Emperor Xuande sent people to inquire several times, and finally confirmed that Emperor Liao had indeed died of illness while hunting. The 28-year-old Empress Dowager Xiao colluded with Han Rang, the prime minister of Liao, and pushed the ten-year-old eldest son to the throne. Empress Dowager Xiao was regent. Han Rang Fuguo. It was rumored that the Empress Dowager Xiao and Han Rang had an affair, for which the Liao royal family was quite dissatisfied, which was a sign of chaos.
The chaos in the Liao Kingdom is an opportunity for Da Zhou.
At the end of October, the Xuande Emperor proposed to send troops, and as soon as he said it, he was resolutely opposed by the Prime Minister Song Qi. Song Qi was promoted by Emperor Xuande alone, and he was a confidant of Emperor Xuande, but Song Qi was not the kind of person who only flattered. He believed that although the Liao Kingdom was in civil strife, once Da Zhou sent troops, the Liao Kingdom would quickly agree to the outside world. Relieve foreign aggression. However, the Liao soldiers are brave and good at fighting, and the Da Zhou is difficult to defeat. Instead of sending troops to mobilize the army, it is better to wait for the Liao country to fight against other enemy countries and lose both, and then Da Zhou will take advantage of the situation to retake the fourteen states of Youyun.
Of course, Emperor Xuande didn't want to wait any longer. He was already in his fifties. If he missed this great opportunity, he might not have a chance in his life. He wouldn't have the chance to regain the Fourteen Youyun Provinces, and he wouldn't have the chance to wash away the shame of the last arrow defeat. There is no chance to surpass the Shengming of his elder brother, Emperor Gaozu.
Song Qi was the prime minister, and the prime minister's attitude was firm, and Emperor Xuande could not ignore it. The reason was untenable. After a few days, Emperor Xuande found a few memorials that had been impeached by the imperial censor but were suppressed by him, and they were withdrawn. He became the prime minister of Song Qi and was demoted to a local official position. With one removed, Emperor Xuande promoted Li He, the former deputy prime minister, to prime minister.
With Song Qi's lessons learned, Li He shut his mouth wisely and did not object.
After the early dynasty, Zhao Heng caught up with his father, and hoped that his father would consider it carefully. The Liao Dynasty was in danger of civil strife, and Da Zhou was also in danger of Shu. However, when Emperor Xuande heard his son start, he interrupted with a sullen face: "I have decided on the Northern Expedition, Yuanxiu doesn't need to say it again." After saying this, he strode towards the Chongzheng Hall.
Zhao Heng paused, and several important officials of the Privy Council passed by him, saluted silently, and then left silently.
Zhao Heng saw Guo Xiao, the young general was following behind a group of veterans, his back was tall and straight. However, with internal and external troubles ahead, Zhao Heng pressed down his grievance with Guo Xiao in a flash, and left with a heavy heart.
In the second half, the gloomy sky finally fell with snowflakes. Zhao Heng returned to the palace to discuss the war with two aides.
Zhang Chong sighed: "My lord, the Fourteenth State of Youyun is the emperor's heart disease. It coincides with the civil strife in Liao, and the emperor will never give up. The lord has persuaded him once. Next, let's wait and see what happens." The one on the dragon chair Since he ascended the throne, he has been extremely arbitrary, and when he is willing to listen to people's persuasion, it is usually the other person's persuasion that coincides with him.
Zhao Heng also knew his father, so he remained silent.
Next door to the Duke of Wei's mansion, it was dark and Guo Xiaocai came back from the Ma military camp. After greeting the elders, Guo Xiao strode back to his Yihexuan, entered the courtyard and instructed Ah Shun: "Go and invite Mr. Xun. ."
Ah Shun nodded and went to the hospital to invite someone.
A quarter of an hour later, Xun Changru stepped into the prince's study alone, and Ah Shun was guarding outside.
"Sir, sit down." Guo Xiao got up, and the dignified and dignified Shizi in front of the servants was quite courteous to Xun Changru. At the beginning of the year, Guo Xiao was instructed to lead troops to Dingzhou to suppress the bandits. On the way, he met a ragged old man of Pentecost who ranted to him, claiming that as long as Guo Xiao acted according to his plan, he would conquer the bandits without a single soldier.
And that person was Xun Changru.
With the attitude of trying it out, Guo Xiao brought Xun Changru along with him to suppress the bandits, and then, as Xun Changru said, he did kill the bandits smoothly and smoothly. Guo Xiao is the prince, born arrogant, but he treats truly talented wise men with courtesy, especially when he has something in his heart.
"What's the matter with the eldest son?" Xun Changru returned the salute, and after taking his seat, he looked at the man across from him and asked.
Guo Xiao said bluntly: "In the early morning today, the emperor has decided to send troops to the north in February at the latest. What is your opinion on this battle?"
Xun Changru stroked his beard and said for a while, "At war between the two countries, we pay attention to the right time, place and harmony. In the current situation, it is true that I have a better chance of winning, but the situation on the battlefield is changing, so I made a battle strategy in advance and led the troops. The general may also respond randomly, the variables are too large, and no one can be fully sure.”
