Zhang He rushed back to Beijing and entered the imperial city to face the saint in the Dongnuan Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace. He had a secret conversation with the emperor for a while, and when he came out, it was dark, so he had to leave the imperial city in a hanging basket. The emperor strictly ordered Zhang He, except for his father-in-law, Lu Zhen, the secretary of the criminal department, to keep the matter secret.

Guo Zi, who was captured, confessed that the first emperor collapsed and was poisoned?!

Zhu Gaochi was irritable and worried, and did not sleep well all night. Last year, Emperor Taizong was poisoned by the pool of Chunhe Palace, and those who knew about it have only two kinds of people so far: one is a dead person, and the other is the emperor's confidant.

For such a serious matter, it is impossible for the news to be leaked! Unless it comes out of Guo Zi's mouth. Zhang He said that the king of Han only learned about the poisoning of the first emperor from Guo Zi, and the rest of the matter was still under trial.

Zhu Gaochi was even more flustered, eager to get Guo Zi back from the rebels immediately.

I heard that in some places, in order to punish women who have violated immorality, they strip the adulterers naked and parade through the streets, so that the places where they do not want to look at people are exposed in broad daylight. Zhu Gaochi's current feeling is probably like that. He didn't want the world to know about the poisoning of his biological father, Emperor Taizong, in the East Palace.

Early the next morning, Zhu Gaochi immediately summoned Yuan Hui, Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong, Yang Pu and others to discuss the matter so that decisions could be made as soon as possible.

The princes were also very troubled, but almost everyone did not object to submitting to the conditions proposed by the Han king, because Guo Zi knew too many facts.

Yang Rong said: "The words of betrayal of the king are tantamount to blackmail. If the imperial court agrees immediately, it will definitely confirm what Guo Zi said. ”

Zhu Gaochi turned his head to look at Yang Rong. Yang Rong is in his thirties, just in the prime of life, his face is long, his facial features are upright, his eye sockets are deep, and the beard above and below his mouth is like a weeping willow. Yang Rong's eyes were more special, and at first glance, he seemed to be thinking about some scheme; He was born as a Jinshi, but he was a little less elegant and indifferent.

Among the three Yangs, the most Confucian is Bai Ding Yang Shiqi, who was born in a rural private school, which is indeed strange. And Yang Rong prides himself on being good at power and scheming, and Yang Pu is cautious and knowledgeable.

At this time, Yuan Heng's voice said: "What the traitor king said, is it really Guo Zi's confession?" He was wide and fat, with a square and white face, and seemed to have a great personal relationship with Guo Zi.

Yang Rong immediately asked: "If it weren't for Guo Butang accidentally saying that he missed his mouth, how would the traitorous king know?" ”

There was a dead silence all around. Zhu Gaochi also believes that this matter should be said by Guo Zi. Otherwise, Gao Xu can guess right just by guessing? That's too godly, although some people say that Gao Xu is cunning and abnormal, but Gao Xu can't be unpredictable.

"This Guo Zi, Jiao Zhen is very disappointed!" Zhu Gaochi blurted out angrily.

However, it is difficult for most mortals to resist cruel torture to extract confessions, let alone a high-ranking civil official like Guo Zi. Guo Zi and other ministers have been pampered for many years and live a very comfortable life, and it is really difficult for him to endure inhuman torture and keep silent. Therefore, Guo Zi should be martyred after the destruction of the capital!

Yang Rong listened to the meaning of the saint's words, and then talked eloquently: "This proposal cannot be fully agreed to betray the king, but must be vetoed with the conditions of Empress Jianwen Ma." Although Ma is useless, saving her is a sign, and the King of Han treats her with courtesy, and the old ministers of Jianwen inevitably feel close to her. ”

Everyone looked sideways at Yang Rong, because he was also an old minister of Jianwen. However, Yang Rong and others were unsuccessful in the Jianwen Dynasty.

