Chapter 4010 Persistence
The tea and cakes were put aside, but the two highnesses who had not eaten breakfast had no intention of eating or drinking. They drove the servants out, and the two sat in the flower hall with sad faces and sighs.
The two brothers are both smart people. Although they did not express their feelings to each other, they already knew tacitly that the other was thinking about the same thing as themselves, and they were worried about the same thing...
Although there are many doubts about that incident, we still don’t know who actually did it, but what if it happens?
The father indeed loved them far more than the prince. Compared with other brothers who were born as concubines, they were even more incomparable. Li Ke, who was the most valued at the beginning, was sent to Silla to be a grass-headed king in Silla... But both of them were talented. People with extraordinary talents and intelligence are more familiar with history books and understand the significance of a king putting the world first. In the eyes of a king, nothing is more important than the splendid country and supreme authority, and fathers, sons, and brothers must be put behind.
Naturally, the father is no exception, otherwise he would not have tried to rely on "pretending to be dead" and other methods that are destined to damage his reputation to stimulate the ambitious people in the court, thus setting off a trend of easy storage, and he would not care about the prince, the eldest son. Together with the life and death of the family members in the East Palace.
Now that things have happened, the death of a son is used to force the implementation of Yi Chu. Even the diehards of the East Palace such as Fang Junna have to sit back and stay away. Otherwise, they are "helping the emperor to do evil". Do you really think that your father will not kill people?
In this way, the dead son is equivalent to "duizi" deposing the prince, leaving only a legitimate son who can naturally become the crown prince. Not only is his name justifiable, but he also cuts off the threat to the throne in the future. The imperial power is stable and the government is stable... killing two birds with one stone.
Therefore, this situation is very likely to occur. In addition to the previous poisoning in the Youtunwei camp... the father may not have no motive for taking action.
If this is really a plan, the one who survives will naturally win the battle for the throne, but neither Li Tai nor Li Zhi dare to believe that they are the one their father wants to be the heir apparent.
Li Tai felt that the pheasant slave had been raised by his father and lived with him since he was a child, and his mother had warned her before her death. The relationship between father and son was far greater than that of the other brothers. How could he survive the fight?
Li Zhi felt that the elders were in order, the prince was deposed, and it was natural for Brother Qingque to succeed him as the reserve. Moreover, Brother Qingque had outstanding literary talent. Not only was he praised by both the government and the public, but his father also repeatedly expressed his appreciation...
Both brothers have a chance, but they are not confident of winning, but no one dares to take a gamble.
After all, although the victory is soaring, the loser will immediately lose his life. So before the arrival of the father, the two of them exchanged glances and reached a consensus: the crown prince's position should be the crown prince's brother. We are not worthy...
……
His Majesty Li Er went to the back hall to change into a set of regular clothes, and then came to the flower hall to see his two sons.
"My son has met my father."
The two royal highnesses stood up and saluted. His Majesty Li Er smiled kindly and had a warm demeanor. He took the hand of one of his sons with his left and right hands respectively and sat down in front of the mat. He looked left and right. His concern was beyond words: "This mutiny, The two of you must be frightened. Even though your father is thousands of miles away, you are still worried and have trouble sleeping at night. Fortunately, God has protected you and made you unscathed. Otherwise, your father would be unworthy of your mother!"
The two brothers were so moved that their eyes were red. Li Tai held His Majesty Li Er's hand tightly and cried: "My father is the proud son of heaven and a peerless hero. He is first the emperor of the empire and then the father of his children." , so as long as the father's great achievements can last forever, the child's wish will be fulfilled, and personal safety, honor and disgrace are not worth mentioning compared with the father's great achievements. "
Li Zhi also stood close to His Majesty Li Er and choked: "We are not only the sons of our father, but also our ministers. If because of us, our father sleeps day and night and hurts his dragon body, it is really a crime." Extremely big!”
The words of the two sons sounded general and clear, and every word put their father and the empire at the top of the list... But if you smack them carefully, you can also hear the complaints and dissatisfaction in them.
You "played dead" for the sake of Yi Chu's great cause and allowed the rebels to ravage Chang'an. But we were trembling under the rebels' swords and guns, and we lost our lives if we were not careful!
His Majesty Li Er was a little embarrassed, but not much annoyed. He could understand the mood of his two sons.
When the Guanlong army captured Chang'an, both of them were under the control of Changsun Wuji. When Changsun Wuji came forward to invite the two to succeed him, they were rejected by the two. That was the most dangerous moment. If Changsun Wuji If you are more ruthless and lawless, you should kill the two people, and then try your best to support Qi Wang Li You to ascend the throne and eliminate future troubles forever.
Fortunately, both of them are not stupid and can remain calm in the face of the great interests. Otherwise, as long as one of them agrees to become the crown prince, the other will be killed by Changsun Wuji - the three legitimate sons in the dynasty, the prince will die after the East Palace is defeated. , one was killed, and only one was left sitting in the position of the prince. Even if the Eastern Expedition army counterattacked Chang'an and the Guanlong army was defeated, they could only support the remaining new prince to ascend the throne as the emperor...
In fact, how could His Majesty Li Er not consider this when he "pretended to be dead" in the army and allowed the Guanlong army to wreak havoc?
