Chapter 669: The East Palace Fights for Legacy

Generally speaking, princes want to be emperors, and this has been the case since ancient times. The main reason is that conditions are allowed, especially the old emperor gives some hints and encouragement, so the prince's ambition to be emperor will become even more intense.

Prince Peng Li is such a prince who was almost crazy by the throne of the emperor. Li is Li Heng's third son. His eldest son Li Yu had passed away a few years ago. His second son Li Shi naturally became the crown prince of the Eastern Palace. Li was only named King Peng, which naturally became the eldest prince.

Li Gan is only twenty-three years old this year and is still very young. Compared with the prince Li, who values ​​martial arts and slights literature, Li Gan is weak in physical condition. He has read scriptures since he was a child and has a very knowledgeable knowledge. He is very popular with Li Heng, who thinks that this son looks very much like him.

Born in an imperial family, with great ambitions in the world, Li only admired his elder brother since he was a child. He made great ambitions when he was young. If his elder brother could ascend the throne, he would be willing to help his elder brother build a revival of the Tang Dynasty for his first pawn, but the cruel power struggle made his wish unable to be fulfilled.

However, the prince of Southern Tang became his second brother whom he disliked the most. Li was a little discouraged, so his ambition changed to becoming a professor in the Imperial Academy and cultivating all the world.

Unfortunately, life is like a chess. When his father talked to him in a deep conversation, he resolutely left behind the ambition of cultivating all the world, determined to shoulder the rise and fall of the world, and become a hero of a generation.

Li Chan has met with Right Prime Minister Wang Gong and Left Prime Minister Cui Yuan in the past few days. Their firm support for him made Li Chan full of confidence. Although neither Li Fuguo nor Empress Zhang supported him, his father supported him, which took his journey to the East Palace a step further.

Care is chaos, and Linghu Fei's sudden attack made him mess up. His heart was filled with tension, as if his advantage disappeared overnight, as if he had been abandoned, and he felt that he would definitely lose. Fortunately, the strategist Yan Kai thought of a way out for him and sought support from the royal family, which gave his desperate heart a glimmer of hope.

Li was fragile inside. After a slight setback, he felt that he could not bear it. For more than an hour, he paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back. He was eager to see Yan Kai.

"Prince, Mr. Yan is back."

Suddenly, the guard's report came from the door. Li Gang hurriedly went up to open the door and happened to see the corridor opposite Yan Kai coming.

"Mr. Yan, you are finally back."

Li Chan's voice was full of excitement, and the joy of expectation flowed into Yanbing, which made the guards next to him laugh. The emperor said that King Peng looked like him, but how could he look like him?

Yan Kai hurriedly stepped forward and bowed: "Your Highness, I am late to come back from Huyi, which makes Your Highness worried."

The two entered the study room, and Li Ji closed the door and couldn't wait to ask: "Sir, what's going on? Tell me quickly, I'm going to be worried about death."

Yan Kai smiled slightly, "Don't worry, your highness, everything is expected by Huyi."

Li Gang was overjoyed and stammered, "King Siqi... agreed?"

"Your Highness has given such high conditions, can he not agree?"

"condition?"

Li Tsai was stunned for a moment, and he suddenly remembered those harsh conditions, and his face became a little uncomfortable. Those conditions were not his original intention, but Yan Kai's intention.

"Sir, those conditions are too harsh. If I accept it, the court will have no finance in the future."

Yan Kai sighed secretly, it was still too young. Can he really compete for dominance in such a scholarly spirit?

"Your Highness, the conditions are the conditions, and the future is the future. Your Highness can agree to anything. After ascending the throne in the future, he will say whether he will give it to him or not. Does Your Highness understand what I mean?"

"But......"

Li Jun's face was a little dissatisfied. He disagreed with Yan Kai's attitude, "Mr. Yan, how can people establish themselves without trust?"

"This... your highness is not concerned about it for now. I think the royal family will understand the principle that there is no end to the eggs when the nest is destroyed. At that time, they will not be so excessive. Now is the next step for Your Highness? Have you considered it?"

"I have considered it. If the royal family supports me, I will immediately go to see my father and let him know that my support is not worse than that of the emperor's brother. I hope my father can support me more."

Yan Kai lowered his head and pondered for a while, as if he was thinking about something. Finally, he raised his head and said slowly: "Does your highness know what his biggest weakness is in fighting for the Eastern Palace?"

"I know that I have no military merits and will find it difficult to get support from the military."

"No!"

Yan Kai shook his head, "This is not your highness's shortcoming, but on the contrary, this is your highness's strength. It is precisely because your highness has no military background that the emperor considers letting your highness enter the Eastern Palace. The prince relies on his military merits and exceeds his authority to intervene in court, which makes the emperor feel like abolishing the prince."

Although Li Chan was a scholar, he also understood this principle. Since he was in his position and was the Eastern Palace, he should learn how to govern the world by himself. How could he appoint and remove the Minister of Personnel without authorization? He nodded and asked, "Which is my weakness, what is my weakness?"

