Li Xiyan hadn't slept well for several nights since he heard that Li Lin had defeated Cui Yuan in Dengzhou.
Countering the rebellion seemed to be more complicated than he expected. He considered whether to send his navy up the river to attack Jiangling to share the pressure on the court. However, he did not receive the edict and did not dare to act rashly.
He handed the memorial to Chang'an and made preparations while waiting. Occasionally, he thought of Xue Bai and wondered whether Xue Bai's coming to Yangzhou at this time was related to the war situation.
"What has King Yong been doing lately?"
"I stay in the house every day. Sometimes I take my family to the lake for boating, eating and shopping."
"Really?"
Li Xiyan was still not at ease, worried that Xue Bai would take away his power, so he decided to go see Xue Bai in person again.
That day, in the western suburbs of Yangzhou, on Zhuxi Lane, there was the Wujia Brick Bridge.
There are misty waves on the water, with pavilions and ancient trees reflecting in the sky.
Qinglan stood leaning on the bridge railing, arranging a strand of hair with both hands. When she saw someone coming from a distance, she couldn't help but asked shyly: "Are you ready?"
"Don't move, there is one last touch."
Yan Yan was painting, sitting on a small stool, but asked Xue Bai to sit behind her and use her as a backrest. Every time she picked up the brush, she would naturally lean into Xue Bai's arms, admiring the beautiful scenery and beauty in front of her.
After a while, she dipped her pen in ink and added eyes to the person in the painting. In a moment, the shy yet affectionate gesture of those eyes appeared on the paper.
Xue Bai couldn't help but shout "Okay" after seeing it.
In the past few days, Yan Yan became more and more rude to him. She turned around and patted him lightly, saying angrily: "You know I can draw well, but you can't draw for me too."
"Study, just teach me how to paint."
"What a beautiful idea." Yan Yan handed the pen to his hand, "Please mention a few words, your words can barely match my paintings."
Xue Bai took the brush and started writing, still maintaining the gesture of hugging Yan Yan.
She let him hold her in his arms and turned to look at his handsome profile, with a smile in her eyes. Then she seemed a little tired, so she lay unceremoniously on his chest and closed her eyes to rest.
After a while, Xue Bai wrote on the painting.
Yan Yan looked around and saw that they were a few long and short sentences. Although they were a bit unclear, the artistic conception was very beautiful.
"Twenty-four bridges are still there, the waves are stirring, and the cold moon is silent. If you read the red medicine beside the bridge, you will know who you are born for every year."
She read it softly and muttered: "I don't know how you can always come up with such good sentences so easily."
"The article was made in heaven."
As he was talking, the person who disturbed the scenery arrived.
Li Xiyan walked over and said from a distance: "Sanlang is so elegant."
Xue Bai looked back and put down the pen in his hand. Yan Yan reluctantly sat up from Xue Bai's arms, pursed her lips, and went to the other side of the bridge with Qing Lan to enjoy the scenery.
During these days in Yangzhou, Xue Bai really didn't interfere with state affairs at all, but Li Xiyan was worried about him and tried to test him with words.
He said that he envied him for traveling like this and wanted to imitate him, but he couldn't worry about state affairs and was worried that he would be considered absent from his post without permission.
Xue Bai heard Li Xiyan's probing intention, waved his hand gently and said: "I don't dare to leave my post without permission. I came to Yangzhou to pick up Zhuojing, and I will set off back to Fanyang tomorrow."
"oh?"
Li Xiyan was a little surprised, but it seemed that Xue Bai really had no plans to do anything in Yangzhou.
He then wished Xue Bai a safe journey and told him to be loyal to the country.
The two said goodbye, and Xue Bai also sent Li Xiyan off for a while.
In a small private courtyard, a girl climbed up to the attic and sat down in front of the guzheng. She happened to see a handsome young man waving goodbye to an old man in Zhuxi Lane. His eyes lit up, and his delicate hands picked up the strings. The beautiful sound of the piano flowed out.
out.
This is a unique style of Yangzhou, so-called "women in thousands of families teach music first".
Xue Bai listened to the music and stretched leisurely, but he saw a postman running in front of Li Xiyan from a distance in a panic.
In the past two years, there have been too many changes in the world. He has become accustomed to such hasty reporting, and he is too lazy to ask more questions and turns around in the sound of music.
"Boom."
There was a sound behind him, and it was Li Xiyan who fell to the ground.
