Chapter 20 The Nineteenth Session of Presenting the Saber Zhang Mingzhi Was Entrusted with Knowing the Secrets of Ancient Words

Sure enough, Princess Taiping persuaded Li Dan to let Dou Huaizhen also know the governor of Yongzhou. After Xiao Zhizhong waited for Dou Huaizhen's letter of entrustment to be issued, he summoned Dou Huaizhen to Zhongshu Province to teach him the opportunity. Xiao Zhizhong first said: "Huaizhen, you were demoted in the past, and then you became an official in the capital soon, and you were promoted to the prime minister. Do you know whose credit it is?" Dou Huaizhen felt a little strange, Xiao Zhizhong asked the question knowingly now, so he said: "Mr. Xiao, Huaizhen is able to have what she is today, thanks to the princess's blue eyes, and then she was rewarded by Mr. Xiao to come here. Tracing back to the source, it is the great kindness of the princess and Duke Xiao, which makes Huaizhen so grateful."

"I'm just doing things for the princess. You must remember the princess's great kindness, and the princess's heart will not be in vain." "Please don't worry, Duke Xiao. Huaizhen lives in this life. She was born as a princess and died as a ghost of the princess." "Well, that's what I want to say. Huaizhen, do you know what the princess wants to appoint you as governor of Yongzhou this time?" "Huizhen secretly guessed that Princess Xu believed that the Yongzhou government was in charge of all affairs in the capital, and she would be more at ease in letting Huaizhen deal with it in detail."

"You are wrong to think so." "Wrong? Huaizhen doesn't quite understand, please teach me." "Well, do you know the relationship between Yongzhou Mansion and Nanya Army?" "Huaizhen was the governor of Yongzhou in the past, and he knew that the Nanya army was in charge of guarding the gate of the capital, and the dispatch of its personnel was in charge of the governor of Yongzhou." "That's right, the princess let you know the governor of Yongzhou, the purpose is to let you control the Nanya Army." "Xiao Gong, the daily guards of the Nanya Army are dispatched by Yongzhou Changshi, but they belong to the Ministry of War. The dispatch of soldiers and the appointment of generals are in the hands of the Ministry of War, and the Yongzhou government dare not intervene."

Xiao Zhizhong was a little dissatisfied, and said: "Huaizhen, do you really not understand, or are you pretending not to understand? You know the governor of Yongzhou as the prime minister, so does the princess ask you to help her deal with such broken things as water grinding? You also It’s smart, why are you getting more and more stupid?” "Huaizhen really doesn't understand, I hope Mr. Xiao will teach me." Xiao Zhizhong sighed, and said, "When the Holy One raised an incident to punish Wei, whose power did he rely on?" "This matter is well known throughout the world, and today's sage is relying on Wanqi Ge Fushun, Chen Xuanli and others."

"That's right, the Holy Majesty was the king of Linzi County at that time, and there was only one Wei Wei Shaoqing in the court. However, he had a lot of intentions, and he even instigated thousands of riders, and finally succeeded in one blow. Now you are the governor of Yongzhou, and Nan Ya The army has ties, and you are the prime minister, trying to win over the main generals of the Nanya army, and then control the Nanya army, isn't it a matter of course?" Dou Huaizhen suddenly realized, she stood up and bowed to thank: "Huizhen is really ignorant, now I am happy. Please tell the princess, Huaizhen will follow this strategy carefully."

"Well, it's very rare for you to be able to say the word 'cautious'. You must control the Nanya army, but you must not make a big show of it, and you must do it secretly." "Huaizhen understands." Dou Huaizhen thought for a while and then asked: "Mr. Xiao, the Nanya Army is in charge of guarding the gates of each city. No matter the number of soldiers or the level of sophistication, they are far from the four armies of the North Gate. This means that they really control the Nanya Army. Princess It is still at an absolute disadvantage in the capital."

"I know. You take care of the affairs of the Nanya army, and don't worry about the rest. The princess said that if you need money recently, you can go to the princess's mansion to get it." Dou Huaizhen thought just now that if he wanted to win over the generals in the army, there would be a lot of places to spend money, and the Yongzhou treasury was limited, so he couldn't use his own salary to pay for it, so it would be difficult.I didn't expect the princess to be considerate, she had already thought of such things, so she bowed and thanked her again. The time soon entered February, and the long-term hesitation of the Supreme Emperor Li Dan finally came to fruition.On the third day of February, Li Dan issued another edict, in which the words were very short, that is, to cancel Li Longji's border patrol trip, and the soldiers recruited were also disbanded.

