first minister

On the city wall, Yelvshi raised his head when he heard the words, his eyes already full of tears, "Your Majesty, you have suffered! I only regret that I was too cowardly and hesitant, which allowed such disobedient people to threaten the capital and intimidate Your Majesty." , I am extremely sorry, please allow Your Majesty, I will suppress it for Your Majesty!"

After hearing these words, Emperor Liang felt as if rain came after a long drought. Ever since he ascended the throne, he had never heard a truly important minister be so respectful and respectful.

Two ministers who serve the dragon are loyal but domineering;

Both the Yuan and Pei families looked a bit distant and looked on with cold eyes;

Wan Yanda is even doing this to bully the emperor now;

In comparison, Yelvshi, who also came with a large army, is so upright and loyal. This is the real pillar of the country!

Pei Shisheng, who was on the sidelines, was also quite emotional. He didn't expect that King Dingxi was really a loyal minister.

King Jing of Beiliang was also by his side, smiling and nodding. You see, King Dingxi really did not lie to me. He is indeed commendable for his loyalty and bravery!

But then I thought about it, what can I do if I am not a loyal minister?

The Yelu family is already so prosperous, and it is enough to keep its current glory in this life!

Emperor Liang felt the same way. He held Yelvshi's arm and said affectionately and emotionally, "I love you so much. You are like a fish in water!"
-

Outside the gate of the East City, Wan Yanda held a riding whip in his hand, looked at the city wall, and shouted in a deep voice: "Murong Chui! Do you really want to stop me?"

Murong Chuan, wearing armor, stood proudly on the city wall and snorted coldly, "Wan Yanda! You came to the capital without an imperial edict, and it is considered an accomplice to rebellion. It is already a serious crime! Your Majesty does not care about your faults and allows you to enter the court to see you. He has not harmed you. As a clan member, it is a testament to His Majesty’s kindness that if I were you, I would kowtow to express my gratitude to God, and how dare I talk here!”

Wan Yanda snorted coldly, "Murong Chui, you and other ambitious people are trying to persuade His Majesty to ascend to the throne, thinking that by isolating the inside and outside, you can monopolize power? I tell you, I and the soldiers under my command will not agree! Quickly! Open the city, otherwise, when we enter the city, we will slaughter your entire clan!"

Murong Chui sneered, "If you have the ability, come here with your horse. I also want to see how the iron hooves of the White Bear Army can enter the city by stepping on this wall."

Wan Yanda's face was still expressionless, and he said in a deep voice: "Soldiers! Murong Chui's treacherous ministers have brought harm to the country, held His Majesty hostage, and blocked the righteous and brave men from coming to the audience. Heaven and earth will not tolerate it! Prepare to attack the city! Capture this beast alive and rescue Your Majesty!"

After hearing his lame excuse, Murong Chui on the city wall showed no sign of weakness and shouted, "Xian!"

The Kyoto guards on the side all unloaded their arrows and were ready to go!

"Stop it all!"

There was a rush of footsteps, and with a roar, a tall figure came to the city wall.

The White Bear Army in the front line under the city wall also heard the roar and raised their heads. Many of them had slightly changed expressions.

"Wan Yanda! You still recognize me!"

Yelvshi stood on the city wall, with his full aura, he even eclipsed Murong Zhui, the king of Anton, who was also the king of the court.

Wan Yanda, the King of Pingbei who was being overlooked by him from a high position below, could not help but change his expression. He looked up and remained silent. The horse was pacing uneasily, as if he could feel the owner's anxiety and uneasiness.

"Wan Yanda, my king's 30,000 crane-controlling troops have arrived in the western suburbs. If you know, you should put down such ridiculous ideas! If you don't know, it proves that you are not capable of doing this, so hurry up Get out of here!”

Yelvshi's words caused the momentum of the White Bear Army below to stagnate.

And as dozens of fast horses galloped back, ran in front of the White Bear Army, and brought the news back, the silence in the military formation below became even more silent.

Yelv Shi's strong and powerful voice sounded, "Now our borders in Daliang are unstable and the situation in the court is in turmoil. Every fighting force is worth cherishing and should be used to quell the rebellion and stabilize the situation in the court. It should not be Such internal friction! For the warriors of Daliang, the tip of the knife should be pointed outward instead of inward!"

He paused and said, "On your return to the court this time, Your Majesty understands your hard work and knows how tired you are. He returned to the camp. He will give you comfort and rewards later. If you are stubborn, don't blame the ruthless soldiers!" "

Wan Yanda stared at Yelv Shi silently, his bearded face still expressionless.

Under the city wall, under the confrontation entering the tent, there was a dead silence. Only the clouds in the sky gathered over without fear of death, casting a shadow that penetrated into the heart.

"Go back to camp!"

Wan Yanda spoke coldly and spit out two words.

