Tibet

Although Li Ye only visited Luoyang on a private basis and did not announce it to the outside world, the imperial court still got the news from various channels. In particular, there was an abnormality in the Guanlong army. Thirty thousand troops passed through Zhongtiao Mountain and arrived at Heyang County on the other side of the Yellow River. At the same time, the Yellow River A large number of baggage sleigh teams appeared on the ice, delivering food, grass, tents and other baggage to Heyang County.

In the political hall, the four prime ministers were discussing countermeasures. All three of them looked at Li Dai. Li Dai had to express his position first before there was room for discussion on this matter.

Li Dai has a big head. He doesn't want to express his position, but he has to speak up. Who makes Li Ye his son?

"Since the other party's army has entered our territory, there will definitely be a formal ultimatum from the Prince Qi's Mansion in Chang'an, and it may still be on the way. In addition, I personally estimate that King Qi's visit to Luoyang at this time should be a private matter. Old lady Dugu passed away, and he accompanied the princess Come to attend the funeral.”

Yuan Zai said coldly: "Sending troops directly into the country without communicating with the imperial court in advance and without obtaining the imperial court's consent is, to put it seriously, a declaration of war against the imperial court."

Yuan Zai was relatively junior, and it was Li Fuguo who recommended him to become the prime minister, representing the interests of the eunuch party. Other important ministers did not think highly of him, and did not pay much attention to him. In this case, keeping a low profile and saying nothing was the best way to get along with him. .

But at this moment Yuan Zai jumped out and accused King Qi of declaring war on the court, putting a big hat on him, which immediately made Pei Zunqing and Cui Huan dissatisfied.

Cui Huan said coldly: "In that case, is Yuan Xiangguo willing to lead an army of fifty thousand to conquer?"

Yuan Zai was ridiculed severely by Cui Huan, his face turned red and he became silent.

Pei Zunqing waved his hand, "King Qi's 30,000 troops are not an invasion, and they have not captured prefectures and counties. They are essentially borrowing money. Don't be nervous. We will wait for the ultimatum from Prince Qi's palace!"

As soon as Pei Zunqing finished speaking, someone reported outside, "Li Xiangguo, Guan Long came to the Academy to ask for an audience with Manager Yang!"

Everyone immediately realized that this was probably the time to deliver an ultimatum. The person in charge of the office was Li Dai. He stood up and said, "I'll go take a look!"

Li Dai got up and went out. Soon, Li Dai came back with an ultimatum and smiled at everyone: "The ultimatum from Prince Qi's Mansion has arrived!"

Everyone opened the ultimatum, and it was indeed an ultimatum sent by Li Mi, the Prime Minister of Qi, in the name of the Prince of Qi's Mansion. "The King of Qi came to Luoyang to handle private affairs. In order to ensure safety, he sent 30,000 troops to station in Heyang, and 3,000 troops to accompany him. In order to protect the King of Qi, once the King of Qi returns, the three armies will immediately withdraw to Guanzhong and hope that the court will cooperate with the passage. This is hereby explained. ’

Below is the seal of Prince Qi's signature signed by Li Mi.

Pei Zunqing immediately said: "Let's enter the palace! Report this matter to the queen."

When the emperor Li Heng was seriously ill, he issued a decree. He was unable to govern due to his serious illness, and the queen was appointed as regent to handle government affairs on his behalf. All major military and political matters were decided by the queen.

Normally, when the emperor is seriously ill, the prince should be the regent. There is no prince in the court, but there is an heir. However, at the critical moment, the emperor Li Heng chose to trust the queen and did not choose the heir.

This is actually what Tang Gaozong Li Zhi did when he handed over power to his queen Wu Zetian.

Queen Zhang met with five prime ministers in the Linde Hall, and Li Fuguo showed up at this time.

Across a bamboo curtain, Queen Zhang's fat body sat on the couch.

Pei Zunqing bowed and said, "To the Queen, this is the ultimatum just sent by King Qi. It explains to us the reason for sending troops to Heyang County to protect King Qi's safety."

