One

After Yang Xingmi's death, Xu Wen followed his last words to assist Yang Wu as the new king of Wu, when Yang Wu was nineteen years old. Yang Xingmi has six sons, Yang Wu is the eldest son, but he is also a gentleman, Yang Xingmi is actually not optimistic about him. In his later years, Yang Xingmi sent Yang Wu to Xuanzhou as an observer, saying that he was training him, but in fact he was going to exclude him from the heir. But what Yang Xingmi didn't expect was that his illness came too quickly, completely disrupting his plan, considering that the other sons were still young, Yang Xingmi could only let Yang Wu inherit the throne after careful consideration, it seems that he can really pick up a big bargain if he is born early!

When Yang Wu first became the king of Wu, he relied on Xu Wen very much, and many affairs were handled by Xu Wen. Xu Wen is indeed a good hand in governance, militarily appeased the old ministry of the Yang family's military power, so as to avoid sudden changes in the outside, and tried his best to maintain the stability of the court situation internally, realizing the smooth transition of the government, but Yang Wu's frivolous and cynical nature has not changed. One day, Xu Wen happened to meet Yang Wu with his arms around the maid drinking and having fun, because he was still in the filial piety period, Xu Wen was very surprised by this, he thought that the new king of Wu was young after all, maybe it was just a whim, so he left without speaking. But after that, he found that Yang Wu was drinking all day and night, hugging left and right, Xu Wen really couldn't look past it, and said:

"King Wu is now in the period of filial piety, and the Chinese military minister of the dynasty knows that I am afraid that the impact will not be good, so King Wu should temper it." Yang Wu said disappreciably: "This king is just drinking some wine, and he doesn't do anything else, you are too worried!" Xu Wen saw that Yang Wu didn't listen, so he didn't say any more.

Because Xu Wen handled government affairs properly, the finances were substantial, and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, many ministers in the court and the generals who led troops outside slowly recognized him, and discussed with Xu Wen on big and small matters. With the assistance of Xu Wen and Zhang Han, Yang Wu's King Wu was relatively easy and smooth, and everything seemed to be relatively harmonious.

Two

Yang Wu likes to travel in the mountains and rivers and live a squandering life, Xu Wen always opposes his behavior, and Yang Wu is very willful, he always feels that Xu Wen is in the way by his side, and deliberately makes things difficult for himself as a minister who supports the orphan, and slowly Yang Wu is dissatisfied with Xu Wen. And he found that Xu Wen and Zhang Hao's rights were getting bigger and bigger, and many things in the court and China were carried out without going through him, and he was about to be hollowed out, so Yang Wu began to think about promoting his own people to limit and divide Xu Wen and Zhang Hao's rights.

Yang Wu's first move was to transfer the 3,000 soldiers from Xuanzhou back to Guangling, because these 3,000 soldiers were his personal soldiers who were his observer envoys in Xuanzhou, and the general Zhu Siqing was his confidant. When Xu Wen found out, he said to Zhang Hao:

"It seems that King Wu is starting to distrust us, if he transfers the three thousand soldiers from Xuanzhou back to Guangling, then our situation will be very bad." Zhang Hao is a military general, he spoke more directly, and said to Xu Wen: "You can't let him transfer the soldiers back, let's strike first." ”

Xu Wen and Zhang Han took charge of power in Huainan because they were entrusted by Yang Xingmi's deathbed, but they also tasted the benefits of power and realized how attractive power is to people. Power, like lovers in love, will not be separated for a moment once they get it. Xu Wen and Zhang Han would never let the power in their hands be easily lost, so Xu Wen took the first step and secretly transferred the 3,000 soldiers out of the garrison in the name of changing the army's defense, and then executed Zhu Siqing on the charge of rebellion. Yang Wu was very shocked and angry when he learned about this, and hated Xu Wen to the core, but it also made him determined to get rid of Xu Wen and take power as soon as possible.

Although the 3,000 soldiers were not transferred back, Yang Wu was not idle, and the second step he took was to arrange for his own people to participate in government affairs in the court. Because Yang Wu had no previous experience in handling government affairs, coupled with his cynical personality, he could not compare with Xu Wen in terms of knowing and employing people. The people he promoted were all people with mediocre qualifications, who could only flatter him, and his ability to handle business was very poor, but he always liked to disagree with Xu Wen, and even deliberately quarreled with Xu Wen in the court. Xu Wen knew that this was Yang Wu's intention, but he still told him that these people could not be reused, but Yang Wu felt very relieved, at least they could interfere with Xu Wen and not let Xu Wen be alone.

