At three o'clock in the morning, the sky was dark. Goose-feather-like snowflakes fell from the sky, and the falling snowflakes sprinkled in the courtyard and on the glazed eaves. The entire city of Luoyang turned into a dreamy castle covered in silver.
The windows of the Royal Council Hall were opened, and the air that came in through the windows was not very chilly, but it made people feel energetic and clear their thoughts.
When Hao Yuan, Wei Zheng, Liu Xiaosun, Li Daoxuan, Fang Yanzao and Fang Xuanling, who had returned from the wedding, arrived, Yang Ji looked at Hao Yuan and asked aloud: "Chengyuan, when can Jingzhi return to Luoyang City? "
Hao Yuan replied: "If the weather was good, we should have arrived the day before yesterday, but after the new year, there will be heavy snow, especially in the north. Jingzhi was delayed on the way."
"Then we won't wait for him." Yang Ji paused and said to everyone: "The saint has decided to take action against the Li family in Longxi; this time, he will uproot the Li family in Longxi."
When the six people heard this, they all felt a wave of panic in their hearts. Hao Yuan calmed down and said to Yang Ji: "Your Majesty, all major branches of the Li family are unified under the banner of the 'Longxi Li family'. If their relatives and old friends are added up, the 'Longxi Li family' is A powerful force with disciples all over the world. What’s more, although the five surnames and seven sects of the major families are competitors, they all have intertwined and intertwined interests. I also ask the king to advise the saint to think twice before acting."
Wei Zheng also said: "Your Majesty, the Li family in Longxi is too powerful. The court must at least have evidence of uprooting it. If it is uprooted without justification and for no reason, it will definitely cause huge turmoil."
Although Liu Xiaosun, Li Daoxuan, Fang Yanzao and Fang Xuanling did not speak, their thoughts were exactly the same as those of Hao Yuan and Wei Zheng.
The Li family of Longxi was among the five surnames and seven sects. Although its reputation was not as great as the other six sects, it was an important force in establishing the Western Wei and Northern Zhou dynasties and enjoyed "dividends" that the other six sects could not imagine. In addition to the familiar Li Hu and Li Bi branches of the Eight Pillar Kingdoms, there are also branches such as Li Mu, Li Yuan, Li Yuantong, Li Jing, etc.
The Li Mu family was not among the Eight Pillar Countries, but Li Mu successively assisted Yu Wentai and Yang Jian to seize the world. He was a high-ranking official in the Western Wei, Northern Zhou, and Sui dynasties. His family was only a county official or a county official. tens of. The Li Yuan family is a family of the Double Twelve Generals, Li Yuantong is the Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment of the Sui Dynasty, and Li Jing is a general with real power... In addition to these famous families, there are many other branches. Accumulating them one by one, they finally formed the "Longxi Li Family" with flourishing branches and disciples all over the world.
If we talk about the number of disciples and the important positions they occupy in the central government, the military, and local government, the Li family in Longxi is definitely the best family in the world today. The other six sects or the Dugu family, Dou family, and Yuan family are simply not qualified to compare with it; and even the famous Er Cui family is not as good as the Longxi Li family even if they are added together.
For such a behemoth, how can it be said that it can be uprooted by uprooting it?
"Chengyuan and Xuan Chengyan are right." Yang Ji said in a serious tone: "So the saint is only targeting the direct lineage this time, not all the concubines and concubines; otherwise, Yaoshi and Daliang will also be killed."
When everyone heard this, they immediately looked at each other: "..."
"So that's it!" Hao Yuan took a long breath and said with a wry smile: "But even direct descendants are not so easy to deal with."
Yang Ji recounted the news he heard in the palace, and finally said: "Li Hun and Li Yuantong, who are direct descendants of the Li family, not only accepted bribes from the Turks, but also sold thousands of carts of prohibited items to the Turks. If we add in the It is not difficult to remove the evidence of their crimes."
After listening to Yang Ji's explanation, the six people nodded in agreement. Liu Xiaosun took a long breath, shook his head and sighed: "With the Yuyang clan of the Yuan clan and the Youzhou officialdom as a lesson learned from the past, the direct clan of the Li family dared to risk the world's disapproval and sell prohibited items to the Turks. .The Li family is so prosperous and rich that it rivals the rest of the country, but they still need this kind of money?"
