Chapter 429: It’s the right time, take advantage of the situation
The mountain breeze blows gently, and the pine branches and cypress leaves sway slightly. The snow falls with a "whistle", as if someone is walking through the forest.
Hundreds of soldiers stood on the side of the road and saluted silently. Li Chengzhi nodded slightly and looked at the two ceremonial carriages outside the temple.
The emperor rides six, and the big one will naturally come to the court to take the throne, and his etiquette will undoubtedly be the same as that of the emperor's high and graceful one.
The other chariot was only a four-carriage chariot, which was similar to the chariot given to Li Chengzhi by the young emperor. No prince or prince could ride it. Looking at the Qingluan flag fluttering gently, Li Chengzhi knew that it was Gao Wenjun's ceremonial chariot.
Well, now it’s time to call her Yuan Wenjun: Princess Yuan Wenjun of Nanyang...
"Squeak..."
The temple door was pushed open, and Gao Wenjun walked out with red eyes. When she saw Li Chengzhi, she bit her lip hard, with an extremely complicated look on her face, including worry, resentment, and even pity.
I just made a special trip to Yuanjia's house yesterday and was alone with Gao Wenjun. But because I was so preoccupied, I didn't even say a few words to Wen Wen?
That's all, let's wait until we come back alive...
"Go in...Sister...is waiting for you..."
"Hmm!"
Li Chengzhi nodded, with a strong smell of alcohol coming from his nose, and subconsciously raised his eyes to look inside.
Gao Ying turned his back to him and sat slumped under Yuan Ke's tombstone, as motionless as a sculpture.
Drunk?
Li Chengzhi was suspicious, crossed the threshold, and entered the temple.
With a bang, the temple door was gently closed by Gao Wenjun, and he and Gao Ying were the only two people in the temple.
Compared with that day when I was drinking alone, there were many more oil lamps and candles in the temple. Not only were they no longer green and dim, but they were reflected in the copperware with a magnificent light.
Gao Ying's cheeks were flushed and his eyes were blurred. He was obviously drunk: "You...you're here?"
Li Chengzhi hummed softly, picked up three sticks of incense, lit it with an oil lamp, then waved his hand to extinguish the flames, bowed three times and inserted it into the incense burner.
The curls of green smoke slowly rose, one by one, like brocade hanging upside down. It floated for about five or six feet. When it was about to reach the top of the temple, it seemed that a gust of wind had blown in, and three wisps of smoke suddenly appeared.
In a flash, three smoke rings the size of copper coins appeared.
Suddenly, the smoke ring became larger and thinner, like three jade bowls carved from blue jade, or like three green lotuses blooming in the pavilion.
"He...he appeared?"
Gao Ying trembled all over, raised his hand tremblingly, and pointed directly at the tombstone. His heart trembled sharply, like a bowstring being plucked. It was as if there was a saw blade hidden in his throat, which was constantly pulling, and his voice was extremely hoarse: "
Is it him...he's here?"
Even though Li Chengzhi didn't believe in ghosts and gods, he still couldn't help but feel a strange and sinister feeling: "It's the wind...it's just the wind..."
"How could it be the wind?"
A moment ago, she was still a pink-faced girl, but now she is as pale as dirt. Gao Ying is clearly frightened to the extreme: "Just because I told him... When you came in, he was extremely angry, and he was clearly... clearly questioning you..." ..."
Li Chengzhi froze suddenly, with mixed feelings and mixed emotions in his heart. He moved his lips, but he didn't know what to say.
The ancients valued death as life, death as survival, and believed in the immortality of the soul, so there were sacrifices and sacrifices, which have been passed down for thousands of years without mourning.
It is not that there are people who do not believe in ghosts and gods in this era, but they are actually very rare.
Gao Ying was afraid that he would become like this, which shows how much determination he had to make and how much courage he had to muster up before he could tell the truth to Yuan Ke in front of the mausoleum?
"You...what are you doing?"
"Why bother? I asked you the same question that day, and you only said it was not bitter... And you know how much I suffered, and how scared I was? I was afraid that you would never come back, leaving me alone and alone... …
I even thought that if that day comes, I might as well get over it once and for all and be completely liberated... so I came here today to apologize to him..."
Gao Ying turned his head fiercely and stared at Yuan Ke's tombstone. He was extremely frightened, but still gritted his teeth tightly: "Don't say that the late emperor really...really showed his spirit. Even if he was cut into pieces under the nine springs and fried in fire, I admit it too... It's better than suffering a lot and living like a year...
I know that everything is wrong, and even the slightest thought is treason, but like ghosts and gods, I can't help myself... And just like what Yu said in the palace that night, I don't dare to have extravagant expectations, and I don't ask you to treat me. I just hope... I just hope I can see you once in three to five days, and I will... I will be satisfied..."
After just a few words, Gao Ying's face turned pale and he was choked with sobs. For fear of crying, he bit his lips tightly with blood on his lips: "I... I just ask you to come back safely..." If you don’t believe it, I dare to swear in front of the late emperor’s mausoleum..."
