allendalepharm Chapter 1632 Li Zan: The rise and fall of the Han Dynasty depends on this one move!
Chapter 1632 Li Zan: The rise and fall of the Han Dynasty depends on this one move!
Chapter 1632 Li Zan: The rise and fall of the Han Dynasty depends on this one move!
Palace Garden, Hanyuan Hall
It was autumn time, and the sunlight from the sky shone on the colorful glazed tiles, creating a sparkling and magnificent scene.
Outside the palace, a pale-faced young eunuch, holding an ivory-white axe handle, stood under the eaves of the corridor and called out in a shrill voice, "Go to court."
Just as he finished speaking, two vermilion doors embroidered with dragons and phoenixes opened. The civil and military officials who were originally lined up in the white marble square stepped over the thick threshold and looked at the little emperor sitting on the couch and Zhen Qing behind the curtain beside him.
"We have come to see His Majesty. Long live His Majesty."
Accompanied by cheers of "Long live the emperor", all the civil and military officials in the hall saluted the little emperor and Zhen Qing.
Zhen Qing had bright eyes under her emerald eyebrows. She sat on a soft couch covered with a mattress and summoned all the Han officials to discuss matters in the hall. At this moment, in the majestic and solemn palace, all the civil and military officials stood by with their hands hanging down.
Zhen Qing was sitting on a gilded chair at this moment. Under her beautiful eyebrows, there was a look of indifference in her sparkling eyes.
Li Zan, holding a jade ivory tablet as white as jade, walked out of the court quickly and said loudly: "Empress Dowager, the number of people affected by the disaster this time is as high as one million. The court should urgently send people to the disaster area to provide disaster relief."
Zhen Qing asked, "Lord Li, how do you think the court should respond?"
Li Zan's face became solemn, and he cupped his hands and said, "This disaster is serious, affecting a large area and a large number of people. The court should send troops to rescue the victims, and it is necessary to coordinate the local prefectures and counties. I am willing to go to Taiyuan, Shanxi to provide relief to the victims."
"Lord Li is old and has difficulty moving. Besides, the court has many affairs to deal with and cannot do without Lord Li." Zhen Qing was silent for a moment and said in a cold voice.
Zhen Qing thought for a moment and said, "Prince Wei, Taiyuan is an important city. Now that it has suffered such a great natural disaster, it needs troops to provide relief. Why don't you go there in person and convey the court's condolences?"
Jia Heng said, "My lady, I am willing to go."
Zhen Qing nodded, and said with her pink lips slightly parted, "The cabinet has drafted an edict, appointing Prince Wei as the imperial commissioner, who will be fully responsible for disaster relief for the victims in Taiyuan Prefecture, Shanxi."
Jia Heng's face became solemn, and he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I obey your order."
If this was a strategy of Li Zan and others to lure the tiger away from the mountain, then he would give Li Zan this opportunity.
I think Li Zan and Xu Lu would definitely not be able to hold back and take action.
While Jia Heng was in doubt, Zhen Qing spoke again from behind two pale yellow curtains: "Qi Qing, the Ministry of Revenue must raise money and grain in advance. We must not let Shanxi Taiyuan run out of food."
Qi Kun, who was standing below, heard this and, holding an ivory tablet, stepped out of the court and said, "I obey your order."
Zhen Qing's face showed melancholy, and she sighed and said, "This earthquake reminds me of the one at the Mausoleum of the Retired Emperor Gong, which was also a sudden earthquake, with mountains collapsing and the ground cracking."
Well, this is because he was worried that others would attribute this earthquake to his son's misconduct.
Jia Heng came out of the court and said in a clear voice, "Don't worry, Queen Mother. Our Han Dynasty is now peaceful and prosperous. Even if there is a disaster, it can be quickly eliminated and relieved."
Zhen Qing's face was solemn, her eyes were piercing, and she said in a deep voice: "Prince Wei, you are in charge of the relief work for the earthquake in Taiyuan this time. You should work hard and not slack off in the slightest."
