Hearing Yang Zaisi's statement, Li Tong was happy again, and sighed that as long as people in the current situation are mixed to a certain position, no matter what their ability and morality are, they really have their own roles.

Although he didn't go to the political hall to see with his own eyes the specific situation of the ministers welcoming the emperor's heir, but through Yang Zaisi's attitude, he could guess the approximately. It's nothing more than competing for merit and power, and there is less harmony between each other.

As for Yang Zaisi coming to see him at this time, and showing his sincerity in such a respectful manner, one shows that there is no place for him by the emperor's side, and the other means that he is not very optimistic about the emperor's heir.

Yang Zaisi, an old oilman, still has his own set of methods for judging the situation, otherwise he would not be able to rise step by step in the Wu Zhou Dynasty, where everyone is in danger.

This time, seeing the wind and making the rudder, it was also exactly what Li Tong needed. Li Tong wants to make sure that Southern Province has his voice and influence, of course, he will have some plans, but Yang Zaisi's contribution is still a surprise for him.

It is not only the value of Yang Zaisi himself, accepting him can also inspire those centrists who are free from the Wu clan and the old ministers of the Tang family, and provide them with one more choice and a way out.

In the next period of time, the main theme in the court should be to divide merit and liquidate, reward merit, punish the guilty, and re-establish Enwei.

Wu Zetian has been in charge of national politics for more than ten years, and he has also promoted a considerable number of middle- and lower-level officials, which is also the political asset left by his grandmother, and Li Tong does not intend to give it to his fourth uncle.

For example, Chen Ziang, the rich second generation of Sichuan, was dissuaded by his outstanding literary skills to dissuade Gaozong from returning to Xijing for burial, so as to gain the empress's appreciation and promotion. Therefore, even if Chen Ziang did not get too close to the kings of the martial arts in terms of political position, he would be more or less affected in the next liquidation.

Wu Zetian has always been eclectic in employing people, of course, it is inevitable that there will be mud and sand and indiscriminate accumulation, but there are not a few talents like Chen Ziang.

Next, of course, Li Tong must also selectively screen and absorb it, he may not have the advantage of righteousness as his fourth uncle, but he can shield a group of people from being liquidated through his own power.

Thinking of this, Li Tong took a sip of the tea that Yang Zaisi had poured, and then said with a smile: "Acting this night is already dangerous." Although it is Shangyi who kills thieves, it will inevitably disturb the world. Yang Xianggong can not be confused by the outside, concentrate on his duties, or miss the dangerous work, but he has the sincerity of loyalty, and he does not have to mind the criticism of outsiders. ”

"Your Highness's good words are a miracle medicine for the dying! The ministers are clumsy in anticipating the unexpected, and often fear that they will not have the ability to make a living, hoping to be taught in front of the table, and only want to be exempted from the punishment of the sword soldiers. ”

When Yang Zaisi heard this, his expression became even more excited, and he was more respectful.

Li Tong thought about it for a while and then said: "The state is a national servant, and everything is in the camp. At this time, the time may be watching whether the emperor's heir will come out, but other things must not be deserted. It is the election month today, and all the electors are gathered in the Shendu, and if their respective futures and instruments are wasted due to changes in the personnel within the court, it will inevitably make these electors ignore the grace and power of the imperial court. The predecessor may have inconveniences, and since Yang Xianggong is in the hall, he should take responsibility for this matter. ”

After Yang Zaisi heard this, he kowtowed again and again, and felt that he was very grateful for Wang Ende, only to feel that this time he had taken the lead in surrendering to Cheng was really fruitful, not only his life could be saved, but his power could also be kept, and he could also grow.

The person presiding over this year's election is Zhang Xi, the squire of Fengge, and when the king said this, he undoubtedly supported Yang Zaisi to replace Zhang Xi.

Yang Zaisi withdrew with great gratitude, and Wang Fangqing was introduced again soon after.

