The atmosphere in the palace was a bit weird.

There was a silence, but few people dared to show it, as if they were concerned about something, crowded and coming and going.

It is generally believed that Empress Dowager Gao would not be so suddenly, and now she is quite caught off guard.

Tangerine Pi and Zhou He were busy cooking in the palace and preparing a series of funerals.

In the Zhengshi Hall, Su Song, the prime minister who had originally tacitly retired today, had to stay and preside over some of the affairs of the Zhengshi Hall.

Kaifeng Prefecture.

In the courtyard of a retired fifth-rank official.

In a side hall, Empress Dowager Gao’s immortal position is placed.

An old man in his fifties knelt on the ground with a thud and shouted loudly: "The Empress Dowager, Bintian..."

Behind him was a group of men and women, kneeling on the ground and crying.

There is a high-gate courtyard with the plaque saying "Jingning Marquis Mansion".

The people in the Marquis' Mansion were silent, and everyone seemed to be worried. The big red lanterns and all kinds of festive things were replaced, and the clothes of men and women began to change into plain clothes.

The atmosphere in Kaifeng City gradually began to change.

Many people ran to the Imperial Street crying and cried.

Princess Wei and other close relatives of the royal family ran to the palace as soon as possible to see Empress Dowager Gao's "last look".

And there are also many people who sneer, sneer and gloat in secret.

"The old witch is finally dead!"

"She can really survive, almost 70 years old!"

"Is the old woman really evil to endure the three generations of emperors?"

"I finally died! The law of nature is circulating, and the retribution is unhappy!"

"That's great! Great! As soon as she dies, the world will be clear and the universe will be bright!"

...

The news of Empress Dowager Gao's death was brewing in Kaifeng City, and it also spread rapidly to the entire Song Dynasty.

In the evening, Zhang Dun, who was in Yanling County, finally received the letter.

After Zhang Dun finished reading it, he raised his hands behind his back, stood in front of the window, and quietly looked at the direction of Kaifeng City.

Pei Yin stood behind him, held the letter and said, "Sir, Mr. Cai urged you to return to Beijing to preside over the overall situation."

Zhang Dun's sword eyebrows were raised and his eyes were staring at the south.

Empress Dowager Gao's death was beyond his expectations. The insignificant Empress Dowager, who seemed to have withdrawn the curtain and returned to power, still had a strong influence in the court and national affairs, which was a major obstacle to the implementation of the "New Deal".

This kind of influence will still exist for a long time even if she dies.

Pei Yin seemed to be able to detect something, and then he was quiet for a while and said, "Sir, death is like a lamp that goes out. You still need to take care of the funeral of the Empress Dowager."

The emperor's life and death are not simple, and often have extremely important political significance. Although Empress Dowager Gao is not the emperor, she is still half of it. Whoever can handle his funeral indicates who will go further in the court!

If Zhang Dun takes charge, then he will be the next magistrate!

Zhang Dun held his hands behind his back, his eyes flashed, and said lightly: "Do three things, write to Su Song. I want to meet him and submit a report to the official. Please preside over the funeral by Su Song. We will summarize our journey and discuss the six departments of the Political Affairs Hall."

Pei Yin was stunned when he heard this, waited for a while, and said, "Sir, do you really want to give the funeral of the Empress Dowager Su?"

Zhang Dun said: "Where is this funeral, Su Song has to leave, I am the priest."

Pei Yin understood, thought for a while, and said, "Okay. I'll do it now. In addition, Empress Dowager Gao just passed away, I'm afraid some people will take the opportunity to jump out."

After all, Empress Dowager Gao was Empress Yingzong, the mother of Shenzong, the Empress Dowager Zhao Xu, and the Empress Dowager who ruled the country from behind the curtain. Under the fierce struggle of the "new and old" party, Empress Dowager Gao, the real leader of the "old party", passed away. I wonder how many people would not help but jump out and use this to make a living.

Zhang Dun held his hands behind his back and said, "They admired the Empress Dowager so much, the tomb guards, the mountain tomb envoys, etc., so many people are needed. If they are not helped, let them go with the Empress Dowager."

Pei Yin looked stern and raised his hand and said, "Yes. Then, when will the sir set off for Beijing?"

Zhang Dun looked at the sky and said, "Cancel the itinerary and return to Beijing tomorrow morning."