Xue Bai then stepped forward to help him.
He saw Li Xiyan's gray beard trembling, his cloudy eyes showing disbelief, and his old hands holding him tightly.
"Don't be anxious, don't be anxious, what happened?"
"King Yong invaded Shangzhou, and the emperor...the emperor escaped from Chang'an!"
Li Xiyan picked up the official document in his hand with difficulty and spoke the extremely ridiculous news in his sad voice.
Who would have thought that the emperor, who had just changed the year to show his merits, could still hear the heroic words of reviving the Tang Dynasty, but in the blink of an eye he would be beaten and flee the capital?
"Datang Sheji." Li Xiyan murmured, always in grief, "What should we do with Datang Sheji?!"
The piano music in Zhuxi Lane is long and quiet, and the years are quiet. I don't know the war and chaos in the capital.
~~
The next day, Xue Bai and his family members packed their luggage and set off for Fan Yang.
He usually disliked the bumpy carriage and preferred to ride a horse, but this time he was pulled into the carriage by Yan Yan to talk.
"I heard something big happened yesterday, let's discuss it."
"You are quite well informed."
"Seeing that the old eunuch was stunned, can I not inquire?" Yan Yan asked: "Aren't you afraid that King Yong will really attack Chang'an, and all the results of your hard work will be taken away by him.
"
Xue Bai's reaction was dull and said: "He can't attack Chang'an."
"How can I see it?"
"If nothing else, Guo Ziyi is guarding Qiu and can serve the king at any time." Xue Bai said, "If the throne is so easy to grab, how can it be Li Lin's turn?"
"All the saints have escaped, so why not rob them?"
"That's because the saint is too cowardly, but the country belongs to more than just the saint."
In fact, Yan Yan is also a good plotter.
Although she came from a famous Confucian family, her father was one of the most orthodox and loyal officials of the Tang Dynasty, but underneath her well-behaved appearance, she had a rebellious personality. In the past, she might have only been naughty and liked to play pranks, but when she met Xue Bai
.
She supported her chin with her hand, analyzed for Xue Bai, and said: "If you were in Fan Yang, you could raise troops to serve the king now and take the opportunity to consolidate power. This trip to Yangzhou was delayed."
"That's not true. If I really raise troops from Fan Yang to serve the king, I will make the loyal ministers and generals of the Tang Dynasty wary. Sometimes if you show too much desire, you often don't get it. It's better to be more magnanimous."
Yan Yan said: "What's the use of being more magnanimous?"
At this moment, someone in front stopped Xue Bai's carriage.
A generous and high-spirited voice asked: "Is King Yong here?"
Xue Bai opened the curtain and came out, got on his horse and rushed forward, asking: "Who is blocking the way?"
It was a middle-aged man wearing official robes, with a tall build and a square face. He said in a salute: "Li Zangyong, the chief historian of Guangling, has met King Yong."
"What's the matter?"
"I have heard about King Yong's reputation for a long time, and now I know that King Yong is in Yangzhou, so I came here to meet him."
Li Zangyong spoke with a strong voice. After an ordinary opening statement, the next sentence was very bold.
"Now King Yong has rebelled, and the world is in shock. I sincerely request King Yong to supervise the troops in the Jianghuai River and march up the river to defeat the traitor and King Qin!"
Following these words, everyone around him was startled and fell silent.
Only in the carriage, Yan Yan called Qing Lan, whispered in her ear: "I bet you that this person must be arranged by Mr. Lang to act."
At first, Qing Lan thought that Xue Bai was now very popular. After hearing this, she also felt that this was something Xue Bai could do. Although her husband seemed gentle and gentle, he was actually more evil-minded.
However, at the front of the team, Xue Bai was unhappy and angry when he heard this, and shouted at Li Zangyong.
"Don't talk nonsense! I was ordered to go out to suppress Fan Yang, but now I haven't received the saint's will. How can I supervise the troops and horses of the Jianghuai River? Do you want to trick me into rebellion?!"
These words were so serious that Li Zang was so frightened that sweat dripped from Li Zang's forehead, and he quickly said: "I would like to teach King Yong to know that I am also from a royal family and I am loyal to the country. I will never dare to make the slightest hint of disobedience. My life is really in danger."
On this occasion, King Yong should act expediently."
"That's enough." Xue Bai said, "Everyone in the world says that I have ulterior motives. However, I have always acted in accordance with the orders in my life. There is absolutely no reason to command troops in the Jianghuai River without authorization."
