Chapter 183 The Real World (2)
2
In the mourning hall, Zhu Qingchen supported himself with his hands, sat on his own coffin, crossed his legs, and read the eulogies written for him by his friends.
"A pity for the friendship between the same age, a hatred that will last forever. This sentence is well written. Let me see which great writer wrote it."
A friend covered his face with his sleeve and turned his head away: "I have something to do, so I'll leave first."
"A star has fallen from now on, and the moon on earth will be missing forever. This sentence is also good and has a very artistic conception."
Another friend turned around and followed: "Wait for me! I want to go too!"
"Eternal... bosom friend..." Zhu Qingchen held up a piece of paper, "Why can't I see this one clearly? Who cried while writing it? The tears have all blurred it into a mess."
"Stop talking, stop talking, I'm leaving..."
"Why are you leaving?" The friends couldn't stand it any longer and pulled the person who was about to leave back, "Work together to capture Zhu Qingqing and get the things back, otherwise we will never have peace!"
Civil and military officials rushed forward, rolled up their sleeves, revealing their strong arms, and surrounded the coffin from all sides, trying to capture Zhu Qingchen.
Zhu Qingchen retracted his feet, raised the paper in his hand high, and dodged left and right: "This is the memorial you gave me. It's mine. I'm going to take it back and sort it out, and ask the bookstore to publish a collection of Zhu Qingchen's memorials."
"Then I can only give it to you after you die. If I can't give it to you now, don't you think it's bad luck?"
"Zhu Qingqing, you are surrounded. Hand over your things immediately and buy us a drink to apologize, and we will let you go."
"You still want to publish a book? You wish. Here you go!"
The crowd was excited.
Seeing that the "enemy" was about to attack, Zhu Qingchen looked around for "reinforcements".
"Li Yue, save me!"
Li Yue stood in the crowd and stretched out his hand to him.
Zhu Qingchen stuffed a bunch of sacrificial texts into his sleeves, then threw himself into Li Yue's arms and landed steadily.
“Run!”
Zhu Qingchen pulled Li Yue and ran forward, with civil and military officials chasing after him.
There is no distinction between the ruler and his subjects, it's just like a den of bandits.
*
That year, Zhu Qingchen and Li Yue were only twenty years old.
The court was incompetent, the country was in turmoil, and the princes rose up.
Zhu Qingchen is not the prince's tutor, Li Yue is not the emperor, and his friends are not the cold names in history books.
Relying on the city conquered by their ancestors and the wealth they had accumulated, they bided their time in Fengxiang City in the northwest, waiting for the right opportunity. At the same time, the news that Zhu Qingchen had returned from the dead quickly spread throughout Fengxiang City.
Originally, the people in the city had prepared white cloth and tablets to mourn Lord Zhu for three years.
When they suddenly heard the news, everyone was stunned.
Resurrection from the dead? Is there such a miracle in the world?
The people were skeptical, and their grief was lessened a little.
A few days later, Zhu Qingchen, wrapped in a thick cloak and sitting in a carriage, accompanied by Li Yue, went to the school in the city to visit students as usual.
The people saw Zhu Qingchen's profile through the curtain.
I hope you are really not dead!
Zhu Qingchen turned his head, leaned against the window, and waved at them.
The people were extremely excited and repeatedly confirmed with the people around them. After confirmation, they clasped their hands together and thanked God for his mercy.
The carriage stopped in front of the school. Before Zhu Qingchen got off, a group of students surrounded him.
"Master Zhu!"
These are children from the northwestern people, aged between six and sixteen. If they want to go to school, they can come here by paying three bags of grain every year.
Zhu Qingchen usually takes care of them, and they have a very deep relationship with Zhu Qingchen.
The students surrounded Zhu Qingchen and pulled at his sleeves. The younger ones couldn't help crying.
"They all said that the Master had gone, but we didn't believe it. They must be lying."
"We cried for a long time, and finally cried the Master back."
The system stopped at his shoulder: "Chenchen, you still say you are not a teacher?"
