Lanting prelude

Chapter 57 Family
"There is no overall situation that is more important than the lives of your family members." Xiao Junmo said without hesitation, "If we can't even protect our family members, what are we talking about protecting the world?"

A generation of famous minister Wei Zheng passed away in the first month of the 17th year of Zhenguan, Tang Taizong Li Shimin mourned unceasingly.

For this reason, Li Shimin abolished the dynasty for five days, and posthumously awarded Wei Zheng the posthumous title of "Wenzhen" as Sikong and governor of Xiangzhou. It was "buried with Zhaoling".At that time, this was the greatest honor that a minister could enjoy.However, Wei Zheng's wife, Mrs. Pei, politely declined on the grounds that Wei Zheng lived a frugal life and that the burial ceremony was not the deceased's will.

On the day of the funeral, Li Shimin ordered all officials above the ninth rank of the imperial court to see Wei Zheng off. At the same time, he wrote his own epitaph and inscriptions for him.That day in Ganlu Hall, Li Shimin couldn't stop crying after finishing writing the inscription, and said to Zhao Dequan beside him: "Using copper as a mirror, you can straighten your clothes; using ancient times as a mirror, you can know the rise and fall; using people as a mirror, you can understand Gains and losses. I always protect these three mirrors to prevent my own mistakes. Now that Wei Zheng has passed away, one mirror is lost!"

"My condolences to everyone." Zhao Dequan also shed tears along with him, "Although Taishi Wei is gone, there are still grandson Xianggong, Cen Xianggong, and Liu Shizhong..."

"They?" Li Shimin smiled wryly, "They like to follow my will in everything, who can be as offensive as Wei Zheng?"

It was about the evaluation of several prime ministers, Zhao De was an internal minister, he didn't dare to say more, so he kept silent.

"Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. Have you made arrangements for the palace banquet?" Li Shimin changed the subject.

"Don't worry everyone, I've made arrangements for this old slave." Zhao Dequan bowed and said, "I'll let you and the royal relatives have a peaceful and peaceful holiday."

"That's good." Li Shimin nodded, and suddenly remembered something, "By the way, how is Qingque's health these days?"

"The old slave just went there yesterday, King Wei seems to be suffering from a cold, and I'm afraid the palace banquet will be held tomorrow..."

"Since you are sick, you should take good care of your illness, and he doesn't have to attend the palace banquet tomorrow." Li Shimin said, "Tomorrow morning, you go to give condolences, and by the way, bring him some ginseng tribute from Silla and bird's nest tribute from South China Sea. In the past, I just said that I let him recuperate at ease, and there is no need to think about anything else."

"Old slave obeys the order."

After Xiao Junmo attended Wei Zheng's funeral, he came to Wangchuan Teahouse.

He boiled water and made tea in the private room on the second floor where Wei Zheng used to sit, feeling quite depressed.

Three or four days have passed since I learned that Li Anyan's family was taken away by people from the East Palace a few days ago. Yuan Gongwang and Xi Yan led their men to search day and night, exhausted all kinds of methods, but still did not find any trace.

Seeing that tomorrow night is the time for the prince to launch a coup, if Li Anyan's family members cannot be found before then, the consequences will be disastrous.Therefore, Xiao Junmo had to take action.

In any case, he can't let these innocent old and weak women and children take their lives for this.

When the tea soup was just boiling, Li Anyan arrived.

Ever since Li Anyan was designed to break into the Prince's Group, Xiao Junmo tried his best to avoid direct contact with him, and only kept the channel for passing on information, but today he had no choice but to take the initiative to make an appointment with Li Anyan.

"Leader, why are you in a hurry to find your subordinates?" Li Anyan sat down, a little surprised.

Xiao Junmo scooped up a bowl of tea and handed it to him: "Why didn't you tell me about such a big change at home?"

"An accident?" Li Anyan pretended to be confused, "No, what happened? It's just that Zhuo Jing took his mother and children back to the countryside to visit relatives..."

