After deposed Empress Wang, Li Yifu, Xu Jingzong and Cui Yixuan saw that Changsun Wuji still had no movement, so he immediately asked to meet Li Zhi and prepared to complete their ultimate goal in one fell swoop.

After the abolished king, he must have established martial arts.

Li Zhi met the three of them in Liangyi Hall.

Xu Jingzong took the lead in speaking out: "Now that Wang has been deposed, the harem cannot be without a master for a day. Your Majesty must quickly make Wu Zhaoyi the queen."

Li Zhi looked a little hesitant and asked, "What do the ministers in the court think about this?"

Li Yifu said: "Wang and Xiao committed such a serious crime, and their crimes should be punished. Your Majesty just demoted him to a commoner, which is already a blessing from the law. The ministers are praising Your Majesty for his kindness and righteousness and magnanimity, which is a blessing for the country and the country."

Li Zhi was not stupid, how could he believe this? He asked again: "Does even the people on the Taiwei's side agree?"

Li Yifu was stunned for a moment and said, "The Taiwei did not agree, but he didn't say anything."

"Your Majesty! Chu Suiliang was demoted, but the Taiwei was not at all moved. He had never said anything for Chu Suiliang. The old minister saw that this matter was unusual. Maybe the Taiwei was plotting something. Your Majesty must be careful!" When talking about Changsun Wuji, Xu Jingzong spoke actively as always. He hated Changsun Wuji. The implication was that he implied that Changsun Wuji might launch a coup or even rebel. We must first take action.

Li Zhi felt a little sad when he heard this, but glared at Xu Jingzong and said, "The Grand Marshal is my uncle. What will he plot against? If anyone dares to say this again, I will not forgive him."

He is not stupid. Changsun Wuji has been a prime minister for 30 years and is also a founding father. His power has penetrated into various departments and counties. Nothing can be said, that is not forcing Changsun Wuji to rebel. If Changsun Wuji succeeds in rebelling, he is the worst.

Li Yifu said again: "Your Majesty! Maybe the Taiwei will remember the relationship between uncle and nephew, but what about the rest? Since ancient times, many ministers have conspired to rebel, and they are forced by their subordinates. We must not be careful! Especially Duke Lu, he has had a friendship with the Taiwei for decades, and Duke Lu controls the defense of the capital."

Li Zhi frowned and said, "When I ascended the throne, Duke Lu led the imperial guards to guard me without sleep. He was absolutely loyal to me."

Xu Jingzong said: "But Duke Lu has never spoken, including his generals. The old minister even heard that even the Grand Sikong was afraid of Duke Lu's three points."

Cheng Yaojin's foreign record is far inferior to Li Jie, Li Jing and others, but he has always been guarding the capital, including the Xuanwu Gate Incident and Li Zhi's ascension to the throne. Cheng Yaojin is guarding the capital and the power of the imperial guards in the capital. Cheng Yaojin cannot be underestimated.

Li Zhi was silent after hearing this.

Li Yifu's eyes turned and said, "Your Majesty, it is inappropriate to argue that there will be any abnormal movements in the State of Lu, but it is necessary to be wary of others. Is it a plan to do so, and I don't know if it can be done?"

Li Zhidao: "Say."

Li Yifu said: "A month ago, the Western Turkic Zhenzhu Yehu went to attack the rebel Ashinahelu on his order. Unfortunately, he failed to succeed. Instead, he was defeated by Ashinahelu. Recently, he sent several letters to his Majesty that he would send troops to attack Ashinahelu. Nashinahelu has always been an enemy of our Tang Dynasty. All the ministers suggested that they should send troops to attack him and completely eliminate Ashinahelu to eliminate future troubles. This is also the strategy of our dynasty's past in the north. Why not send Duke Lu to lead troops to attack Ashinahelu?"

This is actually a very important and urgent incident. Asina He Luben was a general of the Western Turkic Republic. Later he defected to the Tang Dynasty, but he raised troops to rebel in the year when Li Zhi ascended the throne. This was a very humiliating for Li Zhi. Li Zhi had been using troops to Asina He Lu, hoping to annihilate Asina He Lu, but now the court is in a state of division, and the matter has to be stranded.

Li Zhi thought for a long time and said, "I have to discuss this with Li Sikong."

Although he had an idea in his mind, he was not stupid. He was marching and fighting, and Li Yi's mansion was all outsiders. If you believe them, you will be finished. You have to ask Li Ji about this.

So, Li Zhi announced that Li Ji would come to the palace to discuss matters.

