Invincible son

Chapter 1102 1103 【Break】

Dongcheng, Taipingfang, in a remote wide and narrow alley.

Gu Liang sat on the back of the docile horse, staring at the distant sky with deep and melancholy eyes.

There was a carriage next to it, and the curtain was lifted, revealing the face of Luo Ting, the right ruler of the Eastern Mansion.

Once upon a time, there was a rumor widely spread in the capital, that is, don't provoke the Marquis of Guangping among the Wu Xun and the right ruling among the civil servants.Relying on the respect of Emperor Kaiping, the former beat up countless Wu Xun relatives and playboys who oppressed kindness.The latter was even more outspoken and dared to act. Back then, he was only Yushi Zhongcheng who dared to impeach Wang Pingzhang and made Wang Pingzhang feel ashamed.

But they don't know whether this is their intention or intentional. As the power in their hands increases, the number of people who dare to try to tease them is almost extinct.

However, this pair of close friends who seem to outsiders to have a fiery temperament fell into an extremely long silence today.

The north wind passed through the alley, and the surrounding area was quiet.

After a long time, Luo Ting said slowly: "Your Majesty valued Pei Yue so much, not because he wanted to flatter and kill him, but because he hoped that he could become a model of civil and military affairs in the Manchu Dynasty. Let him take charge of the Northern Camp, enter the Western Mansion, and become the Duke of the State." , This is to prepare for the recovery of the homeland of the Southern Dynasties in the future. Brother, you should know the character of His Majesty, he has no palace and schemes of the late emperor, and has always been honest with each other, so you should not doubt him."

Gu Liang narrowed his eyes slightly, and said expressionlessly: "Example? Pei Yue has been through life and death all these years. Even when the capital was in danger, he never had any wrongdoing. Isn't that enough to be an example? Don't forget, Your Majesty Although she is young, there is still an unfathomable empress dowager in the palace."

Pei Yue could think that Liu Xian's performance at today's court meeting was related to the Empress Dowager Wu, and it was even more impossible for Gu Liang to ignore this point.

Luo Ting said in a deep voice: "Although the Son of Heaven is the Supreme Liang, there will inevitably be struggles and compromises between the monarch and his ministers in any dynasty in any era. You and I both know that it is a dream How to limit the power struggle within a reasonable range, so as not to affect the overall situation, is the choice that smart people need to make."

Gu Liang remained silent.

Luo Ting said again: "Actually, I am not here today to discuss the relationship between His Majesty and Pei Yue with my brother. I believe that Pei Yue has the ability and the mind to handle those things well."

Gu Liang's eyelids moved slightly, and he asked calmly, "Why is that?"

Luo Ting looked directly at Gu Liang's side face, and said word by word: "I want to know whether elder brother participated in the assassination of the late emperor?"

Although he is known for his uprightness, it does not mean that he is ignorant of those conspiracies and calculations.

The Kaiping Emperor was hurt by the explosion caused by the gunpowder in the palace. Ordinary people may only be surprised and frightened, but for a high-ranking person like Luo Ting, there are too many strange things in it.To complete such an earth-shattering assassination act, one or two people simply cannot do it. Even if the news of Mo Moyun's death reveals some secrets, it is not enough.

Gu Liang looked up at the sky slightly, and said leisurely: "Is the answer to this question still important?"

"Of course it matters!"

Luo Ting said in a low voice but hastily.

Gu Liang shook his head and said, "It's not important."

Luo Ting showed a slight look of pain, and said with complicated emotions: "Back then, you and I had a long talk in that small town of Yaozhou. You were a military officer with outstanding military achievements but was repeatedly suppressed and depressed, and I was just burying my head in a pile of old papers. You are an ordinary scholar in China. You told me that even if you can’t make a fortune in this life, you will not follow the example of those who are disloyal and unfilial. Now that more than 30 years have passed, you are already a first-class military minister. Have you forgotten your original intention? ?”

Gu Liang sighed softly and said, "I never forget."

Luo Ting said coldly: "Then why do you want to kill the king?"

Gu Liang didn't answer, but asked instead: "The king wants the minister to die, but the minister has to die?"

Luo Ting said without hesitation: "This is the truth since ancient times."

Gu Liang smiled, shrugged his shoulders and said: "I know you will answer like this, so I said earlier that the answer to that question is not important. In my opinion, the first emperor is good in everything, but there is only one shortcoming, that is, being too suspicious. Heavy. He forced Pei Zhen and Lu Min to death, and rebelled against the fourth prince and Wang Pingzhang, not because these people really did treasonous acts, but because he suspected that they would do so."

Luo Ting fell silent again.

He has received the most orthodox scholar education since he was a child, and the idea of ​​loyalty to the emperor has been engraved in his bones.

If he hadn't known Gu Liang for decades, he wouldn't have asked that question at all, and he would have been a stranger ever since.

After a while, he said with some difficulty: "In terms of how to deal with Duke Xianding, the late emperor did something wrong. However, Lu Min, Liu Zan, Wang Pingzhang and others have proved that they really have disobedience and disobedience. For the thought of infidelity, the late emperor just led the snake out of the hole, but actually did not make a wrong judgment."

Gu Liang said slowly: "I only have one daughter."

Some things don't need to be said too clearly, especially since the two have known each other for so many years and already know each other very well.

Luo Ting understood Gu Liang's implication. If Emperor Kaiping hadn't encountered the explosion, after Wang Pingzhang's death, Pei Yue would either have to hand over power or repeat the same mistakes.

Judging from Pei Yue's temperament, the second possibility is more likely, and I'm afraid it will be another bloodbath.

Luo Ting let out a breath of foul air, tugged on the tight collar, and said in a low voice: "I have another question."

Gu Liang turned his head to look at him, and said calmly: "I know what you want to ask, but I can tell you frankly that Pei Yue doesn't know about this matter. You know my temperament, since I decided to do that , so that people around me will not be involved. From the beginning to the end, Shen Moyun and I negotiated in private."

Luo Ting felt a little relieved that Gu Liang's murder of the king was more or less related to the events of the year. After all, the Gu family was almost ransacked and wiped out by Emperor Zhongzong.However, Pei Yue's transformation from a bastard son to the current Duke cannot be separated from Emperor Kaiping's respect and trust. If this son kills the king just to protect himself, then no matter how much credit he has, how capable he is, and how extensive his connections are, It is impossible for Luo Ting to sit back and watch him continue to assume power.

But the person in front of me...

There was a look of pain in Luo Ting's eyes, and he said quietly: "The words you said to me, a poor scholar, opened a door for me, and this is how the East Mansion is in power today. Later, in the officialdom, you secretly helped me many times , I also keep this friendship in my heart."

A gentleman can never give in bad words.

Gu Liang looked at the reins in his hand, and said softly: "I thought you would send me to the palace, and ask His Majesty for an order to cut off my head."

Luo Ting shook his head and said: "The first emperor didn't do this, so naturally I can't do it either. If my brother died, how could Pei Yue accept it willingly? Even without these constraints, I couldn't be so cruel."

He paused, and laughed at himself: "Everyone has selfishness, so I am no exception. It's ridiculous that I have been rampant in the court all these years. I don't know where I got the face from."

After a moment of silence, Gu Liang said, "Thank you."

Luo Ting slowly put down the car curtain, and said, "Let me call you brother one last time, and I will keep an eye on you and Pei Yue from now on."

Gu Liang nodded and said, "Okay."

The carriage moved forward, the wheels rolled by.

In the carriage, Luo Ting's face was slightly pale, and his hands were tightly clenched together.

After 30 years of ups and downs, they parted ways today.

(End of this chapter)