"There are many people who do whatever it takes to achieve their goals; such people are selfish and only care about their own interests and goals, without caring about the feelings and interests of others. The Li family still dares to risk the world's disapproval. I can only say that they are Even more greedy than the Yuan clan." Fang Yanzao paused and said decisively: "The money and bribes given to them by the Turks are obviously far beyond their psychological and moral limits. In addition, they have long been accustomed to it. Crime has become natural and has long been taken for granted, so they lack reverence for law and morality, so they think it is worth fighting with their lives."
Having said this, he said to Yang Ji: "Your Majesty, if the court treats such people, if they don't kill them, the people will not be angry, and if they don't kill them, it won't be enough to uphold the law of the country."
"I happen to think so too." Yang Ji looked at Fang Yanzao and said calmly: "So I took the initiative to ask the saint for orders and do my best to investigate the case."
These words were so inspiring that Hao Yuan, Wei Zheng, Liu Xiaosun, Li Daoxuan, Fang Yanzao, and Fang Xuanling were stunned when they heard this.
In their view, this is clearly the responsibility of Yushitai, Dali Temple, and the Ministry of Punishment. Yang Ji only needs to take out the evidence he has and strictly supervise the three departments. There was no need for him to come forward personally; no matter what the final result was, no matter how many people were killed and demoted by the Third Division, he would probably stay out of it. And if the Third Division dares to bend the law for personal gain, he can also capture a group of people in the name of prime minister or minister.
However, now, instead of sitting back and watching the tigers fight, instead of reaping the benefits, Yang Ji took the initiative to take on this responsibility. This, this, this... this is simply crazy!
"The king can actually stay out of the matter." Hao Yuan looked at Yang Ji in disbelief and asked with a wry smile: "But I don't know what you think about it?"
"Revenge!" Yang Ji said: "The Li family in Longxi regarded me as a roadblock to getting rich, so when I was conquering Tuyuhun, they betrayed their military intelligence to Tuyuhun and tried to kill me with the help of Tuyuhun. Although we stopped our losses in time, But it also caused considerable casualties to our army.”
Looking at Hao Yuan, Yang Ji said slowly: "Death on the battlefield is the destiny of soldiers. If the soldiers died at the hands of the enemy, I, Yang Ji, have nothing to say. But they didn't have to die in the first place, but the result But he died because of a traitor. I dare not forget this blood debt. Only by personally sending those traitors to hell can I be worthy of those soldiers who died innocently and their parents, wives and children."
Hao Yuan was silent after hearing this. After a while, he solemnly asked: "What does the king plan to do?"
Yang Ji said: "I am relatively free in Luoyang. Even if I don't participate in the morning court for a long time, I will not attract anyone's attention. Yongzhou is more complicated, so I will handle it. Luoyang has been handed over to Yang Wei, and his task It's relatively simple. As soon as he receives my urgent report, he will immediately lead his army to capture Li Hun and Li Yuantong."
Hao Yuan thought for a moment and said: "Yongzhou may need to use the army!"
"The saint has granted military power. I can mobilize Yongliang's army at will." Yang Ji thought about it and said, "The saint had previously ordered Yang Qing, the king of Xi, to lead an army of 20,000 swagger in order to prevent rebellion when the military government was reduced. Going north to Shuofang, the pharmacist led the Liangzhou army to sit in Xiutuze between Wuwei and Lingwu, so these two armies could capture the three caravans of the Li family. The Li family's base camp in Longxi County, as well as those scattered in Tianshui and Huining The children of the Li family can be handed over to Xue Ju, the governor of Wuwei, and Qian Shixiong, the governor of Fufeng. As for the children of the Li family in Daxing City, they can be handed over to the army under the control of the East Palace."