When Li Ji heard this, he looked happy and immediately said, "Asina Helu was ambitious and wanted to be the master of the grassland. Moreover, this person had betrayed our Tang Dynasty. He should not believe it anymore. He should send troops to completely eliminate him. He could pacify the north and incorporate it into the territory of our Tang Dynasty. The old minister was willing to lead his troops in person." He loved to fight, and the Tang Dynasty had been making final preparations for completely eliminating the remnants of the Turks. This was not a whim. The Tang Dynasty had always regarded Goguryeo and the Western Turks as their primary enemies, and these two must be destroyed.

When Li Zhi heard this, it was okay. If you leave, what should I do? Then I would rather not go out of this army. He said, "How can I trouble Dasikong if I just Ashinahelu?"

What a mere Ashina Helu, he is now the strongest force in Mobei! Li Ji thought to himself that if you don’t send me, who will you send? Because the old generation of marshals are dead now, and the new generation of marshals still don’t know where, who else is besides him.

Li Zhi coughed lightly and said, "I want to send Duke Lu."

"Duke Lu?"

Li Ji frowned slightly.

Li Zhi said: "What? Isn't it right?"

Li Ji hesitated and said: "The old minister has always admired Duke Lu very much. Duke Lu has also been through the battlefield for a long time. It is more than enough to deal with Ashinahelu. However, Duke Lu has never been the commander of the three armies, and his experience may be slightly insufficient. This battle can pacify the northern desert and the grasslands, and completely eliminate the consequences of our northern border of the Tang Dynasty. It is of great significance. Your Majesty must take it carefully."

He made a very reasonable statement. Although Cheng Yaojin was powerful, he had never been a marshal. It was not that he was not capable enough, but that there were too many marshals who were good at fighting wars in the Tang Dynasty, such as Li Jing, Li Ji, Li Daozong, Hou Junji, Duan Zhixuan, Xue Wanche, etc. Cheng Yaojin lived in such an era and had no choice.

Seeing that Li Ji did not react, Li Zhi could only remind him: "Da Sikong, I really need you to stay in Chang'an now. Except for Da Sikong, only Duke Lu can take on this important task."

After saying this, Li Ji understood that Li Zhi was playing a trick of killing two birds with one stone. On the one hand, it was necessary to attack Asina Helu, and on the other hand, he could also support Cheng Yaojin. Considering the current situation in Chang'an, Cheng Yaojin's power in the capital also made Li Ji feel a little pressure, so he could only nod and agree.

However, in fact, what Li Ji was most worried about was not Cheng Yaojin, because Cheng Yaojin was visible and everyone knew the truth. This was not scary. What he was worried about was those invisible.

Why did Li Zhi and Li Ji be very afraid of Changsun Wuji until this moment, not because of Changsun Wuji's power in the army. In fact, Changsun Wuji is not very powerful in the army, and he rarely participates in military affairs. However, behind Changsun Wuji, there are many Guanlong nobles supporting him, because Changsun Wuji represents the core interests of the Guanlong group in the court, which is the most terrifying. Although the Guanlong nobles are far inferior to the Western Wei and Sui Dynasty, the Guanlong nobles are almost all warlord nobles, and their power has penetrated into the army.

Even if there are many generals under Li Ji's tent who come from this group, these people cannot predict it. If their family is instigated by Changsun Wuji, then these generals of all sizes will choose to focus on the country or the family, and no one can predict it. This is the most terrifying thing.

So, until now, Li Zhi has not achieved an overwhelming advantage.

After getting Li Ji's nod, Li Zhi immediately summoned important officials to discuss, including Changsun Wuji, Lai Ji and Han Yuan. Although he was fighting to the death in secret, Li Zhi still had to ask about their opinions on such military and national affairs. This is also a matter of two things. Li Zhi also needs their help. After all, the war is a logistics team. In terms of logistics, Changsun Wuji's sect is the best at it. Li Yifu, Xu Jingzong and others have no experience at all.

The attack on Asuna Helu was related to the core interests of the Tang Dynasty in the northern desert grasslands. The Tang Dynasty was originally an expansive empire, and there was no doubt that it sent troops. The key was who to send.

Han Yuan, Lai Ji originally wanted to suggest that Li Ji go and count it over and over again, Li Ji is the most suitable.

But it was stopped by Changsun Wuji with his eyes.

Li Zhi personally suggested that Cheng Yaojin go.

Cheng Yaojin was prepared in his heart. As a military general, he was born to fight. He had no right to refuse, so he could only hold his fists and take the order.

Changsun Wuji also nodded in agreement. He had no objection whether he was sending troops or sending Cheng Yaojin.

