Chapter 153: Sending You to the Sky (21)

In the past, when Emperor Yan wanted to see Shen Minghuan, he would directly call him into the palace, but Zhao Yuancheng did not dare. He had only been emperor for one day, and it was not enough.

So even if Shen Minghuan didn't go out to greet him, he didn't dare to be angry. He had to pretend to ask the servants about their son's physical condition at the door of the house, lest someone use this to impeach Shen Minghuan.

When he was led to the study, he looked at the people in the room who were sitting more comfortably than the last, and the corners of his eyes twitched fiercely.

Although he had some guesses about Mr. Zhou's position, they didn't have to be so blatant!

Shen Minghuan raised his hand in a perfunctory manner: "Your Majesty has come a long way, and you are not welcome at all."

Zhao Yuancheng smiled: "My dear brother is not in good health, how can I allow you to welcome him? I came here this time because I heard that my dear brother intends to return to the country?"

The late emperor called Shen Minghuan "good nephew", and he called Shen Minghuan "good brother". I don't know if this can be regarded as the same blood and family origin.

Shen Minghuan glanced at him suspiciously: "What advice does your Majesty have? Do you want to object too?"

"No, no, no, my dear brother is very homesick, how could I be such an unreasonable and evil person?" Zhao Yuancheng wished that Shen Minghuan would leave as soon as possible. He would be in constant fear every day when this person was around.

He is different from Emperor Yan. He has not even secured the throne yet. He has no ambition to unify the world for the time being. He is not afraid that Shen Minghuan will be like a dragon entering the sea and will be out of control. After all, when Shen Minghuan stayed in Yandu, it was not he who controlled Shen Minghuan, but Shen Minghuan who controlled him.

Afraid that Shen Minghuan would misunderstand, Zhao Yuancheng hurriedly clarified: "I came here just to ask, when do you plan to set off?"

Shen Minghuan was very satisfied with his knowledge, "What your Majesty said is that Gu really misses the Kingdom of Yong very much and will set off tomorrow. However, the mountains are high and the road is far away. I'm afraid I can't take away the treasures in the warehouse."

Zhao Yuancheng was overjoyed, "Brother, please feel free to go back. As long as I am here, no one will dare to break into Shen's mansion."

Zhou Yan was a little regretful, "My suggestions have just begun to be implemented. Sir, can I stay?"

Those are all reforms that benefit the country and the people. Without him personally watching over them, it would be okay to stop them at this point, but he is afraid that they will later become a means for the powerful to make money.

Doctor He gave him a shot without politeness: "Are you confused?" Zhou Yan was just a scholar, with only two apprentices around him, and their skills were not as good as his. Neither Yandu nor Shen Minghuan had time to collect their bodies.

Zhou Yan grimaced in pain: "Senior brother, I haven't seen you for a long time. Your temper is getting worse and worse. How did you survive in the palace?"

He moved to a position farther away from Dr. He and sighed: "I have been thinking about these national policies for a long time. Senior brother, this is the hard work of my first half of my life."

Zhou Yan also knew that it was unrealistic, he was just complaining.

He is not afraid of death, but if he is the only one left here, he may not be able to realize his ideals even if he dies.

——It is precisely because he knows that what he wants is not allowed in the world today that he has been hiding from the world for many years.

Shen Minghuan hesitated, "Mr. really want to stay?"

Doctor He knew at a glance that Shen Minghuan had softened his heart again. He lowered his face and said, "Junior brother, don't cause trouble to the young master!"

Zhou Yan ignored him, his eyes lit up, and he nodded seriously to Shen Minghuan: "I think so."

Shen Minghuan thought for a while and looked at Zhao Yuancheng: "In that case, Your Majesty, I ask you to take more care of Mr. Zhou."

"That's not good." Zhao Yuancheng refused.

He will definitely not listen to Zhou Yan again in the future, but he doesn't want to offend Shen Minghuan for the time being. Besides, Zhou Yan is not young anymore. What an injustice to him if he dies in Yandu.

Shen Minghuan said quietly: "Gu's Chamber of Commerce is responsible for the entire Yandu's food procurement. Gu will hand over this matter to Mr. Zhou later. If he has any damage... Your Majesty, you don't want to starve to death, right?"