When he saw the acting king sitting in the hall, Wang Fangqing's expression was much more complicated, and he stepped forward to salute.

"This action is already a dangerous road of fighting for life, and I didn't inform Wang Zuocheng in advance, and I don't want to disturb the fear."

Li Tong motioned for Wang Fangqing to come in, and said with a smile.

After hearing this, Wang Fangqing hurriedly said: "It's a shame that the lowly position is not enough to be useful, I was originally a member of the government, but I couldn't make an appointment to advance and retreat, I'm really ashamed!" ”

Although Wang Fangqing's attitude is sincere, they also know each other, and no matter what kind of attitude they have afterwards, they can't compare to a prior statement. In particular, Wang Fangqing and Yang Zaisi's situation is different, as the previous acting king's mansion governor, he failed to make a big deal with him, and he will definitely make a big fuss about it from time to time, dividing the relationship between him and the acting king.

"The matter has been decided, there is no need to say much gossip, if Wang Zuocheng has any way to do it, he might as well say it bluntly."

After Li Tong finished speaking, he added: "Personnel may no longer be deceased, but I still have a relationship with Changshi that can be told in words." ”

"Your Highness, Fang Qing is deeply impressed!"

When Wang Fangqing heard this, he got up from the table, bowed deeply, and then said: "Although the emperor's heir is out, the courtiers and the masses have not been able to concentrate on unity, and it is still inevitable to be shocked in the capital of the gods in the future. His Royal Highness should prevent the Southern Province from admonishing His Highness to go north from the capital and guard against the army supervised by Huaiyi. ”

Li Tong nodded after hearing this, this may be there, but it is not big, if Doulu Qinwang is still alive, he may strongly admonish it. But at the moment, whether it is Li Zhaode or Di Renjie, they are wary of themselves, but they will never dare to target them with such a clear attitude.

Wang Fangqing continued: "Before the law ceremony is decided, the imperial court should be indifferent. However, all things should not be wasted for a day, otherwise the achievements will be wasted. If the humble position is re-occupied, I am afraid that I will not be free from nuisance, and I am willing to invite myself to go out, and the Fengge Lu Sheren can continue to preside over in the center. ”

Hearing Wang Fangqing say this, Li Tong sighed again in his heart, and nodded after a while. If there is no previous disagreement, Wang Fangqing should be his most ideal spokesperson for interests in the current situation in the future, and it is a sure thing to pay homage to the prime minister, and it may even reach a three-legged situation with Li Zhaode and others.

However, this level of power sharing pays attention to putting one's heart into one's heart and employing people without suspicion. The rift caused by previous differences is inevitable, and it can be repaired by time if it is an ordinary interpersonal relationship, but if it is in the central situation, this rift will undoubtedly be greatly magnified.

Li Tong will go to Xijing next, and the control of Cao Wu will be one of his most important bargaining chips and means to influence the court situation, and the next political opponents will definitely fight against it.

If Wang Fangqing continues to preside over the court, he will not be absolutely at ease with Wang Fangqing, and those opponents will not let Wang Fangqing go easily. Even Li Tong once imagined that if the next conflict reached a certain intensity, Wang Fangqing could be sacrificed if necessary, in exchange for a buffer space.

But in the end, he decided to let Wang Fangqing choose by himself, depending on whether Wang Fangqing was willing to stay in the central government or go to the locality, which could be regarded as leaving a way back for the old people in the palace. Finally, Wang Fangqing did not disappoint him this time, and he did not obsess over the temptation of the phase in front of him.

"Let's go to Jingzhou, between Xianghan and Han, you can use it."

After thinking about it, Li Tong spoke again and pointed out a place for Wang Fangqing to go. In the future, he is in Xijing, and the center of the imperial court is in Luoyang, the divine capital, and the geographical advantage is not something that can be compensated for by the application of power.

