Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 755: Storms Shake the World

Post horses, ridden by postmen in plain clothes and white hats, went from Lin'an to all directions.

Wherever the post horse passed, a vast expanse of white spread out in all directions, with Lin'an as the center.

The whole world is in mourning.

When the emperor passed away, all entertainment was banned for 27 days and the whole country was in mourning for three days.

When the large ship from Goryeo arrived at the Yanpu Wharf, Jin Yuzhen immediately discovered this.

After all, people used to wear colorful clothes, but now when you look around, the dock is all plain.

Only black, only white.

The women tied white silk ribbons around their waists, and even the pearl flowers on their hair buns were white.

The men's hats were all changed to white or black.

"This is……"

When Jin Yuzhen saw this situation, she knew that something big had happened in the State of Song.

This is a national mourning!

If it is a national mourning, then the deceased is either the king or the queen mother.

Is this the Grand Empress Dowager or the Empress Dowager of the Song Dynasty, or is something wrong with the Queen?
For a moment, Jin Yuzhen did not even think that the emperor Zhao Yuan, who was in his prime, would die.

Tae Hee was holding his little nephew and teasing him. When he heard that they had arrived at the pier, he hurried out.

Seeing this, Tae Hee couldn't help but restrain his smile.

Of course, no matter who died in the Song Dynasty, it had nothing to do with her, and she would not be sad about it.

In fact, even among the people of the Song Dynasty, how many people could feel sad and upset about the death of the emperor?

But this atmosphere is really depressing and uncomfortable.

General Wang originally planned to stop briefly in Yanpu and then rush to the next stop, but when he heard that this was the second day of the national mourning, he consulted with Jin Yuzhen.

General Wang thought that it would be better to find an inn to stay at at the Yanpu Wharf first, and then continue on the journey after the national mourning period is over. This way, it would save a lot of trouble.

Jin Yuzhen thought about it and agreed.

Although her son Cong Yang's surname was Wang, he was Yang Yuan's child and the fruit of the love between Jin Yuzhen and Yang Yuan.

As a mother, she naturally loves the flesh that has fallen from her body the most.

When a woman has a child, the man should be put second. In her heart and eyes, the first thing is always the new life born from her belly.

When children are too young, they cannot travel long distances.

You have to know that the infant mortality rate in this era was very high. Some diseases that are common in later generations could easily take people's lives in this era.

Jin Yuzhen was reluctant to leave her child to someone else's care, so she went across the ocean to visit her man.

So, she could only endure the pain of missing him for three years.

Now the child is two and a half years old, so I brought him to the Song Dynasty.

She wants to see her man, her child, and also meet his biological father.

After Jin Yuzhen found her love, she no longer regarded Wang Shuai as a thief.

After Wang Shuai and Jin Yuzhen became a nominal couple, they covered for each other and cooperated with each other, and their relationship was countless times better than before.

Now, in front of outsiders, the two of them look like a loving couple.

But in private, the two of them truly treat each other with respect.

During these three years, although Jin Yuzhen could not set foot in the Song Dynasty, there was a merchant ship traveling back and forth every six months, and she was aware of the news about Yang Yuan.

She knew that Yang Yuan was a powerful figure in the Censorate, that he had gone to the Ministry of Personnel and held the position of Imperial Counselor, and that he had become the Pacifier of Tongchuan Road.

Younger sister Tae Hee once asked her curiously, "Sister, Yang Yuan is in charge of Chuanzhong and Lizhong. Isn't that a very important position? Is it as important as Andongfu and Jinzhoumu?"

Jin Yuzhen told her: "The territory governed by Yang Yuan is almost the same as our entire Goryeo Kingdom. The population under his rule is larger than our Goryeo Kingdom."

Tae Hee opened her little mouth so wide that her jaw almost dislocated in shock.

She had always known that her sister and brother-in-law had business dealings with a high-ranking official named Yang in the Song Dynasty.

It is precisely because of this high-ranking official of the Song State that the Jin Family and the Wang Family have become increasingly powerful in recent years.

But she didn't know how high-ranking the official of the State of Song was. Now after hearing her sister's simple analogy, she understood.

Therefore, Old Grandfather Jin, who was already bedridden and began to gradually transfer power to his children and grandchildren, had a secret discussion with his most trusted eldest granddaughter Jin Yuzhen for nearly an hour. When he found her and tentatively asked her if she was willing to marry to the State of Song, she hesitated.

Yang Yuan had been a guest at the Jin family before, but she was still young and more playful at that time. Now her impression of Yang Yuan is vague, and she only remembers that he was a very handsome man.

