Linzhi

He Rong corrected him: "Your Majesty intends to make father the crown prince, but father is not yet the crown prince."

The establishment of a crown prince is not something that can be done with a single sentence and an edict. The crown prince is the crown prince, and it is a major event for the country. According to the regulations of this dynasty, the emperor must first issue an edict to clarify this matter, and then choose a good day and auspicious day. The emperor personally leads the heir Go to the Taimiao to make sacrifices, and then choose a day to perform the ceremony of reading the book and granting the seal in the Xuanzheng Hall.

He Zhan said with a smile: "Since your Majesty has this intention, my father was established as the crown prince, but sooner or later, there are only you and my brother here, and I will be cautious in my words and deeds when I go outside."

The emperor finally chose his father, and He Zhan was naturally happy. No one would not be willing to go up. The so-called sigh of being too cold at a high place has to wait until you have reached a high place before you have the leisure to sigh.

As a son, although the son does not speak of his father's faults, no one understands He Tai's nature better than He Zhan and the others. Not to mention many people did not expect his father to be what he is today, and sons like them also did not expect it at the beginning.

He Zhan couldn't help but said: "In fact, I originally thought that when our family returned to Beijing, it would be enough for my father to be awarded a title. Although my father is the eldest son, after all, King Qi and Wei are not bad."

He Rong shook his head: "You don't understand Your Majesty. In His Majesty's mind, the old prince is the best. Without the old prince, the remaining three sons are actually the same. Originally, King Qi might be better than his father, but Ever since his father returned to the capital, King Qi was a little anxious. Later, when Chen Wuliang's case came out, His Majesty was completely disappointed in King Qi, and even started to clear King Qi's power in the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple. I guess, since then, His Majesty has been A father was chosen."

After all, He Tai's birthright is indeed a lot of advantage. If King Wei is the eldest son, He Rong believes that the emperor will choose King Wei.

He Zhan also thought of this level: "Would King Qi and Wei Wang be willing to watch their father become a prince?"

He Rong: "One day with His Majesty, they will not dare to act rashly. Your Majesty must have a plan in mind. The case of Chen Wuliang is the same, and the same is true for transferring you to Luozhou. Don't worry."

To put it bluntly, He Rong felt that the emperor was not at ease with his father enough, and before everything was arranged for his father, the old man would definitely not let him go.

He Zhan also took the letter from Xue Tan in his elder brother's hand to read, and after a while he let out a surprise: "Zhanghou is stationed in Ganzhou?"

He Rong: "It should be that East Turkic or Xiao Yu's side has changed again."

He Zhan sighed: "Internal troubles and external troubles are really not peaceful. Given time, I will definitely report to His Majesty and lead troops to put down the rebellion. It is best to wipe out Fu Nian and Xiao Yu's rebels, so that it will be quiet!"

He Rong: "They are not quails, they nest there just waiting for you to pick up their eggs. If they are so easy to deal with, Your Majesty won't be too late to let them go. In my opinion, you are still honest. Stay in Luozhou and guard this eastern capital."

He Zhan was very unconvinced: "Third brother, can't you say something nice? Is it possible that I am so bad in your eyes?"

He Rong: "If you want to listen well, go out and turn left to look for Li Ji."

He Zhan: "Why?"

He Rong: "They sell candy, so their words must be sweet."

The corner of He Zhan's mouth twitched, he turned and left.

He Rong thought to himself, "Where are you going?"

He Zhan didn't turn his head back: "Go buy a rock of candy, stuff your mouth, and see if you will still say something bad about me in the future?"

He Rong shook his head and couldn't help laughing. He looked down and saw himself wearing a blue dress. He couldn't help touching it, and wondered if he really looked so dark. Why didn't anyone say he was black because Ji Ling was also wearing a blue dress?

……

Ji Ling sneezed.

He rubbed his nose and didn't take it seriously. He was busy packing up the scattered books on the case. The two officials from the Ministry of Industry who accompanied him were not as energetic as he was, and they were all yawning while working. When Ji Ling saw him, he asked They went back to rest first, rolled up their sleeves, and continued to work hard.

Someone outside came to deliver food twice, but he didn't move until the other person walked up to him.

Ji Ling didn't raise his head: "Didn't you say I'm not hungry, just put it there first."

"This is ginger soup. Mr. Lang said that you were caught in the rain outside. Mr. Ji should drink it while it's hot, so as to keep out the cold."

Only then did Ji Ling realize that standing in front of him was Wen Jiang, He Rong's close maid, and hurriedly got up and said, "Thank you, Mrs. Wen, you put it here, I'll do it myself."

Wen Jiang smiled, and put Jiang Tang down: "My surname is not Wen. Wen Jiang is the name Mr. Lang gave me."

Ji Ling scratched his head: "Sorry, how dare you ask the lady's name?"

