Lanting prelude
Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Since Li Tai was admonished by his father, he didn't dare to set foot in Qihuang Pavilion again, but he still couldn't let Su Jinse go, so he simply took her to his mansion and let her live in Chunnuan Pavilion in the back garden.
Su Jinse was quite touched, and sang for Li Tai every day, playing the qin and the harp, as if she had turned back to the stunning and charming girl she was before, making Li Tai forget that she was actually the adopted daughter of Ming Zang , An important member of the secret organization Tianxing League.It wasn't until the evening of the day that Su Jinse secretly brought a person into the Wei Palace without Li Tai's permission, and Li Tai suddenly remembered her true identity.
The person Su Jinse brought in secretly was dressed as a woman, with a hood covering her face.After he took off the disguise, Li Tai could see clearly that this was a man in his 50s, with a bandage on his right wrist and a black eye patch on his left eye. His whole body exuded an inexplicable sense of prey and danger.Li Tai looked at him, and couldn't help feeling a chill in his heart.
"Jinse, you brought a man of unknown origin to the mansion without discussing it with me first. Do you still take me seriously?" Li Tai said with a gloomy face, and his tone was extremely displeased.
"Please forgive me, Your Highness. There is a reason for the incident. I didn't have time to report it to you, so I had to make my own decision." Su Jinse hugged his arm coquettishly, and said with a smile on her face, "However, he is not someone with unknown background. , he is an old man under my father, and he will serve His Highness with all his might in the future."
Hearing this, Li Tai's expression softened a little, he glanced at the other party, and said coldly: "Report yourself."
The man took a step forward, cupped his hands and said: "Your Highness, speaking of your original identity, you must be familiar with it."
Li Tai looked up at him again, and then realized that this person looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him before: "Stop playing around with me, who are you?"
"The next one is Yang Bingjun, the former governor of Luozhou."
When Li Tai heard it, it was as if a thunder had exploded in his ears, and he jumped up from the couch.
This person is the key culprit in the Gantangyi case, the heinous person whom the emperor ordered to be arrested!Moreover, he just failed to assassinate Xiao Junmo in Bailuyuan a few days ago, and now he is being hunted by the whole city of Xuanjiawei, but Su Jinse led him in front of her in a big way!
Li Tai's entire face was contorted with shock and anger, pointing at Yang Bingjun, he was speechless for a while.
Yang Bingjun had no fear, and still calmly cupped his hands and said, "It's a bit abrupt and presumptuous for Yang to appear in front of His Highness suddenly, but just as Miss Jinse said just now, Yang came here to serve His Highness with all his might. Yes. To put it bluntly, Yang is now a knife in His Highness's hand. Although the knife is stained with blood and looks a bit ominous, it is still a sharp knife after all, and it is still useful to His Highness."
Li Tai was still frightened and angry, and pushed Su Jinse away, staring at Yang Bingjun with wide eyes: "You are indeed a knife, but now your knife is on my neck! I am a dignified man!" Prince, how can you hide such a heinous criminal like you!" Then he turned his face to Su Jinse, "Jinse, either you take him away immediately, and this king will pretend that he has never seen him, or this king will order someone to arrest him immediately. Take it, choose for yourself!"
Su Jinse and Yang Bingjun exchanged glances, and then smiled lightly: "Your Highness, you find it difficult to accept this matter for a while, and I can understand it. However, I believe that you will not do anything wrong."
Li Tai sneered loudly: "You are almost driving me to the point of desperation, why can't I do everything right?"
"Your Highness, please forgive me for telling the truth. Right now, you and my family, as well as my father and Yang Bingjun, are already in the same boat. Taking him down will only do you harm, not the slightest benefit."
"Nonsense!" Li Tai sneered, "Why should I be in the same boat as you? This king can arrest all of you now and hand them over to my father. Maybe my father will reward me!"
Su Jinse also smiled coldly: "Is that so? Your Highness said that, is it too optimistic? Even if you arrest us all and hand them over to the Holy One, will the Holy One believe that you are innocent? Even if we all abide by the morals of the world , I won’t bite you back, but the Holy Majesty only needs to do a little research to find out that you and us have been in private contact for more than a day or two, Your Highness thinks, are you sure to clear all the suspicions?”
Li Tai was at a loss for words, opened his mouth and couldn't speak. After a while, he gritted his teeth and said: "Su Jinse, you are clearly blackmailing! It is said that the most poisonous thing is a woman's heart. It seems that you deliberately pushed this king into the fire pit." !"
"Your Highness is unfair to say that!" Su Jinse raised her eyebrows, "When you came to Qihuang Pavilion, was the slave's family forcing you to come? Later, the slave's family asked you to meet with my father and said that you were free to choose, but you finally came Now, did the slave family force you? Even if the slave family lives in your mansion now, you took the initiative to pick up the slave family. Was it the slave family who forced you? From the beginning to the end, from beginning to end, all of this was done by you yourself Decided, why is it that the slave family pushed you into the fire pit at this moment?!"
Li Tai was dumbfounded and completely speechless, so he sat back down.
Yang Bingjun secretly sneered at the side.
In the Li main hall of the East Palace, Li Chengqian, Li Yuanchang, and Hou Junji were all talking, all with joyful expressions on their faces.
"Your Highness, your ability to turn evil into good luck this time is in line with what the ancients said 'the king never dies'!" Hou Junji said, "From this point of view, Your Highness is indeed destined by destiny, and sooner or later the world of Tang Dynasty will be yours. , no one wants to take it away!"
"This time, it's thanks to the grand master's prompt advice." Li Chengqian said, "Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to secure my crown prince position."
"I don't think so." Li Yuanchang said, "Although Wei Zheng has meritorious service in persuading His Highness, he is still loyal to His Highness. We have to accept this kind of love, but it is up to the emperor to decide whether to abandon you. If the emperor If you really want to abolish it, is Wei Zheng's persuasion useful? I think it's useless for him to say to break the sky."
Li Chengqian remained silent.
"My lord's words are right." Hou Junji said, "Wei Zheng is an old man, it's okay to show off his tongue at ordinary times, but if it really comes to the critical moment, what can he do?"
"Hou Shangshu," Li Chengqian changed the subject, unwilling to talk about Wei Zheng again, "Is there any progress in what I told you to do last time?"
Hou Junji chuckled: "Your Highness entrusted me, how can I not do my best? I have made arrangements. In a few days, I will bring someone to visit His Highness."
Li Chengqian was a little surprised: "So fast?"
"This time the matter of desire is so big, and seeing that King Wei is about to meet him, how dare this old man be unhappy!"
"Is it Mingzang?" Li Chengqian asked.
"Your Highness, do you know what Wang Xizhi did at the Lanting Meeting when he invited a group of aristocratic families?" Hou Junji asked without answering, with a mysterious expression on his face.
"The Orchid Pavilion? The world says it's an elegant gathering of literati who compose poems while drinking wine, but since you're asking, it seems that there's something else going on?"
"Your Highness is indeed smart!" Hou Junji laughed, "Back then, Wang Xizhi, Xie An, Sun Chuo, and Huan Wei, a group of nobles, secretly established a secret organization called the Tian Xing League under the name of the Lanting Poetry Association. "
Li Chengqian remembered that he was placed in the inside line of King Wei, and the word "Heavenly Punishment" was included in the news sent back, but he didn't know that it turned out to be a secret organization founded by Wang Xizhi. "Hou Shangshu, as far as you know, what is the relationship between the power of the Heavenly Punishment League and Mingzang?"
"Mingzang is only the main rudder of the Tianxing League. There are a total of [-] rudders in the Tianxing League. In addition to the Mingzang rudder, there are [-] other rudders below!"
Li Chengqian was startled, subconsciously glanced at Li Yuanchang, Li Yuanchang was also surprised.
"Seeing what you mean, the one you plan to introduce is not Mingzang, but someone else?" Li Chengqian asked.
Hou Junji laughed loudly: "It's refreshing to deal with a smart person like His Highness! That's right, this person is not Mingzang, but the descendant of Xie An, the famous Prime Minister of the Eastern Jin Dynasty—Xie Shaozong!"
"This Xie Shaozong is also a member of the Heavenly Punishment Alliance?"
"That's right, brothers Xie An and Xie Wan established a sub-rudder at the Orchid Pavilion, called Xitang, and Xie Shaozong is now the master of the Xitang rudder!"
"Since he is from a great family, he is not an ordinary person." Li Chengqian pondered a little more, "Then it is up to you, bring him to meet as soon as possible, whether he is available or not, we will talk about it after meeting."
"Your Highness, please trust this old man's vision. This old man has been dealing with this person for many years and has always had a close relationship with him. He just didn't know that he still has this hidden identity. Although this Xie Shaozong is a man of the world, he is full of knowledge and resourcefulness. After fulfilling His Highness's entrustment, he tried to make him introduce some friends from the world, and then he revealed his identity. Think about it, His Highness, who has been friends with this old man for many years but has always kept secrets, is he just waiting for nothing?"
Li Chengqian smiled and remained silent.
Li Yuanchang interjected and said: "Hou Shangshu, please forgive me. Your Highness has to decide whether you are someone who is waiting for nothing. Your Highness has to decide whether you can conspire with this person for a great cause. It is too late to say anything now." Good morning, are you right?"
