The candlelight flickered in the room, and Zhu Houzhao stood in front of the door, the hesitation on his face was so obvious.

Regarding Zhang Mao's emotions, Zhu Houzhao's senses are quite complicated. Such a person has survived several dynasties and has been honored by emperors of all generations. This is not only because he is the head of the nobles.

Since the battle of Tumubao, the Xungui Group completely lost power, and the power in the DPRK suddenly underwent earth-shaking changes. The civilian group overwhelmed Wu Xun in one fell swoop.

The consequence of the imbalance between civil and military affairs was that the imperial power was greatly threatened, especially as the civil servant group began to frantically compete for power from the emperor.

The cabinet was established from the beginning as a secretarial agency for the emperor, assisting the emperor in handling government affairs.

This can actually be seen from the official ranks of cabinet ministers and cabinet ministers.

But slowly, as the power of the civil service group grew larger and larger, the cabinet, which originally had only the power of suggestion, began to gradually decentralize power from the imperial power, and later evolved into an institution that commanded hundreds of officials and could compete with the imperial power.

The nobles and the country live together, and they are destined to choose to stand with the royal family on many issues. Zhang Mao did this very well.

For decades, he has served as a bridge between the royal family and the noble group, working hard to maintain the relationship between the royal family and the noble group, and providing assistance to the royal family when it competes with the civil service group.

Over the past few decades, Zhang Mao has become more than just a British citizen. He is almost a representative figure of the Xungui Group, and his opinions almost represent the opinions of the Xungui Group.

Even the emperor relied heavily on him.

Why did Zhu Houzhao let Zhang Mao sit in the capital camp before? It was because Zhu Houzhao believed that others would betray him as the emperor, but the British Duke Zhang Mao would not.

Not only would it not happen, but with the British influence in the army, it would suppress any chaos that might occur in the army.

However, Zhang Mao's carelessness almost caused this catastrophe. If Li Huan hadn't brought his people here in time, he, the emperor, might have become a prisoner of the rebels.

It is natural that Zhu Houzhao, who had just escaped the disaster, was dissatisfied with Zhang Mao, but this was temporary after all. If we really want to say it, the emperor Zhu Houzhao still attached great importance to Zhang Mao in his heart, otherwise it would not be possible.

I wouldn't have had such a big reaction after hearing the news that Zhang Mao was seriously injured and dying.

Under the beating candlelight, Zhu Houzhao's figure was reflected on the window.

Li Huan, Zhu Fu and others outside the door could even clearly see Zhu Houzhao's shadow reflected on the door and window. They also knew that the emperor was in front of the door at this moment.

Seeing the emperor's shadow reflected on the door and window, Li Huan pondered for a moment and vaguely guessed why the emperor had already arrived at the door but did not open the door.

Looking at the pale British Duke Zhang Mao on the ground, Li Huan sighed in his heart.

This old prince is absolutely responsible for the rebellion of Marquis Changxing. After all, the emperor ordered him to stay in the capital just in case.

As a result, Zhang Mao's people were not in the capital camp when Changxing Hou rebelled. Otherwise, Zhang Mao would have noticed the changes in the Xiaoyong camp immediately and would have been able to stop the Xiaoyong camp before it entered the capital, and the attack on Emperor Luanjia by the Xiaoyong camp would not have happened.

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This is what made the emperor angry. It is conceivable that if Zhang Mao had not done anything, the British lineage, which had been trusted and favored by the royal family for hundreds of years, would definitely be despised by the emperor and no longer be the leader of the noble family.

However, when Zhang Mao learned about the rebellion of Marquis Changxing, he resolutely chose to lead his army to Beijing to quell the rebellion. He even risked his life and rushed to the front. Isn't this a statement to the emperor and asking for his forgiveness?

Li Huan just looked at Zhang Mao. His old face was no longer as rosy as before, and even his eyes full of wisdom were tightly closed at this moment.

At this moment, this is not the British Duke of the Ming Dynasty who has dominated the Ming Dynasty for decades without falling, but is just an old man who is seriously injured and dying.

With arrows stuck in his body, his body covered in blood, and his face like gold paper, Zhang Mao would probably be a little sentimental to anyone who saw him.

