There was more and more evidence about Prime Minister Xu's involvement in the Battle of Mingshui.
It wasn't just the Battle of Mingshui. There were all sorts of crimes that were presented to the court, including selling official positions and titles, hiring private servants, deceiving the emperor, accepting bribes …
The change in the emperor's attitude made Xu's party feel that something was wrong. The court was immersed in a tense atmosphere. Those who originally thought that they would be able to rescue Xu Jingfu soon realized that it was not a simple matter. In other words, it was impossible.
In Count Shi Jin's residence, a servant stopped the people who wanted to come in and said with a smile, "Sirs, please go back. Fourth Young Master is not in the residence."
"Where did Chu Zilan go?" One person was anxious and angry. He asked in a low voice, "If you don't let us see Fourth Young Master Chu, the prime minister won't have time!"
The servant only said with a bitter face, "Sirs, I don't know. Fourth Young Master hasn't been back for a long time."
Seeing that they couldn't get anything useful out of the servant, the person could only leave resentfully. After the group of people left, the servant closed the door and went back to the courtyard. He knocked on the door of the study and walked in.
Chu Zhao was sitting at the table, reading.
"Fourth Young Master, the people who came have all been sent back," the servant said.
Chu Zhao was of course in Count Shi Jin's residence. In fact, he hadn't left the residence these days, so no one saw him.
"Well done."
"But Fourth Young Master …" The servant hesitated and asked, "Are you really not going to think of a way?"
Chu Zhao looked up at him. The servant's face paled. After a while, he heard the person in front of him say, "You can go out."
The servant left as if relieved of a heavy burden.
Chu Zhao's gaze fell on the table again. The inkstone on the table was given to him by Xu Jingfu. Ever since Xu Jingfu was imprisoned, there were people who wanted to find him to help Xu Jingfu get out. After all, Xu Jingfu treated him like his own son. He was going to be Xu Jingfu's son-in-law soon. It was reasonable for him to do this.
Chu Zhao's gaze became distant.
Chu Zhao still remembered the first time he met Xu Jingfu.
At that time, he was still young and was being bullied by Madam Chu and his three brothers. He was very good-looking, and Chu Linfeng liked to take him to social gatherings. He looked very good, but every time he came back from social gatherings, what awaited him was endless torture.
Chu Linfeng couldn't see what was happening in the backyard. Even if she saw it, she would only say a few words. It was impossible for her to leave Mrs. Chu because of him.
There was a winter day when Chu Linfeng had to entertain his colleagues and wanted to bring him along. This time, he was a guest at Prime Minister Xu's residence. Chu Linfeng had specifically instructed Madam Chu to pick out a good set of clothes for Chu Zhao so that he wouldn't embarrass the Chu family.
Since he was going to be a guest at Prime Minister Xu's residence, Madam Chu didn't dare to neglect him. Even though she was extremely unwilling, she still prepared gorgeous clothes for him.
Chu Linfeng was quite satisfied.
But Chu Zhao had a hard time walking.
He didn't know if it was Madam Chu or one of his brothers who had nailed a few nails into the bottom of his boots. At first, he couldn't feel it, but as he walked, the nails gradually drilled into his boots and finally drilled into the soles of his feet.
But at that time, Chu Zhao had already arrived at Xu's residence with Chu Linfeng.
It was very rude to take off one's boots in public. Chu Linfeng was very proud and didn't give him a chance to speak at all. It was like showing off a beautiful vase or an exquisite decoration. He pulled him along and said to everyone he met, "This is my third son, Chu Zhao."
Chu Zhao could only endure the pain and talk to Chu Linfeng with a pale face.
In the end, he almost couldn't hold on anymore.
Chu Linfeng drank a few more cups at the banquet and talked with his colleagues proudly. Finally, he didn't pay attention to Chu Zhao for the time being. Chu Zhao wanted to find a secluded corner to take off his boots and pull out the nails. But he didn't know the way in the huge Xu residence. As he walked around, he bumped into someone.
An old scribe in a long gown looked down at him.
Chu Zhao froze. He recognized at a glance that this was the main character of today's banquet, Prime Minister Xu Jingfu, whom Chu Linfeng wanted to curry favor with. But he was always by Chu Linfeng's side, and Chu Linfeng didn't even talk to Xu Jingfu. It seemed that he didn't know him.
