Invincible son

There has always been an unwritten rule in Daliang's officialdom, that is, the important officials of the two governments will not set foot in each other's government office.

Although the two government offices are located in the Chengtian Gate of the imperial city, and the distance between them is less than a hundred feet, they have always been clearly separated for decades.The reason is not complicated. After all, this place is in the palace. As a courtier, you must understand the principle of avoiding suspicion. No king would like to see the ruler and the military get too close.

However, this rule was finally broken today.

When the sky was dark, Hou Guliang of Guangping walked straight to the east after entering the palace, and entered the political affairs hall under the curious and awe-inspiring gaze of all the officials of the Eastern Mansion.

Luo Ting, who was in power on the right, went out to welcome Gu Liang in person, and led Gu Liang to his room on duty. After serving tea, the clerk quietly withdrew.

It was obviously not the time for polite greetings, Gu Liang asked straight to the point: "Is Your Majesty well?"

Luo Ting sat upright, and said in a deep voice: "The knife stabbed His Majesty's abdomen, and the knife was smeared with poison. Fortunately, it was a relatively common poison. There is a ready-made antidote in the imperial pharmacy in the palace. But His Majesty is still in a coma after treatment. Well, you also know the nature of those people in the Tai Hospital, they never dare to give a word other than kowtow."

Gu Liang frowned and said, "Master Mo is still in the harem?"

Luo Ting nodded and sighed: "It's a mess. Concubine De said those words on the altar of offering sacrifices to heaven. The empress obviously lacked confidence. Naturally, Concubine Wu and the crown prince couldn't trust her, but things in the harem couldn't go directly past the queen, so they had to Please, please sit in the harem for the time being. Brother, don’t worry, Jun Xinggong should be able to hold on, I have already asked Wu Cunren and others to accompany me."

Gu Liang asked again: "Is the prince still safe?"

Luo Ting's face softened slightly, and he said slowly: "Your Highness's right leg was injured. Fortunately, you and Li Zi took care of it in time. After the imperial doctor re-applied the medicine and bandaged it, he confirmed that there would be no major problem, but it's just that he has been unable to move recently."

Gu Liang looked a little more relaxed, picked up the teacup and took a sip of the warm and suitable tea.

Seeing this, Luo Ting asked, "How is the situation in the capital?"

Gu Liang said: "The city is generally stable. I have asked Su Ping, the governor of the capital, to inform all the squares to tell all the people to enter a state of martial law in the near future. However, what happened at the Taimiao today cannot be covered. The rumors are rampant, and you don't need to think about it to know that this is Wang Pingzhang's trick. I came here to ask you to find an excuse, how the court should characterize today's chaos."

Luo Ting said calmly: "The imperial court should be honest and clean, and the thieves should not be allowed to confuse people's hearts. In my opinion, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince should issue a decree, stating that the chaos in the Taimiao was the sixth prince Liu Zhi and Wang Pingzhang's plot to rebel and kill the king. Report the crimes of the two men in the world, and strictly order the officers and men of the Beijing Army battalions to bring order out of chaos, and at the same time send Hongling messengers to rush the frontier troops to Jingqin King."

This is an old and prudent policy, and Gu Liang naturally has no objection.

Luo Ting changed the subject and said, "The two battalions of rebels have already approached the city, but I don't know what banner and name Wang Pingzhang is fighting for?"

Gu Liang said calmly: "It's nothing more than the rhetoric of killing national thieves. Wang Pingzhang made people shout in the city that the second prince is plotting to rebel and kill the king. Xiao Jin and I are his lackeys working for tigers. He ordered the soldiers of the garrison to be killed within three days." Kaesong surrenders, otherwise we will all be regarded as traitors and accomplices and beheaded."

"How absurd." Luo Ting's eyes showed a sharp murderous look, and then he said solemnly: "Brother, the rebels must not be allowed to invade the capital. If the situation turns into street fighting, the damage to the capital and the court will be immeasurable. Even if we kill all the rebels in the end, the country and court will be seriously injured."

Gu Liang nodded and said: "Xiao Jin is extremely steady in using troops, and defending the city is his best field. The [-] elite garrison division is not just a smuggler. As long as there are no problems in the city, it is absolutely impossible for the rebels to break through the capital. Before I come Let's get along with Xiao Jin, he is fully responsible for defending the city, and I will recruit veterans in the city as soon as possible to deal with the follow-up battle."

