Qi Ning said: "The emperor just said that since the founding of the Kingdom of Chu, there has been no duke with a different surname. If the emperor has taken the initiative to confer a title for his great merits, then everyone will be happy, but if the ministers have intentions, it will go against the rules since the founding of the country. Etiquette. It is impossible for Marquis Zhongyi not to understand this truth."
"Of course he understands." Longtai said: "Marquis Zhongyi is the founding hero of the country. Before me, he was already a veteran of three dynasties."
"So the emperor granted the title to the court. If Marquis Zhongyi refuses to accept the title, then the matter should be the Queen Mother's wishful thinking. Marquis Zhongyi has no other thoughts." Qining said: "At least it means that Marquis Zhongyi does not dare to destroy the ancestral system easily. This This also proves that Marquis Zhongyi is still the pillar of our great Chu."
Longtai thought thoughtfully, nodded slightly and said, "If Marquis Zhongyi accepts it happily, it means that he no longer takes the ancestral system in his eyes."
"Secondly, even if Marquis Zhongyi really accepts the title of Duke, Your Majesty doesn't have to worry too much." Qining said slowly: "Your Majesty, after I arrived in the capital, I didn't see much, but I also know that King Huainan His power is not weak, and he has people in both the government and the public."
Longtai's face was slightly cold and he said: "King Huainan thought he was the orthodox one, and his ambition to usurp the throne was well known to everyone. The late emperor tried his best to appease him, and it can be said that he was already glorious, but he was not grateful for the emperor's kindness** , On the contrary, I always push for the next step. This time when I returned from Dong Qi, I encountered many interceptions and even died on the way. I know exactly who was behind the plan."
"Your Majesty, I dare to ask, with the current strength of the Emperor, can we easily eradicate the Huainan King's party?" Yang Ning knew that Longtai was talking to him sincerely, so he did not hide it and spoke very straightforwardly.
Longtai said: "Qining, I tell you the truth. When the late emperor was still alive, he was always worried that King Huainan would one day become a threat to me. The late emperor had a long-term vision and everything was expected by him. It's just that King Huainan was the son of Emperor Taizu. My son, Emperor Taizong and the late emperor both thought of Emperor Taizu's kindness and always tried their best to appease King Huainan. Even if King Huainan occasionally did something extraordinary, they were tolerant and not responsible." After a pause, he said: "King Huainan This man was very cunning. Although many people in the court spoke for him, he himself always stayed behind the scenes and never showed up easily. He looked like a happy prince who only wanted to have fun. The late emperor never found a way to get rid of him. Drop him."
"The late emperor worked hard to govern, and with the continuous wars, I'm afraid he didn't have much thought to deal with him." Qin Ning sighed: "In addition, the late emperor has been at war with the Northern Han people in recent years, and the late emperor did not want to cause the Huainan King to suffer. There is internal turmoil in Da Chu.”
Longtai was a little surprised and asked: "Do you even understand this?" He smiled and said: "It seems that after you came to Beijing, you didn't just know about having fun and drinking."
"Your Majesty, you have wronged me." Qi Ning said immediately: "I don't live in debauchery. I am staying in Jinyihou Mansion. I don't want to know these things."
Longtai sighed: "Yes, the late emperor meant that if King Huainan could be honest, the court would not make things too difficult for him. The late emperor himself did not expect that he would suddenly become seriously ill, otherwise the situation would not be like this. ." His expression turned gloomy.
"Many people did not expect that the late emperor passed away." Qining said: "The power of King Huainan was not eliminated by the late emperor, so he still has a deep foundation today. In addition, the old guy has always coveted the throne. This kind of person We can’t do that.”
"Old guy?" Long Tai was startled, then smiled and said: "Yes, that old guy is my uncle, but he always regards me as an enemy."
"Since King Huainan is deeply entrenched, if the emperor cannot rely on his own strength to suppress him, he will have to find an opponent to deal with him." Qi Ning said with a smile: "Don't the emperor think that Marquis Zhongyi is an excellent candidate?"
Longtai nodded slightly and said: "Of course I understand this. It is naturally impossible for me to let the King of Huainan and his family do whatever they want. The late emperor also told me that the Marquis of Zhongyi should be reused to check and balance the King of Huainan. But I am worried that if we let it go, Marquis Zhongyi, he is getting more and more swollen, and by then I will be raising a tiger for trouble."
After all, Qi Ning has been a man for two generations and has decades of life experience. In addition, he has read some books and movies about emperors and generals in his previous life. It is not unusual to know the art of balance. However, the little emperor is not very old, but he is mature in youth. Not only did he consider the checks and balances of the court, he even considered the problem of raising tigers, and his thoughts were indeed meticulous.
"That's why I say it kills three birds with one stone. This second victory will not only strengthen the power of Marquis Zhongyi and compete with the King of Huainan. The most important thing is that once Marquis Zhongyi accepts the position of Duke, it will inevitably arouse the resentment of many people. ." Yang Ning smiled thiefly and said: "Those ministers who are fighting against the King of Huainan will inevitably be loyal to the emperor with Marquis Zhongyi as the leader. If Marquis Zhongyi is low-key and cautious, those people will definitely admire Marquis Zhongyi and admire him. His character, Your Majesty, don’t you think this is actually troublesome?”
The dishes on the table were all made by the royal chef in the palace. They were full of color, fragrance and steaming hot. For Qing Ning, they were really a big deal. However, at this time, the little emperor did not put his mind on the meal, and even the chopsticks were missing. Putting it down, Qining could only be more reserved and not eat too much.
