In the Dongzhi Palace, Li Gao frowned in the study.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Li Changji wants to see you." The voice coming from outside the door immediately made Li Gao's brows relax slightly.
"Let him in quickly."
Li Changji entered Li Gao's study under the leadership of his servant. As soon as he saw Li Gao, he couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, do you think there is another mystery behind the marriage granted by the emperor?"
Li Gaoque said: "I already know about this matter, but judging from the current situation, we should be overthinking it. I think my nephew can only test whether Dongyi really surrenders, but this is also good for Give us a chance."
Li Changji was confused by Li Gao's words and asked, "What does the prince mean?"
"King Sangfu of Tuoxi has discussed this matter with me. This marriage must be done, and it must be done in a grand manner, so as to bring honor to the emperor. Only then can we take this opportunity to make the next step of the plan."
"What's the plan?" Li Changji continued to ask.
Li Gao showed a thought-provoking smile and said, "You will know when the time comes. You just need to obey my orders."
Li Changji nodded and said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, Li will definitely do whatever he can to help you."
Li Gao said: "Prime Minister, although this is an opportunity, I still need you, Prime Minister, to accompany me and put on a play for our Emperor."
"My lord, just give me your orders!"
"Prime Minister, I have discussed with King Tuoxi that in two days, Princess Sangyu will be asked to abscond in fear of marriage. But it is not really absconding, but just a show. The time is when the betrothal gift is given." Li Gao stopped talking at this point. Living.
Li Changji looked at Li Gao and didn't ask, because Li Gao seemed to be thinking.
"Yes, since it is a marriage between two countries, the three letters and six etiquette must be issued in the name of the imperial court. Tomorrow at the court meeting, the prime minister can take over the task of issuing the betrothal gift. The reason is to show that our court attaches great importance to this marriage. Your Majesty I will definitely agree. And when the Prime Minister sends you the betrothal gift, it will be the moment when the marriage escape will be staged, and then the Prime Minister will understand."
Li Changji was confused, but Li Gao said nothing more.
"Your Majesty, what should I do then?"
Li Gao said: "The Prime Minister only needs to tell His Majesty everything truthfully."
Li Changji was puzzled: "Your Majesty, why is this?"
Li Gao said: "Prime Minister, just do as you are told. I will cooperate with you then."
With Li Gao's words, Li Changji readily agreed and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will act according to my plan."
Li Changji then left the Dongzhi Palace.
Just when Li Changji was going out, he met Gao Yu, the commander of the imperial army, who was coming in. Although he didn't know why Gao Yu came here, it was most likely because of the emperor's proposed marriage. After all, the emperor's behavior was really serious. It leaves many people confused.
"Why did Commander Gao come to see the prince?"
Hearing Li Changji call him to stop, Gao Yu replied: "My purpose of coming here should be the same as the Prime Minister." Then he smiled.
Li Changji also smiled and said: "Even so, I won't delay Commander Gao. The prince is in the study. Commander Gao should hurry in."
Although the two of them only spoke two sentences, their purpose was already clear and they were both here for this matter.
Gao Yu came to the study and met Li Gao.
At this time, Li Gao was in the study studying the defense map of the palace. Seeing this, Gao Yu asked, "Your Majesty, do you have any plans?"
Li Gao called Gao Yu, pointed to the palace defense map, and said, "Commander Gao, is the defense map you gave me real?"
Gao Yu quickly replied: "Your Majesty, the defense of this palace is changed every ten days. This picture was taken five days ago. There are still five days until the next change of defense layout. This picture is undoubtedly true."
Li Gao continued to look at every detail on the defense map and said, "In that case, I will trouble Commander Gao if I have anything to do."
"Your Majesty, if you have anything to do, just send me, no need to be polite."
"I want to arrange my people at these points. I wonder if Commander Gao can handle this?" Li Gao said, pointing to a few points close to the core.
"Your Majesty, this matter would have been difficult in the past, but tomorrow coincides with the replacement of old and new guards in the Forbidden Army. There will be a group of well-trained guards entering the imperial city from the patrol camp. As long as the humble officers make a slight move, there will be no problem in this matter." Gao Yu replied.
Li Gao was very satisfied, nodded and said: "It seems that even God is on our side, everything is just right."
"Your Majesty, I understand. Most of the people in the imperial army listen to what I say. With the addition of the prince's people, what the prince plans will definitely come true. I will definitely live up to my mission."
Li Gao laughed again, and his mood became much more relaxed, and said: "Then I'll leave it to Commander Gao. Once this is done, as long as this king ascends to the great treasure, Commander Gao, you will be the Protector of the Country."
After hearing Li Gao's promise, Gao Yu also left with joy.
Not long after Gao Yu left, Tuoxi King Sangfu also arrived at the Dongzhi Palace.
Li Gao also met Sang Fu in the study.
King Tuoxi came here at this time, and Li Gao also knew that he came to confirm with him, so he asked: "King Tuoxi is here at this time, is it possible that he is worried about my arrangement?"
