Chapter 49

The residence of Prince Wei Murong Ding was located in Banzhengfang, right outside Shunyi Gate, on the edge of the imperial city. It occupied an area of ​​half the block and was extremely honorable.

However, for King Wei, who is already over sixty years old, none of this seems to be important anymore.

He had no children, and adopted a prince as his heir in his early years, but the heir died of illness before he reached adulthood.

Later, the late emperor wanted to adopt the current Prince of Qi, Murong Ju, to Prince of Wei, but Prince of Wei refused.

He said that when he died in the future, he would choose an heir for his son.

It is precisely because of this that Prince Wei is the one that Emperor Tiansheng Murong Ying trusts and relies on the most among all the royal family members.

Would a person without a son rebel against him? Is it necessary?

Today, Prince Wei's mansion welcomed a distinguished guest, and the only ones who could address themselves as distinguished in front of Prince Wei were the Emperor and the Empress.

On the last day of the New Year, Emperor Murong Ying, accompanied by Empress Cao and Imperial Concubine Wei, visited Prince Wei's residence.

The princes and princesses also came with him, except for the crown prince Murong Chang who was in Luoyang.
The reason for such a big fuss was that the old prince suddenly caught a cold and fell ill.

"Is the saint here? Your Majesty the Queen, Your Majesty the Imperial Concubine."

When Murong Ying saw Murong Ding lying on the sickbed, he quickly stepped forward and helped Murong Ding who wanted to sit up.

"Uncle Wang, please don't get up."

"I've met Uncle Wang."

"Meet Uncle Wang"

"Hehe, it's not to the point where I can't get up."

Murong Ding sat up and leaned on the couch. Murong Ying sighed, "It's all my fault. Uncle Wang has to lead an army on a long expedition at his old age."

This is not wrong. In the past year, Murong Ding first led a large army from Luoyang, and traveled thousands of miles deep into the Goguryeo royal city. After learning that Yang Xun had rebelled, he returned from Liaodong and traveled thousands of miles deep into the Xiaohan Road to quell the rebellion.

Just a few days after Yang Xun suppressed the rebellion, he led his army to attack Wagang and lift the siege of Liang County.

At his current age, it is inevitable that his body will have some problems after such high-intensity work. It is a rare achievement that he can hold on until now.

"I'm old and useless. I followed Emperor Wu all the way from Liaodong to Yongliang more than 30 years ago. At that time, I never thought that I would live to this age. Do you know that Emperor Wu had 12 sons? Why did the late emperor, your father, and I, your eighth brother, succeed to the throne? Because your uncles didn't live past 40, and the late emperor died in his early 50s. I'm over 60, which is considered a long life in my Murong family."

Murong Ying nodded when he heard this. "That being said, Wang Shuyi still needs to live a long life. Great Yan cannot do without you, and I need your help even more."

Although Murong Ding's words were a bit presumptuous, it seemed natural given his prestige and status.

The uncle and nephew sat on the couch and talked casually.

Empress Cao and Concubine Wei were invited to the side rooms to rest, while all the princes and princesses were waiting in the old prince's main hall.

The emperor had seven sons and six daughters.

The eldest son was Prince of Zheng Murong Chao, the second son was Prince of Liang Murong Zan, the third son was Prince of Wu Murong Yang, the fourth son was Prince of Ansi who died young, and the fifth son was Crown Prince Murong Chang.

The sixth son Murong De and the seventh son Murong Kexie were both underage and had not yet been crowned kings.

Among the six daughters, the eldest daughter, Princess Huayang Murong Lan, was married to Gao Xiaochang, the assistant minister of the Taichang Temple from the Gao family of Bohai; the second daughter, Princess Heyang, was married to Yuwen Zhao from the Yuwen family, who served as the Prince's Left Internal Rate.

The third woman is Princess Jinyang Murong Jiayin, Li Si’s fiancée.

The fourth daughter, Murong Baizhi, the fifth daughter, Murong Huanjin, and the sixth daughter, Murong Ruyi, have not yet been given a title because of their young age.

Since the crown prince was not there, the rest of the children were ordered to accompany the emperor. The oldest among them was Princess Huayang Murong Lan, who was nearly thirty years old, followed by the eldest son Murong Chao, who was twenty-three years old, and the rest were all under twenty years old.

The youngest, Murong Kexie, was only five years old and still had the traditional Xianbei hairstyle: his head was shaved bald, but the hair on the sides and back was braided into small braids.

He was the youngest prince, born to Concubine Wei. At his age, he was not the type to stay still. His dark eyes darted around and he ran around the room.

He would tease his brothers and sisters from time to time, pulling their clothes or pulling their hair, and finally he teased his sister Murong Jiayin, who was born to the same mother and whom he loved so much, and he was beaten. Murong Jiayin grabbed his ears and slapped him hard on the butt several times.

