People are in high spirits during happy events. In the evening, Li Yuan announced to his adoptive mother Liu and his wives and concubines the good news about what he had seen and heard in Lizhou, and at the same time announced that he would return to Beijing someday.
Although everyone never understood what Li Yuan was busy with, they didn't know the meaning of refining elixirs and working in salt wells. But as long as Li Yuan is happy, everyone will naturally feel relieved.
But when they mentioned going to Jinling, Emperor Zhou E and Wang Jingyao immediately thought of the previous entanglement between Li Yuan and Prince Zheng Li Congjia.
You know, the last time Li Congjia went to Langzhou to work for the army is still fresh in our minds. The thieves broke into the backyard and started killing people, which still makes everyone feel frightened. Although about four months have passed since this incident, Li Congjia also returned to the DPRK more than a month ago. , and there has been no movement since then, but even if everything is calm, who knows that the hatred between Li Yuan and Li Congjia will never be resolved, so it would be unwise to return to Beijing this time.
With this question in mind, when they were enjoying the shade in the backyard pavilion after dinner, Zhou Ehuang found Li Yuan with the support of Wang Jingyao and raised their concerns.
"Lang Jun, can you delay your return to Jinling? At least send someone to explore the situation first. Jinling is different from Langzhou. It is the capital and the territory of the royal family. If King Zheng and his gang are not good for you, But it's very dangerous." Wang Jingyao reminded softly while waving her round fan.
Emperor Zhou E frowned and nodded: "Yes, Langjun, since what happened last time, King Zheng will definitely not tolerate you. The reason why we can still live in peace is because Langzhou is far away from the south of the Yangtze River, and Langjun is guarding it." On the one hand, the tentacles of the imperial court cannot reach here.
But judging from my personal experience, Prince Zheng Li Congjia is hypocritical, perverse, and unscrupulous. In order to return to Beijing smoothly, he naturally put on a fearful attitude and did not dare to express any dissatisfaction. But if you go to Jinling, the situation will be completely different. "
Li Yuan smiled and said: "You are too worried. Prince Zheng will not do anything to me. Things are different now. The situation is very different."
Zhou Ehuang asked in confusion: "How can you be sure that he will not do anything to you? King Zheng's power is no longer what it used to be. Nowadays, almost all the civil and military officials in the entire dynasty are members of King Zheng. I advise you to think twice. Call me and say, you If you want to see my father, it would be better for me to take advantage of my pregnancy and write a personal letter asking him to come to Langzhou to discuss it in person, instead of going to Jinling in person."
Li Yuan smiled and said: "Madam, your suggestion is not wise. What position does your husband and I hold now? The governor of Langzhou, the military envoy of Wuping, even if it is my own father-in-law, I and he are in charge of the treasury and taxation. Do you understand that there cannot be such obvious close contact between ministers?
Yes, I could write a letter asking my father-in-law to come in an open and honest manner, but have you ever thought about how he will deal with himself after returning to Beijing? Now that you know that King Zheng and his party are at loggerheads with me, you will naturally keep an eye on me, even on my father-in-law, hoping to seize the clue. Why take the initiative to send it to my door? I can't harm my father-in-law, and I can only discuss matters in person in private. "
In fact, after Zhou Ehuang said it, he already realized that this idea was not clever enough. However, Li Yuan was deeply moved that he could think of his father like this. Then he sighed softly: "Oh, Mr. Lang is right, but aren't I worried about you? Are you? If something unexpected happens, what will happen to me and the child in my belly..."
Li Yuan was slightly moved. Emperor Zhou E was already worried about him, and the pregnant woman was prone to random thoughts. Those mind-bending herbs had finally stabilized her mood, but they could no longer stimulate her, so he comforted her with kind words: "Don't ask for more." Concern, I am going back to Jinling for important matters. In addition to discussing the salt well with my father-in-law, there are other important things. Don’t worry, I will bring my personal guards with me. If Li Congjia really dares to take action at the feet of the emperor, I will not sit back and wait to die. .”
Zhou Ehuang's eyes suddenly turned red, and her red lips opened slightly as if she wanted to continue to persuade her, but after thinking about it, she took it back. She just gently caressed her bulging belly with both hands without saying a word.
Wang Jingyao asked softly: "If you want to bring troops and horses, Lang Jun, can you bring more. The road is steep and the water is long. Not only do we have to consider the dangers in Jinling City, but we also have to consider the safety along the way.
I heard from Jingguo earlier that Zhang Wenbiao, the guard of Yuezhou, was Zhou Xingfeng's sworn brother. He seemed to be part of King Zheng's party. He seemed to be a famous fierce general. If you want to go to Jinling, don't go to Daoyue. state......"