"Of course, you can also find someone else, but I think no one will dare to steal my business. Your Majesty, what do you think?"

Zhao Yuancheng was shocked by this cruel way of death.

In front of him, Shen Minghuan then gave Zhou Yan a way to save his life: "Sir, if you don't mind, please move to Shen's Mansion. There are eight secret passages inside. I will take you through them all later. If you encounter danger, save your life first." Many courtiers are orphans. The orphans will give you their lists and communication methods. The orphans outside the city will also send a group of people... In short, you can take revenge at any time, but you only have one life, so you must cherish it. "

Shen Minghuan deliberately said it in front of Zhao Yuancheng. No matter how sufficient life-saving measures were, there would still be dangers. He just hoped that these measures would not be used. As long as Zhao Yuancheng was not hopelessly stupid, he would not risk offending Shen Minghuan by doing something with a low chance of success.

And these are just some of the things on the surface. You must know that Yecheng is also in the hands of Shen Minghuan, and Yecheng is the city closest to Yandu and has soldiers.

Zhou Yan was gearing up after hearing this: "Master, can I just go ahead and do it?"

He has been away from the world for many years, and this is not the only national policy in his mind, but most of them will shake the interests of the powerful people in the world. The resistance is too great, even the original Emperor Yan would not agree.

Shen Minghuan looked at Zhao Yuancheng with a smile but not a smile: "Your Majesty, is that okay?"

Zhao Yuancheng trembled. He felt that he was not timid, but Shen Minghuan's eyes still made him break into a cold sweat. "Yes, of course I can."

How many people has Shen Minghuan bribed in the past six months? Is this still his Yan Kingdom?

But if he had the courage, he would not have been so afraid of the old emperor who was only wearing armor yesterday, and would not have killed his father impatiently.

Shen Minghuan pondered for a moment, "I asked Chen Shuo to bring an army back to help you."

It's a pity that the generals stationed on the border followed the late emperor to fight and were extremely loyal to him. It's hard to bribe them, otherwise Yan State could have changed its surname to Shen. Fortunately, the late emperor was not very wary of them, and they acted quickly and caught them off guard. Otherwise, if the army got the news and went north to defend the king, it would be hard to say who would win.

Shen Minghuan didn't expect to control the entire army with military pay. There are many ways to get food in this world, but if the military pay is used well, it is enough to affect the outcome of a battle at a critical moment.

However, when he returns to Yong State, he can use Yong State's military strength to contain this army. As long as they can't come back to help, the biggest force in Yan State is the "mountain bandits" secretly cultivated by Shen Minghuan, and Mr. Zhou can sit back and relax.

"Thank you, young master." Zhou Yan understood that he was not brave enough and could completely treat Yan State as the territory conquered by Shen Minghuan.

Zhou Yan turned around happily and bowed to Zhao Yuancheng: "Your Majesty, I have seen you."

Seeing Zhao Yuancheng's twisted smile, he kindly advised: "Your Majesty, look at it more openly. I dare to guarantee that all my decisions are good. In the future, I will be a wise minister in the history books, and Your Majesty can also get the title of a wise monarch."

Zhao Yuancheng left with dull eyes as if he had lost his soul.

Doctor He was still a little dissatisfied, "Junior brother, why are you in such a hurry? Yan State will belong to you sooner or later."

Doctor He also had enough confidence in Shen Minghuan. In his opinion, Shen Minghuan would unify the nine states sooner or later. When the world was peaceful, it would be safer for Zhou Yan to govern again.

Zhou Yan rubbed his hands, "Brother, I know, but I really can't wait."

He knew that Shen Minghuan would eventually unify, and he also knew that it would be a long road.

Zhou Yan felt that the luckiest thing in his life was meeting Shen Minghuan, and the most unfortunate thing was that he met this person when he was 56 years old, and his life did not leave him much time.

Zhou Yan still had deep worries in his heart.

People will change. How many heroes and patriots have loved the people like their own children, but once they sit in a high position, they have to face the influence of fame and fortune, even if they were born in poverty?

Zhou He is like this.

Zhou He is still like this, and the emperor is the person in the world who is easiest and has the most chance to change.

