Chapter 205: The Official's Concern
Since ancient times, powerful officials have controlled the government, and any emperor who wants to seize power has to go through a series of struggles.
In history, Li Zhi deposed Wang and established Wu, and after Zhao Zongquan ascended the throne, he wanted to posthumously confer titles on his biological father. In fact, they were all for the purpose of seizing power.
These things are just signals they send out to let the officials choose sides.
The Western Xia emperor is less than fifteen years old, but he is able to get rid of powerful ministers and take control of power, which shows his ability.
Zhao Xing knew little about the history of the Song Dynasty, and even less about the history of Western Xia.
However, he still knew that the current young emperor of Western Xia was the most capable and skillful person in the history of Western Xia.
However, this little emperor did not live long and seemed to have died at the age of about twenty.
Unfortunately, there are some differences between this time and space and history, and Zhao Xing is not sure whether the young emperor of Western Xia will die as early as in history.
Shaking his head, Zhao Xing didn't think much about it. After all, no matter how capable and resourceful the young emperor of Western Xia was, it would take him some time to clean up the mess, and it would not have any impact on the Song Dynasty in the short term.
…………
Zhao Xing felt that it had no impact, but the ministers in the court did not think so.
Being able to seize power at such a young age shows that he is extremely capable and resourceful.
The fact that the Song Dynasty and Western Xia were able to live in peace for so many years had a lot to do with the powerful officials in power in Western Xia.
The young emperor of Western Xia is capable but very young. Who knows whether he will launch an attack on the Song Dynasty?
Not only the husbands are worried, but the officials are worried as well.
He immediately summoned all the ministers and important officials in the court to discuss the matter.
"My lords, you should have heard about what happened. Now that King Xia is in power, there may be war on the border. How should we respond?" asked the emperor.
Western Xia was the name of the Song Dynasty, but in fact the country's name was Xia.
The Western Xia was a Dangxiang tribe. During the Tang Dynasty, they were granted the title of Jiedushi of the Dingnan Army for their contribution in suppressing the Huang Chao Uprising. At that time, the Tang court had almost lost control over the various Jiedushi.
At the end of the Tang Dynasty, the world was in chaos, and gradually a situation of three kingdoms of Song, Liao and Xia standing on equal footing was formed.
However, Western Xia did not establish its own regime at that time. It played both sides of Song and Liao and received titles from both countries.
The previous emperor of Western Xia declared himself emperor. The Song Dynasty sent troops to attack him but was ultimately defeated and had no choice but to accept the fact that Western Xia declared itself independent.
However, the government still called the Western Xia Emperor the King of Xia and did not recognize him as the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, I think we should send more troops to the northwest border just in case!"
"Not appropriate! Xixia's attitude is unclear now. If we rashly increase the number of troops, it will only irritate Xixia."
"That's right. Sending more troops to the northwest is no small matter. If Xixia doesn't send troops, wouldn't it be a waste of money and food?"
Everyone started talking at once, and for a moment there was a lot of noise in the Longtu Pavilion.
"All right!"
The emperor was annoyed by the noise, so he waved his hand to stop everyone, looked at Han Zhang and asked, "Grand Minister, it was you and Grand Minister Fan who formulated the Northwest Border Defense Plan. How do you think we should deal with it now?"
"Your Majesty!" Han Zhang bowed and said in a deep voice: "What my colleagues said makes sense. I think King Xia has just taken power and will not rashly violate the border for the time being. I think we should send an envoy to congratulate him first and test King Xia's attitude."
After Han Zhang said this, those who had been arguing just now thought about it carefully and felt that this was indeed a better way, and they all spoke out in support.
The emperor frowned slightly. When Western Xia declared independence, the Song Dynasty sent troops to attack it but returned with a great defeat.
Not only did the Song Dynasty lose some cities, but the Liao Kingdom also deployed troops on the border, forcing the Song Dynasty to increase annual tribute.
At that time, the army had suffered heavy casualties and the morale of the army was unstable. Even if the emperor was unwilling, he had to agree to the Liao Kingdom's request.
The annual tribute requested by the Liao Kingdom was not much. Compared with the cost of fighting the war, it was a drop in the bucket and not worth mentioning.
But at that time, the emperor had just taken power. First, he was defeated in battles, lost cities and territories, and then he increased the currency to the Liao Kingdom.
What a shame for the government.
A series of failures made the government realize the various shortcomings of the Song Dynasty, which led to the idea of reforming the country and washing away the shame.
When a young official ascended the throne, he was full of ambition and ambition to achieve something.
Unfortunately, the new policy had to be stopped within just a few years due to various reasons.
Later, the successive deaths of princes dealt a heavy blow to the emperor, completely wearing out his morale.
Only the birth of Zhao Xing gave him comfort, and he gradually recovered over the years.
Han Zhang suggested sending an envoy to Xixia to congratulate the young emperor of Xixia on his assumption of power.
Although he knew that the purpose was to test Xixia's attitude, he also felt it was a shame.
For a moment, the official was a little hesitant.
…………
While the emperor was having a headache, Sheng Hong looked at Chi Wu, who was kneeling on the ground and kowtowing and begging for mercy, with a gloomy face as dark as ink.
Old Lady Sheng said that Zhao Xing cared a lot about Minglan, but Sheng Hong was still skeptical.
By this time he was completely convinced.
Otherwise, why would he send people to investigate after learning that Minglan was poisoned?
Chi Wu was captured and sent over so quickly.
Although the person who sent the person over didn't say anything, can he pretend nothing happened?
"call!"
Sheng Hong thought for a long time and let out a long breath.