Therefore, he needs to make another alternative, if the conflict between the two capitals becomes more intense in the future, the imperial court may directly use force to block the logistics to Xijing. Then he needs to prepare a road in advance, as a follow-up plan, Jiangnan materials follow the Jiang and Han lines to reach Guanzhong.

This transport route was the life-saving route of the imperial court at that time in the Middle and Tang Dynasty after the Anshi Rebellion, when the canal route was controlled by the Henan Tyrant.

When Wang Fangqing heard this, a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes, and then he said in a low voice: "Your Highness is planning to ......"

Li Tong waved his hand and didn't talk about it further, but just said: "It's all a plan for the future, be prepared." ”

After seeing Yang Zaisi and Wang Fangqing one after another, the Southern Provincial Political Affairs Hall sent someone to summon the news, saying that the emperor's heir asked to meet the Holy Emperor.

Li Tong did not respond on his own, but returned to the Xianju Courtyard, and after the palace people spread the word, he went to the palace to meet his grandmother.

At this time, Wu Zetian had already changed into an ordinary skirt, leaning on the royal bed with his forehead, at first glance, he looked like an ordinary aristocratic old woman who was pampered.

"Beiya's affairs, have you taken care of it?"

Hearing the footsteps of ascending the hall, Wu Zetian raised his eyes and looked at Li Tong, and asked as if he was ordinary, with no emotion in his tone.

After a short moment, the atmosphere was not as awkward as it was at the beginning, and after Li Tong bowed, he half-knelt in front of the bed and replied: "It has been handled thoroughly, grandmother can rest assured." ”

"Reassured? Yes, it's time to rest assured, the children and grandchildren are extraordinary, the old things are disgusting, and you should avoid the table! ”

Wu Zetian sighed quietly, then sat up, lowered his eyes to look at Li Tong, his lips moved and said in a deep voice: "Shenzhi, Shenzhi, can you tell your grandmother, what do you want?" You ask yourself, among the children and grandchildren before me, which one has earned more than you? It's you, why you? What is your grandmother's heart in your eyes? ”

As he spoke, there was already a mist in Wu Zetian's eye sockets, and the weakness and sadness revealed were unprecedented for Li Tong.

"Minister, Sun Cheng is responsible for grandmother, this sophistry can't be shirked! In previous years, the remnant soul drifted away and suddenly returned, using all his scheming to seek a care. When Mingtang visited his relatives, he realized that he was not lonely in this life. I have a deep sense of my grandmother's hard work and hardship, but I regret that I am not strong enough and cannot share the same worries. When Xijing returned, he had a small amount of strength that could help his family and country, and he was really happy in his heart. ”

As Li Tong spoke, he bowed deeply and continued in a condensed voice: "No matter what the evil words outside, but in Sun's mind, he only feels that the emperor entrusts his grandmother and sincerity to win people, otherwise he will be arrogant and arrogant, and it will be difficult to have a peaceful ......."

"Y-What do you think?"

When Wu Zetian heard this, his eyebrows flashed again, and when he opened his mouth to ask, his tone was slightly hesitant.

"It's come to this, so why bother talking about it?"

"yes, why ......"

When he said this, Wu Zetian's chest was relieved again, and he smiled bitterly.

"But the only regret is that King Wei, King Liang and others can't be entrusted to the heavy! People don't suffer from insatiable desires, but they are only afraid that they are not divided into light and heavy, and they are small and small, and their grandmothers conspire with each other in the community, but these kinds of people focus on the gains and losses, and the mediocrity is exposed, which is really unbearable. In addition to being a thief in this family and country, Sun also hopes to be close to his grandmother, be taught and trained day and night, and no longer be hindered by evil feelings......"

When Wu Zetian heard this, the corners of his mouth flashed with a hint of ridicule, and he sneered: "As you said, the current situation is as you wish?" ”

"It's different, but it can be fixed. But if the king of Wei and others are still there, it will still be difficult to do more and more difficult to change. I don't want to see my grandmother leave this flaw under her wisdom, so I work hard, although I am not in love, but I can keep it in my heart. and grandmother Fang Jin's heart, there are also quite similarities and differences. ”

Li Tong continued.

