The Book of Troubled Times

midnight.

Tang Wanzhuang, wearing the thick mink fur she wore when they first met, was processing documents under the lamp.

She no longer had a cough. The last treatment Zhao Changhe gave her before leaving was enough to keep her alive for at least a year.

It's just that he has worked a lot, but his body and bones still don't look like a warrior. He is afraid of the cold and weak, so he hugs the piano and shakes his head.

Even the three levels of secrets are not as full of energy as the three levels of Baoqin Porch.

Well, in fact, Baoqin is not young anymore this year, she is already eighteen years old. She is a tall and graceful girl with a seventh level of spiritual practice. She is a maid who can be cool-faced and show off when she is sent out to handle affairs in the world. When Zhao Changhe first met, he couldn't beat Baoqin. At that time, Baoqin's entrance was at the fifth level. Zhao Changhe was just at the fourth level. Of course, he might be jumped. This is a historical mystery. To this day, Zhao Changhe actually always regards Baoqin as a little maid who doesn't know martial arts. I don't know what he thinks.

Zhao Changhe didn't just misunderstand the master and servant, he also had a little misunderstanding about Tang Wanzhuang.

For example, I feel that the quarrel between Tang Wanzhuang and Tang Buqi is simply natural... Zhao Changhe is relatively better. At least he knows that if Tang Buqi is just talking about self-protection, Wanzhuang will not quarrel with her. Tang Buqi is the real one. Understand aunt.

In fact, even if Tang Buqi wanted to separate the country, Tang Wanzhuang would not have made a quarrel.

Wu Weiyang's loyal subordinates have other ideas, and she does not want to hinder everyone's future and pursuit.

No one's ideals are more valuable than anyone else's, and you are not qualified to drag others' futures down and make others pay for them with you, and just be well.

The main reason why Tang Wanzhuang didn't allow Tang Buqi to stand on his own was that the recent events made her instinctively feel a little strange. She didn't want Tang Buqi to be used as a weapon when he was in the spotlight.

It's a pity that the demon-suppressing divisions in various places have been corrupted a lot and have been instigated to rebel a lot. She no longer has as comprehensive and well-informed information as before, and can only make guesses and deductions based on some clues.

First of all, there must be something wrong with the Li family in Longxi. This kind of thing is very easy to judge, because the taxes in Guanzhong have been stopped, claiming that there are too many thieves and bandits... Isn't this a typical sign of a separatist regime? Who can be deceived by that kind of excuse?

Originally, this kind of thing was expected. When Xia Longyuan was determined to be injured and returned, it was almost a matter of course.

What makes Tang Wanzhuang feel strange is that Bashu Li's magical power originally mobilized men and horses to fight upwards, but it has stopped recently.

Li Shentong was different from Tang Buqi, a novice who only wanted to rule the south of the Yangtze River. Regardless of whether the uprising was for the people of Bashu or something else, after the uprising, it was impossible for such a hero to settle down and guard a third of an acre of land. After all, his aggressiveness and mobility are top-notch, and he will definitely make progress in Hanzhong and Guanzhong. Will he change his strategic policy just because the Guanzhong flag is named Xia or Li? That's impossible.

What caused him to stop firing?

Then the attitude of the Yang family became ambiguous. The surrender of Xuzhou was very strange. On the surface, it was said to be a clever move by the imperial court, which deliberately allowed the Wang family to border Wan Tianxiong and provoked a fight between the two families. Some people in the imperial court praised Taiwei Yang for his clever plan... But Tang Wanzhuang could not She knew very well that there was no such discussion in the court, and she didn't even know it had happened.

This is the Yang family's own decision, and it seems a bit like fostering Wan Tianxiong's ambition. Tang Wanzhuang can imagine that the Cao Gang went from being a gang on the water based in the Jianghuai River to settling in Xuzhou, a young place in the north, sitting and looking at the Central Plains. The subtle feelings of the mentality cannot be understood by outsiders.

In fact, Wan Dongliu was too embarrassed to tell Zhao Changhe that Wan Tianxiong had the idea of ​​becoming king. Of course, they also had the Four Elephant Cult, and most of the gang members were Four Elephant Cultists. Suzaku did not nod, and Wan Tianxiong only Dare to think about it in your heart.

