Tibet

Pei Zunqing returned to the official room angrily. As soon as he sat down, Cui Huan came over in a hurry and said, "Xiangguo Pei, no movement order is needed. I just received news that King Qi has arrived in Mianchi County."

Pei Zunqing was stunned for a moment, "What's going on? King Qi leads three thousand cavalry, how can he get through Hangu Pass?"

"I don't know, maybe the guard took the initiative to let me go!"

Pei Zunqing frowned. Although he hated Li Fuguo and Yu Chaoen for wearing small shoes for him, the guard general let Li Ye pass without permission from the court. This was a big problem.

He quickly asked: "Who is the guard general of Hangu Pass?"

"It seems to be Hao Tingyu!"

Pei Zunqing walked a few steps with his hands behind his back and said in a deep voice: "I'm afraid things are not that simple. It's very possible that Hao Tingyu has already joined Li Ye!"

"What should we do now?" Cui Huan asked.

Pei Zunqing sneered, "What does this matter have to do with me? Let Yu Chaoen and Li Fuguo handle it!"

After a pause, Pei Zunqing said again: "But this time, King Qi's military camp should not be arranged in the West Neiyuan. It is easy to have trouble there. I think it is better to arrange it in the southern military camp to ensure their supply of food and vegetables."

"What about His Highness's safety in the city?"

Pei Zunqing thought for a while, gritted his teeth and said, "Allow King Qi to bring five hundred people into the city. If the queen asks, just say it was my decision."

Pei Zunqing sighed, now the queen is actually in power. If this continues, will she become Wu Zetian's second best?

But then I thought, with His Highness King Qi here, history will never repeat itself.

At this time, Queen Zhang's lunch break has ended. She takes a nap every day for about an hour, which is an unbreakable habit.

After getting up and tidying up, it’s time for tea in the afternoon.

Empress Zhang was sitting in the Nuan Pavilion drinking tea with her sister Zhang Zhaoyi. The two sisters were born to the same mother, with an age difference of five years. Zhang Zhaoyi also gave birth to a son, the youngest son of Emperor Li Heng, the fourteenth son of Jiang Wang Li Quan. It is only two years old this year.

Since Zhang Zhaoyi entered the palace after the emperor ascended the throne, her status was far inferior to that of Empress Zhang. Empress Zhang shared weal and woe with Emperor Li Heng and gained the emperor's absolute trust.

But in terms of scheming, Queen Zhang is not as good as her sister Zhang Zhaoyi.

"Sister, how is the saint's health?"

Empress Zhang sighed and said worriedly: "I have taken the medicine sent by King Qi in the past two days. I feel a little better, but it has little effect. The imperial doctor said that treating the symptoms but not the root cause will only prolong the life for a few months at most. Your Majesty's His health was not in good shape to begin with, and he was intemperate in that regard, and he has completely collapsed. I don’t even know what to do now?”

Zhang Zhaoyi pondered for a moment and said, "Sister, this is actually your chance!"

"How to say?"

Zhang Zhaoyi looked at the maids on both sides. Queen Zhang understood and ordered: "You all stand down!"

The maids retreated one after another, and Zhang Zhaoyi lowered her voice and said: "I met my father yesterday, and he asked me to tell you that your situation now is exactly the same as when Emperor Gaozong fell ill and Wu Zetian took control of the government. As long as you can firmly Seize the power. Once the emperor dies and you make Dong'er the new emperor, you will come to the court as the empress dowager. My father said, as long as you seize the opportunity, you will become the second Wu Zetian, and our Zhang family will completely come to the fore. ”

Empress Zhang was actually an ambitious woman, but she didn't have Wu Zetian's talents and power. Many times, she had to rely on the Quanhuan Group and formed an alliance with the Quanhuan Group, but she felt that she couldn't control Li Fuguo. Waiting for others, she is also troubled in her heart. She wants to take power, but she doesn't know where to start?

Empress Zhang sighed and said: "I understand what father means, but there are so many things and I don't know where to start? I want to take control of the power, but I feel that I am powerless."

Zhang Zhaoyi smiled slyly, "Eldest sister is really a fan of the authorities!"

Empress Zhang perked up and said, "Tell me, tell me, where can I not see through it?"

Zhang Zhaoyi shook his head, "Why do you feel so powerless? It's because you have no helpers. You have to take care of the emperor, the government, and be wary of the powerful officials. How can you be so busy? You obviously have a father and brother, but you don't use them. You You obviously have sisters, but you don't speak up, and you rely on yourself for everything, so of course you are beyond your capabilities."

Empress Zhang nodded slowly, "You are right. If my relatives are not in power, of course I cannot control the court. Little sister, come and take care of the Emperor for me. As long as you do one thing, never allow the courtiers and King Yong to see the Emperor. Everything They all need to pass the message through us.”

Zhang Zhaoyi was overjoyed and said quickly: "Sister, don't worry, I will definitely be your right-hand man!"

Empress Zhang returned to her palace, which was also the place where the emperor recuperated. Several of her confidant maids were responsible for the emperor's daily life, and the door was also guarded by her confidant eunuchs.

On the hospital bed, Li Heng lay drowsily, with no trace of blood on his face, and his body was extremely weak. Originally, he could not survive this month, but after taking the Panshen Pill prepared by Li Tengkong, he regained some vitality and was killed in one breath. Hanging.

Empress Zhang sat next to her and held her husband's hand. A few days ago, she was sad, thinking that the couple had been together for a long time and would soon be separated.

But now she has another thought, and the sadness has faded a lot. She wants to make good use of her husband's last few months to build up her own power foundation.

At this time, Li Heng slowly opened his eyes and asked in a low voice: "How is the political hall?"

"They fought hard!"

Li Heng nodded lightly. This was the effect he wanted, to keep the eunuch group and the civil service group in check.

"Your Majesty, I feel that I am too powerful and weak. Sometimes I cannot control the situation, and I have let down the great trust of your Majesty."

"You lack help!"

After all, Li Heng was the emperor, and he saw the essence of the problem sharply.

"Yes, I want my father to come to the political hall to help me. Can your Majesty agree?"

Li Heng nodded, "Let Yuan Zai go to Hedong!"

Empress Zhang was so happy that she put her husband's hand on her face and burst into tears.

Li Heng touched her hair and said in a low voice: "We are a married couple. I can't help you much. You have to rely on yourself from now on."

"His Majesty!"

Queen Zhang sobbed and cried. She was really moved.

Li Heng pointed to the pillow, and Queen Zhang quickly took out a dragon-shaped gold scepter from under the pillow. It was about eight inches long. Queen Zhang was stunned for a moment. She had never seen this golden scepter before.

Li Heng took a few breaths and said, "Use it to ring the peace bell in my study. Pei Min will appear and ask him for a secret decree."

"Your Majesty, isn't Pei Min from the Dugu family?"

Li Heng shook his head, "He is only loyal to me!"

"Your Majesty, stop talking and take good care of yourself. I will ask my little sister to take care of you."

Li Heng slowly closed his eyes. After saying these few words, he had exhausted all his energy.