The huge movement in the room alarmed everyone under the verandah outside the house, and the moment he heard the teacup breaking, Liu Tan broke through the door at a very fast speed and rushed into the study. The people of the Cui family who wrote "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info also poured into the house as soon as possible. Then everyone saw Cui Daoyuan and Wang Yuan staring at each other face to face, like two big roosters about to fight, looking at each other viciously. Both were red-faced, apparently arguing.

"Master, what happened? You're not hurt. Liu Tan flashed to Cui Daoyuan's side, and his fingers had already caught the hilt of the knife on his waist.

"Grandpa, Wang Gongzi, what's wrong with you? Speak well, why is it noisy? Cui Ruoyu also rushed up and shouted.

Cui Daoyuan glared at Wang Yuan fiercely, Wang Yuan also stared at Cui Daoyuan without giving in, and the two of them were as silent as clay wood carvings. Wang Yuan's whole body was already tense, and he was ready to take Cui Daoyuan hostage as soon as Cui Daoyuan gave the order. But he also understands that if he moves, he will be dead. Judging from Liu Tan's skills, he is by no means an opponent, let alone a large number of other nursing homes. And Wang Yuan didn't want things to come to that point, in the final analysis, his purpose was to persuade the Cui family, not to fall out with them.

"You ...... All stand down. Cui Daoyuan said slowly.

"The head of the house ......," Liu Tan shouted.

Cui Daoyuan waved his hand to stop his words, and shouted in a deep voice: "Give me out, I haven't finished talking to Wang Xiangguo yet." ”

Liu Tan looked at Cui Yuanbo helplessly, Cui Yuanbo waved his hand gently, Liu Tan had to gesture to the nurses, and everyone slowly withdrew.

Cui Ruoyu frowned, stepped forward and hugged Cui Daoyuan's arm and said softly: "Grandpa, you talk well, don't be angry." Don't lose your temper, okay? ”

Cui Daoyuan squeezed out a smile and gently patted Cui Ruoyu's arm, Cui Ruoyuan looked at Wang Yuan, her eyes were full of resentment and pleading: "Prince Wang, my grandfather is old, don't make him angry." You have something to say, if there is anything offended by my grandfather, I ...... I'll make amends to you for my grandfather. Don't be noisy, okay? ”

Wang Yuan nodded slightly. Cui Yuanbo couldn't stand it anymore, turned around at the door and shouted, "Ruoyu, don't come out yet." Cui Ruoyu lowered her head and turned around and hurriedly went out.

The study door was closed, and silence returned to the room. The dim candle flame flickered, and the figures of the two cast two strange black shadows under the illumination of the candle flame, stretching and swaying on the edge of the window. Both stood silent, neither of them speaking.

I don't know how long it took, Cui Daoyuan slowly sat down in the chair and let out a long sigh.

"Wang Xiangguo, the old man never expected that you really had the heart to usurp. You are the spine of the imperial court respected by my Datang, how can you learn from a thief like An Lushan, who actually wants to usurp the Tang Dynasty. This...... It's shocking. Cui Daoyuan sighed.

Wang Yuan also sat down slowly, and said in a deep voice: "Cui Weng, after talking for a long time, why can't you understand what I mean?" People do not hurt the tiger, and the tiger is harmful to people's hearts. Who wants to fight and kill, who doesn't want to live a stable life after the war. But can we live a stable life? If someone wants to kill your head, or kill your family and friends, do you choose to kill them by the neck, or do you choose to fight them? I used to be Datang wholeheartedly, but how did Datang treat me? ”

Cui Daoyuan said in a deep voice: "Isn't everything in Xiangguo now given by the Tang Dynasty?" ”

Wang Yuan sneered: "Datang gave me a favor. But what I did for Datang is not enough to repay? I got the favor of the emperor and entered the Hanlin Academy as a bachelor, which was the beginning of my career. But that's about it. Since then, which appointment of mine has not been dancing on the tip of a knife? Your Majesty ordered me to be the envoy of Hebei Dethroned, which sounds like a promotion, but is the official of Hebei Dethroned Envoy made by people? It was an official position that no one dared to do, because no one who held it died well. After I became this deposed envoy, I almost lost my life in Yanzhou, An Lushan colluded with the Xi people to set up an ambush to attack me, if it wasn't for my life, I would have been a cup of loess. I went to Jiannan for the sub-festival, is that a favor to me? At that time, the imperial court and Nanzhao fought, and the Jiannan army was defeated and retreated. I went to be a scapegoat, to be a firefighter. Can you imagine that if I hadn't been able to subdue Nanzhao with tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, would I still be alive in the world today? Not to mention the war against Tibet, until now, there are still people who say that I did not obey the decree when I was crusading against the Tibetans, saying that I would blackmail the imperial court and the Tibetans to reach a peace agreement in private. They also didn't want to think that the battle of Tibet was so dangerous that the whole army almost collapsed. An Lushan was in turmoil, and I led the army to meet Maweipo, smashed the former crown prince Li Heng's attempt to usurp the throne, and welcomed His Majesty to Chengdu safely. But what happened to me? ended up with a coercion of the Son of Heaven to make the princes notoriety. ”

