The emperor is embarrassed

When the Lifan Academy presented the Tatar State Letter, the Empress Dowager Wei looked at it and ordered the cabinet to circulate it.

Li Pingzhou said, "The matter of Hamur, I think it's better to know about it with the Tatars earlier."

Empress Dowager Wei said lightly, "If the Tatars don't know about Hamul, the letter of credence came at the right time."

"The meaning of the Queen Mother..."

"Order Northwest to prepare for war." The Empress Dowager Wei said, "In terms of state affairs, there is no reason to say that one thousand ten thousand is one thousand, but the weak are prey to the strong. Now, the emperor is ill, and the whereabouts of the Supreme Emperor is still unclear. Come to think of it, the Tatars Got the letter, ready to fish in troubled waters."

"Empress Dowager." Ouyang Ke said worriedly, "Now that Your Majesty's dragon body has not yet recovered, and Marquis Pingyang has been transferred from the northwest, the veteran thinks that it is not easy to start the war lightly at this time."

The rest of the cabinet echoed.

Empress Dowager Wei looked calm, with a dignified appearance, and said in a deep voice, "Even though Marquis Pingyang was transferred back to the imperial capital, there is still Marquis Pingyang's heir in Gansu who has been in charge of Marquis Pingyang. Marquis Pingyang has accompanied Marquis Pingyang since he was a child to fight on the battlefield, and he is also a fierce general. The emperor is sick, and there are cabinets and generals, as long as there is enough food and grass, and the soldiers are brave, what is there to be afraid of?"

"Besides, when the Tatars entered the customs before, they didn't get any cheap after all, and they even lost a lot of people. Otherwise, Chen Jingzhong would not have the intention of marrying the princess." Ming Zhan dared to leave the imperial capital for several months. prepared.The Empress Dowager Wei was very organized, and said with a whip, "Furthermore, the Tatars came at the right time. They probably know a little bit about the internal affairs of the Dafeng Dynasty. If they want to raise troops, whether they have it or not With regard to Muer, a war can be waged no matter what."

"Thirdly, this letter of credence is not Chen Jingzhong's intention of probing. If we are timid and retreat, the Tatars will not let go of such a good opportunity." Queen Mother Wei said coldly, "Speaking of which, last year The emperor had just ascended the throne, and the Tatars organized their troops and horses. They broke through the gates and entered the imperial capital. Judah was defeated. Now the treasury is abundant, and the soldiers are elite soldiers who have survived many battles, so there is nothing to be afraid of. Yes. In this letter of credence, just question Chen Jingzhong, Hamur stole away from the palace, and if he returns to Tatar, ask Chen Jingzhong to send him back."

Losers do not lose.

Empress Dowager Wei is a girl, she really doesn't know much about war.However, the Queen Mother Wei is not inferior to others in terms of political insight.Especially in the relationship between countries, one must not show timidity, let alone such a big country like Dafeng Dynasty.

Last year, the Tatars were defeated and left the customs. If they raise troops again now, Chen Jingzhong, who has just ascended the Khan throne, should be the one who feels uneasy, not the court.

Empress Dowager Wei's strength is impressive.

In the evening, Ouyang Ke and Li Pingzhou went out of the palace together.

Seeing Ouyang Ke's thick eyebrows and double locks, full of thoughts, Li Pingzhou invited Ouyang Ke to have a drink at home, and Ouyang Ke really agreed.When we arrived at Li's house and set up the food and drinks, Ouyang Ke sighed, "Nowadays, the border is restless and the affairs of the court are complicated. To tell you the truth, Mr. Li, my heart is always on my back."

"When Your Majesty wakes up and the dragon body recovers, you and I will live up to His Majesty's trust." Li Pingzhou poured a glass of wine for Ouyang Ke and handed it over. Ouyang Ke thanked him repeatedly.