"I am … the fourth son of Count Shi Jin's residence," Chu Zhao said carefully. "I … I'm lost."
Xu Jingfu only smiled at him. His gaze paused and he suddenly asked, "What's wrong with your leg?"
Chu Zhao instinctively hid his leg behind him.
Xu Jingfu looked around and called for the servants. "Carry Fourth Young Master Chu to his room."
Chu Zhao hurriedly waved his hand. "No need, I …"
"You'll be crippled if you keep walking." Xu Jingfu shook his head and smiled. "I'll have someone tell your father. Don't worry."
Chu Zhao was carried into the room by the servants of the Xu Residence. Not only that, they also took off his boots. The moment the boots were taken off, everyone present sucked in a breath of cold air. The nails were almost completely buried in his foot. The blood that flowed out stuck to his white socks. Just looking at it made one feel miserable.
Prime Minister Xu frowned and said, "Call the doctor from the mansion over."
There was a physician in the Xu Residence who was skilled in medicine. After being called over, he removed the nail from Chu Zhao's foot and said, "Young Master, you're too good at enduring. The nail didn't go in, but it hurts. How did you endure until now without making a sound? Aiyo, when you go back, don't go to the fields for a few days. Rest well. "
Chu Zhao pursed his lips and didn't speak. Although he was the fourth young master of the Chu family, his life was no different from that of a servant. He had to work every day. How could he not go to the fields to recuperate?
Xu Jingfu waved his hand and dismissed them.
He got up and walked to the other side. He seemed to ask casually, "What's your name?"
"Chu Zhao, courtesy name Zilan." He restrained himself and answered cautiously.
"Good name." Xu Jingfu smiled and placed a brand new pair of boots in front of him. "My wife originally planned to give this to my student. Your boots can't be worn anymore. This pair should be able to be worn."
Chu Zhao held the boots in his arms. Perhaps it was because the stove in front of him was very hot. The cloth boots were warmed. He said, "Thank you, Lord Xu."
Xu Jingfu looked at him. The clothes that Madam Chu gave him were indeed gorgeous and exquisite. However, in the cold winter, the thin brocade clothes didn't have any cotton wool. It looked good, but it wasn't practical. He had walked outside. His face was pale from the cold, and his hands and feet were cold.
"You have three older brothers in your family?" Xu Jingfu asked with a smile.
Chu Zhao's body stiffened slightly. "Yes."
Xu Jingfu looked at him thoughtfully. "I've never seen your father bring them out."
Chu Linfeng cared a lot about his reputation. He always thought that he was the most handsome man in Da Wei. His three sons were born as ordinary as their mother. He was afraid that others would laugh at him behind his back. Therefore, he only brought Chu Zhao to socialize with his colleagues. Chu Zhao lowered his head and didn't speak.
Xu Jingfu asked, "Have you ever studied?"
"I've read a little." He answered softly.
"Oh?" Xu Jingfu was slightly surprised. He probably thought that it was unbelievable that Madam Chu would let an outsider like Chu Linfeng study. Chu Zhao thought for a moment and said softly, "I've learned a little from my mother. Later, when I returned home, I secretly hid some books in my room."
Xu Jingfu had always been fond of talents. He looked at the exceptionally beautiful child in front of him and smiled. "Since that's the case, you can come and study under me in the future."
Chu Zhao was stunned. He raised his head subconsciously and stammered, "I …"
"I have many students, but they're all old. I haven't taken in any more students for many years." The scholar's face was gentle, like a loving elder. "I'm old. I don't know how many more years I can teach you. If you're willing to learn from me, you can call me teacher."
Teacher …
A teacher was to teach, receive, and dispel doubts. Unfortunately, in his past years, no one had ever taught him what to do or why to do so. And the person in front of him was the Prime Minister of Great Wei, whose power could overturn the court.
He lowered his head, ignoring the wounds he had just bandaged. He got off the ground and kowtowed respectfully to Xu Jingfu. He called out, "Teacher."
He was sent back by Xu Jingfu's carriage. Along with him were the servants of the Xu Family, a thick cotton coat, and a pair of brand new boots.
