Prince Li Chenglin of Anping County, who held an army of 500,000, was actually assassinated on his own territory. This news greatly shocked Prince Li Bing.
Li Bing was not familiar with this distant cousin. The only meeting was on Li Chengwu's birthday ten years ago. Li Chenglin came from Lingnan to celebrate his birthday. As the crown prince, Li Bing accompanied the emperor to receive several royal relatives, including the prince of Anping County.
In Li Bing's impression, Li Chenglin was very tall, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a beard, and looked quite dignified as a soldier. Li Chenglin also seemed very warm to him, and kept talking with a smile: When he was a child, Li Bing's father, the late emperor Li Chengwen, took special care of him. He was taught horse riding, archery, and wrestling by Li Chengwen.
Li Bing was still a teenager at the time. He felt that his cousin was very interesting and he was very nostalgic. He was very nice.
Although Li Chenglin has been leading troops, his qualifications and abilities are not outstanding, and he cannot compete with those who can fight well, and he has never caught the attention of famous generals such as He Jingming, Xie Guang, and Yang Xingtai.
The reason why he took charge of the 500,000-strong army in the Jingxiang area this time was entirely because of the poor fortunes of the Holy Tang Dynasty and the loss of generals one after another. It was really impossible to select qualified people. As one of the few generals in the royal family, Li Chenglin had both a military background and the status of a county king. Only then was he selected by Li Chengwu and the Yizhou court to be the commander-in-chief of the largest military force in the dynasty.
Unexpectedly, he died before leaving the army.
Li Bing couldn't care less about remembering this poor cousin at this time. He knew that he was going to face a huge crisis again. Like Murong Xue, he quickly thought of the troubles Li Chenglin's death would bring.
Faced with the prince's worries, Murong Xue told the two plans he had discussed with Shen Lie and asked Li Bing to make a decision.
After thinking for a long time, Li Bing looked at Shen Lie: "Do you think Dong Tianxing can do it?"
Upon hearing his words, Murong Xue immediately understood that the prince was still more inclined to send people to stabilize Jing Xiang.
Shen Lie cupped his hands and responded: "Reporting to Your Highness, I dare not say that I am absolutely sure, but Dong Tianxing is quite talented and is worth a try."
Li Bing muttered: "Well... to take a step back, even if it doesn't work, Dong Tianxing is also from Yizhou. As far as I am concerned, there is still room for improvement..."
He thought for a while and then asked Murong Xue: "How did you go to Ruzhou? Did the poison soldier thing go well?"
Murong Xue did not dare to hide anything and truthfully reported all the previous situations.
Li Bing shook his head slightly dissatisfied: "Dong Tianxing also said that he was 80% sure, but it seems he was just bragging!"
Murong Xue said: "Your Highness, there is no need to worry. The masters of poisoning in Miao and Yunnan do have real talents and knowledge. This time it is just a test. After they make targeted adjustments a few times, they will definitely find the right method."
Li Bing was still able to listen to Murong Xue's words, and said after hearing the words: "Okay, let the people in Miao and Yunnan concentrate on making adjustments. Dong Tianxing is idle as well, so let him go to Jingxiang first."
"What about the succession ceremony?" Murong Xue asked: "According to Master Shen's idea, the emperor's position should be determined first, and then the imperial envoys can be dispatched."
Li Bing waved his hand: "Then come in advance! It's just a ceremony anyway. During the war, everything should be kept simple."
Now that the prince made the decision, all his officials immediately got busy.
Some are responsible for selecting good and auspicious days, some are responsible for decorating the imperial palace, some are responsible for preparing the emperor's honor guard, some are responsible for arranging the ceremony venue, and some are responsible for hosting the banquet of the emperor and his ministers. It is very lively for a while.
Murong Xue sent three special envoys, eight hundred miles away, to Xijiang, Yizhou and Jingxiang respectively to inform them of the new king's succession.
Time flies, and the day of the enthronement ceremony is here in a blink of an eye.
Li Bing put on a full set of imperial attire: a nine-beaded crown on his head, a black dragon-breasted wide-sleeved cloak with gold edges, and a seven-treasure jade ribbon hanging from his waist. He looked graceful, luxurious, and majestic.
Accompanied by the Jin Ge guards, Li Bing steadily climbed up to the ceremonial platform. He first burned incense and paid homage to heaven and earth according to the ceremonial procedures, and then knelt down facing the north to respectfully listen to the late emperor's edict on passing the throne.
After the official read out the edict, Li Bing took it with both hands and kowtowed three times and prayed nine times again, praying for the blessings of the gods of heaven and earth and the heroic spirits of the emperors of the Holy Tang Dynasty.
After prostrating, he stood up, took the succession document presented by the chamberlain, and read it loudly to the civil and military officials in the audience.
Thousands of brilliant words, impassioned.
After reading the declaration of succession, the golden-armored warrior next to him brought fire. Li Bing ignited the declaration with his own hands and threw it into the huge cauldron, turning it into green smoke that soared upwards.
At the same time, two hundred musicians played "Song of the Holy Emperor Caressing the Land and Mountains" in unison. The yellow bells, bells and drums swayed, and an emperor's atmosphere emerged spontaneously.
In the midst of the grand music, Murong Xue led the officials to kneel down and kowtow, shouting long live the mountain.
Li Bing was led by the ceremonial officer, and accompanied by endless shouts of long live, he climbed up to the throne located higher step by step.
Four chamberlains followed closely, two of them supported Li Bing's hands, and two held the back of the Tuanlong cloak, carefully helping the new monarch to sit on the throne that symbolized the Nine-Five Emperor.
