The news of Li Ke's assassination in Jingzhou, although the imperial court has not publicly acknowledged it, has spread throughout the countryside.
The world was shocked and Kyushu thundered.
When Li Shimin heard the news of his sudden illness, he was tightly sealed off. Even the few imperial doctors who came to treat the illness were under the strict control of Bai Qi and were not allowed to leave the emperor's palace. Changsun Wuji plucked up the courage and asked Fang Xuanling to "steal" the emperor's private seal together. He issued a handwritten edict to all ministers, saying that the day of the late emperor's memorial day was approaching and that the emperor would fast and be quiet in preparation for paying homage to the late emperor. Therefore, the emperor was abolished. Several days. Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji, together with other cabinet ministers, took care of all the affairs of the court, and appointed Zhu Pi, the cabinet minister, to act on behalf of the emperor to approve memorials from all parties.
This is a typical trick of hiding one's ears and stealing the bell. All the ministers and ministers knew it very well. Unless it was an extremely urgent and special situation, they would not use Zhu Pi of the cabinet department to handle the memorial. There are only two possibilities for this situation to happen. One is that the emperor left the capital and left the government to the prime minister. The other is... the emperor suddenly fell ill or even died!
People in both the government and the public were suddenly panicked. At that time, another assassination case of Wu King Li Ke shocked the government and the public. Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling decided at the court to send Chu Suiliang, the minister of Zhongshu and the third rank of Zhongshu (deputy prime minister of the cabinet), to Jingzhou to handle the matter with full authority. case.
A sensitive figure who should have been at the forefront of the storm - Wei King Li Tai, had already complained of illness and could not go to court many days before the Li Ke case.
At this moment, it aroused even more speculation among the ministers.
Seeing that the situation is getting more and more chaotic, rumors are spreading again in the market - Qin Mubai of Guanxi has an army in the Western Regions, and he is very powerful, and there is a strong tendency to divide the territory and rule it as a king!
This rumor is like pouring a ladle of cold water into a pot of boiling oil!
From this moment on, the world of the Tang Dynasty was in turmoil, with lightning and thunder!
…
Late at night, Zhangsun Wuji, who had a head as big as a fight and a turbulent mind, couldn't sleep, so he got up in his clothes and sat alone with a lamp.
Asking himself, Changsun Wuji knew that he had a strong desire for power and was not selfish. But no matter how we fight for it or how we plan it, the final bottom line is that we cannot destroy the great land of the Tang Dynasty, let alone harm His Majesty the Emperor.
"If this is the case, I, Changsun Wuji, would rather be shattered into pieces!" He punched the table with his fist, Changsun Wuji howled helplessly and angrily, "But now!... Is this good?!"
- "Kachacha"
A bolt of lightning pierced the night sky, and a summer thunderstorm came just as soon as it came.
Changsun Wuji became more and more anxious. He stood up and paced back and forth, looking at himself in the mirror. Suddenly he was shocked, "Strange! At this time, apart from me, Changsun Wuji, there should be another person who should be unable to sit still. Man! But he is more calm than anyone else, and he has never shown his face until now... This is strange!"
"Could it be that... the Jingzhou case was committed by him?!" Changsun Wuji's heart tightened inexplicably and his brows darkened. After thinking for a moment, he shook his head and said to himself, "It's unlikely. Although the fourth child has a gloomy appearance in the city, He is kind-hearted and cruel, but he probably doesn’t have the guts to send someone to assassinate him. Moreover, most of his subordinates are civil servants, who are good at reciting poems and composing poems, but they are not good at killing people and stealing goods... "
"On the contrary - what if he really did it?!" Changsun Wuji's eyes widened with a look of panic on his face, "Does that mean that even I have always looked down on him and underestimated him?"
Changsun Wuji suddenly felt a faint chill in his heart, which then turned into waves of fear. He couldn't help but think about the worst case scenario - if the matter was really done by the Fourth King of Wei, then this boy's ambitions and methods were beyond his imagination. He may seem like a fat man with a little cleverness at best, but in fact his heart is as vicious as a snake's scorpion!
Is this kind of role still something he, Changsun Wuji, can handle
…
"Kachacha!"
Thunder swept across the ground and lightning broke through the sky!
"Someone, prepare a car!"
"Eun-xiang, where are you going so late at night?"
"Stop talking, prepare your car and go!"
A moment later, a green-painted carriage drove out from the back door of Situ's Mansion and headed straight for Prince Wei's Mansion.
King Li Tai of Wei was indeed not asleep yet, as if he was specially waiting for Changsun Wuji. As soon as he welcomed him into the secret room, he fell to his knees on the ground and cried loudly: "Uncle, save me, save me!"
Changsun Wuji looked at him coldly from a high position, "Didn't you complain that you were ill and resign from court? I see you are very energetic!"
