Chapter 201: Wang Zhongsi is captured and brought back to Chang'an; Li Longji summons Li Xuan to the capital

Agarwood Pavilion.

The lotus moon has arrived, and the fragrance is pure and clear.

Li Longji and the Yang sisters were playing in front of the Chenxiang Pavilion.

The gorgeous clothes made of wind gauze were thin and transparent, revealing half of their breasts. They did not stop being lively because of the hot weather, but danced with the butterflies among the flowers.

Li Longji has been feeling annoyed for some time and now he can finally relax and unwind.

When the group of people were tired from playing, they went to the side hall of the Chenxiang Pavilion to play games. Ice cubes were placed in silver basins on all sides of the side hall.

These ice cubes would be replaced by palace maids from time to time, and the rising cold air would make it seem as if snowflakes were flying around in the hot summer, which was extremely comfortable.

"Lu! Lu! Lu!"

In the Chupu game, Yang Yuyao kept calling Lu, but always lost big.

"Stop playing!"

Yang Yuyao pushed the Chupu away like a spoiled child, she didn't want to play anymore.

"Ha ha……"

Li Longji looked up and smiled. He had always been winning, and he found the expression on his third aunt's face very interesting.

"Sanlang, didn't Li Qilang go back to Chang'an last year? It's so hot, didn't they say there would be no war in the summer?"

Yang Yuyao suddenly told Li Longji that she missed Li Xuan's handsome face very much after not seeing him for a year.

Like Yang Zhao, how boring, she had had enough of it. The princes and nobles in Chang'an were mostly just for show. The extravagance of that kind of life was not as infectious as Li Xuan's heroic spirit.

"Qilang has to guard the border and also serve as an envoy. He probably won't be able to come back this year."

Li Longji shook his head.

He had wanted to call Li Xuan back some time ago, but Li Xuan had been busy with the Moli Tuyuhun rebellion, the Dunhuang case and other matters.

Considering that Li Xuan had to fully prepare for the war against Tubo, he was not summoned for the time being.

He also received news that the Tibetan king was going to lead the army in person, mobilize all his troops, summon the four internal tribes and all subordinates, and prepare for a decisive battle with the Tang Dynasty in Qinghai.

In Jiannan, Tubo had been engaged in offensive and defensive battles with the border troops of Weichuan and Anrong. Since the battles were all mountainous, both sides did not send many troops, but the frequency of the battles was very high.

Half a month ago, Jiannan Jiedushi Zhangchou Jianqiong reported that Tubo had withdrawn from the Weichuan and Anrong military fronts and entered a defensive posture.

Li Longji naturally knew what this meant.

It is very likely that Tubo will withdraw troops from the Xichuan area and head north to Helong.

Li Longji was thinking of ordering Shuofang and Longyou to send some cavalry to support Helong.

After being taught a lesson by Li Xuan, the Huihe no longer dared to look south.

A month ago, after the Uighur leader Yehumo Yanchuo came to Chang'an, he presented two carts of gold, one cart of jade and jewelry, and one hundred top-quality horses.

This was the most valuable tribute Li Longji had ever received since he ascended the throne.

Moyanchuo brought with him the promise of Guli Peiluo Khan to pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty with 3,000 war horses, 5,000 cattle, 30,000 sheep, and ten carts of sable skins every year to show his sincerity.

Li Longji was very satisfied with the tribute from the Uighurs. He believed that the Uighurs had been conquered by him and would never dare to offend them again.

So he let Mo Yanchu return.

Therefore, even if all the cavalry in Shuofang and Hedong were transferred away, there would be no need to worry about the north being empty.

Besides, there are enough infantry to guard the military city.

"Sanlang, there are so many ministers in the court, why do you let Qilang do everything? Those officials are all fame seekers, always ruining Sanlang's reputation!"

Yang Yuyao said slowly to Li Longji.

She believed that this was the reason why Li Xuan did not return to Chang'an.

He completely forgot that he had already recommended several "capable ministers" to Li Longji.

"Qi Lang is indeed a loyal and capable general who helps me share my worries!"

When Li Xuan was mentioned, Li Longji looked very satisfied, thinking that he had a good eye for talent.

