Although he has not yet ascended to the throne, His Majesty's series of interviews have made the people of the imperial capital cheer with joy, but also made many people uneasy and even on pins and needles, such as the eldest prince Situ Tai, the third prince Situ Jun and the seventh prince Situ Yuan. Among them, they all secretly regretted why they returned to the Imperial Capital, especially when they forced themselves to return to the Imperial Capital to recuperate without the approval of their father. But at this time, they were afraid that if their father gave an order, they would have to stay in the Imperial Capital for the rest of their lives to recuperate. It's my share.
It turned out that all the ministers who had some intentions suddenly fell ill and were no longer seen. Except when summoned by their father, almost no one dared to go out casually. They all stayed in their respective houses. At this time, if you stand in the wrong team, you may be in danger of disaster, so you have to be cautious.
From the commander of the Imperial Guards to the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Habayashi Army to the commander of the Imperial Military Police, from the Imperial Interior Minister to the Imperial Police Chief to the Imperial Police Chief, from the Minister of Military Affairs to the Minister of Finance and several of his brothers, His Majesty the Emperor is here In three consecutive days, he met with more than a dozen important ministers and princes, but he did not summon his sons in Beijing. The situation that had been cloudy and foggy seemed to be in chaos again, and the news that His Majesty the Emperor would soon announce the position of the Crown Prince and that he was now preparing for the next Crown Prince quickly spread throughout the upper class society of the Imperial Capital.
Perhaps stimulated by the news of His Majesty's recovery, the City Guard Corps and the First Corps of the Northern Military Region have joined forces to launch an attack on the Taiping Army in Qinghe Prefecture. The two sides continued to engage in fierce battles in the south and east of Qinghe Prefecture; while in Baling, the Sixth Corps and Cooperating with the naval forces of the Southern Military District of the Empire, they attacked an important material storage place for the Maci Khans and had a head-on conflict with the Maci Khan army responsible for the defense. Both sides suffered casualties; the Imperial Navy fleet also continued to fight with the Japanese fleet within a few days. There were conflicts near Kamchatka Island and the Ryukyu Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, and several Japanese fleet ships were destroyed. For a time, the empire was like a giant bear awakening from hibernation, stretching out its claws from time to time, causing waves of waves.
In Situ Tai's private residence on Victory Avenue, although it was already dark, candles were brightly lit in the study. Guards stood a few meters outside the room and were roaming around. Their cold weapons exuded a biting chill in the air, half a man tall. The mastiff made a "whirring" gasping sound from its throat, and its dark pupils looked even more sinister and terrifying in the dark night. Even a figure appeared on the second floor opposite, quietly observing the surroundings, exchanging words with the guards passing below from time to time. holding information.
Situ Tai, who looked a little pale and swollen, sat back in the big chair in the study, staring blankly at the roof. Sitting beside him was Leng Qian, a senior think tank who had of course returned from the Kingdom of Doton. The sudden turn of the situation made this scheming man The elder also felt extremely troubled for a while. His Majesty's sudden improvement in health put his master into an embarrassing and dangerous situation. Of course, there were several other princes who had the same fate as his master. Presumably, they are also with his master now. Still at a loss for this.
The joy brought about by the Duodun Kingdom agreeing to continue the marriage cannot dilute the fear and worry in Situ Tai's heart at all. Even his own life may not be guaranteed. The marriage is still useful. Everything needs to be established after he successfully escapes from the imperial capital and returns to Yanyun. On, but now!
Situ Tai has never regretted his foolish decision to return to Beijing as he does now. Why did he have to go to the imperial capital to get involved? It should be such a pleasant and wonderful thing to stay in Beiyuan and sit on the Diaoyutai, but now it is self-defeating. The imperial capital is like a huge cage, shackles tightly here, unable to move even half a step. Thinking of this, Situ Tai wished he could slap himself twice.
Now how to do? Situ Tai looked for help at Leng Qian, who had been silently thinking. He only hoped that his wise man could point out a way out for him.
"Old Leng, what should we do in today's world?" At this time, Situ Tai could no longer care about anything. He took a deep breath and managed to calm down his turbulent mood.
"Well, Your Highness, I'm afraid we can only sit and wait for now. Your Majesty has summoned the City Guards and the Department of the Interior. The number of sentinels outside our place has increased several times. Your Majesty has personally issued a ban on several His Highnesses. Leaving the imperial capital will clearly put several of your highnesses under house arrest. If we leave now, I am afraid that there will be immediate disaster." The skinny old man said quietly.
"Oh? A tiger's poison will not eat its own children. How could your father be so cruel?" Situ Taiyi didn't seem to believe it.
