In the afternoon of the next day, Li Chuwen and his son dragged their tired bodies back to the mansion.
Li Chuwen didn't care about rest, so he took his son to the study. He asked his servants to serve two cups of tea, then waved his hand and said: "Go down, no one is allowed to go near the study."
The servant resigned.
Seeing that his father had something to say, Li Shi didn't dare to have tea, so he stood in front of Li Chuwen and listened to his teachings.
Li Chuwen sighed and said, "Mr. Xiao regards us as a thorn in his side. If we don't find a way out early, I'm afraid the day will not be far when our father and son will be separated from each other."
Li Shi was surprised and said: "Without us and my son, how could she be the Queen Mother and take charge of military and state affairs? Even if she is not grateful to us, she probably would not want to harm us."
Li Chuwen shook his head and said: "She is just a woman. I am afraid that power and position are not as important to her as her family. It can be said that Yelu Chun was forced to death by us. How can she not hate us. Xiao Qian has tens of thousands of troops in his hands.
She doesn't dare to touch Xiao Qian, she will definitely vent all her resentment on us."
Li Shi said: "We and Xiao Qian supported the establishment of Emperor Tianxi together, and we also welcomed Qin and rejected Xiang. He wouldn't stand idly by, right?"
Li Chuwen also hoped that this would be the case, but he had been in the imperial court for decades and had seen many of his own brothers stabbing each other in the back. How could he trust an ally with whom he had no close contacts?
"Now that the overall situation has been decided, Xiao Qian no longer needs us. As long as the Xiao family has a break, maybe he will take the initiative to send troops to capture us and relieve the Xiao family. They are all Xi people. Now the Khitan people are weak, and the Xiao family
Whether it is for the Liao Kingdom or for the sake of ridicule, I will never deal with Xiao Qian."
Li Shi said anxiously: "Then what should we do? Otherwise, let's go south to Daliang. Daliang will unify the Central Plains. Sooner or later, we will send troops north to seize the Yanyun Sixteenth Prefecture. If we go south and vote for Daliang, we may be able to change the situation.
Wealth."
Li Chuwen nodded and said: "It only took one year for Daliang to wipe out the Central Plains. It was even more powerful than the Jin Kingdom. They also had thunderbolt-like firearms and spaceships. Even if they had no ambition to expand, they would definitely take back the Sixteenth State of Yanyun. The Khitan
The people and the ridicules are gone, and the Xiao family is hostile to us again, so don't blame us for being cruel."
Seeing that Li Chuwen was already confident, Li Xi hurriedly asked, "Father, do you have a plan?"
Li Chuwen looked around and said: "Nowadays, none of the Han people in the north want to return to Liang. When Pharmacist Guo came to visit me some time ago, I listened to what he meant. The prince of Liang, who is invincible in all battles, is also afraid of him. He always wins.
The army is stationed in Zhuo and Yizhou. Once Daliang soldiers and horses move north, the Changsheng Army will be the first to bear the brunt.
All fell into the hands of the Jin people. If Daliang wants to seize it, it will take more effort. Guo Yaoshi also knows this. We can persuade him to lead the victorious army and Zhuo and Yizhou to surrender to Daliang. With this contribution, Daliang
I will certainly not hesitate to reward you.”
After Yelu Chun became emperor, the Resentful Army was renamed Changsheng Army.
When Li Shi heard this, he said happily: "My father is brilliant, and Daliang is at its peak. It is better for us to be a small official in Daliang than to be a Taiwei in the declining Liao Kingdom."
Li Chuwen nodded and said: "Yesterday Yizhou businessman Zhao Luren sent a greeting card. Go and ask someone to send it to him. He has a caravan traveling between Liang and Liao. Through him, we can contact Pharmacist Guo and Daliang Hebei General Zhang Kai
.”
"Okay, I'll ask someone to tell Zhao Luren about it."
Li Xi went out and Li Chuwen had a cup of tea and squinted slightly for a while. Then he heard the door ring.
Li Shi came in and said, "Zhao Luren is here."
Li Chuwen sat up, nodded and said, "Go and invite him in."
Seeing Li Chuwen's explanation, Li Xi didn't dare to neglect, so he went out to invite Zhao Luren in person.
Zhao Luren was a big businessman in Yizhou. He had a fat face and big ears, and looked very honest, but Li Chuwen knew that this was just an appearance.
The Liao Kingdom was ruled by the Khitans and Xi people, and most of the Han merchants were shopkeepers of the Khitans and Xi people. Even the wealth they earned was not theirs. But Zhao Luren did not sell himself to the Khitans or the Xi people.
