Zhao Chen let go of his hand, looking a little panicked, but immediately calmed down. After Xu Shao fell ill, he specially sent the imperial doctor to his house for diagnosis and treatment, and he had to report his condition to the emperor every day. Prior to this, the imperial doctor had also reported that he was "critically ill" many times, but in the end he survived. Therefore, when Zhao Chen heard Shen Xue say this, he thought that there might be no danger, so he said to the inner servant: "You pass on my message, let the imperial doctor do his best." ”

Shen Xue was his cronies, and unlike ordinary chamberlains, he stepped forward and whispered, "Official, this time is really not good. ”

"Why?" Zhao Chen asked.

"Taishi Xu was unconscious last night, but this morning we came together to feel a little energetic, drank two small bowls of gruel, and asked Mrs. to accompany him to worship the ancestral spiritual seat. In the morning, all the servants were gathered and given money and sent away. I also ate some porridge at noon and basked in the sun for a while, but it didn't work in the afternoon. The imperial doctor said, early is today, late is late ...... evening," Shen Ze whispered.

It was only at this time that Zhao Chen realized that it was serious, and after being stunned, Huo Ran got up and walked out, and Shen Ze trotted behind. I prepared a car and went straight to Xufu.

After Xu Shao returned to the dynasty from Shaanxi, he bought a house by the West Lake and lived a quiet life accompanied by the lake and mountains. After launching a coup d'état and proclaiming a new monarch, in order to facilitate his office in the court, the emperor gave him a house in the city, so he was familiar with the path. When I arrived at Xu's house, I saw that the servants in that house were panicked and miserable, and I knew that it was not good, so I went straight to Xu Shao's bedroom.

Xu Shao's two sons are in Shaanxi, two daughters and a husband who is an official are in other places, and only the eighth-ranked daughter and son-in-law are in Hangzhou. During her father's serious illness, his youngest daughter stayed at her mother's house to serve, and his son-in-law and grandson also came today.

Zhao Chen was anxious to see Xu Shao, and he didn't say much to his family, stepping into the ward, only to see Xu Shao lying on the collapse, suffering from illness, this important minister of the Pillar State had no shape, because he was a lung disease, and his bellows-like wheezing sound could be heard from afar. Zhao Chen's heart tightened, and he walked quickly to the edge of the collapse, and Shen Xue moved a chair for him to sit down.

Xu Shao also heard the movement next to him, and knew that it was the Son of Heaven who was coming, so he reluctantly opened one eye and said with difficulty: "How dare you, the labor official's family is here in person......

Zhao Chen couldn't help but feel sad when he saw the bloodless face full of vicissitudes of life, and sighed: "Taishi is an important minister of the country, and if this illness is like this, it is a public worry." ”

Xu Shao struggled to open his eyes wide, and when he saw that Shen Ze, the chamberlain, was present, he said to the emperor: "The old minister has a few words, and when he is dying, he will beg to retreat left and right." ”

Although Shen Xue was a person that Zhao Chen trusted very much, the deathbed instructions of the Minister of Fu Bi were also extraordinary, and he turned his head and signaled Shen Xue to retreat. After he left, Zhao Guanjia said: "The master has something to ask, but I have nothing to refuse." ”

Xu Shao closed his eyes, and the sound of snoring in his chest kept stopping, and after a long time, he said in a low tone: "The minister rose in the army, and received the favor of the first emperor in exchange for literary resources. The kings of the four dynasties did not dare to speak up, but did their duty. Today is not a holiday, life is not long, the hate, only the old frontier has not been restored, the national shame has not snowed, I hope that Your Majesty will not slack off......" Before the words were finished, there was a violent cough.

