Song Yunming was placed under house arrest in the main tent, like a bird in a cage. He seemed to have lost his freedom, but to Li Guangyi's surprise, he seemed to have a clear understanding of what was happening in the outside world.
There must be a grand scheme meticulously planned by Chen Zhennan behind this!
Li Guangyi just couldn't figure out what Chen Zhennan's true intentions were in sending Song Yunming to him.
Song Yunming looked at Li Guangyi with a complicated expression in his eyes and kindly reminded him, "Marshal Li, you now hold immense power and influence in the Great Zhou Dynasty. But you must also know that the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. Your unparalleled glory will inevitably attract jealousy, and you must be wary of assassination plots from those who secretly covet your position."
Upon hearing this, Li Guangyi immediately retorted irritably, "Hmph! Why should you concern yourself with my affairs? I, Li Guangyi, am upright and honest, why would I be afraid of those cowards' underhanded tactics?"
The atmosphere inside the tent was somewhat oppressive at this moment.
"Old Marshal, don't you know that one should always be wary of others? You are an upright man, but it's easy to dodge a spear in the open but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. It's best to be careful."
Song Yunming's reminder was not without reason, and Li Guangyi did not say much. He turned around and slowly walked out of the tent.
Li Guangyi was flustered and passive defense was not his style, but facing Chen Zhennan's 200,000-strong army, he could only wait for an opportunity.
Now, Li Guangyi only has two thousand imperial guards left by his side, as the main army has long been sent to the front line.
But these two thousand imperial guards alone are not enough to control the entire court, especially the royal family.
Since Zhou Jianjia was assassinated, officials in the court have begun to recruit soldiers and secretly cultivate their own power.
Especially the princes and dukes on the frontier, who had ample military strength, were just short of enclosing their own territories and establishing their own independent states.
After thinking for a long time, Li Guangyi suddenly raised his head and said loudly, "Issue an order for all officials of the fifth rank and above in the court to come to my camp within five days. A great battle is about to begin, and anyone who fails to appear will be executed without mercy!"
Upon hearing this, the messenger dared not slacken in the slightest and immediately rushed off like a gust of wind to convey Li Guangyi's military order.
For Li Guangyi, the five days he spent waiting anxiously in the camp were like being fried in oil and burned on fire.
He had been secretly investigating clues about his son, but the final result plunged his heart into an ice cave.
Li Mingzhe was right next to Chen Zhennan, and with so many guards around him, there was absolutely no possibility of rescue.
Five days passed in the blink of an eye, and Li Guangyi had already meticulously arranged a banquet in the camp.
Inside the tent, the tables and chairs were arranged neatly, and the tables were laden with fine wine and delicacies, but there was an indescribable oppressive atmosphere.
Around the camp, the Imperial Guards, clad in heavy armor and wielding sharp blades, stood like cold, imposing sculptures.
These imperial guards had sharp eyes, watching all the movements around them warily, as if they would draw their swords at the slightest disturbance.
The invited officials entered the tent one after another, each with a complex expression on their face, a mixture of doubt, unease, and, most of all, fear.
They walked cautiously to their seats, their steps as light as if they were walking on cotton, afraid of accidentally offending the marshal who held great military power.
Song Yunming was also among those invited. Although he was also filled with doubts, he still wore a calm smile on his face.
After everyone took their seats, Li Guangyi slowly stood up. His face was full of worry, as if shrouded in dark clouds.
His gaze slowly swept over everyone present, his eyes as cold as ice, sending a chill down everyone's spine.
Li Guangyi invited everyone to drink a glass of wine together, and then he slowly took out a list from his sleeve.
He gently unfolded the list and said in a low, slow voice, "Gentlemen, there are a total of 232 people on this list, but only 150 people are present today. I have already stated that those who do not attend will be killed without mercy, and those who are not present today will certainly not escape death."
His voice echoed through the tent, like the pronouncement of death, sending chills down everyone's spine.
Inside the tent, it was so quiet that only the rapid breathing of the people could be heard. It was as if the air itself had frozen, and the tense atmosphere was like an invisible net, tightly enveloping everyone.
Just then, a piercing male voice suddenly rang out outside the tent, carrying an undeniable authority: "Li Guangyi, how dare you! Do you think that just because you are the marshal of the Great Zhou, you can act recklessly and even dare to kill officials in the court? This is utterly lawless and utterly disregards the law!"
With these arrogant words, a man dressed in luxurious clothes, like a proud peacock, swaggered into the tent with two guards as tall as iron towers.
Upon hearing the commotion, everyone in the tent was startled and hurriedly got up like frightened rabbits.
The visitor was none other than Zhou Tianlong, the most respected member of the Great Zhou royal family at present.
Li Guangyi took a deep breath. He had clearly not invited Zhou Tianlong, yet this man had come uninvited. He was probably up to no good and had some ulterior motive.
Despite his many doubts, Li Guangyi, being a seasoned official, knew that etiquette was essential.
He suppressed his inner unease, forced himself to remain calm, and led the officials in bowing deeply to Zhou Tianlong with utmost respect.
He then stepped aside to make way for himself and said politely, "Your Highness, it is an honor to have you here. Please take a seat."
Zhou Tianlong strode down and sat down with an air of importance. He said with a forced smile, "I didn't want to come to a place like this. But I heard that Marshal Li had summoned all officials of the fifth rank and above to discuss matters here. I was just curious, so I came to join in the fun. Please don't take offense."
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