Seeing this imperial order, Li Longji had mixed feelings in his heart, and the heart that had been hanging over the past few months finally came to rest.He knew that if his father no longer allowed him to go out on patrol, the desire to be dethroned in his heart would temporarily subside. Gao Lishi was at the side from time to time, bowed and said: "Your Majesty doesn't need to patrol the border, it's really gratifying." There was no joy on Li Longji's face, and he asked indifferently: "What is there to celebrate?" "The villain thinks that the border is a wild place. If your majesty patrols the border, the villain will follow him. When he waits for his majesty, after all, there is nothing around him that the palace can take advantage of."

Li Longji smiled and said: "Oh, it's your duty to think so. By the way, let me ask you, has there been any movement on that Yuan family recently?" "Your Majesty, this lowly maidservant has been quite peaceful recently. She only went to the Tai Chi Hall the day before yesterday to find a reason and had a few words with Shangguan Liu Shi. After returning, she didn't see any movement." "Are there any other suspects in this hall?" "The villain checked it several times, but he didn't find anything unusual. It seems that His Majesty has a deep meaning in not letting the Yuan family move. If that person is in the dark, it will take a lot of work."

"Yes, that's what it means. Lishi, you have been in the palace for a long time, and you understand the mystery, so you should be more careful when you are near." "The villain understands. In addition to placing people around Yuan Shi without a trace to observe, the villain also lets everyone monitor each other, so that everything is safe." Li Longji knew that his aunt would definitely not be reconciled to this imperial father's order, and would definitely come up with other tricks.My aunt has been operating in the palace for a long time, and she has a lot of eyeliner, so she has to guard against it.

Gao Lishi said again: "Your Majesty, there is another person walking from the dark place to the bright place recently. The villain sent people to investigate secretly, and found that this person came in and out of the princess mansion very frequently." "Who is this person for?" "You Sanqi often attends Jia Yingfu." "Oh? He dares to go in and out of the princess mansion openly, so he has nothing to fear. In this way, the eyeliner in the aunt's palace is headed by this person." The eunuch organization in the palace is the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Changshi is its deputy.Jia Yingfu was appointed as a regular servant of You Sanqi, so his status was higher than that of Gao Lishi. Princess Taiping looked at her elder brother's letter, she didn't get scolded as excitedly as before, but gently pushed the letter aside, meditating there with a calm expression. She reflected on her previous behavior, seemingly sharp and direct, but with little effect.However, San Lang acted like a mourning soldier, and didn't directly accept the move. He waved it lightly there, seemingly understating it, but the effect was remarkable. I didn't want him to be the crown prince, so he decided to do so, and succeeded him as emperor. I managed to convince my elder brother to depose him, and ordered Sanlang to patrol the border.As a result, Saburo didn't know what method he used to make his brother hesitate first, but now his brother made up his mind to stop the patrol. This Saburo is only twenty-nine years old, and the advisers around him have been eradicated by himself, why is he acting so sophisticated? According to Princess Taiping's practice in the past, after seeing this imperial order, she would be excited and annoyed first, and then she would go to the palace to ask her brother about the crime. She did not do this this time, and for the next two months, if she did not receive the call, she would definitely not go to the palace.Even when she met Li Dan, she never mentioned the matter of patrolling the border. Princess Taiping was abnormal, which made Li Dan confused.When he issued this edict, he had already thought that his sister would come to make a fuss, and he had already prepared corresponding arguments in his heart. If Princess Taiping didn't ask, these arguments would become useless. Princess Taiping became very calm, and Li Dan was also happy to be quiet. Li Longji undoubtedly became much easier to deal with the affairs of the court. In the twinkling of an eye, it was late spring again, and the atmosphere in the capital became peaceful due to the restoration of rare calm in the court.Li Danjing thinks about things very much, and feels that the world is peaceful, the common people are getting richer, and the treasury is becoming more and more abundant because there is no tossing about by Princess Anle and others in the past, so he ordered a three-day feast.The so-called Dajiu means that the imperial court pays for a banquet for a hundred divisions, and also distributes food and beverages to the common people symbolically, and there are performances of a hundred operas.During the banquet, Li Dan and Li Longji went up to Anfumen to watch Baisizhen together. They also saw the competition of hundreds of operas outside the palace, and there were crowds of people. Princess