"Your Highness, you underestimate Your Majesty. When His Majesty was young, he killed more than ten people with a royal stick, which was a major event that shocked the Empire. Everyone knows that at a critical moment involving the survival of the Empire, for the long-term plan of the Empire, I don't think Your Majesty will There will be no mercy or hesitation." The old man shook his head and smiled bitterly. His master thought of his father too simply. In matters like this that involve the wealth and lives of tens of millions of people, your majesty, although he is old, is not confused and will definitely act accordingly. It exerts the force of thunder and lightning.
Situ Tai shuddered and said hesitantly: "In Lao Leng's opinion, don't I just sit here and wait for death?"
"Well, as long as there is no change in His Majesty's Majesty, after His Majesty prepares everything for the Crown Prince's accession to the throne during this period, maybe His Majesty can have the fate of a happy prince, having no worries about food and clothing, and enjoying a life of enjoyment for the rest of his life." Leng Qian's calm voice was like a red-hot needle pricking into Situ Tai, who was still hesitant at first.
"The position of crown prince?" Situ Tai laughed coldly, his thick hands pressed against each other, and his knuckles made a harsh crackling sound, "It seems that my father has never intended to give me even one chance. No matter what the title of crown prince is, Can’t it fall on my head?”
"Judging from the current situation, it is indeed the case. Your Majesty's choice should be His Highness the Ninth. You, His Highness the Third and His Highness the Seventh have all failed in this competition." Leng Qian's voice without any emotion continued. This made Situ Tai, who was furious, unable to suppress his anger.
"Mr. Leng is so sure?" Mr. Situ Tai was still a little unwilling.
"Your Highness, you don't have to have any illusions anymore. Just look at who Lu Wenfu and Tian Yi came out of the palace to find, and you'll know the result. These two old guys didn't have any food or salt when Your Majesty was seriously ill. People who go to work as lobbyists are always disappointed, but now they take the initiative to go to His Highness Ninth Prince? What does this mean? Even a fool can see it." Leng Qian shook his head again. The authorities are confused, but the bystanders know clearly. Anyone who encounters this kind of thing can , it is inevitable that he will lose his normal judgment ability, and he can understand his master's despair and depression.
"Why? Why? Is Lao Jiu good at flattering people? Can he win the favor of more noble ladies just because he is handsome? Or is it his mother who still has the charm that still makes him like him more?" Situ Tai has already said Unable to control his emotions, he obviously did not refer to Situ Lang after the last sentence. He no longer wanted to address the other person with a respectful title. "Is it possible to secure the throne and pacify the empire just by relying on these? I tell you It’s not that easy for you! With the backing of the Dodon Kingdom, as long as I am willing, my army can crush those Taiping people to pieces at any time and reunite the empire, can’t he see that?”
Facing his master's venting of anger, Leng Qian could only remain silent, quietly waiting for his master's mood to recover. He also knew that his master had made many preparations over the years, but in the face of such a cruel reality, His Majesty the Emperor Of course he couldn't stand it without giving him a chance. When he calmed down, it was time to discuss business.
After a period of rapid breathing, Situ Tai finally calmed down. He knew that venting alone would not solve the problem. The current severe situation could not tolerate any further delay. He had to figure out how to deal with the strategy and put it into practice immediately. It's urgent.
"Old Leng, what should we do now? I don't want to wait to die like this!" Staring at the other party's indifferent face, Situ Tai obviously made up his mind.
"Since Your Highness is not willing to wait like this, then we have no choice but to take a risk." Even people like Leng Qian, who are used to intrigues and killings in the world, couldn't help but pause when he said this. .
"Is this the only way?" Situ Tai's breathing became rapid again, and beads of sweat quietly appeared on his forehead.
"Not only can this be done, but it must be done quickly. His Majesty is already making various preparations for His Highness Ninth Prince. Once these preparations come to an end, I'm afraid we won't have any chance." Leng Qian said flatly.
"But I can't escape and return to Yanyun. Even if I can take a risk and find myself in danger in the imperial capital, what can I do?" Situ Tai asked with some confusion.
"To take a risk, His Highness must stay in the imperial capital. Now that His Majesty believes that he can protect His Majesty the Ninth Prince from ascending the throne, he certainly has not prepared a will. As long as His Majesty dies suddenly, there will be a question mark as to how effective everything His Majesty has done previously will be. . And even if there is a posthumous edict, who can guarantee the authenticity of the posthumous edict at that time? Who can control the initiative is decisive. Besides, His Highness the Ninth Prince probably does not have the prestige to control the situation. Several Highnesses are also His Majesty. Who dares to say that the direct prince has no right to inherit? Therefore, everything has to be decided based on strength!" The old man's sinister words made Situ Tai couldn't help but shudder, and he also felt particularly comfortable. Yes, everything has to be decided by strength. When the ministers of Qin, Mu and Chu have no choice, they will only choose the strong.