Night.

King Jing's Mansion.

King Jing Yang Xuan was lazily soaking in the bathing vat, and two young and beautiful maids were pinching his shoulders and rubbing his back.

A young guard was kneeling on one knee and playing: "Lord Wang, in the battle of Jiayuguan, all the soldiers and horses of the Praetorian Guard and the Suzhou Guard were killed by the enemy. ”

"Good." This is what Yang Xuanao expected.

"But......" The guard glanced at Yang Xuanao and didn't say anything more.

Yang Xuanao said lightly: "But what? ”

The guard said softly: "The enemy did not kill Liang Yuanjin, but arrested him. ”

"What?" Yang Xuanao's eyes suddenly opened, and his gaze was terrifyingly bright.

The guards hurriedly lowered their heads and said respectfully: "The enemy army did not ransack the Suzhou Guard, they were afraid that the prince would set up an ambush in the Suzhou Guard, so they ......"

"Those fools who think they are clever and don't believe in their words!" Yang Xuanao angrily interrupted the guard's words, with a melancholy expression, "They don't dare to take the benefits of Suzhou Wei, so they want to use Liang Yuanjin's life to blackmail the imperial court in exchange for benefits." ”

The guards couldn't help but admire: "The prince is wise! ”

Yang Xuanao snorted coldly: "How much is Liang Yuanjin's life worth?" ”

"They asked for five million taels of silver." The guards told the truth.

"In the end, it's Liang Yuanjin, it's not a cheap life after all." Yang Xuanao sneered, "Okay, this king knows, you can go!" ”

"Yes!" The guard stood up, but had no intention of leaving.

"If there's anything else to say?" Yang Xuanao looked a little impatient.

The guard immediately said: "Lord Wang, now that this Liang Yuanjin is not dead, will he ...... to you?"

Yang Xuanao took over and said: "No, as long as Liang Yuanjin is defeated, this king has absolute certainty to take over his position as the commander of the Praetorian Guard, he only knows that it is the soldiers and horses of the Suzhou Guard who collude with the enemy army, and he does not know that it is the king who bought the soldiers and horses of the Suzhou Guard and the enemy army, he will not suspect the head of the king." ”

"The prince is wise, and the slave has retired." The guards bowed and prepared to retreat.

"Wait!" Yang Xuanao suddenly called him.

Hearing this, the guards stopped and waited for Yang Xuanao's orders.

Yang Xuanao stared at him: "Liang Yuanjin's defeat should be known to everyone, right?" ”

The guard nodded: "This news was inquired by the minions from the enemy army, and since they asked for silver, they must have released the wind, but whether the wind has blown to Kyoto or not, the minions dare not say anything." ”

"You've all arrived in Kyoto, and their wind won't be slower than yours, okay, you can go!" Yang Xuanao waved his hand.

"The minions have retired." The guard bowed and exited the door.

Not long after the guards left, an old servant pushed the door in, and the old servant said to Yang Xuan arrogantly: "Lord Wang, the secretary of the military department and the chief of the palace guard are here." ”

Yang Xuan said leisurely: "Bring them in!" ”

"That's it...... Here? The old servant looked stunned.

Yang Xuan's eyes flashed proudly, and he glared at the old servant slightly.

When the old servant saw his eyes, he couldn't help but shake his body and hurriedly retreated.

After a while, two middle-aged men with extraordinary martial arts, burly figures, and military uniforms walked into the room, one of them was Cui Congwu, the secretary of the military department, and the other was Wan Gexiong, the chief of the palace guards, both of whom were court officials with military power.

Seeing that Yang Xuanao was bathing, the two couldn't help but be stunned, Cui Congwu's eyes swept around, but he didn't see a bench, and suddenly said a little angrily: "I don't know what the prince summoned late at night, what is the so-called matter?" ”

Yang Xuanao didn't look at the two of them, but just stroked the water in the barrel with his hand: "The two adults are both senior officials who lead the troops, and they must know the military affairs of the imperial court clearly, right?" ”

Wan Gexiong asked blankly: "What does this mean, prince?" This is a matter of the Ministry of War! The slave is in charge of the palace! ”

Yang Xuanao raised his head and stared at the two: "You don't know about Liang Yuanjin's defeat, right?" ”

"What if you know?" Cui Congwu raised his eyebrows, "I will report to the emperor tomorrow morning, how does the prince know about this?" What is this doing? ”

Yang Xuanao smiled: "This king has his own method that this king knows, Liang Yuanjin was defeated and captured, and the enemy army was willing to release people only if he wanted five million taels of silver......"

