Chapter 201: Reality and Falsehood
Ren Yao and Jiang Ling went to patrol the city walls as usual. Somehow, their comrades learned about their upcoming marriage, and when they saw them, they smiled and said, "Captain Ren, Mr. Jiang, congratulations."
Ren Yao was startled, and before he could react, Jiang Ling had already taken out the wedding cakes and stuffed them into the mouths of everyone with a smile: "Thank you very much, when we have the banquet, please come and show your support."
The wedding cakes were wrapped in red paper with auspicious words like "May you have a happy marriage forever" written on them. It was obvious that a lot of thought went into them. Ren Yao looked at Jiang Ling in surprise, not even knowing when he had prepared these.
The prizes were given out early in the morning. No matter if they were acquainted or not, they came to join in the fun. Jiang Ling accepted everyone who came. As long as they said congratulations, he would happily give them wedding cakes. A package of wedding cakes was quickly distributed. Ren Yao looked at his empty package and said, "I thought you put dry food in it, but it turned out to be this. If you give it all to others, what will you eat for lunch?"
They patrolled the Jianmen Pass, and it often took a whole day to walk, so Ren Yao and Jiang Ling had developed the habit of carrying dry food and water when they went out. This morning, Ren Yao saw Jiang Ling carrying a large bag, and thought it was food he had prepared, but it turned out to be wedding cakes.
Jiang Ling put away his bag and said as a matter of course, "Aren't you still here?"
Ren Yao raised his eyebrows and said coldly: "I only brought my own."
Jiang Ling came up with a playful smile: "I don't believe it. You must have brought mine."
To be on the safe side, Ren Yao always brought two people's worth of anything whenever he went out, but he never used it, and she never mentioned it. But Jiang Ling knew that there would always be a place for him by her side, so he dared to act recklessly.
Ren Yao rolled his eyes at him and walked forward with the package on his back. Jiang Ling ran after him with a smile: "Thank you for your hard work, madam. I'll take it!"
"Go away, who is your wife?"
"I'm wrong, I'm wrong. Thank you for your hard work, sir. It's my turn to take it."
While the two were playing, Jiang Ling saw the general coming and waved: "General Zhou, we are getting married! Thank you for taking care of Ren Yao during this time. This is the wedding cake she specially left for you."
Ren Yao stared at Jiang Ling in shame and annoyance. How did he become her wedding cake? Jiang Ling motioned Ren Yao to stop talking and smiled as she stuffed the wedding cake into General Zhou's hands. After all, it was a happy event, so General Zhou did not refuse it. After taking it, his expression softened a little: "Are you going to hold a wedding banquet?"
Before Ren Yao could say anything, Jiang Ling said, "The date has not been decided yet. We would like to ask the general to officiate at our wedding, as we are grateful for your care in the past few months."
General Zhou also knew that these two people came from Chang'an. He didn't know what they had offended to be sent to such a place, otherwise, he was not qualified to be their leader. But Ren Yao and Jiang Ling had no complaints. They called him "General" and were very respectful to him. When he was patrolling and training, he did not show the arrogance of the children of the Chang'an nobles and did everything for them.
General Zhou originally thought that they wanted to be transferred as soon as possible, so they were deliberately showing it, but he watched coldly for a while and found that these two people were very serious about their duties. After their shift, they went home to cook and decorate their rooms. It seemed that they wanted to settle down here and there was no sign of them compromising.
Gradually, General Zhou also sincerely regarded them as his own people. Jiang Ling's feelings for Ren Yao were seen by everyone, and now the two were finally going to get married, General Zhou was happy for them. If they were in Chang'an, the one who was qualified to officiate at their wedding would probably be at least a duke, and now that they had invited him, it was clear that they truly regarded him as their superior.
In the past, General Zhou would have agreed, but now, General Zhou sighed and said, "I just received a letter from Chang'an that the emperor has abdicated the throne to Prince Xiang and restored the title to Prince Wen. The court is at a critical juncture, and Jianmen Pass is an important border pass, and nothing can go wrong. As the commander-in-chief, I must not neglect my duties. I'm afraid I won't be lucky enough to drink in your wedding wine."
Ren Yao and Jiang Ling looked at each other, both shocked. Jiang Ling immediately stopped smiling, and Ren Yao asked solemnly, "When did this happen?"
"The official newspaper said it was the first day of March, but the journey to Jianmen Pass was long and we were delayed for two months. It's only now that we've arrived."
Ren Yao asked hurriedly: "Prince Wen abdicated the throne to Prince Xiang, what about Queen Mother Wei?"
