Chapter 4470: Leaving a Thread
Chu Suiliang, who was silent on the sidelines, couldn't help but sigh inwardly as he watched the monarch and his ministers tacitly decide Linghu Defen's fate in just a few words.
It is said that Linghu Deben is allowed to choose by himself, but if you are a knifeman and I am a fish, how can Linghu Deben have any choice? You can only "acknowledge your mistakes and correct them", but if you want to "abandon the darkness and turn to the light", there must be conditions.
What are the conditions?
Neither Li Chengqian nor Cui Dunli said anything, but Chu Suiliang knew that Linghu Defen must be the last pusher to dismantle the Guanlong clan. Linghu Defen wanted to survive and preserve the inheritance of the Linghu family. In addition to cooperation, There is no other way.
Li Chengqian looked at Chu Suiliang with a smile, his eyes were warm, and he nodded and said: "Henan County Duke has done a good job in this matter. After returning to his hometown, he will live a good life and take care of himself. By doing some learning, he can also benefit the hometown, cultivate the underachievers, and contribute to the empire." To cultivate more talents, you might as well go back to Chang'an when you have nothing to do. Come and have fun, come to the palace to see me, and tell me about the mist and rain in the south of the Yangtze River, the land of plenty... If I hadn't sat on this throne, I really wanted to travel all over the thousands of miles of rivers and mountains, walk around, take a look, and feel the beauty of China's Kyushu Local customs and customs are not a bad thing. ”
This is not hypocritical. As the eldest son of Emperor Taizong, he naturally sits in the position of prince. In fact, he has lost the choice. If he advances, he will live, if he retreats, he will die. He can only keep his position as prince with all his life, otherwise not only It was difficult for him to die a good death, and it was difficult for his wife and children in the East Palace to survive.
If he had a choice, he really wanted to be a kid from a rich family, and run a liquor store with swords and swords. Wouldn't that be a happy and carefree life?
It is far better than being trapped in this splendid Tai Chi Palace, sleeping at midnight and getting up at five o'clock, reviewing those endless memorials...
Chu Suiliang couldn't figure out what Li Chengqian was thinking, but he felt Li Chengqian's kindness and implicit reminder that after he returned to Qiantang, he should stay in peace and cooperate with the court's policies. Then the court would definitely use Qiantang Chu's children in the future.
Being able to get such a promise that was not a promise, the capture of Linghu Defen was a great reward. He immediately solemnly stated: "The Chu family of Qiantang will always be a citizen of the Tang Dynasty, loyal to your majesty and the empire, and will resolutely implement any policy of the imperial court." Implementation, but if necessary, we will do our best!”
You don’t need to say too much, just get to the point.
What's the point? Naturally, the imperial court is about to carry out the measurement of the world's land. During the implementation of this matter, it will definitely be rejected and obstructed by various clans, either openly or covertly. If the Chu family of Qiantang firmly cooperates, it will naturally be affirmed by His Majesty.
As for whether this would offend the entire Jiangnan gentry... Chu Suiliang didn't care at all. With the navy stationed in Huating Town to intimidate the entire Jiangnan and the coast, the Chu family in Qiantang had the strongest backer. Why should the Jiangnan gentry be afraid?
What's more, the Jiangnan nobles are not monolithic. Maybe the Lanling Xiao family, who was the main supporter of King Jin's army, suddenly became the one who supported His Majesty the most...
Li Chengqian nodded happily: "If everyone in the world can be as loyal to the king and conscientious as the prince, why worry about the family not prospering and the world not prospering? If the home is a hometown, the village cannot be used; if the village is a country, the country cannot be used. ; Yiguo For the sake of the world, the world cannot do anything. The prosperity of a family and a surname must depend on the peace of the world. If the world is not peaceful, how can the family be safe? The principles of the family and the world should be shared with you."
