Chapter 153 The conspiracy exposed
Ever since they were tricked by Li Xiang on the grassland, the Shandong gentry have been holding a grudge against him, especially the uncle and nephew of the Cui family, who wished to tear Li Xiang into pieces.

However, they never thought about one thing: if they were not so greedy, Li Xiang's plan would be of no use at all.

Of course, money can still be made.

However, just a few days after returning to Boling, he heard the news of the reform of the imperial examination system.

This piece of news was like a stone dropped into a toilet, causing a huge uproar among the aristocratic families and arousing public indignation!

The rest are fine, except for the last item, allocating quotas based on region. This is like boiling a frog in warm water, undermining the foundations of the aristocratic families bit by bit.

Just when they were feeling indignant, another piece of news came from Chang'an.

After the powerful Goguryeo minister Yeon Gaesomun killed the king, he brazenly launched an attack on Silla. The emperor was furious and prepared to lead the expedition against Goguryeo in person!

When this news reached Boling, it naturally attracted the attention of Cui's uncle and nephew.

This time, they suffered a setback on the grassland, not only losing their reputation, but also losing the support of Xueyantuo.

Of course they were not stupid. Before leaving, Bazhuo looked at them with something strange in his eyes.

They had every reason to suspect that those people were sent by Bazhuo.

With the enmity reaching this point, how could they possibly convince him to kill his father and establish his own kingdom, and join them in bringing trouble to the Tang Dynasty?
After careful consideration, Cui Tingzhi and his nephew Cui Jian immediately went to Goguryeo to meet Yeon Gaesomun.

At first, Yeon Gaesomun did not take them seriously.

But soon, Cui Tingzhi took out Bazhuo's golden knife and Li You's token.

"Please look, Da Molizhi. This is the golden sword of Bazhuo Khan, the eldest son of Xueyantuo Khan, and this one is the token of Li You, the King of Qi of the Tang Dynasty." Cui Tingzhi stroked his beard with a confident look.

Yeon Gaesomun only glanced at it. He did think of a possibility, but he still asked calmly, "I wonder why Mr. Cui showed me this?"

"I know that Goguryeo is now under pressure from the country, so it started a war with Silla." Cui Tingzhi said calmly: "If Silla goes to Chang'an to ask for help, the Tang Dynasty will certainly not sit idly by. If the Tang Dynasty orders Goguryeo to withdraw its troops, what will the Great Molizhi do?"

"What can we do? We just have to obey the Tang Dynasty." Yeon Gaesomun said indifferently.

"If Da Molizhi is really so naive, disaster may come soon!" Cui Tingzhi said.

"What do you mean, sir?" Yeon Gaesomun stared at Cui Tingzhi with his wolf-like eyes.

Cui Tingzhi was not moved at all: "The Tang Dynasty considers itself the Celestial Empire, and the death of your king will be held accountable to the Damolizhi no matter what. If you keep retreating, what will you do if the Tang Dynasty orders your king to hand over the Damolizhi?"

"In that case, please teach me, sir." Yeon Gaesomun said solemnly, "I also want to not submit to the Tang Dynasty, but the Tang Dynasty is so powerful and Goguryeo is attacked from all sides. I am afraid that I will not be able to resist the Tang Dynasty!"

"With these two tokens, Da Molizhi can rest assured!" Cui Tingzhi said with a smile.

"Oh?" Yeon Gaesomun asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Damolizhi should know that the reforms being carried out in the Tang Dynasty are all aimed at our Five Surnames and Seven Families! We don't want to sit and wait for death, we want to fight back." Cui Tingzhi said: "I happen to be familiar with the son of Xueyantuo Khan, and we are brothers. And the King of Qi of the Tang Dynasty is also quite close to me. If the Tang Dynasty dares to send troops to attack Goguryeo, then Goguryeo will hold back the Tang army in front, Xueyantuo will be outside, the King of Qi will be inside, and together with Damolizhi, the Tang army will surely be defeated!"

Although he broke up with Ba Zhuo, Cui Tingzhi could still take advantage of the information gap and use the golden knife to deceive Yeon Gaesomun. After all, the golden knife was real.

"Okay!" Yeon Gaesomun agreed immediately: "If it is true as you said, then the Tang Dynasty will not be a threat!"

He also wanted to doubt Cui Tingzhi, but his current situation forced him to choose to believe Cui Tingzhi.

Yeon Gaesomun cannot retreat in his current position. If he takes a step back, what awaits him will be an abyss of no return.

If you fall down, you will be smashed to pieces.

These words from Cui Tingzhi's uncle and nephew are the reason why Yeon Gaesomun was so tough when facing the Tang envoys, and he was even too lazy to soften his attitude.

He believed in what Cui Tingzhi's uncle and nephew said without a doubt. Sometimes people are like this, and they are more likely to trust others at such times.

After persuading Yeon Gaesomun, Cui Tingzhi and his nephew waited until Yeon Gaesomun met with the Tang envoys and then returned to the Tang Dynasty.

This time, they came to Qizhou.