Hou Junji curled his lips: "Of course. The old man is just anxious for His Highness, thinking of sharpening his knife as soon as possible, preemptive strikes, and a great cause!"
"Shangshu is so sincere, how can I not know?" Li Chengqian smiled lightly, "I am also anxious, not to mention that I have recently received news that King Wei is already sharpening his sword, but the more it is at this time, the more he can't go wrong. Wrong. Therefore, you must be cautious about who you choose to use, and you cannot tolerate any mistakes."
When Hou Junji heard this, he was a little surprised: "Wei Wang has already attacked first?"
"That's right, Hou Shangshu," Li Yuanchang said, "so when you said to strike first, it was already too late."
Hou Junji was even more surprised, thinking about something: "His Royal Highness, who is the insider you have placed on King Wei's side? Is the news reliable?"
Li Chengqian touched his nose, but did not speak.
Li Yuanchang hurriedly said: "Hou Shangshu, you shouldn't ask this question, should you?"
"Why can't you ask?" Hou Junji was a little displeased, "This old man has already handed over his wealth and life to His Highness, should His Highness still guard against this old man?" He looked at Li Chengqian, but Li Chengqian remained calm.
"Hou Shangshu, what you said is not pleasant. What do you mean by guarding against you? Your Highness has his own arrangements for everything. How can you say everything openly?"
"In that case, the old man has nothing to say." Hou Junji lowered his face, and suddenly got up, as if he was going to leave.
Li Chengqian frowned and said with a smile: "Hou Shangshu, don't be impatient. Since we are going to do something important together, how could I hide it from you? In fact, I have already arranged it. Even if you don't mention it, tonight I wanted him to meet you."
Hou Junji turned his anger into joy, and cupped his hands: "Your Highness is the one who really does great things with such a magnanimity! It's not like some people who put on airs and play mysteries, which is disgusting!" He glanced at Li Yuanchang as he spoke.
Li Yuanchang was in a hurry: "Hey, I said Hou Shangshu, are you going too far?"
Li Chengqian gave Li Yuanchang a sharp look.Li Yuanchang had no choice but to shut up resentfully, suppressing his anger forcibly.Li Chengqian smiled at Hou Junji again, then turned his head to the screen behind and said, "Erlang, come out and say hello to Hou Shangshu."
Hou Junji was very curious about who this "Erlang" was.
After a while, a handsome young man in fine clothes with a slightly haughty expression slowly walked out from behind the screen.
Hou Junji's eyes widened immediately: "Du Erlang?!"
The inside line that Li Chengqian placed next to King Wei was Du Ruhui's son: Du He.
In the Chunnuan Pavilion of Prince Wei's Mansion, Li Tai was ashen-faced, sitting on the couch in a daze.
Su Jinse and Yang Bingjun exchanged glances.Yang Bingjun understood, and immediately opened his mouth to break the silence: "Your Highness, although Yang came here in a hurry, after all, he has been an official for many years, and he still knows some ways to communicate, so today, Yang is not empty-handed, but prepared a gift for His Highness. "
Li Tai didn't even raise his eyelids, and ignored him at all.
Seeing this, Su Jinse smiled, walked to Li Tai, sat down next to him, and reached out to grab his arm.Li Tai shrank his hands and moved aside, as if avoiding the plague.Su Jinse smiled again: "His Royal Highness, you are a dignified prince, could it be that he was really frightened by Yang Bingjun?"
Li Tai snorted coldly: "What kind of thing is he! Can this king be frightened by him?"
Yang Bingjun's face darkened when he heard this.
"Since it's not, why should your Highness do this? Seeing you angry, I feel more uncomfortable than you!" Su Jinse said, reaching out to hold Li Tai's arm again.Li Tai moved, but didn't dodge again.
"This king is wondering, why did you get so ashamed when you didn't eat the mutton after getting to know you?"
Su Jinse giggled: "Yang Bingjun brought you meat today, but you didn't listen to him, what can I do?"
Li Tai heard the implication: "What meat?"
"Then you'll have to ask him."
Only then did Li Tai turn his face to Yang Bingjun: "Tell me, what gift did you bring to me?"
Yang Bingjun smiled reservedly: "Your Highness may not know, in fact, Yang came to the capital a month ago. He had nothing to do, so he did something for His Highness."
"Help me with something?" Li Tai was confused, "What is it?"
"Your Highness has a wide range of friends and many friends. Yang was worried that His Highness would make some bad friends, so he secretly helped His Highness identify..."
"You are so brave, how dare you follow this king!" Li Tai became angry when he heard this, "It's not your turn to worry about who this king makes friends with!"
"Your Highness, calm down." Su Jinse persuaded, "Why don't you listen to what he has to say?"
Li Tai's anger still persisted: "If you have something to say, say it quickly, if you fart, don't go around in circles with me!"
Yang Bingjun smiled nonchalantly again: "Yes, according to His Highness's order, Yang will 'let go'! Your Highness just said that you don't need to worry about who you want to make friends with. Generally speaking, it is certainly true to say that. , but the question is, what if the friend His Highness makes is someone sent by the Eastern Palace?"
Li Tai was shocked: "What did you say?"
"I said, what if the friend His Highness makes is someone sent by the East Palace?"
Li Tai stood up in shock: "You mean, there is a spy from the Eastern Palace beside me?"
Yang Bingjun nodded.
"Say it! Who is it?"
"Du Ruhui's son, Du He."
Li Tai was shocked, he was stunned for a while before he said: "How do you know?"
"Yang said just now that he had nothing to do, so he followed up and investigated some friends around His Highness, and found that within this month, Du He and the prince met secretly on various occasions, at least five times. many!"
With an unbelievable expression on his face, Li Tai sat back on the couch in a daze.
Su Jinse and Yang Bingjun looked at each other again, and said to Li Tai: "Your Highness, Yang Bingjun's gift is not too light, right?"
Li Tai was silent for a while, sighed, and then looked at Yang Bingjun and said, "You can stay in the mansion first, and Jinse will arrange everything you need. But you must remember, you must not see each other. Anyone, let alone walking around in the mansion at will, and doing anything must be approved by the king in advance."
"Naturally." Su Jinse said with a smile, "If he dares to be dishonest, I will be the first one to let him go."
"Thank you Your Highness for taking me in, Yang is very grateful!" Yang Bingjun bowed his head.
In the past few days, Wu Wang Li Ke and Xuan Jiawei jointly searched for Yang Bingjun and almost turned Chang'an City upside down. Not only did they search every inn inside and outside the city, but they also posted Yang Bingjun's portrait and reward notices in all the Lifangs. While encouraging reports, they also warned the residents to supervise each other by means of joint sittings, and not to let any suspicious outsiders go.Seeing that Yang Bingjun was going to have nowhere to go, Wang Hongyi made a decisive decision and ordered Su Jinse to hide Yang Bingjun in Wei Wangfu.
This move was obviously extremely unfavorable to King Wei, so Su Jinse hesitated to agree.Wang Hongyi said that now only King Wei can keep Yang Bingjun, and there is another advantage in doing so.Su Jinse asked what the benefits were.Wang Hongyi said that in this way, the king of Wei would have a handle in our hands. From then on, he and we were completely in the same boat, and he could only give up on us.
Su Jinse really didn't want to use such vicious tricks to force Wei Wang, but she also knew that the adoptive father's action was called a certificate of honor in the Jianghu, and it was the best way to completely bind Wei Wang.After much deliberation, she felt that doing so was obviously beneficial to the organization, and her father's order was inevitable, so she had no choice but to agree in the end.
To the west of Taiji Palace is Anren Hall, with Anren Gate in front, backed by Nanhai Pool, surrounded by palace walls, forming a small palace.Jin Wang Li Zhi, who was 15 years old at the time, lived in this hall.
Changsun Wuji's office is introspection under the gate, and the value house is just to the east of the Taiji Hall. In his spare time, he only needs to go through a few palace gates and halls, and he can walk to the Anren Hall in a short while.On this day, the weather was clear and the sun was shining brightly. Changsun Wuji had nothing to do, so he went straight to Anren Hall.The eunuchs and maids in the palace were already familiar with him. After seeing the ceremony, they told him that His Royal Highness King Jin was studying in the side hall to the west of the main hall.
When Changsun Wuji walked into the study in the side hall, he saw Li Zhizheng sitting quietly in front of the desk, smiling alone, with a volume of books on the desk.
"Why is the pheasant slave laughing alone?" Changsun Wuji sat down opposite him.
"Uncle is here?" Li Zhi greeted, "I'm laughing at the matter that the father summoned the three of us brothers that day."
Changsun Wuji also heard about the general events of that day, and knew that Li Zhi was embarrassed because of his honesty and kindness, and was reprimanded by the emperor for being too weak and lacking in responsibility.The eldest grandson Wuji thought that Li Zhi was laughing at himself at this moment, and hurriedly said: "Pheasant slave, you are still young, you don't have to compete with your elder brothers for the limelight, you don't know many things now, you can learn slowly, don't need to be ashamed, let alone belittle yourself. "
"When did uncle see that I was ashamed and belittled?" Li Zhi asked with a smile.
"Then you were just now..." Changsun Wuji was a little puzzled.
Li Zhi smiled: "Uncle thinks that I am laughing here alone, is it because I am ashamed of myself and laughing at myself?"
