Troubled times bring out heroes, troubled times bring out talents, troubled times bring out careerists, troubled times bring out..., troubled times bring out anything but peace. Except for people with ulterior motives, no one in the world likes troubled times. The troubled times at the end of the Sui Dynasty have just passed.
In the year, people in the Tang Dynasty did not want the peace they had just longed for to disappear so easily. This alone determined that King Qi's rebellion would inevitably end in failure. Li Zhen knew this well. In Li Zhen's opinion,
Lao Wu's flag-raising and setting off firecrackers is just asking for death. There is no way it can really happen. No matter how loud the momentum is, it is in vain. Of course, Li Zhen, who is Lao Wu's unlucky one, doesn't take it to heart at all. But,
Whether he can get some benefits from Lao Wu's rebellion is something that Li Zhen is particularly concerned about. Without him, who made Li Zhen start late, and now his power in the court is almost negligible. If he doesn't take advantage of this, he will wait for God's gift.
If you fish in troubled waters when you have a good opportunity, that would be a shame for yourself, wouldn't it?
Say a thousand, say ten thousand, if you want to take advantage of Lao Wu's pulling the flag, you can't ignore it. After all, pie will not fall from the sky automatically. You have to rely on your own efforts to achieve such a level.
Perhaps, in this case, returning to the capital would become a difficulty that Li Zhen must face - when the old man sent Li Zhen to Qizhou, his intention was just to cause Li Zhen to stir up chaos, but he didn't have much to say.
However, the edict that ordered Li Zhen to take charge of the civil affairs of Qizhou was very particular. Its intention is self-evident, that is, to let Li Zhen stay in Qizhou. However, it has several profound meanings: one is to keep Li Zhen out of the matter.
, to prevent him from getting involved in the murky waters of the capital's heirloom. Although there is a meaning of protecting Li Zhen, it is more of a deep sense of caution; secondly, although Qizhou is close to the capital,
, there must be no chaos, but there is no need to send generals like Xue Wanche and ten thousand troops to station here. Isn't this an obvious purpose to monitor Li Zhen, a brave general in the army?
Prince Li Jiancheng's men were not the same as Li Zhen's two masters at all. With him in Qizhou, Li Zhen could not make any big noise no matter what.
You must go back to Beijing, otherwise it will be difficult to show your power if you miss this chaos. Besides, history has been distorted by Li Zhen. God knows what will happen after this chaos.
Whoever enters the East Palace, if Li Tai wins in the end, it will be much more difficult to overthrow him than Li Chengqian. If he doesn't go back and take part in the previous one, how can Li Zhen be relieved?
, Dao Ten Thousand, this trip to the capital is necessary no matter what, but the problem is that it is not that easy to leave. Even if Li Zhen is anxious at the moment, it is impossible to return to the capital without an imperial edict.
The thing - returning to Beijing privately without holy will is a capital offense, even if Li Zhen went back to Beijing under the pretext of recovering from illness.
It's hard to get back to the capital, but you have to get back. If you can't catch up step by step, then you won't be able to catch up step by step. What should you do? Can a living person be suffocated to death by urinating? No, he just "drank" the medicine prescribed by the imperial doctors.
, King Li Zhenke of Yue woke up. Of course, he was not all well. He was still limp and weak. According to the doctors, his pulse was unstable and his qi and blood were deficient. He had to rest for some time before he could recover.
As soon as this news came out, all forces in Qizhou City immediately swarmed in. The first to be killed was Xue Wanche, who was burdened with paperwork. It was a pity that Comrade Xue came with full of hopes, but had to leave in despair. There was no other way.
, Li Zhen was very weak at the moment. It was difficult to walk, let alone deal with government affairs. There was no choice. Comrade Xue had no choice but to say a few words and went back to attend to official duties without mentioning it. The other visitors saw Li Zhen's health.
No, they didn’t stay much longer and dispersed. However, the official road from Qizhou to the capital became lively. There were more messengers from various companies rushing to deliver news to the capital than there were vendors on the road.
.
In Prince Wei's Mansion, there were only two people sitting in the spacious study room. One was King Li Tai of Wei, and the other was Prince Sima Su Xu. There was not even a book boy accompanying them. The two of them sat opposite each other with calm expressions. He looked at the message in his hand, but said nothing for a long time. It was an eerie silence.
"Uncle, Xiaoba originally asked to return to Beijing to recuperate, and he asked me to help him speak. Is there anything fishy here?" After a long silence, Li Tai lost his temper and asked with a frown. road.