Cui Congwu said impatiently: "I already know all this, ...... the prince?"

Yang Xuanao stopped and interrupted Cui Congwu's words: "To tell you the truth, this king, you want to be the commander of the Praetorian Guard!" ”

Cui Congwu and Wan Gexiong were stunned, their faces dazed.

Yang Xuan said in a deep voice: "Liang Yuanjin was defeated in this battle, it is really a great shame, he has exhausted the national prestige of my Dahong Empire, he is no longer qualified to be the commander of the Praetorian Guard, therefore, this king has decided to go to the court tomorrow, that is, to ask the emperor for an order, to take over the position of Liang Yuanjin Praetorian Guard, when the time comes, I hope that the two adults can support the king, if this matter is done, this king will reward you two with one million taels of silver each, I don't know what the two adults want?" ”

"Of course no problem!" Wan Gexiong immediately agreed, "Isn't it just to help the prince say a few words!" ”

"This ......" Cui Congwu hesitated.

Yang Xuanao sneered, and suddenly turned his head to the two maids and said, "Take off all your clothes for me!" ”

"Yes!"

As soon as the two maids responded, they immediately took off their coats, leaving only the belly pocket of their underwear, revealing two jade arms and snow-white fragrant shoulders.

Cui Congwu and Wan Gexiong looked at each other.

The two of them asked in their hearts at the same time: "What is this King Jing doing?" ”

Yang Xuanao looked at Cui Congwu coldly: "Cui Congwu, Cui Shangshu, tonight the king kindly invited you to come to the palace as a guest, I didn't expect you to take advantage of the king's bath, so bold that you want to insult the maids in the palace, if the emperor knows about this......

"You ......" Cui Congwu was so angry that he almost fell to the ground.

"How? Cui Shangshu, do you want silver, or do you want a crime? Yang Xuan was proud.

"Count you ruthless!" Cui Congwu stomped his feet and left in a huff.

"Tomorrow in the court, the slave Wan Gexiong will be determined to seek the position of the prince!" Wan Gexiong laughed and turned to leave.

Yang Xuanao smiled very proudly, closed his eyes, and continued to enjoy the comfort of bathing.

……

The news of the first battle in Jiayuguan was reported, and the government and the opposition were shaken!

Prince Li frowned, he didn't know whether to blame Liang Yuanjin, or to thank Liang Yuanjin, if Liang Yuanjin didn't tie himself back, would he be like him, because of the rebellion of the Suzhou guards and horses and fell into the hands of the enemy?

Yang Xuanao stood silent, but he was secretly happy in his heart.

The emperor looked at Prince Lili and said with concern: "Li'er! Thanks to Liang Yuanjin for sending you back, otherwise the consequences are really unimaginable, I really can't imagine that the soldiers and horses of Suzhou Wei will actually rebel, this group of rebels, there is no benefit to rebelling, but being blackened by the enemy, it is really deserved! ”

"Your Majesty, the old minister is such a son, please ask the emperor to save him for his past exploits!" The king of Su came out and prostrated and begged.

"Get up, get up." The emperor raised his hand again and again, "King Su, what are you doing here?" Although it was a defeat, it was not your son's responsibility, it was the fault of those rebels! Don't worry, I will definitely rescue your son safely! ”

"Old minister, thank the emperor for his longen!" King Su stood up and thanked him.

Yang Xuanao secretly gave Wan Gexiong, the chief of the palace guards, a look, and Wan Gexiong immediately came out and said: "Your Majesty, the minister has something to play, this battle, no matter what the reason, our army is defeated, the government and the opposition are shaken, the army is unstable, the country cannot be without a king for a day, and the army cannot be without a general for a day, and now the Praetorian Guards are quite discouraged because of the capture of Liang Yuanjin, and the minister suggests that another Praetorian Guard commander should be immediately selected to lead them to stabilize the army's heart." ”

Cui Congwu, the secretary of the military department, also came out and said: "Your Majesty, the chief of the guard is reasonable, as the secretary of the military department, he knows that there is no danger of the generals being scattered, and the minister also recommends that another commander of the Praetorian Guard be elected." ”

What Wan Gexiong and Cui Congwu said is really an exaggeration!

But the emperor still asked: "Who are the candidates for those two Aiqing?" ”

"Your Majesty." Yang Xuan was proud and solemn, "I can't hide it, Weichen went to the court this time, it was for the post of commander of the Praetorian Guard, although Liang Yuanjin was not responsible for the defeat, but as the commander, all three armies died in this battle, and he himself was captured, which is really detrimental to the prestige of the country, and the minister dared to ask for the post of commander of the Praetorian Guard, in order to stabilize the army's heart and make contributions to the country!" ”

King Su listened to Yang Xuanao's words, his face was blue and white, and Yang Xuanao's words were undoubtedly slapping his father and son in the face.

