Chang He said: "The four women of Li You, the king of Qi, two hold heavy troops, one is in charge of the business of the imperial court, and the other is in charge of the science and technology of the imperial court, think about it, what a great force this is."

It is said that he has such great strength, and His Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince are so supportive of him, he should play a greater role for the imperial court. But since last year, he has left Chang'an, why is this? ”

Zhang Xuansu knew the reason for this incident, Li You was originally going to deal with the problems on the grassland, but later stayed in Shengzhou. This matter is indeed related to Li Chengqian, Li You is to avoid suspicion, or to leave his own space for Li Chengqian.

Zhang Xuansu asked, "What do you think he is doing this for?" ”

Chang He said: "As far as I know, the Persian Hamid betrayed his father and set himself up as king. Li You ran to Persia and mingled with him, nominally to receive the Anghart province for the imperial court, and took the opportunity to mobilize the men and horses of Tuyuhun and Xue Yantuo, and his two women also led troops there.

Then, the woman in charge of the court's commercial department also went there, and took with her a large amount of grain, grass and goods. It was a matter for the imperial court to take over the province of Angot, so why was all his family involved?

Don't you think it's weird? ”

Zhang Xuansu didn't think there was anything strange, he said: "His Royal Highness King Qi went down to take over Angot Province, it was the decision of the imperial court, didn't he also send Su Guogong and Tang Jun?" Besides, His Royal Highness King Qi is in danger of going to Persia, and it is normal for his princesses to help him. ”

Chang He shook his head and said: "Master Zhang, this matter is not so simple, think about it, Angot Province is backed by the Western Regions and Tuyuhun, Li You has a great influence in the Western Regions, not to mention Tuyuhun, Su Guogong's relationship with him is the closest, and when he arrives in Persia, he is not covering the sky with one hand?!"

He didn't come back from Xue Yantuo at the beginning, and now he took the initiative to go to Persia, is it just to do things for the imperial court? ”

Zhang Xuansu seemed to have realized something, and he asked, "General Chang, just say what you think." ”

Chang He said: "In the court, the prince who can compete for the crown prince, His Royal Highness the King of Wei has left Chang'an, and His Royal Highness the King of Shu has now been marginalized, leaving Li You, the king of Qi. ”

"This ......," Zhang Xuansu suddenly felt that what he said made sense.

Zhang Xuansu knows Li You very well, admires Li You very much, and also knows Li You's friendship with Li Chengqian, if it weren't for Li Chengqian being the prince, Zhang Xuansu would like Li You more.

Li You's ability is too strong, and he is a threat to Li Chengqian's position as the crown prince, so Zhang Xuansu and the eldest grandson Wuji will target him.

Princes have always competed for the throne, and the losers have not ended well. Li You is unwilling to compete with Li Chengqian for the position of crown prince, he is a smart man, and he will also find a way out for his future, and he may have this consideration when he hides in Xue Yantuo.

However, Xue Yantuo's strength is too small, the north is vast and sparsely populated, the material is scarce, and the development space is too small, and there is a strong Hui in the north.

The Persian province of Angot was strategically located in a large and large area, backed by the Tang Dynasty's Western Regions and Tuyuhun, to the west by his ally Hamid, and to the south by the rich Indian continent.

Zhang Xuansu thinks that if it were him, he would choose it this way. He agreed with Chang He's opinion in his heart.

Zhang Xuansu glanced at Chang He and said in his heart: "I can't see that this vulgar guy still has such a vision." ”

In fact, Chang He is a rough person and has no culture. But as the saying goes, the world is afraid of the word serious. He pondered Li You all day long, and almost all of his energy was focused on this, so it was not surprising that he could research something famous.

He wanted to use this incident to accuse Li You of treason or rebellion.

However, this matter is too big, and Zhang Xuansu can't express his position. "You may have a point," he said. However, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and I do not think so. ”

He said he didn't approve of it, but his expression clearly agreed with it.

