Minister

196【Three Years of Zhenglong】

On New Year's Eve, the sky above the capital was still full of fireworks, and news of King Qin's victory came back from the south of the Yangtze River after the first month passed.The chaos is over, but the problem is far from being resolved. The loans released during Chen Xing's reign have basically been frozen, the merchants are still closed, and a large number of laborers have returned to the countryside to farm. Jiangnan's tax revenue this year is basically gone. .

Wei Chi couldn't understand these things, so he could only continue to go back to Dali Temple as an errand.But Dali Temple was also disturbed by this terrible year, there were many robberies everywhere, and the number of cases that used to be a year, this year was the same in just a dozen days.

Seeing that Wei Chi stood up from the case on time, Lin Xuan seemed to be about to pack up his things and go back, so he couldn't help being curious: "Have you read all of Mr. Wei's case?"

"How can it be? I might have to take it back to see, and I have to go to the palace right now." Wei Chi laughed.

"Oh?"

"The emperor summoned." Wei Chi held a pile of files and moved them out with difficulty: "Master Lin, don't be too tired, you should go back earlier."

Seeing Wei Chi's understatement, Lin Xuan didn't know what kind of medicine was sold in his gourd: "Thank you, Mr. Wei, for your concern."

See the emperor?Lin Xuan buried his head in thinking, but couldn't think of a way out, so he concentrated on reading his case file.

Hong Fang was a little embarrassed when he heard the notification that Wei Chi was asking to see him, but he knew that this person could not be offended, so he came out to see him in person: "Master Wei, today is a difficult time for our family."

"Oh? Why did Eunuch Hong say that?" Wei Chi was a little nervous.

"The emperor felt a little dizzy after noon today. I think he was too tired. At this moment, our family is not sure whether we should see it or not." Hong Fang didn't test it. He really didn't know what Wei Chi wanted to talk to Chen Entropy.But Lu Jing's lesson is ahead, and Hong Fang will not forget it.

Hearing that Chen Entropy was ill, Wei Chi became a little anxious: "What did the imperial doctor say? Have you visited?"

"I didn't catch a cold, and the emperor didn't send the imperial doctor. Our family is in a difficult situation."

"Then please ask your father-in-law to inform you, and the subordinate officials will go in without discussing business matters."

As soon as Hong Fang heard it was right, she quickly led Wei Chi in.

Chen Entropy was taking a nap on the couch, but he didn't sleep soundly. He opened his eyes when he heard the noise: "Master Wei?"

"The minister kowtows to the emperor!"

"Please get up quickly and show Master Wei a seat."

Wei Chi sat down and quickly asked: "I heard that the emperor's dragon body is unwell?"

"No, it's just that I was a little dizzy just now, and I can do nothing now."

"Just now I heard Eunuch Hong say that the emperor should send the imperial doctor to come and see."

"No need, I don't feel it anymore." Chen Entropy stood up and took two steps, feeling that the dizziness just now had completely disappeared.

"Your Majesty, please don't be careless. It's better to invite the imperial doctor to visit him. It's winter and spring, when it's time to recuperate." Seeing Chen Entropy's indifference, Wei Chi had a serious expression on his face.

"Okay," Chen Entropy shook his head helplessly, "Call the imperial doctor to take a look."

Hong Fang couldn't wait, so he ran away in three steps and two steps.

"It's hard work, Master Wei. I'm busy with errands in the yamen, and I still have to find time to accompany me."

Wei Chi smiled: "Actually, at the busiest time, it's best to chat about household affairs. When I was an official in the court, I was a silent gourd. I worked hard every day and didn't talk about it. I was bored in my heart. Every day I look forward to someone coming to manage my minister. It's a pity that no one plays with my minister."

Chen Entropy did not laugh: "Master Wei was only a few years older than me when he first entered the officialdom."

"That's different," Wei Chi changed his topic: "What's more, after all, how old is he? When I was as old as the emperor, I was still naughty in the academy."

"Master Wei must be very naughty." Chen Entropy's brows finally relaxed a little.

"Your Majesty! The imperial doctor is here."

Seeing Hong Fang coming in with the imperial doctor, Wei Chi stepped aside.The imperial doctor checked the pulse as usual, but didn't see why, so he prescribed some medicinal food.Hong Fang breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, the servant can feel at ease like this."