General Zhou waved his hands helplessly, "I don't know."
·
The time goes back to two months ago, the last day of February, Taiji Palace.
Xuanwu Gate was covered in blood red, and it was hard to tell whether it was the fire or the blood. The heads of the Wei family were hung on the horses. They were killed in their sleep, and their eyes were still wide open, as if they couldn't believe that the soldiers they looked down on dared to disrespect them.
An officer of the Ten Thousand Cavalry raised his arm and shouted, "Empress Wei poisoned the late emperor and endangered the country. Tonight, we must work together to eliminate the Wei family and their cronies, and support Prince Xiang as the emperor to stabilize the world. If anyone dares to help the rebels, his three clans will be punished."
The soldiers of the Yulin Camp responded one after another. They had long been dissatisfied with the group of powerful Wei family children. When their leader, with whom they had worked for more than ten years, gave the order, they were immediately mobilized and directed their attacks against the Wei family.
The left 10,000 cavalry attacked Xuande Gate, and the right 10,000 cavalry attacked Baishou Gate. They killed the soldiers guarding the gates, and after the two armies met at Lingyan Pavilion, they immediately beat drums. The Xuanwu Gate, which was used to resist foreign enemies, was opened from the inside, and Xie Jichuan rode his horse and walked into the Xuanwu Gate leisurely to the sound of the passionate and rapid drum beats.
Soldiers ran back and forth, their heavy footsteps seemed to shake the ground. Xie Jichuan stood in the darkness in a green robe, still so clean and cool, without a speck of dust, so quiet that he was out of tune with the surrounding scene. Xie Jichuan asked, "How is the Taiji Hall?"
"As agreed, the Nan Ya guards guarding the coffin of King Jungjong in the Taiji Palace all responded in full gear after hearing the drum beats."
"Okay." Xie Jichuan said, "After you capture Wei in Lizheng Palace, don't let her escape."
Xie Jichuan listened to the soldiers' reports of various situations and made arrangements calmly. A soldier came over and clasped his fists and said, "Xi Ma, there is something wrong with the prince. I asked my subordinate to go find you."
Xie Jichuan looked calm and asked, "What's wrong?"
The soldier whispered something, and Xie Jichuan raised his eyebrows and said, "Lead the way."
Xie Jichuan walked to the inner palace and saw from a distance a slender figure holding a lantern, stopping in front of the horse. Xie Jichuan pretended not to see it and stepped forward to salute Prince Linzi: "Prince."
When Prince Linzi saw Xie Jichuan, he dismounted and said respectfully, "Xie Xima, you are here."
Xie Jichuan followed the etiquette and then glanced at the woman in front of him and asked, "Prince, this is..."
Prince Linzi said with a sullen face, "I am arresting the remnants of Empress Wei. Shangguan Zhaorong led the palace ladies to stop the horses and said that what she did before was forced by Empress Wei. In the edict she drafted for Zhongzong, it was originally written that Prince Xiang would be the advisor on government affairs and assist the new emperor. It was Empress Wei who deleted these. She has already drafted a new edict of succession and is willing to continue to serve Prince Xiang and Princess Taiping."
Upon hearing this, Xie Jichuan glanced at Shangguan Wan'er indifferently. Shangguan Wan'er held the imperial edict in front of her eyebrows and lowered her head slightly, revealing her slender and beautiful neck, full of respect.
Xie Jichuan looked indifferent, but he laughed sarcastically in his heart. Fate is really a cycle. Last time, in the same place and the same situation, Shangguan Wan'er said almost the same thing, but this time, the person who presented the imperial edict to Shangguan Wan'er was different, and the person Xie Jichuan wanted to assist was also different.
Fujira only relies on the strongest, and his reputation is well deserved.
Xie Jichuan signaled to Prince Linzi to talk somewhere else. Prince Linzi followed him to a place where Shangguan Wan'er could not hear him, and Prince Linzi asked, "Xie Xima, what do you think?"
Xie Jichuan held up his long sleeves and spoke calmly, "Emperor Zetian was kind to her, but when the Shenlong coup occurred, she immediately abandoned Emperor Zetian and surrendered to Emperor Zhongzong. Prince Yong was kind enough to spare her life; but when Prince Yong was suspected, she immediately defected to Empress Wei and became her lackey; now that the Prince of the County has staged a coup, she does not go to find out whether Empress Wei is dead or alive, but comes to intercept the horse and present the imperial edict first. Although the vine is weak, if it stays on the tree for a long time, it will compete with the host for nutrients, blocking the sunlight, until the originally healthy and long-lived tree is sucked into an empty shell. I hope Prince of the County will make a rational decision."