"I think Your Highness's weakness is that His Highness's methods are too weak, so he is passive everywhere, which makes the Lord unable to fully support you. It also makes many officials unable to understand Your Highness's true intentions and dare not support you lightly. I think if Your Highness can be stronger, it is like fighting. This will definitely improve one's morale, boost the morale of the army, and at the same time it can also attack the other party, and then take the initiative in his hands. What does Your Highness think?"

Yan Kai couldn't help but feel a little upset when he saw Li Zhuan bowing his head and said nothing. Li Qing'an ordered him to intensify the legitimate struggle. He could only start from Li Zhuan and persuade Li Zhuan. He then carefully tentatively: "Your Highness, what a humble position means is to be more ruthless. Since Your Highness wants to compete for the throne, then show some of the emperor's courage and let the emperor take a look at your strong side."

‘The courage of the emperor!’ Li Teng slowly raised his head, and a light flashed in his eyes. Yan Kai’s words were undoubtedly a dose of chicken blood, which made his emotions become a little excited, “Sir, what should I do?”

Yan Kai was not in a hurry to say what he thought, but slowly seduced Li Geng, "Your Highness, don't worry, let's take it step by step, first touch the attitude of the emperor, and then take the next step, but there is one thing that you need to do as soon as possible."

"What's up?"

"Your Highness, when I came here just now, I saw Linghu Fei go to see the priest. He came out of the Eastern Palace, so he must have discussed some countermeasures with the prince. Your Highness must let the priest know that Linghu Fei had just come out of the Eastern Palace. In this way, no matter how good he has, the priest may not listen."

"Did I ask me to expose him now?"

"Don't be anxious!"

When Linghu Fei leaves, he will go. He is very eloquent and will argue for himself. Your Highness can't tell him. When he leaves, he will tell the Lord. Don't say much. The Lord will go to investigate."

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Outside the Qinzheng Hall of Nanming Palace, Linghu Fei had been waiting for a long time. The eunuch had already gone in to report to him, but the emperor had not summoned him for a long time, which made him feel a little upset. Does the emperor already know that he was coming from the Eastern Palace?

It is impossible, not so quickly, even if you know, the emperor would summon him immediately. After all, he is the Minister of Revenue and controls the finances of the Southern Tang Dynasty. With his status, Li Heng could not have seen him for a long time. Something must have happened that made the emperor have no time to take care of himself.

Linghu Fei was Li Heng's military advisor and aide at that time. He was the person Li Heng trusted the most. He usually had to discuss major matters with him. However, starting this year, Li Heng was obviously a little cold to him, which made Linghu Fei really confused. It was not until half a month ago that by chance, Linghu Fei got some inside information from Li Fuguo.

It turned out that Wang Gong reported to Li Heng behind his back that when Li Heng was in the Eastern Expedition, he had a close relationship with the prince, and then the prince's appointment and removal of the Minister of Personnel occurred. In other words, Li Heng suspected that he was instigating the prince to escape, which made Linghu Fei extremely angry. It was precisely because Linghu Fei resolutely decided to support the prince and never let Wang Gong succeed.

At this time, a eunuch hurriedly walked out of the side hall and bowed to him and said, "Shanghu, the emperor summoned you to see you!"

"Okay! My father-in-law, please lead the way."

Linghu Fei followed the eunuch to the hall. When he reached a darker place, Linghu Fei quietly stuffed a golden leaf to the eunuch. The eunuch was stunned, and then he was overjoyed and immediately took the golden leaf away. "Shangshu Linghu is so polite, why are you so embarrassed?"

He took money and eliminated disasters for others. The eunuch was deeply disgraceful. Seeing that there was no one around, he immediately whispered: "Justice was summoning Wang and discussing military affairs again. It seemed that the Northern Tang army had been abnormally mobilized."

Linghu Fei was shocked. The Northern Tang army was abnormally mobilized. Of course he knew that he was also coming for this matter. Unexpectedly, Wang Gong took the lead, and the emperor did not ask him to discuss together. What does this mean? Should he be squeezed out of the decision-making circle?

Linghu Fei was suspicious, and he hurriedly bowed and thanked: "Oh! Thank you for your advice."

The old eunuch whispered again: "Eunuch Yu also wrote a memorial last night, and he firmly supported the prince."

Linghu Fei was very happy. Yu Chaoen was the envoy of Xiangyang's military appearance and held 200,000 troops in Xiangyang. If he was willing to support the prince, the situation would obviously be more beneficial to the prince.

"Thank you, my father-in-law, I will thank you very much in the future!"

Linghu Fei followed the eunuch into the imperial study room, and happened to see Wang Gong coming out of it. The two looked at each other, and Wang Gong immediately squeezed out a bright smile and bowed, "Hehe! Let Linghu Shangshu wait for a long time."

"The Prime Minister is a bit self-indulgent! It's the Master who asked me to wait. What does it have to do with the Prime Minister?" Linghu Fei replied.