Cui Daoyuan frowned and listened to Wang Yuan's experience, he had heard all these things. But I didn't think much about it before, here and now, listening to Wang Yuan's mental journey, I can't help but feel kinship. This Wang Yuan has indeed reversed his fate by himself, and if it weren't for his personal ability, I am afraid that he would have already swept the sand in the waves and disappeared in the waves.

"Cui Weng, I, Wang Yuan, am not like a resentful woman. But patience is limited. Cui Weng, I still hope you can see the situation clearly. If Your Majesty does not allow me, I will not be killed, and I hope that you will not be on the wrong side at that time, because then the consequences will be serious. Wang Yuan said in a deep voice.

Cui Daoyuan's anger rose again, and Wang Yuan's words were still threatening, which made Cui Daoyuan difficult to accept.

"I want to know, if I help Your Majesty to you for you, how can you take my southeast wealthy clan?" Cui Daoyuan said coldly.

Wang Yuan shook his head and said, "Cui Weng, I'm not threatening you, but showing you a clear way." If Your Majesty forces me to rebel, my Divine Command Army will defeat his soldiers and horses with a thunderbolt. Even if he had a million soldiers, he would not escape the fate of defeat. You might think I'm bragging, but when you see the strength of my Divine Army, you won't think I'm scaring people. Either you choose to be neutral, or you choose to support me, or you will regret it in the end. I can tolerate the murder tonight, but I will not tolerate a second time against me. ”

Cui Daoyuan's anger surged upward, and he sneered: "What a big breath." Can your soldiers and horses be ten with one? Other people's soldiers and horses are not made of papier-mâché clay? If the tribes in the southeast of our country are determined to be enemies of anyone, the money and grain in their hands can support millions of soldiers and horses. With the appeal of my Jiangnan clans, recruiting troops and horses is as simple as drinking water and eating. ”

Wang Yuan shook his head slightly and said: "It's useless, in the face of absolute strength, no matter how many people there are, they are cannon fodder." I didn't mean to threaten you at all, I just spread it out. If you insist on supporting Your Majesty, I have nothing to say. Admittedly, your support will make my victory come a little later and pay a greater price. But the result doesn't change. And the fate of your team because of the wrong battle will be extremely miserable, and your major wealthy families in Jiangnan will be killed, and none of them will survive. ”

Cui Daoyuan couldn't help it again, it was the first time that he was so threatened in front of him when he lived so big. His face turned red again, and he became excited. But Wang Yuan stopped him before he threw the cup in anger again.

"Cui Weng, don't be excited, I know what I said just now is very disrespectful, but I am such a straightforward person. We don't have to fight with words, take 10,000 steps back and say, even if your help can allow Your Majesty to defeat me, then do you really think that your Cui clan and the major wealthy clans in Jiangnan will be able to return to the court and restore their former glory? Cui Weng, you have been in the wind and rain for so many years, this will not be impossible to see. The era of the big family has long passed, and the Cui family has been able to stabilize in the southeast for decades because you are no longer above the court and do not participate in court politics, and you are no longer a threat to the court. Once you return to the court, you will be like me, a tiger next to someone else's bed. The day you return to the court will be the time of disaster for your wealthy families. And this time, I'm afraid it will not be as lucky as when Emperor Wu was there. ”

If Wang Yuan's words were said before tonight, Cui Daoyuan would definitely scoff at them. But just now, after learning that Li Mao secretly gave Cui Yuanping an order and deliberately divided and provoked the relationship within the Cui family, Cui Daoyuan actually had an extremely bad impression of Li Mao. It can be seen from this incident that Li Mao is an unreliable person, so he agrees with Wang Yuan's words.

