"How can the ceremony of establishing a marquis be done only through personal relations? The glory of the thatched earth must be done through meritorious achievements. Assistant Minister Jing Hui, Duke of Qi; Assistant Minister Huan Yanfan, Founding Duke of Qiao County; Zhang Jianzhi, Founding Duke of Hanyang County; Cui Yuanhui, Founding Duke of Yinqing Guanglu, Founding Duke of Boling County; Yuan Shuji, Founding Duke of Yinqing Guanglu, Founding Duke of Nanyang County;
Early loyalty exhausted, a heart full of longing. In the body as a metaphor for the femur, in all things as a boat. Get rid of evil and waste the rebellious, more secure the foundation of the country; Manage the fate of the people and revered, Marquis Shen Jian's favor. Jinghui can be conferred the title of Pingyang Jun Wang, Yan Fan can be conferred the title of Fuyang Jun Wang, Qiao Zhi can be conferred the title of Hanyang Jun Wang and Te Jin, the title of meritorious service and food are the same as before. Xuan Hui can be conferred the title of Bo Ling County Prince, Shu Ji can be conferred the title of Nan Yang County Prince. Since he still ordered them to attend the court on a regular basis, there was no need to refuse. The master executes. "
It was only two hundred words, but it was like a clap of thunder. After the imperial edict was announced, the golden hall was silent. Everyone was stunned by the emperor's edict.
Li Xian looked at the officials in the golden hall. They were completely different from their usual condescending and noisy self. A cold smile of satisfaction flitted across his eyes. The vexation he had suffered in front of these meritorious officials for the past few months seemed to have been completely vented at this moment.
He cleared his throat and continued Wan 'er's words. "I bestow upon the Five Princes gold saddles and horses, red letters and iron coupons. As long as it is not a heinous crime, you can be spared from the death penalty ten times. My beloved ministers live in peace and prosperity. Every month on the first and fifteenth day of each month, you may have an audience with the Emperor. You may leave. "
Zhang Jianzhi's group felt as if they had been struck by lightning. They stared in shock at the Emperor high above, not daring to believe what they had just heard. The Emperor unceremoniously threw them out of the palace, but they were still standing there in a daze.
Behind the curtain, Empress Wei saw the situation and coughed lightly. She pouted her lips at the little taijian waiting by her side. The little taijian understood and immediately stepped forward, announcing in a loud voice: "Gold Melon Warriors, inviting Fifth King to come down."
A few golden melon warriors immediately walked in front of Zhang Jianzhi and the others and held the golden melons in their hands horizontally. Huan Yanfan's eyes seemed to be spitting fire and he suddenly rushed forward, wanting to reason with the Emperor. The golden melon warrior's face turned sinister and he immediately pressed the golden melon against his chest.
Huan Yanfan's sleeves tightened. Turning his head to look, he saw that Zhang Pingzhi's complexion was ashen. His gaze was slightly downcast, the flames of anger faintly burning in his eyes. However, Zhang Pingzhi's teeth were tightly clenched and his cheeks were taut. Forcefully suppressing his anger, he shook his head at Huan Yanfan. Then, he took the lead in cupping his hands towards Li Xian, who was seated on the throne, and retreated step by step out of the hall.
Jing Hui, Yuan Shuji, and Cui Xuanhui's faces were ashen. This sudden attack left them at a loss. They clasped their hands in fear and followed Zhang Jianzhi out of the hall. Seeing this situation, Huan Yanfan could only angrily stamp his feet. Without bowing to the Emperor to thank him for his kindness, he only swung his large sleeves and boldly strode out of the golden hall.
As soon as Zhang Jianzhi left the golden hall, he couldn't help but narrow his eyes against the dazzling golden sunlight. Only now did he realize that the security in front of the hall had suddenly become much tighter. From the front of Taiji Hall all the way to the perfectly straight imperial road, there was a guard every five steps and a sentry every ten steps. The orderly line of guards seemed to stretch all the way to the end of the sky.
Zhang Jianzhi raised his head and wanted to let out a long sigh, but his vision suddenly darkened. He felt the world spin and he almost fell to the ground. Jing Hui and Cui Xuanhui hurriedly went forward to support him.
Since the frightening night of the divine dragon coup, it has only been four months, a total of more than a hundred days. This period of time was the most glorious period of his life. But thinking about it now, it seemed like an absurd dream. Zhang Jianzhi suddenly laughed involuntarily.
