Sima Lan was in the tent, but he had already figured out the cause and effect of the matter.
As dawn approached, Sima Lan sat on a chair. In just two hours, he seemed to have aged several years, but his eyes were still extremely deep.
The moment he was brought into the tent, he understood everything.
He never expected that Ping Lin Qiu Shou, whom he had remonstrated with, would be used by Long Tai as an opportunity to plot against him. Although he was cautious, he never expected that the Northern Expedition was imminent and that the little emperor would actually attack him.
Before he came to the emperor's camp, he already felt that he was in trouble. However, he had experienced countless storms in his life and turned the corner every time. Otherwise, he would not have become the powerful minister he is today.
He originally wanted to see Longtai, as long as he met the little emperor and figured out the other person's thoughts. Even if the other party was really ready to attack him, Sima Lan was confident that he could completely reverse the situation. As long as Xiao used his power to make the emperor understand that rash actions would cause consequences. Sima Lan believed that the emperor would give up the idea of irreversible consequences. As long as he got through this disaster, he believed that from now on, the little emperor would never have a chance to do something to him again.
But the little emperor didn't even see him, and even put him under house arrest. Sima Lan knew that he was almost in a desperate situation.
The lights flickered, and Sima Lan went through the recent events in detail in his mind from beginning to end. He admitted that he had indeed taken things lightly in some places, but it still surprised him that the little emperor could come up with such a plan.
Both the means and the timing were carefully planned. It is hard to believe that the little emperor planned all of this himself.
Will the little emperor guard himself to death next
Of course it is possible, but without conclusive evidence, would the young emperor really dare to attack the founding hero of the country? He is the first minister appointed by the former emperor. If there is no conclusive evidence, Longtai will kill the first minister, and the court will inevitably be in chaos. Will the young emperor take this into consideration
Chu Cangge is an assassin, but this does not prove that he is the mastermind.
Sima Lan knew that he needed to remain absolutely calm at this time. Although he was old, his mind was still clear. At this time, he was thinking about the attack points that Longtai might catch in this incident, and he had to quickly come up with a response. method.
Suddenly he heard a movement behind him. Although it was very light, Sima Lan still noticed it and turned around. There was a person standing behind him.
…
When Chen Lanting and Huangfu Zheng arrived outside the emperor's tent, the ugly moment had just passed.
Liu Wei was right in what he said. If the emperor really wanted to convict him of treason, Liu Wei was just an eunuch and could only send him a head. However, these two important officials of the court could not be compared with Liu Wei.
To be able to climb to where they are today, the two of them were certainly promoted by Sima Lan, but more importantly they had spent countless years in the officialdom.
Few people are born to stand on the top of a mountain. Only through a difficult climb can they reach the top.
The longer the journey, the more obstacles there are around you.
Sima Lan vigorously promoted them, and they also promoted a group of disciples and appointed relatives and friends. They both knew that if they were convicted, they would not only have two heads, but hundreds or thousands of heads.
Throughout the ages, no emperor has ever been merciful to the crime of rebellion.
If the assassination incident was really planned by the emperor, it would prove that the emperor really wanted to take action against Sima Lan this time.
Sima Lan was extremely powerful in the court. Since Longtai ascended the throne, almost every political strategy formulated by Sima Lan in the court was successfully implemented, and almost no one in the court dared to oppose it.
Sima Lan was not only the chief minister, but also assisted the emperor in governing the government for many years. Indeed, no one had the qualifications or the courage to object to what he said on political matters.
Such power has no doubt with the emperor.
However, both Chen Lanting and Chen Lanting knew very well that having such great power in their hands would not only arouse the fear of the ministers, but also attract the emperor's guard.
Throughout the history books, powerful ministers who have been in power for a while often have only two paths to take. One is to usurp the throne and replace them, while the other path is a dead end.
Sima Lan is the founding hero of the country. He is almost second to none in terms of qualifications and talents. Such a person really makes people full of hope for him. Chen Lanting and Huangfu Zheng were promoted by Sima Lan and took the position of Sima Lan from the beginning. Of course, they knew that their wealth and life were tied to the Sima family. Deep down in their hearts, they had already guessed that since Sima Lan had monopolized power, he would sooner or later take the road of usurping the throne.
For this reason, the two of them also tried their best to help Sima Lan expand his power. They also knew that Sima Lan's biggest weakness lay in his military power.
Although the Black Knife Battalion was a formidable cavalry team, it was impossible for just such a team to take on Sima Lan's plan to usurp the throne.
That's why Sima Lan gradually got involved in military power.
They originally thought that the emperor was young and King Huainan had been eliminated. Sima Lan held the position of chief minister and infiltrated the military without daring to say a word. But now both of them understood that the man on the dragon throne The young emperor is much more terrifying than he imagined.
There is already a cliff ahead. If you continue to follow Sima Lan at this time, you will only be shattered into pieces.
The two of them waited outside the tent for a moment before Liu Chen came out and said, "Two adults, the emperor has summoned you to come in."
The two of them looked at each other and entered the tent with their heads lowered. Once they arrived at the emperor's tent, they didn't even see the emperor. They knelt down on the ground, put their foreheads to the ground, and said in unison: "My lord, See the Emperor!"