"Uncle, why did you say this? Tai, it is true that he was deeply infected by the cold and almost died of illness. Just when he was able to walk on the ground, he heard a strong movement in the wind. He was so frightened that he almost lost half his life!" Li Tai cried to the ground.
"What are you scared of?" Changsun Wuji asked.
"Why is my uncle so cold and cold?" Li Taizuo looked up at Changsun Wuji in shock, "The third brother was assassinated, and everyone thought it was me, Li Tai! Tai, even if you jump into the Yellow River, you can't clean yourself! Uncle, do you know...how my father is thinking and planning?"
"Then, was it you who did it?"
"No!" Li Tai's body trembled as if he'd been electrocuted, his fat body trembling wildly, and he shouted with his eyes wide open, "The world can tell, it was definitely not Li Tai's fault!"
"Since you didn't do it, why are you panicking?" Changsun Wuji snorted coldly, "If you don't do anything wrong, don't be afraid of ghosts knocking on the door. Things will always come to light. Why are you scared for no reason?"
"A lot of words make a fortune, but bones are wasted, Uncle!" Li Tai cried loudly, "Even Uncle, you...don't you suspect that Tai did it? Otherwise, why did you visit late at night, not just to find out? after all?"
"..." Changsun Wuji was speechless for a moment. Looking at Li Tai's condition, he really didn't look like a murderer. Therefore, he relaxed a little and breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's okay. You get up first, and I'll discuss it later."
"Yes, yes! Thank you, uncle!" Li Tai burst into tears with gratitude and struggled to get up with his knees. He then helped Changsun Wuji to sit down affectionately. He stood aside with his hands down, acting like a nephew serving his elders.
"Tell me, what are you thinking about right now?" Changsun Wuji didn't want to beat around the bush and asked directly.
"I..." Li Tai hesitated for a moment and said cautiously, "I want to know now, what does my father think of this matter? Also, it is rumored that my father suddenly fell ill. Is there any... matter?"
"It's nothing." Changsun Wuji said resolutely, "As for His Majesty the Emperor's thoughts, it is not something that I can guess. But one thing is certain, His Majesty must be very shocked and angry. If the murderer is found, he will be cut into pieces. Duan, file the bones and raise the ashes!”
Li Tai was stunned for a moment, and looked at Changsun Wuji with a curse and resentment, "I didn't do it!"
"Are you just asking for it?" Changsun Wuji scolded angrily.
"No, it's not..." Li Tai smiled awkwardly, "The incident happened suddenly, and Tai... was also very upset."
"Hmph..." Changsun Wuji snorted, and then whispered quickly, "The imperial court has sent Chu Suiliang to Jingzhou to investigate this case!"
"Oh!" Li Tai nodded repeatedly, "Yes, we must investigate and get to the bottom of it! Those thieves are so daring, they even dare to attack the royal family!"
Changsun Wuji carefully observed Li Tai's every move and expression, and found no flaws for a while. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Do you have anything to say to me? If not, the night is deep, so I will take my leave."
"Uh... uncle, this..." Li Tai hesitated, hesitating.
"Say!" Changsun Wuji shouted helplessly.
"Tai heard that the imperial court has activated the cabinet minister Zhu Pi. I dare to ask my uncle if this is the case?" Li Tai finally asked.
Changsun Wuji narrowed his eyes, and then his eyes flashed, and then he disappeared in a blink of an eye. He nodded calmly, "You are lying in the sick house, so the news is quite good. Yes, there is such a thing."
"Then Tai would like to ask...who is supervising the country now? But my ninth brother, King Jin?" Li Tai asked.
"No." Changsun Wuji said lightly, "Your Majesty is still here, but he is just fasting and quiet for a while. Why does the prince need to supervise the country?"
"Isn't that right, uncle?" Li Tai grinned, smiling very harmlessly, and said, "Unless it is an extremely critical and special situation, the imperial court will not use Zhu Pi of the Cabinet. Unless... my father is true. Suddenly fell ill, or something else happened."
There was a loud "pop", and Changsun Wuji stood up, pointing at Li Tai and angrily yelling: "Li Tai, what are your intentions?!"
Li Tai was immediately frightened and fell to his knees, "Uncle, calm down. What mistake did Tai make?"
"You are an unfaithful and unfilial person, don't you know you are wrong?" Changsun Wuji angrily scolded, "Since I guess that your father is seriously ill, you should be worried, sad and anxious. Looking at your current situation, you are full of Full of contentment and joy! —Say, what’s your intention?”
"Uh! This... this!" Li Tai was speechless for a moment, big beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and he could only mutter, "Why is uncle so excited? Tai just wanted to ask clearly." In Tai's heart , Naturally, he is worried about his father’s safety; Tai would rather shorten his life and die young than let his father suffer any pain!”