When Wu Zetian heard this, he laughed, at first he just laughed, the laughter gradually became louder, and finally he pointed at Li Tong, laughing forward and backward, and after a while, he raised his hand to wipe the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes, and his tone became sad: "It is difficult to keep the living, because the door of the heart is closed." Before I met you, I was quite angry, why was I tough for half my life, but in the end I was bewitched and rebellious by a small child? I should have been rid of you, I should have been rid of you back then, it's just a thought of reluctance!

Not only are there many similarities and differences, but they are simply the same! Be cautious, I have four sons, but the only one who can really know my heart is you, the best grandson! Regardless of right and wrong, he cares about etiquette and rules, but if he can keep my heart, who in the world can stop me? It's a pity that destiny is true, if you are half a nail ago, you may not be able to swim out of your grandmother's fingers! ”

"Sun is still under the wing of his grandmother, if it is not for this affectionate care, how dare he make a big plan? The minister has everything, and his grandmother has given him more than once. Sun Dan has an inch in his chest, and he can harm his grandmother, only in the spring and autumn years, if there is a nuisance in manpower, he will be rewarded with swords! ”

"The kid is bad for me, and he dares to say this!"

Wu Zetian laughed and scolded, then put away his smile again, and said, "What did the emperor do here?" ”

Li Tong also replied with a correct attitude: "The government hall has sent a summons, and the imperial heir hopes to be able to worship his grandmother." ”

"So, what do you think should be done to summon the imperial heir?"

Wu Zetian asked again.

After Li Tong pondered for a while, he said again: "The emperor's heir has been in fear for a long time, and it is not appropriate to intimidate him according to the situation at the moment, it is better to send a letter to the west to summon him." ”

"You really have a lot of affection for this uncle."

Wu Zetian sighed again after hearing this, and suddenly asked in a hurry: "King Luling, can there be a private dispatch?" ”

"None! The minister will never dare to lynch and secretly harm Uncle Wang! ”

Li Tong also hurriedly replied, and at the same time couldn't help but sigh secretly in his heart, his grandmother really had a lot of feelings for this third son, and just determined what his situation was.

"The bloodline of the clan is getting scarce, and the king of Luling may have old mistakes, so it shouldn't be up to your juniors to ask questions. It's good that you can hold on to that. Zhaode and others have been in the world for a long time, don't look down on them because of the length of their power for a while. ”

Wu Zetian nodded after hearing this, and then said: "You can see this clearly, but your aunt, heh, has a lot of scheming, and she can't grasp the severity." Although Doulu Qinwang is covered in sin and blood, anyone can be contaminated? In case of trouble, does she still expect to be able to enter the court? Yes, did Yang Zaisi have any insights? ”

When Li Tong heard this question, he also had to sigh that his grandmother was his grandmother after all, and what kind of thoughts these goods in Southern Province were all like palm prints. He didn't hide it, and replied: "Yang Xianggong just came to see him, and I instructed him to temporarily take charge of the election." ”

"It's good to be able to take care of the rest of the things at the moment. But Yang Zaisi is not a good minister who can be selected by Siquan, and he is a little reluctant to use it, why not use Ouyang Tong? ”

Wu Zetian frowned again after hearing this.

Li Tong replied: "Of course, Ou Gong wants to make up for the political affairs hall, but I privately weigh Ou Gong's incumbency in the Ministry of Rites. The people of the Manchu Dynasty, only the European public morality and etiquette are of high standard, and in the chaos today, only the choice of self-denial and courtesy can take on this responsibility. ”

When Wu Zetian heard this, his eyes flashed again, and he sighed after a while: "It's a pity, the ancestors and grandchildren can't know each other!" ”

Li Tong's eyebrows couldn't help jumping after hearing this, and his grandmother still didn't forget to dig a pit for him. What are you sorry for, you think you should pass the throne directly to me? But I didn't see you want to make me the emperor's grandson!

