The burden of the family and the world
Inside the imperial palace in the capital.
Nangong Jingnu was dressed in imperial clothes and sat in the upper position. A group of courtiers knelt in blackness under the court, as if begging for something, while the queen's face was rarely serious, her full lips pursed into a " "One", even the corners of his eyes and brows showed anger.
The Hubu Shangshu, who was over sixty years old, bowed three times, knelt on the ground and straightened up, holding the jade wat in both hands on his chest: "Your Majesty, the affairs of the country are related to the future generations of the Great Wei Kingdom. At such a young age, although there is no heir, but there are two princes. Women are different from men, and it takes longer to get a child. Your Majesty has four children this year, even if it is placed in the public, it should be a few children My mother is kissing, as the saying goes, the country cannot be without a ruler for a day, and the harem cannot be without a lord for a day. Now that the national mourning system has passed, and the lord of the harem hangs in the air, it is time for Your Majesty to choose a new husband!"
Everyone: "Your Majesty's words are reasonable, I hope Your Majesty will think twice!"
The Minister of Rites: "This minister seconded the proposal, Your Majesty... The court has not had a happy event for many years. It is time to organize a happy event to refresh the inner court."
Nangong Jingnu: "I said it before, His Highness Qionghua just passed away, I don't want to..."
Shang Shusheng Zuo Pushe interrupted Nangong Jingnv's words and said loudly: "Your Majesty's words are wrong, as the so-called difference between honor and inferiority, even though everyone in the world knows that Your Majesty and His Highness Qionghua are sisters, but His Majesty and His Highness Qionghua are in love with each other. After all, there is a difference in identity. Since the beginning of the world, how can a king keep the rules for his subjects? Moreover, it has been a hundred days since Princess Qionghua passed away, and His Majesty has no reason to delay the marriage any more, and how solemn it is for the imperial husband to continue his line, it is only a matter of choosing and agreeing The selection of the eight characters will take a lot of time, and the matter of the national capital cannot be delayed any longer, and I hope Your Majesty thinks twice!"
Everyone: "Please think twice about your majesty..."
For several days, these courtiers seemed to have negotiated as if they had discussed it. Zhongshu Sheng, left and right Pushe, together with the six ministers, staged a wheel battle in the courtroom, taking turns to remonstrate and establish a new imperial husband.
Nangong Jingnv has been abruptly walked away several times, but every unhappy breakup in the courthouse does not seem to make these courtiers "take it as soon as it is good", until the next day after the discussion on the government affairs report is over. , someone will jump out to mention this.
Nangong Jingnu glanced at the crowd kneeling on the imperial steps and felt her temples beating suddenly.
Nangong Jingnv had been forced to the point of no choice, and she was even more tempered by this group of stubborn courtiers, and sighed weakly: "I am in charge of my own marriage, and my family should not be too lenient. Now. The time is right... I, I will consider it."
The Book of Hubu Shangshu: "Your Majesty's words are wrong. The country is the foundation of the world. Since we are ministers, we will naturally try our best to protect the inheritance of the Great Wei River and Mountains. Since it is a matter of the state and the world, there is no reason for us to sit idly by and ignore it. ?"
Nangong Jingnu: "The Minister of the Household! You..."
The Minister of the Household: "Your Majesty, the old minister is very determined. If he commits the crime of trespassing, the old minister is willing to accept the punishment, but the matter of the state reserve... must not be delayed any longer!"
Everyone: "This minister agrees, Your Majesty think twice!"
Nangong Jingnu's hand holding the armrest of the faucet tightened and tightened, and in the end she could only make the same decision for several days in a row - to retreat.
Fortunately, these courtiers did not have the courage to stop the emperor's path...
On the way back to the dormitory, Nangong Jingnu's steps were particularly heavy, and at this moment there was nothing but regret in her heart.
It's just that I was immature back then. After learning that Agula actually killed his father, I couldn't calm down and think about it. If I was more mature at that time, would I be able to make other decisions
Thinking of this, Nangong Jingnu stopped, looked up at the blue and cloudless sky, and finally let out a long sigh.
