Xiahou Ninghan worriedly said: "Shen Changshi, you are still wanted by the court. Is it too dangerous to rush to the imperial capital rashly?"
Shen Lie smiled casually: "It's okay. Shen doesn't dare to brag about others, so he is quite confident in this aspect. As long as I don't want to be discovered by them, it will be difficult for them to track my whereabouts. More importantly, right now, We don’t have much time, if we let the traitors continue to act recklessly, I’m afraid it will be hard to get back in the end.”
Li Jiangyao thought about it seriously and agreed: "I have confidence in Brother Shen. He has not been in the imperial capital for so many years in vain."
Xu Youchang responded: "In the past, there was a joke in the wealthy circles of the imperial capital that the entire capital was ostensibly under the control of Jingzhao Mansion, but in reality it was under the control of Beiya. Nilinsi hid an army in 108th Square. no problem."
Xiahou Ninghan was still a little worried: "Having said that, after all, Chang Shi is no longer in the Nilin Division. The Imperial City branch went into hibernation again a while ago. I'm really afraid that if there is any accident or danger, even one person will be killed." There is no one to help.”
Shen Lie said in a solemn tone: "Ning Han, speaking of danger, Jiang Yao and You Zhang are facing life and death tests every day, especially the soldiers of the Zhenjiang Army. I heard from Yuduo Luo that the previous water battle was a disaster. A brother named Zhao Shuo, in order to trap the rebels, risked his life and volunteered generously. Thinking about them, what does Shen mean to him? I am not good at fighting, so I can only do my best in other aspects. The power."
Hearing what he said, everyone present could not help but feel deeply moved. Not just Zhao Shuo, countless Xinjiang soldiers shed blood on the battlefield for the country and the people. New legends are written every day, and heroic scenes of heroic scenes are staged one after another.
Since Shen Lie expressed his intention, Li Jiangyao was not polite to him and immediately discussed the strategy for the trip to the imperial capital.
One person is short-term, two people are wise, not to mention that the people sitting here are heroes with extraordinary resourcefulness, courage and carefulness. After some discussion, everyone came up with a general strategy, taking Hejian County Prince Li Maoxun, Jingguo Duke Zhang Sunyue, Fuguo Duke Chen Ziling and Peiping Marquis Huang Xuan as the first targets to fight against the enemy and disrupt the imperial court.
Li Maoxun, Chang Sunyue, Chen Ziling, and Huang Xuan, all of whom have prominent family backgrounds and upright characters, have always disliked Wei Zixuan's despicable practices. Unfortunately, they have no position or power, so they can do nothing.
If we find a way to invite them into the court, we can not only check and balance the treacherous officials, but also influence many young people from noble families to prevent them from being used by Lao Jianhua to rebel and go astray.
In addition, Princess Li Xi of Fenyang also has certain abilities, including Li Xiuming, who serves as Ping Zhangshi under Tong Zhongshu. As the favorite disciple of Lao Zhongshu Ling Liu Shiming, Li Xiuming has great influence on the civil service group. If he makes good use of it, it should be able to limit Wei Zixuan's misdeeds.
Since Lao Jianhua intends to use court politics to disrupt the pace of the counter-insurgency war, he should tit for tat and use the same method to crack his conspiracy.
-
Two days later, Shen Lie disguised himself and went to the imperial capital with several letters written by Li Jiangyao and Xu Youchang.
Returning to this familiar city again, Shen Lie couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion. However, he shouldered a heavy responsibility and had no time to be distracted. After understanding the surrounding situation, he sneaked into the Prince Consort's Mansion overnight and found the Seventh Princess.
Facing the long history of the past, Li Xi couldn't help but have mixed feelings in his heart.
Shen Lie is Li Chengwu's most trusted close minister, so she has known Uncle Shen who doesn't talk much since she was a child. Although the two of them had little interaction, Li Xi also knew how important Shen Lie was to his father, and how much his father relied on Shen Lie.
Logically speaking, Shen Lie should be one of the few people she can feel both close to and respected.
But sadly, in order to save his brother Li Kuang and protect himself, Li Xi actually made a big mistake and almost killed Shen Lie directly. If Xu Youchang, Murong Xue and Dong Tianxing hadn't made a decisive decision and escaped from prison, his father would have died. The most reliable minister in the emperor's life was about to be destroyed in her hands.
Now that the two met again, Li Xi suddenly felt ashamed. Regardless of her status as a princess, she knelt down to Shen Lie and asked for his forgiveness.
Seeing this, Shen Lie quickly stretched out his hand to help Li Xi up and comforted: "Princess, please don't be like this. The whole story, the Protector has explained to me before, you were also threatened and used by Lao Jianhua. For the sake of the late Emperor, we We’ve already exposed this matter, okay?”
With tears in his eyes, Li Xi nodded ashamedly, and then gave Shen Lieshen a bow before giving up.
Shen Lie asked her to sit down together and asked: "Princess, do you already know the purpose of Shen's coming here?"
