turmoil

After all, Liu Yanzhao was not the young prince he was back then, no matter how benevolent and affectionate he was, he knew how to reserve a backup.He saw through the intentions of the frontier army and You Yunwei, and without saying a word, he secretly sent Jin Yiwei to rush back the Zhili and Qilu garrisons in the name of "inviting the clan to return to Beijing for the funeral".If Marquis Dingbian and Zhang Jingche really had the intention of disobedience, the reinforcements returning to the defense would be able to kill the budding disaster in time.

But he never dreamed that Zhang Jingche had known about this plan early in the morning. Before the garrison came back to help, the Huihe Huqi who suddenly rushed out had already brought the huge capital under control.

In fact, Gyeonggi is not without armed guards. Even if the Imperial Army and the Royal Forest Army cannot be reused, there are [-] people in the Peking University Camp that returned in time-just about the same number as the Huihe Huqi.However, Beidaying has guarded Zijing Pass for many years, and it is only a day or two away from the capital. It has been soaked in the prosperity and peace for a long time, and the blade is rusted two feet thick.However, Hu Qi has experienced the tempering of the desert. Once the two sides confront each other, it will be unpredictable, not to mention that there are still [-] frontier troops in the northwest.

It was a formidable force created by Marquis Dingbian. You don't need to ask to know where they stand. If the imperial court is really torn apart, who can guarantee that this heavy weapon guarding the frontier will not become a murder weapon that goes straight to the hinterland of the Central Plains?

If Liu Yanzhao was able to attack suddenly and take down Marquis Dingbian and Zhang Jingche, he would still have a bargaining chip to hold back the border army.It's a pity that Zhang Jingche had insight into the opportunity and laid the groundwork for Hu Qi's move in advance. If the court comes hard, he must be prepared to steal the chicken without losing the rice.

This move was accurate and poisonous, directly targeting the vital points of the court, even though Liu Yanzhao knew that Zhang Jingche would not give in easily, he never expected him to be so ruthless.

The princes of the court had just experienced the turmoil between the aristocratic family and Bei Le, and none of them wanted to suffer another war.Although civil servants and military generals have always been at odds, this "discord" is nothing compared to wealth and life.

The huge hall was silent for a moment, and some civil servants tremblingly said: "Actually...Dingbian Hou has been loyal for generations. This time, there was a change in Beijing. Thanks to Yang Hou's efforts to turn the tide, there was no major disturbance. The labor of the capital, both emotionally and rationally, should be rewarded!"

Liu Yanzhao glanced over, as if soaked in frost: "Big reward? How?"

Wen Chen swallowed, looked at Liu Yanzhao's expression, and didn't dare to jump out a word when he was ready.Guo Chen sighed silently, and took the initiative to stand up: "Your Majesty, Marquis Yang has been stationed at the border for many years. His hard work, loyalty and bravery are commendable... I think that I will make him the king of Dingbei, and then order him to station on the commercial roads of the Western Regions. If you are sensible and understand the general situation, you will surely understand the good intentions of the imperial court."

Liu Yanzhao's fingers trembling behind his back, why didn't he understand that the title of "Dingbei King" was a reward on the surface, but it actually represented the imperial court's concession to the Dingbian lineage?When the title is rewarded, the vast land west of Hetao will fall into Yang Fan's pocket. At that time, he will hold a heavy army and sit on the Silk Road. Da Yin will no longer have any military forces that can check and balance him, so he can only watch helplessly. Sitting in the northwest...even forming a momentum of confrontation with the orthodox court.

This is a way to drink poison to quench thirst, Liu Yanzhao almost vetoed it without even thinking about it, but when the words came to his lips, he swallowed them back.

Because he knew that Guo Chen suggested that this was not a solution, not because he was in collusion with Yang Fan, but because the court really had no other way to go.If they pretend to be snakes, the imperial court can still occupy the title of "benevolence and righteousness", but no one who has a conscience in Dingbian will raise the flag of rebellion at this time.But if you just force it, it is tantamount to giving away the initiative. Even if Marquis Dingbian has no objection, his generals will not sit still.

