However, all parts of Guanzhong are closed by heavy snow, but from Chang'an to Huaqing Palace along the road pipe, the snow is thin, the car is flying, an hour later, the sky has just been dark, Yang Guozhong and his party arrived at the foot of the mountain, due to the arrival of His Majesty the Emperor, the guard in front of the Huaqing Palace is extremely strict, three steps and one post, five steps and one sentry, no one is allowed to trespass without the emperor's summons.

Yang Guozhong's carriage stopped in front of the palace, and a little eunuch rushed forward to report, and after a while, a eunuch walked out quickly, gave Yang Guozhong a deep salute, and said with a smile: "The emperor invites the prime minister to meet you!" ”

Along the way, Yang Guozhong's excitement was gradually cooled by the chill in the air, and he began to feel that he was a little reckless, whether Li Qing's incident of picking up his family was true or false, and his son did not see Li Qing's arrival with his own eyes, how could he draw conclusions based on the testimony of a subordinate? With Li Longji's shrewdness, he should be reprimanded for being rash and impetuous.

Even when he was close to Li Longji's bedroom, he had already begun to regret it, but the person had already come, and it was useless to regret it, so Yang Guozhong could only stubbornly follow the eunuch into the palace.

At this time, Li Longji and Yang Guifei were standing in front of the window to enjoy the snow scene of Lishan Mountain, and the palace people came to report, 'Yang Guozhong has arrived. ’

Although Yang Guozhong is Yang Guifei's cousin, he is a foreign minister after all, Yang Guifei immediately hid in the inner palace, Li Longji Yaxing was swept away, he was extremely unhappy in his heart, and slowly sat back on the dragon couch,

"Minister Yang Guozhong knocks to see His Majesty the Emperor, may my Emperor live long! Banzai! Hooray! ”

"Okay, I won't be idle for a while so late." Li Longji said with a gloomy face: "What is the matter with you, you have to chase it to Huaqing Palace to report!" ”

"This. Tongue-stuttering. But the words could not be spoken. He originally wanted to persuade Li Longji to take away the post of An Lushan Hedong Jiedu envoy, but this matter has been discussed many times, and although it is a major matter, it is not an urgent matter. It would have been okay to discuss it with Li Longji at the Xingqing Palace this afternoon, but it is obviously inappropriate to say this matter now, and saying it will definitely anger Li Longji.

"What's the matter?" Li Longji saw that Yang Guozhong was speechless, his expression was cringe, and he had no prime minister's bearing, he suddenly became angry and slapped the table heavily. shouted: "Say it quickly! ”

Yang Guozhong was so frightened that what he didn't want to say slipped out of his mouth unconsciously, "Your Majesty, the minister just got the news that Li Qing, the envoy of Anxi Jiedu, came back last night, and this morning, he was left in Chang'an and his family was picked up." ”

"What do you say? Li Qing took his family away. Li Longji suddenly calmed down, and he instinctively turned his head. The stern gaze stabbed at Gao Lishi, and the moment the two of them met, Gao Lishi suddenly broke out in a cold sweat, and he didn't understand until this time. The relationship between himself and Li Qingdi turned out to be known to the emperor for a long time.

His gaze drooped. Avoiding Li Longji's sharp mang, his heart was chaotic, but his face was calm as usual, Li Longji slowly turned his head, his eyes became flickering, waiting for Yang Guozhong's next words, but after waiting for a long time, Yang Guozhong looked at himself blankly, puzzled, the anger he had just dissipated, and couldn't help but rise again, only impeachment and not solve the problem, that is the duty of the imperial history, but Yang Guozhong is the right minister of the dignified state, and he gave himself a problem, but there was no corresponding solution to the problem, so how could he not be annoyed.

People are sometimes so contradictory, in order to suppress the power of the prime minister, Li Longji chose a mediocre person like Yang Guozhong to be the right minister, but when he needed Yang Guozhong to solve the problem for himself like Zhang Jiuling or Li Linfu, he was angry.