Wen Jiang: "When I first followed the original master's family, I followed the master's surname Yang."

In other words, the surname Yang is not her original surname either.

At first, Ji Ling and the others thought that He Rong carried a maid with him, which was a typical style of high-school children, who never forgot to be romantic when they went out. Later, Ji Ling realized that was not the case at all, and Wen Jiang followed He Rong. Melting in and out, taciturn and quick in handling things, she is not the kind of little girl who is kept in a golden house.

Ji Ling ignored the other party's wishes, picked up the hot ginger soup, and drank it in one gulp.

Seeing that Wen Jiang was not in a hurry to leave, he chatted with him.

"Madam Yang has been with Saburo since she was a child?"

Wen Jiang shook his head: "Mr. Lang and the others arrived in Fangzhou for several years before the original master sent me to the He family to be sent by Mr. Lang."

Ji Ling: "Who was your original master?"

Wen Jiang: "Yang Langjun is a businessman and has no official position."

She doesn't talk much, she answers every question, her appearance is not outstanding, maybe she has been with He Rong for a long time, she has been influenced by He Rong, and she is also calm and demure. It's been a long time, but it's a subtle feeling.

In the evening, clouds came from outside the window, casting a gleam on Wen Jiang's hair and face. She lowered her head and picked up the empty bowl, and saw that there were still cold food beside her, and said, "Master Ji, I will give you the food." By the way, take it to warm up, it hurts the stomach when it’s cold.”

Ji Ling's heart moved, and he blurted out: "Miss Yang, my name is Jing Bing, you can call me Jing Bing."

Wen Jiang was slightly startled, the two looked at each other for a moment, Wen Jiang looked away.

"Don't dare to be rude, say goodbye."

……

A bowl of ginger soup was also placed in front of He Tai.

Today he entered the palace from the palace. After entering the palace city, it was raining heavily. He happened to be walking in the square, and there was no shelter anywhere. Ask someone to give him a bowl of ginger soup.

He Tai looked at this bowl of ginger soup, but remembered the past.

"I still remember when I was a child, maybe when my son was five or six years old, I once played hide-and-seek with the old prince in the palace. It was also caught in the rain, and was caught by His Majesty. He scolded us both severely and made him cook He ordered ginger soup and forced us to drink it, but neither of us would drink it at the time, His Majesty had no choice but to tell us a story and coax us to drink it."

The old prince is dead, people cannot be brought back to life, and being the prince is a certainty. He Tai will tell some allusions related to the old prince from time to time to express his deep friendship with the old prince.

But he didn't know that the emperor would only be more sad when he heard these old things.

Ma Hong wanted to interrupt, but seeing that the emperor couldn't tell the difference between joy and sorrow, he had no choice but to swallow the words again.

"Drink it while it's hot." The emperor only said this lightly, and asked Ma Hong to bring some candied fruit to suppress the bitterness of the medicine in his mouth.

Seeing his father's expressionless expression, He Tai was a little apprehensive, and quickly finished the ginger soup in one gulp.

"What experience have you gained from reviewing the memorials for me these few days?" the emperor asked.

He Tai trembled: "I don't understand or have experience with many things mentioned in it, so I can only ask Zhou Xiang and others for more advice, and finally choose some pertinent words to reply."

The emperor hummed: "I have also read those replies. They are mature, prudent and impartial, which is Zhou Ying's style. However, Zhou Ying is getting old, and he does not advocate forging ahead in many things. It is best to live a peaceful life. You can also do it yourself." You must have your own opinions, don’t be led by the nose by others, look more, listen more.”

He Tai: "Yes, my son also has some questions, and I want to ask you for advice."

Emperor: "Say."

He Tai: "As you said just now, Prime Minister Zhou is very old. I don't know who can be the prime minister after him?"

Emperor: "Zhang Song, Minister of the Ministry of Households, is a disciple of Zhou Ying's school. He acts exactly like him. If he is a chancellor, he is also a prime minister of licorice. Fan Yi, Minister of the Ministry of War, is upright and upright. He is acceptable in the six departments. It’s easy to act too hastily among the imperial officials, Marquis Zhang Tao of Wuwei is a good candidate, but now you cannot do without him to deter the Turkic people, these people have their own advantages and disadvantages, how to choose depends on you.”

Saying this is tantamount to not saying it, He Tai should be so with a bitter face.

Seeing He Tai's uneasy expression, the emperor sighed secretly again, fearing that his son would not understand, he had to teach him one by one: "The state treasury wasted too much in the past few years, and now there is no money to support a war. If Princess Ding is here, there will be peace and security within a few years. If East Turkic or Xiao Yu invades, there will be no problem with veteran generals such as Zhang Tao and Chen Wei. But if the two are combined, it will be a bit tricky. .”

He Tai raised his heart: "Your Majesty, please teach me!"