Prince Linzi paused for a moment and said, "But she and Aunt Taiping are very close. Today's event cannot be done without Aunt Taiping's help. If she is killed, how can I explain it to Aunt Taiping?"
"A female official, would His Highness Taiping be alienated from the Prince because of her?" Xie Jichuan said calmly, "Besides, who is the commander of today's operation, the Prince or Princess Taiping?"
Xie Jichuan's last words made Prince Linzi make up his mind. Shangguan Wan'er was a little anxious when she saw that Prince Linzi and Xie Jichuan had not returned for a long time. She could not help but call softly, "Prince?"
Prince Linzi looked back. He still remembered that many years ago, Empress Wu Zetian held a banquet in Shangyang Palace and ordered all the scholars to write poems. Shangguan Wan'er read the manuscripts and threw them at the same time. Soon, the manuscripts piled up like snow beside her skirt. She only read them once, but she could remember all the good sentences. She wrote for the princesses and princes, and each poem was different in style and had its own strengths. With such talent, everyone present was impressed by Shangguan Wan'er's reputation as a prime minister in red makeup.
But in the blink of an eye, the empress who seemed omnipotent and omniscient at the banquet died, the mature and steady cousin Chongrun was bloodied in Danfeng Gate, the cousin Yongtai who was forced to marry followed her husband, the trembling old prince was poisoned to death by his wife who had shared hardships with him, and Li Huazhang, who was fostered in a minister's home at the time, was restored to his status, but was exiled because of his great achievements.
As time goes by, everyone has changed, but the Xuanwu Gate, which has experienced the war, stands here, witnessing another round of fratricide.
Prince Linzi turned his head away reluctantly, but the words he spoke were very cold and clear: "Shangguan Zhaorong is a member of the Queen's party, kill her."
