various forces in the capital were seizing the time to connect in tandem.

communication and exchange of interests for the election of candidates for the throne; Similarly, there are also people running and shouting about how to deal with Jia Huan. These are the two core issues in Beijing at present.

The royalist forces led by the Han Dynasty, the declining Xinwuxun group, the neutral Chengguo Gong, the Qingliu led by Fei Zhuangyuan, the Hua Party, the Song Party, the Wei Department... And so on, each side has its own demands.

The moonlight is like water, softly sprinkled in the capital. After the throne was vacant for a day, in this quiet night, there was a chaotic change of power! Conspiracy and assassination are intertwined like spider webs, like shadows hanging over all parts of the capital.

Last night, Jia Huan raised his troops, and the situation in Beijing collapsed and cracked, like a volcano bursting out, and lava rushed down, carrying destruction and blood. This is Jia Huan's anger and revenge! But, it's like the high tide of a big drama is over, and the aftermath is shaking.

Kyochung is currently in such a time period.

However, the green mountains can't cover it, after all, it flows eastward! After Jia Huan planned inside and outside the Imperial Palace, this chaos did not deviate from the course and would settle down.

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…

The Imperial City, the three south houses on the east side of the Imperial Palace, about 9 o'clock in the evening, the houses are brightly lit. More than 20 princes such as King Song, King Wei and King Yan now live here. There are twenty adult princes who have performed the crown ceremony.

The three south institutes are divided into the west, the middle and the east. It was originally the location of the East Palace. Name: Ciqing Palace. But seven years ago, after the rebellion of the former prince, there was no one living here. Later Yongzhi Tianzi changed his name: Nansansuo. The political significance of living here is not trivial.

In the eyes of the courtiers, they were all candidates for the throne of the Great Zhou Dynasty. And like the eldest King Song, he was even more excited in his heart. In the West, King Song, who was Chinese New Year's Eve years old at the time, was reading "Spring and Autumn" at his desk.

He reads "Spring and Autumn", which has an allegorical meaning, but he is just pretending, and his mind is not on the book. At this moment, his heart is surging!

Deep down, he has ambitions for the throne! In his opinion, today Jia Huan was scolded by Fei Minzheng, the waiter of Hanlin, and hundreds of officials outside the Imperial Palace, which is a victory for civil officials! And he was the eldest son of the emperor at this time. Can he ascend to the throne?

"Lao Xu, you come in." King Song whispered to his personal eunuch in.

…

…

. In the simple bedroom, Yan Wang Ning Xi was dressed in filial piety clothes, sitting on a chair, talking to Concubine Jia who came to visit him.

In the bedroom of the main house, two rows of thick ash burned in the east and west. Brighten up the room. On the side of the table, Jia Yuanchun was dressed in filial piety clothes, with apricot eyes and peach cheeks. Baoqin, Li Wei, Feng Jin and other eunuchs and palace maids served on the side.

At night, King Yan and other princes came back from the Imperial Palace and went to the South Three Institute to rest for a while. King Yan lives in the most eye-catching place because the concubine is in charge of the six palaces. One of his eunuchs was poisoned while trying tea.

Jia Yuanchun softly soothed King Yan's emotions, and told the eunuchs, looking at Ning Xi, who was obviously stimulated, thinking about it, and said softly: "Brother Xi'er, the palace has been chaotic in the past. And what about now? At the beginning of your master's reign, he was assassinated in Xuanwumen..."

"Ahh Even though he was flustered now, he was still concerned about his husband's safety.

When he didn't leave the palace earlier, he was taken care of by the concubine because of his mother and husband. His wedding was organized by the concubine as an elder. When he and the princess got married, they worshiped the high hall for the second time, and they were the concubines they worshipped.

Yuan Chun shook his head gently, "Your master, he's fine." Brother Xi'er, it will pass! ”

Will it pass? She didn't know. Perhaps, it won't turn out well. Perhaps, it will be as the third brother intended. Her revenge has been avenged, even if she dies, it is nothing.

After Yuan Chun gave a detailed explanation of Ning Xi's daily life, he left her great eunuch Li Wei behind. Only then did he leave.

