"Zhongxiang, which father-in-law came to deliver the order this time, and what did he say?"
Li Jingye has always been an extremely arrogant person. Although his abilities are actually mediocre, he has no self-awareness. After relying on his famous family, he has no one left in his eyes, not to mention Wang Fangyi, the brother of the deposed queen, Empress Wu and the prince, Li Li Jingye didn't care much about it. As for the imperial envoy who was feared by others, in Li Jingye's eyes, he was just an errand boy. He didn't take it to heart at all. Others were always careful when receiving orders, lest something go wrong. On the other hand, he was very casual in asking questions about the imperial envoy's conduct and other obviously treacherous remarks, without the slightest trace of scruple.
"It's Eunuch Chen who's here. The general doesn't know it. As for the message, it's for the governor. I really don't dare to inquire privately. I ask the governor for his forgiveness."
Although he knew that Li Jingye's question was very inappropriate, Wang Fangyi still maintained his usual cautious style and did not point out Li Jingye's fault, but explained it sincerely.
"That's all, since you're already here, let's just go and have a look."
Li Jingye just asked casually. He didn't really expect Wang Fangyi to have any insights, and he didn't care much about what Wang Fangyi said. He waved his hand indifferently and walked towards the Chinese military tent.
"Huh? Where is the imperial envoy? Zhongxiang, what are you doing!"
Arrogant people are often careless, and Li Jingye was no exception. He didn't notice that the guards outside the Chinese army's tent were not only more old and young than usual, but they were not the Chinese soldiers he was familiar with. He opened the door curtain of the Chinese Army tent so arrogantly and walked in without warning. But as soon as he entered the tent, people couldn't help but were stunned, not for anything else, just because of the huge crowd in the Chinese Army tent. Not even a person.
"Papa"
Facing Li Jingye's questioning, Wang Fangyi did not speak, but smiled faintly, clapped his hands twice, and soon saw someone walking out of the back tent.
"Well, is it you?"
When he saw that the person coming was Lin Chengbin, the deputy governor of Hexi, Li Jingye's pupils couldn't help but shrink. Although his expression remained unchanged, his heart suddenly sank to the bottom, not for any other reason, but because he had vaguely guessed Lin Chengbin. What is the purpose of appearing here? Although Li Jingye is a hereditary British Duke, he actually has no military exploits at all. The reason why he was promoted to the important position of Governor of Longzhou was because of Gaozong's promotion. Naturally, he came here with a special mission, in order to block the possibility of the Hexi Army advancing eastward. Now, Lin Chengbin, who was supposed to stay in Lanzhou, has actually sneaked into the Longzhou Military Camp. The strange thing is Obviously they are not that easy to get along with. How could Li Jingye not be extremely worried when he thought about this.
"Captain Li, are you alright?"
Compared with Li Jingye's nervousness, Lin Chengbin was calm and calm. He cupped his hands with a smile on his face and said hello casually.
"Ah ha, it turns out that General Lin has arrived. Okay, I haven't seen you for a long time. I have to have a few drinks today. General Lin, please wait a moment. I will arrange a banquet right away. If you don't get drunk, you won't come home!"
Although Li Jingye was arrogant, he was not a fool after all. Although he had not yet learned Lin Chengbin's actual intention, he knew that his current situation might not be good, so he did not want to stay in this dangerous place any longer, so he suppressed the pain in his heart. Frightened, he laughed in a cheerful manner, and after giving an explanation, he turned around and planned to exit the Chinese army's tent first.
"hehe……"
Lin Chengbin had no intention of stopping Li Jingye. He just smiled indifferently and stood there calmly. However, he did not move, but Wang Fangyi moved. With just one movement of his body, he blocked Li Jingye's way.
"Huh? Zhongxiang, what do you mean?"
When he saw Wang Fangyi blocking his way, Li Jingye could no longer maintain his forced smile, his face darkened, and he asked in an extremely displeased tone.
"Please, the Grand Governor, accept the imperial edict first and then take care of the rest."