Chu Suiliang was frightened and bowed his head to the ground: "Your Majesty taught you a lesson that I dare not or forget. I will use this lesson to educate my descendants and pass it on to future generations."
"Okay, let's retreat and rest in the palace for the night. We will leave the palace tomorrow morning. Let's start back home as soon as possible before the river freezes over."
"Here."
Chu Suiliang bowed and saluted before retreating. He was led by Wang De, the chief chamberlain, and stayed in the palace not far from Wude Hall.
Although he was exhausted from running around for half a night, Chu Suiliang was tossing and turning on his bed, unable to fall asleep. He got up, put on his clothes and stood in front of the window, looking at the brilliant lights in the palace, with complicated thoughts.
The Chu family of Qiantang had worked hard for generations to enter the empire center, but it came to an abrupt end with him. He had to completely return to Qiantang. He was thinking about worshiping his ancestors in the ancestral hall after returning to his hometown. How should he face the spiritual throne of his ancestors?
However, tonight's risk of capturing Linghu Defen has also changed His Majesty's perception of him. At least in the future, when someone slanders and criticizes him, His Majesty may be lenient and not deliberately target him.
Of course, the most important thing is how to deal with the navy after returning to his hometown. While Fang Xuanling is still in Huating Town, he should probably pay a visit.
Thinking that Xiao Yu will also return to Jiangnan. With the marriage relationship between the Xiao family and the Fang family, as long as he bows his head, he will get the full support of the navy and can still lead Jiangnan. So, should he follow the example of the Lanling Xiao family and send a legitimate daughter to Jiangnan? Where is Fang Jun as my concubine?
*****
Fang Jun returned to the military camp outside Xuanwu Gate from the palace and found out that Chu Suiliang came to ask for help and Wang Fangyi led his troops to help. He then received the news that Wang Fangyi had captured Linghu Defen alive and sent him to the city. He was quite speechless. He happened to be there. Time diverges.
However, the fall of Guanlong is a foregone conclusion. Linghu Defen can't survive alone, and he may not be of much value. Capturing more of him is a symbolic meaning. It is a credit to Chu Suiliang, Wang Fangyi and others, but for others Fang Jun himself is irrelevant.
The generals and clerks in the commander's tent have gradually dispersed. The military affairs accumulated for the day have been almost disposed of, but piles of documents have piled up. Tomorrow morning, these will be distributed to all parts of the army, according to the established regulations. Reorganize.
After washing up, he had just undressed and lay on the bed when a soldier knocked on the door. Fang Jun stood up helplessly and called him in. The soldier said: "Commander, Yu Wenshiji is not eating or drinking, and is clamoring to see you. ”
Since Yu Wenshiji was captured in the Battle of Xianyang Bridge, Cheng Yaojin refused to keep this hot potato by his side and sent people to Chang'an early. However, there was chaos inside and outside Chang'an at that time, so he could only be temporarily detained in In the military camp of Youtun Guards.
Thinking about the friendship he had in the past, Yu Wenshiji would probably end up with a happy ending today, so Fang Jun had no choice but to dress again, follow the soldiers out of the house, and go to the house where Yu Wenshiji was imprisoned.
……
It was said that they were being imprisoned, but after all, Yu Wenshiji had a noble status, so he would not be treated harshly. The house where he was imprisoned was the former residence of the captain, and it was kept very clean. The soldiers in front of the door were fully armed and heavily guarded, lest anyone come to rob people. ……
Seeing Fang Jun coming, the soldiers knelt down on one knee and saluted, and then opened the door. Fang Jun waved his hand to prevent the others from following, and entered the room alone with his hands behind his back.
There were lamps and candles burning in the room, and cold dishes were placed on the table by the window. Yu Wenshiji was lying on his back on the bed. When he heard the movement at the door, he turned his head and looked over. When he saw Fang Jun, he stood up and started moving. The shackles on his hands and feet made a clanking sound.
