Chen, the first year of Tiankang, Jiankang.
Inside the palace, the atmosphere was visibly tense.
The samurai holding a halberd stood guard at the door, his eyes not as firm as before, with a hint of fear.
The eunuchs who came in and out lowered their heads and looked pale.
In the inner hall, Emperor Nanchen Chen Qian was lying on the bed. He struggled to get up several times, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not get up and his hands lost their strength.
Chen Qian was very surprised by this, "Back then I was able to ride a horse and draw my strong bow, but today I don't even have the strength to stand up?"
On the side, Han Zigao, a regular servant of Tongzhi Sanqi, had red eyes and couldn't help but shed tears.
It was Chen Baxian who established Chen, but it was Chen Qian who really gave Chen a foothold.
When the General of the Universe went south, it triggered a great melee in the Southern Kingdom. During this chicken battle, Chen Baxian defeated several powerful enemies one after another, established a foothold in the Southern Kingdom, and established the Chen Kingdom.
But when he died, the Southern Kingdom was not unified. At that time, Chen could only be said to be the strongest among the many separatist regimes in the South. The situation presented by the Southern Kingdom at that time was one of separatism among heroes.
There was Wang Lin in Xiangzhou, Liuyi in Dongyang, Chen Baoying in Jian'an, Zhou Di in Linchuan, and Xiong Tanlang in Yuzhang. The powerful forces in various places raised armies and separatized the local areas, ignoring the Chen court.
Political, financial, administrative and other aspects have even exceeded the lower limit.
Due to the previous great melee in the Southern Kingdom, many cities were almost reduced to ruins. Economically, the people were back to bartering for things, and the farmland was, needless to say, desolate.
There are people outside who are all watching with eagerness, always ready to intervene in things going on in the south.
Although Chen Qian is Chen Baxian's nephew and not a prince, she has made great contributions in the past and has a high reputation. Her succession to the throne is recognized by everyone.
After inheriting the throne, Chen Qian implemented many reforms in the country, attached great importance to agriculture and mulberry, defeated many separatist regimes, completed the initial unification of the southern country, unified the currency, and revitalized the economy.
In order to accomplish so many things, Chen Qian almost worked hard.
He got up very early, started checking the music table early in the morning, went to bed very late, and was busy all day long.
The clothes and food at night came from him.
Such high-intensity work left Chen Qian physically and mentally exhausted. She was just forty-five years old, but she was already too sick to get up.
Chen Qian looked at her favorite minister Han Zigao. His eyes were clear and he was not panicked because of his condition.
"Please, Mr. Han, please go and call all the ministers in. I have something important to tell them."
Han Zigao stood up hurriedly, turned around and left.
Chen Qian was lying alone on the bed, looking at the ceiling, but her eyes were full of worry.
My situation is getting worse and worse.
But the situation in the world is getting more and more urgent. There is Liu Taozi in the north and Yuwen Yong in the west.
Both of these people are extremely young and cannot be underestimated.
And if I am no longer here, it will be a serious matter for the country.
Chen Qian was lying on the bed, meditating repeatedly.
After an unknown amount of time, Han Zigao led several important ministers from the country into the palace, and everyone said their names loudly.
"Help me sit up."
Han Zigao supported the emperor so that he could sit on the bed.
Chen Qian looked at the people in front of her. Several important ministers including Zhongju, the Minister of Military Affairs, Kong Huan, the Minister of the Fifth Army, Chen Xu, the King of Ancheng, Yuan Shu, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Liu Shizhi, the Minister of Zhongshu, knelt in front of the emperor. All are sad.
Chen Qian's eyes swept across them one by one, and finally fell on her younger brother Chen Xu.
"My time is running out."
Chen Qian said calmly.
Kong Huan said hurriedly: "It's just a minor illness. Why do you speak like this?! Your Majesty."
"I know exactly what it is."
Chen Qian interrupted Kong Huan and sighed again.
"I heard that after Yu Wenyong executed Yu Wenhu, he implemented several different decrees."
"I will ask people to find those decrees and read them to me one by one."
"After listening to it, I just felt amazed."
"Young boy Yuwen, you are truly extraordinary."