"Wow"

Murong Kexie burst into tears, and even Murong Ding, who was recuperating in the back, heard it.

Murong Ying's face darkened immediately. He knew what had happened without having to guess. He had indeed doted on his youngest son to the point that he was a little lawless. The only one in the palace who dared to deal with him was Jialuo.

Murong Ding smiled at that time, "Since they are here, let them come over. I haven't seen them for a long time."

Murong Ying said, "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, uncle. Feng Jin, have all the princes and princesses come over and kowtow to your uncle."

"Yes, saint."

After a short while, a group of princes and princesses came in one after another, bowed to the ground and saluted the old prince.

Murong Ding said with a smile: "Everyone, get up. Prince Zheng looks more and more like the late emperor, and Jiayin is becoming more and more attractive. Kexie, come forward."

Murong Kexie was not afraid of strangers. He got up from the ground and walked to Murong Ding, complaining in a crying voice, "Twelfth Uncle, my sister hit me, and my butt must be red now."

The adults all laughed, and even Murong Ying smiled helplessly and shook her head.

Murong Ding smiled and asked, "Why did Jiayin hit you?"

"Because, because I pulled her hair"

"Hahahaha. Then you deserve to be beaten." Murong Ding reached out and touched his little bald head. This true loner had begun to like children at this age.

However, he had no sons, his adopted sons died young, his daughter also died young, and his grandchildren were involved in Yang Xun's rebellion, and now they are taking refuge somewhere unknown.

So it was rare for me to want to talk to this naughty child in front of me these few days.

He raised his head and looked at Murong Jiayin standing beside him. Looking at the little face that looked somewhat like his deceased daughter, he said, "Jia Luo will get married after the New Year, right?"

"Yes, Twelfth Grandfather." Murong Jiayin answered generously, a blush flashed across her face and then quickly disappeared.

"Time is unforgiving. I remember the year you were born. It was the day I conquered the Turks in the north and defeated the enemy in Daibei. The victory report reached Chang'an. It was also the day you were born. The late emperor gave you the name Jiayin. When I came back, he specifically mentioned it to me: victory report has arrived, good news has come. More than ten years have passed in a flash."

Then he brushed his hand over Murong Kexie's head, looked at Murong Ying and said, "The son-in-law you chose for Jialuo is quite interesting. He is mature beyond his years and acts cautiously. He is a man who won't release his eagle until he sees the rabbit. Although he lacks some sharpness, he is indeed a man who can be entrusted with important tasks. I am optimistic about him."

Murong Ding's opinion of Li Yuanhui also gradually changed. At first, when he heard that someone shot and killed Yang Xi in the battle, he thought it was a fierce warrior, but it turned out to be a handsome young man.

Later, Li Si intercepted and killed Yang Xun. Murong Ding felt that this young man was quite lucky.

When he was sent to lead an army alone to guard the flank, he sent Jiang Yi along and gave Jiang Yi a military order in private. If Li Silang acted recklessly, Jiang Yi could directly show the order and take over the command. After returning from the battle and hearing the report from the military officer Jiang Yi, he really felt that this young man could manage military affairs in an orderly manner at this age and use troops calmly. He was really a rare talent.

When he was a teenager, he only knew how to follow his uncle and brothers into battle. What did he know about military affairs?
Murong Ying nodded upon hearing this and kept it in mind because Murong Ding rarely praised others, especially in front of him.

All the people recommended by this uncle were talented people who could be put to good use. They included the Right General Pu Gusu, the Chief Architect Yuwen Kai, and the late Prime Minister Chen Derang.
Among them, the most famous is the late Yang Su, who was the prime minister, grand tutor, and the duke of Chu.

At that time, Murong Ding, who was less than 20 years old, captured a county lieutenant named Yang Su. Originally, he wanted to recruit Yang Su as a clerk because of his handsome appearance. However, after talking to him, he immediately recommended this peer to his father, Murong Yi, the Emperor Wu of Great Yan, who called himself the King of Yan at that time.

Although Yang Su's reputation was ruined after his death due to the revelation of Yang Xun's affairs, it is undeniable that Yang Su made great contributions to Dayan's pacification of the world, as well as the subsequent local governance and establishment of systems.

Therefore, this old man's ability to judge people was proven as early as when he was young. Now that he is old and shrewd, Murong Ying will not doubt that he would make a misjudgment.

I just feel that I have a good eye for talent, and the son-in-law I chose can actually win the favor of Uncle Wang. I also have the ability to judge people.

The emperor and his family stayed in Prince Wei's residence for half a day, just like the younger generations visiting their elders, and also asked the eldest son, Prince Zheng Murong Chao, to stay and take care of him.

However, Murong Chao did not expect that after his father left, the first question asked by his great uncle would make him sweat profusely.

"Boy, do you want to be the emperor?"

(End of this chapter)