Taiping's mansion is also decorated with lanterns and festoons, with non-stop drinking and feasting every day.That night, Xiao Zhizhong and Cui Shi led the two into the mansion, and the four went directly to the middle hall to meet the princess. At this time, Princess Taiping is sitting in front of the table in the center, and there are two sets of tables on each side of it, which are rich in fruits, vegetables, wine and food.After the four of them entered the hall, they bowed to Princess Taiping, Xiao Zhizhong pointed to the two strangers and said, "Princess, these two are the people in the army that the lower official mentioned to the princess: General Zuo Yulin, Chang Yuankai, You Yulin will be in charge of Li Ci." Princess Taiping smiled and said: "I have heard Xiao Gong mention your names a lot, and I just invited the two generals into the mansion today, please sit down, please sit down." Chang Yuankai and Li Ci were overwhelmed by the flattery, they were given a banquet by the princess, and accompanied by two prime ministers from the court, what an honor and favor!The two were grateful and bowed to the princess again. Xiao Zhizhong and Cui Shi came over, holding hands and leading them to sit down a few days ago. The current North Gate Fourth Army is the Zuolongwu Army and the Zuoyuyulin Army. The Zuolongwu Army was restructured from Wanqi. At that time, Ge Fushun was appointed as the General of the Zuolongwu Army, Chen Xuanli was appointed as the General of the Youlongwu Army; Chang Yuankai was appointed as Zuoyu Under General Lin, Ma Sizong served as General Zuo Yulin, Li Xianfu served as General You Yulin, and Li Ci served as his deputy. Princess Taiping held up the wine cup and said: "The imperial court has been drinking for a few days, and the whole world celebrates together. Let's have a small gathering here. Come, please drink up this cup." The four people under the seat picked up the wine cups and drank them all in one gulp. After that, Princess Taiping stopped drinking, and Xiao Zhizhong and Cui Shi took turns to persuade her to drink.After Chang Yuankai and Li Ci entered the mansion, Princess Mu Taiping was very powerful, she was very careful, she didn't even dare to say much.After that, I was gradually covered by wine, and my words became more. Princess Taiping smiled and asked: "The Fourth Army of the North Gate is the most important in the army, and the treatment is generous. I think you and General Ge and the others must often gather for feasts?" Chang Yuankai and Li Ci sighed, and Cui Shi continued, "Princess, I don't know. The Fourth Army of the North Gate is of course respected, but it's hard to describe how General Chang and General Li feel in it. It's the so-called cautiousness." Princess Taiping raised her eyebrows and asked in surprise, "Is this still the case? Why?" Cui Shi said: "General Chang, the princess likes to take care of injustice, but you can say so." Chang Yuankai sighed: "As Master Cui said, this matter cannot be explained in one word. Princess, Ge Fushun and Chen Xuanli are in charge of the Longwu Army. There is Ma Sizong here as deputy, and Li Xianfu above General Li. These two are also men of great merit. They are united with Ge Fushun and others. How can there be a time for the last general to speak? Alas, we have to be trembling, for fear of saying I made a mistake." At that time, the story of the dispute between Princess Taiping and Li Longji spread throughout the government and the public, and the reason why Chang Yuankai and Li Ci were willing to enter Princess Taiping's mansion was that they had already made up their minds to seek refuge. Princess Taiping said sternly: "Ge Fushun and the others are doing something wrong. The imperial guards are the royal guards, how can they be partial? Yes, they have made great achievements, but they can't be proud of their achievements and then run the army privately. General Chang, you should Write this feeling into a memorial and let the Holy Majesty know." Chang Yuankai shook his head and said: "The last general told Qi Wang and Xue Wang about this matter, but he was reprimanded by the two kings, so scared that the last general dared not speak again. The last general thought to himself, Ge Fushun and the others used to be punished by the saints. Wei, the last general is going to make another memorial, but he will still be disheartened, so let it go." Princess Taiping said: "It's just that the sage doesn't care, there is still the Supreme Emperor. Don't you see that the extraordinary general? Although the Supreme Emperor abdicates, he is still in charge of the general government, so the four armies at the North Gate are the Supreme Emperor's bodyguards. If you have honest words, the Supreme Emperor Still listening." Hearing this, Chang Yuankai winked at Li Ci, and the two got up and left their seats and walked to Princess Taiping, then bowed down and kowtowed: "Princess please be the last general." Princess Taiping got up and helped the two of them up, and said: "It's okay to say something, why do you do such a big ceremony? Go back to your seats, it's better for us to sit and talk." Xiao Zhizhong and Cui Shi also hurriedly got up and led them to their seats.After everyone was seated, Xiao Zhizhong said: "The princess is right. If you have any honest