On November 3rd, the 23rd year of Emperor Yong’s reign (the first year of Zhihua in Southern Chu), the Holy Emperor issued an edict to extend special favor to King Qi. Everyone knew that this was intended by King Yong——
"Yong Shi·The Chronicles of Taizong"
After leaving the Cuiluan Palace, Concubine Ji took a deep breath and expressed her depression. Liang Wan was the beloved disciple of the sect leader Fan Huiyao and an important chess piece of the Fengyi Sect. She had made outstanding achievements in Jiangnan and was married to the prince Li Ancheng.
The agreement was unexpectedly destroyed in Jiangnan this time. How could it not be heartbreaking? The sect owner sent a secret message, asking him to find out all the details of Liang Wan's madness. He knew that the sect owner suspected that King Yong had tampered with it. After all,
King Yong was already dissatisfied with Liang Wan, otherwise he would not have sent people to establish another intelligence network. However, he did not get any useful information from Princess Changle, who was the only one who had personally experienced that incident.
Concubine Ji sneered slightly, besides King Yong, who else could it be? If she were from Southern Chu, she would definitely not let Princess Changle go. Unless she was a subordinate of King Yong, she would treat Princess Changle like this, but there is no evidence.
, I can't accuse King Yong Li Zhi without any reason. Thinking of the emperor's reward, Concubine Ji's heart was as cold as ice. At today's celebration, Li Yuan announced that because King Yong had outstanding military exploits over the years, he had successively destroyed Shu and Chu in recent years.
, his achievements were unparalleled, and the existing official positions could not recognize his merits, so he issued an edict to make King Yong the Marshal of Tiance, leading the Great Situ, and ranking him above the other princes. He was rewarded with food for 20,000 households in the city, and was given a set of crowns and gold coins.
A sedan chair, a pair of jade, six thousand kilograms of gold, nine tribes of music preached before and after, and a squad of forty swordsmen. What an honor it is. Even the prince's honor guard is only slightly better.
What made Concubine Ji even more dismayed was that the emperor issued an edict to allow Tiance Commander-in-Chief to appoint his own officials. According to the information reported by Li Zhi, the plan had a long history, with one commander each, two lieutenants, and two military advisors and wine ministers.
There are four people to register, two people to keep records, two people to record things, two people to record office and military affairs, two people each for merit, warehouse, soldiers, cavalry, armor, six officials, two people for Cao and six people for military affairs, and six people for military affairs. In this way, Li Zhi
The Tiance Commander's Mansion has become a small court with all the internal organs. Will the emperor change his mind and make Li Zhi the crown prince? After thinking for a long time, Concubine Ji shook her head. Although King Yong had great achievements, the prince had no obvious fault.
Virtue, and according to her understanding of the emperor, I am afraid that tonight the emperor will regret that the reward given to King Yong is too generous. It is estimated that in a few days, the emperor will try every means to reduce the power of King Yong. Since ancient times, great achievements have shaken the master.
, some of them will end well. Thinking of this, Concubine Ji showed a proud smile.
At this time, a eunuch in scarlet clothes hurried over and reported: "Your Majesty, the emperor has sent a decree that he will rest at your place tonight. Please return to the palace quickly. I estimate that the emperor will arrive in less than half an hour."
." Concubine Ji was overjoyed. She knew very well that although she had good looks, she did not stand out in front of the emperor when it came to affection and favor. What's more, she had always shown little favor and rarely received it.
I love pets, but in contrast, my status as the contact person between Fengyi Sect and the emperor is more prominent, so the emperor often involves me in state affairs. Tonight, the emperor is staying at my place. It seems that he wants to discuss the affairs of King Yong.
Well, it seems that my idea is right. Your Majesty is already very afraid of King Yong. Thinking of this, Concubine Ji's pretty face showed a smile blooming like a spring flower.
Some people were happy and some were worried, and it was the same after the grand celebration banquet. In the splendid Prince's Mansion, Li An angrily swept all the documents on the desk to the ground and shouted wildly: "Li Zhi, I will not kill you unless I kill you. I swear I will not be a human being."
"After shouting, he fell down on the chair and looked at the study door fiercely, as if King Yong was about to come out from there. After a long time, he said tiredly: "Come here, please invite the young master to see me."
After a moment, a plain-looking black-bearded scribe walked in. He was wearing the official uniform of the prince's young master. When he saw the prince, he did not bow to him. He sat on a chair to the left of the prince and said with a smile: "Why is your highness so angry?
"
Li An said angrily: "Li Zhi is now Marshal Tiance. The old man almost gave me the position of prince to him. How can I not be angry?"
