After exhausting myself to death

Luo Xiu was far away from the palace. He was a very leisurely emperor. Shen Minghuan took over the memorials that were supposed to be reviewed by him. Since the end of the imperial examination, he had no official duties.

It was even easier than when he was the prince or the spiritual king, at least at that time he still had to plan for the throne.

But he was still a very ambitious emperor who couldn't take any time off. He had to create jobs even if he didn't have any.

So he decided to leave the palace, observe the sentiments of the people, and listen to the voices of the people.

Of course, there is a more important reason - someone asked him to meet, using the news channel when he was still the Soul King.

It was precisely because Gu Chenglin knew that Luo Xiuyuan was leaving the palace today that he and He Zhang made the desperate decision to assassinate Shen Minghuan.

The emperor's departure from the palace was a big event. Even if the palace's guards would not be weakened by this, there would still be an extra loophole. In addition, the guard commander was his adopted son and was completely unguarded against him, so getting in was easier than he thought.

It was precisely because his impromptu idea was too sudden, otherwise, if Luo Xiuyuan knew a word, he would have stopped him long ago.

"Chen Xiaoyu, please go out and ask them to leave. Stop gathering here. I'm fine." Shen Minghuan said.

Chen Xiaoyu hesitated for a moment, then said "yes" and followed the order.

He Zhang watched Chen Xiaoyu leave, and then listened to the footsteps of the crowd outside walking away neatly, and tightened his grip on the weapon.

"You hate me so much, General He?" Shen Minghuan was keenly aware of the other party's actions and thoughtfully said, "I have heard about you. It is said that your family was harmed by evil people, and the late emperor avenged you, so you That’s why you’re so loyal.”

"Ah, now I am the evil person in your mind. If someone kills me, wouldn't you be so devoted to that person?"

Lu Suiping, who was walking to Gu Chenglin and was about to explain to him, felt his heart tremble. He had some bad premonitions for no reason, which made him extremely frightened. "My lord, what are you thinking about?"

"I was thinking...well, it's nothing." Shen Minghuan said absently.

"Master Lu?" Gu Chenglin frowned, "Chang Mao?"

Didn't you say you had something very important to tell him? Why are you in a daze before you even start talking?

"General." Chen Xin walked out from behind Shen Minghuan, looked at the mess on the ground, and closed his eyes as if he was stung.

Isn't this person in front of me Da Qi's porcelain? Precious, priceless, a treasure, but fragile.

This was the first time that he had broken into this man's crisis-ridden life. He was passionate and enthusiastic when the storm started, but only felt scared when it ended. He looked pale and forced a smile, "Follow me, I will explain to you."

Chen Xin pulled Gu Chenglin and He Zhang to the door and whispered, while Lu Suiping tried his best to capture the reason for the strange premonition in his heart.

Chang Mao silently saluted Shen Ming: "Your Majesty, your Majesty invites you."

"You are really surprised. Does Luo Xiuyuan have any magic that can change his personality?" Shen Minghuan was very curious.

The taciturn Lu Suiping has become talkative, and the energetic Chang Mao is depressed. No, maybe calm is more appropriate to describe him? Even Qu Zhengcheng doesn't like wearing night clothes anymore.

Shen Minghuan nodded to himself. He was worthy of being the protagonist. Not only did he make progress, he could also drive the growth of those around him.

Shen Minghuan just teased casually and did not insist on getting an answer. Seeing that Chang Mao was still silent, he said tolerantly: "Lead the way. It just so happens that I also have something to tell His Majesty."

Chang Mao glanced at him, lowered his head and bowed again, then turned slightly to lead the way.

He looked very reliable with a straight look. He seemed like a different person. Shen Minghuan sighed in his heart.

Without Shen Xiaoan's thoughts, Shen Minghuan rode on the horse as he wished.

Lu Suiping and Chen Xin, two civil servants who did not know how to ride and shoot, followed behind in a carriage. They did not know why Luo Xiuyuan wanted to see Shen Minghuan and they followed.

There were constant turmoil in Daqi during this period, but these turmoils were restrained in the high attic and did not affect the people downstairs who were happy, angry and sad for firewood, rice, oil and salt.

Shen Minghuan caught up with the first snowfall in Yanling when he first came back. Now two months have passed by in a hurry, and the New Year will be in ten days.

It's just this once a year, and no one wants to have any regrets. Even if it seems that there are more officers and soldiers on the streets this year, some people will still have the courage to walk out of their houses with a little more chill.

The reason why people live in groups is that they are good at drawing courage from their companions, relatives and friends.

The streets gradually returned to the liveliness of previous years.

Later, the imperial court issued an order to equalize land and sent someone to read it word for word to them. Now the first group of people drawn by lot have been allocated farmland, and those people are so happy that they have to look at it more than ten times a day even if it is not time to sow.

Although others are envious, it can be expected that before the ice and snow melt and the earth warms up next year, they will already have their own fields.

