"I will give Xue Bai a noble background."

Li Cong talked to Du Wulang at the end and gave such an ambiguous promise.

In this regard, Du Wulang felt that something was wrong, with his understanding, what Xue Bai wanted was never noble, but he couldn't say what Xue Bai wanted, anyway, people were already dead.

He then took Li Cong to the study of the second courtyard.

Du Yan was wearing linen and filial piety, and was sitting there sorting out the register, when Yu Guang saw Li Cong coming in, she neither saluted nor looked up, and did not show her attention and respect for the prince.

With her identity, there is actually no reason to be filial piety to Xue Bai. It can be seen from this outfit that she no longer cares about others talking about her relationship with Xue Bai.

"Du Erniang." Li Cong has been very polite to everyone recently, and said: "Condolences." ”

"Of course I can mourn, so be careful to die." Du Yan's voice was calm.

Li Cong didn't know how to answer, standing aside seemed to be her subordinate, thought about it, and simply said, "Xue Bai's life experience ......"

"It's not like talking about who his parents are." Du Yan interrupted Li Cong's speech and said, "It's better to talk about why he wants to help you become the crown prince." ”

Du Yan sighed leisurely, but did not express his willingness to be loyal to Li Cong.

Du Yan said goodbye and stopped talking.

"Me? What can I plan, just think that if he can restore his name and return to the ancestral hall, I will have nothing more to ask for, and I will just hand over the big stall he left behind. ”

"Didn't look at the wrong person."

"I know, he counts me as an uncle."

Du Yan interrupted his words again and said: "I don't say secret words, Xue Bai is Li Qian, the third son of the abolished prince Ying, if His Royal Highness is willing to let him return to the ancestral hall and fulfill his will, then everything he planned is to help His Highness, and the things will be returned to his owner." ”

Du Wulang stepped forward and respectfully led Li Cong out, and said that the second sister was in a bad mood and lost her temper, please don't blame Your Highness.

Du Yan said, wiped the tears on her face, and said, "I'm tired, Your Highness, please go back." ”

Li Cong couldn't help but be excited when he heard that Xue Bai might leave these forces in his hands, but he still kept an eye on it, pretended not to know, and asked, "Xue Pingzhao?" ”

"What is a newspaper? And flying money. When we were in Yanshi, we began to privately mint copper coins as reserves, and exchanged coins for merchants, wealthy families, officials, and even the army. What do you think you can do with this money? ”

Li Cong's tone suddenly became resolute, showing the responsibility he had always had.

"What?"

This was not a good sound, but Li Cong listened to it very seriously, and even unconsciously lightened her breathing, afraid that she would not continue.

"He's still dead."

"I always believed that my three younger brothers had been wronged, so I adopted my second brother's children and considered them my own. When I went to the palace to lead them, I heard that Li Qian died young, and my heart was shocked, but I don't know how he survived? ”

"No, it's because he can do it." Du Yan said, "He doesn't do things that he is not sure of, and he assists you just because he does have such strength, which is far more than what you see in Chang'an City." ”

"Yes, when he was sent to be an official slave, others asked him his name, although he was still a child, he knew how to name him with his life's ambitions."

"Does Xue Bai also have subordinates in Shu County?"

People are more concerned about what they cannot lose than what they can gain. He involuntarily and willingly fell into the trap of Du Yan's words.

Li Cong was stunned for a moment and muttered, "Xue Pingzhao? ”

Li Cong didn't dare to think about it, his eyes fell on the book in Du Yan's hand, and finally understood why she always had endless documents.

"Redress the grievances."

It was the second time he had pronounced this name, and this time, Du Yan's tone immediately faded when he heard it.

Li Cong had no choice but to say something innocuous and then asked, "I don't know what your plans are in the future, Erniang?" ”

"Since he can make paper and publish newspapers, he has the ability to influence the people's public opinion, and it is one thing for the kings to be virtuous and foolish, and it is another thing for the saints to think about them, and how to publish them in newspapers."

