Every night, when Han Ruzi raised his head from the desk to rest for a while, something flashed in his eyes, as if he saw someone standing silently in the corner.
Thinking of the palace maid named Meng E, he felt a little pain in his heart. He didn't know if it was because he was too confused or because of an old injury.
He now reviews the memorials very quickly, most of them glance at them, write down the word "read" with a red pen, and hand them over to the Qinzheng Hall.
The book on the table today is a bit special. It is a half record, which records his deeds since he ascended the throne.
It is customary for the emperor to not read his own records, but this is only a custom, not a law. The record was sent obediently.
Han Ruzi knew he shouldn't do this, but some rumors he heard recently made him very curious.
In the winter of a few years ago, the most powerful enemy since the Dingding of the Great Chu broke into the customs and approached the capital. The emperor personally led his soldiers to meet the enemy. There were many generals, famous generals, and fierce generals. There were many martyrs. Far beyond the crowd, many magical sayings have even been born.
Cui Teng's leg was crippled, and the magic doctor couldn't cure him. He once admitted on the battlefield that he had never killed anyone. Holding the wooden box containing his father's head in both hands, he charged along with Fan Zangshan, and the battle was settled for several months. After that, he changed his rhetoric, claiming that he had killed several enemy generals, and how he saved General Fan's life in the pile of corpses.
Fan Zangshan fainted at the time, and he did see Cui Teng closely behind him, so he believed it and was very grateful to Cui Teng. The two are close friends now and often drink together.
Just about ten days ago, Han Ruzi took the queen back to the Marquis Mansion for a small stay, and Cui Teng suddenly and mysteriously asked the emperor, "Your Majesty was very happy during the night battle in the capital?"
During the night battle, Cui Teng was left at Hangu Pass and did not participate in the battle. Therefore, like ordinary people, he knew nothing about what happened that night, and was extremely interested.
Han Ruzi said strangely: "It's just a fight, it's dark all around, what's there to be happy about?"
"Hehe, everyone else is dark, but Your Majesty's eyes are bright. I swear to God that I will never reveal the secret. Your Majesty, tell me, what does the Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals look like? Are they wearing golden helmets and armors?"
Only then did Han Ruzi understand that the battle had been deified, and even the heavenly soldiers and generals had come out, so he ordered the historian to send the record, but he wanted to see how it would be recorded in the history book.
"The emperor led ten thousand cavalry to attack the enemy's camp at night. At that time, the clouds covered the moon, nothing could be seen, and all the officers and men were lost. Only the emperor led a hundred cavalry to gallop in the daytime, and there must be an enemy army. Immediately, the enemy army will be in chaos, often with divine help.”
The record is fairly rigorous, it didn't mention heavenly soldiers and heavenly generals, and the words "if there is divine help" were used, but it was still very different from the truth. Following Meng E alone, the two tried their best to avoid the melee in order to protect themselves, and did not lead a hundred cavalry towards the enemy.
Han Ruzi clearly remembered what happened that night, and it never changed.
Han Ruzi caught a glimpse of a figure in the corner of his light, this time it was real, not dazzling, "Is something wrong?"
Zhang Youcai said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Zhao Ruosu is here, do you want to see me again?"
It was getting late, and Han Ruzi almost forgot that he had summoned this person during the day, "He is out of the city again?"
"Well, it was said to be outing." Zhang Youcai was a little dissatisfied.
"Hey, he's at ease, let's pass it in." Han Ruzi was not angry, but an envious smile appeared on his face.
Zhao Ruosu's status as "sin on sin" has been removed, but the emperor did not seal him an official position, and he was unwilling to re-enter the court. , there is a bit of literati elegance.
Zhao Ruosu came in quickly, with a long beard under his chin, and bowed to the emperor instead of kowtow.
Zhang Youcai was even more dissatisfied, but he didn't dare to say anything. He moved a stool and exited the room. He is Zhongzhangxi, one of the eunuchs with the highest status in the palace, even the prime minister is polite to him, only this Zhao Ruosu's attitude is still as cold as before, nodding his head to express his gratitude.
"Your Majesty told me that I have something to do?" Zhao Ruosu asked, although polite, but not humble.
"This year's competition can be described as heroes."
"It's a good thing, Da Chu needs them."
"Of course, but there are a few 'heroes' that make me a little puzzled, I hope you can clear it up."
"It's better to ask Yushi Qu about the matter of the scholar."
Han Ruzi smiled and shook his head, "It must be you."
"Your Majesty, please speak."
"Do you have an impression of the name Shen Daxing?"
"This is the youngest son of former prime minister Shen Mingzhi."
This is what Han Ruzi appreciates about Zhao Ruosu. This person will not cover up what he knows clearly, saving a lot of trouble.
"What about Nanguanmei? You must know better."
"This is Nan Zhijin's grandson. He was a famous talent when he was young."
There was another name, Han Ruzi glanced down and didn't ask.
"These two are the top picks this year. I have seen their papers and they are really outstanding."
Zhao Ruosu hummed, knowing that the emperor's doubts were not here.
Han Ruzi paused for a moment and continued, "I wonder why these two are participating in the competition this year."
"Election every three years, should it catch up?"
