People in the early Tang Dynasty: I compete with Wu Zhao for the throne

Chapter 1650: Confiscating Pei's House, Lai Junchen Frames Prince Yiyang

The sound of hurried footsteps sounded in front of the wide door of the mansion.

There was an uproar.

In the shadows, a Taoist priest wearing a black bamboo hat poked his head out and was shocked to see hundreds of Qianniu guards appearing in front of Pei Yan's mansion.

The next moment, these Qianniu guards had rushed into Pei Yan's house, causing a lot of noise.

The Taoist's eyes fell on an imperial censor wearing a light green official robe standing in front of the door.

Lai Junchen, the seventh-rank Palace Attendant Censor.

Lai Junchen raised his head and glanced at the vermilion plaque on the door, a hint of disdain flashed across his lips. The next moment, he waved his sleeves and broke into the mansion.

The Taoist priest in the black bamboo hat raised his head and looked towards Pei Yan's mansion, a trace of pity inexplicably flashed in his eyes.

Then, this trace of mercy was completely killed by him.

Not long after, a cheer of surprise suddenly came from Pei Yan's mansion, and then Lai Junchen quickly walked out of Pei Yan's mansion holding a scroll.

At the same time, a female corpse was carried out, obviously having taken poison.

The Taoist in black looked at the female corpse and shook his head slightly. The next moment, he took a step back and disappeared into the shadows.

……

"Green Goose!" Empress Wu frowned as she looked at the words "Green Goose" written on the scroll. In an instant, her eyes became stern. She looked up at Lai Junchen and asked, "Did you find this thing in Pei Yan's mansion?"

"Yes!" Lai Junchen immediately bowed, and then said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I found it under the bed of one of Pei Yan's concubines. The concubine had committed suicide by taking poison before I entered."

Empress Wu nodded calmly, turned around and looked at the scroll, her face became stern, and she said calmly: "Transfer General Pei Shaoye of the Left Guard to the front of the army immediately to take over all military affairs."

"Yes!" Wu Sansi suddenly became excited and bowed to accept the order.

The other courtiers in the hall who wanted to say something also shut their mouths at this time.

Pei Shaoye, General of the Left Guard, was born into the Pei family of Wenxi. He was a founding male of Zhengping County and the son of Pei Gui, the chief officer of Bozhou Prefecture.

Pei Shaoye became famous at a young age. He started his career as a guard of the left, and was later awarded the title of guerrilla general. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general of the left guard, and then to the inspecting general of the left guard. He was soon appointed as the deputy governor of Liaodong Road.

At that time, Pei Shaoye's reputation was even higher than Pei Yan and Pei Xingjian, but unfortunately, he was later implicated and demoted to the position of Right General of the Guard, stationed in Liaodong.

Those who knew him in the court were very respectful of his military prowess.

Especially those who knew the truth about his demotion understood that he was merely implicated.

Who is implicated? Xue Rengui.

In the second year of Xianheng, the remnants of Goryeo rebelled and Silla supported them. After the defeat in the Battle of Dafeichuan, Xue Rengui was appointed as the governor of Jilin Road.

But not long after, he was exiled to Xiangzhou for killing the surrendered soldiers.

Pei Shaoye, who was then the deputy chief of Jilin Road, was also implicated and demoted to the rank of Right General of the Imperial Guard.

However, in reality, it was not easy for a man who was able to be promoted from the General of the Left Guard to the Inspector of the Left Guard and soon became the Deputy Governor of Liaodong Road.

He stayed in Andong peacefully for ten years. Now that he returned to the court, he quickly joined Wu Sansi's army.

Now that the opportunity had arrived, Wu Sansi immediately proposed that he be made the commander-in-chief of the army and lead the entire army as the General of the Left Wuwei Guard.

Of course, there is another reason, that is, during the ten years when Pei Shaoye was demoted, the power of the Pei family was concentrated on Pei Xingjian and Pei Yan.

The overt and covert family struggles have made Pei Shaoye extremely jealous of Pei Yan and Pei Xingjian.

On the other hand, the Pei family's decision to promote Pei Shaoye at this time was also another option for the family.

