Chapter 4951 The arrow is on the string

Chapter 4951 The arrow is on the string
Since the "curfew" in Chang'an City was lifted, the security level of the palace has been raised to a higher level. After the keys are locked every night, all security measures are fully activated. The entire palace is like an iron barrel, and the entry and exit of people are subject to extremely strict restrictions.

Although the "Hundred Cavalry Division" has its own channels for internal and external communication, it is also affected by such strict control, and the transmission of information is inevitably delayed. This is why Li Chongzhen, fearing that the situation will be delayed, had to report to Li Junxian in the palace while running to ask Fang Jun for instructions. If he blindly waited for feedback from the palace, he might miss the big thing...

When the news was finally delivered to the palace, Li Junxian immediately went to the Wude Hall to report to Li Chengqian.

Upon hearing that the whereabouts of Li Shenfu and other clan members were unknown, Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows and sighed softly.

Although he had been waiting for such an opportunity so that he could legitimately eliminate the treacherous and consolidate the imperial power, when this day really came, his heart was filled with regrets.

Throughout the ages, in any dynasty, the royal family has been the most solid cornerstone of imperial power. Only with the support of the royal family can the rule of imperial power be maintained.

Whether they are civil officials, military generals, or even nobles, they are all outsiders.

The royal family is our own people.

However, since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, there have been three large-scale rebellions, each of which involved members of the royal family or even directly initiated by them. As a result, as the outcome was decided, members of the royal family were cut off one after another, and those members of the royal family who had made outstanding achievements in the early days of the founding of the country were almost wiped out, leaving only some timid and incompetent people.

Even if he successfully thwarted Li Shenfu's rebellion and completely annihilated him, what would that matter?
As the royal family declined, they could only play a balance between civil officials and military generals. However, both civil officials and military generals had their own demands, and their core interests were actually contrary to imperial power. Solely relying on the "emperor's mind" was not a long-term solution, and the slightest mistake would lead to destruction.

But if we continue to keep these people, it would be like burying a thunder bomb under the throne, and we don't know when it will explode...

"It doesn't matter. Since we have made a comprehensive plan, they can't turn the tables."

Having experienced hesitation and cowardice at the beginning of his reign, Li Chengqian has at least improved in his temperament and is not at all panicked when things get tough.

Li Junxian pondered for a moment, then said hesitantly, "Should we inform the Grand Commandant? If he doesn't know your majesty's plan, he might not know how to cooperate and end up making things worse."

"No need."

Li Chengqian waved his hand, his expression slightly sarcastic: "Changle, Jinyang and... the Queen are all in the Eastern Palace at the moment. He must be keeping an eye on the situation in the Eastern Palace. If the Eastern Palace is in danger, he will definitely go all out to rescue it. He will definitely not allow the Eastern Palace to have the slightest accident. You don't need me to worry about it."

Li Junxian lowered his head, wishing he could stuff his head into his crotch and stuff his ears with cotton so that he couldn't hear a single word.

It would be fine to just mention Changle and Jinyang, but why do you have to add the queen at the end?

Could it be that some royal secret had happened that I didn't know about...

Li Chengqian saw his look and said unhappily, "General, there is no need to be suspicious. I have promised to be with you from beginning to end and complete this relationship between monarch and subject. I will never break my promise."

He also wanted to be like Emperor Taizong, getting along well with his ministers and having a good beginning and a good end. The person who first made him have this idea was Fang Jun, but today, he already knew that there were irreconcilable contradictions between him and Fang Jun, and they might not be able to go to the end.

Then, Li Junxian, who has always been by his side and responsible for his safety, is an excellent replacement...

Li Junxian was moved and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your grace!"

He is no longer the passionate young man who got excited when His Majesty Li II encouraged him. The emperor's words are just that. He said, "Listen, don't take it to heart..."

"Be flat."

Li Chengqian enjoyed the sense of accomplishment of winning over his subjects and asked, "Who is on duty at the Secretariat tonight?"

The Secretariat had sixteen "Sheren" whose rank was from the sixth rank, called "Zhongshu Tongshi Sheren". They were in charge of submitting memorials and conveying imperial edicts. They were the king's absolute confidants and could be said to be "low in rank but with great power".

However, no matter how powerful they are, it is difficult to hide the flaw of "low position". Moreover, as the king's confidant, they are naturally contrary to the upright people. Even if they enter the court, it is difficult for them to get the recognition of civil servants. Most of them are hesitant in their careers and find it difficult to achieve anything.

Of course, this is not absolute.

For those in the officialdom, age is almost as basic as ability. Even if the king promotes a Tongshi Sheren who is over thirty, it is difficult for him to achieve great things. But if he is a Tongshi Sheren who is not yet twenty, everything is possible...

Li Junxian said: "The official, Li Siliang."

Li Chengqian raised his lips and said, "According to the Zhongshu Province's schedule, is he really supposed to be on duty tonight?"

Li Junxian thought for a moment and said, "It is indeed him who is on duty."

Li Chengqian took a sip of tea and said slowly, "So the operation was launched on the day he was on duty, or was it planned in advance and even the shift schedule of the Secretariat was influenced?"