In the past few years, even Li Linfu had caused him trouble, and only Li Xuan had made him happy.

"Sanlang, you often talk about Jiuling's demeanor. I think Qilang's demeanor is even better. I have also read literature and history. Even in ancient times, there is no one like Qilang who has unparalleled poetic talent, elegant demeanor, and heroic spirit. I heard that there are bad rumors about Qilang in Chang'an. Sanlang, you must be careful to distinguish them!"

Yang Yuhuan, wearing a gauze skirt, came to the ice basin in the side hall and took out a plate of sliced ​​watermelon from the basin. She also took a small piece of ice and held it in her white jade-like palm.

When she spoke, there was light in her eyes and a smile on her lips, but Li Longji did not see it.

"Haha, Yuhuan is suspicious, am I that stupid?"

Li Longji smiled again.

Seeing Yang Yuhuan coming towards him, Li Longji reached out and took a piece of watermelon from the plate, feeling comfortable both inside and out.

"Give me one, too."

Sister Yang Yuyao also took one each.

Yang Yuhuan did not eat it, but the ice in her palms slowly melted until it became liquid...

When Li Longji was enjoying the joy and comfort, Gao Lishi hurried into the side hall.

Generally speaking, Gao Lishi would not disturb Li Longji unless something big happened.

"What's up, Li Shi?"

Li Longji frowned and asked when he saw Gao Lishi's serious expression.

He had a bad feeling in his heart. The last time Gao Lishi acted like this was in the 29th year of Kaiyuan, when Shibao City was lost.

"The Taiyuan magistrate has sent a memorial to the Secretariat. The Right Prime Minister has entered the palace and presented the memorial to this old servant. Please ask the Saint to leave the palace."

After Gao Lishi glanced at Yang Yuhuan and the Yang sisters, he whispered to Li Longji.

"Yuhuan, three aunts, you guys continue to play, I'm going to go out for a while."

When Li Longji became serious, Yang Yuyao didn't dare to act silly anymore.

She was a smart person who knew her limits. When Li Longji was happy, she could act coquettishly in any way she wanted, which would make her more attractive to him.

Whenever Li Longji was serious and angry, only Yang Yuhuan could comfort him.

……

After leaving the side hall, before seeing Li Linfu, Li Longji asked Gao Lishi: "Lishi, what's going on?"

"Your Majesty, a body was found outside Taiyuan City. It was the prince's servant. It was said that the Taiyuan magistrate investigated and found that the prince's servant had been in Taiyuan City a few days ago. When he was leaving the city, he was suddenly robbed and killed."

Gao Lishi told Li Longji the contents of the memorial.

"What are the prince's servants doing in Taiyuan?"

"What? Why is this happening?"

Li Longji just asked himself and then he reacted.

Because he remembered that Wang Zhongsi was also in Taiyuan.

As an emperor who rose to power through a coup, he was very sensitive to such things.

He watched the Shenlong coup, in which Wu Zetian was ousted by Zhang Jianzhi and the political situation became shaken.

He joined forces with Princess Taiping and led 500 soldiers to launch the Tanglong coup, killing Empress Wei and her followers, helping his father become emperor and he became the crown prince.

He also planned the Xiantian coup, killed Princess Taiping, and officially took over everything in the Tang Dynasty.

The bloody power has always been lingering in his mind.

At this moment, Li Longji felt like he was on edge.

As the crown prince and heir to the throne, he is a marshal with hundreds of thousands of troops under his command.

The marshal and the prince grew up together.

Some information directly flooded Li Longji's mind, and his previous belief that Wang Zhongsi was loyal to him was instantly shaken.

He did not think that the servants went to Taiyuan just to exchange feelings.

Fortunately, the death of the slave made him aware of this matter.

Li Longji did not allow anyone to shake his power. He asked Gao Lishi: "Lishi, what do you think about this matter?"

"Your Majesty, I think we need to conduct a thorough investigation. We should first summon General Wang back to Chang'an to question him and then confirm the identity of this servant."

Gao Lishi felt that something was fishy, ​​but he knew Li Longji and was afraid that Li Longji would get furious, so he did not dare to advise him and could only use a neutral approach.

As long as Wang Zhongsi dares to come back, everything will be much easier.

