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

Chapter 997: Prince, do you want to rebel?
At the end of the new year, heavy snow is falling,
It is west of Chang'an City and north of Wugong County.

On the right side of the Chinese army camp, Yu Ze walked into Li Xuan's tent with a solemn expression.

On the easel, Li Xuan lightly sketched, and a drawing of Chang'an was already taking shape under his pen.

Yu Ze waited for Li Xuan to stop writing for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, we have a visitor."

"Who is it?" Li Xuan picked up the towel placed aside and gently wiped his palms.

Yu Ze raised his hands with a solemn expression and said, "It's the prince's confidant, Gao Qi, the chief minister of the East Palace."

Li Xuan was stunned for a moment, her brows instantly furrowed, and then she suppressed her anger and said, "Is the prince crazy? He has a secret meeting with the general in front of the army. Is he going to die?"

Chang'an was just around the corner. Liu Shenli, the commander-in-chief of the northwest march, led Li Xuan, Wang Xiaojie, Hei Te Changzhi, Li Duozuo and others to escort hundreds of Tibetan prisoners back to Chang'an.

Accompanying him were five thousand soldiers, Murong Nuohebo, King of Tuyuhun.

Tomorrow we will enter the city, present the prisoners to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, meet with the Emperor, and then go home.

Now Li Xuan can live a good year in peace and contentment.

At this time, Li Xian sent his cronies to the military camp privately to meet with the general secretly.

At this time, even Li Xuan didn't know how to do it well.

If you see it, it will easily set you on fire.

No, what if something happens? It's easy to offend the prince.

After a slight pause, Li Xuan said in a deep voice: "Don't go see him, don't inform him, don't care about anything, just pretend you don't know about it."

Yu Ze was stunned for a moment, then he cupped his hands and said, "Here!"

Li Xuan waved her hand, and Yu Ze immediately retreated.

Li Xuan's brows furrowed again. Li Xian sent someone to come late at night, fearing that there was something really important.

It was so important that a close friend had to bring a message and come to see him in person.

However, although this matter is important, the suspicion of the prince's cronies secretly meeting with former military officials is also very serious.

If you are not careful, both sides will be suspected of treason.

Especially when Li Xian was really convicted of treason. In this case, if today's incident is related to 01:30 in the future, Li Xuan will inevitably die.

Therefore, Li Xuan must not see him today.

Not only could she not see him, she couldn't even let him know about the news she had received.

Who knows how many people are watching here, overtly or covertly.

In fact, it’s better to see each other than to argue with each other.

No one came forward to answer, which already showed that Li Xuan knew that something serious had happened. Although he didn't know exactly what it was, everyone should understand it in his heart.

So, what exactly happened?

Li Xuan walked outside the tent and looked at Chang'an City to the east with a solemn expression.

It must be a big deal for Li Xian to allow his subordinates to visit the military camp late at night without any hesitation.

Li Xuan breathed heavily, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

Really rebelling?

Li Xuan shook his head slightly. Although he was far away in Baihai before, he still knew a thing or two about the situation in the court.

Although the conflict between the prince and the queen intensified, it was far from the point of breaking out.

Especially Ming Chongyan is not dead yet.

Then it's not a matter between the prince and the queen.

What is it that makes the prince so desperate to come here to find him...

Li Xuan's thoughts paused, and then he looked towards the center of the camp with a gloomy expression.

Are Li Xian's people really here to find him?
You know, compared to Li Xuan, Liu Shenli is a close confidant of the prince. Why didn't he go to Liu Shenli and come to him instead?

Therefore, he could only use himself as a cover to attract the attention of others, but in fact he was looking for Liu Shenli.

If something really happened, it would only be him who would be unlucky, not Liu Shenli.

Li Xian, you are really good at playing tricks!
After withdrawing her thoughts, Li Xuan relaxed a lot.

Since it has nothing to do with him and everything to do with Liu Shenli, then the matter will be much easier to handle.

……

Under the dark night, a carriage slowly headed towards the manor in the southern suburbs of Chang'an.

