Li Xiaogong's golden sword occupied the main position, and even Da Zongzheng retreated to one side. At this moment, his face was majestic and murderous. A pair of tiger eyes swept across the faces of all the clan members one by one. His eyes were as real as the eyes. There was silence in the hall. Everyone felt an invisible pressure coming over them like a mountain.
No one is a fool, and they understand that since Li Xiaogong gave up the Western Regions and returned to Chang'an, he summoned the clan to this sect's main temple before returning home, making it clear that he was doing so under a summons, just to suppress them, relatives of the emperor, from messing around.
Obviously, His Majesty's trip to Yi Chu has reached a critical juncture, and he can issue an edict to depose him at any time, and then establish a new one...
The change of reserve positions means that the political situation of the Tang Dynasty is about to enter a new era, and the political structure will be rewritten as a result.
But who doesn't want to follow the crowd and wait for death? Who doesn't want to seek further progress in such a turbulent time, or to gain more power and earn glory, glory, wealth and honor for themselves and their descendants?
Although they are all descendants of the clan, there are also close relatives and close friends. The gentleman has been killed for five generations. If he cannot stand out among the uncles and brothers with the help of the power of Conglong, who knows whether his branch will still be the same in thirty or fifty years. The honor lasts forever?
There were not a few people who originally expected to use their brains and tricks in Yichu, and many people had even taken precautions and took the step.
But at this moment, facing the pressure from Li Xiaogong, no one dares to make a mistake...
Li Yuanjia, as the Great Zongzheng, the highest official position in the name of the clan, naturally could not allow himself to be left alone at this moment. After a brief pause, he considered and said: "We are all members of the royal family, and the prosperity of the empire is related to our immediate interests. The descendants of Fuze naturally wish to do so." We will defend the empire with our lives and be loyal to His Majesty. No matter when and where, as long as His Majesty orders you to do so, we will go through fire and water and we will not give up."
His prestige and achievements within the clan are not as good as those of Li Xiaogong, but the reason why His Majesty Li Er appointed him as Da Zongzheng to handle all matters of the clan is because of his smooth character but ability to stick to the bottom line, and his close relationship with close friends within the clan. The distant relatives have a close relationship and frequent contacts.
Naturally, it was also clear that Li Yuanjing was not the only one who had different ambitions. Even if the others did not dare to blatantly conspire against him, they had a lot of thoughts on Yi Chu.
Some people are still in the planning stage, and some people have simply put it into practice...
And His Majesty transferred Li Xiaogong back to suppress the clan regardless of the safety of the Western Regions, which shows that he attaches great importance to internal stability, and with His Majesty's strong character in the past, and now his violent mood, if someone still interferes with Yi Chu's affairs behind his back, it will inevitably cause a bloody storm. .
Uncle?
brother?
In the face of imperial power, everything is nothing. For the sake of the stability of the court and the stability of the reserve, everything can be given up.
As the Grand Sect Leader, he does not want to see the fighting and killing within the royal family, and the blood flowing everywhere, but he also knows that all he can do is to express his attitude and remind him, and he cannot control the rest at all, so it is inevitable that he will be worried...
Everyone also came to their senses and hurriedly expressed their loyalty, and their words were full of passionate loyalty and bold loyalty.
It is inevitable that everyone should put away their petty thoughts and secretly plan their future actions so as not to touch His Majesty's bottom line.
Your Majesty cherishes his reputation and cherishes his feathers, but Li Xiaogong, who has always been "self-defiled", does not have such scruples. Once he strikes, he will definitely show no mercy...
*****
The interests of all parties in Chang'an City are entangled and the situation is complicated. They are sometimes opponents and sometimes allies. Naturally, no secret can be kept for a long time.
The news that Li Xiaogong secretly returned to Chang'an and summoned the clan members to put pressure on Zongzheng Temple immediately before dawn spread out like wings and flew to various wealthy mansions with red walls, which naturally caused a great uproar...
