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【338 chapters】

Ji Ce squinted: "Let's just say why you have more gray hair, because you have more twists and turns in your heart!"

"Ha, if this is the case, Deputy Envoy Ji's hair is not only white now, but even the hair underneath is white!" Chi Heng tugged on Ji Ce's belt, and smiled maliciously.Ji Ce cursed, turned and left.

As Chi Heng said, if someone messes up the situation, someone else will clear it up.Even if Chi Heng didn't speak, those important ministers and generals who were responsible for the situation couldn't let the situation mess up.Soon, several courtiers who put the overall situation first came to the book, narrating the recent turmoil and it is not appropriate to let it develop.Some people even saw the emperor's inaction, and directly spoke to Ji Ce, trying to contain the current situation.Among them, Chu Jia, Song Yuan, Lian Xingzhi, Zong Yuzhou and others were particularly loyal and devoted to the book.

Ji Ce took advantage of the situation, saying that the emperor had been ill recently and had no time to deal with it, so he delegated power to these few people to deal with it.

Lian Xingzhi and others are not ordinary people. When they are in danger, they are ordered to quickly provoke the leader, start from many aspects, methodically suppress the current situation, and then take advantage of the current situation to eliminate the people and things that are currently disturbing the situation.

When water falls, stones emerge.

Not to mention that more than ten major cases were detected this year, among which the most important official was Shaofu Fuyuhua, who was sinister and vicious, deceived the superior and concealed the truth, and pretended to be public for personal gain.Chi Heng was furious and punished several high-ranking officials implicated in accordance with the law, and dozens of implicated officials were demoted.After careful investigation, these people have a good relationship with the general Mei Fu, but Mei Fu himself set an example, did not form a party for personal gain and has outstanding military exploits, so after Chi Heng reprimanded the relevant officials, he ordered Lian Xingzhi to stop here and use Xingsheng Yuan Xi Guo is the most important.

Chi Heng knows that when the water is clear, there will be no fish. If they get involved, everyone will be in danger, which is not what he wants to see.

Of course, later, Yan Jingtong was exposed to a few incidents, most of which were caused by his eagerness to innovate at the time, and these were not major issues.After experiencing the dispute between the princes, it is undoubtedly equivalent to rectifying the imperial court, with a completely new look, and the remaining civil servants and generals are more diligent, prudent, respectful and self-cultivating while working hard.

A few days later, Chi Heng accidentally saw Yan Jingtong and Wu Chen together.

As if they were friends.

Chi Heng told Ji Ce in surprise, when Ji Ce asked sideways, Wu Chen actually answered, and Yan Jingtong later confessed to him that the planting was a last resort, and the two laughed away their grievances.

After Chi Heng learned about it, he thought deeply: "Yan Jing is more round than I imagined, he not only knows how to act, but also takes the opportunity to quickly turn the situation around and draw people who might have turned against him into friends, which surprised me. "

In the seventh year of Qianyuan, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Chi Heng fell seriously ill.

This time the illness was like a storm, Chi Heng was seriously ill and was bedridden, with coughing or shortness of breath.For seven days in a row, Luo Jinghan and others took care of him in their clothes, watching Chi Henghua's hair grow and haggard.The imperial doctors were busy, and everyone in the Qianyuan Hall was silent and apprehensive.

On the ninth day of the ninth day, in the early morning, Chi Heng suddenly opened his eyes: "Shocked, today is the day when Zhuang Qi starts class."

Luo Jinghan wanted to cry.

Chi Heng got up slowly: "I'm sick like a mountain. I'm also a mortal. It doesn't matter. I'll be fine in a few days. Look at me now, isn't it all right? Let's go, I have to go and have a look every year on this day. "

"So what if it's missing this time!"

Chi Heng smiled: "He will wait for me, I can't let him down, don't make a big show this time, you and I can go in ordinary clothes."

Ji Ce and Luo Jinghan's dissuasion was useless, Chi Heng went out in a simple gray straight dress.He was born tall, and lost a lot of weight due to this disease, his clothes were blown empty by the wind, Luo Jinghan couldn't help being sad: "Chi Heng, your complexion is not good recently."

"People who have frequent minor illnesses live the longest, and one illness is a good thing."

Luo Jinghan burst into tears: "I just found out yesterday that you haven't spent the night with Ji Ce in this month, are you... are you hiding something from us?"

"The shock is just a minor illness."

"Since it's a minor illness, why didn't you let us know?"

"I didn't hide it, An Cuo has been seeing a doctor for me, and I take medicine myself!" Chi Heng leaned over and kissed away Luo Jinghan's tears, "The tears of shock are made of water, come as soon as you say it. You're really embarrassing me."

"An Cuo can't say anything, just say that your pulse has been getting weaker and weaker recently, Chi Heng, I'm very scared."

