As soon as this question came out, not only did the old eunuch's hands tremble, but Yin Zhaoxian's body and mind also trembled. Can such a question be answered casually
Yin Zhaoxian got down from the chair almost the moment he heard the words, knelt directly in front of the bed, raised his hands high and lowered his head without raising his head.
"Your Majesty, Wei Chen is just a state magistrate. He is far away from the capital and does not know the affairs of the court. He also knows very little about the two princes. In terms of qualifications and understanding, it is not Wei Chen's turn to answer this question anyway. Can he determine my fidelity? In the future, it can only be your Majesty. As long as you are the prince appointed by your Majesty, I will do my best to assist you!"
Yin Zhaoxian said this urgently, quickly and clearly, and he did not dare to raise his head to look at Emperor Yuande's expression.
The old emperor just leaned on the bedside and looked at Yin Zhaoxian's panic.
"Yin Aiqing, get up and sit down to talk and give me tea."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Only then did Yin Zhaoxian dare to get up, and the old eunuch beside him quickly came up with tea.
"Thank you so much, father-in-law!"
"Master Yin, you don't have to be polite."
The emperor was not in a hurry to speak, and just watched Yin Zhaoxian drink tea.
Yin Zhaoxian thought quickly in his mind. Judging from the previous question, today's matter may not be avoided, but he felt that he had never done anything wrong. Even though King Jin gave him a lot of help, he was just grateful, but There was no intention of taking sides.
After Yin Zhaoxian drank some tea, the old emperor calmed down and spoke again.
"Yin Aiqing, do you know why Gu values you?"
Yin Zhaoxian knew in his heart that he must be loyal and capable, but he couldn't say this himself.
"Your Majesty has made his own decision."
"Because although you, Yin Zhaoxian, have character and are loyal, you are not a pedantic minister. There is no other person in the government or the public who can do as well as you in the Wanzhou matter. If you were to change someone else, you would either be complicit or have a bloody head." If the flow hits him, even if he is lucky, he will also think about cleaning up Wanzhou... "
"It only takes two years to get Wanzhou back on track. The tax revenue in spring and summer alone is twice as much as Wanzhou's annual tax revenue. The people of Wanzhou are living and working in peace and contentment. You can be considered as the greatest contributor."
Yin Zhaoxian put down the tea cup and bowed his hands.
"The situation in Wanzhou is due to His Majesty's divine grace. Nowadays, no one in Wanzhou knows that the emperor nods to eradicate corrupt officials, but I am just carrying out His Majesty's will!"
"Hahahaha... It's extraordinary for you, Yin Zhao, to take pictures of horses first."
"Your Majesty, if you look closely, it's dragon farts!"
Yin Zhao smiled first, making the old emperor smile even more heartily.
Many of the eunuchs nearby wiped their sweat secretly, while others patted their chests quietly.
The old emperor looked at the frosty white hair on Yin Zhaoxian's head. Considering that Yin Zhaoxian was almost forty years old, these white hairs were already considered too much, which showed how much effort he had put into the Wanzhou matter.
"Yin Aiqing, looking back, in Gu's life, his fortune has always been there. Even the unpredictable path to immortality has been close at hand several times..."
Yin Zhaoxian couldn't help but think of some rumors about the Gyeonggi Prefecture Water and Land Conference, especially "catching the moon in the water" and "killing the immortal" were the most widely circulated, and various versions were derived among the people, even in Wanzhou.
If it were not related to the Dazhen Yang royal family, there would probably be multiple versions of the storyteller. Even so, it would be enough for Yin Zhaoxian to understand some things.
Generally speaking, the emperor himself was not sure about it, especially the matter of "killing the immortal", which was regarded as strange and extraordinary, and it was also embarrassing enough.
"Today, Gu's time is running out, and I have looked past these things. I can leave, but this Dazhen is my Yang family's country after all. I don't want Dazhen to be in chaos after Gu's death."
Yin Zhaoxian just listened quietly and gave up again.
"God bless your majesty, God bless you!"
The old emperor waved his hand.