But he still pursued his plan and sat back and watched all this happen. What he was thinking in his heart was even difficult for him to face...
Sighing softly, he comforted: "Changsun Wuji has been disobedient for a long time. My father had to take advantage of the Eastern Expedition to deliberately create an opportunity for him. At first, the situation in Chang'an seemed dangerous, but everything was under my father's control." Next, you also have people around you who have been arranged by your father in advance. But if my father doesn't do this and allows Changsun Wuji's disobedience to continue to brew, when it breaks out in the future, the world will definitely change and it will be irresistible. I hope you can understand my father. Good intentions.”
The two brothers looked in admiration and admiration: "Father, the Emperor's candle shines thousands of miles away, and he is truly the greatest hero in ancient and modern times!"
He said flattering words in his mouth, but in his heart he couldn't help but sneer: Are you lying? Your so-called protective force is the dead soldiers under Wang Shoushi's command, right? I don’t know whether we can ensure our safety, because Li Junxian killed them all before they even showed up...
Because of the "poisoning" incident that occurred in Youtun Guard, the two exquisitely minded princes inevitably had doubts in their minds. Naturally, listening to His Majesty Li Er's words, they felt that there were loopholes everywhere...
Li Tai obediently poured tea for His Majesty Li Er, while Li Tai hesitated for a moment and said cautiously: "Why does the emperor have to be easy to save? Although the emperor's character is a bit weak, he is kind-hearted. After the Guanlong rebellion, His performance was also extremely outstanding, and both his ministers and pheasant slaves admired him and felt that the prince might not be a qualified prince. ”
His Majesty Li Er took a sip from his tea cup, his face sinking like water.
Li Tai's heart skipped a beat and he didn't dare to say anything anymore, so he winked at Li Zhi who was standing beside him.
Li Zhi lowered his eyebrows and lowered his eyes, turning a blind eye to his brother's eyes. Are you kidding? You can just mention this matter, why should I have to advocate it again?
When Li Tai saw that he was silent and greeting his father with a sweet smile on his face, he was furious: I will tell you what your father doesn't like to hear, but you can do the pretending? I was tricked by this kid...
As expected, His Majesty Li Er showed anger, glared at him, and said displeasedly: "How can you interfere in the matter of the Crown Prince? Just follow your father's instructions, no need to say more."
"Here!"
Li Tai trembled with fright and quickly obeyed his orders.
His Majesty Li Er drank tea and looked at his two sons beside him, feeling very sad. Throughout the ages, the struggle for the throne has been a huge crisis that every dynasty has tried its best to avoid but cannot avoid at all. The supreme imperial power in the world has unparalleled temptations, which can make father and son turn against each other, and even make brothers fight against each other. Every emperor must do this. Be on guard against death.
But why is it that while he is now trying his best to promote Yi Chu, his two sons, who are most likely to make a profit, are trying their best to shirk and dismiss it?
If his father taught him too well, but these two boys were eyeing the reserve position...
What happened in Chang'an City during the Eastern Expedition that made these two people avoid the reserve like a snake and a scorpion?
I can’t figure it out...
*****
Zhongshu Shengyamen is one of the relatively well-preserved buildings in Taiji Palace. After Cen Wenzi returned from Wude Palace, he plunged into his own room.
Liu Jie followed closely behind and met in the check-in room.
The clerk offered the tea and was dismissed by Liu Ji with a wave of his hand. When there was no one else in the room, Liu Ji said with a bitter look on his face: "Sir, don't be upset. It's not that I'm a subordinate who betrayed you in the battle. It was actually your Majesty who sent someone into the house last night." , told that we must cooperate, how dare I refuse?”
In the Hall of Wude, he cooperated with His Majesty Guo to seize the military power of Fang Jun, which obviously touched the interests of Jiangnan and Shandong. Cen Wenwen, who had already aloof from political affairs, angrily and directly opposed His Majesty's intention to appoint the King of Jin as Minister of War. This shows that his The anger in my heart.
At this moment, Cen Wenwen didn't have much anger. He had been in a career full of ups and downs. What kind of things had he not seen before?
He held the tea cup in his hand and took a sip, then nodded calmly: "It is a matter of being loyal to the emperor and being loyal to the emperor. The servant is upright. Why do you need to explain to others?"
The words were not tainted with fireworks, but the sarcasm in them was overwhelming.
Liu Ji lamented, rubbed his face, and said dejectedly: "I know that my husband will regard me as a betrayal, but I can't help myself, and I dare not disobey His Majesty's will. But please don't worry, sir, I am just cooperating to suppress Fang Jun." , nothing else is involved. This matter is over, and the official will clarify his position to the outside world.”
The trust and trust from His Majesty has always been the ladder to the sky that he strives to pursue, but Cen Wenwen's political legacy is also the cornerstone for his further advancement in the civil service hierarchy. How can he care about one and lose the other?
Moreover, what he said is right. His Majesty Li Er's heart is as solid as stone. If he dares to reject his plan to seize Fang Jun's military power at this time, who knows whether he, Liu Ji, will be included in the Eastern Palace, and then Completely suppressed, the position of servant that I had just held for a short time had to be thrown away...
So he also has some resentment in his heart. Why can't you, Cen Wenwen, understand me? (End of chapter)