Zhu Gaochi frowned and said, "Gao Xu thinks he has grabbed my handle, what should he do if he doesn't agree?" ”

Yang Rong said: "Zhang Heyu, Mu Sheng has full authority to handle this matter?" In this way, you can find a way from Mu Sheng's side, as long as you take into account Mu Sheng's thoughts. With one less person in exchange, it is possible for Mu Sheng to give in. ”

Zhu Gaochi's heart was still hanging, so he immediately patted the case and said: "You and Yuan Heng, do this as soon as possible!" ”

"The ministers obey."

…… The matter of trading Guo Zi with Qian Xun was first proposed by Xu Huizu, the Duke of Wei.

Jin Zhong, Yuan Hui, Lu Zhen and other former officials of the Yan Wangfu once guarded Beiping with Guo Zi, and the relationship was very good. The deal proposed by Xu Huizu was very much in line with the wishes of the former officials of the Yan Wangfu, and of course they supported it.

Xu Huizu also used this as a signal of goodwill and reached another deal with the former officials of Yanwangfu; Coupled with the promotion of the Empress Zhang, this is an important reason why Wu Gaoneng is in charge of the army again.

Although Wu Gao did not perform well on the battlefield later, Xu Huizu's manipulation in the court was undoubtedly very successful.

And while Xu Huizu advocated the exchange of money and Guo Zi, he also proposed a double discord plan to the saint!

first separated the mutual trust between the traitor king and Mu Sheng, an important person under his command, and then separated the relationship between Sheng Yong, the old general of Jianwen under the rebel king, and Ping'an.

Xu Huizu played an important role in this matter, so after he heard that Zhang He had returned to Beijing, he immediately asked Yuan Hui about the matter; Yuan Hui should naturally let Xu Huizu know. Unexpectedly, Yuan Heng told him: The imperial court has decided to exchange Qian Xun, Sheng Yong's Ping'an family, and Guo Ming's family, and it may also include Jianwen Empress Ma's!

Yuan Hui also talked about Zhang He's meeting with the rebellious king in the Han Palace, Kunming.

Xu Huizu was shocked! He didn't understand why this was the case, and then he realized that there must be something shady going on here. Based on Xu Huizu's experience, everything that seems unreasonable always has an inside story that makes it reasonable.

In any case, this matter will make the double discord scheme he advocates completely fail!

He immediately went to the royal gate and asked to be seen by the emperor.

…… The eunuch reported to the Dongnuan Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace, and Zhu Gaochi, who was dealing with the chapter, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Call Wei Guogong in." ”

Zhu Gaochi glanced at the surrounding eunuchs and the palace maid nightingale dressed as men, raised his hand and waved it lightly, and they saluted and retreated to the next door. Zhu Gaochi called Haitao: "You can stay." ”

After waiting for a long time, Xu Huizu walked through the three major halls, entered the Qianqing Gate, passed the inclined corridor, and came to the Dongnuan Pavilion partition door.

Xu Huizu saluted, and after Zhu Gaochi said "flat", he stood up, and immediately looked a little low on the roof of Dongnuan Pavilion. Xu Huizu asked directly, "Why did the Holy Lord agree to the unreasonable request of the traitorous king?" ”

Zhu Gaochi said: "Guo Zi is loyal and a minister of the imperial court. Only Qian Xun and his family, Gao Xu would not agree. ”

Xu Huizu wanted to speak and stopped, and finally said in a deep voice: "Guo Zi knows something that the traitor king shouldn't know?" ”

After listening to this, Zhu Gaochi had to admit in his heart that Wei Guogong was very clever and could guess it. Zhu Gaochi didn't answer, and sat on the throne silently, looking at the chapter on the case, looking like he was thinking about something.

Xu Huizu was also very interested, and only asked one sentence, and then stopped asking.

"Alas......" Xu Huizu let out a long sigh. His skeletal and angular face was as red as Guan Gong, but it looked clearly humiliated with anger.