Perhaps it’s because the beautiful days are visibly approaching, and people who are looking for more are more generous this year, and they all want to buy more New Year’s goods to celebrate.

So there were more people on the street.

As soon as Shen Minghuan appeared on the tall horse, the pedestrians on the street were scared to retreat to both sides, and a wide avenue was forcibly opened up on the originally narrow street.

Shen Minghuan was delighted: Is there such a benefit?

He has never been patient and hates meaningless waiting. It is troublesome to think about being squeezed in the middle and unable to move.

The cheers and shouts of unsuspecting people could be heard in the distance, and the surroundings became silent for no reason. The whispers on the roadside were like buzzing insects, which made me feel uncomfortable all over.

Chen Xin couldn't bear it anymore and opened the curtain of the car, and rushed out to stop the ignorant people at all costs.

not like this!

You don’t understand anything, why are you talking about him like this?

You are the people he carefully protects under his wings. Those corrupt officials and powerful people from aristocratic families can scold him, poke his spine and say he is cruel, but how can you do the same?

If you say that... that person... would be so sad...

Lu Suiping held down Chen Xin's wrist and closed the car curtain again without any objection.

Chen Xin's eyes widened, clearly angry, but his eyes turned red unconsciously, "Brother Lu, why did you stop me?"

The curtains of the carriage swayed as the carriage moved, and the figure of the orchid jade tree in the front right appeared and disappeared.

Lu Suiping shook his head and pointed at Shen Minghuan outside the gap: "Look."

From time to time, Shen Minghuan would turn his head and look at the people around him, and they could see that person's expression.

His brows are gentle and the corners of his mouth are slightly raised, and he looks extremely relaxed. If you have been together for a while, you can easily tell that this person is happy at the moment.

happy--

Are you happy because you see people living and working in peace and contentment, with adequate food and clothing? It doesn't matter even if you are misunderstood.

This man really... loves this country so much.

Chen Xin raised his broad sleeves to cover his face. He gritted his teeth and cried silently.

*

Shen Minghuan rode his horse slowly and leisurely, and could already see Yingzuilou's wine flag fluttering in the wind in the distance.

The closer to Yingzui Tower, the more people flow on the street, but this has no impact on Shen Minghuan - they still avoid him like snakes and scorpions, and Shen Minghuan's path forward is always wide and unobstructed.

Suddenly, a trembling old man rushed out of the roadside. He was very old, with a curved back and gray hair. He only walked a few steps, and after he stopped, he began to breathe slightly.

He is the image that can most resonate and pity others. He was standing in front of the motorcade on crutches and quickly attracted the attention of everyone present.

The frail old man knelt down in front of the tall horse and howled, "Sir, please let the poor people come back to celebrate the New Year. Please do your best. I beg you."

The old man's face was covered with wrinkles and he was crying, which made him look even more pitiful. He kowtowed with difficulty and kept crying.

The whispers on the roadside grew louder.

"Ah, I know him. He is Old Man Liu next door to me. He has only one son. He joined the army and he hasn't even married a wife yet."

"Why do you think we have to fight every day? I fought Li Lan before and finally won. Now I have to fight the bandits again. How long will this fight end?"

Someone among the crowd shouted: "Withdraw troops! No more fighting, let our good son come back!"

Someone takes the lead, and then others follow:

"Yes, let's not fight. People will die in war. Let this old man's son go home!"

"My son is also in the Zhenbei Army. Sir, please, don't let him go to fight again."

There are also objections:

"We can't retreat. Have you all forgotten what the bandits did to us before? They massacred an entire city of ours before! There is a blood feud, and we will die together!"

"My grandfather was killed by them back then. They were devils and could eat people."

"You said that was a thing of the past, but now they don't dare to come to our Daqi."

"It's just that you can say this because you don't have any children joining the army. Look how pitiful that uncle is."

"It's almost the New Year now..."

The two words "New Year" always seem to arouse people's melancholy. The more families reunite, the less they can tolerate any shortcomings.

The opponents were already weak, and when the murderous weapon was unleashed, they were speechless.

Shen Minghuan was riding on a high horse. Compared with the old man kneeling on the ground, he was supposed to be the stronger party.

However, Gu Chenglin and Lu Suiping, who knew the inside story, looked up at him and felt that Shen Minghuan's figure was particularly thin among the many people pointing at him.

From beginning to end, he was alone, walking alone in this muddy and troubled world.

What broke the chaos was the cry of a child: "Mom, I want a brother, I want a brother..."

"Don't cry! Mother told you that your brother died in the battle and he can't come back!" There was also sadness that could not be ignored in the woman's cold voice, and the child cried even louder.

Shen Minghuan was silent for a moment, got off his horse, walked slowly to the old man, bent down and helped the old man up under the nervous eyes of everyone, "Old man, I..."

His tone was solemn: "I will do my best to get your child back. Starting from next year, he can live with you every year."

"Are you serious?" The old man held Shen Minghuan's hand excitedly.

"Really." Shen Minghuan looked at him gently: "I promise you."