But even so, Cui Daoyuan still said coldly: "I don't believe your nonsense, Your Majesty today may not be the person you said, all this you just said is hypothetical." It's just an excuse for your intention to rebel. ”

Wang Yuan shook his head and smiled: "If you insist on not believing it, I can't force you to believe it." But in fact, you have to know what kind of person Your Majesty is, and I have a little way for you to see the truth. Would Cui Weng be willing to watch a good show? ”

Cui Daoyuan said: "What's the show? ”

Wang Yuan said in a deep voice: "I plan to send the Emperor Taishang back to Chang'an, how do you think Your Majesty will deal with it today?" ”

Cui Daoyuan frowned and said: "Chang'an is recovered, isn't it natural for the Emperor Taishang to return to Beijing?" Of course, His Majesty will take the Emperor back to Beijing. ”

Wang Yuan smiled and said, "I don't think so, my majesty will refuse the emperor to return to the capital." ”

Cui Daoyuan frowned and said, "How is it possible." How could Your Majesty do such a thing? ”

Wang Yuan smiled: "He is such a person, why can't he do such a thing?" His throne is not coming from the right way, and when the emperor returns to Beijing, he will see it as a threat to his throne. So I'm sure he will never agree to the Emperor Taishang's return to Beijing. ”

Cui Daoyuan pondered and shook his head: "No, no." If this is the case, is it not unfilial piety and unrighteousness? How could Your Majesty do this, I dare not believe your words. ”

Wang Yuan sneered: "In that case, let's gamble on a game." I bet that Your Majesty will refuse to welcome the Emperor back to Beijing, and you bet that Your Majesty will allow the Emperor to return to Beijing. Let's get some jackpots and take a gamble. ”

"Nonsense, what's there to bet on such things." Cui Daoyuan said abruptly.

Wang Yuan smiled and said, "Is Cui Weng afraid of losing?" That means that Cui Weng believed my words, but was only unwilling to agree verbally. ”

Cui Daoyuan glared and said, "Joke, the old man will be afraid of losing to you?" Bet on what to bet on? ”

Wang Yuan said: "We are all characters with heads and faces, so the bet should not be too small, you might as well bet bigger." Well...... If I win, once Your Majesty wants to do something to me, Cui Weng, you will promise not to provide money, food, soldiers and horses to help Your Majesty, and I don't hope that you will help me, you just need to not help each other. ”

Cui Daoyuan said with a smile: "It seems that you are still afraid of the power of my Cui clan and the rest of the clans." He didn't know what to say, you are afraid that if we help Your Majesty, you will be defeated. ”

Wang Yuan smiled and said, "Indeed, if you interfere, things will become very troublesome." Even if I'm afraid of you. To bet or not to bet? ”

Cui Daoyuan stroked his beard and said, "What if the old man wins?" ”

Wang Yuan said: "Cui Weng is the next way." ”

Cui Daoyuan said in a deep voice: "You may not be able to catch the path I rowed." If the old man wins, I hope Wang Xiangguo will change his course and never think about it again. At the same time, it is necessary to obey the orders of the imperial court and not to support the army. ”

Wang Yuan laughed and said: "Cui Weng has good intentions, and he does his best to protect them for the sake of the Li family. The Cui family is indeed a loyal minister of the Tang Dynasty, but unfortunately the pearl is dark, but the court has failed to live up to the Cui family's loyalty. ””

Cui Daoyuan shook his head and said: "You are wrong, the old man just doesn't want you, a genius, to go astray and become a traitor who has been stinking for thousands of years." ”

Of course, Wang Yuan won't believe his nonsense, if he loses the gambling game, his Cui family will be equivalent to removing the trouble in his heart for Li Mao without spending a sword, which is naturally a great achievement.

Wang Yuan nodded and smiled: "That's it, I bet on this game with Cui Weng." If I lose this bet, it means that I have mistaken His Majesty's character, and then I will also admit defeat. ”

Cui Daoyuan said with a smile: "Our gamble today is really big." The old man didn't expect to set a gamble with you on the general trend of the world. Is the old man crazy? ”

Wang Yuan smiled: "It's not that Cui Weng is crazy, it's me who is crazy." I've put the lives of my family and my brothers in the hands of Cui Weng. In fact, in my heart, even if I lose the gamble, I don't believe that Li Mao will spare me. But I Wang Yuan just wants to take such a gamble to see if my vision is accurate, or Cui Weng's vision is vicious. ”

