Chapter 4889: Employing people without suspicion

Chapter 4889: Employing people without suspicion
Princess Jinyang was a little puzzled: "Which side is this person on?"

The safety of the Eastern Palace is of utmost importance. After many military mutinies, the generals and imperial guards of both the Taiji Palace and the Eastern Palace have been replaced several times. Since Li Anyan has always been trusted by His Majesty and has never shown any rebellious intentions before, he should be a person trusted by His Majesty. However, the disrespect Li Anyan has shown to the crown prince and even the queen now does not seem like a loyal person at all.

Empress Su was also worried, but also felt fortunate: "Fortunately we have taken precautions. If Li Anyan intends to harm the prince when the storm breaks out, we can hold off for a while and wait for the reinforcements from Taiji Palace. Otherwise, if we are completely unprepared, it would be extremely dangerous."

Princess Jinyang sighed, "That's why power is so annoying. It can turn father and son into enemies, and brothers into enemies. It's a mystery who is loyal and who is treacherous among the civil and military officials in the court. We won't know until the last moment."

She stretched herself, covered her mouth with her hands and yawned, and said listlessly: "Forget it, forget it, let men worry about this kind of thing. I'm so sleepy, I'm going to sleep first."

Empress Su hurriedly said, "Come here, help His Highness to rest quickly."

"Sister-in-law, don't worry too much. Since my brother-in-law already knows about this and has arranged it personally, it must be foolproof. You should also be well rested. If the situation really changes, you can't expect the crown prince to stabilize the situation, right?"

"Well, go and have a rest. I'll sit for a while and then go to sleep."

When Princess Jinyang and the palace maids went to the bedroom on the side to rest, Queen Su sat alone under the lamp. The halo of light made her skin look even whiter than snow, her eyebrows and eyes were picturesque, and her beautiful face did not show the aging of a mother. Instead, she had a bit of charm that a young girl did not have. She was dazzling, charming and beautiful.

But at this moment, her eyebrows were slightly frowned and she sighed softly.

Your Majesty is stubborn and refuses to listen to advice. You insist on letting the bandits attack first and then strike back. Although this has helped you avoid the infamy of "massacre of royal family members", it has also added many risks. As the saying goes, even the wisest man can make mistakes, and even the most thorough defenses are bound to have loopholes. Once a mistake is made, the consequences will be disastrous.

It is unwise to put oneself in danger just for the so-called "rectification of reputation" and gain recognition from the world.

What if something happens to His Majesty, how will these orphans and widows survive?

My resentment towards Your Majesty grew stronger.

*****
"Dozens of vehicles entered the East Palace in the middle of the night and hid in the Lizheng Palace?"

The next morning, after Li Chengqian had breakfast and was handling government affairs in the imperial study, he heard the interpreter Li Siliang reporting in a low voice.

"My brother was not willing to slack off in his duty, so he went to Lizheng Palace in the middle of the night to request a search. However, both the vehicles and the items being transported had been properly disposed of, and we were unable to find out what they were. We only knew that they were nominally clothes, accessories, and daily necessities of His Highness Jinyang... Although my brother had many doubts, he did not dare to offend the Queen and the Princess, so he had to let it go."

Li Chengqian put down the brush, rubbed his wrist, and said calmly: "Since the Queen and Jinyang said so, then it is so. Tell Li Anyan that there is no need to investigate further."

Although he didn't know what was going on, he thought that the Queen was just worried that the situation might change and the Eastern Palace would be in danger, so she made some preparations in advance. As for the things transported into the palace, they were nothing more than soldiers or firearms, or even both, to strengthen the defense of Lizheng Palace.

The Queen advised him several times to worry about the safety of the Eastern Palace, but he ignored her advice. He wanted to avoid frightening the villains and making them dare not take action by strengthening the Eastern Palace's defense. He was convinced that the Eastern Palace was impregnable under Li Anyan's defense.

But since the queen has done so, let her do as she pleases.

The woman is short-sighted and has no tolerance. She is looking for troubles because of her own suspicion. No need to pay attention to her...

Li Siliang bowed and accepted the request.

Li Chengqian took a sip of tea, glanced at Wang De who was standing beside him, and asked, "Did Changle go to Fang's house?"

"Yes, His Highness Gao Yang sent someone to the palace yesterday afternoon to invite His Highness Chang Le to stay at Fang's house for a few days, saying that everyone in the Fang family missed the child."

"Could it be that Gao Yang is planning to take advantage of the child again?"

Li Chengqian was a little worried. Ever since Princess Changle gave birth to Fang Jun, Princess Gaoyang wanted to take the child back to the Fang family, not wanting the child to be "wandering outside". But Princess Changle could not be separated from the child, and she could not marry into the Fang family openly, so she had several verbal conflicts with Gaoyang.

Now he might as well invite Changle to his house. If he doesn't let the child go back to the palace with Changle, there will definitely be a quarrel between the sisters, and the lawsuit may even be brought to the emperor. As a brother, he would be in a dilemma and it would be very difficult for him.

Her resentment towards Fang Jun increased a little. If it weren't for this idiot pestering Changle, how could she be in the predicament she is in today?
Wang De said cautiously, "I don't know the truth, but His Highness Changle was in a very good mood when he left the palace. I heard that he was also very happy when he went to Fang Mansion. Everyone in Fang Mansion went out to welcome him. His Highness Gaoyang even opened the main gate to welcome His Highness Changle and his son."

