The next day, Yan Sikong went to the East Palace to give lectures for the prince, and met Zhu Lanting teaching the prince archery again.
When Chen Kui saw him, although he was still smiling, he was no longer as happy as before. He had experienced his mother and concubine committing suicide, and he grew up a lot overnight. He nodded towards Yan Sikong who was saluting him : "Sir, there is no need to be too polite."
Yan Sikong bowed his hands to Zhu Lanting again: "Commander Zhu, I have never had the opportunity to thank Commander Zhu in person."
What he was referring to was that Zhu Lanting sent a letter to the concubine Xian in order to save the crown prince and concubine Hui. The two of them had tacitly agreed, and Zhu Lanting also replied: "Master Yan, you are being polite, I should do it."
Yan Sikong smiled: "His Highness's martial arts are improving day by day, I wish the Commander a great contribution."
"Master Yan is responsible for conferring literature, and I am conferring martial arts, all for His Highness, this is the duty of a minister, and I dare not take credit for it." Zhu Lanting said politely.
Yan Sikong has always wanted to win over this person, but failed. Firstly, the two people's functions are very different, and it is difficult to meet them. Second, there is no suitable opportunity. Moreover, Zhu Lanting is a serious person. If he insists on getting close, it will be self-defeating , I can only look for an opportunity to talk about it.
Chen Kui gestured with the bow in his hand: "Sir, I have been practicing archery recently, and I heard that my father is going to hold a winter hunt."
"It seems to have been heard that His Highness is so heroic, and he will surely win many prizes in the winter hunting."
"Winter hunting is much more difficult than spring hunting. Those that are easy to shoot are hard to find in winter." Chen Wei straightened his back, stretched his slender arms, drew his longbow, shot out with an arrow, and hit the red heart firmly.
Yan Sikong stroked his palm vigorously, and said pleasantly, "Your Highness really impresses me!"
Chen Kui smiled: "If I can hunt a beast, the crowd will look at me with admiration."
Yan Sikong knew that Chen Yu really wanted to show himself, whether it was in front of Emperor Zhaowu or in front of his officials, because his capital was too weak.
Chen Kui rushed to Zhu Lanting and said politely: "Today I will thank Commander Zhu, Commander Zhu, please go back."
I wish Lanting Bai'an to leave.
When the two came to the study, Chen Kui dismissed everyone as usual.
Yan Sikong asked: "Has Your Highness been extra careful in eating and living recently?"
"Don't worry, I test for poisons before eating and drinking, and there is a dagger hidden under the pillow." Chen Kui snorted coldly, "I practice martial arts every day, if someone really wants to assassinate me, it will not be so easy."
"The minister can rest assured."
Chen Kui whispered: "I heard that the father wants to reduce Datong's armaments, but is it true?"
Yan Sikong's expression suddenly became serious: "It's true, we are all worried about this matter."
Chen Kui sighed: "I thought King Jingyuan had already returned to the court, so my father would be able to trust him. Otherwise, otherwise, how could he come back."
"King Jingyuan is loyal, there is no doubt about it, but your majesty...you must have your own consideration."
Chen Kui squinted at Yan Sikong: "Sir, why bother to be sloppy with me, you don't think so in your heart, do you?"
Yan Sikong smiled wryly, and said in a low voice: "I think Xie Zhongren's fanning the flames is indispensable behind this."
"He fanned the flames, and he wanted my father to have a flame first." Chen Kui said coldly, "I am afraid that my father will not be able to bear seeing King Jingyuan supporting me."
"There must be a reason for this, but His Highness must not reveal it in front of outsiders." Yan Sikong reminded.
"Don't worry." Chen Yu grabbed Yan Sikong's hand, "Sir is the only person I trust now, and I only tell you the truth."
"I am very honored." Yan Sikong hesitated for a moment, "Since this is the case, I would like to ask His Highness a question, can His Highness answer truthfully?"
"Please speak, sir."
"The matter of Concubine Hui..."
Chen Wei's face changed slightly.
Yan Sikong couldn't help but looked around, even though there was no one else, he still lowered his voice unconsciously: "Is Your Highness dissatisfied with His Majesty?"
There was a glint of coldness in Chen Kui's eyes. He grabbed Yan Sikong's hand and clenched it unconsciously. Yan Sikong was surprised that the boy had really grown up, and his hand was not weak.
Chen Kui quickly calmed down, his Adam's apple rolled, and he said: "He is both a father and a king, I dare not and should not be dissatisfied, but..." He stared straight at Yan Sikong, Hatred poured out of his eyes, "But for more than ten years, my mother and son have been bullied because of him, and now my mother has died because of him. I can't forgive him."
After finishing speaking, Chen Yu's eyes showed a bit of panic again, after all, every word he said was a serious crime of beheading.
Yan Sikong held Chen Kui's hand instead, and comforted him: "Your Highness's thoughts are human nature, I understand."
