Shangyuan Festival is the most important festival of the Jin Dynasty, inside and outside the city, everywhere is decorated with joy, the palace is the same, each palace door is hung with red lanterns, pasted on behalf of the new couplet, but the emperor's mood is not a trace of festivity, heavy financial pressure makes him breathless.

This year is the first Shangyuan Festival of the emperor's accession to the throne, the emperor wants to celebrate well, but he is short of money, he doesn't want to celebrate, the queen mother Pan Zhi learned about it, invited him to go, handed him 100,000 taels of private money, and let him set up a stage on the edge of the palace.

"It's been a busy year, and the New Year has made everyone feel relaxed. ”

The Queen Mother said it lightly, but the emperor was very grateful, he knew that this was the Queen Mother knew that he was strapped for money, and knew that the first Shangyuan Festival he hoped to ascend the throne was lively, so he took out the private money.

The emperor was very grateful, chatting with the queen mother, the queen mother saw that his face was not good, and reminded him to pay attention to rest, the emperor smiled and agreed, but he could only sigh in his heart, the queen mother saw his thoughts, did not say it, just tactfully reminded him that the government is complicated, don't be too anxious.

"Didn't Daozang also say that governing a big country is like cooking a small fresh, and your father also said that governing the country is to stew slowly. ”

The emperor sighed: "What the queen mother said is that I don't have the wisdom of my father, and it will take me two or three days to deal with the government affairs that my father can handle in half a day." ”

Pan Zhi looked at him gently: "Don't worry, ask the ministers more about anything, they are all left to you by your father, and they have rich experience in government affairs, you have to trust them." ”

The emperor understood now, and smiled reluctantly: "What the Queen Mother said is true." ”

Pan Zhi frowned slightly, understanding that the emperor was unhappy, she couldn't help but sigh in her heart, the emperor trusted Pengzhu too much, but the first emperor once said that Pengzhu was too radical, just like Shaoyang, although Shaoyang's policy was beneficial to the country, but it was too urgent for the government, although Pengzhu was talented, but with this shortcoming, he had to ponder it and grind the water chestnut away before it could be used.

Sighing softly, she stopped talking about these things, and asked about the situation of Concubine Shu, the emperor has few heirs, only two daughters, and no sons, the Queen Mother is very worried about this matter, after Concubine Shu is pregnant, the Queen Mother specially ordered Concubine Shu to not need to come to her every day to ask for peace, and also sent the palace maids around her to serve her.

The queen mother was very happy to tell the emperor that the imperial doctor said that the concubine was likely to be pregnant with a boy, but also euphemistically suggested that the queen had no children yet.

The emperor smiled bitterly again in his heart, he used to go to the queen four days a week, but after the queen gave birth to a princess five years ago, there was no movement, which made the emperor very disappointed, and the palace was full of newcomers, so he gradually reduced the time to go to her.

The issue of heirs has always been a big problem for the royal family, the emperor is almost thirty years old, and there is no son, which not only makes the queen mother anxious, but also makes the ministers anxious, and this is also an important reason for the brother to die, the king of Qi not only has a son but also a grandson.

The Queen Mother saw that the emperor's mind was a little confused, so she said a few more words and asked him to go back.

"Alas, the emperor is still like that, that puffy pillar really shouldn't have stayed. ”

"The Queen Mother doesn't need to worry, with the Taishi and the Captain here, it will be fine. The female official beside her whispered comfort, this female official was brought into the palace by her from her mother's house, and she was her confidant.

The Queen Mother was silent for a while, and reminded: "Concubine Shu should pay attention there, if it doesn't work, let Concubine Shu come to live in my palace." ”

"Understood, the sleeves will be careful. The female officer replied.

"You also have to pay more attention, you have to be careful about what you eat and wear, how the first few children in front of the emperor were lost, this is a lesson!"

"What the Queen Mother said is that Sleeve Er can't take care of it alone. The female official's heart trembled, when the emperor was the crown prince, there were two palace maids who were pregnant, but in the end they were all miscarried, one of them was a boy.