Anyone with the slightest political sense knows that His Majesty Li Er has made up his mind and Yi Chu's edict may be issued at any time.
And Li Xiaogong's strong suppression made all parties afraid to act rashly at this critical moment. They could only suppress the urgency for power in their hearts and silently pay attention to the changes in the situation.
…
Some people can wait and see what happens, but some people can't. If they can't take the initiative at the critical moment, they will lose the opportunity in this change of power.
Jin Wang Li Zhi was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot. He was on pins and needles but did not dare to see Xiao Yu. He finally waited until noon when a servant came in and presented a letter, saying that it was sent by Song Guogong. Li Zhi
He hurriedly opened the envelope and took out the letter. The few words on it were written by Xiao Yu, and asked him to meet at Niutou Temple in Fanchuan at midnight...
Li Zhi felt relieved, knowing that a critical moment had come, otherwise Xiao Yu, who was always meticulous, would not take the initiative to ask him to meet him. He quickly took a shower and changed clothes, had a simple meal, and sat in the study and waited for a long time until night fell.
He was dressed in casual clothes and accompanied by more than ten personal guards. He put on his raincoat and left the house through the back door without disturbing anyone in the house.
He also used forged merchant documents to leave Mingde Gate in the south of the city and arrived at Fanchuan...
On a rainy night, Fanchuan Niutou Temple stands majestically on the bank of the loess plains. The temple is built on the loess plains and has many houses. You can overlook the Zhongnan peaks and thousands of green screens, overlooking Fanchuan, Daochengshu Town, and Xitaodi.
willow.
There is Jiulongtan on one side of the temple. The mountain springs meander down and gather into the pool. The spring water is sweet and inexhaustible.
There are several huts built by monks in the apricot grove beside the pond. Under the drizzle, dozens of black-clad warriors with arrow-sleeved sleeves occupy strategic locations and line up on guard.
There were candles burning in the hut, and the rain-moistened air blew in from the open windows. The candles flickered. Li Zhi, Xiao Yu, Zhang Xingcheng, and Cheng Yaojin were sitting opposite each other. There was a stove on the short table.
A pot of tea, the sound of rain pattering in my ears, and the dark night.
Zhang Xingcheng held the pot and poured tea for everyone. Xiao Yu looked at Li Zhi and said with a heavy face: "Your Majesty called the Prince of Hejian County back to the capital. Did you disclose it to His Highness in advance?"
Li Zhi frowned and shook his head slowly.
He understood the meaning of Xiao Yu's words. If his father revealed anything to him in advance, it would be a hint that he would probably appoint him as the crown prince and let him prepare. Otherwise, he would be treated equally with the other princes.
The most worrying thing is what if the father reveals this matter to King Wei?
In this way, he would be completely at a disadvantage among the established reserves...
After Zhang Xingcheng poured the tea, he put the teapot aside and turned to ask Cheng Yaojin: "What does Duke Lu think of this matter?"
Cheng Yaojin took a sip from the tea cup, glanced at him, and said disapprovingly: "What can I think? I only obey His Majesty's orders. Whoever Your Majesty appoints as your heir, we and other ministers will swear allegiance. Why, Zhang Shangshu
Is it possible that you still want to go against His Majesty? Then I have to take a high look at you and admire you."
Zhang Xingcheng choked and smiled helplessly.
King Jin is standing nearby. Since we are gathered here tonight, everyone will naturally place their bets on King Jin. Isn't it hypocritical to be so grand?
Unexpectedly, Li Zhi also looked at him and said in a deep voice: "What Mr. Lu Guo said is true. This world belongs to the father, and it is the father's will to appoint him as his heir. Our ministers can only act according to the decree.
Don’t be disobedient in the slightest, otherwise heaven and earth will not tolerate it!”
Zhang Xingcheng was stunned, blinked, and then came to his senses and said hurriedly: "What His Highness said is absolutely true, and I don't dare to speak nonsense."
