Xuanwu Gate is always the life gate of Taiji Palace. If you gain it, you will live; if you lose it, you will die.
Zhang Shigui, the Duke of Guo State, who was originally the leader of the "Beiya Imperial Army", guarded the palace and guarded the Xuanwu Gate under the emperor's orders. When the situation was urgent and the importance of the Xuanwu Gate increased again and again, people suddenly no longer trusted him so much...
In particular, Li Ji's various strange actions made the prince realize that there was something unusual. Only then did Fang Jun arrive at Xuanwu Gate at night and have a frank conversation with Zhang Shigui, trying to completely draw him to the East Palace.
But now, although Zhang Shigui has not done anything unusual, he has blocked the Xuanwu Gate on the grounds that the war situation is tense and dangerous, causing the information transmission between the East Palace and Youtun Guard to be interrupted.
Don't say that the prince's character is not firm enough. Anyone faced with this situation will inevitably worry about gains and losses, and feel like sitting on pins and needles...
Li Junxian pondered for a moment, took a step forward, and said in a low voice: "Your Highness, Xuanwu Gate is related to the safety of Your Highness. It is not an exaggeration to even say that life and death depend on it. How can it be left to the hands of others? The Duke of Yue certainly has However, the Duke of Guo has a stubborn character and may not obey the advice. If he does not change his mind, it will be too dangerous for His Highness and the entire East Palace... In the end, the general will be bold and invite himself to the Xuanwu Gate to assassinate the Duke of Guo. , if it succeeds, we can cooperate with the Youtun Guards inside and outside to completely wipe out the 'Beiya Forbidden Army'. Your Highness can advance, attack, retreat and defend, so that you can be in an invincible position."
Li Chengqian sat still for a while, then shook his head and said warmly: "Why did the general assist Yu Gu with all his strength?"
"Baiqisi" is a minion of the emperor. It is not affiliated with the imperial court's three provinces, six departments and sixteen guards. It is directly ordered by the emperor. This shows its nature and status. But now, Li Junxian has become Li Chengqian's most important person. One of the loyal ministers.
Li Junxian was stunned for a moment. Although he didn't understand why the prince asked such a question, he hurriedly said: "Your Highness is kind and generous, and has the demeanor of the ancient sage kings. Therefore, I am wholeheartedly convinced and vow to let His Highness drive me and never give up!"
Li Chengqian laughed and said slowly: "The general is also the father's confidant. Now that the empire's legitimacy is facing a crisis, he resolutely surrenders to Gu and joins hands to face the arrogant rebels. He does not care about personal life and death, but only protects The empire is in full swing, saving all the people in Guanzhong from fire and water. But since the general can have such a consciousness, how do you know that the Duke of Guo does not have it?"
Li Junxian was speechless.
My Highness, can this be the same? In normal times, you can naturally try all kinds of ways to subdue Zhang Shigui. Whether it succeeds or not, it doesn't matter. But when is it now? Once the six rates in the East Palace cannot withstand the ferocity of the rebels, If you attack and are defeated like a mountain, you must immediately exit Xuanwu Gate and go to Youtun Guard, and then retreat to the counties in Hexi to ensure safety.
But what should we do if Zhang Shigui seals the Xuanwu Gate at the critical moment?
How can you put your life and the safety of the East Palace above whether Zhang Shigui is loyal to the empire and has a righteous mind?
He is a die-hard loyalist to His Majesty, the kind who will never hesitate to face His Majesty's orders!
Of course, if His Majesty were alive, Zhang Shigui would never be able to defect to the East Palace. Now His Majesty's death may indeed shake Zhang Shigui's will... But that is only a possibility!
Li Chengqian saw that Li Junxian was hesitant to speak and had an unhappy look on his face. He smiled and said comfortingly: "Besides, the victory or defeat has not yet been determined at this moment. If Duke Guo is killed violently, it will directly affect the morale of the troops in the East Palace, and even all the troops." The civil and military ministers who are still loyal to the father, all forces. Furthermore, the "Bei Ya Forbidden Army" was established by the father. Each of them is elite and powerful, and if they can be brought over, it will have a great impact on the strength of the East Palace. There has been a huge improvement. Therefore, the general's advice will not be adopted unless it is absolutely necessary."
Li Junxian understood what he was saying and said with shame: "The general did not think well and almost ruined His Highness's important affairs. He deserves death for his crime."
At this time, Xuanwu Gate is the top priority. The prince is worried that Zhang Shigui will cut off his retreat in an emergency. Isn't Zhang Shigui afraid that the prince will suddenly take action and kill him to completely open the Xuanwu Gate?
Therefore, Zhang Shigui must be heavily guarded at this time, and it would be almost impossible to assassinate him secretly.
