Yuan Moxian looked solemn and said softly: "Father has been resting in the mansion for the past two days, so he didn't dare to come and disturb me because of some things." After hesitating, he said: "According to my son, the former emperor issued a decree to organize the Black Scale Camp. Once we enter the Black Knife Camp, we will be directly led by Qu Yanzhi."
The old minister was originally sitting on the bamboo chair. Hearing these words, his body was shaken and he sat up with a look of horror in his eyes: "You mean the Black Scale Camp has been abolished?"
Yuan Moxian said: "It is said that the emperor's decree is not to disband the Black Scale Camp. Half of the soldiers and horses of the Black Scale Camp have been transferred, and now there are only five or six hundred people stationed in the camp. They have always been commanded by Zhao Wushang, and the imperial decree will be to disband the Black Scale Camp. The scale battalion is temporarily integrated into the black knife battalion, which seems to allow the soldiers of the two battalions to train together. If there is an emergency in the future, the men and horses of the two battalions can fight together."
"The Black Scale Camp was integrated into the Black Knife Camp, so Zhao Wushang also went to the Black Knife Camp?"
Yuan Moxian shook his head and said, "No. Zhao Wushang and five or six generals from the Black Scale Battalion were all transferred to the East China Sea Navy."
"Donghai Navy?"
"The Donghai Navy was defeated by the Dongqi Navy last time and suffered heavy casualties." Yuan Moxian said: "The emperor transferred Zhao Wushang and others to the Donghai Navy, seemingly to assist Xin Ci in retraining the navy."
Yuan Rong said: "Zhao Wushang and the others are cavalrymen and have no experience in water warfare. How can we help by transferring them to the East China Sea Navy?"
"That's right." Yuan Moxian nodded and said, "Zhao Wushang and the transferred generals are all the old members of the Black Scale Battalion under Qi Jing. These people were all cavalrymen and have now been transferred to the Navy. It’s really strange.”
The old Shangshu was silent. Yuan Moxian glanced at Yuan Rong, then leaned into the old Shangshu's ear and said: "Father, the Duke Protector's Mansion has been targeted, and something happened to the Tian Family Medicine Store that is related to them. Now even the black people The Scale Battalion was also incorporated into the Black Knife Battalion. These signs are not simple. Is the Emperor...?" After a pause, he did not continue to speak.
Yuan Rong's expression was also extremely solemn, and he whispered: "Is the emperor planning to attack the Jinyi Qi family? But... why is the emperor doing this? I heard that Qining conquered the northwest and made great achievements, so he should be rewarded." Bai Si Puzzled: "Even if we really want to attack the Qi family, then the Tian family is just a merchant, so why do we need to find an excuse to put her in jail?"
The old minister was silent for a long time and then asked: "Has the Tian Family Medicine Store been closed down?"
"People from Kyoto Prefecture took away the owner of Tianjia Medicine Store early this morning." Yuan Rong said: "The medicine store has been sealed, but it has not been raided yet."
"Soon." The old minister sighed: "Tianjia Medicine Store is a merchant. Perhaps in the eyes of the emperor, Tianjia Medicine Store is the Qi family's money bag, and Black Scale Camp is a knife in the Qi family's hands. Now the money bag is under investigation , the knife was also put away...!" His eyes became serious: "This is going to put the whole family to death."
Yuan Moxian said: "Father, why did the emperor attack the Qi family? It is said that the Holy Emperor valued Qi Ning very much, and Qi Ning was a close minister of the emperor. Although Qi Ning has repeatedly made extraordinary achievements, with the strength of the Qi family today, it is impossible to threaten him. Come to the Emperor. Back then, the old Marquis of Jinyi and General Qi commanded the Qinhuai Army, commanding 100,000 soldiers and horses. The imperial court never had any intention of eradicating the Jinyi Qi family. How come now that the Jinyi Qi family has no military power, the emperor wants to Are you going to take action against the Qi family?”
The old minister just closed his eyes slightly, looked solemn, and did not speak.
Yuan Rong also frowned and said: "Even if the Holy Emperor really has a grudge against the Qi family, he shouldn't take action at this time. The war is in full swing ahead. If there is a fire in the backyard, wouldn't it be self-destruction?"
"If we really want to take action against the Qi family, maybe this is the right time." The old minister said calmly: "Although the Qi family no longer has the military power of the Qinhuai Army, the Qinhuai Army will never sit back and watch the Qi family be executed." Looking at the gradual The setting sun slowly said: "If the Qi family really has any disobedient behavior, the imperial court will also make some arrangements for the Qinhuai Army first. At least the old Qi family members in Yue Huanshan will be purged from the Qinhuai Army. , will take action. Now the Qi family has no act of disobedience. If the Qinhuai Army does not cross the Huai River, even the emperor may not dare to easily touch the Qi family. "
Yuan Moxian instantly understood what the old minister meant: "Father, are you saying that the Qinhuai Army has crossed the Huai River, and if the Qi family is moved at this time, the Qinhuai Army will not be able to rescue them?"
"Exactly." The old minister said: "Once the Qi family falls into a desperate situation, they will inevitably contact the Qinhuai Army. However, the Qinhuai Army is now unable to help the Qi family. When the dust settles and the court announces the evidence of the Qi family's crimes, then Yue Huan Shan didn't dare to really disobey the imperial court." He frowned slightly: "It's just that at this time, the Qi family does not have the Qinhuai Army to help them, but the imperial court is taking action against the Qi family. Once the news gets out, it will definitely affect the morale of the military and even cause extremely disastrous consequences. , it is impossible for the emperor not to understand this, is it possible that in order to kill the Qi family, the emperor wants to bet on the national fate of Chu?"