"Why do you ask this, sir?" Chen Kui looked at Yan Sikong with some anxiety.
Yan Sikong smiled faintly: "I think Your Highness will feel better if you speak out." If the reduction of armaments cannot be passed smoothly, Feng Jianping will probably not sit still, just in case, just in case, things change, he will test it out What matters is whether Chen Yu has a ruthless heart to be emperor at all costs.
Now he knew that Chen Kui hated Emperor Zhaowu in his heart, but he was restrained by ethics and filial piety and dared not reveal it.
This is a good thing.
—
A few days later, Yan Sikong was lighting up the lamp in the house to meditate, when he suddenly heard a slight noise coming from outside the window, he was very familiar with this voice, it must be Feng Ye, but today's noise is a bit louder...
As soon as he stood up, Feng Ye had already opened the door and entered, and then he rushed over, still smelling of alcohol.
"Feng Ye." Yan Sikong hurriedly greeted him, "Have you been drinking? What's wrong?"
Feng Ye entered the room with heavy steps, and sat down on the chair with a gloomy expression, without saying a word.
"Why did you come to me after drinking too much?" Yan Sikong said worriedly, "Don't be seen on the road."
"It's windy and sandy today, and there's no one on the road." Feng Ye spoke. Unlike his flushed face and empty eyes, his voice was very sober, just like usual.
"What's wrong with you?" Yan Sikong poured him a glass of water.
"I had a big fight with my father." Feng Ye took the water glass, splashed it directly on his face, wiped his face with his big hand, his expression was full of aggression.
Yan Sikong took the cloth towel again, wiped the water stains on his body, and asked at the same time: "Why?"
"Why? Why do you say? Why else!" Feng Ye gritted his teeth at the end.
Yan Sikong fell silent. The quarrel between the father and son of the Feng family was nothing more than Feng Ye questioning that Feng Jianping should not return to the court. Now that the Feng family is in danger, Feng Jianping is naturally extremely annoyed, thinking that Feng Ye is unruly, unfaithful and unfilial.
Yan Sikong gently wiped his smooth skin: "Your Highness is a loyal person, and the pros and cons should not be outweighed."
"Is this a simple gain or loss?" Feng Ye gritted his teeth, "At the least, Datong's military expenditure will be greatly reduced, and the countless soldiers who followed us through life and death and devoted themselves to the country will be ruthlessly abandoned, and at worst, the foundation of the Feng family will be shaken. Now It's like a man is a knife, and I am a fish, if he insists on not coming back, how can he be manipulated like this."
Yan Sikong held Feng Ye's face in his hands and said softly: "Feng Ye, don't dwell on what has happened. Right now we must work together to tide over the difficulties. If the imperial court agrees to only cut 80,000 armaments, it will be over. On this page, everyone is happy."
"What if... can't?" Feng Ye said worriedly, "If it's really 80,000, my father will admit it, and I'm afraid that Xie Zhongren will take the opportunity to severely damage my Feng family."
Yan Sikong said: "This is indeed what we are most worried about, but I believe His Highness will not sit still."
Feng Ye shook his head: "He now thinks that I am acting impulsively, and he is unwilling to tell me anything. I have no idea what his plan is."
"I guess His Highness is just hesitant. You are his eldest son and the person he trusts most in this world. If he has made up his mind, he will definitely discuss it with you."
Feng Ye narrowed his eyes and thought about it: "What guesses do you have?"
"I've been thinking about this all the time these days." Yan Sikong held Feng Ye's hand, gently stroking the reassuring thick callus on his palm, "As I said, if we give up 80,000 armaments, we will If it can be preserved, then we will admit it, and the future will be long, but if it can't... we must prepare countermeasures in advance."
"What countermeasure?" Feng Ye stared at Yan Sikong with burning eyes.
Yan Sikong licked his lips: "Feng Ye, you know that I am bold and crazy, do you really want to hear it?"
"What kind of person you are, I know best, tell me." Feng Ye said coldly, "Maybe you and I coincide."
Yan Sikong caressed Feng Ye's face: "There is a way to solve all our troubles once and for all, without letting the Feng family bear the eternal infamy of usurping."
"Say."
Yan Sikong's bright eyes shone sharply: "Forcing the palace, help the crown prince ascend the throne."
Feng Ye took a deep breath and said in a hoarse voice, "You think what I think."
Yan Sikong also took a deep breath, his voice trembling a little: "If His Highness agrees, there is a lot to be done about this matter."
"My father..." Feng Ye frowned, "I don't know, I don't even dare to mention it to him now."
"His Highness has been away from the court for thirty years, and he lacks vigilance against these conspiracies and battles. He has always held merit in his heart and believes that His Majesty will not show mercy, so now he will definitely not agree." Yan Sikong looked gloomy, " But once the reduction of Datong's military expenditure exceeds his tolerance, it will not be certain."