At that time, Gao Lishi was willing to believe that Wang Zhongsi had no ulterior motives, and it all depended on Li Longji's thoughts.

If Wang Zhongsi doesn't want to come back, then he has made a mistake.

"Ok!"

Li Longji's good mood disappeared and he nodded without blinking.

At this time, Li Linfu was already waiting on the second floor of the Chenxiang Pavilion.

"No need to salute, Right Prime Minister, this matter is of great importance, please tell me what you think!"

Li Longji exempted Li Linfu from formalities. He sat in the first seat, placed his hands on the jade table, with veins bulging.

You can see his disappointment and anger!

"I never thought such a big thing would happen! We must investigate this case thoroughly."

Li Linfu was already laughing in his heart, but his expression showed deep sorrow.

The three judges decided that Wang Zhongsi must be executed!
This time, he has made all the arrangements and there won't be any mistakes.

"Snapped!"

"I will send the Yulin Army to capture this rebellious son."

Li Longji patted the jade table.

"The saint needs to write an imperial edict first, giving the Yulin Army the power to execute first and report later, so as to prevent the army from being controlled by cronies."

Li Linfu had sinister intentions.

He knew clearly that Wang Zhongsi would not resist, and saying this only deepened Li Longji's bad impression of Wang Zhongsi.

The confidant he was referring to was naturally Wang Zhongsi's confidant, implying that Wang Zhongsi was nepotistic and had his lackeys throughout the army.

"Li Shi, tell Chen Xuanli to send the Yulin Army to Taiyuan via the post station and capture Wang Zhongsi. Take him back to the capital as quickly as possible."

Li Longji didn't want to wait a moment and gave the order.

"As you wish..." Gao Lishi's eyes moved and he walked away.

Afterwards, Li Linfu kept comforting Li Longji, ostensibly telling Li Longji not to worry, but the more he said so, the more uneasy Li Longji became.

He had high hopes for Wang Zhongsi, and Wang Zhongsi lived up to his expectations and helped him achieve great achievements.

Although he believed that Wang Zhongsi did not have the sharpness and bravery of Li Xuan, he felt that Wang Zhongsi was also a pillar of the Tang Dynasty in the north, and like Li Xuan and An Lushan, he was a general he trusted.

Now that this has happened, Li Longji feels that Wang Zhongsi appears loyal but is actually treacherous, and the more he thinks about it, the more uncomfortable he feels!
Once Li Longji loses trust in a person, that person's status in his heart will plummet.

"What has the prince been busy with lately?"

Li Longji suddenly asked Li Linfu.

"The Crown Prince lives in the East Palace, and I have never had any contact with him."

Li Linfu answered Li Longji, feeling secretly delighted.

Li Longji finally changed the subject to the crown prince.

When the prince's servants went to Taiyuan, they should have regarded the prince as the mastermind.

Li Linfu was afraid that Wang Zhongsi would be appointed prime minister, and he was even more afraid that the crown prince would ascend the throne.

If Wang Zhongsi were to be appointed prime minister, at most he would take away some of his power; if the crown prince ascended the throne, his family would surely be destroyed.

Therefore, the prince was Li Linfu’s first target.

"The Crown Prince should stay in the Eastern Palace recently and not go out. When Wang Zhongsi arrives in Chang'an, we will interrogate him together."

Li Longji's words stunned Li Linfu.

He thought that the saint would be angry and depose the prince, or at worst question him and imprison him.

Just not allowed to leave the East Palace?

Normally the prince lives in seclusion and rarely goes out, it's the same as if he is not imprisoned!
Li Longji thought that Li Heng had lived in the deep palace for a long time. Unlike the former crown prince Li Ying, Li Heng had no soldiers and no power at all.

After the construction of Sizitai, he was not as impulsive as before when he went on a killing spree.

Li Longji believed that it was Wang Zhongsi who misled the prince!
Only then did the prince send someone to contact him.

As long as Wang Zhongsi can be captured and everything can be nipped in the bud, nothing will happen again.

From Wei Jian to Wang Zhongsi, Li Longji understood that people who had relationships with the crown prince should never be given important positions.

"Send an order, have General Li return to the capital immediately!"