Emperor: "If you can make peace, then make peace. Try not to start a war lightly within five years, so that you can recuperate and recharge your batteries, because the south is not very peaceful. The leader of Nanyi, Mrs. Guiyi, passed away. According to the memorial submitted by Lingnan Road , Nanyi has now been divided into three parts, one is under the leadership of Mrs. Guiyi's son, and the other two have new leaders. It's best to submit to the court, but if you can't, you have to make plans to send troops to the court."

He Tai opened his mouth, his tone a bit dry: "Yes..."

The emperor raised his eyelids: "Do you think I left you a mess?"

He Tai hurriedly said: "No, I will do my best to live up to His Majesty's expectations!"

Whoever throws this "mess" to anyone can wish for it.

The emperor coughed, and He Tai hurriedly rubbed his back and chest for his father. After a while, the emperor let out a sigh of relief.

"It's not easy to be the family, and it's even more difficult to be the family of a big country."

The emperor didn't think that He Tai had the qualifications to be a king now, but he had to start arranging the funeral.

He Tai: "Yes, under your rule, the country is thriving and the people enjoy peace. These are your great achievements."

The emperor did not refute, he asked himself that he did his best during his reign, but because in the last years of the previous dynasty, the emperor was fatuous and incompetent, he relied on the eunuchs to take power, and the eunuchs colluded with the noble families inside and outside, so that the people were in dire straits. After the establishment of this dynasty, it was not easy to achieve the current situation through the governance of Emperor Gaozu and his two generations.

"The sons under your knees have their own strengths and can be independent. This is a good thing, but since they are grown up and capable, it's not good to stay by your side. For example, King Wei of Qi, I will be here now." Some regret that they were not allowed to go to the local government to take up real positions back then, Dalang Erlang and the others, have you thought about how to arrange them?"

He Tai: "Since Dalang is the chief, he deserves his name. Erlang likes to wield knives and sticks, so let him go to the army to hone his skills. Saburo Goro and the others have already emerged, and they can also assist Dalang in the future. Qilang's age I'm still young, so I'm not in a hurry, only Shiro, who has nothing to do all day..."

Emperor Wende interrupted him: "You have identified Dalang, so you don't want to change it?"

He Tai was stunned for a moment, then hesitated and said: "To tell you the truth, the concubine has agreed to recognize Da Lang under her name. Although the child born to the concubine must be a direct descendant, the age difference between that child and Da Lang must be too large... "

Emperor Wende knew that he had misunderstood his meaning, so he said bluntly: "I am not talking about the children born of the Pei family, but Erlang, Sanlang, and Wulang."

He Tai: "This, this...Although Sanlang and Wulang are indeed capable, they are neither heirs nor elders. If they are established as heirs, where will Dalang and Erlang be? I am afraid that there will be troubles at that time. Never thought of it that way!"

Emperor Wende asked again: "If Sanlang Wulang's meritorious service surpasses the master, Dalang feels dissatisfied, so what?"

He Tai was dumbfounded: "Sanlang and the others are brothers and sisters, and they have gone through hardships together for so many years, so it must not be like what you said..."

But in this world, there are few people who can share adversity but cannot share wealth?The emperor wanted to ask this question very much.

In his opinion, the eldest son is not yet fully prepared to become emperor, any question can make He Tai speechless.

That's it.

Maybe it's because he thinks too badly about people's hearts. There are also records of brotherly love in history books, so He Mu and the others may not be able to do it.

Emperor Wende closed his eyes and thought that it was all. He saw that people who were near the end of their lifespan could not take care of so many affairs behind them.

Don't you see Qin Huang Han Wu, who doesn't want to live a long life, and the dynasty is passed down from generation to generation, but what will happen in the end?

Emperor Wende was not a person who completely looked down on the world of mortals, he still had many things he wanted to do, and he still had many ambitions, but now his fate was beyond his control, so he had to comfort himself like this.

"Qin Tianjian and the Ministry of Rites have chosen a date. Three months later, that is, the first day of the first month, the Taimiao will hold a sacrifice. Another three days, the crown prince canonization ceremony will be held. Originally, I should take you to the Taimiao personally, but now I am not feeling well. Let Lu Rong act on his behalf."

……

As the New Year approaches, every household is busy.

The ordinary people have been traveling for a year just to have wine and vegetables on the dinner table at the end of the new year, which is a little richer. Although the rich and powerful families don't have to worry about it, the house is also decorated with lanterns and festoons to prepare for the upcoming Zhengdan.

Especially in Prince Lu's mansion, double happiness came to the door. Concubine Pei specially gave double salaries to the servants and servants in the mansion. In addition, it made everyone reduce banquets and have fun. Naturally, the Song family didn't say anything else. Her natal family was not in the capital. He Xiu's His wife, Xiao Lu, was quite critical. She was lively and outgoing, and she grew up in Chang'an, so it was impossible for her to stay in the mansion all day long like Song.

