Northern Dynasties Imperial Industry

0775 Full of evil disciples

Early the next morning, not long after Li Tai got up, and before he had time to wash up and eat, an envoy from Chang'an City came to see him. It was Shen Hui who had returned to the court and served as the Minister of the Fifth Army.

While Li Tai was waiting for the person to come in, he quickly washed himself in the inner room. When he entered the hall, Shen Hui was already waiting at the table.

"It's really rude not to be able to greet the minister from a distance when he arrives!"

Li Tai stepped forward, bowed to Shen Hui and said with a smile.

After seeing this, Shen Hui hurriedly stood up from the table, bowed and said in reply: "Mr. Taiyuan must be very tired after coming from a long distance. I am deeply sorry for disturbing you in the early morning due to my humble position. How dare I bother to greet you again."

When Li Tai first entered Bafu in the early years, Shen Hui and others were already senior Bafu seniors. However, in recent years, their experiences have been different. Today, Li Tai has far surpassed these Bafu seniors in terms of power and position. . When they meet again, no matter what these people think, they must maintain a respectful attitude towards Li Tai.

After a brief exchange of greetings, Shen Hui explained the purpose of his visit: "I have been ordered by Grand Sima to invite Duke Taiyuan to the city's south bank to discuss military affairs. I wonder if Duke Taiyuan is feasible at the moment?"

It was only after Li Tai arrived in Chang'an that he learned that his father-in-law Dugu Xin was also in charge of specific affairs. As the Grand Sima, he was responsible for coordinating and dispatching people around the capital to prevent unexpected events.

At present, in and around Chang'an City, in addition to the soldiers from the Chinese and Foreign Governments brought by Yu Wentai, there are also the original imperial troops, city guards, and people from prefectures and counties. For example, some powerful tribes around the capital, although they are also within the military system, are currently not subject to recruitment by the Chinese and foreign governments and are recuperating in the countryside. This group of troops also needs to be monitored and controlled.

The previous Forbidden Army had already plotted against Yu Wentai. Now at such a sensitive moment, all parties of course need a big shot of sufficient importance to coordinate and communicate in order to reduce friction and avoid misunderstandings.

Among all the pillar states, Dugu Xin may not have the highest military ability, but he is definitely the most popular. When Taishi Yuwentai needed to sit firmly in the center of the imperial city and had no time for him to take care of these chores, Duguxin undoubtedly became the most suitable candidate for this matter.

Hearing what Shen Hui said, Li Tai nodded and signaled Shen Hui to wait for a moment. He first went into the inner room and changed into a hakama pleated robe, then added a half-length soft armor, and then returned to the hall. In the letter, he told Gao Le and others to stay in the military city, while he led Zhang Shinu, Shuofeng and other cronies in the tent to leave the military city and entered the south city of Chang'an under the leadership of Shen Hui.

Dugu Xin's office was set up in the south of the city not far from the city gate. It was a huge tent with many armored soldiers stationed around it. When several generals from the Dugu family saw Li Taixing coming, they all came forward and crossed their hands to greet Li Taixing.

After hearing the sound, the people in the tent also walked out one after another, including Grand Sima Duguxin who was surrounded by everyone.

Dugu Xin was also dressed in military uniform and light armor. When he saw Li Tai walking towards him, he showed a look of relief. He walked forward without caring about other people's feelings. He smiled and said to Li Tai: "Erlang can be in time." Returning to Beijing, most of my worries have been relieved, and I can finally feel at ease.”

While he was talking, he took Li Tai back to the tent. After asking for a while, he learned that Li Tai had not had time to have breakfast, so he quickly ordered the soldiers in the tent to put away the military registration matters for the time being, and asked people to come in and serve the meal quickly. After eating, he sat in the banquet and watched Li Taijin having breakfast with a smile.

As for the other people in the tent, they naturally did not dare to speak out to urge him, so they just sat in the banquet and watched Dugu Xin's meticulous care for his son-in-law. Several generals who also came here early in the morning to discuss matters and had not had time to eat breakfast could not help but feel hungry when they saw the steaming meal, but they did not dare to ask for it.

Under the warm greetings of his father-in-law, Li Tai had no choice but to eat and drink for a while, wolfing down the biscuits, prison pills and other food provided by the soldiers, and then wiped his mouth to indicate that the discussion could continue.