Li Zangyong said: "Now King Yong has just arrived in Shangzhou, and the sage left Chang'an immediately after hearing the news. This must have happened because of the treacherous eunuch's cowardice. The sage favored the eunuch to this extent. When will he be able to issue an order to summon the soldiers and horses of the world to serve the king? I will order the king from outside.
No matter what, throughout the Jianghuai River, only King Yong has the highest reputation and credit, and he can scare the Yong King rebels and put down the rebellion the fastest."
Xue Bai's attitude was firm and he still waved his hand and said: "There are many famous generals in the Tang Dynasty, so why should I be the one to lead the army?"
After that, he didn't want to talk to Li Zang anymore and let the team continue on their way.
However, Li Zangyong held the reins of Diao Bing in front, preventing the team from leaving, and continued to persuade Xue Bai.
Following his shouting, when the team reached the city gate, more officials, soldiers and generals rushed over, blocking the city gate and begging Xue Bai to stay and lead the troops.
Yan Yan saw this scene from the carriage behind and couldn't help but be surprised.
She didn't think that Xue Bai would be so popular just after arriving in Yangzhou. She was even more sure that it was Xue Bai's conspiracy behind this. She muttered to herself: "Well, they said they were coming to Yangzhou to pick me up, but they still came to fight for power."
of."
~~
On that day, Li Xiyan was discussing with his staff.
Although King Yong's rebels are now approaching Chang'an, they pose a great threat to Yangzhou, or the entire lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
Because Cui Yuan failed to defeat the rebels in one fell swoop, it can be expected that the rebellion will continue. Then, regardless of whether he captures Chang'an or not, King Yong may send an army down the river to either seize control of Jiangdong or collect
More money and food for the soldiers.
In order to prevent more places downstream from being captured by King Yong, the best way is to lead the army to attack Jiangling as early as possible, which can not only replace the defense with attack, but also achieve the great contribution of King Qin.
Li Xiyan has made up his mind to do this, and has also issued orders for his generals to prepare for sending troops.
At this time, he was making final arrangements, but someone walked in quickly and whispered: "Li Zangyong stopped King Yong and asked King Yong to lead the troops."
"What?"
When Li Xiyan heard this, he was surprised, with a hint of anger in his eyes.
He immediately got up and walked around, wondering why such a thing happened. Was it Xue Bai's long-planned plan, or was it Li Zangyong's sudden idea?
"Prefect, I think this matter is a speculative move by Li Zang."
Finally, one of Li Xiyan's confidants named Yuan Jingyao began to analyze and said: "Li Zangyong not only wants King Yong to supervise the Jianghuai army, but also wants to achieve the feat of serving the dragon."
"He dares!"
"There are always smart people in the world, and there are also gamblers." Yuan Jingyao said: "Now King Yong has raised troops, and saints have fled. It can be seen that these two years of guarding Chang'an, King Pingzhong and King Pingzhong swept away Hu Ni, are all the result of King Yong. Li Zang used it.
If you want to speculate and see that the saint is weak and the prince is cowardly, and King Yong has arrived in Yangzhou, how can he let go of this opportunity?"
Li Xiyan was furious and shouted: "How is this move any different from treason?"
Yuan Jingyao said: "Fighting for the throne, not treason. King Yong came alone, and Li Zang persuaded him in the name of the critical survival of the country. Who can say that they are treason?"
The obvious situation before us is that anyway, the Qin Wang Jianghuai generals have to follow Li Xiyan or Xue Bai, and the benefits they get are completely different. One only served to suppress the rebellion, and the other did more than that.
There is the merit of following the dragon.
Moreover, the risks taken are also very different. Li Xiyan has never fought in a war, and the victory or defeat is unpredictable, but Xue Bai has great military exploits. Even heroes like An Lushan and Shi Siming have been defeated, not to mention the mere Li Xiyan.
Lin?
Yuan Jingyao explained these principles to Li Xiyan bit by bit.
Li Xiyan's face became increasingly ugly, and he slowly sat down on the bench and murmured: "If this is the case, what can be done about it?"
"At this point, there are only two ways." Yuan Jingyao said: "King Zheng may take advantage of the situation and simply ask King Yong to supervise the Jianghuai troops to quell the rebellion. This will not only bring peace to the world as soon as possible, but also sell him a favor.
"
"What's another way?"