"Okay, I am." Zhu Qingchen smiled and touched the child's head, "Don't cry, the master won't leave."
*
The war situation on the front line was tense. Li Yue stayed for a few days and spent the New Year with Zhu Qingchen before going back to continue fighting.
That evening, the sun set and the sky gradually darkened.
Zhu Qingchen hid in the room and used tortoise shells and copper coins to tell fortunes for Li Yue.
He wrapped himself in a blanket, lay on the bed, gently moved three copper coins with a brush, propped up his head, and observed carefully.
Suddenly, there was a slight sound outside the window.
Zhu Qingchen looked back and saw the window was pushed open, and Li Yue was standing in the enveloping night.
Li Yue asked: "Zhu Qingqing, have you finished your divination? Let's go out and roast a rabbit."
Zhu Qingchen glanced at the copper coin, then looked back at him, nodded, and got up from the bed.
Zhu Qingchen stood on a small stool, clung to the window, and struggled out clumsily.
Li Yue held his hand and pulled him out of the room.
Two people rode on the same horse, the horse's hooves tapping lightly as they passed through the streets and alleys.
As soon as he left the city, Li Yue raised his hand and shot an arrow, hitting a rabbit.
He hugged Zhu Qingchen, and when he passed by the rabbit, he reached out and caught it.
There is a dilapidated City God Temple outside the city, which is the secret base of the two people.
I used to play here when I was little, and I also roasted rabbits here when I grew up.
Li Yue was responsible for dealing with the rabbits, while Zhu Qingchen simply cleaned up the City God Temple and picked up some branches and firewood.
After working for nearly half an hour, a bonfire was lit in the City God Temple.
Li Yue held the rabbit, sprinkled some salt on it, and then used Zhu Qingchen's unsharpened brush, dipped it in a little honey, and brushed it on.
Zhu Qingchen held his face, took a deep breath, smelled the aroma of rabbit meat, and waited quietly.
But the rabbit had to wait a little longer.
Zhu Qingchen turned around and saw the statue of the City God on the high platform in the temple.
Zhu Qingchen seemed to have some sense of something, so he stood up, walked to the statue, climbed onto the platform, and helped the City God wipe the dusty face.
By the light of the fire, Zhu Qingchen stood in front of the statue, clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and made a serious wish.
Not long after, Zhu Qingchen made his wish and sat down next to Li Yue again.
Li Yue did not ask him what wish he made, but just turned the rabbit over silently.
After an unknown amount of time, both of them spoke at the same time.
"Zhu Qingqing, I don't want to fight, I want to be with you."
"Li, are you sure you can pacify the world in a month?"
After hearing each other's words clearly, both of them fell silent.
"Li Yue, you are a general, how can you lose heart before the battle even starts?"
"Zhu Qingqing, you also know that I am a general, not a god? One month?"
Zhu Qingchen explained in a low voice: "I don't want to be separated from you for too long."
Li Yue also whispered: "I don't want to either."
The next second, the two of them hugged each other and said "Woo woo woo".
The rabbit was almost burnt, but they didn't notice.
*
Even though he was reluctant, Li Yue still had to leave the next morning.
Outside the city gate, Zhu Qingchen and everyone else saw him off.
Zhu Qingchen held Li Yue's helmet tightly and refused to let go. Li Yue held his sword with one hand and rubbed his face with the other hand, whispering, "Give it to me, we have to go."
Zhu Qingchen was so sad that he almost cried: "I just came back and we just met..."
Li Yue coaxed him in a low voice: "It's okay, I've already fought once, and I'll be back soon."
Zhu Qingchen raised the helmet with both hands, and Li Yue lowered his head obediently, letting him put it on him.
Zhu Qingchen reminded: "Remember to come back early."
Li Yue nodded: "Got it, one month."
Li Yue turned his head, raised his hand slightly, and ordered his guards: "Let's set off."
"Yes." The guards took the order and mounted their horses.