Chu Linfeng was shocked when he heard about this when he sobered up. He hurriedly apologized to Xu Jingfu. Xu Jingfu told him not to take it to heart. After Chu Linfeng returned home, this was the first time he had an argument with Madam Chu over Chu Zhao. The sound of their quarrel fell into the ears of Chu Zhao outside the courtyard window.
"That's Prime Minister Xu! Zilan will be his student in the future. Don't you understand what Prime Minister Xu is doing? Don't bully Zilan in the future! "
"Who bullied him? If I did, how could I let him become Prime Minister Xu's student? You're biased. Otherwise, why would it be him and not my child? "
"Who told them to be so useless? Prime Minister Xu likes Zilan. You're on your own. Don't embarrass yourself! "
The sound of quarreling filled his ears. Chu Zhao lowered his head to look at the cloth boots on his feet. The boots fit well and the soles were very soft. It seemed that even the pain of the nails piercing into his flesh was completely soothed by the softness of the soles.
After that, he became Xu Jingfu's student.
Xu Jingfu indeed treated him very well, and he was not willing to give up this opportunity. He studied with all his might. Everyone said that he was brimming with talent and that he was promising at a young age, but no one knew how many nights he had to burn the midnight oil to be able to carelessly "humble" in front of others.
The friendship between a teacher and a student was not unprecedented.
The oil lamp on the table cast a shadow on the wall. He looked at it for a while and stood up.
"Servants."
A servant came in and said, "Fourth Young Master, what are your orders?"
"Prepare a horse." He looked forward. "We're going to the Crown Prince's residence."
In the spacious bedchamber, Emperor Wenxuan leaned against the edge of the bed. He lowered his head and drank the ginseng soup with a woman's hand.
Ever since Xu Jingfu's case came out, the emperor was extremely angry and his health was deteriorating. He was old to begin with, but in the past, he had lived a leisurely life, so it was hard to tell. The changes in the court had piled up and smashed against him one after another. In just a short dozen days, he looked like an old man.
After finishing the ginseng soup, Concubine Lan asked the servant girl to take away the empty bowl. She said softly, "Your Majesty, you have to get better soon."
"What's the use of getting better?" Emperor Wenxuan smiled bitterly. "I'm afraid that the outside world can't wait for me to …"
A finger pressed against his lips and stopped him from speaking. Concubine Lan shook her head disapprovingly. "Your Majesty, you can't say this casually."
Emperor Wenxuan looked at the woman in front of him. Although she said this, her expression was still gentle. She was not like the other concubines who were frightened and angry. She was also not like Empress Zhang who scolded with a stern face. Concubine Lan was not the most beautiful in the entire harem, but he doted on the woman in front of him for so many years because he could be himself in front of Concubine Lan.
Instead of being an emperor.
Emperor Wenxuan thought that he might be the only one who thought that being an emperor was tiring.
After he fell ill, Empress Zhang only came once. Emperor Wenxuan knew that Empress Zhang's family was very close to Xu Jingfu. Now that Xu Jingfu was in trouble, Empress Zhang's family did not dare to publicly plead for Xu Jingfu. The harem was also not allowed to interfere with politics. Therefore, she should be very busy during this period.
Emperor Wenxuan did not have the mood to care about these things. He turned a blind eye because he could feel that he did not have much time left.
It was strange. Before Xu Jingfu's case, he thought that he was still energetic and could live longer than his father. However, after Xu Jingfu's case, he understood that he was really old. He was so old that he might not live to see the next winter.
Therefore, in his opinion, there was another important matter.
"Since I ascended the throne, Xu Jingfu has been assisting me for many years." He said slowly, "I treated him with tolerance. Although I knew that he was selfish, I did not pursue it. But now, it seems that he failed to live up to my trust. He even betrayed the country … "
"Xiao Zhongwu is dead. All these years, I have listened to Xu Jingfu's words. Now, Da Wei does not have many capable generals. That General Feihong, He Rufei, is a fake. Uto has long been premeditated. I am afraid that he will become a big problem in the future. With the Crown Prince's character, if I pass this position to him … "Emperor Wenxuan laughed bitterly," He is not as good as I am. Although I am indecisive, I am still a benevolent person. He … what does he have! "
The last sentence was filled with both disappointment and anger.
If the Guang shuo was the Crown Prince, how good would it be?
If that was the case, he might have handed the position to Guang Shuo a long time ago.
