Lanting prelude
Chapter 60
Chapter 60
Changsun Wuji was shocked when he heard this.It turned out that the emperor made a big circle, insinuating that he concealed his ambitions, and the purpose of supporting Li Zhi was to become a powerful minister!
As soon as Li Shiji returned to the Xuanjiawei Office, he was entangled by Huan Dieyi.
Such a big incident happened last night, and Xiao Junmo was not there from the beginning to the end, which made Huan Dieyi feel strange.In addition, it was Xiao Junmo's idea to call a banquet for the guards, but he himself did not show up, which is absolutely abnormal.Furthermore, Xuanjiawei didn't have a banquet in the Shangyuan Festival in previous years, but this year, Hou Junji rebelled when they had a banquet this year. Is this just a coincidence?
After thinking about it, Huan Dieyi felt that Xiao Junmo might have been aware of the coup plot between the prince and Hou Junji in advance, and then persuaded his uncle to arrange these things.This means that uncle Li Shiji must have known everything a long time ago.
But why didn't he inform the emperor in advance?
Huan Dieyi was puzzled, so he has been pestering Li Shiji for endless questions since last night.
"Dieyi, can you stop pestering me?" Li Shiji looked helpless, "It's purely a coincidence. I asked the emperor in the palace just now, and I answered him in the same way."
"Then you are deceiving the emperor!" Huan Dieyi said with a straight face, "Both you and Jun Mo are deceiving the emperor!"
Li Shiji was startled, and subconsciously glanced outside the guard's door, displeased: "How dare you say such things casually? How old are you, why are you still so self-willed? You can't speak too much!"
"I just said that because I was thinking about it." Huan Dieyi stared at him, "Uncle, tell me the truth, do you have any clues in Jun Mo's hands?"
Li Shiji smiled bitterly: "Yes, I married several concubines outside, each younger and more beautiful than the other, and I didn't let your aunt know. Now Junmo is using it to blackmail me. Are you satisfied with this answer?"
Huan Dieyi stomped his feet angrily: "Uncle, I'm telling you the truth!"
"I'm telling you the truth too." Li Shiji said, "Now that you know about it, you can blackmail me."
Huan Dieyi knew that there was nothing to ask, so she rolled her eyes and walked out angrily.As soon as he reached the door of the duty room, he almost bumped into Pei Tinglong who hurried in.Pei Tinglong smiled at her.Huan Dieyi didn't even look at him, and walked away.Pei Tinglong looked at her back and curled his lips boredly.
Seeing Pei Tinglong coming in, Li Shiji's face darkened slightly, pretending to be immersed in sorting out the documents on the desk.Pei Tinglong stepped forward to pay respects, Li Shiji said "hmm" without raising his eyelids: "I asked you to interrogate Hou Junji, how is your interrogation going?"
Pei Tinglong smiled faintly: "Back to General, Hou Junji was arrested by us. His crime is obvious and obvious to all. There is nothing to try. It's just a formality."
Pei Tinglong has never been very respectful to Li Shiji, relying on his eldest grandson Wuji as his great backer.
"Oh? Does he have any lurking accomplices in the court? Isn't it worth interrogating?"
"Don't worry, General, this subordinate has arranged for Xue An and the others to be interrogated."
"Well, then hold on tight." Li Shiji still looked busy.
"General, what happened last night, my subordinates feel a little strange, I don't know if I should ask?"
Li Shiji knew what he wanted to ask as soon as he heard it, and smiled coldly: "You have said that, how can I not let you ask?"
Pei Tinglong also smiled, and said: "General, I would like to know, was it your own idea to call the brothers for a banquet last night?"
"Why, do I have to have the Holy Majesty's will, or the eldest grandson's order, before I can have a banquet?" Li Shiji said sarcastically.
"I don't mean that. I just want to ask, did General Zuo propose this to you?"
These days, Pei Tinglong has been secretly investigating Xiao Junmo, and sent several groups of people to follow him, but he either got rid of him, or found nothing of value.Just when he was at a loss, this palace coup broke out.From Pei Tinglong's point of view, last night's ambush on Hou Junji was suspicious from beginning to end, and there were many suspicious points, while Xiao Junmo did not show up last night, which was quite suspicious.In short, Pei Tinglong faintly felt that there must be some ulterior secret hidden in Li Shiji and Xiao Junmo.
"Who are you listening to gossip?" Li Shiji finally raised his head and said with displeasure, "This matter is my idea and has nothing to do with Xiao Junmo."
"I have one more thing to ask: the banquet last night, almost all the brothers came, why was only General Zuo not present?"
"He has private matters to deal with, and he has asked me for leave before."
"My subordinates heard that General Zuo came to look for you the day before yesterday and had some trouble with you. I wonder if there is such a thing?"
"Pei Tinglong, are you interrogating me?" Li Shiji lowered his face.
"Don't get me wrong, General, how dare my subordinates interrogate you?" Pei Tinglong smiled without fear, "I just want to know what General Zuo talked to you that day. If it's not a secret, my subordinates will I want to hear it too."
"It's not confidential, it just involves some privacy of this official." Li Shiji stared at him, "Is General You also interested in this? If you really want to know, I might as well tell you."
Pei Tinglong was a little embarrassed: "The general is joking, since it is your privacy, how dare your subordinates inquire casually?"
"That's good. If you have nothing else to do, you can go down first." Li Shiji opened a volume of documents, and issued an order to evict the guest bluntly.
But Pei Tinglong stood still: "General, I still have a question to ask about last night's actions."
Li Shiji said expressionlessly, "What's the problem?"
"Your subordinates arrived in Benwei last night. Before you had a few drinks, you gathered your subordinates and most of the brothers, and sneaked into Shangshu Sheng through the back door. It can be seen that you must have obtained some information in advance. Otherwise, how could there be such a timely and thorough deployment?"
"That's right, I did get the information."
Pei Tinglong's eyes lit up.
"Before the banquet started, Luo Biao accidentally discovered that there was an unknown person lurking outside Shangshu Province, and immediately reported it to the official, and then the official quickly made arrangements." Li Shiji looked at him with a smile, "The ability to respond quickly is a must. The basic quality of this guard. You have not been in this guard for a long time, and you are still a little unaccustomed to it. This officer can understand. But if you make random suspicions because of this, it will not only be ridiculous, but also have ulterior motives!"
Pei Tinglong choked hard, but he couldn't think of anything else to say, so he smiled coyly, cupped his fists and said: "This subordinate is just asking casually, if there is something that offends the general, please look at Haihan."
"It's easy to say. There's nothing wrong with young people thinking too much, but it's too late. If you think too much, you will become paranoid. As your boss, I have to remind you a few words. It's also for your own good."
"Yes, this subordinate respectfully obeys the general's instruction."
After leaving, Pei Tinglong was rather dismayed.Intuitively, he guessed that Li Shiji was lying, but he couldn't find any flaws for a while.
Now it seems that Xiao Junmo probably had the information about the prince's coup in advance, and then proposed to Li Shiji to call the guards for a banquet. The real purpose was to ambush Hou Junji.
If this guess is true, then the question arises: how did Xiao Junmo get this important information?Ordinarily, for such a big matter, both Xiao Junmo and Li Shiji must report to the emperor immediately, but why didn't they do so?If it is said that Xiao Junmo must have something to do with the Sky Punishment League, then will this incident also have something to do with the Sky Punishment League?Now that even Li Shiji is involved, does he have something to do with the Tianxingmeng?
Suddenly, Pei Tinglong remembered something, and immediately rushed to Xuanjiawei's case file department, retrieved the file of Liu Lan's case last year from the warehouse, and then brought it back to his own room, and began to study it carefully.
After more than half an hour, Pei Tinglong covered the file, and a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth.
The case is suspicious.Although this Liu Lancheng himself admitted that he was Xuanquan, Pei Tinglong still felt that he was probably just a dead ghost.The real Xuanquan must still be lurking in the court.This case was handled by Xiao Junmo alone. Could it be that he used some means to force Liu Lancheng to make a false accusation in order to protect the real Xuanquan?
After pondering for a moment, a bold idea suddenly jumped into Pei Tinglong's mind - could the person Xiao Junmo wants to protect, this Xuanquan who has been lurking in the court for a long time and holds a high position, be Li Shiji? !
Xiao Junmo came to Wu Wangfu to visit Li Ke, but he didn't expect that he didn't recuperate in the house, but practiced sword in the courtyard.Due to the thick bandage on the palm of his right hand, he can only hold the sword with his left hand, and because of the injury on his leg, he can only limp, which looks quite funny.
"Still tossing?" Xiao Junmo walked into the yard, "Look at how injured you are."
"I'm dying of suffocation, come out and exercise." Li Ke slowly put away his posture, "Besides, this small injury is nothing to me."
"I'm not worried about your injury." Xiao Junmo walked in front of him with a smile, "I mean you look ugly when practicing swords."
Li Ke snorted coldly: "I didn't invite you to come and see."
The two were talking, and when they came to the study, Li Ke immediately retreated from the servants.
"Did you act too much that day?" Xiao Junmo said, "Even if you want to perform in front of the Holy One, you have to take it easy? It's fine to grab the Thousand Bull Sword with your bare hands, why bother to lame your own legs?"
"You still say!" Li Ke said angrily, "You gave the prince medicine in advance, why didn't you tell me? If I knew this, why should I play so big?"
"I tell you everything, isn't your play fake?" Xiao Jun smiled silently.
"I didn't expect you to be in the palace. You have a lot of secrets." Li Ke looked at him, "Quickly tell me, who did you ask for the drug?"
