Chapter 189 Winning Over
Inside the study of the Cui residence, after hearing Lu Lingfeng's account, Cui Shiliang's cloudy eyes suddenly lit up, and he leaned forward slightly, "Is that really how she arranged it?"
Lu Lingfeng, standing below, nodded. "Qingci told me all of this herself; there's absolutely no lie about it."
"Can she be trusted?" Cui Yunyi, sitting in the main seat, frowned, her tone filled with doubt.
“Su Qingci is Li Yuanzhao’s man, and has always been loyal to him. How could she easily reveal such a confidential matter to you?”
"Your Highness, please rest assured." Lu Lingfeng quickly explained, his tone filled with certainty, "Qingci is deeply devoted to me. She only revealed this little bit because she was afraid that I would be implicated at the banquet."
Upon hearing this, Cui Shiliang suddenly laughed.
"Whether it's true or false, we'll act according to the situation that day. If it's true, we'll seize the opportunity to solidify her charge of treason; if it's false, we'll remain still and just watch the show."
He paused, his tone turning serious: "Moreover, the scouts have been reporting these past few days that the Jinwu Guard camp in the west of the city is intensifying its drills every day, clearly preparing for a major battle. This aligns with what Su Qingci said."
Cui Yunyi remembered something and said, "Speaking of which, our people also saw that a couple of days ago, Li Yuanzhao privately met with Wen Shuzheng from the Imperial Medical Academy at the Princess's residence."
After hearing this, Cui Shiliang became even more convinced, "It seems that she really did suspect our secret letter, which is why she couldn't wait to investigate it."
Sitting to the side, Li Yuanshu was completely bewildered. Finally, he couldn't help but speak up, "Trust? What trust? Why would Li Yuanzhao rebel for no reason? This doesn't make any sense..."
Since Li Yuanzhao left that day, she has stayed indoors and quietly disposed of the corpses in the mansion.
Even the bloodstains on the ground had to be washed repeatedly before they were completely clean.
Not only could she not reveal Li Yuanzhao's actions to anyone, she even had to actively help cover up this bloody massacre.
After all, if the assassination attempt on Li Yuanzhao were exposed, she would be the first to suffer.
At this moment, her right arm was still wrapped in thick bandages, and she even told her mother that she had accidentally injured her arm while riding a horse.
She wouldn't have wanted to go out if her mother and uncle hadn't specifically called her here today.
But when she arrived, she heard nonsensical things like "Li Yuanzhao rebelled" and "forced abdication and plotted rebellion," which made her even more confused.
Cui Yunyi quickly grabbed her hand and patted it gently, signaling her not to say anything more.
Cui Shiliang ignored Li Yuanshu's doubts and, after instructing Lu Lingfeng to leave, turned to look at the person who had been sitting quietly in the shadows.
"General Feng, you heard what was just said, didn't you? Li Yuanzhao is a wolf in sheep's clothing, actually trying to force the emperor to abdicate during the New Year's Eve banquet. If she succeeds, not only will His Majesty suffer a terrible fate, but we, his loyal subjects, will also be doomed!"
In the capital city today, there are three main armies, each with its own responsibilities, forming a delicate balance of power.
Shen Churong led the Imperial Guards stationed inside and outside the palace, not only protecting the entire palace but also shouldering the heavy responsibility of ensuring the safety of the capital region.
Li Yuanzhao's Jinwu Guards were responsible for patrolling the outer perimeter of the imperial city and maintaining the security of the capital.
The remaining force is the Longwu Army, which is under the command of Feng Deshun and is mainly stationed at Longwu Gate.
This Longwu Gate is the north gate of the imperial palace, and it is no ordinary gate.
This gate was used for important ceremonies such as the emperor's ascension to the throne and the emperor and empress's wedding.
From Longwu Gate outwards is Zhuque Avenue, and inwards it leads directly to the Imperial Palace, making it a vital passage to the core area of the Imperial Palace.
Once Longwu Gate falls, the enemy can advance unimpeded and directly threaten the inner palace.
For this reason, although the Longwu Army was not as strong as the Imperial Guard and the Jinwu Guard, it became a strategic location because it guarded the "North Gate".
