Drunk Bamboo

Baoping Palace.

Hua Qinfeng was exhausted from the journey and went straight into the palace without even going home.

When the emperor saw him, he suddenly sat up from half leaning on the dragon throne and became more energetic.

"The wind is back!"

Standing in the main hall were Crown Prince Hua Qinyu, Minister of the Central Secretariat Xun Bai, Prime Minister Wang Yan, Vice Prime Minister Luo Yuan, Zhang Xinghe, and the six ministers of state.

The atmosphere in the hall was depressing, and Hua Qinfeng broke the stalemate as soon as he entered the hall.

"On my way back, I heard about the snowstorm in the north and the war in the west. I also saw many refugees at the city gate. Your Majesty summoned me for these things."

The emperor nodded.

Prime Minister Wang Yan said, "The actual situation is more serious than what Your Majesty heard and saw."

The prince continued, "Three years ago, after the You Kingdom was defeated by my third brother, they made a comeback this time and attacked the weakest point in the western border. Moreover, it was a surprise attack. The Xiao family army was caught off guard and fought desperately, but two cities fell."

Hua Qinfeng was surprised. "How is it possible? After the defeat, the You Kingdom took three years to regroup. It is impossible for them to attack the city all at once. How can they capture two cities in just a few days?"

He would never believe that the You Kingdom army was so powerful, and even less that the Xiao Family army was so vulnerable.

Minister of War Chen Xin: "The battle report just arrived. Xiao Jiadalang fought desperately to defend the city, which prevented the three cities from being captured."

Xiao Binglei is dead? !

Hua Qinfeng's face turned pale.

He clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and looked fierce.

"Your Majesty, the war in the west is urgent. I am willing to go there and help General Xiao fight the enemy together!"

The emperor's dull eyes lit up, "With your help, we will surely defeat the You Kingdom army again."

Just now when we were discussing the affairs of the western frontier, everyone was terrified and no one spoke.

As soon as Hua Qinfeng arrived, he immediately took over the job. In addition to excitement, the emperor also felt relieved.

When did all the old ministers in the court become as old as him? Even the invincible Xilin Xiao family could not defend the western border and lost two cities in a few days.

He was afraid that the Xiao family army would also be defeated.

In the end, the person he could rely on was his son.

The son he had wanted to suppress.

The emperor had mixed feelings.

The hall fell silent again.

The King of Wind is in charge of the matter in the west, and the north is also a big problem.

At this time, the prince stood up.

"Your Majesty, although the snow in the north is a once-in-a-century event, the court has already sent officials to make preparations in advance. The various places in the north have prepared food and winter clothes, but it is not foolproof. There will always be omissions, and there will definitely be some refugees. But looking at the current situation, there seem to be too many refugees, and there are more refugees coming to Zhongdu."

"The officials sent to the north have not returned any news for a long time. I am worried that they have met with misfortune. I am also worried that there may be corruption among officials in the north, who have embezzled food and money, which has led to the emergence of so many victims."

Only the prince dared to say these words.

The people present had already guessed it.

The emperor naturally thought of it too.

The prince raised his eyes, his gaze firm, "I, your son, will go to the north to investigate and personally provide disaster relief."

Prime Minister Wang Yan immediately stopped him, "Your Highness should stay in Zhongdu right now, and you can send other people to the north to provide disaster relief."

Deputy Prime Minister Luo Yuan agreed, "Prime Minister Wang is right. Your Highness should stay in Zhongdu at this moment."

The emperor held his forehead and sighed.

"Do you have any suitable candidates?"

Zhang Xinghe bowed.

"It is very dangerous to go to the north. The roads are difficult to travel, the weather is bad, the victims are panicking, and there may be riots. It is best for those who go there to be good at martial arts and have a high status. There are many powerful families in the north, and disaster relief requires the help of local people."

He has power and status, is dignified, is skilled in martial arts, and has good physical strength.

Besides Hua Qinfeng, who else?