Jia Heng bowed in response.
Thus, the court meeting ended like this.
……
……
On this side, Jia Heng walked quickly out of the palace and got off his horse on the bluestone road in front of Ningrong Street. Two servants came up and took over Jia Heng's reins.
Jia Heng didn't say anything else. His expression paused slightly and he immediately returned to Ningguo Mansion.
Chen Xiao looked at the young man in the python robe with warm eyes under her beautiful eyebrows and asked, "You are back. What did the palace say?"
Jia Heng sighed and said, "Empress Zhen assigned me a new mission, asking me to go to Taiyuan, Shanxi. This time, the earth dragon is stirring in Taiyuan."
The earthquake caused heavy casualties among the people, which can be said to be a cruel natural disaster.
Chen Xiao looked thoughtful and said, "In my opinion, this is probably a trick by Li Zan and others to lure the tiger away from the mountain."
Jia Heng raised his eyebrows, his eyes sparkling with wisdom, and said, "Actually, I think so too."
Chen Xiao was surprised and asked, "So what are you going to do next... turn the tables?"
Jia Heng shook his head and said, "I'm afraid it's not that simple."
Chen Xiao said thoughtfully: "That's true, Li Zan and others are indeed not stupid people."
Jia Heng picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said, "It's up to Cao Bianjiao next."
Chen Xiao was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice: "Are you going to Taiyuan City in Shanxi Province rashly? Aren't you afraid that something unexpected will happen in the capital?"
Jia Heng whispered: "I am also making preparations for both scenarios now."
Chen Xiao asked: "Why?"
Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "I have asked Cai Quan to take charge of a part of the troops in the Beijing camp to contain them, and I have asked Jia Fang to keep an eye on the imperial guards."
Although Cao Bianjiao has agreed to cooperate with him, one must still be on guard against others, and it is appropriate to let Jia Fang monitor him secretly.
Chen Xiao looked thoughtful and said, "It's good this way, so there won't be any more accidents."
While Jia Heng was talking, he came to the desk, spread out a piece of snow-white rice paper, picked up a goat-hair brush, and began to draw on the paper, calculating his next plan.
If he leaves Shenjing, the city of Shenjing will inevitably be empty.
Of course, this would take time. It was impossible for Li Zan, Xu Lu and others to hastily launch another rebellion right after he left Shenjing.
The subtle opportunity must be grasped.
Chen Xiao walked closer, raised her beautiful eyebrows, and whispered with sparkling eyes, "Send someone to keep an eye on Li Zan first."
Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "You stay in Shenjing and help me check the situation if there is any unusual movement."
Chen Xiao asked: "When will you come back? If something happens in the capital, how will we deal with it?"
Jia Heng said, "You can send a pigeon to inform me that Taiyuan is not far from the capital city. I will come to help you overnight and arrive in no time."
Chen Xiao thought about it and said, "We can't be careless."
On the other side, Gu Ruoqing came closer, picked up a cup of fragrant tea and handed it over.
Jia Heng took a blue and white porcelain teacup, took a sip of the fragrant tea, paused slightly, and looked intently at Gu Ruoqing.
Gu Ruoqing was surprised and asked, "The prince went to see Master earlier. What did Master say?"
Jia Heng looked warm and smiling, and asked, "Your master said that Ruoqing has been married for so long, why is there still no movement in her tummy?"
Gu Ruoqing blushed and said in a blushing manner, "Your Highness is talking nonsense again. Master is fine, why would she say this?"
Jia Heng said with a hint of joking in his voice, "Come to think of it, it's been two years since we got married, and there's still no sign of pregnancy."
Gu Ruoqing lowered her head slightly, and a hint of shame and anger seemed to well up in her charming eyes.
Chen Xiao snorted coldly and said sarcastically: "I have been married for four or five years, isn't it the same?"