Shangguan Wan'er realized something was wrong and wanted to catch up and plead with Prince Linzi, but was stopped by the soldiers. When she raised her hand, blood splashed. Xie Jichuan looked at them coldly, turned around indifferently, and his voice remained calm: "Go find Princess Anle and Queen Wei. I want to see them alive or dead."
謝濟川走在昏暗的宮道上，兩邊血流如河，獨他衣袂幹淨得格格不入。謝濟川下意識去尋月亮，可惜今日三十，天上無月，整個蒼穹都黑漆漆的，像一張吞噬光明的大口。
原來沒有月亮啊。
謝濟川想，如果那個人在這裏，他會如何呢？他肯定不會同意殺掉上官婉兒，他多半會說求生之舉，何必苛責？他會褫奪上官婉兒一切權力，卻給她一筆錢，放她出宮，讓她餘生做一個普通人。
謝濟川極淡地勾了勾唇角，眼睛中卻沒有絲毫笑意。可惜，他做不到像李華章那樣善良天真，他想人時永遠往最壞的可能預設，做事時永遠防備着最倒黴的情況發生。
李華章和明華裳都是樂觀的理想者，唯獨他是悲觀的現實主義，只關注現實的利益。所以注定他們要背道而馳，李華章能為了大義放棄皇位，謝濟川卻轉頭投奔臨淄王，為了謝家的榮耀，毫不猶豫策劃了另一場政變。
任遙當初為韋後做事尚且是不得不為之，而他，卻是完全清醒，且自願的。
謝濟川低不可聞嘆了口氣，沒在繼續尋找月亮，背着光，獨自往宮闕深處走去。
清洗持續了半夜，謝濟川冷靜地聽士兵禀報，他們找到了安樂公主的蹤跡。安樂公主在她的宮殿裏，最後的時間她沒有嘗試逃跑，而是換上華貴的百鳥裙，在鏡前描眉畫目，盛裝打扮，美麗而從容地等士兵沖進來殺她。
士兵忍不住感嘆安樂公主當真極美，不愧大唐第一美人之名，而謝濟川只是冷冷笑了聲，諷道：“第一美人的頭被砍下來後，也不比其他人的美觀多少。她一個想當皇太女的人，遇到政變第一反應不是自救，而是梳妝打扮，韋後至少還知道跑到城門，以利誘士兵反水，而她都沒嘗試就束手待斃，實在愚蠢。”
雖然韋後也失敗了。如果任遙在，韋後或許還能争取到羽林軍，但是她親手将任遙流放，羽林軍衆人見到任遙的下場，哪還會替韋後賣命。
韋後失去了北衙羽林軍的軍心，就已經失敗了一半。她雖然安插了大量親信把持兵權，但是那些韋家子弟空降為長官，對下面士兵動辄打罵，怎麽可能指揮得了人？
謝濟川在商州聽明雨霁講出城經歷時就注意到這個漏洞，當時李華章和明華裳也注意到了，但李華章沒有回來，既然他将機會拱手讓人，那謝濟川也不客氣了。
機遇到來時靜默而公平，成就誰，取決于當時誰站在那裏，誰主動去握。
安樂公主是很美，但是更蠢，完全不是玩政治的料。韋後稍微有些政治家的頭腦，但也只是一些，她沒握住兵權，在城牆抵抗了一會，就被一個飛騎士兵殺掉。
一夜之間，三位叱咤風雲的政壇紅妝，韋後、安樂公主、上官婉兒都死了，韋後安插在宮內的族人也均已斬首。至于宮外那些，諸如韋家的姻親、各出嫁女的夫家、效命韋後的官員，謝濟川一行動就命人将京城各門關閉，剩下的無非是甕中捉鼈，翻不起大浪。
謝濟川擡頭看向東方，天将破曉，血流滿地，宮內外均已平定，接下來只剩鳴金收兵——解決龍椅上那位年輕稚嫩，除了運氣好一無是處的皇帝。
謝濟川叫來士兵，淡淡道：“去請臨淄王，是時候迎相王登基了。”
相王照常起床，突然聽到喧嘩聲，他的三兒子帶着黑壓壓一堆人，二話不說跪在他面前，叩頭道：“兒子昨夜起事，怕事情不成連累家族，故未能告知父親。請父親恕罪！”
相王聽了一會，才終于明白，原來昨夜他的三兒子和妹妹發動政變，誅殺了亂政的韋太後、安樂公主，現在請他去主持大局。
相王沉默片刻，突然理解了多年前，中宗被侄兒、妹妹推上皇位的感覺。但他比三兄運氣好一點，至少擁立他的是自己的兒子。
相王微嘆一口氣，親手将臨淄王扶起來：“大唐宗廟社稷得以保全，全是你的功勞，我怎麽舍得怪罪你呢？”
臨淄王率軍迎接相王入宮，“輔佐”少帝。太平公主接到消息入宮，得知上官婉兒被亂兵殺了，十分惋惜。然而也只是惋惜，畢竟奪權大業在前，她總不可能為了一個死人，質問臨淄王是哪個亂兵殺死了上官婉兒吧。
年輕的皇帝李重茂坐在太極殿，瑟瑟發抖，滿堂将士陳兵殿前，面對天威煌煌的金銮殿卻遲疑了，沒人敢真将皇帝怎麽樣。僵持關頭，還是太平公主上前，拎着李重茂的衣領将他拉下來，說道：“這不是你該坐的位置。”
