Crossing the East Palace

The Fourth Prince's temperament was already somewhat gloomy.

After all, the mother and concubine of the fourth prince was the daughter of a guilty minister. In the end, something happened to his family, and his mother and concubine did something wrong again and became a disused concubine.Although he was adopted by his concubine, the concubine Rong who adopted him and his twin sister was not Concubine Rong at that time, but just a little Jieyu who had no background and was not favored.

It was not surprising that the fourth prince was born under such circumstances, and had a gloomy temper and low self-esteem.Fortunately, there are siblings to take care of, and adoptive mothers to take care of them. When they get married and have children, they can continue to live, and even slowly dispel the gloom in their hearts.

However, the only son of the fourth prince died, and he himself was tricked by the twelfth prince who thought he could only be used by him. How could the fourth prince not be angry?

He has no way out.

There is no way out, why not fight for the last time?

Left and right, he doesn't have anyone to care about too much, does he?

As for the younger sister, the third princess, she is both a princess and a relative, and has several children, so her future will definitely not be affected by him.

As for Concubine Rong, the fourth prince paused slightly, Concubine Rong is already a concubine, isn't she?Since Tang Luojin claimed to be magnanimous, she would definitely be able to accommodate her.After all, she also raised the three princesses, didn't she?

The fourth prince thought about it, and looked at the twelfth prince even more ruthlessly.

What about foreknowledge, since the Twelfth Prince has said it, let's keep talking about it!

With the ability to predict, the fourth prince thought, no matter what, his chances of winning against Tang Luojin are much greater than anyone else, isn't it?

The twelfth prince was suddenly let go by the fourth prince, coughing while clutching his neck, and slowly slid down the wall.

When he finally regained his composure and looked up at the fourth prince, he found that the fourth prince was staring at him viciously.

The twelve princes shuddered suddenly.

The fourth prince slowly spit out a word: "Say!"

The body of the twelve princes is only eight years old now, and they can't resist anything at all.What's more, even if he resisted, the "monks" around him might not save him.

Instead, it is the fourth prince...

The twelve princes lowered their eyes, and when they raised their heads again, they already had a determined look: "I say!"

The fourth prince nodded in satisfaction.

The twelve princes began to tell all the things he knew about the seizure of the heirloom in the previous life, one by one.

Although he did not directly participate in the seizure of the heir apparent in the previous life.But there are some things that the queen mother told him later.In particular, some matters are so important that it is impossible for the Twelve Princes to know about them.

"...Father, in his heart, there is only Tang Luojin. The fourth brother wants the throne, so he can't let father come back. Because as long as father comes back, he will definitely send Tang Luojin to the throne "The Twelfth Prince said slowly.Although, he told his mother back then that he tried to kill the doctor who used to treat his father to take care of his body, his father's body should be exhausted by now.But in order to make the fourth prince fall deeper, he doesn't mind forcing the fourth prince to go on the road of patricide.

The fourth prince said: "Don't let the father come back? Twelve princes, twelve princes, what you said is simple, but what should you do to prevent the father from coming back? Moreover, the prince is already a prince. Even if the father can't come back, then he can directly inherit the throne even if he doesn't have an edict to pass on the throne. What's more, as you said, the father only has his son in his heart. Since the father only cares about him, then, Before the father left, why didn't he leave the edict to pass on the throne? If my brother really listened to you and made my father unable to come back, then when my brother arrives, he will not be able to get the throne at all. Instead, he will hand over the throne to you Tang Luojin's hands!"

The twelve princes just smiled: "Then brother four, wouldn't you think of a way to let Tang Luojin also go to the border and trap him and his father at the border? At that time, if brother four is fierce, he will kill him." The matter with the father is passed on to the third brother and the ninth brother, so... the throne is not completely in the hands of the fourth brother?"

Master kills brother...

Rao the fourth prince had already turned this thought in his head, but at this moment he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.

"You are so courageous!" The fourth prince suddenly stretched out his foot and kicked the twelfth prince violently.

