The Passionate Guns of Sui and Tang Dynasties

Chapter 888 Deploying troops and condemning generals
It's night, Prince Qin's Mansion.A secret agent came to report to Li Shimin: "His Royal Highness, after Luo Song, the Minister of the Ministry of War, Zhenguo General Luo Song left the Prince's Mansion, he dispatched troops and sent generals, and [-] soldiers and horses were transferred from outside the city. It is said that it was a normal change of defense. I went out of the city myself."

"Oh?" Li Shimin was taken aback when he heard this, and transferred troops from outside the city. What do they want to do?
Because in the past two years, Prince Li Jiancheng mainly assisted Li Yuan in presiding over the internal affairs. Although there were many party members, most of them had no military power.During this period, he and King Qi were ordered to conquer Liang Shitai. After the division was moved, the military power was also handed over.In contrast, the king of Qin has been fighting outside for years, that is to say, the king of Qin is mainly responsible for the war. Therefore, most of Li Shimin's subordinates hold military power, and the guards of the four gates of Bingzhou City also obey his orders.Now that Luo Song is dispatching troops from outside the city, Li Shimin has to be vigilant.

"Where did Luo Song go outside the city?" Li Shimin didn't let go of any clues.

"Back to Your Highness, in an ordinary house in the eastern suburbs of the city, Luo Song led the people there and left without staying there for long. After they left, the villain conducted an investigation. Nothing unusual was found," replied the spy.

Li Shimin thought: "Send someone to keep an eye on this courtyard secretly, to see who else enters and exits this courtyard, and report to me immediately if there is any abnormality. Remember, don't startle the snake."

"No." The spy took the order and left.

Thinking of Luo Song's transfer of troops from outside the city, Li Shimin felt that the matter was a bit serious, so he hurriedly invited Fang Mou Duan, Changsun Wuji, Li Xiaogong, and Pei Ji to his darkroom overnight to discuss countermeasures.

Li Shimin told several think tanks what the spy had reported, and the think tanks were also taken aback.

Changsun Wuji thought: "Your Highness, maybe we should worry too much. We have reasons and evidence to punish Cheng Yaojin. In other words, this is the responsibility of our Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of Punishments. Biting gold and beheading to show the public. Luo Song entered the prince's mansion and then dispatched troops. This seems to be the prince's order, but do they dare to openly rob the court? Is this a blatant rebellion?"

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui also agreed with Changsun Wuji's opinion, "My lord Changsun is right, Your Highness, no matter how arrogant the crown prince is, does he dare to openly rebel against His Majesty? Besides, he doesn't have to do that. Now King Qin is out of favor and is stepping down Farming, the prince can rest easy, he has no reason to go to extremes because of Cheng Yaojin, he can ask His Majesty to intercede, in short, there are many ways to save Cheng Yaojin, the prince should not be so smart to take risks."

Li Shimin nodded, thinking that what the three of them said made sense.At this time Pei Ji spoke, "Your Highness, the old minister was looking for you, and you just called the old minister. Your Majesty summoned the old minister to the palace this afternoon to discuss with the old minister about establishing an heir. This shows that your majesty will soon use your highness." , the old minister was about to announce the good news to His Highness, but he did not expect such a thing to happen, could it be that this matter has reached the ears of the Prince, and they will start a mutiny tomorrow on the grounds of saving Cheng Yaojin?"

As soon as Pei Ji said these words, these people, including Li Shimin, felt both excited and nervous. What was exciting was that they did not expect His Majesty to decide to re-appoint the crown prince so soon. Your Majesty is so wise. Those with virtue live there, and those without talent and virtue lose it. In terms of talent and virtue, neither Li Jiancheng nor Li Shimin can be compared. It is time to change the crown prince.

Surprisingly, Pei Ji's speculation was so reasonable. If Li Jiancheng got the news, he might really take the risk.Abolishing the elders and erecting the younger has been the way to create chaos since ancient times. It seems that this disaster is inevitable.

Several people thought about it for a while, Fang Xuanling said: "Your Highness, the news of Mr. Pei is too important, we must guard against what will happen tomorrow, Luo Song dispatched troops to condemn the generals, we must also take action, we can't just wait to be beaten .”

Du Ruhui also said: "Xuan Ling is right, we should make two preparations, one is to dispatch troops to prevent tomorrow's mutiny, the key point is to protect King Qin and His Majesty, and the other is to have King Qin meet His Majesty overnight and inform His Majesty of this matter , so that His Majesty can be prepared."

