Princess Huainan panicked and said hurriedly: "My sister only cares about her brother. It's okay if the brother doesn't appreciate it. Why should she be so aggressive?"
Li Xiaogong laughed angrily: "Am I being aggressive? I don't know what you are doing behind your back, but since I am a swordsman, don't blame me for being unkind."
Feng Yandao took two steps forward, grabbed Li Xiaogong's sleeves, and begged: "We were crazy and said the wrong thing. Brother Wang, please spare us this time!"
Before coming here, I had speculated on Li Xiaogong's possible reaction, but I really didn't expect that he would be so determined. Although he cooperated with Fang Junduo, how could Li Xiaogong remain indifferent because the military power of the imperial army in the capital was at stake?
Even if he didn't expect Li Xiaogong to agree on the spot, he could at least get the matter out of the way and the goal would have been achieved.
However, if Li Xiaogong were to be brought before His Majesty now, the consequences would be unimaginable...
However, Li Xiaogong couldn't help but force the two of them out of the door and board the carriage, and headed straight for Tai Chi Palace surrounded by the guards of the county prince's palace.
Logically speaking, as the former chief commander of the clan, how could he not have extravagant hopes for military power? This is what Princess Huainan and her husband agreed on. As long as Li Xiaogong has the slightest desire to do so, there is no need to cooperate and he can just let it go. Even if they win over this meritorious prince in the clan, they will at least stay out of it.
But they all miscalculated Li Xiaogong's character.
Back then, he assisted Emperor Gaozu in conquering this empire and assisted His Majesty Li Er in ascension to the throne. After that, he was afraid of his great achievements and took the initiative to commit corruption and enjoy himself... Naturally, there was an element of self-corruption, but it was also true that he was greedy for enjoyment.
After a lifetime of fighting, you still can’t enjoy yourself?
His Majesty Li Er later forced him to take up the post of Chief Protector of Anxi. Therefore, when he gave way to the junior Pei Xingjian, he did not complain at all. Le Diandian packed his bags and returned to Chang'an...
Even if you don't have any extravagant hopes for power, how can you be willing to be used as a knife by others?
The carriage left the square gate and was stopped just before turning onto Zhuque Street.
The bodyguard rode up to the carriage and said in a low voice: "To report to the prince, the princes of Xiangyi and Gaoping counties are coming hand in hand. They said they came to visit and we happened to meet each other."
"A chance encounter?"
Li Xiaogong gave Princess Huainan and his wife a sharp look, thought for a moment, opened the door and got out of the carriage.
The Gaoping County Prince was nothing more than the great-grandson of Taizu and the heir of Yong'an County Prince, but Xiangyi County Prince Li Shenfu was his uncle, the cousin of Emperor Gaozu, and one of the highest-ranking members of the Li-Tang royal family today. One, don’t be rude.
I just don’t know that this Uncle Wang has been living in old age for many years and usually doesn’t see people at all, but how could he be encouraged to show up this time...
"Oh my, if Uncle Wang is looking for his nephew, he will send someone to let him know and he will come to visit him. How dare he come to visit us? It's freezing cold. What if he freezes his body? I'm afraid my nephew will become the sinner of our family. "
Seeing Li Shenfu, who had white hair and beard but was still in good spirits, sitting upright on his horse, Li Xiaogong greeted him enthusiastically.
Then, before Li Shenfu could speak, he glanced at Li Daoli, the king of Gaoping County next to him, and complained: "Uncle Wang has a noble body and has always been informal. Why do you follow this nonsense? If uncle Wang has the slightest mistake, he will be punished." Off your skin!"
Li Daoli quickly got off his horse and apologized with a smile: "It's not that I'm just fooling around. It's actually the uncle who is bored in the house and insists on going out for a walk. How can I persuade him?"
Li Xiaogong glanced at him and without saying a word, he stepped forward and took the reins of Li Shenfu's horse.
Li Daoli was originally the son of Gaoping County Prince Li Shao, and was later adopted by Yongan County Prince Li Xiaoji, while Jiangxia County Prince Li Daozong was the brother of Li Daoli's mother...
Li Xiaogong ignored Li Daoli, looked at Li Shenfu and said with a smile: "My nephew has something to do today. Why don't you send your uncle back to your home first, and visit him early tomorrow morning to listen to your uncle's teachings?"
Li Shenfu ignored him. He sat on the horse and looked up at the surrounding scene. He sighed and said: "It's not necessary. I have stayed in the house for too long. Ten or twenty years have passed by in a snap. This time When I left the house, I suddenly realized that everything had changed."
He raised his hand and pointed at Taipingfang not far away. A corner of the Buddhist pagoda was slightly exposed on the wall. But his dim old eyes seemed to be able to see clearly: "That's the actual temple there, right? In the thirteenth year of Daye, Emperor Gaozu raised an army in Jinyang. Suddenly, I, Xiaoji, Jihong, Chengfan, Guangda and others were in Chang'an. Unprepared, they were captured by Wei Wensheng and Yin Shishi, and they were escorted to the actual temple with the intention of killing them all. Wei Wensheng first After killing Jihong, we all thought we would not be spared, but fortunately Dou Deming arrived in time and persuaded Wei and Yin, and we were spared."
Li Xiaogong frowned.
"Xiaoji" is Li Xiaoji, the prince of Yong'an County. He has no children. Li Daoli succeeded him, "Jihong" is Li Zhiyun, the fifth son of Emperor Gaozu, "Chengfan" is Li Daozong, and "Guangda" is the consort of Princess Xiangyang, the daughter of Gaozu. Dou Dan...