"It's not good for you to know too much."
"You want to hide it from me again?"
"Yes, put away your curiosity, it's for your own good."
"Hmph!" Li Ke couldn't help but rolled his eyes.
"Don't be so unhappy. After this incident, your weight in the Holy Majesty's heart will be even greater. Your task now is to recover from your injuries and prepare to go to the East Palace to be your crown prince!"
"Are you sure that the emperor won't make a fourth brother?" Li Ke was a little suspicious.
Xiao Junmo shook his head: "No."
"why?"
"The prince has come to this point, isn't the person he hates the most? He is destined to be finished this time, how can he not use King Wei as a backstop?"
"But what can big brother do with fourth brother?"
"You are such a noble person who forgets things too much." Xiao Junmo smiled, "Think about it, didn't the crown prince already know about the alliance between King Wei and Mingzang?"
Li Ke slapped his head: "Yes, I forgot about this." After a while, he frowned suddenly: "But, can Father believe what Big Brother is saying now?"
"Of course I don't believe it all, but I don't believe it at all. You think, Xie Shaozong dispatched hundreds of elite troops to attack the Wei Palace that night, but the entire army was wiped out. If the guards of the Wei Palace alone can do this , Can the Holy Majesty believe it? Doesn’t he suspect that King Wei has a capable helper by his side?”
Li Ke nodded: "That's right, father is so shrewd, he will definitely doubt it."
"So, this time, you have the greatest possibility of becoming the master of the Eastern Palace."
Li Ke couldn't help but smile: "Brother Kong Ming, if I really succeed in the Datong and rule the world, you are the most qualified person to be the prime minister. Are you really not tempted?"
Xiao Junmo smiled faintly and shook his head.
Li Ke frowned: "Can you tell me the reason for your refusal?"
"Actually, I have already told you the reason." Xiao Junmo said, "I hate power struggles and intrigues in the officialdom. I like a relaxed, comfortable and simple life."
"Don't say that you are so indifferent to the world." Li Ke said with a smile, "I'm not complimenting you. Among the people I know, you are the best at playing tricks! Don't say anything else, just say that this time the prince lost. Isn’t it thanks to you that you have suffered so badly? If you hadn’t strategized, the Tang Dynasty would definitely have changed.”
"I just did it out of necessity, not because of my ambition." Xiao Junmo looked at him, "To put it bluntly, I can play with power, but I don't want to be played by power."
"Are you implying something?" Li Ke's face darkened, "Could it be that you think that when the time comes, I will play the game of killing the bird and hiding the bow?"
"I'm not targeting you." Xiao Junmo smiled wryly, "I mean, power is not a good thing, it is like a double-edged sword, if you are too greedy, you will hurt others and yourself sooner or later."
"According to what you said, I don't want to fight for the crown prince anymore. I simply don't even want to be the king of Wu. Wouldn't it be good for us to go back to the mountains and forests together and become idle clouds and wild cranes?"
"Don't say such angry words, can you go?" Xiao Junmo smiled faintly, "Even if you can go, can you let it go? Just rely on your temper, are you willing?"
Li Ke chuckled: "Of course I don't want to be reconciled. A man should stand up in the world and take it upon himself to make a great achievement that will uplift the world and leave his name in history. Otherwise, he will be ashamed of the world, his ancestors and his ancestors. A body of seven feet!"
"Isn't this the end? Everyone has their own aspirations, why force it? You have your destiny and aspirations, and I have my likes and dislikes and choices. We can only do our part and live in peace."
Li Ke sighed: "Forget it, then don't force it. When you finish your career and retire, tell me where you want to live in seclusion, and I will seal that place to you..."
"You'd better spare me." Xiao Junmo interrupted him with a smile, "If you make such a big fanfare, is it still called living in seclusion? If that day really comes, you will be your Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, and I will do it with peace of mind." My mountain and grass people, we don't care about anyone else."
"Are you so unfeeling?" Li Ke narrowed his eyes.
"Being fond of each other is worse than forgetting each other in the rivers and lakes." Xiao Junmo smiled lightly, calmly.
Although the palace coup on the Shangyuan Festival was a surprise and did not cause any substantial harm to the Tang court, it was an extremely heavy blow to Li Shimin's heart.Because this tragedy of father and son turning against each other and brothers killing each other is almost a replica of the bloody coup in the ninth year of Wude, and it is tantamount to tearing open the wound that had already scabbed in Li Shimin's heart.
Perhaps, this is called the repayment of the law of heaven, and the unhappiness of karma, and this is called retribution in the dark.
Ever since Wude seized the throne by violent means in the ninth year of Wude, a huge wound was carved deep in Li Shimin's heart.Although he has always regarded himself as a righteous man, and has been using the grand rhetoric of "Zhou Gong punishes Guan and Cai" to convince himself and the people of the world, his conscience has not been at peace, and a strong sense of guilt has always lingered in his heart. heart.
For so many years, the reason why Li Shimin has been working hard, working day and night, accepting advice with an open mind, and working hard to govern, is to some extent driven by this sense of guilt.In other words, the less bright the method of seizing the throne, the greater Li Shimin's determination to create a bright world for the world; the deeper the pain caused by the Xuanwumen Change, the stronger his motivation to create a prosperous age of Zhenguan; The heavier the guilt of killing his brother, forcing his father, and slaughtering his nephew, the stronger his desire to complete self-salvation by benefiting the world!
With the passage of time and the gradual realization of the peaceful and prosperous age, Li Shimin once thought that he had completed such a redemption, but when the coup d'etat broke out suddenly, he suddenly realized that no matter how great a deed is, it cannot offset his past. Sin; no matter how perfect the redemption is, it cannot escape the punishment that will come down from heaven!
For the first time in his life, Li Shimin felt a kind of helplessness and sadness that penetrated to the bone...
However, as the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, his duties did not allow him to indulge in such fragile emotions for too long.Therefore, after three days of closing the door of Ganlu Hall, Li Shimin finally reappeared in front of the world with a strong spirit.In the next few days, he successively summoned ministers such as Changsun Wuji, Cen Wenwen, Liu Ji, Li Shiji, Li Daozong, Yuchi Jingde, Chu Suiliang, and even Fang Xuanling, who was taken into his private residence by him last year and is still at home today. up the palace.
Li Shimin summoned them, and there was only one issue, which was who would succeed the prince.
After some questioning, the ministers proposed three candidates one after another: among them, Cen Wenwen and Liu Ji supported Wei Wang Li Tai, Li Daozong and Yuchi Jingde preferred Wu Wang Li Ke, and Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang strongly recommended the 16-year-old Jin Wang Li Zhi.
Neither Li Shiji nor Fang Xuanling made a clear statement, but only said some ambiguous formulas.Li Shimin knew that because Li Shiji was cautious by nature, he did not dare to publicly stand in line on such a sensitive issue; because Fang Xuanling had stumbled before, and now he was already frightened, so naturally he did not dare to get involved in the battle for the establishment of the reserve.
Of the above three candidates, Li Tai and Li Keben were already under Li Shimin's consideration.In his opinion, these two sons have inherited some of his advantages, and no matter which one enters the East Palace, he can be regarded as a qualified prince; How can a weak and young pheasant slave be worthy of the heavy responsibility of the Tang prince?
However, the reasons put forward by Changsun Wuji cannot be ignored by Li Shimin.
Changsun Wuji believes that what the future of the Tang Dynasty needs is not a pioneering ruler, but a benevolent and virtuous ruler.And in his opinion, Jin Wang Li Zhi, who is benevolent and filial, is precisely the best candidate for this "king of success", so he strongly recommends Li Zhi.
Li Shimin had heard such an argument from him before, but at that time he just talked about it casually and didn't take it to heart. Now that he was facing the major event of re-establishing a reserve, Li Shimin had to think carefully.
In view of the historical lessons of the death of the second generation of the Sui Dynasty, Li Shimin certainly felt that Changsun Wuji's views were not unreasonable, but when he thought that Li Zhi was still so young, and his temperament was weak and easy to be controlled by others, Li Shimin couldn't help but beg his eldest grandson. Wuji doubts the real motive of supporting Li Zhi.
"Wuji, I re-read "Hanshu" a few days ago, and read the stories of the Western Han Dynasty after Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. For some reason, I felt quite emotional in my heart!"
On this day, Li Shimin summoned Changsun Wuji alone in the Royal Study Room of Ganlu Hall, and threw out such a sentence as soon as they met each other, which made Changsun Wuji puzzled for a while.
"May I ask Your Majesty... why are you so emotional?"
"Throughout history, historians of the past dynasties have given different praises and criticisms to Huo Guang. Some people praised him for being better than Yi Yin and the virtue of Duke Zhou, while others scolded him for arrogating power and taking power. I don't know what you think?" Li Shimin didn't answer. asked rhetorically.
Huo Guang was a famous power minister in the Western Han Dynasty.He was ordered by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to assist the eight-year-old Han Zhao Emperor Liu Fuling. After that, he quelled the rebellion of Shangguan Jie and Yan King Liu Dan, and stabilized the government. He Huang was obscene and innocent, so he was deposed, and Liu Bingji, the great-grandson of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, was established, that is, Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty.Huo Guang has been in charge of state affairs for nearly 20 years, and has made great contributions to the stability and rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty. However, he has also been criticized by the world for his long-term monopoly and abolishment without authorization.
