Chapter 4124 People’s hearts are unpredictable
Seeing Cheng Yaojin striding into the room, bowing respectfully in front of the prince, and then laughing heartily as he was invited to sit by the prince, Fang Jun squinted his eyes slightly, full of vigilance in his heart.
Duke Zhou was afraid of the day of rumors, but Wang Mang was humble and did not usurp the throne... All loyalty in the world is not absolute. It is often a certain time and a certain event that promotes a result of loyalty or rebellion. And if the time is different and the world is different, it is very likely that the results will be different.
If rumors begin to spread between Guan Shu and Cai Shu that Duke Zhou has rebellious intentions, Duke Zhou falls ill and dies, the inscription on the golden plaque has not been opened, and the suspicion of King Zhou Cheng has not been resolved, who can tell him apart?
If Wang Mang had died eighteen years earlier, wouldn't he have been a virtuous prime minister with a perfect reputation, who would have gone down in history and become immortal?
There is no doubt that Cheng Yaojin was loyal to His Majesty Li Er. Historically, he was law-abiding and impartial in the battle for the throne during the Zhenguan period. But who knew that when the course of history changed, His Majesty Li Er died of illness a few years earlier than the historical trajectory. , will Cheng Yaojin still uphold his original intention and support Zhengshuo?
……
Li Chengqian held Cheng Yaojin's hand, his eyes filled with tears, and choked up: "My father trusted the Duke the most during his lifetime. He was always loyal and upright to Gu Yan and the Duke. He was an unparalleled scholar. He was more familiar with the way of life, so that when Gu was confused, Ask the Duke for advice... The words are still in my ears, but I don’t want my father to die young. I am lonely and do not want to live. I don’t know what the future will be like, and I am in panic all day long.”
Not only did he praise Cheng Yaojin, but he also expressed his attitude of valuing and using him, and even more implicitly asked the other party to give a promise... Li Chengqian's talent is indeed a bit inferior, and he is not as good as those geniuses, but he has been praised by the other party for so many years. Being a prince and giving him careful guidance is something no ordinary person can do, so these words are extremely appropriate now.
Cheng Yaojin slapped his chest loudly, his eyes widened, and he said proudly: "What do you say? Your Majesty has a great favor for me, and I am willing to shed my blood and gallbladder for Your Majesty, and wrap my body in horse leather, even if I die a hundred times." No excuses! Your Majesty, please rest assured that your Majesty will be loyal to you whether he is alive or dead. If you dare to disobey your Majesty’s orders in the slightest, you will be struck by thunder and your descendants will be cut off and you will die a good death.”
If he hadn't known that he had the intention of sitting on the mountain and watching the tiger fight, who would have heard the carefulness in his words?
Li Chengqian was indeed overjoyed and promised: "After Gu takes the throne, he intends to continue his father's previous strategy of separation of military and political affairs. He will reorganize the Military Aircraft Department and unify the military power of the world. Local governments are not allowed to interfere. Duke Lu Guo, you are a distinguished minister of Zhenguan, with great military achievements." Xuanhe is extremely prestigious and should join the military aircraft department to help Gu manage military affairs.”
Cheng Yaojin was delighted: "In this case, I would like to thank His Highness for your high hopes. I will try my best not to worry Your Highness."
In the past, such a title as a minister of military aircraft would have made him overjoyed, but now... how can a mere minister of military aircraft, not the chief assistant, be compared with the hereditary King of Lu in feudal Shandong?
Li Chengqian was completely relieved. As long as Cheng Yaojin was on his side, the entire city of Chang'an would be impregnable and invincible. All that was left was to destroy the Jin king's rebels.
"After my father's death, it is inevitable that some people will have ambitions and want to do something rebellious. Duke Lu is the minister who was ordered by his father to guard the capital. He is expected to fulfill his duties. If there is any disobedience, he should command the three armies to severely attack him and help the country. , The meritorious service of supporting the country and Zuo is the highest among the government and the public. ”
"Don't worry, Your Highness, I will abide by His Majesty's will, even if my body is shattered to pieces!"
Li Chengqian was delighted and felt a big stone drop in his heart.
……
When Cheng Yaojin left, Fang Jun saw that Li Chengqian was a little happy, so he reminded him: "If you travel a hundred miles, you must be careful before you reach the last step. King Jin and Yuchi Gong disappeared together, it is inevitable." The battle to seize the heir has begun, and Chu Suiliang knows the secrets of the Eastern Expedition. It is not yet known what kind of conspiracy they are hiding, and we must not take it lightly."
Li Chengqian took a deep breath and nodded solemnly: "Erlang, don't worry, I have been suppressed for too long. I have gained some insights for a while, and I will not get carried away."
Fang Jun understands.
No matter who has such a wise and powerful emperor as His Majesty Li Er, he may not feel too much pride and glory, but more pressure like mountains, especially for him, the prince of the empire.
Everyone will compare his words, deeds, and actions with His Majesty Li Er, then point out his shortcomings critically, reprimand him in disappointment, and hope that he can continue to work hard and pursue him. Father's footsteps... chase after him!
Since the beginning of the First Emperor, there have been countless people who have been called lonely, Taoist and mediocre. However, among the many emperors, how many are firmly above His Majesty Li Er in terms of merit, talent, personality, civil and military skills, etc.?