At the same time, they also heard the news that the imperial carriage was preparing to go to Luoyang, and Li Shimin was officially preparing to lead the army in person!

The two of them did not delay and immediately arrived at Prince Qi's mansion.

"Mr. Cui!" When King Qi Li You heard that Cui's uncle and nephew wanted to see him, he did not dare to neglect them and immediately went out of the house to greet them.

This attitude of respecting the wise and humble seems to be true.

"I dare not trouble the King of Qi to come!" Cui Tingzhi was very frightened, and he and his nephew bowed and folded their hands.

"Hey, Mr. Cui is to me like Zhang Liang to Emperor Gaozu of Han and Kong Ming to Emperor Zhaolie. I am like a fish in water with your help!"

Li You flattered the author to the utmost, and it was Yin Hongzhi who forced him to recite these words after the New Year.

Cui Tingzhi immediately acted in awe and said, "How dare you, Your Majesty, praise me like this? I am ashamed to accept it."

"Sir, don't be so modest. Please come in." Li You invited Cui Tingzhi.

"Your Majesty, please."

When they entered the Prince of Qi's mansion, Li You immediately ordered someone to bring in the best fragrant tea.

After drinking tea, Li Youcai slowly asked, "Where did Mr. Cui come from? Xiao Wang also sent people to Boling to invite him, but he is not in Boling. I only regret that we can't meet each other from time to time to relieve my longing for him!"

This is what I said...

Cui Tingzhi's heart darkened, and he thought to himself, I'm not your teacher, otherwise I would definitely beat you up...

Is this how Acacia is used?

No matter what you think, you must not lose your manners.

"Your Majesty, I am coming from Goguryeo below." Cui Tingzhi bowed.

"Goguryeo?" Li You immediately became interested and asked with a smile, "There's news from the capital that the sage is going to personally lead an expedition to conquer Goguryeo. What do you think, sir?"

Finally, he smiled and said: "I never thought that Goguryeo, with just a tiny country, would dare to ignore the majesty of the Tang Dynasty and refuse the Tang Dynasty's request. It's really like a mantis trying to stop a chariot!"

"Then does your Majesty know why Goguryeo had the courage to reject the Tang Dynasty?" Cui Tingzhi narrowed his eyes with a complacent look.

"Oh?" Li You asked, "Could it be that there is another hidden story?"

"If I hadn't gone to Goguryeo and persuaded Yeon Gaesomun with my eloquent tongue, how could he dare to directly resist the order of the Tang Dynasty?" Cui Tingzhi said proudly.

Li You and Yin Hongzhi looked at each other and saw the surprise in each other's eyes.

What about this? "What do you think, sir?" Li You asked anxiously.

Cui Tingzhi stroked his beard and said, "I have discussed with Yeon Gaesomun that we can ally with Xueyantuo from the outside, and with the King of Qi behind us, Goguryeo can fight against the Tang army head-on. When the king's army marches out, the Tang army will be attacked from three sides and will inevitably be in chaos! Yeon Gaesomun heard my analysis and agreed to cooperate with the king from both inside and outside."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! You can ascend the throne soon!" Cui Tingzhi bowed.

When Li You heard this, he scratched his face with joy.

Cui Tingzhi looked down on him even more because of his anxious and impatient look.

Can such a person go against Li Shimin?
However, their purpose was not to overthrow Li Shimin's rule, but to cause as much trouble as possible to the Tang Dynasty.

As long as the strength of the Tang Dynasty is weakened, they will feel happier.

"When the war is at a stalemate, Your Majesty will personally lead an army to Chang'an and follow the example of the saints." Yin Hongzhi said with a smile: "When Your Majesty ascends the throne, don't forget my position as Shangshu You Pushe."

"What is Right Prime Minister?" Li You said with a smile, "Shangshu Ling!"

"Then I would like to congratulate the king in advance!" Yin Hongzhi even used the humble term "minister" to refer to the king.

Cui Tingzhi was talking on the side, saying, "You haven't even finished shitting yet, but you're already calling the dog over, right?"

"However," Li You said hesitantly, "After all, the current sage has experienced many battles. Can we really win? Can Goguryeo and Xueyantuo really be trusted?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room became solemn.

Which pot is not opened and which pot should I lift?
"Goguryeo was a powerful country in Liaodong. The former Sui Dynasty was several times stronger than the Tang Dynasty in terms of national strength and military might. However, what was the result when Emperor Yang of Sui led a million troops? No matter how powerful a sage is in commanding his troops, it would be difficult for him to escape unscathed when facing Goguryeo."

"Besides, the arrow has been put on the string and has to be shot. If you wait until Li Xiang ascends the throne and you offend him again, you will be killed without a burial place!" Yin Hongzhi said on the side: "You don't think that Li Xiang will let you go just because you are his uncle, do you? Have you seen Han Wang Li Yuanchang? That is your future fate!"

After hearing this, Li You's wavering heart instantly became firm.