Ming Zhan has a city and a heart, and he was really good to everyone in the court in the past.Ouyang Ke took the wine cup with both hands, and said, "I just hope that Your Majesty will wake up soon and take charge of the overall situation." What the Queen Mother Wei said to Tatar today reminded Ouyang Ke of the scene when Ming Zhan was in power.As soon as this thought moved, Ouyang Ke followed his heart.

Both Ouyang Ke and Li Pingzhou are veteran ministers for many years. After going through the world, Ming Zhan's illness is said to be poisoning, and there must be something strange about his inner feelings.What's more, since Ming Zhan became ill, the clan became more and more aggressive.Today, another Tatar handed in a letter of credence. His words were not good and he was ambitious. Although the treasury was abundant, the cabinet really did not want to go through another war.

Li Pingzhou sighed, "This is the only wish."

The Empress Dowager Wei's administration can be described as stable and stable, with no faults or merits.Under such circumstances, the cabinet undoubtedly expects Ming Zhan to be in power more. It does not mean that Zhan is better than the Queen Mother Wei, but Ming Zhan's status and status, coupled with his past achievements in politics, even if he does nothing, he will be alone. Sitting on the dragon chair, the cabinet feels that the world is stable.

With this premise, they feel extra at ease when they start working.

After Ouyang Ke and Li Pingzhou had a drink, Ouyang Ke returned home drunk, but he didn't know that a tragedy of arson tonight completely kicked off the most thrilling power struggle in Emperor Wu's career.

It has been said before that the Empress Dowager Wei has no merits or demerits when she takes over the government. To make a fair comment, the word "safety" is worthy of it.

However, no one expected that in such a stable and peaceful imperial capital, the Jingxibo Mansion was set on fire and destroyed. Even the master and his servants, a family of more than a hundred people were killed in the sea of ​​flames.If it weren't for Jingxi Bo Huo Yuanshan's busy work these days, he wasn't at home.His son Huo Zhongting was studying at the Imperial Academy, and escaped by chance. It's hard to say what the outcome of Jingxibo Mansion will be.

The Empress Dowager Wei learned about this in the morning, and she didn't use the breakfast, so she directly went to the palace to question the Marquis of Xuan Yongning, Yin Tian Wanhua of the imperial capital, and Chen Sixian, the patrol envoy of the imperial capital.

"The emperor entrusts you with the safety of the imperial capital! I also believe in you! Unexpectedly, first there was a fire in the Jingxinyuan, and Hamur ran away, and now there is a fire in the Jingxibo Mansion. I really don't know. What is the use of you holding the military power of the imperial capital and the safety of the entire city!" The Empress Dowager Wei is an extremely calm person, with little anger.

In fact, the Empress Dowager Wei has controlled the inner house of Zhennan Palace for many years, and the struggle between women is a piece of cake for her, which is clear at a glance.Furthermore, even though the Empress Dowager Wei has more opportunities to get in touch with politics than other women, her role is more of a counselor behind the scenes, and she rarely shoulders such a real single shoulder.

This kind of mystery out of control made the Queen Mother very displeased.

The three kowtowed to plead guilty, Wei Yingjia said, "I heard about this in the middle of the night, and rushed to Huo's house with Lord Tian and Lord Chen. After the fire was put out, we investigated the matter overnight and found a lot of strange things."

What happened in Jingxi Bo's Mansion happened in the middle of the night, when the palace gate was closed early, no one could disturb the Queen Mother Wei.As the Empress Dowager Wei said, Wei Yingjia and others control the safety of the imperial capital, and they cannot absolve themselves of the responsibility for this matter.

If we talk about these people, regardless of their civil and military differences, they have one thing in common: they are all young.

Wei Yingjia is in a high position at a young age because of her family's shadow.Chen Sixian is also a well-known outstanding son in the imperial capital, at the beginning Feng Jingqian intended to choose a son-in-law for Ming Qi in the imperial capital, and Chen Sixian even participated in the competition when he was recruiting relatives.Tian Wanhua was an official picked up by Ming Zhan.