The two children were lost in vain, and the fight in the palace was more dangerous than in the court.

When the emperor returned to Shangshutai, he noticed that the atmosphere in the room was a little abnormal, and he couldn't help frowning.

"How did you discuss it?"

Gan Tang and Qiu Yun exchanged glances with each other, but did not speak, Peng Zhu was angry, Pan Lian was still unfazed, with a faint smile, Pan Ji came forward and replied: "Your Majesty, on the issue of the selection of the envoy of Duzhi Caoqing, everyone has different opinions. ”

After the emperor sat down, the little eunuch brought tea, and the emperor brushed it with the lid of the cup, first took a small sip, and then said, "Then let's talk about it." ”

The minister recommended Shi Guwei, the head of the Taishi Mansion, but the Lord did not agree. ”

"Oh, who is the candidate for Ju Aiqing?" The emperor raised his eyes and glanced at Ju Yi, feeling a little surprised, although Ju Yi's reputation is not good, but he has made meritorious contributions in the matter of opposing the King of Qi, although he is not an auxiliary minister, but the weight of his words in Shangshutai is quite heavy.

"The minister is not against the use of Gu Wei, but thinks that it is not the time to check the degree of Cao now, and he can slow it down first. He replied in a calm tone.

"Why?" the emperor asked coldly.

"The imperial treasury has been empty for a long time, and it is already very difficult for Lord Tian to preside over Du Zhi Cao, and it will cause unrest among the courtiers to investigate him without a proper reason. ”

"Uneasy?!" The emperor sneered, put the teacup on the table, the teacup and saucer made a harsh sound, and the emperor got up angrily: "The income of the imperial treasury is getting smaller and smaller year by year, and if you calculate, how much worse is last year's income compared with ten years ago?"

"Spread the decree! Let Tian Huang go home to recuperate! Don't leave Beijing! ”

When the emperor said this, Pan Lian took a step forward and said: "Your Majesty, if you want to check the degree of branch Cao, the minister recommends Lord Ju Ju, Lord Ju has been in the court for many years and is familiar with the government and politics, and the task of checking the degree of branch Cao is complicated, and those who are not familiar with the government may be difficult to complete." ”

The emperor couldn't help but wonder a little, Peng Zhu recommended Gu Wei, Gu Wei is Pan Lian's long history, Gu Wei Qing Cha Du Zhi Cao once he makes meritorious service, he will definitely be able to enter Shangshutai, which will make Pan Lian's power in Shangshutai greater, but why Pan Lian is unwilling.

"The minister seconded the proposal!" Pan Ji immediately came forward to support, the emperor's brows furrowed even tighter, Pan Ji explained: "Your Majesty, the ministers and the ministers are all in Shangshutai, this is no longer very compatible with the system, if Gu Wei enters Shangshutai again, I am afraid that the courtiers will talk more." ”

The Emperor sighed softly, so it was, he understood.

"Minister, Your Majesty, Lord Tian Huang is an old minister, Your Majesty should be more considerate, and.." I wanted to say something, but I didn't dare to say it explicitly, so I had to hesitate to excuse the emperor.

The emperor's brows furrowed even tighter, this situation was completely out of his expectations, now it seems that Gu Wei is not very suitable, he wants to enter the court, the power of the Pan family is bound to increase greatly, which will affect the balance of the court personnel.

But he didn't want to say it, and he didn't even want to investigate Du Zhicao, and he was not suitable.

Look at Pengzhu, he naturally can't do it, after the Shangyuan Festival, he wants to go down to Chen State and check the land of Chen State, Pan Chain Pan Ji is not suitable, Gan Tang is even more inappropriate, Zuo Chen does not understand the government politics, and the emperor feels that there are too few talents in his hands.

"Your Majesty, if the Taishi does not want Gu Wei to preside over the investigation, the minister will recommend the King of Yanping County!

The emperor thought about it and suddenly found that this was an excellent candidate, the king of Yanping County, representing the clan, the sentence representing the ministers of the court, and Xue Mi representing the relatives, this combination showed the outside world the determination of the imperial court to investigate the degree of Cao.