"Well, there is something fishy." Su Xu nodded calmly and said, "If I have guessed it right, His Highness the King of Yue does not intend to stay out of the matter this time and wants to return to Beijing to stir up trouble."
"Yes, this king also sees it this way. Hey, this Xiaoba is not a safe person at first glance. He doesn't even think about his identity. If he comes to the capital to stir up trouble, he will end up with a very serious end. However, this boy's force is too strong. He is strong and rich and can rival the country. Although it is impossible to cause trouble when he comes back, it may ruin my king's major affairs. According to my opinion, it is better to let him stay in Qizhou." Although Li Tai said in his mouth. He was belittling Li Zhen, but there was a strong sense of jealousy and a strong desire to accuse Li Zhen.
Su Xu smiled calmly, shook his head and said, "It's good that Your Highness understands this, but it's time for the King of Yue to return."
"Huh? Why did uncle say that?" Li Tai frowned and asked quickly.
Su Xu looked at Li Tai with some dissatisfaction for a while, and then said slowly: "Your Highness, don't forget that His Highness the King of Yue has a few good cards in his hand. If His Highness wants to bring down the Crown Prince, he has to fight with His Highness the King of Yue." Cooperation, in my opinion, since His Highness the King of Yue has asked His Highness to help with the proposal, he is planning to make a deal with His Highness."
"Deal?" Li Tai was stunned for a moment, then suddenly woke up and said: "So, Xiaoba is waiting for me to bid?"
"That's right!" Su Xu nodded and said: "His Royal Highness the King of Yue is also a thoughtful person. Although he never said it, he is probably very interested in entering the East Palace. He is consistent with His Highness on the matter of overthrowing the prince. Unfortunately, because of his concubine's appearance, I am afraid that even if His Highness the King of Yue tries to mess with his identity, it will be in vain. As long as His Highness makes the right mistake, His Highness definitely deserves the position in the East Palace. Just let His Highness the King of Yue go stir things up, and he won't be able to make a big fuss. !”
Li Tai thought for a while, suddenly slapped his thigh and said: "Ah, I understand. My uncle means to let Xiaoba come back and let him make trouble, but I don't participate. I just sit and wait. As long as the boss and the guy After being defeated in a fight, I will step in to take over again, but is this the case?"
Such a simple truth, but Li Tai had to think about it for a long time, which really gave Su Xu a headache, but he couldn't say anything to Li Tai, so he could only say with a wry smile: "That's why I thought that His Highness the King of Yue was in a hurry to return to the capital. , naturally he is aiming for the position of the East Palace, and let him toss with the prince. The prince only needs to play the drum, and everything will be revealed after the dust settles!"
"Okay, that being the case, I will go to my father's office to ask permission for Xiaoba to return to the capital to recuperate. Well, as for Xiaoba, I will ask my uncle to send someone to give him a message, saying that I will help you. He thinks it's done." Li Tai said with excitement, laughed loudly, got up, walked straight out of the study, and went back to the inner courtyard.
While Wei King Li Tai was discussing Li Zhen's return to Beijing, Wu King Li Ke was also discussing matters in the secret room of his palace. There were also only two participants. In addition to Li Ke himself, there was also counselor Ye Ling.
There has been a lot of bad news these days. First, the assassination attempt in Qizhou failed, and then Qizhou Lao Wu rashly started to commit suicide. A series of bad news made the originally elegant King of Wu Li Ke look haggard. Although he was well-dressed, his eyes were full of bloodshot eyes.
But his eyes revealed Li Ke's restless heart. After listening to the report from the envoy from Qizhou on Li Zhen's behavior after waking up, he waved the messenger away and looked at the meticulous person sitting on the chair with a grimace.
Ye Ling said: "Songcheng, Xiaoba seems to be unable to bear it any longer. Alas, I am in a state of confusion at this moment. How should I deal with the current situation? Please give me your advice."
Ye Ling calmly nodded his head and said: "I am appreciated by His Highness, and it is my duty to share His Highness's worries. Now the situation has changed drastically. Both the King of Qi and the King of Shu are no longer reliable. Not only are they unreliable, Your Highness must also
All connections with these two people must be eliminated, and those who deserve to be destroyed must not be merciful. Only in this way can we preserve a glimmer of hope for His Highness to make a comeback."
Li Ke has always been hesitant about cutting off contact with Lao Wu and Lao Liu. This is not because he is soft-hearted, but because Li Ke still has a trace of ambition and wants to continue the "Tianwu" operation. At this time, he saw Ye Ling saying this
Shen Sheng, hesitant for a moment, nodded noncommittally and said: "I have my own discretion in this matter. Well, since Xiaoba has 'awakened', I thought this was a signal. Could he be thinking about returning to Beijing?"
