The civil and military ministers stood in the Jinluan Hall, coming and going to discuss government affairs.
Because it was a large court meeting, there was no room for people to stand inside the hall, and there were still many people standing under the corridor outside the hall.
Xu Jian was listening to Prince Ping's words. Suddenly, there was a burst of discussion from behind, and he couldn't help but turn his head and look towards that room.
Not just him, almost everyone was looking outside.
The officials standing closer to the front were confused about the situation. The closer they looked outside, the clearer they became. A guard hurriedly crossed the main square and ran up the steps in three steps and then two steps.
The guard was out of breath as he ran and entered the Golden Palace through the road made by the officials.
"Your Majesty," the guard said while breathing heavily, "the beacon fire sequence on the west side, Xiliang is attacking me at Yumen Pass again!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the whole court was in an uproar.
Xu Jian looked at Lin Yu and saw that his father-in-law also had a serious face.
Compared to those who didn't know the inside story at all, the two of them had actually anticipated Xiliang's coming.
Because of Su Yi, because of Gu Yue.
The hidden stake reported that once Su Yi falls, Gu Yue's main war faction will gain the upper hand and join forces with Xiliang.
But Xu Jian also knew that Su Yi's downfall was doomed.
Before Li Du took action to kill Li Jun, he sent a letter to Su Yi, thinking that this was what he wanted to do.
Since Su Yi still chose to join forces with Li Du, the so-called "downfall" was just a show.
In the commotion, the Holy Master raised his voice and asked: "Where is Gu Yue? What was the reaction of the people of Gu Yue?"
The guard couldn't answer.
Beacon fire is an urgent report from thousands of miles away. It can reveal the military situation, but it is only military intelligence. More detailed information can only wait for the urgent military report from the border crossing.
However, everyone present knew that the situation in Yumen's battle might not be optimistic.
As a key entrance to the west, Yumen has always been a battleground for military strategists.
There have been many great wars, and countless petty quarrels.
Dashun garrisoned troops in Yumen to guard against Xiliang. Since the bloody battle in Yongjia for eight years, the two armies have only had minor frictions in the past few years.
And there is no need to light a beacon for small friction.
Military intelligence and battle reports were delivered to the capital in order, and the situation of the battle was clearly known. Logistics arrangements, military supplies, and city wall reinforcements were all done step by step and in an orderly manner.
Today, there is a war in Beijing.
This meant that the enemy was approaching fiercely and deployed a large number of troops. The Yumen defenders judged that the confrontation was difficult and urgently reported to the capital for reinforcements.
For a time, the faces of the courtiers became worse and worse.
Li Du was already worried, but he didn't expect that foreign enemies suddenly came and he was troubled internally and externally. Who could relax?
Suddenly, someone asked: "Why did the Holy One ask about Gu Yue?"
"Yes, although Gu Yue has formed an alliance with us, it is logical that they should stop Xiliang, but they are a small country outside the pass, and they can only stop them for a few days. We cannot expect them to retreat."
The Holy One pressed his eyebrows.
Previously, I didn't want to scare others, nor did I want to disturb people's hearts with alarming words, but now I don't need to worry about that anymore.
"I received reports from spies a few days ago. Gu Yue's main fighting faction is gradually gaining the upper hand. They may join forces with Xiliang."
After the words fell, you gasped and I lamented again.
"Guyue people defected? Is this serious?!"
"I have already said that you cannot trust Gu Yue! If you are not of my race, your heart must be different!"
"We have been close to Gu Yue for many years, how much benefit have we given them? In the end, raising tigers will cause trouble. When they have enough to eat and drink, they have to rake them!"
"If only Xiliang invades and the Yumen defenders can handle it, and Gu Yue's troops are added to it, then..."
"In the eighth year of Yongjia, we paid a huge price to retreat from Xiliang. Now they have come back, and we, Duke Lao Fu, are no longer here."
"We must not lose Yumen!"
The Holy Master sat on the dragon chair, looking at the angry or excited faces below, and slowly evened his breathing.
Now is not the time to listen to courtiers arguing about whether it was right or wrong to form an alliance with Gu Yue for many years.
Detailed military reports are still on the way, but since Yumen is calling for reinforcements, Beijing must urgently mobilize reinforcements.
We must not be careless about our troops, food and fodder.
The Holy Master was about to speak when he saw Li Shao suddenly turned his head and didn't know what he said to Xu Jian behind him.
Xu Jian, on the other hand, looked slightly embarrassed after listening to Li Shao's words.
The Holy One made fists with his hands and coughed twice.
The discussion in the hall gradually subsided, and therefore, Li Shao's voice that suddenly spoke was heard by everyone.
"Seeing that Li Du was absconding and was no longer reliable, Su Yi turned around and defected to Xiliang? He is so fast as a wallflower!"