Li Zhi also breathed a sigh of relief, and he was also afraid that Changsun Wuji would let Li Ji go.

This is the decision.

After leaving Liangyi Hall, Changsun Wuji and Han Yuan came to Ji and walked in the middle, Li Ji walked along the side, and Cheng Yaojin walked behind alone, and everyone had almost no verbal communication.

Cheng Yaojin suddenly shouted: "Prince, please stay."

After saying that, he chased after him.

Changsun Wuji frowned, but stopped, and Yu Guang looked at Li Ji.

Li Ji completely pretended that he hadn't seen it, and Yu Guang didn't glance at them and left staggeringly.

Cheng Yaojin chased after him, first towards Han Yuan and said, "You two go back first. I have something to do with the Grand Marshal."

Han Yuan, Lai Ji, bowed and left.

Changsun Wuji hid his hands in his sleeves and said lightly: "What are you, an old man, here to do?"

Cheng Yaojin sighed: "It's over now, I can't get through it. Can I change anything else? Anyway, I'm about to leave Chang'an."

Changsun Wuji was stunned for a moment, walked forward slowly, and suddenly said, "This time I have implicated you."

"Okay! I'm all old. It's not a big deal to live a few more years and a few less years."

Cheng Yaojin waved his hand, looked at Changsun Wuji with a little concern, and said, "You have to be careful after I leave!"

Changsun Wuji did not make any noise.

They have all become spirits, and Li Zhi understands this arrangement very well in his heart.

Cheng Yaojin said again: "I say auxiliary machine. Since Emperor Gaozu's rebellion in Taiyuan, we have followed the late emperor to fight south and north to establish a powerful Tang Dynasty. We have never seen anything, suffered any hardships, and enjoyed any blessings. We can be the only one in our lifetime for more than ten lifetimes, and we should be content. How long can we live now? Then we can only turn into a pile of soil, and we still want to do anything. It's really a pity that you have this energy."

Changsun Wuji continued to walk forward without saying a word.

Cheng Yaojin shook his head and said, "Okay, I'm going to fight against the remnants of the Turks, so I won't let you get annoyed here."

As he said that, he strode forward.

In fact, he wanted to leave. If he stayed here, he would be in a dilemma and simply left.

Changsun Wuji shouted, "Old man."

Cheng Yaojin glanced back with his slanted eyes, "What are you doing?"

"You must be careful when you go here." Changsun Wuji said worriedly.

Cheng Yaojin frowned, then nodded and left with big strides.

Changsun Wuji walked out of the palace alone. He had always been decisive in his killing, but at this moment he became very indecisive. Whether it was the Xuanwu Gate Incident, the establishment of Li Zhi as the crown prince, or the case of Fang Yiai, he made a very decisive decision and had never been indecisive. However, when he faced Li Zhi, he had too many concerns, such as the relationship between uncle and nephew, Changsun bloodline, Li Shimin's instructions, and even he was older, his spirit must have decreased a lot, and he was also afraid of losing everything he had now.

He had hoped to pass this level smoothly first, and when the time was ripe, he would take action to reverse the unfavorable situation. However, Cheng Yaojin's sudden departure made him a little uneasy, and he could not tell whether Li Zhi arranged for Cheng Yaojin to leave, whether to deal with him or protect himself.

In fact, it is also false to say that he is not afraid. After all, many powerful ministers were wiped out by him at the beginning. Aren’t he afraid that all this would happen to him?

He was also weighing the trade-offs. If he fought to the death, first of all, he was not sure. Secondly, even if he succeeded, what should he do about the subsequent problems? He was so old that he might have broken off his Changsun's bloodline and made wedding dresses for others, which was unacceptable. He felt that the loss of composure had not yet developed to this point, but now he completely lost control of Li Zhi. He was not sure what Li Zhi was thinking. However, he knew that if this continued, his power would be swallowed up sooner or later.

I couldn't help but think of what Cheng Yaojin said just now. He was so old, what was he trying to do? He thought of Changsun Yan again, and then immediately thought of another person, this person was Han Yi.

If you retreat to the second line, you can preserve your existing strength without losing control of the court, and push Changsun Yan up, allowing the Guanlong Group's strength to continue. This may be the best result.

But if you want to do this, you must support Han Yi to take over the leadership of the Guanlong Group, because Han Yi is the most perfect candidate, and only he can take on this important task.

The question is, is Han Yi worthy of trust?

Changsun Wuji, who has always been calm, couldn't help but struggle very much at such a critical moment.

Because this moment was a very important turning point for him, any of his decisions could change the fate of him, Li Zhi, and even the Tang Dynasty. He had to consider it carefully.

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