The twelfth prince just smiled: "Your brother just said what the fourth prince was thinking. Didn't you?" Seeing that the fourth prince was about to become angry from embarrassment, the twelfth prince continued: "Actually, there are not many people around the fourth prince, right? Brother Huang is not unintelligent or incapable, but Brother Sihuang comes from such a background, Concubine Rong has a humble family background, and Sihuang’s wife’s family is only noble, they never thought of participating in the matter of seizing the heir. Brother Sihuang, although younger brother I’m not talented, but there are people around me who can help.”

"The left and right four emperor brothers will not have any heirs in the future. As long as the four emperor brothers promise me that if they want to choose an heir in the future, they will choose from among the younger brother's children, and the younger brother will let the people around him turn to support the four emperor brothers. How do you feel, brother?"

The fourth prince looked deeply at the twelfth prince: "Your man? Has the Ning family not given up on you?"

The twelve princes avoided answering, and only said: "No matter who the people around my younger brother are, the fourth emperor brother actually has no choice now, does he? The fourth emperor brother is unwilling to be mediocre and humble, so if he seizes the heir, It is the only way out for the four emperors. The father is in his prime, the prince is orthodox, smart and wise, and has a lot of prestige. The only way for the four emperors to seize power from the father and the prince...is to kill them."

"Brother Sihuang, you have no other way to go." The Twelfth Prince bewitched slowly, "And my brother is the only one who can help you realize your ideas. Brother Sihuang, you must think hard about it." Think about it..."

The twelve princes then whispered his plan.

The fourth prince suddenly clenched his hands.

Join forces with foreign bandits... How could the Twelve Princes come up with such a method?Establishing a vassal king again... The vassal king's autonomous territory is a challenge to the imperial power. Which emperor can tolerate such things?In particular, the former dynasty perished because of the separatist rule of the vassal kings. At the beginning of the founding of the country, Emperor Wu strictly prohibited the establishment of another vassal king.There is also a way to let the prince leave Chang'an...

The fourth prince kept a servant who had been with him for a long time, under the euphemistic name of "protecting" the twelve princes.So he left.

The method of the twelve princes was sinister and vicious, but obviously, other than that, he had no other suitable method to kill the emperor father and the prince in one fell swoop.

Father...the fourth prince thought, father didn't look down on him at all, if he knew that he didn't even have the ability to bear children, he might even look down on him even more.If he doesn't disdain, then why should he be polite?Since ancient times, have there been fewer people who killed their sons or fathers for the throne?After all, there are not many of him.

The way to kill the emperor, the twelfth prince said very well, the fourth prince is now in Fujian, one month later, it is really easy to find an opportunity.

As for leading the prince to reunite with his father...he will always find a way.If it doesn't work, it's okay to use the method of the twelve princes.

However, although he hated the Twelfth Prince and wanted him to die, as the Twelfth Prince said, there was no one around him to use.He has no mother's family, and his wife's family is only noble.If he wanted the throne, he had to rely on the power behind the Twelve Princes.

So, Ning, Jia, what?

The fourth prince's eyes darkened slightly, and he let out a deep breath.

In the 27th year of Tianyuan, August.

Floods occurred in several places in the south. After the floods, a plague broke out in one of the places called Liancheng.

All of a sudden, there were complaints from the people.

Tang Luojin's moves were extremely quick. He already had philanthropy halls almost all over the country under his command, and now he has the position of the Prince of the Supervisory Kingdom. It is easier to do some things.It’s just that the plague may not be difficult to cure. What is difficult is how to prevent the spread of the plague and how to treat those who have already had the plague in an orderly manner.

In particular, Tang Luojin had to find a way to dispatch people and his cronies to Liancheng to supervise this matter.

"Prince, why don't I go." The sixth prince took the initiative to say, "If there is a prince sitting in the town, the people of Liancheng will definitely feel more at ease, and the people who bring them will not dare to fool us. At that time, I will live in Liancheng personally, The people of Liancheng will definitely feel more at ease. In this way, the situation in the south will soon stabilize, and the crown prince will be able to send more people and prepare supplies."

Tang Luojin pondered slightly.

The third prince flinched slightly, while the eighth and ninth princes were about to speak, and also wanted to sit in Liancheng.

