Hanhou

There is a strong smell of medicine in Changle Palace.

Chen Jiao stood by the couch and served the medicine for Empress Dowager Dou with her own hands.Every day when Liu Che went to court, he would go to Changle Palace to greet him.

When the Empress Dowager visited Changle Palace, she would often mention Yangxin, saying that Princess Yangxin was very worried when she heard that Empress Dowager Dou was seriously ill.

It's a pity that she mentioned it several times, but Queen Mother Dou never let go.Asked too many times, was bumped into by Liu Che, and even she was almost stopped outside Changle Palace.

Because of Liu Ling, the princess of Huainan, Yang Xin was confined in the mansion.Although the confinement is lifted now, just like Dou Ying back then, she is not allowed to enter the palace.

Empress Dowager Dou was seriously ill so Wang Zhi saw an opportunity.Nai He tried a few times, but not only failed to achieve the effect, but she was not able to lose money, even she was almost involved.

Back in the sleeping hall, Wang Yan swept away the lacquered dishes with a wave of his sleeves, and the palace people in the hall fell silent, daring not to move while lying on the ground.

"Liu Ling, you are the one who killed my daughter!"

Thinking of the reason why Yang Xin was completely disgusted, Wang Zhi's face sank like water.

The action of the Lieutenant's Mansion was too slow, and Ning Cheng's goal was too big. He wanted to overthrow the entire Huainan Palace, and Liu An was the one he really wanted to investigate.However, Liu Ling, as an insider, was detained as early as March, trapped in the Lieutenant's Mansion, and could no longer be free.

"Come on!"

Wang Zhi clenched his fingers tightly, and a ruthless look flashed in his eyes.

She couldn't insert her hand into the Lieutenant's Mansion, but it didn't mean she couldn't do anything.We can't let Liu Ling die now, but let her have a good drink!

It's just that, although the person from Changle Palace was seriously ill, he never let go of his control over the palace.There is also that Chen Jiao, who is getting more and more sophisticated in her methods, and she doesn't want to be caught. The queen mother warned herself, forget about Liu Ling's affairs, and be careful when it comes to the palace and Yongxiang.

Anyway, the one from Changle Palace doesn't live long, not short of this time.

"I endured it for decades, but it was only a year or two."

The eunuch stooped and walked into the hall, seemingly unheard of Wang Zhi's soliloquies.After saluting, he waited like a wooden sculpture, only waiting for the Queen Mother to order.

"You leave the palace today and go to the doctor's residence."

In terms of power and status, Gaihou Wangxin is the best candidate.It's just that he avoids troubles, and this matter cannot be relied on at all.Tian Fu, on the other hand, has not been promoted in his official position in the past two years, but it does not prevent him from seeking business everywhere.In addition, he has a thick skin, and he can save himself from danger by "making mistakes" many times, so he can speak well in the court.

"Give this object to Dr. Zhong, he knows what to do."

The Queen Mother took out a piece of silk cloth, wrote a few lines, and handed it to the eunuch.

"Respect!"

The eunuch was ordered to leave the gate of the palace, and the palace servants cleaned up the dishes on the ground, served cakes and honey water again, and lit the palace lanterns.

The Queen Mother gradually calmed down.

Thinking about the death of Empress Dowager Dou, he was about to move into Changle Palace, so he couldn't help being in a good mood, drank half a cup of honey water, and ate three pieces of sugar cake.The corners of the mouth were always upturned, which could not be suppressed.

In Changle Palace, Empress Dowager Dou used up the decoction, pushed away the honey fruit that Chen Jiao handed over, drank half a cup of warm water, and fell down on the couch exhausted.

"Are you tired, mother?"

Seeing that Empress Dowager Dou frowned slightly, and a thin layer of sweat broke out on her forehead, Chen Jiao took the cloth towel from the palace servant and wiped it off for her little by little.

"Not tired, sweat a little, and your body will be more relaxed." Empress Dowager Dou patted the back of Chen Jiao's hand, ordering all the palace officials to go down, "Jiaojiao, I have something to tell you."

"promise."

When the door of the palace was closed, Chen Jiao soaked the cloth towel and continued to wipe the palms and backs of the hands for Empress Dowager Dou.

"A few days ago, the emperor mentioned that new money would be issued. I should do this as soon as possible while I am still awake."

"Auntie, didn't you say that this matter cannot be rushed?" Chen Jiao asked in surprise.

Not long after the imperial court implemented the three baht coin, Liu Che wanted to change it to the five baht coin. Although the prefecture and state's coinage rights have been withdrawn, it still seems aggressive, and there is no guarantee that it will not attract opposition.

Chen Jiao knew this truth, let alone Queen Dowager Dou.