People can also allow caravans to travel between the two countries.
When Li Chuwen was the prime minister, Zhao Luren often came to visit him, and of course he received gifts. After Li Chuwen became the Taiwei, Zhao Luren's gifts became even more generous.
Li Chuwen knew that Zhao Luren was cunning. If Zhao Luren was stupider, he would be worried that Zhao Luren would betray him. In the current situation, smart people will make common choices. Moreover, what he has to do is a major matter that affects his wealth and life, and only cunning people will not do it.
Mistakes.
"Li Shi, you go outside."
"Yes, father."
Li Shi also knew that he was asked to go out and guard the door, so he turned around and went out, closing the door behind his back.
Zhao Luren bowed and said, "See you, Mr. Taiwei."
Li Chuwen nodded and said: "Sit down, I won't beat around the bush with you. Emperor Tianxi passed away, and Mrs. Xiao became the queen mother and took charge of military and state affairs. With women in power, the demise of the Liao Kingdom is irreversible. I would like to contact Pharmacist Guo Nantou
Daliang, are you willing to return to Daliang with us?"
Early this morning, the news of Yelu Chun's death was made public.
When Zhao Luren came, he wanted to inquire about some palace news, so he made preparations in advance. Now that he heard Li Chuwen's words, he couldn't help but froze, and then clasped his fists and said: "The Taiwei has great foresight, and even a villain doesn't understand these military and national affairs. He only knows
You will definitely not go wrong if you follow Mr. Taiwei."
Li Chuwen nodded and said: "That's good. I have two letters now. One is to Guo Yaoshi of the Changsheng Army, and the other is to General Zhang Zhang of the Daliang Hebei Army. If you have someone who is familiar with the road, please ask
You must not make any mistakes when sending these two letters to them."
Zhao Luren cupped his hands and said, "Okay, I will definitely deliver the letter even if I go to the Mountain of Swords or the Sea of Fire."
Li Chuwen didn't say much. He quickly wrote two letters, sealed them with wax, handed them to Zhao Luren, and said, "Thank you for your work."
Zhao Luren took the letter with both hands, put it in his arms, and said, "I will definitely fulfill my mission."
Li Chuwen nodded and said: "Without further delay, I won't keep you here. When we get back to Daliang, you and I can have a few more drinks together."
"Okay, I'm leaving now."
Li Chuwen personally escorted Zhao Luren out of the study.
Li Shi had not gone out for a quarter of an hour. When he saw Zhao Luren walking away, he asked doubtfully: "Didn't father talk to him in detail?"
Li Chuwen shook his head and said: "He is a smart man, and there is no need to say more about the pros and cons. Okay, you go down and rest."
"Yes, father has been busy all night. Let's go to bed early."
Li Chuwen nodded and said: "When someone in the palace comes to announce that you are your father, you just say that my father is overworked and fell ill and cannot enter the palace. Then ask your uncle to mobilize all the troops and horses he can command, and say that he is the father.
Father has a secret decree to prevent accidents from happening."
Li Shi said doubtfully: "Everyone knows that the emperor fainted and did not wake up. I'm afraid no one believes that my father has a secret decree."
Li Chuwen smiled and said: "When Emperor Tianxi was seriously ill, he was afraid of his sudden death. He secretly appointed me Marshal of the Infantry and Infantry Command of the Han Dynasty. I was in charge of all the troops and horses. The secret decree was given to me at that time. I have Emperor Tianxi's letters, so who dares to doubt it.
"
When Li Shi heard this, he couldn't help being overjoyed and said with a smile: "Since my father has this note, why should he be afraid of Xiao Qian? If he dares to disrespect his father, he will take away his military power."
Li Chuwen shook his head and said: "Neither the Khitans nor the Xi people would let a Han man be the marshal of the capital. Emperor Tianxi was willing to let me be the marshal of the capital in the first place. He knew that I could not convince the public, so he was willing to give me this secret letter.
He will never give the secret code to Xiao Qian and Yelu Dashi, who may command all the troops. But Xiao may know this secret code. She hates me to the core. I am afraid she will send someone to ask for this secret code. You ask your uncle
Lead people to guard the mansion, and tell the outside world that I will not obey any orders until King Qin ascends the throne."
The King of Qin was still far away in Jiashan. By the time the King of Qin came to Nanjing Road, Li Chuwen might have already fled to Daliang.
Li Shi nodded and said, "Okay, I'll do it right away."
