The craze for the imperial examination in the Southern Han Dynasty swept the entire Lingnan, and then spread to the Northland, Jeju Island, etc., but it did not care about the Central Plains of Tokyo.

But the huge capital city also had undercurrents surging because of one thing.

It was New Year's Day and the first day of the first lunar month. Thanks to Guo Rong's dredging of water transportation, the entire Tokyo became more and more prosperous. The combined inner and outer cities had a population of more than 500,000. In this world, it was already a first-class big city.

Unfortunately, the originally lively city was in panic due to a piece of news: the Eastern Han Dynasty (the Northern Han Dynasty, also known as the Eastern Han Dynasty because it was the land east of the Hedong River, was also called the Eastern Han Dynasty in the Central Plains) united with the Khitan and sent troops southward.

This news was sent to the capital from Zhenzhou (now Zhengding, Hebei Province) and Dingzhou (now part of Hebei Province), so it is very accurate.

Not long ago, Emperor Daxing made another northern expedition to Yanyun, captured several cities, and disgraced the Khitan people. Everyone was convinced that this was the Khitan people's revenge.

As for why the Khitan people went south in this ice and snow, they were not afraid of breaking the legs of horses, but just for the sake of revenge during the New Year, everyone selectively forgot about it.

In the last years of the Later Jin Dynasty, the Khitan people's chaos in the Central Plains was too impressive. In addition, the hero had passed away and the young ruler was in charge. The city of Tokyo was in panic, and those who could afford it were rushing to get out of the city with their old and young.

The palace was not peaceful either. The Queen Mother was a female and the Emperor was only seven years old. All government affairs were decided by Prime Minister Fan Zhi and others. Normally things were pretty safe, but now something like this had happened. The Queen Mother and the young emperor were both frightened.

disturbed.

"My lord, what should we do?" Queen Mother Fu was still young, and she was extremely panicked when faced with such a major military and state matter.

"Don't panic, Queen Mother. The imperial army is brave and good at fighting, and they will definitely defeat the Khitans!" Fan Zhi was good at governing the country, but he was not good at the army. He secretly thought that Zhao Kuangyin was the only general in the court who could do the job, and he couldn't help but say:

"In front of the palace, Zhao Kuangyin's troops are inspected. If his troops march north, there will be no mistakes!"

"Then, it's up to your husband to make the decision!" Empress Dowager Fu hugged the little emperor and said immediately, as if she had a backbone.

Seeing this, Fan Zhi was not careless and immediately summoned Zhao Kuangyin.

Zhao Kuangyin still respected Fan Zhi, the prime minister, and looked obedient after saluting.

So Fan Zhi told him about leading his troops north, and Zhao Kuangyin was "shocked" and waved his hands repeatedly:

"The last general has few soldiers and few generals, so it is not suitable to go into battle——"

Therefore, Fan Zhi had no doubt that he was there, and appointed him as Taiwei, commanding the entire imperial army.

On the third day of the first lunar month, Zhao Kuangyin was so happy that he led tens of thousands of forbidden troops to the north to fight against the enemy.

When Zhao Kuangyin led his troops out of the city, rumors spread throughout Kaifeng that "Ce Dian Jian is the emperor".

For a time, the people in Tokyo City knew that something big was going on, and "the soldiers and the people were frightened, and they were trying to find a way to escape."

Then the Zhou court knew nothing about it and was kept in the dark, still fearing the Khitan soldiers.

In the early morning of the third day of the Lunar New Year, Zhao Kuangyin led his army to leave the capital. At dusk, the army was stationed at Chenqiaoyi (now Chenqiao Town, southeast of Fengqiu, Henan), 40 miles northeast of Kaifeng City.

What was abnormal was that he left all matters in the general affairs to his brother Zhao Guangyi and his cronies, as well as his counselor Zhao Pu, while he went into his tent and drank wholeheartedly, completely ignoring the affairs of the army until he was drunk on the couch.

The soldiers were all very surprised. Zhao Kuangyin had always been a man of heavy troops, and he would patrol around before giving up. Today, he was drinking alone in the tent. It was very strange.

Not long after, the imperial army suddenly started talking, saying: The emperor in the capital is young, and we may not be aware of our meritorious service. If we lose our lives for him, I'm afraid no one will take care of him.

Soon, with the connivance of the generals, this rumor spread throughout the Forbidden Army, and everyone was talking about it. Even if some people knew it was false, they were forced to think it was true, and the army was terrified.

In the military camp, there were Li Chuyun, the governor of the capital, Li Han and Chao, the governors in front of the palace, Ma Renzhen, the governor of the inner palace, and Wang Yansheng, the commander of the scattered soldiers, and other major generals of the imperial army. They made a noise. Because Zhao Kuangyin was lying drunk in the tent, he could only

Discussed with Zhao Guangyi, Zhao Pu and others.

"Now that the officials are so young, we fight tooth and nail to fight. Who will know our merits in the future? It is better to support Zhao Dianjian as emperor now!"

The generals were noisy.

Seeing such a step-by-step performance without any trace of performance, Zhao Pu, as the chief planner, was very excited, so he said to everyone: "Xing Wang Yi's surname, although it is destiny, is actually related to the people's hearts. The former army crossed the river yesterday, and the Jiedu envoy

In each area of ​​control, if the capital is in chaos, not only will the foreign invaders become more entrenched, but the four directions will undergo changes. If the soldiers can be strictly ordered not to commit plunder, and the people of the capital remain unshakable, then the four directions will naturally be peaceful, and the generals will be able to maintain their wealth and honor."

Everyone agreed and agreed in unison.

Early the next morning, before Zhao Kuangyin got up, the generals swarmed outside his sleeping tent, all looking at Zhao Kuangyi, waiting for his move.

As a scholar, Zhao Kuangyi was very excited to participate in this matter. He took a deep breath, recalled the sentences he had practiced many times in his mind, and entered the military tent:

"Brother, rumors are spreading in the army now, and the generals are panicking. I can only calm them down with you!"

Zhao Kuangyin slowly woke up and looked at the sky before dawn, and then said: "Okay, I'll go take a look!"

I don't know if I forgot or something, but I didn't even dress neatly and went out of the tent wearing only my underwear.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they left the military tent, everyone drew their swords and lined up in the courtyard. They knelt down on one knee, lowered their heads and said in unison: "The army has no master, and I hope that the Taiwei will be the emperor."

Without waiting for Zhao Kuangyin to answer, everyone took out the yellow robe that had been prepared for the emperor to wear when he ascended the throne and put it on him.

This yellow robe cannot be made overnight. Zhao Kuangyin was not doubtful, but looked embarrassed and said helplessly: "You are greedy for wealth and honor, and made me the emperor. If you can follow my orders, you can; otherwise, I can't

You are the master."

There was no doubt that everyone said in unison: "I will obey orders."

Zhao Kuangyin raised his hands, cupped them in the direction of Tokyo, and stared at these warriors. Among them were his brothers from the volunteer society. They all looked excited and felt happy in their hearts. He then said:

"The Queen Mother (referring to Empress Fu) and the Lord (referring to Emperor Gong of Zhou Dynasty), we are all working from the north, and you are not allowed to intrude; the ministers are all on my side, and are not allowed to invade; the imperial treasury, the home of the common people, is not allowed to be invaded. Use orders.

There is a heavy reward, and if you disobey, you will be killed."

All the generals prostrated themselves on the ground to show their obedience to the holy orders.

On the side, Zhao Pu was overjoyed when he saw that the work was done. He touched his beard so reservedly, looked at Zhao Kuangyin who was being supported, and thought to himself: My efforts are not in vain.
Chapter completed!