In fact, for the Four Symbols Sect, it doesn't matter who becomes the king. If Wan Tianxiong Zheng'er Ba Jing proposed it to Zhuque, Zhuque would most likely agree. If he objected, it would not be because he refused, but because he felt that he should accumulate food and delay becoming king. That's another story.

In this atmosphere where the attitudes of all parties are extremely strange, what's the point of not getting involved? What's even more annoying is that if you are the player in this game and know what's going on, that's fine. But after several rounds of correspondence between the aunt and nephew, Tang Wanzhuang discovered that Tang Buqi didn't know anyone else's situation. She was so angry that she almost wanted to rush to Jiangnan, knock her nephew over, and beat him with a broom.

The little loser who was kept in the dark and was used as a gun still wants to be the King of Wu! Even rumors of becoming king have reached the capital, how can we not quarrel!

Tang Wanzhuang rubbed the center of his eyebrows. Overthinking was really detrimental to his condition, and he felt a little dizzy.

At this moment, the fragrant breeze blew by, and there was someone in front of him.

Huangfu Qing without a mask and dressed in palace attire.

Baoqin, who was waiting at the side, didn't even react, so he had his acupuncture points tapped and stood aside stupidly: "Little girl, you have sharp teeth and a sharp mouth. Stay aside for now."

Baoqin: "?"

How did I offend you?

Tang Wanzhuang put down her pen and said calmly: "The imperial concubine came to visit at night, and she lost her temper at the little maid first. It's really unexpected."

Huangfu Qing looked up and down at Baoqin's figure, and curled his lips slightly. It was still a bit voluptuous when he pointed at it just now. Now that he is familiar with it, a mere little girl actually has a better figure than a certain person who can only copy books. Someone really can't help him. On the wall.

I'm thinking about some future scenes. It's already good if I don't kill you. What do you think I'm going to lose my temper with?

Of course, he would not say this. Huangfu Qing said coldly: "Let me give you a word of advice."

Tang Wanzhuang was silent for a moment and whispered: "Thank you."

Huangfu Qing was stunned for a moment, and then heard Tang Wanzhuang continue: "You are closing the net. I should be a sure-kill target? You are worried that Changhe will blame you in the future, so you came to remind me to evacuate..."

This woman is really smart, but it's a pity that her persistence is meaningless. Huangfu Qing secretly sighed and said forcefully: "You are so self-righteous, how can you be considered a sure target? If you get in the way, you will die just like a mantis. After fighting with you for so many years, I have gained some feelings in the fight. I advise you." Not even a word has ended the old friendship. Anyway, I have evacuated according to His Majesty's order. Whether you evacuate or not depends on you."

Huo Qin must have been tapped on her mute point, otherwise she really wants to tell her to stop being so harsh. What kind of feelings can you have in a fight? You are obviously afraid of being scolded by a man.

It's amazing that the noble concubine is in such deep trouble...

"You were ordered to evacuate by His Majesty..." Tang Wanzhuang repeated, with a rather strange look on her face, and then shook her head: "Thank you... In fact, if you do this, your plan may be exposed. This responsibility is not trivial."

Huangfuqing smiled: "Even if you know, you can't change anything."

"That's not necessarily the case." Tang Wanzhuang said slowly: "Based on all the circumstances, I can roughly guess something..."

Huangfu Qing was surprised this time: "Tell me, what do you know?"

"Your Majesty is actually not greedy for power. It can be said that he has no desire for worldly power. Logically speaking, a person like him should be proud of the wind and moon. Going anywhere is more interesting than sitting in the palace. I think the reason why he relies on the throne is probably Two factors, one is to make it convenient and trouble-free when power is needed, and the other..." Tang Wanzhuang said slowly: "I suspect that his practice is related to this and he needs the support of the emperor."

Huangfu Qing's expression changed slightly.

