The Story of Leaping from the Dragon Gate

After the new year, the first major event on the imperial court's agenda was the funeral of the old emperor.

Huntian Supervisor calculated a very auspicious day, which will be on February [-]th.

On the sixth day of the second lunar month, Song Wei followed Duke Cheng's suggestion to hold the ceremony for the succession of Duke Xiang and Marquis Zhao first, and at the same time bestowed the gold seal and jade books on these two.

The new Duke of Xiangguo is Yao Zigong, the fourth son of the Yao family.The new Zhaohou is Li Zhiyi's adoptive nephew Li Cong.

Li Zhiyi failed to take the initiative in supporting the new emperor. After careful consideration, he decided not to occupy the title and delay the future of future generations, and simply pushed the heir up.He didn't have a legitimate son, and his concubine sons were not great, so he chose the most outstanding nephew to adopt his name.Li Cong's performance did not disappoint him either. He has been stationed in northern Xinjiang for many years and has accumulated a lot of military merits.

Those like Yao Zigong and Li Cong who received the title directly from the new emperor and received the gold seal and jade book will often become the most loyal and useful assistants of the new emperor.If it wasn't for Duguchen's poor health, and the previous emperor relied too much on Duguchen, according to the original intention of the old Xianhou, he really wanted his son to be exhausted until the new emperor ascended the throne before inheriting the title.

Song Wei has always been generous to his own people, and he is very loose with money. He picked out the most precious seven-color blue field jade screen in the inner treasury, waved his sleeves, and ordered the jade worker to cut it into eight big pieces, and each of the eight important ministers got a piece.Such a generous and domineering side leak made the newly appointed Duke Wuhou fully feel the emperor's attention and expectations.What they didn't know was that among the eight pieces of Lantian jade, the emperor cut off the piece that he liked the most, engraved the words "Weisheng Shixian", and moved it to the bedside of the bedroom to ward off evil spirits.

After the acceptance ceremony, Song Wei first summoned Li Cong alone.After inquiring in advance that he was good at martial arts, Nei Curry pulled out two weapons as a reward, and it could be seen from his face that the opponent really liked it very much.During the gossip, the emperor was quite surprised to learn that the hot and fresh Zhaohou had not yet married a wife.It turns out that Li Cong has been stationed at the border for many years, and he has never been a knight, so his status is somewhat embarrassing, and he has not settled on a suitable family until his thirties.Song Wei immediately patted her chest to make a promise, no matter who Zhaohou fell in love with, just take a word and enter the palace.Li Cong didn't understand why His Majesty was so enthusiastic about being a matchmaker at such a young age, but this move made him feel very comfortable.Among other things, the new monarch is at least approachable and considerate of his subjects.

After Zhaohou attended the funeral of the first emperor, he was about to return to northern Xinjiang.Visiting the shrine alone this time is also equivalent to reporting to the emperor.Song Wei heard that he was going to talk about border military affairs, tapped twice on the imperial case, and the servant who was waiting for the pen and ink at the side immediately picked up the pen and started to record the meeting.It turned out that Song Wei got inspiration from Duguying, and decided to select and train an efficient and caring secretarial team from among the maids in the palace.For example, in the current situation, if there is no full-time secretary, as the emperor, he not only has to answer verbally, but also memorize it by heart, and he will be interrogated by the princes and the Minister of the Ministry of War later.Having a secretary is a big difference. After the interview, browse the original records, stamp them, and send someone to Shangshu Province to deliver them—the relevant responsible persons of various departments don’t come up with a specific implementation charter, how can they bother the emperor back?

Zhaohou resigned, and the next one received the Duke of Xiangguo.Song Wei asked the secretary on duty to step down today: "I'm talking about the old days with Mr. Xiangguo, it's not involved in government affairs, so there's no need to remember it."

Yao Zigong came in without raising his head, said long live, and kowtowed three times solidly.

Song Wei relaxed all over, leaning on the back, no longer the serious appearance when talking with Li Cong, and said with a smile: "Ai Qing, please get up. You and I have unusual friendship, so there is no need to be so polite."

Hearing the phrase "unusual", Yao Zigong became more and more afraid to be careless: "Your Majesty is merciful. I have to be courteous. The truth is that I can't restrain myself. If this is not the case, it is not enough to express my sincere gratitude. Under the eagerness, I will be at a loss. Your Majesty forgives the crime, Rong Chen restrained himself a little." Then, he crawled on his knees for a while, and then raised his head with his hands on the ground, facing the emperor's slightly narrowed eyes.

