Xuanwu Gate is always the life gate of Taiji Palace. If you gain it, you will live; if you lose it, you will die.
Zhang Shigui, the Duke of Guo State, who was originally the leader of the "Beiya Forbidden Army" and guarded the Xuanwu Gate under the emperor's order, was in a tight situation and the importance of the Xuanwu Gate increased again and again, and people suddenly no longer trusted him so much...
In particular, Li Ji's various strange actions made the prince realize that there was something unusual. Only then did Fang Jun arrive at Xuanwu Gate at night and have a frank conversation with Zhang Shigui, trying to completely draw him to the East Palace.
But now, although Zhang Shigui did not act abnormally, he blocked the Xuanwu Gate on the grounds that the war situation was tense and dangerous, causing the information transmission between the East Palace and Youtun Guard to be interrupted.
Don't say that the prince's character is not firm enough. Anyone faced with this situation will inevitably be worried about gains and losses...
Li Junxian pondered for a moment, took a step forward, and said in a low voice: "Your Highness, the Xuanwu Gate is related to the safety of Your Highness. It is not an exaggeration to even say that life and death depend on it. How can it be left to the hands of others? The Duke of Yue certainly has However, the Duke of Guo has a stubborn character and may not obey. If he does not change his mind, it will be too dangerous for His Highness and the entire East Palace... Finally, the general will be bold and invite himself to the Xuanwu Gate to assassinate the Duke of Guo. , if it succeeds, we can cooperate with the Youtun Guards inside and outside to completely wipe out the "Beiya Forbidden Army". Your Highness can advance, attack, retreat and defend, so that you can be in an invincible position."
Li Chengqian sat still for a while, then shook his head and said warmly: "Why did the general assist Yu Gu with all his strength?"
"Hundred Cavalry Division" is the emperor's minions. They are not affiliated with the imperial court's three provinces, six departments and sixteen guards. They are directly ordered by the emperor. This shows their nature and status. But now, Li Junxian has become one of Li Chengqian's most trusted ministers.
Li Junxian was stunned for a moment. Although he didn't understand why the prince asked such a question, he hurriedly said: "Your Highness is kind and generous, and has the demeanor of the ancient sage kings. Therefore, I am heartily convinced and swear to let His Highness drive me and never give up!"
Li Chengqian laughed and said slowly: "The general is also my father's confidant. Now that the empire's orthodoxy is facing a crisis, he resolutely surrenders to Gu and joins hands to face the arrogant rebels. He does not care about his own life and death, but only protects himself." The emperor Zhengshuo saved all the people in Guanzhong from fire and water. But since the general can have such a consciousness, how do you know that the Duke of Guo does not have it?"
Li Junxian was speechless.
My lord, can this be the same? In normal times, you can naturally try all kinds of ways to subdue Zhang Shigui. Whether it succeeds or not, it doesn't matter. But when is it now? Once the Sixth Army of the East Palace in front cannot withstand the fierce offensive of the rebels and is defeated, you must immediately exit Xuanwu Gate and go to Youtun Guard, and then retreat to the Hexi counties to ensure safety.
But what should we do if Zhang Shigui seals the Xuanwu Gate at the critical moment?
How can you put your life and the safety of the East Palace above Zhang Shigui's loyalty to the empire and his righteousness?
That is the kind of person who is die-hardly loyal to His Majesty and will not hesitate to face His Majesty's orders!
Of course, if His Majesty were alive, Zhang Shigui would never have defected to the East Palace. Now His Majesty's death may indeed shake Zhang Shigui's will... But that is only a possibility!
Li Chengqian saw Li Junxian's unsatisfied look on his face when he was about to speak, so he smiled and said comfortingly: "Besides, the victory or defeat has not yet been determined at this moment. If Duke Guo is killed violently, it will directly affect the morale and morale of the troops in the East Palace, and even all the troops who are still in the East Palace will be affected." There are various forces of civil and military ministers who remain loyal to the father. Furthermore, the "Beiya Forbidden Army" was established by the father. Each of them is elite and powerful. If they can be brought over, it will have a great impact on the strength of the East Palace. Promotion. Therefore, the general's advice will not be adopted unless it is absolutely necessary."
Li Junxian understood what he was saying and said with shame, "The general has not thought well and almost ruined His Highness' important affairs. He deserves death for his crime."
At this time, Xuanwu Gate is the top priority. The prince is worried that Zhang Shigui will cut off his retreat in an emergency. Isn't Zhang Shigui afraid that the prince will suddenly take action and kill him to completely open the Xuanwu Gate?