Xiao Qian had just returned home when he heard that Li Chuneng had mobilized an army of troops to guard the Taiwei's Mansion. He quickly sent people to mobilize troops and horses for defense. At the same time, he sent someone to ask Li Chuwen why he mobilized troops and horses. He was in charge of the largest number of troops and horses in the city. However,
I don't want to see anyone messing around in the city.
The two men continuously mobilized troops and horses, and the news of Yelu Chun's death immediately caused panic in the city.
Hearing that Li Chuwen had Emperor Tianxi secretly commanding all the troops, he was also very confused and immediately came to the palace again. On the way, he met Yelu Dashi and several Khitan clan members coming to the palace.
Yelu Dashi cupped his hands and said, "King Xiao and Lieutenant Li mobilized their troops together. Could there be something unexpected?"
Xiao Qian shook his head and said: "Li Chuwen mobilized the troops and horses first. I, the king, mobilized the troops and horses into the city to prevent accidents. I sent someone to inquire, and Li Chuwen claimed to have received the secret letter from Emperor Tianxi and commanded the infantry of Han Dynasty. He mobilized troops
The horse is to prevent chaos in the city, and he will only obey the edict when King Qin comes."
A Khitan clan member immediately shouted: "Impossible, how could Emperor Tianxi let him, a Han, command all the troops?"
Xiao Qian also nodded and said: "This year, Daliang has continued to mobilize troops to Hebei. He must be trying to seize the opportunity to seize the Nanjing Road. There is no guarantee that the Han people will not have different intentions. That's why I have to go to the palace to pay homage to Empress Dowager Xiao. The military power must not be controlled by the Han people."
Yelu Dashi also nodded and said: "The civil servants in Nanjing Road are all Han people. If they are allowed to take over the military power, the world of Daliao will also change."
The two reached a consensus and hurried to the palace.
Empress Dowager Xiao was still grieving her husband's departure when she heard Xiao Qian and Yelu Dashi coming hand in hand, and hurriedly asked people to invite them in.
The two explained their purpose of coming. Empress Dowager Xiao thought for a while and nodded: "Emperor Tianxi did have this secret letter."
In fact, Xiao Qian did not doubt that Li Chuwen forged the secret letter. After Emperor Tianxi fell ill, Xiao had been taking care of him. It was impossible for Li Chuwen to obtain the secret letter without telling everyone. Although he knew that Li Chuwen's secret letter was true, Xiao Qian
Still don't want to let a Han take the lead.
"Li Chuwen has never led an army before, and he is a Han. If he is asked to serve as the marshal of the Han and horse infantry, I am afraid that the ethnic soldiers below will not agree and cause trouble."
Ever since the elite Khitan soldiers from Nanjing marched northward and were crippled by the Jin soldiers, and the Xi family under Xiao Qian became the dominant one, Xiao Qian's domineering temperament was exposed. Without any explanation, he directly threatened with troops.
Mrs. Xiao's face darkened when she saw Xiao Qian talking like this.
If he and Li Chuwen hadn't been so aggressive, her husband Yelu Chun wouldn't have died. Now that Yelu Chun's body was still cold, he came to force her into the palace again, which was really too much bullying.
Yelu Dashi was afraid that there would be a stalemate between the two, so he quickly said: "Daliang has unified the Central Plains and has transferred many elite troops to Hebei. There is no guarantee that they will not use troops against us. If the Han people are allowed to command all the soldiers and horses, how can we expect them to fight to the death once the Daliang soldiers and horses press the border?"
Resistance. Therefore, the Queen Mother is requested to take back her order."
Although the Xiao family is from the Xi people, she is also the empress dowager of the Liao Kingdom. If the Xiao family and Xiao Qian have a quarrel, Yelu Dashi and other clans will have no choice but to side with the empress dowager Xiao. At that time, it will be the confrontation between the Khitans and the Xi people, and Daliao is already
With the sun declining, if the royal family and descendants continue to confront each other, the Liao Dynasty will never be able to turn around again. This is what Yelu Dashi does not want to see.
Ms. Xiao also calmed down. She wished she could kill all the people who forced her husband to death, but she also knew that it was impossible. The best way was to use the power of some of them to eliminate some people first. The one she hated most was undoubtedly
It was Li Chuwen and Xiao Qian. Xiao Qian had a lot of troops. She couldn't make a move and could only attack Li Chuwen. Now Xiao Qian and Yelu Dashi were dissatisfied with Li Chuwen again, so she just used their strength to eliminate one person first.