Chang He has been in officialdom for a long time, and he still has the ability to observe words and colors. He saw that he had achieved his goal, so he said no more.

Zhang Xuansu felt that this matter could be done to make some fuss, but he was unwilling to involve himself and His Royal Highness the Prince. He said: "His Royal Highness and I don't believe in this matter. However, if this matter is announced, some people may believe it. Who knows what His Majesty will think? ”

Chang He understood what he meant, Zhang Xuansu and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not come forward, let Chang He come forward to bring up this matter, and he and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would contribute to the troubles behind the scenes.

Chang He nodded, indicating that he understood what Zhang Xuansu meant.

Zhang Xuansu said: "General Chang, we have never had any contacts, nor have we met, and we will not have contacts in the future. Farewell. ”

Chang He said: "Master Zhang, please take the first step, and I will leave after a stick of incense." ”

Chang He returned home and explained to his cronies.

Soon after, it was rumoring on the streets.

In a wine shop.

"Have you heard, His Royal Highness the King of Qi has gone to Persia." Someone said.

"What is he doing there?" Someone asked.

"That's right, I haven't heard His Royal Highness King Qi for a long time, didn't I say that he went to the grassland?" Someone asked.

"You don't know that, do you?" Said a well-informed source.

"Then tell me what's going on?" Everyone asked eagerly.

A well-informed person said: "Originally, His Royal Highness King Qi went to the grassland, do you know why he went to the grassland?" ”

"Why?" Someone asked.

A well-informed person said: "Everyone knows that His Royal Highness King Qi is capable, but he ran to the grassland and didn't come back, because he felt aggrieved in Chang'an and wanted to establish himself as the king." ”

The people of Chang'an guarded the imperial court, were keen to inquire about the affairs of the imperial court, and had heard a lot about the affairs of the palace fight. said that His Royal Highness King Qi wanted to establish himself as a king outside, and everyone still thought it was possible.

The well-informed person said: "His Royal Highness the King of Qi is no longer in the steppe now, he went to Persia. Because of the scarcity of people in the steppe, the conditions were not ripe for him to establish himself as king there.

The King of Persia and His Royal Highness King Qi were good friends. There he prepared a place for His Royal Highness the King of Qi, called Angart Province, which stretched for thousands of miles and had a population of one million. So His Royal Highness the King of Qi ran there, preparing to set himself up as king there. ”

Someone asked, "Are you guessing?" How did I hear that His Royal Highness the King of Qi was going to expand the territory for the imperial court? ”

The well-informed person said, "What do you know? Of the four princesses of His Royal Highness King Qi, three of them have now gone to Persia, why is this? ”

"Really? Is there such a thing? Someone asked.

"One of my relatives is a guard in the Qi Palace, and my information is absolutely accurate. I've heard that once His Royal Highness King Qi has a firm foothold in Persia, the people from their Qi Palaces will follow. Said a well-informed source.

Not only this liquor store, but also many other places have spread such rumors.

The right servant shoots the house.

The eldest grandson Wuji was talking to Chu Suiliang, the counselor, and the housekeeper came in to report: "Xianggong (the Tang Dynasty's honorific title for the prime minister outside the officialdom), Lord Zhang Xuansu asks to see him. ”

"What is he doing here?" Eldest Sun Wuji asked suspiciously.

Chu Suiliang said with a smile: "Eldest grandson, I'm afraid it has something to do with the topic we just discussed. Otherwise, the lower officials will avoid it first. ”

The eldest grandson Wuji nodded and said, "You go to the guest room to drink tea first, and we'll talk about it later." ”

After Chu Suiliang left, the eldest grandson Wuji said, "Please come in." ”

"Yes, Xianggong." The housekeeper went out.

After a while, Zhang Xuansu came in, and he saluted and said, "Xiaguan Zhang Xuansu has seen Lord Servant. ”

The eldest grandson Wuji said, "Lord Zhang, please take a seat." ”

Zhang Xuansu asked, "Lord Servant, have you heard the rumors about His Royal Highness King Qi?" ”

"I've heard a little." The eldest grandson Wuji said.