words in the future, you can ask the princess to forward it to the Supreme Emperor, so there will be no obstacles. The princess is right. The imperial guards are the royal guards, and they must not be biased. From now on, you must not be afraid of the selfish words of Ge Fushun and others, but have your own ideas." Seeing that they voted for the right channel today, Chang Yuankai and Li Ci were filled with joy and naturally agreed repeatedly. Princess Taiping knew that the two of them would defect to her from now on, so today she had achieved her goal, so she called Wang Shiqian in and asked, "Wang Dianzhu, the gift I asked you to prepare has already been fulfilled." Are you ready?" Wang Shiqian said: "Princess, the gift has been prepared and packed in two cars. When the two generals leave the mansion, the car can go with it." Chang Yuankai and Li Ciwen heard that the princess had a present to give, so they hurriedly stood up and declined.They had heard in advance that the princess had a lot of money, and today they have learned the lesson. Princess Taiping said: "It's your first time to enter the mansion. I will give you some small gifts. How much is it worth? You have recognized the door today, and you must come and go often in the future. Don't be polite. Xiao Gong, let's do it like this today, you first quote the two of you." I won't send the general away when he leaves the palace." Xiao Zhizhong got up and bid farewell to the princess when he heard the words.Chang Yuankai and Li Ci bowed again and again, the joy and gratitude in their hearts were beyond words. Princess Taiping's son-in-law, Wu Youji, suddenly fell ill at the beginning of winter last year. After spending more than ten years on the couch, she died.When Wu Youji was alive, Princess Taiping had a tryst with Cui Shi and others in a fashion that was secretive. Once Wu Youji passed away, Cui Shi and others could sleep in the open shop in the mansion.Cui Shi didn't leave the mansion with Xiao Zhizhong and others today, so he was going to sleep for a while. On the evening, Cui Shi used all kinds of means to serve the princess with a smile on his face.After a while, Princess Taiping dragged her messy long hair and rested her eyes on Cui Shi's arm. After a long time, she opened her eyes and found that Cui Shi's eyes were wide open and she hadn't fallen asleep. She asked, "Huh? Are you still sleeping?" not tired?" Cui Shi said: "I'm not sleepy, I'm still thinking about what happened at night." Princess Taiping said angrily: "Look at you, you have no other purpose, you were in a trance when you were acting just now." "I'm thinking, is it a bit of a hassle for the princess to spend so much effort to recruit Chang Yuankai and the others?" "It took a lot of trouble? How do you say this?" "Princess, think about it. If we recruit Chang Yuankai and the others, we will only be on equal footing with Ge Fushun and the others. There is no complete chance of winning. I don't think it's worth the effort to do something that has no chance of winning." "So, maybe you have a better idea?" "Yes, there is a saying called 'the tree falls and the monkeys scatter'. If you take a drastic measure, you can make a decision at one stroke. Princess, if the Holy Majesty dies suddenly, will Ge Fushun and the others still dare to speak?" "You will talk nonsense, Sanlang is young and strong now, how can he die suddenly?" Princess Taiping replied casually, and as soon as she finished speaking, she immediately realized the true meaning of Cui Shi's words, so she stood up and said with a smile, "Well, Your idea is not bad, you can try it at the last moment. Chenglan, do you think this is the last moment?" Cui Shi also sat up hastily, and the upper body of the two of them immediately faced each other naked. He said: "Although it is not the last moment, the Supreme Emperor has just stopped the trip of the emperor to patrol the border, so there is a lot of content in it. The so-called rainy days, I think the princess should have something to think about." .” Princess Taiping knew that if Li Longji wanted to die suddenly, the only way to do it was through her own people in the palace.She pondered for a long time, and felt that although Cui Shi's proposal was vicious, it was still a good solution, so she said: "Forget it, tomorrow I will call Wang Shiqian, and the two of you will discuss this matter. You are right, everything is done in advance." , you can act in secret, and you can hit it with a single blow when you are in an emergency. Chenglan, I have had this idea before, and I always feel that it is not the last moment, and if I act like this, I always feel that I am inferior." Princess Taiping prides herself on being powerful, and she disdains such an act of absolute poison.Cui Shi was ruthless and cruel, and felt that if Li Longji ended up like this, it would be the most convenient shortcut.Seeing that the princess adopted his suggestion, Cui Shi couldn't help being elated, so he gently embraced Princess Taiping and said, "Princess, if this can be done, I will make another contribution to the princess." At this time Princess Taiping came up tired and said: "Yes, this merit is not small. It's getting late, let's go to sleep." Cui Shi wanted to score twice, but saw that Princess Taiping's mood was fading, so he