"Emperor Tianxi issued an edict, how can I take it back?"
Yelu Dashi said: "The Queen Mother is in charge of military and state affairs, so she can naturally re-appoint everyone. The Queen Mother only needs to issue an edict to ask Li Chuwen to hand over the secret documents, and at the same time remove him from the post of marshal of the capital."
Xiao Qian nodded and said, "That's what Dashi Linya said. As long as the Queen Mother gives me a decree, I will take people to ask Li Chuwen to hand over the secret letter."
Mrs. Xiao also knew that her imperial decree could only be realized with the support of force, otherwise she would have made hundreds of imperial decrees to get rid of all the officials who forced her to go to the palace.
"Since both Prince Xiao and Dashi Linya said so, they must be right. I will make an edict right now."
Mrs. Xiao had someone draw up a decree and stamp her seal. She handed it to Xiao Qian and said, "Thank you, King Xiao."
Xiao Qian accepted Yi's decree, cupped his fists and said, "I don't dare, I will go and recover the secret letter right now."
After saying that, he turned around and left the palace.
Seeing that there were only a few Khitan clan members left, Mrs. Xiao could no longer bear it. She pointed at the door of the palace and said, "Look at this guy, he's so rude."
Yelu Dashi advised: "Queen Mother, please be patient. Now we have to guard the Nanjing Road, and we have to rely more on him. When the King of Qin comes with all his troops, he will not dare to be so domineering."
"Why"
Mrs. Xiao sighed and said: "I didn't expect Daliao to end up in this situation. Since I married into the Khitan clan, I will protect this last territory for your Khitan clan."
Hearing this, Yelu Dashi and several clan members couldn't help but worship him: "If Daliao can be revived, it will be thanks to the Empress Dowager."
Xiao shook her head and said: "I hope the King of Qin can bring his troops earlier, otherwise, even if I, a woman, can endure it, how can I stop the troops of the Jin Kingdom?"
Yelu Dashi said: "The soldiers and horses of the Jin Kingdom are still chasing the King of Xiangyin on the Xijing Road, but I am afraid that the King of Qin will not be able to come for a while. I think it is better to profess to the Jin Dynasty and ask the Jin Kingdom to make the King of Qin the leader of the Liao Kingdom."
Xiao frowned and said: "The Jin Kingdom has taken Xijing and is in full swing. It will definitely want to destroy Liao in one fell swoop. How can they negotiate peace with us?"
Yelu Dashi said: "Although the Jin Kingdom captured many of our state capitals in Daliao, the people's hearts are not stable. Tribes in Xijing Road, Zhongjing Road, and Tokyo Road are constantly revolting. The Jin Kingdom has few people and is unable to rule these many state capitals.
If we use humble words and offer tribute more often, we may be able to suspend the Jin offensive."
Ms. Xiao nodded and said, "Then let's try it."
Besides, after Xiao Qian left the palace, he went back with his troops and horses and came to Li Chuwen's Mansion.
Along the way, the people saw the fierce momentum of Xiao Qian's troops and fled.
For a time, the people in the city closed their doors one after another for fear of causing disaster.
The street in front of Taiwei's Mansion had been blocked, and Xiao Qian was stopped when he was still dozens of feet away from Taiwei's Mansion.
Behind the antlers blocking the street, a primary school student shouted: "By order of Marshal Li, no one is allowed to approach the Taiwei Mansion."
The bodyguard beside Xiao Qian said: "Bold, King Xiao is here to convey the Queen Mother's decree, why don't you move the roadblock quickly?"
Hearing this, the primary school couldn't help but hesitate. They had already seen Emperor Tianxi's secret letter, which appointed Li Chuwen as Marshal of the Infantry Army of the Han Dynasty. The order Li Chuwen gave them was based on Emperor Tianxi's secret order to station troops here to prevent chaos in the city and refused to accept any orders.
edict.
When Emperor Tianxi was alive, it was naturally not Empress Dowager Xiao's turn to issue orders, but now that Emperor Tianxi is dead, it is hard to say which one is greater, Empress Dowager Xiao's order or Emperor Tianxi's last decree.
Seeing that these Han soldiers dared to stop them, Xiao Qian couldn't help but became furious. He raised the yellow cloth in his hand and shouted: "The Queen Mother is here, anyone who blocks the way will be killed without mercy."
After saying that, he waved his hand to let the soldiers behind him move forward to clear the way.
