Chapter 176 Mutiny

The retired emperor's condition worsened very suddenly, not only catching the palace off guard, but also disrupting the retired emperor's own plans.

After Li Huazhang got the tiger talisman of Xuanxiaowei, he quickly arranged the emperor's funeral. He knew that the news of the emperor's death could not be kept secret, and it was estimated that it would not be long before Han Jie heard it. Han Jie was far away in Yizhou, and suddenly received the news of the emperor's death. He would definitely suspect that the emperor had met with an accident. Li Huazhang had to go to Yizhou quickly to tell Han Jie the emperor's last will, so as to prevent Han Jie from raising troops to rebel and cause a disaster.

But when the emperor died, only Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang were by his side. The special envoys of Taiji Palace quickly rushed to Shangyang Palace and tried to find out what the emperor said before his death. Li Huazhang concealed the part about Xuanxiaowei and told the rest truthfully. However, the eunuch was skeptical. Later, Princess Taiping and Prince Xiang came. Li Huazhang was too tired to deal with them and was too anxious to deal with Han Jie.

By the time Li Huazhang returned to Chang'an with the coffin of the retired emperor and handed over the funeral rites of the Great Saint Empress Wu Zetian to the Ministry of Rites, it was already December. Li Huazhang could no longer wait, and on the day he returned to Chang'an, he took refuge in the Prince Yong's Mansion in the name of mourning, declined all visitors, but in fact, he and Ming Huashang traveled light and quietly out of Chang'an and rushed to Yizhou.

During this period, Li Huazhang had to deal with the royal family and was unable to do anything else, so Ming Huashang took over the Black Iron Tiger Talisman on his behalf. While she took over the bases of the Xuanxiao Guards in Chang'an and Luoyang, she gradually replaced key positions with her own people, and at the same time she also paid attention to the news in Yizhou.

However, as she expected, she sent several letters to Yizhou, asking all the strongholds in Yizhou to report the situation truthfully, but all of them fell into the sea and no news came.

Ming Huashang gave up quickly. It seemed that the entire Yizhou was now under the control of Han Jie. Unless they went there in person, they would not be able to contact the Yizhou stronghold.

After Li Huazhang settled the funeral of the retired emperor, Ming Huashang also counted the staff and luggage, waiting for Li Huazhang to return home before they set off. They didn't know how long they would be gone, and Ming Huashang was afraid that something might happen in Chang'an. Before leaving, she sent a message to Ming Yuji, Xie Jichuan, Jiangling, and Ren Yao, tactfully telling them that it was close to the end of the year, the empress had passed away, and the vassal states would come to the capital on New Year's Day, and there would be many foreign envoys entering the capital. At this juncture, public security could easily go wrong, so they were asked to act carefully and pay more attention to the movements of the two capitals.

After everything was settled, Ming Huashang put on his hood and disguised himself as a caravan with Li Huazhang. They left Chang'an quietly as it was getting dark.

After leaving the territory of Yongzhou, the two men took off their disguises and rode at full speed towards Yizhou.

Yizhou is surrounded by mountains, which is easy to defend but difficult to attack. However, its hinterland is a plain, rich in food, brocade, salt and iron, and has a large population. It has always been a battleground for military strategists. The emperor was very wise to use this place as a base for his comeback. However, for Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang, two outsiders who were "recruited", Yizhou was undoubtedly a tough nut to crack.

Snow fell from the sky and turned into water when it landed on the ground. The people around were used to this kind of cold weather. The streets were crowded with people, and the calls of vendors were heard one after another. The rain did not affect the enthusiasm for doing business at all. The waiter saw a couple approaching in the rain from a distance and hurried out to greet them: "My dear lady, you are back! The horse you bought is a good one. The pattern is simple and elegant. It really suits you."

The waiter said he wanted to hold an umbrella for the customer. The man in the dark blue round-necked robe said "thank you" but did not give him the umbrella. Instead, he changed his hand to hold the umbrella and leaned over to help the lady in the lake blue cape up the stairs, whispering to her, "Be careful, the floor is slippery."

