History of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Chapter 465 Li Congrong's Rebellion Case 2
【Li Congrong's Rebellion Case 2】

At this "Big Five" meeting, the four had solemn and anxious expressions, and spit everywhere, but Kang Yicheng alone did not utter a word from beginning to end.

The four of them became anxious and forced him to express his opinion.

Kang Yicheng shrugged indifferently and said, "I am just a soldier. I dare not participate in the discussion of national affairs. I will completely follow the orders of the prime ministers."

The four of them looked at each other and thought that Kang Yicheng might have some concerns and was unwilling to express his position publicly, so they temporarily suspended the meeting and sent Zhu Hongzhao to invite Kang Yicheng to his private residence in the evening. The two of them had a frank talk alone in a secret room.

Unexpectedly, Kang Yicheng's answer was exactly the same as during the day.

Time was running out and the four had no time to discuss.

On the next day, before dawn, Li Congrong had already started his action. He led a thousand men and came to the outside of the palace in a show of force and lined up on Tianjin Bridge.

Luoyang City is divided into two cities, the north and south, separated by the Luo River. The imperial palace is located in the north city. On the Luo River between the north and south cities, there are two small islands arranged vertically from north to south. Three bridges connect the north and south cities and the small islands, forming the shape of a "string". Among them, "Lü" refers to the two islands, and the three bridges are Huangdao Bridge, Tianjin Bridge, and Xingjin Bridge from north to south.

Li Congrong lined up a thousand men at Tianjin Bridge, blocking the way to the imperial city.

There are three city gates on the south side of the imperial city, from west to east they are Zuoye Gate (southwest gate), Duanmen (south gate), and Youye Gate (southeast gate).

Li Congrong looked majestic and dignified at the rising sun, feeling extremely relieved, "The sun is new every day."

He also sent Ma Chujun to Feng Yun's house to warn him: "Today I will lead my army to break into the palace and temporarily stay at Xingsheng Palace. You all have wives, children, and a large family, and many lives have been lost. You must think twice before you speak or act. Whether it is a blessing or a disaster, it will happen right now!"

Before Li Siyuan ascended the throne, he lived in Xingsheng Palace first, and then ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor. So Li Congrong's statement that he would temporarily live in Xingsheng Palace was a euphemism for an armed coup and usurping the throne.

Afterwards, Ma Chujun contacted Kang Yicheng, who assured him solemnly: "When the King of Qin comes, I will lead the troops to welcome him!"

With the support of Kang Yicheng, the commander-in-chief of the imperial army, Li Congrong became more confident.

Feng Yun galloped into the palace and saw Zhu Hongzhao, Kang Yicheng, Meng Hanqiong and Sun Yue discussing how to deal with the situation outside the Zhongxing Palace. Sun Yue was currently the Third Secretary and replaced Feng Yun, who was transferred from the Third Secretary to the Privy Councilor.

These people outside the Zhongxing Hall Gate are the head of all officials of the empire (prime minister), the top military official (privy councilor), the top eunuch, and the empire's purse (three officials). They can be said to be the heads of the empire's most powerful departments.

What's more, they have the support of the queen of the harem (Concubine Wang De) behind them. If they can really unite and cooperate, Li Congrong's coup will not be successful.

However, these people gathered together to whisper, ostensibly to discuss how to deal with Li Congrong, but in reality they were sleeping in the same bed with different dreams. For example, Kang Yicheng had already taken the initiative to send his son to Li Congrong as a hostage, and also told Li Congrong's confidants that "the king will be welcomed when he comes." He was simply a traitor who had infiltrated our army, ready to turn against us at any time and welcome Li Congrong.

Another example is Sun Yue, who was originally a good cadre and a parent official of the people, with good governance and a very good reputation among the masses. Therefore, he was chosen by Li Congrong's group, who planned to make him a staff member of the Marshal's Office and a political vase like Liu Zan. Before he could be executed, Feng Yun, the Three-Division Envoy, was transferred to the Privy Council, so he replaced Feng Yun as the Three-Division Envoy.

