Changlepo.
Prince Li Jiancheng, who was sent here respectfully, watched the dust flying in the distance with an extremely gloomy expression on his face. He had been in charge of the country for nearly ten years, but he could not see the situation in front of him and guess what his father was thinking.
In terms of tactics, Li Jiancheng is not inferior to Li Shimin. Historically, he was able to force Li Shimin into a corner. On the one hand, it was the latter's deliberate behavior before overturning the chessboard, and on the other hand, it also reflected Li Jiancheng's own ability.
Looking around, Xiao Yu, who was leaning towards the King of Qin, Feng Lun, who was also the Sima of the Tiance Mansion, Pei Shiju, who was from the province, was exempted from leaving the capital because of his old age, and the row behind was the adjutants of the provinces, most of whom were from the King of Qin's lineage ...How could this make Li Jiancheng so frightened?
What makes Li Jiancheng even more uneasy is that the two generals who are attached to the East Palace, Yanjun Wang Luo Yi and Feng Lijun, are accompanying him... Father, you are so uneasy!
Li Jiancheng gritted his teeth secretly. It had been almost a year since the battle at Tiantai Mountain last year. His father should be almost ready, and his second brother was probably ready to move.
Two hours later, Pei Shiju, who was kneeling on the couch, carefully looked at the prince whose face was covered with greasy sweat marks, and said softly: "What does His Highness the prince want?"
Li Jiancheng's expression moved slightly, and he smiled unnaturally, "Mr. Pei, the East Palace is now in a weak position, so I sincerely ask for advice."
"There is no need to deny that His Highness King Qin dominates the world and has unparalleled military exploits. If you don't do what the two of you want in this world, Your Highness can compete with Your Majesty." Pei Shiju said slowly: "Since the battle at Tiantai Mountain last year, Your Majesty's mind has changed drastically. King Qin has entered the army. In charge of Shangshu Province, many staff members of Tiance Mansion have officially entered the court, and the power of the East Palace has declined greatly, and there is no former prime minister."
After a pause, Pei Shiju emphasized his tone, "In the seventh year of the great cause, Bo Hu, the king of Changbai Mountain, died in Liaodong. How could he be injured by beheading? In the next few years, Du Fuwei, Shen Faxing, and Li Zitong traveled to the south of the Yangtze River and Huaihe River, and Gao Shida and Li Shanfei , Dou Jiande in Shandong."
"Liu Wuzhou was in the east of Hedong, the Xue family and his son were in Longxi, and there were even Wang Shichong and Wagangzhai in the Central Plains...and His Majesty was the last to raise troops among them."
"Your Highness, do you know why?"
Li Jiancheng's voice was slightly hoarse, "My father always makes decisions before acting, and strives to be safe."
Pei Shiju nodded lightly, "Therefore, from Tiantai Mountain to Xu this year, although your Majesty supported the King of Qin, he did not treat the East Palace harshly... Can I reprimand Your Highness in private?"
Li Jiancheng was sweating profusely, "Never..."
This is a simple logical judgment. If Li Yuan scolds the prince in private, it means that although he is angry, there is still room for maneuver. But Li Yuan still looks like a father and a filial son on the face, and does not put on a dead face in private... This can only mean that He has given up on his son and is just picking the right time to save it.
Li Jiancheng was not a fool. How could he not understand this truth? He just kept a small hope deep in his heart. Maybe the situation was not that bad yet. After all, the prince of ten years had always been kind to his father and his father was filial to his son.
But everything that happened yesterday and today completely defeated the last hope in Li Jiancheng's heart. Pei Ji was taken away, Zheng Shanguo was taken away, Luo Yi was taken away, and Feng Li was taken away, leaving only Li Gaoqian. ...This is not only Li Yuan's wariness towards the eldest son, but also the emperor's attitude towards the prince.
Li Jiancheng did not have the ability and prestige to gather troops like Liu Zhi, and he did not have a mother who would sacrifice everything for her son. After Luo Yi, Feng Li, and Zheng Shanguo were taken away, it was impossible for Li Jiancheng to use a mere 3,000 Changlin troops to rebel... ...Not to mention whether Renzhi Palace can be captured, the possibility of killing father and brother, even sending troops is not high.
Not to mention other things, Luo Yi is still in Renzhi Palace. Will the Changlin Army, formed with the elite of the Tianjie Army, follow the prince to rebel?
Are Luo Yang and Luo Shou willing to follow Li Jiancheng to die?
Therefore, Li Yuan's trip to Beijing to escape the summer heat is equivalent to an edict to depose the crown prince that is about to be released, and Li Yuan is also very experienced in this regard. He left Beijing today and only announced the accompanying officials yesterday.
"Your Highness, does it feel hot?" Pei Shiju was not surprised by Li Yuan's methods. He even felt that the timing was just right. At the most critical moment, the prince eliminated all hope.
In other words, Li Jiancheng had no other way to go.
Think about it, you almost sent me to Liang Jun's sword, and you still expect me to suffer from amnesia?