This kind of thing is not without precedent, otherwise how would Song □□ take advantage of Chen Qiao's mutiny to seize the Zhou family's power?

"I...understood!" After a suffocating silence, Emperor Xinglong finally spoke, the boiling anger gradually extinguished, leaving only a heavy exhaustion, "This matter is of great importance, let me...think about it!"

The ministers only agreed, and filed out of the hall.

At the same time, [-] miles northwest of the outskirts of Beijing, Huihe Huqi has already set up camp. If Jin Yiwei inspects it closely, he will find that the scouts patrolling around are not ordinary Huqi, but Youyun, who came from the same sect as him. guard!

It was almost the end of the new year at this time, and it was the coldest time in the capital, but it was always much better than the northwest desert.A brazier was lit in the tent in the middle, and a large piece of mutton was placed on the fire. Ding Ruan skillfully turned the iron rack, took out spices and salt from the cloth bag at his waist, and sprinkled them evenly on the mutton.

If Emperor Xinglong were here, he would have discovered that the commander of this Hu cavalry team was not a Hu man, but a familiar face—it was Han Xun, the former commander of Jinyiwei who had escaped by feigning death not long ago.He was ordered by Zhang Jingche to secretly leave the capital, but he did not go far away, and kept lurking near the capital until he met Ding Ru'an in Hu Qizhong.

Ding Ru'an was born in a merchant, and he is a good hand in business, so it is almost meaningless to dispatch troops.He was well aware of this, and he handed over the baton very simply, and he only managed to allocate supplies, and he cooperated with Han Xun in both literature and military affairs, and the cooperation was quite tacit.More than ten thousand Hu Qi did not show the mountains and did not show the water, until the time when Tu Qiong saw him, he was caught off guard by the son of the forced palace.

In the past two days, news from Beijing and China has continuously reached Han Xun through special channels.He knew that Zhang Jingche had long been prepared, and he believed that his master could handle it, but when he thought of Zhang Jingche being trapped in Miyagi, surrounded by tigers and wolves, he couldn't help but worry.

"What is there to worry about? In terms of means, in terms of character, which of those people in Miyagi is the master's opponent?" Ding Ru'an didn't take it seriously. He took out a dagger from his waist, cut off a leg of lamb and threw it to Han Xun. Tigers and wolves... From my point of view, they are just a group of sheep, who can bleat except for eating grass! Master has seen the Desert Wind Knife before, so how could he fall into their hands? That would be a capsize in the gutter!"

Han Xun took the mutton leg, frowning: "Don't underestimate the capital, the water inside is deep! Although you are young today, you are quite wealthy, and the old foxes in the court are not fuel-efficient lamps... The master has shown his sharpness , if you just leave like this, it will be a big trouble for the court in the future, this is a clear thing, anyone can see it clearly, how can the princes of the court be willing to let the tiger go back to the mountain?"

"So what if you are not willing?" Ding Ru'an disapproved, "I know why the master set up this ambush in advance? Because he knows too well that those people in Sijiu City are nothing to do! They don't care how much blood you shed for the court , How many lives have been sold, only fists are the last word, it is better to use power to force than to bow your knees, after all, in the face of absolute strength, all scheming is trivial - this is what the master said!

Han Xun was silent for a moment, and then sighed, "Master's disposition seems to have changed a lot these years."

"Master's disposition has never changed. He has the ambition of the next generation in his heart. Once the situation meets, he will be able to rise with the wind," Ding Ru'an said calmly. Hands and feet... Once he gets out, it is like a dragon returning to the ocean, and no one can stop his footsteps in this world!"

Han Xun's heart trembled slightly, he didn't know whether it was emotion or shock.