很快，少帝李重茂寫下退位诏書，自感德行不配，禪位于皇叔相王。相王再三謙讓，最終拗不過衆人登基。他龍袍加身後，第一件事就是封臨淄王為太子，進太平公主食邑萬戶，她的兒子皆加官進爵。相王還親口對左右吩咐，朝政大事，悉聽三郎與太平公主安排。
太極殿中道賀聲不絕，尤其是太平公主，身為最小的公主，兩次參與政變，扶立了兩位兄長做皇帝，這是何等的蓋世奇功！而相王也沒有辜負妹妹的功勞，給予她史無前例的尊榮，堪稱歷代公主權勢之最。
謝濟川冷眼看着這一切，默不作聲退出來。離開那個名利場後，初春的風習習吹來，謝濟川才終于覺得呼吸暢快了。他看着太極殿金燦燦的檐脊，不期然想起邊關局勢。
長安貴族們忙着分韋家人空出來的肥缺，哪能想到，邊陲的劍南節度使已生反心，西南局勢危于累卵，一觸即發。
若西南大亂，外敵長驅直入，現在封的所謂安國将軍、參政宰輔，又有什麽用呢？
謝濟川正看得出神，太極殿內一個太監走出來，看到謝濟川，忙過來道：“謝洗馬，您怎麽一個人在這裏？太子殿下正到處找您呢。”
謝濟川聽到太子，愣了愣，才意識到太子已換了許多人，如今的太子是臨淄王了。他捏了捏掌心，壓住心緒，轉瞬又恢複清俊謙和的世家子模樣：“我出來透口氣，讓太子久等了。”
太監知道這可是此次政變的大功臣，太子殿下十分倚重他，來日青雲直上不在話下。太監對謝濟川越發親近，笑道：“謝洗馬忙了一夜，定然辛苦了。若洗馬不嫌，奴婢讓人給您煮一壺提神的茶？”
謝濟川淺笑着搖頭，謝過太監的好意，舉步朝太極殿走去。他背對着陽光，邁入高高的門檻，眼中的笑如潮水般，一點點褪去。
其實李華章說得沒錯，同樣的事情一遍又一遍發生，父子相忌，手足相殘，夫妻離心，實在無聊極了。裏面還在論功行賞，但謝濟川已經預見到，這對其樂融融的姑侄很快就會鬧崩。皇帝勢弱，壓不住功臣，接下來長安定會陷入太子和太平公主的鬥法中，未必能騰出手管節度使。
這種時候，他只能選擇相信李華章。一定要穩住西南，撐到太子掌權，撐到他進入中書省。
·
火舌舔上紙角，隐約可見上面“臨淄王和太平公主發動宮變，誅殺韋後，扶相王為帝”的字跡。劍南節度使穆雲平燒掉密信，長長嘆了口氣。屬下見到，試着詢問：“節度使，現在該怎麽辦？”
穆雲平想到這段時間一樁接着一樁的變故，擰着眉不說話。兩年前谯王發配到均州時，穆雲平沒想過摻和，他們皇族鬥來鬥去，他始終都是劍南節度使，皇位上坐着誰，和他有什麽關系呢？但谯王不斷給他寫信，熱切拉攏他，還允諾登基後，封他為劍南王。
穆雲平忍不住動心了。他現在雖然擁兵一方，掌管劍南道軍、政、鹽、鐵大權，但他只是官，是否能繼續任職都要聽朝廷號令，朝廷一紙诏書就能剝奪一切。可如果他為劍南王，那就不一樣了，他可以養自己的護衛隊，設自己的幕府，待他死後，他的兒子能繼承他的權力，他們穆家将世世代代統治劍南道。
所謂忠君愛國，哪比得上披澤後代，自立為王？穆雲平被說動了，和谯王的通信漸漸頻繁起來。但他在戰場歷練這麽多年，并不是別人說什麽他就信什麽，他派去均州的親信露出和谯王合作的苗頭，但從未正式允諾什麽，書信往來中更全是官方話，沒落下任何把柄。
要不是谯王愚蠢地給他遞假消息，讓他誤将楚州兩萬大軍調走，他根本不會落到如此被動的地步。現在穆雲平只能苦中作樂地想，他歷來謹慎，沒在紙面上留下證據，就算谯王被俘，明面上也無法牽連到他。
但只是明面上。他和雍王對彼此心知肚明，只不過誰都沒有必勝的把握，所以才裝作不知，按兵不動。
穆雲平不由回想這段時間發生的事，到底從哪一步開始出錯了呢？
他安插在長安的探子傳來急報，說中宗疑似死亡，韋後秘不發喪，大肆在朝中安插黨羽，太平公主同意立溫王為皇太子，由韋後臨朝稱制，但前提是讓相王參謀政事，韋家和皇族共享權力。韋後不同意，改封相王為太子太師，完全架空相王，算是徹底撕破了臉面。
穆雲平那時就知道韋後命不久矣，權力最重要的就是平衡，韋後不遵守游戲規則，竟然想吃獨食，定然不得好死。
穆雲平知道皇族不會坐視韋家一家獨大，長安之變勢在必行，他也暗暗準備起來。他将大軍調到楚州，打算等太平公主、相王和韋後鬥得兩敗俱傷時，再擁立谯王起兵，以徹查中宗死因、為父報仇的名義長驅直入。
皇位傳給弟弟名不正言不順，但谯王是中宗的兒子，父死子繼天經地義，谯王占了禮法，而劍南軍占了地利，等他們攻入長安，中宗到底是怎麽死的，還不是由他們說了算？
穆雲平等着韋後和太平公主鬥起來，但他突然接到谯王傳信，讓他将楚州大軍調到金州，阻擊漢陰的隴右兵。
穆雲平覺得谯王簡直瘋了，他并不将所謂的平南侯放在眼裏，在他看來，一個黃毛丫頭，懂什麽打仗，她肯定會走近路，去商州求助她熟悉的雍王，兩人會兵後，再順着均水到均州。
沒上過戰場、全是老弱病殘的商州府兵，和區區幾百羽林軍，哪是他楚州雄兵的對手？穆雲平沒把谯王的信當回事，依然命楚州勵兵秣馬，準備戰鬥。但過了沒幾天，谯王又送來急信，說他請雍王來做客，雍王當真只帶了三五侍衛來了。雍王敢孤身來均州，說明他不知道任遙的行動，看來任遙聯合隴右節度使是真的！
