Back to the prosperous Tang Dynasty to be the emperor

Chapter 730 Preemptive strike (1)

On July [-]th of the third year of Yifeng, Caizhou urgently reported to Beijing, and said: Gao Zhizhou, the Zaifu and imperial envoy of the current dynasty, was assassinated in Caizhou two days ago. This person is the remnant of Qixia Mountain. He once assassinated the current crown prince Li Xian in Hexi. He was a cruel man with different ambitions. He and his accomplices have been captured and killed on the spot. However, there may be another mastermind behind this thief, please send your majesty to investigate thoroughly.

As soon as the news came out, the capital was shaken, rumors spread everywhere in the court, and all the ministers and workers were excited, calling for a thorough investigation of the case, but the strange thing is that no matter whether it is the East Palace, the Yue Palace, or the Empress Wu's office, no one is concerned about the case. There is no statement, it seems that such a huge case is nothing more than nothing. Under the unpredictable, the atmosphere in the capital is faintly filled with a strange and tense atmosphere.

It was mid-July, and it was midsummer. Gaozong, who was already in poor health, had just suffered a serious illness. He was afraid of the wind and light, and he was tortured by the cold and the heat. He was tortured enough until today. , but his face was still very pale, and his strength was not enough, he didn't want to go out, and he didn't want to see anyone, he just lay down on the couch, staring at the ceiling in a daze.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is here."

In the sound of slight footsteps, Cheng Denggao timidly turned around from behind the screen, peeked at Gaozong's face, hesitated for a while, and walked forward bravely, and reported in a low voice road.

"Ah."

Gaozong obviously heard Cheng Denggao's report, but he didn't express anything special, he didn't even turn his head, but just hummed a noncommittal nasal sound from his nostrils, which was regarded as an answer.

"promise."

Seeing Gaozong's words, Cheng Denggao's face quickly flashed a gleam of joy, he did not ask for instructions, but respectfully responded, and hurriedly exited the dark bedroom and walked out of the Zichen Palace.

"The old slave came late, and kept His Highness waiting for a long time, a death sentence, a death sentence."

As soon as he walked out of Zichen Hall, he saw Li Xianzhen waiting at the bottom of the steps with a solemn expression. Cheng Denggao didn't dare to be negligent in the slightest, he trotted down the steps in a hurry, bowing his knees and apologizing.

"It's alright, what are your orders, father?"

Li Xian had seen through Cheng Denggao's character for a long time, so he would not have any plans to win him over, so he would not be very polite to him, he ignored his flattering smile, and just asked indifferently.

"Ah, Your Highness, you know that His Majesty has not recovered from his serious illness and needs to recuperate. I'm afraid it won't disturb you. The old slave has indeed informed His Majesty before, but His Majesty is weak and doesn't want to disturb your heart. If Your Highness There is something important, how about coming back tomorrow?"

Gaozong didn't say that he didn't see Li Xian, but he didn't say that he wanted to see him either. Cheng Denggao was willing to choose the former when he was in doubt, so he replied with a smile on his face.

"Oh?"

Although most of the palace is staffed by Empress Wu, Li Xian also has his own secrets inside. He knows that Gaozong suffered a serious illness a few days ago, and he also knows that Gaozong's illness has improved today. At this time, I came to see him, and when I heard Cheng Denggao's words, I couldn't help feeling a little bit embarrassed.

"If Your Highness wants to play this chapter, this old servant can transfer it."

Cheng Denggao was terribly afraid of Li Xian in his heart. Of course, he also hated Li Xian. Seeing that Li Xian was upset, he naturally cheered up, so he pretended to suggest kindly from the side.

"Then there's no need, I don't dare to work for Eunuch Cheng anymore, Eunuch Liu, I have to see you immediately for something important, so I'm worrying about eunuch going to report it again?"

Li Xian didn't have the slightest trust in Cheng Denggao, the best friend of Empress Wu, so it was impossible to hand over the memorial to him. Not only that, he simply threw him aside, and with a wave of his hand, called a little eunuch who was waiting on the steps. Come down, and ordered in a negotiating tone.

"Ah, this...well, please wait a moment, Your Highness, the slaves will come back as soon as they go."

Eunuch Liu is a young eunuch. He used to work in Taiji Palace. He was transferred to Daming Palace not long ago. Due to accidental relationship, he was favored by Emperor Gaozong. Then he was transferred to Zichen Palace. He is not yet a member of Cheng Denggao. However, he knew how powerful Cheng Denggao was in the palace. Hearing Li Xian's order, he couldn't help feeling a little flustered, but he didn't dare to refuse Li Xian's request. He obviously struggled for a while before he had to agree. down.

"Xiao Liuzi, Your Majesty's dragon body is important, you..."

Cheng Denggao didn't expect Li Xian to do such a trick, and his expression immediately became ugly. Seeing that Eunuch Liu was going to report to Emperor Gaozong, he immediately became anxious, fearing that his false preaching of the holy will would be revealed, so he hurriedly intervened One sentence, trying to put pressure on Eunuch Liu.

"Ok?"

Cheng Denggao's careful thinking was too obvious, how could Li Xian not see through it, he would not let him be complacent, before he finished speaking, he snorted coldly, and immediately Cheng Denggao was so frightened that he quickly shut his mouth tightly, and stepped aside with a embarrassed expression.

"Your Majesty Qizuo, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is seeking an audience outside the palace."