Luo Ting was silent for a moment, and said guiltily: "It's because I don't know people well. I didn't expect Xu Shou and Wang Pingzhang to join forces."

As the most powerful city in the world, Kyoto is extremely difficult to capture. The Beijing Army's West Camp and South Camp must be fully prepared.Wang Pingzhang is not yet able to cover the sky with one hand, and his private arrangements must not bypass the Fifth Army Commander's Mansion.However, from the beginning to the end, neither Luo Ting nor Gu Liang received any notification from the governor Xu Shou, which shows that something went wrong in this crucial link.

Gu Liang said slowly: "There is no need to blame yourself. After all, it is difficult to know the heart after all. Xiao Jin told me that all relatives of Wang Pingzhang, Xu Shou, Qu Jiang and others disappeared. I just don't know whether to take advantage of the chaos to leave the capital or hide in the city."

He paused, and said with a complicated expression: "I don't know if you still remember that more than two months ago, when the barbarian disaster broke out in northern Xinjiang, Ge Shuyi led the army and was defeated by the barbarians. At that time, Xu Shou strongly recommended Pei Yue as the commander. Therefore, there was a dispute with Qu Jiang. At that time, I felt strange. Now that I think about it, this is probably Wang Pingzhang's old way of setting up doubts, so that Xu Shou and Qu Jiang will confront each other, so as to confirm His Majesty's decision to send Pei Yue north. idea."

"Beiying..." Luo Ting hesitated to speak.

Gu Liang took his words and said: "A few hours ago I sent someone to Beiying to deliver the order, but I guess the messenger may not be able to arrive there smoothly. Even if Pei Yue took away Zangfengwei and Tai'anwei, Wang Pingzhang would not Ignore the existence of Beiying. However, there is no need to worry about this matter, there are already arrangements for Beiying."

This sentence made Luo Ting heave a sigh of relief. Of course he knew how deep the city of Gu Liang and Pei Yue was. Even though Luo Huanzhang had already shown his banner to follow Wang Pingzhang, it would be a dream for his son Luo Kedi to control Beiying.

The most urgent problem right now is the hidden dangers in the capital. Without the assistance of the internal staff, even if Wang Pingzhang has two battalions of over [-] troops, it would be very difficult for Wang Pingzhang to break through the capital.

After pondering for a moment, Luo Ting said in a deep voice: "There must be a lot of Wang Pingzhang's people hiding in the city. If these people can't be found as soon as possible, there may be mistakes in the city defense."

Gu Liang slightly raised his eyebrows and said: "Before entering the palace, I went to Taishitai Pavilion to meet Mo Moyun."

Luo Ting stared into his eyes and asked bluntly: "Brother, although you and I both know that the guards of the Jingning Palace are guarded by Luan Yiwei, but what Concubine De said at the altar of offering sacrifices to heaven today has nothing to do with Taishitai Pavilion? Does it matter?"

As a prominent figure in the army, Gu Liang knew the background of Taishitai Pavilion very well. Of course, he knew the particularity and powerful strength of this yamen.Luan Yiwei has launched a top-to-bottom self-examination in the palace, but the pavilion is still completely in Shen Moyun's hands. Even though there is a thread behind some people inside, it is difficult to resist Mo Moyun's decision at this time .

Logically speaking, Mo Moyun, as the lone official trusted by Emperor Kaiping, should not be suspected by the important officials of the two governments, but Concubine De was able to enter the Taimiao with a dagger and even knew the secrets of the palace, so it is difficult to break away from Taige .

Gu Liang thought for a while and said: "Silence Cloud told me that there are indeed people in the Luan Yiwei, but the matter of the concubine De has nothing to do with him. Simply put, the person he put into the Luan Yiwei is actually not his. People, most likely Wang Pingzhang's ambush more than ten years ago. He asked me to tell Mr. Mo and you that Taige will do its best to dig out the secret work in the city. Judging from my point of view, Mo Moyun is not lying."

Luo Ting sighed lightly, with a slight hesitation on his face, but he did not continue this topic after all, and said slowly: "I will try my best to coordinate the various ministries in the court, and at the same time appease the people in the city, and do a good job of backup for my brother and the Marquis of Xiangcheng .”