Sufferer Jing Xibo Huo Yuanshan was also a general under Wei Yingjia's command. He was bestowed a noble for his great service when the Tatar soldiers came to the imperial capital.

Something happened in the Jingxi uncle's mansion, not to mention what Chen Sixian Tian Wanhua was thinking, even Wei Yingjia, the younger brother of Empress Dowager Wei, broke out in a cold sweat from fright.There is no need for Queen Mother Wei's order to collect evidence and investigate overnight.

At this time, Queen Mother Wei was held accountable. Wei Yingjia had the highest title and the closest relationship with Queen Mother Wei. Naturally, Wei Yingjia took the lead first.Wei Yingjia reported, "The Huo family's misfortune is obviously caused by people with intentions. After analysis, the Huo family has a lot of drugs in their bodies. There are two ways to get drugged. During the meals of the Huo family, when the fire was set on fire, some people also sprinkled drugs with the fire. Therefore, when the fire broke out, few people fled to call for help, resulting in heavy casualties."

"Also, the Huo family's house is in Shaobing Hutong in the east of the city." Wei Yingjia said, "Most of the residents there are merchants. Jing Xibo has just been granted the title of uncle, so he hasn't found a suitable house for a while."

No matter in what age, the residential area where you live is a status symbol.

Huo Yuanshan became a new nobleman in the imperial capital because of his meritorious service.It stands to reason that he should have moved out of the old house long ago and lived in the wealthy district.It's just that housing in the rich and powerful districts has always been tight, and it's really not easy to buy and change houses.The Huo family has been living in the original house.

Furthermore, the Huo family has a title.However, some ostentations cannot be built in a short while.For example, Yongning Hou Mansion, a wealthy family for generations, with hundreds of guards in the family, and at night, there are people patrolling every shift, even if too many people want something to happen to Yongning Hou Mansion, Yongning Hou Mansion is still alive and well.

"When I went to the Huo Mansion to investigate, some people said that when the Huo Mansion was on fire, I saw strange-looking people haunting the Huo Mansion. I have asked the painter to draw the figure according to the insider's description. I invite the Queen Mother to watch it." To keep the official position It is not enough to rely on the relationship of foreign relatives alone. Wei Yingjia stayed up all night, with heavy blue shadows in her eyes, and she presented the image painted by the artist behind her eyes.Time is too short, and he can only do so much.

Fang Qing took it and forwarded it to Empress Dowager Wei. Empress Dowager Wei flipped through a few sheets and ordered, "Order the Ministry of Punishment to issue an arrest document. Starting today, the Nine Gates will strictly investigate those who come and go. This case will be handed over to the Ministry of Punishment for careful examination!"

Glancing at the three people kneeling on the ground pleading guilty, the Empress Dowager Wei said coldly, "Admirals from the Nine Gates, Governors of the Imperial Capital, and Patrolling Envoys of the Imperial Capital are responsible for their duties, and we cannot absolve ourselves of the blame. Marquis Yongning goes to Yipin Marquis, demoted to Uncle Yongning, fined for three years, downgraded to stay in office by three ranks, to see the future effect. Tian Wanhua, fined for two years, demoted to stay in three ranks. Chen Sixian, I heard that you first discovered Jingxibo Mansion Fire?"

"Yes, I'm incompetent. When we arrived, the Jingxibo mansion was on fire, and the family members of Jingxibo's mansion could not be saved." Chen Sixian said respectfully.

"Reward Chen Sixian with a thousand taels of silver."

Regardless of reward or punishment, all three obediently thanked each other and withdrew from Xuande Hall.

Empress Dowager Wei directly handled the Jingxibo Mansion case without the cabinet. Her speed and ruthlessness were beyond everyone's expectations.All the cabinet officials who originally wanted to express their opinions, heard the news that Marquis Yongning had been demoted, and they all shut up knowingly.

Wei Yingjia was reprimanded in the palace, and she didn't look good on the old Yongninghou when she returned home.