Li Cong heard the words "things belong to their owners" and felt that he was strong, he was the eldest son, and the throne and the emperor should have belonged to him.

But what Li Cong needs most now is not respect and apology, what he desperately needs is power.

Du Yan didn't answer, but said: "The sage noticed it and thought he had bad intentions, but in fact, there was only one thing he wanted to do. ”

"You mean, all the states and counties in the world have Xue Bai's newspapers?"

It's no wonder that Li Cong always asks such words, he has been imprisoned in the Ten Princes' Mansion for too long, and he has too little contact with state affairs, and he really doesn't know many things.

"If Your Highness can't do it." Du Yan said again: "That means Xue Bai has seen the wrong person......

"What are your concerns?"

"Since His Royal Highness has accepted Bian Lingcheng as his confidant, why pretend not to know? If you don't want to make a move, just say it. ”

"And." Du Yan continued: "Yang Guozhong instigated the sage to go to Shu County, but he forgot who put down the Nanzhao Rebellion. ”

"It's his wish, but it's a pity he can't see it."

Li Cong waited for a long time, wanting to ask her what to do with what she left behind now that Xue Bai is dead. But obviously he couldn't say that, so he said: "When the siege of Chang'an is lifted, I will definitely rehabilitate the Sanshu case." ”

~~

"You say, I overturned the case for the Sanshuren case, how about it?"

She was too lazy to deal with Li Cong's temptation.

"Your Highness, sit down for a moment."

"The soldiers are in danger, I am afraid that this is not a good time now, and I am even more afraid of angering the saint."

"It's a misunderstanding, it's been a long time, and many old things back then can't distinguish the authenticity ......"

There were no other palace people in the Yanying Palace, so Bian Lingcheng helped Li Cong sit down first and went to light the candles.

When the light gradually brightened, Li Cong could be seen sitting on the imperial couch. But neither of them noticed this indecency, and went on to get down to business.

Bian Lingcheng said: "Your Highness is afraid of angering the saint, but if Your Highness controls the people's newspapers, he will have the financial resources of the bank. Maybe you can ask the saint back and explain it in person? ”

Li Cong naturally understood the meaning of "please return to the saint", and said, "You also think you can agree?" ”

"To justify the name of a dead person, and to get real support, His Highness should naturally agree."

Bian Lingcheng completely betrayed his original position, and said: "As for the timing, there is an opportunity now......

The next day, the Xuanzheng Hall was a small court.

Yan Zhenqing's condition has eased up, and he arrived at His Highness on crutches, still diligent in his work.

After briefly announcing a few decrees, Li Cong encouraged Yan Zhenqing and said, "I heard that Yan Xiangshou wrote a "Manuscript for the Sacrifice of the Son-in-law", can you give me a look?" ”

Yan Zhenqing said ashamedly: "The state affairs are in danger, why should Your Highness bother with these trivial matters?" ”

"Those who have contributed great to the country must not be chilled."

Li Cong first praised Xue Bai's exploits and insisted on paying tribute to Xue Bai in person. Yan Zhenqing had no choice but to ask Yan Jiming to bring the manuscript.

When Yan Jiming returned to the Xuanzheng Palace, he presented the manuscript to Li Cong with both hands, and couldn't help crying. He wiped it silently and stepped aside.

Li Cong unfolded it, reading it softly word by word, his voice was depressed at first, and then he became more and more sad and angry, and after reading it, he burst into tears.

"Woohoo! Feast! ”

Until the last word was read, Li Cong staggered back two steps and fell to the ground.

"Your Highness!"

All the officials were taken aback and stepped forward to help. Li Cong was extremely grief-stricken, unable to get up, unable to calm down for a long time, and looked at the sky with tears streaming down his face.

"Your Highness is worried that as soon as Xue Lang goes, the thieves will break through Chang'an?"