Yang Wu likes to go out on horseback to play, and as soon as he gets outside, he gallops quickly, and his entourage can't keep up with him, and he can't find anyone for a while. After Xu Wen found out, he said to him, "King Wu should be cautious, how can he ride a horse and gallop and throw down his entourage, if there is no peace today, if there is a mistake, we can't afford it." ”

Yang Wu was dissatisfied with Xu Wen, so he was furious: "Even play care, if you don't worry about me and think that I don't have the ability, then kill me, you can be the king of Wu yourself." ”

"The minister is just thinking about the safety of King Wu, but the minister doesn't dare." Xu Wen said nervously.

"Don't you dare? Don't you dare to kill me or dare not be the king of Wu? Yang Wu said angrily.

"The minister is afraid, the minister is really thinking about the safety of King Wu and Huainan." Xu Wen continued to explain.

Yang Wu left angrily and didn't pay attention to Xu Wen anymore. At this time, the entourage around him said to Yang Wu: "Xu Wen has to take care of everything, how can there be King Wu in his eyes!" Does he want to be the second Juwen? ”

When Yang Wu heard the word Zhu Wen, he immediately stopped, and muttered in his mouth: "Xu Wen, Zhu Wen, hum, interesting, they are really two plague gods!" For some reason, the people around him looked at Yang Wu nervously, and Yang Wu continued to mutter: "Zhu Wen, Xu Wen, is it the will of God?" ”

At this time, Zhu Wen had already usurped the country, he poisoned Emperor Tang Ai and established the Great Liang as the emperor, and his long-planned ambition was finally realized, which is known to everyone in the world. Thinking of this, Yang Wu was extremely nervous, he felt that the form was very urgent, and he couldn't wait any longer, so a bold and risky plan came up, he wanted to kill Xu Wen to prevent future troubles. However, Yang Wu has always had Xu Wen's eyeliner by his side, and his every move is under Xu Wen's control.

Three

That night, Xu Wen was in his study thinking about how to deal with the current predicament. Xu Wen thought of Yang Xingmi, thought of the past, and thought of the eventful years when he rebelled with Yang Xingmi when he was young, and couldn't help but feel sad. In all fairness, Xu Wen didn't want to do anything to be sorry for Yang Xingmi, he used to be just a farmer selling salt, and later joined Yang Xingmi's rebel army and became one of Yang Xingmi's 36 heroes. Yang Xingmi was very important to him, and when others led troops to fight, attacked cities and plundered land to establish military exploits, Yang Xingmi did not look down on him because of his small military exploits, but continued to believe in him and give him opportunities. Especially in his later years, Yang Xingmi regarded Xu Wen as a confidant and directly handed over the important task of entrusting Gu to him, so that today's Xu Wen was born. It can be said that Yang Xingmi is Xu Wen's Bole and a benefactor, which Xu Wen knows very well in his heart and is very grateful. The more Xu Wen thought about it, the more chaotic he became, so he left the study and went to the courtyard to breathe.

Soon after Xu Wen left, Xu Zhihe brought tea to Xu Wen on time, and after finding that there was no one in the house, Xu Zhihe put down the tea and prepared to leave, at this time he saw the oil lamp on the table fluttering slowly in the breeze, flickering bright and dark, slow and urgent, Xu Zhihe had an idea, picked up the pen and wrote a poem and left. After Xu Wen returned to the room, he saw the tea on the table and knew that Xu Zhihe had come, he was about to pick up the tea, and suddenly saw the words written on the paper, Xu Wen picked it up curiously, and read it in a low voice while looking at it:

"A little is worth 10,000 gold, but when it opens, I am afraid of cold wind. If the master is also diligent in provoking, dare to be unsatisfied with the honor. Xu Wen secretly said yes and whispered again. After putting down the poem, he paced in the room, he knew that it was written by Xu Zhihe, and it can be seen from the poem that Xu Zhihe is a person with ideas and ambitions. Xu Wen pondered for a while, then called Xu Zhihe over to hear what he meant. When Xu Zhihe came in, Xu Wen looked at him carefully, the original orphan had grown up, burly, with bright eyes, he was really a talent. So Xu Wen told Xu Zhihe about the court and said:

"He'er, the current King of Wu is arrogant and lascivious, and listens to slander, if he is allowed to go on like this, the situation will be chaotic, and not only will we suffer at that time, but I am afraid that the entire Huainan will be buried in his hands. Moreover, according to my informant's report, King Wu also wanted to be unfavorable to his father, and maybe there would be action soon, and his father did not know how to make a decision for a while. ”

Xu Zhihe knew Yang Wu too well, and he didn't have a good impression of him, and he had also heard sporadically what Yang Wu did when he became Queen Wu, so he said:

"Dad, as long as you think about the people and don't seek personal interests for yourself, you don't need to blame yourself."

"Do you have a good idea?" Xu Wen asked.

"Whether it's Huainan or the imperial court, it's not Yang Wu alone, he is just the eldest son of the Yang family, and he is not the only son of King Wu." Xu Zhihe said. Xu Wen's heart trembled, Xu Zhihe's meaning Xu Wen understood, and when it came to his heart, Xu Wen pondered for a while, and then asked Xu Zhihe:

"Do you mean to let Dad replace the current King Wu with the other sons of the Yang family?"

"Dad, if it's good for Huainan and good for the people, why can't you?"

"But my father never got over that hurdle in his heart! Although Yang Wu is not a qualified King of Wu, he is the heir of King Xianwu, and before King Wu died, he handed over the important task of Tuogu to his father, how can he ...... father" Xu Wen sighed.

"I don't think my father has to blame himself, King Wu handed over the aftermath to his father, and he also believes that his father can keep Huainan and the Yang family, but he doesn't just let his father protect Yang Wu, Yang Wu's younger brother is also the son of King Wu, King Wu is also surnamed Yang, and Huainan is still from Yang."

"Well, He'er, you can build a high house at a young age, and Dad is very pleased."

"It's all taught by my father, my father cares about the people of Huainan, and my father is the pillar of Huainan." Xu Zhihe said humbly.

"Well, you are an ambitious child, and now that you have grown up, Dad will give you the opportunity to show your talents." Xu Wen said happily.

"The child doesn't dare to think about it, he just wants to take care of his father by his father's side and share his worries."

"Silly boy, King Wu was very optimistic about you back then, don't let him down!" Xu Wen said, looking at Xu Zhihe kindly, "It's not early, let's go back to the room early to rest." ”

"Daddy should rest early, too." After Xu Zhihe finished speaking, he turned around and left. Xu Zhihe's walking pace is slow and big, slow and flat, with a straight back, and a natural aura.

"There's going to be a lot going on here." Xu Wen muttered in his heart.

Four

Xu Wen told Zhang Hao about the idea of replacing Yang Wu, but he didn't expect Zhang Hao to nod his head very happily in agreement, so the two began to plan to abolish King Wu and set up a new King Wu.

Yang Wu is not idle here, he has also been in frequent contact with the old generals of the Yang family, such as Liu Wei, the envoy of Zhennan Jiedu, and Li Yu, the observer of Xuanzhou, Yang Wu has high hopes for the two of them, especially Li Yu, because his daughter-in-law is still Yang Wu's sister. Xu Wen was nervous after learning the news, Xu Wen knew very well that his specialty was to deal with government affairs, although he was now the commander of the right ya, but he was not good at leading troops to fight, and he had neither military merits nor military prestige, if someone among the old generals of the Yang family took the lead in supporting Yang Wu, he was afraid that he would not be able to suppress it, and even cause chaos in Huainan, which Xu Wen did not want to see, Xu Wen wanted the ideal result was to abolish Yang Wu, but there would be no large-scale bloodshed and no civil strife. At present, there are two things he is very worried about, one is that Yang Xingmi left an army of several thousand people stationed in Guangling City before his death, this army is the personal army of King Wu, and he will definitely listen to King Wu; Second, the attitude of the generals abroad is still uncertain, although in recent years Xu Wen has handled the affairs of the DPRK and China in an orderly manner, and more and more people have recognized him, but there are definitely people who oppose the abolition of Yang Wu, once the external mutiny, Huainan will be in chaos, and his life may not be guaranteed. Although he and Zhang Hao were in charge of the forbidden army, after all, their numbers were limited, and their military strength could not be compared with the generals who led troops outside.