Zhao Chen knew his intentions and reassured: "Don't worry, Taishi, I will never settle in Jiangnan." ”

Hearing this, Xu Shao had a smile on his face. When he and his nephew Xu Wei went to the line together, the two uncles and nephews had a discussion, Xu Wei said that Jiangnan is comfortable, and the more he goes, the more people here may not want to forge ahead, just seeking a corner of peace. For many years, this has been Xu Shao's greatest concern, and now the emperor has expressed his position like this, which makes him happy.

Zhao Chen came here, first to visit, and secondly, he wanted to ask Xu Shao for advice on many things. After the two monarchs and ministers were silent for a moment, Zhao Chen asked: "Taishi Guan Manchu Dynasty minister, who can succeed to the position of second minister?" ”

Xu Shao gasped: "There is no one in the court. "Originally, from the minister's point of view, modesty and prudence are his proper style, but Xu Shao acted vigorously and resolutely, and now that he was dying, he took away all hypocrisy and told him bluntly.

After hearing this, Zhao Chen thought for a while, and then asked, "How is Qin Hui?" ”

Xu Shao replied: "If you are not this person, you can't help the emperor." ”

Zhao Chen remembered it in his heart, and asked again: "Xu Shao sentenced Henan Mansion and repaired the imperial mausoleum, and he couldn't go back for a while." I want to make Zhu Shengfei two phases, a total of three provinces, is it feasible? ”

Xu Shao didn't answer for a while, until the emperor asked again, he said: "Zhu Xiang is pedantic and rigid, indecisive, and weak. ”

Although Zhao Chen listened, he did not refute it, but he did not agree with this statement in his heart.

"Official, how is the matter of peace?" After a while, Xu Shao took the initiative to ask. He was seriously ill during this time, and his family did not dare to relay the news of the government, because he strongly opposed the peace talks, for fear that he would be angry and hurt when he learned the news.

When Zhao Chen heard him mention this, he couldn't help but sigh: "I have issued an edict, refuse to be a minister, and still maintain the relationship between Song Jin's uncle and nephew." Jin envoy Zhang Tonggu has returned to Jin, and the DPRK and China ......"

When Xu Shao heard this, his eyes opened, and he said with some excitement: "My emperor Shengming! ”

Zhao Chen smiled bitterly, thinking that if the court and the central government think like you, I don't have to worry so much. Xu Shao didn't know if he was stimulated by this incident, and recovered some of his spirits, and said to the emperor: "Although Your Majesty has not been on the throne for a long time, it can be described as a blessing for the army and the people to have such courage!" The Jin people originated in the mountains and forests, relying on their cruelty and abusing the Quartet. However, since ancient times, it is easy to take the world, but it is difficult to govern the world. King Qin swept **, unified the eight wildernesses, how heroic, and then died. Emperor Wen's 400-year split made the world unified, and it ended in two lifetimes. The Jin people attacked and destroyed the Khitan, accounting for half of my wall, and their martial arts can be described as magnificent. However, such Diyi beasts, but at the beginning of civilization, Fang Liru Mao drank blood, how could he talk about governing the country? In the long run, civil strife will arise! And our army and people, suffering from more than ten years of war and division, have a deep enmity with the Jurchens, and they do not share the sky! Now that the south is stable, Sichuan and Shaanxi are strong, Your Majesty should be diligent in repairing internal affairs, accumulating strength, and waiting for changes from time to time, that is, the troops of Sichuan and Shaanxi will enter Hedong, and Jinghu and Jiangxi will restore the Central Plains, if such a major event can be determined! ”

Zhao Chen listened to the words, and couldn't help but be excited, and said proudly: "This is what I want all my life!" ”

Xu Shao's mood was too volatile and he couldn't stop coughing, Zhao Chen hurriedly comforted: "Taishi can't move lightly. ”

"It doesn't matter! Anyway! Xu Shao gasped. Looking at the young emperor in front of him, who was too thin but had a resolute face, he recalled the scene when he was supported to ascend the throne, and he felt incredible. At that time, the official family was young, but he didn't know that he had great ambitions! Now that the Great Song Dynasty has a restored monarch and a restored minister, why can't he chase the Jurchens north and restore his homeland?