had to give up.He obediently laid the princess's head on the pillow, and the two fell asleep without a word. Li Longji had very few caring people at this time, there was only one Wang Ju among the courtiers, and one Gao Lishi in the palace.In order to avoid suspicion, Li Longji rarely met with Wang Chongye, Ge Fushun and others. Wang Ju and Li Longji met frequently, and they talked without any scruples, and they talked for a long time.On such a lonely day, Li Longji could talk freely with this eloquent Wang Ju, at least avoiding a lot of loneliness. On this day, Wang Ju entered the Wude Hall again and saw Li Longji reviewing the memorial there, so he sat obediently on one side and waited.Because Wang Ju came and went frequently, Li Longji granted him permission not to meet the ceremony, so he seemed very casual after entering the palace. After a while, Li Longji finished reviewing the memorial, raised his head and asked, "Wang Qing, I asked the Ministry of Officials to resume the customs examination that year. You are the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, so you should know the progress of this matter." He was changed to the Minister of the Ministry of officials. When Li Xian and Webster were in power, "Xianfeng officials" were rampant, and the "township examination" and "official examination" that began in the Zhenguan period were gradually abolished. Upon hearing this, Wang Ju replied: "Your Majesty thinks that now is the time to resume the 'off test'?" Li Longji was silent, he knew the meaning of Wang Ju's question.They had discussed this matter before, and Wang Ju believed that there is a flood of "inclined officials" in the court nowadays, so the so-called want to consolidate the foundation must first correct the source, and if this matter is not settled, it will be impossible to talk about other things.What's more, Li Longji is still surrounded by the Supreme Emperor. If the Supreme Emperor utters a word during the matter, the matter will easily fall by the wayside. Li Longji said leisurely: "That's right, I'm urging you so badly that I don't know how to do it." Wang Ju said: "Your Majesty did not know how to do this. I came to see Your Majesty today, but I was entrusted by Zhang Shuo to deliver a piece of artifact to His Majesty." "Oh? Now that Guyu has just passed, could it be that he sent some pre-rain tea?" At that time, Zhang said that Ren Dongdu stayed behind, and since he took up his post in Luoyang, he has not returned to the capital.At this time, Li Longji was reminded by Zhang Shuo, and sighed: "These old people are scattered all over the world. Zhang Shuo is in the Eastern Capital, and he can still bring artifacts. For example, Liu Youqiu and others are far away in Guizhou. I want to find some news about them. It's actually not easy." Wang Ju took out a piece of silk from his bosom and said, "Your Majesty, there are more than thousands of new teas in the palace? Zhang said that he would not do such a meaningless thing, but what he brought today is an important utensil. Your Majesty, please watch this." painting." Li Longji took the silk and said, "Zhang is good at storytelling, when did he learn the art of Danqing? It is unknown that he started to practice Danqing because he had nothing to do in Dongdu." He unfolded the silk, and saw something like a saber drawn on it. He couldn't help being surprised, and asked sideways, "What kind of picture is this? Not to mention the poor brushwork, and let the ink become a mess. Why is this an important object?" What the hell is Zhang doing?" Wang Ju said: "Your Majesty, don't worry. This painting is traced by the saber given by the minister according to Zhang. It is really difficult for Your Majesty to understand." "So, Zhang said he sent a saber?" "That's right, Zhang Shuo brought a saber from Dongdu, and there are no other utensils. Someone relayed Zhang Shuo's words, and asked the minister to show this saber to His Majesty, and His Majesty would understand Zhang Shuo's thoughts. The minister is hindered by the palace. Due to the regulations of the Central Committee, I dare not bring the saber into the palace, so I have no choice but to make such a bad move, which will pollute Your Majesty's eyes." The Tang system stipulated that foreign officials were not allowed to carry weapons after entering the palace.If someone enters with a weapon without authorization, it will be a crime of beheading. Li Longji sighed: "Oh, so that's the case. Zhang said that he brought the saber from Dongdu, so he wanted to urge me to make up my mind quickly. Wang Qing, is that so?" "Your Majesty is wise. I speculate what Zhang said, that is, His Majesty is in such a dangerous situation, you must make a plan early in order to have a way to win." Li Longji shook his head and sighed: "I don't know your intentions? Yes, the situation in front of me is dangerous, but it's not at the critical moment of destruction. If I make up my mind rashly, wouldn't it be because I have learned nothing?" "Your Majesty, we said the day before yesterday that although the Supreme Emperor has given up His Majesty's intention of patrolling the border, the Supreme Emperor can order His Majesty to patrol the border at any time. Besides, the princess regards Your Majesty as a thorn in her side, and she must get