Youth must be born early, how can one grow into a young man?
——Excerpt from "Encouraging Learning" by Meng Jiao (Tang Dynasty)
…
Bai Fu said: "Commander, when do you think your Majesty will get rid of Li Fuguo?"
Li Guangbi sighed: "Junior brother, you are not deeply involved in the world, and you still don't know the complexity of human nature. Many things are not as simple as they seem on the surface.
The reason why His Majesty gave Li Fuguo such great power was because the chess piece of Li Fuguo was specifically used to deal with the Supreme Emperor and Gao Lishi.
Gao Lishi's real name was Feng Yuanyi, and he was a descendant of the famous Sui Dynasty general Mai Tiezhang.
Mai Tiezhang was unparalleled in bravery. He could walk like the wind, run as fast as a horse, and could travel "five hundred miles a day." This man liked wine, was fond of socializing, valued faith, and held an umbrella for the emperor. He later became a general of the Sui Dynasty and followed Yang Suzheng. The Turks performed meritorious service and died in the battle against Goguryeo.
Gao Lishi is like the reincarnation of Mai Tiezhang. He was born with supernatural powers since he was a child. Later he met a famous master and his martial arts skills were unfathomable. In the inner palace, only Li Fuguo could compete with him.
In addition, Longwu General Chen Xuanli had an elite forbidden army, which was said to be composed of Shaolin monks. They were all highly skilled in martial arts and could defeat one against a hundred.
If Li Fuguo did not hold the power of the imperial army, how could His Majesty sleep peacefully while lying on the bed?
Therefore, as long as the power of the Supreme Emperor is still there, His Majesty will never depose Li Fuguo. It was precisely after seeing this that Mr. Li Mi retired.
When a Taoist character takes action, he must follow the trend and make a big move. He will never do something before the time comes, knowing that it cannot be done. It was only after Mr. Li Mi retired that I figured out this truth."
Bai Fu said: "If a traitor is in power, won't he never see the light of day?"
Li Guangbi sighed: "The term "treacherous" is just our view of Li Fuguo.
A chess piece like Li Fuguo has countless ways to change it in the hands of the emperor. The key lies in how to play the chess.
Li Fu's power over the country was overwhelming, causing harm to the country and the people, and gathering all the hatred in the world into one person.
Especially when they set up mastiff guards, they would raid the homes of hundreds of officials and destroy their families. Everyone, both civil and military, wanted to eat their flesh and peel off their bones.
As long as the power of the Supreme Emperor can be eradicated, His Majesty can rest easy and have no future troubles. At this time, Li Fuguo's value has been exhausted and he will become an abandoned son.
At that time, His Majesty can just raise his arms and shout, turn his hands to clouds and rain, and kill all Li Fuguo and his followers, which will definitely satisfy the people.
This move not only won people's hearts, but also highlighted His Majesty's reputation.
No one in the world will complain that Your Majesty favors traitors, the government is weak, and wars continue. Instead, they believe that Your Majesty is talented and has great strategies, with a clear understanding of the situation and everything is under control.
All families killed by Li Fuguo will become your Majesty's loyal and loyal subjects.
How indulgent your Majesty is to Li Fuguo today, how much he will gain in the future.
Just like a fisherman putting out bait and casting a net, he catches the hearts and minds of the people all over the world.
This is His Majesty’s imperial art.”
Bai Fu took a breath of cold air and said, "But isn't your Majesty worried that Li Fuguo and other traitors will lose their tail?"
Li Guangbi's eyes were bright and he said: "Of course you are worried. Therefore, in the future, your Majesty will rely on people who are both loyal and capable to eradicate Li Fuguo's power.
Among these ministers, one is Prime Minister Li Mi in white, and the other is you!
It seems that I am not keeping you two by my side, but in fact I am protecting you and keeping you away from right and wrong. Once the time comes, I can use it at any time."
Bai Fu laughed at himself and said: "Commander, you think highly of me. I am a small colonel in the border army, how can I be as important as you say?"
Li Guangbi tied his long beard with his hands and said with a smile: "Junior brother, don't belittle yourself. You are definitely not a thing in the pool, otherwise you will not win the favor of Taifu Xu and his mentor, the two pillars of the empire.
What you lack is an opportunity!
As the saying goes, golden scales are just things in the pond. They turn into dragons when encountering storms.
Regardless of official position or military rank, the road to official career often seems fast but is actually slow; conversely, it seems slow but is actually fast.
The time has come, take the first step!
However, secular people always think that promotion and gaining power are the most difficult things. In fact, controlling power and landing safely are the most difficult things in an official career.
