The Child Emperor

Xuewen has to study hard for many years, also participate in the imperial examinations, and compete with the world's best sons. , so there are not many noble children who choose this path.

Learning martial arts is also very hard, but it can be recharged. As long as you follow the right generals, it is easy to make a few military exploits. When the power of Da Chu is strong, the risk of meritorious deeds in the military is not very big. Exercise in the middle, play around, and wait for the merit.

There are also some people who, as direct sons and grandsons, have been waiting to inherit their ancestors’ shadow from the day they were born, and they are not interested in the arts of literature and martial arts.

Han Ruzi had previously joined the army as the Marquis of Juan, and when he was on his first patrol, he saw that the noble children still had the heart to make meritorious deeds, but they were born at an untimely time, and the strength of the Great Chu was weakened, but the enemy suddenly became stronger. Few people have made meritorious deeds, but the casualties are also very heavy. For many families, this is a huge loss that cannot be afforded.

Children's Army dug out those sons and brothers who were not interested in meritorious deeds, and went to Shattered Iron City outside the fortress. There were no servants around, and their identity was just an ordinary soldier. , feeding horses, cooking and other rough jobs are no exception.

They looked forward to the rescue of their father and brother, but did not dare to slow down. The marching distance had been reported to the emperor. After receiving this special army, they had to send official documents to the Ministry of War, explaining the details. By comparing the two, they could know whether the march was or not. on time.

Han Ruzi stayed where he was and ordered the accompanying southern and northern troops to set up cards on various official roads. Anyone who encountered a servant who looked like a passerby should ask him where he came from, and those who wanted to follow the master would be persuaded to leave.

The response in the city was not so quick, and on the first afternoon and throughout the night, no one came to intercede with the emperor.

Neither did the next day.

In fact, the ministers and the noble family could not beg for mercy. When the emperor forgave the impostor a few days ago, he once confided to them. They also swear and promise that they will never drag the emperor and the court. You should lead by example and be willing to go through fire and water for the emperor.

It's too full of words to turn around.

If the emperor is ready to fight back, he can't even hold on to a march, so why go through fire and water for the emperor? It's a pity I didn't get the chance to say it.

On the third day, a thousand southern troops and a thousand northern troops will set off. The itinerary is the same as that of the Children's Army, but the speed is slightly faster. They will arrive at the Iron Broken City on the same day, showing another kind of military appearance. Supervision of the Children Army.

These two marches were very sudden, and they were also a test for all places along the way. Therefore, Han Ruzi chose Iron Broken City as the end point. The capital, Shenxiongguan, and Broken Iron City are often visited by troops, and there is a Mancang City in the middle, which is rich in grain and grass. The supply of each county is skilled and the pressure is minimal.

No one came to intercede, but Han Ruzi was a little disappointed. On the fourth day, under the escort of a thousand soldiers, he drove back to the city. Outside the city, he finally welcomed an opponent.

Prime Minister Shen Mingzhi was about to enter office, and before handing over the seal, he also wanted to confess the emperor once.

Shen Mingzhi had submitted a letter twice to beg for bones half a month ago, and the emperor returned all of them, and encouraged him in the reply.

The prime minister and the emperor have a tacit understanding about the appointment, but the necessary procedures cannot be omitted. The prime minister must submit the letter at least three times, or even five or seven times, before the emperor can accept it. The whole process usually lasts two or three months.

Zhao Ruosu explained the necessity of this move to the emperor, After the emperor's words and deeds are spread all over the world, they will be magnified ten times or a hundred times. If your majesty immediately agrees to the prime minister's appointment, it will be tantamount to convicting him, and the prime minister will either commit suicide as an apology. , or go back home in fear, no official will dare to approach, and the whole family will be affected.

Han Ruzi didn't appreciate the prime minister very much, but he didn't get to the point where he wanted to get rid of it quickly. He hoped that Shen Mingzhi would be able to work normally and return to his hometown to take care of him, so he had to abide by the rules and push back and forth.

Shen Mingzhi is a sensible person. This time he went out of the city to meet the emperor, and it was also the third time that he had passed away from illness.

Outside the city gate, a color shed has already been set up, and the emperor will banquet here to meet the ministers, drink a glass of wine to wash away the dust, and then enter the city. The rules are like this, but the practice can be accommodated. The emperor does not have to come forward in person, but let the eunuch do it for him.

Before entering the city, Han Ruzi preferred to ride a horse. At this time, he was parked on a hill, with no entourage beside him, and the mountain was covered with many guards. Shen Mingzhi rode up alone, carefully controlling the reins.

When Han Ruzi saw that Shen Mingzhi was about to dismount and salute, he waved his hand, No need to bow, the prime minister is here.

Being able to drive and chat with the emperor is a kind of honor. Shen Mingzhi came over with sincerity and fear, and did not let his horse surpass the emperor's head.

Han Ruzi looked at the towering city wall several miles away, and asked, If you consider the strength of the city wall and the depth and breadth of the river, can the capital be called the best in the world?

Of course, it took decades for the capital to be completely built, and the efforts of the three generations of emperors of the Great Chu lie in this.

If the prime minister attacked the city, what method would he use?