"Fengyunjihui..." He looked up to the northwest sky and muttered to himself, "This day...is really going to change!"

Swords are tense outside the palace, but inside the palace is unusually calm.Zhang Jingche stayed in front of the Dingbian marquis bed for three days, and finally curled up at the foot of the bed and took a nap.When he woke up, he stretched out his hand to touch Yang Fan's forehead, and found that the heat had completely subsided, his pulse became more stable and stronger, and everything was developing in a good direction.

Zhang Jingche exhaled slightly, knowing that Yang Fan's life was finally back.

He twisted out the towel, and carefully wiped the person's cheeks and hands. Yang Fan probably felt comfortable, so he struggled in a daze, grabbed Zhang Jingche's wrist, and tucked it into the bed like a miser.

Zhang Jingche couldn't laugh or cry, flicked his fingers lightly on his forehead, pulled out his wrist calmly, and tucked the corner of the quilt for Yang Fan.

The door of the palace was pushed open at this moment, someone slipped in quietly, and called out in a low voice: "Master."

Zhang Jingche paused for a moment, lightly squeezed Yang Fan's obviously thin cheek, got up and walked out of the hall.

Xu Shen followed him out, guessing that he was far away, Zhang Jingche said, "How?"

Xu Shen bowed slightly: "If you go back to the master, the man has already brought it back... As you expected, you are indeed thinking about killing the grass and rooting out the roots. When we arrived, the servant was bringing the poisoned wine over, as long as it is a little later One dead body, two lives!"

Zhang Jingche was stunned for a moment: "One dead body and two lives?"

Xu Shen said in a low voice: "According to Concubine Xian, she is already pregnant and is the current blood."

Zhang Jingche was silent for a moment: "Where are people?"

Xu Shen gestured: "It's in Xinuang Pavilion."

Zhang Jingche nodded, without anyone following him, he went straight into Xinuang Pavilion.Hearing the rattling of the bead curtain, the woman curled up on the couch raised her head suddenly, waiting to see who was coming, the light in her eyes suddenly dimmed, she didn't know whether it was disappointment or surprise: "You...it's you?"

Zhang Jingche flicked his clothes and sat down on the round stool: "It's not the emperor, are you disappointed?"

Concubine Xian curled up, covered her lower abdomen in a nearly protective posture, and smiled wryly for a while: "He's going to kill my mother and child, what's there to be disappointed about?"

Zhang Jingche has seen countless women in his life, but he has never dealt with a pregnant woman whose family has been ruined. He could not help but have a bit of consideration in his tone: "You are an orphan of the Duan family, and your younger brother just made a fuss. Today, no matter how clear and benevolent , and I definitely can't tolerate you anymore... If you want, you can leave the palace with me later, although the outside is not as beautiful as in the palace, after all, the sky is high and the sea is wide, and it is far more carefree than in the palace."

Concubine Xian was noncommittal, and suddenly asked after a while: "Why did you help me?"

Zhang Jingche looked at her eyebrows and eyes that were somewhat similar to his own, and said calmly: "Yuezhao is dead, and you are the only one left in Uncle Zhongyong's blood... Yuan Zhou has always been brooding over the old case back then, and I don't want him to regret for the rest of his life."

Concubine Xian asked suspiciously, "Just because of this?"

"Otherwise?" Zhang Jingche asked back with a little amusement, "Your Majesty, what do you think is worth being hijacked and used by others?"

Concubine Xian didn't speak, but hugged her belly more tightly.

Zhang Jingche saw through her worries, and said lightly, "The child in your womb is of the blood of the Tian family. No matter whether his maternal ancestor is recognized by the court, this is an indisputable fact. The child is innocent, and I have no intention of using him to make trouble, but he When you grow up in the future, you will know your background sooner or later, if you want to seek justice from the imperial court, you may as well come to me."

Concubine Xian tensed up all over and looked at him vigilantly: "You, what do you want to do?"

