Chapter 693 I am Xie Chenan, and also Xiao Yan
In the palace.
After deposing the emperor at the morning court session, Xiao Yan never left the palace again. People like Cao Dejiang who had long supported the new emperor stayed, along with the military generals who were concerned about the war in the south.
Xiao Yan informed everyone of the current situation in the South, arranged the subsequent delivery of food and grass, and the suppression of Emperor An's private army, and handed over the court affairs that needed to be arranged urgently after the emperor was deposed. In addition, he also sent people to Longkang to bring back General Yin and asked other generals to reinforce Marquis Wenxin.
Orders were given one after another, mobilizing almost all the idle people, especially those from the six ministries. They were originally uneasy because of the change of the throne, but after hearing the continuous orders from Xiao Yan, they instantly lost the time to think about other things and just wished they could split each person into two people.
When he came out of the imperial study, the Minister of Personnel Zhang Yan looked a little dazed.
"Is this... the end?"
Minister of Justice He Cheng stood on the steps, looking at the already darkening sky: "What else?"
"But..." Zhang Yan's lips moved. "Today is a palace coup. The throne has changed hands. The whole world has a new master. Even if there are no major changes, there should be a commotion. The capital should be in turmoil. But why do I feel that nothing is different from before?"
Going to court, leaving court, and carrying out errands according to imperial orders, except that the new emperor gave him more instructions, everything else was no different from his usual duty days.
The person who came out from the other side was General Qi Jingyuan, the national defender. He was the man appointed by the new emperor to go to the south to replace General Yin.
After hearing the Minister of Personnel's words, he stood still and said, "What's so strange about this? The deposed emperor has been indulging in pleasure for many years, and he has long since entrusted others with the affairs of the court. Even memorials from various places have to pass the review of the Privy Council before being sent to the Secretariat, and then to the palace for approval."
"Let alone the various affairs of the court, even the allocation of military supplies and personnel changes, the deposed emperor is probably not as clear as our majesty."
The new emperor had already held real power long before his status as He Jiazi was restored, and all matters of the court, big or small, passed through his hands.
Later, after he became Duke Dingguo, although there were the Crown Prince and the deposed Emperor in the court, the two were more concerned with the struggle for imperial power and did not have much to do with government affairs. Many things in the court from top to bottom still required Xiao Yan's approval before they could be implemented.
Xiao Yan had already been the regent for a long time, and all he lacked was the title of emperor.
The people nearby were stunned for a moment when they heard this, and then they suddenly understood.
Too……
It doesn’t seem to make much difference whether the emperor has changed or not.
General Qi looked at the people in front of the hall with different expressions and said, "You have all seen the methods of His Majesty. Xie Tianyong was deposed and imprisoned for his evil deeds. The new His Majesty is a man who cares about practical results."
"Since you have received orders, please do your respective tasks well. Know what you should and shouldn't do. Don't follow in King Huan's footsteps. We are all colleagues in the court. I don't want any of you to be replaced after I return from the war in the south."
"King Huan is enough to scare the monkeys by killing a chicken."
The people in front of the hall felt their scalps tighten when they heard this, and a look of urgency appeared on their originally relaxed faces.
"I'm leaving the palace first."
"Me too."
"Goodbye everyone!"
…
The noise outside the imperial study could not be hidden from the people inside. Qian Baokun was full of surprise when he heard Jinyun's low reply that it was Qi Jingyuan who helped Xiao Yan to crack down on those court officials.
"This Qi Jingyuan is not easy to get along with. His temper is even more stubborn than that of Marquis Wenxin. How dare he speak up for Your Majesty?"
Cao Dejiang chuckled, "That's because you don't understand him. Most military commanders have straightforward tempers, and Qi Jingyuan is even more so."
"His fighting ability is not inferior to Marquis Wenxin and General Yin. However, because of his numerous military achievements, he has no more titles to offer. The General's Mansion also has some people who think that his achievements are too great to be his master. Therefore, Xie Tianyong has kept the Qi family idle in the capital and refused to allow Qi Jingyuan to take charge of the army."
Sometimes he really couldn't understand Emperor An. There were capable generals and loyal and brave people in the court, but for the sake of so-called weighing and suspicion, he pushed those people away from him one by one.
Qi Jingyuan had long noticed that there was uneasiness in the palace about him, so he took the initiative to bring his wife and children back to the capital, and left his eldest son Qi Cheng, who was already brave, in the capital as a "hostage" in order to reassure Emperor An.
But even so, Emperor An still did not let down his guard against him, and allowed the man who should have been a fierce general on the battlefield to stay in the capital as a rich and idle person.
Cao Dejiang said, "Your Majesty has agreed to let Qi Jingyuan lead the troops south to help Marquis Wenxin suppress the rebellion. This is the greatest respect and trust for him. Qi Jingyuan will naturally return the favor and help Your Majesty stabilize the court and crack down on those court officials who have other intentions."
