Faced with Li Chengqian's promise of "sharing wealth and honor", all the civil and military ministers left the table, bowed to the ground, and respectfully said: "I am willing to follow His Highness and build a lasting legacy!"
Li Chengqian hurriedly stood up to return the gift, and then sat down together again.
He also knew that King Jin had promised Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong and others to "feudalism", but he could not make this condition. King Jin was in adversity, and in order to fight hard, he did not hesitate to pay any consequences and any price. Just for the final victory.
But Li Chengqian couldn't do this.
As a prince, or even as a new emperor who is about to ascend the throne, stabilizing the structure of the court is the first priority, and "clear rewards and punishments" are naturally the foundation of everything. Money, silk, and official positions can be rewarded excessively, but when it comes to titles, they must not be taken lightly. Granted.
Otherwise, the balance of the court will be broken and a disaster will occur...
Take Cheng Yaojin for example. He could get a reward from the "feudal side" by defecting to the King of Jin. But even if he loyally sides with Li Chengqian at this moment, Li Chengqian would not be able to give him the promise of "making him a king". Otherwise, would Fang Jun also want to be made a king? ?Where is Li Jing? Where is Li Ji? Where are the other generals of the Sixteenth Guards?
The King of Jin could ignore it, even if he followed the old practices of the Western Zhou Dynasty and granted "eight hundred princes" to all parts of the world except the capital, but Li Chengqian couldn't...
…
After everything was agreed upon, the civil and military ministers dispersed one after another, and Fang Jun followed Li Chengqian back to the back hall.
As soon as the monarchs and ministers sat down, Crown Princess Su personally came with a tray and served tea. The twenty-year-old woman was in her prime, and she was dressed in a crimson palace-style dress with gold threads woven into it with dark moiré patterns, which made her skin even whiter. Like snow, the waist is slender, and when walking, it is like flowers shining on the water, a weak breeze supporting the willows, and a mixture of freshness and slightly mature style flowing out.
Fang Jun quickly stood up and saluted to express his thanks, but did not dare to raise his head to take another look.
Within the palace, the rules are very strict. The concubines of the harem are not allowed to meet with foreign ministers easily. Even as a queen, she can only meet with the emperor during the official dynasty or important festivals. How has it ever happened that a dignified prince and concubine have to be polite with others? Tea and water?
Such an honor not only demonstrates the honor and favor of the Tian family, but also fully reveals that the prince's family does not regard Fang Jun as a foreign minister, and it has the meaning of "the good of the whole family"...
Crown Princess Su's beautiful eyes flashed, her smile was gentle, she whispered a few words of no need to be polite, and then turned and left. She knew that the monarch and his ministers must have important matters to discuss, so she did not dare to stay longer. After all, they had been together before. Jun once warned her "not to participate in government affairs"...
Only then did Fang Jun take his seat again.
Li Chengqian smiled and said: "Erlang, you don't have to be so formal. The princess has always been close to you. Even the children who are alone often follow your example. The ones who have started reading are even more fond of your poems. I have been clamoring to ask you for advice every day... You and I are monarchs and ministers, but our friendship is irreversible, and we are also uncles. When there are no outsiders, we should dispense with these false etiquette and let each other feel more comfortable."
For Fang Jun, he was not only grateful but also more willing to get close to him and did not want to treat him as a mere subordinate.
Such a young powerful man with great literary talent, excellent poetry, and proficient in making money is an interesting and wonderful person. Who wouldn't want to get close to him?
Fang Jun didn't care much about these rules. It's just that monarchs and ministers are different and it's hard to be criticized. Since Li Chengqian said this, he naturally followed the rules: "In this case, Wei Chen has transgressed. To be honest, Wei Chen also feels that these rules The rules are too complicated and complicated. The respect between people comes from the heart, so how can it be expressed by those complicated etiquettes?"
Li Chengqian laughed: "That's exactly what it should be!"
The two of them each took a sip of tea. Li Chengqian suppressed his smile and asked, "What do you think of Duke Lu's performance today?"
Fang Jun put down his tea cup, considered it and said: "That day, the head of the Cui family in Boling came to Beijing to lobby Duke Lu, but Duke Lu did not agree to completely side with the King of Jin. He already explained Duke Lu's attitude. He would just sit back and watch the success or failure and not participate in this.
The battle for the throne. At the moment, whether he feels that the Eastern Palace has greater advantage and King Jin is about to be destroyed, or he has other plans, he will never openly rebel against His Highness and side with King Jin."
After a pause, he continued: "Which of the civil and military ministers at the level of Lu Guogong is not an outstanding person in the world? Maybe they are smart, stupid, virtuous, and treacherous, but they all have the characteristics of killing and decisiveness. Once a decision is made, it will never be easy.
Change. On the contrary, those who have been watching from the sidelines and hesitating are likely to be influenced by some external forces and make unexpected decisions."
Li Chengqian was convinced: "So, Duke Lu will not be a threat for the time being. What we should pay attention to are those generals of the Sixteenth Guards who have been waiting and watching?"