Chen Entropy didn't care, but wanted to hear how his master Wei was naughty, but Wei Chi was about to leave: "Your Majesty, you shouldn't work too hard, I'm leaving first."

Hong Fang was grateful for Wei Chi's understanding: "The emperor is not feeling well today, so he should rest more, Master Wei will come tomorrow."

Chen Entropy could only nod his head.

When Wei Chi walked out of the main hall, it was almost dark. Although it was beginning of spring, the coldness of the northern country could not see the breath of spring at all. Wei Chi clasped his hands together, ready to go back and rush to watch the case.

"Hello Zhou Ge." Wei Chi was walking when he suddenly saw Zhou Ge trembling up the steps by himself.

Seeing that Wei Chi was coming to help him, Zhou Wenyuan paused, but he still stretched out his hand obediently: "It's old, it's useless."

Wei Chi felt that there was something in his words: "Old Man Ge is serious, it's so late, what is it, Old Man Ge?"

Zhou Wenyuan shook the memorial in his hand: "My old bone is useless. Since it is useless, let's go back."

Wei Chi was taken aback.

Seeing Wei Chi's expression, Zhou Wenyuan's expression was a little dark: "I know it wasn't you that time, it was Yang Fanji."

"what."

"This is the battle report from Jiangnan, not the old man's resignation." Zhou Wenyuan felt that Wei Chi's expression was a little ridiculous.

Wei Chi lowered his head in embarrassment.

"If Mr. Wei is not busy, why not wait here for the old man." Zhou Wenyuan let go of Wei Chi's hand and walked straight into the hall.

Zhou Wenyuan didn't stay there for a long time. Wei Chi could imagine Chen Entropy's attitude towards him, but Zhou Wenyuan's face was surprisingly calm.

"Has Mr. Wei been to Xiyuan?" Zhou Wenyuan pointed to the west.

Wei Chi went there once and took Yang Fanji with him, does that count?

"Master Wei is not a member of the cabinet, have you been there a few times?" Zhou Wenyuan made a gesture of invitation.

Wei Chi knew that he couldn't hide his every move from the other party, so he simply relaxed and showed a yearning expression.

Xiyuan is not gorgeous, and even looks a bit old because of its age.The room here is actually an old property from the previous dynasty. Because it is surrounded by other palaces, it was not rebuilt when the Dachen Palace was rebuilt.In the last years of Hongwu, it was set up as the office of the cabinet because it was close to the emperor's palace.Since then, this humble courtyard has become the center of the empire.

Wei Chi once longed for it, even after several years of ups and downs, he still remained infatuated.

"You guys go out." Zhou Wenyuan said to his book office.

The door of the room was closed, and Zhou Wenyuan looked at Wei Chi quietly, as if trying to see through him.Zhou Wenyuan has gone through three generations of kings and has been in the court for decades. Now, he wants to use all his wisdom to gain insight into this young man.Is this young man like himself in his youth?No, I know how to hide my strength and bide my time better.He is not like himself?No, his thirst for power was so strong that he didn't even know it.Like him, he once sat in front of Guo Taifu with a humble expression on his face, but he knew what was in his heart.

Zhou Wenyuan sighed heavily: "The court asked King Qin to withdraw his troops as soon as possible, but the result was not satisfactory."

Wei Chi's gaze flickered for a moment: "This, sir."

There was a hint of sarcasm on Zhou Wenyuan's face.

Wei Chi shut up quickly.

"Look at the setting sun," Zhou Wenyuan pointed out the window, but the window was closed tightly, so he couldn't actually see the sun: "Do you mean that the sun will rise tomorrow?"

"If you go back to the old man, of course you will." Wei Chi couldn't figure out what Zhou Wenyuan meant.

"But what about the State of Qi?" Zhou Wenyuan said in a relaxed tone, "When you wake up tomorrow morning, is the State of Qi still the State of Qi?"

"Master, sir, this is it."

"Look at this," Zhou Wenyuan handed Wei Chi the battle report he was holding just now.

Wei Chi had imagined [-] scenes in the south of the Yangtze River before, but none of them was as shocking as what was written in this "battle report".This is not a war report, but a list of deficits. The numbers on the list are unimaginable. This is the result of the military and state lending in the past few years.

