Traveling through the early Tang Dynasty starts with hanging

Li Shimin, Li Shan, Chai Shao and Su Dingfang were sitting in the hut of the Guanbei Imperial Guards' Office on Chengtianmen Street outside Zhuque Gate, all looking at the lists of the Twelve Guards Generals and the Beiya Imperial Guards Generals in their hands.

Although Chai Shao could barely walk, he was still not very agile. Li Shimin sent someone to invite him after the Liangyi Palace meeting, and Su Dingfang happened to be on duty today. After all, Chai Shao was still the one who nominally controlled the imperial army in Beiya. , and Princess Pingyang is only temporary, so she does not go to the Yamen.

There were no outsiders present, so Chai Shao said with a smile: "Huairen's galloping to the rescue this time is a big credit, but your third sister still needs to be reprimanded."

"Ah?" Li Shan was a little surprised. During this Renzhi Palace incident, I performed flawlessly from beginning to end. Princess Pingyang still had a reason to scold me?

"As a minister, and having such trust from Your Majesty and Second Brother, you should be so." Chai Shao said cheerfully: "But after the dust settled, I didn't see you delivering the message until the day before Your Majesty returned to the capital. The sword guards are still on duty at the Pei Mansion in the sun and the moon."

Li Shimin also heard about this incident. Among the many ministers and assistants, Chen Shuda, Pei Ji, and Yang Gongren all accompanied him to Renzhi Palace. Later, because of the investigation of Yang Wenqian's rebellion, Xiao Yu was also transferred to Renzhi Palace, and was granted the title of Lun shortly after. After being escorted to Phoenix Valley, the only Zaifu left in Chang'an was Pei Shiju from Menxia Province.

Princess Pingyang sent her close personal guards to guard Pei Shiju's house. In the eyes of many people, this was the choice made by Princess Pingyang and his wife... After all, at that time, everyone in Chang'an believed that Prince Yang Wenqian had secretly ordered the rebellion.

This was actually an unexpected surprise for Li Shimin, so he smiled and scolded: "The third sister cares so much, Huairen needs to bear it in mind, but you still dare to complain?"

"You're still complaining about Your Majesty." Li Shan rolled his eyes, "Your Majesty actually wants to gift a beautiful woman. Don't you know that Eleventh Mother is pregnant?!"

"You actually asked Qinghe County Lord!"

"I don't know who instigated it!"

"Yesterday, I was brought up to talk again, and my mother scolded me for a long time!"

"Brother Dingfang also saw it, didn't he?"

Su Dingfang was a little embarrassed, but he did indeed see that Li Shan was scolded by Mr. Zhu, but after thinking about it, he simply lowered his head and continued to read the list, turning a deaf ear.

Li Shimin laughed so hard that he fell down. At that time, he was just joking with his father. He didn't expect that the latter would use this to tease Cui Xin. Li Shan was really unreasonable.

Chai Shao sighed: "Being ruthless does not necessarily mean you are a hero. How can you be compassionate to your wife without being a husband? Huairen loves his wife so much, I am afraid that in the future..."

"The husband is weak." Li Shimin said bluntly: "Not to mention the third sister, Guanyin and the maidservants..."

"The husband is weak?"

A slightly shrill female voice sounded outside the door. Princess Pingyang, dressed in military uniform, strode towards her with sweeping eyes and a cold snort. Although she didn't say a word, not to mention Chai Shao, even Li Shimin couldn't help but look away. .

"Third Sister!" Li Shan jumped up, pulled Princess Pingyang to sit down, and said with a smile: "Thank you, Third Sister. If Third Sister hadn't been in charge of Chang'an and prevented Pei Hongda from taking any rash actions, it would have been difficult for me to take care of both the head and the tail."

"Just understand!" Princess Pingyang was too lazy to pay attention to her husband and brother. "I didn't expect it to be Sanhu this time. It was not Pei Shiju's handiwork."

"But the old thief still refuses to restrain his hands!" Li Shan sighed: "I came to the door yesterday to invite him to serve as an official and return home..."

"He refuses?" Princess Pingyang frowned and tilted her head to look at Li Shimin, "Second brother."

"Third sister." Li Shimin quickly put on a smile.

"When did Huairen become a disciple of yours?"

Although everyone knew about this matter, and it was not just Princess Pingyang and his wife who knew the inside story, Li Shimin was a little stunned when he said it so straightforwardly.

Li Shan gave Li Shimin a look and spread his hands. I have never acknowledged this.

"Hahaha, third sister has good eyesight."

The current situation has reached this point. Although it cannot be revealed to the world or let Li Yuan know, Li Shimin no longer hides it from Princess Pingyang and his wife, "Speaking of which, Huairen first showed his skills in Shandong and planned to defeat the rebels. Send your cronies to Chang'an..."