A very handsome man, a man who holds as much power as the King of Goryeo, even if he is a concubine, what is the difference between him and a concubine?
She didn't feel humiliated, but she didn't know whether it was because of a young girl's shyness or the inexplicable fear of marrying far away. She hesitated for a long time and gave her sister an ambiguous answer:

Sister, since you and your brother-in-law are going to Song State to meet him to discuss business, then...then you can just say you want to take me with you to play, and I...I can see him first, is that okay?
Tae Hee remembered that her sister looked at her strangely at that time, and she couldn't describe the feeling.

Finally, she agreed.

However, among the cargo on that ship, there was a treasure hidden that could serve as a dowry.

She and her sister agreed that if she fell in love with Yang Yuan, she would propose marriage to him.

Because the two places are too far apart, it would be impossible to travel back and forth and spend one or two years to complete this marriage.

If she doesn't like it, then she won't mention it and will return to her country with her sister and brother-in-law.

When my sister nodded in agreement, the strange emotion in her eyes disappeared.

It was as if she had something that she was worried about and was about to be taken away, but suddenly she felt relieved that it was not taken away.

……

Yang Yuan exchanged letters with the Lin family of Gongzhou through Mei Zhen.

Lin Pingyang of Gongzhou is Meizhen's uncle, so it is normal for them to exchange letters.

Hidden in this book is the communication between Yang Yuan and veteran coach Liu Qi.

In late August, the two generals had a secret meeting in Liangshan Army.

Liangshan Army was not a military camp, but a local administrative unit during the Southern Song Dynasty.

However, places where the military serves as a local administrative unit generally do have troops stationed there, and they are considered military strongholds.

The administrative divisions of the Song Dynasty were divided into routes, military regions, prefectures, and states.

However, the army can be large or small.

The army was on the same level as the provincial government and was directly under the jurisdiction of the road;

Xiaojun is at the same level as a county and is under the jurisdiction of the state.

After the two of them discussed in secret, they returned separately. This meeting was very relaxed, but considering the limitations of communication conditions, the two of them needed to communicate in advance about how to cooperate with each other in the event of a certain situation in the action against Lizhou.

In this way, even if a certain situation arises and the matter is urgent and there is no time for communication, both parties can still cooperate according to the predetermined plan.

In fact, even the most powerful Wu army in Lizhou West Route does not have the possibility of rebellion under the current conditions.

However, it is still possible to create or indulge in local unrest.

This is also the reason why the court is cautious.

This country belongs to the Song Dynasty, and the imperial court is its owner. The imperial court will naturally do its utmost to avoid any damage that can be avoided.

Because of this fear of putting the cat in the dog's hole, we are extremely cautious.

If they were not afraid of this possibility, both Yang Yuan and Liu Qi could have simply suppressed the rebellion with the imperial edict in one hand and the tiger talisman in the other.

Either accept the court's rectification and integration, or use iron-fisted suppression and iron-blooded purge. Who is afraid of you breaking all the jars and pots?

The two men made up their minds and decided to launch the plan to reorganize Lidong at the end of September.

After the Liangshan army separated, Yang Yuan and Liu Qi went west and east respectively, one returned to Longqing Prefecture in Jianzhou and the other returned to Gongzhou City.

However, Yang Yuan returned to the government office almost at the same time as the imperial courier.

The messenger was in front and Yang Yuan was behind.

When the news of the emperor's death came, Yang Yuan was shocked beyond words.

Zhao Yuan was so young that Yang Yuan thought he and Zhao Yuan would be king and subject for life.

Of course, there are countless kings and ministers, and countless close friends in the world who may not necessarily go their separate ways on the long road of life.

But there is no doubt that in terms of his official career, Zhao Yuan was a rare wise ruler for him, and also a wise leader who strongly supported him in changing the world.

On a personal level, he also respected the king.

But who could have imagined that just as he was gearing up to make a big move, expanding the territory for the Song Dynasty and offering another piece of incomparably glorious martial arts to the young and promising emperor, the emperor died young.

After being stunned for a long time, Yang Yuan raised his hands high and took the imperial edict.

The imperial edict is still an imperial edict, the last decree issued in the name of Emperor Zhao Yuan, but the person who issued it is actually no longer Zhao Yuan himself.

Thinking of this, Yang Yuan couldn't help but feel sad and his eyes became moist.

There is no time to think about the impact of Zhao Yuan’s sudden death on the political situation of the Song Dynasty and on his future.

Yang Yuan immediately summoned all the military and political officials in Longqing Prefecture and announced the news of the emperor's death and the new emperor's accession to the throne.

Afterwards, Yang Yuan, in the name of the Governor-General of Tongchuan Road and the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army stationed in Lizhou Central Road, issued a notice of obituary to all officials, gentry, soldiers and civilians under his jurisdiction.

All the officials in Longqing Prefecture changed into plain hats, black gauze hats and black horn belts, and set up a mourning hall in the main hall of the governor's office to mourn and pay tribute to the late emperor.

