Dingzhou, inside the Royal Palace.
Since he invited the Emperor to stay here, Wu Zhi naturally prepared an imperial palace.
Of course, it was basically impossible for her to build a palace to please the Emperor. Not to mention, no matter how magnificent the palace was, His Majesty would not appreciate it. Therefore, she might as well just build something on the surface. In terms of size and comfort, it might not even be as good as Wu Zhi's own palace.
However, now that the country was in trouble, the Emperor set an example and kept everything simple. The number of concubines and palace maids was also reduced by quite a bit, which was just enough to be used.
Emperor Ji Lin was only in his twenties at the moment, but he looked haggard and his eyes were lifeless. There were even some white hairs on his temples. He looked like a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties.
Naturally, this was not Wu Zhi deliberately mistreating them. In fact, even though he had long since wanted to replace them, he still needed to use the imperial court's banner. Wu Zhi's support for the entire imperial court was still very good.
Unfortunately, after losing his power, the little emperor became addicted to wine and women, and gradually became what he was today.
Now, he must be extremely regretful that he did not stay in the capital. Although the imperial court was on the verge of collapse at that time, at least he would not have become a puppet now. Even if he had resisted, Wu Zhi would not have given him much choice.
"Your Majesty, are you going to the Yichun Garden to drink? Or would you like to play chess at the [Listening Surf Pavilion]? "
Ji Lin had just woken up and finished his breakfast when a great eunuch dressed in a large red robe with a benevolent smile approached him and asked in a flattering manner.
As the ruler of a country, he had to deal with thousands of affairs every day. How could he have the time to play around? But here at Wu Zhi's place, all the military and state affairs were naturally handled by Wu Zhi's Prince Ding's household. The Emperor and the court's nobles were nothing more than wooden sculptures. They only served as a facade during major festivals.
"No, I want to watch a show today. Let's go to the Golden Grain Garden!"
Ji Lin waved his hand. Immediately, a eunuch shouted with his croaky voice to arrange for the carriage and the support.
When Ji Lin saw this, a bitter smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Did they really think that he was fond of good wine, women, and dogs? But if he didn't do that, what else could he do?
Did he really have to appear wise and mighty, provoke suspicion, and then be killed by a cup of poisonous wine?
"Your Majesty, please set off!"
Accompanied by the sound of the whip, the guards of honor slowly set off. Not long after, they arrived at a theater.
"This is today's repertoire. Your Majesty, please flip the card!"
Eunuch Qiao quietly handed over a tray. Inside were vermilion bamboo chips, and on the surface was written the name of the play with a black brush.
"'Eastern Patrol'? Three Lives? These are all very old songs … "
Ji Lin looked at the two brands and said with flagging interest, "Isn't there anything new?"
"Yes, of course there is! There's a big opera troupe in Beginning of Spring City, and the singing skills of the leading actress are top-notch. This old servant has long been keeping an eye out for His Majesty … "
Eunuch Qiao smiled charmingly.
"Oh?"
Ji Lin flipped to the back and saw a new song. "'Everlasting Sorrow'? I'll take it! "
"Alright!"
Eunuch Qiao smiled and went to make arrangements. Not long after, accompanied by the sound of gongs and drums, a female star appeared on the stage. Her singing skills were quite good, and Ji Lin was shocked.
This' Everlasting Sorrow 'seemed to be about the tragic love story of a concubine in the palace. Because it resonated with him, Ji Lin was immediately immersed in it, unable to extricate himself.
But as the plot progressed, his expression became more and more unsightly.
'This' Everlasting Sorrow 'seems to be about the tragic love story of the Emperor and his concubine, but in reality, it is about the sorrow of the last Emperor. No matter how much Madam Yu was favored by the Emperor, after the fall of the country, she had no choice but to be with the Emperor and become a captive of the new Emperor. She was even summoned to the palace every day … And the Emperor was also sentenced to death by a cup of poisoned wine, and Madam Yu died for love …'
Ji Lin's expression was ashen. In a trance, he only felt that the Emperor on the stage was himself.
After the song ended, his eyes had unknowingly turned blood-red.
But luckily, he knew how to restrain himself and endured it. "Eunuch Qiao, today's performance was not bad. I will reward you with fifty taels of silver … Also, where is the boss of the opera troupe? I want to see him and reward him with something …"
"This servant will arrange it right now!"
This Eunuch Qiao was naturally not a simple person as he immediately bowed.
Not long later, a bewitchingly beautiful Hua Dan entered the room, making the eunuchs and palace maids at the side snicker in their hearts, thinking that the little Emperor had a young temperament and this was human nature.
"Old official Qian Zhong pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
But in reality, the Hua Dan was just a cover. There was another person hidden in the room and when he saw Ji Lin, he immediately became excited and paid his respects.
"Teacher!"
Ji Lin was also very surprised, "You also came?"
This Qian Zhong was his former tutor and had retired ten years ago. He did not expect to see him again today.
"Heard that Prince Ding ran amok and placed the Emperor under house arrest, so I had no choice but to come!"
Qian Zhong knelt straight and said meticulously.
"Good! Good! Good!!! "
Ji Lin was a little excited, "It is really great that Teacher can come …"
As he spoke, his eyes swept across the surrounding Eunuch Qiao who was guarding the door and said with some embarrassment, "That Prince Ding has so many henchmen that even if I want to meet with Teacher, I have no choice but to cover it up like this. It is really hateful that the country is no longer in existence!"