穆雲平不把府兵和羽林軍當回事，但來的若是隴右節度使，那情況就不一樣了。穆雲平不敢大意，連忙命令楚州兩萬人急行軍到金州。
他軍令發出去沒兩天，均州那邊的信件突然斷了。穆雲平最開始沒放在心上，但漸漸的，不祥的征兆越來越多，金州斥候出城打探，并未發現漢水對面有調兵的跡象，最後還是楚州的守城士兵聽到商隊抱怨，說均州城門關了好幾天，他們的年貨遲遲不到，士兵趕緊上報，穆雲平這才知道，谯王意圖謀反被抓，均州所有官員已被一網打盡，連他留在均州的探子也無一幸免，全都那麽湊巧地被官兵抓了。
穆雲平趕緊命令兩萬大軍回援楚州，但是，軍隊在路上，他走前還特意吩咐帶兵之人掩藏行蹤，誰知道他們現在在哪兒？等斥候找到走到半路的大部隊，費盡全身解數讓領兵将軍相信原路返回确實是穆雲平的軍令，再讓兩萬人調頭返回楚州，已經是一個月後的事情了。
而那時，任遙已經帶着谯王趕往長安，楚州即便想支援均州也晚了。穆雲平也曾派人去刺殺任遙，營救谯王，就算救不出來，殺掉谯王也好過他被朝廷俘虜。但是任遙隊伍就像蒸發了一樣，穆雲平的刺客每每找到行軍痕跡，氣勢洶洶地撲上去，卻發現根本沒人。他派去的刺客屢屢撲空，在山林裏被吊了一個月，穆雲平才終于明白，有高人在掩護任遙，故意制造假痕跡，為任遙清掃後方的追兵。
任遙僅帶五百人就能将谯王活着押送到長安，背後那個人居功至偉。穆雲平派出去的殺手慢慢都失去了聯絡，他就知道，這回碰到了對手。
如果現在穆雲平還猜不到是誰主導了這一切，那他就白當這麽多年節度使了。不費一兵一卒調走了楚州大軍，以雷霆之勢攻占均州、活捉谯王，還能不走漏一點消息，這樣的厲害人物，除了親手策劃神龍政變的首席功臣——雍王殿下，不做其他人想。
運籌帷幄之中而決勝千裏之外，如此手段，确實有則天女皇年輕時的風采，他們這一家，可真是青出于藍而勝于藍啊。
在那之後，穆雲平和李華章就陷入一種微妙的平衡中。穆雲平知道谯王中計肯定是李華章搞得鬼，要不是李華章親自去均州，谯王不會相信任遙要從漢陰發兵，後面所有事情都不會發生；李華章多半也知道是穆雲平背後支持谯王，但穆雲平十分謹慎，重要的事情都是派親信去面談，其他信件沒留下任何話柄，雍王抓不到明确的證據，只能裝不知道，保持表面的和平。
雙方維持着岌岌可危的平衡，都按兵不動，實則密切尋找對方的破綻。但穆雲平是臣，李華章是皇族，皇家內部無論怎麽鬥，對外時肯定不會向着臣子，繼續拖下去對穆雲平十分不利。
穆雲平必須找機會先發制人。
屬下還在等待穆雲平吩咐，穆雲平心想不入虎穴焉得虎子，狠心道：“長安皇位更替，那些公主王爺忙着內鬥，根本沒時間管外州，這是難得的機會。我們正好借勤王的名義起兵，發檄文說相王為了皇位陷害谯王，現在又要害死溫王，召天下英雄讨伐之。”
屬下擔憂：“可是谯王和溫王都在長安手中，萬一他們殺了這兩人，我們還以什麽名義起兵？”
穆雲平不以為然：“等打到長安，谯王和溫王誰死誰活根本無關緊要，他們倆都死了更好，我們随便找個姓李的小孩子，立為皇帝就行了。到那時我們挾天子以令諸侯，有的是享不完的富貴。”
屬下一聽恍然大悟：“節度使英明。”
穆雲平也十分自得，長安多年陷入內鬥，政策朝令夕改，羽林軍動辄兵變，兵不識将，将不識兵，哪能和經驗豐富的劍南軍對抗？那些公主王爺在長安過慣了太平日子，已經忘記，在真正的兵力面前，在厲害的權謀都是紙，一戳就破。
但這個計劃還有一個阻礙，那就是雍王。穆雲平嘆氣，相王、太平公主等養尊處優的皇族不足為患，但雍王他卻不敢掉以輕心。均州事變後，刺史府的高層被一網打盡，現在由雍王兼管。商、均二州都落入雍王之手，這兩州的兵力倒不足為慮，穆雲平擔心的是雍王這個人。
這種感覺難以言說，那對夫妻看着游山玩水不争不搶，但關鍵時候運氣出奇得好，無論做什麽仿佛都有天助，邪門的很。
穆雲平深刻記着上次的教訓，囑咐道：“傳令下去，命楚州戒備，時刻盯着商州的動向。無論他們有任何舉動，都立刻來禀報我。”
屬下叉手，高聲道：“諾。”
穆雲平交待下去沒多久，商州還真有動作了。又有一具屍體順着江水飄到楚州，上面攜帶着信件。楚州士兵不敢大意，趕緊将東西八百裏加急傳給穆雲平。穆雲平打開所謂家信，上面寫着雍王欲和隴右節度使聯合，陳兵漢陰雲雲，穆雲平還沒看完就将信件扔到廢紙簍裏，嗤之以鼻：“上次他們就用這一套騙過了谯王，現在，還想來騙我？同樣的計謀使兩遍，雍王是黔驢技窮了嗎？”
穆雲平将信件扔掉，根本沒放在心上。雖說穆雲平想要博一把富貴，但這畢竟不是小事，一個不好要株連九族。他的心腹們意見不一，連穆雲平自己也沒有下定決心，起兵一事拖拖拉拉，一直沒有定數，突然有一天，前線傳來急報，說隴右軍趁夜渡過漢水，以迅雷不及掩耳之勢占領通州。
通州乃是西南和關中的走廊，通州失守，意味着劍南諸府和楚州被從中間截成兩半，楚州兩萬大軍孤立無援，成了孤島！