Princess Pingyang hadn't heard anything yet, but Chai Shao smacked his lips. He immediately recalled the time when the prince seized Shaanxi Road and asked for troops. That was the most dangerous moment for the King of Qin... If Li Shimin could not stabilize the Shaanxi Road Daxingtai The basic base is only located in Tiance Mansion in Chang'an, which is a bit weak.

And just after Prince Li Jiancheng, with the support of His Majesty, struggled with Tiance Mansion several times, finally prepared to send troops, and even obtained the power to control Daxingtai of Shaanxi Province, within two days, three groups of fast horses entered Beijing, and Wei County After a great victory, the former Duke Shi Wanbao committed suicide, and the battle reports that Liu Heitai was beheaded came one after another, slapping the prince three times in the face.

Li Shimin said that Li Shan sent his cronies to Chang'an when he was in Shandong. Obviously, he was saying that these three slaps were probably done by Li Shan and Li Shimin working together.

Chai Shao sighed in his heart, he didn't expect to join the King of Qin so early. At that time, Li Dewu was already the prince, and the fledgling Huairen had no other choice.

"After Huairen's "Spring River Flower Moon" became famous all over the world, he invited himself to leave the capital and go to his post." Li Shimin said seriously: "Before leaving, my younger brother met Huairen..."

"So early?" Princess Pingyang turned around and glared at Li Shan who was smiling dryly, and then continued to ask: "Second brother, do you think Huairen has any merit now that it is clear that he will win the rightful son?"

"There are many heroes in Tiance Mansion. In terms of qualifications, Huairen is still relatively young, but his merits for the country and in Tiance Mansion are unparalleled." Li Shimin replied directly: "There is still room for Huairen to be relied upon in the future. "

Princess Pingyang nodded, "If nothing unexpected happens, the Turks will invade the south this year. How will Pei Shiju deal with it?"

Chai Shao and Li Shimin were both greatly surprised, but then they understood what Princess Pingyang was worried about... If the victory between Li Shan and Pei Shiju depended on the victory of the legitimate son, now Li Shimin's victory has been determined, and although the prince has not yet Deposed, but already defeated.

Under the current situation, the outcome between Li Shan and Pei Shiju is no longer based on winning the direct descendants, and Princess Pingyang is worried about whether the desperate Pei Shiju will directly attack Li Shan at this time.

Although her thinking was a bit simple, planning in this area was not Princess Pingyang's strong point, but Li Shan was still moved and held Princess Pingyang's hands tightly, "Third sister, don't worry..."

"Shut up!" Princess Pingyang scolded: "With your merits, it will be difficult for you to lead troops in battle again in this life. You are still young. Neither your father nor your second brother will let you be rashly named prime minister. If you don't sweep away Clear hidden dangers, even though Pei Shiju is already eighty this year..."

"Yeah, I'm already 80 years old. How many more years can I live?"

"Who knows how many years he can live?!" Princess Pingyang glared, "Are we going to be worried about him until he dies of old age?"

"And Li Dewu, we have to deal with it. Otherwise, if things are revealed to the world in the future, there might be some trouble!"

"Ahem." Chai Shao advised cautiously: "After all, they are father and son."

"Father and son?" Princess Pingyang's eyes widened, "Abandoning his wife and son, he has no regard for father and son. When Huo Qubing went on an expedition to Mobei, he was not forced to go into battle!" "Do you think Sanhu's crime was due to conspiracy? Is it rebellion, or is it because of being unfilial?"

After talking about this, Li Shimin was speechless. In the eyes of most people, King Qi Li Yuanji's crime was treason, but in Princess Pingyang's view, his crime was unfilial piety.

In fact, Li Shimin thought so deep in his heart. He still remembered that Li Shan was sent to the battlefield in Hebei by Li Dewu secretly. He still felt sad, but he and his father finally reconciled, but Li Shan and Li Dewu could not. ...After all, he was not forced to die by his father during his previous expeditions to the battlefield.

After calming down, Li Shimin asked softly: "What do you think, Third Sister?"

"Let Pei Shiju become an official!" Princess Pingyang said simply and neatly: "Anyway, Pei Ji has a deep relationship with his father. We are pleased that the Pei family has retained a prime minister, so what else can we complain about?"

Chai Shao also nodded in agreement, "Besides, Pei Shiju is already eighty years old, so there is nothing wrong with him becoming an official."

Li Shimin pondered for a moment and exchanged glances with Li Shan. Neither of them said a word... They all knew in their hearts that Pei Shiju was still unable to provoke him. The most likely reason was that there was still the possibility of using his methods.

But if Pei Shiju is driven away, the old man will probably reveal Li Shan's life experience in despair, and then secretly spread rumors... King Wei Si has long been attached to King Qin.

Under the premise that his life experience is known to the world, Li Yuan will probably believe the rumors that Li Shan is attached to Li Shimin. By then, Dong Palace will have more room to display his methods.

Even the Renjigong Incident will be regarded as an inside story.

Even if Prince Li Jiancheng cannot make a comeback, he is likely to maintain the current situation and prevent him from being deposed. And if Li Yuan considers the checks and balances between the East Palace and Tiance Mansion, he is likely to retain Pei Shiju to support the East Palace.

