Son of Song Dynasty

Chapter 23

Zhao Dezhao waited until the sun was high, long after the start of class, but he still didn't show up.

This is a bit unusual.Xue Ju is a very self-disciplined and diligent person. Whether he is an official in the court or a teacher in the palace school after retiring, he has never been late or absent from work. He has always worked hard regardless of the weather.

Zhao Dezhao felt that something must have happened, so he beckoned to Qian Niu'er: "You don't have to wait here to be served, now just go for a stroll in front of Xue's mansion, talk to the concierge in his mansion, and inquire about it. Get some news."

Near noon, Qian Niu'er found out the news and reported back: "Mr. Xue is ill. I heard from his servants that he is seriously ill. I'm afraid he won't be able to get up..."

Xue Juzheng is over 70, and he said that he might not be able to get up due to illness, which basically means that he will close his eyes and kick his legs in these two days.

Zhao Dezhao gave a wry smile, and couldn't help feeling a little annoyed: "It's unlucky for people to drink cold water and get stuck in their teeth. You don't get sick early or late. What's wrong with you at this time? I don't think I have any chance to show off in front of you. Now It's all over!"

Annoyance is nothing but anger, but Zhao Dezhao still respects such an upright and upright old gentleman, and immediately told Qian Niuer:
"Take my mount and lead the way, let's go to Xue's mansion!"

On the banks of the Bian River, Stone Lane, Xue Mansion.

Knowing that the prince of Tianshui County came to visit his father in person, Xue Juzheng's eldest son opened the middle door and went out to meet him in person.

After exchanging ceremonies with each other, they entered the main hall and sat down, Zhao Dezhao said straight to the point:
"Hearing that your father is seriously ill, Xiao Wang is grateful for the friendship between teachers and students, and came here to visit him specially. Could you invite Xiao Wang to meet your father?"

The eldest of the Xue family showed a look of embarrassment on his face: "Jia Yan caught a cold last night, which caused the recurrence of his old illness. He coughed all night before taking the soothing decoction and just fell asleep..."

Before he finished speaking, Zhao Dezhao waved his hand immediately: "Since that's the case, Xiao Wang will come again tomorrow. The most important thing is to let Mr. Xue rest well."

"His Royal Highness is a daughter of gold, and our Xue family is really disrespectful and has neglected His Highness..."

"Thousands of gold are not as valuable as the patient's body, but Xue Gong's body is the most important."

Zhao Dezhao couldn't see anyone, so he had to say some condolences, and before leaving, he told Xue's family: If there is any medicinal material needed for treatment, send someone directly to Tianshui County Prince's Mansion to get it.

After leaving Xue's residence, Zhao Dezhao saw a large group of people pouring in from the entrance of the alley before he left the alley.

The tall flag board and the magnificent guard of honor are the forerunner. Hundreds of people with knives and guns lined up neatly, guarding a carriage in the middle, like an army marching, and soon filled the whole alley. .

Zhao Dezhao didn't need to read the words on the leading flag, he knew which one was coming.

In addition to the emperor's father, only his second uncle Jin Wang Zhao Guangyi in Tokyo can put on this pomp.

Zhao Dezhao didn't want to show his face here, so he got off his horse at the side of the road, turned his back to the street, and let the long procession of Prince Jin's Mansion pass behind him like a river, and couldn't help but think:
"Zhao Guangyi's news is not slower than mine at all. Is he also visiting Xue's mansion? Is he just visiting?"

……

The presence of King Jin is no small matter.

Xue Juzheng's five sons opened the middle door of the mansion and went out to greet them together. The five big men stood in a row at the bottom of the steps, which was truly spectacular.

This welcome specification is much more grand and grand than just welcoming Zhao Dezhao.

As for the inconvenience that blocked Zhao Dezhao just now, of course it was no longer an obstacle. Xue Juzheng's sons didn't show any signs of embarrassment, nor did they push back, and they woke up their father directly.

