The film and television world begins with the battle for the throne in Kowloon

Chapter 1152: Hou Junji's Current Situation
Li Yan knew that Zhang Xuansu's plan was not wrong, and he was only thinking about himself. But he didn't know that the chaos in Hebei had just begun, so there was no credit to speak of. In the current situation, whoever rushed the fastest would die the fastest.

Even though the Turks are not killing people indiscriminately now, they are sharpening their knives and waiting for their real opponents.

Do you really think that the ferocious prairie wolves are vegetarians?
What's more, with the current situation in the court, the emperor's faction has no power to win at all.

Even if you can fight, you have to give up and stay in Chang'an to avoid disaster. When the nest is overturned, as long as you can avoid losses, it will be a huge gain. Isn't it good to sit back and watch the powerful enemy fall step by step?
Seeing Zhang Xuansu's expectant face, Li Yan had no way to explain, so he had to continue to pretend to be confused and asked tentatively: "Then who do you think is capable of the important task, teacher?"

"How is Hou Junji?"

As expected, Zhang Xuansu's face was full of excitement: "Hou Junji is not only an important official of the two dynasties, but also participated in almost all the wars since the establishment of the Tang Dynasty. He has a very high prestige in the army, and now he is the Grand Marshal, and he is also the grandfather of the prince."

"I believe that if he were to take over as the commander-in-chief, he would be able to quickly quell the chaos in Hebei."

Li Yan's face froze slightly, then quickly softened. In his heart, he kept complaining about the old man meddling in his affairs and causing trouble for him.

"If the teacher hadn't told me, I would have almost forgotten about it."

Although he felt annoyed, Li Yan said with full agreement: "Speaking of which, Hou Junji has been recuperating at home since the last assassination attempt. He has not attended court for two months. Thanks to the teacher for reminding me. I am usually too busy and exhausted. Fortunately, the teacher is here."

"Haha, this is what an old minister should do." Receiving the emperor's generous praise, Zhang Xuansu held his beard and smiled, grinning from ear to ear, feeling that his efforts were not in vain.

"Well, I am very busy with government affairs. Teacher, please go to the Taiwei Mansion for me. If Hou Junji is in good health, let him go to Hebei."

Zhang Xuansu responded happily: "Since the emperor said so, I will come. Hou Junji has fought in wars all his life, but he can't leave the army for a day. If he knew that the emperor wanted to use him, he would definitely come here happily to express his gratitude."

In the third year of Zhenguan, when Li Chengqian was still the crown prince, Zhang Xuansu and Hou Junji began to deal with each other. The two also discussed together how to deal with other princes and ensure the crown prince's smooth succession to the throne!
Li Chengqian had not been in Chang'an for more than ten years, and the relationship between the two had not become alienated, so he was very familiar with Hou Junji's character. As long as Hou Junji was appointed as the chief general, he could completely replace the emperor in Shandong, so wouldn't he get the reward for his contribution?

After bidding farewell to the emperor, Zhang Xuansu hurried out of the palace and came to Hou Junji's mansion.

One of them is the emperor's teacher, and the other is the emperor's father-in-law. They are also good friends for many years. Everyone in Lu Guogong's mansion is familiar with Zhang Xuansu.

The new housekeeper Hou Wan entertained him attentively: "I heard that Lord Zhang was promoted to Right Prime Minister, and my master has been talking about coming to congratulate him in person. But since the beginning of winter, my master has become increasingly sick and can't even go out."

"It is a happy occasion that Master Zhang is here today. My master will definitely be happy."

Zhang Xuansu followed Hou Wan, walked along the east corridor around the main hall, and headed for the garden in the back hall. Hearing this, he did not exchange pleasantries with Hou Wan as usual, but frowned and asked, "How is your master's health? Didn't I hear that he went to the East Palace to help the prince farm a while ago?"

"It seemed like it was getting better, but why did it suddenly get worse again?"

"Oh, Master Zhang, who said it wasn't true?"

Hou Wan followed Hou Junji's instructions and said, "It's all our master's fault for being so stubborn. He went to work before he recovered. Master Zhang, you know that farming may not be as dangerous as fighting on the battlefield, but it is more tiring."

"The master wanted to help His Royal Highness the Crown Prince share more of the burden, and the wound burst open."

"Later, in a state of panic, he suffered internal injuries. You know, my master has fought in battles all his life, and has suffered countless old wounds from knife cuts, spear stabs, axes, and arrows. Add to that the severe winter weather, and all of them flared up at once, and that's why he passed away."

"Master Zhang, you have been dealing with my master for a lifetime, so you know his temper. If he really couldn't get up, he would never lie in bed."

At this time, Zhang Xuansu's interest had long disappeared. Listening to Hou Wan's complaints, he felt more depressed.

After passing through the garden, the two came directly to the bedroom where Hou Junji was recuperating.

As soon as Hou Wanyi opened the door, a strong smell of medicine hit him in the face, making Zhang Xuansu subconsciously hold his breath.

"Hou Wan, why is there such a strong smell of medicine? Why don't you let it go?"

