At this moment, in Li Ji's eyes, Changsun Wuji was no more than a withered bone in a grave. Even if he could still stir up trouble and slaughter the people in Guanzhong, he would just be struggling to the death at the end of the road.
But Li Ji had to admit that Changsun Wuji so viciously dragged all the clans and private armies into destruction, and indeed had a high chance of bringing the entire Changsun family back from the brink of death.
Cruel enough.
*****
Inside the inner gate, the lanterns are lit for the first time.
Li Chengqian was discussing matters with Li Jing and Li Junxian, and listened to the news sent by Fang Jun and his own suggestions.
Li Jing nodded and said: "The Duke of Yue's prediction is correct. Guanlong's goal is probably the Sixth Leader of the East Palace. Changsun Wuji has gone crazy. He doesn't care about the life and death of the Guanlong clan and the private armies of those clans. He wants to fight to the death. In the end, Both jade and stone must be burned together."
He actually doesn't quite understand the current situation. It stands to reason that the East Palace is already actively promoting peace talks. Changsun Wuji only needs to pay a certain price to completely eliminate the mutiny. Then the East Palace and Guan Long join forces to fight against Li Ji, and Li Ji is very likely to be active. It is impossible to send troops into Beijing and raise troops to rebel. In this way, all parties can reach their respective bottom lines, so why not?
Why do we have to take this most dangerous path?
Even if the Sixth Army of the East Palace were defeated, the prince was forced to retreat to Hexi under the protection of Youtun Guards, and the entire Chang'an City was occupied, wouldn't he still have to face Li Ji, who was stationed at Tongguan and was eyeing him?
However, he was self-aware and knew that his sense of politics was extremely dull and his talent was extremely lacking. He simply did not delve into the undercurrents behind the clouds and mountains, and just guarded the Tai Chi Palace to ensure that the prince and the East Palace were safe.
Of course, this is difficult...
Once the Guanlong clan mobilized the private armies of the clans to approach Chang'an and put pressure on the Youtun Guards, and then assisted Xue Wanche on the north bank of the Weishui River, the Youtun Guards would be able to protect themselves, but it would be difficult for them to provide support to the palace. This was all what the Sixth Leader of the East Palace wanted. What they will face will be a fatal blow for the entire Guanlong.
There is a huge disparity in military strength, and our side can only defend Taiji Palace. There is no room for detours in strategy. Even Li Jing, the military god, is worried.
This is a fight to the death...
Although Li Chengqian didn't understand military affairs, he also knew how bad the current situation was. Once Changsun Wuji made up his mind to die together, the fighting power that Guan Long and the powerful private armies could unleash would still put the Sixth Army of the East Palace in danger. No matter how small the mob was, they couldn't hold it back There are many people.
He looked at Li Jing with heavy eyes: "Thank you, Duke Wei."
There was nothing to boost morale, no appointment to make a wish, just a simple sentence of "Thank you for your work", but it made Li Jing, who was seventy years old, feel a surge of heat in his chest, and his whole body cuddled up, giving birth to the majestic and heroic spirit of "A scholar will die for his confidant"!
After spending his time in officialdom, he experienced ups and downs in the officialdom. For the first time, he felt the trust and respect without suspicion. He was not good at intrigues, let alone revealing himself, but he was good at leading troops to fight and was good at serving even to the death!
He immediately knelt down on one knee, performed a military salute, and said in an impassioned tone: "Your Highness, don't worry, even if the old minister is killed in the Taiji Palace, he will still use his body to stop the rebels and prevent the rebellious ministers and traitors from getting even half a step closer to this important inner gate!"
Who has never died since ancient times?
If you can die for a prince who trusts you and values you, if you die for the uprightness of the empire and the country, then there is nothing to be afraid of!
…
Li Jing said goodbye and went to the Tai Chi Palace to prepare his troops and prepare for the fierce battle that was likely to follow.
Li Chengqian looked at his back disappearing at the door, sighed, and said: "It's a pity that Wei Gong is so full of ambition and military strategy that he has wasted more than ten years without achieving anything. Otherwise, I'm afraid our territory of the Tang Dynasty will become even more vast."
, perhaps Goguryeo has already been included in the territory of the Tang Dynasty..."
If that were the case, there would not have been this Eastern Expedition, hundreds of thousands of troops would not have been defeated in Liaodong, my father would not have died in the army, and Guanzhong would not have suffered this mutiny that destroyed all industries and destroyed all lives.
...I can only say that time is also fate.
Li Junxian stood with his hands tied and remained silent.
He is absolutely not allowed to express opinions on such topics, neither positive nor negative opinions. This is a way of life that he always adheres to...
Fortunately, Li Chengqian didn't just express emotion. Now that the matter has come to this, what's the point of thinking about things that never happened?
Overcoming the current crisis and running Datang well is what he should do.
However, now that the war is about to begin and the smoke is billowing, he, the prince, can only be trapped in this area of the inner gate, watching Li Jing and Fang Jun fight desperately against the rebels inside and outside, and there is nothing he can do to help.