"This..." Changsun Wuji hurriedly responded while pondering the emperor's implication, "Huo Guang was entrusted by the swaddling baby, served as the entrustment of the Han Dynasty, Kuangguo, Ansheji, the abolished king of innocence, Yongzhao and Xuaner Emperor, stand respectfully and maturely seek the country, so I think that Huo Guang's assistance to the Han Dynasty can be regarded as loyal!"
"Haha!" Li Shimin laughed dryly, "I asked your personal opinion, but you recited Ban Gu's historical theory to me, isn't it too cunning?"
Changsun Wuji smiled awkwardly: "I have very little knowledge, and I don't have any extraordinary opinions on this. I can only follow what my predecessors said, and make Your Majesty laugh at me."
"Even if you follow the predecessors, Ban Gu's evaluation of Huo Guang is not all good, but you only memorized the words of praise, why didn't you say the other half of the derogatory words?"
Although Ban Gu affirmed Huo Guang's achievements in assisting the government in "Han Shu", he did not deny his faults: "Ran Guang did not learn the art of death, but was darker than Dali, and his wife was evil. Overwhelmed with desire to increase the disaster of overthrow, it has only been three years since he died, and the clan will punish the barbarians, what a pity!"
Because Huo Guang has been in power for many years and his power is in the hands of the government and the public, and his clan's children are also high-ranking officials and prominent positions, the power of the Huo family almost occupies the entire court, so Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty was extremely jealous.In addition, Huo Guang's wife ordered someone to poison the queen Xu Pingjun to let her daughter enter the harem. After Huo Guang learned about it, he concealed it for her.Therefore, after Huo Guang's death, the Huo clan tried to launch a coup d'etat in fear, but was finally defeated by Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty and the clan was exterminated...
Thinking of this embarrassing history, Changsun Wuji couldn't help but feel his scalp tingling. Although he was not sure the emperor's real intention to summon him today, he felt a little uneasy.
"Your Majesty is right in reminding. Although Huo Guang made great contributions to the Han Dynasty, he had a long-term special position, and he didn't know how to avoid it. He also sent many relatives to fill the court, causing the ruler to accumulate anger, and the officials and people to accumulate resentment, so he died. Afterwards, the clan was slaughtered, which is really embarrassing. Ban Gu denounced him as ignorant of the principles of monarchs and ministers, and it is true!"
"Look, you were still self-effacing just now, saying that you have little knowledge, but isn't that what you said quite insightful?" Li Shimin looked at him with a half-smile, "As the so-called 'Master Shaoguoyi', A minister like Huo Guang who assists the young master is actually the most difficult to be. He spends his whole life thinking about it, but he must always maintain a trembling and fearless heart. Abyss! So these days, I have been thinking about a question, since you are also familiar with the history books and know the harm, why do you want to support the young master and want to be someone like Huo Guang?"
Changsun Wuji was shocked when he heard this.
It turned out that the emperor made a big circle, insinuating that he concealed his ambitions, and the purpose of supporting Li Zhi was to become a powerful minister!
"Your Majesty's lesson!" Changsun Wuji hurriedly knelt down on the ground and said in a trembling voice, "I recommend King Jin purely out of selfish desires, not out of selfish desires, and I dare not have the slightest thought of presumptuousness. Your Majesty Wanwang will see clearly!"
Li Shimin smiled faintly: "That's what you say, but after all, you are the uncle of the pheasant slave, the founding father who ranks first among the 24 heroes of Lingyan Pavilion, and the chief prime minister who specializes in Shangshu and the two provinces under his family. I really set up a pheasant slave. In the future, I will have three ups and downs. Aren't you the number one candidate for Minister Gu Ming? At that time, if I want to ask for help, who else can I look for besides you? If there is such a day, won't you be the number one candidate? Are there two Huo Guang?"
Hearing this, Changsun Wuji became more and more terrified, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead instantly: "Your Majesty, even if you really establish Jin Wang, he will not be the young master in the future, because your majesty's dragon body is healthy, and he will surely grow up." Life is a hundred years old, if King Jin wants to take the throne, it will be decades later. By then, King Jin will be in his prime, so how can Emperor Zhao and Emperor Xuan be comparable? Besides, by that time, the minister may have already succeeded His Majesty. Go, how can you be this Huo Guang? Besides, if your majesty is really worried, you can resign from the position of minister today, so as to prevent the minister from stealing power and endangering the country in the future!"
At the end of Changsun Wuji's speech, he already felt a little angry.
Li Shimin stared at him for a while, and suddenly laughed: "Okay, okay, let's get flat, I'm just joking with you, why are you so nervous? It's not impossible to consider the matter of becoming the King of Jin, you let me Think again."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Changsun Wuji got up from the ground, feeling his back was soaked in cold sweat.
In the dead of night, Wang Hongyi stood under a stone bridge with his hands behind his hands.
Hearing the sound of small but familiar footsteps behind him, Wang Hongyi smiled silently and said without looking back, "Li Shimin must not be able to sleep these few days, right?"
Xuanquan stood still in the shadow under the bridge, was silent for a while, and said: "Yes, sir, as you said, Li Shimin has been shutting himself in the bedroom these days, not thinking about food and drink, and not being able to sleep at night. blow."
"Retribution! He finally has such a day!"
Wang Hongyi's voice was filled with an undisguised gloating pleasure.
Xuanquan didn't answer.
Wang Hongyi laughed silently at first, and then he couldn't help laughing out loud, before he said after a long while: "Tell me, what are the plans for the re-establishment of the reserve?"
Xuanquan told the ministers that they proposed three candidates.
"Oh?" Wang Hongyi turned around, a little surprised, "Changsun Wuji actually recommended that young King Jin?"
"Yes."
Wang Hongyi thought about it for a while, and smiled coldly: "This old boy, he clearly wants to wait for Li Shimin's death and become a minister of power by himself. He really has a lot of appetite!"
Xuanquan remained silent.
"You just said that it was Li Daozong and Yuchi Jingde who recommended King Wu?"
"Yes."
Wang Hongyi thought about it again, and then looked at Xuanquan: "Based on the current situation, what do you think the odds of King Wei's victory are?"
"According to my subordinates' observation, Li Shimin still prefers King Wei."
“How come you see?”
"Today Li Shimin summoned Changsun Wuji alone in the dormitory. Although his subordinates were not sure what they were talking about, after Changsun Wuji returned to Nanya, his subordinates found an excuse to spy on him and found that he looked very bad. The subordinates deduced that he must have been beaten by Li Shimin, and the reason could only be the King Jin's affairs. From this, it can be seen that Li Shimin did not want to be the King of Jin."
Wang Hongyi nodded slightly: "What about King Wu? This kid has been quite favored recently, and this time he risked his life to save Li Shimin in Baifu Hall, and made a big splash. Isn't his chance of winning better than King Wei?"
"Although the king of Wu is favored, he is a bastard after all. If he is made a prince, it is contrary to etiquette, and he will inevitably be opposed by most courtiers. Li Shimin cannot have no worries about this. Therefore, his subordinates believe that comparing the two, it is still the same. King Wei has a better chance of winning."
Wang Hongyi pondered for a moment, then said coldly, "Xuanquan, you don't have any personal feelings for King Wei, do you?"
Xuanquan was taken aback: "Why did you say that, sir?"
"Now I'm asking you." Wang Hongyi looked at him coldly.
"Subordinates assisting King Wei, isn't it all arranged by the master? How can there be any personal feelings?"
"It's my arrangement, but I still want to remind you that assisting King Wei is just our method. You must not treat him as your master. If one day, King Wei loses his use value, I will not hesitate Abandon him! I hope that when the time comes, you won't sing against me."
Xuanquan hurriedly bowed and clasped his fists: "Sir, please don't worry too much. This subordinate is a member of the Heavenly Punishment League, but Mr. Wei is the only one who follows the lead of the horse, and never dares to have second thoughts!"
"Yes." Wang Hongyi said expressionlessly, "I hope so."
Xuanquan lowered his head, his bright eyes flickering faintly in the darkness.
In Xuanjiawei's prison, there are several clean and tidy cells, which are dedicated to detaining criminals with special identities.
Li Chengqian was locked in the most spacious room, which contained a bed, quilt, table, pen and ink, and a pot of charcoal fire burning in the corner, which looked almost the same as a room in an ordinary post house.The only difference is: there is no window here, only a small iron window on the wall half as high as a person, so the light is much dimmer than ordinary houses.
At this moment, Li Chengqian was sitting on the bed blankly.
Sunlight slanted in through the small iron window, forming a beam of light and hitting his side face, making half of his face fall in the light and half in the darkness.
The cell door opened, and the iron chains jingled, but Li Chengqian seemed to be asleep. He didn't notice it until Li Shimin slowly walked in front of him, and he suddenly woke up. Royal Father."
"Be flat."
Li Chengqian got up, lowered his head, not daring to meet Li Shimin's eyes.
"You didn't kill me that day, don't you regret it?" Li Shimin's voice sounded devoid of emotion.
Li Chengqian was startled, and quickly knelt down on the ground again: "Father, forgive me, my son never thought of hurting you."
Li Shimin put his hands behind his back, looked up at the small sky outside the iron window, and said in a slightly hoarse voice: "I heard that things that give birth to children are nothing more than heaven and earth; love and respect are more important than kings and relatives. That's why ministers are precious." If you are loyal, those who lose will be punished; if you are a son, you will be filial, and if you violate it, you will be punished. If you are a big one, you will be punished by all the cities, and if you are small, you will be humiliated... Chengqian, you have no king and no father, forget loyalty and forget filial piety, I Although I want to forgive you, it is against etiquette and the laws of the country cannot tolerate it. Today, I am here to see you for the last time."
