Chapter 208 Three Strategies

Li Qing'an has been in the Tang Dynasty for four years. He never thought that he would enter the Tang Dynasty's throne dispute, nor did he think that he would face such a dangerous situation. At this moment, he is only one step away from the god of death. This is a political struggle. After the collapse of the nest, there is no end to the egg. He is a princeling. If the prince falls, how can he be alone, and it has been the same since ancient times.

Li Qingan sighed and said, "What three strategies are there, sir, just say it clearly."

"First talk about the worst strategy, that is, the envoy immediately rebels, but there is no reason to rebel, and he supports the prince. However, the prince was only confined to the Eastern Palace and was not deposed. Therefore, as long as the envoy rebels at this time, it will only cause people to lose their hearts and be ruined. Therefore, I do not agree with this inferior strategy."

Li Qingan nodded silently, but he did not agree. At this time, he and his family had only one way to die. Yan Zhuang said again: "Let's talk about Zhongshou, it's just to find excuses not to return to Chang'an, such as the situation in Saiye is unstable, etc. It's easy to find excuses, but the problem is that the emperor would not think like this. The excuse of the envoy will only increase his determination to get rid of the envoy. Half a year later, if he transfers the envoy to Beijing as a general, will the envoy go or not? Going is a dead end, and not going is a dead end. At that time, the envoy's best ending is to take his family to escape to the West under his identity. I believe the envoy will not adopt this policy."

Li Qingan smiled bitterly, "Sir, let me tell you the best strategy!"

"The best strategy is to find a way to make the emperor believe that he is loyal to him far more than the prince, and he will never rebel because the prince is deposed. He needs to take a dangerous step and take a step back, and the vast sky will be wide."

"Sir, do you have specific strategies?"

"Yes!" Yan Zhuang stroked the mouse beard slightly and smiled: "I have three consecutive strategies to ensure that you can survive this disaster safely."

Chang'an, the situation in Chang'an suddenly became tense in the past two days. The cause was that Li Longji suddenly issued an order to ban Chang'an's night one hour earlier. That is, it was just dark and the gates of Chang'an city gates were closed. Secondly, all the guards in the East Palace were replaced, all of them were replaced by the Yulin Army, and the guards were strengthened. Li Longji also temporarily moved back to the Daming Palace from Xingqing Palace, restored the morning court system, and attended the Political Affairs Hall meeting. These three news came out, and the Chang'an court and the people were suddenly panicked, and many people realized that the position of the prince was in danger.

In the Zichen Hall of the Daming Palace, Li Longji returned to the imperial study room where he had been away from for more than two years. The imperial study room was clean and clean, spacious and bright. In the past two months, Li Longji has been busy with government affairs, has less indulged in wine and sex, and has gone to bed early and got up early. His spirit is much better than before. However, in this way, Li Longji has even believed that his former sluggishness was controlled by witchcraft.

Li Longji sat behind the imperial case and read a memorial in front of him repeatedly. The memorial was on the site of the Beiting Jieduan Li Qing'an, saying that he was seriously injured in the Battle of Saiye and hoped to temporarily resign as Beiting Jieduan and return to the Central Plains to recuperate. This memorial surprised Li Longji. Of course, he understood what Li Qing'an meant, that was, to relieve his military power. Has Li Qing'an seen through his strategy?

He had already received news a few days ago that Li Qing'an had already crossed Hexi and entered Longyou, and only brought three hundred personal guards. Until he received a secret report from Geshuhan, he had sent troops to cut off Li Qing'an's retreat and controlled the prince's biggest concern. Li Longji could not wait to implement his plan to cut off the reserve. Unexpectedly, Li Qing'an took the initiative to relieve his military power. Judging from the place where the memorial was issued, it was issued from Beiting, which should be issued simultaneously with Li Qing'an's entry into Beijing. That is, Li Qing'an decided to resign from his military position in Beiting at the same time as Li Qing'an's report came to Beijing. Li Qing'an's statement made Li Longji hesitate for a moment.

He paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back. Although he was furious at the time of the Eastern Palace Witch Cup, when he calmed down, he soon discovered some of the unreasonable things. First, the Guangping Palace and the Eastern Palace found the same witchcraft of the same witch, and there was no connection between the two cases. This was a coincidence. Secondly, the Guangping Palace found the villain, and the prince was also present at the time. According to common sense, he should go back to the study to destroy his vilish man immediately, but he did not do so, which was also unreasonable. Moreover, when many details were not clear, the witch suddenly committed suicide by taking poison.