The waiter rubbed his hands, thinking that his words were a bit redundant. Fortunately, the lady did not let his words fall on the ground. She smiled and said, "Thank you for recommending the cloth shop to us. The Shu embroidery is really exquisite. If it hadn't rained, I would have been reluctant to leave."

The lady looked young, and when she smiled, her eyebrows curved and her voice was like a silver bell. The gloomy sky in Shu seemed to have cleared up. The waiter also smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it. Are you newlyweds? Li Jinzhuang's pomegranate pattern is the most famous, and it means many children and good fortune. It is just right for you two guests."

Ming Huashang was a little embarrassed. Although she and Li Huazhang had been married for some time, she still couldn't stay calm when she heard others wishing them many children and happiness. Li Huazhang didn't react much. He nodded to the waiter, as if he was discussing academic matters with others. He said calmly, "Thank you for your kind words. My wife's hair was wet by the rain. Please heat some hot water and send it to the guest room."

The waiter hurriedly agreed and escorted them upstairs. After closing the door, Ming Huashang took off her wet cape and said speechlessly, "What are you talking about? We are not really here to see Shu embroidery. Why did you buy these?"

They disguised themselves as a group of merchants coming to Yizhou to purchase Shu brocade. Ming Huashang made secret inquiries on the streets under the pretext of purchasing, but had no intention of really buying anything. However, after hearing the introduction from Jinsu Zhuang's people, Li Huazhang suddenly had an idea and insisted on buying a piece of brocade, which was the famous pomegranate pattern of Li Jinzhuang.

Because he was still in mourning for the emperor, Li Huazhang picked a low-key violet blue brocade, but even so, the rich pomegranate seeds on it were enough to show the meaning. Ming Huashang was very embarrassed all the way, but Li Huazhang, the culprit, calmly added charcoal to the hand warmer, put it in Ming Huashang's hand, and calmly pulled Ming Huashang to sit down: "Since we are here, we can't go back empty-handed."

Ming Huashang glared at him unhappily: "We haven't even seen Han Jie yet, and you're still thinking about going back?"

The Chang'an headquarters has maps of each branch, and they know which places in Yizhou are the Xuanxiaowei strongholds, including the Jinshi where they visited today, where there is a Xuanxiaowei contact point nearby.

But knowing the location does not mean that everything is fine. All contact points are open for business. They only know the location but do not know the internal staff and operation methods. They cannot fundamentally shake Han Jie's position.

Li Huazhang was very calm about this. He carefully warmed Ming Huashang's hands and said, "Han Jie is not stupid. We have been pretending to be guests to scout the place these days. We have almost figured out the terrain. I believe Han Jie knows we are coming. It's no fun to play hide-and-seek anymore. Next, why not tear off the window paper and invite Han Jie out for a chat."

Li Huazhang was always so keen on breaking the window paper. Ming Huashang silently raised an eyebrow and said, "Do you trust Han Jie so much?"

"Of course I don't believe it." Li Huazhang said, "So you take the tiger talisman and your men out of the city first. If I haven't come out by the evening of tomorrow, it means that Han Jie has changed his mind. You take your men back to Yongzhou and dispatch troops to encircle and suppress Yizhou."

Ming Huashang's face darkened: "What about you?"

"I have to go see him." Li Huazhang looked apologetic but said to Ming Huashang firmly, "Based on my understanding of Han Jie, he is not a person who cannot distinguish right from wrong, but I have to prepare for the worst. If he does not believe in the edict of the retired emperor and even rebels against the Tang Dynasty, I will never let you and the Xuanxiaoweihu Talisman fall into his hands. But if he just doesn't know that the retired emperor has changed his mind in the end and is determined to avenge the retired emperor, we can't wrongly accuse a loyal minister."

Ming Huashang asked: "Do you think he is a loyal minister?"

"In this world, some people are loyal to the emperor, and some are loyal to the country. It's nothing more than seeking common ground while reserving differences and having a clear conscience." Li Huazhang looked into Ming Huashang's eyes and said seriously, "I have a different opinion from him, but I want to give him a chance."