rid of it quickly. Don't look at her." Nothing happened in the past two months, and there are frequent activities secretly, which will eventually be detrimental to His Majesty." "Oh? What has my aunt done recently?" "The matter of Dou Huaizhen, we have discussed before. The reason why Dou Huaizhen also knows the governor of Yongzhou is to control the Nanya Army. Last month, Li Xianfu told his ministers that Chang Yuankai of the Yulin Army and Li Ci frequently went in and out. In Princess Taiping's mansion, both of them have bought new residences, I think these things are all related to Princess Taiping." Li Longji sneered, and said, "Hmph, if you control the Nanya Army, or recruit a few people from the Fourth Army of the North Gate, can you control the Forbidden Army?" Wang Ju knew that although Li Longji hadn't met Ge Fushun and Chen Xuanli recently, he had often seen his two younger brothers.Li Longji's instructions or rewards to the imperial army were implemented through Qi Wang Fan and Xue Wangye.As long as these two younger brothers are loyal to Li Longji, there will be a group of Li Longji's caring generals in the Forbidden Army, like Chang Yuankai, it will be difficult to turn up big waves. Wang Ju said: "Your Majesty, even though you have said this, you should not take it lightly. Princess Taiping never got involved in the army before. Her actions now show that the situation is getting more and more dangerous." Li Longji nodded and said: "That's right. The embankment of a thousand miles collapsed in an ant's nest, we dare not take it lightly. Wang Qing, after you leave the palace later, bring my two younger brothers into the palace for me." Wang Ju agreed, and then said: "Your Majesty, Zhang said that he brought a saber, and his intention is the same as that of the minister. Now the situation is urgent, and we must take preemptive measures to protect ourselves. If your majesty only thinks of some self-protection strategies after hearing about it, the minister will think it a disaster." will follow." Li Longji shook his head again and said: "If I strike first, I must lead the attack. My aunt has repeatedly told my father that I have evil intentions. If I do this to confirm my aunt's words, what will my father think of me in the future?" Wang Ju thought in his heart that if he led the army to make trouble, not only Princess Taiping and her followers would be imprisoned, but also the Supreme Emperor himself would have to hand over power obediently. It would be useless for him to have any thoughts about Li Longji in his heart from now on. Li Longji went on to say: "Furthermore, the whole world agrees with me when I started an incident to punish Wei; if the people my sword pointed at were my aunt and father, what would the people of the world say? How can I justify myself when passed on to future generations?" Li Longji's reputation was the root cause of his forbearance and concession.Wang Ju knew the crux of Li Longji's heart early in his heart, and knew that this matter was really unthinkable, so he sighed and said: "Your Majesty has a lot of scruples in his heart, and he will only miss himself in the end. Zhang said that the saber presented was in the minister's mansion. , Your Majesty, please send someone to retrieve it." Li Longji said sadly: "Forget it, leave the saber with you. Zhang said that the meaning of offering the knife is the same as yours, so there is no need to say more." Wang Ju saw that he had nothing to say if he stayed any longer, so he got up and left.Walking to the door, Li Longji called him again, telling him not to send his two younger brothers into the palace again. It turned out that Li Longji changed his mind in a flash. Li Longji summoned Gao Lishi and asked him to prepare a chariot to serve him, intending to go to Li Chengqi's house in Xingqingfang from the narrow road.While Gao Lishi arranged the chariot, he wanted to send someone to inform Li Chengqi first. Li Longji forbade Gao Lishi to send someone to inform his eldest brother first, and said: "There is no need to make such a big show. After I get out of the lane in a chariot, I will quietly change into a car. It is best to be so light and simple." Gao Lishi agreed to follow this method, but he firmly disagreed with reducing the number of guards. He said that if he didn't want to show off too much, it would be okay to let the guards change into civilian clothes and hide weapons. Li Longji nodded in agreement. While preparing his chariot and guards outside, Li Longji asked in a low voice, "Is there any movement in the palace recently?" Gao Lishi replied: "Your Majesty, the palace has been relatively peaceful recently. It's just that after Jia Yingfu entered the princess mansion the day before yesterday, he had a private conversation with Mrs. Liu of the Shang Palace. I have had contact with Yuanshi." Li Longji said: "Oh? Now that their communication channels are smoother, Wang Shiqian doesn't need to pretend to be in the tea shop to meet the palace people." Jia Yingfu is the leader of the eunuchs, and he has official rank, so he can enter and leave Princess Taiping's mansion at will. , and can pass around in the palace. "That's right, if the villain didn't pay attention in advance, it would be difficult to detect their secret trip. Please rest assured, your majesty, the villain has arranged for a special person to spy on the Yuan family, and she is not allowed to have the opportunity to contact your majesty, let alone the things she handled to contact your majesty." "Well. Don't overdo things. If Yuan Shi finds out that you have noticed her, things will not be beautiful." "The villain knows. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, the villain will definitely make sure this matter is not leaked." At this time, the chariot was carried into the hall by the eunuchs, Li Longji got up and sat in it, Gao Lishi stood beside the chariot, and ordered the eunuchs to lift the chariot slowly. When Li Chengqi first heard that Li Longji entered the mansion, he hurriedly led his family to welcome him out of the house. When he saw Li Longji's chariot had passed the second gate, Li Chengqi immediately knelt down to welcome him. Seeing this, Li Longji hurriedly landed on the chariot, helped Li Chengqi up, and said: "Brother, I have already said that we shouldn't show such great courtesy between brothers, why are you so?" Li Chengqi said seriously: "Your Majesty, the courtesy of a monarch and his ministers is greater than that of a brother. Now that you are the emperor, Brother Yu will become your subject. The rules must not be ignored." Li Longji took Li Chengqi's hand, and the two walked towards the middle hall together. Li Longji said as he walked, "Brother doesn't need to have so many etiquettes. I came to pay a visit to my brother quietly today, just to get back the old atmosphere between brothers. You don't have to follow the rules like those in the court. You have to insist on the etiquette of the monarch and his ministers, and we will show our dignity when we get along like this." Li Chengqi smiled and said: "Forget it, just according to what the third brother said, we get along in private, and we are still brothers. Third brother, you came here today, and you didn't know that you would say something beforehand, which made me a little abrupt. You said, there is no one in the house today." what's up?" "Haha, Brother Yu wants to have a banquet with the brothers tonight, is that considered a problem?" The two looked at each other and smiled, Li Chengqi said: "Since the third brother has this intention, I will send someone to summon the three of them immediately. Since you became the emperor, we brothers have not been able to drink freely together for a long time." "Brother, don't be in a hurry. I have a few words to say to my brother. I just want to ask for an idea. When they come, they will talk about each other and they won't be able to say anything." Li Chengqi understood, so he entered the room and sat down, waited for the tea to be served and pushed everyone away, and then said: "Third brother, if you have anything to say, just say it." Li Longji heaved a long sigh, and said: "I really can't say these words. Eldest brother has seen it clearly all these years. Brother Yu, everything has been going well these years. Only our aunt is in constant trouble." Li Chengqi said: "I found out later that the last time my father asked you to patrol the border was indeed caused by my aunt. However, my father has issued an order to stop the trip, and the capital has been calm recently. What trouble do you have?" Son?" Li Longji shook his head and said: "Elder Brother also knows that there are currently seven ministers in the court, five of whom are from my aunt's family, and one Wei Zhigu also listens to my aunt's words; as for the other officials in the court, one Most of them are vying to follow my aunt. This group of people do this because they think that I, the emperor, is an empty shelf, and it may be more beneficial to get close to my aunt. Ordinarily they think right. Zhong Shaojing and Cui Riyong who were close to me , Liu Youqiu and the others were driven out of Beijing one by one? Yao Chong and Song Jing were also relegated to foreign posts because of my relationship." The struggle between Li Longji and Princess Taiping was still in the dark at the beginning, but as time went by and events happened one by one, the struggle between the two gradually came to the fore.Li Chengqi is also a person who doesn't like to take care of things, but he can't help but fall into the struggle between the two. Li Chengqi said with a smile: "Yao Chong and Song Jing were demoted but they couldn't rely on others. It was the third brother who advised the father. Besides, although these people have a relationship with the aunt, as long as they act according to the rules of the court, that's fine." of." In order to protect himself, Li Longji resolutely suggested to Li Dan to demote Yao Chong and Song Jing as exiles in order to punish them for alienating their family.Li Chengqi is now repeating the old story, and Li Longji can't confess his difficulties to him.He shook his head and said: "Brother thinks this way, he is really trying to judge the heart of a villain with the belly of a gentleman. These people have no sense of right and wrong in their hearts, they just want to gain their own interests! Let them follow the rules of the court? Then It’s a fool’s dream. I found Junchen’s "Luo Zhijing" a few days ago and read it carefully. I think Lai Junchen is really good. Lai Junchen's reincarnation disciple." Lai