It is impossible for the Empress Dowager Wei to resolve this matter of demotion with a single word of mouth.The cabinet must formally implement the decree, and the whole family of the Yongning Hou Mansion accept the decree, so that it will be effective.Hearing this news, the old Yongninghou directly slapped Wei Yingjia vigorously, and he was so angry that he was half dead.

Wei Yingjia is tough, what's more, at this time, the Yongninghou's mansion has no extra sons, no matter how angry the old Yongninghou is, it is impossible to beat him to death, so he simply endured it and let the old Yongninghou get out of this bad breath, so that he would not have to worry about it again. Get sick.

The old Yongninghou sat in the chair and gasped for breath. Wei Yingjia was afraid that his father would be angry, so he hurried forward to help his father rub his chest, but was slapped away by the angry old Yongninghou, and said angrily, "In the past, the Empress Dowager was so jealous of the Marquis of Yongning, we all survived it. Now, the empress dowager is acting as the government, but you are so ungrateful. Not only is the empress dowager disgraced, but you have also lost the title of your ancestors. You are worthy of your ancestors. Zong?"

Wei Yingjia is not a talkative person at all, even though he is in charge of nine military forces, the safety of every household cannot be counted on him.What's more, the matter of Jingxi Bo's Mansion is definitely not as simple as it seems, Wei Yingjia can only say that it is unlucky, and she has rushed an inch.

Seeing that Wei Yingjia was silent, the old Yongning Hou added fuel to the flames, pointing at Wei Yingjia and said, "Think about it yourself, what time is it now? Wei Ziyao is confused. Why did the Empress Dowager reward Chen Sixian? Let me tell you, the soldiers from the Nine Sects discovered the fire in Jingxi Bo’s Mansion earlier than the soldiers and horses under the patrol envoys of the imperial capital. They came to the door in the middle of the night. But where are you? You are in Duke Cheng'en's mansion!"

"If you had been able to go to Jingxibo's mansion to fight the fire earlier than Chen Sixian, there would be no demotion today!" The old Yongning Hou thought that his ancestral title had been lowered by one level, and he was furious, picked up a feather duster and gave it to Wei Ying Jia meal.

Wei Yingjia is not a man of brass and steel, even if the old Marquis of Yongning hasn't made a move, his hand strength is definitely not light, and his body is in burning pain. Looking at the face of the old Marquis of Yongning, Wei Yingjia said, "Father, wait until later. I will earn the title back again."

Old Yongning Marquis Liushi got this son, although he taught him harshly, he loved him like a treasure in his heart.Hearing this, he couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, didn't speak anymore, and waved Wei Yingjia to go out.

When Wei Yingjia walked to the door, the old Yongning Hou Fang said, "Relax your mind, this demotion is to keep your position as the admiral of the Nine Sects."

Prince Shen said softly, "The Empress Dowager's attack is really firm and ruthless. Once the title of the Marquis of Yongning has been demoted, the position of admiral of the Nine Gates is still firmly in the hands of the Wei family."

When the fire was put down, Min Jinghou felt that his body and mind were all ironed out, especially when he heard about the conquest of the Yongning Hou Mansion, Min Jinghou smiled and said, "I can do anything to my natal family, which shows that the Queen Mother is cruel."

"The title is just a word from the emperor, Min Jing, could it be that you still can't see it clearly?"

If the Marquis of Min Jing could take it easy, he would never have the gleeful feeling he has today.But in front of Prince Shen, Min Jinghou still had to hold back, and said, "What Uncle Wang said is true, but I think that this mother and son have always shown others with a selfless face. Yongning Hou's mansion is loyal, but It is unavoidable to be deprived of a title for a trivial matter."

"The Marquis of Yongning's mansion is just a small matter. The Queen Mother finally issued an order to strictly investigate people who enter and exit the imperial capital. It is not in vain that this fire was set off in time. Min Jing, do this well and stop the emperor from the imperial capital." Outside the window, The autumn sky was calm, and Prince Shen said calmly, "My God, this imperial capital will change soon."