Maybe... not.
In the circumstances at that time, no matter whether he could endure it or not, it was impossible for him and Agula to keep their marriage status. Complaining means closing the case, and I simply admit it by retreating, so that I can stop the mouths of the courtiers and let Agula live...
At such a critical moment at that time, how could he tolerate a trace of greed in his heart? If one is not handled well, even she can't keep it.
Moreover, although at this time, he has decided to grow old with Qi Yanbai, only he knows what pressure and price he will bear. On the one hand, I don't want the Emperor's Mausoleum to be empty. A person who has a deep-rooted love for killing his father and enemies, how can he be qualified to enter the Emperor's Mausoleum, and how can he be qualified to face the ancestors
Nangong Jingnv had already made up her mind, even if there were Jiuquan, she would be willing to bear all the guilt, even if it was going up the mountain of knives, going to the frying pan, it would be irreversible... She was also willing.
However, there are still many helpless people living in the world. Even the emperor cannot be exempted from this. Since he has become the emperor, he has the responsibility and obligation to pass on the country of Dawei. If the imperial power cannot be changed smoothly and excessively, the world will not know. How much more blood will be shed.
Prosperity, the people suffer, death, the people suffer even more.
Nangong Jingnv screened all the children of the royal family in her mind. After the death of the first prince, Nangong Ping, he couldn't even enjoy the honor of the vassal king. Naturally, his descendants could not be considered.
The second and fourth princes are still in the world, and they have been stripped of the golden book and jade ultimatum because of the case of disgust. Although they are still imprisoned in the inner court, they have lost their royal status in terms of etiquette, and neither can their children.
The third brother... does have a son, but he doesn't seem to be a few years younger than himself, so naturally he can't adopt it.
King Wuge Yu committed the crime of treason, although the court did not pursue it... but the courtiers who adopted him would not agree.
The sixth brother has no children, the whereabouts of the seventh is unknown, and the eighth is even more impossible.
Only Fu'er and the boy who had adopted the second sister's lap were left, but these two boys were foreigners. If he was over fifty, he would be an option, but he was only twenty-four years old this year...
"Hey..." Nangong Jingnu let out a long sigh and continued walking with tired steps.
It doesn't seem possible to adopt this path. Could it be... Do you really want to give birth to a boy with another man
The corners of Nangong Jingnu's mouth trembled, revealing a bitter smile: If I could have known earlier that Agula was a woman... Would I have promised my father to inherit the throne
Along the way, I have lost so much, my brothers and feet have withered away, I have been in danger several times, and finally ascended to the throne of God. What is the purpose of being the first female emperor in the ancient times
…
That night, Nangong Jingnu brought another jar of wine to Qi Yan. Gu Ruolan used to go to bed early, and Qi Yan was reading a book in front of the night pearl.
Nangong Jingnu entered the dormitory, and Qi Yan stood up to greet her, "See Your Majesty."
Nangong Jingnu said lightly, "Come with me for a drink."
It was already past dinner time, and there were only two plates of cakes on the table that could barely be used as a drink. Qi Yan frowned and looked at Nangong Jingnu without a trace, trying to read something on the other's face. information, but unfortunately the latter was well hidden, pretending not to know with an indifferent expression, letting Qi Yan look at it.
Qi Yan didn't see anything, so she could only ask, "Your Majesty... why are you drinking again?"
Nangong Jingnu: "If you want to drink it, drink it. After finally becoming the emperor, what's wrong with enjoying a bit of freedom?"
Qi Yan: "Of course, I can serve your Majesty's wine."
…
Qi Yan didn't do anything to dissuade her. Nangong Jingnv didn't call to stop, so she kept pouring wine. Nangong Jingnv's drinking volume seemed to have recovered a little. some drunk.
Qi Yan poured the last bit of wine into the glass: "Your Majesty, this is the last glass."
