Jinluan Palace.
All civil and military officials gathered here.
According to past practice, the civil servants were on the left and the military officers were on the right. They listened carefully to the emperor's holy words and listened to other officials' comments and discussed national affairs.
Today, all the civil and military officials here are like a vegetable market. It is noisy and they are arguing endlessly. There is no dignity like the important place where the imperial court discusses matters.
"The eldest prince Tang Qinggeng has come of age for many years. He is regarded as the eldest son and has long been granted the title of prince. His becoming the new emperor is a matter of destiny. Why don't you respect the holy will and the words of the ancients? Do you want to abolish the elder and establish the younger? Isn't it ridiculous?" An old minister shouted loudly.
This old minister was wearing an official uniform and was already in his seventies. He had white hair and a white beard, and his face was as wrinkled as tree bark. Only his eyes were still bright and clear. He was clearly the old master Hua who had retired from the government long ago.
Grand Master Hua is a two-generation veteran. He has retired from the court for ten years, but his influence in the court is still considerable.
"What the old master said is wrong. If the eldest prince had been established as the prince, we would naturally be convinced and try our best to help him ascend the throne. However, the emperor has never named him the prince. The emperor is probably worried that the eldest prince is not enough to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the prince. , but it has been postponed until now." A minister responded to Teacher Hua Tai's words, and then he shook the holy paper in his hand and said: "This is the emperor's holy paper will. He has already intended to make the second prince the prince. Until He died unexpectedly without having time to announce the matter, so you can take a closer look and see if there is anything wrong with this dragon seal?"
This person is Shangliyou, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance. He is about forty-five years old and is definitely the youngest among the six tribes.
"Master Shang, who doesn't know that you and the second prince are related by blood? You rashly produced an imperial edict that none of us knew about. Do you really think we are so easy to deceive?" Someone immediately raised a question.
"I think His Highness the Fifth Prince is good. He has already obtained the qualifications to enter Mount Emei. It would be good for him to pass the throne to him after he returns from practice."
"I support the eldest prince even more. It's justified."
"Support the second prince, there will be no falsehood in the emperor's will."
…
In the past two days, the civil and military officials did not want to deal with the emperor's funeral. They were all arguing about who should take over the throne, and they were on the verge of a fight.
Among these officials, in addition to the old master, the most important ones include Song Xiang, Wu Sanhao, Qiao Sanye and others.
The Prime Minister of the Song Dynasty was the Prime Minister, the most capable minister of the Emperor during his lifetime, and at least half of the civil servants were his favorite disciples.
Needless to say, Wu Sanhao, he led 100,000 troops to besiege the city. As long as he gave an order, he could level the royal city. Fortunately, he never spoke and was stared at by Mr. Qiao without making any comments.
Mr. Qiao prefers the eldest prince in his heart. The eldest prince has a kind heart. The only regret is that he lacks skills and is too honest. He may not be able to overpower the ministers when he sits on the throne.
The second prince's character was not good, the third prince and the fourth prince had been killed by rebels, and the fifth prince escaped by chance. He was disadvantaged by his age, and there was insufficient backstage support.
At present, the dispute between the eldest prince and the second prince is the most intense and has the most support. Once these few people express their opinions, the final direction will be decided.
"Everyone, please stop arguing and listen to the opinions of Prime Minister Song and Prince Wu." An official said.
Now it finally comes to the main event, which prince will be recognized by these top ministers.
Wu Sanhao was the first to speak: "I don't have any objection to which prince should be the emperor, as long as it is Tang's blood."
His words undoubtedly showed that he was a middle-of-the-road position, and none of the princes supported it.
"Humph, I think the eldest prince is very suitable. He is the eldest son and should become the new emperor. I have never seen the so-called emperor's will and it is not credible." Mr. Qiao snorted dissatisfiedly. He actually still hoped that Wu Sanhao can support the eldest prince.
"Master Qiao, this is wrong. Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. This is a holy metaphor and we can't violate it." Shangliyou responded neither softly nor hard.
Mr. Qiao is the emperor's teacher, and his status is very respected. Unfortunately, he has no real power in his hands. Now that the emperor is gone, Shangliyou will not be afraid of him.
"Lord Shang, everyone knows how the second prince's character compares with the first prince's. Besides, you are still the uncle of the second prince. It is natural for you to protect him, but I will never agree." Third Master Qiao said, blowing his beard. .
"Master Qiao, we veterans should agree with the emperor's decision. I support the second prince." Song Lirui said calmly.
After he spoke, many civil servants began to agree with him, which shows how powerful his appeal is.
Since General Luo Gongming was missing from the military attache's side, there were not many people who could speak, and their opinions were ignored.
Most of the major events in the DPRK are decided by civilian officials.
Cao Jianda hesitated and said, "Should we listen to the Queen's opinion?"
Just as he finished speaking, someone said: "I don't think it's necessary. Our Yaowang Pavilion supports His Highness the Second Prince."
At some unknown time, Yao Lingyu, the master of Yaowang Pavilion, came in from outside the palace to talk, and beside him was a mysterious man wearing a cloak.