For a long time, the status of the Khitan soldiers and the Xi soldiers had been higher than that of the Han people. When the Han soldiers mobilized by Li Chuneng saw the Xi soldiers approaching, they immediately retreated in fear.
Li Chuneng, who was in charge of the army, heard that Xiao Qian and his men were rushing over, but he did not dare to fight. He rolled and crawled into the Taiwei Mansion to find Li Chuwen to make up his mind.
Li Chuwen was resting. When he saw Li Chuneng running in with a worried look on his face, he shouted, "Why are you so alarmed?"
"Xiao Qian led his troops to attack."
After hearing this, Li Chuwen saw that there was no sound of fighting outside, and he also knew the virtues of his brothers. He threw the Yelu Chun letter on his pillow to Li Chuneng and said angrily: "Take this to stop Xiao Qian. If he dares to break in, I will kill him."
What?"
Li Chuneng hurriedly caught the letter, wondering why: "Xiao Qian is so powerful that he may not be able to stop him."
Li Chuwen was so angry at his brother's cowardice that he almost vomited blood and shouted: "You have to stop us even if you can't, otherwise we will be destroyed. Don't go out yet."
Li Chuneng could see that his brother was about to kill someone, so he did not dare to stay any longer and hurriedly took the letter and came out of the house.
The Han generals who had been transferred by Li Chuneng all gathered in front of the mansion. When they saw Li Chuneng coming out, they hurriedly asked, "What should we do?"
Li Chuneng gritted his teeth and said, "We have a secret letter from Emperor Tianxi. We are afraid of what he will do, so I will come with me to stop him."
Seeing Li Chuneng's order, a group of Han generals also followed Li Chuneng forward to greet him.
He didn't go far when he bumped into Xiao Qian's soldiers and horses approaching.
Li Chuneng saw Xiao Qian leading his troops and shouted: "Emperor Tianxi's secret message is here, who dares to be so presumptuous?"
"Bring it here and let me take a look."
Xiao Qian was not afraid of the soldiers around Li Chuneng. He rode straight towards Li Chuneng. The soldiers along the way did not dare to stop Xiao Qian and retreated one after another.
Li Chuneng was also intimidated by Xiao Qian's momentum and handed the secret letter to Xiao Qian.
Xiao Qian took the letter without reading it, put it directly into his arms, picked up the yellow cloth in his hand, and shouted: "The Queen Mother has decreed that Emperor Tianxi's letter should be recovered, and that Li Chu should be removed from the post of Marshal Wendu, and all ministries should return to their camps. Anyone who violates this will be considered guilty of treason."
Discuss."
Li Chuneng didn't expect Xiao Qian to do this, and was stunned on the spot.
Xiao Qian did not hesitate and immediately ordered his troops to disperse the Han soldiers.
When Li Chuwen rushed out of the palace, most of the Han soldiers had been dispersed, so he had no choice but to accept the Queen Mother's order.
Xiao Qian showed off his force and led his troops in a circle outside the Taiwei's Mansion before letting the troops retreat.
Li Chuneng was scolded by Li Chuwen and left the Taiwei Mansion. He was afraid that Empress Dowager Xiao would take revenge, so he found a temple and became a monk.
When Li Chuwen heard that Li Chuneng was missing, he was also very frightened. When he was about to run away with his family, the palace guards had already surrounded the Taiwei Mansion.
The father and son were brought in front of the Queen Mother. Li Chuwen said: "Why did the Queen Mother take us?"
Empress Dowager Xiao sneered: "You conspired to kidnap me and return to Liang Dynasty, and you still haven't confessed?"
Li Chuwen originally thought that Zhao Luren had failed, but when he heard what Empress Dowager Xiao said, he said: "If you want to inflict a crime, there is no need to hesitate. Our father and son have contributed to the establishment of Emperor Tianxi and the Empress Dowager, and we should be forgiven and treated with grace from generation to generation."
, how can you be held accountable for slander?"
Empress Dowager Xiao was surrounded by Khitan guards. He could not mobilize them at all, so there was no point in holding Empress Dowager Xiao hostage.
Empress Dowager Xiao was no longer polite and scolded: "If you hadn't forced King Qin and Jin to usurp the throne, he would still have a reputation as a good minister. It's your father and son who misled King Qin and Jin. What credit can you say?"
When Li Chuwen heard what Empress Dowager Xiao said, he also knew that Empress Dowager Xiao was venting her personal anger, so she kept silent.
Empress Dowager Xiao immediately asked people to list Li Chuwen's crimes, then beheaded Li Chuwen and his son, and confiscated their home.