"No, I live and die with Chang'an, why be afraid?" Li Cong said: "The one I am sad ...... Yan Gong sacrifices his son-in-law, and I sacrifice my nephew ......"

"Your Highness, what do you mean by this?"

Li Cong couldn't control himself, patted his legs, and cried: "Xue Bai is the son of my second brother Li Ying, and I am called Junchen, but he is actually an uncle and nephew, and he is like a father and son!" ”

"What?"

"What the hell is Your Highness talking about?!"

Most of the officials were surprised and stunned, but a small number of people had heard some rumors before, and now they were finally confirmed, showing a sudden realization expression.

But it's not easy to convince everyone.

Especially Li Cong's four sons, all of whom didn't believe it, stepped forward to help him, and questioned it with nonsense.

"Grandpa, could it be that he was mistaken? If Xue Bai is not an orphan, then he is also the son of Xue Rust. ”

"Yes, Grandpa must have misunderstood."

Li Cong shook his head and said, "I am a first-hand witness to the events of the past, how can I not know?" ”

He took Li Li's hand and asked softly, "Shiro, you have only had two brothers all along, do you know why you are Shiro?" Because you also have a third brother, it is Xue Bai. ”

"The third brother has died." Li Li said: "Grandpa told me since I was a child. ”

Li Cong did not wipe the tears, and told it in a narrating tone.

"I won't say anything about it, it's to protect him. Everyone in the world knew that the Sanshu people were wronged by Concubine Wu Hui, but no one dared to say it at that time, only a six-year-old child dared to speak out, holding Li Ying's suicide note, and wanted to go to the saint to accuse Concubine Wu Hui. ”

Concubine Wu Hui's henchmen saw him and injured him at that time, and in the chaos, Li Jin, who was in charge of supervising the matter, saved him. When I arrived, he had woken up, and I said, 'Go with your uncle, and become your uncle's son,' and you know what he said? ”

"He said, 'Please take my uncle to adopt my brother and brother, but my grandfather can't live without my son, and I have to inherit my grandfather's incense'. I scolded him for being a stupid boy and told him that it was more important to live, but he said, 'To go out is to admit that Grandpa is guilty, but Grandpa is wronged', I was moved on the spot and asked Li Jin to open up. ”

Li Jin promised me that I would protect the child, found a similar corpse to convince the saint that Li Qian was dead, and sent the person to Xue Rust's other mansion. Unexpectedly, the other house was soon confiscated. You'll know what happened after that. Over the years, Li Qian has assumed the pseudonym Xue Bai, but she has never given up rehabilitating the Sanshu case. ”

Li Cong's voice fell, and Du Youlin was already crying.

This cry touched the sadness of the officials, and everyone thought that since the saint killed his three sons in one day, the state affairs have deteriorated, which has finally led to the current situation, and they wept one after another.

Li Cong's four sons also wiped their tears, regretting that they did not recognize Xue Bai earlier.

Li Cong asked Bian Lingcheng to unfold the "Manuscript of the Sacrifice of the Son-in-law", so that the hundred officials could see the handwriting written by Yan Zhenqing under grief and anger on the paper scroll, giving people a very strong visual impact.

"Since the Wu clan instigated the saint to kill the third son, in the past sixteen years, the state affairs have become increasingly bad."

In a subdued tone, he openly reprimanded the public opinion, but he was also establishing his prestige.

"My father favored Hu and rebelled, which eventually led to a catastrophe. Now I am guarding Chang'an with all the monarchs, and I want to reorganize the mountains and rivers, what do I start with?! ”

Du Youlin was instigated by him, fell to the ground, and shouted in mourning: "Please rehabilitate the case of the three people!" ”

Many people among the hundred officials immediately echoed it, but some people were deeply worried about this, and now that the saint has gone out, the prince has overturned the rebellion case set by the saint without authorization, which is no different from rebellion. At present, the great enemy is fighting again, adding variables.