Changsun Wuji frowned.He watched Li Zhi grow up since he was a child. He is kind-hearted, quiet, cautious, and unpretentious.He thinks he still understands this child, but for some reason, these days, he sometimes feels that he doesn't understand Li Zhi, as if the child has grown up suddenly and has many thoughts that he doesn't understand.
"Then tell me, why are you laughing?" Changsun Wuji asked.
"I'm just laughing. It's fine if the eldest brother and the fourth brother don't understand me. Now even the emperor can't understand me. It's interesting to think about it."
Changsun Wuji became more and more confused, and almost said that he was right, even I couldn't understand you at the moment, but he held back and said, "What do you mean by that? What can you understand but not understand?"
Li Zhi smiled and said nothing, but pushed the volume on the desk forward.
Changsun Wuji took it over and saw that it was a book written by Gui Guzi, a strategist in the pre-Qin period. He couldn't help frowning: "Pheasant slave, since when did you read this kind of power book?"
"Why, uncle doesn't like me reading this kind of book?"
"I am going to govern the world with benevolence, and I still want to read more Confucian sages' classics when I have time."
"Confucian classics are just books for face, of course I have to read them, but I have read a lot since I was a child." Li Zhi smiled lightly, "Now, I have to change my taste and read these books hidden behind face."
Changsun Wuji understood, this little guy also understands "Yang Confucianism and Yin Law" now, it seems that he has really grown up. "Pheasant slave, it's not that you can't read the strategy book of the strategist, but you have to study it well and use it well."
"Don't uncle think that my performance in Ganlu Hall that day is a good example of good learning and good application?" Li Zhi looked at him.
Changsun Wuji looked at him, but couldn't figure out what was in his eyes: "What exactly are you trying to say?"
"The way of a sage is yin, and the way of a fool is yang." Li Zhi pointed to the book on the case, "Mr. Guiguzi said it. That day in Ganlu Hall, everyone thought I was too kind, especially when I accompanied the two When the elder brother knelt down, the eldest brother actually said that I was honest and cute. Uncle, tell me, if everyone in the world thinks that I am an honest slave, wouldn’t that be a good thing? Then no one would think of harming me, anyway, I There is no threat to them, right? Those smart and capable people will fight to the death by themselves, and I just need to watch from the side. I think Mr. Guiguzi's "sage's way of Yin" probably means Is that what it means? On the contrary, those few elder brothers of mine revealed all their thoughts in the open, isn't this the 'Fool's Daoyang'?"
After hearing these words, Changsun Wuji suddenly felt a chill down his back.
He never expected that at such a young age, Li Zhi had already understood this set of scheming tactics so thoroughly, and used them so skillfully, without revealing any traces, even the emperor was deceived by him—it turned out that he was in the palace of Ganlu that day. Well, he is deliberately showing people an honest, weak, and ignorant face, but in fact, it is precisely his scheming behind the scenes!
For this alone, I don't know how many people who have been in office for many years can't catch up.
"Pheasant slave, you have grown up!" Changsun Wuji looked at him, his eyes seemed to be filled with thousands of emotions.
"It's still early!" Li Zhi smiled and waved his hands, "At most, it's just a little bit older, and uncle needs more training."
Changsun Wuji smiled: "With your present exquisite mind and such stupid methods, even uncle may be willing to bow down, how can you be trained?"
"Uncle is humble." Li Zhi blinked and said, "Which of those who assisted father and emperor to win the Xuanwu Sect in the past, had a more exquisite mind than me?"
Changsun Wuji shook his head and smiled: "Times have changed! Back then, when I assisted your father, the only opponents were Prince Yin and Chaowang. As long as you kill these two, you will be successful! But now, you Look at your big brothers, the crown prince, the king of Wei, the king of Wu, and even the king of Qi who is far away in Qizhou, which one is the most fuel-efficient lamp?"
"Uncle, don't worry too much." Li Zhi instead comforted his eldest grandson Wuji, "The current court situation is quite complicated, but in my opinion, the situation should become clear soon."
"Oh?" Changsun Wuji was very interested, "How do you say that?"
"I've already said the reason." Li Zhi smiled, "The Daoyang of the fool, how can those people who have exposed themselves to the light live in peace for a long time? I think it won't take long for them to decide. A victory or defeat will be decided. By then, won't the situation be much clearer than it is now?"
"Then they're there to decide the outcome, what are you doing?" Changsun Wuji pressed him deliberately.
"Me?" Li Zhi smiled deeply, "I am here in Anren Hall, be an honest man, and study quietly. Mr. Guiguzi said, 'The transformation of heaven and earth lies in height and depth; the way of a sage lies in concealment and concealment'. I'll just learn from Heaven, Earth and Saints, just hide away and don't mess with them!"
Changsun Wuji laughed loudly: "It doesn't seem to be the way to keep hiding like this?"
Li Zhi smiled lightly: "By the way, uncle, I read a short story written by Liu Xiang in "Shuo Yuan" the day before yesterday. It's quite interesting. May I tell you?"
"Okay, I'm all ears!"
"There is a tree in the garden, and there is a cicada on it. The cicada sits high and sings and drinks the dew. I don't know that the mantis is behind it! The mantis attaches itself to the cicada, but it doesn't know that the oriole is beside it! The oriole stretches its neck, trying to peck it. The praying mantis does not know that the projectile is under it! Uncle, what do you think of this story?"
Changsun Wuji couldn't help clapping his hands and laughing after hearing this: "Wonderful, very wonderful! Then tell me, among your elder brothers, who is the cicada, who is the mantis, and who is the oriole?"
"I don't know." Li Zhi shook his head, his expression looked innocent, "I only know that I won't play with them on the tree, how dangerous it is!"
Changsun Wuji suddenly put away his smile, leaned forward, and lowered his voice subconsciously: "According to what you mean, you are the one under the tree?"
Li Zhi looked at his eldest grandson Wuji with an innocent face: "I'm just a child who doesn't know anything, I don't dare to climb a tree, of course I can only play with a small slingshot below!"
Changsun Wuji looked at him for a moment, and then took a heavy picture of the book case:
"Okay! Since you have this ambition in your heart, uncle will accompany you and play with them!"
The house given to Li Ke by Li Shimin is located in the northwest corner of Qinrenfang. If you come out from the north gate of the mansion, turn right and you will see Dongshi; Two squares can directly reach the imperial city, and four squares are Miyagi, so the traffic is very convenient.Although the newly gifted Prince Wu's Mansion is not as large as the Prince Wei's Mansion in terms of area, it is not far behind in the richness of the halls and the gorgeous decorations.
At noon that day, two inconspicuous light carriages came successively from the direction of Dongshi, and quietly entered Wu Wangfu from the north gate.The two carriages had wandered around the East City several times before, obviously to prevent being followed, and the time interval between their arrival at Prince Wu's Mansion was about a quarter, which was obviously deliberately staggered.
On the first carriage, a big man with a black face and thick eyebrows got off, dressed as a businessman.Although this person is nearly [-] years old, he still walks vigorously. He is Yuchi Jingde, the great general of Youwuhou.
As one of the main heroes of the Xuanwu Gate Change, Yuchi Jingde held this position as early as the first year of Zhenguan, and later successively served as the governor of Tongzhou, the governor of Kunzhou, and the governor of Xiazhou. He was accused of treason three years ago, although There is no factual evidence, but Li Shimin seems to be suspicious of him.Yuchi Jingde was displeased, so he returned to Beijing with illness.Li Shimin took advantage of the situation to dismiss him from the post of governor, and still granted him the title of General Youwuhou.
In this way, after more than ten years, Yuchi Jingde actually returned to his original position after a long detour in his official career. It goes without saying that he felt unwilling and resentful.
On the second carriage, a man in his early forties with shining eyes got off.Although this person is also dressed as a businessman, his temperament is obviously different from that of ordinary civilians.He is one of the members of Li Tang's clan and Li Shimin's younger brother, Li Daozong, the king of Jiangxia, who was then Minister of Rites.
In the early years of Wude, Li Daozong followed Li Shimin in the southern and northern wars and made great achievements. In the early years of Zhenguan, he led his troops to defeat the Turks and Tuyuhun repeatedly. He was known as a famous general at that time. Served as Minister of the Ministry of Rites, but was accused of corruption and bribery, and was immediately imprisoned and dismissed from office.Two years ago, that is, the 14th year of Zhenguan, Songtsen Gampo, the leader of Tubo, sent an envoy to the court and asked for intermarriage. Li Shimin then appointed Li Daozong's daughter to marry Songtsan Gampo as a princess. This daughter is the famous Princess Wencheng .Since this move contributed to the country, Li Shimin let Li Daozong come back and still serve as Minister of Rites.
As soon as Yuchi Jingde and Li Daozong entered Wu Wangfu, someone stepped forward to greet them immediately, and led them to Li Ke's study in the east of the Wangfu.
Li Ke liked martial arts and the art of war since he was a child, and he always admired Yuchi Jingde and Li Daozong's illustrious military exploits, so he often asked them for advice since he was a boy, and they had close contacts, so the relationship between the three was extraordinary.