Stirring up trouble?" Is Li Zhen injured? As the mastermind of the assassination, Li Ke still knows something about it. He can naturally guess that Li Zhen is just acting. As for Li Zhen's idea of returning to Beijing, Li Ke
He was also vaguely aware of it, but he had not yet made up his mind whether he should intervene or not. After all, it involved too much, so he had to ask Ye Ling for advice.
Seeing Li Ke looking around and talking about other things, even though Ye Ling had always been calm in dealing with things, he was a little anxious at this time, but he couldn't accuse Li Ke of being emotional in person, so he had to be patient and said: "Your Highness, this matter is of great concern.
His Highness's important matters must not be taken carelessly. If one's predictions are correct, His Highness the King of Yue's return to the capital is inevitable. Well, I'm afraid that His Highness the King of Yue and the King of Wei have already reached an agreement. His Highness the King of Yue's return to the capital will inevitably stir up trouble.
There is a very deep meaning in this. Not only the East Palace, but also His Highness is one of the targets of His Highness the King of Yue."
"Huh? How do you say this?" Li Ke was stunned when he heard it. Without him, Li Ke would not be surprised that Li Zhen wanted to deal with the prince. Without him, the prince was the common target of everyone, but
When it was mentioned that Li Zhen was going to deal with him, Li Ke didn't really believe it.
Ye Ling looked solemn and said: "Your Highness clearly knows that the King of Yue is indeed a great talent. In terms of both civil and military affairs, no one among the princes can surpass him. Even in the whole country, there are not many who can compare with him. He should be
Unfortunately, there are three factors that determine the possibility of the King of Yue ascending the throne this time. First, His Highness the King of Yue is a concubine. This status is a big obstacle; secondly, His Highness the King of Yue is a commoner.
It was too late to start, and there was no one in the court. Just imagine, if Your Majesty wanted to appoint a prince, how could he appoint someone who was opposed by all the ministers? Thirdly, His Royal Highness the King of Yue was so outstanding that the Holy Emperor would inevitably be wary of him, otherwise he would
His Highness the King of Yue will not be sent to Qizhou at such a time. Therefore, I think that there is no possibility that His Highness the King of Yue will enter the East Palace this time. What do you think?"
Ye Ling's words were too straightforward, and he also said something about establishing a concubine instead of a concubine, which deeply hurt Li Ke's heart. After all, he was also a concubine. He was just angry, but Li Ke would not let it go.
As a confidant, he thought for a while and said: "What you said is very true, and I deeply believe it."
"That's right!" Ye Ling nodded and said: "I can see this, but with the talent of the King of Yue, how can I not see these three points, so I think that His Highness the King of Yue's return to Beijing this time is not actually for the position of the East Palace.
Go, it's just Xiang Gong dancing his sword with the intention of Pei Gong. I figured that His Highness the King of Yue must be planning to interfere in the court situation! And who is the weakest in the court situation at present? It's His Highness, how can His Highness the King of Yue not take it?
What did Your Highness do? Furthermore, Your Majesty has always been close to King Qi and King Shu. Now King Shu is on the verge of collapse. King Qi is completely doomed right in front of you. If Your Highness does not try to protect himself, a disaster is imminent, let alone
The King of Yue is watching from below. His Highness is unable to pass the test. What should we do? Your Highness has already made a decision. You must not hesitate any longer."
"This..." Li Ke was stunned. It's not that he hadn't thought about these issues, but after so many years of hard work, he was really reluctant to give up for a while. After pondering for a while with an ugly face, he asked hesitantly.
: "How should we deal with 'Tianwu'?"
"Stop." Ye Ling said unceremoniously: "Erase everything that has been exposed, and stop everything that is still in the dark. Wait for the opportunity. We can slowly recruit more people and rebuild our strength. As long as His Highness does not fall.
, everything can start again.”
"Forget it, just do what Mr. said!" Li Ke was silent for a long time, sighed, stretched out his hand to wipe the sweat rolling off his head, gritted his teeth and said, "What should I do with Xiao Ba?"
"One word 'retreat'!" Ye Ling said sternly: "His Royal Highness the King of Yue is not a person who does not know how to advance or retreat. As long as His Highness gives His Highness the face of the King of Yue, he will never kill them all. As long as His Highness the King of Yue gets his way, then he will
It’s time to go back and look for trouble with King Wei. Of course, that will only happen after the crown prince falls. Once the King of Yue and King Wei start fighting, His Highness’s chance will come!”