But the stupid Yang Wu just gave Xu Wen another chance. It turned out that Yang Wu moved the thousands of pro-troops left by Yang Xingmi out of Guangling and used the vacant land as a place for cavalry shooting, which was really an act of death, and it was also the surface of Yang Wu's political naivety. Yang Wu's thousands of pro-troops were not in the city, and Xu Wen's success was greatly increased, so he discussed with Zhang Hao to prepare to start in advance and not give Yang Wu too much time.

One morning, Xu Wen and Zhang Hao forcibly broke into Yang Wu's mansion on the pretext of discussing court affairs, and Yang Wu understood what the two wanted to do when they saw the battle.

Yang Wu said, "Are you here to kill me? ”

Zhang Hao said coldly with a straight face: "Don't dare, I just want to get rid of the people who disturb the court left and right!" ”

did not give Yang Wu more opportunities to speak, Zhang Hao quickly killed several of his cronies, Xu Wen used Yang Xingmi's ministers as an excuse to count Yang Wu's immorality, no king's style, and his subordinates deviated from morality, resulting in the corruption of the court, and the villain was in charge, and then the two quickly put Yang Wu under house arrest. Yang Wu roared angrily: "Xu Wen, I didn't expect you to have a premeditated plan, but my father Wang Yingming I, but I was deceived by you, one day I will kill you." Thanks to Xu Wen and Zhang Hao's swift and decisive moves, a coup ended before the outside world could react.

Five

Due to the tight blockade of the news, the generals who led the troops outside only knew that Xu Wen and Zhang Hao had executed some traitors around King Wu, and they did not know the specific things that happened in the court, so there was no military crisis, which was also the ending that Xu Wen wanted the most. At this time, Xu Wen and Zhang Hao completely controlled the power of the DPRK, and Xu Wen still handled the government as always. He still continued the previous policy, and all kinds of things went according to plan, quickly quelling the adverse effects of the coup, making the outside world feel that the days were no different from before, and everyone didn't seem to care about Yang Wu's existence anymore. However, two months later, Zhang Hao was dissatisfied with Xu Wen, Zhang Hao was born as a military general, not good at handling government affairs, and the officials listened to Xu Wen in all matters.

Seeing that Xu Wen's power was getting bigger and bigger, Zhang Hao directly found Xu Wen and said: "At the beginning, we said that the power would be divided equally, but now you are the only one to give orders, and I have nothing to do." ”

"And what do you want?" Xu Wen asked.

"Kill Yang Wu, you and I will divide Huainan equally." Zhang Hao said fiercely.

"No, Yang Wu is guilty, but the crime is not to death, besides, if the old Yang clan knows that we killed King Wu, there will definitely be people who oppose it, which is not good for you and me."

"Lord Xu, you can think about it, as long as Yang Wu does not die, one day he will get in touch with the old Yang family, and when they form an alliance, you and I will not be able to eat and walk around."

Zhang Hao's words talked about Xu Wen's sore spot, Xu Wen actually understood that although Yang Wu is trapped now, as long as he lives, there will be an old general of the Yang family to protect him, once they successfully join forces, with Yang Wu's radical character, he will inevitably kill himself. Xu Wen didn't want to kill Yang Wu, but at this point, he also rode a tiger and was difficult to get a tiger, so he said to Zhang Hao:

"Okay, so who's going to deal with it?" Xu Wen asked.

"I've arranged this, Master Xu doesn't have to worry about it," Zhang Hao said.

"In that case, well, but don't make a big deal out of it, and proceed with caution." Xu Wen told Zhang Hao.

So Zhang Hao sent a general named Ji Xiang to kill Yang Wu, at this time Yang Wu was under house arrest in a separate room that outsiders could not approach, and Zhang Hao's people were outside, Yang Wu saw Ji Xiang come in with a knife in his hand with a gloomy face, understood that his death time had come, and said in extreme fear:

"You...... What are you doing? Ji Xiang symbolically said:

"I'm sorry King Wu, there is a debtor and a debtor, don't blame me, I just acted on orders." After speaking, a knife ended Yang Wu's life, and Yang Wu was twenty-two years old at this time.