But soon, Xu Shao's optimism was shattered by reality. Although Emperor Taishang was in the official house, he was forced to be helpless, and he did not give up his intervention in the government affairs, and some ministers in the court were still delusional about him. I have to blame myself for this, if I had been more ruthless when we purged Geng Nanzhong and his party and drove all these people out of the central government, there would be no today! In the past two years, because of the "resistance" of the official family, the relationship between their father and son has been very tense, and if it continues to develop like this, it is difficult to guarantee that there will be no change!

As soon as he thought of this, Xu Shao couldn't care a lot, and said in a low voice: "Official, how does Deshou Palace react to the matter of peace?" ”

Zhao Chen's face darkened, and he shook his head silently. He didn't say that Xu Shao could guess it, and said in a deep voice: "The Son of Heaven is the head of state and the father of the subjects, and he should rule the world with hundreds of officials, and in Deshou Palace, he can be filial piety, and he doesn't have to worry about anything else!" ”

Zhao Chen was still silent, he knew that Xu Shao was planning for his family and country, but the world was the world of the Zhao family, how could the emperor's state affairs and family affairs be clearly distinguished?

Seeing this, Xu Shao said earnestly: "When a person is about to die, his words are good, and a bird is about to die, and his song is also sad." Your Majesty listens to the advice of his ministers, be sure to beware of Deoksugung Palace! ”

Listening to his words, Zhao Chen couldn't help but change his color: "The meaning of the Taishi's words ......"

Xu Shao tried his best to lower his voice: "Taishang is in the prime of life, and the former Zen position is forced by the situation, how can he be willing?" Repeatedly interfering in military politics and influencing the Son of Heaven, this is for this! If the officials do not take precautions, they will be harmed! ”

Zhao Chen heard a cold sweat on his forehead, his eyes wandered, although he knew that his father really shouldn't interfere in the government politics repeatedly, but he didn't think about it in such a bad way. Now that Xu Shao brought it up, the more he thought about it, the more shocked he became, the more scared he became, and muttered: "No, no, it won't ......."

"His Majesty remembered the minister's words, and if he wants to see the minister again, I'm afraid there will be no chance." Xu Shao sighed.

On the same day, the two monarchs and ministers discussed for a long time, Xu Shao only talked about state affairs, and none of them involved private individuals, that is, the emperor took the initiative to ask him if he had any requirements, for example, whether he wanted to arrange for his two sons Xu Hong and Xu Liang, and he also said that if the two sons could share the worries of the official family, they would use it, if not, they still had some family property, and their descendants would not starve to death.

Zhao Chen was very moved, and after telling him to recuperate with peace of mind, he returned to the palace with a lot of heart. However, that night, Xu Shao passed away suddenly, and the bad news came into the forbidden, and Zhao Chen was shocked! Summoned the ministers to discuss overnight, or revealed their true feelings, or won the hearts of the people, Zhao Chen cried in front of the ministers, and the ministers were all sad.

The next day, the emperor personally came to the Xu Mansion to mourn, and the officials of the court were shocked to hear that the second minister had passed away, and they all came to worship. Not only Xu Shao's supporters, but also those who disagree with his political views, have to admit that Xu Shao is indeed dedicated to the public and works for the country. Now that he is dead, these people have temporarily put aside their hostility and come to do their part.

After consultation between the emperor and the ministers, he believed that Xu Shao was a pillar of the country and had made outstanding contributions, and his death was a great loss to the country, and it was advisable to give generous gifts to comfort the loyal and good. Zhao Chen lowered the edict, spoke highly of Xu Shao's life, and gave him 500,000 yuan for the funeral, and gave him three days to drop out of the dynasty to mourn. He also ordered Prime Minister Zhu Shengfei to personally write a Shinto monument for Xu Shao to record his life deeds. and ordered someone to rush to Sichuan and summon Xu Liang to Hangzhou to bury his father. Because Xu Hong was still in Yan'an, the court decided to win the favor and did not have to come back.