Song Wei had a half-smile but not a smile: "Fourth Master Yao, it's alright. If you act too much, it's hypocritical."

The four eyes looked at each other, tacit understanding.Yao Zigong pretended to be terrified: "Your Majesty will laugh at the fact that the ministers are playing with axes."

Song Wei snorted, "You're not bad, so there's no need to underestimate yourself. Come on, get up, let's sit down and have a good chat."

Yao Zigong got up from the ground, and Xie En sat down.

Song Wei raised horses in his other courtyard for a few months, and every time he thought about it afterwards, Yao Zigong would sincerely feel that this person had a high level of camouflage skills, which was rare in his life.After being promoted to the heir to the title, she learned more inside information, knowing that Song Wei had already confirmed the identity of the prince at that time.Those tossings, in the eyes of Young Master Yao, were like retreating bravely in a torrent and self-imposed exile.In comparison, they were quite different from the four sons of the Yao family who had hidden complaints and devoted themselves to dudes with more or less the purpose of avoiding suspicion and venting anger, and they felt a little curious and admired in their hearts.

Putting away the meaning of joking, he said solemnly and sincerely: "Your Majesty's dragon looms, and my minister bends and stretches. If it were not for your majesty's support this time, why would the corners of this minister's head be so thick today? Your Majesty is in this minister, Dou Chen points to the north; I serve Your Majesty, and the magnet faces south. This heart can be expressed by the world, and the sun and the moon can be used as a guide. I vow to follow it to the death, and I will never be second."

After Song Wei listened, she rubbed her chin for a moment, and sighed: "It's different to be educated. Look at you, you are flattering and loyal. I don't understand two of the three sentences. Help the old man to make it sound good. I heard that you passed the Jinshi exam, and I couldn't believe it, but now I believe it."

Yao Zigong laughed awkwardly: "Your Majesty thinks your minister is sour, this, this humble minister will definitely change..."

Song Wei hurriedly waved her hands: "No, let's talk more popular in private, and we can do whatever we want in public. Don't lower the literary style of the entire imperial court because of me."

Yao Zigong simply didn't know how to respond: "Your Majesty's words are sharp, my humble minister..." Wiping his face, "Cough, Your Majesty, please forgive me..."

Song Wei laughed loudly.

The two then had a normal conversation.Song Wei asked how the family was doing, Yao Zigong was very obedient, and after a few words on the scene, he told the whereabouts of the boss Yao Zizhang and the situation of the liquidation and takeover of the remaining forces.The two monarchs and ministers chatted again on the issue of the old and new handover of Zhongshu Ling.Yao Zigong took over the title of Duke of Xiangguo, but it is impossible to take over the position of Zhongshu Ling immediately. Right now, he has been promoted from a fifth-rank court councilor to a fourth-rank Zhongshu Silang, and he is practicing with Yao Xie in Zhongshu Province.

Song Weidao: "Your father told me that it will take at least three years for you to take over as Zhongshu Ling."

Yao Zigong had a serious face: "The humble minister has wasted years, but now that he is facing a heavy responsibility, he will do his best and dare not be impetuous."

Song Wei waved his hand: "I mean, three years is too slow. One year, what do you think? After one year, you will be in charge of Zhongshu Ling."

Yao Zigong was startled, tongue-tied: "Your Majesty, the Zhongshu Ling has the power to execute the government, in charge of secrets, and supervise all officials. The humble officials are dull, and they are trembling in three years. How can we do it in one year?"

Song Wei didn't take it seriously: "No matter how important the Zhongshu order is, it is not as important as the emperor. You see, my father only gave me it for less than three months, and he started doing it? You followed your father's ass for the first year, how can you not?" It should hold up the facade."

Yao Zigong's forehead was sweating: "Your Majesty's celestial appearance, how can a humble official compare..."

Song Wei stopped him: "Stop! Between you and me, don't do this. Your father admired you very much, and bluntly said that the fourth son can handle it. Do you know this?"

Hearing this, Yao Zigong showed disbelief on his face, both pleasantly surprised and sour: "My father...and His Majesty...are you talking about me like that?"

Song Wei immediately knew that the medicine was right.Looking at Yao Zigong's past virtues, and then contacting the relationship between father and son and brother, one can tell that he has never been praised by his own father.