Just like me, senior brother, I seem to be the deputy marshal of the world's soldiers and horses, holding power and glory, but in fact I am walking on the edge of a cliff. If I am not careful, I will fall into the abyss and be shattered to pieces.
In the past six months since Duke Guo Linggong was relieved of his military duties, Your Majesty has continuously promoted me to higher positions. From Shuofang Jiedu Envoy, to Zhongshu Ling, Sikong, and Taiwei, he has always put me on the fire.
Not only do you bear a huge burden, but you also become a loser. If you make a mistake, your life will be in danger."
Having said this, Li Guangbi sighed deeply.
…
Speaking of Shaolin monk soldiers, Bai Fu thought of the past and took the opportunity to change the topic to relieve Li Guangbi's anxiety.
After the Japanese had stolen books, the imperial court granted Master Zhaohuan, the first disciple of Abbot Kongjian, to return to secular life and be appointed as the general of the Qinxun Yiwei Yulin Zhonglang. The Shaolin Iron-Blooded Young Monks formed by him were incorporated into the Forbidden Army and commanded by him. They were under the command of General Longwu of the Forbidden Army Chen.
Xuanli moderation.
Bai Fu once eavesdropped on the conversation between the middle-aged monk Mingsha and Fuso spy Sato Sebei and An Lushan's eldest son Anqing Zong in the secret passage of the Buddhist temple.
According to Sato Sebei's description, Master Zhaohuan had great martial arts skills and great ambitions. Taking advantage of the opportunity of his acting master to teach the Dharma, he deliberately attracted many young disciples of Dorin and formed a group of passionate young monks whose strength should not be underestimated.
Previously, Bai Fu also tried to find Master Zhaohuan through Master Fang Shuliu. However, after Bai Fu joined the army, the matter was shelved.
After Li Guangbi left, Bai Fufei Ge sent a letter to Huang Zhen, asking him to thoroughly investigate the whereabouts of Master Zhaohuan.
…
Just when Bai Fu was asking about Master Zhaohuan, Zhaohuan, who had been renamed Liu Huan, appeared in the residence of Longwu General Chen Xuanli.
Although Chen Xuanli was a military general, he admired the style of the Wei and Jin Dynasties. The study room for entertaining guests was simple and elegant, without any clutter. The wooden floor was as clean as a mirror and spotless.
After Liu Huan saluted, Chen Xuanli ordered someone to give him a seat. Liu Huan thanked him and knelt down on the soft couch.
After the two exchanged pleasantries for a while, Chen Xuanli ordered the maid to leave.
After excluding the outsiders, Chen Xuanli smiled and said: "I just brought out two jars of twenty-year-old rice wine from under the sweet-scented osmanthus tree today. Would General Huan want to try it?"
Liu Huan arched his long sleeves and said, "Thank you, General. The last general will just drink water."
Chen Xuanli praised: "You have been secular for many years and you have never touched meat or fish, which shows your devotion to the Buddha."
Liu Huan said: "I have been a monk since I was a child. Many things have become a habit and I am very pedantic. Please don't blame me, General."
Chen Xuanli smiled and said: "The saint values you because of this, so he looks at you with admiration."
Liu Huan said: "If it weren't for the guidance of the general, how could a junior general be so virtuous and capable? How could he be able to enter the eyes of a saint?"
Liu Huan's answer was very appropriate, which made Chen Xuanli quite satisfied.
He picked up the water ladle, poured a ladle of water from the stone trough himself, poured it into Liu Huan's cup, and asked: "General Huan, how is the progress of the things assigned by the saint?"
Liu Huan sat down on his knees, raised his hands in the air, and said seriously: "Thanks to the blessing of the saint, I will fulfill my mission in the end.
There are many generals in the Bei Ya Forbidden Army who came from the Shaolin Iron-Blooded Sangha. These people were all my senior brothers back then. After I explained my intention, they were all willing to follow me and die for the saint."
Chen Xuanli nodded, walked to the book wall, took out a golden tin staff from the secret cabinet, and handed it to Liu Huan.
When Liu Huan saw it, he was overjoyed. This golden tin staff was exactly the Zen forest elephant weapon used by Patriarch Bodhidharma.
Liu Huan quickly stood up, held up the golden tin staff, placed it gently in front of him, bowed respectfully, and paid homage.
Chen Xuanli said: "As long as the saint's will is accomplished, you will not only be granted the title of abbot of Shaolin, but also the founder of Zen Buddhism to lead the world of Buddhism."
Liu Huan lifted his robe, bowed three times and kowtowed nine times, and said loudly: "Sage, I, Liu Huan, will definitely live up to your majesty's kindness!"