Zhang Xuansu said: "Lord Servant, the lower officials are here specifically for this matter, and I want to discuss some ideas with you." ”

"What do you think?" Eldest Sun Wuji asked.

Zhang Xuansu said: "His Royal Highness King Qi has always supported His Royal Highness the Prince, he is very wise, staying in Chang'an, not only is it not good for His Royal Highness the Prince, but also for himself.

His Royal Highness the King of Wei has already left Chang'an, and it is a good thing that His Royal Highness the King of Qi has also left Chang'an, and after he leaves, His Royal Highness the King of Shu has no reason to stay in Chang'an.

Therefore, from any point of view, it is a good thing for His Royal Highness King Qi to leave Chang'an. ”

Eldest Sun Wuji nodded and said, "Your analysis makes sense. ”

Zhang Xuansu said: "Regardless of whether the rumors on the streets are true or not, His Royal Highness the King of Qi is now in Persia, so it is better to let him stay there and guard the western border for the imperial court." It is a good choice for the imperial court, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the King of Qi personally. ”

The eldest grandson Wuji asked, "What is the opinion of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?" ”

Zhang Xuansu said: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince attaches great importance to affection, and he now feels deeply guilty about His Royal Highness King Qi, I'm afraid he won't agree." So I haven't told him about it yet. ”

The eldest grandson Wuji said: "Lord Zhang, I agree with your opinion. However, this is a bit of a hassle to do.

First of all, His Majesty has great trust in His Royal Highness King Qi, and he is afraid that he will not agree. Secondly, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Queen Mother owe His Royal Highness the favor of His Royal Highness King Qi, and they probably won't agree. Also, His Royal Highness King Qi has a lot of energy, if he is unwilling, I am afraid this matter will not be done. ”

Zhang Xuansu said: "Don't worry, I have already thought about this matter repeatedly.

First of all, His Royal Highness the Prince, although he has a close relationship with His Royal Highness the King of Qi, but he is the prince after all, His Royal Highness the King of Qi is too good, his stay in Chang'an is very stressful for His Royal Highness the Prince, if His Royal Highness the King of Qi is not harmed, he can leave Chang'an, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince should be optimistic.

Secondly, with the queen mother, no matter how close His Royal Highness King Qi is to the queen mother, he is not as close as His Royal Highness the Prince. As long as you explain the stakes to her, and explain that this matter is beneficial to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness King Qi, the queen mother should not object. ”

Third, Your Majesty probably will not oppose it. His Royal Highness the King of Qi left Chang'an last year, why didn't His Majesty urge him to come back? The current court is very calm and there is no internal friction, which has something to do with the fact that His Royal Highness King Qi is not in Chang'an. If the disputes within the court can be resolved once and for all, His Majesty should also be willing.

Fourth, His Royal Highness King Qi is a smart man, if he wants to return to Chang'an, who can stop him? But since he left Chang'an last year, he has not taken the initiative to ask to come back. This time there was a problem in Persia, and he did not ask Chang'an for instructions, so he left Shengzhou directly and went to Persia.

What does this mean? This shows that he wants to do this deep down, maybe he doesn't want to return to Chang'an at all.

His Royal Highness the King of Qi has outstanding talents, and letting him expand the territory for the imperial court is a great merit for the imperial court, and he can also give full play to his talents, so why not? ”

In fact, the eldest grandson Wuji's opinion is similar to Zhang Xuansu's, and the opinion he discussed with Chu Suiliang just now is also similar to what Zhang Xuansu said. However, it was not as thorough as Zhang Xuansu thought.

He saw that there was no disagreement with Zhang Xuansu, so he instructed the servant: "You go and invite Lord Chu Suiliang to come over." ”

Subsequently, the eldest grandson Wuji, Zhang Xuansu and Chu Suiliang discussed the next plan.

Lizheng Palace.

The eldest grandson Wuji told the rumors about Li You on the street to the eldest grandson queen.