The Grandmaster Strategist

Chapter 42: Conspiracy framed

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After Cui Yang explained it in detail, Li An said angrily, "These rebellious people are so bold. Young Master, what do you think we should do?"

Lu Jingzhong squinted his eyes and thought for a while, then asked, "Master Cui, you said this person didn't ask to save his subordinates?"

Cui Yang respectfully said: "Yes, Huo Jicheng not only is not in a hurry to save people, but seems to want us to kill them, lest anyone doubt their relationship in the future."

Lu Jingzhong sneered and said: "This person is really ruthless, but this also shows that he is Huo Jicheng. I know some things about Huo Jicheng. From the confessions of the disciples of the Splendid League, I know that this person was born in a general door, Sichuan. Colleagues of the Li family, when the Li family and the Tang clan competed for control of Chuanzhong, the Li family was defeated, the Tang clan was weakened, and when Dayong attacked the state of Shu, they were unable to do their best for the state of Shu, or we would attack. After entering the kingdom of Shu, I am afraid that many generals will also be killed by assassination. The hidden weapons of the Tang family and the great soul searcher of the Li family are not any above-mentioned skills. They are most suitable for assassination and assassination. Later, Dayong occupied Dongchuan, and Shuzhong Most of them belonged to Nanchu. The Tang family took refuge in Dayong, and the Li family took refuge in Nanchu. However, Huo Jicheng was weird, but he broke out and founded the Splendid League, claiming to restore the state of Shu. Over the years, he has really made some things. It's a pity that this person has a narrow personality, and Lu Hou, who guards the middle of Shu, is a handsome talent, so he has failed again and again. However, although this person is incompetent, he has the same strength. , The situation in Southern Chu has been chaotic recently. He must have taken a lot of advantages, but he has suffered a big loss at the hands of the prince. It is rare for him to come up with this idea. From the minister's point of view, he is sincere and sincere, no matter what happens in the future, This business is worth doing. He has a saying that is right. In the future, he will promote it. Who can believe that His Royal Highness will collude with them. If the prince wants to do this business, he will immediately turn against the Jinxiu in the prison The party will all be executed, and then they will cooperate with Huo Jicheng. Now that the Jinxiu Alliance is strong, does he dare to embarrass our Dayong? That is, he really rebels. It is also the matter of King Yong and King Qing, which just reduces their strength. Besides, Your Highness, this A few years have barely made ends meet, this business is worthwhile, but if there is an accident in the future, His Highness only needs to say that the Splendid Alliance colluded with some officials, and then chop off a few heads."

Li An pondered for a moment, looked at Cui Yang and said, "This matter is too involved. If it is leaked, the Ministry of Household may be turned upside down. Why don't Cui Qing take the responsibility, no, no."

Only then did Cui Yang's face relax, and he looked at Li An gratefully, but even though Li An said so, his expression was very reluctant.

Lu Jingzhong smiled lightly and said, "Although Liang Jinqian, Minister of the Ministry of Household, is a confidant of His Highness, but this person has different ambitions. Although he is respectful to His Highness, he has secretly recorded an account book that His Highness has embezzled public funds from the Ministry of Household for several years. , Your Highness, I'm afraid you don't know yet, do you?"

Li An was shocked and asked anxiously, "You are telling the truth? How did you know?"

Lu Jingzhong said proudly: "Your Highness, as the saying goes, old husbands and young wives are the most uneasy, Liang Jinqian has been cautious all his life, but unfortunately he married a concubine who was in his twenties at the age of fifty. She had an affair with Mr. Liang's brother-in-law. Unfortunately, the two were not secretive. They were caught by Mr. Liang on the bed. That little concubine, who was in love with adultery, even told her lover about the private account in the hands of Mr. Liang. That kid held a grudge. He happened to know me, so he came to my mansion to tell the truth. I was originally here to tell His Highness this matter. But His Highness is enjoying the singing and dancing, so I haven't had time to report."

Li An's face was sinking, and he asked, "Do you have any evidence?"

Lu Jingzhong stood up and presented a piece of paper. Li An took a look at it, and it really was the account of his misappropriation of money and grain from the Ministry of Household. Li An got up safely and said angrily: "What an old servant, this Highness will definitely take his dog's life."