Li Shimin nodded, "Xuanling and Keming's words are just in line with Gu's intentions," he said, looking at Li Xiaogong, "The general must gather his subordinates, and act according to circumstances tomorrow. If there is any change, we must ensure the safety of the emperor, mother and others. General tonight But quietly meet Duan Zhixuan and Liu Hongji, these two generals are also loyal to the father and emperor, and they can help the general at critical moments."

"Your Highness, don't worry, this matter will be left to the last general, nothing will go wrong." After Li Xiaogong took the order, he took his leave first, and prepared to go according to Li Shimin's instructions.

Changsun Wuji also felt the seriousness of the matter, "Your Highness, will the matter of beheading Cheng Yaojin tomorrow be held as scheduled?"

Li Shimin resolutely said: "Of course. I haven't achieved my goal yet, so how can I end it in a hurry. This is the main event. Tomorrow's dharma field can be set up as you like. Gu Yuanba will also be there. As long as Yang Yong dares to show up, he will be unable to fly. Gu is going to see his father now, as long as his father nods, Cheng Yaojin's head will fall to the ground tomorrow. He ordered the generals in ambush near Cheng's mansion, Luo's mansion and the four sisters' Yuchun Tower to be ready for battle. Start to act. In addition, notify the guards of the four gates that from the third watch tonight, no one is allowed to enter or leave without will.”

After Li Shimin made the arrangements, he was about to enter the palace. Pei Ji warned: "When your Highness sees the emperor, it is best not to mention the matter of establishing an heir, lest the emperor get suspicious and do something that is not good for your highness."

Li Shimin nodded, knowing what he knew, and let everyone disperse. At the second watch, Li Shimin entered the palace with a few confidants.

Nourishing Palace.In the distance, the second watch was knocked on Qiaolou, Li Yuan was still sleepless, walking up and down the palace, the queen, the second concubine Zhang Yin and other concubines, Li Yuan hadn’t seen each other in the past few days, and today he summoned his confidant, the right servant Shoot Pei Ji, send the other maids and eunuchs away at night, and calm down and think about things here alone.

For Li Yuan, reappointing the crown prince is not a trivial matter. Although he is the emperor and has made up his mind, he is under great pressure. What he fears most is that after announcing the change of Li Shimin as crown prince, it will cause a fight between the two factions. , Li Yuan is clear about Li Jiancheng's power.To do it more safely, it is best to achieve a balanced transition. It is undoubtedly more difficult for Li Jiancheng to accept this fact and not cause trouble.

After sending Pei Ji away, Li Yuan originally wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with Li Shimin, and then make an appointment with Li Jiancheng, but at this moment, a news came that Cheng Yaojin was arrested by the Ministry of Officials, paraded in the street, and said that he would be executed tomorrow. , the reason is that Cheng Yaojin's official uniforms in the court were not neat, he had the intention of despising the king, and was suspected of deceiving the king.

When Li Yuan heard the news, he was very displeased. Of course he knew that Li Shimin ordered the officials to do it. He said in his heart, Shimin, I think you are broad-minded and tolerant, and I will make you the crown prince soon. But you made such a fuss, isn't this a clear retaliation?Cheng Yaojin belongs to the prince, will the prince be happy if you do this?I announce that I will make you the crown prince, will you be able to accept it?Contradictions are intensifying, what's going to happen if there is chaos, maybe you have forgotten what I said to you in the countryside that day?
The more Li Yuan thought about it, the more angry he became, so he wanted to send an order to summon Li Shimin to question him, but then he thought, I don't need to look for him, he will definitely come to see me tonight, and I will wait for him here, I don't believe it, he and Changsun Wuji dared to kill Cheng Yaojin without my consent?

At this time, someone came to report, and the two concubines Zhang and Yin asked to see.When Li Yuan heard this, these two beautiful girls must be so lonely that they haven't slept so late, and they must be so lonely that they can't sleep anymore. Yes, I haven't had that job for a long time. Thinking of this, Li Yuan's body began to feel hot. As soon as the blood surged, the matter of Li Shimin came to his mind, thinking that Li Shimin would definitely come soon, Li Yuan's blood calmed down again.

"Tell my two beloved concubines that I still have some things to do today and I am too tired. I will go to the second concubine's palace another day." Li Yuan said to the eunuch who reported the matter.

"Observe the order." The eunuch went out.

(End of this chapter)