Huan Rong

Chapter 173

Taicheng, Tai Chi Hall

Sima Yu had taken the decoction, and while he still had some energy, he opened the memorials piled up on his desk, and carefully read one volume after another.

The emperor has not been to the court for a long time, and the government affairs of the court have not been affected in the slightest. Both political and military affairs are in order and there is no chaos.Seeing all the things on the memorial, Sima Yu didn't know whether to sigh or be indignant.

Puppet, puppet!

Felling down the bamboo slips forcefully, Sima Yu was furious and began to cough violently again.At the end of the cough, a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his lips.

"Your Majesty!" The eunuch turned pale with shock.

"Shut up!" Sima Yu struggled to make a sound, covering his mouth with a silk cloth, "Take, take the red pill!"

"promise!"

The eunuch carefully brought a jade bottle, Sima Yu held the bottle tightly, and did not pour out a pill to swallow, but just leaned close to the bottle mouth, sniffed the scent of the elixir, and drank half of the warm water along the way.

When the cough was not so severe, Sima Yu ordered the eunuch to prepare bamboo slips, write a private letter with a pen, and send it to Gushu immediately.

Useless jade seals and gold seals are not regarded as the edict of the emperor, and there is no need to go through the three provinces.

Unexpectedly, before the letter left Miyagi, the eunuch who delivered the letter was stopped by Da Changle.

Ignoring the eunuch's angry eyes, Ane opened the silk cloth that wrapped the bamboo slips, read the contents, wrapped them up as if nothing had happened, and put them back into the eunuch's arms.

"Let him go." An'a folded her hands, looked down at the eunuch from a high position, and said, "Buried the matter in your stomach, you can still save your life."

The eunuch hugged the bamboo slips tightly, no matter how unwilling he was, he could only admit that he had fallen.

The emperor has been ill for a long time, and the situation is obviously not good.

The Empress Dowager Chu made frequent moves to win over the two princes, obviously intending to regain control of Taicheng.It is really unknown what will happen to them who follow the officials, and whether they can keep their heads.

Forced by the situation, he had to bow his head.

However, if Taoist ancestors show kindness and the immortals show mercy and help the officials to get through this test, let alone great Changle, even the queen mother in Changle Palace will suffer the wrath of thunder, and don't want to have a good life again!

The eunuch stood up and nodded to the little servant hiding not far away.The latter immediately turned around and ran back to the Tai Chi Hall.

When Sima Yu heard this, he didn't get angry on the spot.

"During the time I've been ill, changes are bound to take place in Tai City. It's not surprising that some people stare at the Tai Chi Hall. As a person like Chu Suanzi, knowing that I want to summon the Great Sima back to court, he will never sit idly by."

Having said that, Sima Yu sneered.

"Smart people."

The eunuch bowed and stood aside, cautiously said: "Your Majesty, do you want to send someone to watch Changle Palace?"

"No need." Sima Yu waved his hand, "I want to see what Chu Suanzi will do."

"promise."

The eunuch stopped talking and stood aside with his head bowed.

Sima Yu glanced at the memorabilia in front of him, and looked at it carelessly, and lay back on the couch tiredly.

From his point of view, Changle Palace absolutely does not want Huan Wen to return to the court.You can't directly intercept the letter, you can only try to spread the news to attract the attention of the DPRK and China.

Once civil and military vigilance is aroused, things must be delayed.

At that time, Jiankang, Gushu and Jingkou will not be safe.

"Chaos, the more chaos the better." Sima Yu murmured.

At this moment, he suddenly understood Sima Yi's madness.

He thought he could do it, at least not inferior to Emperor Ming.It's a pity that it has only been a year since he ascended the throne, and he is already in a dead end and overwhelmed.

Thinking of his half-brother who had only been on the throne for three years and would have passed away prematurely, Sima Yu laughed abruptly, and two lines of dirty tears rolled down the corners of his eyes.

When the news came out, everyone's eyes gathered in Taicheng, and they probably didn't pay attention to whether Daofu was still in the city.

"This is what the Father can only do for you..."

Sima Yu lowered his voice, and his tears dried up, leaving only two dry tear stains at the corners of his eyes.

In Jiankang City, the shops are as lively as usual.

Merchant ships from south to north pass through the gate and travel on the Qinhuai River.When approaching the pier and meeting familiar businessmen, the owner of the ship will greet each other with hands in hand, and tell a few new news.

Since October, there have been more and more news about Youzhou.