Gao Qi sat in the carriage with a solemn expression.

The city gates in Chang'an City are now closed. He left the city tonight and had no intention of going back.

He was just thinking about what he had done before, and he almost made a big mistake just now.

Although he covered his whereabouts with a cloak, he appeared in front of the military camp for no reason, and there was a sacrifice at the Ancestral Temple tomorrow, so many people were watching overtly or covertly.

The Imperial Ancestral Temple is within the imperial city. If he sees someone today, what will happen tomorrow... Cold sweat is already flowing down his body.

Fortunately, I didn't see anyone today.

Even if someone was watching him outside, he didn't know who he wanted to see.

But there are still risks.

This is one of them.

The prince asked him to come to the military camp to meet someone today, but there was important news to tell him.

Although the other party already knows that it is important news, the other party does not yet know what important news it is.

If the other party doesn't know this news, how will they cooperate tomorrow...

A gust of cold wind blew, and Gao Qi shivered violently.

It's too cold...

Gao Qi suddenly looked to the side. At the same time, one hand had already touched the long sword placed aside.

But at this time, the curtain that was suddenly opened has been automatically lowered.

Gao Qi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to turn around, a cold sword blade was already placed across his neck.

Gao Qi's face instantly darkened, but at the same time, he became extremely firm.

"I'm asking you to answer. Don't ask me who I am. It's like I was in front of the military camp before and there was no news." A voice sounded from behind.

Gao Qi's eyes lit up instantly, and his whole body relaxed.

Just as he was about to turn his head, a hand was firmly pressed on his neck.

"Don't know who I am. It's not good for you, it's not good for me, and it's not good for the masters behind us." A cold voice sounded from behind, and Gao Qi had to nod.

"Okay, let me ask you, what's the matter?"

Gao Qi calmed down for a moment, then whispered: "Three days ago, the servant Zhang Wenguan suddenly slipped for no reason. The imperial doctor came to the door. Nothing happened. Today he suddenly felt cold and had a serious fever."

As soon as Gao Qi finished speaking, the sword blade around his neck had disappeared.He quickly turned around, and the car behind him was already empty.

……

Inside the camp, Li Xuan placed the note under the oil lamp and burned it gently.

Under the flickering firelight, his downcast expression was reflected.

Sure enough, you are not here to find me!
Li Xuan sighed softly, Li Xian sent someone this time to find Liu Shenli.

The military exploits in the battle against Tubo were enough for Liu Shenli to take another step forward.

This step is to become the prime minister.

But there are opinions on how to take this step.

There is a big difference between adding a third-rank member of Tongzhongshu's sect, or directly serving as a servant.

The truth is that being a servant is the truth. The third rank of Tongzhongshu is nothing more than a false appearance.

Now in the political hall, we have the real right to speak.

Zhang Wenguan was ill, so Liu Shenli could naturally take the opportunity to take a step forward.

So I came to see Liu Shenli, and I also hoped that Li Xuan could help speak secretly.

Of course, this is only the first meaning of this note, and there is a deeper hidden meaning in it.

Zhang Wenguan fell ill, first slipped and then contracted cold.

If all of this were reversed, it would become extremely familiar.

First came the cold, then the slip.

Li Xuan's face was very ugly.

Ming Chongyan.

At the beginning of the year, Ming Chongyan plotted against Hao Chujun, so he first contracted the cold and then fell.

Although Gao Baobao took the blame for this incident in the end, the secret guards were already quite critical of it.

Now this time, the same method fell on Zhang Wenguan.

Li Xuan and Zhang Wenguan have a close relationship. Zhang Wenguan fell ill, which also had a certain impact on Li Xuan.

Li Xuan doesn't expect the center to help her much more, as long as it can give him a fair space to display his talents.

If Zhang Wenguan falls and Liu Shenli is promoted to the position of minister, it will be okay for Li Xuan, but he belongs to the prince.

Thinking of this, Li Xuan immediately hesitated.

Was this really done by Ming Chongyan?
If it was really Ming Chongyan who did it, then if things happened at the beginning of the year were taken into account, Ming Chongyan would most likely be beheaded directly.

