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

Chapter 864 The Emperor's Power

Li Yan sighed, "I know that if I am too popular, it will sooner or later arouse Jie Li's suspicion, but he will hide his bow only when all the rabbits are gone. I thought Jie Li would use me to pacify the grassland and then attack me."

"I thought of everything, but the only thing I didn't expect was that the hero who once boasted that he would conquer the world has now become a gatekeeper, just wanting to guard this little piece of land in the eastern grassland and live an honest life behind closed doors."

"This gave him an opportunity to take advantage of and he was surrounded by the Tang Dynasty."

Hou Junji did not look down on Li Yan because of this. Instead, he was very pleased. The weak prince who needed protection back then has now become a famous general on the battlefield. His experience and achievements are even not inferior to those of the former King of Qin.

After five or six years of trials and tribulations, the boy has grown into a fierce young man. After long battles and the rough life in the desert, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has become tall and strong, with a sturdy build, and the look between his eyebrows and eyes shows the heroic spirit of a strong man.

In Hou Junji's eyes, he had already become the same calm and steady King of Qin.

Hou Junji picked up the wine bowl, drank it casually, and said happily: "Your Highness is right. Although you are not in Chang'an, your Highness is still expanding the territory of the Tang Dynasty. Your contribution is no less than that of the original emperor. Even if Haitang knew about it, she would be proud of your Highness."

"Since you don't plan to go back for the time being, what are your plans next, Your Highness?"

Li Yan's expression became serious, and he asked solemnly: "Father-in-law, if you can only choose one between me and my father, which side will you stand on?"

Well.
I didn't expect to face the situation I was worried about just now so soon. Hou Junji smiled bitterly, hesitated for a while, and then said bitterly: "The emperor has been very kind to me. I have vowed long ago to repay him with my life."

"But Haitang is my only daughter left. I hope Your Highness will try not to put me in a difficult position. Of course, if it really comes to that, I will put my daughter's happiness first."

A look of understanding emerged on Li Yan's face. This was already within his expectations. Li Shimin had other princes, Empress Changsun also had two legitimate sons, and Changsun Wuji had many choices. Only Hou Junji had no choice but to be loyal to him.

This is also the reason why Li Yan summoned Hou Junji alone tonight. Otherwise, he could ask Changsun Wuji to do it. I believe that the old man Changsun would be more willing.

"Father, please pretend that our meeting tonight never happened. Don't tell anyone that I am the Right Wise King of the Turks."

Hou Junji was speechless and said, "Your Highness, what do you mean? It's fine if you don't want to go back, but why don't you even allow us to tell you any news? Your Highness, do you know that the Emperor and the Empress, as well as Haitang and her son, all want to know if your Highness is still alive?"

"Absolutely not."

Li Yan explained with a serious look: "Father-in-law, if the emperor knew, he would also take action against the forces of the Eastern Palace. Because as long as I am still alive, my current power will far exceed the level that an emperor can tolerate for the crown prince."

"The reason why my father allowed those ministers with grassland backgrounds to defect to the Eastern Palace was because he thought I was in danger. Once he was sure that I was still alive, whether I returned or not, he would dismember this group to weaken the power of the Eastern Palace."

"This is the emperor's guarantee for the safety of his power, and it will not change whether I am in Chang'an or on the grassland."

"And if the Queen Mother or Haitang knew about it, it would be equivalent to the Emperor knowing about it."

"They are all the closest people to my father. In the harem and the East Palace, and even around my father-in-law, there are people of my father. It cannot be kept secret."

"what?"

When Hou Junji heard this, he felt as if a thorn was on his back, and he jumped up quickly from his chair: "Are you saying that there are also spies of the emperor around me?"

"What's so weird about this?"

Li Yan looked at Hou Junji as if he was a fool. "You are the general of the Right Guard, holding the military power of half of the Imperial Guard. How can the emperor be at ease? Isn't it natural to leave two eyes and ears?"

"Who doesn't have one around the generals who command the most important troops in the court?"

Li Yan didn't know that Tu Changgui was serving under Hou Junji, and he didn't intend to reveal his true identity. On the one hand, it was arranged by Old Li, and as a son, it was not easy for him to reveal his true identity; on the other hand, he also knew that for a general like Hou Junji,

The emperor must have spies around him, and Tu Changgui is definitely not the only one.

Even if Tu Changgui was exposed, there would still be Zhou Changgui, Li Changgui, Ma Changgui, etc. There would be no point in finding a secret spy. Instead, it would make the emperor wary and make the relationship awkward.

Instead of looking for spies around you, it is better to face it calmly and be careful and cautious in what you do.

Seeing Hou Junji's grim expression, Li Yan half reminded and half comforted him: "Father-in-law, don't think too much. The emperor is responsible for the safety of the world and the people's lives. The generals are the cornerstone of the stability of the world."