"Time waits for no one." Empress Dowager Dou said in a deep voice, "If there is no such serious illness, if I can live a few more years, things can still wait, but not now."

"Big Mother..."

"Don't worry, listen to me." Empress Dowager Dou interrupted Chen Jiao and continued, "Even if ordered by the emperor, the attendants would not dare to hide it from me. Besides, how can I not know about my own health?"

Chen Jiao clenched the cloth towel tightly, her eyes were red.

Empress Dowager Dou couldn't see it, but she knew her reaction clearly.Caressing her cheek with one hand, she said lovingly: "Don't cry, the aunt knows you are filial, but birth, old age, sickness and death, no one can avoid it. I entered the palace when I was young, first served Empress Gao, and was given to Emperor Taizong. The Empress, then the Empress Dowager, and now the Empress Dowager, have had hardships in the first half of their lives, and enjoyed honors in the second half of their lives, and have enough blessings, so we can't expect more."

"Mother will live a long life." Chen Jiao choked up.

"A hundred years old," Empress Dowager Dou chuckled, "Old people are rare, let alone a hundred years old."

"Who said there is no such thing as Zhao Tuo from Nanyue Kingdom?" Chen Jiao said.

"Zhao Tuo, it's true." Empress Dowager Dou was amused, "When I was young, this man sent troops to attack Changsha. Except for Mao Dun, he was one of the few people who made Empress Gao angry but failed to kill him."

Recalling the early years, Empress Dowager Dou was a little distracted.When he came back to his senses, Fang remembered what he wanted to say to Chen Jiao.

"It's really old." Empress Dowager Dou sighed.

"The eldest mother is not old."

"Jiaojiao, remember what I said next, keep it firmly in your heart, after leaving Changle Palace, you can't tell any third person, not even your mother."

"promise!"

"Now the Son of Heaven treats Dou and Chen's family well. It's all because Wei Qihou and I are suppressing them. No one in the family has gone wrong, and there is no reason to give them to others. After I go, Wei Qihou will be able to suppress Dou and Chen. But it is not necessarily the case. Besides, there are many short-sighted people among the Dou family, and there are really too few talented people like Dou Liang."

Chen Jiao listened quietly without saying a word.

"Your mother is doing well now, unlike her early years of chasing power. But there is no guarantee when she will revert to her old ways. Tang Yihou, I underestimated him in the early years." I can’t afford too much trouble. But, as I said before, once I’m not around, the Dou and Chen families are afraid that something will change. If Wei Qihou and Tangyihou can’t suppress it, it may lead to a catastrophe.”

Having said that, Empress Dowager Dou's tone became more serious, and she firmly held Chen Jiao's hand.

"In order to avoid the catastrophe of genocide, Jiaojiao, you must replace me and suppress the Dou and Chen families!"

"Auntie, what should I do?"

"Support the emperor."

"Archer?"

"Yes." Empress Dowager Dou nodded and said, "I told you before that you want to learn from me, but you can't be like me. Today's emperor is not Emperor Taizong, let alone the first emperor. He is young and decisive, very domineering, and those who obey will prosper." , Those who rebel will perish. He will become a wise king, but the heart of a wise king will be cold."

"The heart of Ming Jun?"

"Don't judge him by common sense, and don't simply regard him as your husband. Remember, he is the emperor, the king who controls the life and death of the world!"

"Aunt, Jiao understands."

"It's good to understand." Empress Dowager Dou slowed down her voice, "You have no children so far, so it may not be a bad thing. The princes and kings don't make trouble. Without people like King Huainan, the Dou and Chen families will inevitably stand out. You must show weakness in front of the emperor. , but it cannot be cowardly. In this way, no one can move your position, do you understand what I mean?"

"Jiao understands."

"In the harem, Xu Liangren has a gentle temperament and a bit of intelligence. Now that he has given birth to the eldest daughter of the emperor, he should be promoted." Empress Dowager Dou changed the subject and brought up the matter of the harem again, "The three pregnant women in Yongxiang The sons of the family, the father and brother of the two have noble titles, which are comparable to Xu Liangren back then. As for the son of the next family, he will be a minor envoy for the time being."

"promise."

"Wang Zhi is honest now. After I go, there will definitely be storms in the palace." Empress Dowager Dou said in a deep voice, "The word filial piety is her greatest reliance. You can't make things difficult for her openly, and you can't directly go to the emperor. To keep yourself from being disadvantaged, you must act wisely and cautiously."

"Don't worry, mother, I will be careful."

"En." Empress Dowager Dou nodded, "Don't stay in Changle Palace tonight. Go back to Jiaofang Palace, meet the Son of Heaven, and tell him to come to my palace for the court meeting tomorrow. I have something to tell him."

"Five baht?" Chen Jiao asked subconsciously.