Xu Jian lowered his eyes and said to himself, what a coincidence.
Just now Li Shao asked him whether he knew about the spies' report.
Xu Jian simply said "knowledge".
He knows more than the Holy Spirit has said.
The saint spoke briefly, still not wanting to make the relationship between Li Du, Su Yi and Gu Yue clear, especially today at the court meeting, where there were many people talking.
Unexpectedly, the hall suddenly became quiet, and Li Shao said this again.
Fortunately, Li Shao regarded Su Yi as a "weed" rather than an ally of Li Du.
Some officials asked in confusion: "What does this have to do with Li Du?"
Li Shao opened his mouth to say more, but when he saw Xu Jian winking at him repeatedly and looking at his father with a heavy gaze, he finally swallowed his words.
The Holy Emperor's gaze passed over the ministers: "Send troops to enrich the family..."
As soon as the words started, a man took a step across, knelt down on one knee, and clasped his fists in his hands: "I'd like to take command!"
Xu Jian followed the sound and looked.
The person who requested the tassel was the Marquis of Dingbei.
Dingbeihou is also over fifty years old. He first entered the battlefield at the age of sixteen. He has been a soldier all his life and has made great achievements in defending the northern border.
Xu Jian inherited his father's title ten years ago and seldom went to war after that. However, Xu Jian had heard his grandfather praise Dingbei Marquis many times.
This man is very capable of mobilizing troops and generals.
Thinking about it, it was precisely because of this that Dingbei Hou could not end well in the past that he and the little princess had experienced.
Two gold bricks belonging to Li Mi were found in Anyi's Mansion, which implicated his in-law Dingbeihou. Gold bricks were also found in the Hou's Mansion, which implicated the neighboring Chengyi Mansion.
In the struggle for imperial power, the crime is not the key, the result is.
An Yibo crashed into a wall in prison and died, the Dingbei Hou Mansion was raided and the entire clan was annihilated, and the Chengyi Bo Mansion survived under the "Kai En" regime, with nothing left except his head.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Now, with the failure of Li Du's plan, everything is different again.
The Marquis of Dingbei had a strong desire to lead the army and urgently wanted to recruit troops and generals to assist Yumen.
The Holy Spirit agreed, and asked about the dispatch of troops stationed in various places and the supply of food and grass. Officials from various relevant yamen responded one after another.
As various matters were arranged, the topic of "Li Du and Su Yi" was finally ignored.
When the next court comes, preparations are in full swing everywhere.
Xu Jian followed Li Shao to the imperial study room.
The Holy Sage drank a cup of tea first, moistened his throat, and then asked Li Shao: "You are so good, what are you doing with Li Du?"
Li Shao said angrily: "The house in Chenmi Hutong contains the golden note of the Guyue envoy. He, Li Du, has been colluding with the Guyue people for a long time!
I don’t know how many benefits Li Du gave Su Yi in exchange for the so-called alliance. Now that Li Du has fallen, Su Yi took advantage of the situation and immediately got together with the Xiliang people.
Father, maybe Su Yi is asking for it from both ends?"
The Holy Father didn't say anything immediately.
In his opinion, there is nothing wrong with Shao'er's idea.
He and Xu Jian had previously analyzed that rather than saying that Su Yi lost to the main war faction, it was more that Su Yi wanted to start a war.
What Shao'er didn't consider was that in all likelihood, Li Du and Su Yi did not break up their alliance, but instead became closer.
With this in mind, the Holy Sage told Li Shao the whole story.
"You mean, Li Du lured Gu Yue and Xiliang invaded, trying to fish in troubled waters? How dare he? How could he!" Li Shao became more and more angry as he listened, "Does he know that his son is in our hands? He is really not afraid of us killing him.
Li Rong?"
If you ask him, Li Rong should be killed!
If any clan members object to this or that, they will be cut down!
Xu Jian said: "Your Highness, please don't be angry. What we want to talk about now is the matter between Li Du and Su Yi."
Li Shao's anger surged.
When he thought of Chenmi Hutong, it was difficult for him to calm down.
"Shao'er," the Holy Master asked in a deep voice, "at the battle in Yumen, do you want to continue to observe the government in the Ministry of Justice, or go to the Ministry of War first?"
Li Shao said without hesitation: "I want to go to the Ministry of War."
The Holy One also has the same idea.
The vast territory of Dashun means that there are many foreign ethnic groups bordering on all sides, and war and disputes are unavoidable topics.
Marching and fighting is not about talking about war on paper, or even if you stay in the capital and talk about it, you have to have something to say.
It was a good experience for Li Shao to go to the Ministry of War and experience the logistical support and dispatching of a war.
"Then we'll go there later," the Holy Emperor thought for a moment, and then added, "We are preparing for war, and things are urgent. If you have any ideas, ask Xu Jian and Sangu first. Read more and think more."
