Zheng Hua knew that he meant to ridicule, so he also retorted: "Fourth brother, third brother has advised you so many times. People have to know their orders and obey them, so why bother to force them? Look, until now, not only has the throne been lost to you, Nothing is your share.”
Zheng Gui glanced at Zheng Hua and said: "What the third brother said, I dare not agree with. Like me, even though we are defeated now, it is still a great success. Thousands of years from now, it will be recorded in the history books. - Zheng Gui, the king of Lingnan, commanded millions of soldiers and occupied half of the Han Dynasty. He is worthy of being a great hero. But what about the third brother? He is just a mediocre and romantic prince who can barely make people laugh. "
Although Zheng Hua lived a happy life for most of his life, due to his noble status as a prince, he did not help in the court affairs at all. This is a fact that anyone with a discerning eye can see clearly.
But no one would mention this to Zheng Hua, the King of Heluo. Even the emperor Zheng Rong only felt that his younger brother was full of knowledge and not mediocre, but he was unwilling to contribute to the court and share the labor for himself. Just a slight criticism.
Now these words were spoken by Zheng Gui, the king of Lingnan, without any disguise, which really touched a soft spot in Zheng Hua's heart, making him, a talented man with a rich history, speechless.
Zheng Gui couldn't help but feel proud when he saw the usually suave and chic third brother in front of him turning blue and purple after being spoken to by him: "It's worth making such a big fuss in my life, Zheng Gui. Do you want to feel sorry? It's a pity that I still think about the orthodoxy of the Han Dynasty, so I didn't make up my mind to ascend to the throne and become the emperor on an equal footing with my second brother, so I can enjoy the pleasure of being an emperor!" After saying this, Zheng Gui laughed "hahahaha".
Zheng Gui's words were so outrageous that Zheng Hua, Zhongli Kuang, Qiu Yizhi, Lin Shuhan, Zhao Chengxiao, the Seventeenth Guardsmen and countless Imperial Guards who were present neither dared to agree nor refute, and just let him stand. The solemn imperial city roared and laughed wildly.
At this moment, I heard a low-pitched but penetrating voice: "Zheng Gui, have you had enough trouble?"
Everyone looked around and saw a man wearing a bright yellow nine-dragon robe standing at the door of the "Shu Li Hall". He frowned and looked at the carriage Zheng Gui was sitting in. There was no joy in his eyes, but he seemed to be exuding endless joy. Worry and uneasiness.
"Your Majesty!" Zhongli Kuang was the first to call out the person's identity, and then he fell down and kowtowed three times: "Plop," "Plop," and "Plop."
When everyone saw this, they all knelt down and kowtowed.
Qiu Yizhi also followed everyone on the ground. He really wanted to raise his head to take a look at the adopted father-in-law whom he hadn't seen for several years, but the majesty of the royal family and the appearance of the emperor kept him pinned to the flat, mirror-like white marble floor, and his neck seemed to be stiff and unable to move at all.
Suddenly, a hand pressed on Qiu Yizhi's back, and at the same time, a voice sounded: "Is it Yizhi who's here? Get up."
There was a bit of joy and relief in this voice, but it seemed to be a little trembling, but there was no doubt that Emperor Zheng Rong was talking to Qiu Yizhi.
The emperor's words are imperial edicts.
Since it was an imperial edict, Qiu Yizhi naturally had no reason to disobey him. He quickly stood up, bowed to the emperor with great respect, and said: "I obey the edict." Then he stood aside with his body hunched, even on his knees and I dare not reach out to pat the dust on my arms.
Qiu Yizhi glanced around furtively and saw other people - including Heluo King Zheng Hua and Prime Minister Zhongli Kuang - still lying on the ground without the emperor's order, not even daring to take a breath. At this moment, only his legs were standing on the ground. This made Qiu Yizhi feel a little scared and a little conceited. He instantly felt the supreme authority of the imperial power - even if he was as noble as a vassal king, his status and glory seemed to be only the same as that of the emperor. Half a step away, this half step is actually an insurmountable chasm.
But Zheng Rong, with his hands behind his back, slowly walked to the front of the carriage that Zheng Gui was riding in, reached out to lift the curtain himself, and only said a few words to Zheng Gui, the king of Lingnan behind the curtain: "Zheng Gui, come down."
Zheng Gui has not been afraid of heaven or earth since he was a child, and he dared to behave in front of his father, Emperor Shenzong. However, he was quite afraid of Zheng Rong, his second brother who was superior to him in both literary and military talents. He listened to his instructions like this. , forgot to resist, and agreed, "Hey, I understand." He put on his shoes, climbed down from the carriage, and stood in front of the emperor.
Zheng Gui was already strong, but now he deliberately straightened his body, as if he was half a head taller than the emperor. He was breathing heavily from his nostrils, but he didn't know how to respond.
Zheng Rong said, "What? You don't kneel down when you see the emperor?"
Zheng Gui was stunned after hearing this, and immediately tightened his knees and said: "What kind of emperor is not an emperor? I don't want to be your minister, so you are not my emperor. You and I are equal, just brothers, why should I Kneel down for you?”
After Qiu Yizhi heard Zheng Gui's words, the hairs on his body stood up. For fear of the emperor's wrath, he immediately ordered the imperial guards to massacre King Lingnan on the spot.
Unexpectedly, Zheng Rong smiled and said: "You don't have to admit defeat. This has been the case since ancient times. I only need to say a word, and countless people will come and break your legs and force you to kneel down to flatter me. In turn, you My positions were reversed, and you just treated me in the same way."
Zheng Gui originally only planned to taunt Zheng Rong with a few words, so that the emperor would kill him with a knife in anger, which would be a happy relief. However, unexpectedly, the ninth-level emperor was so magnanimous that he let him I don’t know how to continue the sentence.
