People in the early Tang Dynasty: I compete with Wu Zhao for the throne

Chapter 1649: Minister Lai Junchen, impeachment of Zhongshu Ling Pei Yan
After one night, the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped.

At three quarters past noon, the gates of Luoyang city had been open for an hour.

The people in the city entered and left in an orderly manner.

A group of soaking wet cavalrymen rushed madly from the west. As soon as they arrived at the city gate, they immediately shouted loudly: "Emergency military message, get out of the way."

The soldiers at the city gate quickly pulled the people aside and made way for the central road.

The cavalry rushed into the city frantically, and then rushed towards the palace.

Only a moment later, they arrived under Tianjin Bridge, crossed the Tianjin Bridge, rushed straight to Duanmen, and then arrived under Chengtian Gate. They suddenly dismounted and solemnly bowed, saying, "Emergency military report from Xishi Pass."

Yang Xuanjian, the general of the Right Jinwu Guard who was guarding the city gate, changed his expression, immediately made way, and rushed towards the Qianyang Palace.

Today is not a day for a grand court session, but the Queen Mother has always been diligent in her work, so there are also many court officials attending small court sessions in the Qianyang Hall.

Yang Xuanjian walked quickly into the hall and said a few words, then he walked out quickly and waved his hand. The soaked right army commander was led directly into the hall.

Looking at the general kneeling on the ground, Empress Wu, who was sitting on the imperial couch, couldn't help but frown. She looked at him and asked directly, "What happened?"

"Your Majesty, last night, King Peng suddenly sent out his troops to capture Shanzhou City, and then rushed to attack Xishi Pass overnight. The general fought all night, but was still killed by King Peng's troops into Guanzhong. Now the fighting is still going on. The general ordered me to come back and deliver the message."

After a short pause, the Right Army Guard continued, "In addition, there is news from Yanling Pass that the Left Guard General Tang Zhenxing also raided Yanling Pass last night and rushed into the city frantically. After one night, his vanguard also rushed into the city, and the troops are trying their best to drive them out."

"What!" Empress Wu was startled, then she slammed the table, stood up with gritted teeth, and angrily cursed: "What are Yang Zaisi and Yang Zhirou doing? They let Shanzhou City fall so quickly, and let the traitor King Peng directly kill them at Xishi Pass and Yanling Pass. This is really unreasonable."

The general knelt on the ground with his forehead pressed to the ground, not daring to utter a word.

They thought for most of the night in front of the army, wondering how they could avoid mentioning to the Queen Mother that their army's morale was shaken and Xishi Pass was lost because Prince Peng shouted the slogan of revenge for Emperor Zhongzong. Before they could come up with the answer, the memorial from Yanling Pass arrived.

Although Yanling Pass was not lost, Tang Zhenxing had already entered the city. It now depended on whether Lou Shide could hold on.

But last night, Li Xuan had already sent two thousand cavalrymen from another road in the mountains to attack Yanling Pass from the side and rear.

Although Cheng Wuting also sent two thousand cavalry reinforcements, after that night, he knew in his heart that Lou Shide's Yanling Pass could not be defended either.

Instead of this, it would be better for everyone to report that nothing has been lost.

Moreover, at that time, there was still a long time before dawn and before the court could send people to the front line.

Cheng Wuting, who has mobilized enough ladders, crossbows, and catapults, may still have a chance to break into Xishi Pass.

He only needed to capture the south city wall. Li Xuan said he would tear down the north city wall anyway.

In this case, taking down the southern city wall is equivalent to retaking the entire Xishi Pass.

No problem.

What is more likely is that neither Cheng Wuting nor Lou Shide could hold the pass. After a day and a night of fighting, the city gate was finally lost. Faced with the court's questioning, they could only shrug their shoulders and helplessly say that the army of the defeated will win.

At that time, no matter who goes to the front line to investigate, if they find out about revenge for Emperor Zhongzong, they will not believe it and no one else dares to report it.

Revenge, revenge.

Revenge for Emperor Zhongzong.

These words were absolutely taboo for Empress Wu.

Given Empress Wu's pettiness, even if she says she doesn't care today, she will find a reason to remove you from all your official positions tomorrow.