Chi Heng stood still, staring into Luo Jinghan's eyes.

Luo Jinghan burst into tears.

Chi Heng hugged him helplessly, and kept stroking his back: "Who doesn't have a headache? You complain about back pain all year round, and drink the medicine jar as water, isn't it fine? Shocked, don't cry, don't cry."

After finally persuading him, Luo Jinghan's eye circles turned red.

Wanli Academy is so big that only a front yard was erected with a plaque hanging on it.The red lanterns hanging on the tree in front of the plaque are still there, the Spring Festival couplets are brand new, the yard is clean, and there is not even a dead leaf on the ground.There are many big trees in the academy, and the birds are hiding in the trees and singing happily. Although the wind is bleak, the spirit is good. The young children are famous here. There are more than [-], some are in their teens, and some are seven or eight years old. The ignorant children, people coming and going, so full of vitality.

To get to the front yard, you have to climb a few steps.

Chi Heng picked up the road and walked up, passing by people coming and going, they were all ordinary people, they didn't recognize him.There was a seven-year-old child playing and running. The child was busy running, and one of them accidentally bumped into Chi Heng's leg. The child pouted and ran away with a frightened grimace.Chi Heng scooped him up, smiled and said to Luo Jinghan: "That's good, don't see me one by one, I'll be too scared."

The first lesson of Zhuang Qi's opening class is set by the stream.

From a distance, Chi Heng saw that Zhuang Qi was still so immortal, with the elegance of an outsider in every gesture.

Half an hour later, the class ended, and Chi Heng saw several young people gathered around Zhuang Qi to ask questions.

After waiting for a long time, a gust of wind blew up, the cold wind pierced the bones, and hit the back of the head directly from the back, Chi Heng couldn't help shivering.Luo Jinghan was taken aback, took off his clothes, and wanted to put them on for Chi Heng, but Chi Heng waved his hand away, Luo Jinghan forced them to cover them, then wiped his sweaty forehead, and murmured: "You Sure enough, I was sick, I couldn’t bear the wind, I thought it wouldn’t be the first month, why is the weather so hot.”

Chi Heng broke the conversation, pointed to the curly grass under the pine tree and said, "This kind of wild vegetable is delicious when mixed with cold vinegar."

"Eatable? What's it called?"

"It's called bitter vegetable leaves. Every time I start a class, Zhuang Qi will definitely ask the cook to mix a plate for me. It's sour, crunchy, delicious and chewy."

Just as he was talking, Zhuang Qi, who was holding a scroll in his hand, came over, saw the two of them, and saluted them: "Thank you, Your Majesty, forgive me for being far away." After finishing speaking, he led the two of them into a room in the front yard to rest, and boiled water Tea is very wild.

Zhuang Qi asked about Chi Heng's recent health condition,

Anxiety appeared on his face, but quickly covered it up.

Soon it was lunch time.

Sure enough, there was a plate of bitter vegetable leaves on the dining table. Luo Jinghan picked up one and tasted it, his bitter face wrinkled: "Do you like this?"

Chi Heng put it into his mouth happily: "It was bitter before, but it has a sweet aftertaste."

Luo Jinghan reluctantly took a second bite and refused to try again. He wiped away the shallot tofu, sour bud claws, and purple purslane, and drank three cups of the unpretentious sweet wine. When it was warm, Luo Jinghan took off his coat and put it aside.

Occasionally touched Chi Heng's hand, it was icy cold.

Luo Jinghan was taken aback: "Is it cold?"

Seeing this, Zhuang Qi took out a thick piece of clothing from the room: "Your Majesty, you left it here in the past. It's cold in the mountains, so wear more."

Chi Heng smiled and put on his clothes.

He was very interested and wanted to see the second yard where the foundation was still being laid.

Zhuang Qi followed behind, approached Luo Jinghan and asked softly, "Is the emperor still sick, so afraid of the cold? I've never seen him so weak."

Luo Jinghan showed worry: "He has always been brave and refused to say anything. For the past two months, he stayed in the imperial study until midnight every night, and it was useless to persuade him. Besides, I only listened to the imperial court a few days ago. The guard said that he coughed all night. On New Year's Eve, he suddenly fell ill and lay down. An made medicine for him by mistake, but he didn't cough, but his complexion was still bad. Today is the best day."

Zhuang Qi lost his mind for a long time and said: "The leaves of bitter herbs are cold, I'm afraid you will cough after eating them."

After reading it, it was time to go back to the palace, Zhuang Qi hesitated to speak, and sent the two outside the door, standing on the high steps watching Chi Heng's back gradually drifting away.He remembered that many years ago, he was standing on the stone in front of the Purple Star Terrace boredly, and saw someone climbing up from the bottom of the mountain.

Zhuang Qi saw at a glance that it was Chi Heng.