Liu Shancai from the Ministry of Revenue whispered, "Prince Feng is going to the western frontier, and it is impossible for him to go to the north again."

Xun Bai suggested, "Where is Lord Chen from the Ministry of War?"

Chen Xin looked embarrassed, "I'm afraid I can't stand the cold weather in the north due to the heavy snow at my age."

The emperor frowned and glanced at these old ministers. They all had the same faces for more than ten years and were indeed old.

He shook his head.

In the past, the struggles in the court were fierce, but when the time came to really use people, not a single one was available.

At this time, Hua Qinfeng made a suggestion.

"Your Majesty, I would like to recommend someone."

Emperor: “You say.”

"Gu Suiyi, the son of the Yongxing Marquis."

The emperor narrowed his eyes. "I remember him. He has a loyal heart. But his ability does not seem to be able to shoulder the heavy responsibility of disaster relief."

It was obvious that he did not trust Gu Suiyi.

Being so young and without any experience in disaster relief, I’m afraid I won’t be able to complete the mission.

Zhang Xinghe voiced his support.

"Your Majesty, during the plague, I had contact with Prince Gu for a period of time. He set up a medical clinic and a porridge shop in the city and did a lot for the people. I saw it with my own eyes and I admired him very much at the time."

The prince continued, "The Gu family has been marching for generations, and their ancestors were all great generals who led troops into battle. Prince Gu has the blood of the ancestors of the Gu family flowing in his veins, so he can naturally inherit their bravery."

No one expected that these three people would recommend an unknown Gu Suiyi at the same time.

The emperor asked back: "From what you said, Gu Suiyi is the most suitable candidate?"

"Your Majesty, I will go with Prince Gu." Deputy Prime Minister Luo Yuan suddenly spoke up, which was surprising.

"I am in good health. When I was young, I worked in the fields. Now I am in Zhongdu all year round. Although I am not as strong as when I was young, my physical strength is still good."

Luo Yuan was born in a poor family. He is in his early forties and has always had a tall and straight figure. He is indeed not like those people who have been pampered for many years, with big bellies and frequent illnesses.

Luo Yuan added, "With the Prime Minister Wang in the court, even if I go, it won't affect anything."

This trip to the north is to share the emperor's worries, to relieve the prince's concerns, and also for my daughter Luo Qi.

I hope King Wen and his daughter can be safe and sound in their fiefdom.

No matter what King Wen had done before, his merits could offset some of it.

All the worries in the emperor's eyes disappeared.

"I feel more at ease if you accompany me, but I am worried whether your body can bear it."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'm fine."

"Then it is decided." The emperor waved his hand, his face full of fatigue, "The refugees outside Zhongdu will be handed over to the crown prince. I am a little tired, so I will go down to rest first. If there is anything in the future, please discuss it with the crown prince first."

"Farewell to Your Majesty."

The emperor was helped down by Eunuch Dong.

The people in the hall also left one by one.

Hua Qinfeng looked at the aged emperor and couldn't help but say, "Father, what is this..."

In just one month, the emperor seemed to have aged ten years.

Even state affairs were handed over to the prince.

The prince said softly, "It snowed heavily, there were strange phenomena in the sky, and people were saying that this was a punishment from heaven, and father attributed the phenomenon to himself. Add to that the invasion of You country, and father couldn't bear it all at once."

A trace of worry appeared between Hua Qinfeng's brows, "Internal and external troubles..."

Zhang Xinghe reminded, "The situation in the west is critical and very strange. Your Majesty must be careful when traveling west this time."

The prince felt the same way.

"Don't worry, I'll go back home and pack up, and leave right away."

Before Hua Qinfeng left, he asked the prince, "Your Highness, please take care of Yuzhu for me. I don't want her to go to the west with me."

The prince agreed, "I will ask my mother to summon her to the palace to accompany her. She will be safe in the palace."

Hua Qinfeng thanked him solemnly, "Thank you very much."