Li Chengqian was terrified, and raised his head: "Father, you... are you going to kill my son?"
"Do you think you should kill yourself?" Li Shimin also turned to look at him, without answering the question.
Li Chengqian was at a loss for words, and suddenly calmed down after a while, and said: "Yes, I should be killed. If the emperor must kill the emperor, I will have no complaints. However, the emperor thinks that the emperor has come to this point Is it Erchen's fault alone?"
Li Shimin's expression darkened upon hearing this.
"Father, don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about you." Li Chengqian said, "My son has changed from a majestic crown prince to a prisoner under his rank. In the final analysis, it was all forced by my fourth brother, so I advise you to think twice, and you must not set him up." For the prince!"
"I don't deny that Qing Que has the idea of seizing the heir, but if you yourself have a good character, who can push you to this point? In the end, it's your own fault, because your own actions are not worthy of the prince of the Tang Dynasty. Your identity! Now that things have come to an end, you should stop blaming others."
"Yes, my son is certainly not worthy." Li Chengqian sneered slightly, "But do you think the fourth brother is worthy?"
"At least he is more talented and virtuous than you!"
Seeing that Li Chengqian was still arguing with Li Tai at this stage, Li Shimin couldn't help feeling a little angry.
"Talent and learning...Maybe, I am really not interested in things like "Kuo Di Zhi", and I can't get them. But when it comes to virtue, I really don't think the fourth brother is virtuous." Li Chengqian wrote She curled her lips and showed disdain, "Father, the virtues you mentioned are mainly loyalty and filial piety, right?"
Li Shimin didn't answer.
Li Chengqian had no choice but to ask himself and answer: "Since I was a child, I have heard the grand master Li Gang say that the so-called virtues refer to propriety, righteousness, integrity, shame, filial piety, fraternity, loyalty, and trustworthiness. Among them, the words loyalty and filial piety are the most basic. Yes. Then I would like to ask the godfather, if there is a minister who knows that the emperor wants something most, but he hides it privately and keeps it secret, is such a minister considered loyal and filial?"
Li Shimin frowned slightly: "What do you want to say?"
Li Chengqian smiled: "What I want to say is that you have been investigating the secrets behind "Lanting Preface" for so many years, and you have always wanted to dig out the mysterious organization of the Tianxing League, but do you know that the Tianxing League is the most important organization?" Wang Hongyi, the guy code-named 'Ming Zang', has actually been in collusion with the fourth brother?"
Li Shimin was shocked and stared at him in disbelief: "How did you know about this?"
"I don't want to hide from my father," Li Chengqian said with a shattered expression, "My minister has long joined forces with Xi Tangduo from the Tianxing League. That person is Xie Shaozong, the ninth grandson of Xie An, the prime minister of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. About He was the one who told Erchen about Mingzang. So what Erchen wants to say is that if I am unfaithful and unfilial, then of course my fourth brother is not virtuous. To put it bluntly, your two sons In fact, they have betrayed you a long time ago, the only difference is that the son-in-law was exposed in the open, while the fourth brother is still hiding in the dark, that's all!"
Li Shimin stared at Li Chengqian with his red eyes that had been awake for days and nights.
Zhao Dequan, who had been bowing his head and standing by the cell door, frowned, and a complex look flashed in his eyes.
"About the Heavenly Punishment League, what else do you know?" Li Shimin asked in a deep voice.
Li Chengqian shrugged: "I'm sorry father, I recruited Xie Shaozong at the beginning, just to guard against my fourth brother. As for the matter of the Tianxing League, I was not interested, so I didn't inquire about it. Now that Xie Shaozong is dead, you want to track down the Tianxing League?" , I can only go to the fourth brother and his ally Mingzang."
Li Chengqian deliberately put the emphasis on the word "ally".
When Li Shimin heard this, the muscles on his face couldn't help twitching.
Ever since he learned the truth about his life experience, Xiao Junmo has been struggling with a question in his heart: Should he recognize his mother?
My mother has lost her memory. If you want to recognize her, you must tell her all the past events that she has forgotten, and doing so is obviously too cruel; if you don't recognize her, Xiao Junmo can only visit her as a "friend". To endure the pain and sorrow in his heart, and to endure the guilt and self-blame of not being filial in front of her, seems cruel to himself.
After so many days of hesitation, Xiao Junmo still had no idea, and finally decided to consult with Chu Lisang.He was going to tell her everything, and then ask her to help him figure out a way to get the best of both worlds.
In the middle of the night, Xiao Junmo quietly came to the king's house in Wuyi Lane, Chongdefang, invited Chu Lisang out with the secret code agreed in advance, and then told her the truth about his life experience.
Even though Xiao Junmo had already guessed that Xiao Junmo was the flesh and blood of Prince Yin and Xu Wanniang, the thrills and twists and turns behind the whole incident were still beyond Chu Lisang's expectation.After listening to his narration, Chu Lisang sighed in his heart, and only admitted to him after a while that he had already guessed his life experience before, but he didn't dare to tell him.
Xiao Junmo was a little surprised, startled, and then smiled wryly: "How did you know?"
Chu Lisang told him exactly what he had overheard from Wang Hongyi not long ago, and finally said: "Your eyes are very similar to your aunt's, so I guessed six or seven points. Later, when my aunt saw you, That expression was so strange, I became more and more convinced that the relationship between her and you must not be simple. Of course, these are all my guesses. The reason why I dare not mention it to you is because I don't have any proof, it's just my intuition. "
Xiao Junmo was stunned, silent for a while, then expressed his entanglement, and asked her if she had any good ideas.
Chu Lisang thought for a while, and said: "It's not difficult. You and Fang Bo and the others revealed the identity of the leader, and said that now that Grand Master Wei has passed away and General Li has left Chang'an, only you can protect Auntie's safety. Then you Bringing my aunt home, so that I don’t have to tell my aunt the truth, and can be filial to her, isn’t it the best of both worlds?”
When Xiao Junmo heard it, he couldn't help laughing.
Yes, such a simple method, but I have been thinking about it for many days, I am really a fan of the authorities!
Having made up their mind, the two rushed to Huaizhenfang immediately.
On the way, Xiao Junmo was thinking about something, and suddenly asked: "If I take my mother home, can you...can you take care of her for me?"
Chu Lisang heard his implication, but pretended not to understand: "Of course. Don't worry, I will visit her often."
Hearing this, Xiao Junmo couldn't help smiling bitterly in his heart.
Of course he knew that Chu Lisang understood what he meant, and he also knew why she pretended not to understand.The reason is Wang Hongyi.At this moment, Xiao Junmo really wanted to ask her why she didn't leave Wang Hongyi, but she swallowed the words again.Because it would be so selfish to ask.No matter how many evil things Wang Hongyi has done, he is Chu Lisang's biological father after all, so what right does he have to force her to leave?
Xiao Junmo didn't know, while he was thinking this way, Chu Lisang was also asking himself: If you don't leave Wang Hongyi, do you want to spy on information to help Xiao Junmo as you said, or are you reluctant to leave this "father" after all?Is the so-called espionage of information just an excuse for you to deceive yourself?
Chu Lisang felt like a mess in his heart, unable to answer his own question at all.
The two of them were thinking about their own thoughts, and they had nothing to say all the way, and soon came to the courtyard gate of Zhilan Tower.
What they didn't expect was that the two courtyard doors that were usually closed were suddenly opened at this moment!
Xiao Junmo's heart sank suddenly, and he immediately rushed into the courtyard.Chu Lisang was also taken aback, and quickly ran in.
A scene of tragedy caught their eyes at the same time, making them extremely horrified.
Fang Bo was lying straight in the yard, his throat was cut by a sharp knife, blood flowed all over the floor, his eyes were wide open, and he was holding a knife in his hand.His wife, Guizhi, was lying on the stairs of the small building, and her death pattern was exactly the same as his.
Before they had time to think about it, they rushed up the stairs one after the other. Just as they ran up to the second floor, they saw a female body bent over in the corridor.Xiao Junmo was startled, and subconsciously stopped.Chu Lisang, who was following behind, almost bumped into his back.The corridor was dimly lit, and it was impossible to identify who the corpse was for a while.
Xiao Junmo took a deep breath, walked to the corpse step by step, squatted down, and gently lifted her face.
It's Xing'er, the daughter of Fang Bo and Gui Zhi.
Her death was exactly the same as that of her parents.This teenage girl also opened her eyes, and even had a stubborn and unyielding expression on her face.
Chu Lisang couldn't bear the soreness in his heart anymore, covered his mouth, and turned his face away.
Xiao Junmo sighed deeply, and helped Xing'er close her eyes.
The doors of the three rooms on the second floor were all open, and there were signs of fighting in the rooms. Fortunately, there was no fourth body—Xu Wanniang and Dai Lisi had disappeared.
Xiao Junmo forced himself to calm down, checked the three corpses one by one, and found that the corpses were still warm, and the killing time should not exceed an hour.There were many messy blood stains on the ground around the three corpses, some were splashed, some were dripping, and some were dragging.Obviously, it wasn't all their own blood, but also the other party's.
After some investigation, Xiao Junmo concluded that Fang Bo's family of three had killed at least three to five enemies.But after the other party succeeded, they took away the dead and wounded.
Everything seemed familiar: the killing method was clean and neat, the actions advanced and retreated in an orderly manner, and no clues were left at the scene.
"Who did it?" Chu Lisang was startled and angry, and said in a choked voice, "How did they know that Auntie lives here, and why did they kidnap Auntie?"
Xiao Junmo didn't speak, but he already had the answer in his heart.
