Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 453: Fengtian Jingnan
It’s the Lantern Festival again, and the lights in Chang’an are as bright as day.

As the beginning of the year, the Lantern Festival has extraordinary significance for the Tang Dynasty, whether it is nobles or ordinary people.

This year's Lantern Festival, Brother Ji cancelled the Lantern Festival on the grounds of "being frugal, caring for the people, and taking a rest with the people."

Ji Ge did not attend the banquet held in Xingqing Palace after nightfall, but entrusted Gao Lishi to take charge.

The more Ji Ge felt the passing of his life, the more he felt annoyed with his "good sons". He knew very well that no matter how much he didn't like it, the throne would be passed to one of his descendants in the future.

The bastard got something for nothing. All my life's hard work was just for free to him.

Whenever he thought of this, Brother Ji felt extremely disgusted.

If he were to attend a banquet and see the submissive appearance of those good-looking boys, he would be tempted to wonder if these people were filled with pride in their hearts.

When he thought about the inevitable situation, Brother Ji lost interest in the so-called family dinner.

At this moment, in the hall of Xingqing Palace that was specially used for banquets, all the princes were eating in silence, enjoying the singing and dancing of the opera artists, and no one spoke.

The atmosphere was dull and depressing.

Suddenly, Gao Lishi realized something was wrong. Why were there empty seats at this year's banquet?
He asked Ying Wang Li Yu, who was closest to him, "Was Rong Wang implicated in Li Heng's incident?"

Prince Rong Li Wan was Li Heng's younger brother from the same father and mother. Ever since Li Heng's rebellion, he was not favored by Ji Ge. Many princes were sent to nearby prefectures and counties, but he was not sent out either, and he still lived in the Ten Princes' Residence.

The treatment of these princes is now not much different from that of weeds. Ji Ge is even too lazy to monitor them. He mainly focuses his energy on princes who have been granted official positions, such as Prince Di Li Yan, Prince Ying Li Lu, and Prince Yong Li Lin.

These people have already set up offices and government offices around Chang'an and are under close surveillance by Ji Ge.

After Li Heng's rebellion, the princes were divided into different classes. The "external faction" did not live in the Ten Princes' Residence, but established offices and government offices in the prefectures and counties around Chang'an. They had some close confidants and political power, and lived a comfortable life.

The "Ten Kings House Clan" were like prisoners, living a life even worse than that of ordinary officials.

As expected, Ying Wang Li Yu said to Gao Lishi respectfully: "General Gao, Rong Wang was not implicated in Li Heng's affairs, and his title is still there."

He hinted that Prince Di Li Yan had been demoted to a commoner and was no longer qualified to attend the banquet here.

"That's strange, why didn't Prince Rong come today?"

Gao Lishi asked with a puzzled look on his face.

Li Yu bowed to him, and then said with the same confusion: "Prince Rong lives in the Tenth Prince's House. I don't know how he is doing now."

In fact, many people are now certain that the next emperor will not be the Crown Prince Li Heng, but will definitely be among the "external" princes.

This made the prince who was temporarily living in the Ten Kings' House like an abandoned child.

Even Gao Lishi didn't know what these princes, who had only a few servants around them, were doing all day.

But no matter what, one thing is certain, these princes in the ten kings' mansions cannot cause any trouble.

"If that's the case, why didn't Zhu Guanghui, the envoy of the Ten Kings' Residence, report it?"

Gao Lishi frowned slightly and asked.

Li Lu showed a helpless expression, as if saying "How the hell should I know?" and did not respond.

"Eh? Prince Yi Li Yu isn't here either!"

Gao Lishi also discovered that there was an adult prince who did not come, and he was also not allowed to be sent out, so he lived in the Mansion of Ten Kings.

But thinking that Brother Ji didn't come either, Gao Lishi was relieved.

Even Ji Ge, the father, did not come to the banquet. So what was the point for those frustrated princes, who were like prisoners, to come to such an occasion and humiliate themselves?

If you want to cry about your poverty and injustice, you have to do it in front of the emperor!
It seems that we should suggest that the remaining princes should also be sent to the vicinity of Chang'an, so that they can set up their own government offices. If you favor one over the other, resentment will arise sooner or later.

The earlier batch of princes who were sent out did not cause any trouble, which shows that this strategy of "limited sending out" is appropriate.

Gao Lishi secretly wondered in his heart whether he should give some advice to Brother Ji. These princes of the "Ten Kings' House Faction" looked quite pitiful.

By the way, it’s time to let Crown Prince Li Heng return to Chang’an.

Gao Lishi thought a lot in his mind, but he just nodded calmly.

After the long and boring banquet, Gao Lishi sat in the carriage heading to Huaqing Palace. As the carriage bumped along, he suddenly felt that something might be wrong.

"Turn around and go to the Tenth King's House!"

Gao Lishi instructed the coachman.

Something was fishy going on, so it was necessary to go over there and take a look. Even if it was just to comfort Li Wan and the others, it would be good.

Arriving at the Ten Kings' Residence on the east side of the Imperial City, Gao Lishi went straight to the gatehouse.

