When Li Chengqian saw how determined Xiao Yu was, he couldn't persuade him anymore. In fact, there was no one more suitable to persuade Li Ji than Xiao Yu...
I had no choice but to take the trouble to remind: "Song Guogong is devoted to the public service, but he feels lonely and has no place to admire! Later, Li Junxian will be dispatched personally to lead an elite escort of a hundred cavalry. You should also prepare a lot of travel supplies, and bring more clothes and food. It will be very difficult along the way.
You may have to eat and sleep in the open air, but you must not damage your body. You should also bring some medicine, and simply appoint an imperial physician to accompany you to ensure safety... It is important to lobby the British Duke, but the body of Song Guogong is equally important. If nothing can be done, it is
It is God's will, so you must not do it forcefully, and don't let your heart feel guilty and painful."
Although Guanzhong is prosperous, apart from the cities and towns, the wilderness is still desolate and difficult. Since we have to avoid the rebels on this road, we can only choose the mountain and wild roads. This is no different for people of Xiao Yu's age.
A great ordeal.
What's more, this Song Guoping, who was well-educated and well-educated, had never experienced such a long-distance sneaking?
Xiao Yu was grateful in his heart. Although the prince was nagging about his mother-in-law, he could feel the prince's sincere concern and worry. It was not just a show, he was naturally close and moved.
"Don't worry, Your Highness, I will definitely complete my mission and return safely."
…
After discussing some details in detail, the officials retreated, and Xiao Yu went to prepare his luggage and set off immediately.
Li Chengqian sent someone to summon Li Junxian and ordered him to lead a hundred elite cavalry to escort him along the way to ensure Xiao Yu's personal safety. Li Junxian accepted the order in a deep voice.
Li Junxian had just exited, and Li Chengqian asked the chamberlain to make a pot of tea. He only took a sip, and then the chamberlain came in and announced: "Your Highness, the Prince of Jiangxia County wishes to see you."
Li Chengqian was stunned, put the tea cup on the table, nodded and said: "Xuan."
"Here."
The chamberlain withdrew, and Li Chengqian frowned in confusion. The discussion had just finished, what else did Li Daozong come to see him for?
Not long after, Li Daozong quickly stepped inside and stepped forward to greet him: "I have an audience with His Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Uncle Prince, why do you need to be so polite? Please sit down quickly."
Li Chengqian asked him to sit down with a cheerful look, and asked his chamberlain to serve Li Daozong some tea. Then he asked, "Uncle Prince, do you have something important to do?"
Li Daozong held the tea cup in his palm, pondered for a moment, then raised his head and looked at Li Chengqian, and said softly: "Your Highness, do you feel that... Erlang is not quite right?"
"Um?"
Li Chengqian was stunned for a moment, then waved to the waiter in the room: "Get out, no one is allowed to come near."
"Here."
The waiters filed out of the room, closed the door, and stayed outside to guard against anyone else approaching.
Li Chengqian then asked: "Why did the Duke Prince say this?"
Could it be that Fang Er was possessed by a demon and his soul was devoured, so Li Daozong found out...
Li Daozong put down his tea cup and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness is very familiar with Erlang and knows his character well. Have you ever thought that he is one of those people who doesn't know the importance of things and doesn't care about the overall situation?"
Fang Jun had just asked Xiao Yu about this, and Xiao Yu replied "yes", but Li Chengqian didn't think so.
He said slowly: "Of course not. Erlang's actions seem to be arbitrary, but in fact most of the time he makes a decision before taking action, especially at critical moments. He is always decisive and thoughtful in killing, and will never make a hasty decision in a hot-blooded manner...
…What exactly does the Duke Prince want to say?”
Although Fang Jun is not "cunning", he is definitely smart. Every time he seems to be reckless, he actually has a plan in mind and will never suffer a loss.
He didn't understand why Li Daozong asked.
Li Daozong leaned forward and whispered: "The general trend of the peace talks is that even though many in the army are unhappy, they actually understand the principle of saving the East Palace for the time being and making plans later. How could Erlang not know this because he has outstanding knowledge and is a great person in the world?"
"
Li Chengqian was silent and looked at Li Daozong in surprise, not knowing what he wanted to say.
Li Daozong continued: "It's not that the minister is too meddlesome, it's actually that Erlang's actions are not in line with his usual temperament... He also opposed peace talks before, believing that peace talks with Guanlong are tantamount to seeking skin from a tiger. Even if the war is stopped now, he will still be able to do it in the future.
He will face Guanlong's rebellion, but generally speaking, he is still forced by the current situation and goes with the flow. However, since he went to see the British Duke, Erlang's desire to fight to the death has become more determined, and he has almost zero tolerance for peace talks..."