In the night, the lights in the South Third Institute are dotted, and those little lights seem to be extinguished in the spring breeze.

The battle for the throne has never been warm! All accompanied by bloodshed. A contest of force and conspiracy. Jia Huan's assassination, Ning Xi in the palace, and strict prevention of being poisoned, are all a microcosm of the power transfer and struggle after the emperor's death.

When can the ownership of the throne be determined?

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…

The long night passed slowly. A new day has arrived. The ministers once again went to the emperor's palace to worship the Son of Heaven, and at the same time, the court discussed and elected a new emperor. Qi Chi and the six Shangshu decided together to push the Son of Heaven in today's court. A country cannot be without a king for a day!

The candidates who participated in the court push are: Zuodu Yushi, Liubu Shangshu, Shilang, Dali Temple Temple, Tongzheng Envoy, Kedao, Guozi Supervisor Sacrificial Wine, Five Military Governors and Governors Tongzhi, and Chengguo Gong.

Officials who were not qualified to council also remained in the Imperial Palace. Such as Cai Yi of Hanlin Academy, Fei Minzheng, Zhou Shenxing, etc. Branch and Daoyan Officials: Li Si, the right of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Fan Xijue, Fan Yushi, etc. Such as the Han King, the Wei King of the royal family, etc.

The assassination of Jia Huan last night was as if it hadn't happened.

About 500 people gathered in the majestic and gorgeous Imperial Palace to witness this historic court push. Scarlet robes, green robes, green robes, left and right, a phalanx lined up in the hall as usual. Outside the palace, the brocade guards and the captains of the guards.

Qi Chi was dressed in a scarlet robe, standing at the head of the ministers' shift, and asked the superintendent of the imperial history to take a roll call, and seeing that the officials participating in the court meeting had arrived, he said simply: "Let's start." ”

Tingtui has always been presided over by the Ministry of Officials, but at this time, Qi Chi was in charge. The ministers elected several candidates for the Son of Heaven. It is generally customary that the person with the highest number of votes receives an official position. Of course, it depends on the choice of the Son of Heaven.

For example, in the history of the Ming Dynasty: in the twenty-sixth year of Wanli, Cai Guozhen, the secretary of the ministry, was dismissed, seven people were pushed by the court, Li Dai was at the end, and the emperor was promoted.

Yin Peng, the secretary of the ministry, did not fight with Qi Chi. His prestige and qualifications are not as good as Qi Chi. Qi Chi has the great merit of pacifying the Western Regions and Mobei. Although everyone in the capital has done their best, the first contribution to pacifying the Western Regions is Jia Huan. But the merit of Mobei and the destruction of Zhuhu are also immortal.

Yin Peng's eyes drooped slightly, looking at the gold bricks in the hall. Thinking about his mind. Jia Huan came to visit him last night. The curfew was promulgated by Jia Huan and enforced by the guards. Of course, Jia Huan will not be banned.

The first step in the court push is for the important ministers to propose candidates. For example, the thirteen masters of the imperial history, the six branches are all given to the matter, the imperial history of the capital, and the priest of the country, these people do not have the right to nominate them.

Xiao Pi, the servant of the Ministry of Officials and the head of the Hanlin Academy, took the lead in speaking, "Lord Qi, today is different from the past, but we are discussing the candidate for the Son of Heaven. There are no two days. The official believes that only one person should be selected to report to the Queen Mother. ”

What's going on with the Queen Mother, the ministers in the court know it! It's just a façade! When will it be the turn of the queen mother to decide the emperor's choice?

At the same time, all the princes of the temple knew in their hearts that Queen Yang was under Jia Huan's control. said that it was reported to the Queen Mother, but it was actually reported to Jia Huan. Temple boss, no one is stupid. But the princes are still willing to go through the court push procedure and play with Jia Huan within the rules!

First, fame and fortune, from ancient times to the present, how many people can see through it? Second, there may not be a forbearance of "ten years is not too late". Everywhere in history! Third, the courtiers who were dissatisfied with Jia Huan did not have the ability to overturn the table at this time.