When Gao Lishi met the eunuch on duty, he asked, "Where is Zhu Guanghui? Let him come to see me!"

Zhu Guanghui was a eunuch who followed Ji Ge in the same batch as Gao Lishi, but he had been depressed and frustrated for a long time. He had been promoted according to seniority, and only then did he get the job of "Ten Kings' House Envoy". Among this batch of eunuchs, he was the worst.

In other words, if people had not continued to die of old age and illness, Zhu Guanghui would not even have been able to get the job of the Ten Kings' House Envoy.

Therefore, Gao Lishi did not respect him much and always called him by his name.

"Eunuch Zhu has been ill for a long time. I am in charge of all the affairs of the Tenth Prince's Mansion."

The eunuch replied tremblingly.

Zhu Guanghui actually made an excuse that he had to go back to his hometown for something, but the job at the Ten Kings' House could not be interrupted, so he gave him a large sum of money before leaving and asked him to help "take over" and provide a cover.

"sick?"

Gao Lishi looked puzzled as he looked at the eunuch whose name he could not even pronounce, and his eyes suddenly became sharp.

"General Gao! Spare my life! Zhu Guanghui gave me a large sum of money and asked me to cover for him. He said he went back to his hometown to do some work and will be back soon!
General Gao, please spare my life!"

The eunuch suddenly knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.

Hearing this, Gao Lishi's face changed drastically! He was so angry that he was breathing rapidly and felt dizzy!
"Let's go check who is not at the Ten Kings' House!"

Gao Lishi shouted almost like a scream, almost in a state of rage.

He called the guards of the Ten Kings' Mansion and checked all the courtyards in the Ten Kings' Mansion house by house.

After an inventory, it was discovered that Prince Rong Li Wan, Prince Yan Li Yin, Prince Ji Li Huan, and Prince Yi Li Yu were all disguised as servants who rarely went out. They were not in the Ten Princes' House! No one knew how long they had been gone!
Their children, princesses, etc. are also in the Ten Kings’ Mansion!
When asked, everyone said that the prince was playful and had secretly left the city to hunt, and would be back in two days.

These concubines and imperial grandchildren also don’t know where exactly they are going!

Gao Lishi secretly thought that something was wrong and his face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. He said nothing and got into the carriage directly.

……

It was also the Lantern Festival, but there was no lantern festival in Youzhou City. Instead, it was filled with solemnity.

In the lobby of the Youzhou Jiedushi's office, many generals gathered, all wearing armor and carrying swords, with a hint of excitement on their faces.

They gathered here for one big thing: to rebel.

Or it can also be called "clearing the court."

"Your Highness, please say a few words to the generals." Huangfu Weiming, dressed in military uniform, saluted and said to Prince Rong Li Wan, who was sitting on the main seat, with a respectful look.

The latter suppressed his inner excitement, looked around at everyone, and found that Prince Yan Li Yin, Prince Ji Li Huan, Prince Yi Li Yu and others were all secretly encouraging him.

He cleared his throat and said:

"The sage is incompetent, he uses treacherous ministers, he cannot distinguish right from wrong, the government and the country are in a state of chaos, it is like holding Tai'a upside down, the world is turned upside down! The people are suffering terribly!

The people of noble character and lofty ideals tried to persuade the sage, and even risked their lives to put out the fire. But in the end, their families were destroyed, and the Tang Dynasty never improved at all!
If this continues, the country will no longer be a country!
For the sake of the century-old foundation of the Tang Dynasty, for the sake of inheriting the legacy of Emperor Taizong, for the sake of giving the people of the Tang Dynasty a bright and peaceful world, and for the sake of establishing rules and regulations to save the people.

I am determined to clear the emperor's side and eliminate the villains around the saint! Let the Tang Dynasty get back on track and reach the peak again!
I took the position of Grand Marshal of the Army and stationed myself in Youzhou City.

General Huangfu is the deputy marshal of the army and is in charge of the deployment of the army."

At this point, Li Wan suddenly got stuck, as if she had not memorized the words she was supposed to recite well, and the lively atmosphere was suddenly suffocated.

Seeing that he was so useless, Huangfu Weiming quickly took over the conversation, drew the sword from his waist, pointed it at his head and shouted: "Respect the emperor and punish the traitor! Serve the country for three lifetimes!"

"Respect the emperor and punish the traitors! Serve the country for three lifetimes!"

"Respect the emperor and punish the traitors! Serve the country for three lifetimes!"

"Respect the emperor and punish the traitors! Serve the country for three lifetimes!"

All the generals in the hall shouted in unison!

There is no need for "unified opinions" here, as Hebei has already reached a consensus! They just want to march to Chang'an and go to Xingqing Palace to seek justice from the saint.

The Silver Spear Filial Piety Army could mutiny to seek justice, so could they! And it was even more natural!

"Your Highness, we Huihe are willing to send troops to help Your Highness ascend to the throne!"

The Uighur envoy, who had been like a transparent man in the hall of the yamen, suddenly stepped forward, put his right hand on his chest, bowed and said.

The words are very straightforward!
"I thank the Huihe for upholding justice."

Li Wan looked reserved and nodded slightly.