"Whether the emperor can firmly control the army and important generals is the fundamental guarantee for the stability of the country. This is the emperor's responsibility and obligation, and it is not affected by the emperor's personal likes and dislikes."

"It has always been like this throughout history."

"Besides, these people are only there to ensure that the generals have no intention of rebellion. For example, when the generals are away from the army, they kill people, burn things, rape and plunder, and take money and appoint private individuals. Do you really think the emperor doesn't know about this?"

"It's just that the emperor is very tolerant of generals with great forces, and doesn't care." Li Yan waved the handkerchief in front of Hou Junji, who looked heavy-faced, and said nonchalantly, "Father already knew the origin of my father-in-law's 'one million gold'. If Li Ke and Wei Zheng hadn't revealed it in front of everyone, Father wouldn't have cared."

"If my father-in-law wants to get rid of this surveillance, he has to give up his military power and become a rich man in the mansion, which will have no impact on the stability of the country."

"At that time, even if you wanted the emperor to spend energy to keep an eye on you, the emperor would not be interested."

After hearing what Li Yan said, Hou Junji felt a lot more at ease.

It must be said that what the prince said made sense. Seeing the handkerchief in Li Yan's hand, Hou Junji thought that he had done it perfectly. But now he said with an embarrassed look: "So, the emperor specifically criticized the King of Shu and Wei Zheng that day."

Li Yan said confidently: "Father-in-law, you must know that the power that an emperor can mobilize is very terrifying."

"As long as he wants to know, there is nothing he can't find out."

"Father is thinking about you fighting for the Tang Dynasty all your life, and your family is gone. He set up a scheme to squeeze the King of Shu for the sake of his daughter and son-in-law, so he deliberately favored you. Otherwise, as long as he gave the order, Dou's Qianzhuang would not dare to hide it."

"No matter how trustworthy they are, they dare not challenge the imperial power."

Hou Junji's face changed drastically, sometimes turning green, sometimes white, and finally he sighed dejectedly: "The emperor treats me well, doesn't he?"

"Yes, father-in-law."

Li Yan pointed out: "It's not difficult to be a general. As long as you don't have any thoughts of rebellion and are loyal to the emperor, nothing else matters. Of course, you have to be careful when doing those things. The emperor can ignore it."

"If the censors or political enemies find fault with you, the emperor will have no choice but to handle it impartially."

Hou Junji suddenly felt that something seemed wrong and looked at Li Yan with a strange expression. "Since you want to be loyal to the emperor, why do you want me to hide your whereabouts?"

Li Yan realized that he had shot himself in the foot, and hurriedly explained, "Aren't we doing this for the sake of the Tang Dynasty? I left the luxurious Chang'an City to fight for the Tang Dynasty in the bitter cold outside the Great Wall."

"It's just a small detail, don't take it too seriously. No matter how powerful Father is, he can't reach Mobei."

"We kept it a secret from Father because we didn't want to embarrass him. When the world is at peace, I will naturally return and take over my kingdom. Before that, no matter who comes forward to provoke me, Father-in-law should not worry too much."

"Let those clowns run wild, my throne is mine and no one can take it away from me."

Hou Junji sighed silently and nodded silently. If the prince was allowed to develop recklessly on the grassland, it would not be impossible to unify the grassland in another ten or eight years. With such strength, even Li Shimin could not stop the prince from succeeding to the throne.

What’s more, the King of Wei and the King of Shu were princes who grew up in a greenhouse?
Faced with such a complicated and strange situation, Hou Junji was a little confused and really didn't know what to do.

This had long gone beyond his understanding of imperial power and the succession to the throne.

But there was one thing he absolutely did not want to see Li Shimin, whom he had supported all his life, and his son-in-law confronting each other and ending up in a fight to the death.

Hou Junji had to admit at this time that it was indeed not good for Li Yan, the Right Wise King, to return to Chang'an now.

Now that the situation has developed to this point, we should just do as the prince says.

The situation is beyond his control, but as long as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is safe, he will take care of everything.

Suddenly, Hou Junji seemed to have put down a heavy burden in his heart, and stopped thinking about it. He cupped his hands and said, "Since Your Highness has made the decision, I will obey Your Highness in everything. I just don't know how Your Highness plans to deal with the current situation?"

"How are your troops deployed?"

Seeing that Li Yan asked about defense, Hou Junji no longer concealed anything and told him all of Changsun Wuji's plans and arrangements.

Li Yan finally made up his mind: "I want you to transfer the Flying Tiger Army from the east gate and let my 20,000 cavalry leave."

"Uh"

Hou Junji was horrified: "Your Highness, if you take a few hundred people with you, create some chaos, and leave at night, with my secret support, you can do it without anyone noticing. But there are 20,000 people in Liaodong City who are going to leave. How can you do that?"

"I am not the commander-in-chief. I am only responsible for the defense of the east. No matter what, I cannot hide it from Zhangsun Wuji, Tang Jian, Yuchi Jingde and others?"

(End of this chapter)