Chapter 83 The War between Sui and Tang Dynasties (13)
Night has fallen quietly, and Li Jiancheng stood in front of the window with his hands behind his hands, looking out the window melancholy. The war between the Sui and Tang Dynasties was gradually approaching Chang'an, and he knew very well that he did not have much time left.
But even if it comes to an end, he cannot let the former Tang Empire be brought into disgrace. It must end in an upright and upright manner. This is his responsibility. No one can bring the final humiliation to the Tang Dynasty, no matter if it is his brother. , or his father, will never allow it.
At this moment, Li Jiancheng's heart gradually became colder and hardened, and he clenched his fists.
"Your Highness, Wu Junjun is asking for an audience." A guard reported quietly at the door.
Li Jiancheng nodded, "Bring him to see me!"
After a while, several guards brought Samurai Yi up. Samurai Yi knelt down on one knee and said, "See His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Li Jiancheng looked back at him and asked lightly: "Where is the news from King Qi?"
The reason why Li Jiancheng knew that King Qi was preparing to mutiny to seize the throne was that he secretly got the news from Warrior Yi. Although Warrior Yi was one of Li Yuanji's five-man group, he was the brother of Warrior Xun after all.
Although he was confused and agreed to plan for Li Yuanji, he soon realized that even if Li Yuanji successfully ascended the throne, he would suffer eternal infamy. He did not want to bear such infamy, so he secretly reported the news that Li Yuanji was preparing for a mutiny to Li Jiancheng.
"Reporting to His Highness the Crown Prince, Li Yuanji has given up the mutiny and changed it to a palace coup."
Li Jiancheng was shocked. He was not worried about Li Yuanji launching a mutiny. He knew that although the 40,000 troops obeyed Li Yuanji's military orders, it was because of his father's orders. The military power was actually in the hands of his father. When he launched a mutiny, his eldest son Shunde The first one will jump out to object, and Duan Decao will not agree.
But launching a palace coup is another matter. It can be done with the brave soldiers recruited by Li Yuanji. Once his father is held hostage by him and he uses his father's name to issue decrees, many things will go wrong. This makes Li Jiancheng felt nervous.
"When is he going to take action?"
"The King of Qi is going to kidnap the Holy One first, then call the King of Qin back and execute him with an imperial edict, and finally deal with His Highness the Crown Prince. I don't know the specific time of taking action."
Li Jiancheng walked a few steps back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, and then asked: "The brave soldiers recruited by King Qi are brave, can you command them?"
Warrior Yi shook his head, "Although Beizhi participated in the recruitment, the command power is in Li Deren's hands, and only King Qi can mobilize it, Beizhi cannot command."
This is a bit difficult. Li Jiancheng stared at the roof. The problem now is that he has no military power. There are only 500 guards in the East Palace, and he cannot command the army. The army only listens to his father's orders, but his father refuses to believe his words. .
what to do? Li Jiancheng was at a loss. He walked a few steps and suddenly stopped. A thought came to his mind, 'Why can't I use the guards of the Prince of Qin's Palace and Tang Feng to deal with the Prince of Qi? ¡¯
There are only 300 guards in the Prince of Qin's palace at this time, who are responsible for protecting the family members of the Prince of Qin. There are also hundreds of Tang Feng members. They are not troops and are distributed throughout the capital. Zhang Gongjin serves as the general manager of Tang Feng. At this time, in the Tang Feng Tower, Zhang Gongjin He was reading an urgent letter that Li Shimin had just sent. He looked serious. The letter told him an important task.
At this moment, a soldier reported outside the door: "Mr. Zhang, His Royal Highness has sent someone to say that he has important matters to discuss with the manager."
Zhang Gongjin put down Li Shimin's letter. Although the request in the letter was urgent, King Qin also told him to pay close attention to the movements of the East Palace and King Qi. This was also a big deal. Zhang Gongjin had a headache, and all kinds of major things were pressing on his shoulders. , which made him a little bit overwhelmed.
But it was so late. His Royal Highness sent someone here, so there must be something important. Zhang Gongjin immediately ordered: "Let him go to the reception room and wait for a while!"
Zhang Gongjin put down Li Shimin's letter and covered it with a book before getting up and heading to the reception room.
In the reception room, Wang Gui, the Zhanshi of the East Palace, is staring at a painting on the wall with his hands behind his back. Zhanshi of the East Palace is the highest subordinate official of the East Palace, usually held by the prince's confidant. Wang Gui was promoted to Zhanshi of the East Palace just two months ago. , he is currently the prince¡¯s number one confidant.
At this time, footsteps sounded at the door, and Zhang Gongjin quickly walked into the reception room.
¡°It turns out it¡¯s Wang Zhan¡¯s fault, I¡¯m so rude!¡± Zhang Gongjin quickly apologized.
Wang Gui returned the favor and said worriedly: "The matter is urgent, so I came uninvited. I hope Mr. Zhang will forgive me."
"Please take a seat!"
The two of them sat down separately as guest and host. A guard brought fragrant tea, but Wang Gui was not in the mood to drink tea.? asked: ¡°Excuse me, Mr. Zhang, does His Highness King Qin know about King Qi?¡±
"What's the matter with King Qi?" Of course Zhang Gongjin knew what was going on, so he deliberately pretended to be confused and asked.
Wang Gui stared at him for a moment and lowered his voice: "The King of Qi is going to launch a palace coup, and the first one to deal with is the King of Qin."
"Is there such a thing? How come I don't know about it?" Zhang Gongjin smiled half-heartedly. He guessed Wang Gui's purpose, and he had a very strange feeling in his heart. The prince wanted to cooperate with the King of Qin. After fighting for so many years, he actually wanted to join hands. against third parties.