Empress Zhang waved her hands and said: "Sending troops into the country without the consent of the imperial court, even if a ultimatum is issued, is an extremely bad thing. Even if the imperial court does not pursue the case, it must show an attitude."

Cui Huan bowed and said: "Queen Qi, the most urgent task now is that His Highness King Qi has to pass Hangu Pass. It is estimated that he will arrive tomorrow at the latest. We have to make a decision now. Will King Qi be allowed to come to Luoyang?"

At this time, Queen Zhang didn't know what to do? She glanced at Li Fuguo next to her. Li Fuguo agreed and walked out and said: "Empress, Your Highness King Qi is here for a funeral. If the court blocks it, it will be too unkind. The minister's suggestion is to let it go, and since It’s a private matter, so I suggest the court not pay attention to it.”

Li Fuguo said it very lightly, but in fact he avoided many important issues. First, Li Ye brought three thousand cavalry here. How to place these three thousand cavalry? Secondly, Li Ye wants to enter Luoyang City. How many guards can he bring into Luoyang City?

Also, three thousand elite troops arrived in Luoyang. If Li Ye launched a palace coup at this time, how would the court respond?

More importantly, many matters must be decided by the generalissimo, not the political hall. Li Fuguo unknowingly dug a hole for Pei Zunqing and others.

Li Fuguo had already spoken, and Empress Zhang nodded, "What Li Xiangguo said makes sense. Since he is here for a funeral, don't stop him and allow King Qi to come to Luoyang. As for other things, Xiangguo Pei, you go make arrangements!"

After saying that, Queen Zhang stood up and left. Li Fuguo looked at Pei Zunqing mockingly and turned to leave.

Pei Zunqing sighed and said, "Immediately inform Hangu Pass to release it. As for other matters, let's discuss it!"

Cui Huan frowned, "But we don't have the authority to notify Hangu Pass to release it. This is arranged by the Generalissimo's Mansion!"

Pei Zunqing had a headache for a while. If the emperor was in charge, these would not be a problem. Now that Queen Zhang is in charge, she seems to have to take care of everything, but in fact she doesn't care about anything, leaving a lot of troublesome follow-up matters.

Pei Zunqing really didn't want to go to Yu Chaoen, but he had to go, otherwise Li Ye wouldn't be able to enter Hangu Pass, and Queen Zhang would hold him accountable.

Pei Zunqing could only sigh, "Okay! I'll go find Yu Chaoen."

But the small shoes put on by the eunuch were not easy to take off. When Pei Zunqing came to the Grand Marshal's Mansion, he was told that Yu Sima had just left to inspect the Shence Army in Yanshi County and would not be back until tomorrow afternoon.

Pei Zunqing was dumbfounded and asked the officials of the Marshal's Office urgently: "When did you leave?"

"I just left. A quarter of an hour ago, I had no such plan and decided to go to Yanshi on the spur of the moment."

Pei Zunqing suddenly understood that this was the eunuch trying to put on his own shoes! If Li Ye fails to pass Hangu Pass, the queen will only blame herself.

Pei Zunqing suppressed his anger and asked again: "Besides Yu Sima, who else can give the order to let the Hangu Pass army go?"

The official reported politely: "To report back to the Prime Minister, to allow more than 5,000 troops to pass through the border, there must be an imperial edict. For troops below 5,000, it is necessary to cooperate with the general's command arrows and military orders. The command arrows are in the hands of Yu Sima, and the seal is in the hands of Li Changshi." , so the two of them need to operate at the same time."

Pei Zunqing then remembered Li Fuguo's mocking look at him, because he had to ask him, not only Li Fuguo, but also Yu Chaoen. Pei Zunqing couldn't do it anyway, not to mention Yu Chaoen went to Yanshi, at least tomorrow afternoon. It's too late to come back.

He asked again: "Is there no other way?"

"Either it's the Emperor's Gold Medal. You can also be released with the Emperor's Gold Medal."

Having no choice, Pei Zunqing ran back to the palace and asked the Queen Mother for the gold medal, but was told by the eunuch that the Queen Mother had a lunch break and would not receive ministers in the afternoon. If anything happened, she would discuss it in the morning.