Han Ruzi shook his head, "You are familiar with the court's practice. I feel that the officials in the court are clearly divided into two factions, each of which supports one person to become the champion. Shen Mingzhi's official career and Nan Zhijin's death in the country were all years ago. It's a good thing to remember them, but it's a little unusual to be so enthusiastic about paying off a debt."
Han Ruzi rarely participated directly in the affairs of the imperial court, and watched from the sidelines, but his vision was more accurate.
Zhao Ruosu thought for a while, "I haven't communicated with the imperial court for a long time, so I can only guess from thin air. Does Your Majesty want to listen?"
"I called you here to listen to your 'guessing out of thin air'."
"When Shen Mingzhi went to work, it went very smoothly, and Nan Zhijin got involved. I know this. I guess the reason why Shen Mingzhi voluntarily handed over the seal must be a promise from Nan Zhijin."
"Give the Shen family a champion?"
"Can Shen Daxing have the talent of the champion?"
Han Ruzi thought for a while before saying, "Yes."
"That's it, Nan Zhijin won't make any promises casually. It must be after he understands who he is before he promises to be the champion."
"If you have such talent, why should you ask for it?" After Han Ruzi asked, he smiled and waved his hand, saying that there was no need to answer.
There is more than one person who has the talent of the champion, and it is possible for anyone to be the champion, and Shen Mingzhi probably does not only want the champion, but to let his son have a smooth journey after entering the court.
"Nan Zhijin once wanted to bear all his sins by himself, but also to give his grandson a future?"
"It's the same sentence, if Nan Guanmei does not have the talent of the champion, Nan Zhijin will never be difficult. Your Majesty thinks that the ministers have their own support, maybe not to pay the debt, but to win over, so everyone can vaguely guess that these two In the future, people will surely rise to the top."
Han Ruzi felt that what Zhao Ruosu said made sense, "That's weird, Shen Mingzhi got a promise from Nan Zhijin, but now the descendants of the two are competing on the same stage, one of them must fail, how did the people behind the scenes plan?"
"Perhaps this just shows that there are no so-called people behind the scenes. The two sons rely on their strengths for reference, but there are many related rumors, which made the ministers of the DPRK and China participate."
Han Ruzi laughed, "So, I don't have to investigate, let alone interfere?"
"I'm just giving a little guess, there is no real evidence, everything is still up to Your Majesty."
Han Ruzi laughed, "As expected of Zhao Ruosu. How good is the scenery outside the city?"
"Excellent, but the people don't want to watch it, and the mother and son shed tears, which is sad."
Han Ruzi's face sank, "You just said that everything is up to me, no need to persuade me, I have made up my mind."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhao Ruosu didn't say any more.
However, Han Ruzi had to defend a few words, "Although the power of the gods and ghosts has been declining, he is still alive. If this revenge is not repaid, how can Da Chu stand up? There are also the Xiongnu in northern Saibei, who have always been half-hearted and often send small groups of cavalry. Invading the frontier must be severely punished. The Great Chu has now recovered, first destroy the Xiongnu, and then destroy the gods and ghosts, from then on once and for all.”
"Your Majesty's words are very true, but I remember that His Majesty's original intention was not like this."
When he just became the real emperor, Han Ruzi tried his best to avoid war, so as to give the people a chance to recuperate.
"Now and then, when Da Chu has spare power, he can no longer let foreign enemies look down upon him."
"Your Majesty is right." Zhao Ruosu showed a few submissive promises.
"It's very late, you'd better go home soon." Han Ruzi was displeased and issued an expulsion order.
After Zhao Ruosu left, Han Ruzi sat alone for a while, believing that the expedition was imperative, the imperial court was very well prepared, and all the Western countries were eagerly waiting. One piece to solve.
"Just a few months." Han Ruzi muttered, stood up, and glanced at the three names he had written down before, Shen Daxing, Nan Guanmei, and Luo Shifu.
Yang Feng's son also participated in this year's big exam. His writing was excellent. He was the top scholar in Han Ruzi's mind, but he was not favored by the minister. The examiner listed him as a second-class scholar.
Han Ruzi burned the paper, then went downstairs and turned to the inner palace.
Empress Dowager Cining didn't like too many rules. The emperor could invite him once every three days. Han Ruzi didn't have to go to pay his respects tonight, but went straight to the Empress' Qiuxin Palace to rest.
Concubine Shu Deng Yun was waiting for the emperor in Qiuxin Palace. She wanted to sue, "Your Majesty has to take care of Prince Bei. He beat up several younger brothers again today."
Han Ruzi couldn't help but want to laugh, but he barely held back and said sternly, "I will discipline him."
"Really discipline, it's not just a few words, he's not too young, it's time to learn some rules in the palace."
"Of course, I am preparing to choose a strict teacher for him."
Deng Yun had nothing to say, said goodbye to the emperor and empress, and left.
"Where are the others?" Han Ruzi asked.
"In another room, hiding and refusing to come out." Cui Xiaojun said with a smile.
Han Ruzi passed through the living room, pushed the door and entered another room. The room was dark and a small figure was sitting beside the bed.
"You fought again?" Han Ruzi asked sternly.
The child was not afraid, and asked bluntly, "Why did my mother send me here? She doesn't like the palace herself, but she keeps me trapped here."
Han Ruzi walked to the bed and sat down beside his son, and found that some things were more difficult than choosing the champion and the army expedition.