……

In the Fushu Pavilion of the Internal Record Office, Liu Yanran, Fujiwara Tako, Fei Yuye, Xue Bingxin, and Leng Yuchan also changed into plain clothes.

There's no need to make a fuss about such minor details. Even though this is the inner residence of the Yang Mansion, it stands to reason that even if there are some violations here, no one outside would know about it.

Liu Yanran and Duozi, who had just given birth, had the mature and charming aura of first-time mothers.

Fei Yuye and Xue Bingxin already have children, and now they are still as youthful and sweet as when they were still married.

I don’t know if it was the effect of the Zhelong technique that I practiced together with Yang Yuan.

As for Leng Yuchan, this natural turbocharged girl, she had just become pregnant not long ago, so nothing could be seen yet.

All entertainment in the city stopped, and all the soldiers and civilians wore mourning for the emperor.

People will inevitably make all kinds of speculations and guesses about the future of the Song Dynasty.

The Yang family's internal record room was naturally no exception.

It’s just that other people’s discussions are just an instinctive concern for the future, but they are not like that.

"A new emperor appoints new ministers. This is human nature. However, His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin will be the regent for at least five years. There shouldn't be any major setbacks before the emperor returns power to him."

Liu Yanran analyzed calmly.

Duozi raised her orchid finger and gently fiddled with the lotus seed soup in the jade bowl, saying, "That being said, my husband holds great power and is already an important minister of the Song Dynasty. Every move of the court and the storm it stirs up will inevitably affect him, so we need to make plans as soon as possible."

Fei Yuye said: "The new king is young, and has never had much contact with my husband. Sister Luxi is now the eldest princess, so perhaps she can use this relationship to do something."

Xue Bingxin shook her head: "It is impossible for the mistress of the Yang family to stay in the capital all the time. If she travels back and forth frequently, it can only be with the harem, and I am afraid it will backfire."

Leng Yuchan said: "Even if Sister Luxi is willing, my husband would not bother to do so. My husband and the new king do not have much in common, but they also do not have any hatred.

A new emperor has his own ministers, so the new emperor must have had his own team when he was the crown prince. But how many years had the previous emperor been in office?

The emperor was young then, and he is still a minor now, so he doesn't have many people to support him. What are you afraid of?"

Fei Yuye said: “My husband had no intersection with the new king before, and now he has been in charge of the local area, and he still has no intersection with the new king.

Five years later, the emperor took power personally, but he still couldn't get close to his husband. In these five years, the emperor still couldn't train his own team?"

Liu Yanran said: "However, my husband will soon point his sword at Dali and suppress Lidong, and then he will sharpen his knife to attack Xixia.

All these great achievements were made during the reign of the new monarch. Are you still worried that the new monarch will not be able to rely on your husband?"

Duozi put down the bowl and said, "We still need to prepare for a rainy day. How about this, we can open a guild hall in Lin'an.

The name of the guild hall is Shangwu. It secretly collects information on various court affairs and sends it to Sichuan every three days to ensure that we are fully aware of the court's every move.

Besides, isn't it natural for the eldest princess to have closer contacts with the royal family?
During festivals, we should be more careful when exchanging gifts. Every one or two years, the eldest princess should come back to Beijing to visit her relatives."

Liu Yanran nodded and said, "Yes, we must keep in touch with the King of Jin. We must not lose contact with my husband's colleagues, acquaintances, and close friends in Lin'an.

I will also write a letter back home, asking the Liu family to pay more attention to this."

Liu Yanran has five brothers-in-law and one younger brother, all of whom are either civil servants or military officers.

I don’t know how many close people I can win over through these people, so this network of contacts certainly cannot be wasted.

Leng Yuchan thought about it and suddenly laughed softly.

When she smiled, the pair of dimples on her cheeks took on a sweet shape.

"Sisters, do you remember when we moved from Lin'an to Jianzhou and passed through Ezhou, Feng Niang insisted on coming with us?"

Liu Yanran and the other girls all turned their eyes to Leng Yuchan.

Leng Yuchan said with a smile: "Now that we have settled down, can we write a letter to invite Feng Niang to visit Jianzhou?
Qingtang and Ah Man, they miss her a lot, and Bei'er is her teacher..."

Liu Yanran frowned her pretty eyebrows and said, "General Li Dao didn't allow my daughter to go with him at that time, which meant he didn't want my daughter to be a mistress."

Leng Yuchan picked up a crystal clear, sweet and juicy Jiazhou lychee, opened her red lips slightly, took a bite, and said with a smile:
"A son is no longer under the control of his father, and a daughter is no longer under the control of her mother. If you don't try...how will you know?"

(End of this chapter)