The scribe smiled and said: "Your Highness is overly concerned. Your Majesty loves and protects Your Highness very much. If he wanted to make King Yong his crown prince, he would have done so long ago. Why wait until today?"
Li An said dejectedly: "Young Master doesn't know that his mother was the first wife of my father's emperor. Although I was the eldest son, I was a concubine. Later, his mother's life was short-lived and she died early. My mother later became the main wife, and my father
After the emperor became emperor, he posthumously conferred the title of Empress Xiaoxian on his mother, so in terms of legitimate concubines, I am inferior to him. It was only because I took the title of the eldest son and my mother was the current empress that I was made the crown prince. Now,
, Now, I really don’t know what to do. If my father changes his mind, I really have nothing to do.”
The scribe's eyes flashed and he said: "Your Highness is a fan of the authorities, but I think that the crown prince's position seems to be in danger on the surface, but in fact it is as stable as a rock. Your Highness thinks that the emperor loves King Yong, but I think that the emperor is jealous of King Yong. Think about it, King Yong
Over the years of fighting in the south and the north, he has conquered most of the world of Dayong. The emperor will inevitably feel that he has been favored by his son. Now that King Yong has made great achievements, he cannot be rewarded. If the emperor appoints him as the crown prince, this is a logical thing, but
The emperor would rather give a special reward than change the crown prince's throne. This is clearly partiality for the prince. I thought that the emperor did not love His Highness, but that His Highness's accession to the throne symbolized the Emperor's supreme authority, so the Emperor refused to change his decision no matter what.
, as long as His Highness shows filial piety to the Emperor and Queen, respects the concubines, respects King Yong, and respects brothers and sisters, the Emperor will never change the crown prince, not to mention the Fengyi Sect. His Highness will not think that Liang Wan's defection is a sign.
Because of her own decision. After some time, the emperor will think about what he will do if the prince cannot convince King Yong a hundred years later. He will find ways to suppress King Yong. As long as His Highness takes the throne, there will be peace outside.
Assistant Wang, with the help of Fengyi Sect, it is only a piece of cake to kill King Yong."
Li An listened for a long time, and finally smiled and said: "Young Master, thank you for enlightening the lonely king. In your opinion, what should we do now?"
The scribe chuckled and said: "If you do more, you will make more mistakes, and if you do less, you will make fewer mistakes. Your Highness might as well join the light and dust. But as for King Qi, Your Highness needs to win over you. King Qi was defeated a few days ago, and Your Highness gave King Qi a lot of looks. This
This is so inappropriate. Without the help of King Qi, Your Highness will not have a general to support you in the future."
Li An stood up, bowed deeply and said: "I would like to be taught." With an ambiguous look on his face, he said: "Sixth brother likes beautiful women. I recently selected two stunning women. I originally wanted to give them to my father.
Just choose one to give to him first."
The scribe also had an ambiguous smile on his face, but he immediately changed his face. Li An glanced at him and said with a smile: "Young master, why are you pretending to be serious here? I can't give you that stunning beauty, but I still want to see you."
There are several beauties, how about giving you two."
The scribe lowered his eyelids and said, "Then thank you for the reward, Your Highness."
Li An laughed, and the laughter spread out of the study, far, far away.
Li Zhi, who returned to the mansion drunk, took some hangover medicine, took a hurried bath with cold water, and then came to the meeting hall feeling refreshed. There were already some people sitting in the hall, none other than Shi Yu and Shi Ziyou.
Guan Xiu, Dong Zhi, and Gou Lian, the generals all returned drunk today. Li Zhi did not let them come over. Seeing that they were discussing in low voices, Li Zhi ordered Sima Xiong to go outside and be on guard. He walked in and said with a smile.
: "I have kept several gentlemen waiting for a long time, and I am late."
Several counselors stood up and saluted, then sat down. Li Zhi looked at Shi Yu and asked, "You have met Jiang Zhe. What do you think?"
Shi Yu smiled bitterly and said: "When Jiang Zhe arrived at the palace, he was calm and composed, as if it was his own home. His subordinates arranged the best courtyard for him, but he just smiled faintly. After moving in, he did not care about the maids and servants arranged by His Highness.
Any objections, if I hadn’t known that this person has always refused to submit to Your Highness, I would have thought that he had already pledged allegiance to Your Highness. I don’t think he would refuse if Your Highness arranged an official position for him. I think he seems to like a comfortable life very much.
, at least I won’t fight with death.”
Li Zhi smiled bitterly and said: "I also know this. If this is not the case, I am afraid that I still have some ways. If he wants to die, in full name, as long as I treat him well and take care of him carefully, there will be someone who can make him change his mind."
