In the autumn of the sixth year of Yonghong, which lasted three years and four months, the Three Kingdoms rebellion was finally put down by Li Jian and his troops. Emperor Wu of Liang, Longyan Dayue, sent an order and ordered Li Jian to return to Beijing to receive the reward. The latter did not dare to delay and did not even bother to rest. There was no time to take off his armor, so he returned to Qingyang City, the capital of the Liang Kingdom.
In the main hall, Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty granted Li Jian permission to wear armor and hold a sword. He also allowed Li Jian not to kneel before the saint this time. He went up to the palace twenty steps and drank with the emperor. This honor was truly unique. It has been unprecedented in the three hundred years since the founding of the Liang Kingdom. Although Li Jian felt it was inappropriate, he did not dare to disobey the Holy Grace, lest he would be criticized.
Jiang Qing once advised Emperor Wu of Liang not to do this. It should be noted that Li Jian, as the leader of the generals of the Liang Kingdom, had a reputation far superior to the other three generals. At such a close distance, if Li Jian had the heart to be rebellious and had evil intentions, no one would be able to take action. stop. Emperor Wu of Liang turned a deaf ear to this and just said: "I didn't expect him to know how to do it, and he didn't dare to!"
The monarch and his ministers had a drink together, while hundreds of civil and military officials were waiting. After returning from this great victory, Emperor Wu of Liang was in a good mood and asked, "My victorious general has won another battle this time. What reward do you want?" "
The emperor’s grace is mighty! But Li Jian was on pins and needles. As a close minister of the late emperor, he was lucky enough to still be reused by the emperor. How could he dare to ask for rewards in front of all the civil and military officials? He quickly fell to the ground and buried his head deeply between his arms. He respectfully replied: "Report to your majesty. It is the duty of a minister to serve Liang Guo with all his heart. You must not ask for rewards."
Emperor Wu of Liang smiled at the civil and military officials and said, "Look, all my dear friends, this is my most talented person!" Then he mused: "It would be too tacky to reward gold, silver and jewels. Beautiful ladies, I'm afraid Li The general doesn’t like it either, so that’s good, I will make you the King of Qingzhou and grant you the fiefdoms of Qingyang, Yaonan and Fenghua!”
Thunder breaks out from the ground! For a moment, there was silence in the Zichen Palace. As soon as Emperor Wu of Liang opened his mouth, he canonized the first king with a different surname in the Liang Kingdom in three hundred years. Although the fiefdom was remote and far away from the imperial capital, the emperor's kindness was so great that Li Jian forgot to thank him for a moment and stayed in his original position. land.
As a disciple of Jiang Qing, Wang Dian, the Minister of Rites, naturally did not want to see Li Jian being crowned king, so he jumped out, knelt on the ground, and advised: "Your Majesty, this move violates the ancestral etiquette and is really inappropriate. I hope you can Your Majesty, please think twice!"
Emperor Wu of Liang looked at Jiang Qing and asked, "What do Grand Master Jiang think?"
Since Li Jian entered the palace, Jiang Qing has remained silent. Hearing Emperor Liang Wu's question, he bowed and saluted: "Your Majesty, General Li has made great contributions and can certainly afford such a reward."
Emperor Wu of Liang clapped his hands and laughed: "It is Taishi Jiang who is sensible and wins my heart." After saying this, his face changed, he stood up, pointed at Wang Dian and said angrily: "But you, Wang Shangshu, a small third-rank official , what is the purpose of daring to oppose my decision in public? You, a weak scholar with no power, can drive away powerful enemies and keep my beam safe? Or do you think I am inferior to you? If so, why not do this? The throne is for you to sit on today!"
Long Yan was furious! Wang Dian's face was ashen and he collapsed on the ground in fear. When Emperor Wu of Liang saw this, he felt even more disgusted and waved his hand: "Whoever is coming, drag him out and kill him!" The next moment, several Golden Crow guards appeared from the darkness and lifted Wang Dian up. The latter was terrified and couldn't help struggling. He shouted: "Your Majesty, spare your life!" Seeing Emperor Wu of Liang's face turn pale, he looked at Jiang Qing and shouted: "Grand Master, save me!" Jiang Qing turned a deaf ear and murderous intent appeared on his face. Seeing that there was no hope for help, Wang Dian was heartbroken. In an instant, he was excrement and urine. Emperor Wu of Liang became even more furious and waved his hands. Seeing this, the Golden Crow Guards dragged Wang Dian out of the palace. All the civil and military officials heard only a scream, and then disappeared. movement.
Being so disturbed, Emperor Wu of Liang lost all interest and waved his hand to signal the ministers to retreat. As the biggest winner today, Li Jian took the lead in resigning as he had not returned to Beijing for a long time. Jiang Qing, as always, waited until all the officials had retreated, and was the last one to leave. Suddenly, Emperor Wu of Liang stopped Jiang Qing and asked, "Grand Master, is there anything wrong with what I did today?" Jiang Qing bowed to the ground and said, "Your Majesty is generous and clear about rewards and punishments. That’s right, I just ask your majesty to be magnanimous and let Wang Dian and his family go.”
