In the evening, in the back hall, His Majesty Li Er was enjoying dinner with Concubine Yang.
Although the rebellion has subsided, the trade routes in and out of Guanzhong are not yet completely open, and hundreds of thousands of Eastern Expedition troops have gathered at key passes such as Tongguan and Hangu Pass, making it still difficult to supply materials in Guanzhong, even in the imperial palace.
There is a lack of food. There is no shortage of ordinary meat and vegetables, but there is almost no shortage of delicacies from all over the world.
However, in the past few years, the Tang Dynasty has been prosperous and prosperous, and the trend of enjoyment has become more and more popular. His Majesty Li Er has also changed his past hard and simple style, and his life has become more and more extravagant. As the saying goes, "It is easy to move from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to move from luxury to frugality." Originally,
I had suffered enough during the Eastern Expedition, and I wanted to go back to Chang'an to make up for it, but I didn't expect that due to the melee in Guanzhong and the lack of supplies, it was not much better than during the Eastern Expedition...
His Majesty Li Er took a few bites of green vegetables and ate less than half a bowl of rice. Then he put down his bowl and chopsticks, picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip of water without eating.
Concubine Yang held the bowl and chewed slowly. As she ate, she lowered her head and began to sob.
His Majesty Li Er put down his tea cup, frowned, and opened his mouth to yell impatiently, but he held back the words and asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Concubine Yang put down her bowls and chopsticks, wiped her tears, lowered her head and whispered softly: "Chang'an is the most prosperous city in the world, but it was ruined in just one battle. Even His Majesty's diet is extremely frugal. And Silla is even more so.
In a barbarian land, I heard that His Majesty's expedition to the east had caused Goguryeo and Baekje to be beaten to the point of subjugation. Their defeated troops fled to Silla. I think there must have been continuous battles... Ke'er guarded Silla and faced the rebel army.
It must be very difficult, and I don’t know what the situation is like now..."
His Majesty Li Er's somewhat impatient mood calmed down, his brows were still furrowed, but he did not say a word.
The son traveled thousands of miles, and his mother was worried. Li Ke's feudal Silla was more than a thousand miles away. Moreover, the people living there were all foreigners. They did not obey the king's ways and did not know how to educate them. They were almost the same as animals. However, Li Ke had lofty ambitions and was definitely not willing to live by it. He was greedy for pleasure.
, he will definitely try his best to show off his talents. On the one hand, he will conquer a subjugated country that belongs to him and pass it on to his descendants. On the other hand, he will also show the people in Chang'an that although Li Ke is not his legitimate son, his literary skills and martial arts are no less than
anyone……
In this way, one can imagine Li Ke's difficulties.
It is human nature for Concubine Yang to miss her son. Even if Li Er is an emperor, how can he not have any affection for father and son?
After a long time, Concubine Yang stopped sobbing, stood up and said apologetically: "Your Majesty has returned from the Eastern Expedition. He has worked hard and it is time for him to live a good life. I am ignorant and have caused trouble to Your Majesty. I hope you will forgive me."
"well……"
His Majesty Li Er sighed, pulled Concubine Yang to sit next to him, and comforted softly: "Ke'er is also my flesh and blood. Among all the disciples, he is the most like me. His affection is by no means inferior to that of Qingque and Pheasant Slave."
, how can we endure the separation of flesh and blood? But he is not the legitimate son, but he has a very high prestige. Isn't this a good thing? The reason why he feudalized Silla is to protect him. Moreover, with Ke'er's talent and ability, he will definitely be able to show his talents in Silla.
Revenge is a hundred times better than in Chang'an. In the future, when Silla is stabilized, his branch will blossom and flourish, and I will be worthy of him."
A few years ago, he had the idea of leading an army to conquer all directions, conquering foreign lands and enfeoffing them to his sons. For example, Li Ke now feudalizes Silla, and other places such as Xueyantuo, Western Regions, Japan, and Annan have become his own.
The son's kingdom is surrounded by the Tang Dynasty like stars. It is the barrier of the empire, and it is all of the blood of Li Tang. Isn't it beautiful?
Even if one day the center collapses and is taken over by these kingdoms, it will be rotten in the pot, and there will be no advantage for others...
It's just that the battle of the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo made him feel a little depressed. The seemingly powerful Tang army didn't have much to do in the face of Pingrang City, which preferred death over surrender. This shows that the tenacity and fighting power that broke out when a clan was about to survive was enough.
Make up for the disadvantages in military strength, equipment, etc.
To put it bluntly, if you are too violent, you will risk your life.
Only those who possess a level of force far beyond that of a navy master can crush them at will.
Firearms...
His Majesty Li Er stroked his beard and became upset.
The Youtun Guards Station was stationed outside Xuanwu Gate. Although it suffered heavy losses in several battles, with insufficient soldiers and damaged equipment, it could recover in less than a year. Such an army, with almost half of it equipped with firearms and adopting firearms-based tactics,
, it is really a serious worry.
How can you allow others to snore and sleep on the side of the couch?
Even if he believed in Fang Jun's loyalty and would not follow the prince into the Xuanwu Gate to repeat the "Xuanwu Gate Incident", he was still on tenterhooks...
Thinking of this, he felt more and more on pins and needles. He stood up and said, "I remembered that there are still some things that need to be dealt with urgently. You can go to bed first."
Stride out.
Wang De was waiting outside the door. When he saw His Majesty Li Er coming out, he hurriedly greeted him: "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
His Majesty Li Er walked towards the side hall without stopping and said, "Send someone to call King Han and Li Junxian. I have something to ask."
"Here!"
Wang De quickly called the two young chamberlains and asked them to leave the palace to invite people, and then ran a few steps to catch up with His Majesty Li Er.