Li Chengzhi's heart "suddenly" shook, as if a delicate hand gently hooked on the heartstrings. It was also like drinking a glass of strong wine, which went straight to the heart and spleen, stimulating a stream of hot blood and flowing into the limbs and bones.
Even if a stone has been covered for a long time, it will produce some warmth, not to mention the human heart?
"My words that night, 'You are overthinking', were not perfunctory words. And from beginning to end, I never had the thought of 'dying to clarify one's ambitions'... Including when the late emperor vomited blood and fainted when he passed away, and then became bald overnight, it was not all Because of the late emperor..."
Li Chengzhi looked at Yuan Ke's tombstone, then looked at Gao Ying, showing a helpless smile, "But no one believes me despite all my explanations? You don't believe it, Wen Jun doesn't believe it, Gao Zhao doesn't believe it, and Yuan Jia doesn't believe it either. The civil and military officials don’t believe it even more... Even my father and mother don’t believe it... What can I do?"
"I don't believe it!"
Gao Ying seemed to be repeating the reading, wiping away his tears vigorously, "Both the government and the public said: You treat the late emperor as if you are like the sun, the sun and the moon can shine. That's why I asked to lead the army, vowing to avenge the late emperor... If not... Victory, I would rather die fighting in the North than return to the DPRK..."
"How could military affairs be such a trivial matter? And do you know how many unnecessary casualties would be caused by raising tens of thousands of troops in the cold winter? Is it just to avenge the late emperor?
Moreover, the late emperor made all arrangements before his death, so why did he not mention the matter of revenge? Because as far as state affairs are concerned, hatred and resentment are not worth mentioning...
Even if I dare to be so willful, how can the princes in the DPRK be ignorant and ignorant? Just because it is imminent to send troops to quell the rebellion, it has reached the point where I have no choice but to do so.
I was able to lead the army just because I followed the trend and met the situation at the right time. It is indeed as you said, there are so many people in the court who are capable of conquering and fighting. Compared with me, there are even fewer old and virtuous generals.
However, due to various referendums and multiple checks and balances, there are many famous generals, but no one can be selected who can satisfy all the eight assistants.
For example, Yang Dayan was sent to Yingzhou (today's Liaoning) by the late emperor due to the defeat of Zhongli, where he was exposed to the cold wind for three years. Because of this, a fire broke out in his backyard (his wife had an affair with someone), and now he is having an affair with Mrs. Pan (Yang).
Big-Eyed Wife) and other disciples were in a quarrel... Who can guarantee that he did not harbor any complaints against the late emperor, like Yuan Li, the governor of Liangzhou, and Cui Zujia, the governor of Longxi County, who were angrily rebellious?
Moreover, because he and Yuanying have been subordinates for many years and have a close relationship, if Yang Dayan wins and returns to the court, Yuanying will definitely become powerful. This is not a good thing for the other seven assistants, as well as for you and your majesty...
Another example is Li Shao. Because Li Fu and his disciples rebelled against the Yuan Dynasty, the Li family in Longxi was never favored by the late emperor, and was divided and excluded for many years. The court was worried about this, and because Li Shao, Cui and Liu
Therefore, the other six assistants did not want him to lead the army...
There are countless examples like this: Let’s just look at the 20,000 soldiers under my command who are good at fighting. Why don’t I just choose one army, such as the Wei Mansion, the Zhong Army, or the Yu Lin Hu Ben? Regardless of which government, the only guard is
You can form an army, but you have to piece it together?
It was due to the internal strife and scheming among the Eighth Assistants. It was also because I was only in the ninth year of my age, and I was lucky enough to rise to a high position. I didn’t have much military merit, and my qualifications were even closer to none, but I was able to be honored as a general on the stage and awarded the title of "Yitong Sansi".
The reason for conquering the Northern General...
Regardless of the others, apart from Yuan Cheng and Yuan Ying, my friendship with the other six assistants is extraordinary. No matter how great the credit is, at least the eight assistants can share the benefits..."
Li Chengzhi paused, then looked at Gao Ying very seriously: "The purpose of retreating ten thousand steps is to gain more military glory, wash away the name of this fortunate and sycophantic minister, and stand firm in the court so that I can protect him."
You are considerate, so I should work hard and work hard.
And do you think that the oath given to you that night in the palace, "As long as I am alive, I will keep you safe, let alone let others bully you" was a perfunctory statement?"
After hearing this last sentence, Gao Ying's eyes suddenly shot out two gleams: "Really?"
Li Chengzhi's face was livid: "I don't believe it. Gao Sikong has never told you these truths?"
"My uncle is an uncle, and you are you. How can we generalize?"
Gao Ying grinned, but his face seemed to be washed with water, "If you had confessed to me earlier like you did today, then... why would I worry so heart-wrenchingly..."
If it's normal, even if I tell you, it's probably going in through your left ear and out through your right ear.
The reason why you believe me at this time is just because you feel that I have a deep love for Yuan Ke and I will definitely not lie to you in front of his tomb.
But I dared to lie to him when he was alive, let alone after he died?
But ask yourself, these words today are really not even half-hearted...
