Jiuxi

Chapter 354 Chapter 352 [Lin Yuan]

The world is dark at night.

Everything is quiet in Yongjia City, but under this calm surface, there are countless undercurrents hidden.

The Moyuan Wenhui attracted the attention of various forces because of Lu Chen's participation. Lu Chen's exchanges with the literati, as well as his statements on the relationship between the center and the border army, have now been put on the desks of many big shots.

There is no doubt that the words of this young prince contain many profound meanings, especially when he accepted the invitation of the second prince to attend the banquet after the review. This move made many people's emotions boil.

In Lioting Yashe, Xue Susu behaved gently, serving wine and serving dishes to the two young dignitaries.

But her heart was far from as calm as she showed.

The second prince's previous words were very abrupt.

With basically no foreshadowing, not much friendship in the past, and just attending a cultural conference today, the second prince expressed his intention to compete for the throne directly in front of Lu Chen, which seemed to be a bit superficial.

It is true that the second prince has always been free and upright, free and unrestrained, and his behavior is in line with the world's consistent impression of him.

This promise cannot come too late.

It was unknown what the second prince was thinking. He looked into Lu Shen's calm eyes and did not express his opinion on the story. He only said: "Marquis Lu is a man in the army. He definitely doesn't like to beat around the bush, so I choose to get straight to the point tonight. This is a sign of respect for you. If this king can achieve his wish in the future, Marquis Lu will definitely be the leader of the country and a giant in the army. Da Qi’s army must be handed over to people like Marquis Lu to have a chance to completely defeat the northern kingdom. military."

Xue Susu lowered her head involuntarily.

What did he want to tell the second prince with this story?

If the emperor wants to make the eldest prince the prince, or is interested in the third prince, then the second prince should organize a Daqi version of the "Xuanwumen Incident"?

The question is, shouldn’t this kind of confidentiality need to be tested countless times before we can discuss it after finally confirming that we are on the same page?

In return, the second prince knew very well what Lu Chen cared about - not to think about anything other than military power.

"In the end, King Qin won the throne for himself with his high prestige. Although he did kill his brother and force his father, he was highly praised in later history books due to his various feats after he ascended the throne."

The second prince held the wine cup and said slowly: "This story is very exciting."

Hearing Lu Chen talk about Li Shimin's illustrious military exploits and decisiveness, the second prince couldn't help but pick up his wine cup.

The story of the Xuanwu Gate incident in the Tang Dynasty in the previous life was narrated from Lu Chen's mouth, and the second prince gradually became fascinated by it.

If there is support from the border army, the possibility of success will be greatly increased.

Seeing that a conspiracy was about to be completed, Xue Susu felt in disbelief, but Lu Chen suddenly shook his head and said: "Your Highness has misunderstood me."

A ridiculous feeling came over her.

The second prince's straightforward expression of his intention to compete for the heir apparent had a strange undertone. Unexpectedly, Lu Chen not only did not avoid the topic, but instead told a more explicit story.

Even though his father and brother were standing opposite him.

"Your Highness, the story I want to tell you is a bit complicated."

From the second prince's point of view, the story Lu Chen told him was undoubtedly telling him that sometimes he had to make ruthless decisions, and hesitation would only lead to missed opportunities.

Lu Chen observed the reaction of the second prince and said calmly: "Your Highness, I have finished telling my story."

As the wine entered his throat, his eyes gained a strange light.

But can Lu Chen agree with this way of doing things?

Xue Susu looked at Lu Chen with her long autumn eyes, very interested in the "story" he was about to tell.

The second prince was very self-aware. He knew that he could not be compared with the King of Qin in the story told by Lu Chen. What he valued most was not the King of Qin's support, but the King of Qin's determination to resist when the situation was most dangerous.

Lu Chen looked at the solemn expression of the second prince and said slowly: "It is said that the specific year of a certain dynasty is no longer available, or it may be made up by future generations. The founding emperor of this dynasty had a problem. His most outstanding son was not the prince."

The second prince was slightly startled.

Lu Chen said: "In the story I just told, the emperor and the princes are actually not the focus. What I really want to say is the Duke of Wei."

"Duke Weiguo?"

The second prince is knowledgeable and knowledgeable, and has a photographic memory. Naturally, he will not forget the Duke of Wei, Li Jing, whom Lu Chen mentioned just now.

Thinking of this, the second prince smiled slightly reluctantly and asked, "What does Marquis Lu mean by this?"

Lu Chen replied: "Your Highness, the Xuanwu Gate incident turned everything upside down. At that time, many people actively or passively chose to take sides, but Duke Wei did not do so. Regardless of whether future generations think he acted wisely to protect himself or stayed alone, he chose to stay out of it. In In my opinion, Duke Wei is the truly smart minister, because the decision on the position of crown prince is ultimately a private matter of the Heavenly Family, how can outsiders comment?"

The second prince obviously did not expect that things would take such a turn. Xue Susu, who was kneeling next to him, lowered his head and lowered his eyebrows, but his eyes were full of color.

Before this very private banquet, Lu Chen's impression in her mind was almost that of a perfect courtier.

He defeated the alien army, regained the lost territory, and spoke eloquently in front of hundreds of knowledgeable and talented people, not to mention that he was still so young.

Although Xue Susu had hidden concerns, this did not affect her admiration for Lu Chen.

The two young dignitaries had almost reached a conspiracy just now. Xue Susu would inevitably be a little disappointed. She thought that Lu Chen was not the kind of power-hungry person, but who knew that he turned out to be...