Hou Wan said awkwardly, "I'm sorry, Master Zhang. The imperial physician has said that the master cannot stand the light or the cold, otherwise he may not survive this winter. For the sake of the master's health, the queen personally ordered that the doors and windows must be kept closed."

After getting used to it for a while, the two stepped into the house.

The windows of the dormitory were closed. There were several charcoal pots burning in the room. The temperature was not low and it was warm, but the light was very dim and the air was very stuffy.

An old servant was slowly boiling medicine in a clay pot in the corner. Steam was rising and the whole room was filled with the smell of medicine coming from here.

Two maids stood at the door and saluted the visitor.

Hou Wan motioned Zhang Xuansu to wait at the door, and he crossed the screen into the inner room and whispered, "Master, is Lord Zhang here to see you?"

"Uh"

All I heard was a hoarse, extremely weak voice, tremblingly asking: "Master Zhang? Which Master Zhang?" "Sir, it's the former Prince's tutor, Master Zhang Xuansu."

"Oh, ahem, Master Zhang is here."

The voice coughed twice and said a little excitedly: "Master Zhang is not a stranger, please come in, I want to see him."

"Yes, sir."

Hou Wan then came out and smiled apologetically: "Master Zhang, the master wants you to come in?"

"Ah."

Zhang Xuansu walked around the screen and saw the familiar figure lying on the bed. He was struggling to get up, but after trying for a long time, he still couldn't get up.

Hou Wan hurriedly took two steps forward, helped Hou Junji up, and put two quilts behind him. Hou Junji then leaned back and panted, as if he had used up all his strength just getting up.

Seeing the once vigorous and powerful general now bedridden like a useless person, and thinking of their nearly twenty years of friendship, Zhang Xuansu's eyes reddened, and he stepped forward and asked with concern: "Jun Ji, we haven't seen each other for only a month, how come you look like this?"

"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would hardly dare to believe it. Is this you?"

Hou Junji quickly ordered, "Hou Wan, move a stool to Master Zhang's bedside and have someone serve tea. I want to talk to Master Zhang."

Hou Wan moved the stool next to him, and a maid went to make two cups of tea and brought them over on a tray. Another maid placed the tea on the small table beside the bed, and then stepped aside to serve.

"Haha, a clay pot will break if it is not kept away from the well, and a general will inevitably die in battle."

Hou Junji, who looked haggard, smiled miserably and said weakly: "God has his own way, and retribution will come at some point! I have fought on the battlefield all my life, and countless souls have died under my sword. Even if it was for the country, I have also killed many innocent people in vain."

"It is not surprising that he has ended up like this now."

"I have no complaints. Compared to my comrades who died on the battlefield, I am still alive today. I am the Grand Commandant of the current dynasty, my daughter is the Queen, and my grandson is the Crown Prince. It is worth it. Even if I die now, I have no complaints."

"Ugh, cough, cough, cough... cough, cough"

Before he could finish his words, Hou Junji covered his mouth with his hands and gasped violently. Hou Wan, who was serving him, quickly reached out and stroked Hou Junji's back. After comforting him, he brought some hot water to help Hou Junji calm down.

After struggling for a while, Hou Junji finally calmed down and said, "Master Zhang, I heard that you were promoted to Right Prime Minister?"

"Yes, it's all because of the emperor's trust. This old minister is terrified."

"That's great, congratulations. I've said before that you are a capable official in governing the country, and you have taught His Majesty for many years, so your emotions are far better than others. As long as the emperor stabilizes the situation, he will definitely make use of you, and now it has come true."

After a while of polite conversation, Hou Junji asked, "You came here today because of something, right? Is the emperor in trouble?"

Zhang Xuansu smiled with a complicated expression, and then he told him about the situation in Hebei. He also told him his plan, pretending to be the emperor's intention: "The Turks are plundering Hebei, and the court has dispatched a large army to encircle and suppress them. The emperor intends to let you lead the army."

"That's why I came here to ask you what you think, but your current situation is... Alas."

Hou Junji was surprised: "What? A small group of Turks are so arrogant and they haven't been pacified yet? I cough..."

"What? You don't know?" Zhang Xuansu looked incredulous.

The situation in Hebei was so bad that no one in the court knew about it. Hou Junji was both a general and a lieutenant, so why did he seem to be unaware of the inside story?

Hou Wan hurried forward to calm down, his hands moving constantly as he explained, "Master Zhang, you can see that my master is so ill, how can he worry about state affairs? The emperor and the queen care about us and have personally instructed us."

"Don't disturb my master with anything happening in the court. Let him recover from his illness in peace."

"To be honest, many civil and military officials have come to visit my master recently, especially the young generals in the army. They all want to ask my master to come out of retirement, or ask him to go to Hebei to defend against the enemy."

Hou Wan pointed to a yellow silk cloth on the long table in the north of the bedroom and said helplessly, "For this reason, the Empress personally asked the Emperor for an imperial decree, which blocked the colleagues from coming. It was only when Lord Changsun came to visit the patient two days ago that the master saw him once."

"Besides that, I haven't seen anyone lately."

"We dare not tell the master about the situation in Hebei, for fear that he would be angry. If something goes wrong due to his worry, we cannot bear the wrath of the queen!"

(End of this chapter)