Qi Ning pondered for a moment and then said: "Your Majesty, I cannot express my opinion on this matter. It all depends on the Emperor's Holy Judgment."
Longtai scolded: "I called you here just to discuss it with you, but you were vague."
Qi Ning chuckled and said: "There was no good opportunity to attack the Sima family. Since Sima Changshen took the initiative to request the order this time, why didn't the emperor take this opportunity to reduce his title? We also have a good excuse, just like the emperor As I said just now, this was not because the emperor deliberately wanted to reduce his title, but because everyone in the court knew about it, and in order to maintain the credibility of the Sima family, he reluctantly did so."
Longtai laughed and said: "This reason is actually not bad." He lifted his chin lightly, thought for a while, and then said: "Let's see what Sima Lan will say later."
Qining came closer and asked in a low voice: "Your Majesty, there is something you don't know whether to ask or not?"
"Ah?" Longtai asked curiously, "What's the matter?"
Qi Ning smiled strangely and lowered his voice: "Your Majesty had to deal with two brides in one night, and today he has to deal with government affairs, isn't it...?"
"Go away." Long Tai laughed and scolded: "Do you think I am as intemperate as you? My health is very good." Then he lowered his voice and said: "I didn't go to Yongchun Palace last night."
"Eternal Spring Palace?"
Longtai explained: "Sima Wanqiong has moved into Yongchun Palace, and I have made her the imperial concubine according to the Queen Mother's wishes."
"So, the emperor stayed in Fengyi Palace last night?" Qi Ning asked curiously: "Didn't Sima Wanqiong stay alone in the empty room?"
Longtai said: "I never wanted to go to Yongchun Palace, and I heard that she was injured yesterday, so I had a reason not to go."
"Injuried?"
"After she entered the palace yesterday, she went to the imperial doctor to check her legs." Longtai said: "The imperial doctor reported to me that a needle was inserted into Sima Wanqiong's calf. I don't know when it was inserted."
Qi Ning immediately thought of yesterday's scene. Sima Wanqiong suddenly fell down while waiting for the steps. Now it seems that someone stabbed her leg with a needle at that time. But who did it in full view of everyone? The enchanting palace maid from Dong Qi quickly appeared in her mind.
At this moment, I suddenly heard a voice coming from outside: "Your Majesty, Duke Zhen Guo wants to see you!"
Longtai immediately sat upright, and Qining quickly retreated to the case and stood with his hands down. Longtai and Qining exchanged glances before saying: "The Duke of Xuanzhen, please come in."
Sima Lan was wearing an official robe, his figure was slightly stooped, and his complexion did not look very good. When he came in from the door, he saw Qi Ning and paused for a moment, but he still stepped forward and bowed to the emperor and said: "Old minister, see the emperor. "He was about to kneel down and salute, but Longtai had already said: "I am old, so there is no need to be formal."
Sima Lan cupped his hands and said, "Old minister, thank you."
"Jinyi Hou, bring a chair for the old prince to sit down." Longtai ordered.
Qi Ning went over and brought a chair over, placed it behind Sima Lan, and said in a respectful tone: "Old Duke, please sit down."
"I'm waiting for you." Sima Lan nodded and smiled at Qining. Longtai waited for Sima Lan to sit down before asking: "The old prince came into the palace today, but what's the matter?"
"Your Majesty, I'm here to plead guilty!" Sima Lan made a gesture and was about to stand up, but Long Tai had already raised his hand and said, "Old Duke, just sit down and talk, there's no need to get up." Then he frowned and asked, "Old Duke, I'm here to plead guilty? Is this Where to start?"
Sima Lan looked at Qi Ning and sighed: "Jinyihou, yesterday Sima Changshen drank a few glasses of wine and became drunk. He dared to stop the Ministry of Revenue from doing errands. After the old minister found out about this, he went back to the house and punished him. Training. However, this matter has been committed, and there is no time to regret it. I can only go to the palace to plead guilty to the emperor."
Longtai and Qining looked at each other, thinking that Sima Lan was really coming to intercede for Sima Changshen today. Longtai remained calm, picked up the piece of paper and said, "Does the old Duke know the piece of paper presented by the loyal Marquis? ?”
Sima Lan nodded and said: "I know that this is what I ordered Sima Changshen to present. Yesterday outside the palace gate, Sima Changshen ignored the emperor's wedding, made trouble, and had a word with the Jin Yihou beforehand. He is a common man. A promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold, not to mention Sima Changshen." After a pause, he said: "So this is a request for an imperial edict to be reduced to a noble title, and the Emperor's Holy Judgment is also required."
Longtai thought for a moment and then said: "Old Duke, the Queen Mother also mentioned this to me. From the founding of Dachu to the present, there have been four hereditary marquises. If the loyal marquises are really deprived of their power, then...!"
"Your Majesty, I beg your Majesty to approve this secret." Sima Lan said sternly: "A promise of a thousand gold is nothing to play with. Since Sima Changshen made a promise in front of hundreds of officials, if the Emperor does not approve this secret, in the future, How can the Sima family gain a foothold in the court?"
