Jie Gui appeared outside the East Palace, Jiang Heng raised his eyebrows.
"It's too late," Jie Gui said, "let you go with Zeng Rong and Zhou You."
The Empress Dowager Jiang arrived in Anyang in the evening and summoned the important ministers of Yong State. In the main hall, Juicong was lying quietly, already dying, with a small and sharp whistle from his throat, his chest rising and falling, and his eyes closed.
In the main hall, when Jiang Heng, Zeng Rong and Zhou You arrived, there were already many people in front of Wang's couch. Geng Shu motioned for Jiang Heng to come over and sit beside him, while Zeng Rong and Zhou You took their seats at the end.
In front of Juicong's king's couch, on the left is Prince Taki, on the right is Juicy, and Mrs. Jiang sits in the main seat, while Jie Gui is still standing behind the Queen Mother.
From Empress Dowager Jiang's left hand down, they are Guan Wei, Lu Ji, and Wei Ben, the current head of the Wei family. In the military joint, Chao Luowen was recalled, ranking below Geng Shu, and then the patriarchs: Shan Ze and Shui Jun, Meng He, and Lang Huang.
"Everyone is ready, mother." Ju Ling said softly.
Empress Dowager Jiang was drinking tea, and she didn't even glance at her son. Juicong's current situation was her own fault. In the grief, Prince Taki was still a little distracted. He glanced at Jiang Heng, Jiang Heng nodded, meaning that the matter of the East Palace, don't worry, he is working on it.
Then, Jiang Heng turned his head to Geng Shu again, wondering if the Empress Dowager Jiang would announce his life experience at this moment
Geng Shu held Jiang Heng's hand with one hand, with a little sweat on his palm, obviously a little nervous.
"Your Majesty is afraid that it won't last long," the Queen Mother Jiang said slowly, "taking advantage of this time, since everyone is here, I have to say what I should say, and it's better to prevent variables in advance."
No one answered, all eyes were looking at Juicong.
"I married Luoyan when I was fourteen," said the Empress Dowager Jiang, "I have been with the late king, and now it is my fiftieth year. I gave birth to a child for Yongguo, and you must remember Langer. "
The rest said, "Yes."
Juicang was gentle and courteous at the beginning, and the ruler and his ministers got along with each other. It was the time when Dayong was the most powerful, and it also laid a solid foundation for Juicong to fight around and fight in the future. Otherwise, any country would be as chaotic as Ju Cong, and the family would have been defeated long ago.
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"After Lang'er, it's Cong'er." Empress Dowager Jiang said, "As a monarch over the years, Cong'er has faced many criticisms for his actions. The matter has come to this point.
No one spoke, and everyone knew what a mess Juicong had left.
However, Geng Shu said, "Yes, my father has meritorious deeds, and he has done it. I admit it."
Jiang Heng also agreed with the phrase "merit and demerit". If there is no Juicong to get out of the border, the pattern of the Central Plains will not be broken. He killed too many people in his life, but many people did not need to be killed.
"Now he's leaving," said Empress Dowager Jiang, "you should go forward and see him off. Taki'er, your father has also fulfilled my great wish to take over the Central Plains. Next, this burden will be handed over to you. Here's to you."
Prince Taki choked: "Yes, Grandma Wang."
So everyone started from the juice ling, stepped forward one by one, and bowed to the juice cong. When they got Jiang Heng and Geng Shu, they walked forward hand in hand and kowtowed to him.
At the end, when everyone returned to their places, the Queen Mother Jiang said again: "What should I do next, please let all the ministers talk about it."
No one answered, Guan Wei had not made a statement on government affairs a year ago. Although Lu Ji followed Ju Cong Nan, he acted according to Ju Cong's orders. At this time, he had to insist on Ju Cong's decision before his death, and he would only make fun of himself. He knows that no one in the court and the public praises Juicong's national policy of raising the people of the world as pigs and dogs, just for him to fight and find happiness.
Wei Ben had no right to speak in the court because his father Wei Zhuoheng died in Anyang. Zhou Zeng Gengwei, the four great princes of the Yong Kingdom, now the Wei family has been hit by the Diren rebellion first, and then lost the head of the family, Wei Zhuo, and its power has long since declined.
Jue Ling is only in charge of the army, not government affairs. The remaining clan chiefs were all foreigners, so naturally no one spoke.
After a moment of silence in the hall, Prince Taki said, "Jiang Heng?"
Jiang Heng raised his head, Prince Taki said: "Today, what decision has been made in the East Palace? I remember the details of the reform a year ago, and there are still many to be implemented. Although you were not in the East Palace for the past six months, I insisted on it, never concession."