Li Longji issued another order in front of Li Linfu.

Li Linfu's facial muscles twitched. The reason he took action at this time was to avoid Li Xuan.

It's already June.

In two months, Li Xuan will launch the battle of Qinghai.

He thought Li Xuan should enter the preparation stage and would not return to Chang'an.

Who would have thought that Li Longji would suddenly summon Li Xuan back!
Li Xuan always ruins his good deeds!

"Your Majesty, General Li should prepare for battle, stockpile food and weapons, and use them against Tubo. This time, the Tibetan king is personally leading the expedition, so we must be more cautious than before. I think General Li should stay in Helong to prepare. If Wang Zhongsi disobeys your order, General Li will go north to quell the rebellion."

Li Linfu immediately persuaded Li Longji.

Li Xuan is a variable and he must not be allowed to return.

"Let General Li use the express horses of the post station, and the round trip will not take too long. He will definitely be able to return to Huangshui before August. General Li has judges and Sima to prepare for logistics, and generals and military envoys to prepare for military affairs. Don't worry! The military supervisors in Hebei and Shuofang have not reported to me secretly. Even if Wang Zhongsi is willing, his subordinates will not follow him."

Li Longji said in an unquestionable tone.

He thought that with his military supervisor still in place, he still had a firm grasp on the 490,000 troops of the Ten Garrisons!
Wang Zhongsi had ulterior motives. He let Li Xuan come back with an intention!
"The minister obeys the order!"

Li Linfu could only accept the order and he did not dare to persuade him any further.

This bastard Li Xuan is still lingering around, so he must take further action.

After leaving Xingqing Palace, Li Linfu sent someone to inform Wei Lin, the deputy governor of Jiyang County.

Wei Lin once served as the governor of Shuozhou in the late Kaiyuan period.

At that time, Wang Zhongsi was the governor of Hedong, and Wei Lin was under his rule.

Before the state was changed into a county, the governor was equivalent to a prefect, but now Wei Lin is a Beijia.

It was obviously a mistake that led to his being demoted.

Wei Lin was the son of Prime Minister Wei Zhigu.

Although Wei Zhigu's five sons did not inherit their father's career, each of them held a high position.

Wei Zhe, currently the governor of Yan'an. Wei Bi, currently the governor of Yang'an. Wei Lin, the deputy governor of Jiyang. Wei Jue, currently the junior minister of Honglu. Wei Yao, currently the doctor of praise.

They all wore scarlet robes.

This also means that Wei Lin's words carry a certain weight.

Li Linfu told Wei Lin that if he could accomplish this, he would be promoted in the future.

Wei Lin was so greedy that he agreed immediately. He planned to write a memorial to Wang Zhongsi when he arrived in Chang'an, adding fuel to the fire.

Wei Lin claimed to Li Longji that when he was governor of Shuozhou, Wang Zhongsi once said when he was the governor of Shuozhou: "I lived with Prince Zhong in the Eastern Palace in my early years. I am willing to respect Prince Zhong as the crown prince."

At that time, Li Heng was still Prince Zhong!

Now that Li Heng is already the crown prince, it seems that this sentence is no longer useful.

But at this time Wang Zhongsi fell into a quagmire, which made Li Longji suspicious. This was a very fatal sentence.

Because it means that Wang Zhongsi had different ideas a long time ago.

An Lushan, who was far away in Fan Yang, was also prepared to wait for Wang Zhongsi to enter Chang'an, and then impeach Wang Zhongsi for refusal to send troops to build Xiongwu City, accusing him of retaining troops and having ulterior motives.

It was Li Longji who originally approved the construction of Xiongwu City.

Otherwise, Wang Zhongsi would not have personally led the group to take a stroll around Xiongwu City.

An Lushan wanted to get rid of Wang Zhongsi, not only because Wang Zhongsi impeached him for treason, but also because he wanted to get rid of Wang Zhongsi, who was a big threat to him. Wang Zhongsi, who also commanded hundreds of thousands of troops, was too close to him and had made great military achievements, and could be called a famous general.

An Lushan's impeachment seemed simple, which was consistent with An Lushan's character in Li Longji's mind.

At this time, even if a feather fell on his body, it would make Li Longji alert.