Will Shen Minghuan in the future selflessly distribute the land to every poor citizen?

Will Shen Minghuan in the future still have the determination to move forward and dare to go against the powerful people in the world?

Zhou Yan did not dare to gamble.

Shen Minghuan did not know that his adviser was thinking about it. He had spent more than half a year in Yan State and did not plan to spend so much time in Yong State.

He estimated the current situation and smiled faintly: "Yuwenshan, go and gather everyone. It's time to announce the existence of the rebel army."

Don't underestimate ordinary people. They are the individuals that make up most of this world.

Shen Minghuan has instructed many people and observed many people.

Some people never admit that they are bandits from beginning to end, and always remember their original intentions and bottom lines;

Some people swing their butcher knives at the weak after gaining power, and gradually become the appearance they hated at the beginning.

After Zhou He, the latter couldn't wait to accept official positions and become new dignitaries. The former were contacted by the Chamber of Commerce and gathered together because of common beliefs.

This is the greatest and proudest achievement of Shen Minghuan since he came to this small world, and it is his treasure.

Xie Zhifei was slightly stunned, "Sir, do you want to lead troops to attack Yongdu?"

Shen Minghuan snorted coldly: "I can also drive straight in myself."

Nan Huaijin asked Nie Shiyun to say that if Shen Minghuan returns to Yongdu after three months, he can drive straight in.

Yuwenshan was very excited. He responded passionately: "Yes, sir, I will do it right away."

Nie Shiyun was also very excited, "Your Highness, I am willing to be the vanguard."

Shen Minghuan frowned with disdain: "Zi Zheng, can you understand? Why do they like fighting so much?"

The battles he participated in were all fought with violence and stopped with war, which was far from being liked.

Xie Zhifei smiled and said nothing.

It's not that I like fighting, but I like to be desperate for a belief or a person, forgetting life and death.

If a person can meet such a person or thing in his life, it is really extremely lucky.

*

Yuwenshan went ahead and took a shortcut back to Yongguo.

The rebels were all over the place. Even though the post stations built by Shen Minghuan's Chamber of Commerce were very complete and the speed of sending messages was accelerated, it still took time to travel, so the first batch of teams were all from Yongguo.

Shen Minghuan used to convey tasks to them through the Chamber of Commerce. They relied on the mountain terrain, and each team had a small number of people. Most of them were used to guerrilla warfare that relied on agility to win. They would run away after fighting, but they could not defend the city, and were not conducive to large-scale combat.

Each team had its own habits. If they wanted to fight together, they would need a period of adjustment. And if Yuwenshan wanted to be the general, he had to establish his prestige by himself.

Shen Minghuan originally wanted to hurry on, even if he couldn't go over the mountains and ridges like Yuwenshan, at least he didn't have to rest for an hour. He felt that he was not so fragile.

But he didn't have the final say. On this point, everyone listened to Doctor He.

Nie Shiyun blushed. He thought that he had done enough to escort Shen Minghuan. Even though he had to eat and sleep in the open, Shen Minghuan lived comfortably in the carriage and ate carefully prepared dry food.

But now I see how rough the "care" he thought was.

——Shen Minghuan, the richest man in the world. With Xie Zhifei's preparation in advance, caravans would escort him wherever he went. Even if he went to a place with no village or shop, a group of well-trained people would rush out when it gets dark and quickly build a luxurious Big tent.

Xie Zhifei brought a glass of warm water to Shen Minghuan, looked at the other's troubled expression and advised him: "Young Master, please relax, the Yuwen Mountain campaign will also take time. I have estimated that at this speed, when Yuwen Mountain reaches Yongdu, we will arrive just in time." ”

Shen Minghuan was not that eager, but no matter how luxurious the carriage was, it would not be very comfortable on the road. He felt that it was better to die early and be born early than to cut the flesh with a dull knife - he had said this on the first day, and even Xie Zhifei scolded him. he.

Shen Minghuan sighed, feeling deeply that his lord was not very majestic, "Zizheng, has Gu never shown you Gu's talent in the art of war?"

Xie Zhifei smiled slightly, "Young master has to do everything, what do you want Yu Wenshan and me to do?"