After the three sat down in the study, Li Ke didn't exchange greetings, and went straight to the topic: "The two of you are invited to come here today, mainly because I want to ask for advice. Now the crown prince and the king of Wei are incompatible, and the emperor called me back at this time." Jing, in this situation, how should I deal with myself?"
"In my opinion, His Highness doesn't have to be humble." Yuchi Jingde said in a rough voice, "I don't like the two of them. If you want to talk about the position of crown prince, it's best for His Highness to sit down!"
Li Ke smiled: "The general is quick to talk. But a man's main purpose is to make meritorious deeds, so he doesn't have to fight for the crown prince."
"What kind of meritorious deeds is it not to be a prince?" Yuchi Jingde raised his eyebrows, "Do you think that if you give up the throne to them, you can be your prince with peace of mind in the future? Wen Tao Wu Lue, how can they tolerate you in the future?"
"The general is absurd. I'm just a prince of Xiaoyao. I don't have an inch of merit. How dare I talk about culture and martial arts?"
"My lord, look at your nephew!" Yuchi Jingde pointed at Li Ke and said to Li Daozong, "What time is it, he is still here gentle, respectful and frugal!"
Li Daozong smiled: "Brother Jingde, don't be impatient, His Highness just hasn't figured it out yet, it doesn't mean he just wants to."
"What is there to think about such a thing? There is only one throne, and I want him if you want, so what should I do? I can only grab it, let's see who is more capable!"
Li Ke and Li Daozong couldn't help looking at each other and smiling when they heard the words.
"Brother Jingde," Li Daozong said, "in your opinion, if His Highness really wants to grab the throne, how should he grab the throne?"
Yuchi Jingde was stunned: "Don't ask me about this! I don't have that much fuss, so I can only do the hands, and you have to do the brains."
Li Daozong smiled again, and then turned his face to Li Ke: "Your Highness is dismissed and returned to Beijing, can you guess what the Holy Majesty wants?"
"The dismissal is just a cover." Li Ke smiled. "In order to avoid the suspicion of the elder brother and the fourth younger brother, the father has taken great pains. If I guessed correctly, the father called me back to Beijing on the grounds of dismissal. It should be to investigate I."
"Smart." Li Daozong nodded, "Then what is your Highness' plan?"
"That's why I invited the two of you here, and I want to hear your opinions."
"I don't have any good ideas, just one word: snatch!" Yuchi Jingde said again, seeing Li Ke and Li Daozong snickering again, he thought for a while, "Of course, if you want to say something beautiful, it's four Word: Do my part!"
"I agree with Brother Jingde." Li Daozong held back a smile, and then looked at Li Ke, "However, the Crown Prince and the King of Wei are currently fighting fiercely, Your Highness should not enter the game for the time being, and just sit on the sidelines until the time is right Let's do it again."
"I think so too." Li Ke nodded and said, "The top priority now is to complete the errands assigned by the emperor and catch the assassin Yang Bingjun. But the annoying thing is, this guy seems to have disappeared out of thin air, completely unaware trace."
"If you want to catch Yang Bingjun, our government's old method won't work!" Yuchi Jingde said, "To deal with this kind of people in the world, you have to find friends in the world."
"Oh? Could it be that brother Jingde knows friends in Jianghu?" Li Daozong was very interested.
Yuchi Jingde chuckled: "To tell you the truth, when I was the governor of Fuzhou, I was falsely accused of treason because I was too close with my friends in the world."
Li Ke and Li Daozong exchanged glances, and then said to Yuchi Jingde: "Can the general be more careful?"
"It's a long story. Didn't Your Majesty search for the authentic works of Wang Xizhi all these years? Ordinarily, this is the work of the governor and has nothing to do with the old man, but I also participated in the matter of Lu Shiheng leaving those bloody words on the Holy Majesty. So these years I have been curious and wanted to find out. It just so happened that there was a big family named Sun in Fuzhou at that time, and there were several cursive calligraphy posters of Wang Xizhi hidden in his home. The governor dared not move after a combination of hard and soft tactics. The old man was thinking about the mystery of Lu Shiheng, and thought that since the man surnamed Sun had Wang Xizhi's authentic works in his possession and was a local tyrant, he might have something to do with Lu Shiheng's affairs, so he personally brought the The soldiers went to raid his house, but after meeting this person, they hit it off. Instead of copying him, they became friends. The old man surnamed Sun thanked the old man for his mercy, so he gave the old man a lot of land and farms, and offered to I begged the old man for help, and the old man saw that he was bold and righteous, so he agreed."
Li Ke frowned slightly, and suddenly thought of something: "What is this person's name?"
"Sun Boyuan."
"Is his ancestor Sun Chuo, a famous scholar in the Eastern Jin Dynasty?"
Yuchi Jingde was stunned: "This old man doesn't know. But I seem to have heard him mention that his ancestors had a close personal relationship with Wang Xizhi back then, so there is an authentic Wang Xizhi in his home."
Li Daozong noticed that Li Ke's expression was different: "Why does Your Highness ask this?"
Li Ke bowed his head and pondered, constantly recalling everything Xiao Junmo told him about the Lanting Club in his mind.Li Daozong and Yuchi Jingde couldn't help looking at each other when they saw that he was suddenly silent.
If this Sun Boyuan is really a descendant of Sun Chuo, then according to Yuchi Jingde's description, he is obviously also a sub-rudder leader in the Tianxing League.Li Ke thought, if he had to intervene in the battle for the heir apparent sooner or later, he would definitely have to be surrounded by slayers.Just like when the father and the prince were fighting, the Qin Palace raised [-] dead soldiers, and the East Palace privately kept [-] Changlin soldiers.Now that this Sun Boyuan is Yuchi Jingde's sworn brother, it is a godsend opportunity, and he can definitely bring him under his command in case of emergency.
Having made up his mind, Li Ke raised his head, looked at the two of them, and then told them everything Xiao Junmo told him in detail.Li Daozong and Yuchi Jingde were immediately amazed, and looked at each other in astonishment.
So far, Yuchi Jingde finally solved the mystery about Lu Shiheng's scarlet characters that had been buried in his heart for 16 years.
"Ask this Sun Boyuan to meet." Li Ke respectfully said to Yuchi with a solemn face, "Tell him, if he refuses to say goodbye, this king will definitely use him!"
As soon as Li Daozong heard this, he knew that the heroic and courageous Li Ke was determined to enter the game.
In the middle of the night, it rained heavily.
There is a Qinglong Square in the southeast corner of Chang'an City, and there is a stone bridge in the northeast corner of the square. The water under the bridge is drawn from the Qu River. Due to the recent heavy rain, the water level has obviously risen a lot.
At this moment, a black figure stood by the water of the ditch under the stone bridge.He was motionless, like a stone statue.
A moment later, a carriage drove up in the rain and slowly stopped on the stone bridge.A person got out of the car, holding an oil-paper umbrella, and by the dim lights of other people in the distance, he came to the bridge step by step, and then deliberately found a place with backlight to stand.
"The first teacher has Mingzang." After seeing the black shadow, the man holding the umbrella said in a hoarse voice.His voice was deliberately concealed, making it appear too deep, and was almost drowned out by the splashing rain and the sound of running water.
"Anyong Jishiluo." The black shadow turned around, and it was Wang Hongyi.
"I've seen Mr. Mingzang." The visitor bowed deeply.
"Xuanquan, haven't we seen each other for several years?" Wang Hongyi smiled.
"Yes sir, it should be almost three years."
"I heard that you have been in the court for the past few years, and you have done a good job, and you are going to enter the cabinet soon?"
"It's all thanks to Mr.
Wang Hongyi smiled and waved his hands: "This is your own ability, so you don't have to be too modest. Back then, in Zhaoxingfang, I once told you that your task was to lurk in Li Shimin's court and treat officials more and more. The bigger the better. Now it seems that you have not let me down after all!"
"The subordinates always remember the teacher's teachings, and dare not forget them for a moment."
"Very good! If all the brothers in this alliance are as capable and loyal as you, why not worry about the great success!"
"Sir, what task do you want to give your subordinates here?"
"There are a lot of things for you to do. The first thing is the matter of eloquence. How is he doing?"
"It is said that he has spoken, but very slowly."
Wang Hongyi frowned: "This is not good news. If he reveals all the secrets, it will be extremely detrimental to the alliance."
"Yes, my subordinates also have this concern."
"Is there a way to rob him?"
Xuanquan pondered for a while, then shook his head: "Although there are subordinates in the palace, it may be very difficult to rob them away."
Wang Hongyi frowned deeply, and said after a while: "In that case, let's get rid of him! We would rather not get the "Lanting Preface" than let it fall into Li Shimin's hands."
"Yes, this subordinate will make arrangements now." Xuanquan cupped his hands, turned around and left.
"Xuanquan."
Xuanquan stopped, but didn't look back.
"Be careful in everything. Next, there will be a lot of big things for you to do, and you can't make any mistakes."
"Subordinates, remember." After Xuanquan finished speaking, he walked straight into the heavy rain.
He actually turned his back to me? !
In Wang Hongyi's memory, this seemed to be the first time.Although so many years had passed, Xuanquan's tone was still so respectful, and every mission was carried out cleanly, but today's unprecedented abnormal behavior still gave Wang Hongyi an ominous premonition.
Although it is only a trivial detail, many times, the details often reveal a person's true heart.