Moreover, although the "Beiya Forbidden Army" is small in number, it is powerful in combat. If it cannot be completely defeated with a lightning strike, it will inevitably cause extremely serious consequences.
To this day, there are still many civil and military ministers in Chang'an City who support the East Palace, and the same is naturally true in all parts of the world. But how many of these people and forces really support Li Chengqian? They only support the identity of the prince and the empire Zhengshuo.
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If Li Chengqian did something like murdering Zhang Shigui, once exposed, public opinion would surge, which would become the best reason for the rebels to start a rebellion.
By that time, even if we can evacuate to the counties in Hexi under the protection of Fang Jun, what can we do? People will lose their hearts, and there will be a lot of curses, which will lead to defeat sooner or later...
Li Chengqian saw that Li Junxian understood what he meant, so he smiled warmly and said: "General, you don't have to be like this. This time we share the adversity, Gu deeply admires the general's loyalty and ability. Gu is not a heartless person, he is a minister who will accompany him through life and death in times of adversity."
, I will never forget it. If one day we wipe out the rebels and cleanse the world, I swear to share the wealth and honor with you!"
As a prince, he has been instilled with the most elite education since he was a child. It is not just about learning the Four Books and Five Classics. It is not that important whether the imperial prince is knowledgeable. What is important is to learn the "art of imperial control" and know how to do things.
You must know how to manage people.
Such methods of motivating and promising people, and inviting people to win people’s hearts, do not require too much skill...
Li Junxian burst into tears with gratitude: "Thank you so much for your kindness, Your Highness, I will be willing to die for you!"
The danger of his job is really too great. Throughout the ages, most of those who can serve as the emperor's "eagle dogs" have not ended well. They know too many royal secrets and see all the dirty and sinister ways of the emperor.
In my heart, when the emperor is reincarnated, he will naturally be the best confidant in the world, but once the emperor's life is about to end, how can he leave such a hidden danger that all his darkness will be exposed to the public at any time?
When people are alive, they pursue profits, but when they are about to die, they only care about reputation. Any possibility of tarnishing one's posthumous reputation must be stifled.
What's more, even if the emperor either felt unbearable or died violently and left him behind, how could the new king who succeeded him continue to reuse such a minister?
Therefore, the emperor's "Eagle Dog" can either be the most favored in the dynasty, or be ruined and die. There is no third way.
Logically speaking, before His Majesty Li Er died, he must have arranged for Li Junxian to die violently, which not only eliminated the hidden danger of ruining his reputation, but also cleared obstacles for the new monarch. But now His Majesty Li Er died during the Eastern Expedition.
, there was no time to get rid of him, and the prince encountered the Guanlong rebellion, so he could only reuse him as an important minister holding the "Hundred Cavalry Division", and completed the transition perfectly.
Of course, the most important aspect of the prince's kindness and solid kindness allowed Li Junxian to put aside all worries and serve the prince wholeheartedly.
…
It was raining heavily. In a courtyard on the east side of Tai Chi Hall that was used as a temporary command post, Li Jing took a sip of hot tea and looked at Cheng Chubi, Li Siwen, Qu Tuguan and other generals from the East Palace in front of him, and said with a smile: "Mo
You must have an expression of bitterness, hatred, and worry. I have fought more battles than you have eaten. No matter how passive you are in this battle at the moment, you will definitely win in the end."
"Does Duke Wei really mean what he said?"
"We are not three-year-old children, you can deceive us!"
Several sluggish generals cheered up instantly and looked at Li Jing with bright eyes, hoping that he could explain the current situation, summarize the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, and how they could come to the conclusion of "a complete victory".
Li Jing not only had a great reputation, but his military qualities were also unfathomable. Since the reorganization of the Sixth Army of the East Palace, these young generals have learned a lot about various tactics and strategies under Li Jing and have benefited a lot. Their respect for Li Jing is like the water of a river, flowing endlessly.
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Therefore, although the battle situation was unfavorable at the moment, since Li Jing said such words, there must be some basis for it, and it instantly boosted everyone's morale.
Li Jing took a sip of tea and said calmly: "It seems that the battle is taking place in Tai Chi Palace, but in fact the key to determining this war is not here."
Qu Tu asked curiously: "Where is that?"
Li Jing pointed to the north and said: "It's outside Xuanwu Gate, and it's also at Tongguan."
The generals were thoughtful.
Li Jidao: "The most important purpose at the moment is to protect the prince, protect the East Palace, maintain the empire's integrity, and prevent the rebels from rampant. So what if Taiji Palace falls? The prince can lead the East Palace to evacuate from Xuanwu Gate..."