Guo Xiao nodded. In fact, whether Emperor Xuande should send troops or not, he didn't care too much. Guo Xiao was concerned about another matter and whispered: "King Shou seems to be against the Northern Expedition, and also mentioned the land of Shu. What does the Northern Expedition have to do with it?" King Shou was in Zhongshu Province, he was a military attache, and he didn't know much about major events outside the war.
Although Xun Changru lived in the Duke of Wei's mansion, he had no official position and would go out during the day. He knew everything a counselor should know. He nodded and briefly explained to Guo Xiao what he knew about the situation in Shu. : "Shu people are difficult, the government continues to force it, and sooner or later it will be turned against. His Royal Highness King Shou should also see this point."
Shu people want to rebel...
Guo Xiao lowered his eyes, but a crazy thought appeared in his heart, like wild bamboo shoots after rain, slowly occupying his whole heart.
~
The civil servants were reluctant to go on the Northern Expedition, and Princess Duanhui was also unwilling to fight again. As soon as her father was busy fighting, she would have to postpone her marriage. Second, her cousin Yingwu, the father would definitely send her cousin to go on an expedition. Princess Duanhui has already experienced Once my cousin almost died in battle, I never wanted my cousin to have an accident again.
"Mother, please help me beg the emperor, don't let him send his cousin to send troops." In Changchun Palace, Princess Duanhui chased Concubine Shu, and she followed Concubine Shu wherever she went. She had to ask her mother to agree to her. Willing to give up.
Concubine Shu was entangled in her daughter's headache, so she had no choice but to put down the scissors in her hand and stopped taking care of the flowers and plants. She returned to the Luohan bed and sat down, leaning lazily and rubbing her forehead irritably.
"Mother, don't you worry about cousin?" Princess Duanhui cried anxiously, lying in her mother's arms, crying more and more: "It's okay to delay the marriage, if cousin has three strengths and two weaknesses, then I will not live... "
"Shut up." Concubine Shu covered her daughter's small mouth, not allowing her to talk nonsense.
"Mother, go and beg your father..." Princess Duanhui began to shake her mother's arm.
"Don't shake it, it's useless for anyone to ask for what your father decides." Concubine Shu suddenly had a seizure and stared at her daughter unhappily. Marquis Yu, it is time to serve the country. Since you are the future consort, you should set an example for the soldiers. Do you think that if your mother goes to beg, your father and emperor will delay the Northern Expedition because of the love of their children?"
The emperor has already been defeated once. Two arrows were shot in the thigh by the Liao Kingdom. It is a shame and a great humiliation. He must repay it with all his strength. His nephew Guo Xiao is a fierce general of Da Zhou.
"Instead of making trouble unreasonably, it's better to put a few incense sticks for your cousin and father, and ask the Bodhisattva to bless them with a great victory in this battle." Leaving her daughter behind, Concubine Shu went to the inner room with a sullen face.
Princess Duanhui looked at her mother and left angrily. She just cried because she was worried about her cousin's accident, but now she was wronged. Her father didn't care for her anymore, and her mother didn't decide for her anymore. They were all down, but they were delayed again and again, and they couldn't get married even if they wanted to. Song Jianing was pregnant with a second child!
Mother didn't care about her, Princess Duanhui wiped her eyes, lowered her head and ran out, ready to go back to her side and cry again.
As soon as she ran out, she saw a familiar figure standing in front of the courtyard. It was the fiancé she was thinking of. Princess Duanhui cried even more, and ran over desperately to throw herself into her cousin's arms.
There were eunuchs and palace maids standing in the yard. When Guo Xiao looked over, those people had already lowered their heads spontaneously. Guo Xiao did not dodge, but opened his arms and hugged his cousin who was crying with tears. Princess Duanhui was crying so hard that Guo Xiao didn't know what she was crying, and he didn't want to understand. "It's not good for people to see."
Princess Duanhui sniffed, thinking that she was probably ugly like this, she turned around quickly, and asked, "Why is my cousin here?"
"look at you."
A low-pitched answer came from behind, with three simple words, but with no tenderness. The first time she heard her sweetheart speak to her in such a tone, Princess Duanhui was stunned, and then she couldn't help sweetening her heart, and for the time being she forgot the grievance she had just received from her mother. Taking care of her temples, Princess Duanhui turned back slowly, raised her head, and bumped into those dark eyes.
Princess Duanhui's heart beat faster, and she lowered her head in panic.
"I'm going to greet my aunt first?" Guo Xiao asked, looking at the room.
Princess Duanhui pouted and snorted softly.
Guo Xiao laughed: "What's wrong?"
Princess Duanhui didn't have the nerve to tell him that she was looking forward to getting married, but only mentioned that she was worried about him going to the battlefield. Guo Xiao was definitely going to go to war. Hearing this, he sighed, raised his hand to grab Princess Duanhui's hand, stretched it half way, but retracted it, looked at Princess Duanhui's trembling eyelashes and said, "I'm here for this too. Cousin, when I go, I may not be able to retreat, if…”
"No, cousin will definitely come back with meritorious service!" Princess Duanhui said anxiously, not wanting him to say unlucky words.