Longtai was a little surprised. He looked at Sima Lan, trying to figure out whether his words were true or false.
"Your Majesty, what the veteran said comes from the bottom of his heart." As if he had seen through Longtai's thoughts, Sima Lan sighed: "The emperor recognized the veteran's hard work for many years and granted the title of Duke. This is Long's grace. From Emperor Taizong to the present, the Sima family has served three generations of emperors, and has received supreme favor. This time Sima Changshen made a mistake, and must be punished. The emperor has just passed away, and rewards and punishments must be clear, so that the government and the public can be clear! "
Longtai hesitated for a moment and then said: "It's just the Queen Mother's side...!"
"Your Majesty, you don't have to think too much. The Queen Mother has already been informed by my veteran minister." Sima Lan said, "I hope your Majesty will be right about this tip. My veteran minister will be very grateful."
Seeing that Sima Lan was talking about this, Longtai followed suit and said, "Since the old Duke said this, I will no longer insist on it. In this case, I will agree to this discount."
Sima Lan stood up and cupped his hands and said: "Old minister, thank you for your grace."
Longtai couldn't help but glance at Qining and saw that Qining also had a suspicious look on his face. Apparently he couldn't figure out what the old fox Sima Lan was up to.
"Old Duke, just sit down and talk." Longtai said softly: "It's just a loss of title, so let's keep the food."
"Your Majesty, it is a matter of course to reduce the title and seize the town." Sima Lan said sternly: "If you lose the title but keep the food and town, it will make people talk more."
Long Tai nodded slightly, but Sima Lan said in a tone of hatred that iron cannot be made into steel: "Although Sima Changshen is not young, he acts recklessly and has a bad temper. I have something to ask the emperor for permission."
"Old Duke, just say it."
Sima Lan thought for a while and then said: "Your Majesty, although Sima Changshen has a bad temper, he still has talents. There is no better son than a father, and the old ministers do not hesitate to say so. However, no matter how good the steel is, it will be difficult to achieve success if it is not polished more. Sima If Chang Shen can gain more experience, he will certainly be able to serve the imperial court more."
"Training?" Longtai felt that something was wrong and asked, "How do you plan to train Sima Changshen?"
"Old minister believes that the most important place for experience is naturally in the army." Sima Lan snorted coldly: "Sima Changshen has been rich since he was a child. He doesn't know the heights of the world and has never suffered, so he will be self-righteous. If he can be thrown into In the army, sharing the joys and sorrows with the soldiers will definitely sharpen his temperament. Moreover, Sima Changshen has been familiar with military books since he was a child, and he has quite a lot of experience in marching and formation. If he can go to the front line and practice on the ground, he should still be able to have a good temper. It’s something you can do.”
As soon as these words came out, Qi Ning's heart trembled, and he finally understood Sima Lan's intention.
After the fall of the King of Huainan, Qi Ning had expected that if the Sima family wanted to dominate the court, they would have to get involved in the finances and military affairs. Today, the old fox took the initiative to ask the emperor to allow Sima Changshen to seize the title, and Qi Ning felt that something was fishy. , only then did I understand that this old fox retreated first and then advanced, depriving Sima Changshen of his title, but he used this to let Sima Changshen enter the army.
The so-called military experience is naturally a high-sounding reason. As Sima Lan's eldest son, no matter which army he joins, with Sima Lan's support behind him, he will quickly form a force in it.
"Which army does the old prince want him to join?" Longtai said calmly: "East Sea Navy? Xichuan Army, or... Qinhuai Army?"
Sima Lan sighed: "Your Majesty, the situation of the Northern Han Dynasty is still unclear, but no matter how the situation changes, once there is a good opportunity, I, Da Chu, still cannot miss the opportunity and should immediately expedition to the north. In fact, the old minister has been planning this matter these days. The Qinhuai Army can send troops to the Northern Expedition at any time. The old minister’s wish is that Sima Changshen can go to the Qinhuai Army. Only after passing through the real battlefield can Sima Changshen mature quickly. I wonder what the emperor wants?”
Qi Ning sneered inwardly, thinking that the Sima family would eventually get involved in the Qinhuai Army.
This is not a strange thing. Nowadays, the Sima family hates the Jinyi Qi family deeply. The biggest enemy is the Qinhuai Army. An important reason why the Jinyi Qi family has a foothold in the court is because of the existence of the Qinhuai Army. The Sima family He did not dare to act rashly against the Jinyi Qi family, and naturally he was also wary of the relationship between the Qi family and the Qinhuai Army.
The two generations of generals of the Qinhuai Army came from the Jinyi Qi family. The Jinyi Qi family's imprint on the Qinhuai Army is naturally very deep. Even the current Qinhuai Army General Yue Huanshan was also trained by the Qi family. With such a connection, anyone can Of course, you have to think carefully before moving to dress up your family.