"The prince is here, the old man is sick in bed, unable to get up to greet..."

In the bedroom, with the help of his son, Xue Juzheng barely sat up to pay tribute to Jin Wang Zhao Guangyi.

Zhao Guangyi waved his hand to signal Xue Juzheng that there is no need to be polite.

"You are an elder in the imperial court, you should take good rest and take care of your health."

Xue Juzheng looked calm, and said lightly: "It doesn't make any difference whether you rest or not, the old man has reached his age, and he will be settled as soon as he closes his eyes, but there are still some things that he can't let go of..."

Zhao Guangyi leaned forward and asked softly: "What Mr. Xue can't let go of is a family matter or a state matter?"

Xue Juzheng replied calmly: "There are all of them."

Zhao Guangyi remained silent, looking around.

Xue Juzheng's sons understood and immediately left the room, and closed the door behind them tightly.

Zhao Guangyi stood up, walked two steps in front of Xue Juzheng's bed, suddenly smiled lightly and said: "May I allow you to make a guess about Xue Gong's intentions?"

Xue Juzheng didn't answer.

Zhao Guangyi continued on his own:

"Family issues that cannot be let go refer to the unclear future of the sons."

"The state affairs that cannot be let go mean that my position as the crown prince of the Great Song Dynasty has been vacant, which is not conducive to the stability of the government and the wild."

"These two things, the king's guess is good, right?"

Xue Juzheng lowered his eyelids and said in a low voice, "Not bad."

Zhao Guangyi walked to Xue Juzheng's bed, leaned down and whispered in his ear with a very soft voice:

"This king has a method here. The family affairs and state affairs behind him that Mr. Xue can't let go can be resolved together."

"Just Xue Gong presents a memorial to the Holy Majesty."

After Zhao Guangyi said these two sentences without beginning or end, he shut his mouth and didn't say anything further.

He believed that a smart person like Xue Juzheng would be able to understand.

Xue Juzheng had a smile on his face, he really understood.

The king of Jin wanted him to present a posthumous seal to the Holy Majesty before he died.

This "Crown Prince", of course, refers to the King of Jin himself!

As long as Xue Juzheng did this, the King of Jin would accept him as a favor, take care of his sons behind him, give them official titles, arrange their future, etc.—this is the so-called "family affairs and state affairs, which should be resolved together. "

Xue Juzheng had five sons, all of whom were mediocre, only the eldest son got his father's shadow and became an official according to the court regulations, and the other four sons were all white. The future of the sons was a family matter that Xue Juzheng was very worried about.

"My lord, you think too highly of me. I have retired for many years, and I am no longer an official in the court. Now I am just a teacher who teaches. What a big deal it is, how can I let me say it?"

Zhao Guangyi shook his head and said slowly:

"Why should Mr. Xue be too modest!"

"You are an elder in the imperial court, erudite and Confucian. You have always been highly respected and upright. You are a person admired by all the people in the court and the public. How important is the study of the palace. The Holy Majesty's ability to send you to the palace as a teacher is in itself a respect and trust for you. If you don't have the right to perform the Dao Memorial, who is more suitable?"

He paused, and then said: "Even if things can't be done, this king still appreciates Duke Xue's kindness!"

After finishing speaking, Zhao Guangyi bowed to the end.

With his noble body, it can be said that he is extremely sincere to show such courtesy to Xue Juzheng.

For many years, Zhao Guangyi's status as the "Quasi-Heir" has been as stable as Mount Tai. Both the ruling and opposition parties have regarded him as the King of Jin and the Governor of Kaifeng as the "Emperor's Brother" who has not been formally canonized. The two princes, Zhao Dezhao and Zhao Defang, have not shown any signs of A threat worthy of attention.

Therefore, Zhao Guangyi didn't have to make this idea originally.

But in recent days, the situation has undergone some changes...

(End of this chapter)