"Hmph..." Changsun Wuji smiled coldly and cursed in his heart: You fat man, how dare you play tricks and go around in circles in front of me? It seems that without bluffing you a few times, you will not show your fox tail!
Changsun Wuji said: "Let me say it again, your Majesty is not sick. Believe it or not. As for the choice of the prince to supervise the country, you don't have to worry too much. This is not something you should consider. Do you understand?"
"Yes!...Tai, there is no wrong intention." Li Tai lowered his head and said honestly.
"Then I'll go, you can take care of yourself." After saying that, Changsun Wuji raised his feet and left.
Li Taike was really anxious now. He knelt on his knees and hurriedly walked a few places, hugged Changsun Wuji's legs, "Uncle, you are so cruel!"
"What are you doing?!" Changsun Wuji looked angry.
"Uncle, don't try to hide it from me. I already know it!" Li Tai finally told the truth, "The third brother was assassinated, the father was seriously ill, and the court was left without a master, so it was urgent to activate the cabinet minister Zhu Pi! Originally, after hearing the news, Tai My heart is like a knife and I wish I could suffer the consequences for my father and brother, but I am more concerned about the overall situation and don’t want my country, Li Tang, to fall into chaos and collapse at this time!”
"You kid, you are telling the truth!" Changsun Wuji sighed, shook his head and said, "Now that things have happened, you still haven't told the truth?"
Li Tai was shocked and kowtowed on the ground, "I beg my uncle to grant me permission and let Tai supervise the country's directors so that my father and emperor can worry about it!"
Changsun Wuji sneered in his heart: Look, the fox's tail is finally exposed! I treat you as the fourth child, you really have no desires and no demands, and you are devoted to filial piety! After all, he is still the fourth child with a kind face and a cruel heart. It is easy to change the situation but hard to change the nature!
"I have no control over this matter. Otherwise, there is no need to delay it until today." Changsun Wuji said calmly, "After His Majesty the Emperor recovers, he will make his own decision."
"With such a country without a king, wouldn't it make the ruling and opposition parties jealous and panicked?" Li Tai insisted, "Tai has no ulterior motives. He just wants to stand up at this critical moment, serve the country and share the worries of his father. In this way, he Is it wrong too?”
"That's right." Changsun Wuji still said calmly, "But this matter is important and it is indeed not something I can decide alone."
Li Tai was stunned for a moment, looked up at Changsun Wuji, and said word by word: "Uncle, have you forgotten the old alliance?"
"What do you mean?" Changsun Wuji glared at Li Tai displeased, "Are you trying to threaten me?"
"Tai Jue has no such intention, let alone the courage." Li Tai said, "Uncle, why don't we open the skylight and speak frankly! - It is true that the assassination of the third brother and the illness of the father are a great misfortune for the world, and Tai's heart is even more I am extremely sad. However, the overall situation is still the most important thing. How can the court be left alone for a few days? What's the point of letting Tai temporarily oversee the country's governance? Otherwise, or there is another purpose, Tai will not hold on to the position of supervising the country, or return the power to the father, or give way to the brother designated by the father, no matter what! "
Changsun Wuji sneered and said nothing, thinking: Do you think I am a three-year-old child, so easy to coax? Now, in this very special period, you are allowed to supervise the country's governance, which undoubtedly creates an established fact that you are the best choice for the master of the East Palace. This is even more significant than the original role of the King of Jin in supervising the country! What's more, the King of Jin has long been unable to compete for the throne and has been alienated and abandoned by the emperor. The King of Wu is assassinated and his life and death are uncertain. You are the only one left in the East Palace who is qualified to rule the East Palace... Li Tai, Li Tai, you are too dishonest and evil-minded. ! If you gain the upper hand now, I don't know if I will be able to let you go in the future. Otherwise, the palms and backs of my hands are full of flesh. What's the harm if I help you, uncle
"There is no need to mention this matter again." Changsun Wuji, who had been thinking about it for a while, said impatiently, "Your Majesty is still here, how can you cry like this just for a temporary supervisory position? It's all up to your Majesty to decide. I’m useless too!”
"That's it... Tai, I don't dare to say more." Li Tai bowed to the ground and said, "Best farewell to my uncle!"
"In extraordinary times, you should be careful in your words and deeds so that you can take care of yourself." Changsun Wuji left these words without saying another word, and left the Prince of Wei's Mansion and returned home by car.
On the way, Changsun Wuji thought a lot and thought to himself: Looking at the situation just now, Li Tai was focused on his position as "supervisor of the country" and was not very worried about being recognized as a killer. In this case, it is unlikely that he is the mastermind behind Jingzhou. So, who should it be
"This matter is really strange! Could it be that there is another force secretly manipulating the matter of establishing the crown prince in the East Palace?" Thinking of this, Changsun Wuji couldn't help but be surprised, "Who could it be? Inside and outside the court? , Who else can have such ambition and ability?”