Dong Tianxing shook his head: "Master Shen, you should know best. Because of Xie Guang's incident, the emperor has never had a good impression of the army, or in other words, he loves and hates it. Especially in the past two years, he has obviously strengthened his control over the army. methods, and are increasingly leaning towards the strategy of using civil society to control military force. Of course, the civil servant group welcomes this idea. Both Liu Shiming of the old school and Wei Zixuan, who is newly rising, are advocating military threats in front of the emperor all day long. The situation is getting worse. It’s getting more complicated.”
Shen Lie sighed helplessly: "Even if we have to prevent some generals from supporting their own troops, we cannot deliberately humiliate meritorious ministers. After all, the world is uncertain now, and we still have to rely on the generals to wipe out the rebels."
"We are thinking about wiping out the rebels in front of us, but others are thinking about what will happen after wiping out the rebels," Dong Tianxing said: "In the eyes of Liu Shiming and Wei Zixuan, people like Li Daduhu and Ma Datong are People may become the next rebels, so we have already begun to make plans.”
"Absurd!" Shen Lie said angrily: "I didn't see them when I resisted the Turks, and I didn't see them during the fierce battle with the rebels. Now I'm getting angry! Without Li Jiangyao and the Zhenjiang Army, these cowards can't Are you sitting comfortably in the imperial capital? A bunch of damn traitorous ministers!"
Dong Tianxing was worried that Shen Lie wouldn't be able to hold back his temper when he met the emperor later, so he didn't dare to continue the topic. Instead, he said, "Oh, by the way, something happened recently, which looks quite strange."
Shen Lie adjusted his mood and asked, "What's the matter?"
Old Dong smacked his lips and said, "Tsk tsk, that's strange. For some reason, that Wei Zixuan has always been very concerned about Princess Fenyang's marriage. It was he who suggested in the court before that the emperor grant a marriage to Jiang Yao and the princess. As a reward. Didn't Jiang Yao refuse later? Unexpectedly, Wei Zixuan gave the emperor another bad idea, saying that if Li Jiangyao didn't want to, it would be better to let Murong Xue marry the princess. In this way, at least the Blue Dragon Legion could be bound to the royal family. Together."
Shen Lie was slightly startled: "Your Majesty agreed?"
"I agreed." Dong Tianxing smiled bitterly and said, "The emperor has always regarded General Murong as a close confidant. It would be better if we could get married again."
Shen Lie didn't know what to say for a moment, and after waiting for a while, he sighed: "The poor seventh princess, such a noble person, in the end became a bargaining chip in the hands of others and was sent around. When the late emperor was still alive, She loves Li Xi very much."
As he said that, he sighed again: "However, if she can marry Murong Xue, it would be a good destination. Although Murong has a somewhat indecisive personality, his character is not bad, and his family background is good..."
Dong Tianxing interrupted him: "That's the problem. General Murong, like Protector Li, categorically declined the marriage."
"What? Rejected?" Shen Lie couldn't help but be a little surprised: "Why?"
Dong Tianxing shook his head: "I don't know the specific reason. I asked General Murong. He just said that he has someone else in his heart and he doesn't want to marry anyone else."
Shen Lie frowned when he heard this: "Is it possible that he is still thinking about that woman?"
"Which woman?" Old Dong became curious.
Shen Lie sighed again, and then told Dong Tianxing what happened in Luoyi.
The old Dong was dumbfounded and said in disbelief: "Is General Murong so confused? There is clearly something wrong with that woman named Rui Ji."
"Perhaps the authorities are obsessed with her. Or, Rui Ji's clever charm skills made Murong Xue faint?" Shen Lie said with a bitter smile: "In short, Murong Xue behaved very stupidly in this matter."
He paused briefly and then continued: "There are even more exaggerations. When I was in Jiangnan to inquire about the news, I received some rumors that Rui Ji not only did not die, but also became Di Xian's woman."
Dong Tianxing was completely confused: "When you said she became Di Xian's woman, you mean..."
"What else can you refer to?" Shen Lie smiled coldly: "Of course it's the kind of sleeping together and having children."
Hearing what Shen Lie said, Old Dong couldn't help but shake his head. It's messy, the relationship here is really messy.
He clarified his thoughts and turned the topic back to Princess Fenyang: "I haven't finished speaking just now. After General Murong clearly rejected the emperor's marriage proposal, there was not much reaction from the emperor, but the princess's palace was in chaos. The seventh princess, Li Xi, was rejected twice in succession. She felt that she had been greatly insulted, and she hanged herself out of shame and anger."
Shen Lie was shocked: "Dead?!"
"No, no," Dong Tianxing waved his hand: "The maid discovered it in time and saved the person."
"Old Dong, why are you talking so much? It scares me to death." Shen Lie couldn't help complaining.
Dong Tianxing smiled apologetically and continued: "The princess has a strong temper, so what happened is normal. I think the one who is abnormal is Wei Zixuan."
