Chapter 140: Li Heng is so close to the throne for the first time

Gao Lishi understood Zhang Xuan's intention and wanted to block the news that the old emperor was seriously ill, so as not to cause turmoil in the court and the vassal states in the world. This idea was against him, so Gao Lishi naturally did not reject it.

However, Zhang Xuan proposed to let the prince come over, which obviously had the obvious intention of supporting the prince to the throne. This was obviously inconsistent with the "plan" in the old emperor's mind. Although the old emperor temporarily agreed not to depose Li Heng, as his absolute confidant, Gao Lishi knew that the old emperor was recently inspecting King Liang Li.

Li Yu was the 29th son of the emperor. He was originally named Han and his mother Wu Xianyi. In July of the 23rd year of Kaiyuan, he was named King Liang. In February of the 24th year, he was renamed Yu.

Li Yu is the youngest son of the emperor at present. He is more than ten years younger than Li Heng and is in his prime.

But this was just an immature "inspection" of the old emperor, and it had not yet been timed to turn it into practical actions. At this moment of crisis, Gao Lishi also understood that if the emperor could not fully recover his health, the possibility of Li Yu being promoted would be zero.

If Zhang Xuan and Yang Guozhong unite and want to elect Crown Prince Li Heng to replace the throne, even if the emperor wants to object, he will probably be powerless.

Therefore, Gao Lishi remained silent tactfully and did not sing a stage play with Zhang Xuan.

In theory, it is normal for the emperor to be seriously ill and summon the prince to come as soon as possible.

Gao Lishi came out and called Li Jingzhong, lowered his voice and said, "You go to Yang Prime Minister's Mansion quickly and pass on his oral orders, and announce that Yang Guozhong will enter the palace to see the emperor immediately!"

Li Jingzhong felt a little nervous and did not dare to neglect it. He quickly took the order and left.

Looking at Li Jingzhong's departure back, Gao Lishi breathed a sigh of relief.

Gao Lishi calmed down and slowly went to the outsider.

The group of imperial physicians in the Imperial Medical Office, led by the Imperial Medical Order Qian Lilin, stood in the square under the cold wind. The bright and cold moonlight shone down, making the trembling figures of the different sizes of the Imperial Medical Doctors, stretched and shortened, and were uneven.

Gao Lishi walked over slowly and waved to Qian Yuelin with a reserved attitude.

Qian Xielin hurriedly trotted over, gasped, and bowed, "Your Highness has seen the Gao Da General!"

"Mr. Qian, Your Majesty suddenly suffers from illness. I will work hard for you in the next few days." Gao Lishi said slowly.

"I dare not, this is the duty of the lowly officials and others today." Qian Yuelin had sufficient awe for the first power prison around Emperor Gao Lishi. Of course, there are many people who have the same awe as Qian Yuelin in the court.

"You should not leave the palace for now. Let's rest in the Hall of Glory and wait for your Majesty to summon him at any time. In addition, Your Majesty has issued an order. No one can spread the matter of Your Majesty's illness after leaving the palace. If there is any violation, you will be killed without mercy and will be punished by the nine clans."

This "killing without mercy, killing the nine clans" was very light and calm, but it fell into Qian Lilin's ears, but it was a shocking thunder.

"Yes. The lower official is obeying the sacred order. The general, the lower official will go to the Hall of Glory to settle here and wait for His Majesty to summon him at any time."

Qian Xilin forced a smile and bowed down.

Gao Lishi waved his hand tiredly, "Go and go, you have to keep the rules in the palace."

The old emperor said a few vague words, then tilted his mouth and left a while of saliva, and fell asleep.

Zhang Xuan slowly turned around, avoided the old emperor's sickbed, and stood on the side of the screen.

Yang Yuhuan walked over lightly, stood in front of Zhang Xuan, his eyes swaying slightly, and there was a sense of panic and at a loss.

Zhang Xuan stared at Yang Yuhuan deeply. He knew her mentality at this moment.

This peerless beauty who was originally the most destined in history undoubtedly became panicked and at a loss because of Li Longji's sudden illness and stroke. If Li Longji returns to heaven, how should she walk the road for the rest of her life?

Yang Yuhuan was full of thoughts, but he didn't know how to talk about it.

Zhang Xuan smiled, suddenly reached out and hugged Yang Yuhuan, hugging her tightly in her arms.

Yang Yuhuan was startled and struggled a little, but then she sighed quietly, letting Zhang Xuan hug her, but she leaned in his arms and lowered her voice and whispered softly, "You little enemy, you are so bold, what's this..."

Zhang Xuan smiled slightly, then leaned over and kissed her.

After this passionate kiss, Yang Yuhuan panted and flushed.

"Don't be afraid, I'm in everything. No one will, and no one dares to hurt you - remember my words, you are my woman." Zhang Xuan suddenly leaned in Yang Yuhuan's ear and said, then gently pushed Yang Yuhuan away, signaling her to stay inside, while he himself stepped out.

Yang Yuhuan stood there and looked at Zhang Xuan's back, unable to help but be fooled and thought about it. Zhang Xuan's words were domineering and confident, full of the smell of not allowing her to refuse or resist, but Yang Yuhuan was very happy and her chaotic mood gradually calmed down.

Or, what she needs and is waiting for is Zhang Xuan’s promise.

Zhang Xuan walked out of the inner room quickly and met Gao Lishi who was hurriedly walking in in the outer hall of the imperial study.