"That's not true. It's just that this matter is very important. I have to confirm it again and again. Otherwise, if I make a mistake, I will be in an abyss!" Sang Fu replied in time.
"King Tuoxi, you can rest assured that this matter is absolutely foolproof. As long as everyone follows the king's arrangements, everything will fall into place naturally."
After listening to Li Gao's words, Sang Fu calmed down and decided to advance and retreat together with Li Gao. He said: "Your Majesty, this matter is a matter of both glory and loss. I hope that after the matter is completed, the Prince will not forget his previous promise."
Li Gao smiled and said: "That's natural. How can I be a treacherous person? But King Tuoxi, where is the Shadow Team that Dongyi received the secret order from?"
Sang Fu said: "My lord, don't worry. Our Dongyi Shadowmen team is one of the best killer organizations in the world. They have always only listened to my orders. In fact, they have always been by my side. As long as I give my order, they will They will appear. The reason why they are called Shadow Men is because they are unpredictable and hard to find. They often appear in ways that catch people off guard. Now they are ready, just waiting for King East Toe to cause trouble."
Li Gao naturally also knew the power of the Shadow Team, and said: "I can't tell that King Tuoxi, you are hiding quite deep. I hope this team can play its due value and not be used against me."
Hearing what Li Gao said, Sang Fu smiled and said: "Your Majesty, we and our allies in Dongyi always keep their word. Now you and I are like grasshoppers on a rope. We really shouldn't have such suspicions." Heart."
"Don't be offended, King Tuoxi. I just said it casually. In that case, everything will go according to plan."
The two of them smiled knowingly, and then King Tuoxi also left the palace of King Dongzhi.
And Zhang Xiaopan also listened to everything.
Li Chouxin had already finished drinking with He Yuanjun and returned to the courtyard at this time.
As soon as he sat down, Zhang Xiaopan appeared in front of him and said, "Master, today the Prime Minister, the Commander of the Forbidden Army, and King Tuoxi have all gone to see King Dongzhi, and they are all making plans based on this marriage."
Then Zhang Xiaopan told Li Chouxin all the details. After listening to Zhang Xiaopan's news, Li Chouxin seemed to have a preliminary outline of the hidden murderous plan, so he wrote a letter and put it in the memorial to be used at the meeting tomorrow.
"Xiao Pan, you have worked hard these past two days. You will have a good rest at home tonight. You can keep an eye on me tomorrow. After all, nothing will happen tonight. In my opinion, tomorrow's court meeting is the source of all plans. You can continue to go there tomorrow. Stare.”
After listening to Li Chouxin's words, Zhang Xiaopan returned to his room, but he did not go to sleep immediately. Instead, he took out the Qinglian Qi Transformation Technique and started practicing. After all, the next step was the critical moment, and nothing could go wrong, otherwise Li Chouxin and others would Zhang Xiaopan fully understood that he was going to be in danger.
At the court meeting the next day, the emperor indeed asked about the marriage.
Li Gao first said: "Your Majesty, I believe that this marriage is a major event between the two countries. It should be done in the name of the imperial court to the Dongyi envoy with three letters and six gifts. Only in the name of the imperial court can it show that our court values this marriage." and attitude.”
Seeing what King Dongzhi said, the courtiers in the hall all agreed.
Emperor Li Zhun saw that everyone agreed and said: "My dear friends, since it is in the name of the imperial court, who should be the more appropriate person to hire?"
At this time, Prime Minister Li Changji said: "Your Majesty, this matter should be a matter between the Ministry of Rites and Mr. He, but the veteran thinks that Mr. He is too old to bother with this matter anymore. Although the Ministry of Rites is responsible for the etiquette and law of the imperial court, However, this matter is a marriage between the two countries, and Dongyi itself is quite critical of this marriage, so the old minister thinks that the person who goes to recruit should be as important as possible. This may make Dongyi more We clearly see the sincerity of our court and His Majesty."
"What Aiqing said makes sense. Who do you think is more appropriate to send?"
Li Changji looked around pretendingly, and then said: "If your Majesty trusts me, I am willing to go through this."
Li Zhun looked at Li Changji's sincere attitude and said: "Since Ai Qing is the prime minister of my court, your status is suitable. In this case, I will go to the prime minister and follow the orders of the rites department to complete this matter together."
Seeing that everything was going according to his plan, Li Gao showed a smile and said: "Your Majesty is wise, I believe that this marriage will definitely become a good story for generations to come."
After hearing Li Gao's flattery, all the ministers also praised him one after another.
"Your Majesty, Commander Gao wants to see you!" At this time, the little eunuch outside the palace door came in to report.
"Xuan!"
Gao Yu came in with a roll of roster and knelt in front of the hall.
"Your Majesty, today is the day when the new and old guards of the Forbidden Army are replaced. I have just listed the people who have left and the people who have joined. Please make your decision." After speaking, Gao Yu presented the list.