In the past, Wang Fangyi never argued with Li Jingye. No matter what Li Jingye said, he always obeyed and seemed to always follow Li Jingye's lead. But today, Wang Fangyi did not give Li Jingye any face. Although he said it politely, there was something deep inside.
But full of uncompromising persistence.
"snort!"
Although Li Jingye has always prided himself on his martial arts skills, he is not sure at all that he can defeat Lin and Wang together, not to mention that since they have set up an ambush, they will not be alone.
At this point, Li Jingye really didn't dare to risk his own life. In desperation, he could only snort coldly and turned back again, glaring at Lin Chengbin with a face like the bottom of a pot.
"Longzhou Governor Li Jingye accepted the order!"
Lin Chengbin didn't pay attention to Li Jingye's anger at all. With a shake of his hand, he took out a yellow silk-covered imperial edict from his wide sleeve robe, held it in both hands, raised it high above his head, and drank with a solemn expression.
"The general will listen carefully to the edict."
As soon as he saw Lin Chengbin acting like this, Li Jingye's expression immediately changed. He didn't believe that what Lin Chengbin was holding was the real imperial edict. It was for no other reason than that Li Jingye came to Longzhou to take office as the governor.
The purpose of the secret edict was to curb the power of the Hexi Army. It was obvious that Gaozong was extremely worried about the Hexi Army. How could he let Lin Chengbin come to deliver the edict? Besides, it was up to the local officials to announce the edict.
It is not in line with the court system. After all, Li Jingye is from a well-known family, and he still has such political common sense. He didn't want to accept this so-called imperial edict, but on second thought, it would be better to deal with it first and find an opportunity to think of counterattack strategies.
In view of this, after Li Jingye pondered for a while, he knelt down on the ground and assumed a posture of listening to the holy teachings respectfully.
"The Holy Emperor has an edict: Check it out: Li Jingye, the governor of Longzhou, was greatly favored by the country, but he did not want to make progress. During his tenure, he repeatedly violated the imperial code and stole the people's fat and anointed people, which made heaven angry and people resentful. Remembering that his ancestors had made great contributions to the country, he should be spared.
It is a capital offense and will result in immediate dismissal from office and will never be used again. Thank you for this!"
Although Li Jingye's thoughts were well concealed, he could not hide them from Lin Chengbin's observation. However, Lin Chengbin did not reveal it. Instead, he unhurriedly spread out the imperial edict in his hand and declared it melodiously.
"It's a disorderly life! Lin Chengbin, how dare you issue an imperial edict? I want to come to you!"
When he heard that he was going to be dismissed from his post, Li Jingye could no longer hold his temper. His previous thoughts of making excuses and making excuses later had long been forgotten by him. He jumped up regardless, with a livid face, pointing at Lin Chengbin and scolding him.
Got up.
"Captain Li, don't be anxious. Don't speak loudly if you have reason. I have an imperial edict here. Governor Li might as well listen to it before he gets angry."
Facing Li Jingye, who was roaring like a mad dog, Lin Chengbin did not get angry, nor did he order his warriors to enter the tent to take away the man. Instead, he calmly took out another yellow silk-covered imperial edict from his wide sleeves.
, said something unhurriedly.
"you……"
Although Li Jingye was an arrogant person by nature, he was not a fool after all. Faced with the situation where he was a slave and I was a fish, he was furious, but he did not dare to be too presumptuous. After his face changed for a while, he could only
He knelt down helplessly on the ground.
"The Holy Emperor has an edict: Li Jingye, the governor of Longzhou, has performed his duties faithfully and set an example for his ministers. He will be rewarded with the title of Minister of the Ministry of Rites, a hundred taels of gold, and a hundred thousand coins. He will be transferred to the governor of the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers. I admire this!"
Lin Chengbin glanced at Li Jingye calmly, stretched out his hand and spread out the second imperial edict, and declared it in a calm tone.
"Ah, this..."