I can't count five!
I, Li Chengqian, only relied on my status as the eldest son of my father to become the crown prince. I have an average appearance. If I can become a successful king in the future, it will be good. How dare you compare me to my father in all aspects?
The key is that not only the ministers and emperors think so, but also His Majesty Li Er. Who doesn't want each generation to become stronger than the previous generation, and those who are better than others are better than others? Every father hopes that his son will succeed.
But Li Chengqian feels wronged. It’s not that he doesn’t want to, but that he really can’t do it...
Historically, Li Chengqian had a perverse personality, acted willfully, and was too rebellious when he became an adult. This may not have been without the huge pressure from the mountain above his head, His Majesty Li Er, which distorted and distorted his psychology.
Now His Majesty Li Er has passed away suddenly. Although the road ahead is difficult and dangerous, and there is always the risk of overturning, once the mountain above his head is emptied, the openness and joy that comes from the bottom of his heart will naturally flow out like a spring and be unstoppable.
Putting yourself in his shoes, I am afraid that anyone would feel this kind of relaxed...
This is not a bad thing, but Fang Jun must remind him to maintain a sense of tension. If King Jin escapes, a big battle will inevitably follow. There is no sure-win condition for the East Palace, not to mention that King Jin must have a hidden plan. Hidden and not released until the time comes, the situation will be dangerous and unpredictable.
Fang Jun said: "It is inevitable that the King of Jin will raise his troops. Your Highness, please order Wei Guogong to command the East Palace and the Sixth Army to enter the Jinguang Gate and enter the city at any time to protect the palace. The ministers will go to Xuanwu Gate to meet the Prince of Jiangxia and make sure that he is loyal to Your Highness." Protect the country Zuo.”
Xuanwu Gate is really the throat of the empire. Every emperor of the Tang Dynasty must keep this in his hands, otherwise it will be the source of coups.
Zhang Shigui had already taken refuge in the East Palace during the Guanlong Rebellion, but he was demoted by His Majesty Li Er and placed the famous clan general Li Daozong here. He was unable to control such an important place. Originally, after the death of His Majesty Li Er, he could take care of it slowly, but the King of Jin escaped, and then the "rebellion" army came to the city. How could there be time?
Although Li Daozong has always been close to the East Palace, now there is an undercurrent in the clan, people are panicking, the situation is changing rapidly, and no one can really be relied on.
Li Chengqian obviously understood this, thought about it, and said: "In that case, it's not too late to go with you alone."
There is still some time before dawn. The "Grand Burial" ceremony is being prepared. Some things must be arranged properly before then. During the ceremony and in front of the ministers, the memorial inscriptions in memory of the late emperor will be recited, completing the last procedure before ascending the throne.
In this way, the title can be occupied. Even if the King of Jin raises an army, it will only be an act of rebellion and rebellion...
……
Surrounded by dozens of guards, Li Chengqian and Fang Jun arrived at the Xuanwu Gate in the rain. After receiving the news, Li Daozong rushed out to greet them and wanted to go into the barracks under the city to talk, but Li Chengqian suggested going to the tower to take a look.
Li Daozong could not disobey, so he had to welcome Li Chengqian along the horse path on the side of the city gate and straight up to the city wall. Li Chengqian stood on the parapet with his hand on the arrow stack and looked north. In the dark night, rain fell heavily, and the wide and heavy urn city was like a huge giant. Beyond the beast's mouth, the moat flows silently in the distance, and the garrison camps on the left and right are separated on both sides. At this moment, the lights are bright and people are everywhere.
Obviously, there are no secrets in Taiji Palace, and the news of King Jin's disappearance has probably spread outside the city, causing panic and instability...
There were candles burning inside the tower and the lights were bright.
Li Chengqian was the first to enter and sat in the north. His eyes were fixed on Li Daozong's face and he said slowly: "The whole country is saddened by the death of our father. However, we obey the emperor's orders and should shoulder the responsibility of supporting the country and protecting the country. The county. Wang is the humerus that my father valued during his lifetime. Otherwise, we cannot guard the important place of Xuanwu Gate. At this time of crisis, many rebellious ministers and traitors must have delusional thoughts and do disobedient things. We hope that the prince will assist Gu to overcome the chaos and calm the chaos, and live up to the trust of his father and emperor. .”
At this time, there is no need to hide and go around in circles, just get straight to the point. It is also a kind of coercion. After all, you can't be embarrassed to say something against me in front of me, right?
Besides, me coming here in person not only shows how much I value you, but also indicates how much I will use you in the future.
Li Daozong was already close to the prince, and in the past he always stayed with the East Palace. Now that his majesty has passed away and has not been deposed, the prince is still the crown prince of the country, and is naturally the object of allegiance to his ministers.
Therefore, he said calmly and without any hesitation: "Your Highness, don't worry. The late emperor ordered me to guard the Xuanwu Gate, which means that I will hand over the Tang Dynasty Zuo into my hands, and I won't dare to slack off even if I am shattered to pieces. As long as I am still alive, this Xuanwu "The door is impregnable." I'm really speechless. You can report anything? Block after reporting?
(End of chapter)