Yes, but he is so happy-go-lucky. Even if I gave him an official position, I am afraid that he will also be able to live without food, write poems, and talk about music, chess, calligraphy and painting every day. This is what the king really needs, but he is stingy in giving it. Now,
I wish I could transform into the Prince of De, Zhao Jue. Although Zhao Jue was unfortunate, he once treated him heartily. Alas, what I am most worried about is King Qi. Although King Qi is reckless, he is not without scheming. He said to Gu:
Wait for Jiang Zhe to teach you the etiquette."
Guan Xiu and others looked at each other and smiled, and said: "Your Highness is overly worried. If this person is so easily moved by King Qi, we don't have to worry so much."
Li Zhi thought about it again and felt that he had been a little too worried. He was about to say something sarcastic when he saw Shi Yu was thoughtful and said worriedly: "Zi You, do you think it is possible for King Qi to recruit Jiang Suiyun?
"
Shi Yu came back to his senses and said with a smile: "Your Highness, King Qi's idea is not bad, but it is a bit flattering, but we can learn from it. The prince is smart and enlightened. Although he is only five years old, he is already proficient in writing. If the prince is allowed to
If you worship him as your disciple, then he will become His Highness's assistant. I think he would rather miss out on seeing a talented person."
Li Zhi was overjoyed and said: "Zi You is really a good plan. Okay, tomorrow we will hold a banquet to wash away the dust, and let the prince come out to become a disciple. You must act quickly. In order to hide his affairs from others, I have already reported his matter to my father. My father wants to summon him."
After Emperor Father summons him, we can no longer place him under house arrest."
Although he may not be able to achieve his goal, he finally has a way. Li Zhi suddenly felt relaxed and said with a smile: "By the way, Ziyou, what did you say about the robbery of Princess Changle? I sent someone to investigate, but the time
It’s too short and I can’t find any clues. I sent people to investigate the place where they were attacked. Some of them seemed to be the work of a small army, but who rushed to kidnap the princess at that time? Moreover, what I don’t understand is,
Why did the spies who returned commit suicide? The princess was safe and sound. In any case, their merits outweighed their faults. Even if they commit suicide out of fear of crime, they should explain to me in detail what happened?"
They had already discussed these matters many times. Li Zhi said at this moment that he just wanted to see Shi Yu's opinion. Shi Yu replied: "My subordinates have also thought about this issue. The only conclusion is that, first of all, they are not targeting the princess."
Yes, their target was Liang Wan, otherwise only Liang Wan would have been harmed, and those spies committed suicide. The subordinates felt that it was not because of fear of crime, but probably an agreement. They met the hijackers, and they may also know a lot of things.
, but the fact that they were able to bring the princess back safely not only showed that they had no ill intentions towards the princess, but also showed that they were sure that they would not reveal their secrets. The princess never knew anything, so these spies must have made a commitment to commit suicide.
"
Li Zhi said: "Even so, to put it bluntly, although these spies are my Dayong warriors and should be loyal and trustworthy, they have returned to me. Telling me the truth should be better than keeping a promise, right?"
Shi Yu sighed: "This is the most terrifying thing, unless they think that committing suicide is more beneficial to His Highness than telling His Highness the truth."
Li Zhi looked stern and said, "You mean those people are powerful enough to threaten me."
Shi Yu nodded and said: "Yes, I heard from Yongquan that after inspecting the bodies of the spies, His Highness found that although they had received some punishment, it was basically not serious. In other words, the other party was not a person who inflicted punishment indiscriminately, but
From Liang Wan's point of view, all her memories were destroyed. This method was very secretive. In other words, the other party's methods were vicious and cruel. I think the pressure on the secret agents must have been great, and in the end it even exceeded the limit of what they could endure.
, so that they can abide by their promise and commit suicide."
Li Zhi said distressedly: "I didn't expect these people to be active secretly. Ziyou, what do you think these people are from?"
Shi Yu replied: "I think the only thing I can guess is that those people are not hostile to me, Dayong, otherwise Her Highness the Princess will not return safely. However, those people are targeting Liang Wan. I think that if it weren't for He Feng
It is related to Yimen and what Liang Wan himself did in Nanchu. Your Highness might as well start from these two aspects."
Li Zhi nodded repeatedly and said: "Ziyou is my king's heart and courage. Without Ziyou, I would not have the fighting spirit."
Shi Yu smiled and said: "Jiang Zhe is His Highness's two wings. If Your Highness has this person, he will be even more powerful."
Everyone looked at each other and smiled.
In this sleepless night, I did not rest. I stood in front of the window and looked at the beautiful scenery of the garden after the snow. Xiao Shunzi came over and complained: "Sir, you are just feeling better, and you are still blowing here."