Shen Minghuan was the only one with nothing to do along the way. The only thing he had to do every day was to battle wits and courage with Imperial Physician He. The closer he got to his destination, the busier Xie Zhifei became.

Yong Kingdom will be the territory of the young master, and Xie Zhifei will not let the place be in a mess. Every time Yuwenshan conquered a city, he would immediately arrange for the Chamber of Commerce to deal with the aftermath, rebuild the local economy, restore people's livelihood, and regain the people's support for the young master.

Fortunately, the Chamber of Commerce has often cooperated with the "bandits" in the past, and has already gained experience. Although it was hectic, it did not make any big mistakes.

This is just part of Xie Zhifei’s daily work.

Unlike Yandu, which was run by Shen Minghuan for a long time, they only kept information on Yongdu on paper. The development time of the Chamber of Commerce was too short, and it had not had time to drive the nails into the imperial court.

If possible, Xie Zhifei would not want Shen Minghuan to go back at this time. The risk would be too great. But since Shen Minghuan insisted, Xie Zhifei had no choice but to speed up, at least there should be no one who could threaten Shen Minghuan.

"Then I can't just do nothing." Shen Minghuan muttered.

He felt that he was lazy and did not want to deal with simple and boring daily official duties, but Xie Zhifei was so diligent that his conscience ached a little.

Shen Minghuan hesitated between taking over the official job and continuing to pass it on to Xie Zhifei, and said righteously: "Zizheng, don't worry, after Yu Wenshan took the banner, many famous people have come to apply for it. When the time comes, you can take all the official jobs." Push it to them.”

Xie Zhifei sighed melancholy: "But when I see new people smiling, I don't hear old people crying. If I don't work hard, I'm afraid the young master will forget me when the new counselors come."

"How could it be!" Shen Minghuan didn't blink, "You are Gu's most important adviser, no one can get past you."

*

Here, the master and servant have a deep love and enjoy traveling around the mountains and rivers. However, the main hall of Yong Palace is filled with deathly silence and solemnity.

"Report, Your Majesty, the cities of Di and Qiu have fallen."

"Report, Your Majesty, the rebels have arrived at Fuhuan Mountain, three hundred miles away from Yongdu."

"Report, Your Majesty, the Huwei Army was ordered to stop and kill the rebels outside the imperial city. They were defeated and General Wei was captured."

"Report, Your Majesty..."

"Stop taking revenge!" Emperor Yong looked crazy. He kicked several tables in front of the dragon chair. The heavy nanmu table fell to the ground, making a dull, whining sound, like the collapse of this huge dynasty.

Emperor Yong's crown was accidentally knocked off by himself, his hair was messy, his eyes were red, and his voice was screaming sharply, like a madman who had lost his mind, without the manners of the Nine-Fifth Supreme Lord at all, "Where is King Dun? I asked him to Return to King Qin of Yongdu, why hasn’t he come yet?”

The officials were also frightened. They should have been more frightened than Emperor Yong.

After all, even if the rebels attack the palace, Emperor Yong might still have a chance to survive if he cooperates, but officials like them from the "former dynasty" are not qualified to negotiate deals with the rebels.

But probably Emperor Yong's performance was too exaggerated, and all the officials stood there dumbfounded for a while.

No matter what kind of gloomy and decadent court it is, there will always be scholars who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the country. They used to be inconspicuous in the huge court, but now they shine brightly in the room and attract people's attention.

Perhaps they only have this chance to shine once in their lives, and they have to burn their lives to do so, but they are not afraid.

One of the ministers with an unknown surname came out. He even bowed slightly and saluted, still as serious as recorded in the book: "Your Majesty, there are many changes in King Dun and Jin Kingdom, and the army cannot leave."

"These are all excuses!" Emperor Yong kicked down the dragon chair again and cursed with a heavy breath: "Don't you think I know you are a traitor and a traitor? He wants to wait until I die and he can become the emperor. It's a beautiful idea. , I won’t die!”

The huge fear and pressure completely overwhelmed his reason. Emperor Yong muttered in confusion: "I will not die. I am the emperor, so I will not die..."