But these worries can't stop Li Cong.

"Xue Bai was wronged, he did not forget the Li clan, and when he was in danger, he was a stone, and he used his life to the fullest, but he was jealous of heaven and died in a national disaster. I have children and nephews, and I have children and grandchildren in the clan, can't I give him a name?! ”

After speaking, Li Cong raised his hand and shouted: "Bring the pen!" ”

Immediately, a eunuch prepared the four treasures of the study, Li Cong cleaned up his beard that was messy from crying, and in the past, he picked up the pen and wrote an edict to restore Xue Bai's identity as a clan.

The "Manuscript of the Sacrifice of the Son-in-law" is still displayed there, and soon another edict is also unfolded.

Although Xue Bai died, he also had an additional name, Li Qian.

~~

Du House.

In the back garden, Du Yan rarely had a quiet time and sat under the porch to enjoy the snow.

Du Cheng walked over, also dressed in linen and filial piety, and said softly: "You have achieved his wish." ”

"Nope."

Du Yan shook her head and immediately denied this statement, saying: "Sister likes him too much, but she doesn't understand him, what he wants has never been to be a descendant of the Li family, not to be the grandson of Li Longji." These are just means, for the sake of his ambitions, no matter how dirty the means he is, he is willing to use. ”

"Erniang."

Du Cheng let out a long sigh, tears rolling down like pearls. Since the news came back, she didn't think about tea or food, and she had lost a lot.

Du Yan was always very calm, and said: "You all think that I am doing it for his last wish, no, this is actually my plan." ”

She has always been a person who refuses to give up easily, and the light of ambition in her eyes has not been extinguished because of Xue Bai's death.

"I don't believe that he is dead, can I believe the news released by the rebels?"

Speaking of this, the corners of Du Yan's mouth even hung a sneer, and said: "I knew that Bian Lingcheng, the villain, had come to Li Cong's side, and I could have killed him, but I deliberately kept him so that he could tell Li Cong that Xue Bai was the emperor's grandson was suspected by the sage." This time, I deceived Li Cong and asked him to give Xue Bai a life experience first, and then ......"

She looked in the direction of the corridor and muttered, "We'll wait for him to come back." ”

~~

The next night is the New Year's Day.

The snow was falling, and Chang'an did not wait for reinforcements, but finally waited for the vanguard of the rebels.

The first to lead the army to Chang'an was Ashina Congli, who deliberately chose the time point of the New Year's Festival, wanting to take advantage of the fact that the defenders of Chang'an were unprepared for the New Year's Festival.

Fortunately, Yan Zhenqing had already taken precautions and closed the city gate.

However, the vast majority of the defenders of Chang'an were newly recruited, not only were their combat effectiveness low, but their will was not strong, let alone any experience. During the New Year, when I saw the thieves killed, in a panic, the army's heart was shaken.

Yan Zhenqing had no choice but to go to the city in person to keep boosting morale.

"I have kept today, the evening is the New Year's Day, and meat has been prepared in the army."

"Yan Xiang rest assured, the city wall of Chang'an is so tall, once the city gate is closed, the rebels will not be able to attack it."

The person who spoke was dressed in iron armor and was very imposing. Yan Zhenqing looked at it, a little surprised, and asked, "Divine chicken boy Jia Chang?" ”

"It's me."

Yan Zhenqing glanced Jia Chang up and down again.

Understanding his doubts, Jia Chang smiled bitterly: "On the day the saint left the city, I also wanted to go with him, but I was not good at riding, and I fell off the horse and injured myself so I had to stay." ”

"Who appointed you as a general?"

"I don't want to be a general, no, there are no defenders in Chang'an, and all men have been pulled up to the city. I donated money, and there were more parts in my family, more than the average team. I was in Xicheng before, and Yan Xiang didn't see me. ”

"I'm going to Xicheng too." Yan Zhenqing said: "Hugh I don't know, you made someone impostor when you clicked." ”

"I didn't heal from my injuries that day."

