Rainwater pours down from the tiled eaves on all sides of the patio, pouring into the green brick flower pond with a gurgling sound, overflowing and flowing into the drainage channel along the groove, with mercury splashing everywhere.
The old eunuch's face finally changed. He stared at Li Ji and asked, "What do you mean by this?"
Li Ji snorted and said dissatisfied: "Have you stayed in the palace for a long time, claiming to be the smartest person in the world? Everyone is under your control, and you are willing to fall into the trap? Originally, Fang Jun was forced to In desperation, he may have to take the risk and attack Xuanwu Gate to rescue the prince. This will put him in a dilemma. The hesitant Zhang Shigui is determined to defend the city. However, now, Fang Jun only needs to inform Zhang Shigui about the assassination. How can Zhang Shigui not know how to make a decision? ?”
No one wants to be around venomous snakes and beasts.
The reason why Zhang Shigui was still hesitating rather than completely surrendering to the Crown Prince was because of his loyalty to His Majesty Li Er and his willingness to fight to the death to complete the tasks entrusted by His Majesty in his last edict.
However, death means death, but the way of death is very different.
Blocking the Xuanwu Gate to cut off the prince's retreat is an act of order. Although it cannot be done to the prince, it is worthy of His Majesty Li Er. Similarly, abolish the prince, establish a new prince, end this mutiny as soon as possible, and preserve the vitality of the court as much as possible. This is also what a loyal minister should do.
Who is Fang Jun?
Everyone in the government and the public, regardless of enemy or friend, does not think that Fang Jun is the future pillar of the empire. His achievements and abilities are not only unmatched among the younger generation, but even including the Zhenguan ministers, there are few who can compare with him. match?
How would an upright person like Zhang Shigui feel about such a prominent figure in the world suddenly killing someone and using assassination to achieve his goal?
Maybe this will completely push him to the side of the prince...
The old eunuch thought more. He had sent the man in black to urge Zhang Shigui to act as soon as possible, but he refused. The man in black followed his orders and waited for an opportunity to fight...
The two factors are superimposed, and it is conceivable that Zhang Shigui must be extremely inclined to seek refuge with the prince now.
What about the edict?
It is just a testament. After all, it is not the golden words of His Majesty Li Er. For an honorable minister like Zhang Shigui with unparalleled merit and status, the binding force is extremely weak. Once he feels that following the testament will have extremely serious consequences, he may change his mind in a matter of seconds. .
After pondering for a long time, the old eunuch slowly said: "If this is the case, you might as well tell the truth truthfully."
Li Ji felt more and more that the old eunuch was old and confused, so he asked: "Do you want to put His Majesty in a situation of 'father and son fighting each other'? 'Tiger poison does not eat its own children'. If this matter is made public, the outside world will know about deposing the prince." This is His Majesty’s wish, what kind of infamy will Your Majesty bear?”
In the past few years, the prince seems to have completely changed as a person. He is fair and calm in dealing with things. He has not changed his benevolent and honest nature and is deeply loved by his subjects. Once the rebellion of the Guanlong clan succeeds, he will face endless rebuke from the people of the world. , In the same way, even if His Majesty Li Er openly changed his position and used such methods to kill the prince without leaving a way for the prince to survive, how do you think the people of the world would evaluate him?
How will historians write this history?
It is absolutely intolerable to pay for the posthumous name of an emperor...
The old eunuch was silent again.
Li Ji looked at him coldly and said slowly: "From now on, you should not interfere in this matter. I will arrange everything."
The old eunuch's eyelids drooped and he remained silent, and his body seemed to become more and more stooped.
Li Ji ignored him and turned around to walk to the front hall, shaking off the rainwater on his umbrella and walking briskly...
The old eunuch raised his eyelids and stared at Li Ji's tall and thin back, then silently turned around and walked into the main hall, ignoring the coffins parked in the hall, and walked into the side hall on one side.
*****
Yanshoufang.
Yuwen Shiji carried a wind-stained bag and entered the shop facing the street. He took off his raincoat and handed it to the servants behind him. Many civil servants and military officers in the hall saluted one by one, and several of them offered condolences. Yuwen Shiji responded with a smile, and then went straight in. Side hall.
In the side hall, Changsun Wuji was putting a secret letter on the desk. When he saw Yu Wenshiji approaching, he saw that although his face was pale, he was still in good spirits, so he nodded and said, "You also know?"
Yu Wenshi nodded, stepped forward and sat across from the desk, glanced at the secret letter, and sighed: "Fang Jun was assassinated, and the situation is becoming more and more confusing. I just don't know who is responsible for it?"
He was recuperating in his mansion, and when he heard about this, he was very surprised.