Seeing that Yang Guozhong was silent for a long time, Li Longji's eyes slowly narrowed, and he said coldly: "You said that Li Qing came back, but is there any evidence?" ”

Since Yang Guozhong couldn't come up with a solution to the problem, he could only pretend to be confused, An Lushan's unsubdued heart became more and more strong, and he was summoned to report on his work, but he said that he was sick and could not come, and openly bought a large amount of grain in the Jianghuai area.

There are two explanations for Li Qing's family to leave Chang'an, one is that Li Qing picked them up without authorization, which is very serious, and the other explanation is that his wife was anxious to visit relatives in Anxi.

Yang Guozhong was stunned, and came back when he came back, what evidence did he need, although he didn't understand what Li Longji meant, but he could see the anger flashing in Li Longji's eyes, and he could hear the indifference in his words, Yang Guozhong didn't dare to continue, so he replied vaguely: "Weichen just heard about it, but didn't see it." ”

Seeing that he didn't insist any longer, Li Longji calmed down a little with anger in his heart, and said to him seriously: "As the prime minister and assistant minister of the country, you should share your worries and consider the livelihood of the people in the world, this kind of thing that proclaims people's ears and eyes is not your duty, go ahead!" I don't want to hear you talk about it anymore. ”

Yang Guozhong resigned, after Yang Guozhong left, Li Longji's mood was very bad, although he did not allow Yang Guozhong to mention this matter again, but it did not mean that he did not care, on the contrary, when An Lushan showed his rebellion, he was more vigilant against these military leaders who held military power, and he had already made up his mind that before turning his face with An Lushan, he must first remove these military leaders from military power, never

The two An Lushan reappeared, and the time was set for this debriefing period.

Among all of them, Li Qing is the one who makes him more at ease, after all, he has been by his side for a long time, and he knows him, so Li Longji decided to be the last to move him, but at this critical time, he suddenly made this move, which really made Li Longji shocked and angry, and in this way, Li Qing was the first to lose control.

—

Not only that, once the other knots make any smell, he is reluctant to enter Beijing again, he will give up all his efforts, Li Longji was upset, he paced back and forth in the dormitory with his hands behind his back, looking up at the roof from time to time in a daze, and finally he stopped, glanced back at Gao Lishi, then quickly walked to the table and wrote a draft edict, handed it to Gao Lishi and said: "You send someone back to Beijing quickly, and hand this edict to the Ministry of Rites for the record, just say that Li Qing's family left Beijing to visit relatives in Anxi, and it was granted by me." ”

Gao Lishi realized Li Longji's helplessness and annoyance, although he knew that Li Qing had seen Li Longji's intention to cut the domain, so he took the lead to pick up his family, but he still couldn't help but secretly complain about Li Qing. With Li Longji's great love for him. Even if he does not have military power, he can still enter the court as the prime minister and assist the new emperor in the future. The future is immeasurable, but in this way, he has exposed his concern for military power, which will inevitably make Li Longji wary of him, and it will be difficult to be of great use in the future!

Colliers silently took the edict. He hurriedly left the palace to arrange this matter, Li Longji kept watching his back disappear, only then sneered slightly, took up the pen and wrote another secret decree, sealed it, and stepped forward to call the fish standing in the corner, solemnly handed over the secret decree to him, and carefully advised: "Send a reliable person to Anxi." This decree must be delivered to the king of Quang Binh within ten days. ”

Yu Chaoen carefully put the secret decree into his arms, and repeatedly promised: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, the servant will personally return to Beijing and send someone to it, and will not disappoint Your Majesty." ”.

According to Yang Guozhong's original intention. He was going to spend the night in the court room of the Huaqing Palace, but after touching a nail. He was not in the mood to stay in Huaqing Palace, but rushed back to Chang'an overnight.

The night is cold, so cold that the blood is about to freeze, naturally, a thin layer of ice has formed on the official road, making the road very slippery, the carriage does not dare to go fast, slowly run forward, halfway Yang Guozhong regretted again, go on like this, when he arrives in Chang'an, I am afraid that the city gate has long been closed, but if he wants to go back, he does not have the courage anymore.