Yao Yanhai is dead, Yaowang Pavilion has not been disbanded, and their status in Daxia has not been shaken. Yao Lingyu's words still carry considerable weight.
"For those of you who don't follow ancient precepts and play the piano randomly, only the eldest prince can be the emperor." Master Hua said excitedly.
Maybe Mrs. Hua was too excited and couldn't catch her breath. Her eyes started to turn white and she actually fainted on the spot.
This moment frightened many people.
"Master Hua is already quite old. She should have been living at home for a thousand years, so why bother getting involved in the important affairs of the court?" someone said sarcastically.
Mr. Qiao and Mrs. Hua had a feud, but that was an old thing. Now they are both worried about important matters in the court. Seeing someone laughing at Mr. Hua, he pointed the two jade balls in his hands toward The official threw it at me and shouted: "You dare to ridicule the old minister, do you want us old bones to die so that you can control the government and subvert the government and the opposition?"
The official was in great pain from being hit by Mr. Qiao's jade ball. He wanted to scold him but didn't dare to scold him. Wu Sanhao looked at him with sharp eyes and panicked.
"The emperor's body is still cold, and you are making a fuss here. Don't you feel guilty?" Yang Zhennan, who had never spoken a word, said quietly.
Although he is an earl, he no longer has an official position and cannot actually discuss matters in the court. He is only allowed to stay here because of his meritorious service in protecting the emperor.
Everyone's eyes fell on Yang Zhennan, and for a moment they didn't know how to answer.
Yao Lingyu and the Yang family had a sworn hatred. He said loudly: "A country cannot be without a king for a day. Only by electing a king can he preside over the emperor's funeral. I suggest that His Highness the Second Prince be enthroned immediately.", and then He pointed at Yang Zhennan and asked: "Yang Zhennan, I heard that you were the first to know that someone was rebelling, right?"
Yang Zhennan didn't even look at Yao Lingyu and responded: "Yes."
"Did you force your way into the palace that night?" Yao Lingyu asked again.
"Yes!" Yang Zhennan responded with a normal expression. He knew in his heart that the other party was just looking for trouble.
"Just admit it. In fact, you are also a rebel. Let's capture him quickly." Yao Lingyu said with certainty.
This time everyone was confused.
Yao Lingyu was really not very good at throwing such dirty water. He tried so hard to protect him and almost didn't get killed. He even accused them of being rebels on the spot. Do you think they are mentally retarded
"If you want to avenge your father, just say, why should you accuse me of this? Do you think everyone is blind?" Yang Zhennan responded domineeringly.
"Haha, do you think I said that on purpose?" Yao Lingyu laughed, and then said to the mysterious man next to him: "Jiang Kang, come and bear witness for me."
The mysterious man stood up, took off his cloak, and revealed his true face. He was a middle-aged man with a scratched face. The hideous wounds were shocking to look at, and anyone who saw them would feel scared and sick. .
Jiang Kang knelt down on the spot and said, "Jiang Kang pays homage to all of you."
"Jiang Kang, the general manager of Prince Fu'an's palace?" Prime Minister Song asked doubtfully.
"Yes, I am the steward of Prince Fu'an's Mansion. I didn't know about Prince Fu'an's rebellion. But the night before the rebellion, I saw Master Yang meeting the Prince in private, and I vaguely heard that the Prince asked him to We were supposed to cooperate with foreigners and drive out all the royal family. After hearing this, the villain was so frightened that he fled the palace overnight. However, he was quickly captured by the prince, cut off my face, and imprisoned me, making my life worse than death. Fortunately, The Master of the Medicine Pavilion came to my rescue, and I would like to ask you all for your wisdom." Jiang Kang said, trembling.
"Yang Zhennan, what else do you have to say?" Yao Lingyu asked Yang Zhennan again.
"Yao Lingyu, there's something wrong with your brain." Yang Zhennan pointed at Yao Lingyu and said nonchalantly.
"Yang Zhennan!" Yao Lingyu's eyes almost burst into flames, and he said to the others: "Jiang Kang is the chief steward of Prince Fu'an's Mansion. Don't you believe what he says?"
"Everyone knows that my Yang family is at odds with King Fu'an, and you still use this matter to blame me. I have to say that there is something wrong with your mind." Yang Zhennan emphasized again.
Others also thought that Yao Lingyu did not do this well.
"No, the prince is not at odds with you. This is all a ploy between you and the prince. The prince has also been used by you. You want to be the emperor." Jiang Kang shouted.
Now everyone's minds were shaken.
It is true that the Yang family has the biggest spotlight this time. If the Yang family wants to rise to the top, it will not be difficult.
Song Lirui said to Wu Sanhao: "Prince Wu, regardless of whether the truth is true or not, please take action to capture him."
"Yes, Yang Zhennan is very suspicious." Shangliyou quickly agreed.
Immediately afterwards, several people responded, all pointing their fingers at Yang Zhennan.
Yang Zhennan frowned, straightened his body and said, "I, Yang Zhennan, have a clear conscience."
"In that case, let me keep you under my custody first, and then I will release you after your charges are cleared." Wu Sanhao said.
At this time, a voice outside the door said: "Whoever dares to touch my father's hair, I will kill him from all nine tribes!"