Li Longji has realized that the case of the East Palace is not that simple and is likely to be framed, but Li Longji does not want to change anything. He needs this excuse to change the prince. The prince's increasing power and his recent performances have made Li Longji feel a threat, a threat to his throne.

The crown prince must be abolished. Not only that, he also wants to purge the princelings. There are a total of twenty-three people on the list of backbone of the princelings, Pei Kuan, Lu Huan, Dugu Haoran, Li Qing'an, Wei Huan, Wei Tao, and Wang Zhongsi.

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The two of them were the most concerned about, one was Wang Zhongsi, who enjoyed a high prestige in the army. He did not kill him last year in order to allow Geshuhan to successfully accept military power. Now he deserves to die. This person has been removed more than a month ago, and it is no longer a concern. However, Li Qing'an, the governor of Beiting, made Li Longji a little difficult to deal with. Li Longji also knew that Li Qing'an was different from a noble family and royal relatives. He was a soldier from the late cold and had not been a long time since the Yangzhou salt case last year. Such a person would not become the prince's iron confidant. At the same time, this person was quite young and promising, and it was a pity to kill him.

As the saying goes, attitude determines position. Li Qing'an's self-dismissal letter shakes Li Longji's determination to kill him. He pondered for a long time and finally wrote a pen to change the decision to deal with Li Qing'an on the list of princelings, from being killed immediately to review.

At this time, Li Qing'an and his party had arrived at the Xianyang County post station. He had already received news of the tense situation in Chang'an. Li Qing'an had to admire Yan Zhuang's vicious eyes and saw through Li Longji's means of banning the prince without abandoning it. In fact, it was to deal with himself who held military power.

As soon as he arrived at Longyou, Li Longji launched the move. There was not much time left for himself. Li Qing'an sat at the table and wrote quickly. He was implementing the second link of the three strategies of Yanzhuang: seeking a backer. He also knew that the deposed prince was a major event that shocked the national system, and no princelings could escape, especially for a member of the party who held military power, most of them were to kill him to eliminate future troubles.

Li Qing'an quickly wrote a text message and said to his guard: "Invite Miss Mingzhu."

After a moment, Mingzhu hurried into the room, "Brother Li, are you looking for me?"

"Mingzhu, do you remember that I asked you if you could get in touch with the imperial concubine?"

Mingzhu nodded, "The Imperial Concubine called me to the Liyuan several times and I should be able to see her."

"That's good. I have a letter here. You can hand it over to the imperial concubine for me immediately. It is related to my life and death. You must find a way to hand it over to her for me."

Mingzhu was startled, "Brother Li, what happened?"

"Don't worry, you have to send her a letter as soon as possible!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a personal soldier suddenly rushed to report, "Empress, we found a large number of troops coming here."

Li Qing'an's face changed and he stuffed the letter to Mingzhu, "You go through the back door! Go quickly!"

"Brother Li!"

Mingzhu was scared and pale. Li Qingan stomped his feet and ordered his personal soldiers: "You guys take her away!"

Several personal soldiers guarded Mingzhu and ran towards the back door. Mingzhu turned around and looked at Li Qing'an reluctantly, and gradually ran away.

Li Qing'an put his helmet on his head and calmly waited for the arrival of the army. Soon, the sound of horse hooves broke through the quiet night, and only a loud shout was heard: "Li Qing'an, the governor of Beiting, is here."

Li Qingan heard that this was Changsun Quanxu's voice, and he heard the postmaster say, "Here! Li Envoy is in the postmaster."

"Around the post station, those who resist will kill them."

Changsun Quanxu's voice was particularly loud, which was reminding Li Qing'an. Li Qing'an immediately ordered: "Transfer my order, no one is allowed to resist."

He stood up and walked slowly outside the post station. The flames were blazing outside the post station, and torches shone the post station as daytime. The dense Yulin Army soldiers surrounded the post station, with as many as 3,000 people, and were tense. The new general of the Zuo Yulin Army, Changsun Quanxu, took the lead. He carried a long spear in his hand. Next to him was the eunuch Yu Chaoen, holding a roll of white hemp imperial edict. In addition, behind the army were Zhang Yi, the Minister of Justice, Ji Wen, the Minister of the Dali Temple, and Song Hun, the Chief Censor.