(End of this chapter)
Changsun Wuji was shocked when he heard this.It turned out that the emperor made a big circle, insinuating that he concealed his ambitions, and the purpose of supporting Li Zhi was to become a powerful minister!
As soon as Li Shiji returned to the Xuanjiawei Office, he was entangled by Huan Dieyi.
Such a big incident happened last night, and Xiao Junmo was not there from the beginning to the end, which made Huan Dieyi feel strange.In addition, it was Xiao Junmo's idea to call a banquet for the guards, but he himself did not show up, which is absolutely abnormal.Furthermore, Xuanjiawei didn't have a banquet in the Shangyuan Festival in previous years, but this year, Hou Junji rebelled when they had a banquet this year. Is this just a coincidence?
After thinking about it, Huan Dieyi felt that Xiao Junmo might have been aware of the coup plot between the prince and Hou Junji in advance, and then persuaded his uncle to arrange these things.This means that uncle Li Shiji must have known everything a long time ago.
But why didn't he inform the emperor in advance?
Huan Dieyi was puzzled, so he has been pestering Li Shiji for endless questions since last night.
"Dieyi, can you stop pestering me?" Li Shiji looked helpless, "It's purely a coincidence. I asked the emperor in the palace just now, and I answered him in the same way."
"Then you are deceiving the emperor!" Huan Dieyi said with a straight face, "Both you and Jun Mo are deceiving the emperor!"
Li Shiji was startled, and subconsciously glanced outside the guard's door, displeased: "How dare you say such things casually? How old are you, why are you still so self-willed? You can't speak too much!"
"I just said that because I was thinking about it." Huan Dieyi stared at him, "Uncle, tell me the truth, do you have any clues in Jun Mo's hands?"
Li Shiji smiled bitterly: "Yes, I married several concubines outside, each younger and more beautiful than the other, and I didn't let your aunt know. Now Junmo is using it to blackmail me. Are you satisfied with this answer?"
Huan Dieyi stomped his feet angrily: "Uncle, I'm telling you the truth!"
"I'm telling you the truth too." Li Shiji said, "Now that you know about it, you can blackmail me."
Huan Dieyi knew that there was nothing to ask, so she rolled her eyes and walked out angrily.As soon as he reached the door of the duty room, he almost bumped into Pei Tinglong who hurried in.Pei Tinglong smiled at her.Huan Dieyi didn't even look at him, and walked away.Pei Tinglong looked at her back and curled his lips boredly.
Seeing Pei Tinglong coming in, Li Shiji's face darkened slightly, pretending to be immersed in sorting out the documents on the desk.Pei Tinglong stepped forward to pay respects, Li Shiji said "hmm" without raising his eyelids: "I asked you to interrogate Hou Junji, how is your interrogation going?"
Pei Tinglong smiled faintly: "Back to General, Hou Junji was arrested by us. His crime is obvious and obvious to all. There is nothing to try. It's just a formality."
Pei Tinglong has never been very respectful to Li Shiji, relying on his eldest grandson Wuji as his great backer.
"Oh? Does he have any lurking accomplices in the court? Isn't it worth interrogating?"
"Don't worry, General, this subordinate has arranged for Xue An and the others to be interrogated."
"Well, then hold on tight." Li Shiji still looked busy.
"General, what happened last night, my subordinates feel a little strange, I don't know if I should ask?"
Li Shiji knew what he wanted to ask as soon as he heard it, and smiled coldly: "You have said that, how can I not let you ask?"
Pei Tinglong also smiled, and said: "General, I would like to know, was it your own idea to call the brothers for a banquet last night?"
"Why, do I have to have the Holy Majesty's will, or the eldest grandson's order, before I can have a banquet?" Li Shiji said sarcastically.
"I don't mean that. I just want to ask, did General Zuo propose this to you?"
These days, Pei Tinglong has been secretly investigating Xiao Junmo, and sent several groups of people to follow him, but he either got rid of him, or found nothing of value.Just when he was at a loss, this palace coup broke out.From Pei Tinglong's point of view, last night's ambush on Hou Junji was suspicious from beginning to end, and there were many suspicious points, while Xiao Junmo did not show up last night, which was quite suspicious.In short, Pei Tinglong faintly felt that there must be some ulterior secret hidden in Li Shiji and Xiao Junmo.
"Who are you listening to gossip?" Li Shiji finally raised his head and said with displeasure, "This matter is my idea and has nothing to do with Xiao Junmo."
"I have one more thing to ask: the banquet last night, almost all the brothers came, why was only General Zuo not present?"
"He has private matters to deal with, and he has asked me for leave before."
"My subordinates heard that General Zuo came to look for you the day before yesterday and had some trouble with you. I wonder if there is such a thing?"
"Pei Tinglong, are you interrogating me?" Li Shiji lowered his face.
"Don't get me wrong, General, how dare my subordinates interrogate you?" Pei Tinglong smiled without fear, "I just want to know what General Zuo talked to you that day. If it's not a secret, my subordinates will I want to hear it too."
"It's not confidential, it just involves some privacy of this official." Li Shiji stared at him, "Is General You also interested in this? If you really want to know, I might as well tell you."
Pei Tinglong was a little embarrassed: "The general is joking, since it is your privacy, how dare your subordinates inquire casually?"
"That's good. If you have nothing else to do, you can go down first." Li Shiji opened a volume of documents, and issued an order to evict the guest bluntly.
But Pei Tinglong stood still: "General, I still have a question to ask about last night's actions."
Li Shiji said expressionlessly, "What's the problem?"
"Your subordinates arrived in Benwei last night. Before you had a few drinks, you gathered your subordinates and most of the brothers, and sneaked into Shangshu Sheng through the back door. It can be seen that you must have obtained some information in advance. Otherwise, how could there be such a timely and thorough deployment?"
"That's right, I did get the information."
Pei Tinglong's eyes lit up.
"Before the banquet started, Luo Biao accidentally discovered that there was an unknown person lurking outside Shangshu Province, and immediately reported it to the official, and then the official quickly made arrangements." Li Shiji looked at him with a smile, "The ability to respond quickly is a must. The basic quality of this guard. You have not been in this guard for a long time, and you are still a little unaccustomed to it. This officer can understand. But if you make random suspicions because of this, it will not only be ridiculous, but also have ulterior motives!"
Pei Tinglong choked hard, but he couldn't think of anything else to say, so he smiled coyly, cupped his fists and said: "This subordinate is just asking casually, if there is something that offends the general, please look at Haihan."
"It's easy to say. There's nothing wrong with young people thinking too much, but it's too late. If you think too much, you will become paranoid. As your boss, I have to remind you a few words. It's also for your own good."
"Yes, this subordinate respectfully obeys the general's instruction."
After leaving, Pei Tinglong was rather dismayed.Intuitively, he guessed that Li Shiji was lying, but he couldn't find any flaws for a while.
Now it seems that Xiao Junmo probably had the information about the prince's coup in advance, and then proposed to Li Shiji to call the guards for a banquet. The real purpose was to ambush Hou Junji.
If this guess is true, then the question arises: how did Xiao Junmo get this important information?Ordinarily, for such a big matter, both Xiao Junmo and Li Shiji must report to the emperor immediately, but why didn't they do so?If it is said that Xiao Junmo must have something to do with the Sky Punishment League, then will this incident also have something to do with the Sky Punishment League?Now that even Li Shiji is involved, does he have something to do with the Tianxingmeng?
Suddenly, Pei Tinglong remembered something, and immediately rushed to Xuanjiawei's case file department, retrieved the file of Liu Lan's case last year from the warehouse, and then brought it back to his own room, and began to study it carefully.
After more than half an hour, Pei Tinglong covered the file, and a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth.
The case is suspicious.Although this Liu Lancheng himself admitted that he was Xuanquan, Pei Tinglong still felt that he was probably just a dead ghost.The real Xuanquan must still be lurking in the court.This case was handled by Xiao Junmo alone. Could it be that he used some means to force Liu Lancheng to make a false accusation in order to protect the real Xuanquan?
After pondering for a moment, a bold idea suddenly jumped into Pei Tinglong's mind - could the person Xiao Junmo wants to protect, this Xuanquan who has been lurking in the court for a long time and holds a high position, be Li Shiji? !
Xiao Junmo came to Wu Wangfu to visit Li Ke, but he didn't expect that he didn't recuperate in the house, but practiced sword in the courtyard.Due to the thick bandage on the palm of his right hand, he can only hold the sword with his left hand, and because of the injury on his leg, he can only limp, which looks quite funny.
"Still tossing?" Xiao Junmo walked into the yard, "Look at how injured you are."
"I'm dying of suffocation, come out and exercise." Li Ke slowly put away his posture, "Besides, this small injury is nothing to me."
"I'm not worried about your injury." Xiao Junmo walked in front of him with a smile, "I mean you look ugly when practicing swords."
Li Ke snorted coldly: "I didn't invite you to come and see."
The two were talking, and when they came to the study, Li Ke immediately retreated from the servants.
"Did you act too much that day?" Xiao Junmo said, "Even if you want to perform in front of the Holy One, you have to take it easy? It's fine to grab the Thousand Bull Sword with your bare hands, why bother to lame your own legs?"
"You still say!" Li Ke said angrily, "You gave the prince medicine in advance, why didn't you tell me? If I knew this, why should I play so big?"
"I tell you everything, isn't your play fake?" Xiao Jun smiled silently.
"I didn't expect you to be in the palace. You have a lot of secrets." Li Ke looked at him, "Quickly tell me, who did you ask for the drug?"