In particular, if Empress Wu knew that Cheng Wuting's men were shaken in morale after hearing Li Xuan say that he wanted to avenge Emperor Zhongzong, then Cheng Wuting would probably be dismissed from all his official positions the next moment.

Pei Yan said something, and Cheng Wuting took it deeply to heart.

Military power, control of military power.

If Pei Yan can survive, Cheng Wuting can also survive.

……

"What's going on?" Empress Wu calmed down her anger, sat down again, and looked at the Right Commander of the Imperial Guard.

"I don't know either. It was only last night that a group of soldiers from Lingbao Prefecture ran to Xishi Pass, holding a memorial written by Yang Shangshu and Yang Shaoqing to the Queen Mother, demanding to pass through the pass and return to Chang'an immediately. Only then did I know that Shanzhou had been lost, and they had just fought their way out."

After a short pause, the general quickly said, "It is said that two thousand people rushed out of the city, but it seems that only this group of people succeeded in making it out."

"Where are the people? Where is the memorial?" Empress Wu leaned forward slightly, looking solemn.

"Last night, it was delivered to Luoyang last night?" The right commander of the imperial guards looked up in surprise.

Empress Wu immediately turned aside and said, "Go check."

"Yes!" Qiu Huan immediately bowed, then turned around quickly to check.

Empress Wu turned around and looked at the general. The general frowned tightly, as if he was thinking about something.
"Is there anything wrong?" Empress Wu suddenly asked.

"Report to the Empress, last night, when the Lingbao army returned to Luoyang, the general sent 500 soldiers to escort them, and they went all the way to the city gate before returning. When I returned, I saw those 500 soldiers." The general was a little confused for a moment. Empress Wu waved her hand and said, "Let them check the matter of Xishi Pass. Can Cheng Wuting defend Xishi Pass?"

"Yes." The general bowed without hesitation, and then said, "But we need the support of the court's military equipment. King Peng attacked the city with small catapults and crossbows. When I left, they had already entered the north gate from outside the city. The general is trying his best to mobilize people from outside the city to counterattack, but it is still insufficient. I request the court's craftsmen and military equipment to assist."

"Yes!" Empress Wu nodded directly and said, "Tell Cheng Wuting that if King Peng conquers Xishi Pass, he must bring his head to me."

"Yes!" Lang Jiang kowtowed heavily again, but at the moment of lowering his head, his expression was a little alert.

Empress Wu and Cheng Wuting did not have a good relationship.

If it were not so difficult to find a suitable candidate in the court right now, the general would probably be dismissed immediately if the Queen Mother knew about last night's battle.

"As for the military equipment." Empress Wu looked up at Han Chubin, the Minister of Works, and said coldly, "Mr. Han, take him to the Ministry of Works to get the military equipment now. Take whatever he needs."

"Yes!" Han Chubin stood up and bowed, then turned and left. The general also quickly followed him.

……

"My lords, things are getting complicated." Empress Wu looked up at the ministers and said with a frown, "Shanzhou has fallen, and there is no Yaohan Ancient Road as a battlefield. As long as King Peng conquers Xishi Pass, he can immediately enter the Luohe Plain. By then, he only needs to send a cavalry, and the whole of Luoyang will be in chaos."

Today is a minor court session, and those in the palace are all important officials above the fifth rank from the three provinces, six ministries, nine temples, and five academies of the court.

"Tell me, can Xishi Pass stop King Peng?" Empress Wu's eyes swept among the ministers, and finally landed on Sun Renshi, the general of the Right Guard, and asked, "Sun Qing, you have fought side by side with King Peng more than once. Can Cheng Wuting stop him this time?"

Sun Renshi bowed his hands with a heavy face and said, "Reporting to the Queen Mother, in my opinion, King Peng is the one who is best at taking advantage of the terrain. I don't know how Shanzhou fell, but given King Peng's style, I'm afraid he will have more tricks soon, and Cheng Wuting's people will be driven out of Xishi Pass."

After a short pause, Sun Renshi said, "Xieshi Pass will definitely be occupied by King Peng, but there are ways out. If we can withdraw the soldiers, set traps outside the city, and surround and kill them with a large army, there is still a way to win."