通州失守的消息傳來，軍中大嘩，連穆雲平心都狠狠一驚。他突然想起前幾天被他扔掉的書信，原來，在他嘲笑雍王黔驢技窮時，已不知不覺踏入了雍王的陷阱。
李華章故意故技重施，借屍體傳情報，劍南這邊毫不意外一眼識破。穆雲平嗤之以鼻，嘲諷李華章怎麽用同樣的計謀，然而這正是李華章的高明之處，他利用了穆雲平的自負，玩了一手暗度陳倉，這次屍體上的情報是真的，李華章真的聯系了隴右節度使，要從漢陰發兵。
如果穆雲平不相信情報，那這是最好的情況，他們可以神不知鬼不覺渡過漢水，而楚州還一無所知，兩萬大軍留守原地，警惕着早已成了空城的均州、商州，等聯兵攻下通州，楚州的補給路線被切斷，他們才幡然大悟，然而已為時晚矣。
如果穆雲平相信了情報，恐怕李華章也準備了後手。信件上的行軍路線想來有的是真的，有的是假的，要的就是真真假假，虛中有實，讓他們無從判斷，無聲無息被誘入陷阱。
Mu Yunping was truly impressed at this time. Prince Yong was indeed a rare talent. Why didn't such a genius go to Chang'an to fight for the throne? Why did he stay in another state and make wedding clothes for others?
Of course, if Li Huazhang really went to Chang'an, the situation in Jiannan would definitely not be what it is now, and Mu Yunping would have raised an army long ago.
But the situation did not leave Mu Yunping much time to think about this matter. He was busy all day long, writing and receiving letters, calling people to meetings, and discussing how to recapture Tongzhou and support Chuzhou. He had not slept well for several days, and coupled with the unfavorable military situation, his temper became more and more irritable, and he could not help but insult and curse his subordinates when discussing matters. Mu Yunping once again vented his anger to his confidants. When he returned to the city at night and thought about what he said during the day, he actually felt a little regretful. He was thinking about whether to appease the confidants tomorrow, when a group of people suddenly rushed out from the side, without saying a word, and raised their knives to chop.
Mu Yunping was greatly shocked. As a military governor, he paid great attention to his own safety. However, this group of people were very familiar with the guards around him. They rushed straight towards him in the crowd as if they were alone.
When Mu Yunping fell, his eyes were filled with unwillingness. The people who knew him so well were naturally his close confidants, but why?
What good would it do them to kill him?
