Yu Wenshiji suppressed the ecstasy in his heart, bowed his head and said sincerely: "Your Majesty is magnanimous. I admire you greatly. I am grateful to you. I will definitely lead Guanlong to do your best and repay you with death!"
He knew that although His Majesty Li Er did not agree to Yuchi Gong's entry into the city on the spot, he already had this intention in mind. However, the matter was serious and it was necessary to weigh the interests of all parties before making a decision.
But no matter what, turning from the crime of treason to becoming His Majesty's first choice for support, this is like rain from the sky for the Guanlong clan who are currently like a bereaved dog... or even whether they will choose Yu Chigong to succeed the Sixth Guards of the East Palace.
The responsibilities of the capital are no longer important.
As long as Your Majesty eliminates the hostility towards the Guanlong clan, it will be a great good thing. The rest needs to be figured out slowly.
…
After Yu Wenshiji left, the light in the palace was dim, so His Majesty Li Er got up and went to the study, sitting alone in front of the window and thinking about the current situation.
The prince's sudden move to withdraw the Sixth Army of the East Palace from Chang'an was beyond his expectation. This completely put the competition for the reserve on the table, and the situation suddenly became tense.
In the past, no matter what the king of Wei or the king of Jin did, no matter what he said or did, how could he not care about the throne in his heart? It was just that he had a lot of fears and could only cover up to avoid being caught by the other party.
, resulting in lost opportunities.
But now that the Sixth Army of the East Palace has withdrawn, whoever takes over the responsibility of guarding the capital will take the lead in the fight for the throne, and it is likely to have a complete advantage. I am afraid that no matter whether it is the King of Wei, the King of Jin, or
All the forces in the DPRK who are interested in following the dragon's merits cannot sit still.
Li Ji played a trick, and on the surface it seemed that he was supporting Cheng Yaojin in a roundabout way and standing with the Shandong family. But in fact, both Li Ji and Cheng Yaojin had their own interests gradually separated from the Shandong family.
The Shandong aristocratic family holding power may not necessarily support their interests, so what Li Ji's intention was remains to be discussed.
The family members of the Guanlong clan also jumped out, hoping to use this opportunity to regain their trust. This is reasonable, and His Majesty Li Er is also happy to see it happen.
As for the Jiangnan nobles, they may not have a suitable general to lead the army, so they have been keeping silent. However, judging from their recent closer relationship with the King of Jin, they will not let the important task of guarding the capital fall into the hands of the King of Wei...
After clarifying the context of the current situation, His Majesty Li Er discovered that Wei King Li Tai, who was the first in line to establish the throne, seemed to be staying out of the matter and not involved.
Do you think that the location of the garrison capital is not important and does not affect the ownership of the reserve?
Or do you really mean what you say and have no intention of competing for reserves?
Or maybe a certain force has secretly formed an alliance with the King of Wei, and unknowingly competes for the power to guard the capital...
The situation is so complex that even with His Majesty Li Er's adeptness in politics, he would inevitably feel that there are so many possibilities and possibilities that his head would burst for a moment.
He called Wang Shoushi in, took a pill of elixir and drank it with tea. He closed his eyes and rested for a while before he recovered.
Wang De also came in from the outside at this time, holding a fire stick and lighting the candles on the candlestick, and the study gradually became brighter.
Looking at the two chamberlains, His Majesty Li Er suddenly sighed with emotion: "I am really alone now..."
His words and expressions are full of sadness.
He has always been dismissive of the so-called "great power of heaven" such as "difference between superior and inferior". He believes that heaven's power is not established by cumbersome and strict etiquette systems, but by setting an example and leading the civil servants and military generals one after another.
It is achieved in the midst of a victory. If you can lead everyone to victory, even a beggar on the street can gain dignity and be respected by everyone. Otherwise, even a noble man will still be killed by his subordinates.
Don't use any bloodline to pressure people. Princes, generals and prime ministers would rather have the seed?
Therefore, he didn't care about the red tape, and wanted to get along with his ministers and gain their heartfelt love. He thought that throughout the ages, there was no such thing as a monarch and his ministers.
However, as of today, there is not even one person around me who I can completely trust to discuss the situation.
There are only two eunuchs left who are respectful...
A feeling of irritability suddenly rose.
After suppressing his anger, he asked Wang Shoushi: "Is there anything unusual about the prince at Da Ci'en Temple?"
Wang Shoushi replied hurriedly and respectfully: "His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, drums drums every evening and chants sutras every morning and evening. There is nothing unusual about it. His daily behavior is also in front of others, and there is absolutely no place for him to avoid others."
There are many monks in Daci'en Temple and their eyes are complicated, so they can easily collect every word and deed of the prince.
His Majesty Li Er nodded: "Send someone to keep an eye on the two His Highnesses' houses. I want to know who they met and what they said. I can't miss anything."
"Here."
Wang Shoushi bowed and obeyed, feeling quite excited.
In the past, the responsibilities of the "Hundred Cavalry" officers were mainly responsible for monitoring the prince, and the dead soldiers and spies he led were hidden even deeper. Now that His Majesty has entrusted this responsibility to him, it means that "Hundred Cavalry Division"
"Qisi" is no longer trustworthy in His Majesty's mind.
This is a great opportunity for him to regain his power...
His Majesty Li Er sighed and looked a little sluggish. He waved his hands and said, "I'm a little tired. You can step back for now."
"Here."
The two chamberlains bowed and left.
His Majesty Li Er sat motionless behind the desk alone, closing his eyes and meditating. After a long time, he stood up and returned to the palace.
*****
Daci'en Temple.
As night falls, light rain falls from the sky. The rain hits the leaves of the huge ancient locust tree in front of the window, making a soft "sand" sound, just like spring silkworms gnawing at mulberry leaves...