At this time, Li Qing'an slowly walked out of the post station. When he saw the Dali Temple, the senior officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate were there, he couldn't help but smile. This was to be tried by the Grand Third Department. I wonder what crime Li Longji wanted to apprehend him?

Changsun Quanxu stared at Li Qing'an with a very complicated expression. He suddenly shouted, "Li Qing'an, I came here on the order of Your Majesty, I hope you don't resist meaninglessly."

Li Qing'an nodded, "This matter has nothing to do with my personal guards. Can you let them go?"

"Yes! But you are not allowed to enter Beijing."

Li Qing'an immediately turned around and ordered: "You will disperse by yourself and are not allowed to enter Beijing."

At this time, Yu Chaoen stepped forward and raised the imperial edict and said, "The imperial edict is here, Li Qing'an receives the imperial edict."

Li Qing'an knelt down, "My minister Li Qing'an received the order."

Yu Chaoen issued an imperial edict and said loudly: "Li Qing'an, the governor of Beiting, sent troops to attack Geluo on the north without my permission from the Ministry of War. After the military supervisor verified that there was indeed such a matter. He should be asked about his crime and temporarily dismissed his position as the governor of Beiting, the governor of Beiting and the guest of the prince. He will be tried for the third department for the trial to convict the crime and be convicted of this!"

Li Qingan smiled bitterly, this is called wanting to be punished, so there is no reason to worry. The border governor beats the Hu people, and they don’t fight as long as they want, and they still have merits and rewards afterwards. But when he comes to him, it becomes a crime. It is not a formal battle. Why do he need to approve him? It seems that he has good intentions to let Mingyue marry him.

"I will accept the order!"

At this time, Zhang Yi, the Minister of Justice, walked up and said, "Envoy Li, please follow us!"

He sighed secretly. Li Qing'an's arrest means that the purge of the princelings has officially begun. He is also a princeling, and I don't know if he can escape this disaster.

Li Qing'an stood up and said, "Let's go!"

He turned over and headed towards Chang'an City under the close guard of the three thousand Yulin soldiers.

Just three hours after Li Qing'an was arrested, just as the sky was dawn, under the Dragon Tail Road in Danfeng Square, Daming Palace, Pei Kuan knelt in front of Danbao to accept the imperial edict issued by Li Longji.

"Pei Kuan, the Minister of Rites, is old and weak, unable to withstand the heavy government affairs. He is specially allowed to retire and retire from his post. From now on, he will be removed from his Minister of Rites. He will be given a special promotion and award this for his reign!"

"My minister Pei Kuan received the order!"

In the Eastern Palace, Lu Huan, who had just been promoted to the crown prince, also received an order. The Censor Song Hun impeached him for suspected acceptance of bribes from Du Bosheng in the Yangzhou salt case two years ago, and removed his crown prince, Zhan and his fellow minister, and were sentenced to strict verdict.

The impeachment list of the Censor Song Hun also mentioned the impeachment list of Shangshu Zuo Pushe Dugu Haoran. When the salt case broke out, he was the chief of Yangzhou, and it was difficult to escape the relationship. He temporarily stopped his position as Shangshu Zuo Pushe and the subordinate Pingzhangshi of the Secretary of the Secretariat, and waited for review at home.

In just four hours, Li Qing'an, the governor of Beiting, Pei Kuan, the Minister of Rites, Lu Huan, the Secretary of Prince Zhan, and Dugu Haoran, the Minister of Shangshu Zuo Shepu, were arrested or dismissed, and Chang'an City caused a sensation. The King Party, the Prime Minister of Yang Party, the Prime Minister Qing, the Prince's Party was silent, and the Prime Minister was silent.

The intention of Emperor Li Longji of the Tang Dynasty was already very obvious. All the core figures of the princeling party were dismissed, and the next step was to point the prince of the East Palace.

Since Li Longji only moved halfway and Yang Yuhuan did not move back to Daming Palace in Xingqing Palace, Gao Lishi has been busy moving in Xingqing Palace. He had just heard some news and rushed to Daming Palace. These days he was also exhausted. Li Longji's sudden turn against him caught him off guard. Judging from Li Longji's waterfall, he had already made arrangements, but he knew nothing.

