Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 615 Conspiracy vs. Conspiracy

On the Lantern Festival, the coronation ceremony of Prince Yong Li Lin was held as scheduled.

A crude altar, a simple ceremony, the announcement of new officials in the open air, and then everyone went back home to their mothers.

Everything was so perfunctory and sloppy.

After all, Li Lin didn't even have a palace now, not even a place to hold court meetings. If he still wanted to be ostentatious, it would be a bit ridiculous.

After the coronation ceremony was completed, Li Lin returned to Chenliu County.

The new princess Zheng, oh, now she should be called the imperial concubine who has not been officially canonized.

Her body is so delicate that you almost want to squeeze out water. Li Lin, the old snake, can't wait to hold her in his arms and can't let go. Now they play with her in bed almost every day.

This is probably what the saying "The king does not attend court early in the morning" means.

The old is replaced by the new. As for the former princess consort Houmo Chen, she has become a nun in the Daxiangguo Temple on the outskirts of Kaifeng County with her hair untied.

In fact, Li Lin didn't have to be so extreme. It is a man's nature to have both.

Who doesn’t want to be surrounded by beauties while maintaining an affectionate personality?
However, Zheng's attitude was very strong.

The daughter of Zheng must become the queen, then they will fully support Li Lin, otherwise there is no point in talking.

Although Zheng might lose the opportunity, Li Lin would definitely become a puppet without even the possibility of turning things around.

Li Lin gave in.

But there is still a "troublemaker" here.

Houmochen gave birth to several children for Li Lin. If she were still alive, things would be a little difficult to handle.

Zheng was a newcomer, younger than Li Lin's eldest son. How could she possibly become the queen?
Therefore, Houmochen's departure became inevitable.

Who made the Houmochen family weak and only able to bully people in Guanzhong? Once they arrived in Bianzhou, they were like a dragon swimming in shallow water, so it was natural that their power would decline.

With the balance of Zheng family in Xingyang, Li Lin was no longer a pure puppet. At least he had a certain degree of autonomy in government affairs.

As for what will happen in the future, who can tell for sure?
After weighing the pros and cons, the new emperor who was about to ascend the throne decided to give up his first wife. Poor Houmochen accompanied Li Lin for nearly twenty years and gave birth to several sons, but in the end she could not resist reality.

Fang Chongyong was appointed as the right prime minister and concurrently the generalissimo of the army. The court established a new "Privy Council", with Fang Chongyong serving as the privy councilor and Li Quan as the deputy privy councilor.

Yan Zhuang was the Minister of Personnel, and Liu Yan was the Minister of Revenue.

All the civil and military officials under his command were rewarded, just as Fang Zhongyong had promised beforehand.

Except for Wei Zichun who served as the Minister of Rites, all other staff members under Li Lin served in the "Prince's Eastern Palace". Obviously, whether it was Li Lin or his staff members, even the descendants of Zheng family in Xingyang.

These people planned to lie low for the time being, and set their sights on the next ten or twenty years. In other words, they planned to temporarily hand over power to Fang Zhongyong and let him expand the territory.

After this small court has unified the world, or conquered most of the world, those people will take advantage of every opportunity to reap the benefits.

For example, if Fang Zhongyong falls seriously ill and temporarily loses control of the situation, perhaps those who have been dormant in the past will make a move.

There is no doubt that Li Lin was most likely a puppet emperor, and this basically goes without saying. But in the eyes of many people, Fang Chongyong will also grow old. It is true that Li Lin can be completely controlled by him, but will Li Lin's son also be manipulated by him in the future?

I'm afraid that may not be the case.

Their plan is to temporarily avoid the spotlight and wait for the right opportunity.

As for whether it will work in the future, we can only wait and see.

……

Late at night, on the outskirts of Bianzhou, at Daxiangguo Temple.

Fang Chongyong brought Yan Zhuang and Da Congming, and under the protection of Zhang Guangsheng, arrived at the gate of the temple.

In ancient times, many large temples had "nuns" together with them, which is a bit like setting aside an area within a boys' school to open a "girls' school", but it is called a temple to the outside world.

Unless it is a stand-alone nunnery, it will be called "×× Nunnery".

"You and your men are to guard here. No outsiders are allowed to approach."

Fang Chongyong instructed Zhang Guangsheng.

"Understood! Marshal, please rest assured!"

Zhang Guangsheng clasped his fists and bowed, his heart rising to his throat.

Similar things have happened before, but they were all murders and arson. For example, in Shazhou, Fang Chongyong also liked to kill disobedient Hu merchants in the dark and windy night.

"You really have to put your mind at ease. I am not here tonight to fight and kill."

Fang Zhongyong patted Zhang Guangsheng on the shoulder and said.

After saying that, he turned and entered the temple.

The abbot of Daxiangguo Temple had been waiting respectfully outside the door. They seemed to understand that although the Buddha had infinite power, the monks themselves were not.