"Now is a golden opportunity. If we don't seize it now, when will we?" Yin Hongzhi shouted again, "When you kill all the emperor's descendants, he will have no choice but to make you the crown prince, right?"

Yin Hongzhi’s suggestion was very good. He did not let Li You confront Li Shimin directly, but instead let him go to Chang'an to implement the one-child plan.

As a result, Li You's acceptance level was much higher, and even his belief was strengthened.

"If it weren't for what my uncle said, I would have almost died without a burial place!" Li You's eyes suddenly became clear. He glanced at Cui Tingzhi and his nephew, then at Yan Hongliang and his brother, and finally at Yin Hongzhi and said, "Okay! Let's proceed according to the original plan! When the emperor leads the army to attack Goguryeo and the rear is empty, you will follow me and lead the army to attack Chang'an!"

Just as he finished speaking, there was a clicking sound outside.

"Who!" Yin Hongzhi stood up and shouted.

Then, there was a sound of hurried footsteps, which gradually faded away.

Brothers Li You, Yin Hongzhi and Yan Hongliang hurriedly ran out to chase him, but ran into Li You's assassin Liang Mengbiao who was walking fast.

Liang Mengbiao reported: "Your Majesty, Chief Secretary Quan just ran out of the palace in a hurry, and I didn't dare to stop him..."

"What the hell are you reporting?" Yin Hongzhi cursed angrily, "Hurry up and take people to chase him! Yan Hongliang! Yan Hongxin!"

"I'm here!" The two of them stood up immediately.

"You two, each with 50 men, search the whole city for Quan Wanji!" Yin Hongzhi ordered loudly: "Liang Mengbiao! Zan Junmo! The two of you take your men and seal the gates of Qizhou City. Don't let Quan Wanji get away! If he gets away, you and I will both die without a burial place!"

"Yes!" The four of them hurriedly took the order and left.

"Uncle, what should I do! What should I do!" Li You was so anxious that he had no idea what to do. What if Quan Wanji reported him to Li Shimin, not to mention the throne, even his life would be in danger.

He knew his father too well. A man who enjoyed killing his brothers and sisters in his twenties, how could he be lenient in killing his son?

They are brothers who grew up together in Duke Tang’s Mansion. He can shoot whenever he wants... just like shooting a chicken!
He didn't think that his status in his father's heart was even one-tenth as high as that of Li Jiancheng, the Emperor of Tang.

"What are you panicking about!" Yin Hongzhi glared at Li You fiercely, pulled his collar and said angrily: "I ask you, what are you panicking about!"

"I, I..." Li You took a deep breath.

"Quan Wanji hasn't escaped yet, so we still have a chance!" Yin Hongzhi said viciously, "It's not even an incense stick of time, how could he escape from Qizhou City? Just don't worry!"

"Okay..." Li You took a deep breath and calmed himself down.

Yin Hongzhi also felt that the words were a bit harsh. After all, he was an uncle and he would always have feelings for his nephew.

He suppressed his temper, softened his expression, and comforted him in a gentle voice: "Don't worry, Ayou, your uncle is here."

"I believe in my uncle!" Li You took two breaths, and feeling that his mood had calmed down, he began to pray in his heart.

Pray to all the gods and Buddhas in the sky, and quickly capture Quan Wanji and tear him into pieces.

The civil servants of the Tang Dynasty were different from those of the Song and Ming dynasties in later generations. They were all generals and ministers, and they also had good physical fitness.

Quan Wanji had originally intended to visit the Prince of Qi at his mansion. After all, someone informed him in the morning that the Prince of Qi was ill, and as the Chief Secretary, it was only natural for him to come and visit.

In fact, Yin Hongzhi was also negligent and did not tell Liang Mengbiao about the confidential conversation, which resulted in Liang Mengbiao and Zan Junmo not knowing what was being talked about inside, and they did not care when Quan Wanji came in.

As he walked to the door in a swagger, Quan Wanji suddenly heard a familiar voice inside, still talking about Goguryeo.

He leaned sideways and saw that the person who made the familiar voice was Cui Tingzhi from the second branch of the Cui family of Boling.

After all, Quan Wanji is not from a poor family, so it is normal for him to know people from the Cui family.

"Quan" is not his surname, but his clan name; his surname is "Zi".

What are the ingredients? No need to say more, right?

The more he listened, the more frightened Quan Wanji became.

The King of Qi actually wanted to unite Goguryeo and Xueyantuo, and stir up trouble behind the scenes while the sage was personally leading the expedition against Goguryeo?
Then he heard about the King of Qi's plan for an only child, and he was so shocked that he stepped on and broke a dead branch without noticing.

Seeing that he was discovered by the people in the house, Quan Wanji knew that something was wrong and turned around and ran away immediately.

You must escape from Qizhou and run to Luoyang! Report to the Saint that the King of Qi is planning a rebellion!

We must never allow the traitors within our family to join forces with outsiders to harm the Tang Dynasty!

However, not long after running, I felt a tightness on my shoulders.

Then, he felt his body lighten and someone pressed him against the wall!

(Three more updates delivered!)
(End of this chapter)