"The emperor is not aware of these dangers." Seeing Wei Chi's pale face, Zhou Wenyuan shook his head helplessly.

"From this point of view, it would be a wise move to retire at this moment."

Wei Chi didn't dare to start a conversation, or didn't know how to start a conversation at all.

"Master Wei, why are you so afraid?" Zhou Wenyuan was at a loss for words when he saw Wei Chi sitting upright.

"Old Zhou Ge, the lower official has lost his composure." Wei Chi took a breath for a moment: "The lower official doesn't know much about economics, so although I'm particularly surprised, it's really hard for me to do anything."

"If I teach you how to do it, will you do it?"

Wei Chi looked at Zhou Wenyuan in surprise again, not knowing why he said that.

"Whether you want to admit it or not, now the emperor is only willing to listen to you alone. I know you have a grudge against me, not only for Guo Taifu, but also for Yang Shenyun. But Wei Chi, you have been in the officialdom for so long, yes There is really no need to be too extreme about people and things. There is no right or wrong here. Because we courtiers are not important in the final analysis, what is important is the people of the world. You believe me today, or not, you just think , if you don’t do this, what will happen to the subjects of the world?”

"The lower official has only one request," Wei Chi said with difficulty: "Please be sure to agree to the old man."

Zhou Wenyuan nodded.

"In any case, sir, please ensure His Majesty's safety."

"Huh?" Zhou Wenyuan thought he didn't understand.

"In any case, please ensure the safety of your writing." Wei Chi said through gritted teeth.

Zhou Wenyuan recalled that today Chen Entropy may be slightly ill. Of course he understands that some forces will be unfavorable to Chen Entropy, but they are all too far away, and Wei Chi's worries are a bit too sensitive.

"If I represent the cabinet and support the emperor, I am one with the emperor. Don't worry about this, Mr. Wei."

"Okay, it's a deal."

Wei Chi left Xiyuan and went straight home. When he got home, he didn't even have time to eat, so he plunged into the study and silently wrote down the numbers he saw just now.Looking at the note in his hand, Wei Chi's hands couldn't help shaking.He understood that if Zhou Wenyuan hadn't been driven to a dead end, he would never have given up his dignity and compromised with himself.Everything in the empire is on the verge of collapse, if one step is missed, it will be lost forever.

After thinking for a long time, Wei Chi sealed the small note into an envelope, pressed the seal, and threw it into the drawer.

After doing all this, Wei Chi breathed a sigh of relief and spread out on the chair. It seemed that the current situation was much more difficult than she imagined, but Zhou Wenyuan was also much more stubborn than she imagined.There is a saying that Mr. Zhou Ge is still right. Indeed, there is no right or wrong here. Zhou Wenyuan is the person who has persisted in the cabinet for the longest time. This has something to do with his character. He has survived a much more difficult situation than today. This time, too, should be a no-brainer.It's just that people like Yu Mian might be hard to meet in the officialdom in this life, right?

Although the courtiers were not as detailed as Wei Chi knew, anyone with a little knowledge guessed most of them.In the midst of worry, he saw that things in the empire were gradually returning to the right track.The relationship between Zhou Wenyuan and the emperor has even eased. Spring is good. Could it be that the emperor's mood has improved?

After February, the officials were even more relieved, because there seemed to be no movement in the Wang family, the emperor postponed the wedding to March, February is short, the crisis seems to have passed, and March is just around the corner.

On the ninth day of February, at the court meeting, everyone had waited for a long time, but Chen Entropy, who was never late, came late, and his face seemed not very good.On February [-]th, the court meeting, everyone waited for a long time, but only Hong Fang came.

Hong Fang didn't see anything unusual on her face, she just announced that the court meeting would be cancelled.

On February 24, at the court meeting, Chen Entropy finally appeared again, but his face was surprisingly ugly. Seeing this situation, everyone who was a little relieved couldn't help but hang their hearts again.

Everyone in Dali Temple didn't attend the court meeting, so everyone naturally didn't know about it, but Lin Xuan had already heard the rumors, so he sneaked a few glances at Wei Chi, who was buried in his case file, as if he didn't see it.