"Don't lie to me," Xiao Junmo interrupted him, "I already knew."

When Li Anyan heard this, she couldn't help but her eyes turned red and she lowered her head.

"As soon as something happened that day, King Wu came to tell me." Xiao Junmo said, "I asked Lao Yuan and Lao Xi to investigate that day. The problem is... until now, there is still no news. Therefore, I have no choice but to I'm not looking for you."

Li Anyan burst into tears, choked up and said: "Leader, the overall situation is the most important thing, as for the subordinate's family..."

"There is no overall situation that is more important than the lives of your family members." Xiao Junmo said without hesitation, "If we can't even protect our family members, what are we talking about protecting the world?"

"Let's not hide from the leader," Li Anyan wiped away tears, "In the past few days, my subordinates have asked my brothers to search everywhere, but in the huge city of Chang'an, how many people can't be hidden in any random place? How easy is it to find them?"

"You can't look for a needle in a haystack like this anymore." Xiao Junmo sighed deeply, "We must take the initiative to attack."

"Taking the initiative?" Li Anyan was puzzled, "What does the leader mean?"

Xiao Junmo frowned: "I guess, the person who was ordered by the prince to kidnap Lingtang and your wife and children must be Xie Shaozong. As long as we try to lure him out, we can find his lair, and then find out the whereabouts of Lingtang and your wife and children. "

"However, how can we lure Xie Shaozong out?" Li Anyan was worried, "After the party that day, the crown prince said that unless it was absolutely necessary, no one should meet again, so as not to leak traces and arouse suspicion."

Xiao Junmo smiled coldly: "So, we have to create a 'last resort' situation for them, forcing the prince to call Xie Shaozong's meeting again."

"Then... what should I do?"

Xiao Junmo pondered for a while, and said: "You go to Li Yuanchang immediately, and say that the security deployment in the palace has changed, so you have to discuss it with the prince."

"Then what should the subordinate say?"

"It means that for the evening palace banquet, the Holy One may let the King of Wu lead a hundred Marquis Guards to enter Baifu Hall to strengthen security."

Prior to this, Xiao Junmo had learned all the details of the prince's coup plan through the information given to him by Li Anyan, so he knew that what the prince cared most about was the deployment of troops in Baifu Palace. Wei, the crown prince must be terrified, and he must immediately consult with Xie Shaozong.

Li Anyan understood what he meant, but still frowned slightly: "This method can attract Xie Shaozong, but the problem is that Li Yuanchang and Hou Junji have a lot of eyeliners in the palace, as long as they inquire, they will immediately know that this is a man. Fake news!"

"Of course I thought of that." Xiao Junmo smiled lightly, "Don't worry, I will make it true news."

Li Anyan thought for a while, and suddenly said: "The leader means to let King Wu cooperate with us?"

Xiao Junmo nodded: "I'll ask King Wu to bring this matter up to the Holy Lord when I turn around. The reason is that he has humiliated you, and I'm afraid you will hold a grudge, so it's best to let Wu Houwei enter Baifu Hall to prevent accidents."

Li An Yan smiled: "This is a good excuse."

"In this way, this is true news. As for whether the Holy One agrees or not, that is another matter."

"From the perspective of the lord, will the Holy Majesty agree?" Li Anyan was a little worried again, "If the Holy Majesty agrees, the crown prince will probably give up this action, right?"

"In my opinion, it is more likely that the Holy Majesty will not agree, because he trusts you, how could he believe that you would rebel because of such a trivial matter? What's more, the Holy Majesty held a palace banquet to celebrate peace. Isn't it against the original intention to fight against the enemy? However, there are no absolutes in everything. If the Holy Majesty agrees, and the crown prince also retreats in spite of the difficulties, then he has no reason to keep your family members behind. Believe me They will be sent back soon. Therefore, regardless of whether the Holy Majesty agrees to this matter, we can ensure the safety of Lingtang, wife and children."