Dugu Xin is mainly responsible for the dispatch of troops outside Chang'an City, mainly around the city south of the Wei River. The core of this is the southern suburbs of Yuanqiu. Since the new emperor needs to go to the southern suburbs of Yuanqiu to hold a heaven-sacrifice ceremony after he ascends the throne, this ceremonial place must be strictly guarded.

Li Tai, who had just returned to Beijing, accepted this important task. His troops were responsible for stationing near the circle. As for other areas and intersections, other troops were responsible for it.

Li Tai had no objection to this arrangement. Since he had been recalled to participate in this matter, of course he had to stand in the most conspicuous position in order to show his presence and gain the admiration of the masses.

Originally, he planned to discuss the matter with the Chinese and Foreign Affairs Office in detail, but he didn't want his father-in-law to be in charge of this matter, which would save him trouble.

When Dugu Xin asked if he wanted to raise some ceremonial and driving equipment, Li Tai confidently waved his hand and said that except for flags, drums, cultural relics, etc. needed for rituals, the soldiers' armor did not need to be allocated separately.

He returned to the capital this time to show off his power, so his baggage was fully equipped with all kinds of light and heavy armor, ensuring that he would be able to amaze the entire audience and bury in the minds of the courtiers the idea of ​​a powerful Jingzhou people. impression.

There are still three days left before the official day of abolishment. After all, this is a major national event, so it also pays attention to a date and process. In addition to stationing his troops in Yuanqiu, Li Tai is also responsible for other tasks.

After Yuwentai learned that Duguxin had arranged Li Tai's work, he did not express any objection. He just turned around and assigned him another task, which was to lead the troops into the city to garrison the palace of Qi to protect Yuan Kuo, the king of Qi, before he entered the palace. .

So Li Tai led another thousand elite soldiers into the city and stationed themselves at Prince Qi's Mansion.

The residence of King Yuankuo of Qi is located in the northeast corner of the imperial city of Chang'an. King Qi originally stayed in mourning here, but after his funeral, he built a residence on this site.

When Li Tai led his troops to come here, Yuan Kuo had already led a group of retainers and servants waiting at the door of the house. Seeing this, Li Tai quickly dismounted his horse and entered the house, bowed to the King of Qi in salute, and said: " I am here to serve as a guard under the orders of Grand Master Wen of Anhua Gongyu. Your Highness can only treat you in the hall. How dare you, a mere minister, do this!"

King Yuankuo of Qi was the fourth son of the late emperor Yuan Baoju. He was now seventeen or eighteen years old. Seeing Li Tai salute him, he hurriedly stepped forward to hold his forearm with both hands and said with a smile: "Mr. Taiyuan is really too humble." Well, if the Duke talks about being a minor minister, who in the civil and military dynasties will dare to become a great leader? Fortunately, I am born in this family, and I can't be arrogant in the face of important officials like the Duke of Taiyuan!"

Li Tai raised his head and looked at the polite and polite sect king who was about to become the new king, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. I recall that when I got married, Yuan Kuo had served as the best groomsman to welcome guests. At that time, he was just a child who was just learning about human affairs, but now he has become a quiet, polite, and measured young man.

But today's Western Wei royal family has long been declining. Both Yuan Kuo, who is about to ascend the throne, and his brother Yuan Qin, who is about to be abandoned, are just tools for powerful ministers to control the power of the country. As Yuan Kuo said, being lucky enough to be born into this family is actually the greatest misfortune. If he were born in another family, he could still hope for future honor and disgrace, but the young king in front of him was destined to have no future.

Yuan Kuo was not a dandy who was born in a deep palace and grew up in the hands of women. Although he was young, he had a rich resume. Not only did he serve in the country, he even replaced Yuwen Tai during the Eastern Expedition. Qinzhou, so he doesn't know anything about personnel outside the palace.

It is worth noting that today's Yuan Kuo is not Shuofeng's brother-in-law. Before his death, Emperor Wen of the Western Wei Dynasty Yuan Baoju also arranged for his son's marriage, and several members of the Hui family were also among the candidates. Although Shuhui has been dead for several years, his tribe and connections are still there. Perhaps Yuan Baoju believes that if they can get married, their influence on the royal family can be strengthened.

But at that time Shuofeng had resigned and followed Li Tai to Jingzhou. Li Tai felt that Shuohui had taken care of him, so he persuaded Shuofeng to refuse the matter. Although it is said that some beautiful girls can barely get the title of queen after getting married, but compared with a lonely life, this flashy vanity is really nothing.