Jia Chang grinned, avoided the topic, and began to talk eloquently about how much the cockfighting children under his command usually ate a lot and had strength, and they were the most elite people in the army.

Later, he said that fighting a war is similar to cockfighting, but it is nothing more than paying attention to one to promote one's strengths and avoid one's weaknesses.

Yan Zhenqing listened, and he didn't blame Jia Chang for anything, because the cockfighting children he led were indeed the most elite group of people in the Chang'an garrison. The others, in the past, ate less salt and didn't have the strength to open the bow.

"What's that?!" Suddenly, a soldier shouted.

Yan Zhenqing also had a clairvoyant mirror, raised it to take a look, only to see that there were cavalry galloping over here in the wind and snow, looking at the flag, but it was the soldiers and horses of Wang Sili, Li Chengguang and others of the defeated army in Tongguan, and further away, Ashina Chengqing's soldiers and horses were in hot pursuit.

Those defeated soldiers were originally resting in Weinan, presumably today's rebels were encircling the point to send reinforcements, leading them out of the city to aid Chang'an, and there was an ambush on the way, deliberately driving them to the city.

Sure enough, the rebels who were originally surrounded outside the Chunming Gate quickly surrounded them from both sides, preventing them from going around the city, and wanted to fight under the city, leading the defenders of the city out of the city to rescue.

Yan Zhenqing wanted to save it, so he turned his head and looked around, and all the generals bowed their heads and were silent. It's not necessarily timidity, but self-knowledge.

As a result, they will have to watch the rebels annihilate reinforcements under the city, which is a huge blow to morale.

"Yan Xiang, what should I do?" Jia Chang asked.

At this time, he didn't say that fighting a war was like a cockfight, and he had to play to his strengths and avoid his weaknesses. He's realized that it's all short, not long.

Yan Zhenqing ignored it, kept staring outside the city, and saw Wang Sili ordering the flag to wave, and kept signaling to the city for help.

He wondered if this could be the rebels deceit, but as the war progressed, the Tang army died in the snow one by one, and he understood that the rebels did not need to deceive at all.

He wanted to lead his troops to the rescue himself, but it was right not to save him in this situation, but he had to bear more pressure.

"Is the rebel army so powerful?"

The soldiers at the head of the city have been frightened by the battle situation, these are the residents of Chang'an, enjoying the best life in the prosperous era of the Tang Dynasty, and many of them are the first time to see how those soldiers who fought in the bitter cold land killed people.

If this continues, the army's morale will be defeated, and I am afraid that before the thieves will kill them, some soldiers will defect.

Yan Zhenqing could finally understand the powerlessness of Gao Xianzhi's defeat in Luoyang, but he was far inferior to Gao Xianzhi, a famous general in the world.

And if Chang'an is broken, he is ready for martyrdom in his heart.

Moving the clairvoyant mirror in his hand, suddenly, something appeared in his sight, Yan Zhenqing quickly looked to the north, and saw that in the wind and snow, another team of cavalry came from afar.

~~

"Report!"

The sentry horse galloped over, rushed to Ashina Congli, and said, "The reinforcements of the Tang Army have arrived." ”

"North?"

Ashina took a sip from the salute and said, "Hedong or Shuofang's soldiers and horses?" How many people? ”

"Not much, two or three thousand."

"Whose flag?"

"Not yet."

Ashina Congli decided to besiege and kill the defeated Tang army who had escaped from Tongguan as soon as possible.

"Warriors!" He raised his sword and shouted, "Kill the enemy!" Break through Chang'an, you have everything! ”

These Dayan generals did not have any idea of governing the country now, and the method of boosting morale was the same as before, mainly relying on the pleasure of robbery.

Although short-sighted, it was useful, and the morale of the rebels was greatly boosted.