"Great Yin has been in peace for a long time, and the government and the public are used to enjoying comfort. As time goes by, the claws and teeth are rusted, and the eyes and ears are closed. I'm afraid they can't even hear the suffering of the people's livelihood?" Zhang Jingche hooked the corners of his lips sarcastically, "It's time Give them a big blow and let them know that the throne does not belong to the Liu family for granted. If I am lucky and continue the chaos of the former emperor's dynasty, I don't mind cultivating a competitor for the Liu family. After 20 years, I will compete with the current Compete high and low."

Although Concubine Xian rarely encounters big changes, she is always rescued and taken care of by loyal people. She has been raised in a deep boudoir all these years, and what she sees and hears is nothing but a sky the size of a slap on her head.She never expected that someone would say such outrageous words, and her expression changed in shock: "You, you...how dare you..."

"The king treats his ministers like grass, and the ministers treat his ministers like pigs and dogs. Why don't I dare?" Zhang Jingche said calmly, "But you don't have to worry, there are countless sons and daughters in this world. If you don't want to part with your own children, there will naturally be others who are willing to fight for you." fight."

He nodded slightly at Concubine Xian, stood up and was about to walk out of the hall, when he suddenly heard Concubine Xian's murmurs from behind: "He, he really wants to kill me?"

Zhang Jingche paused, without turning his head: "The poisoned wine is all in front of me, do you still want to deceive yourself?"

Concubine Xian was silent for a moment, then said with a half-crying and half-smiling voice: "I was raised by my adoptive father. Although he was saddened by my parents' death, he had no intention of rebelling against the imperial court from the beginning to the end. He sent me into the palace just to hope that I could be blessed. If you give birth to a prince in the future and your position is stable, you can propose to the emperor to rehabilitate your grievances..."

Zhang Jingche sneered in his heart, but remained calm on his face: "But you are sincere to the emperor?"

Concubine Xian smiled wryly, she didn't know what she was thinking of, and gradually revealed a trance-like gentle look: "I was called into the palace by the queen mother, and I spent my whole day learning the rules in the Palace of Compassion and Peace. Once, the queen mother asked me to go to the imperial garden to enjoy flowers That day, I bumped into the emperor in casual clothes..."

She smiled at the corner of her mouth, but tears welled up in her eyes: "I didn't know he was the emperor at the time, I just thought it was some clan prince. I chatted with him for a long time, and the words didn't know what to say... But he was not angry, and he was very gentle. Asked my name, and called me to sleep with me that night..."

Zhang Jingche didn't say anything, and sighed slightly.

"Immediately look at each other on the wall, and I will be heartbroken when I see the king," he thought half helplessly and half mockingly, "Young women are most likely to be blinded by a moment of madness, who knows how inhuman they are entrusted to!"

Concubine Xian choked with sobs and said, "I, although I concealed my own background, I was sincere to him... The adoptive father learned of the family's conspiracy and tried every means to reveal it to me. I was the first to warn the emperor. Compassionate Palace In the middle, Yuezhao tried to harm the Queen Mother, and it was I who tried my best to stop him, I, I never thought of seeking revenge from him..."

Zhang Jingche had no expression on his face: "Are you telling me this because you want to stay in the palace and impress the emperor with your infatuation?"

Concubine Xian shook her head, the tears accumulated in the corners of her eyes rolled down like beads: "I know he won't let me go, I just want to know, what will he do to my younger brother and adoptive father?"

Zhang Jingche turned his head back, his eyes were gentle and compassionate, but his tone was cold to the bone: "Yuezhao died in an accident in the Palace of Compassion and Peace. Mr. Cai learned of the changes in the palace and knew that he would die, so he also committed suicide at home."

Concubine Xian was stunned for a long time, then laughed like crazy and said: "Since that's the case, I don't have any nostalgia for this Jiuzhong Palace City anymore!"