……

Fan Lubing lowered his head slightly. He had always known that Empress Wu was not at ease with Cheng Wuting because he was too close to Pei Yan.

If Cheng Wuting had been willing to go further away from Pei Yan, nothing would have come to this.

Especially today, Cheng Wuting was unexpectedly killed by Li Xuan.

No matter what the reason, someone in the court must take responsibility for the fall of Shanzhou.

As the commander-in-chief of the army, Cheng Wuting was naturally the best person to take the blame.

In addition, there is another reason, that is, Cheng Wuting is very likely unable to stop Li Xuan.

Empress Wu was stationed in Luoyang, and it was Cheng Wuting who was actually in charge of military dispatch.

Li Xuan quietly captured Shanzhou and reached Xishi Pass. Cheng Wuting, the commander-in-chief of the army, did not foresee this step and was really derelict in his duty.

It even made Empress Wu doubt whether Cheng Wuting could defeat or even kill Li Xuan in the subsequent battle with Li Xuan.

Xishi Pass is very close to Luoyang, less than 200 miles away, with the Heluo Plain in between.

The reason why the pressure in the court is not very great now is because there are 50,000 elite troops on the Heluo Plain.

Li Xuan must defeat these 50,000 elite troops before he can reach Luoyang.

Cheng Wuting still has a certain chance of defeating Li Xuan.

Or to be more precise, few of the generals at all levels under Empress Wu were confident of defeating Li Xuan.

Cheng Wuting was the most suitable candidate in Empress Wu's hands.

This is the biggest reason why Empress Wu tolerated Cheng Wu until now.

Now, Wu Sansi proposed someone to replace Cheng Wuting, and Empress Wu chose to accept it without hesitation.

Perhaps, she was extremely impatient with the continued relationship between Cheng Wuting and Pei Yan.

Or perhaps, Li Xuan's increasing approach made Empress Wu feel more and more threatened by Pei Yan.

So she seized the opportunity, dealt with Cheng Wuting and Pei Yan in one fell swoop, and cleared up all the hidden dangers. This is what Empress Wu is like.

Fan Lubing was in a daze when he suddenly felt a pair of eyes falling on him, and he quickly lowered his head.

Then Empress Wu said calmly: "Dispatch 5,000 left guards to Pei Shaoye to go to the front of the army, and tell him that anyone who dares to hinder him from taking over the military power will be killed immediately."

"Yes!" Wu Sansi immediately bowed with an excited look on his face.

Empress Wu continued, "Mobilize 20,000 troops from Shannan Road and Huainan Road respectively, and send them to the front of the army immediately to serve under Pei Shaoye. In addition, recruit 5,000 soldiers from Luoyang City to serve as the Left Guard to protect Luoyang."

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed their heads, but many of them showed a trace of disdain on their faces. When Cheng Wuting was the commander of the army, Empress Wu divided his troops into four directions.

At Hulao Pass, Xishi Pass, Yanling Pass, Shanzhou, and various parts of Hanzhong, Cheng Wuting could actually command only 25,000 troops.

Of course, these 25,000 people are the absolute elite that Luoyang can mobilize.

Even these 25,000 people made Empress Wu nervous and uneasy day and night.

Who could have thought that once the personnel were replaced, Pei Shaoye became the commander-in-chief of the army, and Empress Wu immediately transferred 40,000 troops from Shannan Road and Huainan Road to Pei Shaoye's command.

The number of soldiers directly controlled by Pei Shaoye has exceeded 60,000, which is far beyond what Cheng Wuting can match now.

Empress Wu's eyes fell on Wu Sansi, and she said calmly, "Sansi, you are the one who recommended Pei Qing. If he can't solve the rebellion of King Peng this time, I will use your head to calm people's hearts."

"Yes!" Wu Sansi's expression changed slightly. He didn't expect that Empress Wu would be so cruel.

"Also, tell Pei Shaoye that he can use whatever means he can as long as he can kill King Peng. I don't care how much he loses. As long as King Peng is dead, it will be enough." Empress Wu's voice was extremely cold.

"Yes!" All the ministers in the hall bowed their heads at the same time, their faces extremely solemn.