Ming Huashang sighed in his heart. He always thought so highly of others. He wanted to give Han Jie a chance, but how could he know if Han Jie wanted to be a loyal minister? Now that Empress Wu Zetian had passed away, no one could stop Han Jie. Han Jie could lead the remaining Xuanxiao Guards to occupy the mountains in Yizhou and become the king. With the ready-made power in hand, who would be willing to retreat bravely and bow their heads to the leadership of their former subordinates?

If they don't make it clear now, both sides can pretend to be deaf and dumb. If Li Huazhang asks Han Jie clearly, it will force Han Jie to express his position. Han Jie will be angry and embarrassed. Will he harm Li Huazhang or even capture Li Huazhang to threaten the court?

Li Huazhang understood these principles, but he always practiced virtue and kindness, and his principles did not allow him to sentence people to death without any reason. Ming Huashang knew that if she used their feelings to force Li Huazhang to go with her, Li Huazhang would be reluctant to refuse, but then he would no longer be Li Huazhang.

Ming Huashang held Li Huazhang's hand and said, "Okay, since you believe in him, I believe in him too. I'll go with you."

"No." Li Huazhang was shocked and rejected it. "You can't risk your life. What if he is an unscrupulous and ambitious person? Wouldn't it be dangerous for you to stay in the city?"

"Then you are not in danger?" Ming Huashang looked at him stubbornly and said, "I will face it with you. If Han Jie really has second thoughts, I will be there to protect you during the evacuation. We are in this together, whether we live or die, we are together."

Li Huazhang's lips moved slightly. He could be righteous and aloof to himself, but he couldn't control his selfishness when facing Ming Huashang. He looked at Ming Huashang's clear and firm eyes, and finally gave in. He suddenly hugged her tightly, buried his head in her neck, and whispered, "Okay."

They sleep in the same bed in life and in the same grave in death. Whether in life or in death, they are together.

Ming Huachang initially wanted to accompany Li Huazhang to meet Han Jie. After the two discussed, they each took a step back. Ming Huachang took the tiger talisman and his men and withdrew to the vicinity of the city gate, while Li Huazhang went to meet Han Jie alone. If he succeeded in persuading Han Jie to surrender, nothing would happen, which would naturally be the best situation. If Han Jie refused to lay down his butcher knife, then the master and apprentice would have no choice but to fight. Ming Huachang sent someone to meet Li Huazhang, and at the same time guarded the retreat route to avoid being caught in a trap.

李華章在聯絡點給韓颉留信，約定十四申時蓬萊茶樓相見，兩人都不帶任何侍衛和武器，君子協定，單刀赴會。

很快到了約定的時候，明華裳看着李華章長身玉立，輕輕松松，當真按照協定孤身赴約，忍不住道：“要不你帶幾個人，埋伏在茶樓周圍，萬一有什麽意外，好歹有個照應。”

“不必。”李華章說，“是我發起的邀約，說好了誰都不帶武器和侍從，我自然要以身作則。”

明華裳還是不放心：“可是……”

“裳裳，相信我。”李華章走近，俯身在她唇上輕輕一吻，低不可聞在她耳邊說，“人都留給你，虎符也留給你，我帶一塊假的去見他。如果酉時我還沒回來，不要猶豫，立刻帶着人出城。”

明華裳眼眶有些濕，她環臂抱住他脖頸，用力在他唇上親了一口，說：“答應我，安全回來。”

李華章摸了摸她的頭發，深深抱了她一下，就強迫自己放手：“好。”

第一批人已經喬裝成百姓，陸陸續續散布在城門了，明華裳帶着剩下的人走，李華章按照計劃出門。隐藏行蹤是玄枭衛的基礎課，他走出明華裳的藏身點後，在四周閑逛，等确定身後沒有跟蹤之人後，他才往蓬萊茶樓走去。