It was only then that Li Anyan discovered that the method proposed by Xiao Junmo was actually a two-way strategy, the purpose of which was to protect the safety of his family.In contrast, the matter of dealing with the prince took a backseat.Realizing this, he was greatly moved in his heart, and said: "Leader, if the crown prince gives up his actions, then... wouldn't our busy work be in vain?"

"The future is long, I don't believe the crown prince can live in peace for a long time. As long as we keep our eyes open, there will be opportunities at any time." Xiao Junmo smiled and pointed to the tea bowl on the desk, "Come on, don't just talk, taste my tea. The art of making tea."

After leaving the Wangchuan Tea House, Xiao Junmo and Li Anyan split up.

Xiao Junmo came to the general of the Wuhou Wei Ya Office to be on duty, found Li Ke, and told him about the matter.

"No problem, I will enter the palace to play to the emperor later." Li Ke said, "But I have a question."

"You said."

"If the emperor agrees, and the East Palace also backs down, wouldn't our success fall short?"

"I'd rather look for another chance in the future than hurt the innocent." Xiao Junmo said resolutely.

"The problem with you is that you are too soft-hearted." Li Ke sighed and sneered slightly, "How can you do great things with the benevolence of a woman like you?"

"The ancients did not do an unrighteous thing and killed an innocent to win the world. If you step on the blood of General Li's family to rise to power, how will you feel at ease?" Xiao Junmo sneered.

Li Ke snorted coldly: "Old Master Meng said this because he is too pedantic! Don't you see, Wu Qi did not hesitate to kill his wife to seek generals for fame? Liu Bang kicked his son and daughter off the carriage three times in order to escape?"

"That's Wu Qi and Liu Bang, not me or you." Xiao Junmo looked at him, "Unless you want to tell me that you are the same person as them."

"What if I say yes?" Li Ke smiled.

"That's because I'm blind." Xiao Junmo said, "From now on, you and I will part ways. You will take your Yangguan Road, and I will take my single-plank bridge."

"So heartless?"

"Different road non-phase plan."

Li Ke chuckled: "Embrace me, you will be the prime minister under one person and above ten thousand people in the future, don't you want it?"

"Isn't it the prime minister? It's not rare."

"The prime minister doesn't even care?" Li Ke stared, "Could it be that you still want to be the emperor?!"

"Why," Xiao Junmo smiled faintly, "Afraid that I will steal it from you?"

"Let the horse come if you have the guts!" Li Ke said, "But if you want to rob me, you have to be a minister of power first and then usurp the throne, right? Don't you also have to assist me to become the emperor first?"

When Xiao Junmo heard this, he suddenly remembered his own life experience—in fact, as the only surviving orphan of Prince Yin, in principle, he also has the right to inherit the throne of Li Tang. Throne".In other words, if he really wanted to grab the throne, he would actually have the same qualifications as King Wu, King Wei, and even the crown prince.In a sense, he is even more qualified than them, because the throne of the Tang Dynasty was originally owned by the hidden prince Li Jiancheng. Even if he joined the ranks of seizing the heir, he would only get back what belonged to him.

Thinking of this, Xiao Junmo couldn't help smiling wryly in his heart, but said: "I only assist gentlemen, if you regard Wu Qi and Liu Bang as role models, then you are a villain, please forgive me for not being able to accompany you."

Li Ke laughed loudly: "Okay, okay, can I despise them? Seriously, if the emperor doesn't agree to my request, what should I do if the prince will act as usual tomorrow night?"

"Just pretend that you don't know anything beforehand, just keep an eye on the prince's every move, and take him down when he gets into trouble. I've already asked Li Anyan to go down. His 25 subordinates in Baifu Hall, I will listen to you when the time comes."

Li Ke nodded: "In addition to doing things in the palace, the crown prince will also take action against Shang Shusheng and Wei Wangfu, right?"