Lu Jingzhong smiled and said: "This is the kid who secretly copied some as evidence. Originally, it was very easy for the minister to settle this Liang Jinqian. As long as His Highness has the heart, we can take back the account book and kill people, but the minister thought it was too cheap for him. Now is a good opportunity. Let's let Mr. Cui handle this matter, but do some tricks secretly. If the business goes well, that's the best. We'll settle accounts with him later. If something happens unfortunately, we'll let him take the blame. At that time, as long as His Highness arranges it well, and keeps him from telling the truth, then Master Cui will be promoted to the Book of Ministers as a matter of course, this household is the treasury of His Highness?"

When Li An heard this, he laughed and said, "Good idea, Lu Aiqing, you really are a lonely think tank." A fierce light flashed in his eyes, and Li An said coldly: "But let me watch him strictly, He can't be made aware of Gu's intentions, and he can't be allowed to give the account books to others."

Lu Jingzhong said with a straight face, "Don't worry, Your Highness, don't you worry about the minister's work?"

Li An suddenly remembered something and asked, "Where's the whistleblower?"

Lu Jingzhong said indifferently: "This person is always a disaster to keep, the minister is bold and has already dealt with it first."

Li An nodded with satisfaction: "Yes, this person knows the privacy of this king, how can he let him live in the world."

Cui Yang was overjoyed when he heard that he had been appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of Households, but when he heard the two of them talking about framing and murdering, he didn't have the slightest emotional fluctuation, and he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart. If you know something secret, it will not be worth it to be killed and silenced in the future. Thinking of this, he quickly said: "His Royal Highness, Lord Lu, it is too late, the minister is going to retire. If His Highness agrees to this matter, the minister will go back and wait for Huo Jicheng to come."

Lu Jingzhong thought to himself that there were still important things to discuss, and he left, so he said: "Your Highness, it's better for Lord Cui to go back, lest people from the Jinxiu Alliance go to inquire, your Highness might as well let Lord Cui agree to this matter first. I will discuss this matter with Master Cui tomorrow." As he spoke, he gave the prince a wink.

As soon as Li An saw it, he knew that Lu Jingzhong had more private things to say, so it was inconvenient for Cui Yang to know. He smiled and said, "Okay, Cui Yang, you should go back first. After the discussion, Master Lu will go to discuss with you. Said, but this king has agreed in principle on this matter, and you should also think about how to proceed."

Cui Yang ordered to retreat. Li An looked at Lu Jingzhong and said with a smile: "What else is there, tell me, is it important to hide from Cui Yang?"

Lu Jingzhong twisted his beard and sneered: "His Royal Highness, although the Ministry of Household is your world, most of the military's power is still in the hands of King Yong, and because of this, we can't do this business ourselves and let the Splendid Alliance go. Running errands, but if the military notices this, no matter how powerful the Splendid Alliance is, can he still beat King Yong?"

Li An frowned and asked, "Is it possible that this business can't be done?"

Lu Jingzhong shook his head and said, "How did this happen? This minister has an idea. If King Yong can be spared time to take care of His Highness's affairs, wouldn't His Highness be as stable as Mount Tai? Although it is said that if something happens, we will have a ghost to die for, but we will inevitably lose gold and silver. "

Li An's eyes lit up when he heard this, and said, "Is there any way you can make King Yong take care of himself, if you can do this, even if you are alone in this business, you will be satisfied.

Lu Jingzhong smiled and said: "This is also a coincidence, His Highness wanted Xiahou Yuanfeng to be Princess Changle's consort, but the princess never agreed, so the minister asked Concubine Lan to entrust Concubine Ji to ask the princess's thoughts. When she came to the mansion, Concubine Lan told the Concubine's original words, saying that Princess Changle didn't seem to want to remarry. The concubine also said a few things by the way. First, Princess Changle has no hobbies on weekdays, she just likes to read poetry and prose, and she likes the poetry and prose of Jiang Zhe, the first genius of Southern Chu, and she can't put it down on weekdays. Second, yesterday, Princess Changle I went to Prince Yong’s mansion to relax, and I was in a good mood when I came back.”

Li An frowned and said, "You are saying that Princess Changle has an affair with that Nanchu courtier, nonsense, I know my sister, she is the most virtuous, and will never have an affair with anyone."

Lu Jingzhong smiled and said: "I also know that this is something that even a shadow cannot be caught, but as long as you add fuel to it, someone will naturally believe it."

