Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

As Li Shimin's murmurs faded, his face was filled with helplessness.

The old friend who had accompanied him in conquering the world, the person he once trusted the most, has now embarked on the path of usurping power.

"Hey!"

Li Shimin sighed heavily, then closed his eyes and waited in the hall.

The hall fell silent, without a single sound except for the palace maids frequently replacing the burnt-out candles.

As the night deepened, the temperature in the hall grew colder.

I don’t know how long it took.

The eunuch walked slowly to the front of the hall and reported softly, "Your Majesty, Li Junxian requests an audience."

Li Shimin still closed his eyes: "Announce."

After receiving the order, the eunuch turned around and walked out of the hall quickly.

Not long after, Li Junxian, wearing a Qianniu suit, strode in. Upon closer inspection, a thick layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"See Your Majesty."

Li Shimin slowly opened his eyes, and a dazzling light seemed to flash in the darkness.

"What's the matter?"

The cold tone made Li Junxian's heart tremble.

Li Junxian glanced fearfully behind the screen. He knew that there was a large group of black-armored soldiers holding Mo Dao standing there.

Even in other places in the hall, there are many Black Armored Soldiers hiding.

Li Junxian suppressed his inner fear and knelt to report, "Your Majesty, Duke Zhao has brought me an interpretation of the prophecy of the [Female Warrior King], and he also said that Your Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince intend to eliminate me."

"I am loyal to Your Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and have absolutely no intention of usurping the throne!"

"I hope your Majesty will learn from this!"

After saying this, he kowtowed several times.

Li Shimin asked in a complicated tone: "What did Zhangsun Wuji say to you?"

His tone was full of disappointment.

Li Junxian quickly replied, "Your Majesty, Duke Zhao said that there is only one way for me to survive, and that is to imprison Your Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and support His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin to ascend the throne."

"I have received Your Majesty's grace and have pledged my allegiance to you till death. How could I possibly betray my master?"

"What I have just said is all true. Your Majesty, please make your decision."

Then he told Zhangsun Wuji everything he had said to him.

He asked why he had been feeling palpitations and his right eyelid had been twitching uncontrollably for the past two days. It turned out that Changsun Wuji was plotting against him behind his back.

If it weren't for the help of Duke Hanguo, he would probably have been fooled by Changsun Wuji.

As the commander of the emperor's personal guards, Li Junxian was very aware of the power of prophecies. For example, General Liu Lan of the Right Army died because of a prophecy.

What a blessing!

Fortunately, he swallowed his pride and begged Mr. Han Guo, otherwise he would be in trouble!

As Li Junxian finished speaking, the hall fell into silence again.

a long time.

Li Shimin asked softly, "Li Junxian, will you endanger the Tang Dynasty?"

this...

Li Junxian's expression suddenly changed.

Thinking of what Duke Han Guo had told him a few months ago, Li Junxian licked his dry lips and spoke sincerely.

"Your Majesty, I was originally a subordinate of Li Mi of the Wagang Fortress, and later became a cavalryman under Wang Shichong. Disgusted by Wang Shichong's brutal character, I decisively led my troops to submit to the Supreme Emperor."

"Later, I followed Your Majesty in campaigns across the country, defeating Song Jingang, suppressing Wang Shichong, defeating Dou Jiande and Liu Heita, and repelling the Eastern Turkic army."

"I have risen from a mere bandit to become the Great General of the Left Thousand Oxen Guard today, all thanks to Your Majesty's grace. I am loyal to Your Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Never have two minds!"

After saying this, he kowtowed several times.

Duke Hanguo told him that Zhangsun Wuji, Yuwen Jie and others would use this prophecy to force him to rebel, and this was not his fate.

The murderous calamity upon him came from His Majesty himself.

Because the prophecy of the [Female Martial King] that Yuan Tiangang mentioned came from the ancient book "Secret Records", which is a book of prophecies with traces that can be traced!

If Your Majesty believes this prophecy, he will die sooner or later.

Just as the last emperor of Qi killed Hulugu based on rumors, Your Majesty will also kill him, the person who fulfilled the prophecy, based on prophecies.

On the imperial platform.

Li Shimin smiled and asked, "Li Junxian, since the prophecy of the [Female Warrior King] came out, have you asked Du He for help?"

Li Junxian replied honestly, "Your Majesty, I did indeed look for Duke Hanguo."

He did not dare to hide anything and told the whole story in detail.

After listening.

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes and said, "So that bastard Du He knew it from the beginning. No wonder Zhangsun Wuji was always led by the nose."

"He really has inherited Du Ruhui's wisdom. What a monster!"

After some emotion.

Li Shimin said in a gentle voice: "Li Junxian, get up. I believe in your loyalty to the Tang Dynasty."

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty!"

Li Junxian's tone was filled with the palpitations of surviving a disaster.

He kowtowed again and then got up with a nervous look on his face.

Li Shimin continued, "The day after tomorrow, you will perform a play with Zhangsun Wuji, leading the black-armored soldiers wearing the Qianniu Guards to surround me, the crown prince, and others."

"I want to see the choices of the other princes!"

"What we talked about in the hall today must not be spread outside."

Let the Xuanjia Army pretend to be the Qianniu Guards?

Sure enough, His Majesty still has some doubts in his heart...

Li Junxian was stunned for a few breaths, then he quickly bowed and replied, "I obey your command!"

He also didn't expect that His Majesty also wanted to test the loyalty of the princes through Zhangsun Wuji, Yuwen Jie and others.

...

The next day.

A meeting of hundreds of officials.

The civil and military officials did not see Zhangsun Wuji, and their hearts were full of doubts.

"Why hasn't Duke Zhao returned?"

"Could it be that he stayed overnight at Yuhua Palace?"

"Something happened?"

Just as all the officials were speculating in their minds, Changsun Wuji, with a tired face, walked quickly in from outside the hall.

After bowing and greeting Li Chengqian.

Changsun Wuji bowed and said, "Your Highness, I stayed overnight at Yuhua Palace and started rushing back to Chang'an at dawn. I am late for court today. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

Li Chengqian waved his hand: "Take a seat."

After Changsun Wuji sat down, the court meeting continued.

In addition to discussing the preparations for the wars against Tubo and India, the court meetings in recent days also reported on the progress of various major projects.

For example, the renovation and expansion of several Wanli official roads, the excavation of the Dayuling Ancient Road, and the division of prefectures and counties in the newly conquered territories...

As the court meeting came to an end.

Li Chengqian said loudly, "Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. Your Majesty invites all officials of Chang'an above the fourth rank to come to Yuhua Palace to celebrate the festival together."

"Tomorrow at noon, everyone will follow me to Yuhua Palace."

what!

Your Majesty is hosting a banquet for all officials to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together?

All the civil and military officials were stunned for a moment, then they stood up holding their tablets and saluted.

"The minister obeys the order!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, and Your Highness the Crown Prince, for your grace!"

In the past, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, His Majesty only entertained ministers of the third rank and above, and these fourth rank ministers had no chance.

Li Chengqian gave a few more instructions to the officials, asking them to arrange government affairs, and then announced the adjournment of the court.

...

Ministry of official affairs.

Zhang Xuansu asked anxiously, "Duke Zhao, what did Li Junxian say?"

His eyes were bloodshot and his face looked very tired. It was obvious that he had not slept all night last night.

Changsun Wuji smiled and nodded: "Everything is going well, proceed as planned."