"Very good." Empress Wu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Then you should write a military strategy to Cheng Wuting immediately. If he cannot defend Xishi Pass, he should withdraw from the city immediately..."

The sound of light footsteps interrupted Empress Wu's words. Qiu Huan had returned from outside the palace. He walked to her side and whispered a few words to her.

Empress Wu's brows immediately knitted tightly together: "You went to Pei Yan's residence, are you sure?"

"Yes!" Qiu Huan took a step back and said with a folded hand, "The watchtower guards have been keeping an eye on the cavalry of more than five people in the city and confirmed that after the city gate was opened, a group of people did enter the city in the name of delivering memorials.

However, they did not use the emergency military report, so the city gate guards did not pay attention, but the watchtower guards followed them all the time. "

After a short pause, Qiu Huan said seriously, "They arrived at the back door of Prime Minister Pei's residence, paused for a moment, and then left. After that, they entered the North City, and then they disappeared... The horses were found, but the people were gone."

"North City, near Prince Peng's home?" Empress Wu raised her head and looked at Qiu Huan, who nodded slightly.

"Empress!" Lai Junchen suddenly stood up from among the ministers and bowed to Empress Wu, saying, "Empress, I, Lai Junchen, impeach the Minister of the Central Secretariat Pei Yan: Pei Yan colluded with King Peng, captured Shanzhou, and endangered Xishi Pass. He should be executed."

All the ministers in the hall looked at Lai Junchen at the same time, with great surprise in their eyes.

Does Lai Junchen want Pei Yan to die?
Empress Wu's eyes suddenly became thoughtful. Pei Yan's matter was not simple, or to be more precise, Pei Yan was related to the overall situation.

Cheng Wuting has always had a very close relationship with Pei Yan, and now he is commanding the army on the front line. If an action is taken against Pei Yan now, then once Cheng Wuting turns against her, Empress Wu will be in big trouble.

"Mr. Fan, what do you think?" Empress Wu turned and looked at Fan Lubing.

Among the ministers, Lai Junchen also looked up at Fan Lubing, and a hint of jealousy flashed in his eyes.

Fan Lubing, the head of the North Gate scholars in the court, formerly the Sima of the Prince of Xiang's Palace, now the Minister of the Secretariat, and the third rank of the Secretariat, actually controls the Government Affairs Hall.

Fan Lubing stood up with his hands clasped, and said seriously: "Your Majesty, everything needs evidence. Now, just because someone walked around in front of Prime Minister Pei's door, it is too arbitrary to conclude that Prime Minister Pei is colluding with King Peng. Therefore, I suggest that we search Prime Minister Pei's mansion first, and then make a decision."

"Huh!" Countless people in the hall looked at Fan Lubing in surprise.

Fan Lubing's words didn't sound like he was pleading for Pei Yan!
In fact, many people can see that what is happening now is most likely Li Xuan's frame-up against Pei Yan.

After all, at this time, it is hard to say that anyone who was able to break out of Shanzhou City had nothing to do with Li Xuan.

His men came out of Xishi Pass, entered Luoyang, went straight to Pei Yan's mansion, and finally disappeared in Beishi. This was very strange.

Or to put it bluntly, this itself was a crude frame-up of Pei Yan by Li Xuan.

But this hits the mark.

Because the person who most wanted Pei Yan to die right now in the court was Empress Wu.

However, since Pei Yan was placed under house arrest, he has not seen anyone else, so it is not easy to catch his fault.

"In front of the army." Empress Wu nodded lightly and immediately expressed her concerns.

Pei Yan and Cheng Wuting have a very close relationship. What if something is really done to Pei Yan and it affects the military?
"Your Majesty, for the safety of the army, we need to conduct an investigation." Wu Sansi stood up, looked straight at the Empress Wu, and said, "Your Majesty, I recommend someone who can rush to Xishi Pass immediately. If Xishi Pass is recaptured, he can take over directly.

If Xishi Pass is not recaptured, Cheng Wuting, the commander of the army, will have failed in his duty."

Empress Wu nodded gently: "Okay!"

(End of this chapter)