Even if you don't take into account the influence of several of your own connections, under Li Tai's care, the young lady does not have to worry about not having a good match to choose from. At least she can avoid the impact of personnel disputes on her destiny due to changes in dynasties.

This marriage failed, and Yuan Kuo's princess was now replaced by the daughter of Wang Mao, Yu Wentai's cousin.

Now the princess is also standing behind the gate to greet Li Tai under the arrangement of King Qi. It can be seen that King Qi also knows that her coming to the throne is definitely not a good thing, so she is not overjoyed. Instead, both husband and wife are happy. Show enough respect for Li Tai, the general on the edge of the town.

After Li Tai learned about this, he quickly led his men to return the favor to the princess outside the gate. When he caught a glimpse of several phoenixes following him unconsciously behind him, he couldn't help but feel happy. I don’t know if this guy is disappointed if he can’t become a relative of the emperor.

When Li Tai arrived, all the imperial troops stationed at Prince Qi's Mansion were withdrawn. In addition to Li Tai and his troops, there was also a Chinese and foreign official named Xin Yanzhi who joined the army and stayed here temporarily. He was responsible for teaching the King of Qi various etiquette after the enthronement ceremony.

Li Tai occasionally watched King Qi studying various etiquettes seriously outside the central hall, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart. This kind of manipulating the king and being good at abolishing the establishment was originally the most rude thing in feudal society, but in the end, he had to use so many The etiquette packaging is really a bit of black humor.

I just don’t know when Yuwentai sent etiquette officers to teach King Qi etiquette, did he think that his children and grandchildren would also suffer the same fate in the future?

He was thinking here that Yu Wenhu would be sent here soon. On the day of the dethronement, he would be responsible for leading King Qi into the palace. The two of them exchanged brief greetings outside the corridor and then stopped talking to each other.

Li Tai turned around and went elsewhere for a brief inspection. When he returned, he found that Yu Wenhu was still standing in the same place, even his posture had not changed much. He stared straight at Qi Wang Yuankuo who was learning etiquette in the hall, his eyes twinkling. With a strange light.

Seeing this scene, Li Tai couldn't help but be startled. Is this scene so beautiful? Or maybe the dragon slayer's bloodline began to awaken at this time?

Yu Wenhu was not the only one who awakened the power of blood. In the early hours of two days later, when Taishi Yuwentai led a group of Zhuguo ministers and Yuanwei clan members to the ancestral temple to cry and worship and inform the Wei family of the decision of the late king to depose the emperor, the leading general Yuchigang also led the elite imperial army into the inner garden of the palace.

At this time, the night was extremely dark, and the entire imperial city was shrouded in night. Only the inner garden palace where Emperor Yuan Qin lived was brightly lit. There were many palace officials and eunuchs running around packing things inside and outside the palace, making the scene very chaotic.

Angry roars and women's screams and cries kept coming from the palace, adding a bit of irritating noise to the chaotic environment.

When Yuchigang led all the soldiers to arrive here, the originally noisy environment suddenly became silent. Seeing that the palace garden had not been tidied up properly, Yuchigang immediately frowned and looked at a chamberlain captain and whispered angrily. : "The order has been conveyed here long ago, why are you still acting so laxly!"

The chief chamberlain hurriedly bowed to the ground and said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, your Majesty, slaves are not allowed to clean up the palace utensils. Anyone who dares to move without permission will be severely punished..."

After hearing this, Yu Chigang's expression darkened again. He raised his hand and pointed at the scattered utensils and ordered: "Since you are not allowed to pack them away, then don't pack them up anymore. Throw them all out. Don't waste the time!"

When the accompanying sergeants came forward and roughly threw out the utensils, Yuchigang signaled a car with a green cloth curtain to drive to the front of the palace. He stood outside the palace and shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, the time is coming. I have been ordered to ask Your Majesty to board the carriage and leave the palace!"

There was silence in the palace for a moment, but soon there was a crackling sound, mixed with the emperor's angry roar: "I am the emperor, and I am here to live here. Who dares to expel me from the palace? Who dares to offend the emperor!"

The floor of the palace was littered with fragments of utensils. Emperor Yuan Qin stood unkempt among the debris on the floor with his hair disheveled, holding a long sword in his hand. His bloodshot eyes were open angrily, and his whole body was filled with emotion. A look of madness that cannot be concealed.

