When I heard the sound of the drums, it was like muffled thunder, which could also be clearly heard in the Tai Chi Hall, which was two miles away.
Gao Ying, who wanted to retreat, frowned: "Qin Song, go and ask, why are you beating the drum?"
Qin Song agreed repeatedly and walked out of the hall quickly. After only a moment, he left and came back again.
Seeing the old eunuch's serious face, as if he was running in a hurry, all the ministers were filled with suspicion.
It seems to be no small matter!
Qin Song whispered a few words into Gao Ying's ear, and Gao Ying's expression changed several times.
First, his eyebrows raised, as if he was in disbelief, and then his face relaxed slightly, as if he was rejoicing.
Then he took a deep look at Gao Zhao, and Gao Ying gave Qin Song another order: "Quickly go to the imperial palace to command General Gao Zhan, Yu Lin Lang Gao Zhen, Tai Le Cheng Li Cheng, etc. to persuade him first, and then bring him into the palace.
!"
Gao Zhan is the second son of Gao Zhao, and Gao Zhen is the brother of the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother orders these two people, so the person who caused the trouble must be related to the Gao family.
But who is Tai Le Cheng Li Chengxian?
Someone who knew the story of the Li family reminded him that he was the elder brother of Li Chengzhi, Duke of Jing, and all the ministers suddenly realized that the person who had the trouble should be Li Chengzhi.
While the ministers were guessing, Gao Ying said coldly: "In broad daylight, with the world clear, a first-class Duke was assassinated in the imperial city? Yuan You, Yuan Hui, Li Xian, what crime should you three deserve?"<
/p>
Li Chengzhi was assassinated?
Isn't he in Dingyou, his old residence outside the city? When did he enter the inner city?
Most of the ministers thought this way, and after hearing a few more pops, the three who were questioned by the Queen Mother knelt down one after another: "I am terrified!"
Yuan Hui is Wei Qing, in charge of the left and right Wei Mansion, responsible for guarding the palace, and supervising the inner city.
Yuan You is the eldest son of the concubine of King Yuanying of Zhongshan. Regardless of this identity, he is also the Shaoqing of Weiwei, the second assistant of Yuan Hui, and is in charge of Jinwu. He is responsible for patrolling the inner city and prohibiting violence. When it comes to dereliction of duty, he is the first to bear the brunt.<
/p>
As for Zhao Xian, he is Sizhou Mu.
If such a big thing happens, none of these three people can escape their involvement. Therefore, regardless of the original reason, we should kneel down and apologize first.
Cui Guang's heart was beating wildly, his gray beard couldn't stop trembling, and his face was extremely ugly.
Li Chengzhi just said last night that he might be in danger of his life. Only a few hours later, it has come true?
Who did it, Gao Zhao?
He raised his eyes and saw that the old thief was still there, showing no signs of panic. When he turned around again, he found that the Queen Mother was also staring at Gao Zhao with burning eyes.
"Gao Sikong, the person who beats the drum is a servant in your palace. When Li Guogong was in danger, he was saved by Gao's retainers! Do you know about this?"
The Queen Mother was confused?
Even if he knew all the officials here, he wouldn't be able to admit it in front of everyone.
Gao Zhao slowly saluted: "I know nothing!"
"Okay!"
Gao Ying was extremely angry but smiled.
If you don’t know, how can the servants in the palace be so accurate in timing?
A good move can turn a trick into a plan and divert disaster to the east?
Apart from Yuan Ying and Li Chengzhi...
Gao Ying gritted his teeth in hatred, but a deep feeling of powerlessness arose deep in his heart: the important ministers were plotting against each other, treating her as the Queen Mother as nothing. Now she was even more unscrupulous to the point of assassinating her in the street. p>
But she was powerless, knowing that most of them were traitors, but she had to use them.
At this time, she couldn't tell who was behind Li Chengzhi's assassination.
Did Gao Zhao write and act on his own and put the blame on Yuanying, or did Yuanying go crazy out of nowhere and suddenly want to kill Li Chengzhi?