After explaining his general plan, Yang Ji said to Hao Yuan: "But the most important thing right now is to locate the mansions and manors where the Li family's children are so that the army can arrest them respectively. Chengyuan immediately reported to Guanzhong and Lintao Send an urgent letter to Song Zhengben and others to prepare, and ask personal soldiers to assist Xue Ju and Qian Shixiong in arresting people."
Hao Yuan responded and asked: "Who enters the pass with the king?"
"Xuancheng, Yanzao, and Xuanling can enter the Pass with me." Yang Ji arranged the matter and said meaningfully: "The people who will enter the Pass with me are actually Yu Wenhuaji and Dugu Huaien, and those who stay behind in the Pass Li Changya will also obey my orders."
In fact, when Yang Ji attacked Goguryeo, he had already reached a tacit understanding with Yuwenshu, and Ling Jing had finalized cooperation with Yuwenshu in the north. They originally planned to attack together, but unexpectedly the Li family came to their doorstep themselves, so Yang Ji had no choice but to take advantage of the general trend. However, because Yu Wenhuaji was very good at ransacking homes when he was working in the Department of Integrity, when Yang Ji asked Yang Guang for an assistant, Yang Guang recommended Yu Wenhuaji to him immediately.
Dugu Huaien was "gifted" to Yang Ji by Yang Guang. This person was the eldest son of the Dugu family leader Dugu Zheng. With his participation, this would play a great role in dividing the Guanlong forces.
Of course, Yu Wenhuaji and Dugu Huaien don't know what they are going to do yet, and it is up to Yang Ji to decide when to set off.
When everyone heard this, they couldn't help laughing. Wei Zheng said grimly: "Since Yu Wenhuaji, Dugu Huaien, and Li Changya are involved, the three of them will naturally have to bear some of their hatred after the incident. If done properly, they might become the biggest enemies of the Li family in Longxi. .”
"So I asked you, Yanzao and Xuanling to enter the pass with me." Yang Ji said.
Wei Zheng, Fang Yanzao, Fang Xuanling: "..."
These words made the three of them seem very treacherous.
"Your Majesty!" A guard reported, interrupting everyone's thoughts.
Yang Ji raised his eyes and asked, "What's the matter?"
The guard cupped his hands and saluted and said: "The head of the Hou Mochen family, Hou Mochen, wants to see you outside the house. Manager Yang doesn't dare to be expert. Whether he sees you or not, I still hope that your Majesty will make a decision."
Hou Mochen yì has been asking for official posts many times recently, so that's it. The key is that he still pretends to be a favor, and his words are even more weird. Yang Ji is almost annoyed with this person. At this time, he heard that he is another When he came to visit, he immediately waved his hand in annoyance: "It's okay if you don't want this kind of relative, just tell him to get out of here!"
"Your Majesty, please wait!" Hao Yuan not only knew how hateful Hou Mochen was, but also knew that both Yang Ji and Xiao Ying hated this person. However, he felt that this person was also a pretty good "scapegoat" and smiled at Yang Ji. He said: "Your Majesty, the Hou Mochen family is one of the eight pillar families. Although its family power has declined, it is still an important member of the Guanlong aristocracy. Since the head of the Hou Mochen family wants to be an official, the king will give him a The opportunity is good.”
After hearing this, Fang Yanzao smiled understandingly and said: "Your Majesty, I think what Hao Changshi said is very right. The saint is definitely willing to give Patriarch Hou Mochen this opportunity. The important thing is that your Majesty 'helped' him this time , it can be regarded as using the favor; if you refuse in the future, others will not say that the king is unkind, but that he is greedy."
Yang Ji thought for a moment and understood the intentions of Hao Yuan and Fang Yanzao. He nodded with deep understanding: "That's fine! Then I'll see him."
If Hou Mochen yì comes to seek an official position again, he can indeed recommend it to Yang Guang, and he believes that Yang Guang is happy to let Hou Mochen yì further split the relationship between the major factions in Guanzhong.
As long as Hou Mo Chenyì serves the country like Yu Wenhuaji did, ransacked the country's properties, and handed over to Yang Guang a "certificate of surrender" to secede himself from the Guanlong nobles and Guanlong forces, it will be easy to be promoted in the future, so he cannot He said that Yang Ji was a scheming person.