"I asked you just now which of the two princes is worthy of a big job. It was actually not a joke. Gu Xunxian has been asking for so long. Although he has not been able to get the right results, he has still seen some miraculous things. I am more willing to believe that you, Yin Zhaoxian, have great righteousness. Wanzhou That kind of black quagmire can't touch you at all. Not to mention the future, you are already a minister of the imperial court. "
Emperor Yuan De said so many words in one breath and rested for a while before continuing.
"I heard a heavenly master say that there are very few people in the world who possess great righteousness. In the wild, they are virtuous and great scholars. If they can write books and biographies and create schools of thought, if they enter the court, they will be famous ministers and virtuous ministers. Able to recognize the king's dim light..."
Speaking of this, the old emperor suddenly asked with a smile.
"Yin Aiqing, tell me, is Gu a wise king or a foolish king?"
Yin Zhaoxian frowned, looked at the emperor, and cupped his hands.
"As far as I am concerned, Your Majesty is naturally a wise king!"
"As for you... Haha, let me ask you again, are the King of Wu and the King of Jin stupid?"
This question raised the hearts of everyone in the palace again. Yin Zhaoxian took a deep breath, closed his eyes and thought for a while, and then slowly spoke.
"The two highnesses have different personalities. In terms of intelligence, they are both the best choice among people. They are not mediocre and incompetent people!"
"Oh? You don't have any inclination in your heart? If I'm not mistaken, you were also present at the New Year's Eve family banquet at Prince Jin's Mansion before spring?"
When the old emperor said this, he kept staring at Yin Zhaoxian, but he did not see that the other party was as frightened as before.
"Your Majesty is right. Weichen was indeed present at the time. Being invited to the palace as a white man also surprised Weichen."
Since the emperor knew about this kind of thing, Yin Zhaoxian didn't want to make any excuses. He bowed to show respect and acknowledged it in a low voice.
The emperor nodded and then spoke.
"Everyone retreat, just leave Yin Aiqing alone!"
Several eunuchs looked at each other, and then slowly exited the palace after receiving the order. The only ones left in the huge room were the old emperor on the hospital bed and Yin Zhaoxian on the low chair in front of the bed.
The old emperor looked at Yin Zhaoxian very seriously
"Yin Aiqing, you and Gu are the only two people in the palace at the moment. I can tell you with peace of mind that Gu Sheng is not guilty of you. Which of the two princes do you think is worthy of the important position?"
The question is still the same, and Yin Zhaoxian knows that he cannot avoid it today. He needs to guess the emperor's mind and needs a perfect answer. If he is wrong, even if the emperor's previous words are high-sounding, he may not be able to escape death.
Yin Zhaoxian could feel that the old emperor's previous compliments were sincere, but the more he valued his ability, the harder it was to answer this question incorrectly. A capable minister who was at odds with the emperor and had a huge influence...
Yin Zhaoxian did not dare to be distracted and think too much. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he exhaled, he opened his eyes. He also looked at the emperor very seriously, and his eyes met without giving in.
"Your Majesty, I have made it clear that both Your Highnesses are talented people. No matter who succeeds the great treasure..."
Having said this, Yin Zhaoxian stood up, his tone slightly aggravated, and when he bowed, he looked directly at the emperor, and said with a sense of swearing.
"As long as His Highness trusts me, I will do my best to assist you, to protect the prosperity of the world, to protect the destiny of our country, to establish the teachings of the world, and to strictly enforce the laws of the country. As long as I, Yin Zhaoxian, live in peace, the government will not be in chaos. ! Weichen is confident that he has this ability!”
When Yin Zhaoxian said these words, his whole body was filled with awe-inspiring righteousness, and he even had some strange visions. From the naked eye of Emperor Yuan De, he felt that the room was brightly lit, and his heart was deeply shaken.
Emperor Yuande didn't speak for a long time.
"Okay! Okay! Okay! Gu, I believe you!"
After coming back to his senses, he said "yes" three times in a row, supported himself, stretched out a hand, and lifted up Yin Zhaoxian's bowed hands.
"I will give you the Iron Coupon of the Alchemy Book. I hope you will not forget what I said today!"
"My lord, I will not give up even if I die!"
Emperor Yuande smiled. This was not the usual majestic smile, but a relaxed smile.