(End of this chapter)
Since Li Tai was admonished by his father, he didn't dare to set foot in Qihuang Pavilion again, but he still couldn't let Su Jinse go, so he simply took her to his mansion and let her live in Chunnuan Pavilion in the back garden.
Su Jinse was quite touched, and sang for Li Tai every day, playing the qin and the harp, as if she had turned back to the stunning and charming girl she was before, making Li Tai forget that she was actually the adopted daughter of Ming Zang , An important member of the secret organization Tianxing League.It wasn't until the evening of the day that Su Jinse secretly brought a person into the Wei Palace without Li Tai's permission, and Li Tai suddenly remembered her true identity.
The person Su Jinse brought in secretly was dressed as a woman, with a hood covering her face.After he took off the disguise, Li Tai could see clearly that this was a man in his 50s, with a bandage on his right wrist and a black eye patch on his left eye. His whole body exuded an inexplicable sense of prey and danger.Li Tai looked at him, and couldn't help feeling a chill in his heart.
"Jinse, you brought a man of unknown origin to the mansion without discussing it with me first. Do you still take me seriously?" Li Tai said with a gloomy face, and his tone was extremely displeased.
"Please forgive me, Your Highness. There is a reason for the incident. I didn't have time to report it to you, so I had to make my own decision." Su Jinse hugged his arm coquettishly, and said with a smile on her face, "However, he is not someone with unknown background. , he is an old man under my father, and he will serve His Highness with all his might in the future."
Hearing this, Li Tai's expression softened a little, he glanced at the other party, and said coldly: "Report yourself."
The man took a step forward, cupped his hands and said: "Your Highness, speaking of your original identity, you must be familiar with it."
Li Tai looked up at him again, and then realized that this person looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him before: "Stop playing around with me, who are you?"
"The next one is Yang Bingjun, the former governor of Luozhou."
When Li Tai heard it, it was as if a thunder had exploded in his ears, and he jumped up from the couch.
This person is the key culprit in the Gantangyi case, the heinous person whom the emperor ordered to be arrested!Moreover, he just failed to assassinate Xiao Junmo in Bailuyuan a few days ago, and now he is being hunted by the whole city of Xuanjiawei, but Su Jinse led him in front of her in a big way!
Li Tai's entire face was contorted with shock and anger, pointing at Yang Bingjun, he was speechless for a while.
Yang Bingjun had no fear, and still calmly cupped his hands and said, "It's a bit abrupt and presumptuous for Yang to appear in front of His Highness suddenly, but just as Miss Jinse said just now, Yang came here to serve His Highness with all his might. Yes. To put it bluntly, Yang is now a knife in His Highness's hand. Although the knife is stained with blood and looks a bit ominous, it is still a sharp knife after all, and it is still useful to His Highness."
Li Tai was still frightened and angry, and pushed Su Jinse away, staring at Yang Bingjun with wide eyes: "You are indeed a knife, but now your knife is on my neck! I am a dignified man!" Prince, how can you hide such a heinous criminal like you!" Then he turned his face to Su Jinse, "Jinse, either you take him away immediately, and this king will pretend that he has never seen him, or this king will order someone to arrest him immediately. Take it, choose for yourself!"
Su Jinse and Yang Bingjun exchanged glances, and then smiled lightly: "Your Highness, you find it difficult to accept this matter for a while, and I can understand it. However, I believe that you will not do anything wrong."
Li Tai sneered loudly: "You are almost driving me to the point of desperation, why can't I do everything right?"
"Your Highness, please forgive me for telling the truth. Right now, you and my family, as well as my father and Yang Bingjun, are already in the same boat. Taking him down will only do you harm, not the slightest benefit."
"Nonsense!" Li Tai sneered, "Why should I be in the same boat as you? This king can arrest all of you now and hand them over to my father. Maybe my father will reward me!"
Su Jinse also smiled coldly: "Is that so? Your Highness said that, is it too optimistic? Even if you arrest us all and hand them over to the Holy One, will the Holy One believe that you are innocent? Even if we all abide by the morals of the world , I won’t bite you back, but the Holy Majesty only needs to do a little research to find out that you and us have been in private contact for more than a day or two, Your Highness thinks, are you sure to clear all the suspicions?”
Li Tai was at a loss for words, opened his mouth and couldn't speak. After a while, he gritted his teeth and said: "Su Jinse, you are clearly blackmailing! It is said that the most poisonous thing is a woman's heart. It seems that you deliberately pushed this king into the fire pit." !"
"Your Highness is unfair to say that!" Su Jinse raised her eyebrows, "When you came to Qihuang Pavilion, was the slave's family forcing you to come? Later, the slave's family asked you to meet with my father and said that you were free to choose, but you finally came Now, did the slave family force you? Even if the slave family lives in your mansion now, you took the initiative to pick up the slave family. Was it the slave family who forced you? From the beginning to the end, from beginning to end, all of this was done by you yourself Decided, why is it that the slave family pushed you into the fire pit at this moment?!"
Li Tai was dumbfounded and completely speechless, so he sat back down.
Yang Bingjun secretly sneered at the side.
In the Li main hall of the East Palace, Li Chengqian, Li Yuanchang, and Hou Junji were all talking, all with joyful expressions on their faces.
"Your Highness, your ability to turn evil into good luck this time is in line with what the ancients said 'the king never dies'!" Hou Junji said, "From this point of view, Your Highness is indeed destined by destiny, and sooner or later the world of Tang Dynasty will be yours. , no one wants to take it away!"
"This time, it's thanks to the grand master's prompt advice." Li Chengqian said, "Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to secure my crown prince position."
"I don't think so." Li Yuanchang said, "Although Wei Zheng has meritorious service in persuading His Highness, he is still loyal to His Highness. We have to accept this kind of love, but it is up to the emperor to decide whether to abandon you. If the emperor If you really want to abolish it, is Wei Zheng's persuasion useful? I think it's useless for him to say to break the sky."
Li Chengqian remained silent.
"My lord's words are right." Hou Junji said, "Wei Zheng is an old man, it's okay to show off his tongue at ordinary times, but if it really comes to the critical moment, what can he do?"
"Hou Shangshu," Li Chengqian changed the subject, unwilling to talk about Wei Zheng again, "Is there any progress in what I told you to do last time?"
Hou Junji chuckled: "Your Highness entrusted me, how can I not do my best? I have made arrangements. In a few days, I will bring someone to visit His Highness."
Li Chengqian was a little surprised: "So fast?"
"This time the matter of desire is so big, and seeing that King Wei is about to meet him, how dare this old man be unhappy!"
"Is it Mingzang?" Li Chengqian asked.
"Your Highness, do you know what Wang Xizhi did at the Lanting Meeting when he invited a group of aristocratic families?" Hou Junji asked without answering, with a mysterious expression on his face.
"The Orchid Pavilion? The world says it's an elegant gathering of literati who compose poems while drinking wine, but since you're asking, it seems that there's something else going on?"
"Your Highness is indeed smart!" Hou Junji laughed, "Back then, Wang Xizhi, Xie An, Sun Chuo, and Huan Wei, a group of nobles, secretly established a secret organization called the Tian Xing League under the name of the Lanting Poetry Association. "
Li Chengqian remembered that he was placed in the inside line of King Wei, and the word "Heavenly Punishment" was included in the news sent back, but he didn't know that it turned out to be a secret organization founded by Wang Xizhi. "Hou Shangshu, as far as you know, what is the relationship between the power of the Heavenly Punishment League and Mingzang?"
"Mingzang is only the main rudder of the Tianxing League. There are a total of [-] rudders in the Tianxing League. In addition to the Mingzang rudder, there are [-] other rudders below!"
Li Chengqian was startled, subconsciously glanced at Li Yuanchang, Li Yuanchang was also surprised.
"Seeing what you mean, the one you plan to introduce is not Mingzang, but someone else?" Li Chengqian asked.
Hou Junji laughed loudly: "It's refreshing to deal with a smart person like His Highness! That's right, this person is not Mingzang, but the descendant of Xie An, the famous Prime Minister of the Eastern Jin Dynasty—Xie Shaozong!"
"This Xie Shaozong is also a member of the Heavenly Punishment Alliance?"
"That's right, brothers Xie An and Xie Wan established a sub-rudder at the Orchid Pavilion, called Xitang, and Xie Shaozong is now the master of the Xitang rudder!"
"Since he is from a great family, he is not an ordinary person." Li Chengqian pondered a little more, "Then it is up to you, bring him to meet as soon as possible, whether he is available or not, we will talk about it after meeting."
"Your Highness, please trust this old man's vision. This old man has been dealing with this person for many years and has always had a close relationship with him. He just didn't know that he still has this hidden identity. Although this Xie Shaozong is a man of the world, he is full of knowledge and resourcefulness. After fulfilling His Highness's entrustment, he tried to make him introduce some friends from the world, and then he revealed his identity. Think about it, His Highness, who has been friends with this old man for many years but has always kept secrets, is he just waiting for nothing?"
Li Chengqian smiled and remained silent.
Li Yuanchang interjected and said: "Hou Shangshu, please forgive me. Your Highness has to decide whether you are someone who is waiting for nothing. Your Highness has to decide whether you can conspire with this person for a great cause. It is too late to say anything now." Good morning, are you right?"
