Tiantang

Chapter 167 Re-determining the plan (seeking a guaranteed monthly ticket)

Chapter 174 Re-planning

Someone from Wanchun Palace?

Zhang Xuan frowned, but his heart skipped a beat, and a very bad premonition came to his heart.

"Li Zhang, bring her to my study—like smoke and jade, you two should avoid it first." Zhang Xuan waved his hands.

Not long after, the door of the study opened, and a woman dressed as a court lady walked in.

Zhang Xuan took a look, was taken aback, and immediately got up and said in surprise, "His Royal Highness Wan Chun? Your Highness is here to visit, and I am not far away in welcoming you. Please forgive me, Your Highness!"

Zhang Xuan never expected that it was Princess Wanchun who came in person.Moreover, judging by her posture, she disguised herself as an ordinary court lady, apparently sneaking out of the palace secretly.

Wan Chun stared at Zhang Xuan quietly, his eyes wavering slightly.

"His Highness Wanchun, please sit down."

Wan Chun stood silently without responding.

Zhang Xuan frowned and looked at Wan Chun, the two looked at each other, but Zhang Xuan read a touch of unspeakable worry from Wan Chun's clear eyes.

Zhang Xuan's thoughts flashed.

a long time.

Wan Chun sighed softly, "Zhang Xuan, I don't know what to say to you, let alone where to start. I want to ask you, what crime did you commit to offend your father? Not fast? Or..."

Zhang Xuan suddenly stared into Wan Chun's eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Zhang Xuan doesn't understand what His Highness means, so please speak directly."

The corners of Wan Chun's mouth trembled slightly, and he pinched the corners of his skirt with two white hands, his voice was low and confused, "I heard the secret discussion between my father and the prince's elder brother, and it seems that I want to attack you... I don’t know why, but you can do it yourself anyway.”

Wan Chun hurriedly explained the "ins and outs" of the matter, then took a deep look at Zhang Xuan, turned and left.

She didn't dare to stay any longer, she couldn't face Zhang Xuan, let alone face her own heart.

As a princess of the royal family, she was supposed to stand on the side of her father and the prince, but... thinking of Zhang Xuan's death because of this, she felt an indescribable pain in her heart.

Before Zhang Xuan could say anything to Wan Chun, Wan Chun disappeared from his sight.

Looking at the door of the study opening and closing, Zhang Xuan's face suddenly became extremely gloomy.

At this moment, he was not very worried about his situation.Because he believed that Li Heng would never follow Li Longji's "suggestion" and attack him.The reason is simple, Li Heng's wings are not hard yet.And even if Li Heng's wings are stiff and he wants to move Zhang Xuan, he can't move just by saying.

One hair can affect the whole body... Li Heng is not a fool either.

In fact, besides, Li Heng really couldn't figure out why the old emperor suddenly hated Zhang Xuan so much, to the point where he lost his mind and did not hesitate to punish him.

During an unintentional visit by Li Heng in the afternoon, Li Longji vaguely expressed his wishes.If it was before, there is no denying his influence on Li Heng, but now, although the old emperor who is lingering on the sick bed and half paralyzed, the fire of life may be extinguished, his position in Li Heng's heart is not so important anymore.

If the throne is abdicated or not, it is all his own, so why rush for a while?
Li Heng thought about it for a long time, and he could only attribute it to the fact that the old emperor was dying of illness and had lost his mind. He must be talking nonsense.

The meaning of the old emperor, Li Heng decided to rot in his stomach, as if nothing had happened.

However, what Li Heng didn't expect was that Wan Chun overheard a few words of conversation between him and the old emperor, and secretly reported it to Zhang Xuan.

……

……

The old emperor was still unwilling to be lonely, the closer his life came to an end, the crazier his mind became.Zhang Xuan sneered secretly in his heart, "I don't know if Li Heng really has the same thoughts—it seems that tomorrow I need to enter the palace to test the tone of this smug His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Zhang Xuan slowly put down the teacup in his hand, his expression became more serious.

This is a news that surprised him.Although in his opinion, it does not pose a real threat, but it is obvious that he, who has always acted prudently and likes to plan before acting, must therefore make some kind of revision to his subsequent life plan.

Seeing his gloomy expression, Ruyan and Ruyu didn't dare to come over to disturb him, and waited quietly in the corner without saying a word.

*********************************
On the morning of the second day, after the court meeting, Zhang Xuan walked slowly to the Imperial Study Room of Xingqing Palace, leaving aside all his followers.

One spring breeze and one warmth, Chang'an after the Lantern Festival is getting warmer every day.The warm spring breeze is blowing gently, and the willows on both sides of the palace road have already sprouted new green buds.

Zhang Xuan walked like flying, standing outside the door of the imperial study, quietly gazing at this majestic palace building.

Two young eunuchs stood guard at the door, and when they saw a person approaching from a distance, they were about to reprimand them a few times, when they suddenly found out that it was Zhang Xuan, so they ran over in a panic and bowed down, "I have seen the great general!"

Zhang Xuan smiled lightly, waved his hands and said, "I'm going to the East Palace, passing by here, and I'm here to say hello to Your Majesty."

Just as Zhang Xuan was about to enter, Li Fuguo greeted him respectfully, but his eyes flickered slightly, and he didn't dare to meet Zhang Xuan's eyes.