Busy from morning to night, when it was time to leave the Yamen, Lin Xuan finally found a space to be alone with Wei Chi: "Master Wei?"

"Master Lin, what's the matter?"

Lin Xuan felt that it was inappropriate to go around in circles: "Does Lord Wei know about the emperor's situation?"

Wei Chi's face seemed to freeze for a moment: "Hey, since Mr. Lin knows about this, please don't spread it to the outside world."

"It turned out to be true?" Lin Xuan frowned: "But why did the emperor get sick at such a young age? And he got an unknown disease."

Wei Chi frowned: "People from Jinyiwei and Dongchang are already investigating, and everyone feels something strange."

"Does Master Wei have any plans?"

Wei Chi looked around and lowered his volume: "I thought the emperor was young and strong after all, so there shouldn't be too many problems."

It is said that although it is a bit strange, it is said that the symptoms are dizziness and headache. The Wang family, Qin Wang, Jiangnan, Zhou Wenyuan, thinking about it, made him breathless.

"Although there is no supervisor of ceremonies for the time being, the cabinet seems unable to retreat. Hong Fang is able to handle affairs effectively. I hope the emperor will get better after a while." Wei Chi sighed inadvertently.

Lin Xuan thought that Wei Chi might also be overwhelmed by this incident. He is the emperor's confidant and the person who supported Chen Entropy to ascend the throne. If Chen Entropy really made a mistake, it would be difficult for him to protect himself.

Behind Lin Xuan is the Lin family. Although the Lin family is not as involved in the whirlpool as the Wang family, a big family like the Lin family also needs to clarify its own interests and positions.Lin Xuan thinks that Wei Chi understands this, so he must maintain a special relationship with Wei Chi. He hopes that Wei Chi understands that the Lin family is a card. If he can offer enough conditions, he can use this card. beat.

Wei Chi understood this truth: "Although Jinyiwei and Dongchang are investigating, it would be better if there is more power."

There should be no one who wants to know the truth more than Wei Chi, but he is a foreign minister, and he has no way to know about Chen Entropy's three meals a day, basic necessities of life: "Although I hope that this is the emperor's accidental discomfort, I can't take it lightly. "

The daughter of the Wang family is the future queen, so the concubine should at least be from the Lin family.The Lin family has seen Chen Entropy's moodiness, and they don't want to put their own future on the liking of the little emperor alone. Wei Chi is the best person to persuade Chen Entropy.

Lin Xuan nodded. He thought that conditions should not be offered at this time. Apart from the honor of the family, he was even more curious about what kind of person this Wei Chi was, and curious about this "official senior" who was younger than him.

The Lin family had many generations of concubines, even the concubines of the previous dynasty belonged to the Lin family. Lin Xuan thought that this was not a matter of urgency. If an emperor is smart enough, he must understand the value of the Lin family.Now he even wants to use the Lin family's power in the harem to exchange Wei Chi's trust. The Lin family has been investigating Chen Entropy's cause of illness, and now they are just selling the news to Wei Chi.

Wei Chi still rushed to the palace after leaving the Yamen, his heartstrings were tense, and his face was very solemn.Hong Fang's complexion looked better than the previous two days: "The emperor took some food today, and the imperial doctor said that the pulse condition has stabilized a lot."

Wei Chi heaved a sigh of relief, and the corner of his mouth finally curved: "That's good, we must persuade the emperor more, don't come to many things in person, and the dragon body must be the most important."

"What Master Wei said is true, but it is up to Master Wei to persuade you, Master Wei hurry up and go in with our house." Hong Fang's rarely seen smile was full of smiles.

When Wei Chi walked into the main hall, it was not too late, the slightly glaring sunlight shone into the palace, and was cut into a net by the patterns on the windows.Wei Chi stepped on these nets and walked in. At the end of the palace, Chen Entropy was curled up under the quilt, not just dozing off but really asleep.Standing in the empty hall, Wei Chi's heart skipped a beat, and an unprecedented fear welled up in his heart.

"Master Wei?" Chen Entropy didn't seem to be sleeping deeply.

Wei Chi's pale face was flushed, and he walked forward quickly, but hid his trembling hands in his sleeves: "Is the emperor feeling better today?"