“Your Highness, let General Huangfu handle the matter of punishing the traitor.

I will lead Your Highness back to the palace to rest first."

After receiving Huangfu Weiming's hint, the eunuch Zhu Guanghui whispered to Li Wan.

"General Huangfu, the heavy responsibility of clearing out the treacherous officials in the Tang Dynasty is now entrusted to you!"

Li Wan walked forward, held Huangfu Weiming's hands tightly and said.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness! We are on this quest with a righteous purpose, and we will surely succeed!
The sage was incompetent and favored treacherous ministers. He was surrounded by useless people like Zheng Shuqing. The only people he could use were Cui Qianyou and Fang Chongyong.

"I have already issued a proclamation, and I believe that the world will respond. Your Highness, please wait for news in Youzhou City. I will definitely fulfill my mission!"

Huangfu Weiming knelt down on one knee, clasped his hands together and asked for instructions, his whole body shaking with excitement.

"Good! Good!"

Li Wan was also infected by this atmosphere.

Ever since his brother Li Heng was executed for treason, he has lived in fear, fearing that one day he would be killed by Ji Ge.

So when the disguised Wei Jian found him, Li Wan agreed without hesitation.

Since I'm living like a dog anyway, I might as well give it a try!
But he didn't expect that Wei Jian also asked Prince Yan Li Yin, Prince Ji Li Huan, and Prince Yi Li Yu to come to Youzhou together!

Probably as a "substitute".

I have to say that these people in Hebei are meticulous and have great ambitions!
But no matter what, I have finally turned over a new leaf. As for the future, only God knows!

Under the cover of Zhu Guanghui, the envoy of the Ten Kings' House, all preparations went smoothly until they left Chang'an, took a grain boat to Hebei, and then rode fast horses into Youzhou.

It went so smoothly it was unbelievable!
Li Wan sneered at the arrogant and stupid Brother Ji in her heart! She despised him very much!
The emperor thought he had everything under control, but he didn't know that except Gao Lishi, everyone was unconsciously looking for a way out, seeking ways to continue to survive after Ji Ge's death.

And this foolish emperor actually thought that his confidants were still loyal to him after sitting on the bench for decades!
How ridiculous! And how sad!

As far as Li Wan knew, Huangfu Weiming bribed Zhu Guanghui with almost no effort!
"Your Highness, walk slowly!"

Huangfu Weiming watched Li Wan leave the government hall, then he looked around at everyone and shouted loudly:

"Everyone, today is the day to follow the dragon! Today is also the day to confer titles on your wife and children, and rebuild your family lineage!

The 200,000-strong army of Youzhou and Pinglu will be divided into two routes to attack Chang'an directly!

Once we take Luoyang and break Chang'an, wealth and glory will be within our reach!
Let’s go! Clear out the imperial court!”

At this moment, Huangfu Weiming's heart was full of lofty ambitions!

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The generals were excited and shouted loudly! They followed Huangfu Weiming out of the Youzhou Jiedushi Yamen. Everywhere were Youzhou soldiers holding torches, ready to go.

In fact, the campaign to purge the court was launched a year earlier than originally planned. Some deployments were not in place.

But the opportunity for the Uighurs to rebel does not come every year.

As the saying goes, opportunity lost never comes again. The Uighur rebellion not only added 100,000 Uighur cavalry to their side, but also eliminated a powerful ally for the imperial court!
If you miss this wave, perhaps planning for another ten years may not produce the same effect.

With such a good opportunity, we have to reveal our cards!

Huangfu Weiming looked at the moon in the sky, which should have been bright and full, but was covered with a layer of red mist.

I couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

Once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back. The only plan now is to go all the way. Who made the current saint over sixty years old?
Even if Brother Ji could be ten years younger, Huangfu Weiming would not choose to take this path.

Anyway, if a man can't eat from five pots, then just cook from five pots!
What is there to be afraid of!
……

There are two roads from Lingzhou to Yunzhong City.

The first route is to first go to Yulin where the Zhenwu Army is located, then follow the Zi River into Yunzhou, then pass the Jingbian Army garrison, pass Wuzhou City, and arrive from the west of Yunzhong City.

The second route is to first go to Shuozhou, join up with the Datong army, and then go north together to Yunzhou, arriving from the south of Yunzhong City.

Fang Zhongyong originally wanted to take the first route because it was faster and closer. However, the generals persuaded him, saying that Tian Chengsi was unreliable and that if he ordered the Datong Army to cut off the retreat of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, the consequences would be disastrous.

It would be better to join forces with the Datong Army first, control their troops, and prevent Tian Chengsi from making any small moves.

This time, the opinions of his generals were very unified and resolute, and Fang Chongyong could not act on his own, so he had to cross the frozen Yellow River from Hequ and rush all the way to Mayi.

Fang Chongyong was surprised to find that Tian Chengsi did not obey his orders and did not go to rescue Yunzhong City!
Seeing Tian Chengsi, who was also surprised, walking towards him, Fang Zhongyong drew his sword, pointed at him and cursed: "Tian Chengsi! What is the crime of delaying military affairs? Don't you have any idea?"

(End of this chapter)