Pulling a stool and sitting at the table, looking at Yuwen Shihe's haggard face and body as thin as a gust of wind, Fang Jun sighed and said, "Now that the matter has come to this, why does Duke Ying have to go on a hunger strike?" What about blackmail? Victory or defeat? It is a common thing for military strategists. Since you support the King of Jin in launching an army, you should also think about how to face the consequences of failure when planning for the success. If you can't bear the failure, why did you do it in the first place? "
He could understand Yu Wenshi's reason for taking the risk.
The two sides have different positions. If you are on the side of Yuwenshi and see that the Guanlong clan has collapsed or even fallen into dust because of Changsun Wuji, how can you remain indifferent? Instead of waiting for His Majesty to secure the throne and then attack the Guanlong clan, it is better to take risks and fight with all his strength, risking his life and survive.
Because as long as Li Chengqian secures the throne, he will never tolerate forces that can threaten the imperial power in Guanzhong...
But you can't be arrogant and powerful after a victory, and act like a rogue after a defeat, right?
If you are really determined to die, there are still many ways, and hunger strike is the most unreliable one...
Yu Wenshiji sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Fang Jun with complicated eyes in front of him, who was dressed in regular clothes, but had an air of dignity, and moved as fast as a tiger. After a while, he asked: "How does Your Majesty plan to deal with the Guanlong clan?"
Fang Jun shook his head and said calmly: "Why does your Majesty need to deal with it? In this rebellion, the Guanlong clan tried their best and made no reservations. Since they were defeated, naturally their energy and blood were exhausted, and there was no way to recover. The foundation accumulated over hundreds of years collapsed. , countless people swarmed up, tearing apart the corpse of Guan Longmen, sucking the blood, gnawing at the flesh and bones, and anyone could get a piece of the pie. ”
The change of power has always been the most cruel. There is no humane reason at all. Official positions, wealth, land, houses... everything belonging to the Guanlong clan will be robbed. Your Majesty only needs to watch silently from the side, which is enough to determine the fate. The ending of Guanlong Clan's irreversible fate.
Yu Wenshiji was stunned for a long time, his expression was dejected, and regret was gnawing at his heart like a poisonous snake. If he hadn't determined to surpass Changsun Wuji and become the "Master of ZTE" in the Guanlong clan, he would not hesitate to take extraordinary risks to support the King of Jin to usurp the throne. How could it push Guanlongmen to fall into the abyss and never recover?
After a long while, Yuwen Shiji came to his senses, exhaled a long breath, and said in a hoarse voice: "Your Majesty... you are indeed kind."
Fang Jun nodded: "Who says it's not the case? Your Majesty's character is a bit cowardly. This kind of character is easy to go to extremes. Once things go wrong and you are even on the verge of despair, you will often collapse quickly and do crazy things. But if... Things are going smoothly and he is sure of victory, but he will show his kindness to the greatest extent, even if he is willing to show mercy to those who want to kill him. ”
In short, Li Chengqian was under constant pressure, which led to abnormal psychology and extremely poor endurance. Once he was on the verge of despair, he did not want to fight back and turn defeat into victory, but to break the pot and go to extremes.
The shortcoming of this kind of person is that he is not cruel enough to himself and his enemies. For example, at the moment, Li Chengqian only silently watched the foundation of the Guanlong clan being broken bit by bit, but never revealed his feelings for Guanlong. long Severe punishment for sectarian rebellion means that everyone must keep some leeway while sharing the flesh and blood of the Guanlong clan, because no one knows whether His Majesty will change his mind when he sees the Guanlong clan completely wiped out.
Therefore, a glimmer of hope was left for the Guanlong clan. The foundation accumulated over hundreds of years would definitely not be preserved, but the Guanlong disciples were able to survive because of this. As long as people are alive, the bloodline can continue, and there is still hope for the future. Maybe fifty years, maybe a hundred years, time has changed. Once a stunningly talented person appears, who knows that he will not be able to make a comeback?
(End of chapter)