Tibet

Chapter 918 The Man in the Middle

Liu Yan and Dugu Ming sat down in the living room. Dugu Ming smiled slightly and said, "Liu Sima wants to ask me about the affairs of the court today!"

Liu Yan nodded, "I heard that many officials were purged because of the rebellion. Who wants to rebel?"

"To be precise, the Supreme Emperor wanted to be restored to the throne and recruited a group of officials from the court, headed by King Wei Li Zhen, including King Xue Li Zhen, Prince Consort Yang Hui, Xue Luqian, His Royal Highness King Qi's eldest uncle Li Xiu, second uncle Li Yu, and Pugu Huai'en was a foreign aid, and also involved the Prime Minister Xiao Hua and the Zuo San Chang Shi Zhang Hao. Forty or fifty officials were interrogated yesterday afternoon. The personal and material evidence was conclusive and they were executed today. Except for Xue Wang Li Can and Li Xiu was exiled, all the other forty-two officials were executed, and Prime Minister Xiao Hua and Zhang Hao were demoted."

"Where's Pugu Huai'en?" Liu Yan asked anxiously.

Dugu Ming shook his head, "Currently we only know that his son led 10,000 troops to station in Ba, preparing for foreign aid. Yesterday, he was surrounded and annihilated by 50,000 Shence troops. His son also died, but Pugu Huaien's attitude is unknown."

Liu Yan sighed and said, "His Highness said last year that Pugu Huai'en would rebel. It is very likely that His Highness was right."

"How could His Highness guess it?"

"His Highness doesn't know about Li Zhen, but he knows that Pugu Huai'en is dissatisfied with the court. In addition, he is a grassland barbarian and has a high status in the Pugu tribe. Once he doesn't get what he wants, he will have different intentions. This time his son is dead, and he has an excuse and reason to send troops."

Dugu Ming pondered for a moment and said, "Do you need me to tell the court to make preparations?"

"No, I have to meet the emperor tomorrow and tell him personally."

The two sat down and Pei Mian asked tentatively: "Does Liu Sima still not know what happened in the court today?"

Liu Yan smiled, "Pei Xiangguo underestimated our ability to enter the Academy."

"We all mean this, and I will convey my brother's opinion to His Highness!"

Dugu Ming could feel Liu Yan's trust, and he nodded, "I will definitely keep it!"

At this time, Yan Quanming said in the hall: "Report to Sima, the right prime minister, Pei Mian, wants to see you!"

Speaking of this, Liu Yan took out a sandalwood box from his small box and handed it to Dugu Ming, "This is the Xinbao. I will put it with my brother for now. I will see the emperor tomorrow. The Xinbao is placed in Jinzou Courtyard. I'm worried." Not safe.”

"Liu Sima wants to see the emperor?"

The tea cups in the hall had been put away. Dugu Ming went out from the side door without meeting Pei Mian. Although there was a carriage parked outside, Pei Mian obviously didn't take it to heart.

Pei Mian is also a veteran in officialdom. He not only hugs Li Fuguo's lap, but also wants to occupy an important position in the emperor's heart. Then he must have something to offer. If he can dominate the relationship with Long You, that will be his capital. .

Not long after, Yan Quanming introduced Pei Mian into the right courtyard, and Liu Yan came forward with a smile, "Just give the order to Prime Minister Pei and I will come to visit you. Why bother to bother Prime Minister to come in person?"

He put Xinbao in his arms, stood up and left.

Liu Yan nodded, "This time I am here on behalf of His Highness the King of Qi. The Supreme Emperor also contacted His Highness the King of Qi and wanted to cooperate with him, but His Highness the King of Qi declined. The Supreme Emperor returned the Emperor's Xinbao to His Highness the King of Qi. I am here In his hand, King Qi plans to use it to exchange some benefits with the emperor."

Dugu Ming stood up and said, "Then I'll take the first step. If anything happens, just come to me!"

Pei Mian smiled and said: "The emperor asked me to come. Don't look at things today as a mess, but I heard that the emperor is paying special attention to the people coming from Longyou and urging me to come to visit. Liu Sima, don't let me down!"