He turned his horse's head and left first, and the soldiers behind him also retreated.

On the city wall, the defenders all let out a long sigh of relief, blowing away the dense clouds in the sky.

Although they have a terrain advantage, they are facing a powerful army like the White Bear Army, so it would be best if they can avoid fighting.

Murong Chui looked at Yelv Shi, "King Dingxi, do you want it?"

He pursed his lips downwards, his intention self-evident.

Yelvshi shook his head, "Look, the formation of the White Bear Army is not chaotic at all. Attacking at this time will not bring any good results. Now that the four sides are unstable, we should kill each other less and leave more soldiers who can fight."

He said no more, bowed slightly towards Murong Chui, and walked down the city wall.

Looking at Yelv Shi's back, Murong Chui had time to think of things other than the battlefield. How should the court's interests be divided when this tiger entered the city?

Wan Yanda wanted to use his military power to threaten His Majesty, but was blocked by the city. However, Yelv Shi successfully entered the city with 30,000 crane-controlling troops!

Even if he doesn't want to seek power, his contribution to the protection of the sky is not small!

Murong Chui on the other side looked at Yelv Shi with fear and worry, but when Emperor Liang saw Yelv Shi returning to his life, his heart was filled with joy.

"Your Majesty, I am honored to have fulfilled my duty! The White Bear Army has retreated!"

"Okay!" He nodded excitedly, helped Yelvshi up, with a smile on his face, "I love you, so why worry!"

Yelvshi, however, maintained the caution and calmness of an old man who was used to watching the storm, "Your Majesty, although King Pingbei has temporarily retreated, the matter has not been completely resolved. King Pingbei came with a large number of troops, so it is impossible for him to return with nothing. But after all, he did not raise the banner of rebellion. It is impossible for the court to really remove the Wanyan family for the time being. What's more, for the sake of peace in the north, the court does not have the strength to deal with the Wanyan family and Ping Beiwang. Therefore, how to deal with the aftermath of this matter still remains Your Majesty needs to make a decision."

Emperor Liang also gradually calmed down from his excitement, but after all he was younger and had little experience in these matters. He thought about it seriously for a moment, but as expected, found nothing.

He immediately looked at his loyal minister who was protecting the sky, and said with trust and dependence, "My dear, can you teach me?"

Yelvshi pondered for a moment, "The top priority is to first determine the reward for King Pingbei and to deal with the incident of him leading his army to Beijing, so as to reassure him."

Emperor Liang nodded slowly, frowned and said: "Since we can't touch him for the time being, we must comfort him a little, but how to comfort him is a problem. I love you, you should know that now all parties in the DPRK and China have their own thoughts. One If you don't handle it carefully, you may become Wan Yanda again!"

Yelvshi hummed, "Your Majesty, to be honest, I am worried about this matter, but after all, it is difficult to talk about it due to my status. Since Your Majesty took the initiative to mention it, I have the guts to say that the most important thing for Your Majesty to ascend the throne is Balance the interests of the seven surnames, so that all ministers can be united, otherwise it will be like pressing the gourd and floating the ladle, and there will always be people who are resentful."

Emperor Liang believed deeply in this statement. This was also something that had been bothering him recently. He immediately looked at Yelvshi with some hope, "I guess Aiqing has a strategy?"

Yelvshi shook his head, "I am not an immortal, so how can I know what each of their families is thinking? However, after meeting Wan Yanda just now, I came up with a temporary suggestion."

Emperor Liang, who was still a little disappointed after hearing the first half of the sentence, immediately became excited again, "Ai Qing, please speak."

"Since Wan Yanda is here this time, and all the heads of the seven surnamed families are in the capital, why not take this opportunity to directly summon the six heads of the family, and the royal family will come forward to discuss some things together. Your Majesty only needs to draw the bottom line in advance. Strategy, let each family fight and decide the rest. If anyone does not comply with the final decision, will it not be a slap in the face for himself, but also an enemy of other families? In this way, Your Majesty can also let this evil person to his own family. Come and be a detached person, just play the role of a mediator!"

After hearing this, Emperor Liang frowned at first, feeling that this statement seemed a bit ridiculous at first glance, but after he thought about it carefully, his brows gradually relaxed.

Instead of letting the six surnames and the Xue family royal family argue today and I will argue tomorrow, it is indeed the most efficient from the perspective of problem-solving to gather together directly to discuss matters.

Secondly, as the emperor, he has not been abandoned. He can set the bottom line for them, set a framework, and let them fight within the framework. This can not only ensure his control over the court, but also not be the evil person.

After all, he has been learning the art of emperors since he was a child. The late emperor once told him a truth: Don't divide the meat, let them fight for it among themselves. Some people will feel that they deserve it.

Now, isn't this method just to throw the meat out and let them fight for it themselves?