"He is by no means a person like Yu Wenhu, and cannot be underestimated. I have been afraid of Liu Taozi from the north for a long time."
"Liu Taozi has occupied Hebei and is getting stronger and stronger. Not long ago, Wang Lin even led his navy to defect. Wang Lin is a strong enemy!!"
"Liu Taozi sent people all the way to summon him, didn't he have the ambition to annex the world?"
"After Yu Wenyong took office, he sent officials to show his goodwill. This was to appease us and compete with Liu Taozi. Doesn't this mean that he also has the same ambition?!"
"How can we sit back and wait for death as these two people compete?"
Chen Qian looked at the people in front of her, and finally her eyes fell on her younger brother Chen Xu.
"The prince is young and ignorant, but there are two powerful enemies in the north. The country is in danger. I decided to follow the example of Taibo Wu who passed the throne to his younger brother."
Chen Xu was shocked and turned pale. He hurriedly lowered his head again, howled and refused.
This is not the first time Chen Xu has expressed such thoughts.
Likewise, this is not the first time Chen Xu has performed like this.
Looking at Chen Xu who was unwilling to accept it, Kong Huan said loudly again: "Your Majesty, King An Cheng is your brother, and he will definitely follow the example of Duke Zhou to assist the government. If he has the intention to abolish the establishment, even though I am stupid, I will not dare to Obey!"
Chen Xu suddenly raised his head and took a deep look at Kong Huan.
Chen Qian's expression suddenly became solemn.
"Enough!!"
Chen Qian used to be very kind, and she was humble and courteous to all the ministers. She even treated prisoners of war without humiliating them, but today, his expression was different from before.
He looked at Kong Huan angrily, "Can you guys change my edict?"
The ministers were stunned for a moment, their faces full of confusion.
What's the meaning??
In the past, Chen Qian had hinted at Chen Xu many times, but Chen Xu never dared to ask for it. He refused every time. If he didn't refuse, he would probably be killed.
And the ministers also have enough experience, so they just need to cooperate and finish talking together.
But why did the emperor suddenly become so powerful?
Chen Qian looked at Chen Xu, who was crying bitterly, and yelled: "If you dare to cry again, I will order you to be dismissed as Bai Shen!"
Chen Xu immediately stopped talking.
It was quiet inside the palace.
Chen Qian said seriously: "The king is young and has always been on the path to disaster."
"What's more, now, with the foreign enemies facing us, if there is only Yu Wenyong, that's fine, there is Liu Taozi who is more powerful than him."
"In the past, every time Chen Xu discussed military affairs with me, he said that we should send troops to rob Huainan. However, I felt that with the strength of the southern country, if we were not determined to capture the entire Central Plains, we could not easily send troops, otherwise we would not be able to hold it even if we captured it. .”
"Because of his remarks, I don't dare to trust the country to him."
"But based on the current situation, it is not easy to wait until the Southern Kingdom has sufficient troops to seize the Central Plains from Liu Taozi or Yuwen Yong. On the contrary, as Chen Xu said, it can be done quickly Send troops, continuously expand the territory, enhance the national strength, and maybe there is a way to avoid the country's demise!"
He looked at Chen Xu and said solemnly: "Since I came to the throne, I have been lamenting all day long and forgetting to eat and sleep. I only think about preserving the country left by my uncle. I dare not neglect it for a day."
"I'm leaving now, but the Southern Kingdom has just been pacified, and there are still many important things that I haven't done well."
"And there are powerful lords in foreign countries, and they will go south soon."
"Xu, the current critical situation requires a strong king to take on important responsibilities. Are you willing to help me protect this family fortune?"
Chen Xu looked at his brother in front of him, and his mind suddenly became confused.
Chen Xu has more and more official positions and more and more power. As long as Chen Qian leaves, there is really no one in the country who can restrict him. Several generals in the country have already taken the initiative to move closer to Chen Xu, just because the emperor is still there. , just don’t dare to be too obvious.
Every time Chen Qian asked him something similar, Chen Xu just cried and refused, because he didn't know if he nodded, whether he would be greeted by the emperor's throne or a knife hand that suddenly rushed out.
But now, the emperor's eyes were so solemn, and he didn't seem to be fake at all.