"Yes." Empress Dowager Dou said with a smile, "While I was still awake, I carried the pressure for the emperor, and let the emperor remember it well. For you, Yu Dou, and Chen's family, there will be more security in the future."

"It's useless to be delicate when the eldest mother is sick."

"My Jiaojiao never underestimates herself." Empress Dowager Dou took Chen Jiao into her arms, stroked her hair gently, and said in a low voice, "Jiaojiao, I may not be able to protect you for long. When that day comes, don't be afraid , cry more with the Son of Heaven. No matter how hard-hearted you are, you are still a young couple who grew up together."

"Mother..." Chen Jiao lay in Empress Dowager Dou's arms, holding on to Empress Dowager Dou's sleeve, and did not let go for a long time.

That night, Chen Jiao returned to Jiaofang Hall and relayed the words of Empress Dowager Dou to Liu Che.

After the court meeting the next day, Liu Che drove to Changle Palace.

After closing the palace door, the grandfather and grandson talked for a long time.When he walked out of the palace gate, the eunuch who was accompanying him accidentally saw that the emperor's eye circles were obviously red.

Not long after, the emperor issued an imperial edict, formally withdrawing the county's right to mint coins, and strictly ordered that the privately minted coins be transported to Chang'an for destruction.At the same time, the three baht coin that was not long ago was abolished, and the five baht coin was recast, which was circulated throughout the country.

In the middle of the court, there was a captain of Shuiheng, and there were five officials under it. The three officials, Zhongguan, Tongtong and Skills, were in charge of casting money.

Now that this edict is issued, all money in the world must be five baht, and anyone who dares to cast copper coins privately will be punished with a felony.

The edict was issued suddenly, and it was inevitable that there would be objections in the court.But the emperor was determined, and with the full support of the empress dowager, even though there were many clansmen among the opponents, they were easily suppressed.

With the help of Empress Dowager Dou, the decree that should have caused a disturbance was issued unimpeded.

When Zhao Jia led his troops back to Chang'an, all the coins circulating in the northern part of the city were the official five baht.

Because the money has a border, and each piece is sufficient, the cost of private casting is not low, and the trimming will be easily discovered, so that merchants and people only want to accept new money.Even if there are princes and kings who hide the old money privately, they cannot use it, let alone take the opportunity to seek benefits.Once the incident happened, Liu Che would keep it firmly in mind, and even directly questioned him.

The wind of private casting was gradually suppressed, and the new money quickly passed through the counties and counties.

When the new money was issued, the king of Huainan, who was far away in the feudal country, received an imperial decree, stating that he was accused of treason and asked him to go to Chang'an to defend himself.

After receiving the imperial edict, no matter how scheming Liu An was, he couldn't help turning pale.

It is absolutely impossible to resist the decree and not obey it. With the temper of today's emperor, if he dares to resist the decree, the next time he will come will not be the officials who announced the decree, but the army in full swing.

If you go to Chang'an... if you don't have ghosts in your heart, you won't be afraid. The problem is that Liu An really has the intention of treason. Feeling anxious, he looked at the subordinates with suspicion.

Who actually betrayed him?

He is not Liu Ling, and he has a very deep understanding of Lieutenant Ning Cheng.If there is no real evidence, this cruel official, who is as strict as the capital, will never ask for a clear order!

Thinking of when Zhi Du was a lieutenant and presided over the trial of the former Linjiang Wang case, Liu An's scalp tingled for a while.

He didn't think he would have Liu Rong's luck.

This time, I'm afraid it will be bad luck.

Zhidu and Ning Cheng are both cruel officials and like to make troubles for princes and nobles.

Thinking of the two being promoted together from Jinan, Liu An couldn't help but have fun. Could it be a local feng shui problem?Will the next lieutenant leave Jinan again?

After the imperial decree was issued, the King of Huainan had to pack his bags obediently no matter how reluctant he was, and went to Chang'an with those who came.

Because Liu Ling was detained, he did not get any definite news, and he did not know that the matter was designed by the Queen Mother. Ning Cheng and Liu Che were just pushing the boat along the way, and they were always wondering where they did not act properly, and which officials and retainers betrayed him .

It wasn't until he arrived in Chang'an that he was "invited" into the Lieutenant's Mansion and saw Liu Ling, who had been eating a "special meal" for a month, with sunken cheeks. Liu An had an epiphany. He looked at his daughter with a knife in his eyes. There is a little kindness, and I wish I could put it to death.

When King Huainan was in Zhongwei's Mansion, the Fourth Battalion who returned from the south also returned to Linyuan.

In the future, when they had time to rest, Zhao Jia, Wei Yue and the others saw someone from the palace, proclaimed the emperor's edict, and summoned him to Weiyang Palace to have an audience.