In front of the window in the house, there were several exquisite vegetarian dishes on the floor mat and a pot of rice wine. Li Chengqian, Li Jing and Fang Jun were sitting on their knees facing each other, drinking and talking.
Fang Jun held a pot and poured wine for the two of them, and asked Li Jing with a smile: "Is Duke Wei still worried about withdrawing from Chang'an?"
Li Jing held the wine cup in his hand, first took a sip, and then said with a wry smile: "I have been ups and downs in my life, and I have suffered no matter how big a setback. How could I be as useless as you think? Power is just a cloud in front of your eyes, suddenly gathering.
They dispersed suddenly and left no trace in the end. It’s just that I was favored by His Highness this time, which gave me the opportunity to lead the army again. I had already made up my mind to swear loyalty to you, but now I am unable to do anything in the face of the crisis. I am very ashamed and ashamed of myself."
After saying this, he offered Li Chengqian a glass of wine and drank it in one gulp, feeling very depressed.
Li Chengqian drank half of the cup and said warmly and comfortingly: "I am very grateful for Duke Wei's thoughts, but my father's mind has been made up, how can there be a way to turn things around? What has happened is God's will, and I don't have any resentment at all. You guys
We should be more considerate of our father’s difficulties and understand him.”
The matter of Yi Chu is almost a foregone conclusion. Donggong Liuli, who is loyal to the prince, must withdraw from Chang'an. The difference is only active or passive, and the result cannot be changed.
No matter how broad-minded His Majesty Li Er is, he would not dare to keep the tens of thousands of Donggong Sixth Commander in Chang'an City. If one day the edict to abolish the reserve is issued, and the Donggong Sixth Commandery takes the risk due to excitement, wouldn't he be the emperor?
Dig your own grave?
The first step to cut off Donggong's wings is to gather the military power in Fang Jun's hands, and the second step is to withdraw Donggong Liu's troops from Chang'an to weaken their combat power.
Only by following these two steps can His Majesty Li Er sleep peacefully...
Li Jing nodded and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, don't worry. I know what's important now. I will withdraw from Chang'an and garrison in the north of Kunming Lake this time. I will be diligent in training and strengthen my troops, ready to be dispatched by Your Highness at any time!"
Da Ci'en Temple has a secret passage leading outside the city, near Kunming Pool. Once the situation in Chang'an City suddenly changes, the prince can escape from the secret passage and enter the Sixth Army Camp of the East Palace after reaching Kunming Pool to ensure safety.
This is the last effort of everyone in the East Palace, not to save the throne, but to save the prince and his family.
As for the resulting struggle for the power and responsibility of guarding the capital, it was entirely incidental...
Fang Jun poured wine again and said with a smile: "Don't be so nervous. This is just the last step, and it may not reach that point. Although His Majesty is very determined, he will never sit back and watch His Highness being killed. What we need to be prepared for
It’s just a black hand in the dark, at least no one dares to harm His Highness openly.”
Although His Majesty Li Er has never stated it explicitly, his intention to ensure "brothers, friends, and respect" among several princes is very obvious: Yi Chu can do it, but no matter who the throne belongs to, he cannot kill his brothers or mutilate his siblings. This is
An unchangeable bottom line.
As long as His Majesty Li Er is alive, no one will dare to touch this line blatantly.
Li Chengqian raised his glass, feeling both emotional and ashamed: "There is no meritorious deeds in the world that can compare with Conglong's meritorious service. Originally, I was grateful for your support, and I thought that in the future, when I become a great treasure, I will treat each other wholeheartedly, and share the wealth and wealth... But being alone is incompetent."
In this generation, instead of being able to make all the ministers who follow you loyally prosperous and wealthy, you will be suppressed and your career will be frustrated... In this life, I am afraid that this kindness will not be repaid. If there is an afterlife, I am willing to be connected by blood with you, and share life and death!"
Li Jing and Fang Jun hurriedly raised their glasses, and the former said in fear: "Your Highness is the emperor's first official, and he is destined to do so. I should do my best to serve you. I only regret that my ability is limited and I cannot persuade His Majesty to change his mind. It is a capital crime!"
Fang Jun also said: "Your Highness is well known to the world for your kindness. Even if you give up the position of Crown Prince, the whole court and the public will be grateful for your kindness. I will swear to follow His Majesty."
Li Chengqian said no more, wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeves, clinked glasses with the two of them, and drank them all in one gulp.
After his emotions calmed down, Li Chengqian said: "Qingque had previously intended to win over you and achieve great things. This time all the six leaders of the East Palace have withdrawn from Chang'an. Qingque must have been unable to sleep at night, fearing that he will come to ask you again."
Li Tai valued the strength of the subordinate officers of the East Palace. The first one was the Sixth Army of the East Palace stationed in Chang'an City. This army that Li Jing had reversed and won the Guanlong mutiny was too important for Li Tai, who had no soldiers in his hands. Now he suddenly withdrew.
, how can we not panic?
If the successor supports the King of Jin, then the fight for the heir apparent has little chance of success...
Fang Jun was calm and composed: "Your Highness, don't worry, it is now a battle between the King of Wei and the King of Jin, and we, the East Palace, are staying out of it. When His Majesty's edict to abolish the reserve is promulgated, the King of Wei must be at the end of his rope, and then we can negotiate terms."
What conditions?
Naturally, he promised not to persecute the deposed prince.
But for any high-ranking prince, the existence of the deposed prince is like a stick in the throat, like a thorn in the back. How can he sleep peacefully if he doesn't get rid of it? He can only wait until the end of the road and there is no other way, and then he is willing to hold his nose and answer.