Cui Daoyuan smiled and said, "Wang Xiangguo, I know that this gamble is not good for you. You've got a lot more chips than mine. So be it. The old man can't bully you, a junior, and the old man may be able to increase his bargaining chips. Not...... If you win, the old man will not only keep his promise and will not help His Majesty, but the old man will also promise you that if you really win against Your Majesty, the old man is willing to marry Ruo Ying to you. The old man can see that if you seem to have a lot of affection for you, and you seem to have some admiration for her, then the old man will fulfill you. If the girl is a priceless treasure of my Cui family, with this condition, you should be satisfied. ”

Wang Yuan was stunned for a moment, and a strange smile appeared on his face. This Cui Daoyuan is really an old fox, he doesn't suffer losses at both ends, if he wins, the world will be his own. His Cui family married Cui Ruoyu to himself, that is, he would become a relative of the emperor. It's a really shrewd idea. No matter if he wins or loses in this gamble, he Cui will be the winner and will never suffer.

But from another point of view, Wang Yuan also understood another meaning of Cui Daoyuan. That is, if he wins this gamble, the Cui family will stand on his side, which will be a huge help. Even if Wang Yuan has the confidence to defeat Li Mao, it is necessary to use the fame and financial resources of the Dao Cui clan and several wealthy families to stabilize the overall situation in the future, which is a great benefit.

Moreover, although Wang Yuan bragged unashamedly, even with the help of several wealthy families, he could sweep Li Mao's soldiers and horses. But Wang Yuan is actually very worried about this. The Cui clan and the rest of the wealthy clans have huge power, but they can't see it at the moment. Wars are fought with money, food, and materials, and that is the guarantee of victory. Although his Shence army is brave, as long as the war drags on, his financial resources will definitely not be able to hold it. This is also the reason why Wang Yuan had planned to let Mrs. Qin Guo come to confess his relatives before, so as to open up the relationship with the Cui family and achieve the goal of persuading them to support him.

"Okay, that's a deal. To have Miss Ruoying as my wife is also something I have always dreamed of. Wang Yuan said with a smile.

"Whether you can marry Ruo Ying girl or not, it depends on your creation. Let's start with it, none of us can do anything about the gambling game, and no one can reveal the news to affect the gambling game. Once the old man knows that you are secretly cheating, and the old man says ugly things in his head, my Cui family and the four wealthy clans in Jiangnan will definitely do their best to recruit troops and donate money and food to help Your Majesty exterminate you. When the time comes, don't blame me for being unkind. The old man must know His Majesty's true temperament and know his true character, which is the meaning of this gamble. Cui Dao said from afar.

Wang Yuan said with a smile: "It should be like this, if anyone cheats, he is not a man." ”

Cui Daoyuan laughed, stood up and shouted, "Come on, serve wine." ”

Everyone outside the house heard the scream, so the housekeeper Cui Qi reacted quickly and immediately ordered someone to fetch a pot of wine. Cui Daoyuan called everyone into the room, held a wine glass and said, "The old man has made a gamble with Wang Xiangguo, and all of you here are here to be a witness." ”

Everyone stared at each other, not knowing why. Cui Daoyuan raised his glass to Wang Yuan and said, "Wang Xiangguo, drink this glass of wine, and the gamble will be decided." So many people are witnesses, willing to gamble and lose, and will never deny it. If this oath is violated, heaven and earth will hate it. As he spoke, Cui Daoyuan raised his glass and drank it all.

Wang Yuan smiled and raised his glass: "If you violate this oath, heaven and earth will hate it." "Raise your neck and drink the wine cleanly.

The two of them lit up the bottom of each other's cups, and their eyes met each other and laughed. The people next to them were confused, their eyes fell to the ground, and they didn't understand why these two people were still fighting cocks with cups just now, but now they have become so harmonious.

……

Wang Yuan was in a good mood, although the night's toss was thrilling and tense, it was thrilling after all. And after the confrontation with Cui Daoyuan, he reached a seemingly absurd gamble. This is exactly the completion of the plan that Wang Yuan had conceived before to win over the wealthy families in the southeast.

Although it is difficult to predict the outcome of the gamble, Wang Yuan is not worried at all. With Wang Yuan's understanding of Li Longji's father and son, Li Longji was forced to give up the throne and retreat to the position of the emperor, which was a double reed played against himself with Li Mao. With Li Longji's desire for the throne, when he returns to Chang'an, it is very likely that he will rekindle his desire for the throne. Of course, Li Mao understands the danger involved, so if Li Mao is not a fool, how can he let the throne in his hands be lost.