Shen Mingzhi was startled and almost rolled off his horse, his face changed suddenly, Your Majesty... Why did Your Majesty say this?

Han Ruzi smiled and said, The prime minister is shocked. The so-called person who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be imperiled in a hundred battles. If you think about how to break through the capital, you will not only know the enemy, but also know yourself.

Shen Mingzhi originally wanted to say that no enemy can attack the capital of Great Chu, but he swallowed the words and said instead: It is better to attack people than to attack the city. The city is high and deep, and it is not easy to break through, it is better to let the people in the city voluntarily consciously open the gates.

The prime minister has a high opinion. This was exactly the answer Han Ruzi wanted to hear.

Shen Mingzhi is a wise man, and he understands that it is impossible for those noble children to turn around and return to the capital ahead of time. They are the loopholes that the emperor is patching.

Your Majesty praises it. The old minister has been studying prose all his life, and he doesn't know much about siege and field battles, but the old minister has a word, please pay attention to it.

Han Ruzi looked at Shen Mingzhi, Prime Minister, please speak.

It will take decades to build a city, and building people's hearts will only take longer.

I have to do it no matter how long it takes. I don't want quick success. I can be the initiator.

Shen Mingzhi felt tired. The young emperor was even more difficult to deal with than Emperor Wu. He sighed slightly and said, Your Majesty is galloping ahead, but the old minister is too dull to keep up, Your Majesty...

Let's go back to the city and talk about it. Han Ruzi didn't want to discuss with the prime minister in person, and would rather follow the rules and communicate with each other.

Yes, Your Majesty. Shen Mingzhi hesitated again and again, but still said, Can the old minister comment on a few people for His Majesty?

The person the prime minister wanted to comment on was of course a candidate for the prime minister. Han Ruzi nodded, Prime Minister, please speak.

Feng Ju is also the censor of Zuocha and the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, both of which are officials. The two overlap, and the power is too great to be sustainable.

Well, this situation will be adjusted soon.

Feng Ju is also an old minister of several dynasties. Emperor Wu once praised him for his 'talent of prime minister', and the old minister thought so too, but Feng Ju has been an official for too long. Like the old minister, he is more than successful and lacks in progress. I am afraid that he will not be able to catch up with His Majesty. pace.

If the prime minister and the emperor can't keep up, naturally they won't last long.

Han Ruzi did not respond. He was still hesitating about the future prime minister candidate, which was one of the reasons why he was not in a hurry to accept Shen Mingzhi's appointment.

Shen Mingzhi continued: Qu Zixi, the teacher of His Majesty's sacrificial wine at the Imperial College, has an outstanding reputation, and scholars all over the world think he has the talent of a prime minister.

From the moment Qu Zixi was appointed as the emperor's teacher, experienced ministers knew that the emperor would reuse this person sooner or later.

What does the prime minister think? Han Ruzi asked.

Shen Mingzhi replied: The old minister thought that his reputation was too much, but it was a drag. Can Qu Zixi be able to govern officials, transform the people, and defend against the enemy, and can he treat scholars equally?

Shen Mingzhi can only say this, and it seems like he is slandering.

Han Ruzi hummed, but didn't make a decision.

Shen Mingzhi continued: The county governor Zhuo Ruhe was the assistant minister of Emperor Huan when he was the crown prince. He had served in the six departments, and he was also a person with 'the talent of the prime minister', but he was rarely flexible. Your Majesty could trust him, but it was very difficult. Count on him to help your Majesty.

Isn't Zhuo Ruhe doing a good job in Yunmengze? Han Ruzi did not agree with Shen Mingzhi's evaluation.

Shen Mingzhi grabbed the reins and tried his best to make his horses take two steps back, In Yunmengze, we are instructed to act, and everything we do has been planned in advance. , not the director of Zhuo Ruhe.

Han Ruzi was silent, Zhuo Ruhe once had the opportunity to lead the Chu army outside the Great Wall to rescue him, but he only brought a small number of Chu troops into the pass, captured by the Huns. consciousness.

Anything else? Han Ruzi asked, Shen Mingzhi had not spoken for a while.

Shen Mingzhi shook his head, Your Majesty will never find a prime minister who suits your heart.

Han Ruzi thought for a moment that Shen Mingzhi was sarcastic, then he woke up and said with a smile: I will never be an emperor who suits my heart. Prime Minister, rest assured, I only want a temporary use, and all three of them are fine.

Shen Mingzhi was relieved and resigned without saying a word about the Children Army. After returning to the city, he had to persuade those anxious parents: Let's be honest and wait for his son to return from the march.

Han Ruzi watched Shen Mingzhi go down the mountain, and suddenly felt that the prime minister was not bad, and immediately retracted the idea. Shen Mingzhi had to hand over the seal, which had little to do with ability, but because he and Han Chou were unclear. The moment did not stand firmly on the side of the emperor.

There will be more critical moments in the future, and Han Ruzi needs a prime minister who can support him.

When Han Ruzi returned to the palace, it was already night, and he still went to greet his mother. Here, he met the real intercessor.

He successfully blocked the mouths of the father and brother in the Children Army city, but failed to make their mother accept the truth.

(One update today, please know. At 3:00 pm, the QQ group is looking forward to everyone's arrival.)