"Since when did you care about this kind of thing?" Li Yuan was a little surprised.
Strangely, Wang Jingyao, who is weak and talkative, actually understands military and state affairs, but without thinking too much, she nodded lightly and said with a smile: "I know about this. That Zhang Wenbiao led 40,000 troops and stationed in Yuezhou City just to It's just disgusting to me.
But I think Zhang Wenbiao will not be unfavorable to me at this time. It is true that his sworn brother Zhou Xingfeng died in my hands, but as far as I know, although this man is brave, he is not without plans. You know, I am now an envoy to a certain place, and I also have a large army at hand. His Yuezhou is close to Langzhou, and my Langzhou is also close to his Yuezhou. If he dares to intercept and kill me without calling, it just gives me the right to destroy him. timing. "
Wang Jingyao said "Yes", but still frowned as if she was worried. Zhou Ehuang on the side said worriedly: "Even if Zhang Wenbiao doesn't dare to take action, the news of your going to Jinling will definitely reach Jinling before you and reach the hands of Prince Zheng. "
Li Yuan smiled and said: "You mean to tip off the news? Wouldn't that be better? I originally wanted to make a big splash and let everyone in the government and the public know that I, Li Yuan, have returned to Beijing. What can they do to me? King Zheng's party can't control the government. False, but don’t forget, His Majesty is not dead yet.”
Zhou Ehuang murmured in a low voice: "That seems to make sense."
Li Yuan thought for a moment, nodded firmly and said: "What you said makes sense. Zhang Wenbiao will definitely report to Jinling, but I really have to go through Yuezhou this time, and I will also pass through He Jingzhu's Ezhou in the future. Which one is with me? If there is a gap, I will go through it calmly.
Last time they tried their best in Langzhou but suffered a big loss. From now on, they will be on guard against me. If I dare to pass through Yuezhou in an open and fair way, they will think too much and not dare to take action. If I If you avoid Yuezhou and enter the country, you will put yourself in danger.
What's more, do you know that the imperial court is mobilizing a large army recently to prepare for the conquest of Zhou State. At this juncture, how can your Majesty allow trouble in the country? "
"Lang Jun always does things in a measured way. We trust you, but it's better to be careful and bring more soldiers and horses to defend ourselves, so that we can feel more at ease." Wang Jingyao said.
Zhou Ehuang nodded slightly and said, "That's exactly what you said. People's hearts are unpredictable, so we should bring more people anyway."
Li Yuan's heart warmed up, he opened his arms and hugged his wife and concubines, and said softly: "Don't worry, my ladies! I will bring more people with me to protect them, but the imperial court seems to have restrictions on troops when envoys enter Beijing. The quantity... doesn't matter, I'll just ask Mr. Xu again."
Zhou Ehuang leaned on Li Yuan's solid chest, quietly listening to the vigorous heartbeat, blushing and saying: "Be careful, don't be too arrogant. If you think that we are still waiting for you at home, it's better to be cautious."
Li Yuan smiled and said, "I understand."
…
In the early morning of the next day, Li Yuan settled many important military and political affairs in the Dudu Mansion and appointed Liu Jiangsheng as Wupingliu. Then he and the Governor Shi Xu Kuangheng set out for the trip in a mighty manner under the escort of three thousand soldiers led by Wumu Teqin. Jinling.
This time, Li Yuan specially brought Peng Qingying with him. Firstly, it was because Peng Qingying was a little bored living in the Dudu Mansion, and her life habits were a bit unaccustomed to her after becoming a married woman. Li Yuan took her with him because he wanted to be alone with her again. For a period of time, he gave her some comfort and enlightenment, and at the same time let her see the scene of the capital of the Southern Tang Dynasty.
Secondly, it was because Peng Shiyu had made an appointment to pass by Langzhou when returning from Jinling. But about two months later, Peng Shiyu still stayed in Jinling and did not come back, which made Peng Qingying feel uneasy, so taking Peng Qingying to Jinling would allow them to meet each other and calm down their homesickness.
In addition, the most important thing is that now Peng Qingying is not only Li Yuan's wife, but also the sister of Peng Guogong and the Lord of Dongxi. Li Yuan returned to the capital without being summoned this time. Although Peng Qingying made a big show of magnanimity, with Peng Qingying Being around is the best cover.
Three thousand Wuping troops left Langzhou and headed east. When they arrived at Yuezhou, it was just as Li Yuan expected. When the Yueshan Army in the city saw Li Yuan's flag, they just reported it and did not do much. Zhang Wenbiao, the commander of the Yueshan Army, also excused himself because of illness. After Li Yuan and his party quickly passed Yuezhou, they entered Ezhou along the Han River, and headed straight for Jinling through mountains and rivers...
