The Blood Crown

During the Chinese New Year, Yan Sikong hardly had a day to rest, and most of it was spent paying New Year greetings to each other and walking around.

He also found time to reply a letter to Shen Hexuan - the letter he just received years ago.In the letter, he first talked about his local affairs, lamented the inaction of some officials, and his own ambitions, and then thanked Yan Sikong for taking care of his wife and children, and said that everything seemed to be wrong in the family letter. Well, I don't know if it's my wife who reports good news but not bad news.

Yan Sikong felt amused, he guessed that Shen Hexuan must have racked his brains, trying to use the most refined words to erase his thoughts and worries about his wife and children as much as possible. It is indeed unspeakable.

In fact, Shen Hexuan could also take his wife and children with him, but the youngest son was still a baby and couldn't bear the fatigue of the journey, so he thought twice before leaving the mother and son in the capital.Yan Sikong felt that his decision was very wise, even in the capital, the family was living in poverty, why bother to travel thousands of miles to take his wife and children to suffer.

In the reply, Yan Sikong comforted and praised him as usual, saying that Yan Zilian and his colleagues missed him very much, and His Majesty also had high hopes for him, and then talked about the current situation of the Shen residence to reassure him.

For Mrs. Shen, mother and son, it is very common to donate some food and clothing on weekdays. Any work in the Shen residence is also done by the servants sent by the Yan residence.

Yan Sikong knew that Mrs. Shen was a woman who was soft on the outside and strong on the inside, otherwise she would not be so compatible with Shen Hexuan, so he never went to Shen's residence in person to avoid damaging her reputation. After ordering meals and snacks, bring her a few, instead of directly giving rice, noodles, vegetables and meat, and the sewn children's clothes and shoes, the embroiderer in the house will send one or two pieces every now and then, saying that it is for the future little master to practice.

Mrs. Shen has a heart and a heart, and from time to time helps the people write letters and moisten their pens. In return, since Shen Hexuan left Beijing, Yan Sikong thinks that they have taken good care of their mother and child.

He just wanted Shen Hexuan to owe him this favor. No one could win over this outstanding talent with an extremely difficult temper, and even attracted many people to hate him. friend.

He imagined that one day when Chen Yu ascended the throne, this person would be a good talent for governing the country, and of course, he would be under his control.

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The seven-day annual leave passed in the blink of an eye. According to Dasheng Law, officials usually "take a bath every five days". They can only take seven consecutive days off during the Chinese New Year. The exchange of courtesy and courtesy between them not only costs a lot of money, but also makes people physically and mentally exhausted.

And for Yan Sikong and others, these seven days were even more tormenting, because they knew that Xie Zhongren would definitely not be idle during these seven days.

He soon heard the news that the Jingcha, which only targeted Feng Jianping, had officially started.Feng Jianping needs to "list the questions" first and then "introduce". The questions are to answer and explain based on the content given by the Ministry of Officials, mostly related to political achievements. The Ministry of Officials must record every word and submit it to the cabinet and the emperor , and then the emperor personally "introduces", listens to the hadith, and answers the principal's doubts.

When Feng Jianping's finished list of titles is sent to the cabinet, Yan Zilian will find that the list of titles is different from the version that has been reviewed beforehand, and it is impossible for Liu An to dare to change the list of titles in person, such a move must have the emperor's approval Instigated.

In the official career of every cabinet chief and assistant, it is inevitable that the emperor will pass the cabinet several times to issue orders. Although this is against the law, the emperor himself is the law, and there is nothing he can do about it.The emperor himself knew the seriousness, and abuse of imperial power would inevitably lead to adverse consequences, so he was also very cautious on this point. If the matter was not serious, the cabinet would turn a blind eye. Otherwise, it might be resisted by the officials. For example, the battle for the crown prince when Li Chang Li Ai was established.

For the current matter, it should be counted as the former, even if Yan Zilian really felt something was wrong, he should discuss it with the emperor in private.

So when Yan Zilian impeached Liu An in the early court, not only Xie Zhongren was dumbfounded, but Emperor Zhaowu was also at a loss for a while.Because Yan Zilian's move was to openly accuse the emperor of abusing his power - although he didn't point at Emperor Zhaowu, the ministers were like a mirror in their hearts, and they knew what was going on when they heard it.