"It's not good for you to know too much."
"You want to hide it from me again?"
"Yes, put away your curiosity, it's for your own good."
"Hmph!" Li Ke couldn't help but rolled his eyes.
"Don't be so unhappy. After this incident, your weight in the Holy Majesty's heart will be even greater. Your task now is to recover from your injuries and prepare to go to the East Palace to be your crown prince!"
"Are you sure that the emperor won't make a fourth brother?" Li Ke was a little suspicious.
Xiao Junmo shook his head: "No."
"why?"
"The prince has come to this point, isn't the person he hates the most? He is destined to be finished this time, how can he not use King Wei as a backstop?"
"But what can big brother do with fourth brother?"
"You are such a noble person who forgets things too much." Xiao Junmo smiled, "Think about it, didn't the crown prince already know about the alliance between King Wei and Mingzang?"
Li Ke slapped his head: "Yes, I forgot about this." After a while, he frowned suddenly: "But, can Father believe what Big Brother is saying now?"
"Of course I don't believe it all, but I don't believe it at all. You think, Xie Shaozong dispatched hundreds of elite troops to attack the Wei Palace that night, but the entire army was wiped out. If the guards of the Wei Palace alone can do this , Can the Holy Majesty believe it? Doesn’t he suspect that King Wei has a capable helper by his side?”
Li Ke nodded: "That's right, father is so shrewd, he will definitely doubt it."
"So, this time, you have the greatest possibility of becoming the master of the Eastern Palace."
Li Ke couldn't help but smile: "Brother Kong Ming, if I really succeed in the Datong and rule the world, you are the most qualified person to be the prime minister. Are you really not tempted?"
Xiao Junmo smiled faintly and shook his head.
Li Ke frowned: "Can you tell me the reason for your refusal?"
"Actually, I have already told you the reason." Xiao Junmo said, "I hate power struggles and intrigues in the officialdom. I like a relaxed, comfortable and simple life."
"Don't say that you are so indifferent to the world." Li Ke said with a smile, "I'm not complimenting you. Among the people I know, you are the best at playing tricks! Don't say anything else, just say that this time the prince lost. Isn’t it thanks to you that you have suffered so badly? If you hadn’t strategized, the Tang Dynasty would definitely have changed.”
"I just did it out of necessity, not because of my ambition." Xiao Junmo looked at him, "To put it bluntly, I can play with power, but I don't want to be played by power."
"Are you implying something?" Li Ke's face darkened, "Could it be that you think that when the time comes, I will play the game of killing the bird and hiding the bow?"
"I'm not targeting you." Xiao Junmo smiled wryly, "I mean, power is not a good thing, it is like a double-edged sword, if you are too greedy, you will hurt others and yourself sooner or later."
"According to what you said, I don't want to fight for the crown prince anymore. I simply don't even want to be the king of Wu. Wouldn't it be good for us to go back to the mountains and forests together and become idle clouds and wild cranes?"
"Don't say such angry words, can you go?" Xiao Junmo smiled faintly, "Even if you can go, can you let it go? Just rely on your temper, are you willing?"
Li Ke chuckled: "Of course I don't want to be reconciled. A man should stand up in the world and take it upon himself to make a great achievement that will uplift the world and leave his name in history. Otherwise, he will be ashamed of the world, his ancestors and his ancestors. A body of seven feet!"
"Isn't this the end? Everyone has their own aspirations, why force it? You have your destiny and aspirations, and I have my likes and dislikes and choices. We can only do our part and live in peace."
Li Ke sighed: "Forget it, then don't force it. When you finish your career and retire, tell me where you want to live in seclusion, and I will seal that place to you..."
"You'd better spare me." Xiao Junmo interrupted him with a smile, "If you make such a big fanfare, is it still called living in seclusion? If that day really comes, you will be your Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, and I will do it with peace of mind." My mountain and grass people, we don't care about anyone else."
"Are you so unfeeling?" Li Ke narrowed his eyes.
"Being fond of each other is worse than forgetting each other in the rivers and lakes." Xiao Junmo smiled lightly, calmly.
Although the palace coup on the Shangyuan Festival was a surprise and did not cause any substantial harm to the Tang court, it was an extremely heavy blow to Li Shimin's heart.Because this tragedy of father and son turning against each other and brothers killing each other is almost a replica of the bloody coup in the ninth year of Wude, and it is tantamount to tearing open the wound that had already scabbed in Li Shimin's heart.
Perhaps, this is called the repayment of the law of heaven, and the unhappiness of karma, and this is called retribution in the dark.
Ever since Wude seized the throne by violent means in the ninth year of Wude, a huge wound was carved deep in Li Shimin's heart.Although he has always regarded himself as a righteous man, and has been using the grand rhetoric of "Zhou Gong punishes Guan and Cai" to convince himself and the people of the world, his conscience has not been at peace, and a strong sense of guilt has always lingered in his heart. heart.
For so many years, the reason why Li Shimin has been working hard, working day and night, accepting advice with an open mind, and working hard to govern, is to some extent driven by this sense of guilt.In other words, the less bright the method of seizing the throne, the greater Li Shimin's determination to create a bright world for the world; the deeper the pain caused by the Xuanwumen Change, the stronger his motivation to create a prosperous age of Zhenguan; The heavier the guilt of killing his brother, forcing his father, and slaughtering his nephew, the stronger his desire to complete self-salvation by benefiting the world!
With the passage of time and the gradual realization of the peaceful and prosperous age, Li Shimin once thought that he had completed such a redemption, but when the coup d'etat broke out suddenly, he suddenly realized that no matter how great a deed is, it cannot offset his past. Sin; no matter how perfect the redemption is, it cannot escape the punishment that will come down from heaven!
For the first time in his life, Li Shimin felt a kind of helplessness and sadness that penetrated to the bone...
However, as the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, his duties did not allow him to indulge in such fragile emotions for too long.Therefore, after three days of closing the door of Ganlu Hall, Li Shimin finally reappeared in front of the world with a strong spirit.In the next few days, he successively summoned ministers such as Changsun Wuji, Cen Wenwen, Liu Ji, Li Shiji, Li Daozong, Yuchi Jingde, Chu Suiliang, and even Fang Xuanling, who was taken into his private residence by him last year and is still at home today. up the palace.
Li Shimin summoned them, and there was only one issue, which was who would succeed the prince.
After some questioning, the ministers proposed three candidates one after another: among them, Cen Wenwen and Liu Ji supported Wei Wang Li Tai, Li Daozong and Yuchi Jingde preferred Wu Wang Li Ke, and Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang strongly recommended the 16-year-old Jin Wang Li Zhi.
Neither Li Shiji nor Fang Xuanling made a clear statement, but only said some ambiguous formulas.Li Shimin knew that because Li Shiji was cautious by nature, he did not dare to publicly stand in line on such a sensitive issue; because Fang Xuanling had stumbled before, and now he was already frightened, so naturally he did not dare to get involved in the battle for the establishment of the reserve.
Of the above three candidates, Li Tai and Li Keben were already under Li Shimin's consideration.In his opinion, these two sons have inherited some of his advantages, and no matter which one enters the East Palace, he can be regarded as a qualified prince; How can a weak and young pheasant slave be worthy of the heavy responsibility of the Tang prince?
However, the reasons put forward by Changsun Wuji cannot be ignored by Li Shimin.
Changsun Wuji believes that what the future of the Tang Dynasty needs is not a pioneering ruler, but a benevolent and virtuous ruler.And in his opinion, Jin Wang Li Zhi, who is benevolent and filial, is precisely the best candidate for this "king of success", so he strongly recommends Li Zhi.
Li Shimin had heard such an argument from him before, but at that time he just talked about it casually and didn't take it to heart. Now that he was facing the major event of re-establishing a reserve, Li Shimin had to think carefully.
In view of the historical lessons of the death of the second generation of the Sui Dynasty, Li Shimin certainly felt that Changsun Wuji's views were not unreasonable, but when he thought that Li Zhi was still so young, and his temperament was weak and easy to be controlled by others, Li Shimin couldn't help but beg his eldest grandson. Wuji doubts the real motive of supporting Li Zhi.
"Wuji, I re-read "Hanshu" a few days ago, and read the stories of the Western Han Dynasty after Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. For some reason, I felt quite emotional in my heart!"
On this day, Li Shimin summoned Changsun Wuji alone in the Royal Study Room of Ganlu Hall, and threw out such a sentence as soon as they met each other, which made Changsun Wuji puzzled for a while.
"May I ask Your Majesty... why are you so emotional?"
"Throughout history, historians of the past dynasties have given different praises and criticisms to Huo Guang. Some people praised him for being better than Yi Yin and the virtue of Duke Zhou, while others scolded him for arrogating power and taking power. I don't know what you think?" Li Shimin didn't answer. asked rhetorically.
Huo Guang was a famous power minister in the Western Han Dynasty.He was ordered by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to assist the eight-year-old Han Zhao Emperor Liu Fuling. After that, he quelled the rebellion of Shangguan Jie and Yan King Liu Dan, and stabilized the government. He Huang was obscene and innocent, so he was deposed, and Liu Bingji, the great-grandson of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, was established, that is, Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty.Huo Guang has been in charge of state affairs for nearly 20 years, and has made great contributions to the stability and rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty. However, he has also been criticized by the world for his long-term monopoly and abolishment without authorization.
"This..." Changsun Wuji hurriedly responded while pondering the emperor's implication, "Huo Guang was entrusted by the swaddling baby, served as the entrustment of the Han Dynasty, Kuangguo, Ansheji, the abolished king of innocence, Yongzhao and Xuaner Emperor, stand respectfully and maturely seek the country, so I think that Huo Guang's assistance to the Han Dynasty can be regarded as loyal!"
