Tibet

Chen Xuanli is already a veteran in his seventies. He has followed Emperor Li Longji for forty-five years and has been serving as General Longwu. This shows that the Emperor has great trust in him.

In his later years, of course he also considered his children and grandchildren. Sooner or later, the country and the country would belong to the prince, so it was normal for him to support the prince.

It's just that the emperor was still thinking about deposing the prince in his later years, which made it difficult for Chen Xuanli to handle.

Therefore, he could only be loyal to both sides as much as possible. However, as the emperor became more and more suspicious of the prince, and his determination to depose the prince became stronger day by day, Chen Xuanli was under tremendous pressure. He already felt that the emperor wanted to treat himself and the prince. The prince took action.

Of course, Chen Xuanli would not give up and go to Qizhou to hide for a few days to see how the situation changes.

"Master, go and tell Gao Lishi!"

My old wife, Mrs. Wang, advised: "It's normal for you to support the prince! You have no plans to launch a coup or anything. You have been with the emperor for so many years. Doesn't the emperor even understand this?"

Chen Xuanli sighed and said: "Now the emperor favors Yuan Siyi and does not trust Gao Lishi as before. I went out to hide for a few days. In fact, I just told the emperor that whether he wants to depose the prince or establish a new crown prince, it has nothing to do with me. , this is an attitude.”

"You might as well just resign and go back to your hometown to retire!"

Chen Xuanli shook his head, "If I really resign, it will be another betrayal and abandonment of the prince. He will also liquidate me or my descendants in the future."

"Perhaps you are thinking too much, and the emperor has no intention of doing anything to you?"

Chen Xuanli smiled bitterly and said: "I really hope that I am thinking too much, but I know him too well. King Qing was sentenced to death, and the next step was to depose the prince. Unfortunately, An Lushan's rebellion disrupted his plan. Now An Lushan is temporarily Withdrawing the troops, he will definitely depose the prince, which will involve me! Just think that I am on a business trip!"

His old wife packed his luggage, and Chen Xuanli left Chang'an overnight and went to Qizhou in the name of recruiting troops.

That night, Li Longji issued a decree, strongly criticizing Prince Li Heng for doing nothing when the Tang Dynasty was in danger. Instead, he colluded with powerful officials and undermined the internal stability of the Tang Dynasty. This was seriously unbecoming of a prince, and he was given a warning.

The issuance of this decree made all the courtiers feel the emperor's determination to depose the prince. Everyone could see that this warning was just a prelude, a declaration, and a strong hint.

In the East Palace, Prince Li Heng's face was ashen, his lips were trembling involuntarily due to the extreme tension in his heart, and his body was also trembling.

He knew very well that his father's decree tonight was just a test. If there was no large-scale strong opposition tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, his father would issue a formal edict to abolish the prince.

The father didn't even need to produce a single piece of evidence. This was a gesture to forcibly depose the prince. He endured the humiliation and endured the heavy burden. After being the prince for more than ten years, he still did not escape the fate of being deposed.

Li Heng covered his face and choked silently. His father's ruthlessness made him heartbroken.

Li Chu, the king of Guangping, silently watched his father's endless pain. He wanted to give some advice, but he didn't know where to start.

Li Chu moved his lips, but still advised: "Father, things are not at their worst yet. Maybe we still have a chance to make a comeback."

"What chance will I have?"

Li Heng sobbed: "I have curled up in the corner like a dog, and he still refuses to let me go. He actually said that I have done nothing. When did he give me the chance to do something!"

"Father, I believe that tomorrow many courtiers will write letters to persuade the emperor's grandfather, and Gao Lishi will also intercede on behalf of his father."

"It's impossible. Ever since Li Cong was sentenced to death, I know that he has made up his mind. If he doesn't abolish me, Li Cong's death will be in vain."

"But there is a war now. If the emperor wants to depose the prince, isn't it just to trigger civil strife? It will be seriously detrimental to countering the rebellion!"

Li Heng shook his head gently, "He only has imperial power in his heart, and nothing else is important."

Li Chu left the East Palace with a heavy heart and returned to his mansion. He also felt that his father had never been as dangerous as he is today. In the past, Gao Lishi was able to persuade the emperor's grandfather, but now Gao Lishi is showing signs of falling out of favor. At least Yuan Siyi is better than him. He is even more trusted by the emperor's grandfather. From the fact that today's imperial edict can be issued, it means that Gao Lishi has no effect.

Is my father really going to be deposed?

"who is it!"

A guard in front suddenly shouted loudly, "This is King Guangping's motorcade. Who are you? Do you want to assassinate him?"

I only heard a familiar voice saying calmly: "Your Highness must want to see me. Please tell me, Wu Tingchuan Qiu Shou, I saved him."

Li Chu reacted suddenly, "It's Li Ye, my God! Why is Li Ye in Chang'an?"

Li Chu was like a drowning man who suddenly grasped a life-saving straw. He kept saying: "Please invite him to see me quickly!"

The visitor was none other than Li Ye. He had followed Li Chu's carriage from the East Palace and did not show up until there was no one around.

The leading guard opened the door and made an invitation gesture. Li Ye got directly into the carriage and closed the door. Dozens of guards stood around the carriage with knives, watching the surrounding movements with vigilance.

In the carriage, Li Ye took off his bronze mask and smiled slightly: "Your Highness, we haven't seen you for a long time!"

Li Chu took a deep breath and said, "Let's not waste time. Just tell us your intention!"

Li Ye got straight to the point: "I know the crisis His Royal Highness is currently facing. I have ways to resolve this crisis, but I have conditions!"

Li Chu had an inexplicable trust in Li Ye. He knew that as long as Li Ye said he could help his father get out of crisis, he would definitely be able to do it. Li Chu nodded, "Tell me! What are the conditions?"

"After the Anlushan rebellion ends, I want the west of Congling. I don't want to betray the Tang Dynasty, but I hope that my descendants and I can guard the border for the Tang Dynasty."

Li Chu was silent for a moment and asked: "You promise that it will only be west of Congling? Not including Anxi and Beiting?"

"Yes! Excluding Anxi and Beiting, I only want the west of Congling and the west of Yili Valley, that is, the west of Suiye. I will go to conquer and expand the territory for the Tang Dynasty."

Li Chu nodded, "As long as you can help my father get out of the crisis, I promise you!"

"Your Highness's golden words!"

"Never regret it!"

Li Chu and Li Ye high-fived each other, and Li Chu quickly asked: "You want to tell me, how can you do it?"

"It's very simple. Feilong will also launch a coup in the next few days."

Li Chu was shocked, "How could that happen?"

"Why not?"

Li Ye sneered and said: "An Lushan's retreat is to create opportunities for them. Currently, there are 10,000 Feilong troops in Ba. Li Wan has formed an alliance with Feilong, and Yuan Siyi is an internal collaborator. Once Li Wan leads his army into the Daming Palace, , the emperor cannot escape."

Li Chu suddenly remembered something and said, "I heard that Feilong returned to the rooftop of Daming Palace today."

Li Ye nodded, "Feilong wants to capture the emperor himself and force him to abdicate!"

Li Chu thought for a moment and said, "After the edict was issued today, will Feilong change his mind again?"

Li Ye laughed, "The emperor just wants to change the prince. It may take ten years for the new prince to ascend the throne. Feilong can't wait. This is his last chance. If he doesn't seize it, he will never have it." Opportunity.”

Li Chu suddenly looked at Li Ye, "You will definitely not let the coup happen, right!"

There was a hint of slyness in Li Ye's smile, "Feilong hates me deeply, not without reason!"