Tang Dynasty Mingyue Song Dynasty Pass

Chapter 779 Secret collusion

The capital of Wu State, Hangzhou.

The buildings in the ancient city are full of Jiangnan water village style, with gray tiles and white walls. Because it often rains in the south of the Yangtze River in summer, the slanting wind and drizzle come quietly and fall into the patio of the courtyard. The sound of rain hitting the banana leaves is pleasant to the ears, just like a melodious movement of nature, echoing in the quaint courtyard.

Chen Mansion, this is the residence of Chen Jue, who was once one of the "Five Ghosts" of Southern Tang. The other "four ghosts" are now either dead or resigned. He is the only one still holding an official position in the Wu court, and he is not valued. He is just a junior minister of the Honglu Temple, which has little real power among the nine ministers.

Chen Jue used to be the Privy Councilor of Southern Tang, but he is not valued now. The reason is that he was a member of the Song Party and one of the Five Demons of the court. He had a bad reputation among the people. Therefore, after Yang Linger became the king this time, she listened to Su Chen's advice and gave Chen Jue a nominal position.

This arrangement only gave him a salary so that he would not starve to death, but it was by no means an important position.

Chen Jue had always felt aggrieved, so today he held a banquet at his house and invited his old friends, who were also members of the Song Party, such as You Jianyan, Cha Yuanfang, Xie Zhongxuan and others. He also won over several officials from the State of Yue, such as Wu Yanfu, the former governor of the Ningguo Army of Yue, Sun Chengyou, the governor of the Pingjiang Army, and Qian Yu and Qian Hongyi.

Qian Yu was an extraordinary person. He was the eldest son of Qian Hongzuo, the King of Wuyue, and the nephew of Qian Chu, the last ruler of Yue. He had been the governor of Taizhou. Qian Hongyi was the tenth son of Qian Yuanguan, the second king of Wuyue. After Qian Chu ascended the throne, he was appointed as the prime minister and the governor of Mingzhou.

"Sir Chen, what's the fun of the day? Why are you inviting us to your house for a banquet?" Qian Yu said with a wry smile.

In fact, although Qian Yu and Chen Jue knew each other's names, because Southern Tang and Qian Yue had been at odds for a long time and they were both ministers in each other's court, they knew each other very well, but their relationship was not close. Qian Yu still felt awkward when he was invited to the banquet at the mansion.

Chen Jue stroked his beard and smiled, "We are all ministers of fallen countries. The Li Tang and Qian Yue of the past no longer exist. It's time to let go of the old grudges between the two countries. I invited you all today to drink and talk, and forget the grudges with a smile!"

Wu Yanfu sneered and said, "Master Chen really knows the big picture. Is he trying to appease the people on behalf of the court?"

"The imperial court? That's the imperial court of Yang Wu, not ours! The Tang Dynasty was destroyed, and the emperor drowned. For me, Chen, the mountains and rivers are broken, and my country is gone. Living in Xin Wu now is just a way to survive!"

"Oh, it seems that Lord Chen is somewhat dissatisfied with the new dynasty!" Qian Yu said curiously.

Chen Jue sneered, "We have all been marginalized. Should we still be grateful to him? We were all very important in the Tang Kingdom. Now, this king is just a puppet. He might give way to Su Chen in the future. Su Chen is close to those Sun Party members, who are our political enemies. As long as they exist, we will never be able to turn things around in our lifetime."

Qian Yu, Wu Yanfu, Sun Chengyou, Qian Hongyi and others looked at each other. They did not doubt Chen Jue's words because this was the truth and they had heard about it a long time ago.

Sun Chengyou was born in the army and had a straightforward personality. He said directly, "What if you are not convinced? Can you change the status quo? Su Chen is a man of both civil and military talents, and has a very high prestige. He was the one behind the destruction of Yue this time. Not to mention you, even we old ministers are dissatisfied. But the situation is stronger than people. He has a close relationship with Lord Yang, has been crowned king, and controls the military power. Who dares not to obey?!"

"That's right. We can only complain about it at the banquet at your house, but it's useless!" Qian Yu nodded in agreement.

You Jianyan suddenly said mysteriously: "That's not the case. In fact, there are many people in the court who don't like Su Chen and Han Xizai. We can all unite."

"Oh, what do you mean?" Qian Hongyi asked. Chen Jue glanced at the people in the room and suddenly said, "After the fall of Yang Wu, a group of Black Clouds went overseas. They were General Lu's father. Forty years later, Lu Chaoqun was originally the leader of this group of Black Clouds. He wanted to attack the land and establish the Wu Kingdom. He wanted to support Yang Wu and become the temporary leader, imitating the idea of ​​the Western Chu Overlord to promote the Chu Huai King. Unfortunately, he did not expect Su Chen to rise. He was Yang Ling'er's sworn brother, which made General Lu Chaoqun's plan fail. He was in vain. Naturally, he would not give up. Therefore, we still have a chance to make a new choice and support a new master!"

Qian Yu, Qian Hongyi, Wu Yanfu and Sun Chengyou were all a little surprised. They didn't expect Chen Jue and others to come up with such an idea.

"Are you planning to plot to depose and establish a new monarch?"

Chen Jue spoke eloquently: "She, Yang Ling'er, is just a little girl, a woman, and she won't be on the throne for long. We are doing this for the sake of the court, so that the new Wu Kingdom can find a new king who is suitable for him. General Lu Chaoqun has made the greatest contribution and is the true leader of Heiyundu. He has inherited Yang Wu's legacy. He is more suitable to be the new king than Su Chen and ascend the throne as the lord of Wu."

Wu Yanfu's eyes changed, and he suddenly said, "Master Chen, you know, if these words get out, it might be bad for your situation."

Chen Jue smiled and said, "What good will it do you to tell others? You were also the ministers destroyed by Su Chen, so you should have some opinions about Su Chen. Moreover, you were all loyal ministers of Yue State before, but now you are marginalized. If you want to return to the center of the court and have the merit of following the dragon, you have to choose a new crown prince to assist you. General Lu Chaoqun is the best candidate."

"This is just Lord Chen's wishful thinking. General Lu may not think so!" Qian Yu smiled faintly and deliberately used provocation to see what confidence Chen Jue had to dare to speak like that.

Qian Yucai didn't believe that Chen Jue, one of the Five Ghosts of Southern Tang and a veteran in the court, would say such words to them today. There must be other reasons. He must have something to rely on to dare to say such "treasonous" words of rebellion.

Therefore, Qian Yu wanted to test and see what Chen Jue and others had to rely on.

Chen Jue glanced at You Jianyan, Cha Yuanfang and Xie Zhongxuan and smiled.

"Clap!"

Chen Jue clapped his hands, and then a middle-aged man walked out of the dark room. He was of medium build, wearing a green straight-cut long gown with his collar tucked into his belt, his sleeves rolled up, and a folding fan in his hand. He looked gentle and refined, but his eyes were sharp, and he looked like a strategist.

"This is Mr. Zhu, sent by General Lu to Hangzhou to contact us and discuss important matters!"

Mr. Zhu smiled, bowed to Qian Yu, Qian Hongyi, Wu Yanfu, Sun Chengyou and others, and then said: "This minister, Mr. Zhu is polite."

"Are you General Lu's man?"

"It's genuine!" Mr. Zhu said calmly, "I am the Gongcao of General Lu's mansion and one of the general's advisers. My surname is Zhu and my name is Xingkui. I would like to make friends and form an alliance with you gentlemen!"

The expressions of Qian Yu, Qian Hongyi, Wu Yanfu, Sun Chengyou and others changed slightly, and they finally realized that they had been targeted by General Lu.