And given the emperor's true love and nature, it is conceivable that once he sees Zhang Mao like this, I am afraid that the previous dissatisfaction with the British government due to Zhang Mao's negligence will disappear.

This is how people are, when a person dies, everyone will only talk about the good things about the other person and subconsciously forget about the bad things about the other person.

Therefore, with the death of Zhang Mao, the emperor will only remember the loyalty of the British Duke Zhang Mao, who was devoted to the Lord and did not hesitate to die. If nothing else is said, Zhang Mao's death will not only wash away the righteousness of Zhang Mao not long ago.

The bad impression left by Zhu Houzhao directly left a huge blessing to the British government. I am afraid that from now on, the Zhengde Dynasty, with the death of Zhang Mao, will be endlessly honored and favored.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Li Huan's mind: Zhang Mao might have rushed forward deliberately to seek death.

Shaking his head, Li Huan felt that he might have thought too much.

Kneeling down next to Zhang Mao, Zhang Lun seemed to be able to feel the emperor standing just across the door.

Despite his grief, Zhang Lun could clearly sense the emperor's attitude.

If it were in the past, let alone Zhang Mao being seriously injured and dying right in front of his eyes, I am afraid that even if he was injured or something, the emperor would personally send his servants to visit him.

The emperor really has a grudge against the British government.

Suddenly, Zhang Lun understood why his grandfather chose to die.

He knew very well that his grandfather lived under the title of British Duke and devoted his whole life to maintaining the inheritance of the British Duke family.

He would rather die than see the British government fall silent and defeated in his hands, so he resolutely chose to die to wash away the grudge in the emperor's heart in exchange for the endless favor of the British government.

After thoroughly thinking about this, Zhang Lun felt even more sad and couldn't help crying loudly: "Grandpa, grandpa..."

With a bang, the door was suddenly opened, and Zhu Houzhao's figure appeared in front of everyone.

Zhu Houzhao was seen standing at the door. When his eyes fell on Zhang Mao lying on the ground in front of the door, he couldn't help but froze, and his originally tense face finally couldn't help showing a look of emotion.

color.

Almost as a conditioned reflex, Zhu Houzhao took a step forward and appeared directly in front of the wooden board. He saw that his body was covered with arrows, and his armor was dyed red with blood.

Just as Li Huan thought, Zhu Houzhao only had infinite sadness and regret in his heart at this time, and there was no dissatisfaction with the British government.

With trembling hands, Zhu Houzhao slowly pushed aside Zhang Mao's long gray hair, revealing an old face full of vicissitudes of life.

"Old Duke..."

Zhu Houzhao let out a low cry, which contained deep emotions.

It's a pity that where Zhang Maoshang was lying, there was no reaction at all. Only his weak breathing and undetectable rising and falling chest could prove that Zhang Maoshang was still alive.

Zhang Lun on the side said to Zhang Mao with a trembling voice: "Grandpa, grandpa, please wake up. Your Majesty is here. Your Majesty is here to see you..."

Facing Zhang Lun's call, Zhang Mao still did not respond, but Zhang Lun subconsciously looked towards Li Huan.

It seemed that he was praying to Li Huan, hoping that Li Huan could wake up his grandfather.

Zhang Lun already understood Zhang Mao's hard work. Although at this time, the change in the emperor's attitude had proved that Zhang Mao's hard work was not in vain, but Zhang Lun did not want his grandfather to even see the emperor before he died.

None of the wishes can be fulfilled.

Li Huan took a deep breath and took a step forward, about to wake up Zhang Mao.

But Zhu Houzhao suppressed the sadness in his heart, his voice was a little hoarse, and he shouted in a trembling voice: "Mr. British, don't you want to see me? I am right here. Do you have anything to say to me..."

Following Zhu Houzhao's slightly rude shout, Zhang Mao, who was lying there without any reaction, suddenly trembled. His closed eyes trembled slightly, and then he slowly opened his eyes.

Zhu Houzhao looked at Zhang Mao's eyes. The moment they saw him, they first showed a look of surprise, then showed guilt and a bit of relief.