The sixteen secretaries of the Secretariat took turns to enter the palace to serve as clerks, so that the emperor could issue edicts or review memorials at any time. The sixteen people took turns to serve as clerks, and the minimum interval was half a month. If one wanted to arrange for a certain person to be on duty on a certain day, it had to be planned in advance.

During this period, there will inevitably be unexpected situations such as people asking for leave, so the Secretariat must cooperate...

Li Junxian's heart skipped a beat, and he said hurriedly, "I don't know, and I dare not speak nonsense."

He knew what it meant if the Secretariat was involved. The current Secretary-General was Liu Li, who was always regarded by His Majesty as a "trump card" to check and balance the military. If Liu Li colluded with the royal family...

The power structure of the court was completely unbalanced.

Li Chengqian exhaled, rubbed his forehead, and sighed: "In the past, when I was under the instruction of Emperor Taizong, I thought everything went smoothly and everything went as I wished. Now I know how difficult it is. The simple phrase 'governing a big country is like cooking a small fish' contains the most profound wisdom and means in the world."

He waved his hands in annoyance and said, "It is pointless to say more now. Go call him over and tell him that I want to draft an imperial edict."

"Here."

Li Junxian took the order, stepped out of the hall and arranged for someone to invite Li Siliang in. He then went back into the hall and stood solemnly at the door without saying a word.

From now on, he cannot leave Li Chengqian even a step away. He must ensure Li Chengqian's safety with his life and cannot bear the slightest risk.

……

Li Siliang was lying in bed with his clothes on in the duty room behind the side hall, but he naturally couldn't fall asleep. Outside, he could hear the rustling of footsteps, and even the occasional sound of neat steps and the collision of armor plates. Li Siliang was lying on the bed, staring at the beams, feeling both excited and nervous.

The third watch drum had been beating for a long time, but there was no movement from the Wude Hall. All the emotions in his heart turned into anxiety, even mixed with a hint of fear. Although he had already accepted the consequence of "success or death" when he gambled everything, he still estimated that the possibility of success of this mutiny was very high, so he just took a risk.

When faced with failure, he wondered if he would collapse...

A burst of hurried footsteps was heard, and Li Siliang pricked up his ears and widened his eyes.

There was a knock on the door: "Li Sheren, get up quickly, His Majesty has summoned you!"

Li Siliang rolled over and stood up, suppressing the excitement in his heart. He jumped off the bed and walked to the door. He walked a few steps and stopped, took off his shoes, and then walked to the door in slippers to open it. He yawned and rubbed his eyes, and asked vaguely, "I wonder what the emperor summoned you for?"

The person outside the door was not an eunuch, but a guard. His eyes were fixed on Li Siliang's face, and he replied, "I don't know either. I came here on orders and dare not ask more questions."

"Okay, let me wash my face and put on my shoes."

"Hurry up and don't delay."

"Yeah, soon."

Li Siliang returned to the house, washed his hands and face in the copper basin against the wall, put on his shoes, and then went out with the guards to the Wude Hall.

The heavy snow that had fallen all day not only did not stop, but the snowflakes as big as reed catkins fluttered down and formed a thick layer on the ground. The lanterns under the corridors on both sides emitted a faint light, which reflected slightly on the snow.

At some point, the number of guards near the Wude Hall increased significantly. They were divided into groups of five or ten, some walking back and forth on patrol, and some standing still on guard. It was probably because there was a ghost. Li Siliang felt an invisible pressure coming towards him, which made him tremble with fear.

Could it be that the news leaked out and Your Majesty was already prepared?

If that's the case, then if I'm summoned this time, I'm afraid there will be blood spilled within five steps and people will fall to the ground...

With a worried heart, he kept walking until he was outside the Wude Hall. An eunuch was waiting there. Upon seeing Li Siliang arrive, he led him in without even notifying him...

After entering the imperial study, he saw Li Junxian standing by the door like a door god, wearing a helmet and armor, with his hand on his waist sword. Li Siliang's heart skipped a beat. Why did this man appear in the emperor's bedroom in the middle of the night?

I felt that this was more and more unusual. It was a very cold day, but my underwear on the back was already soaked with cold sweat.

"I am here to see Your Majesty. What instructions do you have?"

He bowed to the ground and saluted His Majesty who was standing behind the imperial desk.

Although he lowered his head, he secretly looked at Li Chengqian with the corner of his eyes. He was wearing a casual suit, and his expression did not show any laziness after waking up from a deep sleep. He was energetic and his brows were furrowed. It was obvious that he had not slept at all...

Li Chengqian took a sip of tea, his expression calm: "I have an imperial edict to write, which will be sent to the Ministry of Personnel for seal tomorrow morning. I am sorry to disturb your rest."

Li Siliang said hurriedly: "This is my duty. I don't know what your will is. Please let your Majesty know."

Li Chengqian stood up and said, "Come here and work on the draft of the imperial edict."

"Here."

Li Siliang walked up to the side of the imperial desk, poured some clean water into the inkstone, pinched the ink stick and ground it gently, while listening to Li Chengqian's instructions.