Jiang Heng smiled and realized that Prince Taki was always working hard - he did not live up to his expectations, even in the face of Ju Cong's majesty.
Zeng Rong and Zhou You were watching Jiang Heng, Jiang Heng cleared his throat and said, "Yes."
The Queen Mother Jiang said: "Just say what you want to say. The people here today are all their own people. Today's Yong is your Yong, and today's world is also your world."
Empress Dowager Jiang's words seemed to be aimed at Juicy, but she was implying that Jiang Heng was a real prince, no matter whether his identity could be recognized or not. In fact, today in the East Palace, all the Juice Cong decrees were abolished, and Jiang Heng was also exercising the duties of the prince.
"I didn't consider myself an outsider," Jiang Heng said, "that would be abrupt."
Everyone couldn't help laughing. Only Ju Ling didn't laugh. She looked at Jiang Heng with a complicated expression. Soon everyone realized that it was inappropriate to laugh now. As Ju Cong was still dying, her face became solemn again. .
"The Yong Kingdom has entered the customs," Jiang Heng said to everyone, "the most urgent task now is to consolidate our country, appease the remains of the Liang Kingdom, and find a new way to coexist with the four kingdoms."
This is what all ministers insist on. It is easy to fight the country, but it is difficult to rule the country. If the people are not beaten down and then managed by thunder, they will be able to surrender. Crazy battles like Juicong will lead to disaster sooner or later.
"That's what I said." Prince Taki said.
Jiang Heng nodded and said, "Temporarily reduce the army and let the Feng Rong army in Xunshui retreat."
Chao Luowen said "um" and said, "I have no opinion."
After entering Yubi Pass at the beginning of the year, Feng Rong people wanted to go home after staying in the Central Plains for more than half a year. Chao Luowen had no interest in killing people.
"The Yubi Pass is now the inner pass," Jiang Heng said. "There is no need to send many troops. Luoyan and Anyang can change their defenses once a year, disband the four armies, and let them go home to farm fields or farm in the Central Plains."
"I don't mind." Jue Ling replied.
"In the coming year, Luoyang will be the center of the world," Jiang Heng said, "to rebuild commerce and communicate between the north and the south."
"Not bad." Lu Ji said.
Jiang Heng said again: "In the process of rebuilding the world gradually, the capital of Luoyang will be implemented as the two capitals system. Luoyan will be the northern capital, Luoyang will be the central capital, the falling geese will radiate the land outside the customs, and Luoyang will rule the Central Plains. Note to all countries, a temporary truce, and a federation will be held in winter. After that, we will discuss the next step of the ownership of the Central Plains territory."
At this moment, Ju Cong suddenly used all his strength, trembled, raised his hand with all his strength, and let out a roar before his death.
He opened his eyes wide and stared at the ceiling in the main hall, using the last of his strength to convey his hatred and killing intent.
"Father!" Prince Taki stepped forward to check, but Ju Ling stared at her brother in a daze.
Empress Dowager Jiang gently stopped Prince Taki with one hand, and pressed the other hand on Ju Cong's chest.
In an instant, the hall was silent. With the strength of the Queen Mother Jiang, Juicong was restrained and quieted down again.
"What else?" Empress Dowager Jiang said lightly, "Go on."
"No more." Jiang Heng replied, "His Royal Highness must succeed the monarch as soon as possible to avoid domestic chaos."
Geng Shu glanced at Jiang Heng, Jiang Heng patted the back of his hand lightly, and said no more.
"Do you have any objections?" Empress Dowager Jiang asked again.
No one objected, that night, Yong Guo finally got back on the right track.
Empress Dowager Jiang added: "In this case, leave the time to us, and finally let our family accompany His Majesty Wang."
Everyone got up and left. Jiang Heng didn't know if he was considered a "family", so the Queen Mother Jiang said to Jiang Heng, "Heng'er, you stay too."
So there were five people left in the hall: Prince Taki, Geng Shu, Jiang Heng, Ju Ling, and Empress Dowager Jiang.
After a long silence, Empress Dowager Jiang sighed and stood up, and Ju Ling hurriedly stepped forward to support her.
"I have a child," said Empress Dowager Jiang. "First Lang'er, then Cong'er, and then Ling'er."
"Mother." Ju Ling's tears rolled in her eyes.
The Queen Mother Jiang said: "I once heard that people from Ying, people from Liang, or people from Zheng... In the royal family, brothers fight against each other and kill each other. It always feels incredible. Brothers, how can they kill each other?"
Ju Ling's expression changed in an instant, and she didn't know what her mother said. After the death of her eldest brother Ju Lang, there were rumors among the court and the public that Ju Cong killed Ju Lang, but she never believed it.