"Haha!" Li Shimin laughed dryly, "I asked your personal opinion, but you recited Ban Gu's historical theory to me, isn't it too cunning?"
Changsun Wuji smiled awkwardly: "I have very little knowledge, and I don't have any extraordinary opinions on this. I can only follow what my predecessors said, and make Your Majesty laugh at me."
"Even if you follow the predecessors, Ban Gu's evaluation of Huo Guang is not all good, but you only memorized the words of praise, why didn't you say the other half of the derogatory words?"
Although Ban Gu affirmed Huo Guang's achievements in assisting the government in "Han Shu", he did not deny his faults: "Ran Guang did not learn the art of death, but was darker than Dali, and his wife was evil. Overwhelmed with desire to increase the disaster of overthrow, it has only been three years since he died, and the clan will punish the barbarians, what a pity!"
Because Huo Guang has been in power for many years and his power is in the hands of the government and the public, and his clan's children are also high-ranking officials and prominent positions, the power of the Huo family almost occupies the entire court, so Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty was extremely jealous.In addition, Huo Guang's wife ordered someone to poison the queen Xu Pingjun to let her daughter enter the harem. After Huo Guang learned about it, he concealed it for her.Therefore, after Huo Guang's death, the Huo clan tried to launch a coup d'etat in fear, but was finally defeated by Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty and the clan was exterminated...
Thinking of this embarrassing history, Changsun Wuji couldn't help but feel his scalp tingling. Although he was not sure the emperor's real intention to summon him today, he felt a little uneasy.
"Your Majesty is right in reminding. Although Huo Guang made great contributions to the Han Dynasty, he had a long-term special position, and he didn't know how to avoid it. He also sent many relatives to fill the court, causing the ruler to accumulate anger, and the officials and people to accumulate resentment, so he died. Afterwards, the clan was slaughtered, which is really embarrassing. Ban Gu denounced him as ignorant of the principles of monarchs and ministers, and it is true!"
"Look, you were still self-effacing just now, saying that you have little knowledge, but isn't that what you said quite insightful?" Li Shimin looked at him with a half-smile, "As the so-called 'Master Shaoguoyi', A minister like Huo Guang who assists the young master is actually the most difficult to be. He spends his whole life thinking about it, but he must always maintain a trembling and fearless heart. Abyss! So these days, I have been thinking about a question, since you are also familiar with the history books and know the harm, why do you want to support the young master and want to be someone like Huo Guang?"
Changsun Wuji was shocked when he heard this.
It turned out that the emperor made a big circle, insinuating that he concealed his ambitions, and the purpose of supporting Li Zhi was to become a powerful minister!
"Your Majesty's lesson!" Changsun Wuji hurriedly knelt down on the ground and said in a trembling voice, "I recommend King Jin purely out of selfish desires, not out of selfish desires, and I dare not have the slightest thought of presumptuousness. Your Majesty Wanwang will see clearly!"
Li Shimin smiled faintly: "That's what you say, but after all, you are the uncle of the pheasant slave, the founding father who ranks first among the 24 heroes of Lingyan Pavilion, and the chief prime minister who specializes in Shangshu and the two provinces under his family. I really set up a pheasant slave. In the future, I will have three ups and downs. Aren't you the number one candidate for Minister Gu Ming? At that time, if I want to ask for help, who else can I look for besides you? If there is such a day, won't you be the number one candidate? Are there two Huo Guang?"
Hearing this, Changsun Wuji became more and more terrified, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead instantly: "Your Majesty, even if you really establish Jin Wang, he will not be the young master in the future, because your majesty's dragon body is healthy, and he will surely grow up." Life is a hundred years old, if King Jin wants to take the throne, it will be decades later. By then, King Jin will be in his prime, so how can Emperor Zhao and Emperor Xuan be comparable? Besides, by that time, the minister may have already succeeded His Majesty. Go, how can you be this Huo Guang? Besides, if your majesty is really worried, you can resign from the position of minister today, so as to prevent the minister from stealing power and endangering the country in the future!"
At the end of Changsun Wuji's speech, he already felt a little angry.
Li Shimin stared at him for a while, and suddenly laughed: "Okay, okay, let's get flat, I'm just joking with you, why are you so nervous? It's not impossible to consider the matter of becoming the King of Jin, you let me Think again."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Changsun Wuji got up from the ground, feeling his back was soaked in cold sweat.
In the dead of night, Wang Hongyi stood under a stone bridge with his hands behind his hands.
Hearing the sound of small but familiar footsteps behind him, Wang Hongyi smiled silently and said without looking back, "Li Shimin must not be able to sleep these few days, right?"
Xuanquan stood still in the shadow under the bridge, was silent for a while, and said: "Yes, sir, as you said, Li Shimin has been shutting himself in the bedroom these days, not thinking about food and drink, and not being able to sleep at night. blow."
"Retribution! He finally has such a day!"
Wang Hongyi's voice was filled with an undisguised gloating pleasure.
Xuanquan didn't answer.
Wang Hongyi laughed silently at first, and then he couldn't help laughing out loud, before he said after a long while: "Tell me, what are the plans for the re-establishment of the reserve?"
Xuanquan told the ministers that they proposed three candidates.
"Oh?" Wang Hongyi turned around, a little surprised, "Changsun Wuji actually recommended that young King Jin?"
"Yes."
Wang Hongyi thought about it for a while, and smiled coldly: "This old boy, he clearly wants to wait for Li Shimin's death and become a minister of power by himself. He really has a lot of appetite!"
Xuanquan remained silent.
"You just said that it was Li Daozong and Yuchi Jingde who recommended King Wu?"
"Yes."
Wang Hongyi thought about it again, and then looked at Xuanquan: "Based on the current situation, what do you think the odds of King Wei's victory are?"
"According to my subordinates' observation, Li Shimin still prefers King Wei."
“How come you see?”
"Today Li Shimin summoned Changsun Wuji alone in the dormitory. Although his subordinates were not sure what they were talking about, after Changsun Wuji returned to Nanya, his subordinates found an excuse to spy on him and found that he looked very bad. The subordinates deduced that he must have been beaten by Li Shimin, and the reason could only be the King Jin's affairs. From this, it can be seen that Li Shimin did not want to be the King of Jin."
Wang Hongyi nodded slightly: "What about King Wu? This kid has been quite favored recently, and this time he risked his life to save Li Shimin in Baifu Hall, and made a big splash. Isn't his chance of winning better than King Wei?"
"Although the king of Wu is favored, he is a bastard after all. If he is made a prince, it is contrary to etiquette, and he will inevitably be opposed by most courtiers. Li Shimin cannot have no worries about this. Therefore, his subordinates believe that comparing the two, it is still the same. King Wei has a better chance of winning."
Wang Hongyi pondered for a moment, then said coldly, "Xuanquan, you don't have any personal feelings for King Wei, do you?"
Xuanquan was taken aback: "Why did you say that, sir?"
"Now I'm asking you." Wang Hongyi looked at him coldly.
"Subordinates assisting King Wei, isn't it all arranged by the master? How can there be any personal feelings?"
"It's my arrangement, but I still want to remind you that assisting King Wei is just our method. You must not treat him as your master. If one day, King Wei loses his use value, I will not hesitate Abandon him! I hope that when the time comes, you won't sing against me."
Xuanquan hurriedly bowed and clasped his fists: "Sir, please don't worry too much. This subordinate is a member of the Heavenly Punishment League, but Mr. Wei is the only one who follows the lead of the horse, and never dares to have second thoughts!"
"Yes." Wang Hongyi said expressionlessly, "I hope so."
Xuanquan lowered his head, his bright eyes flickering faintly in the darkness.
In Xuanjiawei's prison, there are several clean and tidy cells, which are dedicated to detaining criminals with special identities.
Li Chengqian was locked in the most spacious room, which contained a bed, quilt, table, pen and ink, and a pot of charcoal fire burning in the corner, which looked almost the same as a room in an ordinary post house.The only difference is: there is no window here, only a small iron window on the wall half as high as a person, so the light is much dimmer than ordinary houses.
At this moment, Li Chengqian was sitting on the bed blankly.
Sunlight slanted in through the small iron window, forming a beam of light and hitting his side face, making half of his face fall in the light and half in the darkness.
The cell door opened, and the iron chains jingled, but Li Chengqian seemed to be asleep. He didn't notice it until Li Shimin slowly walked in front of him, and he suddenly woke up. Royal Father."
"Be flat."
Li Chengqian got up, lowered his head, not daring to meet Li Shimin's eyes.
"You didn't kill me that day, don't you regret it?" Li Shimin's voice sounded devoid of emotion.
Li Chengqian was startled, and quickly knelt down on the ground again: "Father, forgive me, my son never thought of hurting you."
Li Shimin put his hands behind his back, looked up at the small sky outside the iron window, and said in a slightly hoarse voice: "I heard that things that give birth to children are nothing more than heaven and earth; love and respect are more important than kings and relatives. That's why ministers are precious." If you are loyal, those who lose will be punished; if you are a son, you will be filial, and if you violate it, you will be punished. If you are a big one, you will be punished by all the cities, and if you are small, you will be humiliated... Chengqian, you have no king and no father, forget loyalty and forget filial piety, I Although I want to forgive you, it is against etiquette and the laws of the country cannot tolerate it. Today, I am here to see you for the last time."