Gu Liang got up and said: "Okay, I still have some things to discuss with Xiao Jin, so I will leave."

Before he left, Luo Ting suddenly called out, "brother."

Gu Liang stopped and turned around, looking at Luo Ting's hesitant expression, he couldn't help saying calmly: "Don't worry, I'm not from Wang Pingzhang."

Luo Ting said ashamedly: "Brother, I don't doubt your loyalty—"

Gu Liang interrupted him and said: "You and I have known each other for nearly 30 years, so we should know that I will not lie to you. When it comes to loyalty, I, Gu Liang, are indeed not as good as you and Mr. Mo, but this time I will definitely not." It will make Wang Pingzhang's wish come true. The reason is actually very simple, if he and Liu Zhi gain power, it is still uncertain whether the Guangping Marquis Mansion can be preserved, and the Zhongshan Marquis Mansion will definitely disappear."

Thinking of his relationship with Pei Yue, Luo Ting was finally relieved, and understood why Gu Liang was willing to make a move on the altar of offering sacrifices to heaven.

Presumably, the moment he made the move, his mood was extremely complicated.

The world is like chess, and no one is spared.

……

In fact, Gu Liang is very aware of the worries in Luo Ting's heart. What he said earlier is not false, but there are still some unfinished words.

Passing through the deep doorway of Chengtian Gate and walking out of this majestic palace city, he couldn't help turning his head to take a look when he heard the sound of the key being dropped from the palace gate behind him.

The night is like ink, with faint light.

After boarding the carriage of Guangping Marquis Mansion, the wheels slowly ran over the flat bluestone ground, Gu Liang's eyes were slightly closed, and he said after a long time: "Chen Xizhi still lives in Shen's residence?"

There was another person in the carriage, but he seemed to be hiding in the dim light, and he said unhurriedly: "Yes, master. Earlier, the fourth young master sent a message that Chen Xizhi was placed in Xing'an Fucheng by my uncle, and our people watched secretly. Mo Moyun's confidantes drove away my uncle's people, took Chen Xizhi back to the capital quietly, and never came out after entering Shen's house."

Gu Liang murmured: "Understood, withdraw the manpower."

The man hesitated for a moment, then asked inexplicably: "Master, since you are determined to do nothing and only guard the capital regardless of the emperor's life or death, why did you save the crown prince earlier?"

"Saving Liu Xian is to pave the way for Pei Yue's future." Gu Liang said calmly, and then Luo Ting's words flashed in his mind, the so-called court guard who suddenly rebelled, a sinister assassination, a poisoned blade, ordinary poison and The ready-made antidote in the imperial pharmacy...

Thinking of this, he couldn't help sneering: "Assassins should be real, but the real assassin died long ago, and the assassin on the altar of heaven is just a cover. I will never underestimate your majesty, so I will just watch silently." , just give those people a little convenience when necessary."

The man nodded in understanding, and said: "In this case, why doesn't the master tell the young master the truth?"

Gu Liang said indifferently: "Even though Brother Yue has deployed in the south early on, in fact he just wants to protect himself. If we really want him to know about these undercurrents in the capital, he will definitely not sit back and watch His Majesty fall into a desperate situation. But he obviously doesn't understand Or you don't want to understand the simple truth, the emperor's trust is only temporary, if His Majesty is allowed to wipe out all the rebellions safely, there will be no peace in the Zhongshan Marquis Mansion in the future."

The man said respectfully: "This subordinate understands."

Gu Liang lowered his head slightly, and laughed at himself: "Your Majesty wants to use me to check and balance Wang Pingzhang, but he is always on guard against me. Generally speaking, he treats me fairly well, so I have hesitated during this time, but Thinking of the scene where my father died with his decapitated body in a different place, I felt an indescribable depression in my heart."

A look of anger and grief intertwined appeared on the man's face.

Gu Liang breathed out a foul breath, and said softly: "The chaos in Kyoto, everyone has their own goals, what we have to do is to gently push the situation in a certain direction. Go ahead and follow the previous instructions. Don’t be ambiguous about the proposed strategy, what should be done, and some people and things can be turned a blind eye.”

The man replied solemnly: "Yes, master."