"Of course, in my opinion, you are not only capable, but quite capable. Your father said three years, but I think that as long as you have the heart, you can definitely do it in one year." Song Wei let out a long sigh. , "Brother Ji Gong, let me tell you the truth..."

Yao Zigong jumped up from his chair when he heard the phrase "Brother Ji Gong" and said, "Your Majesty, kill this humble official!"

Song Wei's expression was frustrated: "I treat you as my own, and you insist on alienating me, it's too hurtful."

Yao Zigong was stunned, and gave up his objection: "So...Your Majesty, please feel free..."

Song Wei went on to say: "Let me tell you the truth, the previous three princes are too old, so it's just right to teach me a lesson. Your father, and the elder grandson, are younger than my father. Daddy, they are the only ones who support me, not me. As the emperor, I don’t even have anyone to talk to me all day long, it’s really hard...

"The Changsun family wants the third generation of Chengjue, so there is no hurry. The old man Changsun himself doesn't want to quit. But since your father got involved with Yao Da, he has made it clear that he wants to quit. Don't you think he is in the same league? Are you getting more and more depressed? It’s just to wait for you to get used to it, and you’re just holding on. I don’t think you can bear your father’s age, so why not support you for three years?

"One year, hard work is for sure. It depends on people's efforts. Hard work can always be rewarded. We two brothers share the joys and sorrows. Besides, I'm driving ducks to the shelves, and you don't have a chance to soar into the sky. Can you show yourself? Have you ever thought that if I am an emperor, I can do nothing wrong, but if you are the Duke of the state, you must have meritorious service. If I can't do well, I still have your help. If you can't do well, who else do you expect from the Yao family?  … "

The new emperor's heartfelt words are full of human principles, grand plans and lofty aspirations.

Yao Zigong knew that the emperor had dug a hole for him to jump, but he could only jump willingly: "Your Majesty, there is no need to say more, I understand. I was the one who didn't think clearly before."

Song Wei put himself in the same position as others, and applied his own experience and lessons, and it really worked.Satisfied, he waved his hand and told him to sit closer: "Aiqing, I will rely on you from now on. It just so happens that I have an important matter to discuss with you right now. Weihou and Yinghou will come to Beijing soon, Weihou has a lot to say I heard that he is a loyal and prudent person. After sending my father to burial, he returned to the Northwest to garrison, and he didn’t have to see each other every day. When Yinghou came back, he had to hand over everything inside and outside the capital. You also know that if he hadn’t traveled thousands of miles to send a letter Zhezi, it may not be so smooth for my father to change to be the crown prince. This man and I, ahem, although we haven’t met, can be said to have been friends for a long time. I heard that he is compared with others, and that one is independent and has a very high vision.”

Song Wei was shy: "It is said that he believed in the words of the Minister of Industry's reputation, so... I'm afraid that he will inevitably have expectations, think highly of me, and deal with him..."

As soon as they deal with each other, the true nature is revealed, and Ouyang Minzhong may be involved.

"I've asked a lot of people, but they only know the surface of this person. As for his temper, habits, and why he married the minister of the Ministry of Industry back then, no one can explain clearly. It's not easy for me to ask directly. Ouyang Minzhong, help me find out. Your father and the old grandson only know how to talk to me, so you must take him down. No matter how you handle it, no one will make a move. I thought, know yourself and know yourself, and turn around, we two brothers Then add it all together..."

When the emperor started to feel coy, Yao Zigong was still holding back his laughter, but now he couldn't laugh anymore.After thinking about it for a long while, he said: "Marquis Ying is about the same age as Marquis Yi and Duke Cheng." After a short pause, he continued, "It's about the same as my elder brother and the former prince. Personal appearance. As far as I know, he is a rare all-rounder in civil and military affairs among the five princes. He is free and unrestrained in life, and when it comes to personal friendship, there are not many dignitaries in the capital who can talk to him, so it can be seen that he is very noble in his bones."

Yao Zigong paused again, and finally added: "Speaking of it, it is quite similar to Marquis Xian."

Song Wei was originally fascinated by what he said. Considering his age, he was a handsome uncle in his forties, and he was regretful. Hearing this sentence, his expression froze immediately.

After a while, I nodded: "I see. Sure enough, it is most reliable to ask you. Yinghou will arrive in Beijing soon, and we will prepare for it in the next two days."