The best part in the end is that he can provoke them to fight among themselves without having to show up, so he can just sit on the mountain and watch the fight between tigers and tigers, reconcile the conflicts, and finally confirm his transcendent imperial power.

Thinking of this, Emperor Liang's eyes changed when he looked at Yelvshi. This is a truly good minister!

However, the caution and suspicion unique to an emperor made him think again. Yelv Shi was the co-leader of the eight Yelu tribes. Isn't he afraid that the Yelu family would not be able to compete with the other families and thus suffer damage to their interests?

He slowly probed: "My dear, that's a very good thing to say. Don't worry, I won't treat you badly."

Yelv Shi immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, I have received great favor from the late emperor and have been honored and favored for decades. I am so grateful that I should repay it with all my heart. Moreover, I know best the principle that flowers cannot last a hundred days. The Yelv family will give up some There is no problem in making profits. If the eight tribes of Yelu can continue to enjoy the honor of the seven surnames and protect countless tribesmen, the veteran will be worthy of his ancestors." Of course Emperor Liang knew that Yelv Shi could not be so selfless, and he was obviously using retreat to advance. , to win his trust and longer-term interests, but being able to take the initiative to say it in front of him is already much better than other family heads.

This person is afraid of comparison.

So Emperor Liang's suspicion disappeared and he nodded and said: "In that case, please contact us immediately. I will summon Da Zongzheng later to decide on the strategy."

Emperor Liang paused for a moment, deliberately looking at Yelv Shi's hesitating footsteps, and then added with a smile, "Don't worry, my dear, I will remember your contribution this time!"

Yelvshi felt relieved, shed tears of gratitude, and walked away quickly.
-

In the Yuan Mansion, Yuan Xiantao looked at Yelvshi with a shocked expression, "The Seven Surnames are discussing matters?"

Yelv Shi nodded, looked at the old man who was several years older than himself, and said solemnly: "Since Wan Yanda has come from afar this time and can't get any benefits, how can he give up? But His Majesty cannot let it go." His asking price was sky-high. This move turned the matter between him and His Majesty into a matter for the seven surnames to compete with each other. Not only did he escape from the situation of being targeted, but he was also able to build a stable and stable relationship that was recognized by all the seven surnames. The new power structure. Brother Yuan, look at it, it turns out that the tiger father has no dog son!"

Yuan Xiantao frowned, not believing that this was His Majesty's idea. However, no matter who came up with this idea, now that it has entered the implementation stage, it shows that at least this is a joint decision between His Majesty and Yelvshi.

Blocking or sabotaging this matter will offend His Majesty and Yelvshi. Although he is not afraid of this, this matter is also a good thing for the Yuan family. After all, only the Pei family can compete with him for the interests of the civil servants. This clarifies His Majesty's bottom line, and for him It was very advantageous to fight for it, and he had no reason to go out of his way to oppose it.

So, he looked at Yelv Shi, "But the cause of this matter is King Pingbei after all. Is King Dingxi so sure that he will come to the meeting?"

King Dingxi smiled and said, "If we all reach an agreement, does Wan Yanda really dare to miss this meeting?"

Yuan Xiantao was silent for a moment, and took a deep look at Yelvshi. Looking at the man who arrived in Beijing with the power of thunder, and then quickly became the most trusted minister of His Majesty, he said slowly: "As long as King Pingbei is sure If you can come, it is naturally impossible for Yuan to be absent."

Yelv Shi nodded, "That's it, it's settled. The specific time and location will be confirmed later and then the post will be sent."

"King Dingxi has worked hard."

Yelvshi also smiled meaningfully, "It's all for the country and the family."

After taking care of Yuan Xiantao, Yelvshi did not continue to ask the Pei family, Yuwen family, and Murong family. Instead, he sent someone to send a message to Pingbei King Wan Yanda.

Wan Yanda was also shocked when he heard the news. He frowned and pondered for a long time, and asked the messenger many questions, but finally chose to refuse.

The reasons are equally impeccable, either let him lead the army into the city, or he will never enter the city.

After Yelvshi learned the news, he was helpless. He even went to the palace and reported the situation to Emperor Liang. Emperor Liang, who had originally held great hope, was confused when he heard this, "Will this matter not be accomplished?"

Yelvshi thought for a while, "Your Majesty, King Pingbei also knows very well that if he enters the city, he will be like a turtle in a urn, and your Majesty can take his life at will. This is the caution that a family leader and a general on the battlefield should have, no matter what we do No matter what kind of guarantee he gives verbally, he will not give up the initiative concerning his life to others."

Emperor Liang was distraught, "This won't work, that won't work either. I think he is really tired of living!"

Yelvshi quickly persuaded: "Your Majesty, you can only achieve long-term success by enduring your anger for a while. Once the overall situation is stabilized, you are the supreme, and you have the final say in everything in this world!"

