You Wenzhi has long been unable to complain about Chai Zhewei's hesitation and uncertainty.
In terms of strength, not only is the Zuo Tun Guard the most respected in the Guanzhong area where there is currently a shortage of major generals, but even in the past when the Sixteen Guards all garrisoned the capital, the Zuo Tun Guard stationed at strategic locations such as Xuanwu Gate were still the first. As a result, due to Chai Zhewei's hesitant and profit-oriented character, the Zuo Tun Guards were not only suppressed by powerful armies like the Left and Right Wu Wei, but even the Right Tun Guards, who were separated by a wall, climbed over them.
In terms of family background, after Emperor Gaozu launched an army in Jinyang, his mother, Princess Pingyang Zhao, gathered the heroes of Guanzhong, mobilized Sizhu to raise an army, and led the "lady" to make great achievements. She selected elite soldiers to join forces with King Qin Li Shimin on the north bank of the Weihe River, and jointly conquered Chang'an, with great achievements...
However, to this day, Chai Zhewei has been repeatedly suspected by His Majesty Li Er. If it were not for his mother's meritorious service, how could he be stationed at Xuanwu Gate?
Character determines achievement...
But You Wenzhi also understands that no matter how unbearable Chai Zhewei is, he is also the help that King Jing Li Yuanjing has to rely on to achieve great things. If it were not for Chai Zhewei to lead Zuotunwei to capture Xuanwu Gate, not only would the clan headed by Li Yuanjing not be able to get a hold of the throne, they would even be able to close the Longmen clan. Can't beat them.
You Wenzhi was about to step forward to persuade him when he saw the soldiers outside quickly walking in and whispered: "Commander, please ask for an audience with His Highness King Jing outside the gate."
Chai Zhewei was stunned, finally stopped, frowned, and did not respond for a while.
You Wenzhi hurriedly stepped forward and said: "The Marshal is now a rare commodity. No matter which party wants to achieve great things, it cannot do without the support of the Marshal. Therefore, first Duke Zhao Guo paid a visit at night, and now His Highness King Jing personally came to visit. Come. But as the saying goes, compare shopping, we should still pursue the best interests before making a decision."
Chai Zhewei glanced at You Wenzhi and snorted: "How many benefits did King Jing give you to make you speak for him like this?"
His character is indeed problematic, but he is not stupid.
The party with the greatest advantage at the moment is naturally the Guanlong Clan. After all, one hundred thousand rebels have already stationed themselves in Chang'an City, and the whole city except the Imperial City is already under their control. They only need to capture the Imperial City to depose the East Palace and accomplish great things. .
King Li Yuanjing of Jing seems to have won over some of the clan, but his power is far from that of others.
Normally, it would be safest to seek refuge with the Guanlong clan, but You Wenzhi fought for King Jing from beginning to end. It would be impossible to say that he did not accept King Jing's benefits.
You Wenzhi, however, looked upright and said solemnly: "How dare you, the general, make mistakes regarding the future of the commander-in-chief? In any case, the commander-in-chief should meet His Highness King Jing, listen to what he says, and see what kind of plans he offers. After weighing the conditions, make a decision.”
Chai Zhewei thought it made sense and said, "Okay, let him come in."
After saying that, he returned to his desk and sat down.
As for whether You Wenzhi accepted King Jing's benefits, he actually didn't care too much. As the saying goes, "People die for wealth and birds die for food." At such a critical moment that affects the empire, as long as you don't ignore Chai Zhewei's interests and blindly coax him to make wrong choices, it doesn't matter if you receive some benefits.
In fact, isn't Chai Zhewei himself waiting for a price?
Human common sense, no need to criticize harshly...
After a moment, Li Yuanjing, dressed in a brocade robe, stepped inside.
Chai Zhewei stood up and stepped forward, bowed and said, "General, I have met His Royal Highness King Jing."
"Haha, why should we be so polite between uncles and nephews? Get up quickly!"
Li Yuanjing looked affectionate and kind, stepped forward and stretched out his hands to help Chai Zhewei up.
When the two of them were seated, Chai Zhewei was not polite and went straight to the point: "Your Highness is here this time. Do you have any instructions?"
When Li Yuanjing saw Chai Zhewei being so direct, he nodded and said, "That's right. The current situation is urgent. The Guanlong rebels have already occupied Chang'an City and besieged the Imperial City. Once the Imperial City is lost, the rebels will be able to directly enter the Taiji Palace and shake up the country. , Overthrow the country! We are loyal ministers and good generals, how can we turn a blind eye and watch the rebellion disrupt the government and shake the foundation of the country? I have contacted the kings of the clan and assembled an army of more than 10,000 people, hoping to enter through the Xuanwu Gate to help To bring peace and order to society, I wonder what will happen to the general will of Qiao State?"
Chai Zhewei clicked his tongue, thinking to himself, you should just tell me what the benefits are. You asked me if I would do it so bluntly. How do you want me to answer?
