Outside Xuanwu Gate.
Xuanwu Gate is the gateway to Taiji Palace. From here, you can go directly to Taiji Palace when entering the city. You can go directly to Taiji Palace from the corridor in the palace. It tightly blocks the entrance to the palace, and the location is very dangerous. The left and right guards and the "Hundred Cavalry Division" outside the gate are responsible for guarding the entrance. They have always been the most trusted generals of the emperor and are stationed to ensure that nothing goes wrong.
However, "nothing is absolute". At that time, Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan trusted Chang He very much, and Chang He also had a close relationship with Prince Li Jiancheng, so he made him guard Xuanwu Gate. As a result, Chang He was instigated by His Majesty Li Er to rebel. On the day of the "Xuanwu Gate Incident", he coordinated with His Majesty Li Er, and in one fell swoop, he usurped the throne and established the throne...
…
In the Zuotunwei camp, Chai Zhewei, who was wearing a helmet and had just returned from inspecting the barracks, sat opposite You Wenzhi and made a cup of tea, but they were relatively speechless.
Chai Zhewei has been troubled recently...
He is also a man who knows the military, and he did not climb to the high position he is today just relying on the shadow of his father and ancestor. When Tuyuhun raised troops to invade the territory, 78,000 elite cavalry wanted to cross the Great Dou Valley and enter the west of the Kou River. There was an uproar in the government and the public, and the court gave up. He led his troops out of Hexi to resist the Tuyuhun cavalry. He claimed that he was ill and could not leave.
Although Tuyuhun was caught between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo, his power should not be underestimated. Especially since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Tuyuhun has rarely fought in battles. He has been docile and peaceful, and has been recuperating for twenty years. Naturally, his strength has become stronger and stronger. Chai Zhewei is calculating, and he does not think that the mere left guard can withstand the sharpness of Tuyuhun's cavalry.
What's the point of leaving a losing battle?
Once defeated, not only will one's own strength be damaged, but one will also become a criminal of the empire. There is no benefit at all...
But who could have imagined that the Tuyuhun cavalry, which came in such a fierce manner, would be defeated by half of the right guard of Bakudu Fangjun and lose their armor and flee in panic?
That's not what the military books say.
It's incredible...
If he had known this, how could he have pretended to be ill?
Now, it's good, not only did he win the battle of Da Du Valley, but Fang Jun also defeated powerful enemies in Alagou and Gongyue City, and his reputation was resounding throughout the world. And the more famous Fang Jun's reputation is, and the more support he gets from the government and the public, the more curses, contempt, and ridicule he will suffer...
This made the arrogant Chai Zhewei unbearable.
He didn't dare to go out to dinner now. Whenever someone he knew looked at him deeply or whispered to one side, he thought they were secretly laughing at him.
The mental pressure is too much...
You Wenzhi is Chai Zhewei's confidant, so he naturally understands why his commander-in-chief is so worried, which leads to other topics: "Since noon today, more soldiers have been sent to various city gates in Chang'an, and people entering and leaving the city are being closely checked. If it seems suspicious, he will be immediately sent to Jingzhao Mansion for strict interrogation. Does the commander know why this is happening?"
Chai Zhewei looked gloomy and said slowly: "Such an order can only be given by the East Palace. How did I know about it?"
He had never thought highly of Li Chengqian in the past. He always felt that this prince was kind-hearted and soft-faced, and he was not showing signs of achieving great things, so he despised him in his heart. But no matter how much he despises him, Li Chengqian is still the prince of the Tang Dynasty. As a prince, he has always been lukewarm towards him, the general who guards the Xuanwu Gate. Doesn't it mean that he has no weight?
Naturally, many people are dissatisfied.
Just like this, more soldiers are sent to guard the city gates. Once this happens, something big must happen. Notifying him of the details of Zuo Tunwei, the general, and asking Zuo Tunwei to cooperate is the meaning of the question. As a result, no notification was ever given...
This shows that the prince is very wary of him.
You Wenzhi raised his hand to pour tea for Chai Zhewei, sighed, and said: "It seems that His Highness the Crown Prince has a deep prejudice against the Marshal... It's no wonder that in the heart of His Royal Highness, only Fang Jun is considered a loyal minister. In comparison, the Marshal is really Too far apart. It can be seen that the prince is really generous, but he has no tolerance for others, and he does not have the courage of his majesty to embrace the world. In this regard, His Royal Highness King Jing and his majesty are quite similar. After all, they are brothers. Their personalities similar."
Chai Zhewei snorted, looking ugly and extremely depressed.
In the past, he looked down on Li Chengqian and felt that either Wei King Li Tai or Jin King Li Zhi were more likely to ascend to Dabao and rule the world, so he was very alienated from Li Chengqian. Later, Li Chengqian gradually became the heir apparent, but regarded Fang Jun as a humerus. This made it difficult for Chai Zhewei to get close to him even if he wanted to get close to him. After all, he regarded himself as the leader among the younger generation in sole control of the military. Such convenient conditions made it difficult for him to get close to him. No matter who he supports, he will definitely become the number one martial artist in the new dynasty in the future. How can he be willing to be lower than Fang Jun?