At that time, Emperor Gaozu hastily raised troops in Jinyang, and many clan members were in Chang'an. They were roundly arrested by the Sui Dynasty guards, and they almost escaped death.
But after all, this was an old thing decades ago. What is the purpose of mentioning it now?
Is it possible that the prince of the clan, who has been dormant since the Xuanwu Gate Incident, finally felt suffocated and wanted to come out for some air after spending so many years hiding in his mansion?
I wanted to hear Li Shenfu continue to speak, but unexpectedly he pointed to Li Xiaogong's carriage and said: "I sent these two to your house, and what they said is also what I entrusted, you let them go. Let’s go to your house and have a chat.”
Li Xiaogong was silent for a while, sighed helplessly, shook his head and said: "Since the uncle is interceding for them, how can the nephew disobey it? However, the nephew does have something to do today, so he will not receive the uncle. Tomorrow, he will prepare gifts and come to listen to the uncle's teachings. .”
Seeing Li Xiaogong's insistence, Li Shenfu didn't force himself, nodded, waved and said, "Then you can go and do your work. I will prepare some wine tomorrow and get drunk with you."
"Here."
…
Seeing Li Xiaogong leading the royal guards away, the Huainan princess and his wife were standing on the street when the cold wind blew. They both shuddered, and then they realized that their backs were soaked with cold sweat...
The two of them were like walking around the gate of hell with one foot in it.
At this time, he still had lingering fears. Feng Yandao wiped his hands with cold sweat and said: "The Prince of Hejian County has long lost his attachment to power and indulges in pleasure. It can be said that he has no food and salt, and is in danger."
If Li Xiaogong insists on taking them to His Majesty and repeating their words, their fate is almost foreseeable.
Even if Li Chengqian is really kind-hearted and can't bear to be attacked, the best result is that the whole family will be exiled for three thousand miles, and they will never be pardoned and never used again...
"No longer nostalgic for power and position?"
Li Shenfu snorted and raised his hand to call the carriage from behind, "I have lived for seventy years and have seen countless people with these eyes, but I have never seen anyone who seriously regards power as a floating cloud. The so-called not caring is probably because If you can’t get it, if it’s so close, how can anyone remain indifferent?”
The four-wheeled carriage came to a stop and Li Daoli helped Li Shenfu board the carriage. Princess Huainan and his wife looked at each other and were hesitating whether to follow, when Li Shenfu's voice came from the carriage: "You guys go back to your home now. Well, this matter ends here, you don’t need to interfere anymore.”
Princess Huainan and his wife both breathed a sigh of relief and bowed and saluted: "Then I'll leave for now."
I didn't dare to say any kind words like "I have something to ask you". Being able to escape unscathed now would be like burning incense. I still have lingering fear in my heart just thinking about it. How could I be involved in it again?
That could easily make the whole family lose their heads...
…
The spacious carriage was as warm as spring. Li Daoli placed a silver wine pot on a burning charcoal stove. He used bamboo tongs to pick up some shredded ginger and longan from a dish on the side, put them into the pot, and brought them to the temperature of the wine. When it is hot, take off the wine pot and pour the amber wine into two wine bowls. It is clear and translucent and has a fragrant aroma. It is the top Jiangnan rice wine.
Li Shenfu picked up the wine bowl and took a sip. Feeling the sweetness and warmth of the wine, he felt comfortable all over. He sighed: "I'm really old. After riding a horse outside for a while, I seemed to fall apart. It's useless." ”
Li Daoli said: "The county prince is now the pillar of the clan and a living ancestor. We, the younger generation, are still counting on you. How can we say we are old?"
"Haha." Li Shenfu smiled disapprovingly, took another sip of wine, put down the wine bowl and said, "Do you really think I don't know what your intentions are? Put me, an old immortal, in front of you, and take the clan as your own. Use this old bone to build bridges and pave the way for your future... You don’t have to be frightened. Although I can see it clearly, I am willing."
Li Daoli, who had his intentions revealed by Li Shenfu, was just embarrassed and didn't know how to deal with it, when he was choked by Li Shenfu's twist.
It doesn't matter if you know you're being used?
So noble?
After thinking for a while, Li Daoli asked: "Looking at the attitude of Prince Hejian, it seems difficult to be convinced."
Li Shenfu glanced at Li Daoli strangely: "Except for us who throw in idle waste, who is willing to take huge risks and do such rebellious actions that can easily lead to losing one's head? Are you stupid?"
Li Daoli was so embarrassed that he said: "Xiao Gong is indeed old and no longer ambitious, but what we have to do is not to make him stand up and join us, but to remind him not to forget his past achievements, let alone Forgetting the ambition that he had to suppress back then, it may be of no use now, but once the situation changes, he will definitely stand up and shoulder his due responsibilities."
Again, is there anyone in the world who truly regards power as a floating cloud?
As long as power is in front of you, no one will be tempted.
Li Daoli hesitated and said: "But even so, the Prince of Hejian County may not be of the same mind as us."
"But besides him, who else can take on this responsibility? Don't worry, I've watched him grow up. A child from a noble family has gradually become a world-famous commander, conquering half of the Tang Dynasty. At the moment, he seems to have nothing to do with the world. , indulge in enjoyment, but as long as the opportunity is in front of him, he will definitely be ambitious and step forward. Even if a hero like him is late, how can he allow juniors like Fang Er to dominate him? "