It stands to reason that it should not be Wan Chun who went to the General's Mansion to make a secret report, but Li Fuguo.But Li Fuguo was worried that once the matter was leaked, Wan Chun would "testify" that he would be exposed soon, presumably the crown prince would not let him go.

Of course, more importantly, when Li Fuguo learned that the old emperor and Li Heng and his son had actually planned to kill Zhang Xuan, and that Zhang Xuan might lose power or even die, his mentality changed quietly.

For Li Fuguo, who puts interests first, his loyalty is based on his own interests.If there is a conflict with his own interests, his loyalty is naturally unreliable.

Zhang Xuan knew this well, and he didn't give Li Fuguo much hope at all.

"General, Fuguo is polite." Li Fuguo bowed deeply.

Zhang Xuan glanced at Li Fuguo, although his attitude didn't change much, but his voice was extremely cold, "Li Gong, I wonder how your Majesty's health is?"

Li Fuguo's heart trembled, and he replied respectfully, "Your Majesty is in good health, but he is asleep most of the day. The imperial doctor comes to prescribe medicine and acupuncture once a day, and everything is normal."

Zhang Xuan snorted and waved his hand, "I am going to visit His Majesty, you will wait outside the door."

After finishing speaking, regardless of Li Fuguo's reaction, Zhang Xuan walked into the imperial study room.

Zhang Xuan stayed in the imperial study for more than half an hour, no one knew what he said to the old emperor inside.Or, just say nothing at all.

Zhang Xuan walked out of the Imperial Study Room without even looking at Li Fuguo, and walked away.

In his heart, Li Fuguo has become an abandoned son.

Li Fuguo's face was a little ferocious, he looked at Zhang Xuan's back fiercely, and clenched his teeth.After thinking about it, Li Fuguo told the two young eunuchs to call the carriage and run to the East Palace.

……

……

East Palace.main hall.

Li Heng was talking with Yang Guozhong, Zhang Xuan, and Chen Xilie, the three important court officials, with a smile. A young eunuch came in and whispered a few words in his ear.

Li Heng frowned and said, "Let him wait in the study first."

Zhang Xuan raised his eyebrows, and a trace of coldness flashed away in his eyes.

Li Heng turned around and said with a smile, "Master Yang, Minister Chen, and Zizhan, let's get back to business. The Tubo prince Chisong Dezan asked for a marriage marriage. You can discuss it openly."

"Your Highness, the Tubo people Chen Bing is on the front line of Longshuo, eyeing it like a tiger. If the imperial court refuses to marry, the Tubo people will definitely send troops south again to attack our Tang territory. If it was in the past, we would not be afraid of him, but this time the imperial court is facing internal and external troubles. Tubo raised swordsmen, I'm afraid..." Chen Xilie hesitated for a while, but still expressed his worry.

Yang Guozhong nodded and said, "Your Highness, although it is an expedient measure to make peace with Tubo, it can also exchange for several years of peace, and the court can rest and recuperate."

Li Heng smiled and turned his gaze to Zhang Xuan, but he didn't speak.

Zhang Xuan's attitude was very clear, and he firmly opposed making peace with the Tubo people.At today's morning meeting, Zhang Xuan has publicly stated his attitude.To Li Heng's surprise, many courtiers in the court stood by Zhang Xuan's side and spoke generously against making peace with Tubo.

"Zizhan..." Li Heng smiled, "I know that Zizhan is worried about harming the state of the Tang Dynasty, but I feel that temporary forbearance does not mean anything. For the sake of the court, this marriage is actually a good thing." Let's do it."

Zhang Xuan arched his hands and said softly, "Your Highness, my minister's opinion is very clear, and he opposes the marriage. First, the marriage will damage the country's body and prestige, and second, the marriage will not do much. Although the Tubo people are now putting on a posture of marching into the Central Plains, In fact, it is an empty show. After years of fighting, the Tubo people have been exhausted, and they need to rest and recuperate more than Tang. If Tubo is now strong and strong, how can they implement the policy of peace."

"The purpose of the marriage is to take the princess of my Tang Dynasty as a hostage, and at the same time ask for a large amount of money, food, wealth and silk as a dowry."

Zhang Xuan smiled lightly, "However, I reserve my personal opinion. If the imperial court approves the marriage with Tubo, I suggest that Your Highness minimize the dowry and money, and at the same time close the business road between Jiannan and Tubo for the time being."

If it wasn't for Wan Chun's news, Zhang Xuan's attitude would definitely be to persist to the end and there would be no room for maneuver, but at this moment, he had other considerations, so he no longer insisted.

Li Heng's eyes lit up, and he smiled at Yang Guozhong, "Mr. Yang, what Zizhan said is very reasonable. Marriage can be allowed, but this dowry should not be too extravagant, lest it help the national power of Tubo."

"Of course, I understand." Yang Guozhong said with a chuckle, "I'm not willing to give these Tubo barbarians too much money, let's keep everything simple."

"Okay, this matter is settled like this. Yang Xiang, Chen Xiang, Wan Chun and Chisong Dezan's marriage affairs will be handed over to the two of you." Li Heng smiled, "I have one more thing to do. Talk to the three adults."

"There are still vacancies in the Henan Metropolitan Government and the Longshuo Metropolitan Governor's Mansion in the Eight Metropolitan Governor's Mansions, which is not conducive to the military affairs of the feudal town. I think that we should establish candidates as soon as possible to avoid trouble. Can anyone recommend the three?"

(End of this chapter)