"Your Majesty should bear with the humiliation …"
Qian Zhong said solemnly, "Under the heavens, there is no land that belongs to the Emperor. Even if that Prince Ding stole Your Majesty's power, there are many nobles in the court who are willing to be loyal to Your Majesty."
"Now there is a great opportunity and the opportunity to rise to the sky is right in front of us. We must not miss it!"
"Teacher's meaning is?"
Ji Lin's eyes lit up.
"Prince Ding is tyrannical but his troops are cruel. Recently I have received the battle report that he has pacified the south and half of the world is in his hands. This is really terrifying … When he unifies the world, he will definitely make His Majesty abdicate the throne."
Old man Qian Zhong said solemnly.
"Even if Zhen dies, I will not let those rebels and traitors have it easy!"
Ji Lin clenched his teeth.
"Things will not end like this. This old official has thought for a long time and felt that our only good opportunity is to go on a northern expedition!"
Qian Zhong told him his plan in its entirety.
"Northern expedition?"
"That's right!" Qian Zhong continued, "The foundation of Prince Ding lies in the millions of troops. If our court wants to be independent, we must first abolish this … When Prince Ding returns in triumph, Your Majesty might as well compromise to strengthen his heart of going on a northern expedition. As long as Prince Ding goes north and confronts the feudal vassals, we can take action secretly and uproot his henchmen in one fell swoop!"
Qian Zhong's face was fierce, "At that time, as long as Your Majesty writes an imperial edict, the righteous people of the world will swarm over and work together to destroy this giant!"
"Good!"
Not to mention that Qian Zhong had become stupid from studying to propose such a strategy full of scholarly views, but the little Emperor was after all born in the palace and grew up in the hands of women. At this time, his eyes lit up when he heard it.
"This old official cannot stay for long. May Your Majesty issue an imperial edict so that we can act at our own discretion!"
Before leaving, Qian Zhong bowed again.
"Alright …"
Ji Lin tore off a corner of his clothes and directly bit his finger to write an imperial edict with blood before stamping it with his private seal, "Teacher, this important task will be handed over to you!"
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. This official will not hesitate to go through water and tread on fire!"
Qian Zhong bowed again before turning around and leaving the small room.
After Ji Lin did this, he was overwhelmed with emotions and couldn't control himself. He looked at everyone around him with a scrutinizing gaze.
This was because he was afraid that Wu Zhi's spy had sneaked into the palace and informed him of the plan in advance.
Little did he know that even if he did nothing, in the eyes of some people, his position as the Emperor was somewhat of an eyesore.
…
July of the sixth year of Dading.
Wu Zhi defeated the rebellious King Chen Jie, killed 50,000 enemies, captured tens of thousands of people, and seized countless spoils. He returned after conquering the south.
Such a grand event was naturally celebrated by the entire imperial court, and he was given a pile of free titles and rewards.
For example, his sons and daughters were now holding titles such as dukes, and their statuses were superior.
With the achievement of unifying the nine states, Wu Zhi's reputation was also like the sun in the sky, so dazzling that almost all the bearded men could not raise their heads.
Of course, with some people adding fuel to the fire, the topic of the northern expedition was constantly mentioned, and the reason was quite sufficient.
In the Dazhou world, there was also the idea of unification.
For any ambitious person, unifying the nineteen states of the Dazhou was an indescribable temptation.
"Is the northern expedition really ridiculous?"
In Prince Ding Palace, Wu Ming snorted at the noise below.
"If we attack at this time, not only will our foundation be unstable, but the feudal vassals in the north will also unite under the pressure of our army, which is not good. We must plan slowly and wait for chaos!"
"My husband's words are very reasonable, but why do I feel that it is not enough?"
Wu Zhi asked with a faint smile.
"If we don't sweep a house, how can we sweep the world? If we want to conquer the world, we must first take care of the rear, such as … the royal family! "
Wu Ming pointed to the palace not far away, "That little Emperor has been making a lot of moves recently!"
In his view, the appointment of the Emperor was to gain a righteous name and consolidate the rule, which had more advantages than disadvantages.
But now, when the south was unified, Wu Zhi's reputation was unshakable, and the existence of the imperial court had become a hindrance.
If they did not kick it away, how could they unite and work together to launch a northern expedition?
The current situation was similar to Cao Cao's southern expedition in the Three Kingdoms period. If the other party returned to Xudu after taking back Jing Province, eliminating the dissidents and consolidating the foundation, no matter whether they would abolish the Emperor or not, at least the Sima family and the barbarians would not have anything to do with the three kingdoms …
With this thought, Wu Ming suddenly felt his body shake, and he knew something was wrong, so he immediately opened his Third Eye.
Roar!
In his eyes, a dragon's roar came from the direction of the palace, and the fog dispersed, revealing the Black Dragon Qi.
"Being able to hide from me in a moment of carelessness, it must be Jue Tian's doing!"
Looking at this scene, Wu Ming's mouth suddenly showed a sneer.
Only an expert of the same level could hide such an abnormal fate. However, the other party did not know that he had long been prejudiced, and whether there was a trap or not, he was prepared to clean up the imperial court, so at this time, the fog was easily removed.
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