Longtai's eyes lit up and he seemed a little excited. He reached out and grabbed Qining's arm and said, "You mean...you mean to let those ministers walk with Zhongyi Marquis but feel disgusted with him? "
Qi Ning smiled and said: "The more powerful and arrogant Marquis Zhongyi is, the more disgusted the ministers will naturally be, and they will not be completely on the same page with him. One day, the emperor will be able to use people easily."
Longtai clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Qining, you are also very cunning." He then asked: "You said you can kill three birds with one stone, what is the other one?"
Qi Ning said: "This is the emperor's opportunity. Your Majesty, with all due respect, you yourself have said that the late emperor suddenly suffered from a serious illness and died suddenly. Naturally, the emperor did not give you too many opportunities to experience. You have just To ascend the throne, he will certainly not have too many confidants.”
When Longtai heard this, he said helplessly: "Actually, everyone in the world thinks that I can do anything since I became the emperor. Only I know that sitting in this position is not very good. Not only can I not go anywhere at will like you, Whatever you do in the place, you must abide by the rules even when eating and sleeping." Pointing to the dishes on the table, he said: "When I was still the prince, I had dozens of dishes for each meal, which was nothing. But when I came back from Dongqi On the way, I also saw the hardships of the people. Not to mention eating these delicacies, many people may not even have a bowl of rice." He smiled bitterly and said: "Before I went to Dong Qi as an envoy, I didn't think about the people of Chu. It’s such a hard life.”
Qining heard Longtai's true feelings and actually sympathized with the people's hardships. He immediately felt a sense of respect and asked, "Has the emperor seen the people's hardships?"
Longtai said: "In order to avoid obstruction, I divided the mission into three groups, and they all returned to Jianye capital secretly, just to distract the opponent's attention. Master Xiang and I took four followers all the way back to the capital, and were assassinated several times along the way. Those four followers all died in their duties to protect me. On the way, I saw the refugees along the Huaihe River...!" He shook his head and said with a bitter smile: "They really have no food and clothing. I thought at that time, the ministers are saying that I am great every day. The Chu country is peaceful and peaceful, and the people are prosperous and prosperous, but why are the people of Chu not even able to drink a bowl of porridge once the war breaks out? Many people starve to death on the roadside and are eaten by wild dogs...!"
Qining's expression also became serious. Although he had not been to the front line of the war, he could already feel the misery of the refugees in Huize City.
"I swore at that time that if I became emperor, what I would do in my life was to ensure that the people of the world would not have to suffer from war, and that they would have enough to eat and wear warm clothes." Longtai's tone became firmer. Get up: "I used to think that it was easy to achieve this. It didn't seem difficult to have food and clothing. But now I understand that if this simplest wish is to be achieved, it may not be possible for me to achieve it in my lifetime, but I will definitely try my best to do it. If I can’t do it, let my son do it. If he can’t do it, let my grandson do it. Until one day, the people of the world will have no worries about food and clothing.”
Qi Ning's heart trembled.
It seems that many emperors have said this, but this is the first time I heard it from an emperor. And it is not at all to whitewash his ambitions. The tone is sincere, the most simple thing for a young emperor when he first becomes a king. desire.
Qining didn't know what kind of road he would face in the future, let alone what kind of emperor Longtai would become in the future, but being able to care about the people's livelihood and set up such a simple but shining ambition really touched Qining. heartstrings.
He knew that, at least at this moment, Longtai was a good emperor.
"Your Majesty, I believe you can do it." Qi Ning stared into the little emperor's eyes, "So the Emperor must recharge his batteries and slowly make himself stronger. Only a strong Emperor can fulfill his wish. He lowered his voice and said: "So the emperor must have people available. These people must be loyal to the emperor and help the emperor fulfill his wishes."
Longtai smiled bitterly and said: "But what I lack most now is a confidant." Looking at Qining, he said: "Apart from Master Xiang, I can only tell you the truth now, Qining, do you know that I have At that time, I really felt... particularly lonely. The palace was crowded and magnificent, but sometimes I always felt that I was the only one in this huge palace. Many of the palace maids and eunuchs were known to me when I was very young, but... sometimes they When they are around me, I feel like they are like the furniture on the tables and chairs. When I talk to them, everyone is submissive, for fear of saying the wrong thing, so I don’t like to talk to them anymore.”
Qi Ning smiled and said: "It's not easy for the emperor to talk. I am your minister now. If you are bored, you can talk to me at any time, but the emperor has to promise me. Sometimes I have no sense of propriety when I say I am happy." , maybe if you say something rebellious, you won’t be able to chop off my head at all times.”
"Are you afraid that I'll chop your head off?" Long Tai was startled, then laughed and said: "It's okay, I promise you, as long as you are of the same mind as me, even if one day you say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing, I won't care about you. .”
Qi Ning chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, I'm going to say something treasonous right now. Don't blame me."
Longtai seemed very interested and said, "You tell me."
"Being with you is like being with a tiger." Qi Ning sighed: "The emperor is in a good mood now and can make any promise. If one day he is in a bad mood and I happen to make a mistake, the emperor will go back on his word and demand my head." what to do?"
"Nonsense." Long Tai was a little angry: "I always mean what I say, why do I have to go back on my word?" Huoran stood up. Yang Ning thought the little emperor was going to fall out, but saw him quickly walking to the desk, taking out his pen and ink, and swaying Ziru then took a piece of gold seal and stamped it on the paper. Then he came back with the piece of paper and handed it to Qi Ning, saying: "Hold it for me. I keep my word."
Qi Ning took it and glanced at it. There was a promise of immunity written on it. As long as he was loyal to the emperor and served the court, he could be forgiven even if he committed a serious crime.