Jia Heng, Gu Ruoqing: "..."
Jia Heng's eyes fell on Chen Xiao's face and said, "Xiaoxiao, have you been quiet recently?"
Chen Xiao sneered at Jia Heng and snorted, "How can it be that fast? Besides, I can't make the final decision alone."
Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Then let's both work harder in the future."
When Chen Xiao heard this, her snow-white face flushed slightly, and her beautiful eyes sparkled with charm, as if reflecting the bright starry sky, shining brightly.
Jia Heng then asked, "Xiaoxiao, ask Jinyifu to closely monitor the movements of Li Zan and Xu Lu. If anything happens, report it in time."
Chen Xiao nodded and said yes softly.
While Jia Heng was speaking, he took Gu Ruoqing's slender hand and walked towards the side room in front of Chen Xiao's gaze.
A blush appeared on Gu Ruoqing's snow-white face, her beautiful eyes were soft and sparkling, and her body was burning hot.
Jia Heng leaned close to the beautiful woman's bright rosy lips, and immediately held her soft and slightly moist lips, then gently grabbed the sweetness and freshness between her lips and teeth.
Gu Ruoqing uttered a "hmm" sound, and her face, as white and tender as jade, seemed to be covered with a layer of bright red light.
Jia Heng reached his hand into the beauty's clothes and gently stroked her plump and soft breasts. Under his fingers, the snowman kept changing.
Gu Ruoqing's face, as white and tender as jade, suddenly flushed with shame, her beautiful eyes opened and closed, her eyes were as charming as silk, and her mind was immersed in the stormy sea.
Jia Heng hugged Gu Ruoqing and fell on the bed, gently stroking her plump and soft breasts.
Gu Ruoqing looked at the young man in the python costume, her delicate body trembling slightly.
After an unknown amount of time, Jia Heng embraced the beautiful woman whose body was as soft as a silkworm and said jokingly, "Ruoqing, you must have missed me a lot during this period."
Gu Ruoqing said in a dazed voice, "I think about it day and night."
Jia Heng said nothing more. He lowered his head and held the beauty's plump and soft breasts in his mouth, but he felt the beauty's delicate body trembling violently in his palms.
The two hugged each other again. Jia Heng sniffed the fragrance between the lush hair and said, "Ruoqing, what does your master like to do?"
Gu Ruoqing's temples were covered with sweat, and her fair skin was slightly flushed. She pursed her pink lips and said calmly, "Master usually just likes to play the piano, nothing else."
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Then I'll ask someone to find her a valuable guzheng."
Gu Ruoqing was extremely curious and asked, "Why did Your Majesty think of asking Master about his preferences?"
Jia Heng reached out and gently stroked Gu Ruoqing's plump shoulders, saying, "She has been working hard for Keqing for a long time."
Gu Ruoqing blinked her beautiful eyes under her emerald eyebrows. She couldn't help but reach out and tease Jia Heng gently, saying, "Your Majesty didn't tell the truth just now."
Jia Heng: "..."
Come on, does Ruoqing know him so well now?
Gu Ruoqing's cute voice carried a hint of worry as she said, "Master was alone when I was young, and it seems like it's been like this for more than 20 years."
Jia Heng turned his eyes to Gu Ruoqing and asked, "So?"
Gu Ruoqing was surprised and asked, "What else could it be? Are you planning something bad again?"
After all, they have been married for so many years and are now an old couple, so they naturally know some of Jia Heng's habits.
Jia Heng said, "I haven't said anything, what nonsense are you talking about?"
A layer of rosy blush covered Gu Ruoqing's flawless white face. She leaned her long black hair against Jia Heng's arms. Her bright eyes were charming under her emerald eyebrows.
Jia Heng leaned close to Gu Ruoqing and whispered a few words, which immediately made Gu Ruoqing inexplicably angry.