Li Jiancheng gritted his teeth and endured the itching caused by the sweat beads on his cheeks. He solemnly saluted again and said, "Please give me some advice, Mr. Pei."
Pei Shiju let out a long sigh, "I am already old, and it goes without saying how dangerous it is to get involved in seizing the direct descendants."
"I will let Mr. Pei go in the future..."
"I am already eighty years old, how many days do I have left to live?" Pei Shiju said slowly: "There is only one request. If I succeed in the future, please hand over Li Huairen, the heir of Wei, to my disposal."
"Li Shan?" Li Jiancheng was a little surprised. He thought for a while and asked tentatively: "Pei Gong and Huairen..."
"I lost my father when I was young, my mother when I was young, my wife when I was middle-aged, and my only son when I was old. A white-haired man gave a black-haired man a gift." Pei Shiju's eyes were cold, "That day in the battle at Huating, if it weren't for Li Huairen, how could my son have died in Huating? "
This reason is very sufficient. After all, it is the pain of losing a son, and he is an only son, and he lost his son in his later years. Pei Shiju has reason to hate him deeply.
But this reason is neither sufficient nor sufficient. After all, even Li Yuan made special inquiries after this incident, and there was no evidence that Li Huairen was responsible... Even when Pei Xuanji was killed, Li Huairen himself was also killed by Liang Huairen. The army is chasing him.
However, Li Jiancheng didn't care and agreed, "I will definitely hand it over to Mr. Pei."
Li Jiancheng never gave up the hope of taking the Wei Siwang under his command, but as time went by, he also knew that the possibility was too small... The Wei Siwang was wise and fair from beginning to end. With the support of Princess Pingyang.
Pei Shiju also knew that Li Jiancheng might not be willing to believe it. He helped a shaky prince to rebel, just to get the head of Wei's heir, Li Huairen... We are not fools.
It's just that Pei Shiju doesn't want the inside story to be revealed to the world. On this point, he and Li Shan have always maintained a tacit understanding... Li Shan will suffer a loss if the matter is revealed. At least His Majesty's attitude towards him will definitely change, and the prince will also be wary of it. , because the inside story was leaked, he would logically speculate that Li Shan was attached to the King of Qin.
But relatively speaking, Pei Shiju suffered even more. Li Dewu failed to succeed in borrowing a knife to kill people. Pei Shiju also forced Li Shan into a desperate situation by borrowing a knife to kill people several times... For a person from a noble family like him, nothing is more important than the lintel. .
This lintel refers to official position and status, but these things will dissipate with the passage of time. What best reflects the lintel is reputation and family tradition.
Therefore, relatively speaking, Pei Shiju does not want to bring shame to his family because of himself... He is not standing on the moral high ground. On the contrary, his opponent is standing on the moral high ground. When the matter is revealed, even if he succeeds in the end, those members of the aristocratic family will still be there. Do you dare to associate with Wenxi Pei's family in the west?
Pei Shiju can imagine how many people will laugh at and despise himself after the inside story is revealed to the world...
After the battle at Tiantai Mountain, Pei Shiju was actually more afraid that Li Shan would expose the matter... At worst, he could join the King of Qin openly. Although Li Yuan's attitude towards him must have changed, by this time Li Yuan was already ready to change his mind. , instead of standing firmly on the same stand as Donggong as before.
Pei Shiju was not sure whether Li Shan had thought of this, but it was precisely because of such fear that the two met privately in the past two months after years of secret fighting.
After these thoughts flashed through his mind, Pei Shiju said softly: "For the current plan, one is to secretly accumulate strength."
"I heard from my sixth brother that King Luo Yi of Yan County selected elites from the Tianjie Army to join the Changlin Army?"
"yes."
"Can the Xuanwu Sect be controlled?"
"There should be no worries." Li Jiancheng said in a low voice: "The guard of Xuanwu Gate is Chang He, the guard of the right prison gate. This man was born in Wagang. In his early years, he served under the King of Qin in Luoyang and served as a hussar general. Later, he was transferred to Daizhou. He was driven back to Chang'an by Li Huairen."
Pei Shiju vaguely remembered this name. Since he was a rebel general of King Qin, there should be no problem. "Luo Yang and Luo Shou are both in the Changlin Army. We can continue to mobilize elites into the Changlin Army."
Li Jiancheng agreed. This matter started after Luo Yi returned to Beijing last year, but he had to stop in February this year because there was an investigation by Tiance Mansion. For this reason, Li Jiancheng had to transfer the two small businesses he handled. Officials, the general will be transferred to a distant place.
It was impossible for the Luo family to refuse. They wounded Fang Xuanling and whipped Cheng Yaojin, Hou Junji, Zhang Gongjin and other generals. It was impossible for Luo Yi to get off the ship in the East Palace.