Soon, the Son of Heaven issued an edict again, posthumously crowned Xu Shao as the king of Qinghe County, and buried him on the shore of West Lake in Hangzhou. According to the records of Zhou Shu's law, the longitude and latitude of heaven and earth are said to be written, the armor has Lao Xiang, Xu Shao as the prime minister, assisting the emperor to preside over the government and governing the country, he deserves to be a "Wen", he is a military minister, quite a military merit, worthy of a "Xiang", Wen Xiang's words can be described as appropriate.

Xu Shao was born in the army, and then transferred to the literary level, and the ups and downs of the sea in his life, encountered the changes that have not been seen in the founding of the Great Song Dynasty for more than 100 years, and the times created heroes and were able to display their talents. Over the years, in the central government, he has been in charge of the two prefectures in the east and west, and in the localities, he has passed through Sichuan and Shaanxi, and his credit is still ranked first. Moreover, he is loyal and filial piety, bravely goes to the country, and enjoys a high reputation throughout the country. When the news of his death spread, the people, both men and women, mourned.

As soon as Xu Shao left, his old family began to worry about whether his children and nephews would be affected if the patriarch of the Xu clan fell. However, this worry is purely superfluous, Xu Shao is certainly the head of the Xu family, but his children and nephews are not ordinary people. His two sons and two nephews were both in important positions in Shaanxi, and almost all of them were achieved by their own efforts. It is even an exaggeration to say that now Sichuan and Shaanxi are supported by the Xu family.

Of course, if someone is sad, someone will naturally be happy. And the happiest is none other than Emperor Zhao Huan. Xu Shao was originally a minister he relied on very much, but it was this confidant who took the lead in ousting him from the throne, and he hated Xu Shao deeply. Now that Xu Shao is dead, he certainly feels angry, but more importantly, there is one less important minister in the court who has outstanding prestige and great power. As soon as he dies, that Zhu Shengfei may not be able to integrate the forces of Xu Shao's faction, which is undoubtedly beneficial to Zhao Huan.

Xu Shao's death made Zhao Chen stop for a short time. But soon, the ministers of the DPRK and the central government began to make an article about the two things of "unfilial piety" and "peace discussion", either in the book or in front of the king. As soon as Xu Shao left, the ministers who originally followed him suddenly split. One part continued to rally around Zhu Shengfei, while the other part switched to the privy envoy Xu Han. Xu Han was an active anti-war faction, and it can even be said that he was a radical anti-war faction, and it was he who proposed to accumulate strength and prepare for the Northern Expedition. The ministers who switched to him were dissatisfied with Zhu Shengfei's indecisiveness and unfirm position. Taking this peace conference as an example, Xu Shao and Xu Han were resolutely opposed, but Zhu Shengfei was in agreement.

Zhao Chen sensed that something was wrong, and the four important ministers who supported him on the throne were Xu Shao, Zhu Shengfei, Xu Han, and Qin Hui. Now that Xu Shao is dead and Qin Hui is released, if the remaining two do not agree again, it will undoubtedly affect him. In order to establish Zhu Shengfei's authority, he ordered him to serve as two ministers and lead three provinces, hoping to unite the ministers of the DPRK and China.

In order to calm down the criticism, at the suggestion of Zhu Shengfei and Xu Han, Zhao Chen pressed his dissatisfaction, and from the end of February to the beginning of March, he visited the Emperor Taishang in Deshou Palace three times in a row.

Zhao Chen's health was not good, he was sick these days, and after being tossed by the Emperor Taishang and some ministers in the court, he fell ill in bed and couldn't manage the government. When Zhao Huan saw it, he openly instructed the minister to take the important affairs of the military state to Deoksugung Palace to report to him, and declared to the outside world, I am in good health, and I can share one or two for my eldest brother.