"Bang bang bang bang..."
Qin Song, who was ordered to deliver the edict, ran back to the main hall. He wanted to go up to the next level to report secretly to the Queen Mother, but saw Gao Ying waving his broad sleeves impatiently: "Speak!"
"Empress Bing, Li Guogong, covered in blood, broke into Shouchiuli (Prince's Square) alone with a sword and wounded three people inside and outside. The King of Hejian rushed to dissuade him, but he shot off his crown with an arrow... After that,
Duke Li Guogong beheaded the royal palace chief Shi and Sima at the foot of Wangfufang in Zhongshan..."
The sound of "buzz" was like stirring up a hornet's nest, and there was an uproar in the palace.
The assassination of a first-class prince in the street was enough to shock the world. Now, the important ministers of the country burst into the prince's palace with weapons? How are they different from rebellion by killing the prince's subordinate officials?
From this point of view, is it possible that the assassin was sent by Yuan Ying?
But shouldn’t it be Gao Zhao who put Li Chengzhi to death and then died? But it was Gao’s servants who saved him from a narrow escape?
It's a mess...it's all a mess...
Gao Ying's heart tightened, and his two delicate hands clenched into fists involuntarily: "What happens next?"
"It must have been that when he was assassinated, he was at the end of a series of killings. After killing two people in a row, he was captured by the palace guards... But for some unknown reason, the King of Zhongshan ordered all his servants to retreat, and then ordered Duke Li to retreat.
Please enter the dormitory..."
Qin Song's "I don't know why" sentence has a profound meaning. How could Gao Ying not hear the hidden meaning: "Li Chengzhi's limbs are bound?"
"Not ever!"
"Quickly, tie Li Chengzhi to me and bring him to the palace..."
Gao Ying only felt his scalp numb.
If she had still had three points of doubt before, she was now nine points certain: those assassins must be from the Yuanying sect.
Why did Yuanying suddenly want to kill Li Chengzhi?
……
Not to mention that Gao Ying couldn't figure it out, Li Chengzhi couldn't figure it out either.
Just like Gao Ying, when he forced his way into Shouqiu, he still had some doubts. But when he saw the middle door of the Prince of Zhongshan's palace opened and all the guards in the palace disappeared, Li Chengzhi knew that this time it was not Gao Zhao's plan to set up the fire.
, but it was really Yuanying’s doing.
Now, he even wants to exchange his dying body for Li Chengzhi's life...
The smell of medicine in the dormitory was very strong, just like the steam room in the previous life. But even so, Li Chengzhi still smelled a familiar smell.
Mandala?
Taking another closer look, he saw a few strange flushes appearing on Yuan Ying's skinny, dark face, and he suddenly smiled.
No wonder Yuan Ying can hold on for so long, even though her life hangs by a thread, she still can’t stop getting angry?
The laughter grew louder and louder, as if going crazy. Yuan Ying was secretly happy, closing her eyes and waiting for Li Chengzhi's knife to cut into her neck.
But after waiting for a long time, he heard a "crack" instead. Yuan Ying opened his eyes suddenly and saw that Li Chengzhi actually abandoned the knife on the ground, then fell down cross-legged, stared at the iron contract in his hand, and laughed.
Tears.
"Why are you laughing so hard?"
Li Chengzhi wiped away his tears: "I'm thinking, if I kill you here, can this thing save my life?"
Save your life?
At this time, you should raise the knife and put it down, feeling relieved. Why are you so calm?
Yuanying's heart sank heavily and she stared at him.
Li Chengzhi's eyes are as clear as water and as bright as a mirror. How can he look like he is crazy and burning with desire?
Still unwilling to give up, Yuanying had the last glimmer of hope left: "Gaozu (Emperor Xiaowen) once said that anyone who is given an iron coupon will be spared three deaths for crimes other than treason. You can give it a try!"
"Hahaha, King Zhongshan is really a good calculator? It is true that the Iron Pact to avoid death began with Emperor Gaozu, and it is even more true that he can avoid death for three times without treason. But Emperor Gaozu has a further decree: Anyone who harms the Yuan clan will be punished with death.