"Although the emperor is young, he is very wise and is definitely not a fool." Yuan Moxian said: "From his execution of the Sima clan, we can see that the emperor is very resourceful." He lowered his voice and said: "There are others. Privately speaking, when the emperor ascended the throne, he had already thought of a strategy to eradicate the King of Huainan and the Sima clan. He would first use the Sima clan to eradicate the King of Huainan, and then set a trap to kill Sima Lan. If the emperor really planned this, his mind was really real. He is very incomparable, calm and considerate, so naturally he would not do something stupid like attacking the Qi family at this time."
The old minister pondered for a long time, then his old body suddenly trembled, his pupils shrank slightly, he looked at Yuan Moxian and asked: "Moxian, do you remember how many days the emperor has not been in court?"
Yuan Moxian thought for a moment and then said: "It's been almost twenty days since then."
"More than twenty days...!" The corners of Old Shangshu's eyes twitched slightly: "It is wartime now. I remember that the emperor had a three-day visit, and the longest period did not exceed five days."
"That's what my father said." Yuan Moxian said, "My son also asked about it. I heard that the emperor has been working hard day and night and is in poor health. He is currently recuperating in the palace. Although he has not been in court for a long time, he often summons ministers to discuss matters in the palace."
"The Emperor's dragon body is not feeling well, do you know what's wrong with you?"
Yuan Moxian said: "Father, this is a matter in the palace, so my son naturally doesn't want to ask more about it."
The old minister was silent again, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone on his old face with old folds. After a long time, he heard the old minister's instructions: "Moxian, please ask the house to clean up. We will leave for our hometown in the next two days. We haven't gone back to pay tribute in many years." After paying homage to the ancestral temple, it’s time to go back and take a look.”
Yuan Moxian was startled, but he understood instantly and whispered: "Does father think something is going to happen in Beijing?"
"No matter what happens or not, you have to go back to your hometown to worship your ancestors." The old minister sighed: "I am already old. I can't stand the bumps of hundreds of miles away. You can only wait until I die before you can go back to your hometown." I will send him back for burial. This time, you and Rong'er will go back with your family first. When you go back, you can draw up a package and give it to me, and I will hand it over directly." After a slight pause, he continued: "Within two months. , if you don’t receive the letter I sent, you will give me another excuse to resign and not return to the capital."
Yuan Moxian said anxiously: "Father, do you mean to stay alone in Beijing?"
Yuan Rong immediately said: "Father, you take your family back home, and the child stays with grandpa."
"You have to leave too!" Old Shangshu said solemnly.
Yuan Rong shook his head and said: "Grandpa, no matter what you say, my grandson can't leave. Haibosi has just been established. In the past six months, my grandson and many people have worked hard to get to where we are today. There are two or three more In August, the first fleet will go out to sea for trade. Although there is a problem in the Tian family medicine store, it does not hinder the overall situation. If the grandson leaves here, all the previous efforts will be in vain. This is what the Protector personally entrusted to the country. My grandson's important task is also entrusted by the emperor. It is related to our maritime trade in Dachu, which benefits the country and the people, and must not be abandoned halfway."
Yuan Moxian frowned and said: "After talking for a long time, don't you understand? The emperor wants to attack the Qi family, and the Tian family medicine store was thoroughly investigated by the Kyoto Prefecture because of its involvement with the Qi family. You and Qi Ning before It’s just a matter of coming and going, but Qi Ning wrote to the Emperor to appoint Haiposi, and your position as admiral of Haiposi was also recommended by the Qi family. As long as you stay in this position, you will be inseparable from the Qi family." He raised his hand and patted Yuan Rong's shoulder: "You don't like being an official. I'll go back to my father and prepare a proposal for you. It's okay if you don't take up the post of Admiral of Haibosi!"
Yuan Rong shook his head again and said firmly: "Father, this is not only related to the Protector, but also to my great Chu. For Haibosi, many people contributed money and efforts, and the child must not abandon them and walk away. Not to mention whether the Qi family is really guilty, nor whether the emperor really wants to punish the Qi family. The Protector of the State has proposed the establishment of the Haibo Division. This is to do things for the country, and there is no fault. If the imperial court implicates Haibo, Bosi, that is really ridiculous." Xiang Lao Shangshu cupped his hands and said: "Grandpa, since my grandson has taken over Haiposi's job, even if it costs his life, he must do it to the end, and whether he will be implicated by the Qi family. , the grandson has nothing to do with it, he wants to do things, not be an official."
Yuan Moxian's face turned ugly, but when he wanted to say more, the old minister had already smiled and said: "Moxian, when you return to your hometown to worship at the ancestral temple, it's up to you to take your family back with you. Since Rong'er has made up his mind, let him stay in the capital. Our Yuan family Three generations have been favored, and I and Rong'er have stayed and been loyal, which can be regarded as worthy of the emperor's kindness." Before Yuan Moxian could say more, the old minister slowly stood up and ordered: "Tomorrow morning, I will go to the palace to meet the emperor. !”
"Father, you...?"
The old minister shook his head, stopped Yuan Moxian's words, and said: "I served several former emperors. Now that I am getting old, I want to resign and go into seclusion. For this last step of resignation, I should be able to see the emperor and give it in person. Present to the Emperor."