The other palace people in the room were far away in the corner. The only woman in a plain skirt was kneeling not far from the emperor's feet with a dejected expression. It was the queen Yu Wenshi, whose voice had become quite hoarse, while speaking. Bai warned in a hissing voice: "Your Majesty, please don't hurt yourself. Please put down the sharp blade..."

"Silence, thief, shut up! You have a whole family of scoundrels who want to take over my world. I wish I could kill all the Black Otters, so I won't be fooled by you, a thief, again!"

After the emperor heard this, he became even more furious. He swung his sword and slashed at the queen. When he was about to reach her body, he saw that the queen was just looking up at him blankly, not trying to avoid him. He stopped his sword and shouted angrily again. Said: "Why don't you hide, the thief woman? Do you also think that I don't dare to kill you? I don't dare to kill your father's clan?"

"I am a sinful woman, covered in evil blood, but my loyalty is beyond human relations! If you want me to die, how can I dare to live?"

With tears on her face, Yuwen looked up at the emperor and said sadly.

When the emperor heard this, his body trembled again, and after a moment he laughed again and said: "I am not a single husband, Black Otter is the traitor who goes against the law! The queen knows me, the queen understands me, it is all in vain to achieve the goal of rejuvenation , I hate that I have no power to destroy the thieves! If my ancestors had not given up their power and could not maintain their careers, how could I be controlled by the thieves now?"

At this time, Yu Chigang, who had been shouting outside the palace for a long time but had not been seen, came in impatiently. After hearing the emperor's words, he immediately sneered and said: "The Guanxi Guoye belongs to the late emperor, the grand master and all the wise ministers." It is Your Majesty who is the one who was created and cannot keep it. Your Majesty abandoned your family and country, ignored everyone's wishes, and was ultimately abandoned by Heaven. Why should you blame humans?"

When the emperor heard this, his expression suddenly froze, and he was stunned and didn't know how to fight back. The queen, who had a sad and weak face, immediately stood up, glared at Yuchi Gang and cursed: "You are just a slave of my family, how dare you insult the emperor! The Yuwen clan is only a Zhenbing family. How could it be as powerful as it is today if it were not for the honor of being a relative of the emperor? My father dared to do this because he was deceived by your greedy family slaves!"

Yuchigang dared to face the emperor who was about to become extinct, but when faced with this stern cousin, he didn't know how to deal with it. After a moment of silence, he lowered his head and said: "Queen, please calm down. It is my duty, and I did not mean to offend. Mrs. Before leaving, I have ordered you to ensure the safety of Your Majesty and the Queen. The Yongzhou Prefecture has built a large mansion, which is more luxurious and comfortable than the imperial city. It is a foregone conclusion. If Your Majesty persists in leaving, it will be difficult for everyone in the court to change. The resolution is just asking for humiliation!”

After the emperor heard this, his face became even more angry, and the queen also became excited. She even picked up the emperor's fallen sword and stabbed it at Yuchigang. She shouted loudly: "The dog thief is so cruel that he will not die today." , it will bring disaster to my family in the coming year!”

Yuchigang was also a little angry at this moment. Seeing the queen stabbing with the sword, he turned sideways to avoid the edge of the sword. He raised his hand and cut the queen's wrist with his palm. After knocking the sword from her hand, he raised his hand and clasped the queen's shoulder. Make it unable to move.

"Thief, let go of my wife!"

When the emperor saw this, his red eyes suddenly widened, and he raised his fist and smashed it directly into Yuchigang's face.

But Yuchigang was also a battle-hardened warrior, so how could he be afraid of the emperor's fancy fists and legs? Before the fist could hit him, he raised his leg and kicked the emperor to the ground. He grabbed the queen with one hand and stepped on the emperor with the other. At the waist, a flash of madness suddenly flashed in his eyes, and a strange smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. After a while, the copper leakage in the room suddenly buzzed, and he suddenly woke up.

"The time has come. Please quickly invite these two nobles to get on the bus. Don't be rude!"

As the appointed time came, Taishi Yuwen must have announced the deposed emperor in the ancestral temple, so Yuchigang no longer addressed the emperor as "Your Majesty", but it was inconvenient to directly humiliate him. He withdrew his hands and feet and retreated to the door, raising his hand to greet the emperor. The accompanying soldiers were summoned into the palace and escorted the couple out of the palace.

When all the people in the palace exited, Yuchigang did not leave in a hurry. Instead, he walked slowly to the place where the emperor had been kicked down by him, raised his legs and stomped on the ground a few times, and sneered disdainfully: "Emperor? The emperor at your feet is nothing more than that!"