Especially when he learned that the assassin was actually a soldier who had been with Xue Wanche for many years, he felt more and more that this matter was extraordinary and not just an ordinary assassination. He hurriedly came to Yanshoufang regardless of his illness. Discuss countermeasures with Changsun Wuji.
Changsun Wuji shook his head and said in a deep voice: "They are all dead soldiers. The assassination attempt failed and they immediately took poison without any hesitation. Now that they are dead without evidence, it is impossible to find out who is the mastermind behind the scenes."
The old servant brought the fragrant tea. Changsun Wuji ordered him to put it on the desk, then waved him away and took the pot with his own hands to pour tea for Yuwen Shiji.
Yu Wenshi nodded in thanks, holding the tea cup in his hand, frowning and said: "The biggest suspect in this matter is Li Ji... But from what I know, Li Ji is an honest man and rarely engages in conspiracies. Moreover, we are family friends with the Fang family, and the two families have a good relationship with each other. They may each have their own masters and fight to the death, but it is unlikely that they will use such means to deal with Fang Jun."
Having been officials in the same dynasty for many years, they already knew each other's behavior quite well. To put it bluntly, Li Ji was a bit aloof and arrogant, relying on his own military achievements to think highly of himself, and disdainful of resorting to dirty tricks.
I can't say that it's high-spirited, but it does have a bottom line.
What's particularly important is that, given Xue Wanche's position in the court, Li Ji had neither the ability nor the need to place dead soldiers around him...
"Hey!"
Changsun Wuji laughed angrily, knocked on the table with his fingers, and said dissatisfied: "Why are you beating around the bush like this? Just tell me you doubt me!"
Yuwen Shiji raised his eyebrows and lowered his head to drink tea, which was regarded as acquiescence.
Changsun Wuji said angrily: "I do have this motive and the ability...but you have overlooked one point. If I had made such arrangements a long time ago, why would I wait until today to take action? Regardless of success or failure, I have already dealt with that guy. Let’s start.”
Yu Wenshiji thought for a moment and nodded slowly.
Although he no longer trusts Changsun Wuji's character, Yu Wenshiji feels that it does not resemble Changsun Wuji's style. Since the uprising, Guanlong's army has suffered repeated setbacks and suffered heavy losses, especially the damage caused by Youtun Guards. The biggest one, plus the grievances between Fang Jun and the Changsun family, and Changsun Wuji’s scornful will to retaliate. If he really had the ability to assassinate Fang Jun, how could he wait until today?
Even if those grudges are put aside, Fang Jun is sitting in the Xuanwu Gate and the Guanlong Clan is helpless. How can Fang Jun be allowed to jump around and raid the Guanlong army from time to time?
However, it is neither like Li Jizhi's style nor Changsun Wuji's handwriting. Who can place a dead soldier next to a person as useless as Xue Wanche and instruct the dead soldier to assassinate Fang Jun?
Changsun Wuji picked up the tea cup and took a sip of tea, and suddenly asked: "If His Majesty really leaves a will, who do you think will be appointed to execute it?"
Yu Wenshiji was stunned and asked: "Isn't it Li Ji?"
His Majesty Li Er died in the army. It was natural and logical for Li Ji to take over the army as deputy commander. At the same time, it was logical and logical to accept His Majesty's last orders and carry out the imperial edict. Regardless of the situation or reason, this should be the case. I have reviewed the Lieutenant General of the army at that time. , who else is qualified to surpass Li Ji and be ordered to carry out the imperial edict?
Changsun Wuji pondered for a moment, glanced at the wind and rain outside the window, and said, "Have you forgotten Wang Shoushi?"
Suddenly hearing this name, Yu Wenshiji was shocked: "I have really forgotten this person!"
In the ninth year of Wude, His Majesty Li Er led the generals of the Tiance Mansion to set up an ambush under the Xuanwu Gate. He falsely reported that Emperor Gaozu had ordered the prince to be led into the palace, and King Yuanji of Qi entered the palace. He then captured and killed him, and then fought a bloody battle. With the help of the powerful family members, he killed Prince Jiancheng's gang members, rebelled against him, usurped the crown prince, and ascended the throne as emperor.
Everyone knows that the "Xuanwumen Incident" was caused by the generals in the Tiance Mansion who were unwilling to sit back and wait for death, so they advised His Majesty Li Er to risk his life and fight. However, few people know that what really prompted His Majesty Li Er to make up his mind was the news from the palace. A message from...
It is said that Emperor Gaozu at that time had agreed to the prince's proposal to kill the King of Qin and razing the palace of the King of Qin, in order to avoid future troubles and completely eliminate the disputes in the court, so as to prevent the empire from suffering the ravages of civil strife.
The person who broke the news was Wang Shoushi, the most favored eunuch around Emperor Gaozu at that time...