Prince Li glanced at Yang Xuanao and said secretly: "His courage is not small, and this time he will offend King Su's father and son." ”

The emperor smiled and said: "King Jing is young and promising, I am very pleased, although victory and defeat are a common thing in soldiers, but this time Liang Yuanjin's defeat is indeed detrimental to the prestige of the country, all Aiqing, do you think King Jing can take the position of commander of the Praetorian Guard?" ”

"The minister has no objection, King Jing is young and promising, he can be civil and martial, this is a well-known thing, and the minister believes that King Jing will be able to be qualified for the position of commander of the Praetorian Guard!" Wan Gechon took the lead in applauding.

Cui Congwu then said: "The minister also thinks that King Jing is competent!" ”

This is a matter of military generals, seeing that the two ministers who hold military power all agreed, and the rest of the ministers responded to the orders one by one.

Besides, Yang Xuan is a dignified prince, who wants to offend?

Neither Prince Li nor King Su spoke.

Prince Li is none of his business, hanging high.

King Su is a bitter stomach and has words of suffering.

When the emperor saw that his ministers were single-minded, he said, "Since this is the case, then I will appoint King Jing ......."

"Father! Father! Princess Qingtian shouted loudly and came to the court.

Prince Li asked softly: "Third sister, why did you run to the court to make trouble?" ”

Princess Qingtian huffed: "Liang Yuanjin was captured by the enemy, I came to eavesdrop on how you discussed to save him, I didn't expect that King Jing would take advantage of the danger to seize the military power!" ”

The emperor straightened his face: "Qingtian, this is above the court, don't mess around!" ”

"I'm not here to mess around!" Princess Qingtian shook her hair and raised her head, "Let me tell you, this princess is also here to be the commander of the Praetorian Guard!" ”

Yang Xuanao's face changed, and he became a little ugly.

King Su smiled, and a smile was written on his face.

Princess Qingtian glanced at King Su, who cast a grateful glance at her.

Prince Li caught Princess Qingtian's gaze, and couldn't help but secretly say in his heart: "Liang Yuanjin suffered this catastrophe for the sake of the third sister, if the third sister can keep the position of commander of the Praetorian Guard for Liang Yuanjin, it can be regarded as a favor for Liang Yuanjin." ”

"Qingtian, if you mess around again, I will ask someone to drag you out!" The Emperor was really angry.

"Father's anger, let's listen to what the third sister has to say first." Prince Li is not helping Liang Yuanjin, but helping his sister Princess Qingtian.

"Weichen also wants to hear what Sister Qingtian has to say." Yang Xuanao bowed to Princess Qingtian very politely.

Princess Qingtian returned the salute: "According to everyone's meaning, King Jing can take on the position of commander of the Praetorian Guard if he is strong in martial arts, yes or no?" ”

Yang Xuanao nodded: "Exactly." ”

"That's easy to say." Princess Qingtian rolled up her sleeves, "Everyone in the palace knows that Princess Qingtian is not a well-behaved woman like her eldest sister Princess Yanmeng, since she was sensible, she never wore those princess clothes with long skirts and mopping the floor, but those light clothes that came and went freely, why is this?" That's because, this princess is very active and martial, Brother Yang, if you want to be the commander of the Praetorian Guard, you have to fight with me first, and then talk about it if you win! ”

Yang Xuanao said with a smile: "Sister Qingtian is really joking, I just ate the bear's heart and leopard gall, and I don't dare to do anything with Sister Qingtian, this Janissary Commander, I shouldn't be." ”

Princess Qingtian stared at him seriously: "You don't dare to do it with this princess, but dare to do it with Liang Yuanjin?" If you want to be the commander of the Praetorian Guard, you should wait for Liang Yuanjin to come back, and compete with him in front of all the Praetorian Guard soldiers in a dignified manner, so that you can convince people, and you should not take advantage of people's danger like now! ”

Who can say that what Princess Qingtian said is unreasonable?

"This is a good idea!" Prince Li loudly supported Princess Qingtian.

"I've got you!" The emperor also supported Princess Qingtian.

Fairness and justice, that's the best!

Yang Xuanao smiled, nodded and accepted Princess Qingtian's suggestion.

He was forced to accept it, but he didn't regret it, because he had no choice!