……

The gate of the Eastern Palace was guarded by the Yulin Army.

Li Heng was stunned for a moment, and he kept thinking in his mind whether he had made any mistakes recently.

No!
Ever since Wei was divorced, he has been living in fear and dared not meet any ministers.

Even when he attended the saint's banquet, he was diligent and only talked to his brothers and sisters. He didn't even drink a glass of wine with the ministers, for fear of arousing his father's suspicion.

"General Chen, why is this happening?"

Li Heng couldn't just sit there and wait, so he asked Chen Xuanli who was at the door.

He felt that he was being plotted against by the traitor Li Linfu again. If he did nothing, wouldn't he be waiting to die in vain?
He was even more afraid of being abandoned!
Li Longji was old, and Li Heng believed that he could always live to see his old father pass away.

He even thought of several reign titles.

"Your Highness, I don't know either. I am following the orders of the Saint to temporarily inconvenience the Crown Prince and not to leave the East Palace."

Chen Xuanli replied, he really didn't know what was going on.

He was also shocked when he executed this order.

As the commander-in-chief of the imperial guards for more than 30 years, Chen Xuanli has his own code of conduct.

During the Kaiyuan period, there were so many confidants of the saint who followed the coup.

The commanders of the Northern Ya Imperial Guards, Ge Fushun, Tang Diwen, Li Shoude, Wang Jingyao, and Gao Guangji, were all more glamorous than the other.

These people regarded themselves as wealthy and powerful, formed cliques and factions, and were eventually demoted one after another.

Chen Xuanli learned his lesson and only listened to Li Longji's orders, doing only his job and not asking about anything else.

"General, please help me pass this memorial to my father..."

Seeing that Chen Xuanli was unaware of the situation, Li Heng saved himself and went back to write a memorial, hoping that Chen Xuanli would give it to Li Longji.

This memorial shows how filial I am and how much I care about my father's health. It also explains what I have been doing during this period, without any extra thoughts. Please don't be misled by rumors.

"I will obey your orders!"

Chen Xuanli believed that Li Longji would not blame him for such a thing and agreed to Li Heng's request.

It is hard to say what Li Heng's future will be like, and he doesn't want his relationship with Li Heng to be too strained. Everyone has to consider the future.

Even though Chen Xuanli took Li Heng's letters away, Li Heng was still extremely anxious.

He paced in the hall, from day to night, from night to dawn, unable to sleep or eat.

The next day, Li Heng asked Chen Xuanli how he was doing. Chen Xuanli only told him that the memorial had been delivered, but the emperor had not replied.

This made Li Heng feel anxious all day long...

……

Taiyuan, the government office of the Hedong Jiedushi.

The prince's servant died outside the city of Taiyuan. Although the magistrate of Taiyuan tried to cover it up, the news soon reached the ears of Wang Zhongsi's subordinates.

Wang Zhongsi is the ambassador of Hedong, who monitors Hedong on behalf of the emperor.

Taiyuan City is under Wang Zhongsi's nose, and there are many smart people among Wang Zhongsi's subordinates.

They immediately asked the coroner to examine the body, and dispatched the Hedong Tianbing Army cavalry to set up checkpoints and search for suspicious persons near Taiyuan.

The Tianbing Army was the strategic army of Hedong, located in the city of Taiyuan, with a total of 30,000 soldiers.

After searching for a while, nothing was found.

The coroner examined the body and found that the man had been fatally shot in the chest with a dagger.

In addition, since his money was missing, it was easy for people to think that he was committing murder for money.

But the identity of the deceased is too sensitive!
After seeing this situation, the Taiyuan magistrate was terrified, fearing that Wang Zhongsi would use him as a sacrifice.

But in that situation, he had no choice but to report it to the emperor immediately. He couldn't just tell Wang Zhongsi and let it go!

Fortunately, Wang Zhongsi never caused trouble for the Taiyuan magistrate and always kept his subordinates under control. Any soldier who dared to stay in front of the Taiyuan County Government would be subject to military law.

In the main hall of the Jiedushi's government office, Wang Zhongsi sat for a long time, sighed, then stood up and took down a large bag from the wall.

In this bag, his two-stone lacquer bow is stored!

(End of this chapter)