"The rest of the years are long, and I don't know what to do. Ministers and husbands and wives are in the palace, serving food and entertaining relatives, and taking care of their families. ”

We love is love, and doing things is doing things, I think it's good now, don't keep giving me eye medicine.

Wu Zetian smiled faintly after hearing this, waved his hand and said: "The family is in the inner hall, let's go see each other first, and order the Xishang Pavilion to lay out cultural relics, and summon the emperor's heir at noon." ”

After Li Tong heard this, he respectfully retired, and when he walked out of the hall, he had a female official in front of the guide, and soon Li Tong came to the inner hall and saw the family members with a haggard face and a rather palpitating look.

He hurried in, first nodded to the two ladies and Wei Tuan'er, and then bowed in front of the concubine Fang's banquet, and paused: "The son is not filial, and his actions are not meticulous enough, and the mother is disturbed." ”

"It's okay, it's okay! What about Jiro? He ......"

When Concubine Fang saw his son enter, he breathed a long sigh of relief, grabbed Li Tong in front of him, and asked quickly.

"Niangniang, please rest assured, the second brother is also fine, and he is still in Southern Province at the moment, and I will let someone introduce him into the palace later."

Li Tong replied, and then said with a smile on his face: "Last night, the second brother was very brave, and he was able to trap and kill the heir. After entering the palace, he and Zetianmen slashed and killed the heavy rules, and everyone who saw it praised the second brother for being really brave in the sect, and he could trust big things! ”

After hearing this, Fang's face was relieved, and he said sadly: "If the first king knew that his son had been able to save the sky, I don't know how he would be pleased!" No matter what the momentum is in the coming year, your brother must not forget the sharpness of today's concerted efforts! Although you are in the other court, your mother and brother are lifelong relatives! Smooth and weak, simple and sparse, although each has its own shortcomings, but they are willing to listen to you, the family has your support, Niangniang has nothing to worry about, even if she sees the first king at this time, she also runs to Huangquan with a smile and tells the good news to the first king......"

"How can the mother give up the world! Now that the brothers are brave and strong, there is no obstacle in the world, it is a good time to repay the grace of parenting! ”

Li Tong comforted Fang's who was a little overjoyed, and smiled apologetically at the two ladies: "At present, there is still chaos in foreign affairs, and the family will temporarily live in the ban for a short time." When the personnel in the workshop are cleaned up, the second brother can also live in the idle house in the fang, and the brothers are neighbors, and they can take care of them day and night! ”

At the moment, he really didn't have time to chat too much with his family, and after making sure that his safety was guaranteed, he left Yang Siqiao and other eunuchs to send his family back to Renzhiyuan to settle down, and he hurried to the Xishang Pavilion to arrange to summon the imperial heir.

The political affairs hall has also been informed, and before the arrival of the imperial heir, several other important ministers came one step in advance, intending to negotiate and communicate a little, of course, including Li Zhaode and Di Renjie, the two masterminds.

However, seeing each other now is no longer as intimate as when they were working before, and the atmosphere is inevitably a little awkward.

After meeting each other, Li Zhaode took the lead in speaking: "Last night's shock is no longer a privacy, and the emperor's heir leaving the palace is a major event for the government and the opposition. Now that it is the winter gathering, the selection of people gathered in Jin, if the emperor does not meet the masses of the foreign dynasty as soon as possible, under the noise of human feelings, I am afraid of residual disasters! His Royal Highness is in the same matter, and naturally he is well aware of the stakes, and after seeing His Royal Highness the Holy Emperor, everything should be decided as soon as possible! ”

After Li Tong heard this, he smiled and waved his hand and said: "I use a lot of strength to guard against the Beiya, which is already granted by Jun En and has to be used." In the place where the old ministers and scholars of the Southern Province gathered, the matter was decided, how could the kid easily put his beak away. Li Xianggong handed over this time, asking Yu Blind. ”

Li Zhaode was speechless after hearing this, and the only thing he was trapped now was that he did not have a proper identity. If everyone gives face, reserve him for everything, but if you don't give face, just flash him aside, and he has nothing to say.