Guo Xiao smiled, a bit doting and a bit bitter, and his black eyes looked deeply into Princess Duanhui's eyes: "Cousin, although you and I have a marriage contract, but in case I do, I hope you can Forget me, marry a man who treats you well, for a lifetime..."
"You are not allowed to say it!" Princess Duanhui burst into tears, threw herself into Guo Xiao's arms again, hugged him tightly, and choked up: "You are not allowed to say that, cousin, I am yours in life and your ghost in death. If you try to persuade me to marry someone else, I will die for you right away!"
While crying, he said, with deep affection, Guo Xiao was slightly moved, but he already had another girl in his heart, one he couldn't help wanting to bully when he first met, and later he wanted to protect her under his wings A girl who is greedy and delicious, a woman who avoids him cautiously and suspiciously.
Without Song Jianing, Guo Xiao would marry his cousin and be nice to his cousin, but in this world, there is her.
"Cousin, you, what are you doing, I'm not worth your wait." Closing his eyes, Guo Xiao told her the truth for the first time.
"I'm going to wait!" Princess Duanhui wiped away her tears, raised her head and looked at the man above her head, she suddenly made a decision, her eyes were bright and said: "I'll go to the father and ask the father to arrange our marriage immediately. , cousin, I want to marry you, marry you before you go to war, if you don't want me to be a widow, come back early!"
Guo Xiao looked at her in shock.
Princess Duanhui let go of her hand and ran away without looking back.
Guo Xiao chased after him and tried to persuade him several times on the way, but Princess Duanhui didn't listen and ran all the way to the outside of the Chongzheng Palace. Princess Duanhui was lucky, and Emperor Xuande happened to be free. Hearing that his daughter and Guo Xiao came together, Emperor Xuande unexpectedly raised his head from the memorial.
"Your Majesty, the princess was impulsive, but the minister failed to persuade him in time. Please forgive me." After entering, Guo Xiao knelt down first.
Just as Emperor Xuande was about to ask what was going on, Princess Duanhui also threw herself on her knees beside Guo Xiao, raised her head, and said with tears in her eyes: "Father, if you send your cousin to lead the army, let me marry him first! Otherwise, don't ask him to leave Beijing!"
Emperor Xuande frowned.
Guo Xiao had a terrible headache, and once again took the blame on himself: "Emperor, the princess is young. If the emperor wants to blame the minister, if the minister went to visit the aunt, the princess would not..."
"Even if you don't go, I will beg the emperor!" Princess Duanhui said excitedly, and then continued to beg Emperor Xuande to help her.
Emperor Xuande finally figured out what was going on, and it was a headache for a while. My daughter, who I have been loving for more than ten years, suddenly cried and begged him to marry her. No father in the world would be happy, but thinking about her daughter's marriage has been postponed once, and this time it will be postponed again, Xuande The emperor also has no confidence to blame his daughter's disobedience.
Emperor Xuande came over, helped his daughter, and tried to coax: "The war is imminent, and it is too hasty to get married at this time, I don't want my princess to be wronged, Duan Hui will wait, and when Pingzhang Ligong comes back, I will make you beautiful Light's marriage."
"I don't want it, I'm going to marry him now." Princess Duanhui hugged her father and cried: "Father, last time my cousin's life was hanging by a thread and he almost didn't come back, I'm afraid, One... Father, I beg you, my daughter doesn't want to be beautiful, she just wants to marry her cousin happily..."
"Princess, this minister promises to return safely, please don't embarrass the emperor again." Guo Xiao persuaded bitterly.
Princess Duanhui didn't listen: "I don't believe you!"
The cousins and sisters were inseparable in front of him, Emperor Xuande suddenly felt amused, after all, they were all children, especially daughters, too much love between men and women, and the loss of the cousin was like the sky was falling. Emperor Xuande was reluctant to let his daughter cry. Thinking about the situation when Guo Xiao was desperately escorting him back then, he was indeed worthy of his daughter's affection. Emperor Xuande took a deep breath, touched his daughter's head, and said with a smile, "Okay, since you are looking forward to it so much. Marry, I will do as you wish."
"Really?" Princess Duanhui couldn't believe that things would go so smoothly.
"Well, I promise you." Emperor Xuande pinched his daughter's tearful little face.
Princess Duanhui was overjoyed and looked excitedly at her cousin who was still kneeling there.
Guo Xiao was stunned for a moment, but when he came to his senses, ecstasy appeared on his face, and he immediately kowtowed to thank him: "The emperor's love, this minister can't repay it!"
Emperor Xuande helped his prospective son-in-law and patted him on the shoulder vigorously: "I gave my daughter to you as a betrothal gift, and you will give me a city as a betrothal gift?"
"The minister obeys!" Guo Xiao responded in a loud voice, with a high ambition.