李華章從不遲到，今日他來的比約定的時間早一刻鐘。他剛踏入茶樓門檻，就意識到周圍有埋伏。

看來，韓颉并沒有遵守君子協議啊。

李華章像沒發現一般，閑庭信步走到包廂坐下，拂袖烹茶。他碾茶、加水的動作行雲流水，不疾不徐，看不出一點緊張。

仿佛現在孤身深入敵營，被衆多暗箭瞄準的人，并不是他。

韓颉也沒想到李華章竟當真單刀赴會，有沒有帶暗器不好說，但茶樓周圍一個埋伏都沒有，韓颉都不知該說他膽大還是該說他傻。韓颉藏在暗處，默默看了一會，對手下說：“你們繼續盯着，我下去會會他。”

手下聽後有些驚訝：“統領，您豈能以身犯險？”

“無妨。”韓颉淡淡說，“他都來了，我若不出現，顯得我怕他們。你們仔細注意茶樓周圍的路，尤其注意一個長相很甜美、看起來毫無攻擊力的女子。如果她出現，立刻放信號彈，關城門。”

“是。”

水沸了一回，李華章加第二遍水的時候，門被人推開了。李華章擡眸瞥了一眼，鎮定自若放下茶瓢：“你來了。水剛沸了第一次，再不來，茶就要老了。”

韓颉在他對面坐下，看着他慢條斯理烹茶，道：“雍王好氣度，這種時候，依然有心情喝茶。”

“這是你教我的，不動聲色，言出必行。”李華章翻開兩個茶盞，用帕子墊着茶壺柄，茶水汩汩注入盞中，“請。”

韓颉看着瓷盞中碧綠色的茶湯，沒有動，慢慢道：“我記得，我從未教過言出必行。只有那些迂腐的聖賢書，才會這樣說話。”

“不，你教過。”李華章端起一盞茶，他手指白皙修長，骨節分明，指甲修剪地勻稱整齊，按在茶盞上，似乎比瓷器都要名貴。他吹散茶霧，輕輕呷了一口，道：“當年，是你告訴我，不要拿官場那一套對自己的隊友。他們是能幫我殺人的矛，也是關鍵時刻能救我性命的盾，我可以不相信自己的家人，但可以放心将後背交給隊友。你教給我的術雖不同，但究其背後的道，亦是言出必行。”

韓颉聽罷靜了一會，慢慢拿起另一杯茶，端在指尖把玩。他嗅了嗅茶霧，由衷贊道：“好茶。你妹妹素來不耐煩侍弄茶，你卻相反，難得。”

他突然提起明華裳，李華章捏着茶盞的手指猛地縮緊，指節都幾乎泛白。他穩住心緒，還是按照自己的步調笑了笑，道：“她并非不耐煩，只是懶。若煮好了給她，她還是樂意嘗試的。畢竟，有舒服日子不過，誰願意自找麻煩呢？”

韓颉挑眉笑了笑，點頭道：“此言有理。但如果，你們的舒服日子，卻是別人的麻煩，你說，這麻煩，找還是不找？”

兩人你來我往一語雙關，漸漸到了圖窮匕見的時候。李華章緩緩摩挲茶盞，說：“我們頭頂一樣的天，腳踩一樣的地，便有不同，無非是智者樂山，仁者樂水。何至于到非你即我、不死不休的地步呢？”

韓颉看着他淡淡一笑，輕飄飄道：“大概因為，你姓李，而我只是一介平民。若非則天陛下，我早在十七年前就會凍死街頭。這條命是武家給我續的，我活着一日，就該向武家報一日的恩。”

“武家？”李華章反問，“你效忠的人，究竟是則天陛下，還是武家？如果你報恩的對象是武家，那則天陛下親自下令恢複皇後尊號，與高宗合葬乾陵，算是半個李家人，剩下的武家人中，魏王已死，那你要報效的對象，就是梁王了？”

韓颉嗤笑一聲，雖然他沒說什麽，但看得出來他十分看不上太上皇那兩個扶不上臺面的侄兒，道：“我這人沒什麽道德觀念，只知道有恩要報，有仇必殺。至于什麽家國大義，我是一向不懂的。我不信別人說什麽，我只信我看到了什麽。”

“那你更要聽聽則天陛下的遺诏了。”