Hou Junji curled his lips: "Of course. The old man is just anxious for His Highness, thinking of sharpening his knife as soon as possible, preemptive strikes, and a great cause!"
"Shangshu is so sincere, how can I not know?" Li Chengqian smiled lightly, "I am also anxious, not to mention that I have recently received news that King Wei is already sharpening his sword, but the more it is at this time, the more he can't go wrong. Wrong. Therefore, you must be cautious about who you choose to use, and you cannot tolerate any mistakes."
When Hou Junji heard this, he was a little surprised: "Wei Wang has already attacked first?"
"That's right, Hou Shangshu," Li Yuanchang said, "so when you said to strike first, it was already too late."
Hou Junji was even more surprised, thinking about something: "His Royal Highness, who is the insider you have placed on King Wei's side? Is the news reliable?"
Li Chengqian touched his nose, but did not speak.
Li Yuanchang hurriedly said: "Hou Shangshu, you shouldn't ask this question, should you?"
"Why can't you ask?" Hou Junji was a little displeased, "This old man has already handed over his wealth and life to His Highness, should His Highness still guard against this old man?" He looked at Li Chengqian, but Li Chengqian remained calm.
"Hou Shangshu, what you said is not pleasant. What do you mean by guarding against you? Your Highness has his own arrangements for everything. How can you say everything openly?"
"In that case, the old man has nothing to say." Hou Junji lowered his face, and suddenly got up, as if he was going to leave.
Li Chengqian frowned and said with a smile: "Hou Shangshu, don't be impatient. Since we are going to do something important together, how could I hide it from you? In fact, I have already arranged it. Even if you don't mention it, tonight I wanted him to meet you."
Hou Junji turned his anger into joy, and cupped his hands: "Your Highness is the one who really does great things with such a magnanimity! It's not like some people who put on airs and play mysteries, which is disgusting!" He glanced at Li Yuanchang as he spoke.
Li Yuanchang was in a hurry: "Hey, I said Hou Shangshu, are you going too far?"
Li Chengqian gave Li Yuanchang a sharp look.Li Yuanchang had no choice but to shut up resentfully, suppressing his anger forcibly.Li Chengqian smiled at Hou Junji again, then turned his head to the screen behind and said, "Erlang, come out and say hello to Hou Shangshu."
Hou Junji was very curious about who this "Erlang" was.
After a while, a handsome young man in fine clothes with a slightly haughty expression slowly walked out from behind the screen.
Hou Junji's eyes widened immediately: "Du Erlang?!"
The inside line that Li Chengqian placed next to King Wei was Du Ruhui's son: Du He.
In the Chunnuan Pavilion of Prince Wei's Mansion, Li Tai was ashen-faced, sitting on the couch in a daze.
Su Jinse and Yang Bingjun exchanged glances.Yang Bingjun understood, and immediately opened his mouth to break the silence: "Your Highness, although Yang came here in a hurry, after all, he has been an official for many years, and he still knows some ways to communicate, so today, Yang is not empty-handed, but prepared a gift for His Highness. "
Li Tai didn't even raise his eyelids, and ignored him at all.
Seeing this, Su Jinse smiled, walked to Li Tai, sat down next to him, and reached out to grab his arm.Li Tai shrank his hands and moved aside, as if avoiding the plague.Su Jinse smiled again: "His Royal Highness, you are a dignified prince, could it be that he was really frightened by Yang Bingjun?"
Li Tai snorted coldly: "What kind of thing is he! Can this king be frightened by him?"
Yang Bingjun's face darkened when he heard this.
"Since it's not, why should your Highness do this? Seeing you angry, I feel more uncomfortable than you!" Su Jinse said, reaching out to hold Li Tai's arm again.Li Tai moved, but didn't dodge again.
"This king is wondering, why did you get so ashamed when you didn't eat the mutton after getting to know you?"
Su Jinse giggled: "Yang Bingjun brought you meat today, but you didn't listen to him, what can I do?"
Li Tai heard the implication: "What meat?"
"Then you'll have to ask him."
Only then did Li Tai turn his face to Yang Bingjun: "Tell me, what gift did you bring to me?"
Yang Bingjun smiled reservedly: "Your Highness may not know, in fact, Yang came to the capital a month ago. He had nothing to do, so he did something for His Highness."
"Help me with something?" Li Tai was confused, "What is it?"
"Your Highness has a wide range of friends and many friends. Yang was worried that His Highness would make some bad friends, so he secretly helped His Highness identify..."
"You are so brave, how dare you follow this king!" Li Tai became angry when he heard this, "It's not your turn to worry about who this king makes friends with!"
"Your Highness, calm down." Su Jinse persuaded, "Why don't you listen to what he has to say?"
Li Tai's anger still persisted: "If you have something to say, say it quickly, if you fart, don't go around in circles with me!"
Yang Bingjun smiled nonchalantly again: "Yes, according to His Highness's order, Yang will 'let go'! Your Highness just said that you don't need to worry about who you want to make friends with. Generally speaking, it is certainly true to say that. , but the question is, what if the friend His Highness makes is someone sent by the Eastern Palace?"
Li Tai was shocked: "What did you say?"
"I said, what if the friend His Highness makes is someone sent by the East Palace?"
Li Tai stood up in shock: "You mean, there is a spy from the Eastern Palace beside me?"
Yang Bingjun nodded.
"Say it! Who is it?"
"Du Ruhui's son, Du He."
Li Tai was shocked, he was stunned for a while before he said: "How do you know?"
"Yang said just now that he had nothing to do, so he followed up and investigated some friends around His Highness, and found that within this month, Du He and the prince met secretly on various occasions, at least five times. many!"
With an unbelievable expression on his face, Li Tai sat back on the couch in a daze.
Su Jinse and Yang Bingjun looked at each other again, and said to Li Tai: "Your Highness, Yang Bingjun's gift is not too light, right?"
Li Tai was silent for a while, sighed, and then looked at Yang Bingjun and said, "You can stay in the mansion first, and Jinse will arrange everything you need. But you must remember, you must not see each other. Anyone, let alone walking around in the mansion at will, and doing anything must be approved by the king in advance."
"Naturally." Su Jinse said with a smile, "If he dares to be dishonest, I will be the first one to let him go."
"Thank you Your Highness for taking me in, Yang is very grateful!" Yang Bingjun bowed his head.
In the past few days, Wu Wang Li Ke and Xuan Jiawei jointly searched for Yang Bingjun and almost turned Chang'an City upside down. Not only did they search every inn inside and outside the city, but they also posted Yang Bingjun's portrait and reward notices in all the Lifangs. While encouraging reports, they also warned the residents to supervise each other by means of joint sittings, and not to let any suspicious outsiders go.Seeing that Yang Bingjun was going to have nowhere to go, Wang Hongyi made a decisive decision and ordered Su Jinse to hide Yang Bingjun in Wei Wangfu.
This move was obviously extremely unfavorable to King Wei, so Su Jinse hesitated to agree.Wang Hongyi said that now only King Wei can keep Yang Bingjun, and there is another advantage in doing so.Su Jinse asked what the benefits were.Wang Hongyi said that in this way, the king of Wei would have a handle in our hands. From then on, he and we were completely in the same boat, and he could only give up on us.
Su Jinse really didn't want to use such vicious tricks to force Wei Wang, but she also knew that the adoptive father's action was called a certificate of honor in the Jianghu, and it was the best way to completely bind Wei Wang.After much deliberation, she felt that doing so was obviously beneficial to the organization, and her father's order was inevitable, so she had no choice but to agree in the end.
To the west of Taiji Palace is Anren Hall, with Anren Gate in front, backed by Nanhai Pool, surrounded by palace walls, forming a small palace.Jin Wang Li Zhi, who was 15 years old at the time, lived in this hall.
Changsun Wuji's office is introspection under the gate, and the value house is just to the east of the Taiji Hall. In his spare time, he only needs to go through a few palace gates and halls, and he can walk to the Anren Hall in a short while.On this day, the weather was clear and the sun was shining brightly. Changsun Wuji had nothing to do, so he went straight to Anren Hall.The eunuchs and maids in the palace were already familiar with him. After seeing the ceremony, they told him that His Royal Highness King Jin was studying in the side hall to the west of the main hall.
When Changsun Wuji walked into the study in the side hall, he saw Li Zhizheng sitting quietly in front of the desk, smiling alone, with a volume of books on the desk.
"Why is the pheasant slave laughing alone?" Changsun Wuji sat down opposite him.
"Uncle is here?" Li Zhi greeted, "I'm laughing at the matter that the father summoned the three of us brothers that day."
Changsun Wuji also heard about the general events of that day, and knew that Li Zhi was embarrassed because of his honesty and kindness, and was reprimanded by the emperor for being too weak and lacking in responsibility.The eldest grandson Wuji thought that Li Zhi was laughing at himself at this moment, and hurriedly said: "Pheasant slave, you are still young, you don't have to compete with your elder brothers for the limelight, you don't know many things now, you can learn slowly, don't need to be ashamed, let alone belittle yourself. "
"When did uncle see that I was ashamed and belittled?" Li Zhi asked with a smile.
"Then you were just now..." Changsun Wuji was a little puzzled.
Li Zhi smiled: "Uncle thinks that I am laughing here alone, is it because I am ashamed of myself and laughing at myself?"