The amazing thing about this matter is that everyone knows that Emperor Zhaowu didn't take it seriously, but Yan Zilian publicly revealed in the early court that he ignored the emperor's face. If you can do it, it's tantamount to digging your own grave.Moreover, there was no feud between Liu An and Yan Zilian, and they were not part of the eunuch party. Yan Zilian suddenly wanted his life, which was too cruel, and it was not Yan Zilian's usual style of behavior.

On the spot, Yan Zilian took out the cabinet vote and the document approved by Emperor Zhaowu, proving that Feng Jianping's list of titles had been tampered with privately, and accused Liu An of acting for the public to benefit himself, being bold, and deliberately making things difficult for the famous general with unfounded titles, and he should be executed according to the law.

Liu An was so frightened that he fell to the ground. He couldn't justify himself, so he could only weakly beg Emperor Zhaowu to "clearly investigate".He couldn't refute Yan Zilian's accusation, but he didn't dare to confess Xie Zhongren. If Emperor Zhaowu really wanted to use him as a scapegoat, he would probably dismiss his official out of guilt, but if he said something nonsense, his old life would be killed. Gone.

Yan Sikong heard that Emperor Zhaowu was extremely ashamed that day, facing the attacks from Yan Zilian and many ministers, he had no choice but to put Liu An in prison first, saying that he would "investigate the matter thoroughly".

Although things were following Yan Zilian's plan, Yan Sikong became more and more worried. If Emperor Zhaowu was dissatisfied with Yan Zilian in the battle for the throne, then this time, Yan Zilian completely offended Emperor Zhaowu. Not only did he embarrass Emperor Zhaowu, but he also firmly expressed his desire to protect Feng Jianping.

However, even if they get rid of Liu An and win back the city, as long as Emperor Zhaowu weakens the heart of Datong and survives, this bloody contest is far from over.

There was no suspense in this case, and the evidence was convincing. Liu An was disheartened, and quickly admitted that he was confused and took the wrong title.

Such a ridiculous excuse was accepted from top to bottom. After all, no one cared how he "taken it wrong". Emperor Zhaowu dismissed his official and let him go home to farm.

On a day when the sun was shining brightly and the spring snow was melting, the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, who had led the Ministry of Officials for four years without any merit, left Beijing with his family in despondency.

Since last year's Jingcha dismissed three officials from the Ministry of Officials, the staff was already tight. As soon as Liu An left, the left servant of the Ministry of Officials immediately took up his post.

It seemed that Yan Zilian had won a trick, but Emperor Zhaowu's attitude towards him had obviously changed. In the next month or so, half of the memorials submitted by the cabinet were rejected.Yan Zilian also became more cautious, he knew that if he made a mistake now, he might not be able to recover.

Feng Jianping also used the original list of questions to complete the Jingcha. Even if Emperor Zhaowu deliberately made things difficult, the faults that surfaced were all minor faults, and it was not enough to be a reason to go to war to disarm.

But in any case, the matter of reducing Datong's armaments was shelved again, but Feng Jianping had written twice to request to return to Datong to rectify military affairs, but was rejected.

In the past, the delay was due to the Jingcha, but now that the Jingcha has passed, if Feng Jianping writes a letter to ask for return, I am afraid that only the wedding of Yan Sikong and Princess Wanyang can be delayed for a while.However, Emperor Zhaowu did not announce the date of marriage for a long time. Although the Empress Dowager had said at the funeral that Wan Yang was already in her prime and there was no need to keep her filial piety for three years. There is still half a year left in autumn, which is far-fetched.

It happened that the spring hunting was coming soon, Feng Jianping expected that Emperor Zhaowu would let him participate in the spring hunting, so he didn't mention returning to Datong for the time being.

The capital was quiet for a while, but Yan Sikong never dared to take it lightly.

On this day, he went to the palace to meet the prince, and he hesitated all the way, whether to bring Chen Yu deeper into their chess game. This game of chess must not be finished yet, but he is not moving now, and he has not given up on the big plan to force the palace. , but it seems that there are no conditions right now, if you tell Chen Kui rashly, it may backfire.

After thinking about it again and again, he still decided to just give lectures as usual, and teach Chen Kui the real emperor's art from time to time.

Coincidentally, this time I ran into Zhu Lanting again.After all, it will be Spring Hunting soon. As the crown prince, Chen Yu cannot lose to other princes in Spring Hunting.