李華章放下茶盞，正襟危坐，肅容道，“陛下死前命我給你傳口令，停止一切行動，日後任何調遣，皆聽從虎符號令。”

“虎符？”韓颉眯眼，看着李華章的眼神倏地變了，“你拿到了虎符？”

“是則天陛下傳給我。”李華章知道此刻一定有無數張弓拉滿了，但凡他稍有異動，就會被射成篩子。他無視劍拔弩張的氣氛，依然注視着韓颉，氣定神閑道：“你既然聽令于則天陛下，自然明白陛下這樣做是為了什麽。韓颉，我向你允諾，我之前的話依然作數。只要你放下屠刀，不會有任何人被牽連，每個人都可以開始新的生活。我相信，好好過日子是所有人的期望。家和國，不該成為對立；報恩和道義，也不該對立。”

兩人的談話越來越直白，回旋餘地也越來越小。韓颉冷笑一聲，袖中的手攥緊了刀柄，随時準備動手：“這麽說，我竟成了壞人。可是，當時只有你在場，你們李家人最是團結，誰知道是不是你為了讓李家坐穩江山假傳聖旨，甚至，是你殺死了陛下。”

李華章聽到韓颉的回話其實松了一口氣。他最擔心的其實是韓颉自己生了反心，如果這樣，無論他說什麽都沒用。但韓颉懷疑的是太上皇的遺诏，那就說明至少現在，韓颉沒有生出自立的念頭。李華章心如平鏡，因為他問心無愧。

李華章說：“則天陛下是什麽樣的人，你比我更清楚。若非她自己想通，僅憑我，有能耐在她眼皮子底下瞞天過海，全須全尾拿到虎符嗎？她是個帝王，我恨她殺我親族，卻承認她身為帝王的功績，若非如此，我不會去上陽宮侍疾。如今她已經病逝，她願意以大唐皇後的身份下葬，我們這些晚輩也願意保留她的帝號，以帝王之儀供奉她。如今她已身死，她和李家的恩怨也俱煙消雲散，等再過些年，後人說起她，恐怕根本不會在意她是周朝的帝王還是大唐的帝王。因為她和李唐，早已如手心手背，你中有我，我中有你，再不可分。”

李華章看似在擺大道理，其實隐晦地點明了好幾樁利害。首先，在位李家人都是則天女皇的嫡親血脈，反皇帝，就是反女皇；同樣的道理，皇帝也不可能廢去女皇的帝號，因為這樣一來他自己的皇位也得位不正。

只要後世帝王會繼續供奉則天大聖皇帝，那供奉的到底是周皇還是唐皇，又有什麽區別？再者，女皇生前就已經決定還政于唐，李旦是女皇親自接回來冊為太子的，李華章是女皇親封為雍王的，她被推翻後想政變複國才是不清醒，她真正的政治理念，一直都是傳位李家。

當然，最重要的還是這些話是李華章說出來的。如果李華章沒有去給女皇侍疾，或者侍疾一個月女皇就死了，無論李華章說什麽韓颉都不會聽。但李華章在上陽宮待了六個月，他若真想暗殺女皇，要動手早該動手了，沒必要等六個月；能在一個年老體衰的病人身邊照顧六個月，就算他是裝出來的，也夠了。

韓颉明白，李華章說的話，極有可能真的是女皇臨終前的囑托，別人不好說，李華章的人品他還是相信的。但韓颉作了太久間客，生性多疑，他道：“你如何證明你說的是真話？把虎符給我，如果虎符是真的，我就信你。”

Li Huazhang's eyes were clear and he refused outright: "No, the tiger talisman is a token of Xuan Xiaowei and will never be handed over to another person. What if you have second thoughts about Xuan Xiaowei and secretly replaced the tiger talisman?"

If Ming Huachang were here, she would be scared to death by Li Huazhang, because he didn't have the tiger talisman on him, so how could he dare to be so tough?