Seeing this, Yuan Shuji was secretly worried. He was afraid that this eighty-one year old man would suffer such a heavy blow and suddenly go crazy. Then the party of meritorious officials would be like a group of dragons without a leader. Yuan Shuji uneasily asked: "Master Zhang, you … why are you laughing?"
Zhang Jianzhi sadly said: "This old man is laughing at myself. I've lived for more than eighty years in vain. I actually don't know when to advance or retreat. This old man has only been the Prime Minister for a total of seven months. Since the divine dragon coup, it has only been four months. What foundation and confidence do I have to compete with the Emperor?
This old man's power was originally a castle in the air. This old man thought that he was the stone that laid the foundation for the Emperor. I only have the merit to help the Emperor, but I don't know how to use it to maintain the Emperor's trust. Instead, I can't wait to push the Emperor to the Wu family's side. How can this old man not be defeated? Hehe, it's not an injustice to be defeated, it's not an injustice to be defeated! "
Cui Xuanhui, Jing Hui, and Yuan Shuji were sad and silent. Only Huan Yanfan gnashed his teeth and said: "I'm not resigned. This matter will not end like this."
Zhang Jianzhi looked at him deeply and said: "Shi Ze, you and I were conferred the title of King. The Emperor's favor is already considered profound. His Majesty did not go all out against us. Admit our defeat. "
Huan Yanfan's face was ashen. He angrily roared: "Based on what? If it wasn't for us, could he sit on the throne? I'm not resigned. We haven't lost yet. We still have many generals in the Featherwood Guard. We still have prestige in the imperial court. We still have a reputation of unparalleled loyalty in the world. We … "
Zhang Jianzhi's face full of age spots suddenly twitched. He struggled to break free from Cui Xuanhui and Jing Hui's support and shouted sternly: "Then what do you want to do? Could it be that because the Emperor doesn't value you, you want to start a rebellion and change the Emperor? "
"I …"
Huan Yanfan was rendered speechless by Zhang Jianzhi's questioning.
At this time, Wu Yizong led a group of Imperial Guards of Wu Jin in from outside the Taiji Gate. Huan Yanfan looked over and couldn't help but reveal an expression of shock. He saw Li Zhan, Xue Sixing, Yang Yuanyan, and the others dejectedly following behind Wu Yizong.
Wu Yizong walked in front of them and clasped his hands. He said in a strange tone: "Five husbands … Ah! This prince said it wrong. It should be the five princes. Haha, why are the five princes in the mood to stand in front of the Taiji Palace and bask in the sun? "
Huan Yanfan ignored him and anxiously asked Yang Yuanyan and the others: "You guys … what's going on?"
Li Zhan said as if he had lost his parents, "His Majesty has decreed that we are to be relieved of our military posts and given other orders."
When Huan Yanfan heard this, it was as if he had been punched in the face by an invisible giant. He staggered back a few steps, his face ashen. Wu Yizong laughed strangely and said to Li Zhan and the others, "Everyone, let's go quickly. Don't let His Majesty wait for too long."
Li Zhan and the others silently cupped their fists at Zhang Jianzhi and the others. With a long sigh, they followed Wu Yizong into the golden palace. At this time, they saw Cui Shi hurriedly walk out of the golden palace and pass by Wu Yizong's shoulder to run toward them. Behind him were a dozen or so vigorous internal guards.
"Could it be that His Majesty has changed his mind?" Zhang Jianzhi's old eyes suddenly lit up.
Cui Shi walked in front of Zhang Jianzhi and cupped his hands. "Five princes, this lowly official will accompany the five princes to the Political Affairs Hall to hand over the prime minister's seal and records to King Liang."
The light in Zhang Jianzhi's eyes quickly dimmed. Cui Xuanhui, on the other hand, said in bewilderment, "Cui Shi? You … aren't you the minister counsellor of the Ministry of Appointments? What right does a mere minister counsellor like you have to oversee the handover of the prime minister? "
Cui Shi bowed toward him with a face full of smiles. "Prince, you may not know this, but thanks to His Majesty's favor, this lowly official has just been appointed by His Majesty to be both the Hall of Secretariat and the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War."
Jing Hui was suddenly enlightened. With an angry roar, he pounced forward. His five fingers spread out and fiercely grabbed at Cui Shi's throat. In a hoarse voice, he roared, "Scoundrel, so it was you! So it was you who sold us out. "
An arm suddenly appeared in front of Jing Hui and forcibly blocked him. Although it was only an arm, it seemed to be cast from iron. It stood firmly in place, and the furious Jing Hui was unable to move it in the slightest. This was a warrior in his forties with a cold expression. With a disdainful shake of his arm, Jing Hui was thrown backward.