Yandu and Xuyi are often listed in the population, and caravans of rare goods from Youzhou are not uncommon.

Merchants in the city found that foreign merchants traveling between big and small cities were different from the past, and began to pick and choose when shopping.Although spending money is still like water, certain goods, such as gold and silver jewelry and silk cloth, are not as easy to sell as before.Even if it can still be sold out, it takes twice as much time and tongue-in-cheek as usual.

In contrast, the salt shops, sugar shops and silver houses opened by Huan Rong in the city were always overcrowded.

It is often dark, and there is a long queue at the door.

Regardless of the Han people or the Hu people, they wrapped their robes tightly while rubbing their hands, regardless of the wet and cold weather, staring at the door panel, just waiting for the moment when the buddy appeared.

Especially the sugar shop, there are long queues every day.

With the emergence of new products such as hard candy and soft candy, more and more merchants are queuing up.Some people pay high prices to buy new goods from others.Looking at the loss-making business, it was shipped to Kuaiji and other places, and it still made a lot of money.

As time went by, Jiankang people began to get used to this situation.

Seeing the gentry's servants queuing up and snapping up the new candies put on the shelves with the merchants, everyone was also not surprised.

"Don't look at the high price, the taste is really good. I went north with the caravan, and when I met thieves blocking the way, I killed two of them with my strength and protected most of the goods. When the team leader discussed meritorious service, he specially rewarded me with a small piece. Fingernail Big and square, like ice cubes, the taste is better than honey, now that I think about it, tsk tsk..."

The man spoke vividly and smacked his lips from time to time.

The onlookers swallowed their saliva subconsciously, trying to taste it, and immediately rested their minds when they thought of the price board hanging in front of the sugar shop.

"For such a high price, let's forget about it."

"That may not be the case." A man with a goatee on his chin interrupted, "I heard that Xuyi City is different, as long as the people in the city can sell sugar at a low price."

"Really?" a boatman asked, "Did you see it with your own eyes?"

"I didn't see it with my own eyes. Some people moved into Youzhou. They sent a letter a few days ago, inviting me to work in Youzhou."

"Working?" The boatman on the side disagreed.What kind of work can you do if you can't carry it on your shoulders or hands?

"Stop looking down on a certain family!" the man said angrily.

"The ancestor of a certain family used to be a servant of a noble family. Fortunately, he could read a few words and held a unique skill. He dedicated himself to taking care of the cattle and horses for the master. Although the master's family fell and the servants were scattered, he still learned the skills of his father. The horse market and the bull market When those businessmen encounter problems, they will come to find them!"

The more the man spoke, the more excited he became, his face flushed red.

"I heard that Youzhou recruits a large number of refugees and implements a benevolent government. As long as you work hard to open up wasteland, you will be exempted from grain taxes for three years, and you can also rent cattle from the state government."

"what?!"

"Don't believe me." The man took out the clan's letter and read it out in public. After reading, he continued, "Did you hear that? The state government is looking for someone who can take care of cattle and horses. With a certain ability, why worry about making a living!"

The man shook the letter, and the surroundings were silent.

In fact, he couldn't read at all. The content of the letter was told to him by others, and it took him a day and a night to memorize it by rote before he could export it smoothly.

In the crowd, two men in short robes exchanged glances, nodded to each other, and retreated silently.

Jiankang City seems to be peaceful, but in fact, the dark tide is raging.

Once there is chaos in the city, the people must flee in all directions.Compared with Yangzhou and other places, Youzhou's geographical location does not have an advantage, so we can only start from other aspects to let the people in the city know that if they go to Youzhou, livelihood will not be a problem, and they can support the whole family if they work hard.

Doing so would indeed entail a certain risk, as it would attract the attention of noble families and local tycoons in advance.However, based on the analysis of Jia Bing, Xunyou and others, this matter had to be done.

The assassin Huan expressed his understanding.

It is good to make a lot of money with a silent voice, but you should not be vague when it is time to speak out.

In today's world, pretending to be a pig and eating a tiger may not work.Maybe he entered the drama too deeply and gave people the impression that he could be deceived. Before he could open his mouth, he was surrounded by wolves who were staring at him, and was directly torn to pieces.

To achieve the goal, word of mouth alone is not enough.Jia Bing's hidden stakes buried in Jiankang came into play one after another, specifically looking for "working people" and talking about things that resonate.

It won't take long for most boat craftsmen to know that Xuyi is located on the border, with prosperous commerce and trade, land reclamation and tax exemption, and thousands of state soldiers guarding it, which is not bad compared to Jiankang.