By then, everything will be hard to say.

Indeed, telling Pei Shiju to get out is the most effective way, but the old man must get out willingly instead of being driven away.

"Third sister." Li Shan whispered, "Let's talk about business first."

"What business?!" Princess Pingyang cursed angrily in a low voice: "If we miss such a good opportunity...are we waiting for Pei Shiju to die of old age?"

"A true man should be happy with his grudges!"

"Have you forgotten the danger of the battle at Liting in Shandong?"

"Have you forgotten that in the tenth day of Mayi, the Turkic butcher's knife hung from his neck?"

"Have you forgotten the comrades who died in Guji Town?!"

"You can't do anything to Li Dewu, how can you not do anything to Pei Shiju?!"

Chai Shao opened his mouth but closed it. Su Dingfang never opened his mouth from beginning to end. When Princess Pingyang mentioned Pei Shiju, he stood up and stood by the door to prevent anyone from approaching. Li Shimin was also blocked and unable to speak.

Because Princess Pingyang was right, Pei Shiju forced Li Shan into desperate situations several times. It can be said that it was a life-and-death feud. If it were anyone else, the grass on his grave would be as tall as his own. Li Shan used all means to get to this point, even though Pei Shiju was already dead. He is old, should Li Shan let him go lightly?

There is no reason for this.

It can even be said that just because Pei Shiju was old and about to die, Li Shancai had to hurry up to avoid leaving regrets.

Li Shan came to visit yesterday and asked Pei Shiju to return to his hometown after serving as an official and let him die in peace... This was sincere, but he never said that he would not take revenge. If revenge cannot be taken on you, shouldn't revenge be taken on your clansmen and heirs?

Moreover, the visit yesterday was actually secretly encouraged by Fang Xuanling, and was instigated by Li Shimin... Speaking of which, Li Shan was also forced to make this trip.

Seeing Princess Pingyang staring at him, Li Shimin pointed at Li Shan, "Before Huairen went to Daidi, my younger brother mentioned that he would have his choice in the future."

Li Shan was speechless, you know how to blame!
Of course Li Shimin hopes that Pei Shiju will go away, but he cannot be forced to leave. Once Pei Shiju falls into despair, Li Shimin may not be able to pay the price, and Li Shan may not be able to pay it either... but it will definitely cause an unnecessary disaster. The turmoil made the inheritance of the legitimate son a variable again.

Princess Pingyang naturally did not understand the phrase "let him choose", but stared at Li Shimin and asked: "If the Turks invade the south in a large scale, if there is a change, wouldn't Pei Shiju be afraid of change in Beijing?"

After being quiet for a while, Chai Shao spoke, "If something changes and King Qin leads his troops into battle again, the prince will not dare to act rashly."

Princess Pingyang was startled, and then she realized that she had not thought carefully. Once Li Shimin led the army, the dragon would return to the sea, and the prince would not dare to do anything... Unless Li Shimin was defeated and died under the hooves of the Turks, they would join forces with a single blow. The power of the East Palace will inevitably collapse.

At this time, Li Shan suddenly stood up and pulled up Princess Pingyang. "Third sister, please go back first."

"you……"

"Go back first." Li Shan pushed Princess Pingyang's shoulder and whispered: "Don't worry."

Princess Pingyang had no choice but to leave, and turned back to glare at Li Shimin, "If anything goes wrong with Huairen, just look after you."

Seeing his sister leaving, Li Shimin was speechless. Li Shan on the side winked at Chai Shao and said, "Third brother-in-law, you have worked hard in the past."

"Pingyang has always been respectful and courteous." Chai Shao said without blushing and without a beating heart, saying something that no one believed.

Li Shan said hehely: "Then I will ask your majesty tomorrow, or ask His Highness the King of Qin the next day to ask the third sister in person whether it is possible to give Huo Guogong ten concubines."

"Li Huairen!" Chai Shao glared angrily, "You are angry at His Majesty!"

Li Shimin twitched his lips, "I'm afraid father doesn't dare... Huairen, don't count on Gu... Gu even dare not."

"How could your Highness do this?!" Li Shan said sternly: "When I set out from Lingnan to the north, I heard on the way that His Highness, King Qin of the Tang Dynasty, was unparalleled in courage..."

"That's it, that's it!" Li Shimin waved his hand and said: "In the 12th year of the Great Cause, my father attacked Wei Dao'er and fell into the formation. He led the army to attack alone, but it was difficult to break the formation. The third sister urged the infantry to arrive before they could relieve the siege. After the war, three I ignored my father's advice and punished me with twenty sticks."

"Twelve years for the great cause?" Li Shan silently calculated in his mind, "His Royal Highness was only 12 years old at that time, and the third sister was too unreasonable."

Chai Shao and Li Shimin both looked at her with understanding. Now Princess Pingyang has restrained herself a lot, and she used to be unreasonable more often.