Nangong Jingnv gave a "hmm" and shook the half-full wine glass, suddenly laughing.
Without waiting for Qi Yan to speak, he drank the wine in the cup.
Putting down the wine glass, a sense of dizziness struck, Nangong Jingnu supported the table with one hand, and closed her eyes with her forehead closed.
Qi Yan: "Your Majesty is drunk, let me cook a bowl of sober soup for His Majesty."
Nangong Jingnu: "No need, it takes time to get things, don't bother."
Qi Yan: "This drink has a soft aftertaste. It's time to get a headache tomorrow morning."
Nangong Jingnu grabbed Qi Yan's hand: "I said no, no need!"
Qi Yan: "...Yes."
Nangong Jingnu sighed, let go of Qi Yan's hand, and muttered, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be angry with you."
Qi Yan: "Your Majesty, what troubles have you encountered?"
Nangong Jingnu opened her mouth. This time, even though she was full of grievances and anguish, she couldn't tell the person in front of her. Her health is not good and her mind is narrow. If she speaks out, it may aggravate her condition, which is something I absolutely don't want to see.
Nangong Jingnu: "Tonight, can I stay with you?"
Qi Yan: "Okay."
Qi Yan turned over to make the bed, and came back to help Nangong Jingnu go to bed.
The stamina of the wine came up, and Nangong Jingnv could not stand steadfastly, so Qi Yan had to half hug and half support, hugging Nangong Jingnv's waist and slowly moving towards the bed.
Qi Yan looked at Nangong Jingnu, her red cheeks and blurred eyes, smelled the faint smell of alcohol, and her heart became heavy.
Even if Nangong Jingnu didn't say anything, even if she didn't see any clues, she could guess that the person in her arms encountered trouble again, and it was the kind of trouble that was difficult to digest and deal with for a while.
Qi Yan only hated herself for not being able to share her worries for Nangong Jingnu as she did before, watching her work hard for the world, the only way to solve it was a jar of wine, and Qi Yan hated her incompetence even more.
Nangong Jingnu: "What are you looking at?"
Qi Yan: "... Naturally, I'm looking at Your Majesty."
Nangong Jingnu showed a bright smile despite the pain in her heart, but... This smile fell in Qi Yan's eyes, which made people feel more distressed.
Nangong Jingnv hugged Qi Yan with her backhand, rested her forehead on Qi Yan's shoulder, withdrew the expression on her face, and asked in a mocking manner: "If... I accidentally become the ruler of a subjugated country, what should I do? how?"
Qi Yan immediately thought of what might be the problem with the court, and caressed Nangong Jingnv's three thousand green silks, and said softly, "No, your Majesty works hard to govern, is diligent in government and loves the people, and he will definitely not be the king of a subjugated country."
Nangong Jingnu rubbed against Qi Yan's arms and slowly closed her eyes.
…
That night, Nangong Jingnu pulled Qi Yan and asked for herself.
For several days, Nangong Jingnu stayed at Qi Yan's side every night, but every morning she put on her court clothes and left alone...
It's just that Nangong Jingnv, who left, did not go to the court, but returned to Ganquan Palace alone, and stayed out of the house.
Qi Yan thought that Nangong Jingnu went to court early every day, but the truth is: Her Majesty the Empress has stopped court for ten days.
The courtiers also knew the reason, but no one planned to retreat. They came every day, and then received the imperial decree from the courtier in the Houzheng Hall to announce the suspension of the court. The husband's book was handed up, and they left in groups of three or five.
Therefore, although Nangong Jingnv escaped from the court, she did not escape the persecution of the courtiers. Since she ascended the throne, the matter of approving and reviewing memorials has never been delegated to the three departments, but now this matter has become the heaviest thing in her heart. shackles.
Seeing the mountains of memorials piled up every day, Nangong Jingnu felt conflicted in her heart, but she was worried that she would miss the memorials of other contents, and patiently opened them one by one, and then she was injured again and again.