You Wenzhi observed the words on the side and said hurriedly: "I am reporting to His Highness King Jing to tell you the truth. Earlier, Duke Zhao also came and begged our general to lead his army into the city and attack the imperial city. However, what he said was very different from His Highness's. To be different.”
Li Yuanjing suddenly realized that this was Changsun Wuji's wish for Chai Zhewei. Although he didn't know what it was for the time being, he had to show his sincerity in order to impress Changsun Wuji.
After all, the Guanlong clan is now very powerful. If his conditions are not much better than Changsun Wuji, why should Chai Zhewei follow him?
He had already known the case, but he had forgotten it for a moment, and said quickly: "At this time when the empire is in danger and the country is in ruins, it is a great achievement for us to send troops to help the country! After the incident is completed, Duke Qiao will become the Jin Dynasty. He is the Prime Minister and Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of War, and his meritorious service is at the top of his list. He will be promoted to the Pillar Kingdom!"
Chai Zhewei's heart was pounding.
Today, the position of Minister of the Ministry of War has greatly increased its power due to the existence of Fang Jun. He directly goes to the central government to govern the world and is in charge of the world's military, horse and logistics, and has great power. And once he becomes the prime minister, he will become one of the most powerful people in the empire. Who can resist the power of "ruling the world"?
Not to mention that the "Shangzhu Kingdom" is the pinnacle of martial arts, and military merits other than the expansion of territory and the destruction of enemy countries cannot be awarded...
Although Li Yuanjing is just drawing the pie here, even after achieving great things, Zuo Tunwei under his command is still a force that can influence the situation in Guanzhong. How can Li Yuanjing dare to go back on his words?
However, Chai Zhewei was confused as to why: "The violence in the East Palace is not indicative of the ruler of the country. Guan Long went straight to the capital to shake up the country, and he was a rebellious official. However, his purpose was only to depose the East Palace and promote the King of Jin to the throne. This is extremely true. It may have been approved by His Majesty, so the chance of it happening is very high. But Your Highness, you are different. Even if you turn things around and bring order to chaos, if you want to go further... the nature is completely different."
The meaning behind the words was not made clear, but it was completely uncovered.
To put it bluntly, Sun Wuji, the eldest son of the family, just deposed one prince and established another prince. This behavior is very likely to be tacitly approved by His Majesty Li Er. After all, His Majesty Li Er is dissatisfied with the prince and prefers the Jin Dynasty as the heir. Everyone knows.
But if your Highness, King Jing, wants to go further, then you can only usurp the throne... You are rebelling!
"hehe……"
Li Yuanjing sneered, looked at Chai Zhewei, and said slowly: "Why, Duke Qiao really thinks that Changsun Wuji dared to raise troops to march directly into Chang'an to besiege the imperial city, just to gamble on His Majesty's ambition and finally acquiesce in their actions?"
Chai Zhewei was puzzled: "Isn't it?"
"It's wrong to type wrongly!"
Li Yuanjing's voice was stern: "You are simply confused! How can a shady person like Changsun Wuji, who has a deep and far-sighted city, entrust all the lives of Guanlong to his Majesty's pleasure and anger? Why did he dare to send troops into the city so unscrupulously? , we must be absolutely sure that we will not be punished by His Majesty’s rage after the deed is accomplished! Under what circumstances can we be sure that Your Majesty will not punish his ministers for arbitrarily sending troops to depose the East Palace and treating the imperial power as if it were nothing?”
Chai Zhewei's expression changed drastically: "The prince is saying...no way?! It's absolutely impossible!"
Li Yuanjing slammed the table and said angrily: "How is it impossible? Something must have happened to your Majesty, otherwise even if you lend Changsun Wuji the courage, he would dare to do this? You just see that the Liaodong army has made no sound at all, just blindly If you make the journey back to Guanzhong, you can get a glimpse of it."
Chai Zhewei was completely stunned.
Your Majesty was at the height of his power in the Spring and Autumn Period, and he was so powerful that he died in Liaodong?
This is unbelievable.
But if you think about it carefully, it is indeed somewhat possible. Otherwise, how would Changsun Wuji dare to usurp the imperial power like this and send troops to cause chaos in Chang'an?
Li Yuanjing saw Chai Zhewei's move and continued to say: "If your majesty is fine, we will defeat the rebels and help protect the country. It is a service of heaven's protection. When your majesty returns to Chang'an one day, he will naturally reward us for our merits." If something unexpected happens to Your Majesty... then I, the King, will be His Majesty's brother, and it is the etiquette and law that a brother will become a brother!"
Since the beginning of the Yin and Shang Dynasties, "brothers will succeed to younger brothers" and "sons will succeed after the father dies" have always existed as the principles of succession to the throne. Therefore, in the Tang Dynasty when public opinion about "restoring Zhou rites" was at its peak, inheriting the system of the Yin and Shang dynasties was at least It is legally correct.