Huan Yanfan and Yuan Shuji hurriedly supported Jing Hui and glared at Cui Shi.
Cui Shi took a step back and dusted off his clothes. "Prince, please conduct yourself with dignity!"
Jing Hui was so angry that his entire body was shaking. He pointed at him and said in a trembling voice, "You … you, you … you scoundrel …"
Cui Shi rolled his eyes in disdain. "I don't listen to you, my dear husband, but to the current emperor. Do you think I am loyal or treacherous? Hmph! His Majesty did not punish an arrogant and conceited person like you who doesn't distinguish between superiors and subordinates. Instead, he conferred you the title of Prince of Glory. The heavens are truly gracious, yet you still don't know how to be grateful. This is the ambition of a wolf! "
Cui Shi's face was dark. "The handover is complete. This lowly official still has other matters to attend to. Five princes, please leave!"
Huan Yanfan still didn't know that Jing Hui had sent Cui Shi to King Liang as a spy. He asked Jing Hui in confusion, "Zhong Ye, you … why are you like this?"
Tears streamed down Jing Hui's old face. He raised his head to the sky and sobbed bitterly. "I was blind! I was the one who harmed you all!"
Although Zhang Jianzhi was old, he was not muddle-headed. He had already somewhat understood what was going on, but he couldn't be bothered to pay attention to the details. Zhang Jianzhi let out a long sigh and said to Jing Hui and Huan Yanfan, "Let's go. Let's not talk about this anymore."
Cui Shi was proud of himself, but the Five Princes' footsteps were heavy. Zhang Shuzhi and the others were depressed, as if they had aged ten years in an instant. Only Heng Yanfan was still unwilling to retire from politics and end his political career, which was full of vigor and vigor.
As they walked, Huan Yanfan suddenly thought of a certain person. Before and after the Divine Dragon Revolution, the party of meritorious subjects had placed a few trusted aides in the army, mainly in the Featherwood Guard. These people had all been relieved of their posts, but there was one person he had not seen before: Wang Tongjiao.
Wang Tongjiao was Emperor Li Xian's son-in-law. Perhaps it was for this reason that he had escaped the purge of the army. However, it was also because he was the emperor's son-in-law that he had the dual identities of being a member of both the party of meritorious subjects and the party of the emperor.
Whose side would he stand on now? Huan Yanfan couldn't be sure, but he didn't want to let go of this opportunity. After the Dragon God's coup d 'état, he understood that changing the world did not necessarily require the use of the entire nation's military and cause a huge commotion. Sometimes, in the heart of the central region, only a small armed force of a hundred or so people was needed to change the fate of the country without suffering any serious injuries.
A glimmer of hope suddenly rose in Huan Yanfan's heart. No matter what, he had to try.
The rewards in the golden hall had not finished yet. Wan 'er picked up the fourth imperial edict. This time, it was to reward the empress' family.
Under the resolute opposition of Zhang Jianzhi and the others, after Li Xian ascended to the throne, he only bestowed the title of Prince to his deceased father-in-law. Now that Zhang Jianzhi and the others had been kicked aside, Li Xian immediately bestowed the title of Junwang upon his four brother-in-law, who had been exiled to Lingnan by the local Barbarian tribal chieftains. He also bestowed upon Empress Wei's eldest brother-in-law, Lu Song, the title of Chancellor of the Kingdom, and his second brother-in-law, Feng Taihe, the title of Taichang Shaoqing. Empress Wei's cousin, Wei Wen, was bestowed the title of Minister of Rites and the additional title of Duke of Lu. His cousin, Wei Xu, was bestowed the title of General of the Left Yulin and the additional title of Duke of Cao.
The Meritorious Party fell, but the power gap they left behind was quickly taken up by the Queen's Party. The art of a monarch could be summed up in four words: 'art of balance'.
Now, Li Xian possessed the King of Liang's Party and cultivated the Queen's Party. On this day, a new political structure was formally formed. The King of Liang's Party and the Queen's Party were one faction, while the King of Xiang's Party and the Taiping's Party were the other. The two factions kept each other in check. To Li Xian, he had achieved his goal.
But would the Meritorious Party be willing to decline like this? Would the King of Xiang's Party and the Taiping's Party be willing to allow the Queen's Party to rise? Dragons were gods who moved clouds and summoned rain. The storms of the first year of the Divine Dragon were foreordained to continue.
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