Eunuch Liu has been transferred to the Zichen Palace to serve Emperor Gaozong for some time, but most of them are on duty outside the palace, and there are not many opportunities to accompany the emperor. As for reporting matters alone, it is the first time. In the dark bedroom, I couldn't help feeling a little flustered, and before I got to the bed, I reported the report loudly in a panic.

"Huh? What's going on? Didn't I tell Xuan? Why do I have to report again!"

Gaozong's complexion was not good, and his mood was naturally not much better. Hearing that Eunuch Liu brought up the old story again, the anger in his heart surged up, and he cursed angrily.

"Your Majesty, calm down, Your Majesty, please calm down. Eunuch Cheng told you about your will earlier, but he didn't see His Royal Highness, and His Royal Highness has something urgent to meet His Majesty, so the servant girl will report again."

Hearing Gao Zong's bad tone, Eunuch Liu couldn't bear it any longer. He panicked and fell to his knees on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly to report what happened.

"What? You bastard Cheng Denggao! If you dare to deceive me like this, you really deserve to die, you deserve to die!"

People who are sick are irritable and irritable, not to mention Gao Zong who has been ill for a long time, they are even more bad-tempered. Hearing that Cheng Denggao dared to falsely preach the imperial decree, the anger in his heart could not be restrained , I started to scold without hesitation, just scolding, but Gaozong didn't really want to use Cheng Denggao as a trick, not for anything else, just because Gaozong was afraid of guilt, and didn't want to fight Empress Wu for punishing Cheng Denggao , After scolding a few times, there is no more text.

"Your Majesty calm down, this servant will go to His Royal Highness Xuan Crown Prince."

Eunuch Liu reported to Li Xiantong this time, and he had already severely offended Cheng Denggao. He hoped that Gaozong would take Cheng Denggao down while he was angry. Unfortunately, after hearing it, he didn't see Gaozong's true will, so he was disappointed. It was inevitable, but he didn't dare to talk too much about this matter, so he quickly kowtowed and found a legitimate excuse, intending to avoid the limelight before making a fuss.

"Go, go, um, come back!"

Although Gaozong was angry, he also knew that Li Xian insisted on seeing him. He must have something important to do, but he didn't make things difficult for Eunuch Liu. .

"The servant is here!"

Eunuch Liu was lucky to be able to escape from the sea of ​​suffering, but he was suddenly dragged back. He couldn't help feeling a little guilty in his heart, but he didn't dare to lose his manners. land.

"If I remember correctly, your name is Liu Ruming, right?"

Gaozong turned over and sat up straight, glanced at Eunuch Liu who was kneeling on the ground, and asked in a calm tone.

"Returning to Your Majesty, the servant is indeed Liu Ruming. He entered the palace at the age of ten and has been working in the Taiji Palace. Last year, he was transferred to Daming Palace. On May [-]th, His Majesty pulled out the servant in the back garden. Zichen Hall."

Liu Ruming didn't understand why Gao Zong asked about it politely, but he didn't dare not answer, kowtowed quickly, and hurriedly reported his resume one by one.

"Well, from now on, you will be the vice-principal of the Zichen Palace, and you will handle all internal and external matters, let's go down."

Gaozong obviously had enough of Cheng Denggao's deceit. Although it was difficult to take down Cheng Denggao because of Empress Wu's face, he didn't want to be fooled by Cheng Denggao again. After thinking for a while, he frowned and made a decision. He made a decision and took away Cheng Denggao's power and responsibility to communicate internally and externally in one fell swoop.

"Ah, yes, this servant thanked His Majesty for his kindness, and this servant should serve his life to repay His Majesty's kindness."

Liu Ruming didn't expect that he would get such a big benefit just by taking such a trip, and he was almost knocked out by the huge pie falling from the sky, so he kowtowed in excitement.

"Okay, let's go."

Gao Zong was obviously very satisfied with Liu Ruming's agitated performance, so he didn't care about his slight disrespect, and waved his hand gently, signaling him to go to business immediately.

"No, servant girl, go now, go now!"

Although Liu Ruming is not very old, he has been in the palace for many years after all, even though his whole body was trembling with excitement, he did not dare to forget the business, and after kowtowing his head three times in a well-behaved manner, he hurriedly left the palace Without turning his heels, Li Xian, who was already in bright yellow court clothes, turned in from the outside again.

"My son kowtowed to my father."

Gao Zong was afraid of light when he was ill a few days ago, so the palace was very dark. Although his illness has improved a little today, he still didn't order to light up the lights. The palace was completely dark, and only one door was opened slightly. A little light shone through the window. No matter how good Li Xian's eyes were, he was a little uncomfortable with the sudden darkness. He was stunned by the screen, and then rushed forward, paying homage incessantly.

"Excuse me, excuse me, Xian'er came looking for me in such a hurry, but what happened?"

A few days ago, Li Xian did not take advantage of the persuasion of all the officials to force the palace, but instead humbly retreated. This kind of performance made Gaozong very satisfied, and at the same time, he also felt somewhat guilty towards Li Xian. When my son saw Li Xian's face, his words were extremely kind.

"If you go back to your father, something big happened. Gao Zhizhou was assassinated and died in Caizhou."

Although Gao Zong had asked to be exempted, Li Xian still performed the etiquette in a proper manner, and then stood up with a bow, and reported the report with a trace of fear on his face.

"Ah, what? How could it be?"

Gaozong has been suffering from illness these days, and has never cared about the court situation. Suddenly, when he heard that Gao Zhizhou was assassinated and died, his expression changed instantly.

(End of this chapter)