If Li Shimin caught those concubines, princes and princesses, he would naturally have many ways to explain it. Those concubines, princes and princesses who are willing to show obedience can let them continue to stay in the palace to prove that it was Li Shimin who saved them. And those concubines, princes and princesses who resolutely refused to surrender and tried their best to resist can be cut in two. It can not only use their deaths to intimidate those who are more obedient, but also push their deaths on Zhang Liang, saying that they were all killed by Zhang Liang's rebellious army.

Now, these concubines, princes and princesses have disappeared, and the entire palace has been searched, and there is not a single body that belongs to them, as if it has disappeared out of thin air. Normally, the palace will have secret rooms and secret passages. In order to find out the whereabouts of these people, the slaves and outlaws of the Li Mansion who occupied the palace were digging three feet into the ground, and so far nothing has been found.

In this case, Li Shimin could neither say that they had been killed by the rebels, nor could he admit that they had fled. Because in Li Yuan's plan, he wants to support Yang Gao to re-ascend to the throne. Liu Sigen flew away, which was seen by everyone, but Liu Ziqiu had other sons who stayed in Beijing. If these people had fled, the scholars would have worked hard to find their whereabouts. As long as a prince returns, it will not be Yang Gao's turn to sit on the throne.

Because those princes disappeared inexplicably, Li Shimin couldn't be sure whether these princes had fled or for some other reason, he had to hurry up now and put Yang Gao on the throne before those princes returned.

Thinking of this, Li Shimin arched, did not answer the question just now, and said with a sad face: "Ladies and gentlemen, Li has even worse news to tell you. ”

The scholars looked at each other and asked in unison, "What worse news could there be?" "In their opinion, the law and order of the Han Dynasty has always been very good, and it is already unbelievable that Zhang Liang led his troops to rebel, where will there be worse news.

Li Shimin sighed and said, "Letter from the northwest, Your Majesty was seriously injured and died of a sudden attack by Tuoba Yuanju outside Weiding City. ”

"Nonsense!" Du Ruhui immediately jumped up, "Your Majesty and Tuoba Yuanju are close relatives, how can Tuoba Yuanju do some poison!" ”

The eldest grandson Wuji also shook his head and said: "Your Majesty's divine martial arts, maybe others don't know, you and I should know that it will be so easy to be poisoned, I don't believe it." ”

Li Shimin sighed again and said, "I don't want to believe it, but it's true." Now that there is no one in the Liu family, this Han Dynasty cannot be left without an owner for a day. I think that when King Zhao returns to the court, I don't know what you think? ”

The eldest grandson Wuji glanced at Li Shimin and sneered: "Li Shimin, you don't have any selfish intentions, right?" ”

Li Shimin laughed and said: "As the prime minister, if Li has any selfish intentions, why should he invite another emperor to come out?" His Majesty's teachings, Li always kept in mind, the emperor is just a symbol, but the operation of the country is in the hands of you and me! As long as we and other cabinet scholars work together, there is no emperor, and this Han Dynasty can still be passed down through the ages! ”

Indeed, Liu Ziqiu has always instilled this truth in them, especially in the past few years, in addition to going to the military camp regularly, Liu Ziqiu basically does not ask about government affairs, and the operation of the Han Dynasty is still in order. From this point alone, whether there is an emperor or not, in fact, it is the same. However, what man doesn't have a little emperor dream? If there is really no emperor in Beijing, I am afraid that the world will be chaotic long ago. Listening to Li Shimin's words, several scholars nodded secretly, and their faces were a little more moved.

Li Shimin shook his eldest grandson Wuji to the ground again, and said loudly: "Brother Wuji, when Li was young and ignorant, he did such a ridiculous thing as regretting his marriage, and he was quite self-reproachful in his heart. If Brother Wuji is willing to give Li this opportunity, Li is willing to come to the door to apologize and remarry his innocent sister. I also hope that Brother Wuji will ignore his past suspicions, and Li is willing to listen to his brother's punishment! ”

After so many years, Li Shimin's heart is actually the eldest grandson Wuji, although he and the fake Wang Yufeng are married, the relationship is very weak. If he hadn't been afraid of Liu Ziqiu's punishment, he would have divorced that woman a long time ago. Now, he will be able to rule the world immediately, and naturally he will no longer be bound by Liu Ziqiu. And after so many years, the eldest grandson Wujian is already a twenty-year-old girl, and she still refuses to marry. In Li Shimin's view, it was a lingering affection for him. Thinking of the eldest grandson's innocent beauty, Li Shimin felt a little uneasy. If the reunion can be successful, the relationship with the eldest grandson Wuji can also be repaired, which can be described as killing two birds with one stone.

The eldest grandson Wuji snorted coldly and said, "My eldest grandson Wuji's sister, how can she be small with others!" You'd better die of this heart! ”

Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "Brother, it's too early to say at this time. Let's discuss the matter of electing King Zhao to the throne. ”

He is confident, and when the time comes, even if he robs it, he will snatch the eldest grandson Wujian over.