When Zhu Lanting saw Yan Sikong from afar, he kept staring at him, his eyes were a little different from before.

Yan Sikong noticed it sensitively, but the probing eyes flashed by again, and he doubted whether he had misread it.

The two still saluted each other politely and distantly. Yan Sikong said politely: "Commander Zhu is busy with work these days, so it's really hard work to come here early in the morning to instruct His Highness in martial arts."

I heard that a few days ago a fat drunk man urinated on the palace wall, and it became a joke in Beijing for a while. Without the night watchman, it must be quite busy.

Zhu Lanting also replied politely with "a matter of duty".

The two have never been familiar with each other, so they usually stop there. Yan Sikong was about to enter the room with Chen Kui to study, but Zhu Lanting stopped him again.

"Master Yan."

Yan Sikong turned around.

"I heard... Lord Yan had a feud with Prince Jingyuan's son."

Yan Sikong raised his eyebrows, and even Chen Kui showed a hint of surprise, after all, Zhu Lanting is not one of those people who love to gossip.Yan Sikong replied cautiously: "It's just a misunderstanding, I don't know what advice Commander Zhu has?"

Zhu Lanting stared straight at Yan Sikong with a pair of clear and sharp eyes, and said calmly: "I just want to remind Master Yan, if this is the case, stay away from the son on the spring hunt. After all, the hunting scene is chaotic and easy Fishing in troubled waters."

Yan Sikong was startled, and then smiled and said: "Thank you Commander Zhu, but the next scholar, at most, can look at him a few times from a distance, so how can he go to the hunting ground? The prince's bow, arrow and horseshoe can't reach me. Don't maliciously speculate about the son, hahaha."

Zhu Lanting narrowed his eyes: "Master Yan really doesn't want to go to the hunting ground to stretch out? That's a pity."

Yan Sikong was startled, he realized that Zhu Lanting saw that he knew kung fu.

People with good kung fu background, if their vision is sharper, they can tell from other people's movements whether this person has practiced or not. Body changes are more difficult to hide than men, such as Yeli.He has practiced some movements many times to cover himself up, and when he met Zhu Lanting, he usually stood or bowed respectfully, unexpectedly, he still did not escape the eyes of the number one expert in the university.

Chen Kui didn't understand, so he said: "Commander Zhu should be worrying too much, but I will also send someone to watch over Mr.

"It's so good." Zhu Lanting bowed and said goodbye.

Yan Sikong's face was a little blue, he guessed that Zhu Lanting should have seen it on the first day, perhaps from the first time the two met each other, but for such a long time, they have never shown anything unusual, why today? Suddenly said such a thing?What is the purpose?

"Sir?" Chen Kui shook his hand in front of Yan Sikong's eyes, "You're not really scared, are you?"

Yan Sikong came back to his senses, smiled and said: "How could it be?"

Chen Kui said seriously: "Don't be afraid, I will definitely protect Mr.

"Thank you, Your Highness, but His Highness is too worried."

Chen Kui thought for a while: "Go, go in and talk."

When the two entered the house, Chen Wei waved everyone away as usual, and asked with some puzzlement: "What did Commander Zhu mean just now? Why did he let you go to the hunting ground to stretch your muscles?"

"Probably...you want me to ride a horse."

"How is your riding, sir?"

"It's okay."

"If you really want to have fun, stay with me and stay by my side. Feng Ye will never dare to do anything wrong."

Yan Sikong laughed and said: "It's so cold today, I would rather stay in the tent."

Chen Kui also laughed: "Sir, don't stay in the room reading all day, you should move more. I think, Mr. follow me during the spring hunting. I don't care at all, but after the commander finished speaking, I will I feel uneasy in my heart, the spring hunting ground is so chaotic, what if Fengye really wants to trouble you, no, you have to be by my side."

Although Yan Sikong was unwilling, he could not refuse, so he could only say: "Let Your Highness decide."

Chen Kui happily took Yan Sikong's hand, and said arrogantly: "When the time comes, I will show my master my archery skills. That Feng Ye can open two stone bows, and I am not bad."

Yan Sikong smiled and said: "Your Highness is so heroic, he will definitely win the spring hunting."

Chen Kui stared at Yan Sikong, his eyes shone with strange brilliance.