Li Chengqian was terrified, and raised his head: "Father, you... are you going to kill my son?"
"Do you think you should kill yourself?" Li Shimin also turned to look at him, without answering the question.
Li Chengqian was at a loss for words, and suddenly calmed down after a while, and said: "Yes, I should be killed. If the emperor must kill the emperor, I will have no complaints. However, the emperor thinks that the emperor has come to this point Is it Erchen's fault alone?"
Li Shimin's expression darkened upon hearing this.
"Father, don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about you." Li Chengqian said, "My son has changed from a majestic crown prince to a prisoner under his rank. In the final analysis, it was all forced by my fourth brother, so I advise you to think twice, and you must not set him up." For the prince!"
"I don't deny that Qing Que has the idea of seizing the heir, but if you yourself have a good character, who can push you to this point? In the end, it's your own fault, because your own actions are not worthy of the prince of the Tang Dynasty. Your identity! Now that things have come to an end, you should stop blaming others."
"Yes, my son is certainly not worthy." Li Chengqian sneered slightly, "But do you think the fourth brother is worthy?"
"At least he is more talented and virtuous than you!"
Seeing that Li Chengqian was still arguing with Li Tai at this stage, Li Shimin couldn't help feeling a little angry.
"Talent and learning...Maybe, I am really not interested in things like "Kuo Di Zhi", and I can't get them. But when it comes to virtue, I really don't think the fourth brother is virtuous." Li Chengqian wrote She curled her lips and showed disdain, "Father, the virtues you mentioned are mainly loyalty and filial piety, right?"
Li Shimin didn't answer.
Li Chengqian had no choice but to ask himself and answer: "Since I was a child, I have heard the grand master Li Gang say that the so-called virtues refer to propriety, righteousness, integrity, shame, filial piety, fraternity, loyalty, and trustworthiness. Among them, the words loyalty and filial piety are the most basic. Yes. Then I would like to ask the godfather, if there is a minister who knows that the emperor wants something most, but he hides it privately and keeps it secret, is such a minister considered loyal and filial?"
Li Shimin frowned slightly: "What do you want to say?"
Li Chengqian smiled: "What I want to say is that you have been investigating the secrets behind "Lanting Preface" for so many years, and you have always wanted to dig out the mysterious organization of the Tianxing League, but do you know that the Tianxing League is the most important organization?" Wang Hongyi, the guy code-named 'Ming Zang', has actually been in collusion with the fourth brother?"
Li Shimin was shocked and stared at him in disbelief: "How did you know about this?"
"I don't want to hide from my father," Li Chengqian said with a shattered expression, "My minister has long joined forces with Xi Tangduo from the Tianxing League. That person is Xie Shaozong, the ninth grandson of Xie An, the prime minister of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. About He was the one who told Erchen about Mingzang. So what Erchen wants to say is that if I am unfaithful and unfilial, then of course my fourth brother is not virtuous. To put it bluntly, your two sons In fact, they have betrayed you a long time ago, the only difference is that the son-in-law was exposed in the open, while the fourth brother is still hiding in the dark, that's all!"
Li Shimin stared at Li Chengqian with his red eyes that had been awake for days and nights.
Zhao Dequan, who had been bowing his head and standing by the cell door, frowned, and a complex look flashed in his eyes.
"About the Heavenly Punishment League, what else do you know?" Li Shimin asked in a deep voice.
Li Chengqian shrugged: "I'm sorry father, I recruited Xie Shaozong at the beginning, just to guard against my fourth brother. As for the matter of the Tianxing League, I was not interested, so I didn't inquire about it. Now that Xie Shaozong is dead, you want to track down the Tianxing League?" , I can only go to the fourth brother and his ally Mingzang."
Li Chengqian deliberately put the emphasis on the word "ally".
When Li Shimin heard this, the muscles on his face couldn't help twitching.
Ever since he learned the truth about his life experience, Xiao Junmo has been struggling with a question in his heart: Should he recognize his mother?
My mother has lost her memory. If you want to recognize her, you must tell her all the past events that she has forgotten, and doing so is obviously too cruel; if you don't recognize her, Xiao Junmo can only visit her as a "friend". To endure the pain and sorrow in his heart, and to endure the guilt and self-blame of not being filial in front of her, seems cruel to himself.
After so many days of hesitation, Xiao Junmo still had no idea, and finally decided to consult with Chu Lisang.He was going to tell her everything, and then ask her to help him figure out a way to get the best of both worlds.
In the middle of the night, Xiao Junmo quietly came to the king's house in Wuyi Lane, Chongdefang, invited Chu Lisang out with the secret code agreed in advance, and then told her the truth about his life experience.
Even though Xiao Junmo had already guessed that Xiao Junmo was the flesh and blood of Prince Yin and Xu Wanniang, the thrills and twists and turns behind the whole incident were still beyond Chu Lisang's expectation.After listening to his narration, Chu Lisang sighed in his heart, and only admitted to him after a while that he had already guessed his life experience before, but he didn't dare to tell him.
Xiao Junmo was a little surprised, startled, and then smiled wryly: "How did you know?"
Chu Lisang told him exactly what he had overheard from Wang Hongyi not long ago, and finally said: "Your eyes are very similar to your aunt's, so I guessed six or seven points. Later, when my aunt saw you, That expression was so strange, I became more and more convinced that the relationship between her and you must not be simple. Of course, these are all my guesses. The reason why I dare not mention it to you is because I don't have any proof, it's just my intuition. "
Xiao Junmo was stunned, silent for a while, then expressed his entanglement, and asked her if she had any good ideas.
Chu Lisang thought for a while, and said: "It's not difficult. You and Fang Bo and the others revealed the identity of the leader, and said that now that Grand Master Wei has passed away and General Li has left Chang'an, only you can protect Auntie's safety. Then you Bringing my aunt home, so that I don’t have to tell my aunt the truth, and can be filial to her, isn’t it the best of both worlds?”
When Xiao Junmo heard it, he couldn't help laughing.
Yes, such a simple method, but I have been thinking about it for many days, I am really a fan of the authorities!
Having made up their mind, the two rushed to Huaizhenfang immediately.
On the way, Xiao Junmo was thinking about something, and suddenly asked: "If I take my mother home, can you...can you take care of her for me?"
Chu Lisang heard his implication, but pretended not to understand: "Of course. Don't worry, I will visit her often."
Hearing this, Xiao Junmo couldn't help smiling bitterly in his heart.
Of course he knew that Chu Lisang understood what he meant, and he also knew why she pretended not to understand.The reason is Wang Hongyi.At this moment, Xiao Junmo really wanted to ask her why she didn't leave Wang Hongyi, but she swallowed the words again.Because it would be so selfish to ask.No matter how many evil things Wang Hongyi has done, he is Chu Lisang's biological father after all, so what right does he have to force her to leave?
Xiao Junmo didn't know, while he was thinking this way, Chu Lisang was also asking himself: If you don't leave Wang Hongyi, do you want to spy on information to help Xiao Junmo as you said, or are you reluctant to leave this "father" after all?Is the so-called espionage of information just an excuse for you to deceive yourself?
Chu Lisang felt like a mess in his heart, unable to answer his own question at all.
The two of them were thinking about their own thoughts, and they had nothing to say all the way, and soon came to the courtyard gate of Zhilan Tower.
What they didn't expect was that the two courtyard doors that were usually closed were suddenly opened at this moment!
Xiao Junmo's heart sank suddenly, and he immediately rushed into the courtyard.Chu Lisang was also taken aback, and quickly ran in.
A scene of tragedy caught their eyes at the same time, making them extremely horrified.
Fang Bo was lying straight in the yard, his throat was cut by a sharp knife, blood flowed all over the floor, his eyes were wide open, and he was holding a knife in his hand.His wife, Guizhi, was lying on the stairs of the small building, and her death pattern was exactly the same as his.
Before they had time to think about it, they rushed up the stairs one after the other. Just as they ran up to the second floor, they saw a female body bent over in the corridor.Xiao Junmo was startled, and subconsciously stopped.Chu Lisang, who was following behind, almost bumped into his back.The corridor was dimly lit, and it was impossible to identify who the corpse was for a while.
Xiao Junmo took a deep breath, walked to the corpse step by step, squatted down, and gently lifted her face.
It's Xing'er, the daughter of Fang Bo and Gui Zhi.
Her death was exactly the same as that of her parents.This teenage girl also opened her eyes, and even had a stubborn and unyielding expression on her face.
Chu Lisang couldn't bear the soreness in his heart anymore, covered his mouth, and turned his face away.
Xiao Junmo sighed deeply, and helped Xing'er close her eyes.
The doors of the three rooms on the second floor were all open, and there were signs of fighting in the rooms. Fortunately, there was no fourth body—Xu Wanniang and Dai Lisi had disappeared.
Xiao Junmo forced himself to calm down, checked the three corpses one by one, and found that the corpses were still warm, and the killing time should not exceed an hour.There were many messy blood stains on the ground around the three corpses, some were splashed, some were dripping, and some were dragging.Obviously, it wasn't all their own blood, but also the other party's.
After some investigation, Xiao Junmo concluded that Fang Bo's family of three had killed at least three to five enemies.But after the other party succeeded, they took away the dead and wounded.
Everything seemed familiar: the killing method was clean and neat, the actions advanced and retreated in an orderly manner, and no clues were left at the scene.
"Who did it?" Chu Lisang was startled and angry, and said in a choked voice, "How did they know that Auntie lives here, and why did they kidnap Auntie?"
Xiao Junmo didn't speak, but he already had the answer in his heart.
(End of this chapter)
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