Li Chengqian was speechless and glared at Wang De: "You old slave are confused. Is it a good idea to open the middle door to welcome him?"

The middle door of a famous family is usually not open, so "opening the middle door" means that something big has happened in the mansion, or an extremely noble and important person has entered the mansion. Even if Princess Changle went to the Fang Mansion, it would not meet the standard of "opening the middle door", so Princess Gaoyang asked people to "open the middle door" to show her importance to Lu'er.

The more importance they attached to him, the less likely they would let Changle leave with the child...

Wang De was stunned for a moment, then he understood immediately and quickly bowed and admitted his mistake: "This old slave is confused."

The sisters who originally loved each other became jealous because of the same man. Even if they did not become enemies, they were fighting overtly and covertly to see who was better. For a eunuch, this situation was beyond his comprehension and his reaction was inevitably slow...

Li Chengqian was a little annoyed. He was just preparing for a big plan, and he couldn't help losing his patience and not wanting to care about these trivial matters: "Let them be, as long as there is no fight, it doesn't matter. I don't bother to care."

"Here."

Seeing that His Majesty had no further instructions, Li Siliang bowed and left. As soon as he walked out of the imperial study, he saw Li Junxian striding towards him and standing at the door requesting an audience.

The two men nodded in greeting, but Li Siliang kept walking.

The eunuch outside the door went in to report, and came back a moment later, saying that the emperor had summoned him. Only then did Li Junxian step into the imperial study.

"I will see your majesty."

Li Junxian knelt on one knee and saluted.

"Be flat."

Li Chengqian sat behind the imperial desk and waved his hand, asking Li Junxian to take a seat. After Wang De brought tea, he asked, "Are there any unusual movements from the royal family?"

Li Junxian didn't drink the water, but sat upright like a pine tree, shaking his head and saying, "I have sent more people to monitor day and night, but I haven't found anyone trying to contact the military, and I can't see any movement."

"Ok?"

Li Chengqian stood up and walked out from behind the imperial desk, pacing on the carpet with his hands behind his back. After a while, he asked in confusion, "Is it possible that they have some secret way of communicating that you have not discovered? Or have they discovered your surveillance and are deliberately not taking any action?"

Li Junxian thought for a moment and said, "If there is any secret method of communication, it is unlikely. I even sent people to watch the sky over the mansions. Even if there are pigeons flying by, they can't escape their eyes. As for being discovered and monitored by them... there is actually no need to discover this, they know it very well."

Those old men in the royal family have had evil intentions for a long time, and they could not hide it even if they wanted to. It was almost equivalent to openly expressing their desire for the throne. They tested them again and again and finally calculated that Li Chengqian was too proud to kill them for his reputation, so they acted without any scruples.

Under such circumstances, how could he not know that Li Chengqian was monitoring him?

I just don't care.

Li Chengqian expressed his confusion, wondering how anyone could commit treason without military power throughout history?
The rebellious intentions of those royal family members are obvious, but they have yet to secretly collude with any military force. Could it be that they are hiding too deeply that I cannot detect it at all?

But Li Junxian was a "henchman" who was entrusted with important tasks during the reign of Emperor Taizong. He had excellent vision and sense of smell. How could he be deceived and fooled by them?

After returning to the imperial desk, he sat down and asked, "In your opinion, have these people contacted the military?"

Li Junxian said decisively, "There must be some communication. Otherwise, would they have put on their armor and rode into battle? It must be a secret method that I have not noticed. I am not talented enough to take on such a big responsibility. I am willing to step down and let someone more capable take on the important task. I hope Your Majesty will choose someone else who can take on the important task. I am willing to assist you."

He has wanted to get rid of this job for a long time, but he has never had the chance. Now he is completely unaware of the methods used by those members of the royal family, which may very likely lead to the collapse of the entire situation. It would be more appropriate for Your Majesty to choose a person with outstanding ability to take charge of the "Hundred Cavalry Division" at this time, right?

He even thought of a candidate for His Majesty. Fang Jun, the Duke of Yue, who currently does not hold an actual official position, is the most suitable...

Besides, Li Chengqian has a weak character and ill-conceived ideas. Maybe he will replace me on a whim?
Unexpectedly, Li Chengqian waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "General, why do you say that? Emperor Taizong entrusted you with important tasks and trusted you greatly. You have made great contributions to me and have been loyal to me. I am not a fool and will never let you down. Perhaps one day I will allow you to leave the Hundred Cavalry Division and return to the army to fulfill your wish of leading troops to guard the border, but not now."

Although he did not have outstanding political talent, he still understood the principle of "don't employ people if you doubt them, and don't doubt people if you employ them." Moreover, at such a critical juncture, even if he was dissatisfied with Li Junxian, where could he find a more suitable candidate than Li Junxian to take charge of the "Hundred Cavalry Division"?
Fang Jun?
Oh, he is a great empire hero with great power over the world. He also holds the military power and can call the wind and rain. How can he be loyal to me like a hawk or a dog?
What's more, the rumors about the Queen and Fang Jun in the market really bothered him. Although his reason told him that it was all nonsense and without basis, the Queen's repeated protection of Fang Junzhi and the trust and respect she expressed in her words made him feel like a thorn in his heart.