This incident made Zhu Shengfei and Xu Han deeply worried, and the latter proposed to the former in person, you must learn from Xu Taishi back then, and demote these people who ran Deokshou Palace out of the central government, even if the law does not blame the public, you must kill chickens and monkeys, pick a few leaders, and never tolerate it.

But Zhu Shengfei did not do this from the perspective of stability. Because he held the administrative power in his hands, after those ministers went to Deoksugung Palace to report to the emperor, if it was a major event, they had to send it to the Zhongshu Gate, and here they prepared an edict to announce and implement it to the public. If it is a trivial matter, the Zhongshu Sect will directly cut it and send it to the company for processing. As long as he does not sign and seal, all documents have no effect.

Xu Han is an impatient, he thinks that Zhu Shengfei is too merciful, and something will happen if he goes on like this. In order to prevent the slightest slight, after obtaining the emperor's permission, he used the power of the privy envoy to replace all the internal security troops in the forbidden area, and transferred the garrison troops of the Hangzhou Xingchao to fill the vacancy. He also suggested that the emperor let Zhi Yanzhi and He Guan return to the court for Hajj, these two army commanders, can deter some people to a certain extent.

But Zhao Chen rejected his suggestion on the grounds that the situation was unpredictable and the marshal could leave without permission. Akari was worried about the outbreak of war in Song Jin, but in fact, he couldn't believe Zhi Yanzhi and He Guan, both of whom were his father's former confidants. In contrast, he was more willing to trust the inner servants around him, and remembering Xu Shao's reminder, he let Shen Xue take charge of the forbidden internal guards and forbidden army in the forbidden area, just in case.

By the beginning of March, Zhao Chen was relieved. Because the new Jin envoy arrived in Hangzhou, when the Jin envoy was summoned by him, he abided by etiquette and had a gentle attitude, which was completely different from the previous Zhang Tonggu. He was even more encouraged by the peace conditions put forward by the envoy.

Song Jin still maintained the relationship between uncle and nephew, truce on all fronts, Song sent gold coins every year, and Dajin was returned to Huaixi Zhuzhou County to Song.

What does this mean? It shows that Jin Guo no longer insists on letting Song be a minister! It shows that his Zhao Chen's tough attitude is correct! It shows that those people in the DPRK and China who are still discussing the whole article are a group of stupid ministers! Zhao Chen was overjoyed, his illness was cured without medicine, and he appeared in front of the ministers in high spirits, and issued many holy edicts in succession, ordering Zhu Shengfei to preside over the Song-Jin peace conference, and still used Li Ruoshui, who was recommended by Xu Shao, as the chief negotiator.

The Jin delegation entered Jiangnan again, giving hope to the ministers of the active anti-war faction in the DPRK and China. Who said the Jurchens wouldn't compromise and make concessions? Look, isn't that soft? Aren't some people saying that once they refuse to be a minister, they are refusing to negotiate peace, and refusing to negotiate peace will anger the Jin State and make it attack with the troops of the whole country? Where are the soldiers now? The Lord and the ministers were silent and disgraced. Even when Zhao Chen went to Deokshou Palace to see Emperor Taishang again, Zhao Huan no longer proposed peace.

Zhao Chen felt his eyebrows raised, this feeling may have been something his father had never had.

But soon, before the formal negotiations began, the envoy put forward another condition. It is said that before the two countries officially start negotiations on the details, Dajin Guo has a request. Since I, Dajin, have already recognized Shaanxi as the inherent envelope of the Great Song Dynasty, the Great Song Dynasty court must immediately order the Shaanxi troops to stand still and cease any hostile acts, so as to show the sincerity of the peace talks.

The Jin envoy even proposed that the Great Song Dynasty send a few officials, and then select a few officials from the Jin State Mission to jointly go to Shaanxi to supervise the matter, because the Great Jin Kingdom really can't trust Xu Wei!