Whether you are tempted or not depends on personal choice.

What is certain is that when Jiankang falls into chaos, the people in the city will never flee to Yangzhou in droves.As long as [-]% of them go north to Youzhou, Huan Rong will be able to gain a lot.

Others collect gold, silver and treasures, and assassins specialize in attracting people.

Only someone can hope, and someone can develop.

No one, it's useless to hold mountains of gold and silver!

In Taicheng, Queen Mother Chu didn't know that Huan Rong, who had been framed by her, was picking up a shovel and preparing to dig the four corners of Jiankang City.

After listening to Da Changle's report and knowing Sima Yu's plan, Empress Dowager Chu put down the Taoist scriptures and pondered for a long time.

The hall is dark, and the three-legged lamp is still lit during the day.

The flame flickered, and the human shadow twisted and elongated on the wall, carrying an indescribably weirdness.

"Anne." The Empress Dowager Chu finally spoke, "Let the news out and let everyone in Wuyixiang and Qingxili know that the officials have no intention of appointing a crown prince, and they want to call the chief minister back to court."

"promise!"

"In addition, let someone send a letter to Youzhou to see how Nankang reacts."

"promise!"

"The Taiji Hall will continue to send people to watch. If Changming and Daozi pass by, report to me immediately."

Da Changle promised repeatedly, his eyes were fixed on the ground all the time, his expression didn't change at all.

"Anne, you have been with me for decades, and I will remember all the credit."

On the other hand, the previous negligence and double-mindedness will also not be forgotten.

"I can be short of anyone by my side, but I can't be without you." The Empress Dowager Chu opened the Taoist scriptures again and turned the Liuzhu.

"You are intelligent by nature. You should know that you will be the great Changle when I am here. On the day I go, Changle Palace will change hands, and you will also fall into the dust. After Empress Dowager Yu leaves, what will happen to the people around her? You should remember."

The tone is calm and calm.

Ana lowered his eyes, knelt down on the ground, and kowtowed heavily.

"I dare not forget the empress dowager's admonition."

"Just don't forget, let's go."

"promise."

Ane bowed and exited the palace door, and only after the door closed did he raise his head, with resentment evident in his eyes.

In the inner hall, the Empress Dowager Chu was reading Taoist scriptures, moving the beads one by one, smiling strangely and serenely.

Jiankang turmoil broke out suddenly, and Gu Shu was also not safe.

Sima Yu's letter was sent to the city, but the sender failed to see Sima Huan, so Xi Chao sent him to rest.

"Xi Shilang, I'm afraid this is inappropriate." Meng Jia happened to see this scene, and couldn't help reminding him, "After all, it's a servant in Taicheng, who sent a letter from the emperor, so contemptuous, I'm afraid it will attract domineering people for Da Sima language."

"I care about myself." Xi Chao didn't want to say more.

It wasn't that he was being arrogant on purpose, it was because Da Sima Huan had been ill for a long time, suffered repeated stimulations, and showed symptoms of apoplexy, so it was really hard for him to meet people easily.Now he is still sane, and he can no longer move half of his body.Xi Chao wrote all the official documents for corrections, and he barely showed up a few times with pills to support him.

The doctors in the mansion trembled, knowing that no matter how good their medical skills were, they would eventually be cured, and if there were no miracles, Sima Huan might not live long.

Just worrying about my life, no one dares to tell the truth.

Huan Wen's condition became more and more serious day by day, but he was still around him.

Huan Wei and Huan Xuan were over-trained, not stupid, but their reactions were much slower than children of the same age.

Murong was worried at first, but soon thought about it, anyway, he didn't intend to let his son fight, so he might be able to live in peace, it was better than being a shield for others and suffering every now and then.

Ma was not reconciled.

She couldn't accept that a child who was intelligent and intelligent suddenly turned into what she was seeing.But the facts are in front of his eyes, even if Huan Xuan can recover, he will be reduced to mediocrity, and will no longer be in the eyes of the husband.

Recalling all the past, thinking of leaving Jiankang, she got carried away for a moment and showed her heart in front of Princess Nankang, Madam Ma couldn't help but feel cold all over, and began to cry mournfully.

Sima Yu didn't know the situation of his aunt, so he sent someone to send a letter, sincerely inviting Huan Wen to enter the court.And it revealed between the lines that as long as Sima Huan is willing to go to Jiankang, help share the pressure, suppress Queen Mother Chu, and let him live a few more days, Jiuxi will not be a problem!