Even if he is willing to help Jin Wang Li Zhi fight for the throne, after success, will he be ranked in front of the eldest son's family?
He can only be a vassal on both sides, which makes him extremely anxious.
And now his reputation has plummeted again. He is ridiculed by both the government and the public. He is ridiculed as "weak and timid, afraid of the enemy." What will happen to his future?
When Chai Zhewei was sitting in the barracks and sighing, the soldiers outside the door came in and Tong Bing said: "Commander, eldest grandson Wen is asking for an audience at the gate of the camp."
Chai Zhewei was stunned: "What is he here for?"
The soldier said: "I didn't explain my purpose of coming. I just said that I came to visit and have something important to discuss. He also said that the matter is of great importance. Please step aside, Commander-in-Chief."
Chai Zhewei thought for a moment and said, "Let him come in!"
"Here!"
The soldier turned around and went out, You Wenzhi said: "General, please leave for now."
"well!"
Chai Zhewei waved his hand and said: "You are my humerus, what have I hidden from you? No matter how important it is, since I know it, you also know it, and there is no need to avoid it. Besides, Changsun Wen, this son, is very ambitious, has high vision and low hand, and has no great future." , I just want to meet Zhao Guogong in front of him."
Now not only does he look down on Changsun Wen, but probably all the aristocratic families in Chang'an City disdain this person. It's normal for aristocratic families to fight for power, but to stab his brother in the back like this is disgraceful.
The most important thing is that you stab him as long as you want, but you haven't stabbed Changsun Yan to death yet, making you no longer a human being inside and out. This is both shameless and incompetent...
You Wenzhi nodded and sat calmly aside, but his mind was racing, thinking about Changsun Wen's purpose.
Not long after, the camp door opened, and the eldest grandson Wen stepped in and bowed in greeting: "I have met Duke Qiao!"
Chai Zhewei smiled slightly, nodded and said: "We are all close friends, why are we so polite? Come on, come on, sit down, Wen Zhi, let's have some tea!"
"Here!"
You Wenzhi stood up and picked up the teapot. Just then, someone behind Changsun Wen came in. He was slightly startled. Are people from the Changsun family so rude?
Chai Zhewei was also a little unhappy and frowned: "Who is this?"
Entering without permission is extremely disrespectful to the owner. What's more, Chai Zhewei's status and power are more than one level higher than that of Director Sun Wen, so this move becomes more and more outrageous.
Changsun Wen said nothing, turned slightly and stood aside.
The man behind him took two steps forward, looked up at Chai Zhewei, and said with a smile: "After all these years, Duke Qiao's style remains the same. I'm so happy to congratulate him!"
Chai Zhewei's eyes widened and he said in surprise: "You, you, you... why are you back?"
He really didn't expect that Changsun Chong, who was supposed to "recognize the thief as his father" and act as the "detailed agent" and "secret spy" of the Tang army in Pingrang City, would actually sneak back to Chang'an and appear in front of him openly!
Immediately he thought of a possibility: "Pingrang City has been destroyed. Your Majesty has returned to the capital?"
Although he didn't have a shred of news, seeing Chang Sun Chong appear in front of him, and Chang'an City deployed additional city defenses and conducted strict inspections today, it seemed that this was the only possibility.
Changsun Chong smiled, looked at You Wenzhi on the side, and said with a smile: "I have not seen Duke Qiao for many years, and we urgently need to express our feelings. Can this general retreat for the time being?"
You Wenzhi was also surprised that Changsun Chong came back so quietly, yet came to the door with such fanfare, and said hurriedly: "I'll excuse you!"
He saluted Chai Zhewei, then turned aside and walked out of the door beside Chang Sun Chong, closing the door behind him.
Standing outside the door, You Wenzhi's heart was filled with excitement.
At this time, Changsun Chong, who should be in Pingrang City, suddenly appeared here, and the meaning was very thought-provoking.
The Eastern Expedition has been a complete victory. Your Majesty returns to Chang'an?
This is almost impossible. Hundreds of thousands of troops are besieging Pingrang City. Once the city is defeated, the news will fly back to Chang'an as if it has wings, and no one can hide it.
His Majesty promised Changsun Wuji and allowed Changsun Chong to perform meritorious service for his crime. Only when he conquered Pingrang City and made great achievements, Changsun Chong could return to Chang'an.
Since Pingrang City has not been defeated, Changsun Chong's meritorious service has obviously not yet been achieved, and his crime of treason has naturally not been forgiven...
So why did he return to Chang'an City instead of seeking meritorious service in Pingrang City?
You Wenzhi had some vague guesses in his mind. He glanced at the barracks behind him, walked out a few steps, called one of his own soldiers over, and then gave him some instructions.
After watching the soldiers riding out of the camp, he turned back and stood outside the camp gate with his hands tied. He glanced at the windy and snowy sky, and his heart was filled with ups and downs.
The wind is surging, the undercurrent is stirring, something big is going to happen!