In an instant, a nameless joy welled up in my heart, just like the stream in early spring rising and spreading across the grass on the bank.

But Zhuang Qi didn't shout out. He just watched Chi Heng walk up briskly step by step, and said to himself with a bright smile, "Zhuang Qi, long time no see!" Stiff, unable to hold back a smile.I didn't speak at that time, and I can't speak again in the future. Every time, I greeted and sent away silently.

Chi Heng is very caring. Every ninth day of the Lunar New Year, he never forgets to attend his class or watch him give lectures to students. Chi Heng is also very careless. He always leaves in a hurry and calmly without any hesitation before leaving.

Zhuang Qi thought, if he were Luo Jinghan, he would definitely not let Chi Heng get sick.

It won't make him feel cold.

However, this was just a second thought, and Zhuang Qi dismissed the thought hastily and even panicked.The thin clouds at the foot of the mountain rose leisurely, lingering leisurely around the mountainside, Zhuang Qi flicked his sleeves, thinking, fate arises, fate disappears, let nature take its course, since you are not a fairy, you are destined to have some dusty fate that cannot be removed. resignation.

Chi Heng's illness lasted for another half a month, and he finally recovered from his illness in late January.

Coincidentally, Shi Wei came back.

Chi Heng called Ji Ce, Shi Wei, Cen Pojing, and Luo Jinghan into the imperial study.Cen Pojing was the first to come to the Qianyuan Hall, but saw that Chi Heng had just gotten up, his eyes were darkened, he didn't speak, he leaned on the edge of the bed and coughed.It was rare for Cen Pojing to see him like this, so he was taken aback, and quickly came over with a glass of warm water: "Drink some water first, what's the matter, why don't we talk about it after you recover from your illness."

Chi Heng drank a cup and calmed down.

Cen Pojing was busy pouring water and ordering people to stew the medicine.Chi Heng went to the mirror, saw a disheveled man, smiled wryly, picked up a comb and combed his hair.

Chi Heng has short hair, which has not been taken care of for a few months, and the hair is past the ear, and it looks sluggish, but there is nothing to comb.

What's more, he combed his gray hair with his eyes closed.

After opening his eyes for a long time, he suddenly froze.

When Chi Heng saw Rong Yue standing behind him in a daze, he gripped the comb tightly.Rong Yue from behind smiled, lifted his clothes, revealing the dragon pattern, the dragon pattern was blurry, Chi Heng's heart palpitated, he stared at the mirror tightly, not daring to turn his head.The face in the mirror smiled brightly and put down his clothes.

Chi Heng's eyes were blurred.

"Chi Heng, drink some medicine to clear your lungs!" The voice came, and it was clearly Cen Pojing with a strong face and beard.

Rong Yue in the mirror disappeared, and the comb in his hand broke.Chi Heng smiled wryly, the scene in the mirror just now is Rong Yue's favorite action, he loves to look at the dragon pattern in front of the mirror, he loves to show off, and when he shows off, he always laughs so triumphantly.

Chi Heng turned around: "Pojing, Rong Yue coughed badly last year."

"When did he get sick? No, I thought he wouldn't be able to make it through, this kid, he's going to die!"

"Yeah, he must have been in a lot of pain at the time, but he didn't tell us, and he insisted on going to Leizhou or somewhere." Chi Heng lowered his head and smiled, "He thought he was gone, so I don't worry about it. ?”

"Don't worry, Rong Yue is smart."

"He never said that when the dragon pattern disappeared, the whole skin was in pain like being burned, and he wished he could just peel off this piece of skin, it would be quicker."

Cen Pojing turned around, wondering: "Really? He seemed to be fine at the time."

Chi Heng put down the broken comb and smiled relaxedly: "It's okay."

"what's good?"

Chi Heng tidied up his clothes, and glanced sideways at the window, where purple-red flowers bloomed: "Have the wooden pen flowers bloomed outside? Fold a few and put them in the imperial study. If you are not careful, it will be another year!"

Everyone is here.

Chi Heng's first sentence was: "I have decided to choose a person to inherit the throne, and it will be announced in mid-February. Do you have any suggestions?"

Shi Wei was shocked. He had been in northern Xinjiang for nearly half a year and knew very little about the affairs of the court.

The others were not too surprised, they just frowned.

Chi Heng coughed a few times, and said: "The first thing to choose a person is virtue, the second is talent, the emperor is even more so. The person I choose must have enough ability or potential to control the overall situation; he must also be tolerant enough Only with harmony and benevolence can this great country continue. None of the four princes can do it, and none of them can meet my requirements."

Having said this, Chi Heng suddenly coughed violently a few times, his heart and lungs were tangled and trembling.

After finally raising his head, Cen Pojing had a cup of hot water in his hand.

Chi Heng went on to say: "When I was in Zhaojin City a few years ago, I deliberately trained a group of people. What is gratifying is that three or four of them are good. You can probably see the ones I like. Which ones are there?"