Li Chengzhi sighed and picked up Gao Ying's fallen brocade fur from the ground. He was about to put it on her, but felt it was inappropriate, so he put it in her hand:
"Go back early...the army is not stationed, but is still marching, and I have to leave...if it takes at least half a year, or at most a year, I will definitely return. You don't have to think that I will 'make my will clear with death'"
Ridiculous idea, I haven’t even married a wife or given birth to a child, how can I be willing to die?”
Gao Ying shed tears, but smiled broadly: "Okay...I'll wait for you..."
Intuiting that there was an ambiguity in what he said, Li Chengzhi opened his mouth, but for a moment he couldn't think of anything wrong?
Maybe those three smoke rings are floating too strangely and I am too sensitive?
Forget it, let her go...
"Take care!"
Li Chengzhi looked at Gao Ying, then looked up at Yuan Ke's tombstone. He sighed secretly, and bowed again...
Pushing open the temple door, there was only Gao Wenjun outside the door, looking at him as if he was infatuated.
Gao Wenjun was the only one who accompanied Gao Ying before. Looking at Gao Ying's frightened little face, it was clear that Gao Wenjun must have been with her when she risked her life and confessed to Yuan Ke in front of the monument. You should have known.
Yes, naturally you will know...
Although there was a reason for the incident, Li Chengzhi still felt a little guilty: "I'm sorry..."
Tears rolled out of Gao Wenjun's eyes: "I...how could I blame you?"
If he had not gone to war, he would have got married to her in just over a month... Thinking about this, Li Chengzhi felt even more guilty, and said as if he was swearing: "When I return to the court, I beg you to come..."
Gao Wenjun gritted his teeth tightly and nodded heavily: "Okay!"
This place was not a gentle place after all. Li Chengzhi could only tighten the loose fur collar for her: "Let's go!"
With just two sentences, Gao Wenjun was so moved that he burst into tears and couldn't even say the word "take care".
It wasn't until Li Chengzhi got on his horse and he and Li Liang were drifting away, and they had become two shadows, that she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Hearing the sound of "rustling" and "squeaking" behind him, Gao Ying walked out of the temple and closed the temple door.
Compared with the dejected and lifeless appearance when he arrived, Gao Ying seemed to be a different person, with a radiant face and a rosy face.
Gao Wenjun's eyes were still filled with tears, but his face was as cold as winter ice: "If you dare to force him again in the future, I will fight with you..."
"It's my sister who can't help you..."
Gao Ying felt a little guilty and cautiously tried, "What if...what if one day, he...he is willing to do it?"
"Gao Nu'er, do I think it's because of jealousy? Not only are you blind, but you are also blind... Even though it was because of your forcing... that night... he still felt ashamed of me
, otherwise why do you need to apologize to me? It shows that his love is profound? Or maybe you have forgotten his hair full of silver?"
Gao Ying felt a pain in his heart and felt lost: the late emperor... is it because of the late emperor again?
But then, she became happy again: If Li Chengzhi didn't value love and righteousness, why would she have to accept his death? Do you think he is more trustworthy and reliable than Gao Zhao?
Why should he be so frightened at the thought of something unexpected happening to him, believing that he would be alone and helpless in the future?
Just because she will never forget the look when Yuan Yi stabbed him with a knife and he rushed towards her like crazy.
At that time, the late emperor was still protected by him, and when Yuan Yi stabbed him with his sword, it was probably him who stabbed him...
He just wanted to save the late emperor?
I don’t believe it!
The relationship between a man and a woman is mysterious and wonderful, not to mention the physical intimacy... Gao Ying doesn't believe that Li Chengzhi can be deeply affectionate towards Yuan Ke, feel guilty towards Gao Wenjun, and yet be cold-blooded and ruthless to her.
?
If I were really ruthless, I wouldn’t have said so much and preached so many truths in front of Yuan Ke’s Mausoleum just now...
Although I no longer have the extravagant hope of having anything to do with him, at least I no longer have to worry about being harmed and no one will avenge me, and I don’t have to worry about being killed and no one will care about me...
The more she thought about it, the happier she became, but she was afraid of having her thoughts revealed, so Gao Ying could only keep a straight face and called Gao Wenjun to ride with her.
After the carriage came down the mountain and reached the official road, Gao Yingcai suddenly thought about it: "You were outside the door at that time, did you ever hear him mention His Majesty (Young Emperor)?"
"You were so close to him and you didn't even remember him, let alone me?"
At that time, I was overjoyed and confused. How could I listen so carefully?
Gao Ying couldn't help but blush, and listened to Gao Wenjun recall: "As long as I have a breath, I will protect you, let alone let others bully you... It seems that I have never mentioned your Majesty?"
Gao Ying was startled: That night in the palace, he didn't seem to mention His Majesty?
That's right... Although His Majesty is the heir, he is still the son of Yuan Yi, not the blood of the late emperor. In terms of personal relationships, in Li Chengzhi's heart, he is much inferior to the late emperor and himself...
It turns out that he has never been perfunctory with himself from beginning to end, and speaks from the bottom of his heart every time?