After reading the letter, Sima Huan could only smile wryly.

"Weakness of heart."

With such an illness, it is inconvenient to walk, so why go to Jiankang?Let the world know that his life is not long?

"Ming Gong, how should I reply?"

"Leave."

A single word fell like a thousand catties.

Huan Wen understands, and so does Xi Chao, if they can get Jiuxi, everything they want is right in front of them!However, good fortune tricks people, the throne is close at hand, and they want to push it away!

If there is no Xi Yin, Huan Wen can always grit his teeth and fight hard.

However, Xi Min's assassin was entrenched in Jingkou, and the Beifu army was not weak. Seeing that Huan Wen was seriously ill, he would definitely take the opportunity to attack.With the addition of the Jiankang gentry, the outcome is even more unpredictable.If something goes wrong, not only will it be difficult to achieve your wish, but you will lose everything you have.

After Xi Chao wrote the reply, he presented it to Huan Wen.

Looking at the ink that was still wet, Huan Wen let out a long and exhausted sigh, anger and sorrow surged up together, and finally turned into helplessness, and weighed down heavily in his heart.

At this moment, Huan Wenwen and Sima Yu's moods were very similar.

The same unwillingness, the same regret, the same anger, and the same sadness.

Although they are separated by two places, it is not an exaggeration to say that they are brothers in need.

Murong Chui was also saddened.

I don't know who leaked the news. The news that he bought weapons from Youzhou City came out. Murong Ping accused King Rouran of moving more troops to the battlefield, intending to take down Ku Moxi as quickly as possible, so as not to give Murong Chui a chance to breathe. .

People are all wiped out, and it is useless to buy weapons, maybe it will be cheaper for yourself!

But at this time, there were rumors that Murong Chui was going to lead troops south, and Murong De was inevitably suspicious.

Thus, a strange situation appeared on the battlefield, Murong Ping and Murong Chui fought, Murong De and Murong Chui fought, Murong Chui and Murong De guarded each other again, Rouran's army did not work hard, and they spent a lot of time watching dramas. Refuse to fight with all your strength.

It's not that King Rouran is thinking about it, trying to reap the benefits of the fisherman.The reason is that Rouran is not like the Central Plains dynasty. Even if there is a royal court, the ruling power is average.

If the leaders of the various ministries are willing, they will use their knives to fight for their lives; when the weather is not favorable, just pat their ass and leave, Wang Ting has nothing to do.If you are in a hurry, you go directly to the Di people, the same nomadic herding sheep, and you can live as you want.

Qin Yu stationed in Changli, and the news continued every day.After receiving a letter from Pengcheng, knowing that the weapon that caused the chaos came from Youzhou, and that the rumors were spread by Qin Jing, he couldn't help but click his tongue.

"Lang Jun?" The counselor was surprised by Qin Ji's reaction, and asked, "What did you say in Mr. Si Lang's letter?"

"It's nothing." Qin Yu grinned, and put the silk cloth directly into his arms, "A new batch of military rations arrived in Pengcheng, and they will be shipped to Changli soon."

Qin Jing warned in the letter that this matter should not be disclosed to others.

The reason why Qin Yu was informed was that Huan Rong borrowed a way for the caravan to pass through Changli to the border of Kumoxi.While transporting the weapons, bring back the exchanged young men by the way.

In order to borrow the way smoothly and avoid the Qin family intercepting people halfway, Huan Rong spared no effort to sell and give away a batch of military rations.

In the middle of winter, the sea is too risky to sail.If the trouble is not good, the ship will sink and the people will die, and the loss will be immeasurable.The Qin family has received benefits, and the two parties have a temporary covenant, so at least they can maintain integrity.

Meat pain is meat pain, in order to complete this deal, Huan Rong still has to give as much as he should without blinking an eye, and he can't be stingy at all.

In the final analysis, making Murong Xianbei and Rouran more chaotic and consuming each other's strength may not be beneficial to the Qin family.Otherwise, no matter how high the price is, Qin may not be willing to excuse it.

"If it hurts, let it hurt, you can always make up for it." Huan Cishi closed the bamboo slips while sucking his teeth.

At this moment, the servant servant suddenly came to report, and Princess Nankang invited him over.

"Mother?"

"Jiankang sent a letter. After His Royal Highness read it, he ordered his slave to come and ask for your lord."

Jiankang letter?

Huan Rong nodded, carefully put away the bamboo slips, released the goshawk with the bamboo tube, got up and walked towards the east courtyard.