Li An's expression changed, and he said, "You mean—"

Lu Jingzhong smiled and said: "Of course it is General Qin Qingqin. General Qin has a deep affection for the princess, which has remained the same to this day, but the princess is cold to the general when she returns to China this time, and she doesn't care about childhood sweethearts at all. General Qin is very angry, so he is right. Nanchu's surrender was very arrogant, and he was still humiliating Jiang Zhe in public in Ganlu Hall. I heard that King Yong treats this Jiang Zhe very highly. This has already offended King Yong a lot. This is an opportunity. Let's send someone to play a few words in General Qin's ear Just saying that the princess had an affair with Jiang Zhe in Nanchu, so she ignored General Qin—"

Just when he said this, Li An said angrily: "Shut up, my imperial sister married Nan Chu for Dayong's sake back then, but now she finally comes back, not to mention she has no affair, even if she has an affair, you can't allow you to humiliate the princess. reputation."

Lu Jingzhong was as cold as a cicada, and hurriedly knelt down to apologize, until Li An calmed down, and then said: "Your Highness, rest assured, this minister is very courageous, and does not dare to hurt the princess' honor, this matter will not be leaked, Qin Qing is Knowing this matter, does he dare to speak up? General Qin cannot do it no matter how reckless he is. If the minister expects it well, General Qin will definitely find an opportunity to question Jiang Zhe. We sent a killer to follow him secretly. Zhe must be able to explain clearly. When General Qin is satisfied, we will kill Jiang Zhe. This plan will benefit us a lot. First, no matter whether Jiang Zhe is talented or not, killing him now will allow King Yong. Sad, secondly, King Yong must suspect that Qin Qing killed Jiang Zhe. In this way, General Qin Yi can explain clearly, and King Yong must have a grudge in his heart. In this way, King Yong is busy discussing with General Qin. To be fair, where can we take care of us."

Li An looked gloomy and hesitant, and Lu Jingzhong said again: "The people involved in this matter are all high-ranking people, who will spread the gossip, and let's say that if you say something to be punished, although the princess is a person of merit, , But after all, it was the Queen of Southern Chu. On the day of the fall of Southern Chu, the princess was after the fall of the country. In the past, Xi Shi made great contributions to Yue, but was still thrown into the lake by the Queen of Yue. The imperial concubine is inclined towards King Yong, and your Highness is not ignorant, otherwise why would you want Xiahou Yuanfeng to be the princess' consort?"

Li An remained silent.

Lu Jingzhong said with tears in his eyes: "Your Highness Shengming, after your Highness ascends the throne, please comfort the princess a lot. If King Yong is not eliminated, His Highness will be uneasy."

Li An thought about it, and finally sighed: "You have to be careful, don't spread it out, if it spreads to the ears of the father and the emperor, I will never forgive you."

Lu Jingzhong hurriedly kowtowed: "His Royal Highness put it down, the lower official will never let rumors spread."

Li An hesitated for a moment and said, "But this person must be in Prince Yong's mansion all the time. How can assassins get in?"

Lu Jingzhong said with a smile: "Don't worry, Your Highness, after fifteen, it will be King Yong's banquet. He wants to send the prince to a long journey. According to the rules, this is bound to be a banquet for hundreds of officials. Rest assured, Your Highness, I will let Qin Qing carry this black cauldron on his back. As for that Jiang Zhe, I can only blame him for his bad life, who made him take refuge with King Yong?"

Li An nodded slightly, seeing that the matter had been discussed, and shouted loudly, "Xing Song, Xing Song."

The hall door was pushed open, and a gloomy-looking middle-aged man walked in, knelt down on one knee and saluted.

Li An asked lightly, "Where did Xia Jinyi go, and did he communicate with anyone?"

Xing Song said respectfully, "His Royal Highness, Xia Jinyi first talked with the musician and dancer for a while, and then—" Having said this, Li An frowned, with a murderous look in his eyes.

Xing Song continued: "Then this person went to the back garden and had a private meeting with the maid Xiuchun next to the princess."

Li An was relieved at first, this Xia Jinyi made a great contribution, and because of his senior brother's face, he left him as a bodyguard. Originally, he was just to support an idler. Unexpectedly, this person is humorous, can talk, and is better at singing and dancing. After a few days, he felt that he really liked Xia Jinyi, but he couldn't keep anyone around him. Cui Yang came to do things just now, so mysterious. If Xia Jinyi was a spy, he would definitely try his best to find out. Zhang Jinxiong was the one guarding the door outside. Find an excuse to stay.

Unexpectedly, Xia Jinyi didn't have any intention of spying at all. Instead, he was busy with his maid. If he was a spy, then he would be the stupidest spy in the world. Even a little competent person would not dare to do such a thing. The maid can be killed, he thought with satisfaction, he can keep him by his side in the future, he is a good servant, loyal and interesting, much better than his senior brother. As for the fornicating maid, although Li An is also a little dissatisfied, it is not a big deal. The embroidered spring beside the princess, although good-looking, is not outstanding. A girl Li An has never noticed before, a few days ago , the princess also told herself that she wanted to release the maid beside her to marry.