"Okay! It's settled then!" King Wu Li Ke clenched his fist vigorously and gritted his teeth and said: "This is the king's order: withdraw the troops!"
After learning that Li Zhen had woken up, Prince Li Chengqian panicked, thundered in the East Palace, smashed several pieces of porcelain, and severely punished the eunuchs and maids around him who didn't like it.
Then someone was sent to call Xiao Jun into the Xiande Hall, and he jumped on his feet and said: "Trash, they are all trash! Damn bitch, you can't handle even a small thing. It's better this time. No one is killed."
Instead, it fell into the hands of others. Now that bitch has woken up, what should I do if he really wants to take a copy of this palace?"
Xiao Jun naturally knew why Li Chengqian was so angry. It was just because He Qian Chengji knew a lot of secrets. Li Chengqian was afraid that Li Zhen would bring the matter to Li Shimin and ruin the major event that he had planned for a long time, but he didn't
He was very satisfied and calm. He waited until Li Chengqian had done enough and then respectfully replied: "Your Highness, don't panic. His Highness the King of Yue has never been injured, so how can he wake up? If he wanted to go there, he would have done it by now."
, I thought that His Highness the King of Yue would never go to court over this matter, but he might just return to the capital in the name of recovering from his injuries."
"If you don't pay the bills? Then what's the use of keeping people? Are they just for fun?" Li Chengqian didn't believe Xiao Jun's judgment and asked angrily.
"Your Highness, please calm down. I think His Highness the King of Yue is planning to sell it at a high price. I'm afraid he just wants to get some benefits from His Highness. All we have to do is prevent him from handing over to the King of Wei. Everything can be discussed easily." Xiao Junbu.
He said calmly.
"Is it that simple?" Li Chengqian couldn't believe Xiao Jun's judgment and asked with a sneer.
"Yes." Xiao Jun said with certainty: "Your Highness clearly knows that His Highness the King of Yue is not a good person, and it is not that he does not want to bring down His Highness, but he does not dare to do so. The reason is very simple. At this time, His Highness is brought down.
It can only be an advantage to the King of Wei, and His Highness the King of Yue is so talented that he will not fail to see this. If not, it would be difficult for His Highness the King of Yue to deal with the arsenal case, instead of silently helping His Highness to cover up."
"Huh?" Li Chengqian was stunned for a moment, and after thinking for a long time, he finally understood what Xiao Jun said, but he still felt uneasy in his heart. He paced back and forth in the hall, frowned and said, "That being said,
, but asking me to give him benefits wouldn’t encourage his arrogance. Besides, that idiot He Gan Chengji knows too much, and keeping him here would be a disaster, so it’s better to get rid of him.”
The dead will not reveal secrets. How could Xiao Jun not know this? Xiao Jun, who is ruthless in politics, can also understand it. However, the words of silence coming out of Li Chengqian's mouth inevitably made Xiao Jun feel a little chilled, but he did not dare.
He said no, and had to ponder for a while before speaking: "If Your Highness wants to get rid of this person, you can only do it when the King of Yue is on his way back to Beijing."
"Go back to Beijing? Who told him to go back to Beijing? No, we must not let that bitch come back to Beijing at this time!" Li Chengqian jumped up when he heard that Li Zhen was asked to return to Beijing.
"Your Highness, the King of Yue must have asked to return to Beijing to recuperate. I thought that His Majesty would definitely agree..." Before Xiao Jun could finish his words, Li Chengqian immediately interrupted: "No, I will never let that bastard come to Beijing.
, what if it really breaks something big? I will go to my father right away."
"Your Highness, wait a minute. If this matter comes before the Holy Lord, what will Your Highness say? If the news accidentally leaks out, it will be very serious. Furthermore, even if His Highness the King of Yue returns to Beijing, it will definitely not ruin the event. On the contrary, it can be used cleverly.
"As soon as Xiao Jun saw Li Chengqian yelling in a hurry, he was about to run out, so he hurriedly tried to stop him.
"Oh? How do you use it? Let's talk to me about it?" As soon as he heard that Li Zhen could be used, Li Chengqian stopped immediately and asked expectantly.
Xiao Jun leaned close to Li Chengqian's ear and whispered: "Your Highness, the King of Yue is wild at heart. Why don't Your Highness just let him be wild enough? Otherwise... can it be done?"
"Oh? Hahaha..." The more Li Chengqian listened, the more excited he became. At the end, he couldn't help laughing and said: "Okay, as the teacher said, I really want to see how wild Xiaoba can be!