"Where is Nie Zheng? Why is he not Qin Wang? Is he also rebellious?" Emperor Yong began to shout again.

This time it was Nie Ge who came out. He said in a calm tone: "Your Majesty, have you forgotten? My grandson is missing and I don't know whether he is alive or dead. Please order my son to conduct a thorough investigation in Huaixi. Your Majesty, you said that he is too sad. For the time being, Withdrew his military power and asked him to rest. The new General Xuan Ying died in the hands of the rebels on his way to take office. "

Emperor Yong was like a drowning man grabbing a life-saving straw. He rolled down the high platform and grabbed Nie Ge's hand: "I ordered, I now order to return the military power to him, Taiwei, you quickly let Nie Zheng come to protect the emperor."

Nie Ge brushed his hand away, took two steps back, and bowed slightly, "Your Majesty, the rebels are coming, it's too late."

He was loyal to Yong State and the Shen Imperial Family all his life, but his grandson disappeared in Huaixi for unknown reasons, and the court did not even investigate. From that moment on, Nie Ge was completely disappointed with Emperor Yong.

He had loved this country deeply and had too many things he wanted to do for Yong State, but now those ambitions were far away from him. He was like a lonely soul, watching the joys and sorrows of the world indifferently.

Talking about love and hate may not be appropriate. He was just so tired that he couldn't raise too warm emotions.

The rebel army, known as the "Yuwen Army", moved very fast. A few days ago, the palace was still debating whether to move the capital to the south. In fact, everyone knew that this was a euphemism for fleeing.

At first, Emperor Yong did not take this army composed of mountain bandits seriously. Later, several cities fell one after another, and even the palace soldiers were annihilated. He knew that he was afraid and immediately ordered the army guarding the border to return to Yongdu to defend the king.

After waiting for a long time, the court proposed to move the capital. Emperor Yong was reluctant to give up the wealth here, not to mention that he knew that if he moved the capital at this time, his future life would depend on the faces of the rich families in Jiangnan. How could he be willing to do this?

Emperor Yong did not run away himself, nor did he let other dignitaries run away. When he saw the rebels getting closer and closer to Yongdu, it was too late when he finally made up his mind.

Yuwenshan's army was only half a day away from the imperial city. If he fled now, he would go out to die.

For the ministers who were ready to die for their country, they had been nervous, anxious and worried for a long time. They had thought of 108 ways to do it. Now they knew that they would die without a doubt, but they were very calm.

So they could watch Emperor Yong and some court officials go crazy calmly and calmly.

"Report, Your Majesty, Yongdu has been broken, and the rebels have surrounded the palace." The soldier who reported the news was full of panic. He habitually half-knelt to salute and report, but before he finished speaking, his legs softened and he collapsed to the ground, and he spoke with a crying tone.

He was still very young, and the imperial guards of the imperial city had never killed anyone. Normally, he didn't even dare to watch the beheading.

Emperor Yong's eyes went dark and he almost fainted, but he regained some consciousness because of this blow, "Where are the guards in the palace? Let them all come to protect me, surround this palace, surround me!"

"And all the palace maids and eunuchs, yes, I still have a lot of people, where are the people, all of them, come in, come in."

The guard leader is usually the emperor's confidant and loyal to the emperor. Before Emperor Yong ordered, he had gathered all the guards to guard outside the palace.

In fact, he also knew that it was probably powerless to save the situation, but he would always die before Emperor Yong.

And before he died, Emperor Yong could still be the supreme emperor of Yong.

The nearby palace maids and eunuchs were dragged into the hall by the guards. Although Emperor Yong was crazy, the guard leader obviously carried out his orders very seriously.

Emperor Yong looked at the people in the hall and barely gained a sense of security.

But this did not last long-the court hall was not too far from the palace gate, and they soon heard the sound of fighting between weapons.

In history books and novels, the fall of cities often occurred in the middle of the night. Through the cracks in the doors and windows, one could glimpse the flickering light of the fire, and listen to the crackling sound of the burning fire while counting the passing of time.

There should be a waning moon hanging in the sky. The moon has illuminated this scene countless times, and now it will happen again.

But unfortunately, Yongdu was broken early, before noon.

There is no bleak moon in the sky, only a warm sun.