Chapter 79 Retreat!

The originally chaotic court hall became quiet in an instant, and even the most unresponsive courtiers understood now that the emperor's question was not so much a question as to whether everyone should hand over the Chao family to Empress Dowager Ji for interrogation in the harem. Rather, it is asking, how many people are on the side of the emperor?

Needless to say, the royalists who supported Chunjia before he was in power, now there are only those who support him more firmly.

What makes it difficult is the neutral faction, and even those who are not very firm in the Ji camp.

After all, not to mention Chun Jiazheng's prime of life, he has also shown his prudence, composure, and agility in the past years since he took office. In addition, this time around the battles surrounding the former court's harem, the enemy's attack is expected to be the first, and the attack is later. His appearance as a Mingjun——if last year’s evaluation was made by the emperor himself, but now, especially after today’s temple drama, he can already be considered with a clear conscience that he has the ability to revitalize the country. towards the ability.

Especially the courtiers who came from Xiaozong's first dynasty were particularly deeply touched.

Back then, Emperor Xiaozong took the throne at the same age as Chunjia is now. In contrast, Chunjia was a concubine from a remote branch. Although he was nurtured by his aunt to spare no effort, the teachings and impressions he received from Xiaozong, who was the son of Shenzong and the empress dowager's main palace, were worlds apart.

In particular, Xiaozong had a well-known wise father, Emperor Shenzong, who taught by precepts and deeds.

There is also the full support of many veterans.

The most important thing is that Xiaozong entered the East Palace as the eldest son of the first wife, and then succeeded to the throne.

That's it, being overwhelmed by Ji's, he died young without even keeping a son.

Is Xiaozong not strong enough?

Shenzong had two sons under his knees, and he never thought of setting up a bastard as a regent because of love, reason and selfishness. Naturally, he devoted all the power of the country to educate Xiaozong to become a qualified monarch.

And Emperor Xiaozong recognized that he was talented, intelligent, sensitive and eager to learn... Maybe this evaluation is more or less based on his noble status. But judging from the manuscripts and various actions left by the late emperor, his talent is better than ordinary people after all.

In terms of character, Xiaozong was neither greedy for beauty, nor had any special hobbies. He was diligent, took the lead in frugality, and used light corvees and tax cuts to hide wealth for the people; Regardless of having no children behind him, the only reason is that the regent is old and not easy to manipulate like a child... and really can't find any faults.

But with such an ending, it can only be said that the Ji family is too strong.

Otherwise, why did Xiaozong fail to pass on the regent in the end, but Gong Xiangji, who was far away in Fuyang County, received the pie that fell from the sky?

Xiaozong, who has a righteous reputation, the regent who has dominated the Northern Army and was cultivated by Xiaozong at the end of his life, as well as Cui Wan, who is the leader of the scholars, and Zheng Gu, who is in charge of the imperial army... These are all important ministers who are familiar to the court. But before Chunjia came to power, they were all in front of the Ji family, as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

However, since Chunjia tore off the pretense of pro-government, it seems that she has never really lost to the Shangji family so far?

Comparing with Xiaozong in this way, the superior and the inferior will make a judgment.

It's even hard not to remind people of Xiaozong's father, His Majesty Emperor Shenzong.

That person's ascension to the throne was not as easy and natural as Xiaozong's. He stepped on the corpses of many brothers and nephews. Otherwise, although Shenzong Xiaozong had few heirs, the father of Shenzong had more than 20 princes and hundreds of grandchildren.

At the beginning, Shenzong was not prominent among his father's sons, he was not the eldest son, and his birth mother's status was not high, and she was not favored.

To sum up, his ascension to the throne was nothing more than keeping a low profile first, waiting for a few brothers who were older or from a strong or favored mother clan to fight until both sides were hurt, hiding behind the scenes and playing tricks. The prince's attitude hides his identity and name deeply.

When the time is right, it will become a blockbuster and quickly plump its wings.

So even though his father still prefers other princes and is not very willing to hand over the throne to him, under the general situation, he has no choice but to establish him as the East Palace.

From the East Palace to the emperor's throne, in order to keep the crown prince, Shenzong frequently resorted to means... There are no particularly detailed records in those bloody history books, only a few understatements, and decades have passed by in a hurry.

But among the ministers standing in the court at this moment, there are many generations of Zanying families who have witnessed it in their ancestors, or they have reached their status. Naturally, many secrets that are not known to the public will be known.

... In fact, the appearance of a Mingjun is nothing more than that, after all, there are many kinds of Mingjun.

It's just that for those neutral courtiers who originally stood on the side of the Ji family, the most terrifying thing is a Mingjun like Shenzong.

There are not many emperors who have been liquidated throughout the ages, and there are really few who are as straightforward as him, and who cut grass and roots.

Chunjia's ways are too much like him...

Moreover, there are more and more similar meanings.

For a while, many people subconsciously went to see Duke Yi.

This duke of the state is definitely on the side of the emperor. He opposed it, and everyone followed suit, or the royalist group would tear up with Ji, so that they can get away without expressing their opinions. Well, at least they are fighting for it. A buffer, so that I can find allies and staff when I go home, discuss carefully, think carefully, and make a decision. Isn't it better than being forced to stand in line at this moment?