Xiao Yan said, "General Qi is a man of great talent, but it is a shame for him to stay in the capital."
Qian Baokun agreed, "That's right. Back then, Qi Jingyuan and Yin Bao were both known as the Killing Gods of the Wei Dynasty. At the age of thirteen or fourteen, they followed Emperor Taizu in his campaigns, earning a stellar reputation on the battlefield. Even Marquis Wenxin couldn't match him in this respect. With his help, the war in the south will surely end soon."
Without outsiders, the imperial study became cold and desolate. Xiao Yan led Cao Dejiang and the others behind the green gauze cabinet.
After entering the back compartment and Xiao Yan took his seat, Qian Baokun and Cao Dejiang stood by.
"Sit down."
Xiao Yan gestured for the two to sit down. After hesitating for a moment, they sat on the low couch opposite Xiao Yan. Then a palace servant brought in tea.
After Xiao Yan ordered his men to leave, he stood up and poured tea for the two of them.
Qian Baokun and Cao Dejiang were both startled and hurriedly remembered.
"Your Majesty, this is not allowed!" Qian Baokun said anxiously.
"Why not?"
Xiao Yan dodged Qian Baokun's hand that was reaching out to grab the teapot, and while pouring the tea into the cup, he said to the two people who looked a little bewildered:
"When I had nothing, you helped me rise to prominence. I will always remember your support and protection. Uncle Qian and I have a bond beyond the rites of king and subject. Does that mean I will become estranged now that I've become emperor?"
He placed a cup of tea in front of Qian Baokun, pushed him back, and then poured another cup and placed it in front of Cao Dejiang.
"Lord Cao saved my life, helped me, and collected my parents' remains, and helped the court. Although I am the emperor, I do not want to be alone. I only hope that in the future, outside the court, you will treat me as usual."
Xiao Yan walked back: "I know that since ancient times, rulers and ministers have always been suspicious of each other, and I also know that the emperor's heart is cold, but I don't want to be like this. I only hope that you two can follow the elders' constant instructions and let me keep my original intention unchanged."
Qian Baokun's expression was moved when he heard this: "Your Majesty..."
Xiao Yan took two bright yellow imperial edicts from the side and handed them to the two of them.
"This is a gift to my uncle and Lord Cao."
Cao Dejiang vaguely guessed what was in his hand, but he found it a little hard to believe. After he took it and took a look at what was written on it, a look of shock appeared on his face.
Qian Baokun could hardly contain himself: "Your Majesty, this is..."
"This is the confidence I promised you two."
Xiao Yan saw that both of them were stunned and shocked. Qian Baokun's eyes were red. He looked at them with the cup in hand, and said in a gentle voice, just like when he had not yet regained his identity, "I hope you two remember that although I am Xie Chen'an, I am also Xiao Yan."
Qian Baokun was shocked, and Cao Dejiang was also moved.
After a while, the two of them put aside their previous suspicions and raised their glasses to clink with Xiao Yan.
As the cups swayed, the three of them smiled at each other.
When they sat down again, Qian Baokun's face was obviously much more relaxed, and even Cao Dejiang relaxed.
Qian Baokun said, "We have General Qi in the South. Once the food and fodder are delivered, we won't have to worry about it. Prince Pingshan's defeat is only a matter of time. As for the aristocratic families, can Feng Qiuli convince the other families?"
Xiao Yan said, "He doesn't need to convince anyone else. As long as Liang Guangyi agrees, the other families won't cause any major chaos without their leader."
"But Liang Guangyi has to give up his position as Grand Tutor, and the privileges of the aristocratic families and the officials in the court have to be reduced..." Qian Baokun hesitated. "That old fox has always valued the interests of the aristocratic families above all else. Will he agree to this?"
Cao Dejiang said, "If Your Majesty wants to drive the dogs into a poor alley and completely cut off the livelihood of the aristocratic families, he will naturally not allow it. Even if it means risking his life, he will not easily let Your Majesty sit on the throne. But now that Your Majesty has promised him the position of Right Prime Minister and promised not to ban the children of aristocratic families from serving as officials, he will agree."
Liang Guangyi is not the kind of person who can give up everything. He has too many concerns and is too worried. A little doubt can lead to a lot of suspicion.
Just like when His Majesty threatened the He family, Liang Guangyi promised to skin the family alive and use half of his fortune to buy out the grudge. As long as he feels that the family is not at the end of its rope and knows that there is still a future if he takes a step back, he will never take the risk.
"Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Liang has sent a memorial over."
Jinyun came in with something.
Xiao Yan unfolded it, took a look at it, and then handed it to the two of them with a smile.
"It's done on the aristocratic family side."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com