Moreover, Zhang Wenguan fell, Liu Shenli was promoted to the position of minister, and a close confidant of the prince was made prime minister?

Ming Chongyan is not that stupid.

Now Ming Chongyan probably wishes Zhang Wenguan good health more than anyone else.

If you look at it from this angle, then it is very likely that the prince was responsible for this matter...

Li Xuan was slightly stunned. He finally understood the reason why Li Xian asked Gao Qi to come here to find him.

I just hope that Li Xuan can take action to avoid this matter from involving the prince.

Compared with Liu Shenli, Zhang Wenguan's stance is more neutral.

After all, although the emperor is ill now, he is not yet incapable of governing and his life is in danger.

On the contrary, although the emperor was in poor health, he still handled the affairs of the state perfectly and steadily, and saw no inconvenience in his daily life. It seemed that there would be no problem at all in living for another five to ten years.

In this case, who would easily bet too much on Lee Hyun.

Therefore, it was in Li Xian's best interest for Zhang Wenguan to fall and Liu Shenli to come to power, and he would even be promoted to the position of servant.

If such a thoughtful person takes action, I am afraid that the news that the prince framed Zhang Wenguan and Ming Chongyan in order to obtain the position of servant will soon spread to all parties.

This is the real reason why Li Xian came this time.

Li Xuan couldn't help but shake her head.

Li Xian's concern leads to chaos. This method of spreading rumors is indeed sinister, but in the eyes of real senior officials, it is useless.

At least Li Xuan didn't believe in Li Xian's character, nor did he believe that those in the East Palace had the guts to make such a big calculation.

Li Xianyuan has not been cornered yet.

Therefore, what happened to Zhang Wenguan was either unintentional or someone was manipulating it.

who?

……

Li Xuan gathered her thoughts. The water here was too deep to explore easily.

But Li Xuan can also take action. Zhang Wenguan is ill. Li Xuan can go and see how he is.

In addition, if Zhang Wenguan is really ill and becomes official this time, and Liu Shenli becomes the servant, then there will be a vacant position in the court.

Minister of the Ministry of Industry.

This position can be taken over by the minister of the Ministry of Industry, or by the general and master craftsman. It can also be taken over by the ministers of other ministries, ministers of Jiushi Temple, or even local governors and governors.

Li Xuan's uncle Ouyang Tong has been in the position of Weiwei Siqing for more than two years, and it's time to make a move.

Looking at the tea soup in front of me, the tea began to slosh slightly.

……

Liu Shenli was at the front, followed by Li Xuan, Li Jinxing, and Wang Xiaojie, followed by Li Duozuo, Hei Te Changzhi, and numerous Qianniu Guards, Jinwu Guards, and countless soldiers.

All of them were dressed in golden armor and looked solemn.

Behind the many soldiers came a group of Tibetan prisoners, bowing their heads in despair.

Behind them were the Dangxiang tribesmen who were also riding horses. They looked at the majestic Chang'an City with curiosity in their eyes.

The group of people slowly headed towards the direction of the Vermillion Bird Gate, the flags raised high and the blades cold.

On both sides of the street, countless people looked at the passing army, their faces full of excitement and wonder.

The Imperial Ancestral Temple is located on the east side of Zhuque Gate, within Anshang Gate.

Since Li Zhi, every time the Tang Dynasty won a war, a prisoner dedication ceremony would be held in the Ancestral Temple, and a gathering of civil and military officials, Yi and Di monarchs would be held in front of the Ancestral Temple.

The last time a prisoner sacrifice was held at the Ancestral Temple was when Goguryeo was destroyed.

The tragic defeat in Dafeichuan has only been completely cleared up now.

……

On the high-rise building, Ming Chongyan looked at Qian Niuwei who was following Li Xuan. He couldn't help but shake his head and said, "Please wait a moment before targeting the King of Nanchang. Let's talk about Liu Shenli first."

"Here!" A seventh-grade censor came out from behind and held his hands solemnly.

(End of this chapter)