Tang Luojin thought for a while, hesitated slightly, and then waited for a letter from the fourth prince, saying that he was already on his way, and he knew it was a mistake to kill him before playing. If he could go back alive, he would definitely be willing to go to the prince and accept the punishment.

Tang Luojin frowned slightly.

He looked at the date. Although this letter was sent in a hurry, it was also a letter half a month ago. I'm afraid that at this time, the fourth prince is already in Liancheng.

Tang Luojin glanced at Chang Qu, Chang Qu is leaving the palace today.When he came back before the gate control, he brought new news.

The fourth prince went to Liancheng with the doctor, medicine and coffin.

As soon as he entered Liancheng, he said: "Little Wang vows to live and die with Liancheng!"

As a result, the plague in Liancheng was dealt with promptly and quickly, and the name of King Yi resounded throughout the south.

In October, after the plague in Liancheng was resolved, when the fourth prince left Liancheng, the people of Liancheng knelt to see him off, shouting "King Yi, thousand years old".

In November, the fourth prince returned to Chang'an.

In Chang'an City, whoever reported what the Fourth Prince had done in Liancheng, quite a few people came forward, the common people knelt to greet them, and several courtiers greeted them, blocking the entire south gate.

When Tang Luojin received the news, her eyebrows raised slightly.

Chang Qu whispered: "Mr. Qing Huan said that it seems that it is not the fourth prince who was helped by the Ning family, but the people left behind by the rebel King Ping. They originally followed Concubine Qin Shu and the eldest princess, and the stepmother and daughter took refuge in him. Eldest Prince, those people also followed the Eldest Prince. Later, when the Eldest Prince failed, those people returned to the Eldest Princess. It’s just that although those people followed the Eldest Princess and would do what the Eldest Princess ordered them to do, they were not loyal to the Eldest Prince. Princess, but has been waiting for the opportunity to choose a new prince."

Tang Luojin didn't expect Qing Huan to find out so much, she frowned slightly, and said after a while: "Is someone helping Qing Huan?"

Long channel: "Mr. Qing Huan also talked about this matter. He said that it seemed that the Ning family was helping on purpose. Otherwise, although the news could be found out, it would not be so fast. It seems that there is no help from the Ning family behind the fourth prince." .”

Tang Luojin remained silent, and after reading the booklet in her hand, she got up and said, "Change clothes."

While taking clothes for Tang Luojin, Chang Qu wondered: "Changing clothes? Why does Your Highness change clothes? At this time, no one dares to pick on your clothes."

No, after Emperor Tianyuan left, Prince Jian Guo would naturally be the biggest one in Chang'an City.On weekdays, it's fine if people don't hold it up, but they dare to pick on the prince's well-behaved clothes.

However, Tang Luojin still changed her clothes, still the most formal big clothes, and said: "Prepare the car instrument, go to the south gate, and meet the king of instrument."

Chang Qu glanced at Prince Weiyi's clothes, his eyes lit up suddenly, and he said loudly, "Hey!"

Half an hour later, Prince Che Yi also arrived at the south gate.

The people surrounding the fourth prince were startled at first, then overjoyed, and then they all knelt down, shouting that the prince is a thousand years old.

The fourth prince's face froze, and then he also knelt down.

The crown prince got out of the car and helped him up himself: "King Yi does things for the orphan, and he bows very respectfully. When the orphan tells what King Yi has done, he will report to his father one by one, and his father will definitely reward King Yi."

The fourth prince hurriedly said: "I dare not."

The prince was a little distressed, and said: "It's just... the fourth brother is a prince, but I don't know what to reward after rewarding him again?" Then he turned to the people kneeling on the ground, and said as politely as possible, "What do you guys think should be rewarded, Brother Four? If you have a good idea, you can tell Gu to listen to it. If you can't tell, Gu will tell your father what you think, and if father likes it in his heart, he will definitely reward him." Everyone."

The people who are ignorant are still in ignorance, but the smart ones have already figured it out. How about a reward?What else can I reward?If you are already a prince, if you add more rewards, wouldn't you be a prince?But now, there is already a prince.