Emperor Wu of Liang nodded and said with a smile: "It's natural. Grand Master Jiang will be invited quickly. General Li will go to the fiefdom soon. From now on, Grand Master Jiang will have to worry about matters in Kyoto."
"Your Majesty, your words are serious. These are the affairs of minor officials." After Jiang Qing finished speaking, he stood up and left. Emperor Liang Wu looked at Jiang Qing's back and then at Li Jian, who was walking alone in the distance, with a playful smile on his face.
Walking out of the Zichen Palace, the palace maids and eunuchs were busy washing the ground. Wang Dian's body had long since disappeared, leaving only the strong smell of blood in the air. Jiang Qing walked straight past without squinting, but what no one knew was that Jiang Qing The hands hidden in the sleeves were clenched into fists, obviously extremely angry.
Returning to the General's Mansion in the north of the city, Li Jian saw his father Li Xian standing at the gate before he entered. He couldn't help but be surprised. As the number one swordsman of the Liang Kingdom, Li Xian had always been like a wild crane. After Mother Li's memorial day, she was always wandering around. Even during the Spring Festival, she was often away from home. She didn't know why she was waiting for her outside the door today.
Li Jian got off his horse, walked up quickly, and asked, "Father, how come you have time to come back today?"
Li Xian was sparring with the swordsman Mo Zifeng of the Yan State yesterday. Hearing that Li Jian returned to Beijing with a great victory, he rushed back to Qingyang from Jiangzhou overnight without caring about honing his martial arts. He didn't even have time to drink a sip of water on the way. When he saw his son, he was He felt distressed and helpless, but he always had a cold face and a warm heart, so he just snorted and said, "Come in with me!"
The two walked into the house. After Li Xian ordered his servants to leave, he slapped his sword on the table and said angrily: "If I don't come back, I don't know how much trouble you will cause. Don't you think so? Daliang Kingdom A king with a different surname!"
Li Jian saw that his father was angry about this matter, so he explained: "I don't know why your majesty awarded him such a reward, but this king with a different surname is not a dishonorable thing, so why should my father be so angry?"
Li Xian saw that his son was still insisting on his words and sighed: "Silly boy, do you know the words 'high achievements shock the master'?"
Li Jian looked flustered when he heard this. It was obvious that he had never thought about this matter before, and he hurriedly said: "My child is loyal to your majesty and to Daliang. He has absolutely no two hearts. This can be learned from heaven and earth!"
Li Xian frowned and said: "It is true, but does Feng Jing believe it? You have three hundred thousand cavalry under your command. Which king will really feel at ease? My father once heard a saying circulated in your army, 'Don't listen. The emperor's order, "Only recognize the general Tiger Talisman", although it shows that you are strict in running the army, but when this sentence reaches Feng Jingquan's ears, how will he feel? Emperor Wu of Liang's succession to the throne was not justified. During the war, you were the protector who was out killing the enemy. You are a hero of the country, but now the world is at peace, the Liang Kingdom only has 700,000 troops, half of which are in your hands, and you have a father like me who is the best swordsman, even if you have no disobedience, in Feng Jingquan's heart , and it’s always a thorn!”
The more Li Jian listened, the more frightened he became, and he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat: "My child only cares about killing enemies on the battlefield, and has never thought about this."
Li Xian sighed: "Twenty years ago, my father advised you to concentrate on martial arts, but you didn't listen. You insisted on joining the army and serving the country. Ten years ago, you were trapped by love. Regardless of your father's obstruction, you fell in love with the brothel girl and almost fell in love with her. Someone has plotted against you. This time, my father advises you not to take the credit. Although Zhu Wang, Ye Baiye, and Cao Bo are not as good as you, they are all first-rate generals. So why not give up these military achievements? Your status among the generals of the Liang Kingdom is still transcendent. Today, my father advises you again. It’s up to you to listen or not.”
Li Jian had obviously lost his mind. When the past events were mentioned, he felt that what his father said was reasonable and said feebly: "My child will definitely follow daddy's arrangements this time."
Li Xian said word by word: "My father wants you to voluntarily hand over your military power, go to Qingzhou as soon as possible, stay away from the government, and be your king with a different surname in peace and contentment. Even if there is another war, you must report your illness and not go out to avoid getting killed." Disaster!"
At this moment, Li Jian finally understood his father's good intentions. Although he was unwilling to do so, he had no choice but to agree with tears.
On July 15th, the sixth year of Yonghong, Li Jian went to court, handed over his military talisman, and led 6,000 soldiers to Qingzhou City. In the main hall, Emperor Wu of Liang said nothing about this, but held the tiger talisman in his hand, half-smiling but not smiling. .
It was the Ghost Festival that day, and three big characters on the lunar calendar suddenly came into view: "It is forbidden to travel far away."