Li Shao agreed.
After the Holy Emperor finished explaining Li Shao, he saw Xu Jian looking thoughtful.
With a thought in his mind, the Holy Emperor asked Li Shao to go over first and left Xu Jian alone to say a few words.
Eunuch Cao sent Li Shao off, and there were only Shengshang and Xu Jian there.
The Holy Master asked: "Are you still thinking about Gu Yue?"
"Yes and no." Xu Jian said.
Halfway through the words, the Holy Master understood what he meant, thought about it, and said, "Are you still worried about Shao'er?"
Xu Jian considered each word carefully and said: "Your Highness is very keen, or rather intuitive, but sometimes he is too impulsive..."
The topic turned to Li Shao, and the Holy Spirit looked more relaxed, not as serious as when talking about war.
"Humans have advantages and disadvantages," the Holy Master smiled, "I do, and so does Shao'er.
I have been very fortunate recently. Although I have not yet found Li Du's whereabouts, I am relieved to have caught him, a man with ulterior motives.
Otherwise, with his clandestine methods and Shao'er always listening to his words and using his people to slander him, Shao'er would only become more and more shameless.
Fortunately, it's all over, and he can no longer affect Shao'er.
You will still follow him in the future, guide him to observe politics in the six departments, and give him a few more years."
Xu Jian lowered his eyes.
When the Holy Emperor saw this, he glanced towards the curtain.
Eunuch Cao happened to come back. He understood what was going on and didn't go inside. He just stayed outside.
"It's just you and me," the Lord leaned back in his chair, trying not to make the atmosphere too tense, "Be honest and honest, tell me whatever you think, I still have a bit of a heart."
Xu Jian looked hesitant.
There is a difference between a monarch and his ministers. Even if it is said to be open and honest, everyone will have reservations.
Since it was brought up by him himself, the Holy Spirit naturally "thrown out ideas" and spoke first: "Two years ago, you told me that Shao'er has a keen personality, and the affairs of your family at that time will affect your relationship to some extent.
If you follow him, Shao'er will feel even more uncomfortable.
I've watched it over the past two years, and I can't say it's been smooth sailing. There have indeed been some bumps in the road.
However, in the past six months or so, I seem to have gotten much better, especially after deposing the crown prince, I have had more contacts.
I can see that Shaoer trusts you, especially on the Dingguo Temple case, and he is cooperating."
Xu Jian nodded.
Regarding Li Shao, Xu Jian will not confront the emperor head-on.
But both he and Lin Yunyan knew very well that even without Li Du scheming behind his back, Li Shao still couldn't shoulder the great cause. In other words, if Li Shao inherited the throne and assisted the government, the Chengyi Mansion would still have no good results.
This was unacceptable to Xu Jian.
But he couldn't directly confront Li Shao in this situation.
Just as his father-in-law reminded him, once the signs are pointed at Li Shao and the lamp is no longer dark, then they will be restricted by the Holy One.
If you want to break the situation, you must have soldiers in your hands.
Only those with military power are qualified to discuss conditions.
The Battle of Yumen was his opportunity.
This is the reason why Xu Jian must have an "open and frank" talk with the Holy Emperor in the Imperial Study Room today.
Taking a deep breath, Xu Jian cupped his hands and said, "I would like to invite you to Yumen."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Holy Master's eyes suddenly tightened.
Outside the curtain, Eunuch Cao also looked stunned, suspecting that he had heard wrongly.
"Go to Yumen?" The Holy Master's words were full of disapproval, "I'm not trying to hit you. You know your own physical condition best.
You did recover somewhat, but not fully. You can ride a horse, but can you go into battle?
What is the situation like on the battlefield?
You have fought and fought before, do you dare to say that with your current abilities, you can come back from Yumen alive?
I have told you before that making achievements is not only possible on the battlefield, but also in the court.
I understand that you want to live up to your grandfather’s training, but if you propose to leave Yumen because you are worried about Shaoer and do not want to continue to guide him to observe politics, I think this is inappropriate."
Xu Jian listened carefully and sighed secretly in her heart.
Whether as a king or as an elder, the Holy One treated him with all his heart and soul.
But he also has things he must insist on.
He couldn't let Dashun be led astray by Li Shao again.
"Your Majesty," Xu Jian raised his head, looked into His Majesty's eyes, and said sincerely, "Maybe you are right, His Highness has a knot in his mind, and so do I.
However, my heart is not towards His Highness, but towards Yumen and myself who cannot go into battle.
I have been trained to be a military general since I was a child. When I first entered the battlefield, I killed Xiliang people at Yumen Pass.
But last time, I was sent back lying down.
This time, I want to go and ride back on horseback. If I make up for it and make it thorough, I should be able to let it go.
Otherwise, your tone will always be awkward, and your dreams will always be about Yumenguan."