Before getting on the horse, while no one was paying attention, Li Yue secretly pressed Zhu Qingchen's lips with his thumb.
Now I can’t kiss Zhu Qingqing wantonly, I can only use this instead.
"Zhu Qingqing, let's go." Li Yue pulled the reins as if nothing had happened and jumped onto the horse.
Before leaving, he also reminded Zhu Qingchen: "Stay at home and don't run around. If there is anything, send me a message. Practice the Five Animals Exercises I taught you every day to strengthen your body."
"Yeah." Zhu Qingchen nodded and took two steps after him, "Then come back early."
Li Yue looked back at him and waved his hand: "It's windy outside, go back."
Zhu Qingchen stood there until he could no longer see the place, then he prepared to go back in despair.
His friends surrounded him and comforted him: "All right, all right, the general is brave and invincible, you don't have to worry."
"That's right. In less than half a year, the general will give you the whole world and make you the prime minister."
Zhu Qingchen burst into tears: "I don't want to be the prime minister, I want to be with Li Yue."
The friends looked at each other and said, "You can do whatever you want, okay?"
"Don't be sad. There are still many things to do in the city. I don't have time to be sad for you."
After the Chinese New Year, spring is coming soon.
The weather in the northwest is bitterly cold, and at most two crops can be grown each year. If the harvest is poor, everyone will go hungry, not to mention providing rations to the soldiers at the front.
There were also nomadic tribes in the northwest. Although Li Yue's father and grandfather had beaten them so hard that they dared not to offend again, they would definitely come again to harass the people and destroy the food in the spring.
Farm work, hunting, seed selection, fortifications, and student examinations, and many, many other things.
Zhu Qingchen is not at ease at all.*
Zhu Qingchen was busy in the rear while Li Yue was fighting on the front line.
In less than a year, Li Yue had defeated all the forces.
All the troops surrendered and bowed, leading their own soldiers and being incorporated into Li Yue's team.
If a small number of people refuse to accept and resist to the end, then just beat them until they submit.
The imperial court was overjoyed when they saw this. As they saw the world would be unified, they immediately sent an envoy to confer the title of "Loyal and Righteous General" on Li Yue, commanding all troops and sending him to the capital to receive the title soon.
The loyal and righteous general, loyal and righteous.
It was obvious that the imperial court wanted to take advantage of a ready-made situation.
Li Yue did not make any comment, but sent people to receive the imperial envoys and treated them to delicious food and drinks.
On the day when the imperial envoy was sent away, a group of military generals were discussing matters in the camp.
Li Yue was wearing armor and sitting in the main seat.
Everyone knelt down below, talking at the same time.
"The general is now in the limelight, and must have aroused the court's fear. His Majesty must have intended to deprive the general of his military power by summoning him to the capital to be conferred an imperial title. The general must not come to the capital!"
"Yes, although His Majesty has promised you a high position and generous salary, the general is in charge of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses, and His Majesty will definitely be uneasy. If he enters the capital, not only will his military power be lost, I am afraid that the general may also be in danger of his life."
"General, please do not be deceived by the emissaries' sweet words and enter the capital."
Li Yue remained calm and said, "Then according to what you said, what should we do?"
"this……"
Everyone knew what to do, but they were too embarrassed to say it out loud.
They could only hint to Li Yue by wiping his neck, like this, like this.
Until a straightforward general spoke up: "General, why don't we charge into the capital, kill the emperor, and seize the throne."
With someone taking the lead, everyone feels confident.
"That's right. The court is corrupt and the emperor is incompetent. The general had good intentions to quell the rebellion, but he was abandoned by the emperor. How hateful!"
"Besides, we are the rebels recruited by the general. We only recognize the general! We will never accept anyone else's control!"
"General, think twice. If we enter the capital, rivers of blood will flow. Decades of foundation will be wasted!"
The group became angrier as they talked, and they all stood up and bowed.
"Please let the general ascend the throne!"
Li Yue sat calmly in his seat, his eyes slightly lowered, not knowing what he was thinking.
