"Your Majesty, the military envoy Li Chongju wants to see you!" The chamberlain came to report.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately became energetic and stretched out his hand to signal: "Please come quickly!"
"Is there some new news from the Liao Kingdom?" Li Ye subconsciously said nonsense.
Of course, the ministers accompanying him also knew the reason for the rush back. During the journey, news from the north, especially from Liao Shangjing, came one after another, but there was never any conclusive information. But it was also true that for
As far as Emperor Liu was concerned, the unusual aura became stronger and stronger, and he returned eastwards in an increasingly hasty manner.
Soon, Li Chongju entered, saluted the emperor and the prince, calmed his breathing, and reported emphatically: "Your Majesty, the situation has been confirmed. The Lord of Liao was assassinated!"
As soon as he said this, everyone in the hall was shocked. Liu Yang's city palace was not enough, and the surprise was written on his face. He couldn't help but blurt out and asked: "This is the root cause of the strange situation in the Liao Kingdom. Is the news confirmed? This is really unexpected.
, the Lord of Liao is surrounded by many guards, who can assassinate him!"
"There has been a formal mourning ceremony in Shangjing of Liao Dynasty. The news is conclusive! It is said that the person who assassinated the leader of Liao Dynasty was his personal attendant..." Li Chongju reported.
After hearing this, several people were still surprised. This matter indeed contained a certain amount of drama and absurdity, which made people unable to believe it for a moment. However, Emperor Liu's expression remained normal. After digesting the news, he said with a little emotion: "It is indeed so!"
Seeing this, Li Ye asked in surprise: "Could it be that your Majesty had expected it a long time ago?"
"It's just a premonition!" Emperor Liu said leisurely: "It's easy to hide from open guns, but hard to prevent hidden arrows, but the most difficult thing to prevent is the outbreak of elbow and armpit troubles. Yelujing was too harsh to the servants around him. At the beginning,
I have said that if things go on like this, there will inevitably be chaos. Now the Lord of Liao has been assassinated. Although it is an accident, it is also reasonable..."
"Your Majesty is wise and wise, with a clear eye for fire, I bow to you!" Hearing this, Li Ye immediately sang praises to Emperor Liu.
Emperor Liu shook his head and said in a regretful tone: "Yelujing has been in charge of the Liao Kingdom for nearly twenty years. Although he faced many setbacks in the face of the Han Dynasty, he still had the style of a generation of emperors, and he died in such a muddle-headed manner.
hand......"
"Your Majesty, the Lord of Liao has been killed, the Liao Kingdom has undergone tremendous changes, and the situation is unstable. The opportunity for the Han Dynasty may have come!" Zhao Kuangyin was also present. After calming down, he immediately reminded.
Emperor Liu nodded and looked at Li Chongju: "What's the current situation in Linhuang Mansion?"
In response, a trace of hesitation flashed across Li Chongju's face, and he said: "Returning to your majesty, as reported before, there does not seem to be much turmoil in the Liao Kingdom due to this change. Martial law in the capital is still there, there is no commotion, and everything seems to be under control.
Inside, a group of ministers, headed by King Yelu Bi of Yue, Prime Minister of the Northern Mansion Yelu Xianshi, and Northern Privy Councilor Xiao Husi, are in charge of the overall situation!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately said: "Impossible!"
After a pause, he raised his finger and said confidently: "There is no shortage of capable ministers in the Liao Kingdom. At this critical moment of drastic changes, it may be possible to maintain the situation. However, the way the Liao Emperor died was based on the military and political situation in the past. If it can be done without any disturbance,
,I do not believe!
The most important thing is that Yelv Jing was childless and had not chosen a heir during his lifetime. Now that he died suddenly, who will inherit the throne of the Liao Kingdom? The struggle for the throne of the Liao Kingdom has been going on for a long time and there have been frequent coups. This time it will definitely be difficult to survive smoothly!"
Regarding Emperor Liu's judgment, everyone present also felt that it was reasonable. Zhao Kuangyin said: "Your Majesty is right! Perhaps the current peace in Liao Shangjing is just an illusion. Maybe there is an open and covert fight for the throne!"
"Are there any other signs?" Emperor Liu stared at Li Chongju and asked.
Li Chongju thought for a moment and replied solemnly: "Your Majesty, there is one thing that may be worthy of consideration. According to reports, within one day of the execution of the Liao Emperor, he was the first to enter the camp, take control of the army, lead the troops back to the capital, and preside over the situation.
It was Yelv Xianshi, the prime minister of the Nanfu, and also the King of Qi Yelvxian and his minister Xiao Siwen were also involved."
After hearing the report, Emperor Liu smiled a little: "That's right! According to the situation of the upper echelons of the Liao Kingdom, if such a big event happens, even if it is necessary to clean up the mess, it will not be Yelv Xianshi's turn. If we don't mention Yelv Bishe, then
Xiao Husi is more suitable than him!"