Shen Lie frowned and said in a deep voice: "You are right. Shen also felt that that guy had no good intentions. Perhaps he had already guessed that both Jiang Yao and Murong would reject the marriage and did it on purpose. "
Dong Tianxing nodded: "If this is the case, the problem will be serious. Wei Zixuan's two understatement proposals have laid many hidden dangers. The conflicts between the military and the emperor, Jiang Yao Murong and the Li family will continue to deepen. Now between the government and the opposition There have been a lot of discussions, saying that the generals with heavy troops are arrogant and domineering, and they don't even care about the face of the royal family. In the past, who would dare to refuse the marriage of a dignified princess? "
After hearing this, Shen Lie couldn't help but become alert and secretly remembered the three words Wei Zixuan in his heart.
At this time, the official who went to report the matter came back, accompanied by an old chamberlain and four Forbidden Army captains.
The chamberlain is an old man in the palace, so he naturally recognizes Shen Lie. He bows to her from afar: "The Sa family has met Marquis Chang Ning. Alas, Mr. Shen, I haven't seen you for a long time. Your style is even better than before, hahaha."
Shen Lie also smiled and cupped his hands: "Old man, are you on duty today?"
"No, the Sa family is still blessed," the chamberlain said with a smile: "Otherwise, how could we meet Marquis Chang Ning? Come into the palace with the Sa family as soon as possible, don't keep your majesty waiting for a long time."
Shen Lie nodded and said goodbye to Dong Tianxing first. Then, after being carefully searched by the captain of the Forbidden Army, he followed the old eunuch all the way through the imperial city and entered the palace city.
The place where Li Bing summoned him was at Yangxin Pavilion.
This palace is not as grand and majestic as the Taiji Palace, nor is it as bookish as the Imperial Study Room. It is located among a lush forest and bamboos. The place is not big, but it is fresh and elegant, and it is very suitable for nourishing the heart.
When Li Chengwu was alive, he liked to stay here to handle government affairs.
Seeing things and missing people, Shen Lie couldn't help but feel sad.
He followed the old chamberlain into the pavilion and saw Li Bing sitting in the middle. There were several courtiers standing on both sides of the throne. Wei Zixuan, whom Dong Tianxing just mentioned, is also on the list.
"Your Majesty, Shen Lie, is here to see you."
"Shen Qing, please get back on your feet." Li Bing's tone sounded very calm, neither friendly nor distant: "It was a hard journey from Jiangnan to the imperial capital."
Shen Lie stood up, cupped his hands according to the rules and said, "Your Majesty is worried about me, I dare not lie about my hard work."
Li Bing looked at Shen Lie carefully and had mixed feelings in his heart. The all-powerful leader of the Nilin Division seemed to be much older now, and his temples were already a frosty color. Regarding Shen Lie, Li Bing's mood was quite complicated, including awe, gratitude, admiration, fear and resentment.
It can be said that without Shen Lie, Li Bing would not be where he is today. However, the huge kindness is also a huge burden, which weighs heavily on Li Bing, making him breathless.
Many people know how terrifying Ni Linsi is; but perhaps only Li Bing knows how terrifying Shen Lie is.
He doesn't want to reuse people like this, and he doesn't dare to reuse them.
"Shen Qing, have you gained anything in Jiangnan?" Li Bing asked calmly, brushing away the thousands of thoughts in his mind.
Shen Lie once again raised his hands and responded: "My lord, I am ashamed of your majesty. I have been in the south of the Yangtze River for a long time and have not made any achievements. I have failed to meet your majesty's expectations."
Li Bing nodded and smiled calmly: "I can't blame you. After all, there are no Nilin Division's men to dispatch. How can it be so easy to seize a child from a tiger's den? However, I heard people say that it seems that the Zhenjiang Army has been secretly helping Is this the case with you?"
Shen Lie said loudly: "Reporting to your Majesty, this is indeed true. In order to eliminate the rebels, the Governor of Li Jiangyao sent his men to the south of the Yangtze River to spy on the enemy. I have joined forces with those soldiers to fight against the enemy, and we have cooperated several times."
"I see," Li Bing nodded slightly: "I also heard that it was Shen Qing who helped Li Jiangyao set up the so-called Zhenjiang Army Intelligence Division. All the rules and regulations were based on the Beiya Nilin Division. That's it. ?"
Shen Lie smiled calmly: "Your Majesty, this rumor in the market is completely false. The reason why Li Jiangyao established the Intelligence Department is because it is needed for commanding operations. Therefore, they mainly focus on detecting military intelligence, and the backbones are all experienced, brave and good at fighting. The scout soldiers of Beiya. The Nilin Division of Bei Ya is specifically responsible for monitoring rebellion and punishing corruption for the emperor, so it pays more attention to the ability to investigate and handle cases. The two are completely different. Moreover, I have served in Bei Ya for many years. The third generation emperor still understands the rules in the palace. Any rules and techniques of Nilin Division will never be spread to outsiders."
Li Bing groaned, nodded repeatedly, and said with relief: "After you explain it like this, I will understand. It is indeed the truth. No matter whether it is the Nilin Division or the Intelligence Division, as long as they are willing to act loyally, they will be Shengtang. The pillars of society should be praised and encouraged."
As he said that, he raised his eyes and looked at Tian Mu who was standing next to him.
Tian Mu understood, cleared his throat and said, "Master Shen, His Majesty summoned you this time because there is something going on here that requires your cooperation."
Shen Lie said calmly: "Master Tian, please give me some advice."
"Nilin Division Secret File No. 105 of Renxu, which is the 51st volume of the Long Sword Legion's secret files. Where did Master Shen take it?"