Regarding the prince's coup plan, Xiao Junmo did not disclose everything to Li Ke, but only told him about the Tai Chi Palace, because the other two parts involved many secrets, and he was not allowed to know for the time being.Listening to his question now, Xiao Junmo had no choice but to say perfunctorily: "You don't have to worry about other things, I have my own arrangements."

Li Ke looked at him, suddenly a little displeased: "Brother, I obeyed you, but you kept everything from me, isn't it kind?"

"I am a counselor, and I need to look at the overall situation before I can make a decision; you are the master, as long as you get a satisfactory result, why do you need to know so many details?" Xiao Junmo also looked at him, "Unless you want to change places with me .”

"Everything you say seems quite reasonable." Li Ke said with a smile, "Why is your mouth so powerful?"

"Anyway, it's not the first time you've learned something, just get used to it." Xiao Junmo patted his arm with a smile, "It's time to get down to business, see you later."

After finishing speaking, Xiao Junmo turned around and walked out of the guard room, waving his hands without looking back as he walked.

Li Ke looked at his leaving back with a complicated expression suddenly.

He was thinking, for a person like Xiao Junmo, luckily he is his brother, if he is an opponent, it would be terrible.

In the afternoon of that day, Wang Hongyi, dressed as a businessman, entered the Wei Palace through a small door in the northeast corner, and was led by the butler to the study.As soon as he reached the door, he heard a violent cough coming from inside.

Li Tai's face was pale, he was still wrapped in the thick fox fur cloak, and sat behind the desk in a daze.At this time, there were several pots of charcoal fire burning in the study, Wang Hongyi felt a little warm when he came in, but Wei Wang still shivered from the cold, it seemed that he was really sick.

Seeing Wang Hongyi coming in, Li Tai didn't get up either, he just pushed back the servants and motioned him to sit beside him.

"Your Highness is sick, haven't you seen me yet?" Wang Hongyi sat down by the desk.

"That's right, who would have expected that one illness would last so many days." Li Tai said weakly, "Don't blame me for not being able to meet him far away."

"Your Highness, you are welcome." Wang Hongyi waved his hand and glanced at him, "Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. I wonder if Your Highness can enter the palace for the banquet as usual?"

"The news came from the palace just now," Li Tai smiled wryly, "Father told me to recuperate at ease, and I don't have to attend tomorrow's palace banquet."

Wang Hongyi was surprised, paused for a moment, and said: "In this way, His Highness's illness really came at an inopportune time."

"The world is impermanent, human life is fragile, even death may come at any time, let alone illness?" Li Tai said awkwardly, "Sir, it seems that I can choose when to get sick."

"Of course I don't mean that." Wang Hongyi smiled, "It's God's will, so what's the use of manpower? I'm just sorry for His Highness, just complaining."

"Sir, are you implying to me that God has abandoned me in the matter of seizing the heir?" Li Tai squinted at him, "It's nothing more than a palace banquet. Is it really that important to participate or not?"

"The palace banquet itself is of course irrelevant. I'm just worried that His Highness's favor will gradually decline. In the future, let alone seizing the heir, self-protection may become a problem." Wang Hongyi said bluntly.

"Mister is really quick to talk." Li Tai smiled, "Then I would like to ask sir, if I really fall into such a situation, would you still be willing to help me?"

"As long as His Highness does not give up on himself, I am of course willing to assist His Highness."

"Oh?" Li Tai raised his eyebrows, "Does Mister think that I've given up on myself by shutting myself up to thank guests and being a vegetarian during this time?"

"No, I prefer to believe that His Highness is hiding his strength and biding his time."

Li Tai looked directly at him: "Mr. said so, but is it true?"

"Of course." Wang Hongyi met his gaze, "Is there still a need for hypocrisy between me and Your Highness?"

Li Tai stared at him for a while before grinning: "Okay, since that's the case, let me tell you the truth, my king's days of keeping a low profile are over today."

Wang Hongyi was puzzled: "What does Your Highness mean by this?"