Qi Chi nodded and said, "This is the right reason. "If this game is fair, his prestige in the Imperial Palace will be a few points higher. Many people in the DPRK and China were worried that Governor Qi and Jia Huan were complicit. If there are several candidates in the report, what if Queen Yang directly chooses King Yan?

…

…

The ministers echoed and determined that only one person was recommended by the court, Li Kangshi, the secretary of Dali Temple, said loudly: "This official elected the king of Chu." The king of Chu is the son of heaven, and there is no more suitable person in the world than him. Shi Shijun, the servant of the Criminal Department, made eye contact with King Han and the others. They were both royalists.

In the front row of the Wuchen array, King Shui Rong of Beijing immediately refuted: "When will it take for Lingnan to go to Beijing?" How can major national events be postponed? Late will change. There may not be chaos in the local area. Don't ignore it! ”

Zhan Chenghou, the squire of the military department, sneered: "Then according to the meaning of the water prince, it is better to directly promote the king of Yan." What are we talking about? "Champa Hou is the banner of the new martial arts group at this time. Who doesn't know that King Beijing and Jiafu are world friends? And the slogan of Jia Huan's army is King Liyan! King Yan is a disciple of Jia Huan, how much difference is there between King Yan and Jia Huan himself as emperor?

King Beijing was noncommittal and did not debate with Champong. If you don't push King Yan, it won't come out of his mouth. He has scruples.

And there was an uproar in the Imperial Palace. Fei Zhuangyuan came out of the ranks, bowed down, and said earnestly: "Your Excellency, you are all important ministers of the country, how can you make my dynasty usurp the throne?" Immediately, more than a dozen people came out to support them.

Qi Chi's expression was solemn, he glanced at the ministers, and said, "When the court is deliberating, no one else is allowed to interfere with the court discussion. Otherwise, they will be expelled from the temple. After suppressing the sound, he said: "This official recommended King Song." King Song was the eldest son of the emperor. In terms of etiquette, he should succeed to the throne. ”

This proposal was taken seriously by many officials. The king of Chu was too far away from the capital. Now is not the time of the Ming Wu Sect. Wait a few months, but I am afraid that the local area will not be quiet.

Yang Jiantian, the waiter of the Ministry of Works, said: "This official recommended King Wei. Although King Song is the eldest son of the emperor, his background is low, and his mother is just a palace maid, with sparse knowledge and not the appearance of a human king. "Yang Shilang has an old relationship with Jiafu. He has a good personal relationship with Jia Zheng.

This sentence, if the King of Song who was waiting in the side hall knew, it was estimated that he would have the heart to kill Yang Shilang. Jia Huan turned out that in that time and space, Kang Mazi used this reason to deny the Eighth Prince.

At this time, Hu Xuan, the right waiter of the Ministry of Rites, came out and said: "Yang Shilang's words, I dare not agree with you. If you talk about noble status, who among the princes in Beijing is comparable to King Yan? King Yan is the son of Zhou Guifei. Under the election of the king of Yan. ”

The former Red People's Party, Hu Shilang, who slapped the sycophants of the Son of Heaven and later took refuge in Huamo, said very reasonably. Indeed, if you talk about the identity of the mother, King Yan is the most expensive. However, there was an instant scolding in the Imperial Palace!

Yuan Hao, the left attendant of the Criminal Department, and Yu Shi Li Si on the right, all looked at Hu Xuan in astonishment. This.... Then, as if understood. They were the backbone of the Red People. Headed by Yuan Hao. Later, he parted ways with Yuan Shilang.

In the hall, in the official formation of Kedaoyan, someone scolded: "Hu Bingyong, are you willing to be Jia Huan's lackey?" ”

Hu Xuan didn't care about the scolding, and retorted: "King Yan is not the blood of the Son of Heaven? "When he was a member of the Red People's Party, there were fewer times when the officials scolded him?

After arguing for an hour, Qi Chi presided over the vote with the four kings of Chu, Song, Wei, and Yan. There were a total of forty-six votes, with King Song receiving the highest number of votes. King Yan is second, King Chu is third, and King Wei is fourth.