Upon hearing this imperial edict that was completely opposite to the previous edict, Li Jingye was immediately dumbfounded. He suddenly raised his head and looked at Lin Chengbin with confusion, not knowing what kind of drama this was.
"Captain Li, there are two purposes. Governor Li can choose which one he wants."
Lin Chengbin did not rush to explain, but held a copy of the imperial edict in each hand and spoke with a smile.
"Gudu..."
In the land of China, official positions have always been paramount. Anyone who is a little ambitious does not want to be an official. Li Jingye is no exception. If he really wants to choose, he will naturally be eager to get the second decree into his arms. The problem is this
The origin of the imperial edict is unknown, and it is very likely to be a forgery. If you really want to accept it, you will be an accomplice. If the prince's side loses, Li Jingye and his whole family will have to suffer. But if he doesn't accept it,
Well, let alone the first decree, he is afraid that he will not even think about leaving the Chinese army's tent. This kind of choice is obviously not so easy to make. Poor Li Jingye was a bold and reckless person in the past.
But now I have no idea at all, all I can do is swallow my saliva.
"Is Governor Li worried that the Queen of Heaven will be found guilty? Hey, to be honest with the Governor, she is already in trouble, and she is not in the mood to cause trouble for others at this moment!"
Although Lin Chengbin has the image of a humble gentleman, he is actually a very proud person in his heart. He has always looked down upon dandies like Li Jingye who have no great abilities. If it were not for the sake of not alarming the ambitious people in Luoyang too early, Lin Chengbin would not bother to talk to Li Jingye.
What a shame. At this moment, when I saw that he was in such a state of confusion, I felt a little more disgusted from the bottom of my heart. However, I didn't bring it to my face. Instead, I explained it very gently.
"Ah, how do you say this?"
Although Li Jingye had a wide network of contacts in the court, he had been away from the court for a long time and was not very clear about the subtle situation in the court. When he heard what Lin Chengbin said, his eyes suddenly widened and he hurriedly asked.
.
"To be honest, Governor Li, our Hexi army has now crossed the Yellow River and is on its way to the city. In addition, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has sent an urgent report that Your Majesty has passed away, and the Queen of Heaven has colluded with the King of Yue and other traitorous ministers to keep the mourning secret.
Those who intend to rebel should be punished. I have been secretly ordered by His Highness the Crown Prince to quell the rebellion. It is up to you to decide where Governor Li will go!"
The situation was already under control, so Lin Chengbin had no need to conceal anything and spoke out the confidential matters with a solemn expression without reservation.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the master of the Ming Dynasty. Carrying on the late emperor's legacy is the general trend and the people's will. How dare I lag behind others? I should risk my life to support him!"
As soon as he heard that the Hexi Army had crossed the Yellow River, Li Jingye's face immediately turned pale, for no other reason than that he had no confidence in fighting the world-famous Hexi Army, let alone the three men in Longzhou City.
Two-thirds of the troops are controlled by the generals of the Prince's family, which Li Jingye can't mobilize at all. At this time, if he doesn't know what to do, the end that awaits him will definitely not be as good as it is now.
If he died without a place to be buried, he might as well put all his wealth and life on the prince's side and make a huge gamble. When he thought of this, Li Jingye no longer hesitated and made his promise impassionedly.
"Okay, if Governor Li has such a heart, he will definitely be a pillar of the country in the future. Without further delay, I would like to ask the Governor to order the entire Longzhou army to conduct military exercises and cooperate with our Hexi Army to rush to Luoyang City!"
With the cooperation of Li Jingye, the governor of Longzhou, there would be no obstacles for the Hexi Army to reach Chang'an. Lin Chengbin had no reason not to be excited about it, but he didn't show it to his face, but gave the order with a solemn expression.
"promise!"
Having decided to serve the crown prince, Li Jingye didn't have any ambiguity at all. Even though Lin Chengbin's title was half a level lower than him, Li Jingye didn't show any resistance at all and responded simply and neatly...