Several scholars whispered and nodded frequently, as if they agreed with Li Shimin's opinion. But I heard Du Ruhui say loudly: "Li Shimin, you are disabled, I am afraid that you can no longer hold the post of prime minister, Du will submit to the two-level congress to remove you from the post of prime minister!" ”

The Prime Minister not only holds the center of power in the country, but also represents the image of the country. Thinking that the Han Dynasty had tens of millions of people, but could not choose a virtuous person, and had to let a lame man be the prime minister, if it was spread to other countries, wouldn't it make people laugh off their big teeth. Now, the sailors of the Han Dynasty have opened several routes to reach as far away as Europe by sea. Exchanges between them became more and more frequent, and envoys from various countries often came to pay tribute on the merchant ships of the Han Dynasty. And the prime minister has a duty to be responsible for receiving these foreign envoys. Therefore, Li Shimin's current situation is no longer suitable for him to serve as prime minister.

In the Cabinet, academics and the Prime Minister have equal voting rights, and the Prime Minister only plays the role of convening and delegates. However, people often have some old thinking, and several scholars still make the prime minister their superior. Now, Li Shimin is not the prime minister, and there have been some subtle changes in the attitude of those scholars towards him. Du Ruhui's trick of drawing salary from the bottom of the kettle is really powerful, and it suddenly obliterates the advantage that Li Shimin has established by relying on his position as prime minister.

Li Shimin's face was gloomy, and he gritted his teeth and said: "Li's injury was caused by saving the eldest prince, and the deputies must consider it as appropriate." Moreover, Li's injury is not incurable. Doctor Sun has already received a letter sent by Li, and it will be coming soon. When the time comes, Li will be back to the same as before! ”

The situation was pressing, and he did not hesitate to tell a big lie. Sun Simiao travels all over the world, how easy is it to find? Even if he did, he wouldn't be able to heal him. Of course, Li Shimin only needs to coax these scholars to accept his suggestion and push Yang Gao to the throne. When the time comes, what if they expose the lie? It's just that when he thought that his leg might never be cured, Li Shimin's expression was a little gloomy, after all, no one wants to drag a broken leg for a lifetime.

There was silence in the hall, and several scholars did not speak, but they were nervously calculating the gains and losses in their hearts. Although Liu Ziqiu has always stressed to them that the interests of the country and the nation should be the most important. But at the critical moment, how many people can really be selfless? As university scholars, they not only have a rich salary, but also a place of respect. But once a son of heaven and a courtier, if Liu Ziqiu is really harmed, the Han Dynasty will really change the sky. Even if those princes escaped with their lives, they are still young, wouldn't the situation be exactly the same as Yang Guang back then? In the eyes of several scholars, Li Shimin was in a hurry to promote Yang Gao to the throne, and like them, it was also to maintain his position. And they don't have any suitable candidates in their hands, so they can't put forward better opinions, and it seems that they can only accept Li Shimin's arrangement.

Suddenly, the lieutenant who was guarding the gate ran in and said, "My lords, the general has received an order that all the horses in the capital must withdraw to the barracks within an hour. The last general and others must also return to the barracks, and they can no longer guard your lordships here, so I hope you will forgive me! ”

They brought these armies, but they were not under their control. It's a balance that makes a few academics helpless. Li Shimin was overjoyed. Without these troops, he would have enough to control the cabinet with more than 100 men at his disposal. Because including the eldest grandson Wuji and Du Ruhui, these scholars are all weak scholars who are powerless.

The eldest grandson Wuji said with a calm face: "Wait! Who gave the order? ”

The lieutenant clenched his fist towards the upper right and said, "It is the order of His Royal Highness the Prince, with the emperor's seal and the handwriting of the second prince." ”

"Whose handwriting do you say?" The scholars were all taken aback, and asked in unison, "The second prince escaped from the chaos?" ”

The captain smiled: "Don't hide it from you, the second prince lives in the barracks all the year round, eats and sleeps with the soldiers, and now serves as a brigade commander in the army." Therefore, last night, the second prince was not in the palace, so he was not robbed. As for why the second prince gave this order, with the wisdom of your lords, you must have guessed it a long time ago. ”

Li Shimin had already vaguely guessed the reason, and his heart gradually sank, but he still didn't give up, and asked sharply: "What is the reason?" ”

Du Ruhui breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Isn't this still unclear?" The second prince will lead the troops to quell the rebellion! When the time comes, I don't know if some people will be able to justify themselves! ”

According to the laws of the Han Dynasty, even the emperor did not have the right to mobilize troops on a large scale in times of peace, unless there was a war or rebellion. However, there are not a few people who can mobilize troops, but the number of troops and horses that can be mobilized by each person is extremely limited. For example, a general can mobilize 3,000 people, a cabinet scholar can mobilize 1,000 people, and other generals can also mobilize tens to hundreds of troops. Last night's movement was clearly a rebellion, and no one who could afford to mobilize the army would relinquish that power at this time. Therefore, there are not a few soldiers and horses scattered in the capital. At this time, the second prince issued an order to let the army return to the camp, apparently a large number of troops marched into the capital to prevent accidental injuries.