"One day, I heard news from Liang Guo that Bi Jie killed his elder brother, Prince Bi Shang," Empress Dowager Jiang said to Geng Shu, "It's in this place, not far from the apse."
"I know," Geng Shu said, "I just turned five years old that year, and Bi Shang should have been killed by my father, but no one knew about it."
"Prince Shang's death," said Empress Dowager Jiang, "is not the first in history. Although it was at the hands of Geng Yuan, it has nothing to do with him."
Several people naturally understood what the Empress Dowager Jiang meant: although Bi Shang died in the hands of Geng Yuan, this account must not be placed on Yong Guo's head. After all, the person who planned this coup was the general who seized power back then.
"Queen Mother?" Ju Ling suddenly changed her title, feeling that what the Queen Mother Jiang said today revealed a strange atmosphere. What did she want to express
Prince Taki also felt it, and said in a trembling voice, "Grandma Wang?"
The Empress Dowager Jiang stood in front of the palace, looking at the gorgeous sunset outside Anyang Palace, and muttered: "When Lang'er was still alive, he was the most suitable monarch for Dayong, and Cong'er took over, there was no choice. Small."
"Brother and brother," Jiang Heng said, "it does not violate the orthodoxy of the world. Auntie, I think this is reasonable."
Prince Taki was puzzled, why did the Empress Dowager Jiang discuss the orthodoxy of the throne with Jiang Heng, a distant cousin? However, Ju Ling seemed to sense something, her eyes widened in disbelief, and she looked at Jiang Heng, her lips trembling. She finally noticed it too, but it was too late.
At that moment, Ju Ling felt numb in her back.
"We are family," said Queen Mother Jiang, "no matter what happens in the future, I hope my grandchildren will love each other. We are more human, and we are different from them. We are human, not beasts."
Jiang Heng understood the hint of the Queen Mother Jiang in an instant - she would not stop Jiang Heng from doing anything, because he is the real prince, he is her grandson, just like Juicy, they are the same to her .
But she never hopes that Jiang Heng and Juicy will kill each other in the end, and the grievance between Juicang and Juicong must end at this point. If one day Jiang Heng regained the throne, she also hoped that Jiang Heng and Geng Shu would treat Juicy well and not cut grass and roots, like Bi Shang and Bi Jie, blood-stained in the palace.
What she said about "Yueren" is to emphasize Jiang Heng's identity. Prince Taki is no longer a Yueren after a generation. Only his mother, Geng Shu and Ju Ling's mother are Yueren.
"That's natural." Jiang Heng agreed to the Queen Mother Jiang's request.
"Mother?" Ju Ling changed her name again.
Empress Dowager Jiang was very meaningful. She glanced at Jue Ling and did not answer. She turned her head and glanced at Geng Shu, stared at him, and waited for his statement.
Prince Taki suddenly regained his senses, but misread the meaning of Empress Dowager Jiang's words, and forced a smile: "Grandma Wang, what are you talking about? No, we are brothers."
Geng Shu raised his eyes, looked at Empress Dowager Jiang, and read out the feelings in her eyes: Do you have the heart? Your other brother, can you bear it
"Brother." Jiang Heng shook Geng Shu's hand with a smile.
Geng Shu turned to look at Jiang Heng, who nodded.
"I will protect them both," Geng Shu finally said to the Empress Dowager Jiang, "I won't let any one of Heng'er and Juicy be hurt. Unless... Forget it, I promise you anyway, Grandma Wang."
Empress Dowager Jiang knew that this was the biggest concession that Geng Shu had made, and he could only promise to this point.
She turned around again, walked towards Juicong on the couch, and gently pressed her hand on Juicong's chest again.
"Unless what?" Ju Ling thought of the most terrifying result, her voice trembling.
"Unless they quarrel." Geng Shu said.
Prince Taki became more and more puzzled, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, but he thought of something he had always wanted to say.
"If I quarrel with Heng'er," Prince Taki said, "brother, who will you help?"
Jiang Heng did not answer, knowing that the answer was inevitable, and Prince Taki had always known it.
"Of course I'm helping Heng'er," Geng Shu said, "Don't you know?"
Prince Taki smiled and said, "Of course I know, but I always want to hear from you."
"No," Jiang Heng said, "he will help Zhan Li. I know his temper. But I don't think we will quarrel. Don't make him embarrassed, right?"
Prince Taki was happy, laughed for a while, his eyes turned red again, and nodded.
"No," Prince Taki reiterated. "In front of the father and the king, I swear that in this life, with Heng'er and with my brother, we are brothers and family."
Jue Ling was in a complicated mood and looked at Empress Jiang, who withdrew her hand on Ju Cong's chest.
Juicong exhaled slowly, his whole body trembled, but he could no longer express his last intention.