Aren't they extremely confused when they were forced to kneel down to meet King Yi like this?There is no room for two tigers in one mountain, they came here in such a muddle, how stupid they are!

Among those courtiers, some were just teased, and immediately reacted, saying: "I don't understand these things, but I just happened to pass by here today, so I met King Yi. I just didn't want to, Weichen was so lucky, Meeting Queen Yi, and seeing the crown prince, is truly a blessing for me!"

The fourth prince's face changed slightly.

Tang Luojin only smiled, and said after a long time: "Since that's the case, then, brother Sihuang and Gu, go back to the palace together. Brother Sihuang wrote too vaguely about the matter of Liancheng in the letter he sent, please Gu. Several great Confucian scholars came to see it, but they couldn’t understand the meaning of Brother Four Emperor’s writing, and they couldn’t send people and things to Liancheng in time. It’s a lonely mistake.”

The fourth prince hurriedly said that he didn't dare.

Tang Luojin ignored him, but sat in the prince's car and asked the fourth prince to follow him on foot, all the way to the palace.On the way, I still don't forget to talk to the fourth prince.

After entering the East Palace, Tang Luojin left the fourth prince in the guest courtyard of the East Palace to discuss the matter of the plague in Liancheng. For one month in a row, he did not let the fourth prince leave, nor did he let anyone see the fourth prince.

The prince's move, many people who were dazzled by the achievements of the fourth prince, reacted - the emperor is still alive, the prince is still here, although the fourth prince has merit, but he is not comparable to the prince, they are so flattering the fourth prince, it is The prince was going to be offended, and for a while, few people dared to speak out for the fourth prince.

Even if someone tried to persuade him, the crown prince would only reply him: "My brothers and sisters in heaven have not seen each other for a long time, so what's the harm in keeping the fourth brother in the East Palace for a few more days? The ancients used to talk at night by candlelight, and I was alone with the fourth brother. , that’s exactly the case, we need to talk by candlelight every night, how can we let Brother Four go away?”

The fourth concubine and the third princess went to the harem to look for Concubine Rong and the Queen Mother. Naturally, Concubine Rong was also anxious, but the Queen Mother was all about the prince.

"Who is the prince? Our emperor has praised him, the most friendly brother, you guys, you are thinking too much. If Prince Yi is wrong, the prince may be able to forgive him. If he is right... Hehe, Then you don't need to worry." The Empress Dowager said, "Or, you can't even trust the Crown Prince and Aijia?"

Tang Luojin is busy with government affairs now, and has no time to entangle with the fourth prince, but he can't feel at ease if he let the fourth prince, who obviously has the intention of seizing the throne, out, so he simply locked the fourth prince away.

He didn't think about keeping the fourth prince locked up for too long—at the Turkic border, his father sent a letter saying that he planned to attack the Turkic in one fell swoop when winter was approaching and the Turkic was short of food and wanted to rob the border of Datang, so that the Turkic soldiers would retreat Hundreds of miles away!

This time, Datang prepared very well, with 30 soldiers and [-] horses. Tang Luojin ordered strict inspections of the winter uniforms and food, and personally went to check more than a dozen times.However, Koryo to the east of Datang is currently undergoing a civil war, and the Japanese nation is eyeing to take advantage of Koryo, so there is no need to worry too much for the time being.Tubo in the west had been beaten for ten years and had no power to resist Datang.But the last time Tubo dared to send horses to Turks, Datang still remembered it. Tang Luojin then wrote a letter asking General Liu who stayed there to "exchange" horses with Tubo empty-handed. If he didn't "exchange" horses, Tai Tong will start another war.

Tubo knew that it was wrong, but it never occurred to them that the prince who is now in charge of the country is not as "magnanimous" as the emperor in the past, and he can't do things like robbery.The prince was savage and cunning, and he was clearly threatening to "snatch it openly", but he also called it an "exchange", and the two parties even signed a contract of sale.Tubo sent out three thousand good horses, took a few empty sacks, and left bitterly.

In the current battle of Datang, only the Turkic battle is left.

As for this battle, Emperor Tianyuan had been preparing for it since he ascended the throne.It is now the winter of the 27th year of Tianyuan.