Chen Xu was extremely panicked at this moment and looked at several ministers. Whether they had good or bad relations with him, they all lowered their heads and were unwilling to participate in this matter.
Matters involving the crown prince have always been the most dangerous matters.
Looking at Chen Xu and Chen Qian who were at a loss, she could understand him in her heart.
If his uncle had called him over and said that he would directly pass the throne to him, maybe he would be so afraid.
Chen Qian did indeed ask Chen Xu with the intention of testing him at first.
His health was getting worse day by day, but the prince made no progress. His son Chen Bozong was just twelve years old.
Youth is not a problem, character and talent are the most important issues.
His son has been weak since he was a child and is harmless to humans and animals.
Perhaps because Chen Qian was busy with government affairs in these years and neglected to teach the prince, Chen Bozong and Chen Qian were not at all the same.
Chen Qian knew that her son was a man with no intelligence, immature mind, no defense against others, mediocre talents and weak character.
He has always been afraid that his son will be killed after he dies.
Therefore, he asked Chen Xu several times to see if he had such thoughts. After all, there was a vivid example in the north.
But this time, he really made up his mind. Regardless of whether Chen Xu was willing or not, he would let his younger brother inherit the throne.
This is to preserve the country.
My son is definitely no match for Liu Taozi and Yu Wenyong, and if his younger brother is asked to assist him, he will have worries every time he does things in the future, and the ministers in the court will fight with each other, just like what Kong Huan said just now.
The strength of the Southern Kingdom is not as good as that of the Northern Kingdom. If the rest of the national strength is wasted on internal fighting, then the Southern Kingdom will really be hopeless.
Chen Qian looked aside and said, "Go and bring the prince here."
Some eunuchs hurried out.
The hall was still quiet. Chen Qian looked at Chen Xu and said, "Whether you want it or not, my decision has been made."
"Come here and draw up my edict."
Chen Xu suddenly raised his head, but his heart began to beat violently.
Several ministers wanted to say something, but when they saw Chen Qian's face, they did not dare to speak.
The eunuch brought the documents, and Chen Qian drafted the edict on the spot.
"The prince is young and cannot inherit the great cause. Now I regard King Ancheng as the emperor's younger brother and order him to inherit the great throne after me. Everyone above and below will abide by it and shall not violate it."
Chen Qian forcibly drafted the edict and completed it word for word. Then she had someone bring the edict to her and read it over and over to make sure there was nothing wrong with it.
Chen Xu breathed deeply, and his whole body was extremely nervous.
After a while, the prince came here.
Seeing his seriously ill father, Chen Zongbo burst into tears and stood aside sobbing.
Chen Qian stared at Chen Zongbo and issued the edict on the spot.
The officials were at a loss, and under the emperor's coercion, they could only say yes.
Chen Xu was so dizzy at the moment that he became the emperor's younger brother in an instant. This sudden surprise made him so confused that he forgot to thank him.
Chen Qian immediately asked the officials to leave and issued an edict to everyone, leaving the prince and Chen Xu behind.
Chen Xu hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down beside his brother, with tears in his eyes.
"Brother, I will never let you down!"
"I will definitely protect the family business with all my strength!!"
Chen Qian said seriously: "Xu, I know your talents, you are resourceful and know military affairs, but there are three things you must keep in mind."
"Brother, please speak!"
"After I pass away, I hope you can follow my example, stop pursuing a luxurious life, live frugally, and continue to ask your officials to be frugal and avoid extravagance."
Chen Xu nodded hurriedly, "I've written it down."
"The second thing is the current situation. Over the years, I have accumulated a lot of wealth. The treasury is somewhat sufficient, and there are enough soldiers. I hope you can take advantage of the fact that Yu Wenyong and Liu Taozi have no time to be distracted. At that time, we can seize Qi's cities in the Central Plains, increase our national strength, and have the confidence to compete with the two powers."
Chen Xu nodded, "I've written it down."
"The third thing is my selfishness."
Chen Qian looked at her son with difficulty, "Yao Wang, come here."
Chen Zongbo wiped his tears and walked carefully to his father's side. Chen Qian looked at his younger brother and said seriously: "My son has always been well-behaved, has no rules, and is not wary of others. After I die, I hope you can safely place him and let him spend his life without any worries."
