There are a few verses circulated among the people in Fengling City: "The east city is poor, the south city is rich, the west city is chaotic, the north city is noble, and the four cities are imperial in the center."

The meaning of these sentences is also easy to understand. Dongcheng has always been a residence for poor people, and its economic development must be relatively poor compared to the other three cities; Nancheng can be seen by taking Zhuque Street as an example, because there are many merchants

There are many businesses in the city, so the overall economy of the south city is the richest; the population of the west city is relatively mixed. In addition to the local residents, there are also many foreigners who live in the west city, so there are many gangs and a mixed bag; as for the north city, needless to say,

The people who live on Beichen Avenue are all high-ranking officials. In fact, only those who are officials of Dayou can be qualified to occupy a corner here; and the central location where the four cities gather is Dayou.

The place where emperors of the past dynasties lived exclusively is generally called the imperial palace.

Although it is already late at night, there is still a palace deep in the palace that is still brightly lit. It is not entirely correct to call it a palace, because it is just a tall building, and it is just named after the palace.

For more than 500 years since the founding of Dayou, this palace has always been lit with lights. Not only because this palace is called Changming Palace, but also because this palace enshrines the statues of all dynasties of Dayou.

Portraits of emperors. Starting from Taizu You and ending with Emperor Longshuo, twenty-nine portraits of emperors have been hung on the walls of Changming Palace.

At this time, the little emperor was standing alone in the main hall of Changming Palace, quietly watching his ancestors.

The little emperor is wearing a bright yellow dragon robe. His figure is thin, his eyebrows have not yet fully grown, and his face that looks very determined actually still has a hint of childishness...

The vast hall made his figure even smaller. The small figure stood there, looking a little lonely and helpless.

Although he ascended the throne and sat on the emperor's throne at the age of seven, becoming the most noble person in the world, he has only just turned fourteen until now. In the end, he is still just a child.

The little emperor looked around at all the portraits, and finally rested his gaze on the portrait of Emperor Long Shuo, and did not move away for a long time.

The Emperor Long Qian in the portrait looks kind-hearted and kind-hearted, which is completely opposite to the violent and irritable image in his lifetime. At this time, he is "watching" his son with soft eyes, seeming to be giving encouragement.

The little emperor was silent for a while and continued to speak to the portrait: "My father once said to my son, 'We, the men of the Ying family, are born to stand upright to the heaven and the earth, saying that the whole world is our people...' I have never dared to forget it.

Father's teachings.

But, Father, do you know? The world is no longer the one it was when you were alive. Although I am now the emperor, I always feel that my authority is not as effective as when I was the prince. Although I am sitting on a symbolic

"" On the invincible throne, but my sons and ministers are trembling and uneasy every day.

You once taught your ministers that the emperor's intention is to let these ministers fight with each other, and we will mediate... But since the death of the old master, no one in the court can compete with the Xiahou clan. Although, the Xiahou clan is against your son.

I seem to respect you well and still regard my son as the emperor, but my son always feels that in the hearts of the ministers in the court, my respect for my son is fake, while my respect for the Xiahou clan is real. And those

The princes are also restless. Except for the Marquis of Xilie and the Marquis of Beiyu, the other princes openly resisted the imperial edict after the death of the old master. Now they are even beginning to selectively decide whether to obey the edict or not...

This time I issued an order to summon the princes' sons to the capital. As before, except for the crown princes from Xiliehou Mansion and Beiyuhou Mansion, the other princes' sons were all insignificant.

Father, is that verse true? The reason why they have not dared to rebel openly is not because they are respectful and loyal to our Ying family, but simply because they feel that the time has not yet come? Father, what is the reason for my son?

What should we do? How can we pass on our Great You Empire completely and let our Ying family survive forever? Can you tell me? I am really scared. I am afraid that you and your ancestors will lose their foundation.

In the hands of Erchen... Erchen doesn't want to be this sinner, and doesn't want to be unable to face you and his ancestors after death?

Father, can you tell me whether the loyalty of Marquis Xilie and Marquis Beiyu is true or false? Do you dare to trust them with confidence?"

…

The little emperor mumbled a lot to the portrait, but the portrait naturally couldn't answer him.

But what he wanted was not an answer, but a confession.

Only standing here can he feel a little relaxed. Only when facing his relatives can he be that carefree child. Once out of this door, he will be the unique Emperor, whether he wants it or not.

Yes, no matter whether his words as an emperor can be effective or not, at least he is still an emperor in name, and an emperor cannot be hesitant or weak...

After the little emperor confided in his father, he felt much better and breathed a long sigh of relief.

Just when the little emperor was silent for a while and was about to speak again, he heard the eunuch reporting in a high-pitched voice outside: "Your Majesty, Mr. Yan Kunyan, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, has arrived in the study room."

"Okay, I'll be here soon." The little emperor shouted outside.

Sighing at these portraits, he turned and left Changming Palace.

…

The lights in the study room are also bright.

When the little emperor followed an old eunuch, Yan Kun was standing respectfully outside the door waiting.

"Your Majesty, Yan Kun, pays homage to His Majesty..."

"Master Yan, no courtesy, please come in with me."

After entering the royal study, the little emperor sat on the dragon chair and whispered to the old eunuch beside him: "Give me a seat."

Yan Kun was flattered when he heard this and said: "Thank you very much, Your Majesty. Your Majesty is so kind to you. I will repay your Majesty with all my heart and soul..."

The little emperor waved his hand at Yan Kun to stop him and said, "I understand Master Yan's intentions. Master Yan should start reporting the matter."

"yes."

Yan Kun's butt only touched the tip of a stool, but he felt extremely honored and looked radiant. In fact, Yan Kun was also very puzzled. He knew very well that his official position was bought with money, and he also knew that he was in the court.