Dugu Ming smiled and nodded, "The trust treasure is of little significance. If it is a mandated treasure or a national sacred treasure, I suggest that your highness keep it yourself."

Liu Yan smiled and said, "It's not polite to speak here. Please sit down in the hall!"

Pei Mian'Oh! ’ After a moment of silence, he asked again: “I heard that the Helong Army was at war with Tubo?”

Liu Yan nodded, "That's why I'm here. We have temporarily driven Tubo out of Shanzhou and restored the boundaries of Tianbao for thirteen years. Tuyuhun is willing to re-attach to the Tang Dynasty. This involves a canonization issue. Qi His Royal Highness asked me to come to discuss with the court."

"So that's it. Is there a written report?" Liu Yan took out a written document and handed it to Pei Mian. Pei Mian read it over and was overjoyed. He was anxious to go back and report to the emperor, so he stood up and left.

Liu Yan sneered in his heart and didn't say anything more? Keep sending him out.

"Liu Sima, go back! I will report to the Emperor as soon as possible about Tuyuhun. If anything happens, I will contact you in time."

Liu Yan said calmly: "Then it will be hard work for Prime Minister Pei!"

After the carriage left, Liu Yan returned to his study, wrote a short message, called one of his confidants, and whispered to him: "Go to Wei Xiangguo's house and give him this letter. Be sure to give it to him." himself."

"I understand the humble position!"

The men hurried away, and Liu Yan sneered. Pei Mian wanted to be Long You's liaison. He was too simplistic and too self-righteous. He actually put himself aside and prevented him from meeting the emperor. This kind of person is too small-minded. , the calculation is too deep and will not work. No wonder His Highness does not like him at all and wants to contact Wei Jiansu himself.

Wei Jiansu was actually only sixty years old, and he was in the prime of life. Unfortunately, he had been the prime minister for too long, and the emperor could no longer tolerate his restrictions on the monarchy. He finally removed him from the position of prime minister with the opportunity of the expiration of two terms. Up and down.

Wei Jiansu was also helpless. He did not want to end his official career, but he also knew that it was almost impossible for him to return to the position. First of all, he would not be able to pass the Li Fuguo test, and secondly, the emperor did not want him to go back.

Without his restraint, the emperor's power became more and more powerful. For example, this time when punishing the rebels, only two people were spared, and all the others were killed. It was completely according to the emperor's idea. It only lasted a day and a night. If he had done it for Right Prime Minister, how is that possible?

These were the people of the Supreme Emperor. They killed them all indiscriminately, regardless of their priority, regardless of their primary and secondary culprits. This would chill the hearts of many courtiers!

Wei Jiansu sighed in his heart. He thought of Li Ye, and seemed to see the shadow of Taizong in him. If he could become the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, the resurgence of the Tang Dynasty would be just around the corner.

At this time, the housekeeper said outside the study door: "Master, Liu Sima of Longyou sent someone to deliver a letter to you!"

"Ah! Where is the person?"

"It's outside, do you want to take it to the living room?"

"No! No! Invite him to come to my study,"

The housekeeper was a little surprised. Although it was an outer study, ordinary people could not enter it, at least senior officials above the rank of assistant minister. The master actually allowed a messenger to enter his study.

After a while, the messenger came in, bowed, and presented a message to Wei Jiansu. Wei Jiansu did not read it carefully, but smiled and asked, "Is Liu Sima coming to Chang'an?"

"Reporting to the old Prime Minister, I just arrived this morning!"

"Are there any visitors?" Wei Jiansu asked quietly.

The messenger didn't know why he asked this question. He remembered Liu Sima's instructions and said, "Pei Xiangguo came here in the afternoon. As soon as he left, Liu Sima asked me to deliver the letter."

Wei Jiansu nodded. Pei Mian and Long You had never met each other. What would be the use of him coming to see Liu Yan?

"I know, thank you for your hard work!"

Wei Jiansu asked the steward to reward him with ten taels of silver. The messenger thanked him profusely and rode away.

After Wei Jiansu read the letter, he probably understood that Li Ye wanted to be the intermediary between Longyou and the court, not Pei Mian.

"Prepare the carriage, I want to enter the palace!"

(End of this chapter)