But Han Jie believed it. If Li Huazhang compromised, Han Jie would have doubted how he got the tiger talisman. But Li Huazhang's expression was righteous and he refused without hesitation. If he had not been so confident, he would not have dared to be so forceful. Han Jie would have believed that the tiger talisman was passed down to him by Empress Wu Zetian.

Seeing Han Jie's attitude soften, Li Huazhang knew that his risky move was the right one. He drank a sip of tea calmly, feeling very at ease.

Because of his good reputation, no one doubted him even though he lied several times at critical moments.

Whether it is Ming Huashang or Han Jie.

Li Huazhang sighed innocently.

As long as the attitudes were agreed upon, the rest would follow naturally. Li Huazhang grasped the main thread, and Han Jie took care of the other details. Soon, with the tacit consent of the two parties, a mutiny was averted.

Li Huazhang remembered the time he had agreed with Ming Huachang. When he saw the sky getting darker and approaching the evening hour, he excused himself in advance. When he walked out, he saw the ambushers outside, but he remained calm and walked through the sword forest with a calm demeanor, picking up his umbrella standing by the door. When he bent down, the ambushers thought he was going to attack them, so they stepped back. Li Huazhang seemed not to notice, holding his umbrella, and walked into the rain without looking back.

Everyone looked at the tall and winding green figure in the rain, and were all impressed by Li Huazhang's demeanor.

This turned out to be the Tang Dynasty's Prince Yong. He was indeed elegant and extraordinary.

Li Huazhang was calm and composed. To outsiders, he seemed to be strolling leisurely, but in fact, he was thinking about where to find a horse. If he walked there like this, he would be late and his clothes would get wet.

Although he didn't care about the outside, he couldn't appear in front of Ming Huashang in a disheveled state. He remembered that during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Ming Huashang drank a lot and told the truth in a confused state, saying that she liked the second brother the most because he was handsome.

The next day when she woke up, she made a lot of complaints, such as admiring Li Huazhang's talent and character, but Li Huazhang didn't believe them at all.

His sister is lazy and indolent, has no patience for thinking, and has a very superficial appreciation of the ideal partner.

Li Huazhang thought of Ming Huashang, and his sharp and clear eyes softened unconsciously. In the cold rain, the sound of horse hooves came from far away. Li Huazhang raised his head with an umbrella and saw a green figure approaching from far away. When she saw Li Huazhang, she immediately dismounted and rushed to Li Huazhang in two steps: "Why are you here? Are you okay?"

Li Huazhang saw that her clothes were covered with raindrops. He held her hand with concern and moved the umbrella to her: "I'm fine. Why don't you even wear a raincoat?"

Ming Huachang became more and more anxious as the hour of You approached. She couldn't stand it any longer. She left half of her group to provide support and took the other half back to find Li Huazhang. She had no time to wear a raincoat. When she saw that Li Huazhang was indeed fine, she finally relaxed: "I was scared to death. Fortunately, you are fine."

Li Huazhang smiled and hugged her. In fact, it was not yet the hour of the Rooster. Even if he did not show up at the hour of the Rooster, she should not come back. The truly righteous approach should be to take people away and preserve strength. However, with her in his arms, who would care about righteousness?

Love itself is irrational.

When Ming Huashang saw Li Huazhang appear here safely, he knew that he had succeeded. Ming Huashang did not ask where Han Jie was. He took Li Huazhang's hand and walked out, complaining: "Yizhou is so cold. I originally thought that the south is warmer than the interior, and the winter should be easier to bear. Now I know that the coldness of rain is much more unbearable than snow. Let's go back to Chang'an quickly."

Li Huazhang responded gently, "Okay." As the two were talking, a man in black, dressed as a Xuanxiaowei, suddenly ran towards them.

Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang both realized that something was wrong, and they stopped talking. The relaxed and happy atmosphere just now disappeared. The man in black stopped in front of Li Huazhang and presented a secret letter with both hands. Li Huazhang opened the envelope and his face turned ugly as soon as he read the first sentence.

Ming Huashang glanced at it and saw the words written at the top -

"On December 7, the Crown Prince plotted rebellion and forced his way to the abdication gate..."

The seventh day of the twelfth lunar month was seven days ago.