Fang Jun shook his head and said: "There is no need to pay attention to them all. There are many armies distributed in various places in Guanzhong. On the one hand, we cannot monitor all of our troops, and on the other hand, it is not necessary. Only a few armies close to Chang'an must be firmly controlled, such as Xue Wanche's
Zuowuwei, for example...youtunwei."
"Youtunwei?"
Li Chengqian was surprised.
As for the Zuo Wuwei, he agreed. After all, this army is powerful in combat. During the previous Eastern Expedition, he and Cheng Yaojin's You Wuwei served as a vanguard to attack cities and seize territory, and trapped countless battles, making the Goguryeo army invincible. At this moment, You Wuwei
The guards were stationed in the north of the Wei River, separated from Chang'an by a river. If Xue Wanche stood on the side of the King of Jin, he could cross the Wei River and reach Xuanwu Gate in an instant.
But Youtunwei... Li Daozong is in charge now!
As the prince of the county who was second only to Li Xiaogong in civil war, he had always been close to the East Palace. He had also firmly sided with the East Palace during the Guanlong Rebellion. How could he make a move to rebel against the East Palace at this time?
Fang Jun's face was serious and he said slowly: "It's not that I don't trust the Prince of Jiangxia. It's because the Xuanwu Sect is too important to allow even the slightest bit of danger."
In addition to the important strategic position of Xuanwumen, it also lies in the combat power of Youtunwei.
No one knows better than him, the man who single-handedly created Youtunwei, how powerful this army can be when equipped with firearms and sufficient ammunition. Once Youtunwei rebels with Li Daozong, Taiji Palace can be attacked in an instant.
Even the entire city of Chang'an would be completely captured within a few hours.
The consequences are too serious...
Li Chengqian also became nervous, thought for a moment, and said, "I want to make an appointment with the Prince of Jiangxia County to have a talk?"
Fang Jun said: "It is necessary to talk, but it is even more important to send people to monitor closely. Maybe the King of Jiangxia County has no intention of rebellion at the moment, but if someone contacts him secretly, or seduce him with his sharp tongue,
Provoking or promising huge profits will hardly guarantee a firm stance... After all, the Xuanwu Sect is too important."
Everyone can clearly see the strategic position of Xuanwu Gate. The East Palace is afraid that Li Daozong will rebel, which will put the entire Taiji Palace and even Chang'an City under its military attack. How could the King of Jin not send someone to contact it secretly?
In the final analysis, this time the King of Jin raised an army, it was a fight between the same members of the royal family. No matter who wins or loses, the throne still belongs to His Majesty Li Er and his sons. For those civil servants, generals, and clan members who are loyal to His Majesty Li Er, there is no way to defend them to the death.
The premise of the East Palace.
If it were not King Li Zhi of Jin who was retreating to Tongguan at this moment, but the princes of the other clans, the generals of the Sixteenth Guards would have already sworn allegiance to the prince, and gathered their troops to attack at once.
His Majesty Li Er's body is still cold and his prestige has not dissipated. Those who followed him to conquer the world in the past are still loyal. However, when this loyalty is extended to his descendants, it will inevitably change - is he loyal to the prince, or is he loyal to the person who holds the "edict" and is more respected?
The King of Jin whom His Majesty Li Er favored and wanted to establish as the crown prince several times?
The more factors that can influence the decision are interests...
Li Chengqian thought for a moment and said: "Erlang has always been on good terms with Xue Wanche, so you will cross the Wei River to meet him and tell him that his success is great. He must stand firm and stand on our side. Later I will go to Xuanwu in person.
Let’s have an interview with the Prince of Jiangxia County, I think he will be able to put the overall situation first and prevent the rebellion from succeeding.”
He was also aware of the danger. If the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty went to Jiuwei Mountain to bury the late emperor, Li Daozong took the opportunity to raise troops to capture Taiji Palace and Chang'an City, and then occupied the city to defend it until the King of Jin returned to the capital. Wouldn't everything be lost?
Fang Jun nodded and was about to speak when the chamberlain informed Li Junxian to ask for an audience. Li Chengqian quickly summoned him in.
At this time, since Li Junxian, who has the information on all parties monitored by "Baiqisi", wants to see him, there must be something very important...
Sure enough, Li Junxian stepped inside, greeted the prince and Fang Jun respectively, and then said in a deep voice: "I just got the news that someone pretended to be someone and entered the city from Chunming Gate. I summoned people to investigate, but found that he entered the city.
No trace left."
Fang Jun asked: "Whose identity is the thief pretending to be?"
Li Junxian said: "The thief holds the waist badge of Lu Guogong's palace. The person registered on the roster is a steward of the palace, and the reason is that he went out of the city to purchase."
Li Chengqian's face was as dark as water.
Cheng Yaojin had just started to get closer to the East Palace, so he immediately sent someone there. Was it foreseeable, or had the news in Wude Palace been leaked?