Seeing that the arrogant third brother of the King of Lingnan was a little discouraged, Zheng Rong felt naturally proud, so he waved his hand and said: "Okay, I have been approving memorials for a day today, and I am already tired. I'm afraid it won't be easy for you after such a long journey, right? You Go down first and stay in the temporary reeds in the imperial garden. It's very clean there, just right for you to reflect on your sins. By the way, your eldest son Zheng Nuo and several of his children are also living there. You guys haven’t seen each other for a long time, right? Let’s talk about family happiness.”
Zheng Gui listened to Emperor Zheng Rong's rambling arrangements for a long time, and finally came to his senses. His cheeks twitched and he said: "Don't pretend to be a good person here. Whether it's abandoning the market, cutting it in half, or Ling Chi, give me a That’s right!”
After hearing this, Zheng Rong turned around and sighed: "You are a guilty person. Raising the flag to rebel is not only a violation of national law, but also a violation of family rules. As the emperor, I can be exempted from family rules. However, there are others above me. The law of the country exists, and your guilt will naturally be discussed by the court, so why are you in a hurry? "
Prime Minister Zhongli Kuang, who was the Prime Minister of the imperial court, couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat when he heard this: Considering Zheng Gui's identity and his actions, who in the imperial court dares to convict him of his crime? It would be better for the emperor to open his mouth and make arbitrary decisions, and for his ministers to follow the rules.
But these are all things for later, and I heard Zheng Rong sigh and say: "Okay, I am really tired, you can step back! Where is the Royal Forest Warrior? Send the King of Lingnan to me."
After saying that, the imperial guards who were lying on the ground all stood up, surrounded Lingnan King Zhenggui, half-lifted and half-pushed him into the car, and pulled and pulled him towards the imperial garden.
Zheng Rong raised his head and glanced around. He saw that many of the lit torches around him were taken away by the imperial guards. The surrounding area instantly darkened. His mood seemed to have worsened. He shouted loudly: "What? I have reduced my internal expenses, and now I can't even do it." Can’t you even light the torches and lanterns?”
As soon as he finished speaking, a group of eunuchs ran up from the darkness and lit torches and lanterns. Finally, the light returned to the "Shu Li Hall".
Zheng Rong followed the fire and saw dozens of people kneeling beside him, so he cleared his throat and said loudly: "Everyone, get up..."
When everyone heard this, they all got up from the ground.
Because Zhongli Kuang was old, he usually sat down to talk to the emperor. He had not knelt for a long time. Today, he had knelt down for a long time. When he stood up suddenly, he felt dizzy. He staggered and almost fell down.
Seeing this, Qiu Yizhi hurriedly stepped forward, supported him, and murmured: "Be careful..."
Zhongli Kuang was a little moved, but he still had a stern expression on his face: "Yizhi, what are you doing? Are you not afraid of losing your etiquette by talking nonsense in front of the Holy Master?"
Qiu Yizhi did not comment, but heard Zheng Rong say: "Mr. Zhongli, how can you pay so much attention to Yi Zhi in front of me? He has been out for a long time, and he still knows how to respect teachers. I think this is not in vain for you and me for so many years." teach."
Zheng Rong looked up at the others again, walked slowly to Zhao Chengxiao and others, pointed and said: "Zhao Chengxiao... remember you were named after me, and you haven't embarrassed me in the past few years. And you The bandits who recruited An are all good people. I will certainly reward you for following Yi Zhi this time, so you should all leave the imperial city first."
He pointed at Lin Shuhan again: "Are you Lin Shuhan, the 'Bansong Jushi'? Although you have no intention of fame, you can still serve the country by making suggestions by Yi Zhi's side. Compared with those rotten scholars and literary scoundrels who are obsessed with fame, you don't know how to do it. How high is it?" As he spoke, he stretched out his right hand and patted Lin Shuhan's shoulder.
Just when Lin Shuhan was panicking and trying to say something humble, Emperor Zheng Rong had already walked up to Yuchi Lianghong and Yuchi Jiming's parents and said with a smile on his face: "Lianghong, you can handle this errand easily. Therefore, the credit is small, not as good as your good daughter! It’s a pity that you are a girl, otherwise, you will be a great general in the future, won’t you be so majestic?”
Everyone present knew how powerful the emperor was. Only Yuchi Jiming, who was still ignorant at a young age, grinned and said: "Who said women can't be generals? I heard my uncle say that there is a lady Guan is where a female general from the previous dynasty was stationed. If she deserves it, why can’t I?”
Everyone was a little startled when they heard that Yuchi Jiming snatched Emperor Bai in front of him. But the emperor was in a good mood, and her words were exactly what she meant, so she smiled and said: "Okay, you are ambitious and knowledgeable, and you will not be outdone by women! You have done a great job this time. I will ask your father to take you another day." Enter the palace and see what weapons I have in my arsenal. Just pick a few and I will reward you... "
Yuchi Lianghong was afraid that his daughter would say the wrong thing again, so he quickly thanked her and said, "Then I will thank you for your kindness."
Zheng Rong nodded happily, scanned everyone again, and summoned a eunuch casually: "Who is that? You lead these beloved ladies of mine out of the palace. Yuchi Lianghong will be responsible for their daily life in the capital. Just pass it on. According to my will, everything will be provided as needed, and the ministries and yamen are not allowed to shirk their duties. Do you understand?"
The eunuch quickly repeated the holy edict, kowtowed three more times, and then led everyone back down the way they had just come.
Qiu Yizhi saw that Lin Shuhan, Zhao Chengxiao and others had left, and it was not convenient for him to stay for a long time. He supported Zhongli Kuang, lowered his head slightly, and said, "Your Majesty, that minister also retired first..."