Seeing Long Tai groaning slightly, Sima Lan smiled bitterly and said: "Just now the old minister was nagging in front of the Queen Mother, hating that iron cannot be made into steel, so the Queen Mother asked the old minister to ask the emperor to send Sima Changshen to the army. After thinking about it, the old minister also felt that what the Queen Mother said That's why I dared to plead to the emperor." After a pause, he continued: "And the veteran believes that based on the current situation, the Qinhuai Army really needs to send people from the imperial court to supervise it. The veteran has reported to the emperor that within the Qinhuai Army There are many factions, and some people even send troops to rob the people. If this continues, the consequences will be really disastrous."
Qi Ning asked calmly: "Old Duke, is the Qinhuai Army in chaos now?"
Sima Lan nodded and said: "Actually, there have always been factions in the Qinhuai Army. However, if your father is still here, it will be enough to frighten the arrogant generals of the Qinhuai Army, and there will be no trouble. But after your father's death, although Yue Huanshan took charge of it, The Qinhuai Army cannot be compared with your Majesty after all. There are many powerful generals who even Yue Huanshan cannot hold back. Now is an extraordinary time. If military discipline cannot be rectified, once a war breaks out, the consequences will be disastrous."
"The old prince thinks that it is not bad to rectify the military discipline of the Qinhuai Army." Longtai pondered: "But is Sima Changshen suitable?"
"Your Majesty, as long as you issue a decree, Sima Changshen will go to the Qinhuai Army on behalf of the Emperor to assist Yue Huanshan in rectifying military discipline, and there should be no mistakes." Sima Lan said: "Sima Changshen still has abilities, and the veteran is not just because he is The old minister's son recommended him to select suitable candidates for the court. The old minister is willing to guarantee Sima Changshen. If Sima Changshen makes a mistake, the old minister will petition the emperor to deprive him of the title of Duke."
Longtai immediately said: "Old Duke, you are serious. Old Duke, in fact, I also have something to ask for. It just so happens that you are entering the palace today and I want to discuss it with you."
"I wonder what the emperor's orders are?"
"The case of King Huainan naturally cannot be dismissed." Longtai said solemnly: "My intention is to ask the Ministry of Punishment to continue investigating the matter. However, Qian Raoshun, the Minister of Punishment, cannot be reused and has been dismissed from office. The post of Shangshu of the Punishment Ministry is temporarily vacant. I think that in order to preside over the Ministry of Punishment, I must select candidates from among the four hereditary candidates...!"
Sima Lan nodded slightly, but remained calm.
"The old Marquis of Jindao has been recovering from illness all year round, and his two sons are also in the army, so it is naturally difficult to transfer him back. At Wuxiang Marquis Suzhen, some people say that he has had a relationship with the King of Huainan, so it is naturally difficult to let him be in charge of the Criminal Department." Longtai said slowly: "I have thought about Sima Changshen...!"
"Your Majesty, Sima Chang Shen will never succeed." Sima Lan said decisively: "Your Majesty, the wind is blowing outside. The change in the imperial mausoleum was caused by the personal grudge between the Sima family and the King of Huainan. Although this is not the case, people say It's terrible, if Sima Changshen is put in charge of the punishment department, it will definitely give people an excuse, and then Sima Changshen will be unjust."
"Oh?" Long Tai said: "Does the old man think Sima Changshen is not suitable? Is there a suitable candidate?"
Sima Lan smiled and said: "The Emperor said that the Ministry of Punishment should be headed by someone from the four hereditary marquises. This is true. After much thought, the most suitable candidate now is the Jinyi Marquis."
"Jinyihou?"
"Although Jin Yihou is young, he is both wise and courageous. He is a rare young talent." Sima Lan said solemnly: "Moreover, Jin Yihou is an upright man. If Jin Yihou is in charge of the Ministry of Punishment and allows him to train in the Ministry of Punishment, it must be the imperial court. Blessing."
"But Jin Yihou is young. Do you think he is suitable?"
"Aspiration does not lie in your age." Sima Lan said with a smile: "General Qi Jing also fought on the battlefield at a young age and made countless contributions. Jin Yihou is the direct son of the general, so he must have the talent of the general. The veteran thought, As long as you do it with your heart, you can always do it well.”
Longtai nodded and said: "I feel relieved when the old Duke says this. Qining, I have ordered you to take charge of the Criminal Department and continue to thoroughly investigate the case of King Huainan. Do you dare to take on this responsibility?"
Qi Ning took a step forward and cupped his hands and said: "Thanks to the trust of the emperor and my father, I must work hard to live up to the emperor's kindness."
Longtai said: "Then pass on my decree, Jinyihou Qining will go to the Ministry of Punishment to take office today." He then said to Sima Lan: "Since Sima Changshen is willing to go to the army to practice, the old Duke will pass the decree on my behalf and let Sima Chang Shen will go to the Qinhuai Army to assist Yue Huanshan in rectifying military discipline. I will grant Sima Chang Shen the title of former general!"