Of course he would not go to Beijing to receive the title, he was just being reserved.
Zhu Qingqing came to him a few days ago to believe in him. Others asked him to be the emperor, but he couldn't agree all of a sudden.
It takes some pushing and pulling before you agree.
Seeing that he was unmoved, everyone became anxious and quickly advised him: "General, you have many talented people under your command, and Lord Zhu is in charge of the rear. The civil and military officials in the capital are all obsessed with money and luxury, and there is no one who can be used. You will definitely lose."
"General, please ascend the throne immediately. We are all willing to serve you as our Lord!"
Li Yue followed Zhu Qingqing's instructions and waved his hands modestly: "No, no, I am a loyal minister and a good general. I cannot do such a treasonous, disloyal and unfilial thing."
Everyone shouted: "Please let the general ascend the throne immediately!"
Li Yue was about to wave his hand when suddenly, the sound of horse hooves was heard outside the tent.
Li Yue raised his head and looked outside.
I saw several horse-drawn carriages slowly driving into the military camp. The drivers and the soldiers following behind were all Li Yue's personal guards.
Li Yue's eyes lit up and he stood up from his seat.
Then he realized that he had lost his composure, cleared his throat, and said to everyone: "I sent someone to pick up Master Xiao Zhu a few days ago. It seems that Master Xiao Zhu has arrived."
"I will carefully consider what you just said, discuss it with Prime Minister Zhu, and then give you a reply."
"My queen has arrived. I will go to greet her!"
Li Yue smiled and nodded at them, then walked out of the tent.
Everyone looked at each other.
Was there some strange name that just flew by so quickly?
They didn't quite hear it.
But soon after, someone said, "It will be more effective if Lord Xiaozhu persuades the general to ascend the throne than if we do it!"
"That's exactly the point!"
The group immediately rushed out of the tent.
Li Yue stood in front of the carriage and just held Zhu Qingchen's hand.
Before Zhu Qingchen had time to get off the carriage, he was surrounded by a group of people with shining eyes.
"Master Xiaozhu is here? We are discussing important matters and are waiting for you."
Zhu Qingchen smiled and said, "I know. I'll try to persuade you."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. With the Queen's persuasion, His Majesty would definitely agree to ascend the throne.
Zhu Qingchen took Li Yue's hand, and the two returned to the tent to talk alone.
In the history books, the historians will write:
"The emperor and empress discussed the matter for three days. The empress was moved and explained the difficulties of the people's livelihood and the long-standing problems of the previous dynasty. After three days of earnest discussion, the emperor raised his army."
In fact—
Zhu Qingchen was nestling in the tent, gnawing on the lamb leg that Li Yue had roasted for him, his face covered with food. "I'm so tired on this journey, I've lost a lot of weight. Li Yue, when you go out, just tell them that I begged you for three days and finally convinced you. Don't let it get away with it."
Li Yue helped him grill the meat without stopping, poured him some water, and took the time to wipe the seasoning off his face: "Got it."
Three days later, Li Yue assembled his troops and marched south.
This was the final decisive battle. Zhu Qingchen did not stay behind, but marched and fought with him.
The imperial court was extremely corrupt. When a war broke out, there was not a single capable general to be found. Even the military salaries and rations were extorted at every level. It was rotten to the core.
Li Yue and Zhu Qingchen had an unimpeded journey. Wherever they passed, soldiers and civilians opened the city gates and offered food and drink to welcome the royal army.
In less than half a year, the army was at the gates of the city.
Li Yue and Zhu Qingchen rode their horses and stood side by side in front of the two armies.
The old emperor sent his personal eunuch to beg for mercy on the city wall: "Your Majesty, please surrender! Your Majesty, please surrender!"
When Li Yue heard this, he frowned slightly and asked, "Who is your Majesty?"
The eunuch was startled and quickly changed his words: "General, General, it's His Majesty! The His Majesty in the city is willing to surrender, please show mercy, General!"