"If he makes any mistakes, you can imprison him, but don't kill him."
Chen Xu raised his head and said, "Brother, I will treat him as my own son. When the world is at peace, I will let him inherit the throne!"
Chen Qian pursed her lips. Even at this time, he still didn't see any sincerity on his brother's face.
He didn't know whether he should be happy that he had a younger brother who was qualified for political skills, or whether he should feel sad about his son's uncertain fate.
He was silent for a moment and just shook his head.
"I'll leave the important things to you."
The news that Chen Xu was appointed as the emperor's younger brother quickly swept across the country, causing shock.
However, this matter is not that difficult to accept. After all, there is precedent for this. The current Chen Qian was not the prince at the beginning, but inherited as a nephew. From this point of view, letting her younger brother inherit her There is nothing wrong with the location.
Besides, the prince is indeed very young. You can't expect a twelve-year-old child to rise up and lead the southern country to defeat the two tigers in the north, right?
After Chen Xu left the palace, he quickly summoned many of his confidants to discuss important matters.
Chen Xu had never been so happy. At the banquet, he did not hide his joy and promised everyone a reward.
Ten days later, Chen Xu met a very important guest at his residence.
The leader is Wu Mingche.
Wu Mingche now commands the Chinese army and has great power, and his relationship with Chen Xu has always been good.
Chen Xu personally went out to greet him. Since becoming the emperor's younger brother in name only, Chen Xu has also changed greatly.
He is no longer as cautious as before, and has the attitude of Yu Wenyong changing his face. He suddenly changed from a cautious and seemingly unambitious virtuous king to an ambitious and extremely charming prince.
He laughed and stepped forward, took Wu Mingche's hand, and personally led him to the house.
The two of them walked all the way to the inner courtyard. When they sat down, Chen Xu ordered his son Chen Shubao to come out to pay homage to Wu Mingche.
The two of them had some wine and gradually got down to business.
"Congratulations, Your Highness!"
"It's true, we can expect great things from now on."
Chen Xu smiled and asked: "What do you think should be done about the things here in Qi State?"
Wu Mingche said: "Since Liu Taozi's rebellion, the land of Henan has been in chaos. The governors of Qi have gone their own ways. They no longer obey the orders of Jinyang. They control the army privately and promote their own confidants. Among them, Lou Rui is the most powerful.
, Lou Rui was in charge of all the lands and had elites in his hands, but his ambitions were too short. He had no intention of competing with Liu Taozi, and only thought of making profits for himself. He actually sold his official position openly and accepted bribes, which made the southern land even more chaotic.
"
"Originally, Wang Lin was based in Yangzhou, which made me particularly wary. But now, Wang Lin has left. It is said that she went north with the people sent by Liu Taozi."
"No one can stop us."
"Now is the time for us to make achievements in the Northern Expedition."
Wu Mingche was very radical and was thinking about the Northern Expedition all the time.
Chen Xu looked much calmer. He raised his wine cup with a smile and took a sip, "I believe the situation is as you said."
"But now, there are a few things to consider."
"Although Lou Rui is greedy for money and does not study, he knows military affairs and knows how to fight. If we send troops, can we defeat him?"
"Then there is Liu Taozi. Although Liu Taozi is rebellious, he is still a minister of Qi in name. Will he send troops to intervene?"
"The last one is Yu Wenyong. Yu Wenyong has just taken over the throne. It is the time when military exploits are most needed to establish prestige. Will he take advantage of it?"
"Your Highness, in my opinion, there is no need to worry about these three points."
"Lou Rui is greedy for money and short-sighted. Although he can fight, the generals and armies everywhere are so rotten that he cannot fight at all!"
"Liu Taozi and Yu Wenyong are both busy managing their domestic affairs. If Liu Taozi wants to come to support, how long will it take for his army to go? Can it bear such a loss of food and grass?"
"This is especially true for Yu Wenyong. They have just experienced a disastrous defeat and have not been able to recover. How can they still have the energy to intervene in things here?"
"Your Highness! Now is the best time!!"
"Northern Expedition! Northern Expedition!"
Chapter completed!