"While King Yong is still refusing, immediately capture Li Zangyong and send King Yong out of the city. But this move also depends on King Yong's intention. If he sincerely refuses Li Zangyong, it will be fine. But if this matter is his
If arranged in advance, then..."
Li Xiyan's eyes were filled with uncertainty as he thought about it.
If you think about it from a personal point of view, by selling a favor to Xue Bai, you can put down the rebellion and make contributions without having to fight, which can be said to be a hundred benefits without any harm. But as a clan member, how can he watch the inheritance of his ancestors fall to the ground?
In the hands of a person of questionable identity?
Time passed little by little, and finally, he stood up.
"Walk!"
Li Xiyan hurried to the city gate, having already made up his mind that he could not let the military power in Jianghuai fall into Xue Bai's hands. Not long ago, the imperial court was still trying to reduce its military power in Hebei. This matter has not yet been completed. How can it be reduced more and more?
However, when he walked across the bridges in Yangzhou City, he saw more and more people gathering in front of him.
Just like on the night of the Lantern Festival in the old calendar, Li Xiyan squeezed into the crowd while shouting.
He looked around and saw Xue Bai sitting astride the horse, facing everyone's persuasion and sternly refusing, saying that he must act in accordance with the imperial edict.
Li Xiyan couldn't help but think of the several times he met Xue Bai.
Although the number of times was not too many, the other party seemed very open-minded every time. Moreover, Xue Bai did not go anywhere when he came to Yangzhou. Apart from traveling with his family, he never met Li Zangyong.
In the end, he chose to believe Xue Bai, judging that Xue Bai came to Yangzhou for no other purpose than to pick up his family.
However, he walked into the crowd, cleared his throat, and was about to speak when he suddenly felt something hard and sharp pressing against his waist.
When he looked back, he realized that his guards had been separated. Although the fierce-looking men standing behind him were also wearing Jianghuai military robes, they were not his.
"you……"
"I am committed to the country, and I ask the prefect to support me."
Before Li Xiyan could say anything more, his shoulder was already sore from being caught by the fierce man. He could feel a dagger pressed against his waist, and he couldn't help but be horrified.
He looked around the crowd and saw several military generals of high rank.
"Please ask King Yong to supervise Jianghuai and put down the rebellion!"
Then, a loud voice joined the ranks asking Xue Bai to lead the army.
Li Xiyan felt that the voice was very familiar, and when he took a closer look, he saw Yuan Jingyao standing in front, raising his arms and waving.
He couldn't help but be stunned.
It turned out that what Yuan Jingyao analyzed was his voice. There was no shortage of smart people in the Jianghuai army, let alone speculative gamblers, and Yuan Jingyao was the one who gambled the most, deceiving him into confusion.
Li Xiyan finally realized that what happened today was not Li Zangyong's whim, but a premeditated seizure of power. I don't know when, many people in Yangzhou City and even among the troops in Jianghuai had secretly turned to Xue Bai.
This was a mutiny and rebellion. Unfortunately, he didn't understand it until this moment. No, he actually hasn't fully understood it yet.
He clearly sent someone to keep an eye on Xue Bai. The other party really didn't do anything and didn't even leave the house a few times. How could he arrange such a plan?
But in the end, Xue Bai still refused to agree to lead the troops, and only said: "You are trying to trap me into disloyalty and unrighteousness!"
After that, when Xue Bai saw that the city gate was blocked, he did not continue to leave. He simply turned around and continued to stay in Yangzhou.
~~
Return to the house and put down your luggage.
After entering the main room, Yan Yan saw that there was no one else, so she immediately grabbed Xue Bai and said, "I guessed it, it was indeed you who arranged it."
"I didn't make any arrangements, it's just what everyone expected."
"I don't believe it." Yan Yan said, "But you are obviously with me every day. Tell me, how did you contact so many officials and generals to build momentum for you?"
Seeing that he couldn't deceive her, Xue Bai had no choice but to smile bitterly and said: "Okay, let Brother Taibai contact me secretly."
"Li Bai? Can he still do this for you?"
"Why not?" Xue Bai said, "Don't underestimate him. Do you know who his teacher is?"
This question finally stumped Yan Yan. She thought for a while but couldn't answer, so she had to ask: "Who?"
"Zhao Rui was a famous political strategist during the Kaiyuan period. His "Long and Short Classics" collected Confucianism, Legalism, military strategists, miscellaneous schools, and Yin-Yang schools in black and white. It talked about the rise and fall of countries, contingency strategies, and recommended talents and good people.