"No matter how I analyze your recent actions, I can only come to one conclusion, that is, you are creating a concept of a world without a king in the entire China. Everyone has his own king in his own territory, and no one has his throne. Admit it... this may not have an intuitive effect in the past, but now that His Majesty returns from injury, it may really work." Tang Wanzhuang smiled: "Now there must be a lead to close the net, I even You can guess what the lead is... If I stop it now, I might actually be able to stop it, but if you stand here, I probably won't be able to get out."

"You will die if you go out." Huangfuqing sighed: "It's hard for me to understand... You have very little information at hand, but you can make a completely correct judgment just because of such clues. Such wisdom is really amazing. You are like this Why are people so foolish and loyal?"

Tang Wanzhuang looked at Rudou Candeng in fascination, and whispered: "Maybe this is stupid. But Huangfu, if everyone weighs the pros and cons and makes the most theoretically correct choice, then two epochs of history will be over. , why are there so many people throwing their heads and blood, just to give their lives for the people they protect behind them? Are they all stupid?"

Huangfu was silent.

"Perhaps you will say who is worthy of protecting and who is not...like Xia Longyuan..." Tang Wanzhuang paused, as if she was not used to calling Xia Longyuan by his full name for the first time, but continued: "Okay. He said that the chaos in the world was caused by Xia Longyuan himself. He was the one who harmed the country. It was for the sake of Great Xia to overthrow him. He only heard of killing one man and Zhou Er, but never heard of regicide... I know that this is what Changhe thinks. I used to He has been working so hard for the sake of the people, but now I am standing on the opposite side of the people, so he always hopes that I will be discharged and returned to work."

Huangfu asked curiously: "Since you know, and judging from your tone, I think Chang He's idea is correct, then what are you doing?"

Tang Wanzhuang said: "First of all, only Your Majesty can control Beihu. Looking at any family today, including your Sixiang Sect, there is no such strength. This is very important, very important, very important, Ah Qing, your Majesty and I have nothing to do with you on this point. I'm of the same mind, he has a lot of troops but never agreed to your rebellion, that's what he means."

Huangfu Qing: "...don't call me Ah Qing."

"This is both public and private." Tang Wanzhuang ignored her request for this title and continued: "His Majesty fought against all opinions and promoted me, who was still inconspicuous. I was young and a woman, and became the demon suppressor. As the chief minister, the whole court is full of criticism, but His Majesty doesn't mind. Wan Zhuang has been a minister for more than ten years, and he has believed in me for more than ten years. Although he does not listen to my advice on some things, I will give him what I want, and he will do whatever he has the authority to do. There has never been any suspicion or restriction, not even a red-faced rebuke... Throughout the past and present, this has never happened before."

Huangfu Qing thought about it, and it was true.

Xia Longyuan really trusted Tang Wanzhuang. In fact, he didn't even deliberately hide the fact that there was a fake substitute and the murder of the prince. This was already the ultimate level of trust. It is normal for someone to refuse to listen to advice on some matters. Whoever is a king can listen to others in everything.

Tang Wanzhuang said: "Back then, my parents wanted me to marry the prince. I just told His Majesty that I didn't want to marry, and Your Majesty laughed loudly and said that Wanzhuang was a state official and should not be restricted by the palace, so he let it go."

Some people once speculated whether Xia Longyuan himself fell in love with Tang Wanzhuang's beauty, but it turned out that it had nothing to do with it. He indeed treated Tang Wanzhuang with the heart of a national scholar. During these years of seclusion and neglect, he almost treated the whole world. Entrusted to Tang Wanzhuang.

It can indeed be said that the monarch and his ministers are like this, which is rare in ancient and modern times.

Tang Wanzhuang said in a low voice: "The king and his ministers have failed the world until now, but they have never failed me, Tang Wanzhuang. Since you treat me as a countryman, I should repay you with death, that's all. When you see Changhe in the future, you will do it for me." I say sorry to him, and if there is an afterlife, I will come before you again."

"First seat!" A knock came from the guard outside the door: "Marquis Wu Ping is outside asking for an audience to convey His Majesty's decree."

Tang Wanzhuang smiled slightly: "I know."

She slowly stood up and whispered: "Go ahead...I won't blame you for whatever you want to do."