You know how to take care of your body, it's very cold here, I've asked them to prepare a hand stove." After saying that, he stuffed a hand stove into my arms and put the fox fur cloak on my shoulders.
I smiled and said, "Don't worry, my body is not that weak. How about, have you seen the defense of Prince Yong's Mansion?"
Xiao Shunzi smiled and said: "They are monitoring them very closely. I just took a casual look. It's okay if I am alone. If I take the young master with me, I may not be able to escape."
I waved my hand and said: "It doesn't matter, I have no intention of asking you to rescue me. No matter what, I can always save my life. I just don't want to sacrifice my life for others. Those people are killing each other, but there will always be someone who can dominate the world, no matter it is
It doesn’t matter to anyone, not to mention that King Yong has a good chance of winning. Xiao Shunzi, look, it’s snowing again.”
Xiao Shunzi followed my gaze and looked out the window. The falling auspicious snow fell silently, and the cold wind blew against my face. He couldn't help but smile and said: "It snows occasionally in Nanchu, so I want to enjoy the snow and drink. Now here
The snow is so good, the young master is in a good mood again."
I nodded and said, "Yes, you go ask them for some good charcoal and some good wine tomorrow. I think the snow will not stop tomorrow. I want to drink wine and compose poetry?"
Xiao Shunzi said: "I can only warm the wine for you. I don't understand those poems."
I sighed: "Yes, you, the only thing that makes me dissatisfied is that you can't accompany me to write poems and essays. But without you, I will inevitably lose interest in drinking. Good friends, good wine, and flying snow are indispensable."
Ah, what a pity, if the fragrance is still there, alas."
Xiao Shunzi comforted him and said: "Master, the deceased is gone, don't be sad."
I looked at the flying snow outside the window and was speechless.
The next day, it was snowing continuously, and Li Zhi got the news. Li Yuan issued an order. Because the King of Qi attacked Nanchu twice, fought hard and fought hard, and caused Prince Nanchu De to be seriously injured and died, he was worshiped as the Great Sikong and granted the title of "Da Sikong".
A set of gong mian, gold chariot sedan, double jade, two thousand catties of gold, two groups of drummers at the front and back, and twenty swordsmen.
After hearing the news, Li Zhi was not angry, but was completely disappointed. He had won the battle, but he was jealous of his father. Isn't it just to check and balance him by rewarding King Qi? He said to Shi Yu indifferently: "Zi
You, my father treats me so poorly."
Shi Yu also sighed, and was about to comfort Li Zhi when Gou Lian hurriedly walked in and said: "Your Highness, Your Highness, Jiang Suiyun's servant went to ask for charcoal wine and to enjoy the snow. I have asked him to take him there."
Went to Linbo Pavilion."
Li Zhi suddenly turned from anger to joy and said: "Okay, you've done well. Let's go and join in the fun. Zi You, please make arrangements and take the prince to Linbo Pavilion in half an hour."
At this time, I was already sitting in the Linbo Pavilion. There was a small lake of about two acres in the back garden of Prince Yong's Mansion. It is said that there was originally a clear spring in the garden with abundant water, so I simply dug this small lake and passed it through.
Chang'an's drainage system merges into the Yong'an Canal, which is connected to the Wei River in the north of the city. It supplies half of Chang'an's water supply and is an important water transportation thoroughfare. Therefore, although this lake is within the imperial city, it is living water.
Xiao Shunzi warmed the wine and said, "Master, why is it not cold at all in this pavilion?"
I laughed and said, "I've only read about it in books. You see, although you can only see a thick layer of wild grass on the top of the pavilion, in fact, there is a lot of work under this layer of grass. Under the grass is a layer of grass.
A layer of linoleum, then a layer of wild grass and another layer of linoleum, a total of three layers, and then put tiles under the last layer of linoleum. These tiles are also specially made and are hollow, so when placed on the top of the head, there is no fear of heat escaping.
, look at the stone floor of the pavilion, the stools surrounding it, and the copper pillars. In fact, fire dragons are lit under the pillars and the pavilion, just like the Kang in ordinary people's homes. Besides, the water, the water
The most important thing is to keep warm in winter and cool in summer. When the water flows, it will bring all the heat from the ground in. The closer you are to the water, the warmer it will be. So how can it be cold inside this pavilion? This is specially built by wealthy people in the north to enjoy the snow.
In the pavilion, as long as you wear a light fur coat and hold a hand stove, you won't freeze. Well, look at the snow falling outside, the dancing pear blossoms, and the beautiful jade trees everywhere. It's really a wonderful place."