Just as they were enjoying the killing, the horn had sounded to the north of them, the reinforcements of the Tang army were almost there, and the sentry horses had finally confirmed which general they were leading.

"Report! I found it, and the enemy reinforcement banner had the word 'Xue' written on it, and the official name was Changshan Taishou. ”

"Impossible!"

Ashina's first reaction was surprise, and then he shouted: "Xue Bai has been besieged and killed by me!" ”

At that time, he had already persuaded An Qingxu to surrender, but when he returned to the camp, he saw Cui Qianyou's messenger rushing over, and Ashina Chengqing said conclusively that he would definitely be able to defeat Ge Shuhan's army, and asked him to besiege Xue Bai.

And when he arrived with his army, An Lushan was already dead. Xue Bai was about to retreat, he immediately ordered people to surround and kill the Tang army, and the remnants of Xue Bai were cornered, so they could only jump into the Yellow River.

It was the Yellow River in the Sanmenxia section, the water was turbulent, and it did not freeze in the middle of winter. Even the old sailors of Caoyun couldn't survive if they fell into the river, let alone those in armor, so Xue Bai must be dead.

If Xue Bai is dead, An Qingxu will announce it to the public, otherwise he will only lose his prestige.

"It's not Xue Bai."

Ashina Congli was very sure, thinking that maybe the Tang court had appointed a new Changshan Taishou, or maybe it was a trick of the Tang army generals.

He personally rode his horse to watch the battle, and saw that next to the banner of Changshan Taishou, there was also the banner of Xie County Ling Yuanjie.

Because of the salt in Jiezhou, Yuan Jie is very famous in Hedong, Ashina Congli knows its cunning, and immediately sneered and said to himself: "I see." ”

It must be that Yuan Jie heard that Xue Bai recovered Luoyang and captured An Lushan alive, and deliberately pulled his name to scare people.

~~

"Beat the drums!"

Ashina Congli didn't believe that Xue Bai was coming, but Yan Zhenqing, who had a clairvoyant mirror at the head of the city, had already given an order in a loud voice.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! ”

The drums were beating, and Yan Zhenqing had already selected a team of cavalry, turned over and mounted their horses, and wanted to go out of the city from the south gate to meet Wang Sili.

Of course, there is a risk that this move will make Chang'an lose ground.

~~

Night.

Tonight is the New Year's Day, and when it comes to the child, it will be the thirteenth year of Tianbao.

In the Du Mansion of Shengpingfang, you can still hear the shouting and killing outside the city.

Du Yan didn't hear anything outside the window, and when she was alone, she no longer wore linen and filial piety, and looked at the documents in the house as usual.

Suddenly, she heard a noise coming from the front yard.

She was stunned and wanted to put down the paperwork in her hand, but then she was afraid that she would be disappointed, so she gave up again.

"Erniang!"

Qu Shui stumbled in, almost knocking over the table.

"Go! Erniang, go and see ......"

Du Yan's heart moved, guessed something, and hurriedly ran to the corridor.

Although she has always behaved extremely determined, at this moment, she was inexplicably nervous in her heart, for fear that she had guessed wrong.

The pace grew faster and faster, but stopped again as he turned the corner. Since there was no sound of joy coming from the front yard, she hesitated to go back.

Just as he was about to turn around, someone in the wind and snow strode over.

"Concubine."

Du Yan looked at it, and her eyes, which were originally full of ambition and determination, suddenly melted.

It was like the scorching sun shining on the winter snow. Snowflakes instantly turned into water and flowed down from Nami's eyes.

She raised her hand, but she couldn't wipe it clean.

"I knew that...... I knew ......" Du Yan was choked, her tone was still proud, and she raised her head and said, "Do you know? I've given you a big gift, and you'll be ...... from now on."

Before she could finish speaking, she was already embraced by the person in front of her.

After more than half a year of turbulent times, this hug is still not easy.

(End of chapter)