Chapter 1 Even if the enemy is ten thousand, I am not afraid
Shence Mansion, Assembly Hall.
Li Zhiyun knelt down and sat on the throne. On the table were the imperial edicts issued by the imperial court to Duan Zhixuan and Xie Shufang. Behind him, a map of mountains and rivers hung on a wooden screen.
Under it, on the left and right sides, six people were kneeling: Du Ruhui, Xue Shou, Xue Yuanjing, Wei Zheng, Duan Zhixuan and Xie Shufang.
It was already dark outside, but no one in the hall felt sleepy at all.
Because not long ago, the King of Qi had a deep conversation with the King of Chu for two hours before leaving. And the content of what they talked about surprised all the advisers in the Shence Mansion.
"Your Highness, is what King Qi said credible?" Xue Yuanjing asked.
Li Zhiyun nodded and said: "I'm afraid it's true. The East Palace first transferred Zhixuan and Shufang away. Wang Gui and others later proposed that Chang Shi and Sima be transferred to the south as officials. Previously, I thought that the East Palace was preparing to weaken the gods.
Cefu, I didn’t expect that the prince was planning to kill me.”
Speaking of this, his tone was a little weird.
Although the prince wanted to kill him, it was unexpected, but it was also reasonable. After all, the prince was not a fool. The threat from the Shence Mansion had gradually emerged. He had no psychological barriers to killing his brothers, let alone his own concubine brother.
But the problem is, this is what Li Yuanji told him.
The most important thing is that after Li Yuanji finished speaking, he told himself that he was going to use his plan to kill the prince.
This is nothing, after all, Li Yuanji has already planned this.
More importantly, Li Zhiyun himself planned to kill both of them.
So, who has the higher level?
What's even more coincidental is that the places where the prince and the King of Qi chose to take action were both in Wannian. Perhaps, this is not a coincidence, because only when the saint leaves Chang'an, the chance of the attack will be greater.
Although I haven't received any news from Xue Deyin yet, I can't tell whether what King Qi said is true or false, and I don't know if the prince really has murderous intentions. But judging from the actions of the East Palace, this news is most likely true.
Du Ruhui said: "The prince promised King Qi that after the event is completed, he will appoint King Qi as the emperor's younger brother. I am afraid that the prince will also have murderous intentions for King Qi."
Xue Shou sneered, "King Qi himself plans to rebel. Whether the prince has murderous intentions towards him or not, it doesn't matter at all."
Li Zhiyun had already told the people present that Li Yuanji wanted to seize the legitimate son, so no one was surprised by Xue Shou's words.
"Your Highness, I think this is an excellent opportunity." Wei Zheng clasped his fists and said, "Earlier, I was still thinking about how to get rid of the prince. This time the prince comes to the door himself, and with the support of King Qi, your highness will definitely succeed."
Xue Yuanjing glanced at Wei Zheng and said: "Although King Qi told your highness that the prince planned the death of King Qin, he himself was probably involved. Moreover, he also approached your highness and asked him to support him in seizing the throne. I'm afraid he himself was also involved.
I have ulterior motives."
"Then let's kill them together." Wei Zheng said fiercely. He didn't care about that. He only knew that His Highness was planning to seize the legitimate heir. In this case, he would kill the person who was a threat.
Except for Li Zhiyun, everyone else couldn't help but be surprised by Wei Zheng's ruthless determination.
Du Ruhui and Xue Shou looked at each other and were very satisfied with Wei Zheng's performance. The two of them knew all Li Zhiyun's plans best, so they were not surprised by the killing of the prince and King Qi.
Li Zhiyun was not surprised, mainly because Wei Zheng had said it once before. Moreover, according to history, when Wei Zheng was loyal to the prince, he also suggested that the prince kill the King of Qin. However, at that time, Li Jiancheng felt that he could control the situation and did not need to take dangerous measures.
In fact, until the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Jiancheng had an advantage and even a victory over Li Shimin. Otherwise, why would Li Shimin launch a mutiny and forcibly ascend the throne? As the eldest son, Li Jiancheng was trained as an heir since he was a child.
Pussy waste.
The reason why we have reached this point is mainly because the emergence of Li Zhiyun has changed history beyond recognition.
"I will follow His Highness to the death!" Duan Zhixuan clasped his fists.
Xie Shufang said: "Since both the Crown Prince and King Qi have bad intentions, I am willing to use the sword in His Highness's hand to eliminate the harm!"
"Your Highness, you missed the opportunity and regretted it for eternity. You can't hesitate any longer!" Du Ruhui advised.
"I am willing to die for Your Highness!" Xue clasped his fists.
Xue Yuanjing clasped his fists and said, "Your Highness, give the order!"
Seeing everyone expressing their stance one after another, Li Zhiyun sighed, "I have no choice but to retreat."