In front of a general like Fang Chongyong who holds weapons in his hands, it is better to be low-key and not talk about the power of Buddha.

If a monk is stabbed, the knife will go in with a white knife and come out with a red knife, and he will still die.

After winding around, we arrived at the innermost courtyard of Daxiangguo Temple, where an oil lamp was still lit in one of the meditation rooms.

The abbot made a gesture of invitation to Fang Zhongyong and then quietly withdrew.

He had to leave, because this matter was too dangerous. Every minute he stayed would increase the risk!
"But Queen Houmochen is in the house?"

Fang Zhongyong clasped his hands together, bowed towards the door and asked.

"She is just a weak woman who has converted to Buddhism."

There was a resentful response from inside the house.

He clearly knew that it was Fang Zhongyong who was coming, and he had clearly been informed in advance, but he still said such unreasonable words.

It is obvious that this Hou Mochen is filled with deep resentment!
Of course, the resentment is directed at the scumbag husband Li Lin, not the other party Chong Yong.

Fang Chongyong pushed the door open and walked in, complaining secretly in his heart.

Damn, we’ve already made an appointment, why are you still pretending?
He sat down at the table, and opposite him was the "peerless beauty" Princess Houmochen that Li Heng had mentioned back then.

Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that she still has her charm, but the traces of time can still be seen on her face.

It is completely incomparable to Li Yi's beauty and youthful vitality.

"I am old and ugly, and cannot compare to the beautiful wives and concubines in the Marshal's house."

Houmo Chen sighed, as if she had guessed what Fang Zhongyong was thinking. But she was completely wrong. In fact, this Marshal Fang had no desire for her at all.

"Your Majesty, you are joking. I definitely don't have such thoughts in my mind."

Fang Zhongyong waved his hand and said, his face calm and unremarkable.

Yan Zhuang and Da Congming standing aside were like two statues, motionless and completely devoid of any sense of existence.

"There is no need to mention the title of Queen. Although she has not been crowned yet, Zheng is the Queen."

Hou Mochen shook her head, her face pale, perhaps her heart was calm now.

Of course, Fang Chongyong didn’t believe that this Hou Mochen could “lightly let go” of the humiliation inflicted on her by Li Lin.

Isn’t there a saying that goes: What’s the point if you can just laugh it off?

In life, we follow the ways of man. How much room do we have for “going with the flow”?

As long as you are a human being, you must fight and work hard to carve out a piece of sky that belongs to you.

Houmo Chen had been with Li Lin for nearly twenty years and had given birth to several children. Now Li Lin said he didn't want her anymore, so what was the basis for that?

She was extremely reluctant in her heart, but even her children did not stand on her side.

Houmo Chen was heartbroken.

The situation is stronger than the people. In front of the Zheng family of Xingyang, the Houmochen family has almost nothing.

In addition to resentment. "Queen, do you know why you lost this time?"

Fang Chongyong asked softly.

These words were like a direct poke at Houmo Chen's lungs. The former Princess of Yong was completely upset. She clenched her fists, the veins on her neck bulged, and her originally weak and quiet face began to become ferocious.

It took a long time for her to calm down.

Houmo Chen asked back in a cold tone: "The commander-in-chief is so busy with his affairs, and he came to the Daxiangguo Temple late at night just to humiliate me? Isn't the newly married lady from the royal family charming? Why did she come here? Did she want to have a taste of what it was like to be the emperor's former princess?"

Hearing this, Yan Zhuang and Da Congming looked at each other and were speechless about the narcissism of Hou Mochen.

Many people privately cursed Fang Zhongyong for his sinister political tactics, but no one had ever questioned the Marshal's taste in choosing women!
If it were twenty years ago, Hou Mochen might have been able to climb into Fang Chongyong's bed, but now... I can only say that she really thinks too much.

Where does your blind self-confidence come from?

Yan Zhuang was a little anxious and winked at Fang Zhongyong, suggesting that he get to the point quickly.

They came here tonight not to discuss the "lower three roads" matters with Hou Mochen!

"Do you want to be the queen?"

Fang Zhongyong suddenly asked in a low voice.

Hou Mochen was stunned, and then fell silent.

"If you don't want to, I'll leave now."

Fang Chongyong continued.

"I want to, I dream about it!"

Houmo Chen said with gritted teeth. When she mentioned this, she thought of that slut Zheng from Xingyang. The hatred in her heart rushed to her head and she couldn't suppress it at all.

"I can make you queen."

Fang Chongyong continued to seduce.

Suddenly, Houmo Chen's eyes became ambiguous.

"Three men together, isn't that disgusting?"

Hou Mochen muttered softly.

Soon she made up her mind that as long as she could become the queen, it would be fine to be played with by three men tonight.

Thinking of this, her breathing became rapid.

However, Houmo Chen saw Yan Zhuang, who was silent, took out a piece of paper from the table, picked up a pen and ground ink, and was ready to start recording.