Zhongshi has no foundation and no real power... but he still can't figure out why His Majesty the Emperor showered him with so many favors? "Could it be that the official reputation that I have worked so hard to create has played a role? That's why His Majesty the Emperor treats me like this.

Favor?" Yan Kun thought like this in his heart, and couldn't help but feel the desire to meet the Ming Lord.

The little emperor was also very satisfied with his expression and thought to himself: "How great would it be if all the ministers in the court were as satisfied as Yan Kun? But they are all dissatisfied."

…

"Master Yan, let's talk about what I told you!" the little emperor said softly.

"yes."

Yan Kun cleared his throat and reported: "After Mu Qiuhuang, the eldest son of Xiliehou Mansion, came to Beijing, he went to the Taishi Mansion twice... and the Taishi Mansion only received Mu Qiuhuang.

Ji Yan, the eldest son of the Xiliehou Mansion, wanted to pay homage to Xiahou Xuanba, the general in charge of the country, but was turned away.

As for officials from other ministries, these two princes have never visited them in person.

The other princes’ sons have never visited the Grand Master’s Mansion or the General’s Mansion.”

"Well, I understand." The little emperor began to think.

After a while, the little emperor asked softly: "Master Yan, Eunuch Bai, what do you think?"

The old eunuch standing next to the little emperor was called Bai You. He was also the eunuch of his father, Emperor Long Shuo. After Emperor Long Shuo died suddenly, the little emperor did not choose the little eunuch who had followed him to be the eunuch of Bingbi.

Instead, he still kept this old eunuch by his side as a pen. After the old eunuch passed away, he relied heavily on him, even ignoring the ironclad rule that "officials are not allowed to discuss politics" left by the emperors of Dayou.

Instead, he was granted the right to participate in political affairs and was given the title of "CRRC Order".

However, this is not because the little emperor is young and ignorant, but because the little emperor made a choice without any other options.

When he first asked Bai You to stay with him, it was because he felt a little scared when he first ascended the throne. When Bai You followed him, he felt a little at ease. But when the old master passed away, the old master's son Situ Buqi served.

After Xiao resigned from office, no one in the court could compete with Xiahou's lineage, so the young emperor officially appointed Bai You... because, compared to Xiahou Xuanba, who held military power, he was naturally

Bai You, who was an eunuch, made him feel more at ease.

…

Hearing this, Yan Kun pinched the silver note in his sleeve that Mu Qiuhuang had given him, and said to himself: "Mr. Mu, don't blame me for treating you badly. It's just that the law of the court comes first, and I am the left minister of the Ministry of Etiquette.

, I cannot protect you..." Thinking of this, Yan Kun stood up and said to the young emperor: "Reporting to your majesty, Crown Prince Xilie and Crown Prince Beiyu ignored the laws of the imperial court, and I feel that your majesty should issue an order to punish them.

Serve as a warning to others.”

"besides."

Yan Kun took out the 10,000 taels of silver notes from his sleeve and said to the young emperor: "Your Majesty, this is what Mu Qiuhuang, the crown prince of Beiyu, gave to the minister. He bribed the ministers, and according to the law, he should be given the highest rank."

"Really? What did he ask you to do when he gave you the banknote?" the little emperor frowned and asked softly.

"Your Majesty, Mu Qiuhuang, the Crown Prince of Beiyu, did not ask Wei Chen to do anything. He just inquired about the residences of other princes' children.

Now, Weichen saw that there was nothing to hide, so he told him."

The little emperor's brows softened after hearing this, and he asked Bai You, "What do you think?"

Bai You had just stood aside and had a panoramic view of the changes in the little emperor's expression. He had already made a decision in his heart. At this time, he listened to the little emperor's question and bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I think what Master Yan said is unacceptable."

"Oh, why? What Mr. Yan said is in accordance with the laws and regulations. Nobles are not allowed to have personal relationships with officials when entering the capital, let alone bribes for personal gain. This is clearly written in the laws?" The little emperor looked at Bai You and pretended not to.

asked understandingly.

Bai You naturally knew that the young emperor had made a decision in his mind. He glanced at Yan Kun and said slowly: "Master Yan is right in admonishing according to the law. It's just that the Crown Prince of Beiyu and the Crown Prince of Xi Lie have not broken the law?"

The little emperor glanced at Yan Kun and said to Bai You, "Keep talking."

"yes."

Bai You breathed a sigh of relief and continued: "The regulations state that you are not allowed to have personal relationships with officials, and you are not allowed to bribe for personal gain. Neither of these two crimes were committed by the two princes.

It is true that the Prince of Beiyu has been to the Taishi Mansion twice, but no one in the Taishi Mansion has an official status? Situ Buqi has no official position, so naturally he cannot talk about making friends with bureaucrats. As for him giving Master Yan a

The matter of Zhang Yinqiao cannot be regarded as bribery and favoritism, because he never asked Mr. Yan to do anything for him.

As for the fact that Xi Lie wanted to pay a visit to General Xiahou but was turned away, he made it very clear that the visit was not successful at all, so it is not possible to talk about making friends with colleagues."

"Well, what Eunuch Bai said makes sense." The little emperor nodded in agreement.

Yan Kun was very frightened when he saw this. He quickly knelt on the ground and said, "I am a humble minister. Please forgive me for being ignorant."

Seeing Yan Kun's appearance, the little emperor quickly said: "Master Yan, please get up quickly. You should be meritorious for speaking out for justice. How can you say you are guilty? It's just that this time there is insufficient evidence."

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty." Yan Kun stood up tremblingly, dragging the banknotes with both hands.
To be continued...