Gao Lishi had to admire Li Longji's forbearance and Thunder methods. He served Li Longji for more than 40 years and was loyal. Li Longji even secretly arranged the deposed prince without him.

Along the way, Gao Lishi heard the news that Li Qing'an was arrested in Xianyang, Pei Kuan was removed from office, Lu Huan was arrested, and Dugu Haoran was suspended. Every case was enough to cause a sensation in the government and the people, but now it was concentrated and broke out. This situation only happened in the palace coup thirty-seven years ago. It was that palace coup that young Li Longji led his troops to kill Princess Taiping and ascended the throne of Emperor Tang.

Today is the tenth day of April of the ninth year of Tianbao. Another serious incident similar to the palace coup broke out again, this time it was the East Palace Incident.

Gao Lishi was anxious, so he drove into the Daming Palace and headed straight to Zichen Palace. The guards and eunuchs dared not stop him, and they all led him in front.

When he rushed to the door of the imperial study room, Gao Lishi suddenly heard Li Longji's angry shout: "You are the dignified right prime minister of the court and the leader of all officials. Now all three prime ministers have been removed from office. Are you not responsible for such a serious matter? Do you still have to take this responsibility for you?"

"I dare not, but I am not strict with my subordinates and are willing to take responsibility."

This was Li Linfu's voice. Gao Lishi couldn't help but shake his head secretly. Now even Li Linfu is implicated.

"Okay! I think you are busy with government affairs and have no time to manage all officials, so I won't punish you much. This time, the Ministry of Personnel failed to supervise, which led to my mistake in promoting the prime minister. The Ministry of Personnel should be responsible, and you will be removed from your position as Minister of Personnel, and the Minister of Personnel Da Xixun was demoted to Henan Army. The Ministry of Revenue Wei Jiansu took over as Minister of Personnel."

Gao Lishi, who was standing outside the door, heard the last sentence, and suddenly realized something. It seemed that Wei Jiansu was also from the Yang Party.

In the imperial study, Li Linfu felt sad. He did not participate in this stormy cleaning from beginning to end. He fought with Prince Li Heng for so many years, but the one who finally brought Li Heng down was Yang Guozhong, who had been an official for less than four years. What kind of virtue is Yang Guozhong? He was just another obedient dog. At this time, Li Linfu suddenly thought of an old saying: "The cunning rabbit dies, and the lackeys cook."

Although the cunning rabbit is not dead all now, his dog is old. Needless to say, he can guess that the position of Minister of Personnel is Yang Zhao.

He sighed and bowed, "Your Majesty, I know my crime and am willing to accept your punishment."

Li Longji also knew that he could not fight on several lines, especially when the prince was deposed, he should try his best to maintain political stability. In terms of ability to stabilize the court, Yang Guozhong had neither qualifications nor experience, and was far from comparable to Li Linfu. Li Linfu had to use it for another two years to relieve his Minister of Personnel, which was suitable for stopping.

He nodded and said, "I also know that you are loyal, so I don't want to punish you too much. You are an old minister and the leader of all officials. During this period of chaos in the government, you can stabilize the government for me. Do you know?"

Li Linfu understood Li Longji's words, and he couldn't help but turn his worries into joy and bowed to him, "I am willing to devote all my life to Your Majesty and die."

Li Longji smiled slightly and waved his hand and said, "Go! I'm a little tired."

"I'm going to leave!"

Li Linfu slowly withdrew from the imperial study room, but suddenly saw Gao Lishi. He wanted to say something, but he didn't know what to say, so he had to sigh and leave in a hurry.

Gao Lishi walked into the imperial study room. Li Longji was a little tired and was lying on the imperial seat and closed his eyes to rest. Although Gao Lishi was light and slight, he still woke Li Longji up.

"General, why are you here? How are you doing there?"

"Report to Your Majesty, the Empress is very good. She is asking Your Majesty if you will go back tonight?"

"Forget it, I will stay in the Daming Palace tonight. I am tired from running around at Wu Xianyi. You go and tell me your beloved concubine that I will go back tomorrow."

"Old slave obeys the order!"

Gao Lishi agreed but did not move. Li Longji glanced at him and asked, "Is there anything else for the general?"
To be continued...