"Sit, sit."
"yes!"
Yin Zhao first held the emperor steady and then sat back down.
"Actually, Gu Ye knows that King Jin is more talented than King Wu. He even likes King Jin more..."
To Yin Zhaoxian, the way these words were opened was not good news for King Jin. As expected, the conversation changed after the old emperor.
"But King Wu is the legitimate eldest son. He has abided by his duties and made no mistakes for many years. His prestige in the court is not small, and he is not mediocre. Haha, after all, they are all Gu's sons. Their temperament is clear, and Gu will give love. I leave you a secret decree. If the one who succeeds in the future wants to kill your brother, please take it out..."
Yin Zhaoxian sighed secretly, basically understanding who the old emperor wanted to choose.
"I have decided to pass on the throne to the eldest prince. The edict of passing the throne will be promulgated in ten days. I must assist you wholeheartedly!"
"My lord, I obey the order!"
Before Yin Zhaoxian's buttocks were warm from sitting, he left the chair again and knelt directly in front of the bed to salute.
. . .
In Prince Jin's Mansion, Prince Yang Hao of Jin stood in the garden pavilion and looked at the gloomy sky outside. Accompanying him were young master Li Mu Shu and the head of the Chu family.
"Your Highness, Mr. Yin went straight to the palace when he entered Beijing this morning. He didn't even take a break in the middle. He hasn't come out yet..."
The head of the Chu family drank the tea in his cup and asked.
"Um."
Prince Jin just responded without saying anything else.
Li Mu Shu, who was already showing his age, stroked his long beard and looked at the back of King Jin.
"Your Majesty should be more concerned about Yin Zhizhou's opinions. Does Your Highness think Yin Zhizhou will find a way to help you?"
King Jin turned to look at his teacher, who was already very old, shook his head and sighed.
"Unless my eldest brother is really unbearable... Hey, Yin Zhaoxian is not such a person... Father's body... Why can't it last a few more years..."
Compared with King Wu, King Jin very much hoped that Emperor Yuande would be healthy for a few more years. This was not only a matter of filial piety, but also an important factor in the fight for the great treasure.
I originally thought I had at least five years left, but the water and land competition was too exciting, and my father's body collapsed too quickly. This has to be said to be a kind of irony...
. . .
At this moment, Prince Wu’s Mansion.
Wine was being cooked in front of King Wu's hall, and there were fruits on the table. Sitting with him were two confidants, a minister of war and a man from Shangshu Province.
The atmosphere here is relatively more relaxed than that of Prince Jin's Mansion. King Wu Yang Qing also knows that the current situation is very beneficial to him. The other princes have nothing to worry about, and his third brother, Prince Jin, is still in his infancy.
"Yin Zhao has been in the palace for a long time, right?"
The King of Wu naturally values Yin Zhaoxian very highly, but he is definitely a capable minister. He has already tried to win over him several times. Although Yin Zhaoxian has not expressed his opinion, at least he should have a good impression.
Moreover, he is far away in Wanzhou and knows very little about the affairs of the capital, so he is unlikely to have any inclinations.
After hearing what King Wu said, the people around him nodded in response.
"Well, it must have lasted for two hours. Your Majesty thinks highly of Yin Zhaoxian, so summoning him now is..."
In the middle of what the official of Shangshu Province was talking about, he was interrupted by rapid shouts.
"Your Highness~~~Your Highness~~~"
A servant in gray clothes ran quickly from outside to the hall.
"What's wrong?"
King Wu frowned and asked.
The servant took a few breaths to calm down and handed over a note.
"Top secret news came from the palace..."
The servant looked at the two officials beside him.
However, King Wu regarded others as his confidants and didn't care. He immediately opened the paper seal and looked at it. The more he looked at it, the paler his face became.
"Yin, Zhao, Xian... turned out to be the third child! My father actually asked him several times in a row about the choice of the heir apparent, and then he backed away, leaving Yin Zhaoxian alone!"
"What!" "How did Your Highness know?"
The two ministers next to him also looked shocked.
"Father, there are people of mine beside me, you can see for yourselves..."
King Wu handed the note to the two of them, with a gloomy expression on his face and gritted teeth...