"What I mean is, after tomorrow night, I, Li Tai, will be elated, and it's time for you, sir, to show off your ambitions." Li Tai's eyes suddenly glowed with excitement, "In other words, tomorrow's palace banquet will be held by the prince." the time of death!"

Hearing this, Wang Hongyi became more and more confused: "Did your Highness hear any news?"

Li Tai smiled without answering, took out a letter from the documents on the case, and handed it over.

Wang Hongyi took it and took a look, only to see the words "His Royal Highness the King of Wei personally entrusted" written on the envelope.Wang Hongyi took out the letter paper, opened it, and first frowned slightly, then his face changed drastically, and he couldn't help but ask, "Who wrote this?"

Li Tai shook his head: "I haven't signed it, so I can't guess who it is."

The reason why Wang Hongyi turned pale with fright was that although the anonymous letter was only a few sentences long, the content was shocking: the letter said that there would be some changes in the crown prince at the Shangyuan Festival palace banquet tomorrow, and at the same time there would be an unrecognizable The forces of the rivers and lakes attacked Wei Wangfu at night, so Wei Wang took precautions.

"How did Your Highness get this letter?"

"Someone slipped it through the crack in the door."

Wang Hongyi frowned, subconsciously turned over the envelope and letter paper several times, but found nothing useful.

"In Mr.'s opinion, is this news reliable?" Li Tai asked.

"It should be reliable." Wang Hongyi looked solemn, "Since this person does not want to reveal his identity, what good does it do him to tell such a lie?"

"I think so too." Li Taidao, "Besides, the Jianghu forces mentioned here are also members of your Heavenly Punishment Alliance?"

"It's possible. The various branches of this alliance have gone their own way since the ninth year of Wude, and it is not ruled out that some of them have taken refuge in the East Palace."

"Since you are a member of the Heavenly Punishment Alliance, then tomorrow night, I will leave the safety of the mansion to you." Li Tai said earnestly, "The guards in my mansion are definitely not their opponents."

Wang Hongyi nodded: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will personally bring people over and keep them safe so that they never come back!"

Li Tai felt relieved and sighed, "Fortunately, someone revealed this news to me secretly, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous!"

"Who wrote this anonymous letter, is it impossible for His Highness to guess?"

Li Tai thought for a moment, then shook his head: "I have no idea at all." After a pause, he continued: "Whoever he is, since he is willing to help me anyway, he is definitely not our enemy."

Wang Hongyi was thinking about something, and smiled coldly: "It's true that he helped His Highness this time, but whether this person is an enemy or a friend, I'm afraid it's hard to say now."

Li Tai was startled: "Why did you say that, sir?"

Wang Hongyi was silent for a moment, then said lightly, "It's nothing, just a hunch."

In the Xuanjiawei Office, Huan Dieyi was holding a booklet in his hand. As soon as he walked to the front of the general's office, he was stopped by the guards.

"Marshal Huan, please stay. The general has an order. He is dealing with urgent business. No one is allowed to enter."

"Anyone?" Huan Dieyi frowned, "Including me?"

"Yes." The guard said, "The general said that no one should be an exception."

Since joining Xuanjiawei, the door of her uncle's housekeeping has always been open to her. She can come in and out freely at any time without reporting. Although this is not in accordance with the rules, due to her special relationship with Li Shiji, the guards He never dared to stop her, but he didn't expect to be rejected today, which was the first time in history.

Huan Dieyi was very surprised: "Why is the official business so important?"

The guard had a hard time: "This... please forgive me for not having any comment."

Huan Dieyi was about to say something more, when suddenly Li Shiji scolded from the value room, although the voice was not loud, it could be heard that he was extremely angry.Huan Dieyi and the guard were startled at the same time.

"Who else is in there?" Huan Dieyi asked.

"Yes...it's General Zuo."