In terms of prestige, although Xuanzong's prestige is long gone, his prestige among the courtiers is still strong after decades of dominating the power of the storm. Li Mao is obviously far from it. When Xuanzong returned to Beijing, he gave Li Mao a big problem, if he didn't kill Xuanzong, he might lose the throne. If Xuanzong is killed, he will be charged with killing his father, so if Xuanzong returns to Beijing, he will be a hot potato, and from Li Mao's standpoint, he will never want to see this scene happen.

It is precisely in view of this consideration that Wang Yuan will come up with such a trick to embarrass Li Mao. Although Wang Yuan is not sure about this, he doesn't know what Li Mao's attitude is. But Wang Yuan can draw inferences from the state of mind of a person in Li Mao's position. Wang Yuan remembers learning this history, after which hundreds of years later, the Ming Dynasty emperor Zhu Qizhen was captured in the Battle of Tumubao, and his younger brother Ming Dynasty Zong succeeded him as Emperor Taishang. Later, Ming Yingzong was put back by the enemy, and things became very embarrassing. Ming Yingzong couldn't kill Ming Yingzong, but he didn't want to give way, so he could only imprison Ming Yingzong. However, seven years later, Ming Yingzong staged a coup d'état with the support of the old ministry and successfully regained the throne. A month later, Ming Dynasty Zong died violently, apparently killed. The Ming Dynasty Zong not only lost the throne but also lost his life, which is the lesson of this matter.

Although this is a matter of hundreds of years later, Li Mao will never know about this experience, but with this as a reason, Wang Yuan believes that when this kind of problem is placed in front of Li Mao, Li Mao will definitely make the most beneficial choice for himself. A person like Li Mao, in order to be able to dedicate the princess to his father, he is by no means filial, it is an act of currying favor with Xuanzong to seek the throne. Now that he has obtained the throne, how can he allow the throne to be gained and lost.

To return 10,000, even if Wang Yuan miscalculated in this gamble, it would be nothing. Wang Yuan would not be stupid enough to keep the promise of this gamble, so stupid as to be willing to be at the mercy of others. Wang Yuan is not a gentleman, and he will never be imprisoned and constrained by this oath, even if he angers the Cui family at that time, Wang Yuan will not hesitate to do so. Therefore, Cui Daoyuan thought that he was a win-win situation, and it was beneficial to the Cui family anyway, but in Wang Yuan's heart, he actually had the shameless idea of keeping his promise if it was beneficial to him, and blatantly tearing up the agreement when it was unfavorable to himself. The old fox met the little fox, and although there was a difference in age, his deeds were not bad at all.

Surrounded by everyone, Wang Yuan and Cui Daoyuan came out of the study and came to the courtyard. In the distance, the rooster announced the dawn, and the sky was already slightly bright. Before you know it, the night has passed. The cold air lifted Wang Yuan's spirits, stretched his waist, and said with a smile: "This night is really long. ”

Cui Daoyuan laughed and said, "Yes, a long night." A night of suffering. ”

Wang Yuan said: "But it's finally over." I don't think we'll have time to catch up on sleep. Today the rebels will come. I should also go to the head of the city to set it up. The scouts sent out last night should be back soon. You can always rest, but I'm leaving. ”

Cui Daoyuan arched his hand and said: "Xiangguo, Yangzhou City can only ask you, the old man is indeed very difficult, and he may have to squint for a while to have energy." But when the rebels arrive, the old man will be at the head of the city. In addition, 8,000 reinforcements will arrive before noon, and all the troops, manpower and materials will be dispatched by the Prime Minister. Our first priority is to hold Yangzhou, and if we can't keep Yangzhou, we don't need to talk about the rest. ”

Wang Yuan nodded and smiled: "What Cui Weng said is extremely true, then I will leave." ”

Cui Daoyuan arched his hand and said: "Xiangguo is hard. Liu Tan, you are responsible for protecting the safety of Xiangguo with the staff of the nursing home. Yuanbo, you are responsible for following Xiangguo's side so that he can be dispatched. That one...... If you are a girl, you also follow Wang Xiangguo, if Wang Xiangguo needs any supplies, ships, money and food, you can also help with the cooking. In short, from now on. Everyone must have one thing in mind, that is, to defend the city with all their might, and there must be no mistakes. ”

Everyone obeyed the order in unison, Cui Daoyuan attacked and slowly returned to the inner house with the support of the two guards. At his advanced age of nearly seventy, this night's toss was indeed unbearable. He had to go and rest for a while, or his veins would burst.