After sitting in silence for a while, Li Chengqian suddenly asked: "How is Changsun Chong doing now?"
When Changsun Chong was ordered by his father to sneak back to Chang'an to preside over the rebellion, he was captured by the "Baiqisi" and has been imprisoned ever since. Li Chengqian had no time to pay attention to him. At this moment, his heart was filled with emotions, and he suddenly remembered this and him.
A deeply entangled person.
His unintentional mistake caused Changsun Chong to be severely injured and inhumane. Changsun Chong deliberately took revenge, causing him to fall from his horse and be injured and lame one leg... It is difficult to say what is right and wrong.
Li Junxian said: "I have been detained in prison and have not been punished. I am provided with three meals a day. However, I am depressed and depressed. I go crazy in prison from time to time. I seem to have some mental problems."
Li Chengqian sighed again.
…
Neizhongmen is the garrison of the Beiya imperial army that guards Xuanwumen. It is where the army is located, and naturally it is a prison for punishing and imprisoning illegal and disciplinary soldiers. The prison is located in the angle between Neizhongmen and Xuanwumen, with tall buildings on the north side.
To the south of the towering Xuanwu Gate tower are rows of military buildings, and the environment is dark and cramped.
Entering the prison, a bad smell hit his face.
Li Chengqian, who was following Li Junxian, frowned and endured the unpleasant smell. He walked to the innermost cell and looked in through a "window" that was only half a foot long and wide on the short cell door.
A man in ragged clothes and unkempt hair was lying on his back on the straw, his body covered with various shackles and shackles.
Li Chengqian looked away, thought for a moment, and said, "Open the door."
Li Junxian ordered the jailer to step forward and open the cell door.
Li Chengqian raised his feet and walked inside, followed by Li Junxian...
Li Chengqian stopped and said calmly: "Go in alone and have some words to say to him. You can just stay outside."
The jailer and the guard looked at each other, very embarrassed.
Li Junxian quickly stepped forward to stop him and persuaded him: "Your Highness has a golden body and cannot sit down in the hall, so why take such a risk?"
Li Chengqian waved his hand: "This person is carrying heavy shackles. It would be difficult to stand up, sit or lie down. His hands and feet are shackled. How can he hurt me? You don't have to worry, nothing will happen."
Everyone did not dare to persuade anymore, so they had to stand guard at the door and let Li Chengqian enter. They did not dare to eavesdrop on the conversation between Li Chengqian and Changsun Chong, but they also had to pay attention to Li Chengqian's safety at all times...
The prison is in an extremely dark and cramped place, and this cell is in the deepest part of the prison. It is damp, dark, and full of mold. You can imagine how bad the condition is...
Li Chengqian endured the discomfort and raised his feet to enter. The prisoner on the straw pile was motionless and showed no reaction to the addition of another person in the cell. If his chest hadn't risen slightly, he would have been almost dead.
Looking at the unkempt prisoner, Li Chengqian said solemnly: "Cousin, how are you doing now?"
The lying prisoner finally moved, as if he didn't expect anyone to visit him in a place like this... He slowly raised his hand, brushed away the lice-infested hair from his face, turned his head, and met him.
Li Chengqian's eyes met, and both of them were stunned.
Li Chengqian simply couldn't believe that this slovenly, dirty prisoner with abscesses all over his body was Changsun Chong, the glorious and glorious "son of the first family in Chang'an".
Then……
"ah!"
Changsun Chong suddenly let out a short, almost shrill scream, and jumped up from the straw pile, as if he wanted to rush in front of Li Chengqian, but the shackles on his body were too heavy, and his hands and feet were even more restrained by the shackles. He tried his best
Not only could he not jump up, but his limbs were unbalanced and he was thrown into the straw.
"Your Highness!"
"Bold people commit crimes and seek death!"
Outside the door, Li Junxian and others were frightened out of their wits by Chang Sun Chong's shrill scream, and they rushed in. They were relieved when they saw that Chang Sun Chong's head fell into the straw pile and did not cause any harm to Li Chengqian.
"Back off!"
Li Chengqian said quietly to the river.
"Your Highness..." Li Junxian tried to dissuade him, and stayed here to protect Li Chengqian's safety, but Li Chengqian shouted at him: "Back off!"
Li Junxian had no choice but to take the others and exit honestly.
In the dark and cramped cell, Chang Sun Chong finally broke free from the pile of straw. His rapid breathing was very obvious in the small space. He slumped there, breathing heavily, and stared at Li Chengqian with eyes full of resentment.
Hoarse voice: "You're not dead yet? Why aren't you dead yet?!"
His chest rose and fell sharply. If he hadn't been completely weak and couldn't break free from the shackles, he would have pounced on Li Chengqian and taken a bite of Li Chengqian's flesh and blood...
Li Chengqian put his hands behind his back and looked down at the prisoner in front of him.