Looking at the complicated emotions in Zhang Mao's eyes, Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but recall every moment between Zhang Mao and him since he was sensible.

Thinking about the past in his mind, Zhu Houzhao's eyes became softer when he looked at Zhang Mao.

"His Majesty!"

The call directly made Zhu Houzhao's heart tremble. He couldn't help but stretched out his hand to hold Zhu Houzhao's calloused old hand and said: "Old Duke, I am here. Why is my beloved like this? Why is she like this..."

In the past two years, Zhang Mao has gradually faded out of the court, and even the post of admiral of the capital camp has been relieved, and he no longer interferes.

Given Zhang Mao's physical condition, if he puts everything down and rests, he may not be able to live for a few more years.

It's just that no one expected that such a change would occur due to the twists of fate.

Zhang Mao looked at Zhu Houzhao, with a smile on his face and said: "Your Majesty, please don't be sad. All I want is to be wrapped in horse leather as an old minister in the army. If he dies on his sickbed, wouldn't it weaken the power of our British line?"

, the old minister’s momentary negligence led to this catastrophe. Now that the rebellion has been put down, and I can see your majesty for the last time, the old minister can rest in peace even after falling into the Nine Springs.”

As he spoke, Zhang Mao couldn't help but cough violently, and even large mouthfuls of blood gushed out. The situation was extremely horrifying.

When Zhu Houzhao saw this, he couldn't help shouting: "Old Duke, please stop talking, please stop talking, imperial doctor, please pass on the imperial doctor..."

Zhu Houzhao shouted loudly to Qiu Ju, Gu Dayong and others beside him.

With a sigh, Li Huan stepped forward and quickly touched several large acupuncture points on Zhang Mao's body. However, it miraculously stopped Zhang Mao from vomiting blood, and he could clearly feel that Zhang Mao's energy seemed to be returning.

His eyes brightened a bit.

However, whether Zhang Lun or Zhu Houzhao saw this scene, they knew clearly that this was Zhang Mao's last flashback. I am afraid that even if he survived this breath, even the magical skills of Chinese medicine would not be able to save Zhang Mao for a moment.

Zhang Mao smiled gratefully at Li Huan, then looked at the emperor and said: "Your Majesty, if I die, I will die, but I still have concerns in my heart..."

Zhu Houzhao squeezed Zhang Mao's big hand and said in a trembling voice: "What else does the old man wish for? Just say it, I will listen."

Zhang Mao looked at Zhu Houzhao and said: "My biggest concern is your Majesty. Your Majesty has succeeded to the throne young and has great ambitions. In the future, he will definitely be an eternal emperor like Taizu and Taizong. It is a pity that my luck is shallow and I will not be able to see your Majesty achieve eternal achievements."

It’s the day of the emperor.”

Zhu Houzhao said with emotion: "Old Duke..."

Zhang Mao added: "But His Majesty acted too hastily after all. Liu Jin's New Deal had good intentions, but it touched the interests of too many people, and even got into the hands of lower-level officials, who cleverly created names and tampered with the contents of the New Deal.

On the contrary, it has become a policy that will harm the country and the people. If the old ministers observe this and continue to push it forward, there will be a civil upheaval in the future."

After taking a breath, Zhang Mao looked at Zhu Houzhao and said: "Even if His Majesty was assassinated this time and the rebellion of Marquis Changxing, Fei Hong and others, it may not be because His Majesty favored Liu Jin and pushed for the New Deal."

Zhu Houzhao looked solemnly and looked at Zhang Mao intently.

As if he didn't feel Zhu Houzhao's gaze, Zhang Mao said with a smile: "I was worried about your majesty's safety before, but with a loyal minister like Li Huan beside your majesty, I can go see him if your majesty is safe."

The late emperor."

Then he said to Zhu Houzhao with a guilty look on his face: "Due to my negligence, the rebels entered the city to harm Your Majesty, so I had to tie up the supervisors of the four military camps and force all the soldiers to follow me to the capital without an order to protect him. This crime of chaos is all

As an old minister, I would like to ask Your Majesty to forgive the sins committed by the officers and men of the army."
To be continued...