Wang Gui sighed, "I also know that this is hard to believe, but this is top secret and it must be true."
"Okay! Even if it is true, what do you want me to do?"
Wang Gui gritted his teeth and said, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants to strike first. Our two families will join forces to eradicate King Qi."
Wang Gui has left, but Zhang Gongjin is still sitting in the reception room. He needs to sort out the chaos in front of him. If he really joins forces with the prince to eradicate King Qi, how can the interests of King Qin be guaranteed? Zhang Gongjin sighed, he didn't even know what to do, but one thing was very clear, he could not agree to anything without instructions from His Highness King Qin.
Zhang Gongjin slowly walked back to the room with his hands behind his back, casually took a book from the table, and suddenly saw a letter from His Highness King Qin underneath the book. He was startled at first, and then suddenly slapped himself in the face. It was so important. Things, he actually forgot.
An hour later, a carriage quickly drove out from the side door of Prince Qin's Mansion, and under the cover of night, it sped towards the city. Not long after, the carriage stopped in front of the Caohe River next to the city. There was a boat parked on the Caohe Pier. It was a large ship of five hundred stones, and there were more than twenty guards with swords standing on it.
Zhang Gongjin turned over and dismounted, stepped forward and opened the carriage door. Two maids got off the carriage first, and then carefully helped a young woman down. She was holding a young child in her arms. The woman took a look at the ship and turned back. Asked: "Manager Zhang, why can't we leave in a carriage?"
"Reporting to the princess, the situation in the city is very tense. The Jinwu Guards in charge of the city gate has been controlled by King Qi. We are worried that it will be detrimental to the princess. It is safest to leave on a merchant ship."
"What about His Highness? Who will ensure his safety?"
Zhang Gongjin sighed secretly in his heart, and could only comfort him: "Please rest assured, Princess, Your Highness has already made arrangements. Nothing will happen. I can guarantee it with my humble position."
"Okay! Manager Zhang, please take care of yourself."
"Thank you, Princess, I will take care of myself."
Princess Qin got on the boat, and the boat slowly left the dock and sailed along the Cao River toward the outside of the city
The mansion of Samurai Yi is in Pingkangfang. He left the East Palace on horseback and returned directly to the mansion. At this time, the Tang Dynasty was in a precarious situation. Chang'an was beset with internal and external difficulties. Everyone was heavy, and Samurai Yi was no exception. He was unlucky for himself. He was upset about being involved in King Qi's rebellion, and he was afraid that he would ruin the reputation of the Wu family because of himself.
He had something on his mind and the horse was not very fast. Not long after, he had arrived at the gate of Pingkangfang and was about to enter the place. Suddenly a carriage passed by him and a man leaned out of the window of the carriage, holding a wooden stick in his hand. He hit Samurai Yi on the head with a hard stick. Samurai Yi groaned and fell off his horse.
Two big men in black jumped out of the carriage and dragged him directly into the carriage. Another man got on his horse, and the carriage accelerated and sped off into the darkness. . . . . .
In the room, Samurai Yi was beaten with bruises all over his body and was forced to kneel in front of Li Yuanji.
"You bastard! How dare you betray me!"
Li Yuanji's face was livid, his eyes showed a fierce light, and he stabbed at Warrior Yi with a fierce sword. Warrior Yi screamed, and the sword pierced his body, and he slowly fell to the ground. Li Yuanji drew out his sword, and struck again with his backhand. A sword pierced the back of his heart, killing Samurai Yi instantly.
"Drag him out to feed the wild dogs. This is the consequences of betraying me!"
Li Yuanji roared angrily and ordered the guards to drag Samurai Yi's body out. At this time, Wang Shubao walked into the lobby quickly. He glanced at Samurai Yi's body and felt a little uneasy. He had dragged Samurai Yi in, would he? Will he be implicated?
Seeing that Li Yuanji¡¯s face did not seem to hate him, he quickly bowed and reported: ¡°Your Highness, there is news from the palace. Just tonight, the prince went to the Yangxin Hall and secretly reported your highness¡¯s condition to the Holy Lord.¡±
"He really wants to deal with me!" Li Yuanji gritted his teeth.
Li Yuanji turned around and asked, "What did the father say?"
"The Holy One does not believe the prince's words, saying that the prince is trying to regain military power and has ulterior motives!"
Li Yuanji laughed ferociously, "It seems that the old man is quiteLet me. "
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince already knows His Highness's intentions. We can't delay any longer. We must prevent the Crown Prince from taking the first step."
"You mean, we have to deal with Donggong first?"
"Deal with King Qin first!"
Wang Shubao said quickly: "The prince only has 500 bodyguards, so the role they can play is not very big. The key is to control the emperor first and let him issue an edict to transfer King Qin back, and then deal with the prince."
"But will the prince tell the King of Qin about this, and the King of Qin will come prepared?" Li Yuanji stared at him sharply.
Wang Shubao sighed, "Nothing can be done without taking risks. The King of Qin and the Crown Prince have always been enemies and do not trust each other. The King of Qin may not believe what the Crown Prince says, but if we touch the Crown Prince, it will be known to everyone in the civil and military circles. At that time King Qin is really prepared."
Li Yuanji walked a few steps with his hands behind his back. What Wang Shubao said made sense.
"Your Highness, maybe we can do this."
Wang Shubao added: "We can bribe the attendants to make the Holy One unfortunately critically ill. The court will naturally notify King Qin to come back to see the Holy One for the last time. We don't need to correct the edict. This will be more foolproof."
Li Yuanji walked around for a few times with his hands behind his back. He narrowed his eyes and gave a ferocious smile, "That's it! My father is still one step away from death. If I write a letter to King Qin again, I don't believe he will come back to seize the throne?"