This sentence made Emperor Liang very happy.

Since they ascended the throne, these people have been talking to their ears every day about the seven surnames governing the country and the seven surnames governing the country. They need to be cautious and cautious, and they need to balance all parties. Only Yelvshi will tell him that you are the emperor, you are the supreme, and you should be unique. , high above.

Some words I know are false, but they sound comfortable, and how many people don’t like them!

No wonder people are so honored and favored in front of the late emperor!

He was immediately in a good mood, "Then how should this matter be resolved according to the love between you?"

Yelv Shi said: "I think the crux of the matter right now is that Wan Yanda is unwilling to come to the capital, so can the discussion be completed outside the capital?"

Emperor Liang frowned, "When you leave the city, the risks are uncontrollable."

Yelvshi smiled and said: "Your Majesty is overly worried. My thirty thousand crane-controlling troops are still outside the city! At that time, an account can be set up in the south city. I will lead two thousand people to protect the safety of the princes. In addition, Wan Yanda is allowed to lead One thousand men to protect himself. This way, we don’t have to worry about what kind of trouble he might cause, and it also reassures Wan Yanda that if something happens, his one thousand men will be enough to escort him out of the encirclement."

Emperor Liang pondered for a moment and nodded, "It's very good that you convey the message to him like this. If he is still stubborn, he will be really hopeless. I would rather deal with this person in a short time." !”

Yelvshi responded in a deep voice, "If he really refuses, not to mention Your Majesty, even the old ministers will risk their lives to conquer him on Your Majesty's behalf and pacify the Northern Territory!"

Looking at the impassioned Yelvshi, Emperor Liang couldn't help but sigh: "I am so lucky to have a minister like Aiqing!"

Yelvshi lowered his head slightly, his eyes dim and unreadable, "This is what I should do."

When the new conditions were sent, Wanyanda, after weighing them with his lieutenants, finally stopped being stubborn and agreed to the conditions.

After getting rid of Wan Yanda, the biggest thorn in the side, the seven surnames in the court have already settled on four surnames. There is no shortage of imperial authority, military power, and civil service prestige. It is even said that these four surnames can support a country. Therefore, Under such circumstances, the Pei family, Murong family, and Yuwen family all agreed without any suspense.

Except that Yu Wenyun was a little angry because he was the last one to be notified, and his mother scolded him for trying to cause trouble, everything went smoothly.

That night, almost no one among the dignitaries in the capital fell asleep.

The heads of the seven surnamed families are all discussing their own family's response, while those at the lower level are either asserting their power to their backers, or they are speculating and waiting to see the outcome of tomorrow's deliberations.

Wang Ruoshui, a member of Zhongshu House, was sitting in the mansion, frowning and looking out the window.

In the past two days, the changes in the capital city of Beiliang really made him dumbfounded.

However, he smelled something unusual in such changes.

How come all of this feels so much like a story that was played out in Zhongjing City back then!

Will there be sudden thunder on the flat ground?

That shouldn't be the case, right?

I've been brought to Beiliang, can you let me live in peace?

Three of the emperors I was loyal to have died, so I can’t afford to have another one die, right?

No matter what he or others think, the meeting of the seven surnames, which has been discussed and anticipated by the entire capital city all night, is just like the sun destined to rise after the dark night. It does not change according to anyone's will. When day comes, Arrived as promised.

A large tent has been set up in an open space outside Nancheng.

It is covered with soft carpets, luxurious decorations, and fire pots. It is like a mobile palace, quietly waiting for its owner.

Six carriages drove out of the south gate of Liangdu one after another.

Perhaps his mind was clearer after a good sleep, or perhaps the emperor's instinctive caution and suspicion came into play. In the end, Emperor Liang did not completely believe Yelvshi, but sent a thousand timid Xue guards to escort everyone out of the city. At the same time, Yelvshi was asked to reduce the crane-controlling army he sent to protect him to one thousand.

On the west side of the big tent, a thousand crane-controlling troops were standing ready.

When the Qianxue guards escorted the heads of the six surnamed families, including the royal family, to arrive, the sound of horse hooves was heard not far away.

Wan Yanda, surrounded by a thousand white bear troops, also arrived outside the tent.

After meeting, each other's eyes looked a little wary, and Yelvshi didn't say much, "It's freezing cold, everyone, please come in!"

After hearing this, everyone silently walked into the tent.

The three cavalry teams, just outside the big tent, formed their own teams according to their respective positions to prepare for any eventuality.

Seen from a high altitude, the big tent looks like a cauldron set up by three branches, in which fame, fortune and ambition are boiling.

This dramatic change in the Northern Liang Dynasty, which was destined to go down in history, suddenly started when almost everyone was caught off guard. (End of chapter)