"Ju Aiqing, what do you mean?" The emperor looked at Ju Yu, who hesitated, and suddenly looked up at the emperor: "The minister is willing to assist the king of Yanping County to thoroughly investigate the Duzhi Cao, and he will definitely live up to His Majesty's expectations." ”

"Okay!" The emperor nodded with satisfaction and decided: "King Xuanyanping enters the palace." ”

"Your Majesty, slow down!" Qiu Yun hurriedly stopped, the emperor was a little surprised, Qiu Yun said with a straight face: "Your Majesty, now most of the officials in Du Zhi Cao are celebrating the New Year, and there is no one in the Yamen, the inventory of Du Zhi Cao will inevitably shake the government and the opposition, and once the news is leaked, it will inevitably affect the investigation." ”

Qiu Yun's meaning was obvious, and the emperor nodded: "Qiu Aiqing is right, I am in a hurry, all Aiqing, this matter must be kept secret, if someone leaks it, I will not spare it!" After this matter was finished, the emperor seemed to unload a heavy burden, and asked if the official document to the King of Qin was sent out, and there was also the problem of fire prevention during the Shangyuan Festival.

In addition to security, the entire imperial capital has to come out during the Shangyuan Festival, and security is also an important issue, in this regard, Jingzhao Mansion is powerless, and the emperor decided that the forbidden army and the Tiger Benwei will be responsible for the security of the inner city, and the Jiumen Admiral's Mansion will be responsible for the security of the outer city.

After everything was dealt with, the sky was already gloomy, and Pan Lian went straight to Gu Wei's house when he left the palace, Gu Wei's house was still like that, there were no lanterns hanging at the door, but a new couplet was pasted, which was regarded as adding a little joy to the New Year.

At the entrance of the alley, I heard a faint sound of the piano, Pan Lian got out of the car and stood at the door to listen, the piano stopped, the door opened, the child came out, saw Pan Lian and invited him in.

The strings trembled slightly, and I knew that someone was listening to the piano, and it turned out to be the Taishi. ”

Gu Wei was sitting, Yaoqin was placed in front of his lap, the incense burner was burning with light smoke, and there was a faint fragrance in the room, which looked good and elegant.

"Mr. is free, Pan is envious," Pan Lian sat straight in front of Gu Wei, Gu Wei didn't answer, just looked at him, Pan Lian sighed: "I was expected by Mr. again, the emperor is really ready to check the degree of support Cao, Tian Huang is afraid that he will be sad this time." ”

Gu Wei shook his head: "If the Taishi thinks like this, then he underestimates Tian Huang, Tian Huang has been in charge of Cao for more than ten years, and he is his person up and down, and if Tian Huang wants to do something, it is mainly below, especially the salt and iron in Yangzhou, this is the point, and someone should be sent to Yangzhou." ”

Pan Lian smiled: "How can the old man not know, but..." He shook his head: "The old man really doesn't want to participate in this matter, but this time, Ju Yi learned to be obedient and didn't want to serve as the inventory envoy, so Qiu Yun recommended the king of Yanping County." ”

Gu Wei showed a little surprise, frowning slightly, he expected that the emperor would check the branch of Cao, so he told Pan Lian in advance not to participate, to recommend the sentence, but he didn't want to say it, which was unexpected for him.

If he is responsible for the inventory of Du Zhicao, not only can he collect a lot of money, but also can turn this matter into a small matter and a small matter, this turmoil will pass peacefully, and the emperor may be helpless.

"The king of Yanping is a good candidate, but... Liu Han shook his head lightly: "I'm afraid that the imperial court will have a lot of trouble." ”

Gu Wei knew very well in his heart that if this thing was done, the king of Yanping County would enter Shangshutai in the future, and in order to balance the power of the Pan family in Shangshutai, someone from the clan would also need to enter Shangshutai.

"Forget it, no matter, do you have any alcohol? I haven't drunk in a long time. Pan Lian smiled and asked Gu Wei for wine.