Li Yue laughed and emphasized: "Let His Majesty come to see me in person."
"Yes, yes..." The eunuch was so frightened that he ran down the city wall in a panic.
Soon, the pot-bellied old emperor, supported by a group of eunuchs, climbed up the city wall.
He shouted loudly: "General Li, Lord Zhu, I... No, I surrender! I surrender!"
Li Yue adjusted the bowstring in his hand and said calmly: "Then open the city gate."
"Yes, yes, yes!" The old emperor's face lit up with joy, thinking that he had a way to survive, and he stumbled down to open the city gate.
As soon as the city gate opened, Li Yue shot an arrow at the gate.
The old emperor smiled and praised: "Your Majesty is a good archer!"
Li Yue ignored him and entered the city with Zhu Qingchen.
The doors and windows of the city were closed and there was silence, but Zhu Qingchen knew that the people were hiding inside in fear and peeking outside.
Two rows of guards on horseback rushed into the city first.
The guards shouted loudly: "The new emperor has ordered that our army will not harm the civilians when entering the city! Don't panic! Don't panic!"
The horses' hooves trampled the blue bricks of the long street, and the voices of the guards echoed in the silence.
When Zhu Qingchen and Li Yue were about to enter the palace on horseback, they heard a creaking sound and a child pushed open the window and looked out curiously.
His parents quickly held down his head and brought him back.
Zhu Qingchen turned around and smiled at the child.
*
It took the army a year and a half to enter the city.
Compared with the three years of Li Yue in his previous life, it was shortened by half.
The previous emperor, who indulged in pleasure, also hoped that he could get a piece of land, become a rich man, and spend the rest of his life.
As a result, the next day, he was told that the new emperor had sentenced him to be executed immediately at the entrance of the market, and the people could go and watch.
Before he could react, he was dragged out.
As for the remaining corrupt officials, those who should be beheaded will be beheaded, and those who should be exiled will be exiled.
Zhu Qingchen and a group of civil officials spent a full half month to compile the list.
When a new dynasty is first established, there must be a new atmosphere. The reign title, country name, official positions, official system, rituals, laws and administration all need to be renegotiated.
All these tasks fell on the shoulders of the civil servants.
The civil officials were headed by Zhu Qingchen, so he was extremely busy after pacifying the world.
But Zhu Qingchen enjoyed it.
He wants to do everything in this life that he didn't have time to do in his previous life!
A month later, in the warm room of the side hall.
Zhu Qingchen and a group of civil servants were discussing the coronation ceremony of the new emperor.
Of course, Li Yue was also present.
He didn't care much about these things, but seeing Zhu Qingchen's high spirits, he wanted to accompany him.
An adult took out old files from the previous dynasty for everyone to refer to.
"In the previous dynasty, the emperor and empress probably offered sacrifices to heaven together, riding in a carriage from Chaoyang Gate all the way to the altar..." The lord seemed to remember something and said hurriedly, "Of course, Your Majesty has not yet appointed a queen, so Your Majesty offered sacrifices to heaven alone."
Zhu Qingchen turned his head and glanced at Li Yue.
Li Yue cleared his throat and said, "In the past, I didn't appoint a queen because the country was not stable, and I was afraid that I would die on the battlefield, leaving the queen to wait in vain. Now, taking advantage of the coronation ceremony, I can appoint a queen at the same time."
After Li Yue said this, he looked at Zhu Qingchen.
It's just that he has hinted so clearly, but some people still don't understand.
"Your Majesty, do you have a favorite candidate? If not, why not choose one or two women from the noble families in the capital?"
Li Yue frowned, and the others looked at him in disbelief. What bullshit are you talking about?
The minister who said this was a descendant of a noble family from the previous dynasty.
A while ago, a group of people were executed or exiled, including a small group of children from noble families who had not done anything bad. In order to demonstrate the grace of the new dynasty, they were placed in less important positions.
No wonder, everyone understood it, no wonder he didn't know the secret between the new emperor and Lord Xiaozhu.