“I have no special intention in supporting you to become the queen.

As long as you satisfy my curiosity, you can be the queen happily.

I am a man of my word."

Fang Chongyong said seriously.

"Please ask, Marshal."

Hou Mochen felt relieved and a smile appeared on her face.

Although I don’t know why Fang Chongyong is so easy to talk to, he doesn’t even want to taste her beautiful body.

But this seems better because the other party doesn't have any leverage over them.

"I heard that His Majesty has always suspected that you were touched by the late emperor. There must be a reason for this. Is that right?"

Fang Chongyong stared into Hou Mochen's eyes and asked.

The aura on his body makes people dare not speak nonsense.

"It's like this, there are some things that I can't explain right away."

Houmochen sighed, she also knew that this was a thorn in Li Lin's heart. Li Lin's suspicion of her was indeed not groundless.

In fact, this is easy to understand. If Houmochen had never been alone with Ji Ge, no matter how outsiders gossiped and slandered her, Li Lin would not suspect that the princess, who had never left his sight, had an affair with Ji Ge.

"Back then, the late emperor summoned me alone. After sending away all the outsiders, he hugged me, kissed and touched me, and lifted up my skirt... I couldn't resist him, and my upper body clothes were taken off... But the beast stopped later."

Houmo Chen sighed and described the past events.

Fang Chongyong and others looked at each other in surprise after hearing this.

It feels like the outsiders really guessed it right! This shit is not groundless!

"and then?"

Yan Zhuang's breathing was a little rapid, and he couldn't help but urge him.

Unexpectedly, Hou Mochen showed a mocking smile on her face and continued:
"That damn emperor actually asked me to play the zither for him. At that time, I was already hot from his kisses, and I even gave up resisting. I thought it was fine to let him play with me. No one could defy the emperor's power.

I didn't expect that he would let me play the piano!

I am not good at music, I just know the basics. I played the piano with my head held high, but I didn't expect that the dog emperor would show a look of disgust! He directly asked Gao Lishi to drive me away!
I have never suffered such humiliation in my life. But that dog emperor did not tarnish my innocence. I have even told you such a shameful thing, so why should I hide it? "

Hou Mochen said bitterly, her face full of anger, loneliness and helplessness.

After hearing Houmo Chen's statement, everyone felt incredible, especially Dacongming, who was still a virgin. He had no idea why this old snake Ji Ge stopped halfway and was so disgusted with Houmo Chen afterwards.

If you despise me so much, then don't play! You are worse than an animal!
Fang Chongyong began to understand why Hou Mochen could not explain this matter clearly to Li Lin.

How can I explain it? Are there any shameful things happening between her and Brother Ji?

Hou Mochen couldn't explain it clearly, and she couldn't explain Ji Ge's strange behavior.

You say it's nothing, they kissed, touched, and played the zither. How did Houmo Chen explain to Li Lin that Ji Ge finally stopped and drove her away?
This situation is actually worse than that of Yang Yuhuan back then.

However, Fang Chongyong saw Yan Zhuang wrote on the paper: "Master Ji is obsessed with his daughter-in-law's hips and breasts, so much so that he can't sleep at night. He was so excited that he fainted..."

He immediately collected his thoughts and said, "So, I understand. I'll take my leave now."

"Eh?"

Hou Mochen was stunned. The other party left just like that? How could he leave like that?
How can two people trust each other if they don't have sex?
This kind of collusion where both parties get what they want would be terrible if there wasn't some flirting between men and women as a spice.

How can a man trust a woman that she will not betray him? How can a woman trust a man that he will not go back on his word?
Houmochen just couldn't believe that a great man like Fang Chongyong would not realize the importance of gaining people's trust.

While she was still thinking, Fang Chongyong had already left the meditation room.

When the group arrived outside Daxiangguo Temple, Fang Zhongyong said to Dacongming:
"Tomorrow you will go to Chenliu to inform Li Lin of the secret meeting between Houmo Chen and me tonight. If he asks whether Houmo Chen and I have had an affair, you should be vague and say that you have been waiting outside the meditation room for a long time.

If he asks you why you betrayed me, you can say that Dae Jung-hye was your favorite and I stole her away from you, and you are resentful of her. "

Fang Chongyong instructed Da Congming.

"Marshal, Dae Jung-hye is my sister! How could I have any improper thoughts about my sister?"

Da Congming asked with a look of horror.

"Hehe, you don't understand this. If you don't tell them this, they will definitely suspect you. As long as you tell them this, Li Lin will not be suspicious.

In the future, you will just be Li Lin's spy beside me and report my every move to him."

Fang Zhongyong patted Dacongming's shoulder with a smile.

"Uh, I understand."

Da Congming saluted Fang Zhongyong with his arms crossed and said, many messy images appeared in his mind.

Things like mutiny, killing the whole family, etc.

My heart was pounding for a moment.

(End of this chapter)