Outside the palace, Sun Sheng and Han Xizai parted in front of the majestic Nangong Gate. It was obvious that the emperor did not want them to be present when he summoned Li Yuan later, so he just ordered them to leave the palace as soon as possible and go to the various yamen with the imperial edict to take charge of the overall situation.
Before leaving, Han Xizai bowed and saluted Sun Sheng on the soft chair and said with a smile: "Xizai is deeply impressed by what Sun Xiang said today. Sun Xiangzhen is getting older and stronger. Xizai may not be able to match him in this life."
Sun Sheng chuckled and said, "Why do you say this? Minister Han has never praised me so much before."
Han Xizai cupped his hands and said, "Today we have seen Prime Minister Sun's methods, how can Xizai be dissatisfied?"
"Methods? Tell me, what are my methods?" Sun Sheng said with a smile.
Han Xizai sighed: "I'm afraid Prince Zheng will be completely defeated this time."
Sun Sheng was a little dissatisfied and said: "Isn't this what Minister Han wants? Isn't it what King Yan wants? We have endured for so long, isn't it just for this moment to come? Does it mean that Minister Han still hopes that King Zheng can fight back and attack us in the future? Is it possible for Yi Yi to die?"
Han Xizai shook his head and whispered: "Of course I don't think so. I was just amazed at Prime Minister Sun's sophisticated arrangements. I had always been worried before, fearing that His Majesty would identify the flaws in this false memorandum, but I didn't want to get away with it. Now If there is God's help, a single move can affect the whole body. I really admire it. However, our approach is really unscrupulous. What is the difference between this and King Zheng's party?
Prime Minister Sun, paper cannot contain the fire. His Majesty is not confused in his prime. At this time, he is angry and confused, but he will see through it in the future. "
Sun Sheng sighed slightly and said: "Xizai, as long as you can bring down King Zheng, why do you care about the means? Why don't you think about whether our small means can be worse than what King Zheng did before? I'm old man. What I am thinking about now is that King Yan can clear his name and ascend to the throne. Isn't this the common wish of you and me?
To put it bluntly, as long as a person has breath in this world, how can he not try his best to fight for it? I am already dying. If I don't do this today, I may never see the day when King Yan can clarify the world.
As for whether the incident will come to light in the future, and whether His Majesty will be furious and blame you, you don't have to worry too much. After defeating King Zheng this time, Your Majesty will not be able to attack King Yan again. I will bear the full responsibility. The most I can do is give me death for the crime of deceiving the king. I believe in King Yan's benevolence and righteousness, and he will be able to protect my descendants. "
Seeing that Han Xizai was silent, Sun Sheng continued nonchalantly: "Since Minister Han doesn't like to listen to me, I'll stop there, but one day you will understand that what you did today is definitely worth it.
Forget it, time is tight and without further ado, let’s set off quickly to summon the officials to the various government offices to make preparations. By the way, when we arrest the criminals later, don’t hesitate any more and don’t let down His Highness’s expectations. ....."
Sun Sheng waved his hand gently, and the servant carrying the soft chair slowly carried him away. Han Xizai did not follow him in time, but just looked at his back in confusion for a long time, and sighed in a low voice: "Of course I will not live up to His Highness's expectations. , although I, Han Xizai, may not be much better than you in ability, but I have much more time than you. You are so aggressive in dealing with Prince Zheng, because you are afraid that the result may not be what you think."
Han Xizai waved, and the servants brought the horses. Then Han Xizai got on the horse, whipped and galloped away following Sun Sheng's footsteps...
While Sun Sheng and Han Xizai were announcing their decrees at various government offices, Li Yuan was riding his horse back to his hometown.
After witnessing Peng Shiyu and Peng Qingying driving away outside Nancheng Gate in the afternoon, Li Yuan finally felt a little calmer. Thinking back to it, he had only been back to Jinling for five or six days, but the undercurrent in the city had already made Li Yuan a little nervous. He might face unpredictable surprises next, and the Peng brothers and sisters stayed here for a while longer. Then, he would be in more troubles and dangers, and Li Yuan really didn't want to have to worry about it.
Li Yuan, who was worried, had just turned around the Yinhong Bridge and saw Xu Kuangheng and Wu Mu Special Qin lingering in front of the gate of Li Mansion from a distance. There seemed to be a carriage with a black roof and tent next to them. Li Yuan was confused and quickly raised his whip and sped up. When they arrived, the two of them rushed forward eagerly before they even got off their horses.