After reading the roster, Li Zhun nodded and said: "Since we follow the procedure, so be it. Commander Gao can make arrangements himself. However, I have a request. It will not be easy for the retired veterans. They must live well." Be kind to them.”
"According to the order, I will arrange these veteran soldiers in accordance with His Majesty's orders."
Little did they know that half of the people on the list that Emperor Li Zhun had just checked were all selected by Li Gao among his own soldiers. Now they were placed in the imperial city, which could be said to have completed Li Gao's careful control.
"My dear friends, I still have something to report. If nothing happens, I will withdraw from the court."
After Li Zhun finished speaking, Li Chouxin stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report. Recently, I discovered that the talented scholars in Xijing City have become depressed since they were humiliated by the Dongyi mission. In order to cheer me up, I Regarding the overall cultural situation of the DPRK, I have made a few suggestions and please report them to Your Majesty."
After Li Chouxin finished speaking, Li Zhun said, "Eunuch Zheng, bring it up."
Li Chouxin handed the memorial with the letter to Eunuch Zheng, and handed it to the emperor in the blink of an eye.
Li Zhun opened the memorial and saw a letter inside. He did not say anything, but pretended to read the memorial. After a while, he said: "Ai Qing's suggestion is indeed novel, but this matter is related to the civil rites of our court. I still need to think about it. I will reply tomorrow." Then he put away the memorial and handed it to Eunuch Zheng, and told him to hold it carefully.
Eunuch Zheng held the memorial tightly in his hand and announced his resignation at the emperor's signal.
After Emperor Li Zhun left the Jinluan Palace, he returned directly to the imperial study, opened Li Chouxin's memorial and opened the letter again.
When Li Zhun read the letter, he looked incredulous. I thought that someone in the court was colluding with Dongyi, but I never thought that it was the powerful King Dongzhi and the Prime Minister, as well as the commander of the Imperial Army who was guarding his safety. The more Li Zhun thought about it, the more he felt sweating and his back felt cold. It was okay. It's not too late, there's still time to make some preparations.
"Eunuch Zheng, go to the patrol camp outside the city and convey my decree to the commander of the patrol camp. Remember that this must be done secretly and cannot be noticed by others." After speaking, Li Zhuang drafted the suggestions attached by Li Chouxin into a secret edict. , and handed it over to Eunuch Zheng.
"Remember! This is done in secret and cannot be discovered!" Seeing the emperor's repeated warnings, Eunuch Zheng also understood the seriousness of the matter, so he knelt down.
"Old slave obeys the order!"
Eunuch Zheng changed out of his palace clothes, disguised himself and left the palace with the secret decree and token in his arms. He walked around the city for a long time before cautiously heading towards the patrol camp.
At the Dongzhi Palace, King Tuoxi has been waiting here for a long time.
Li Changji, who retired from the court, also followed Li Gao to the palace.
When Sang Fu saw Li Changji and King Tuo Xi coming back together, he knew that things were going as planned. His face was full of expression and he asked in a pretentious manner: "My lord, how is everything? Is it going well?"
Li Gao, the king of the East Toe, naturally knew Sang Fu's intention and said, "It would be better for King Tuoxi to come to my house less frequently in the past two days. If someone discovers it, it will not be good for the future plans. As for what he said yesterday, everything It's all under control. Since you're here today, I happen to have something to tell you. Tomorrow, the Prime Minister will take people to Yudong Garden to recruit people, and then the prince will have to put on a good show."
After hearing this, Sang Fu said proudly: "King Dongzhi, don't worry, these are not trivial matters that can be easily solved."
After Sang Fu learned the news, he did not dare to stay longer in Dongzhi Palace and left quickly through the side door.
"Prime Minister, I will appoint you tomorrow, but it's up to you, Prime Minister. You must do it flawlessly so that His Majesty can fully believe it."
"Your Majesty, what should I do?"
"When you go tomorrow, you will happen to meet King Tuoxi who has captured Princess Sangyu who escaped from marriage late at night. You took a tough stance on the spot and dragged the Dongyi envoys into the palace to confront the Holy Spirit. Although King Tuoxi will refuse by then, you You must be persevering, and King Tuoxi is just showing off. He will take people to follow you, and this matter must be made a fuss and let everyone in the city know about it. And what happens after this I have my own ideas about the matter, and you will listen to my instructions when the time comes." Li Gao explained.
After listening to Li Gao's instructions, Li Changji quickly left the palace. However, all this made Li Changji curious, and he had no idea what the East Toe King was doing. It seems that it has nothing to do with the struggle for power, but it is already imminent and there is no way out.
King Dongzhi, who thought he had laid out the chess game, was now looking forward to the sight of himself sitting on the dragon chair speaking eloquently in a few days. He was happy in his heart, but he did not know that in this big chess game, he would eventually become a chess piece, not the person who planned the game.
In Xijing City, the night is as cool as water, and murderous intent abounds in the peaceful atmosphere.