27 years is enough for Emperor Tianyuan to fight a beautiful victory.

In the 27th year of Tianyuan, on November [-]th, Datang went to war against the Turks.

This is the first time in the history of Datang that it is clear that Datang has changed from passive defense and appeasement to an active attack.

Datang came in a menacing manner, Emperor Tianyuan's imperial conquest, Ning Junchi of the family of good generals, and many new generals, all of them were slowly killing, and all the soldiers had only one word "kill" in their hearts.

They have to win.

The Turkic Khanate has always had a strong army and horses, and used to squeeze Datang in every possible way. If they lose this time, then the forbearance and concessions of several generations of emperors in Datang, population development, and energy storage will all become a joke.

They have to win.

Also to win beautifully.

In the twelfth lunar month of the same year, Tang Luojin, the Crown Prince of the Supervisory Kingdom, once again released a group of palace servants from the palace, and encouraged dignitaries and wealthy businessmen to release their servants so that they could become ordinary people in Datang and have children and grandchildren.

In the same month, the Prince Jian Guo formally revised the laws and regulations, strictly stipulating the maximum number of slaves for scholars, farmers, businessmen, and businessmen. At the same time, he selected talents from the Imperial Academy and started to formulate employment laws.

In the first month of the 28th year of Tianyuan, good news from the frontier came one after another.

The imperial court was overjoyed, Tang Luojin took the initiative to donate a thousand live pigs, ten thousand live chickens, ten thousand catties of grain, twenty carts of medicinal herbs and sixty doctors who grew up in the shantang from the private treasury. to the border.

Since the prince did this, although the others scolded the prince for being treacherous, they had no choice but to follow obediently. On the one hand, they released some servants, and on the other hand, they also sent food and medicinal materials.Although individually, it is not too much, but the number is too large, and it is extremely objective.

Tang Luojin breathed a sigh of relief, and at the same time ordered that all servants who have just been restored to the status of ordinary people, over the age of 13 and under the age of 40, if they are willing to serve in the border for 20 years, regardless of life or death, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren , are not subject to the restriction of "no scientific research within three generations of slaves and grandchildren".

Tang Luojin originally thought that this method might not be able to recruit too many people, but it turned out that many people came to serve.After a little doubt, he realized that after these people were released, although it would be good to stop being slaves, they also had no income.Although Tang Luojin's method will let them go to the battlefield to fight for their lives, it can earn money on the one hand, and earn a future for their children and grandchildren, so how can everyone disagree?

Knowing the reason, Tang Luojin didn't say anything, but used them with confidence.It's just that even though it was useful, he just brought them back and trained them first—since they were originally slaves, they should know the word "loyalty" better than ordinary people. use.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, these things were all escorted by Tang Luojin's trusted Shi Yuan and others, and sent to the border.

On the second day of February, Emperor Tianyuan's most trusted secret guard rushed back suddenly.

"The army on the border is infected with the plague, and the emperor is also infected!" The dark guard lay on the ground, and he hurried back, not daring to stop in the middle, and now he was so tired that he didn't even have the strength to kneel down, "Military 3 Tens of thousands of horses were all infected with the plague. Although Marshal Ning quickly gathered them together, when his subordinates came back, the plague was still going on."

Tang Luojin stood up suddenly.

The dark guard couldn't hold on any longer, before he fell asleep, he took out the small and thin secret letter from his hair, and said the best words: "Your Highness, the emperor said, I want Your Highness to guard Chang'an City no matter what!"

After the dark guards arrived, within a short while, a fierce general beside Shi Yuan also rushed back.

The fierce general was not seriously injured, his face was covered with blood, and when he saw Tang Luojin, he immediately knelt down.

"As entrusted by the Crown Prince, Lord Shi Yuan led the ministers to escort supplies all the way to the border, but they encountered robbers on the way. Although the robbers claimed to be robbers, I have seen Turkic people on the Turkic border before. The people are obviously Turkic people pretending to be! Moreover, judging from their accents, they speak similarly to people from Datang, obviously they have lived in Datang for a period of time.”