"Yes. I'll make arrangements now." Pei Yin responded and turned around to make arrangements.

At the same time, people from all over the world who knew the news wrote letters.

Some praise merits, some beg to keep the funeral simple, some ask for honorary titles, and some cry to come to Beijing for funerals.

Most of these were the first officials near Kaifeng City. Compared with them, Kaifeng Prefecture and the counties under their jurisdiction were very peaceful, and almost no one wrote a letter.

The Zhengshi Hall quickly dispatched people from various yamen and set up a special institution to concentrate on handling Empress Dowager Gao's funeral.

But in terms of ‘spec’, there was still a lot of debate inside.

Many people demanded that "all be simple", bringing out the usual frugal style of Empress Dowager Gao, and the edict of "marriage and funerals, simple and short" issued by Zhao Xu before.

Others believe that Empress Dowager Gao has achieved great achievements in four dynasties and assisting the three emperors. She should have a high standard and a grand funeral.

While they were arguing, Zhang Dun suddenly arrived at the Political Affairs Hall.

Inside the Political Affairs Hall.

Su Song, Cai Bian and the six ministers were there, and everyone watched him come back, each with expressions.

Su Song held the crutch and half-squinted his eyes, and was indifferent to his return.

Li Qingchen was the first to speak, saying, "Grandpa Zhang is coming back just in time. Let's sit down first and listen to us talk about the funeral arrangements of the Empress Dowager."

Zhang Dun had a weak expression and sat down beside Su Song. Under the gaze of the crowd, he said to Su Song: "Su Xianggong, I have something to say, please tell me."

Su Song had already received his letter, looked up at him, and said silently, "The Empress Dowager is a happy and mourning person, and the Empress Dowager is kind and not slandered."

Cai Bian looked thoughtful when he listened to Su Song's words.

Wang Cun showed suspicion, Zhang Dun and Su Song, what are they talking about?

However, Li Qingchen's expression suddenly changed and he spoke decisively: "Grandpa Su, what we are talking about now is the funeral of the Empress Dowager, which is not a final conclusion. We are important officials of the court and cannot block the world's long mouth."

Xu General, Lin Xi and others suddenly woke up after listening to Li Qingchen's words.

Su Song's words are actually very simple. Empress Dowager Gao is a funeral and a death sentence, and it has nothing to do with the struggles of the court. There is no conspiracy. Empress Dowager Gao is kind and cannot be slandered, that is, she requires Zhang Dun and others not to continue to attack Empress Dowager Gao and settle the score after the autumn!

Similarly, there is another exchange here, that is, Su Song, the leader of the "old party", comes forward to block the mouths of those "old party" who want to make trouble with this, and pave the way for Zhang Dun to succeed as the prime minister!

After Li Qingchen finished speaking, the hall was quiet.

Zhang Dun didn't say anything, Su Song kept staring at him and waiting.

Cai Bian looked at the two of them and pondered, saying, "Grandpa Su, the official family has long been talking first, why bother to do this?"

Zhao Xu warned Zhang Dun and the "New Party" both openly and secretly that party struggles must not involve the royal family. The royal status is respected and transcends the imperial court!

Su Song did not look at Cai Bian, but still looked at Zhang Dun and said, "I will leave Beijing in three days."

Zhang Dun jumped with his sword eyebrows and then said, "Xuan Ren".

Su Song was silent for a moment, leaned on crutches, and slowly left.

Without waiting for him to leave, Li Qingchen looked at Zhang Dun and said, "Zhang Xianggong, how can the words 'Xuan' and 'Ren' be used lightly? Please consider it."

The "Xuan Ren" mentioned by Zhang Dun was actually a posthumous title given to Empress Dowager Gao.

These two words often appear in the temple names of emperors in all dynasties, representing high praise and are a final conclusion.

Zhang Dun glanced at him and said, "I just returned to Beijing and have to go to see the official family immediately. You can continue to discuss other matters."

Zhang Dun said, then stood up.

Li Qingchen was a little dissatisfied, but Lin Xi, Xu Jiang and others didn't say anything, so he couldn't hold on.

When Wang Cun, the Minister of Works, saw that Su Song and Zhang Dun had left, he thought silently about the word "Xuan Ren", nodded secretly, and did not continue to entangle.

...

Zhang Dun stayed in the Chuigong Hall for two hours before leaving.
Chapter completed!