"In Chang'an City, apart from the Changlin Army, there are only the elite guards of the Tiance Mansion and the Beiya Forbidden Army." Pei Shiju whispered: "The guards of the Tiance Mansion are in Jinchengfang, a few blocks away from the imperial city. The fastest The entrance to the palace is through Shunyi Gate and Anfu Gate, both of which are guarded by guards from the Beiya Imperial Army."
"Third brother-in-law..."
"Chai Shao will not follow the prince." Pei Shiju snorted. He did not forget that Princess Pingyang repeatedly threatened him. "But as long as Princess Pingyang is controlled, Chai Shao will not act rashly. In addition, Li Gaoqian, Feng Li and other generals..."
Pei Shiju saw it accurately. Chai Shao had meritorious service and was worthy of Princess Pingyang. As long as the latter was still there and as long as he did not act rashly, no matter who wins or loses, Chai Shao himself will at most be hindered in his career, but there will be no Life is in danger.
Li Jiancheng couldn't help but ask: "But last night, my father mentioned that Renzhi Palace is not far from Chang'an, and he may stay away from the summer heat until the Mid-Autumn Festival before returning to Beijing."
"The second thing is, don't move." Pei Shiju continued softly: "Your Majesty sent Prince Yan, Feng Li, and Zheng Shanguo to accompany you. It seems ruthless, but in fact it leaves room for leeway."
Seeing Li Jiancheng's confused look, Pei Shiju had no choice but to explain clearly, "If His Majesty is determined to change the throne in the near future, he will not send his sixth brother, Prince Yan, and Feng Li to accompany him."
Li Jiancheng was stunned for a moment before he realized what was happening. He couldn't help but shudder. It was indeed true. If his father decided to make a deposit soon, there must be a suitable reason... The incident in Tiantai Mountain cannot be used as a reason. Once Take it out, it will be left in the history books, Li Yuan cannot afford to lose face.
In other words, if Li Yuan had not taken Pei Ji, Luo Yi, and Feng Li away, he was probably hoping that his eldest son would rebel in Chang'an... By then, Li Yuan, who had famous generals such as King Qin, King Wei Si, and Li Xiaogong around him, could easily The rebellion was suppressed, and then the edict to abolish the crown prince was logically issued.
After a long silence, Li Jiancheng suddenly said: "So, some time ago..."
Pei Shiju didn't say anything. He was now ranked in the first row among the crown prince's staff, alongside Prince Zhongyun Wang Gui. In the past two months, many of the East Palace staff members had secretly warned Li Jiancheng, or reminded Li Jiancheng in obscure words... Unfortunately, Li Jiancheng had been Haven't made up my mind.
And Pei Shiju did not expect that King Qin...or Li Shan would react so quickly. After Su Dingfang resigned, he quickly reinstated General You Qianniuwei as Li Keshi and guarded Chengqian Palace with Zhang Cong day and night. The opportunity was fleeting.
Li Jiancheng hesitated for a while, "If my father returns to Beijing..."
"No." Pei Shiju said flatly: "As the saying goes, a teacher must have a reputation. As long as His Highness does not violate the rules, Your Majesty will not change the storage for no reason."
Li Jiancheng didn't figure this out for a while, but Pei Shiju saw it clearly. As long as Li Jiancheng was honest, Li Yuan would have no reason to take action for a while... It's just that it's hard to say for a while.
It might be a year or two, but more likely only a month or two... On the one hand, if you want to find faults, you can find them no matter what. Pei Shiju can come up with an idea for Li Yuan. For example, there were rumors a few years ago that the prince intended to move the capital to Luoyang. This pot of dirt Prince Shui had no way to defend himself back then, but now he can completely become the reason for Li Yuan to take action, well, although it is a bit reluctant.
On the other hand, Li Yuan must also give an explanation to the King of Qin. Considering Li Shimin's current position and power in the court, if he cannot enter the East Palace, it will be delayed for a long time, even until Li Yuan becomes seriously ill or dies. In addition to being killed, Li Shimin's only other option was to raise troops to rebel.
After reluctantly getting up and sending Li Jiancheng away, Pei Shiju stood under the eaves for a long time. Pei Shuying, who appeared at some point, held her father's arm and asked, "Is there any hope for the prince?"
"I dare not speculate." Pei Shiju shook his head slightly. The prince had made up his mind, but when was the best time to take action?
Pei Shiju needed to find a time that was suitable for the prince and himself.
However, Pei Shiju was very sure that he would urge the prince to take action at the critical moment... He had already investigated the matter to the fullest, and he had also found a very suitable chess piece.
The reason why he advised Li Jiancheng to resort to violence for the time being was that on the one hand, Pei Shiju knew very well that taking action now would be courting death. On the other hand, Pei Shiju had a vague guess that this time his Majesty went to Renzhi Palace to escape the summer, there should be some unexpected surprises that he could not foresee at the moment.
This feeling has always existed in Pei Shiju's mind. That day he invited Li Shan to have a conversation in the carriage and he was tempted in this regard. He felt that this matter should have something to do with Li Shan.
(End of chapter)