In an instant, the ceremony was thrust into a fiery atmosphere.
Throughout the Imperial City and the entire Eastern Capital, all the bell towers and drum towers sounded at the same time. Under the hard playing of trumpeters, hundreds of copper trumpets emitted a melodious phoenix sound that could be heard for miles.
Li Bing was sitting high on the throne, accepting the worship of officials, soldiers and civilians in the audience, but he felt a little uncomfortable in his heart.
The grand emperor's enthronement ceremony actually lacked the ceremony of passing down the jade seal, the ceremony of the generals of the major legions swearing allegiance, and the ceremony of the envoys from the vassal country coming to pay tribute. It was neither fish nor fowl, just like a child playing house.
Is this considered self-deception and self-entertainment? Li Bing secretly smiled bitterly: In the more than 820 years of the Holy Tang Dynasty, I must be the most disgraced emperor.
However, despite being depressed, the scenes and procedures that need to be taken are still the same and cannot be omitted. Next, the new emperor Li Bing was busy for a whole day and felt dizzy from exhaustion.
After finally holding on until night, a banquet was held in the palace to entertain the ministers, and finally a piece of good news that was both surprising and extremely exciting came.
The Zhenjiang Army's 100,000 soldiers came out of Zijin Pass eastward, successfully captured Liangzhou Prefecture, beheaded 3,000 enemies, and presented a gift to the emperor!
After Shen Lie read the flight report sent by his subordinates, the whole audience suddenly burst into cheers.
Li Bing was naturally surprised and happy, and at the same time he asked knowingly: "Shen Qing, who is the general who will regain Liangzhou?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty," Shen Lie said loudly, "This is Xu Youchang, the deputy governor of the Zhenjiang Army and the grandson of the old general Xu Lie!"
"Okay!" Li Bing slapped the table: "Back then, the old general led the Xu family to defend the imperial capital loyally and stayed with the late emperor until his death. Now his grandson is equally brave and loyal and regained the lost territory for me. He deserves to be rewarded! According to my decree, Xu Youchang is granted the title of Uncle Zhongyong, from the third rank of Hussars General to the Minister of War!"
Murong Xue was naturally very happy when he heard that his good brother had made meritorious service, but he also realized that the prince did not mention Li Jiangyao, the head coach of the Zhenjiang Army, in front of everyone, but deliberately emphasized the Xu family's loyalty to him, and couldn't help but secretly Worry.
Taking advantage of the warm atmosphere, Li Bing continued: "Some time ago, the king of Anping County was unfortunately killed by the enemy and died heroically for his country. At present, the real culprit has not been identified, and the Jingxiang army of 500,000 is leaderless. I decided to send an imperial envoy to go there. The inspector appeases. Dong Tianxing listens to the order."
When Old Dong heard the call to him, he quickly put down his chopsticks and swallowed the bacon in his mouth. Then he got out of the last row of seats and shouted: "I'm here!"
Li Bing looked at him and said: "I order you to be the imperial envoy to go to Jingxiang to investigate the assassination of Li Chenglin, and to appease the troops and fight the enemy together."
"I obey!" Old Dong responded, and then burped again.
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"General Murong, you are planning to trick this old man into death." Dong Tianxing complained as he chewed his teeth.
Murong Xue chuckled, and while ordering the servants to serve tea, she said, "Why did Mr. Dong say this?"
Dong Tianxing shook his head: "The prince of Anping County was killed, and the Jingxiang army was unsettled. Many guys were going to rebel at any time. Should I go? Isn't that just sending death? Even if His Highness wants to send an imperial envoy to appease them, there are so many talented people in the old East Palace, why? I can't even count them on the old man's head, unless it is your enthusiastic recommendation. I said General, are you deliberately trying to deal with me because I failed to deal with the poisonous soldiers? "
"What's the matter? Mr. Dong, you are overthinking." Murong Xue smiled awkwardly: "This is His Highness, oh no, His Majesty's trust in you. What? Are you in trouble?"
Dong Tianxing said seriously: "General, when it comes to difficulties, it is self-evident. However, as an official of Shengtang, Dong has an order from the emperor. It is his duty to refuse, and he will never shirk away from difficulties. It's just..."
"It's just what? If you have anything to say, just say it." Murong Xue responded.
"It's just that you have to tell me everything first," Dong Tianxing said seriously: "To what extent do I need to do in Jingxiang, and what leverage do I have to use. If these two questions are not clear, I I’m afraid it will delay His Majesty’s important event.”
Murong Xue nodded: "What you said is reasonable, then I will tell you my opinion."
He thought for a moment, and then said in a deep voice: "First of all, the Jingxiang army must not be in chaos! It cannot do anything that will hurt relatives and make enemies happy."
Dong Tianxing nodded slightly and waited for Murong Xue to continue.
"Secondly, it would be better to try to find out the whole story behind the assassination of Prince Anping, and find out the real culprit behind the scenes." Murong Xue said, "In this regard, Lord Shen Lie will secretly help you."
Dong Tianxing still didn't speak, just listened quietly.
Murong Xue made a third point: "Try to persuade the generals of each army to be loyal to His Majesty, obey the Emperor's will, and go north to join forces as soon as possible. As for those who are firmly opposed to this matter, you must pay more attention to prevent them from causing trouble. "
"What about the bargaining chips?" Dong Tianxing said calmly: "I am more concerned about the conditions in my hand that can be used. You know, the name of an imperial envoy can't suppress those military leaders at all."