"Jun Mo?" Huan Dieyi became more and more suspicious.Uncle and Xiao Junmo have always been like father and son. Even if there were occasional differences of opinion in business affairs, the two of them never blushed. What happened today?
While he was thinking about it, there was another bang in the duty room, as if someone kicked over the book case—obviously, it must have been kicked by his uncle, because Xiao Junmo would never be so presumptuous in front of his uncle anyway.But my uncle is calm by nature, what could make him so angry?

"Get out of the way, I want to go in!" Huan Dieyi pushed aside the guards, and immediately wanted to break in.The guard hurriedly opened his hands to block the way, and said with a bitter face: "I'm sorry, Marshal Huan, the general has issued a death order, no one is allowed to enter!"

"Are you deaf? Didn't you hear the movement inside?" Huan Dieyi was anxious, "Get out of the way!"

Just as the two were pushing and shoving, Xiao Junmo suddenly came out of the gate with a gloomy face. Seeing Huan Dieyi, he was a little embarrassed, so he forced a smile as a greeting.

Huan Dieyi shook off the guard, walked in front of him, stared and said: "What did you say to Uncle to make him so angry?"

"Angry?" Xiao Junmo quickly regained his composure, "No, I talked to Master about something, and it went well, who said he was angry?"

"I even kicked over the book case, and still say no?!" Huan Dieyi was anxious, "Tell me, what did you say to uncle?"

Xiao Junmo smiled helplessly: "Dieyi, you are also a dignified brigade commander now, why don't you even know the rules? How can I tell you casually what I talked to the general?"

When Huan Dieyi heard that he was talking in an official tone, he was even more angry, but he had no words to refute, so he gave him a hard look, pushed him away again, and then strode into the valet room.

The guard hadn't received Li Shiji's order to lift the guard, and he wasn't sure if he could let Huan Dieyi in. Just about to catch up, Xiao Junmo patted him on the shoulder: "Let her in, she's fine now."

The guard breathed a sigh of relief: "Yes."

Huan Dieyi walked into the duty room and saw Li Shiji sitting on the couch in a daze, frowning into the word "Chuan".

This was my uncle's usual expression when he encountered major difficulties.Huan Dieyi glanced at the desk in front of him again. Although it had been lifted up, it was not straightened, and the things on the desk seemed quite messy.All signs indicated that Xiao Junmo must have said something big to his uncle, which caused great distress to his uncle!

Seeing her coming in, Li Shiji's frown was barely loosened, and he put on a nonchalant expression: "Why are you here?"

"I have investigated all the cases you assigned a few days ago." Huan Dieyi handed over the folder and observed his expression.

Li Shiji gave a "hmm", took the booklet and flipped through it, but he was obviously absent-minded.

"Uncle, what did Jun Mo tell you just now?" Huan Dieyi couldn't help asking.

Li Shiji didn't lift his eyelids: "It's nothing, it's just a routine."

"Really?" Huan Dieyi pretended to be unintentionally tidying up the messy desk, "What kind of routine can make you so angry that you overturn the desk?"

Li Shiji was stunned, and raised his eyes: "Don't ask about things you shouldn't ask, you little brigade commander, why do you ask so much?"

In a short time, Huan Dieyi made people choke twice, and they all talked about "Brigade Commander". He couldn't help being wronged and annoyed, so he pouted and said, "I'm not worried about you two? After returning to Beijing, you have been secretive and kept everything from me. Now you have followed his example and kept me in the dark. If I was not worried about you, I would not bother to inquire about it!"

Li Shiji was most afraid of her acting like a baby, so he had to smile wryly, and said: "Okay, I also know that you mean it well, so it's okay to tell you, Jun Mo is here to suggest to me that our Xuanjiawei has always been busy with business, brothers It's all very hard work, so take advantage of the Lantern Festival tomorrow, and have a banquet in our government office, and reward everyone..."

"This is a good thing!" Huan Dieyi rushed to say, "Why are you so angry about this kind of thing?"

"Of course this is a good thing, and I agree with it, but..."

"But what?"