"Dong Rong!"
"Lord!"
Dong Rong, who was standing nearby, bowed and waited for instructions.
"Take him away and lock him up first." Sheng Hong gave Dong Rong a look while speaking.
Dong Rong, as Sheng Hong's long-time attendant, had been with Sheng Hong for nearly twenty years. When he saw Sheng Hong's eyes, he understood what he meant and nodded imperceptibly. When Chi Wu heard that he was only locked up temporarily, he kept begging for mercy and did not struggle when Dong Rong took him out.
…………
Xue Niang walked into Linqi Pavilion in a hurry.
When Lin Xiaoniang saw her come in, she quickly asked, "How is the Sixth Miss?"
Although Minglan's life is hanging by a thread, she cannot feel at ease without any confirmed news.
No matter how carefully the plan is made, it is impossible to be flawless.
This time, the poisoning of Minglan was even a little hasty. Didn't she think that she would be discovered?
Lin Xiaoniang was just gambling, betting that if Minglan died, Molan would follow Rulan into the Eastern Palace as a dowry.
And given Sheng Hong's personality, he would definitely protect her under such circumstances.
In other words, all her plans were based on the assumption that Minglan died. If Minglan didn't die, she would be in danger.
"My dear." Xue Niang did not answer this question, but said anxiously: "When I came back just now, I heard someone say that they seemed to see Chi Wu being escorted back."
"what?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaoniang stood up in shock and asked in a trembling voice, "Did you go and ask around?"
Sheng Hong will protect her for a while, but the prerequisite is that she won't be caught.
This is also the reason why she asked Chi Wu to silence him.
Chi Wu didn't come back, and she didn't think much about it. She just thought that Chi Wu was still cleaning up the mess.
Minglan is not dead yet. If Chi Wu tells her anything, she will be finished.
"I also want to go and find out, but my master has people guarding there and won't let me get close. Lady, you have to save Chi Wu. He is loyal to you and will definitely not say anything nonsense. But if time goes on, it may not be certain." Xue Niang said anxiously.
Chi Wu is her man. In order to save her man, she didn't care about anything else, and there was even a hint of threat in her words.
Lin Xiaoniang said irritably: "I will definitely save Chi Wu, don't worry, let me think of a way!"
Lin Xiaoniang was not sure whether Sheng Hong took Chi Wu to question him because Chi Wu did not return last night, or whether Sheng Hong knew something.
If it was the former, wouldn't she be incriminating herself if she went over there rashly?
But what if it’s the latter?
If Chi Wu doesn't say anything, she can still think of a way. Once Chi Wu sees that she doesn't go to save him, will he tell her?
For a moment, Lin Xiaoniang didn't know how to make a decision.
"Master, I feel a little unwell and am resting now!"
Just then, the maid's voice was heard outside.
When Lin Xiaoniang heard this, her face changed and she whispered, "Delay for a while!"
After saying that, he prepared to go into the house.
"Squeak~"
However, as soon as she moved, the door was pushed open.
"master!"
Mrs. Lin forced a smile, her face turned pale, and she really looked like she was not feeling well.
"Why are you here?"
"Didn't you say you were sick and were resting?" Sheng Hong said indifferently.
"I just got up, and the maids outside don't know yet." Lin Xiaoniang explained.
Sheng Hong didn't say anything when he heard this. He looked at Xue Niang and said, "Get out!"
Upon hearing this, Xueniang looked at Lin Xiaoniang.
"Why, my words are no longer effective?" Sheng Hong said coldly.
"I'm leaving now!" Xue Niang bowed and left quickly.
Sheng Hong came to the couch and sat down.
"Master, you..."
Miss Lin walked forward and was about to speak when she saw Sheng Hong take out a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve.
Sheng Hong placed the porcelain bottle on the table and looked at Lin Xiaoniang with a complicated expression.
"Master, what are you doing?" Lin Xiaoniang looked at the porcelain bottle and felt very flustered for some reason.
"This is arsenic. If you use it, I will tell others that you died suddenly." Sheng Hong said in a hoarse voice.
Lin Xiaoniang staggered, her face pale, her eyes panicked and she said, "Master, what did I do wrong? Why do you treat me like this?"
"You know clearly what you have done. At this point, are you still trying to quibble?" Sheng Hong said coldly.
"I don't understand what the master is talking about." Lin Xiaoniang tried to appear calmer, but her voice trembled uncontrollably.
"You ordered someone to poison Minglan. Chi Wu has confessed everything." Sheng Hong said coldly.
Lin Xiaoniang originally still held out a glimmer of hope, but when Sheng Hong said that, her legs went limp and she collapsed and sat down.
"When you and the eldest lady quarreled before, I always sided with you. You felt insecure, so I let you raise our two children and bought you a lot of farms and shops to support yourself. I did this because I felt that you were wronged by being my concubine and I wanted to compensate you. But I didn't expect you to be so cruel!" Sheng Hong said angrily.
"Am I cruel?"
Lin Xiaoniang said hysterically: "Feng Ge'er has angered His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and his future is bleak. You said that there is no distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, and we treat them all equally. I know you are just trying to fool me. But Mo'er and Minglan are both illegitimate daughters. Why should Mo'er marry a poor scholar, but Minglan can marry into the Eastern Palace as a dowry?"
"Is this why you want to murder Minglan? Going to the East Palace as a dowry means you are actually a servant. Don't you understand?"
Sheng Hong looked at Lin Xiaoniang in disbelief, and suddenly felt that Lin Xiaoniang was so strange.
(End of this chapter)