To deal with Li Yuanzhao, they need to have military power.
Even if Shen Churong's relationship with Li Yuanzhao is not good on the surface, he is still Li Yuanzhao's cousin, so he cannot be won over.
Feng Deshun, who came from humble beginnings, rose step by step to the position of General of the Dragon Guard through his military achievements. Unlike Xiao Duo, the former commander of the Imperial Guard, who was a loyalist, Feng Deshun valued practical interests more. His experience from humble beginnings made him well-versed in the ways of power and knew how to assess situations.
Moreover, he was stationed at the most important Longwu Gate. If they controlled the Longwu Army, wouldn't they be in charge of the palace?
This is also why Cui Shiliang was determined to win him over.
The candlelight cast a flickering shadow on Feng Deshun's face, and he remained silent for a long time.
He had no prior connection with this Minister Cui.
However, his deputy general He Peng had a lot of dealings with the Cui family before his death, and had even been sent to help the Second Prince with disaster relief.
However, he and He Peng had always been at odds, and when he learned that He Peng had died at the hands of rioting refugees, he felt a sense of satisfaction.
Now that His Majesty is seriously ill and the court is in turmoil, it is clear to everyone that this is a sign of an impending change of dynasty.
Many people in the capital had already begun making moves in secret, all hoping to find a good way out in the new dynasty.
Feng Deshun naturally didn't want to fall behind either.
However, the Cui family is now in decline, and the second prince is still living a solitary life in a temple. By all accounts, they are not a reliable ally.
However, when the Imperial Guard was recruiting female soldiers some time ago, he publicly refuted the idea in court. I wonder if this has aroused the Princess's resentment.
That's why he's been holding back, waiting to see things more clearly before making any decisions.
If Cui Shiliang's claim that "Li Yuanzhao is plotting a rebellion" is true, then the situation will reverse.
If the eldest princess were to rebel at the New Year's Eve banquet, and he were able to lead troops to quell the rebellion, it would be a "meritorious service in saving the emperor," and his future would be limitless.
However tempting the "benefits" may be, he cannot easily agree to them.
Having spent over twenty years in the military, Feng Deshun understood the principle of "not releasing the hawk until the rabbit is seen."
Cui Shiliang said that if they wanted to cooperate, they had to see what price the other party was willing to offer.
After a long silence, he finally spoke, “Prime Minister Cui, please forgive my bluntness, but this matter is of great importance. If the Princess truly harbors treasonous intentions as you claim, according to the law, we should report directly to His Majesty and request His Majesty to issue an order for her arrest, and then hand her over to the Court of Judicial Review for interrogation. How can we plot this in private?”
He deliberately adopted a posture of "loyalty to His Majesty" and directly refused.
Upon hearing this, Cui Shiliang immediately said, "General, you are mistaken! The matter of Li Yuanzhao's rebellion is merely information we have gathered, and there is no concrete evidence! She is currently enjoying great influence, His Majesty trusts her implicitly, and many court officials are also loyal to her. Who would truly believe that she would rebel at this time?"
He paused, then lowered his voice: "If she turns around and accuses us of framing her, we'll be in a passive position."
Cui Shiliang certainly did not want to reveal Li Yuanzhao's identity to the emperor.
Only if Li Yuanzhao remains firmly in her position as the eldest princess will the Consort's scheme to switch the prince and murder the empress be kept secret.
This would also prevent the issue of "another prince being out of town" from being brought up, thus ensuring that Li Yuanyou, as the "only prince," could smoothly ascend the throne.
Feng Deshun frowned even more, his tone hesitant.
“But if His Majesty’s decree is not issued, and troops are rashly sent to surround the palace on that day, even if I have rendered meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion, it will arouse His Majesty’s suspicion, and I may not have a good ending in the future. I am not willing to get involved in this mess.”
Seeing that his expression softened, Cui Shiliang softened his tone: "General Feng, let me speak frankly. His Majesty is already halfway to the grave, and may pass away any day now. General Feng has worked diligently in the Longwu Guard for so many years, don't you want to find a better way out for yourself?"
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