Li Shiji hesitated, and turned his eyes: "It's just that I think that the number of people in the banquet should not be too many, and it is enough to call the generals above the team, but Jun Mo insisted that all the generals above the team and those who have been in the job for more than five years Brothers from all over the country were called, and this time there were hundreds of people! I didn’t agree, so I argued a few words, but it’s really nothing.”

Huan Dieyi looked at him suspiciously: "Just because of such a trivial matter, did you start arguing?"

Li Shiji laughed at himself: "Maybe I overreacted a little, so after thinking about it, it would be more exciting to call more brothers, so I agreed to him."

Huan Dieyi knew that his uncle was not telling the truth.

This matter is neither necessary for any dispute, nor enough to arouse uncle's anger and distress.Xiao Junmo's suggestion must not only be out of sympathy for Brother Ben Wei, but also because of ulterior motives.In other words, he just used it as a cover to achieve some ulterior purpose!

Only this reason will make my uncle very angry and troublesome.

However, what is Xiao Junmo's real purpose?Since my uncle got angry, it meant that he already knew his real purpose, but why did he agree to him?Looking at his uncle's appearance, he seemed to be forced to do so, even a little coerced.But is Xiao Junmo this kind of person?How could he coerce his uncle in order to achieve his own goals?
Huan Dieyi was puzzled.

Suddenly, she felt that Xiao Junmo had become a stranger, a stranger full of mystery and weirdness.

Li Yuanchang was frightened when he heard Li Anyan said that the security plan in the palace might have changed, he rushed to the East Palace immediately and told the prince about it.Li Chengqian was also confused by this sudden situation, and ordered Li Yuanchang to rush into the palace to find out the exact news, and at the same time ordered someone to notify Xie Shaozong to meet Hou Junji.

At the end of the You period, Li Chengqian, Xie Shaozong, and Hou Junji came to Qihuang Pavilion in Pingkangfang to discuss urgent countermeasures.

"Sir, in your opinion, if the emperor agrees to allow the King of Wu to bring a hundred Marquis Guards to the Baifu Hall tomorrow night, what should we do?" Li Chengqian looked at Xie Shaozong worriedly.

Xie Shaozong groaned while twisting his beard, and said after a while: "If this is really the case, the action tomorrow night may have to be cancelled."

"What?" Hou Junji stared, "I said, Lao Xie, you're being too cautious, aren't you? If something happens and you cancel the operation, what else can we do?"

Xie Shaozong smiled: "Brother Junji, this is not a small accident. If the news is true, the Baifu Palace tomorrow night will be an extremely dangerous place. How can His Highness the Crown Prince take such a risk? "

"Isn't it just a hundred Wuhou guards? What's so scary?" Hou Junji didn't think so, "Let Feng Shijin leave Xuanwu Gate and rush to Baifu Hall as soon as possible. Bringing people into the palace, I don't believe that I can't deal with King Wu and his Marquis Wu!"

"Brother Junji, it's easy to say, but how can the truth be so simple?" Xie Shaozong said patiently, "If you let Feng Shijin leave the Xuanwu Gate a moment earlier, it is equivalent to handing over this important place to Li Anyan, in case the Xuanwu Gate is attacked. , what should Li Anyan do if he can't resist or turns his back on the battle? Even if Baifu Palace succeeds, isn't His Highness the Crown Prince still in danger?"

"Isn't Li Anyan's family in your hands? Are you still afraid that he will defect?"

"It's true that they are in my hands, but if a person is in a desperate situation, what ruthless thing can't be done? What if Li Anyan would rather sacrifice his family in order to save his life?"

"One if after another, if you're so afraid of wolves and tigers, why fight the world?!" Hou Junji knew that his position as Minister of the Ministry of Officials was about to come to an end, and if he didn't act as soon as possible, the situation would be very serious for him. It's unfavorable, so I insisted, "What we are going to do this time is a big deal that will shake the world and close to death. How can we not take risks? If you are as timid as you are, then don't do anything at all. Let's break up as soon as possible!"