They were very familiar with Wu Zetian's methods. When she defeated Pei Xingjian, she used this method of losing money.

Use a large number of casualties to consume the opponent's main force.

Most of Li Xuan's troops were in Youwei, or more accurately, in Xishi Pass.

It took two months for the 20,000 soldiers on the front line to fight against Li Xuan.

The court has already transferred 20,000 troops each from Huainan and Shannan. After Li Xuan is exhausted, they can be quickly replenished.

Once Li Xuan's right guard forces were completely wiped out, and Empress Wu contacted Chang'an, the entire situation could be completely settled.

Empress Wu always used this method when marching, and it was extremely effective.

And this method is the best.

The ministers in the palace immediately understood that Li Xuan was going to be in big trouble.

Empress Wu sighed and said, "As for Pei Yan, think twice. Go in person and bring him to the palace. I want to have a final talk with him. If that doesn't work..."

Empress Wu did not finish her words, but just waved her hand gently.

"Yes!" Wu Sansi bowed solemnly, then turned around and walked quickly outside.

……

South of Tianjin Bridge, Jishanfang.

A Taoist priest wearing a black bamboo hat stood under the gate and watched Wu Sansi and a group of people quickly heading towards Pei Yan's mansion.

Not long after, Pei Shaoye was seen coming out of the imperial city and heading quickly towards the east of Luoyang City.

The huge flag of his personal guards behind him clearly revealed his identity.

too fast.

The Taoist priest in the bamboo hat couldn't help but sigh. In just one day, Empress Wu had made the decision.

One can imagine how well prepared Empress Wu was for today.

Wu Sansi was just a chess piece pushed to the front.

Empress Wu might have already completed the real secret contact.

Pei Yan is doomed to die. If Cheng Wuting is willing to hand over power peacefully and stop interfering in Pei Yan's affairs, perhaps Empress Wu will tolerate him for a while.

The Taoist in the bamboo hat shook his head slightly. Perhaps Empress Wu would, but Wu Sansi definitely would not.

Soon, the Taoist priest in the bamboo hat saw Wu Sansi escorting Pei Yan into the imperial city.

And then never came out again.

……

It was a dark night, and there was only a team of Qianniu Guards stationed in Pei Yan's mansion.

All the people in the mansion were imprisoned.

Whenever Pei Yan is executed, these people will also be executed.

Suddenly, a light sound of footsteps appeared at the door, and the guard of the Qianniu Guard bowed slightly: "Come in, Censor!"

Lai Junchen stood in front of the door, nodded slightly to the Qianniu Guards, and said, "I am following the order of Minister Wu to check the things in Pei Yan's mansion again to see if there is anything hidden that has not been discovered."

"Yes!" The Qianniu guard at the gate stepped back and said, "Come in, Imperial Censor."

Lai Junchen nodded and took two steps forward. He looked back in surprise and saw that the Qianniu Guards guarding the gate were still standing at the door, with no intention of following him in.

Lai Junchen smiled gently and nodded slightly. He was a smart man.

Lai Junchen walked calmly to Pei Yan's study, checked it out, and then sat down at the desk. At the same time, he took out a letter from his sleeve.

There was no name on the envelope, and even the contents were not fully written, but the five words "Respectfully addressed: Prince Yi Yang" were clearly written on the letterhead inside.

Prince of Yiyang, Prince of Yiyang Li Cong, and Crown Prince of Ji Li Shen.

Prince Ji Li Shen is the tenth son of Emperor Taizong and the only living son of Emperor Taizong.

Now he, and Prince Xu Li Sujie, are the only two princes in the court in Beijing.

Among the descendants of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong, only these two who were granted the title of prince are still alive.

But unfortunately, they were all under the control of Empress Wu.

Today, they are being targeted by another vicious person.

Lai Junchen came to the front yard, nodded to the guard at the gate, and said, "Indeed, a letter is missing."

The Qianniu Guard guarding the gate did not speak, but bowed and took a step back, as if he had not seen anything.

Lai Junchen smiled broadly, then strode out of the mansion.

Tomorrow, tomorrow everything will be lively.

(End of this chapter)