Evil, what he is best at is the imperial science and the art of vertical and horizontal movements."
"In this way, Li Bai is determined to achieve great achievements, and Jiang Shang and Zhuge Liang are really not overly ambitious but underhanded?"
Xue Bai smiled and did not judge this, saying: "In any case, Brother Taibai did help me conquer Li Zangyong and others."
Yan Yan couldn't help but wonder: "How did he do it?"
"Write some poems."
"poetry?"
~~
Li Xiyan couldn't believe that one of the masterminds behind this power grab was actually Li Bai, who he had always considered to be only talented in poetry but not good at practical matters.
When officials and generals at all levels in Yangzhou City gathered around him and returned to the government office, saying that they wanted to discuss how to persuade King Yong to command the army, but in fact they were blackmailing and evading his power, he saw the "sir" they called him.
"Li Taibai!" Li Xiyan shouted immediately: "Do you know that what you and others are doing is a serious crime of treason?"
"The prefect has misunderstood. He has no official position and no title. He would never dare to rebel. He only has a passionate desire to serve the country."
Li Bai was very free and easy at this time. After answering, he ignored Li Xiyan and only discussed with everyone how to persuade King Yong to unite his troops to put down the rebellion.
When they talked about rising, Li Zangyong slapped his thigh and said: "Today I forgot to take out Mr. Taibai's poem. That poem is so heroic. If King Yong listens to it, he will definitely lead us to make great achievements."
"That's right!" Yuan Jingyao said loudly: "I just listened to Mr. Taibai's poem, my heart was surging, and I decided to follow King Yong!"
Li Xiyan listened to what everyone said, and it seemed that Xue Bai really didn't know their plans and was unwilling to accept their support. Everything was planned by them without permission and they forced each other hard.
But when things got to this point, he didn't believe it to the end. He just hated that Xue Bai was pretending to be too real. He was clearly ambitious and pretended to be loyal and magnanimous.
However, no matter how sad and angry he was, it was useless. Everyone's position was completely different from that of him, an important member of the clan, and they were clapping their hands and drinking Li Bai's poems.
It was a set of poems called "Songs in Praise of King Yong's Achievements". It was written by Li Bai based on Xue Bai's achievements over the years, and also with expectations for his subsequent efforts to put down the war and make the seas and rivers clean in the world.
The generals in the hall were inspired by the spirit of the poem and chose to follow King Yong.
"In the first month of the first lunar month, King Yong will set out, and the emperor will separate the dragon and tiger flags from afar."
"The building and the ship were calm in one fell swoop, and the river and Han river turned into a pond of swallows and ducks."
It is actually March of the first year of the Yuan Dynasty, but it is actually the first month of the lunar calendar.
People may not be used to using the new year, or they may be dissatisfied with the emperor's emphasis on eunuchs, so they deliberately call this third month the first month.
After reading one poem, it’s time to read the next one.
"Three rivers and north are in chaos, and the four seas and south are running like Yongjia."
"But use Dongshan to thank Anshi, and talk and laugh for you to clear away the sand."
This is an allusion to King Yong's military exploits that wiped out the world since An Lushan's rebellion. It is an allusion to thank An Dongshan for his comeback, and there is also a faint dissatisfaction with the emperor who once deposed King Yong's power.
And isn’t this Li Bai comparing himself to Xie An?
In any case, these poems were indeed very inspiring, and everyone sang loudly one after another, becoming more and more determined to ask King Yong to lead them.
Li Xiyan listened on the sidelines, finally sighed and closed his eyes helplessly.
He knew the will of the people and could not change it easily by himself. If he remained stubborn, he might be in danger of his life. He had no choice but to agree to take the lead and persuade King Yong to take on the important task.
So, for three days in a row, Li Xiyan led the generals outside Xue Bai's house to persuade him hard, but Xue Bai refused every time.
But then generals from various states arrived, and the momentum became more and more powerful. Xue Bai saw that everyone was expecting him, and he couldn't refuse, so he had to put forward several conditions to complete the trick.
"I left my post without authorization, which actually violated the imperial regulations. When I was passing by Yangzhou, I happened to have a rebellion by Li Lin. I was not given up by all the kings, so I had to take on the important task. Now we must agree that I will temporarily take over his duties. If the saint appoints a new
As governor of the Jianghuai River, I will resign immediately and return to Fanyang, and you will not be able to retain me..."