The fight for the throne is definitely going to happen, but it can only be fought before His Majesty's decree on appointing the Crown Prince is issued. Once His Majesty's decree is issued, the overall situation has been decided. To fight at that time is to resist the decree and disobey the holy command.
Of course, we have to fight for it no matter what, but we can’t say that in name...
Xiao Yu's face was still heavy, and he looked at Cheng Yaojin and said: "Tomorrow morning, you will meet with His Majesty and ask for your troops to enter the capital. It should not be too late, otherwise things will change."
Cheng Yaojin had a gloomy face, slowly sipping the tea, and was noncommittal for a moment.
Li Xiaogong returned to Beijing to suppress the imperial family, which means that His Majesty is about to issue an edict to abolish the crown prince and establish the crown prince, and the overall situation will be decided. At this time, I kindly ask you to come to the capital to guard the capital, firstly to test whether Your Majesty prefers the King of Jin as the crown prince, and secondly to put pressure on Your Majesty.
The powerful families of Shandong and Jiangnan are united in one place, so even His Majesty has to think twice...
But is this really appropriate?
He originally did not want to be so deeply involved in the matter of establishing the crown prince. At most, he showed favor to the King of Jin because of his indivisible Shandong identity. However, once he met with His Majesty and begged to come to Beijing, he was nailed to the King of Jin's boat.
The crown prince is the King of Wei. Wouldn't it be contrary to His Majesty's actions?
It's very dangerous...
Xiao Yu stared at him, able to understand his thoughts, and warned: "This matter is either/or, and it will be difficult for Duke Lu to have both sides. Don't forget that before the Guanlong rebellion, Duke Lu followed the orders of the Shandong family to send troops.
At Chunming Gate, not only King Wei is worried about that matter, but I'm afraid His Majesty also has prejudices."
Cheng Yaojin weighed it again and again, and sighed in distress: "In this case, I will see your Majesty tomorrow."
In official circles, the issue of stance has always been the biggest issue. Since Shandong's identity cannot be cut off, it can only stand on this side.
Of course, only a fool would put all his bets on King Jin's side and stand by him through thick and thin, sharing weal and woe...
Xiao Yu looked at Li Zhi again and said: "Tomorrow, the old minister will contact Qingliu in the court, and together with the minister, he will ask your majesty to remove His Highness from the post of minister of the Ministry of Military Affairs, and transfer him to the minister's province to serve as the right servant of the minister."
Li Zhi perked up and said nervously: "Will father agree?"
Xiao Yu shook his head: "Your Majesty's heart is unpredictable, who knows? But whether His Majesty agrees or not, this is His Majesty's intention to show Your Majesty, and it is always a good thing to be proactive."
"Shang Shu Pu She" is the deputy of Shangshu Ling. Currently, His Majesty Li Er still serves as the "nominal" Shangshu Ling, so Shangshu Pu She is actually the highest official of Shangshu Province. The left and right Pu She are of equal rank and have direct jurisdiction.
Six departments. But since ancient times, the left has been respected. Therefore, the left servants are responsible for the three departments of officials, households, and rituals, and the right servants are responsible for the three departments of soldiers, criminals, and workers. They are divided into high and low.
The current minister, Zuopushe, is the British Duke Li Ji, but Li Jiping has always been clumsy and neglectful in government, which is very dissatisfying to His Majesty. Once the King of Jin is appointed as Youpushe, it means that Your Majesty allows the King of Jin to control the government.
The meaning is extraordinary.
At the same time, we also take the opportunity to declare our strength to His Majesty. At this time, His Majesty must be aware of the support and strength that King Jin has, and be able to comprehensively consider the pros and cons of the ownership of the reserve...
Cheng Yaojin remained silent, and later asked: "What does Li Ji mean?"
Among Zhenguan's ministers, he was the only one who was wary of Li Ji. Although this prince was known as the flag of the Shandong family in the court, in fact, he did not have a deep entanglement with the Shandong family and could not issue orders to him at all.
As the chief minister and a giant in the army, Li Ji's position can influence the ownership of the reserve...