Of course there are benefits, but not for the officers under Mu Yunping, but for Li Huazhang.
Ming Huashang received the secret letter from Xuan Xiaowei and immediately put it on the candle to burn it after reading it. She walked outside with the candlestick and saw Li Huazhang still studying the sand table. She said, "Take a break. You have been looking at it for the whole afternoon."
Li Huazhang pinched his brows, took the candlestick from her hand, and said, "I'm fine. How's Jiannan doing?"
Ming Huashang's eyes were bright and her face was as beautiful as pearls. She said concisely: "The operation was successful. We can proceed to the next step."
Mu Yunping colluded with Prince Qiao, and the court would definitely not tolerate him. He had no choice but to rebel, but his generals were not without options. Ming Huashang seized this difference. She contacted Han Jie after a long absence and asked him to use his old subordinates to spread around Mu Yunping's men to collect intelligence, all kinds of information. After the intelligence was transmitted back, Ming Huashang used her talent to draw a portrait and quickly selected the mission target.
Mu Yunping's subordinates already had complaints against him, so it became much easier to sow discord. Ming Huashang had someone whisper in the ears of the target person that following Mu Yunping was a rebellion, a road of no return. If he succeeded, the credit might not be his, but if he failed, his family would be in trouble. It would be better to kill Mu Yunping now so that he could claim the credit from the court. By then, there would be no one to lead Jiannan Road, and the position of Jiedushi would be his.
A huge sum of money will always attract a brave man, not to mention that the incitement was carefully designed by Ming Huashang according to the character of the target person. The rebellion soon took effect. After being insulted by Mu Yunping, the confidant could no longer bear it and sent someone to kill Mu Yunping.
The situation that Ming Huachang wanted to see most was finally realized.
Li Huazhang was also somewhat surprised to hear that Ming Huachang's plan had actually succeeded: "Did he really do it?"
"When people are impulsive, they can easily do things that they regret after they sober up. Aren't most murders committed in this way?" Ming Huashang sat down and stretched his back, drooping his limbs, still looking lazy and harmless. "I've been reading intelligence for several days in a row, and my back and waist are sore. Fortunately, Mu Yunping died quickly, otherwise, my shoulders would not be able to bear it."
Li Huazhang heard this, walked behind her, massaged her shoulders, and asked, "What are you going to do next?"
Ming Huashang closed her eyes, leaned back without even looking, and fell on Li Huazhang. She was too lazy to move, and said, "What can I do? I must tell them the truth. I have already written to the Xuanxiao Guards in Yizhou, asking them to pass on the news that Mu Yunping was assassinated by their own people to other military officers, but it must be half true and half false, so that they know about this matter, but they can't get evidence, and they will doubt each other. When Mu Yunping was alive, they were colleagues. After Mu Yunping died, those people did not share the spoils equally, and they fought each other, and soon they became a pile of scattered sand. After that, it's your business. It shouldn't be difficult to divide and conquer, just like a whale swallowing a silkworm?"
In Ming Huachang's words, fighting was as easy as playing house. Li Huazhang didn't care and continued to press her acupuncture points with his fingers: "It's not difficult. You have worked hard during this period. It seems that I was right. It is my great honor to marry you."
Ming Huashang was used to bullying Li Huazhang, but he didn't bother with her and praised her so seriously, which made Ming Huashang feel guilty. She suddenly turned around, stretched out her arms to hug Li Huazhang's slender waist, leaned her face against his abdomen, and gently rubbed it: "We are an old married couple, why are you still talking about this."
Li Huazhang raised his eyebrows and pointed his finger across Ming Huashang's neck in an ambiguous manner: "Old couple? It seems that I have been slacking off recently. I actually made Shangshang feel bored?"
His fingers lingered on her neck but didn't touch her neck, like a feather, tickling her. Ming Huashang giggled and dodged his hand, her almond eyes widened and she glared at him: "Stop it."
Unfortunately, this look had no intimidating power. Ming Huachang could not avoid it, so she simply fought back and tickled Li Huazhang's itch. The closest people often know where the other person's itch is the most. In the end, the two of them fell together, their hair was disheveled, their clothes were loose, and they had no image at all.
Li Huazhang's hand naturally rested on Ming Huashang's lower back, the implication was obvious. Ming Huashang panted and glanced at the sand table not far away, hesitating, "You don't care about these?"
Li Huazhang leaned on the couch, looking at Ming Huashang calmly, and said, "Madam has solved a major problem for me. Those tactics have to be re-planned. It's useless to deduce them again. It's better to do something serious."