Li Chengqian took a breath, looked at Li Daozong with wide eyes, and said in disbelief: "Uncle Wang suspected that Erlang was secretly colluding with the British Duke? Did he think that Erlang deliberately sabotaged the peace talks and wanted to force the East Palace to a dead end?
"
"ah?"
Li Daozong was startled and waved his hand quickly: "Your Highness has misunderstood. Erlang is extremely loyal to Your Highness. The sun can tell us how he could do such disloyal and unjust things?"
If the prince's words spread, I am afraid that the second roommate will hunt him down, Li Daozong, with a knife, vowing to kill him, a slanderer...
Li Chengqian's eyebrows furrowed and he asked in confusion: "What on earth does the uncle of the county prince want to say?"
Naturally, he believed in Fang Jun very much. Even if the entire East Palace was betrayed and abandoned him, he still firmly believed that Fang Jun would definitely follow him and fight side by side with him until death.
This is the trust that the two of them have worked hand in hand to reach today step by step over the years, and have been honed through countless setbacks and tribulations. They will never be suspicious because of some incomprehensible circumstances.
He boasts that he is not a wise king, and his ability to govern the country is not comparable to that of his father and many British heroes in history. However, he also has his own persistence and self-confidence, which is to treat his ministers with sincerity and heart-to-heart.
For people like Fang Jun, who are benevolent and righteous, as long as they treat others with sincerity, they will never fail to do so no matter when or where they are.
If anyone tells him that Fang Jun will betray him, he can slap him away with just one mouthful, not even Li Daozong, the king of Jiangxia County...
Li Daozong hurriedly explained: "What Wei Chen wants to say is that since Luoyang turned around, Erlang has been taking the lead in the battle and his will is very determined. Something must have happened, otherwise he would not be so tough."
Li Chengqian was completely confused: "So, what happened?"
Doesn’t this still lead to suspicion of collusion between Fang Jun and Li Ji?
Li Daozong opened his mouth and found that he seemed to have dug a hole for himself. His original intention was to say that Fang Jun went to Luoyang and became more aggressive in the battle after returning. Something must have happened during this period, otherwise this statement
Doesn't make sense.
But he actually didn't know what happened, but he just had doubts in his heart.
However, this suspicion cannot be expressed verbally, even if the prince is not alone at the moment... He wants to remind the prince with words, but unexpectedly, the prince is confused and completely unaware of his hint.
After hesitating for a long time, Li Daozong could only say: "Your Highness might as well ask Erlang frankly and honestly. The humble minister cannot say more, otherwise he will be suspected of questioning his colleagues."
If Li Chengqian realized something, he nodded slowly.
After Li Daozong left, Li Chengqian sat alone in the hall and drank tea slowly, thinking over Li Chengqian's words over and over in his mind.
First of all, is Li Daozong that kind of villain who stirs up trouble and sows dissension?
Absolutely not.
This prince of the clan has outstanding military exploits and can be called the "third general of the clan" after his father and the prince of Hejian. He is young and powerful and deeply trusted by his father. He is of noble birth but not keen on power. The reason why he spares no effort to support him is just because
He is the crown prince conferred by his father. His father has never deposed him, so he is the object of his allegiance.
Since it is not sowing discord or stirring up trouble, it means that Li Daozong does feel that Fang Jun's change is a bit abrupt and inconsistent with cleanliness.
So, what kind of thing happened that made Fang Jun, who had been reluctant to accept the peace talks before, suddenly become tough to the end, take the lead in the battle, and never want to make peace with the Guanlong rebels? Fang Jun could not have known it.
In the event of a deadly fight, the East Palace would be in danger of overthrowing. Although the peace talks were aggrieved and caused the East Palace to lose a certain amount of prestige, it could ensure the safety of the East Palace.
Only people who are alive can make a comeback. Counterattacks and counterattacks. Once the East Palace falls, everything will be in vain. How could Fang Jun not understand this?
Logically speaking, it is impossible for Li Ji to "incite rebellion" against Fang Jun. Fang Jun's loyalty to him, the prince, is unquestionable. As early as when he was about to be abandoned by his father and the whole dynasty was an enemy, he fully supported him without thinking of anything in return.
It was such enthusiasm that made Li Chengqian's attitude toward Fang Jun go beyond the feelings of a monarch and a minister. He regarded him as a "confidant" and made up his mind to never betray him.
But the change did indeed occur after lobbying Li Ji, which naturally means that it must have been something Li Ji said and did.
He couldn't think of the reason for Fang Jun's change, but when he thought of Li Daozong's hesitant expression, his heart skipped a beat.
An inexplicable palpitation arises for no reason...