Although the Emperor was mediocre, he was not particularly stupid. He knew that his eldest son was not talented or virtuous. After so many years, he was not willing to draft an edict to pass down the throne because he was conflicted. On one hand, he knew very well that the Guang Yan sitting on this position was a disaster for Da Wei. On the other hand, there had never been a monarch in the Great Wei who abolished the old and established the young. He did not seek merit in his life, only seeking not to make mistakes. He did not want to be the "first person", and he was also afraid of shouldering this responsibility. Therefore, he delayed it again and again, endured it again and again, and finally, things had reached the point of no return.
"Lan 'er," he looked at Concubine Lan, "I regret not making this decision sooner."
Now, no matter what he did, it would create a huge wave in the court. More blood would be spilled, and more people would die. Between the Guang Yan and the Guang shuo, no matter who he favored, it would be his son. There was no doubt about this.
Concubine Lan gently held his hand and said, "No matter what Your Majesty decides, I understand Your Majesty's painstaking efforts."
Emperor Wen Xuan looked at her, "In this palace, you are the only one who understands me."
When Concubine Lan returned to Qing Lan Palace, the Guang shuo was already waiting for her in the main hall.
Seeing her return, the Guang shuo stood up, "Mother."
Concubine Lan had him sit down, and asked, "How come you have time to come here? Aren't you going to the Supreme Court? "
Now that Prime Minister Xu's case had reached this point, if there were no other changes, it could be considered as the end result. Xiao Huaijin threw out the evidence in his hands one after another, and the officials who had been suppressed by Xu's party in the past hurriedly seized this opportunity. When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. This had been the case since ancient times.
Of course, the Guang shuo added fuel to the fire.
"I have already been there today." The Guang shuo thought for a moment, "These days, I have been working hard on Prime Minister Xu's case. However, when I saw Military Governor Xiao in the palace, he did not show any intention of getting close to me."
He did not understand whether Xiao Huaijin owed him a favor or not.
Concubine Lan smiled, "It is right for him to ignore you."
"Mother's meaning is … …"
"You are concerned about Xu Jingfu's case because you are a prince of the Da Wei and are concerned about court matters. If you get too close to him, it will be too deliberate."
"I know," the Guang shuo's eyes flashed with a trace of anxiety, "but the Crown Prince will not let the matter rest. Father Emperor's health is not good. I heard that an imperial censor has already submitted a memorial to Father Emperor to appoint an heir as soon as possible … … Mother, you know Father Emperor's personality," the Guang shuo laughed self-deprecatingly, "If there is nothing else, he will definitely appoint the Crown Prince as heir. Just as mother said, once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, not to mention me and mother, even fifth brother will not be able to survive. "
"Also … …" His eyes were heavy with worry, "The Uto's ambitions are unclear and could attack the Da Wei at any time. When that time comes, if the Crown Prince ascends the throne, does mother think that the Crown Prince will order people to oppose the Uto? Even if it is to pull down Xiao Huaijin, he will not say the word 'war'. "
The Concubine Lan quietly waited for him to finish.
The Guang shuo looked at the woman, "Mother, do you think that I am wrong?"
"You are very right," the Concubine Lan smiled, "When I saw your Father Emperor today, your Father Emperor had already expressed his intention of drafting an imperial edict to pass the throne."
The Guang shuo's heart jumped, and he asked somewhat excitedly, "What exactly … …"
"Actually, it is not important who your Father Emperor decides to pass the throne to," the Concubine Lan said, "In this world, sometimes an imperial edict cannot decide anything. In the Guang shuo, the hearts of the people are more important than power. You have never openly participated in court matters, hiding behind the Crown Prince. This is your weakness, but it is also your strength. "
"You are anxious right now, but I am afraid that the Guang Yan is even more anxious than you. There are also those Uto … … whether or not Xiao Huaijin is willing to get close to you and support you, there is no meaning in talking about this now. If he does not have the desire to fight for power, he will become one of your people sooner or later. "
The Guang shuo asked, "Because of the Crown Prince?"
"Yes." A trace of pity flashed through the Concubine Lan's eyes, "The Guang Yan is so tyrannical and unruly. Someone like Xiao Huaijin will definitely not be willing to be ordered around by him."
"There is no one left in the Da Wei."
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