Changsun Wuji frowned.He watched Li Zhi grow up since he was a child. He is kind-hearted, quiet, cautious, and unpretentious.He thinks he still understands this child, but for some reason, these days, he sometimes feels that he doesn't understand Li Zhi, as if the child has grown up suddenly and has many thoughts that he doesn't understand.
"Then tell me, why are you laughing?" Changsun Wuji asked.
"I'm just laughing. It's fine if the eldest brother and the fourth brother don't understand me. Now even the emperor can't understand me. It's interesting to think about it."
Changsun Wuji became more and more confused, and almost said that he was right, even I couldn't understand you at the moment, but he held back and said, "What do you mean by that? What can you understand but not understand?"
Li Zhi smiled and said nothing, but pushed the volume on the desk forward.
Changsun Wuji took it over and saw that it was a book written by Gui Guzi, a strategist in the pre-Qin period. He couldn't help frowning: "Pheasant slave, since when did you read this kind of power book?"
"Why, uncle doesn't like me reading this kind of book?"
"I am going to govern the world with benevolence, and I still want to read more Confucian sages' classics when I have time."
"Confucian classics are just books for face, of course I have to read them, but I have read a lot since I was a child." Li Zhi smiled lightly, "Now, I have to change my taste and read these books hidden behind face."
Changsun Wuji understood, this little guy also understands "Yang Confucianism and Yin Law" now, it seems that he has really grown up. "Pheasant slave, it's not that you can't read the strategy book of the strategist, but you have to study it well and use it well."
"Don't uncle think that my performance in Ganlu Hall that day is a good example of good learning and good application?" Li Zhi looked at him.
Changsun Wuji looked at him, but couldn't figure out what was in his eyes: "What exactly are you trying to say?"
"The way of a sage is yin, and the way of a fool is yang." Li Zhi pointed to the book on the case, "Mr. Guiguzi said it. That day in Ganlu Hall, everyone thought I was too kind, especially when I accompanied the two When the elder brother knelt down, the eldest brother actually said that I was honest and cute. Uncle, tell me, if everyone in the world thinks that I am an honest slave, wouldn’t that be a good thing? Then no one would think of harming me, anyway, I There is no threat to them, right? Those smart and capable people will fight to the death by themselves, and I just need to watch from the side. I think Mr. Guiguzi's "sage's way of Yin" probably means Is that what it means? On the contrary, those few elder brothers of mine revealed all their thoughts in the open, isn't this the 'Fool's Daoyang'?"
After hearing these words, Changsun Wuji suddenly felt a chill down his back.
He never expected that at such a young age, Li Zhi had already understood this set of scheming tactics so thoroughly, and used them so skillfully, without revealing any traces, even the emperor was deceived by him—it turned out that he was in the palace of Ganlu that day. Well, he is deliberately showing people an honest, weak, and ignorant face, but in fact, it is precisely his scheming behind the scenes!
For this alone, I don't know how many people who have been in office for many years can't catch up.
"Pheasant slave, you have grown up!" Changsun Wuji looked at him, his eyes seemed to be filled with thousands of emotions.
"It's still early!" Li Zhi smiled and waved his hands, "At most, it's just a little bit older, and uncle needs more training."
Changsun Wuji smiled: "With your present exquisite mind and such stupid methods, even uncle may be willing to bow down, how can you be trained?"
"Uncle is humble." Li Zhi blinked and said, "Which of those who assisted father and emperor to win the Xuanwu Sect in the past, had a more exquisite mind than me?"
Changsun Wuji shook his head and smiled: "Times have changed! Back then, when I assisted your father, the only opponents were Prince Yin and Chaowang. As long as you kill these two, you will be successful! But now, you Look at your big brothers, the crown prince, the king of Wei, the king of Wu, and even the king of Qi who is far away in Qizhou, which one is the most fuel-efficient lamp?"
"Uncle, don't worry too much." Li Zhi instead comforted his eldest grandson Wuji, "The current court situation is quite complicated, but in my opinion, the situation should become clear soon."
"Oh?" Changsun Wuji was very interested, "How do you say that?"
"I've already said the reason." Li Zhi smiled, "The Daoyang of the fool, how can those people who have exposed themselves to the light live in peace for a long time? I think it won't take long for them to decide. A victory or defeat will be decided. By then, won't the situation be much clearer than it is now?"
"Then they're there to decide the outcome, what are you doing?" Changsun Wuji pressed him deliberately.
"Me?" Li Zhi smiled deeply, "I am here in Anren Hall, be an honest man, and study quietly. Mr. Guiguzi said, 'The transformation of heaven and earth lies in height and depth; the way of a sage lies in concealment and concealment'. I'll just learn from Heaven, Earth and Saints, just hide away and don't mess with them!"
Changsun Wuji laughed loudly: "It doesn't seem to be the way to keep hiding like this?"
Li Zhi smiled lightly: "By the way, uncle, I read a short story written by Liu Xiang in "Shuo Yuan" the day before yesterday. It's quite interesting. May I tell you?"
"Okay, I'm all ears!"
"There is a tree in the garden, and there is a cicada on it. The cicada sits high and sings and drinks the dew. I don't know that the mantis is behind it! The mantis attaches itself to the cicada, but it doesn't know that the oriole is beside it! The oriole stretches its neck, trying to peck it. The praying mantis does not know that the projectile is under it! Uncle, what do you think of this story?"
Changsun Wuji couldn't help clapping his hands and laughing after hearing this: "Wonderful, very wonderful! Then tell me, among your elder brothers, who is the cicada, who is the mantis, and who is the oriole?"
"I don't know." Li Zhi shook his head, his expression looked innocent, "I only know that I won't play with them on the tree, how dangerous it is!"
Changsun Wuji suddenly put away his smile, leaned forward, and lowered his voice subconsciously: "According to what you mean, you are the one under the tree?"
Li Zhi looked at his eldest grandson Wuji with an innocent face: "I'm just a child who doesn't know anything, I don't dare to climb a tree, of course I can only play with a small slingshot below!"
Changsun Wuji looked at him for a moment, and then took a heavy picture of the book case:
"Okay! Since you have this ambition in your heart, uncle will accompany you and play with them!"
The house given to Li Ke by Li Shimin is located in the northwest corner of Qinrenfang. If you come out from the north gate of the mansion, turn right and you will see Dongshi; Two squares can directly reach the imperial city, and four squares are Miyagi, so the traffic is very convenient.Although the newly gifted Prince Wu's Mansion is not as large as the Prince Wei's Mansion in terms of area, it is not far behind in the richness of the halls and the gorgeous decorations.
At noon that day, two inconspicuous light carriages came successively from the direction of Dongshi, and quietly entered Wu Wangfu from the north gate.The two carriages had wandered around the East City several times before, obviously to prevent being followed, and the time interval between their arrival at Prince Wu's Mansion was about a quarter, which was obviously deliberately staggered.
On the first carriage, a big man with a black face and thick eyebrows got off, dressed as a businessman.Although this person is nearly [-] years old, he still walks vigorously. He is Yuchi Jingde, the great general of Youwuhou.
As one of the main heroes of the Xuanwu Gate Change, Yuchi Jingde held this position as early as the first year of Zhenguan, and later successively served as the governor of Tongzhou, the governor of Kunzhou, and the governor of Xiazhou. He was accused of treason three years ago, although There is no factual evidence, but Li Shimin seems to be suspicious of him.Yuchi Jingde was displeased, so he returned to Beijing with illness.Li Shimin took advantage of the situation to dismiss him from the post of governor, and still granted him the title of General Youwuhou.
In this way, after more than ten years, Yuchi Jingde actually returned to his original position after a long detour in his official career. It goes without saying that he felt unwilling and resentful.
On the second carriage, a man in his early forties with shining eyes got off.Although this person is also dressed as a businessman, his temperament is obviously different from that of ordinary civilians.He is one of the members of Li Tang's clan and Li Shimin's younger brother, Li Daozong, the king of Jiangxia, who was then Minister of Rites.
In the early years of Wude, Li Daozong followed Li Shimin in the southern and northern wars and made great achievements. In the early years of Zhenguan, he led his troops to defeat the Turks and Tuyuhun repeatedly. He was known as a famous general at that time. Served as Minister of the Ministry of Rites, but was accused of corruption and bribery, and was immediately imprisoned and dismissed from office.Two years ago, that is, the 14th year of Zhenguan, Songtsen Gampo, the leader of Tubo, sent an envoy to the court and asked for intermarriage. Li Shimin then appointed Li Daozong's daughter to marry Songtsan Gampo as a princess. This daughter is the famous Princess Wencheng .Since this move contributed to the country, Li Shimin let Li Daozong come back and still serve as Minister of Rites.
As soon as Yuchi Jingde and Li Daozong entered Wu Wangfu, someone stepped forward to greet them immediately, and led them to Li Ke's study in the east of the Wangfu.
Li Ke liked martial arts and the art of war since he was a child, and he always admired Yuchi Jingde and Li Daozong's illustrious military exploits, so he often asked them for advice since he was a boy, and they had close contacts, so the relationship between the three was extraordinary.