Yang Zaisi entered the north gate and knocked on the acting king, and after returning to the political hall, he openly picked up the affairs that should have been in charge of Zhang Xi, and did not hide the acting king's praise for him.

Of course, Li Zhaode also understands that bowing to the acting king is a convenient way for him to regain his authority, such as killing Dou Lu Qinwang under the protection of Qianqi before. But neither personal self-esteem nor the reality of the situation allowed him to do so.

Because of his previous deeds, coupled with the extraordinary importance he showed to him after the imperial heir left the palace, it was determined that he was the spokesperson of the imperial heir at the moment, but he had no power in his hands, which inevitably made him uncomfortable to be squeezed out, and it was a little unpleasant to look at anyone.

Li Tong ignored Li Zhaode, but was polite to Di Renjie, and patiently discussed with him various etiquette issues for the next imperial heir and ministers to worship.

Yang Zaisi and Wang Fangqing have both told him about the dispute in the political affairs hall, and his completely different attitude now is, of course, to give the two of them eye medicine. No matter how clever or bad the means are, as long as they are effective, they are good.

With such a distinct and different attitude of the acting king, Di Renjie of course also felt that when he glanced at Li Zhaode, who was sitting on the side sulking, he had a wry smile in his heart. After many years of the founding of the dynasty, he could already imagine that Li Zhaode's frustration was only for a short time, and the more lost he was, the higher the power he might be next.

He chose to stand with the courtiers and abandon his old comrade-in-arms Li Zhaode, although he had his own considerations, and the two sides might drift apart in the future.

Sure enough, the Xishang Pavilion has not yet been arranged, and the next book was issued from the ban, Li Zhaode reinstated the throne and worshiped the prime minister, replaced Doulu Qinwang as the internal history of the Fengge, and was responsible for the emperor's heir to worship together with the acting king.

After everyone present heard the content of the book, they couldn't help but be a little dumbfounded, Li Zhaode also looked incredulous, and after a while, his hands trembled and took the book, and bowed to the direction of the inner palace, his eyes turned red for a moment, and his tone was even more choked: "Minister, minister, really ashamed of this order!" ”

"Li Xianggong was the emperor's heir in the old years, but now he doesn't take his own actions, except for the thief and the guard, the emperor's favor and approval, don't be ashamed! The current situation is still unstable, if the minister is not brave enough to let this, who else can he rely on! ”

Li Tong helped Li Zhaode up before entering, and he was happy in his heart, his grandmother, an old lady, really has a breath and can't be despised yet, this eye medicine is really straight to the heart. If you revert to Li Zhaode after seeing the emperor's heir, the effect will inevitably be greatly reduced.

Of course, at this time, to pay homage to Li Zhaode, it is also to knock Li Tong, the old lady has been in charge of state affairs for decades, and it is not only you who can rely on your grandson when she is in danger.

Li Tong is not very deeply touched by this, whether Li Zhaode is grateful or not, it is difficult for the general trend to be reversed, after all, his grandmother's age is here, and you are destined to have only me as a small padded jacket for the rest of your life. His grandmother suddenly got into such a move, and then he and Li Zhaode can have more room for cooperation.

But looking at Di Renjie and the others, their faces couldn't help but be a little ugly.

Li Zhaode's personality was not Lou Shide's kind of good self-cultivation, he was squeezed very hard before, and now his biggest shortcoming has been made up, if he doesn't go back to find trouble, it is really the word "Di" to be written upside down.

Of course, with their numerical advantage, they can try to make the book cover. But the question is, if even the book is returned, why should the imperial heir come to see the Holy Emperor?