"There must be a reason for this. Even the death of Lord Liao is not that simple!" After hearing the news, Liu Yang thought about it and said to Emperor Liu.
Touching his thick beard, Emperor Liu fell into serious thinking and suddenly said: "Xuan Wang Zhaoyuan!"
As the Han Dynasty's "expert" on Liao affairs, there was new progress. How could Emperor Liu not listen to his thoughts and opinions.
Soon, Wang Zhaoyuan was summoned to see him, and Emperor Liu simply asked Li Chongju to explain the situation to him. Then, he asked him directly: "Wang Qing, now that the Lord of Liao has died violently, in your opinion, who can be the successor?"
?”
Although it was already mid-spring and the weather was no longer so cold, Wang Zhaoyuan couldn't help but take a breath of cold air after hearing the news. After pondering for a long time, Wang Zhaoyuan said solemnly: "Your Majesty, based on my humble opinion, if it is an ordinary situation, Liao
If the emperor dies, the successor should be among his three brothers.
Among the three kings, the most likely one is Yelu Bishe, the king of Yue. Why, this man is generous, tolerant, and well-respected. He is also valued by the Lord of Liao and is entrusted with the power of supporting the administration. He will succeed him.
Position, emotion and reason, there is no problem!"
Immediately afterwards, the turning point came, Wang Zhaoyuan continued: "However, according to what Li Gong said, the King of Qi Yelvxian may also have a chance!"
"Two people?" Emperor Liu raised his eyebrows slightly and said with a bit of schadenfreude: "Two people are good! If only one person can support the public, the Liao country can successfully survive this crisis and the court can restore stability, this will not be a good thing for the big man.
!”
No one objected to Emperor Liu's evil idea, nor did they dare. Between countries, interests naturally come first. In a situation where the two powers stand side by side, the balance has not been completely broken. The Liao Kingdom itself had problems first, and it was natural for the Han Dynasty.
Good news, even hoping that the chaos will get better, and adding fuel to the flames are necessary.
"Which of the two is better and worse?" Emperor Liu asked after some thought.
In this regard, Wang Zhaoyuan said: "In my opinion, it is natural that King Yelu of Yue will have the upper hand. He is the younger brother of the Lord of Liao and has assisted the government for many years. He has experience in governing the country. In this case, he is the only one.
He can soothe people's hearts.
In comparison, Yelvxian was only in his weak years and was raised in a deep palace. Although he had some reputation as a virtuous person, he was still young and had nothing to do. At such critical moments, it is difficult to convince the public and support the overall situation, let alone take charge of the country!"
After listening to what he said, Emperor Liu smiled, and his smile seemed a little playful. Emperor Liu may have forgotten almost all other things, but he still had some impression of Yelvxian. In official history, this person was regarded as the resurgence of the Liao Kingdom.
Lord, the Liao Kingdom’s comprehensive suppression of the Song Dynasty seems to have started from him.
Although Emperor Liu did not pay special attention to Yelvxian in his intelligence spying on Liao these years, after all, the national conditions and trends of Han and Liao had fundamentally changed.
However, history has progressed to this juncture, and Yelvxian has officially emerged. With the possibility of stepping onto this big stage, Emperor Liu will not underestimate him even for his vague reputation.
"Do you think so too?" Emperor Liu asked Li Ye and Zhao Kuangyin.
Although Li Ye looked down upon Wang Zhaoyuan, a surrendered minister, he still nodded: "What Wang Zhaoyuan said is reasonable!"
Zhao Kuangyin was obviously more clever and asked proactively: "Does your Majesty think there is something strange about Yelvxian?"
"We can't talk about the strangeness!" Emperor Liu waved his hand: "But if this person can really compete with Yelu Bishe, it will naturally be better for the big Han!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Zhaoyuan immediately said: "If this is the case, the dispute between the two emperors of the Liao Kingdom will inevitably resurface, and it is not impossible that civil strife will arise as a result!"
"If there is chaos, I will naturally look forward to it, but I can't just wait and see!" Emperor Liu's eyes showed a sinister meaning, and he ordered Li Chongju: "Mobilize all the spies in Liao and spread rumors, saying that someone
In order to seize the throne, they conspired to assassinate the Liao Emperor! There is no need to clearly identify who it is, leaving room for the Liao government and the public to imagine!"
"Yes!" Li Chongju responded immediately.
"If civil strife breaks out in the Liao Kingdom, the Han Dynasty will naturally not be able to sit idly by. He will not only add fuel to the fire, but also add fuel to the fire!" Emperor Liu said: "Continue to pay attention to the situation in the Liao Kingdom and do not miss any news!"
"yes!"
With the news of Liao Emperor Yelujing's death, Emperor Liu's heart, which had gradually become silent, became agitated again. The heat was something he had not felt for a long time.
Gloating about misfortune is just an attitude, but in response to the changes in the Liao Kingdom, apart from those who conspired to disrupt the Liao Dynasty, how else should the Han Dynasty respond? Emperor Liu was already thinking about it...