During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, it was not uncommon for various countries to annex the land. Nanping occupied the land of three states. The smallest could not be smaller and could survive for decades. Except for the Gao family who was very aware of current affairs and professed ministers everywhere, the country had some shameless people.

Can't you punish someone who is innocent?

Therefore, generations of the Gao family have always been thick-skinned and firmly believe that it is better to die than to live. Their thick-skinnedness makes it difficult for people to do anything.

In addition, Nanping's greatest luck is that it is sandwiched between four great powers (Central Plains, Shu, Chu and Southern Tang Dynasty), which is conducive to Nanping's existence, like a scale, balancing it.

This is somewhat similar to Switzerland, a landlocked country in Europe. Switzerland, with an area of ​​only 41,000 square kilometers, is sandwiched between the three major countries of France (550,000 square kilometers, European part), Germany (357,000 square kilometers, after unification), and Italy (301,000 square kilometers).

This special geographical existence is conducive to the existence of Switzerland.

If the three major countries France, Germany and Italy annexed Switzerland, the other two countries would not agree. And if the three countries carve up Switzerland, they will not be able to get "a few taels of meat", so they might as well maintain the status quo.

Therefore, it is not easy to become a permanently neutral country. You need the necessary geographical location, otherwise you will be annexed no matter how neutral you are.

Nanping mastered the essence of politics, so the Gao family established themselves in Nanping for decades and enjoyed wealth and honor.

As for the first battle of Zhao Kuangyin's unification, Nanping must be won, because the road to unification had been paved by Zhou Shizong Guo Rong.

The elites of Hou Shu were annihilated by the Zhou army, and the elites of the Southern Tang Dynasty were annihilated by the Zhou army, and they also captured the fourteen states in Jiangbei. Zhou Xingfeng of the Chu State was weak, and the original Guangxi part was eaten by the Southern Han Dynasty, so it was impossible to compete with the Central Plains.

As the strength of the Central Plains Dynasty and the major powers in the south were about the same, Nanping was not something anyone could move if they wanted.

It was originally planned well, even if Zhao Kuangyin was killed, he would not have expected that Li Tang would appear inexplicably and occupy Hunan and Lingnan, and his national power was almost the same as that of the Southern Tang Dynasty.

For Nanping at the center of the whirlpool, it is not that it is unaware of the subtle political situation, but at this time there are other important things happening, and it is too busy to take care of itself, and it is difficult to exert its political essence.

Gao Baorong, the king of Nanping, was no longer able to survive. He was seriously ill in bed and was dying.

Hundreds of golden lamps illuminated the palace of Nanping King. Layers of richly embroidered cloud curtains hung quietly between the dragon pillars. King Nanping was lying on the bed. The thick herbal medicine had permeated the entire palace.

The eunuchs and maids snorted and bowed their heads without saying a word.

The ministers were kneeling on the ground one after another, with sad expressions on their faces. It looked extremely strange in this broad and bright hall, and there was no sound around them.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded deep in the hall, which seemed particularly abrupt in such silence. A dozen doctors who had been kneeling in front of the bed waiting for half the night didn't even have time to raise their heads when they heard a high-pitched roar: "Everyone.

What are you doing standing here? Your Highness has made no progress so far, why don’t you think of a solution quickly!"

No one among the doctors dared to say a word. Only the old doctor with a white beard trembled and said slowly: "Replying to the Lieutenant, His Highness has been harsh for a long time. We...there is really nothing we can do..."

Before he finished speaking, this man, who was always a gloomy Taiwei and also served as the governor of the Ningjiang Army, said angrily: "What do I want you to do? Don't you know how to use medicine?"

He paced quickly in the palace, glanced at the ministers who had been kneeling for a long time, with violent expressions on their faces, and then glanced at the queen who was kneeling beside the bed with a sad face, and the two young princes, and his words were even more intense.

Violent: "No matter what method you use, find a way for me!"

The ministers all lowered their heads and said nothing.

"Uncle, come here, Your Highness has something to say to you!" the queen said with a tearful voice.

"My brother is here!" Gao Baoxu responded quickly, walked away quickly, walked to the bed and knelt down, looking at the pale and trembling King Nanping, his eyes full of concern.

"Baoxu is here?" Gao Baorong finally opened his eyes and breathed intermittently. He forced a smile and said:

"I was born to be pedantic, and I have been lucky enough to get the throne for thirteen years. Fortunately, I am self-aware and know that Baoxu is our Gao family's thousand-mile horse and the real master of the country. Therefore, when it comes to major affairs of the country, Baoxu presides over it.

Only in this way can we, the Gao family, maintain peace for more than ten years!"

"The Song Dynasty was just established, and its leader, Zhao Kuangyin, had a reputation for bravery. He was a small country in Nanping, but he suffered an embarrassing blow. He served three times a year. I was as afraid of him as a tiger. I was afraid that the inheritance passed down by my ancestors would be destroyed in my hands. Otherwise, I would have no face after death.

Meet the ancestors? Ahem——"

As he spoke, Gao Baorong started coughing, and his face became more and more ugly. He looked at the pain on Gao Baoxu's face and couldn't help but smile:

"Human life and death are destined by God. Although I have been mediocre in this life, I have been blessed by my ancestors, coupled with the merits of all my ministers and the support of Baoxu, so I have had many years of peace. After I die and close my eyes, I am worthy of my gratitude.

Ancestor!"

"Master~" The ministers cried out. When they mentioned the word death, it hit their hearts and lungs. Tears flowed across the palace. The whole palace suddenly burst into tears, and those who were kneeling on their knees burst into tears.

The eunuchs and maids could not help but cover their faces and cry.

No matter who you are, at this time, you can't help but cry. Do you want to wait for death? Didn't you see Gao Baoxu, did you cry too?

"I know my own body well. There are hundreds of thousands of people in the three states of Jingnan, and the inheritance of our ancestors must not be messed with. My brother, Gao Baoxu, has always been virtuous and prestigious. After I leave, I will succeed him.

king……"

Gao Baorong raised his head with difficulty and spoke word by word, looking at these ministers. His eyes were so sincere that everyone believed that this was the voice from his heart.

After all, although the mediocre and pedantic Gao Baorong was the king of Nanping, all the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty and the hundreds of thousands of people in Nanping didn't know that the real king of Nanping was Gao Baoxu, who had always been indulgent and debauched.

"Jichong has always been smart, and he is ready for a big job. My younger brother will help him become the king." Gao Bao Xu said sadly, sobbing, his thin body seemed to be about to collapse at any time.

It was a cold night in the palace, and the dots seemed to gradually join together. A gust of wind blew up, and the candle lamps hanging high seemed unable to withstand the sudden cold wind, and several of them "suddenly" went out. I don't know when it started raining outside, and dark clouds covered it.

The moon, the night, and the dead silence are getting darker and darker.

"Jixing is young. How can we protect the inheritance of our ancestors in this troubled world? The only person who can be the king of Nanping is Baoxu!" Gao Baorong shook his head and said:

"Although I am pedantic, I am not confused. There are conflicts in the world. Whether it is Zhao Kuangyin in the Central Plains or Li Jia in Hunan, they are not easy to deal with. If Jixing becomes the king of Nanping, it will be difficult to preserve the foundation of the ancestors. It is Gao's plan.
Chapter completed!