Li Chengqian couldn't help frowning when he heard his words getting worse and worse, and said: "Hou Shangshu, aren't we discussing this? I didn't say that I would definitely quit. Why are you in such a hurry? Besides, the emperor will not allow King Wu I don’t know about the memorial, if the emperor refuses, can’t our plan proceed as usual?”

Hou Junji curled his lips and said nothing more.But not long after, he looked at the sky outside the window again and muttered, "This Hanwang is Moji, and it will take so long to inquire about it!"

"Brother Junji, don't be impatient." Xie Shaozong was reprimanded by him just now, but at this moment he was still calm and said with a smile, "Anyway, there must be accurate news today."

As soon as the words were finished, Feng Shijin, who was on guard outside the door, gently pushed open the door, and then Li Yuanchang walked in hurriedly.All three eyes immediately focused on him.

"How is it?" Li Chengqian looked at him nervously.

Li Yuanchang seemed a little depressed, walked to Li Chengqian's food table and sat down, grabbed the wine cup on the table, raised his head and drank it all, but remained silent.The other three couldn't help looking at each other in astonishment.

"What's the matter, you are talking!" Li Chengqian was anxious.

Li Yuanchang stared at him for a while, then suddenly smiled: "Brother Huang, I didn't agree to let King Wu lead people into Baifu Hall."

The three of them finally let out a long sigh of relief.

"Since it's good news, why are you making such a bad face?" Li Chengqian said displeased.

"I'm just teasing you." Li Yuanchang smiled playfully.

"What time is it, the lord is still in the mood to joke around?!" Hou Junji couldn't help but swear.

Li Yuanchang's face darkened, and just as he was about to reply, Li Chengqian hurriedly said, "That's all, all right, stop talking nonsense, let's go back and get ready, tomorrow night's action will go according to the original plan."

After finishing speaking, Li Chengqian left Qihuang Pavilion first, and then Hou Junji and Li Yuanchang also left respectively.Xie Shaozong did not rush, and sat in the private room for another half an hour before slowly getting up and walking out.

When the lights come on, it is the time when the nightlife in Pingkangfang begins.The street outside the gate of Qihuang Pavilion was bustling with pedestrians and vehicles.No one noticed that in a dark place diagonally across from the gate, there was a hired carriage that was neither new nor old.At this moment, the coachman was lying on the seat crookedly, his face was covered with a bamboo hat, and he seemed to be dozing off.

From time to time, guests came over and wanted to hire his car, but they couldn't wake him up, so they had to find someone else.

After a while, Xie Shaozong lowered his head and hurried out of Qihuang Pavilion with a few personal attendants.At this time, the driver who was dozing across the road suddenly woke up.He stretched himself, and then put the bamboo hat on his head, with the brim of the hat pulled down very low.

This person is Yuan Gongwang.

Xie Shaozong took a few steps, boarded his own carriage which was already waiting at the door, and the attendants also mounted their horses, and the group left in a hurry.

Yuan Gongwang secretly smiled, then raised the rein and shook it, gave a soft "drive", the carriage started in response, and followed unhurriedly.

After about a stick of incense, a small wooden door that was closed in the backyard of Xihuang Pavilion creaked open, and a black figure flashed out.Outside the door is a secluded alley, the light is dim, and this person is wearing the brown cloth clothes that handymen often wear, almost blending into the night, if you don't look carefully, you can't detect it at all.

The person looked around vigilantly, and then walked quickly towards the alley on the right.

In fact, this person is the real Xie Shaozong, and the person who just left from the gate was his attendant in disguise.In order to avoid being followed and expose Xingzang, Xie Shaozong took great pains.He expected that even if someone wanted to follow him, he would disguise himself as a handyman and leave alone through the back door of Qihuang Pavilion.

However, Xie Shaozong miscalculated.

As soon as he entered the dark night, a black figure jumped up from the roof not far away, like a ghost, followed him silently from behind.

This person is Xi Yan.

It was Xiao Junmo's order that he ambush here.

(End of this chapter)