Li Xi wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and responded: "Well, the people from the Intelligence Department informed me in advance. Uncle Shen, to be honest, you should have made this decision long ago. I have mentioned to brother Jiang Yao many times that Wei Zixuan Traitors are trying to win over nobles and harbor evil intentions. They must be eradicated as soon as possible, otherwise everyone will not have a good life. It’s just that my brother has some concerns, so he has been reluctant to take action in the court. "
Hearing this, Shen Lie nodded slightly: "The Protector is magnanimous and naturally disdains intrigues with those treacherous ministers. However, when the situation has developed to this point, it is time to fight back. Fortunately, you and I are not only unwilling to do this kind of thing. He is a stranger, and he has quite a lot of experience, so he can try to relieve the worries of the soldiers on the front line."
Li Xi smiled sweetly: "Uncle Shen, you said that we both have a lot of experience in this kind of things. Fenyang felt quite self-deprecating after hearing this."
Shen Lie couldn't help but laugh and said: "Oh, after going around in circles, I returned to a familiar place and a familiar battlefield. In Shen's impression, the princess was still innocent and innocent when she was a child, but things are unpredictable. Now even You were also involved in the court struggle."
"This is the fate of the royal family, we can't escape it." Li Xi sighed softly: "The Holy Tang Dynasty is experiencing disaster, and no one can survive it alone. Fortunately, there are loyal ministers and righteous men like Uncle Shen and Brother Jiang Yao, and the country There is hope.”
Shen Lie waved his hand: "I don't count. The Protectorate and the Zhenjiang Army are the mainstay of Shengtang. Princess, what do you think about this plan?"
Li Xi said: "I listen to you. What needs to be done, how needs to be done, Fenyang will obey the order."
Shen Lie nodded when he heard this: "Since the princess trusts Shen, I will refuse politely. Now that Wei Zixuan and the others have taken the lead, we need to seize the time to catch up. The key link is still with the emperor."
"I understand what you mean," Li Xi responded: "Whether the person we choose can enter the court and what position he will hold is ultimately decided by the emperor. I can ask Li Xiuming and others to recommend it, but whether it will succeed or not, There’s no guarantee.”
Shen Lie smiled and said: "So we have to think of a proper way. I advise Hejian County Prince and the others to take action. It is not difficult. Li Xiuming is not difficult to retreat. The problem is how to do it without arousing the emperor's alertness. Be prepared and successfully achieve your goals.”
Li Xi thought about it carefully and tried to ask: "Three pillars, how about this idea?"
Shen Lie thought for a while and said with a smile: "You mean to make the emperor feel that it is not safe enough for the two factions to fight. Only with the checks and balances of the three parties can he be more stable?"
"Uncle Shen is indeed a master. He can make things happen with just a few clicks." Li Xi couldn't help but smile: "Since ancient times, the emperor's mind has been nothing more than this. When trying to get both sides, the monarch has to worry about maintaining a balance between both sides. When a third party joins in, he can stabilize the situation. We’re sitting on the Diaoyutai.”
Shen Lie agreed: "That's true. For the emperor, three-way wrestling is the most ideal state in the court. At this time, Li Bing deliberately cultivated the power of traditional nobles. In fact, he also wanted to strengthen the relationship between the generals group and the civil servants group. Between them, an extra force of checks and balances was created. However, he did not expect that due to Wei Zixuan's secret leadership, the old nobles had already joined forces with the civil servants, and in fact it was still a fight between the two factions. "
"Then let's let Li Bing understand this situation!" Li Xi said with a smile: "The Hejian County Prince and others can remain neutral and self-denial, which is the third party Li Bing hopes for."
"This article depends on Li Xiuming and others." Shen Lie nodded: "Explain the problem clearly, and our emperor will respond."
Having said this, he paused briefly, and then looked at Li Xi meaningfully: "Princess, in fact, you have already had this plan in your heart, hoping to establish another court force, don't you?"
Li Xi did not intend to hide it, and said with a calm smile: "To be honest, Fenyang has indeed always considered it this way. However, uncle Shen and brother Jiang Yao please rest assured that I can distinguish who is the enemy, who is the friend, and what is right." What is beneficial to the country and the court will harm the people of the world."
Hearing what she said, Shen Lie nodded gently.
Struggle in the court is an unavoidable political phenomenon in all dynasties. Even if a wise king meets a hero once in a thousand years, he will inevitably compete with various forces in his court situation. The most critical issue here is whether the limits of civil strife will be at the expense of the country's interests.
If Li Xi and the others can take the overall situation into consideration and maintain a minimum bottom line on major issues of right and wrong, it will certainly be very beneficial to the smooth suppression of the rebellion and the early restoration of peace to the Holy Tang Dynasty.
This is what Li Jiangyao and himself hope to see.
Thinking of this, Shen Lie said: "If the princess can calm down and keep her direction, Shen will naturally be willing to give her full support. A third party has risen in the court, suppressing treacherous ministers and causing trouble internally, and supporting the army to suppress rebellion externally. The late emperor has a spirit in heaven. I can also rest in peace.”
Hearing him mention his father, Li Xi couldn't help but have red eyes: "Uncle Shen, I have been foolish and made mistakes before. I am sorry to both my father and you. But please don't worry, Fenyang will never be like this again. No matter whose son Li Bing is or what kind of thoughts he has, I will do my best to take care of the Holy Tang Dynasty for my father and prevent it from sinking again."