However, it is not known whether Sun Yue was conservative and believed that Li Congrong should be allowed to succeed to the throne according to the order of seniority, or whether he thought that Li Congrong's group hired him as an aide to show their appreciation and affirmation of him. In short, Sun Yue was one of the few officials in the court who supported Li Congrong. He analyzed the pros and cons in front of Zhu Hongzhao and Feng Yun and stood up for Li Congrong. Kang Yicheng believed Sun Yue's words, so he sent his son to the Qin Palace as a hostage and committed himself to the Qin Wang party. Feng Yun rushed to several people and repeated Ma Chujun's threat, and several people were shocked. Feng Yun turned to Kang Yicheng and reproached: "Li Congrong said, 'Fortune and disaster are in a moment', can you translate it for me, what does 'Fortune and disaster are in a moment' mean?"

"for this I……"

"I asked you to translate for me, what does 'good or bad fortune can happen in a moment'?"

Everyone glared at Kang Yicheng fiercely.

"We all know what Li Congrong wants to do. You can't be so indecisive just because your son is in the Prince of Qin's mansion. The emperor promoted us from common people to the high position of prime minister, enjoying all the glory and wealth. Shouldn't we repay the emperor's kindness? If Li Congrong leads his troops into the palace, how will he treat the emperor? Do you think our family can really be safe?"

Kang Yicheng hesitated but still said nothing.

At this time, the guards guarding the palace gate came to report urgently: Li Congrong has led his troops to Duanmen (Zhengnanmen)!

The eunuch Meng Hanqiong stood up and said sternly: "The emperor is in trouble now, are you still thinking about your personal interests? I dare not cherish my life, I must lead the army to resist personally!" After that, he turned and entered the palace gate.

Zhu Hongzhao and Feng Yun followed closely behind.

Kang Yicheng was forced to follow at the end. Although he had military power, he was alone now, without his soldiers. The palace door in front of him had been given political significance. If he entered the door, it meant he was loyal to the emperor; if he did not enter the door, he would be a traitor and a traitor, and would be conspiring with Li Congrong to rebel. So if Kang Yicheng did not enter the door, it would be tantamount to announcing that he would participate in the assassination of the emperor, and he would be the first person to shed blood and sacrifice in this coup.

A wise man never suffers a loss in front of him, so Kang Yicheng had no choice but to go into the palace and act according to circumstances.

Meng Hanqiong and others came to Li Siyuan and reported urgent military information: Li Congrong had mutinied, had led his troops to attack Duanmen, and was about to attack the imperial palace!
The eunuchs and palace maids were panicked and burst into tears.

Li Siyuan frowned and said to himself, "Why did Congrong do this?" Then he asked Zhu Hongzhao and others, "Is this true?"

Everyone answered, "Yes. We have ordered the guards to close the palace gates. Please give us the next instructions, Your Majesty."

Li Siyuan beat his chest and stamped his feet, tears streaming down his face, and said to Kang Yicheng: "You are the commander-in-chief of the personal soldiers, so this matter is handed over to you. Don't disturb the people."

Then he turned to Li Chongji, the commander of the Konghe (a part of the imperial guards) beside him and said, "Your father and I braved arrows and stones, and risked our lives many times to conquer this empire. Your father saved me from danger many times. What merit did Li Congrong have? He was instigated by traitors to do such a treasonous thing. I should have called your father and handed over the military power to him long ago. Now you guard the palace gate for me."

Li Chongji, his father is Li Congke, the adopted son of Li Siyuan. At the critical moment, I don't know why Li Siyuan said these words. From the meaning of these words, it seems that he regretted not letting Li Congke be the crown prince. Although this is a clear record in black and white in authoritative historical materials, I personally think that if Li Siyuan was not confused, it must be fabricated by later generations (Li Congke group) to tell the world: Emperor Mingzong wanted to designate Li Congke as the heir.

Li Chongji led the Konghe Army to block the palace gate; the eunuch Meng Hanqiong put on armor, mounted a war horse, and ordered the cavalry commander Zhu Hongshi to lead 500 cavalrymen out of the palace to attack Li Congrong.

(End of this chapter)