At this time, in the back garden of the prince's mansion, Xia Jinyi was talking sweetly with a beautiful maid in his arms. He talked about his experience of drifting in all directions with great interest, and was fascinated by the little girl who had never stepped out of the mansion. As Xia Jinyi spoke, he began to move. He is a veteran in love and would not rashly frighten the little girl. He gently kissed Xiuchun's pink neck. Since he nibbled at her red earlobe, his hands began to be dishonest. Moving around on Xiuchun's delicate body, it didn't take long for the unmanned little girl to be distracted easily. As soon as Xia Jinyi saw his hand, he picked up the little girl's trembling body and hid behind the rockery. When he was about to take off his clothes, and he was about to succeed, someone suddenly gave a cold scolding. Xia Jinyi was so frightened that he shivered, his lust subsided immediately, and he hurriedly tidied up his clothes. For a long time, there was no movement outside. Xia Jinyi stretched out his head, but saw his immediate boss, deputy general manager Xing Song, standing outside, with his hands behind his back, his face in the moonlight. of frost. At this time, Xiuchun also woke up, hurriedly tidying up his clothes, walked out of the rockery with his head down, and fell to his knees on the ground, full of shame and crying. Xia Jinyi also hurriedly knelt down beside him, begging bitterly: "Master Chief, please forgive the little one."

Xing Song said coldly, "You brat dares to fornicate with the princess' maid, and you haven't come to see His Highness with me."

Xia Jinyi turned pale with fright, and said, "I beg the adults to be kind, the villain is just a prodigal son, life and death are nothing, Xiuchun is young, please forgive her for this sin, and I will never dare to seduce her again. "

Xing Song smiled and said: "You brat, get up, don't do it again in the future, go back, if you let me see it again, I will peel your skin."

Xia Jinyi was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly until Xing Song's figure disappeared, and he realized that he was in a cold sweat.

Cui Yang returned to the mansion, first ate some random food, and then stared in a daze under the light. He knew that he and the prince were grasshoppers on the same line. If the prince fell, he felt more and more frightened by following the prince, but Yong Wang, Cui Yang remembered the matter when King Yong summoned him when he sent food and salaries to King Yong's army. At that time, King Yong was wearing a light fake and wearing a brocade robe. It feels like a spring breeze. Although the crown prince is the crown prince and his brother-in-law, he is arrogant and arrogant. Whenever he makes himself sweat, he always feels like walking on thin ice. Thinking of this, Cui Yang almost wanted to betray the prince, but then he thought about it, the princess is his own sister, the prince is his nephew, the desire for fame and fortune finally trumped conscience and fear, Cui Yang stood up and thought, There is no turning back. Look at the sky, this time and again, and after a long time of contemplation, the sky is actually bright. Cui Yang pushed open the window. There was a light snow last night, and the snow outside the window was bright and bright. Cui Yang walked out of the door. Taking a deep breath of the icy air, the butler came to report, "Master Qi, the guest from yesterday came to see me again." Cui Yang smiled slightly and said, "Please come to the study to see me, time It's still early, presumably the guests haven't eaten, so you bring two breakfasts to the study."

A loud laugh came from outside: "The Caomin is here to disturb the adults again."

Cui Yang looked up, but saw Huo Jicheng dressed in gray, elegant and standing in the wind, Cui Yang stepped forward a few steps, cupped his hands and said, "Brother Huo, no, Brother Ji, please come to the study to talk."

Huo Jicheng saw that Cui Yang's expression was a little tired, but he couldn't hide his joy. He knew that the good thing was done, and he also politely said: "Okay, then let's harass."

After all, the two looked at each other and smiled, as if they had been friends for many years. In the laughter, Huo Jicheng's thoughts flew very far. If he could get enough food, pay and weapons, then taking advantage of the battle between Dayong and Nanchu, it would be just around the corner to restore the country and rejuvenate the country. And the Tianji Pavilion must be relied on, otherwise it will be difficult for me to move in Nanchu. If I wait until the relationship is deep, I think of annexing the Tianji Pavilion and pocketing the tens of millions of properties of the Tianji Guild. Even if the country cannot be restored, I can do it myself a rich man. Cui Yang thought much simpler. If the business is successful, he will not only have a rich pocket, but also gain the trust and respect of the prince, and the future is bright.