Therefore, Zhang Shigui must be heavily guarded at this time, and it is almost impossible to assassinate him secretly.
Moreover, although the "Beiya Forbidden Army" is small in number, it is powerful in combat. If it cannot be completely defeated with a lightning strike, it will inevitably cause extremely serious consequences.
To this day, there are still many civil and military ministers in Chang'an City who support the East Palace, and naturally the same is true in all parts of the world, but how many of these people and forces really support Li Chengqian? They just support the identity of the prince and the empire Zhengshuo
If Li Chengqian did something like murdering Zhang Shigui, once exposed, public opinion would surge, which would become the best reason for the rebels to start a rebellion.
By that time, even if we can retreat to the counties in Hexi under Fang Jun's escort, what can we accomplish? People's hearts are full of curses, and sooner or later they will be defeated...
Li Chengqian saw that Li Junxian understood what he meant, so he smiled warmly and said: "General, you don't have to be like this. We have been in adversity together, and I deeply admire the general's loyalty and ability. Gu is not a merciless person, he is a minister who stays by his side through life and death in times of adversity. I will never forget it. If one day we wipe out the rebels and cleanse the world, I swear to share the wealth and honor with you!"
As a prince, he has been instilled with the most elite education since he was a child. It is not just about learning the Four Books and Five Classics. It is not that important whether the imperial prince is knowledgeable. What is important is to learn the "art of imperial control" and know how to do things. You must know how to manage people.
It’s hard to be too skilled at using incentives and promises to win over people’s hearts...
Li Junxian burst into tears with gratitude: "Thank you for your great love, Your Highness. I will be willing to die in the end!"
The danger of his job is too great. Throughout the ages, most of those who could serve as the emperor's "eagle dogs" did not end well. Knowing too many royal secrets, seeing all the dirty and sinister ways of the emperor and keeping it in his heart, the emperor will naturally be the best confidant in the world when he is reincarnated, but once the emperor's life is about to expire, how can he leave such a person behind? The danger of exposing all his darkness to the public at any time?
When people are alive, they pursue interests, but when they are about to die, they only care about reputation. Any possibility that can tarnish their posthumous reputation must be killed.
What's more, even if the emperor either couldn't bear it or died violently and left him behind, how could the new king who succeeded him continue to reuse such a minister?
Therefore, the emperor's "Eagle Dog" can either be the most favored in the dynasty, or be ruined and die. There is no third way.
Logically speaking, before His Majesty Li Er died, he must have arranged for Li Junxian to "die violently", which not only eliminated the hidden danger of damaging his reputation, but also cleared obstacles for the new emperor. But now that His Majesty Li Er died during the Eastern Expedition, there was no time to get rid of him, and the prince encountered the Guanlong rebellion, so he could only reuse him as an important minister holding the "Hundred Cavalry Division", which completed the transition perfectly.
Of course, the most important aspect of the prince's kindness and kindness allowed Li Junxian to put aside all worries and serve the prince wholeheartedly.
…
Heavy rain poured down, and in a courtyard on the east side of the Tai Chi Hall that was used as a temporary command post, Li Jing took a sip of hot tea, looked at Cheng Chubi, Li Siwen, Qu Tuguan and other generals in the East Palace in front of him, and said with a smile: "Don't want a I have a worried look on my face, I have fought more battles than you have eaten, and no matter how passive I am at the moment, I will definitely win in the end."
"Does Duke Wei really mean what he said?"
"We are not three-year-old children, you can lie to us!"
Several sluggish generals cheered up instantly and looked at Li Jing with bright eyes, hoping that he could explain the current situation, summarize the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, and how they could come to the conclusion of "a complete victory".
Li Jing not only has a great reputation, but also has unfathomable military qualities. Since the reorganization of the Sixth Army of the East Palace, these young generals have learned a lot about various tactics and strategies under Li Jing and have benefited a lot. Their respect for Li Jing is like the water of a river, flowing endlessly. .
Therefore, although the battle situation was unfavorable at the moment, since Li Jing said such words, there must be some basis for it, and it instantly boosted everyone's morale.
Li Jing took a sip of tea and said calmly: "It seems that the battle is taking place in Tai Chi Palace, but in fact the key to determining this war is not here."
Qu Tu asked curiously: "Where is that?"
Li Jing pointed to the north and said: "It's outside Xuanwu Gate, and it's also in Tongguan."
The generals were thoughtful.
Li Jidao: "The most important purpose at the moment is to protect the prince and the East Palace, maintain the integrity of the empire, and prevent the rebels from running rampant. So what if Taiji Palace falls? The prince can lead the East Palace to evacuate from Xuanwu Gate..."