…
The sun was setting, and the light in the side hall was dim. For some reason, His Majesty Li Er did not let people light the candles. When Li Yuanjia and Li Junxian entered one after another, their eyesight could not adapt for a while, and they came to the throne in front of the throne to pay homage with almost black eyes.
.
It wasn't until His Majesty Li Er waved his hand to offer him a seat and the waiter served him tea that the sight of the two returned to normal...
His Majesty Li Er got straight to the point: "How did King Jing die? The entire palace of King Jing was destroyed, and what happened to the entire family?"
Li Yuanjia and Li Junxian looked at each other, and the latter said: "Let the general decide this matter..."
He immediately described the situation he knew in detail. After all, this was his job. He was derelict in failing to understand Li Yuanjing's situation before he rebelled. If he still failed to understand the whole situation, it would be a crime.
The matter is not complicated. How did Li Yuanjing visit Chai Zhewei from time to time with ulterior motives to win over him, and how he led the royal coalition to join the Zuotunwei to attack the Xuanwu Gate. In the end, Gao Kan led half of the Youtunwei to defeat him, and he was defeated until he died...
…
After he finished speaking, His Majesty Li Er was silent for a moment and asked: "What evidence shows that King Jing is rebellious? Did he openly declare himself emperor, did he raise a rebel flag and change the name of the country, or did he murder loyal ministers and poison the people?"
Li Junxian was stunned, evidence?
He has already led his troops to storm the Xuanwu Gate in order to enter the palace, what more evidence is needed?
He didn't even conquer the Tai Chi Palace, so where did he get the chance to become emperor?
As for raising the flag of rebellion... Even if he succeeds in his rebellion, he will definitely continue the Tang Dynasty. So why would there be any need to change the name of the country?
Li Yuanjia was still smart, and after a moment's thought, he understood it and said hurriedly: "It's just that everyone in the government and the public accuses King Jing of treason, but there is no conclusive evidence."
Li Junxian glanced at him, vaguely understanding.
His Majesty Li Er nodded and said in a deep voice: "King Jing is my biological brother. He heard that I was killed in Liaodong, and it happened to be the rebellion of the eldest grandson Wuji. He was worried about my family in the palace, so he wanted to lead his army to the palace to protect him. Why did he have any intention of rebellion?
?If anyone outside slanders King Jing’s reputation and tarnishes the royal family’s face, the ‘Baiqisi’ will severely stop them, and no matter who is involved, they will be severely punished!”
Li Junxian also completely understood, and quickly agreed: "The general will obey the order!"
Did Li Yuanjing rebel and be defeated and killed? It doesn't matter, he is already dead anyway. What His Majesty Li Er really cares about is whether someone will use Li Yuanjing's death to throw dirty water on him. He "pretended to be dead" and sat back and watched Guan Long
The mutiny is very likely to induce Li Yuanjing to raise troops and then kill him. After all, he has a history of killing brothers...
Furthermore, although Li Yuanjing is a dignified prince, how could he mobilize so many royal troops at once? If we dig deeper, it will inevitably involve princes, heirs, or princes from many royal families. Once they are uncovered one by one,
, to kill or not to kill?
When Yi Chu is about to arrive, it is best to stabilize the royal family and unify their views. This is the best way to show favor.
Therefore, Li Yuanjing must not be killed because of rebellion. He only needs to find a reason and someone to take the blame...
As for the death of the whole family in Prince Jing's Mansion, Li Junxian couldn't figure it out, so he could only let it go.
His Majesty Li Er said in a deep voice: "King Jing saw that the eldest son Sun Wuji had launched a mutiny and was worried about the prince in the palace, so he contacted Qiao Guo Gong to join forces and go to Xuanwu Gate to rescue the prince. The Youtun Guards sent troops to attack before they could tell the difference, resulting in
King Jing was defeated and died among the rebellious army."
Li Yuanjia and Li Junxian were silent. Since King Jing was not treasonous, someone must be responsible for his death.
Sure enough, His Majesty Li Er continued: "The Youtun Guards did not distinguish between ourselves and the enemy, and Fang Jun was guilty of negligence. However, thinking of the Youtun Guards' outstanding performance in this mutiny, being brave and good at fighting, and Fang Jun was not in the army at the time, I was so moved.
There are excuses, so I am removing him from the post of General of the Right Guards and choosing someone else to take the post... What do you two think?"
Li Junxian naturally would not express his opinion: "Your Majesty obeys the order!"
It not only avoids the possibility of "conspiracy to kill brothers", but also takes away Fang Jun's military power. It is reasonable, kills two birds with one stone, and is acceptable to all parties.
Li Yuanjia thought for a while, after all, Fang Jun was his brother-in-law. If he didn't say a word at this moment, that guy would have to make trouble for him later... Then he tentatively said: "The general of the Sixteenth Guards is related to the safety of the capital, and his appointment and removal are important matters.
, Your Majesty, would you like to consider having the Military Aircraft Department discuss it before making a decision?"
In addition to helping Fang Jun try to save things, he also has his own selfish motives - even as a royal family, he does not want the imperial power to be unstoppable. He can appoint and remove a general of the Sixteenth Guards with one word today, and he can say it tomorrow.
And the life and death of a royal family!
If the power of life and death is really concentrated in the emperor, and the promotion and dismissal of ministers, knowing that honor, disgrace, life and death can all be decided according to the emperor's mood, who can sleep in the future?
So he is both a fight and a reminder.
Although the courtiers are currently keeping silent about Yi Chujie, there are many who sympathize with and support the East Palace. If Your Majesty behaves so strongly, it may arouse the fear and backlash of the courtiers...