He cursed secretly in his heart, isn't he doing things the same as this night path recently, everything is not going well, and he regrets it halfway, but he can't turn back, which makes people feel stupid.

Yang Guozhong shrank in the corner of the carriage, shivering from the cold, he felt sorry for himself while forcing the coachman to speed up, at this time, a guard whispered in front of the window: "Xiangguo, it seems that someone is calling you from behind!" ”

Yang Guozhong was stunned for a moment, he held his breath, straightened his ears and listened carefully, and sure enough, he heard someone behind him shouting faintly, the voice was very distant, but it was extremely clear in the quiet wilderness of the night.

"Stop!" As soon as he gave the order, the carriage taxied for a distance, slowly stopped, and in a moment, several horses caught up from behind, and one of his henchmen blurted out, "Xiangguo, it's Father-in-law!" ”

After a while, Yu Chaoen caught up with Yang Guozhong's convoy, he chased all the way, he was already tired and sweaty, he urged the horse to the car window, and whispered to Yang Guozhong: "Xiangguo, let me in, I have a big report!" ”

Yang Guozhong was startled, and hurriedly pushed the car door to let him in, Yu Chaoen got into the carriage, looked forward and backward first, and saw that the road was empty, so he found out Li Longji's secret decree, and whispered to him: "This is the emperor's secret decree to the king of Guangping, I guess the stakes are very high, so I specially chased Xiangguo." ”

Yang Guozhong took the secret order, was stunned for a long time, and suddenly shouted to the coachman: "If you rush back to Chang'an before closing the city gate, I will reward you with 500 yuan, otherwise, I will kill your whole family!" ”.

In the secret room of King Qing's Mansion, Yang Guozhong, Li Cong, Li Cong's brother Li Wan, Ji Wen, and Yu Chaoen, these five people gathered in the room to discuss a major event that would change the political situation of the Tang Dynasty.

On the small table among them, Li Longji's secret decree lay there quietly, the thick yellow envelope was covered with fire paint, Li Cong took a deep breath, took out a sharp Persian wrist knife, gently, little by little, along the lines to pick up the fire paint, and then pulled out a jute paper edict, Li Cong quickly read it, his face turned pale, and his hands shook violently.

"Your Highness, what exactly does the secret decree say?"

After a while, Li Cong finally gritted his teeth and said: "After playing with everyone for so many years, it turned out to be him!" ”

He folded the secret decree, put it on a few, and said to everyone with a gloomy face: "The emperor made the king of Guangping the king of Chu in the secret decree, and asked him to rush back to Chang'an before the Shangyuan Festival. ”

Li Cong's words made everyone silent, although he didn't say it explicitly, but the signs of establishing the king of Guangping as the prince were already very obvious, Li Cong's eyes showed a fierce light, and he suddenly stared at Yang Guozhong, meaning what to do now?

Yes! How could he be willing, from Tianbao

, he had the intention to plot the position of the East Palace, after ups and downs, it was easy to get the delicacy of power, and he saw that he was about to get the big position, but suddenly flew.

"Xiangguo, you speak!" Seeing that Yang Guozhong was silent, Li Cong urged viciously again.

"This. Li Heng is the prince, but he didn't expect that he would be the son of Li Heng, and the relationship with his big rival Li Qing is not ordinary, if he ascends the throne. The Yang family is resting!

But he had to come up with a solution. It was more painful than killing him, and his mouth was open, and he couldn't say a word.