Xu Huizu said: "Gao Xu's cunning is indeed not comparable to ordinary people!" ”

He sighed again, revealing a look of loss, "Zhang He and Mu Shengbu will see Gao Xu in the Han Palace, and they are seeing Gao Xu and the Mu family's little lady playing chess, this is something that Gao Xu deliberately arranged. Gao Xu must have seen through the court's divisive plan and showed it to Mu Sheng, so as to win over Mu Sheng's heart and intend to marry Mu Fu.

and when Sheng Yong'an's family members were returned to the rebels, and Qu Neng's family members were slaughtered by Xue Lu in advance, Sheng Yong'an would be more and more grateful to Gao Xu, and they would work together. The court's divisive plan backfired! ”

Of course, Zhu Gaochi understands these things, but now that Guo Zi is in Gao Xu's hands, the hidden danger is too great. What can he do?

Zhu Gaochi was very embarrassed, so he changed the topic and said: "Wei Guogong seemed to have a good relationship with Sheng Yong before? ”

"Qu Neng, Sheng Yong, and Ping An are all good generals, and the personal relationship between the minister and Qu Neng is especially good, but the friendship with Sheng Yong is average. Sheng Yong is a calm and calm person, but he has no integrity. Sheng Yong first took refuge in Huang Zicheng's party, looked forward to Li Jinglong, and made an alliance with Tie Xuan; Later, he fell into the trap of Li Jinglong and turned a blind eye to Tie Xuan's tragic situation. Then he surrendered to the emperor, but defected halfway and took refuge with Gao Xu. He has changed hands repeatedly, and no one has ever forced him, but he weighed the pros and cons and took the initiative to do it, and it is not an exaggeration to say that he is a slave with three surnames. Xu Huizu said.

He then said with a straight face: "But the saint can rest assured, the ministers can still clearly distinguish between the importance of public and private affairs, and the affairs of the country and society that are related to the world." ”

Zhu Gaochi nodded and said, "Wei Guogong is loyal. ”

Zhu Gaochi knew in his heart that Xu Huizu might have done some secret things behind his back, but he believed that Xu Huizu would definitely not collude with Gao Xu. This is also the reason why Zhu Gaochi later compromised and reconciled with Empress Zhang and others, he did not rely on these people to fight against Gaoxu's rebellion, is there anyone else who can be of great use?

"A person like Sheng Yong, Gao Xu dared to reuse him and told him to defend the important places in Kunming City." Zhu Gaochi groaned, "Can you give Sheng Yong a message in private?" ”

Xu Huizu muttered: "I can't find a chance for the time being, I'll take a look." ”

Zhu Gaochi said worriedly: "Gao Xu now occupies the three southwestern provinces, with hundreds of thousands of troops, and he himself is also very capable, and he can't sleep at night. ”

Xu Huizu hurriedly said: "The minister failed to share the worries of the saint, and the minister is guilty!" However, there was no need to worry too much about the saints, Gao Xu could still only rely on the rugged terrain of the mountains and roads to occupy the borderlands, and he could not compete with the imperial court. ”

Zhu Gaochi said: "Gao Xu is by no means an idle person. When our three brothers escaped from Beijing, Gao Xu made great contributions. At that time, it was Gao Xu who was planning and operating, and I, the eldest brother, would unconsciously obey him. ”

Xu Huizu's face turned red, and he said: "The ministers saw the clues earlier, but it's a pity that Emperor Jianwen believed in Huang Zicheng and others and didn't listen to the admonitions of the ministers. Otherwise, Gao Xu's treacherous plan will never succeed! ”

Zhu Gaochi glanced at him and was silent. It was already in the past, and it was Emperor Jianwen who was loyal to Xu Huizu at that time, and he couldn't be blamed too much.

Xu Huizu looked up at Zhu Gaochi, who was silent on the throne, and bowed: "That's all the minister's words, please retire." ”

Zhu Gaochi waved his hand, still thinking about his own affairs. Xu Huizu said goodbye, walked backwards to the vicinity of the partition door, and then turned around and walked out.