On the fifteenth day when the Empress stopped court, Zhongshu Sheng Zuo Pushe appeared in Ganquan Palace together with the six ministers, and left and right Pushe knelt down on the ground.
Respectfully invite the Empress to come to the court, and state affairs are the most important.
Nangong Jingnu had no choice but to return to the courtroom, but the courtiers did not "learn the lesson" at all. It seemed that they had eaten the scales and continued to persuade the empress to establish the emperor's husband as soon as possible...
This month is the longest month for Nangong Jingwo... However, it is impossible for her and Qi Yan to have children.
If she was asked to abandon Qi Yan and marry someone else, Nangong Jingnu would not be willing to die.
Finally, the pressure of nowhere to speak broke out... Nangong Jingnv reprimanded the Zuo servant of Zhongshu Province for shooting Lu Boyan in court, fined him three years' salary, and ordered him to think behind closed doors for a month.
When the courtiers saw that Her Majesty the Empress was really angry, they stopped.
Chengqi three years, golden autumn and October.
This year is a very important year for the court. Since the world was granted amnesty and tax reduction and exemption, this is the first year for the court to restore taxes. Whether it can fill the treasury depends on this autumn.
The Ministry of Household, Dasinong's staff were dispatched to various places early to monitor the tax collection with the local government offices. The good news finally came. The tax revenue reported to the Ministry of Household was collected and the national treasury was filled a lot.
Just when Nangong Jingnv felt that there was finally a good thing to let her breathe a sigh of relief, another report fell on Nangong Jingnv's imperial case...
The minister Lu Xingwan, the military envoy of the Jiedu of Luonan, reported to His Majesty the death. On the third day of the third month of the third month in the third year of Chengqi, a plague broke out in the army temporarily stationed on the south bank of Luochuan. At first, it was only a battalion of soldiers with weak limbs, vomiting and diarrhea. Unaccustomed to the soil and water, then three days later, the disease broke out.
At the time of writing, more than half of the officers and men in the army were killed or injured due to the plague, and 80% lost their fighting power. Please, Your Majesty, decide.
…
Nangong Jingnv was shocked when she read the memorial. This Luonan Jiedushi was a new local army set up by Nangong Jingnv. It was said to be Luonan Jiedu, but there was only one army under its main jurisdiction. It was stationed in the south of Luochuan. A total of 80,000 people.
It was when Jiya returned to Luobei that Nangong Jingnv sent an iron cavalry to support Jiya's cavalry on the edge of Luonan. After Jiya succeeded in becoming the Jiedu envoy of North Kyushu, Nangong Jingnv listened to Qi Yan's suggestion and sent the troops to the army. It became a permanent garrison, mainly to defend against Qi Yan's sworn brother who killed Luo Chuan...
When an accident happened to this unit, Nangong Jingnu only felt the slightest coolness behind her back. She immediately ordered someone to bring all the memorials in the past few days, and found that almost all the memorials submitted by all counties in Luonan area adjacent to this unit were It is a bumper harvest, and no state capital has mentioned an epidemic.
If... It's not impossible for the local state government to hide it or not report it, but this year is special. The imperial court has sent people to various places early, so the memorials presented are two copies, one is from the local government, and the other is sent by the imperial court. past officials.
Nangong Jingnu looked through the memorial again with full of suspicion and consternation, and confirmed that she did not make any mistakes. All the counties south of Luochuan had a bumper harvest, and there was no news of the epidemic.
Could it be that... this epidemic is only in the military? How is this possible? Although the population of the army is relatively concentrated, the sanitary conditions are relatively good, and it is close to the water source. How could there be a plague
Nangong Jingnu's heart is alarming. You must know that it is now October. Although the autumn tiger is still entrenched in the capital, the Luochuan River can be regarded as late autumn. After all, according to the usual practice, it will snow in November in Luobei. Several counties south of Luochuan are not too late for a few days. It is impossible for a large-scale plague to break out in such a season!
Could it be that…