"Zizhan, we..." Gao Lishi forced a smile, bowed his hand, and stopped talking.

Zhang Xuan smiled and said, "General, take advantage of the future of Yang Xiang and the Crown Prince, Zhang Xuan has a few heartfelt words to communicate with the General first."

"Zizhan, please speak."

The two sat down, and then a palace maid brought tea.

"General, Your Majesty suddenly fell ill. Zhang Xuan thought that we need to do two things like this." Zhang Xuan bowed and said, "First, the news of Your Majesty's illness was secret. The general also knew that the court is implementing a strategy of reducing the vassal states and mergers. Many vassal state governors have not yet taken office, and the situation in the world is not stable. If news of Your Majesty's critical illness comes out, Zhang Xuan is worried that someone will be ready to move and cause trouble."

"Besides, the rebellion of King Rong has just subsided, and Chang'an City and the court are full of destruction. At this time, not announcing the news about His Majesty's patients for the time being can also prevent people's hearts from being turbulent."

Gao Lishi nodded silently, "Yes. Zizhan said so much, and a certain family thought so. This is easy to deal with, just block the news."

Seeing that Gao Lishi did not object, Zhang Xuan continued, "Secondly, the authoritarian status of the crown prince must be established as soon as possible."

"Once Your Majesty dies, the crown prince will successfully ascend the throne to the extreme, which will play a crucial role in stabilizing the Tang Dynasty's country and the country. If the candidate for the crown prince is still unclear at this time, it is difficult to guarantee that there will be no greater chaos. If the civil strife in the court is in trouble, An Lushan will definitely take the opportunity to revive. Zhang Xuan believes that the general can see more thoroughly than me."

Gao Lishi sighed, "What Zizhan said is not a false statement. The ambition of An Lushan has been even more obvious in the past two years. However, An Lushan, the Hu, has always been afraid of His Majesty's power. If His Majesty dies, a family is also worried that no one in the Tang Dynasty will shock him. Alas... just..."

A faint smile appeared on Zhang Xuan's lips, "Please forgive Zhang Xuan for saying frankly. Among the many princes of Your Majesty, the most suitable one to be an emperor is His Royal Highness. Other princes are not suitable. A monarch is the first to value benevolence, and His Royal Highness is this benevolent king."

"King Rong Li Wan is quite talented and is the best among His Majesty's princes. However, King Rong is very ruthless and has raised an army to force the palace. He has no father or king, and his virtues are defeated, so he ends up being ruined."

"Zhang Xuan believes that the Crown Prince may not be a pioneering lord, but he will definitely be a successful lord."

Gao Lishi's expression changed. It was not that Zhang Xuan said this. It was just that he had always been loyal to the old emperor and was unwilling to go against the old emperor's true intentions.

Moreover, he also understood that the reason why the old emperor didn't like Li Heng very much was because Li Heng was too cowardly, his lord was weak and his ministers were strong. The old emperor was worried that once he died, the emperor Li Heng would be underestimated by powerful ministers such as Yang Guozhong.

For Gao Lishi, what he is worried about now is not only Yang Guozhong, but also Zhang Xuan.

Once Li Heng ascended the throne, Zhang Xuan would have the merit of supporting him. He was the assistant minister of the Eastern Palace at the beginning, and now he is the backer behind the prince. The prince Yuji, Zhang Xuan's power would probably overwhelm Yang Guozhong in one fell swoop and become the largest powerful minister in the Tang Dynasty from the emperor.

With Zhang Xuan's methods, I am afraid that Yang Guozhong will not be his opponent at all by then.

Zhang Xuan knew that Gao Lishi was worried about something, but she smiled and said nothing.

He expected that Gao Lishi had no choice but to support other princes. He and Yang Guozhong would oppose it. Only by choosing Li Heng can he achieve the balance of interests of several parties.

Gao Lishi pondered silently.

Zhang Xuan smiled and suddenly interrupted, "General, after the situation stabilizes, Zhang Xuan is willing to leave Beijing and release a vassal state to guard the border for the Tang Dynasty to eliminate the general's worries."

Gao Lishi's face turned red, and he waved his hand awkwardly and said, "Zizhan must not misunderstand, this is not what a family means..."

"General, Zhang Xuan has always wanted to be ashamed of his heart." Zhang Xuan laughed loudly.

When the two were talking, Li Heng had actually arrived.

The emperor suddenly had a problem. Because Gao Lishi and Zhang Xuan blocked the news, the East Palace was not aware of it. It was not until the internal magistrate went over to announce the imperial edict and Li Heng came over quickly and guessed a rough idea.

He stood quietly at the entrance of the hall. After listening to the conversation between Zhang Xuan and Gao Lishi, he felt a little ecstatic and moved.

Ecstasy was that the throne had never waved as much as it is today. He had been the crown prince for more than ten years, but he had never been a real crown prince for a day; and what was touched was that whether it was the past or present, whether it was the small assistant minister of the Eastern Palace in the past or the high power today, Zhang Xuan always stood on his side and worked hard to make every effort to ascend to the throne.

Even before, everyone, including the emperor, stood opposite to him, and Zhang Xuan still did not change his original intention.

For a moment, Li Heng's eyes turned red, and he stood there and shed two lines of clear tears.

He was so hard and so frustrated as a prince.
Chapter completed!