Treat those who seek treason..."
Yuanying's face changed drastically: "How did you know?"
Cui Guang is the Right Attendant, and he is also the Prime Minister. What kind of secret decree can he not see?
Li Chengzhi is so afraid of death and is determined to rebel. How could he not study everything thoroughly after acquiring such a magical object?
"Are you acting?"
"Without acting, how can I see the majestic face of the King of Zhongshan?"
Li Chengzhi raised his hand and threw it, and the iron plate fell to the foot of Yuanying's bed with several crisp sounds, "Your Highness, rest assured, even without Gaozu's will, I will never hurt you at all: I will not hurt you, and I will intrude on the prince."
The mansion is one, and the masters of the palace are good at killing each other, and the Sima are each one. At this point, this iron deed has become useless. And if not for this, how could His Highness see Li Yi when he was dying? "<
/p>
Yuan Ying's eyes were about to burst, and his whole body was shaking: "Then you still dare to come in? Aren't you afraid that I will kill you here with an order?"
"Li Yi is not a cat or a dog? In this way, His Highness is naturally guilty of plotting to assassinate a first-class Duke on the street. How is this different from rebellion? Of course, Your Highness can naturally shoulder the responsibility. But I don't know if His Highness has ever thought about it.
Will Gao Sikong miss the God-given opportunity to beat up the drowned dog, or even eliminate the root cause? But His Highness still has so many heirs, but the good and the bad are mixed, and none of them can be of great use!"
Li Chengzhi laughed again: "Your Highness should never have allowed the King of Hejian to be brought into the palace. Now, instead, His Highness is being ordered to use a rat weapon. He does not dare to let his henchmen assassinate you and then blame Li...
…”
Li Chengzhi turned his head again and pointed at Yuan Chen who was standing outside the door, "Your Highness, are you afraid?"
Yuan Chen was angry and scared, and in his heart he sent greetings to all the eighteen generations of Yuan Ying and Li Chengzhi's ancestors.
No wonder half of the guards and servants of Zhongshan Palace were missing, but he was left alone to accompany Li Chengzhi?
Originally, Yuan Ying wanted Yuan Chen to be a witness in order to nail Li Chengzhi for the crime of harming the clan. But he didn’t want this little thief to turn against the guest and lead Yuan Ying’s army?
He was worried that it would harm him, thinking that if Li Chengzhi really wanted to kill him, how could he stop him with his meager martial arts skills?
In the end, it was his conscience that was fed to the dogs. Li Chengzhi, who had killed a thousand swordsmen, actually used him to block arrows?
Yuan Chen secretly held the saber and looked around, fearing that a team of archers would appear and kill him and Li Chengzhi here.
Yuanying's expression changed several times, her eyes were as real as day, she wished she could stare Li Chengzhi to death in this dormitory.
Fooled!
Just these words have already confirmed half of the fact that today's plot was carried out by him.
And for a thief like Li Chengzhi who is bold and unscrupulous, what if he dies without any treatment?
After decades of planning and foresight, why is Dudu so insane today?
Feeling the slightest excitement in his heart, he suddenly thought of what Xu Jian said when he first applied the medicine: "This medicine is magical, has miraculous analgesic effects, and has the ability to restore light. But it can also charm the mind, Your Highness
It should be taken seriously..."
But what’s the use of regretting now?
Yuanying clenched her fists tightly and exhaled sharply: "You have worked so hard to see me alone. What do you want?"
"Isn't it true that Your Highness asked knowingly? Li is puzzled by the explanation: Since he started serving as an official, Li's loyalty to the emperor and the country has been evident. After entering Beijing in Guanzhong, Li ignored personal honor and disgrace, tolerated every possible means, and retreated again and again.
.
But why do His Highness and the princes use their power to bully others, forcing them again and again, and now they want to get rid of Li and then hurry up?"
"Li Chengzhi, Li Chengzhi, you called me asking questions knowingly, isn't that what you said?"