Finally, after Xiao Lu took He Jia out to the Spring Banquet of Princess Lin'an and came back, Princess Pei called all the women in the inner house together, explaining that King Lu was about to canonize the crown prince, but the canonization ceremony did not take place one day, If the name is not right and the words are not going well, it is even more important to act in a low-key manner at this time, and not to leave people with excuses, which will affect the future of King Lu.

He Jia's face was thin, and his face turned red when he was told, and he took the initiative to admit his mistake: "Mother is right, it's because we didn't think carefully, and I won't go out again."

Concubine Pei restrained her coldness, and said kindly: "I'm not telling you not to go out. It's a good thing for you to go out to socialize and play on weekdays. I wish you would run out more and avoid being bored at home. But it's not the same now, let alone Your Majesty." Now that the dragon body is in trouble, and His Highness has not yet formally conferred, even if he becomes the Lord of the East Palace in the future, he must be more cautious in his words and deeds, so as to set an example for the East Palace."

He Jia: "Mother is right."

Song also said: "I would like to follow my mother's teaching."

As the future and fate of the whole family are at stake, Little Lu naturally dare not say anything.

Yuan Shi next to her didn't say a word from beginning to end. She didn't go out at first, but since He Tai married Princess Pei and Yuan Shi suffered a serious illness, she became more and more taciturn, never speaking unless she had to.

After Princess Pei finished speaking, she asked them to separate. Xiao Lu and He Jia were friends, so they went to He Jia's room together.

Thinking back to the scene just now, Little Lu couldn't help complaining: "The New Year is approaching, and there are feasts everywhere, so don't we have feasts for those who celebrate the New Year in our house?"

He Jia said: "Actually, what the princess said is also reasonable. Your Majesty is not in good health now, but we are looking for fun outside. It is a breach of filial piety. Sister-in-law will endure this year."

Little Lu's temper came and went quickly, seeing He Jia picked up the half-embroidered wedding dress next to him and looked at it, he joked: "The majestic Leping county lord, you can get whatever you want, and you have to embroider the wedding dress yourself. It’s a miracle to say it!”

He Jia stretched out his hand to push her, his cheeks flushed, "What did sister-in-law say!"

After being canonized as Leping county lord, He Jia's wedding date also came down, which will be in March next year, when the spring is warm and the flowers are blooming.

Little Lu said quickly: "Isn't it? In order to take you out to a banquet, I let you see your future husband in person, and was scolded by the princess. How will you compensate me?"

He Jia pursed her lips and smiled: "At worst, how about embroidering a small screen for my sister-in-law after I finish embroidering the wedding dress?"

Little Lu: "Forget it, you have to spend a lot of time just embroidering this wedding dress. If you need to embroider other things, I'm afraid your eyes will be broken on the day you get married. I can't compensate Zhou Xiaolang, a new county magistrate." !"

"Sister-in-law, don't tease me. In fact, most of the embroidery work on the clothes is done by the maids. I just embroider this phoenix. It is a major event in my life, just to express my heart."

"I want to express my affection, but I'm not as capable as you. When I married your second brother, the wedding dress was made by others, so I stabbed it a few times with a needle and thread to show that I had touched it." Xiao Lu Shi touched the colorful phoenix on the wedding dress, and said in amazement: "Jia Niang, your embroidery skills are not far behind that of the famous embroiderers in the capital!"

He Jia laughed and said: "My craft was taught by Concubine Yuan when I was in Fangzhou. At that time, we thought that we would spend our entire lives in Fangzhou. I learned it very seriously, thinking that I could do it when I grow up. Embroidery work, help at home."

Little Lu knew very little about the days before the He family, because He Xiu didn't talk much in front of her, and she felt that the other party was reluctant to mention it, so she didn't ask in detail.

"Isn't Concubine Yuan the same as she is now, without saying a word for a long time?"

He Jia sighed: "No, she has been like this since..."

Seeing that she was depressed, Little Lu smiled and said: "Okay, it's all my fault, I shouldn't have asked about this. I heard from your second brother yesterday that Saburo Goro and the others probably won't be able to make it back this year."

He Jia was startled, and became nervous: "Then I get married next year, can they come back?"

Little Lu: "It depends on what your majesty wants. On the first day of the first lunar month, my father will go to the Taimiao to make sacrifices, and we will also enter the palace to pay New Year's greetings to your majesty and noble concubine. Then you can find a chance to ask."

He Jia nodded, thinking of the marriage, she felt a little ashamed again.

She hoped that all her relatives could be present for this important event in her life.

……

Whether the days are fast or slow, He Rong and He Zhan felt that there was still a lot to do in Luoyang, and the world finally ushered in the Zhengdan of Wende's 24th year.

For He Tai, this day will also be the beginning of a turning point in his life.