"I don't seem to be so dizzy today, and my appetite is better."

Wei Chi heaved a sigh of relief.

Looking at Wei Chi's face, Chen Entropy felt a moment of tranquility: "I don't know why, I'm so sleepy, but I can't sleep. I lie down every day, but I can't sleep for a moment."

Chen Entropy stretched out his hand from the quilt, and took Wei Chi's hand. Wei Chi's hand was cold, but it was comfortable to hold: "Master Wei, I know you are very busy, but I am really uncomfortable, please accompany me .”

Chen Entropy felt Wei Chi's hand caressing his forehead. The same cold touch made him feel comfortable: "If I fall asleep, Master Wei can go back by himself. I really hope that I can fall asleep today."

Chen Entropy felt that he was surrounded by endless drowsiness, but tinnitus and heart palpitations made it difficult for him to fall asleep.Wei Chi seems to have a kind of power, which seems to be able to calm the restlessness in his body, so although he can't bear it, he yearns for it hard to refuse.

His eyelids finally became heavy. In the dizziness, Chen Entropy felt that he had fallen into a big hole. Just as he was about to get up from the dark ground, the texture of the soil suddenly became wet. He finally pulled out his hand, but I found that my hands were covered with black mud, and I tried to wipe it off but couldn't get it off. After a closer look, it turned out that it was not mud, but hair all over my hands!

Chen Entropy was so frightened that he woke up, but the dream did not dissipate. In the dream, he was panting heavily. The white air accumulated more and more, and the room seemed to be foggy. Chen Entropy wanted to shut up. But the fog did not dissipate.The fog was getting thicker and thicker, and Chen Entropy couldn't hold back any longer. He wanted to breathe, but he felt that someone was pinching his neck with his hands. No matter how much he opened his mouth, he couldn't breathe.

Chen Entropy struggled in terror in his dream, but it seemed that there was nothing around him that could be grasped softly.Just when he was about to faint, he brushed away all the mist with his hands, and his neck seemed to relax.Chen Entropy opened his eyes with difficulty, and the people in front of him terrified him.

Uncle!

King Qin's face was floating in the air like this, staring at him with blank eyes.King Qin seemed to ignore his fear, and slowly opened his mouth.There seems to be a face in the dark throat, isn't it?Is it the face of the emperor? !

Do not!

It's yourself!

Chen Entropy saw his head crawling out of that dark throat with difficulty, King Qin seemed to smile and closed his mouth.Chen Entropy heard the sound of bones breaking from his mouth.

creak, creak.

King Qin's head floating in the air slowly grew his limbs and body, those slender fingers climbed up to himself, and began to tear slowly and persistently.

pain!

It's not like the pain in a dream!Chen Entropy felt that his internal organs seemed to be shattered before his body, and a scorching flame was burning violently!

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

"Ah!" Chen Entropy finally opened his eyes, for a moment he couldn't tell if he was still in a dream.

"Has the emperor had a nightmare?" Wei Chi helped him wipe the cold sweat off his brow.

Chen Entropy held Wei Chi's hand tightly, and the familiar touch reassured him: "I'm awake?"

"The emperor is awake." Wei Chi put his arms around his shoulders, and within half a month, he had lost a lot of weight.

"I want to drink some water." Chen Entropy was still panting heavily.

"Okay." Wei Chi helped him sit up, closed the quilt, turned around and poured tea outside the tent.

Chen Entropy looked out of the window with lingering fear. It was already dark. He didn't know how long he had slept. At this moment, he didn't feel sleepy at all. He didn't want to fall asleep again, and he didn't want to see King Qin again.

"Your Majesty?" Wei Chi didn't expect Chen Entropy to come out, and accidentally knocked down the teacup, spilling the tea all over the table.

Hearing the commotion inside, Hong Fang walked in quickly: "Oh, little ancestor of the emperor, why did you get out of bed without getting dressed, what should you do if you catch a cold?"

Wei Chi restocked the hot tea and handed it to Hong Fang. Hong Fang quickly gave it to Chen Entropy. Chen Entropy took a sip of the hot tea and regained his sanity: "It's getting so late, Master Wei hurry back."

"The minister bid farewell."

"and many more."

"?"

"Ye Lu is heavy, get a cloak for Master Wei."