Li Chengzhi frowned: "What's the explanation?"
"Don't be afraid of Haobao (name of Yuan Chen). Just listen to it. He just relayed it to Gao Sikong and confirmed it with him..."
Yuan Ying looked at Yuan Chen who wanted to cover his ears outside the door, and smiled softly, "The secret recipe of the thunder weapon must be fake, right? There should be something more convenient and powerful in your hand?" p>
Li Chengzhi did not argue with him: "Your Highness said it was a lie, then treat it as a lie!"
"The Xihai relics that appeared out of nowhere, like divine soldiers descending from the sky, must be the four thousand white-armored relics who were buried in a sea of fire under Jingzhou City and then faked their own death to escape, right?"
Li Chengzhi's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained as calm as ever: "I'd like to hear the details!"
"If I had noticed it earlier, I would have liked to talk to you about it. Unfortunately, my life is on the line and I have no time to rest. You know very well whether it is right or wrong."
Yuan Ying let out a long breath, "In the middle of last year, 30% of the 50,000 criminals who were escorted to Dunhuang by Xi Kangsheng from Zida Xi and Sima Zhang Jingzhi of Zhenbei General Mansion should have been transported to the West Sea by your father.
Alright?
By analogy, I can conclude that when you were in Guanzhong, you must have done such things..."
"You are good at surveying, and it is no big deal that you have found several iron mines in the west of Hexi. You are also good at smelting iron and forging armor. It is very difficult for ordinary people to make weapons and armor. But for you,
But it’s so easy..."
"During the time of the late Emperor, you lied about brewing fire wine and chose it in a remote place in Hexi. Then in this name, you went to Hedong and Guanzhong to buy grain. Although it was only one year, the grain shipped to Hexi was more than one million.
Stone?
Afterwards, millions of livestock were robbed and taken away by the Du Lun tribe. If nothing unexpected happens, they should all be driven to the West Sea for herding..."
"In this way, you have tens of thousands of people in the West Sea, more than ten battalions of soldiers, sufficient food and grass, and countless cattle and horses. You have inexhaustible swords, arrows, soldiers, and armor, and you have the power of thunder and weapons. You only need to rest and recuperate.
After a few years of rest, when the world is in chaos, we can march eastward and compete in the Central Plains..."
Yuanying's eyes were like needles, which made Li Chengzhi feel cold: "Li Guogong, is what Gu said right?"
"As the old saying goes, when a person is about to die, his words are good, but His Highness does the opposite? That is the case. Whatever His Highness says, then take it as he does!"
Li Chengzhi looked calm and calm, but his heart was like a stormy sea crashing on the shore.
What shocked him was not why Yuan Ying knew so clearly. Even the number of Baijia's former subordinates who cheated their lives and fled westward was 4,000, and the number of refugees smuggled to the West Sea was 15,000.
Just because these data were all reported to the court by Xi Kangsheng: for example, four thousand white-armored soldiers were burned to death, and fully 30% of the refugees died of illness due to acclimatization during the exile, etc.
It is not difficult to draw these conclusions as long as you suspect Li Chengzhi, compare the memorials related to him, and then spread your thinking.
What Li Chengzhi was surprised about was, based on what kind of incident, Yuan Ying suddenly realized that these people were not dead, and concluded that he had done something wrong?
It is impossible to say that Yuanying sent people to investigate the West Sea.
First, the war is over, and the court is still looking after itself. But Yuan Ying alone cannot afford to mobilize such a large amount of manpower and material resources, let alone conduct an investigation so quickly.
Second, Li Shao is the governor of Liangzhou and is in charge of the military affairs of the two states. It is even more impossible for spies to find their lair without noticing at all.
Furthermore, are Li Liang, Li Song and others just living for a living? Not to mention spies approaching the West Sea, as long as there is a new face in the county town, they will feel like they are facing a formidable enemy, and they want to kill their ancestors for eighteen generations.
Check it out.
How did Yuanying make such an accurate conclusion?