Then. Next to the ground Li ++. ”

Everyone's eyes swept towards Ji Wen, Ji Wen hesitated, and cautiously looked up at King Qing, although King Qing had always been stupid, but at this time he understood what Ji Wen meant. He immediately put his hand on the table and said in a deep voice: "I, Li Cong, swear here, that Ji Shilang's words are what I said, and if I violate this oath, God will punish him!" ”

With Li Cong's oath, Ji Wen finally stood up, he nodded slightly to everyone, and said solemnly: "At this time. The form of His Royal Highness King Qing can be described as extremely critical, if I guess correctly, at the latest on the night of Shangyuan, the emperor will imprison King Qing. ”

Yang Guozhong waved his hand hurriedly and said, "Don't stop!" Go on. ”

"Yes!" Gwen took a deep breath. Straightened out his thoughts and said, "I thought." The reason why the emperor is in a hurry to establish a prince is that he has no confidence in getting rid of An Lushan, once the army is defeated, he will inevitably give way to relieve responsibility, on the other hand, he is also ready to let the king of Guangping take charge of the army, so he is in a hurry to recall him, for this reason, I thought of three chain of plans, if the implementation goes well, His Royal Highness the King of Baoqing can finally ascend to the throne. ”

Hearing the words 'ascend to the throne', Li Congdi's eyes suddenly burst into brilliance, and he muttered: "You say, you can say anything!" ”

Ji Wen bowed deeply to Li Cong to show his advance allegiance, then picked up the secret decree, shook it open, and showed it to everyone: "I have noticed just now that this secret decree only has the emperor's signature and no seal, thinking that he decided in a hurry, my first plan is to rewrite a secret decree, change the content, and order King Guangping to be the plenipotentiary representative of the Tang Dynasty to envoy Daqin to discuss the matter of attacking the Great Eclipse." ”

"Good plan!" Li Wan blurted out: "In this way, the king of Guangping went to Daqin, and he couldn't come back for a year and a half, so we have time." ”

Li Cong also nodded, and then asked, "What about the second plan?" ”

Ji Wen stroked his sparse few rat whiskers, and said with a slight smile: "The second plan is still the same as before, kill An Qingzong and force An Lushan to rebel, so that the emperor has no time to think about the establishment of a prince." ”

"But in this way, when An Lushan's rebellion is quelled, Li Jiao's kid just came back, wouldn't it be cheaper for him?"

Ji Wen waved his hand, "Your Highness, don't worry, listen to my third plan, and you will understand!" He stopped Li Cong's words and continued: "As soon as An Lushan rebels, the Guanzhong army will inevitably go to Hedong and Tongguan, so that Chang'an will be empty.

Speaking of this, Ji Wen's thin face suddenly flashed a vicious look, he glanced at Yang Guozhong and Yu Chaoen, and said with a sneer: "At that time, with the power of Xiangguo and the power of His Royal Highness King Qing, create the illusion of Yongwang riot, and then there is Yu Gonggong's internal response, let's lead troops into the palace to protect him, and then take the opportunity to force the emperor to abdicate!" ”

The last sentence, like a shock, stunned several people, 'forcing the emperor to abdicate', isn't this a rebellion?

After a while, a few people came back to their senses, and Yang Guozhong asked in a trembling voice: "Ji Shilang, apart from this method, isn't there anything else that is safer?" ”

Yu Chaoen also said with a sharp voice: "Ji Shilang, don't you want the emperor to kill me?" Tens of thousands of Yulin troops, how can we be able to defeat them? ”

Jiwen suddenly looked up to the sky and laughed, and suddenly laughed, sighed and said to them, "Have you forgotten? The Yulin army was stationed in the West Inner Garden, but the emperor lived in Xingqing Palace, and if there was a palace change, they would be too late. ”

Li Cong's face was white and red, his lips trembled, he kept wiping the cold sweat on his forehead, as if he was making excuses for himself, and said repeatedly: "King Yong is my imperial brother, how can I do this." ”

Ji Wen shook his head, glanced at him with disdain, and said, "Your Highness, have you forgotten the changes in the Xuanwu Sect?" ”

This sentence was like a thunderbolt, and Li Cong was stunned, he remembered that since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, except for Gaozong, which emperor's position was not obtained in a coup d'état, he thought of the charming Yang Yuhuan, and thought that she would cry tactfully under him, and his lust for power made his waist gradually straighten.

He finally made up his mind, slammed his fists, gritted his teeth, and shouted, "! Non-toxic no husband! Wasn't that how he got on the throne back then? ”