Qi Chi reported the results to Wei Hong, and then presented the results to Empress Yang in the form of a piece of music by Yuan Qi and Yuan Gonggong.

…

….

It started at about 7 a.m. and ended at 2 p.m. Periods, scolding, and quarrels do not need to be detailed. The hungry ministers left one after another from the emperor's palace. Go home or eat out.

Today, the order of life of ordinary people in the capital has not been disturbed, but the order of officialdom has not yet been established. Few officials will commute to and from work on time at this time.

Tang Daobin, the head of the household department, and Fei Zhuangyuan and others went out of the Huangji Palace together, crossed the Jinshui Bridge and Square, went out of the Huangji Gate and the Noon Gate, and went out of the Imperial City from the left gate of Chang'an. The group walked and talked. The atmosphere is slightly relaxed. After all, the candidates put forward by the ministers were in line with Confucian etiquette: the eldest son of the emperor.

Tang Daobin said: "What does Ziyun think is the result of today's court meeting?" Although he was the same year as Jia Huan and had always been good friends, he would never allow Jia Huan to usurp the throne.

Fei Minzheng looked at the relaxed colleagues around him, and couldn't help but pour cold water: "I'm worried that Jia Huan won't agree." ”

One Han Lin said: "Then we will continue to block and scold him." ”

More than a dozen people in the same company laughed when he said this. Everyone went out of the left gate of Chang'an, did not return to the yamen, and went to eat in the chessboard street.

The news then spread. People in the capital who are slightly more politically sensitive will pay attention to today's court discussion.

…

…

In the side hall of the Imperial Palace, more than 20 princes are gathering here, talking, ridiculing or coaxing each other. When the princes get together, how can they be harmonious?

Later, news came from the main hall.

The smile on King Song's face bloomed, and he accepted the congratulations of the princes.

Then, he walked to the middle of the side hall, looked around at the princes in the hall, and promised loudly with a spring breeze on his face: "If this king is the son of heaven, he will definitely not treat your younger brothers badly." At this time, there are chaotic ministers and kings, and it is the time for our Ning royal family to unite and forge ahead! ”

King Wei had a complicated expression, and said to Ning Xi beside him: "Look at his proud appearance? Ning Xi, what a waste of your gentleman! Holding the military power in Beijing, he actually let your throne be taken away by others. ”

His heart was full of vicious emotions.

Ning Xi pursed her mouth tightly. Although he didn't want to be the son of heaven and was afraid of living in Nansansuo, he taught Jia Huan history and knew very well that if the new emperor ascended the throne, his life would not be easy. Mr. will not end well.

He didn't answer King Wei. He knew that with his ability, things would never end like this!

…

…

The sunset in the evening shines on the glazed tiles of Yongshou Palace. The eunuchs and palace maids in the Yongshou Palace were replaced.

In the dormitory, Empress Yang described her haggard leaning on the soft couch, crying from time to time: her son died. The piece handed in by Qi Chi on behalf of the ministers was placed on the desk.

Shu King Ning Ke looked at Queen Yang's appearance, and after a day's time, she seemed to be ten years old. The pain in my heart is unspeakable. Holding back the tears in his eyes, he comforted: "Queen Mother, Cai'er, they are all fine, but they are separated in Cining Palace." You must take care. ”

Cining Palace is the residence of the Queen Mother.

He went to Wuying Hall to see Jia Huan, but Jia Huan didn't see him. He went to the camp in Beijing to see Shen Qian. learned of Jia Huan's intentions. is exactly the same as Xiaomei's judgment: now, the queen mother cannot die, and will be honored as the queen mother. But if you don't cooperate, your reputation will be ruined.

Empress Yang whimpered and cried, "Ke'er, Yuan'er is dead." ”

Princess Shen Xiu'er of Shu sat silently in the chair below, looking at the heartbroken Empress Yang, and her heart was full of emotion. Jia Huan's revenge is indeed very good! Not killing Queen Yang is more uncomfortable than killing her. If she hadn't harmed Prince Jia that day...

"Alas..."King Ning Ke of Shu appeased. How can he have no hatred in his heart? But can he watch his mother die? Or, do you bear the infamy of "water-based poplar"? I can't!