It turned out that I had wrongly blamed him, which was fine.

Not to mention the many twists and turns in the heart of this chivalrous oiran, after hearing Lu Chen's last words, the second prince couldn't help but quietly clenched the wine cup in his hand. Lu Chen noticed the change in his expression and said calmly: "The reason why I want to tell this story is because His Highness is sincere, so I must treat him with sincerity."

"Is this king really sincere?"

The second prince softened his tone and his expression gradually returned to calm.

Lu Chen nodded and said: "Your Highness is hosting a banquet tonight. I thought that Your Highness would use various methods to win over you. This is also a common method used by those in power. I really did not expect that His Highness would directly reveal his intention to fight for the throne. As His Highness said before, Men of my generation in the army don't like to beat around the bush, and His Highness's magnanimity and straightforwardness make me feel very happy."

The second prince laughed at himself and said slowly: "But after all, I failed to win your support."

Lu Chen didn't answer.

"Since you praise me for being candid and forthright, I might as well speak more clearly."

The second prince exhaled a breath, and then said: "If the prince is determined by his eldest son, no one can compete with the eldest son. This is the reason why he has been as stable as a mountain. When it comes to the love of the father and the queen, the third child should be far away Better than me. To put it simply, if I want to compete for the position of crown prince, I have no advantage over them at all, so I can only find my own way, and even take risks."

The risky move he meant was to be honest with Lu Chen tonight.

If Lu Chen reported this matter to the emperor, the second prince would definitely not end well. After all, it was taboo for the prince to directly connect with the military general.

However, the second prince's calculation was only half accurate. Lu Chen was impressed by his frankness and would definitely not disclose what was discussed tonight, but he also did not want to get involved in the fight between the princes of the Tian family.

"Your Highness, actually the story Cai Chen told just now has another purpose."

Lu Chen once again started the conversation, and under the expectant gaze of the second prince, he said unhurriedly: "The reason why King Qin in the story was able to turn the situation around was because before that he was invincible in every battle and had great prestige in the army. Extremely high, this is the reason why he can succeed. Without the similar capital of King Qin, I think there are some things that I can't even think about."

The second prince felt a chill in his heart.

Lu Chen's words were both a reminder and an admonition.

After a while, the second prince sighed and said: "What Marquis Lu said makes sense, I will remember it."

Lu Chen raised a cup to pay respect.

The two of them drank the wine, and the second prince asked again: "Marquis Lu, do you mean that you won't interfere in the fight for the position of crown prince?"

Lu Chen said calmly: "Your Highness, I just want to imitate the Duke of Wei in the story and loyally protect the country. As for the ownership of the crown prince, this is not a matter that I can interfere with, and I don't want to be involved in it. If Your Highness doesn't do it tonight, Naturally, I will not be too long-winded if I make this matter clear, but if Your Highness tells you directly, I will express my intention."

The second prince was silent for a moment and said slowly: "But can you really be alone?"

This statement was not a threat.

If Lu Chen stayed in the frontier and commanded the army, he could certainly sit aloof and watch the clouds roll and relax. But now that he was in the capital, and would definitely be entrusted with important tasks by the emperor, how could he stay out of the matter and not be at odds with all the forces in this muddy water? Got into trouble?

Lu Chen smiled and said: "Your Highness, when I came to the capital two years ago, I once said something to Li Jiasanlang."

The second prince asked curiously: "What are you talking about?"

Lu Chen said: "A certain barbarian."

The second prince was stunned, and then he stopped laughing. He pointed at Lu Chen and said, "This is indeed a good reason. No matter who wants to drag you into the game, you can calmly respond with just these four words."

Lu Chen said with a hint of slyness: "What your Highness said is absolutely true. I come from the border and don't know much about the rules of the capital, so I will not participate in the overt and covert fights of those people. If I have to force me into the game, I'm afraid I will have to use my fists." Come and talk.”

The second prince sighed leisurely: "Fortunately, I have always insisted on treating you sincerely, otherwise I might have eaten a meal."

Lu Chen shook his head and said with a smile: "Your Highness is joking, how could I not have the slightest sense of propriety?"

The second prince looked at the smile on his face and said softly: "It's a pity."

Of course he felt it was a pity. Even aside from Lu Chen's consideration of his being very helpful in his bid for the throne, the young prince's temper was very to his liking.

But for the sake of Lu Chen's words, the second prince could not continue to persist, otherwise it would wipe out the little friendship they had and might even turn them into enemies.

The second prince picked it up and put it down, and said calmly: "That's all, I won't mention this in front of you in the future, because I really want to make you a friend. I respect you for this glass of wine."

Lu Chen smiled and said: "Your Highness, please."

After the banquet was over, the second prince personally sent Lu Chen to the door and watched him leave under the escort of more than a dozen fierce border troops with an extremely complicated expression.

At this moment, the sky is filled with starlight.

The night wind was a bit cool.

The second prince stood for a long time, finally turned to look at Xue Susu, and said calmly: "Lu Chen probably won't come to the Wenhui again tomorrow. I want you to serve at his house in a few days. I wonder if you are willing?"

Xue Susu lowered her head and said, "How dare I disobey His Highness's orders?"

The second prince smiled and said softly: "I don't need you to do anything, I just want to show him goodwill. You are a smart woman, don't do anything superfluous."

Xue Susu responded respectfully: "Yes."

(End of this chapter)