Tang Luojin said: "Where's Shi Yuan? Where's the others? Where's the doctor? All..."

The fierce general hurriedly said: "Master Shi Yuan saw that there were three times as many people as us, and all of them were big men. Most of our people were killed and injured, so we took other brothers and escorted the doctors to disperse and escape. Shi Yuan My lord knew that I was good at equestrianism, so I asked him to rush back to report the news, and he led people to follow those people quietly, trying to find the supplies after thinking about it."

Tang Luojin's face turned ashen.

Immediately afterwards, four prime ministers, six ministers, and his cronies were summoned to discuss the matter.

After Tang Luojin finished talking about this, she clearly expressed her intention to go to the border.

Prime Minister Li immediately said: "Your Highness must not! The stability of the dynasty lies in the monarch. Since something happened to the emperor, then the prince must not have another accident! Besides, how unpredictable is the plague? If the highness goes down, he will also be infected. If the plague hits, what should the people of the world do? Even if there are other princes besides His Royal Highness, but since the emperor has no edict, then the other princes must fight desperately to win the imperial power. Fan. There are princes fighting inside and enemies outside, I'm afraid that the whole of Datang will fall into chaos!"

Prime Minister Li knelt down on his knees: "I implore you, the prince, for the people of Datang, sit and guard Chang'an!"

The other courtiers also knelt down.

"The prince please sit and guard Chang'an for the people of Datang!"

"The prince please sit and guard Chang'an!"

Ning Shan and Ning Junyu also came today, and when they heard about this, they also knelt down.

"The prince please sit and guard Chang'an!"

Ningshan and his son actually wanted to say that if possible, they could be responsible for delivering the medicine.But obviously, Tang Luojin would not agree.

Tang Luojin was more sober than anyone else at the moment.

He slowly helped Prime Minister Li up, and said: "Everyone, listen to Gu's words first. The plague is really unpredictable. Since the soldiers of Datang have the plague, they will spread it to ten, ten to hundreds...the consequences are unpredictable Moreover, these soldiers are at the border. If the supplies are not delivered in time, the consequences may be unpredictable. And once the soldiers of Datang get the plague, the countless deaths and injuries will be spread to the ears of the Turks. Normally, they kill Datang soldiers without any scruples and occupy the territory of Datang. The Turkic Khanate, they will not let go of this good opportunity."

"Once they break through the border and invade the territory of Datang, then they are likely to rush to Chang'an City in one go, just like when Emperor Wu first came to the throne, trying to force me, Datang, to pay the New Year's Tribute again! Such a shame, we Datang, how could he suffer a second time?"

"This time, Gu, I have to go." Tang Luojin said with firm eyes, "It's not for the father, but for me, Datang, so I won't suffer such humiliation anymore!"

Prime Minister Li knelt down again in silence, and said first, "Your Highness is wise."

Everyone shouted this sentence in unison.

When Tang Luojin went to help Prime Minister Li again, Prime Minister Li refused to get up. He is now in his 70s. If Emperor Tianyuan hadn't asked him to help the prince look after his "home" before leaving, Prime Minister Li would never go to bed every day. towards.

He grabbed Tang Luojin with his old hand and said: "If the crown prince really wants to go, the old minister has nothing to say. However, the old minister asks the prince to make arrangements for the affairs in Chang'an City before leaving."

Tang Luojin said: "Prime Minister, don't worry." Afterwards, he glanced at the crowd of kneeling people, pointed at the throne from a distance, and said, "That position belongs to the father. The father is ordered by heaven, and nothing will happen. Even if It's Emperor Father...then, the enthronement of the new emperor will have to wait until Gu returns with Emperor Father. Otherwise..."

"Gu doesn't mind, if you kill your brother, your hands will be stained with brother's blood!" Tang Luojin pulled out his sword suddenly, and said suddenly, "Several royal brothers, today I will go to see the fourth brother with Gu Forget it. Brother Sihuang wanted to usurp the throne, kill his father and younger brother, and he was imprisoned by Gu. Originally, he wanted to hand over Brother Sihuang to his father, but now it seems...won't Ruogu deal with it before leaving Good for him!"