However……

Duke Yi lowered his eyebrows and remained motionless.

It's like you didn't hear it at all.

He pretended to be deaf and dumb, but Chunjia didn't intend to urge him, but cast his eyes on the others, and asked slowly: "My dear family?"

"Your Majesty, I believe that the reason why the Chao family is here is because of beating the Dengwen drum." After a brief silence, Ouyang Yanran, the new chief officer of Yushitai, came out and said in a deep voice, " Therefore, we should first follow the rules of beating the drum, and after the matter is settled, we should investigate the inside story of Concubine Shu's death!"

"After all, Concubine Shu is gone, and if the truth is found out sooner or later, it will be impossible to bring the dead back to life."

"But what Chao said is of great importance. If it is not found out as soon as possible and the relevant people are dealt with, if it is spread, not only the Dingbei Army will be disappointed, but the people of the world will also suspect that all the princes in the temple are all dead. ?!"

As he said that, he bowed his hands to Duke Yi, and said apologetically, "Don't blame Yi Guogong, this old man doesn't underestimate the death of your love, but there are priorities."

Duke Yi turned his back to show respect and nodded slightly, expressing his willingness to compromise.

"However, the death of Concubine Shu is Chao's one-sided statement." People from Ji's faction came out to refute. One thing, they had already torn it up just now, and they lost miserably when the emperor was well prepared.

If you follow Ouyang Yanran's words, the next step is to directly deal with people related to the Ji family.

Although Duke Ye, Marquis of Haixi, and Marquis of Minyang have never personally touched their hands, and there is still room for escape, but the descendants, including the eldest son of Erhou, as well as some valued children, arms, and confidantes, will almost be wiped out. !

This kind of loss was even more sudden than the tragic death of Mrs. Ye at the summer banquet last year.

Rao is that the Ji family has been in power for many years and their family has a great career. After this, it may take a year and a half to recover. The question is, may Chunjia give them a year and a half to ease?

So they could only delay by talking about the matter of Concubine Shu, "The truth is unknown! If the Chao family is framing this matter, it can be seen that the previous accusations against the Ji family are also nonsense! Unprepared, deliberately slandering."

"The middle palace has no children so far, but Concubine Xian has both sons and daughters, and is His Majesty's eldest son and eldest daughter."

"The people in his hometown sued the descendants, there may not be no inside information!"

"Therefore, please Your Majesty hand over this Chao family to the empress dowager for personal trial, and thoroughly investigate to the end!"

His allies came forward one after another to agree, saying that Chao Jingyouhe should be handed over to Empress Dowager Ji, and they were determined not to fall into the hands of Concubine Xian.

Some people even said that since Concubine Xian entered the palace, the few high positions in the palace have gradually withered. It can be seen that this concubine is not a good stubble, and even her fate is to defeat the concubine. If she is not allowed to follow Kang Jieyu's example, shut up Why don't you just concentrate on praying for our country without going out?

At this time, the weakness of insufficient family background can be seen: if this is talking about the Queen or Luo Hanyi, Ouyang Fulu, or even Shun Jieyu Xue Jieyu, some courtiers have already come out to refute it, and even beat it up!

But Yun Fenghuang has no father or brother in court, not even a close collateral relative standing here.

So even though he knew that this kind of request could not be fulfilled, when there was such an impassioned proposal from a courtier, no one directly spoke up for Yun Fenghuang.

Everyone's focus still revolved around whom Chao Jingyou should hand over to.

Duke Yi and Chun Jia cooperated tacitly, and they didn't make a sound at all at the moment, not giving those who tried to pretend to be dead a chance to fish in troubled waters.

Although Ouyang Yanran, officials of the Luo family and the Yin family came forward to argue with the Ji family, but the tacit understanding between them was not as good as that of the Ji family, and they were evenly matched for a while.

And Chunjia added a few words from time to time, forcing many courtiers who had already hidden behind others to come out to express their opinions.

...Finally, after listening to almost everyone's speeches, the Son of Heaven announced slowly: "Chao can be handed over to Mother Ji and taken away, and according to Queen Mother Ji's wishes, let Concubine Xian investigate this matter thoroughly!"

"Ji's murder of Dingbei Military Academy Captain, forced his wife to falsely accuse Xianfei, and Xie's evidence is convincing. There is no need to question it. Order a judge to discuss his crime and punishment!"

"Let the imperial physician go out of the palace to diagnose and treat the lieutenant of the Dingbei Military Academy, and all the expenses will be appropriated from the internal treasury!"

"In addition, Zhao Zhaowu Bo thoroughly investigates the entire army to prevent similar situations, so as not to disturb the army's morale!"

"This matter is under the supervision of the regent uncle!"

The emperor's seat is high, sitting in it, you can easily see the expressions of the courtiers in the hall, with mixed emotions, but they are all silent. Some people even clenched their fists secretly, the pain in their hearts was beyond words.

Chunjia raised the corners of her lips in a happy mood, patted the armrest, and stood up slowly, "Retire!"