After the three sat down in the study, Li Ke didn't exchange greetings, and went straight to the topic: "The two of you are invited to come here today, mainly because I want to ask for advice. Now the crown prince and the king of Wei are incompatible, and the emperor called me back at this time." Jing, in this situation, how should I deal with myself?"
"In my opinion, His Highness doesn't have to be humble." Yuchi Jingde said in a rough voice, "I don't like the two of them. If you want to talk about the position of crown prince, it's best for His Highness to sit down!"
Li Ke smiled: "The general is quick to talk. But a man's main purpose is to make meritorious deeds, so he doesn't have to fight for the crown prince."
"What kind of meritorious deeds is it not to be a prince?" Yuchi Jingde raised his eyebrows, "Do you think that if you give up the throne to them, you can be your prince with peace of mind in the future? Wen Tao Wu Lue, how can they tolerate you in the future?"
"The general is absurd. I'm just a prince of Xiaoyao. I don't have an inch of merit. How dare I talk about culture and martial arts?"
"My lord, look at your nephew!" Yuchi Jingde pointed at Li Ke and said to Li Daozong, "What time is it, he is still here gentle, respectful and frugal!"
Li Daozong smiled: "Brother Jingde, don't be impatient, His Highness just hasn't figured it out yet, it doesn't mean he just wants to."
"What is there to think about such a thing? There is only one throne, and I want him if you want, so what should I do? I can only grab it, let's see who is more capable!"
Li Ke and Li Daozong couldn't help looking at each other and smiling when they heard the words.
"Brother Jingde," Li Daozong said, "in your opinion, if His Highness really wants to grab the throne, how should he grab the throne?"
Yuchi Jingde was stunned: "Don't ask me about this! I don't have that much fuss, so I can only do the hands, and you have to do the brains."
Li Daozong smiled again, and then turned his face to Li Ke: "Your Highness is dismissed and returned to Beijing, can you guess what the Holy Majesty wants?"
"The dismissal is just a cover." Li Ke smiled. "In order to avoid the suspicion of the elder brother and the fourth younger brother, the father has taken great pains. If I guessed correctly, the father called me back to Beijing on the grounds of dismissal. It should be to investigate I."
"Smart." Li Daozong nodded, "Then what is your Highness' plan?"
"That's why I invited the two of you here, and I want to hear your opinions."
"I don't have any good ideas, just one word: snatch!" Yuchi Jingde said again, seeing Li Ke and Li Daozong snickering again, he thought for a while, "Of course, if you want to say something beautiful, it's four Word: Do my part!"
"I agree with Brother Jingde." Li Daozong held back a smile, and then looked at Li Ke, "However, the Crown Prince and the King of Wei are currently fighting fiercely, Your Highness should not enter the game for the time being, and just sit on the sidelines until the time is right Let's do it again."
"I think so too." Li Ke nodded and said, "The top priority now is to complete the errands assigned by the emperor and catch the assassin Yang Bingjun. But the annoying thing is, this guy seems to have disappeared out of thin air, completely unaware trace."
"If you want to catch Yang Bingjun, our government's old method won't work!" Yuchi Jingde said, "To deal with this kind of people in the world, you have to find friends in the world."
"Oh? Could it be that brother Jingde knows friends in Jianghu?" Li Daozong was very interested.
Yuchi Jingde chuckled: "To tell you the truth, when I was the governor of Fuzhou, I was falsely accused of treason because I was too close with my friends in the world."
Li Ke and Li Daozong exchanged glances, and then said to Yuchi Jingde: "Can the general be more careful?"
"It's a long story. Didn't Your Majesty search for the authentic works of Wang Xizhi all these years? Ordinarily, this is the work of the governor and has nothing to do with the old man, but I also participated in the matter of Lu Shiheng leaving those bloody words on the Holy Majesty. So these years I have been curious and wanted to find out. It just so happened that there was a big family named Sun in Fuzhou at that time, and there were several cursive calligraphy posters of Wang Xizhi hidden in his home. The governor dared not move after a combination of hard and soft tactics. The old man was thinking about the mystery of Lu Shiheng, and thought that since the man surnamed Sun had Wang Xizhi's authentic works in his possession and was a local tyrant, he might have something to do with Lu Shiheng's affairs, so he personally brought the The soldiers went to raid his house, but after meeting this person, they hit it off. Instead of copying him, they became friends. The old man surnamed Sun thanked the old man for his mercy, so he gave the old man a lot of land and farms, and offered to I begged the old man for help, and the old man saw that he was bold and righteous, so he agreed."
Li Ke frowned slightly, and suddenly thought of something: "What is this person's name?"
"Sun Boyuan."
"Is his ancestor Sun Chuo, a famous scholar in the Eastern Jin Dynasty?"
Yuchi Jingde was stunned: "This old man doesn't know. But I seem to have heard him mention that his ancestors had a close personal relationship with Wang Xizhi back then, so there is an authentic Wang Xizhi in his home."
Li Daozong noticed that Li Ke's expression was different: "Why does Your Highness ask this?"
Li Ke bowed his head and pondered, constantly recalling everything Xiao Junmo told him about the Lanting Club in his mind.Li Daozong and Yuchi Jingde couldn't help looking at each other when they saw that he was suddenly silent.
If this Sun Boyuan is really a descendant of Sun Chuo, then according to Yuchi Jingde's description, he is obviously also a sub-rudder leader in the Tianxing League.Li Ke thought, if he had to intervene in the battle for the heir apparent sooner or later, he would definitely have to be surrounded by slayers.Just like when the father and the prince were fighting, the Qin Palace raised [-] dead soldiers, and the East Palace privately kept [-] Changlin soldiers.Now that this Sun Boyuan is Yuchi Jingde's sworn brother, it is a godsend opportunity, and he can definitely bring him under his command in case of emergency.
Having made up his mind, Li Ke raised his head, looked at the two of them, and then told them everything Xiao Junmo told him in detail.Li Daozong and Yuchi Jingde were immediately amazed, and looked at each other in astonishment.
So far, Yuchi Jingde finally solved the mystery about Lu Shiheng's scarlet characters that had been buried in his heart for 16 years.
"Ask this Sun Boyuan to meet." Li Ke respectfully said to Yuchi with a solemn face, "Tell him, if he refuses to say goodbye, this king will definitely use him!"
As soon as Li Daozong heard this, he knew that the heroic and courageous Li Ke was determined to enter the game.
In the middle of the night, it rained heavily.
There is a Qinglong Square in the southeast corner of Chang'an City, and there is a stone bridge in the northeast corner of the square. The water under the bridge is drawn from the Qu River. Due to the recent heavy rain, the water level has obviously risen a lot.
At this moment, a black figure stood by the water of the ditch under the stone bridge.He was motionless, like a stone statue.
A moment later, a carriage drove up in the rain and slowly stopped on the stone bridge.A person got out of the car, holding an oil-paper umbrella, and by the dim lights of other people in the distance, he came to the bridge step by step, and then deliberately found a place with backlight to stand.
"The first teacher has Mingzang." After seeing the black shadow, the man holding the umbrella said in a hoarse voice.His voice was deliberately concealed, making it appear too deep, and was almost drowned out by the splashing rain and the sound of running water.
"Anyong Jishiluo." The black shadow turned around, and it was Wang Hongyi.
"I've seen Mr. Mingzang." The visitor bowed deeply.
"Xuanquan, haven't we seen each other for several years?" Wang Hongyi smiled.
"Yes sir, it should be almost three years."
"I heard that you have been in the court for the past few years, and you have done a good job, and you are going to enter the cabinet soon?"
"It's all thanks to Mr.
Wang Hongyi smiled and waved his hands: "This is your own ability, so you don't have to be too modest. Back then, in Zhaoxingfang, I once told you that your task was to lurk in Li Shimin's court and treat officials more and more. The bigger the better. Now it seems that you have not let me down after all!"
"The subordinates always remember the teacher's teachings, and dare not forget them for a moment."
"Very good! If all the brothers in this alliance are as capable and loyal as you, why not worry about the great success!"
"Sir, what task do you want to give your subordinates here?"
"There are a lot of things for you to do. The first thing is the matter of eloquence. How is he doing?"
"It is said that he has spoken, but very slowly."
Wang Hongyi frowned: "This is not good news. If he reveals all the secrets, it will be extremely detrimental to the alliance."
"Yes, my subordinates also have this concern."
"Is there a way to rob him?"
Xuanquan pondered for a while, then shook his head: "Although there are subordinates in the palace, it may be very difficult to rob them away."
Wang Hongyi frowned deeply, and said after a while: "In that case, let's get rid of him! We would rather not get the "Lanting Preface" than let it fall into Li Shimin's hands."
"Yes, this subordinate will make arrangements now." Xuanquan cupped his hands, turned around and left.
"Xuanquan."
Xuanquan stopped, but didn't look back.
"Be careful in everything. Next, there will be a lot of big things for you to do, and you can't make any mistakes."
"Subordinates, remember." After Xuanquan finished speaking, he walked straight into the heavy rain.
He actually turned his back to me? !
In Wang Hongyi's memory, this seemed to be the first time.Although so many years had passed, Xuanquan's tone was still so respectful, and every mission was carried out cleanly, but today's unprecedented abnormal behavior still gave Wang Hongyi an ominous premonition.
Although it is only a trivial detail, many times, the details often reveal a person's true heart.
(End of this chapter)
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