Wang Gong's face also became gloomy, "It seems that Linghu Shangshu is in a bad mood! Well, that's OK! It won't delay you."

He passed by Linghu Fei, but his shoulder hit Linghu Fei hard, then sneered twice and left.

Linghu Fei covered his shoulders and stared at his back with a trace of murderous intent flashing in his eyes. In the future, the prince will take the lead in killing this person.

A little eunuch ran out and saw Linghu Fei, and immediately said, "Shanghu Linghu, the emperor summoned him!"

"Um!"

He agreed and walked into Li Heng's imperial study.

In the imperial study room, Li Heng stood in front of the map with his hands behind his back, his eyes full of worry. He had just received information from Wang Gong. A 50,000 Northern Tang army was divided into two groups, with 40,000 troops stationed in Ruzhou and 10,000 troops stationed in Yuzhou. It is said that the main general was Li Sheng. Although Li Sheng was only a second-tier general, this person was highly valued by Li Qing'an. Usually, he appeared when a war was launched. This person suddenly appeared in Ruzhou. What does this mean?

There is another news that Li Guangbi also led 50,000 troops into Guanzhong. Is he going to send troops to Hanzhong? Wang Gong just said that Li Qing'an is likely to launch a battle against the Southern Tang Dynasty. If so, how should he deal with it?

"I am Linghu Fei to see Your Majesty!"

Li Heng turned around and saw that Linghu Fei had appeared behind him, so he nodded and said, "Your dear, please do not give me a gift!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Li Heng sighed long, "Linghu Beloved, I just received the news that Li Sheng has led an army of 50,000 to Yuzhou and Ruzhou. I am very worried!"

Linghu Fei was stunned. He only knew that Li Guangbi led his army into Guanzhong, but he didn't know that Li Sheng sent troops to Ruzhou. He asked anxiously: "Your Majesty, is the information on sending troops to Ruzhou and Yuzhou at the same time reliable?"

"It should be reliable! The Prime Minister Wang is very sure, with 40,000 troops in Ruzhou and 10,000 troops stationed in Yuzhou."

Linghu Fei had studied the map and was very familiar with the situation in the Xiangyang area. He understood the strategic intentions of the Northern Tang Army as soon as he heard it.

"Your Majesty, the Northern Tang Army is obviously going to attack Nanyang."

"How can I see it?"

Although Li Heng had a prejudice against Linghu Fei, he believed in Linghu Fei's strategy very much. After hearing what he said, Li Heng immediately became a little nervous.

"Please look at the map!"

Linghu Fei pointed to the map and said, "Ruzhou is located directly north of Nanyang, while Yuzhou is southeast of Nanyang. Li Sheng's main force is stationed in Ruzhou, obviously to attack Nanyang head-on. After the 10,000 troops of Yuzhou were interspersed into Nanyang, it is very likely to attack Xinye and cut off the back road of Nanyang. If Nanyang is lost, the gate of Xiangyang will be opened."

Li Heng looked at the map carefully and found that it was true. Although there was a Tangzhou separate from Yuzhou and Nanyang, there were almost no garrisons in Tangzhou. Coupled with the speed of the Anxi Army's cavalry, it was almost completely possible to attack Xinye, but he still didn't understand at all.

"Although my dear said something is reasonable, according to Li Sheng's character, if you don't move, you will be a surprise attack. He has made this move very early, so wouldn't he tell us his strategy? I don't understand very much."

"Your Majesty, Li Qing'an never competes for one city and one territory. If he wants to attack the Southern Tang Dynasty, it must be that both sides will fight at the same time. The reason why he put on an stance in Xiangyang was actually to attract our attention to Xiangyang, but his real attack must have started from Hanzhong, so Li Guangbi led his troops into Guanzhong. Your Majesty, I have been dealing with Li Qing'an for many years and knows his strategy."

Li Heng was also thinking about what Li Guangbi's army would do after entering Guanzhong, but he had no idea about all spies in Guanzhong. Linghu Fei's words made him wake up like a dream. He hurriedly asked, "With the Secretary's intention, how should we deal with it."

"Your Majesty, I have two suggestions."

"Yeah! You said."

Gradually, Li Heng had forgotten his dissatisfaction with Linghu Fei. Now he only cares if he could withstand the attack of the Northern Tang army, nothing else mattered.

Linghu Fei was secretly happy. He had already controlled Li Heng's thoughts step by step. He slowly said: "The first suggestion is that we will give up Xiangyang, withdraw our troops back to Shu, use the terrain of Bashu to concentrate our forces to fight against the Northern Tang army."

In fact, this suggestion was something Linghu Fei had just realized that since Yu Chaoen supports the prince, if Yu Chaoen's army could come back, it would definitely greatly strengthen the prince's power.

Li Heng didn't expect this, and nodded, "I will consider this suggestion, my dear, let me give you the second suggestion."
Chapter completed!