Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 390 Support (Part 1)

Prime Minister Pang served as the Grand Tutor of the Eastern Palace for over a decade, and he watched Emperor Jian'an, Xie Li, grow up. After Emperor Jian'an was enthroned, Prime Minister Pang rose to become the head of the civil officials, proving himself to be utterly loyal to the emperor.

Commander Gao served Emperor Jian'an for even longer. When he first entered the Eastern Palace, he was assigned to serve as a bodyguard to the Prince of Zhangwu. Later, due to a series of unforeseen events, Commander Gao became the commander of the emperor's personal guards, protecting the emperor's safety day and night.

Who would have thought that our parting that day would be our last!
Prime Minister Pang quickly fainted from crying.

Commander Gao, a seasoned martial artist, was currently in a fit of rage, and his physical strength and stamina far surpassed that of the elderly Prime Minister Pang. He lifted Prime Minister Pang onto the carriage with one hand, then whispered to Pei Qinghe, "This subordinate will first escort the Prime Minister back to his residence."

Pei Qinghe nodded.

After the carriage left, Pei Qinghe walked to the Emperor's tomb.

According to the regulations for the burial of an emperor, this mausoleum was clearly far from adequate. The young Emperor Jian'an had never imagined that he would die young, and hadn't even chosen a location for his tomb. Pei Qinghe then took it upon herself to select a quiet and secluded place.

“When a person dies, their debts are settled,” Pei Qinghe gazed at him for a moment, then sighed softly, “I will not hold your foolish and ridiculous deeds against you.”

"Xie Li, don't be born into the royal family in your next life. Be reborn into an ordinary wealthy family and be a happy rich kid."

With a sigh, it quietly disappeared with a gust of cold wind.

……

Prime Minister Pang woke up leisurely.

When I opened my eyes, my wife's familiar face came into view.

Madam Pang had been crying for half a day, and her eyes were already red and swollen. When she saw that Prime Minister Pang had finally woken up, she burst into tears again: "You've finally woken up."

"When Commander Gao brought you back, you were barely alive. You slept for a whole day and night. General Pei sent the imperial physician over, who gave you acupuncture and several bowls of herbal medicine before finally managing to save your life."

Prime Minister Pang's voice was already hoarse. He coughed a few times before managing to utter, "Where is Commander Gao?"

Madam Pang wiped away her tears with her handkerchief: "Commander Gao is asleep in the guest room, and Vice Minister Qin and the others are waiting outside. Now that you're awake, I need to go and tell them so they won't worry."

Prime Minister Pang was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I know why they've come. Tell them that I'm not feeling well right now and need to rest for a few days. Once I'm strong enough to speak, I'll invite them to come and get together again."

Minister Qin and his entourage had been waiting for half a month, and finally Prime Minister Pang returned. They couldn't wait any longer. Upon hearing that Prime Minister Pang had woken up, they shamelessly refused to leave and eventually entered Prime Minister Pang's room.

Although it had only been a few months since they parted, their reunion felt like a lifetime had passed.

With red eyes, Minister Qin recounted in a low voice the events that had occurred over the past few months.

Prime Minister Pang only knew that Emperor Jian'an had died tragically at the hands of the Zhang family, but upon hearing the details, he was so angry that his face turned pale and his body trembled.

Vice Minister Qin quickly helped Prime Minister Pang up: "The dead cannot be brought back to life. General Pei has already avenged the Emperor by personally beheading the Zhang family. Prime Minister, you don't need to be too sad. Take care of your health and preserve your strength for the future."

The other civil officials echoed in agreement: "That's right. Although the court has fallen, we are still here, and there are still millions of people in the north. Life must go on."

"With the Prime Minister here, we have a pillar of support."

"Yes, with the Prime Minister taking the lead, we know what to do."

Prime Minister Pang did not pretend not to understand.

He strained to raise his eyes, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the civil officials, and his words went straight to their hearts: "You want to enthrone General Pei as the new emperor?"

"You're hoping I'll come back so you can lead the way and help you achieve the merit of supporting the new emperor?"

"The emperor's body is barely cold, and you're already plotting this? Aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning?"

The civil officials were speechless. They were so embarrassed by Prime Minister Pang's scolding that they couldn't lift their heads.

Qin, the Vice Minister, was old and experienced, and had been a colleague of Prime Minister Pang for twenty years. Only he was frank: "A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. The emperor has passed away, and the dynasty is over. If we do not quickly establish a new dynasty and support an emperor, the country will fall into disarray."

"The traitors Qiao and Tao have sent troops; who will defend them?"

"If the Xiongnu barbarians seize the opportunity to launch an attack, who can stop them?"

"With so many troops in the north, someone has to manage and control them. Otherwise, they will fight each other and divide up the land, resulting in endless chaos and suffering for the people."

That's right! Aren't they all doing this for the peace and tranquility of the people? They don't care about meritorious service or official positions.

The civil officials quickly straightened their backs and echoed their sentiments.

Qin Shilang added, “The Prime Minister is the head of the civil officials. Only the Prime Minister has enough prestige to facilitate this important matter.”

"I earnestly request that Your Excellency consider the well-being of the people and the peace of the country, and urge you to establish a new emperor as soon as possible."

Qin Shilang knelt down, and the other civil officials also knelt down one by one.

Prime Minister Pang looked at the kneeling civil officials and fell silent once again.

Minister Qin looked up and pleaded again, "Please, Your Excellency, make a decision."

All the civil officials shouted in unison, "Please, Your Excellency, make a decision!"

Prime Minister Pang let out a long sigh: "You may all rise! I need to think about it some more."

The tone has softened.

Minister Qin breathed a sigh of relief and was the first to stand up: "Your Excellency, please rest well. We will come to visit you again tomorrow."

After everyone left, Prime Minister Pang let out another long sigh and closed his eyes.

"Prime Minister," Commander Gao's familiar voice rang in his ears, "Does Vice Minister Qin and the others intend to enthrone General Pei as the new emperor?"

Prime Minister Pang opened his eyes: "Otherwise? Who else could possibly be entrusted with this great responsibility?"

"Pei Qinghe decisively defeated the Bohai Navy, killing the Zhang family father and son, and northern armies flocked to surrender. Besides Pei Qinghe, who else could control these arrogant and fierce generals?"

“The Xiongnu barbarians sent troops to plunder and kill every year, but Pei Qinghe led the troops to stop them. Only she could protect the people of the north.”

"Actually, there was no need for them to beg me. I figured it out on the way. General Pei spared my life that day, probably waiting for this day. My old bones are still of some use."

“I just want to wait a little longer. We have to wait until the 49-day mourning period for the Emperor is over before we can do this. Counting the days, it should be about half a month more. At that time, I will take the lead and write a memorial with Vice Minister Qin and the others to ask General Pei to establish a new dynasty.”

Prime Minister Pang paused, then said in a low voice, "Commander Gao, you and General Pei had some past acquaintances. Now that the Emperor has passed away, don't hesitate any longer. Go and surrender to General Pei as soon as possible. Perhaps you can be valued by the general and lead troops into battle in the future."

Commander Gao's eyes reddened, and he remained silent for a long time.

Prime Minister Pang and he, one a scholar and the other a warrior, were truly loyal ministers.

Good birds choose trees to roost in.

Their former master is dead, and they have done their utmost in loyalty, without any wrongdoing. It is time to choose a new and wise ruler.

(End of this chapter)