After a period of silence, Long Tai's voice was heard: "The two dear friends want to see me at this time. Why do you want to see me?"
Chen Lanting raised his head and saw Longtai sitting behind the case. To his surprise, there was a person standing next to Longtai.
Jinyi is waiting for Qining!
The corners of Chen Lanting's eyes twitched slightly, thinking that the eunuch Liu Zhen's words were really unbelievable. Before, he asked if Jin Yihou was beside the emperor, but the eunuch said that Jin Yihou was nowhere to be seen, but Jin Yihou was clearly beside the emperor.
Of course Chen Lanting didn't know, and Qining was only one step ahead of them.
According to Long Tai's instructions, Qi Ning rushed to the Black Scale Camp overnight and mobilized five hundred cavalry. They arrived at the predetermined position at Chou hour. Qi Ning ordered Duan Canghai to personally lead the cavalry on standby, but he sneaked back to In the camp.
He knew that something big must happen in Ping Lin Qiu Shou, otherwise Long Tai would not have allowed him to secretly mobilize troops.
The rise and fall of Jinyihou Mansion is closely related to whether Longtai can secure his position. Even if it is not for the personal relationship between the two, Qining must try his best to keep Longtai safe.
Things are unpredictable, and he doesn't know what Longtai's detailed plan is, let alone whether there are loopholes in Longtai's plan. For Qining, at the most critical moment, personally guarding Longtai's side is definitely the most important thing. Proper arrangements.
When they arrived at the tent, before they even sat down, the two important ministers came to see them. Seeing their trembling looks, Qin Ning felt suspicious.
"Your Majesty, I heard that Your Majesty was assassinated during a night hunt, and I was really worried. I came here... I came here to see you. I only hope that Your Majesty will be well...!" Huangfu Zheng said reluctantly.
But Longtai went straight to the point: "Since you all know it, I don't need to go into details. Chu Cangge conspired to rebel and escaped at night. I ordered Jin Yihou to transfer to the Black Scale Camp to strengthen the Pinglin guards, and to find out the true identity here. The murderer behind the scenes." He leaned forward slightly: "If I don't find out about this matter, I will never move back to Beijing."
Huangfu Zheng and Chen Lanting were shocked again.
Only then did they realize that Liu Wei did not lie to them. Jin Yihou, who had been missing for a night, secretly mobilized the Black Scale Battalion according to the order. By now, both of them knew that the situation in Ping Lin was completely under the control of the emperor. in hand.
After Qi Ning left Pinglin tonight, he was still not clear about what happened in Pinglin. When he suddenly heard that the emperor was assassinated and Chu Cangge was plotting to rebel, his color changed slightly.
"Your Majesty, I came to see you to report something and to apologize to the Emperor." Huangfu Zheng put his forehead to the ground: "Eunuch Liu knew that the Emperor hunted at night and was worried about the Emperor's safety, so he sent someone to inform the Zhen... Zhen Guogong, just Duke Zhen Guo was resting at that time, so... so Eunuch Liu asked someone to tell the matter to his subordinates, and I… I found Mr. Chen and reported it to Duke Zhen Guo together with Mr. Chen."
Longtai said "Oh", raised his eyebrows slightly, and asked directly: "When I encountered an ambush, someone naturally leaked my whereabouts and arranged an ambush for assassins before I arrived. I know who knows about Night Hunting." Not many, and I have no doubts about them." Staring at Huangfu Zheng: "Huangfu Aiqing, why do the assassins know my whereabouts? What else do you know?"
Huangfu Zheng's spine went cold, and he immediately said: "I have no intention of harming the emperor. The emperor has been very kind to me, and I am loyal to the emperor. I only want to be shattered to pieces to repay the emperor's kindness."
"I don't want you to be broken into pieces. I just want to know who is trying to kill me." Long Tai's tone seemed to have a chill emanating from his bones: "Chen Lanting, it was you who recommended Chu Cangge to train horses. Tell me why you What evil intentions are behind recommending him?"
Chen Lanting's heart sank, thinking to himself that recommending Chu Cangge to train the horses was just as expected, and it really became evidence of his crime. He lay on the ground and said in fear: "Your Majesty, I saw Master Lu Xiaolu recommending Xue Ling." Feng, I thought that Chu Cangge was also good at riding and shooting, so...!" Before he finished speaking, he only heard Longtai snort coldly, and then heard Longtai say in a cold voice: "I didn't hear you clearly, please say it again and think clearly. Besides, make it clear."
Chen Lanting is not a three-year-old child. After Longtai said this, he understood the meaning instantly. The corners of his eyes twitched, he hesitated, and finally gritted his teeth and said: "Reporting to the Holy One, I... I was ordered by the Duke of Zhen to recommend Chu. Cang Ge!"
"On the orders of Duke Zhenguo?" Longtai said lightly: "Do you think I am a three-year-old child? At that time, Lu Xiao recommended Xue Lingfeng. In full public view, no one saw that Duke Zhenguo gave you any instructions. You When did you receive the order? Do you want to unjustly accuse the Duke of Zhen?"