"Grand Governor, you are finally back!"
Li Yuan laughed loudly and dismounted, bending his body in front of him
Xu Kuangheng and Wu Mu Teqin, who were bowing at the waist, helped them up together and said with smiles: "You are finally back. I have been thinking very hard! By the way, how have you done what I asked you to do?"
Wu Mu was not good at concealing anything. Hearing this, he grabbed the words and said: "How can we disappoint the Governor when we are waiting for work? Don't worry, Governor. They are just some scholars. The general has arrested them all according to the list. Now they are all in prison." I am in the military camp outside the city."
"What? Who asked you to be violent?" Li Yuan was startled, but it was obviously not a surprise, but a fright.
Just after the imperial court canceled the imperial examination this month, these students who came all the way from all over the country to take the examination were all caught off guard and cried out that God was unfair. Most of them were disappointed because their hard work for many years seemed to have become useless and their hands were useless. They have little power but are full of knowledge. The only way to change their destiny through knowledge seems to be cut off.
Li Yuan had already made preparations several months in advance, and that was to carry out the long-planned "recruitment of scholars" in his own town of Wuping. However, the amount of manpower, material and financial resources invested was secondary. The most important thing was that someone should apply, and It is necessary to ensure the quality of the candidates. At this time, the imperial examination in Jiangnan has been suspended and students across the country are frustrated. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win over talents.
You must know that the icing on the cake is never as good as giving help when the time is right. For these students, they are now in the trough of life. What they want is nothing more than to be recognized by others for their rich knowledge, achieve fame and wealth, and put into practice what they have learned throughout their lives. Li Yuan believes that Wu Ping is here Shi Kaike is definitely a light that pierces the darkness for them.
Moreover, Li Yuanke never wanted to see the scene recorded in the history books, letting these talented students flee north to the Zhou Kingdom, and eventually became capable ministers and officials of Zhao and Song...
Therefore, when Li Yuan arrived in Beijing, he secretly told Xu Kuangheng that he must seize the time before students from all over the country left Beijing. According to the list of current imperial examination students provided by Zhou Zong, he would go to various post offices to invite them one by one, and then try to persuade them. Go to Langzhou at any cost.
As for the purpose of ordering the Ebony Special Agent to go with him, it was just to prevent obstruction or accidents, but unexpectedly, this Uighur warrior actually adopted such a rough and direct method? All the people were "invited", but if people's hearts were lost, how could Li Yuan hope that they could be used by him in the future?
Thinking of this, Li Yuan couldn't help but have a headache, and said angrily: "I made it very clear before, I asked you to invite those students here, not in such a reckless way. You really, alas, I don't even know what to do." Say something good."
Wu Mu Teqin hurriedly handed over his hands to accuse him. Xu Kuangheng glanced at it and said helplessly: "The Governor must not be angry. We are extremely ashamed. But the Governor may not have known the situation at that time. Most students actually do not want to go far away from Chu. The Ebony Commander had no choice but to do it. After all, time was tight and he could only make do with expediency... But fortunately, he followed the list and "brought" them to the camp one by one. "
Li Yuan waved his hand and sighed softly: "That's all, your merits and demerits are equal. Let's go with the governor to the outside of the city. I can only explain to these students in person..."
"Wait a minute, Grand Governor!" Xu Kuangheng stepped forward quickly and said, "I am afraid that the Grand Governor may not be able to go outside the city now. Someone has come from the palace to summon you. His Majesty calls you to come into the palace quickly to see the carriage. This carriage has been waiting here for a long time. "
"Is this the palace carriage?" Li Yuan looked up, but did not see any palace servants accompanying the black-top carriage. There was only a shivering coachman who was waiting patiently with his head bowed and silent.
Seeing this, Xu Kuangheng said in a low voice: "There are no palace servants accompanying me, which means this trip is secretive. The governor should be careful."
"Don't worry, I know it well." Li Yuan walked quickly to the carriage and whispered to the two of them: "As I expected, something is going to happen in Jinling City. You leave the city immediately and leave two hundred people behind. The soldiers guarded the camp to protect the students, and ordered the remaining people to quickly enter the city from the south gate and assemble and wait at the Fuzhong campus.
Just now, I have noticed that the guards on duty at the city gate today are all direct troops from the palace. If you are questioned, just tell them that they are my personal guards and they will let you go. Remember, you must not act without the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, otherwise it will be treated as military law. "
Both of them raised their hands and said in unison: "Don't worry, Commander-in-Chief, we will obey your orders."
make. "