……
……
李宅
After leaving court, Cabinet Chief Minister Li Zan sat down on a chair with an armrest in his own study, placing his official hat on a small table beside him, his resolute and calm face filled with worry.
I am already undecided.
Prince Wei left the capital. Logically, this was the opportunity he had been waiting for, but for some reason, he felt uneasy.
At this moment, a servant came into the room and whispered, "Master, have some tea."
Li Zan took the teacup and asked, "Did the concierge deliver any letters?"
The servant looked up and said, "Not at this moment, sir. I'd better go and have a look."
Li Zan waved his hand gently, his face solemn, and said, "Go."
The doorman responded and turned away.
Li Zan's eyes became gloomy, and his pupils flashed coldly.
No matter what, this is an opportunity to support the Han Dynasty and restore order, and now is the time.
After a while, the servant came back and said in a deep voice, "Master, there is a letter outside. Please take a look first."
Li Zan's face turned serious, and he said loudly, "Bring it here, let me see it."
While the servant was speaking, he handed over the letter in his hand.
Li Zan opened the book and read it. When he looked up, his eyes were burning. Then, an inexplicable feeling surged in his mind.
This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The servant responded softly and turned to leave.
Li Zan stood up from the chair behind the desk and paced back and forth.
Even if this might be King Wei's strategy of "luring the snake out of its hole", he would still try it.
……
……
The next day, the sky was bright and the sun rose in the east, dispersing the dew and fog, and the sound of horse hooves came from the end of the street into the distance.
At this moment, Jia Heng received an imperial edict from the palace, rode on a maroon horse, and, escorted by the Jinyi Guards, galloped out of Shenjing City and headed towards Taiyuan City.
The entire Shenjing city seemed to fall into an eerie silence all of a sudden.
The people of Shenjing City were also paying close attention to the Taiyuan earthquake. In this era of "harmony between heaven and man", such a disastrous scene did cause a wave of rumors.
But soon, the Jinyi Guards in Shenjing City went out and suppressed the rumors.
Shenjing City, Li's House
In the study, the lights were dim, and two tall figures could be seen reflected on a screen embroidered with a pattern of mountains, rivers, bamboo and rocks.
Li Zan frowned, stared at Xu Lu opposite him, and said, "Prince Wei is gone."
Xu Lu said: "Although the King of Wei has left Shenjing City this time, he still has many followers in Shenjing City who support him."
Li Zan's thin eyebrows were like pine trees, and his eyes were filled with coldness. He said in a deep voice: "Princess Le'an is still in Shenjing City. Princess Le'an followed Prince Wei in his battles. She was Prince Wei's right-hand man. Her wisdom and strategy were not inferior to Prince Wei's."
Xu Lu paused for a moment, and whispered, "Master, what do you think we should do with Princess Le'an here?"
Li Zan showed a thoughtful look on his face, and said: "When the time comes, let Cao Bianjiao send a team of soldiers to surround the Ning and Rong mansions first."
Xu Lu thought for a moment, his eyes sparkling under his sword-like brows, and he spoke again: "Prince Wei also has Cai Quan and Jia Jia and other young generals under his command. They are generals in the Beijing camp, so we must also be on guard."
Li Zan said: "..."
Xu Lu said: "Lord, the former Prince of Nan'an is still in the capital. Why not contact him and use him as a general to take over the bravery of the Beijing Camp and command all the regiments of the Beijing Camp."
Li Zan nodded, raised his sword-like eyebrows, looked at him with blazing eyes, and said: "The former Prince of Nan'an and Prince Wei have accumulated old grievances. We can promise the Prince of Nan'an that once the great event can be resolved, his title of Prince can be restored."
Xu Lu nodded slightly and said loudly: "Prime Minister, this strategy is feasible."
Li Zan said in a loud voice: "The rise and fall of the Han Dynasty depends on this one move!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Lu nodded slightly, and a surge of heroic spirit also surged in his heart.