Immediately afterwards, he stood up and bowed to everyone, "Zhiyun will never let you down if you help me."
Kill the prince, kill the king of Qi. Li Zhiyun was originally prepared to find an opportunity to reveal his feelings, but now there is no need.
Everything will fall into place.
In other words, he really has no way out and can only fight to the death.
If he used to take the initiative and fight to the death to seize the throne, then after the prince revealed his murderous intention, he passively fought to the death in front of everyone.
Originally, he was worried about his image in the eyes of his subordinate Wenwu, but now there is no need for it. The villain is not Li Zhiyun, but the prince who made the first move.
He was acting in self-defense!
Once, he was prepared to reveal his intention to seize the heir to the civil and military officials of the Shence Mansion, using the excuse that the King of Qi had rebelled and killed the prince, and that he could not protect himself.
But now, if the prince wants to kill him, isn't it reasonable for him to fight back? By the way, some things don't even need to be explained.
Duan Zhixuan said: "Since His Highness has decided to take action, the general will not accept this imperial edict."
"I don't want it either." Xie Shufang followed.
"No." Wei Zheng objected strongly.
"Why?"
"If you don't leave, the saint will definitely suspect that the civil and military personnel of Shence Mansion are only loyal to your highness and not to the saint. The East Palace will also become suspicious, and there will be variables." Wei Zheng explained.
Duan Zhixuan said: "Now that the knife is on my neck, how can you let me leave the king? If I leave, who will charge and fight for the king? Is it possible that you, Wei Zheng, want to go up and fight for your life?"
Wei Zheng paused.
This is indeed a problem. The mutiny and killing must be dominated by military generals.
Xue Yuanjing said: "There is also Yuchi Gong, Qin Qiong and the others, so there is no need to panic, General Duan."
"No." Duan Zhixuan said: "Who knows what Yuchi Gong and Qin Qiong are thinking. What if they are afraid of not helping His Highness, or even inform in private!"
Hearing this, everyone frowned.
This is indeed a problem.
Li Zhiyun was also a little hesitant. The reason why he didn't want to let Duan Zhixuan and Xie Shufang go was mainly because Duan Zhixuan and Xie Shufang were his absolute confidants who had followed him in raising troops in Jinyang and were completely trustworthy.
As for Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, and Li Zhiyun, they have not yet had a heart-to-heart talk with them.
Du Ruhui said: "General Duan, if you don't leave and you are not in compliance with the imperial system, the saints will also be suspicious."
"I know all this." Duan Zhixuan said: "Please tell me, Chang Shi, if General Xie and I leave Chang'an, who will help His Highness?"
Hearing this, Du Ruhui pursed his lips and said, "Your Highness, now is the time to explain the situation to everyone."
Li Zhiyun took a breath and nodded heavily.
Now that Daoming has made preparations to seize the throne, he will not appear to be ruthless in killing his brothers, but he can also achieve his own goals.
Just when Li Zhiyun was about to give the order, Li Qiang suddenly came to report.
"Your Highness, General Yuchi and General Qin have important matters to see."
"Just in time." Xie Shufang said, "Just in time to ask them what their attitude is."
Li Zhiyun coughed and said: "Please come in, two generals."
"yes."
Not long after, Yuchi Gong and Qin Qiong walked into the meeting hall one after another.
"See Your Highness."
"The two generals are exempt from courtesy." Li Zhiyun raised his hand to support him and asked: "The two generals are here late at night, but do you have important matters?"
"Yes." Yuchi Gong looked around and joked: "What a coincidence tonight, you all know that I have something big going on."
Du Ruhui and others didn't say anything, they just looked at him silently.
This weird atmosphere made Yuchi Gong a little uncomfortable, so he took back his joke and said solemnly: "Your Highness, the East Palace has sent a large amount of gold and silver to the general in the past few days. The general does not know what to do and has returned all the property.
Go back and come here to report to His Highness."
Qin Qiong said: "The same is true for the general here. Wei Ting, the official of the East Palace, invited the general to go to the East Palace to talk. He said that the prince wanted to talk to the general."
"Haha." Li Zhiyun sneered and sighed, "My big brother."
After speaking, he closed his eyes and remained silent.
Now that he has no news from Xue Deyin, he still has a slight doubt in his heart whether the prince is really going to take action. After all, he does not believe King Qi. Taking a step back, it is not impossible for King Qi to lie to him.
But the encounter between Yuchi Gong and Qin Qiong made Li Zhiyun certain that King Qi was right and the prince really wanted to kill him.
Seeing this, Yuchi Gong and Qin Qiong were confused.
At this time, Du Ruhui stood up and explained to them, and also told them everything about the prince's plan to kill the King of Chu.
As for the King of Chu's plan to seize the heir from a long time ago, including the matter of undercover agents, Du Ruhui simply omitted it. There are some things that do not need to be said because they are unnecessary.