Seeing everyone looking at him like this, the man was still a little confused: "Does His Majesty already have a favorite candidate?"
At this time, Zhu Qingchen raised his hand high and said, "Your Majesty, I think the selection of concubines is too time-consuming and costly. It is better to compete for the position of queen."
Competing for a job?
What is this?
Everyone became more confused.
Zhu Qingchen climbed up from his seat, put his hands on his hips, and raised his hands: "I want to be the queen. Who is in favor, who is against? Who wants to compete with me?"
Except for the young man from the noble family who had just proposed the selection, all the other court officials who had followed them from Fengxiang raised their hands: "Agree! We all agree!"
Li Yue also raised his hand: "I agree too!"
The young man from the noble family was frightened by the scene and fainted.
The previous dynasty has collapsed, and the aristocratic family is eager to find a new backer to continue the family's glory.
The fastest way is to arrange marriage and put people around the emperor.
But now, Zhu Qingchen wants to be the queen, and Li Yue does not want to have a harem, so the aristocratic families of the previous dynasty are naturally unwilling.
Several heads of prestigious families gathered a group of people and knelt outside the palace gate to beg for mercy, crying.
"Your Majesty, think twice! Your Majesty does not have a harem, and only takes men as queens, which goes against the laws of nature and human ethics. It is the way of heaven that kings, princes, generals and ministers have three wives and four concubines, and have many children and good fortune. Even if Your Majesty likes male beauty, you should also accept male favorites. How can you act so recklessly when the new dynasty is just established? I am afraid that the fate of our Great Zhou will be unfortunate..."
Li Yue became annoyed and rushed out of the palace gate with a long sword in hand.
With a "clang" sound, a large piece of blue brick on the ground was shattered by the long knife.
The head of the noble family who was leading the crying raised his head and saw his own face on the shiny blade. He was so scared that he couldn't speak.
Li Yue said sternly, "Youqing and I have known each other since childhood. We have a deep friendship and have supported the world together. Why can't you be the queen?"
"If you keep crying, I'll make Qingqing the emperor! I'll drag you all out and chop you off!" He said as he turned around and ordered the guards, "Come on! Drag these old bastards out and chop them off!"
The guards did not hesitate, and quickly stepped forward and pulled the group of people up. Everyone panicked.
Forgot, forgot that this emperor was originally a bandit! A bandit who had no rules at all and killed people at will!
The group of people were so scared that they all regretted their decision.
At this time, Zhu Qingchen ran out and stood in front of the nobles: "Your Majesty, please think twice. I am also a descendant of the scholars of the previous dynasty. Are you going to chop me off too?"
Li Yue patted his head and said, "These old bastards deserve to die. Please don't worry about it."
Zhu Qingchen looked at him firmly, refusing to move aside.
With just a few words and a look, Zhu Qingchen persuaded Li Yue to go back.
At this point, the head of the noble family raised his hand weakly: "I agree too."
Looking at the cheerful backs of Zhu Qingchen and Li Yue as they left hand in hand, they always felt as if they were just acting in a play.
No matter what, I agree! I agree!
Zhu Qingchen became the queen and could stop the emperor when he wanted to kill them.
If Zhu Qingchen had not been the queen, she would not have received such treatment.
However, there is one thing——
Li Yue and Zhu Qingchen returned to the palace to try on the formal dresses they would wear at the coronation ceremony.
Li Yue propped up his chin and looked at Zhu Qingchen who was circling in front of him, as if thinking about something.
Everything that the old bastards said just now was wrong, except for one sentence which seemed to make some sense.
——Even if they are homosexual, kings, princes, generals and ministers should have many male favorites.
Zhu Qingqing is now above everyone else, so he should have more men to accompany him.
But Li Yue is so stingy, how can he satisfy Zhu Qingqing's need?
While Zhu Qingchen was changing his clothes, Li Yue ordered his guards: "Get two pieces of wood and a carving knife, the kind used for carpentry work."!
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