Seeing that no one else spoke, Cen Pojing said, "It was said that you want to choose one of the princes."

Chi Heng smiled: "Leave it to them, and I will die with regret."

Ji Ce's eyelids twitched: "What's the point of death? Even if you pass the position, don't be in a hurry. Now you put Wu Chen, Mei Yuanbai, and Yan Jingtong in similar positions, so they should be these three people? How about, Let’s talk about the people everyone likes.”

Chi Heng looked at it with a smile.

Luo Jinghan was the first to speak: "Mei Yuanbai and Wu Chen are both good, especially Mei Yuanbai, he has worked under his subordinates before, his ability is beyond doubt, and he is also modest. Pojing, what do you mean?"

His eyes fell on Cen Pojing. Cen Pojing grinned, stroked his beard, and jokingly said: "Zhong Xu is pretty good, why didn't you consider Zhong Xu? He can lead troops, fight wars, and he can definitely rule the country! Come on, I too I think Mei Yuanbai is good, he often followed Mei Fu to play with me when he was young, and he is better than anyone else when talking about things in classical history."

Ji Ce spread his hands: "I always think Wu Chen is good."

"I'm not very familiar with them." Shi Wei said after silence, "Speaking of it, Mei Yuanbai and Wu Chen are both good people, but I think Yan Jingtong is more courageous in his work and often has unexpected ideas. The disadvantage is that he is too radical. , too eager for success. Once, when I went to the Criminal Department, I met him arguing with the servant..."

Be cautious at first.

But starting from Shi Wei, the four chatted quickly, talking about those things endlessly.These people are all by Chi Heng's side, they are all aware of Chi Heng's actions, they thought that this group of young talents were for Zhong Xu's company, so they were all careful.

It quickly became a chat, discussing everyone's strengths and weaknesses.

Cen Pojing even teased: "Chi Heng, Mei Yuanbai has admired you since he was a child. I was worried that he would get bent if he was not careful. It's okay, he's still a man."

Seeing that everyone was almost talking, Chi Heng knocked on the table and said, "My favorite candidate is Yan Jingtong."

There was silence for an instant.

Chi Heng said slowly: "Wu Chen's balance ability is good. After another ten years of practice, Wu Chen may have the ability to take power, but not now, even if he is supported, it will be difficult for him to suppress once there is a rebellion—and he is too single. He is weak; Mei Yuanbai, he is not as gentle and elegant as he imagined, but very decisive in his methods. He has no bottom line in order to get rid of the enemy. When he becomes emperor, he will not follow some bottom line; Yan Jingtong, his shortcomings are obvious. He is radical and seeks innovation, but his advantage is that he has the ability to innovate and remove obstacles that hinder his innovation, and what is even more rare is that he is very tolerant.”

As soon as the word tolerance came out, Ji Ce frowned suddenly.

"I want to give way, and let him promise some promises. Only a tolerant person will keep the original promise no matter what happens in the future." Chi Heng lowered his voice, "Yan Jingtong has a good character and is willing to tolerate and be with himself. People with different opinions, and I have the advantages of the Yan family: gratitude. Only those who can be grateful and recite gratitude, I dare to use them with confidence."

After a long silence, Shi Wei said, "Why don't you want to be the emperor? If you feel tired, you can go to Rongzhou, go to see Rongyue, and go back to Yizhou City. I don't think he can become a good emperor right away!"

Chi Heng pressed his chest: "I'm really tired."

Shi Wei wanted to say more, but Ji Ce's eyes signaled him to stop.

Chi Heng smiled, and said to Shi Wei: "Ji Xian, don't worry too much, if Yan Jingtong can't do it, I can kick him off the throne!"

Shi Wei said nothing: "This is not a joke."

Chi Heng coughed a few times: "You guys chat first, I'll go drink some medicine, and the illness is gone like a sliver, ha, I thought that only the shock of cold can be so weak! Cough, cough, cough."

When he left, Shi Wei was depressed and puzzled: "Ji Ce, why don't you persuade him, can the throne be changed at will?"

Luo Jinghan said in a low voice: "I thought he was joking before."

"I persuaded you when you thought it was a joke, but he was determined and has been selecting suitable candidates for the past year." Ji Ce pressed his pen expressionlessly, "What he wants to do, others I really can't help it. I have argued and quarreled, but now I have figured it out, if he wants to travel around the world, I will go with him at the worst."

As soon as these words came out, even Luo Jinghan didn't click his tongue.

One must know that Ji Ce never said such words, outsiders would inevitably turn red in their ears.Cen Pojing laughed and said, "I've persuaded him, but I can't persuade him. He is more stubborn than a bull. Then let's establish an emperor first. There are many puppet emperors, so we can't make a big wave!"

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