Junchen, a cruel official in the era of Empress Zetian, is really a master of cruel officials in the past dynasties.Lai Junchen was not only familiar with all kinds of torture methods, and wiped out more than a thousand clans before and after; he also wrote books and co-authored "Luo Zhi Jing", which made the cruel officials have a book of professors from then on. Li Chengqi said: "The third brother has said it. Since Emperor Zhongzong, there are no cruel officials in the world. How can these people become Lai Junchen's redisciples?" "Why not? Zong Chuke made Cui Wan fall to death without even being charged with a crime, even more so than Lai Junchen! Brother, the style of Qingming politics formed after Zhenguan has changed when Empress Zetian took power. At least, by the time of Emperor Zhongzong, the discipline was greatly corrupted, and the spirit of Qingming disappeared, so this group of people came into being." "Now that you are the emperor, it is time to clear up the evils and restore the style of chastity." Li Longji smiled wryly and said, "Brother, what can I do if the matter of a 'slanting official' is put on hold for today?" Li Chengqi also understood the crux of the problem, but he couldn't explain it, so the two remained relatively silent.Li Longji broke the silence first, and said: "Brother, it seems that we are getting far. You just asked my aunt what happened recently. She has indeed made moves recently, and she has ulterior motives." "What's going on with her?" "Brother used to know the governor of Yongzhou, but now he is named Dou Huaizhen." "Well, at the beginning, my father said that Dou Huaizhen was the most familiar with the affairs of Yongzhou at the invitation of my aunt, and it would be best for Dou Huaizhen to take the post. Third brother, you know that I don't like to be troublesome. This governor of Yongzhou is just a name. Ren, that's all right." "That's right, I think Eldest Brother doesn't know that the Yongzhou Mansion is in charge of guarding the gates of each city, so it has a relationship with the Nanya Army. The reason why my aunt likes this position is because she wants Dou Huaizhen to control the Nanya Army through this festival." Li Chengqi said with a smile: "The Nanya army is weak, and it's okay to guard the gate. What can it do?" "It's better than nothing. This Dou Huaizhen really lived up to my aunt's expectations. After he took office, he tried his best to win over the generals in the army. I heard that he spent a lot of money from my aunt. In this way, my aunt indirectly controlled the Nanya army. She Don’t give up, and extend your hand to the Fourth Army of the North Gate.” Li Chengqi was a little moved at this time, and said: "Well, I heard some rumors about this matter. The fourth younger brother came to talk that day, saying that Chang Yuankai and Li Ci from the Yulin Army visited the aunt's house frequently. There is a new house in the city." Li Longji said leisurely: "Brother, think about it carefully. My aunt planted all her trusted people in the court, and now she is reaching out to the army. What exactly does she want to do?" Li Chengqi was silent again, and then sighed: "Oh, my aunt is a rich princess, why does she prefer to meddle in the affairs of the court and never tire of it? Third brother, have you ever talked to the emperor about this matter?" "Young brother is in a place of suspicion, so I dare not talk about it." "So, I'll find an opportunity to talk to my father. You're right, it's really hard to talk about such a thing." Li Longji's eyes sparkled, and he asked: "My foolish brother thinks that my aunt is only limited to interacting with people in the army, and there is nothing excessive about it. Even if my father heard it, I would probably laugh it off. Brother, do you think that my aunt's mind is really different?" ?" Li Chengqi followed Li Dan through those lingering days, and now every time he thinks about it, he can't bear to look back.With such a heart-wrenching pain, he resolutely does not allow Princess Taiping to take control of the power in the court and threaten his own interests.He thought for a while, and then said firmly: "Don't worry, third brother, I will always support you, and the three of them will do the same. I have told them many times that among the five brothers, only you are suitable to be emperor. Now you Sure enough, you became the emperor, we brothers are of the same mind, and we will do our best to assist you comprehensively. You are right, it is better for the emperor to speak slowly, and we can't let aunt catch you again." Li Longji came here today, what he wanted was this sentence.He knew that no matter what kind of tricks Aunt Gu played, as long as his brother firmly controlled the Fourth Army of the North Gate, it would be difficult for Aunt Aunt to touch his roots. After that, Li Chengyi and other three brothers came over, and the five talked harmoniously together in a brotherly atmosphere, and then drank together.Li Longji's care and restraint in the palace seemed to be swept away here, which is really a rare thing. In the blink of an eye, spring went to summer, and the city of Chang'an fell into scorching heat again.During this period of time, although the camps of Li Longji and Princess Taiping were undercurrents, they seemed very calm on the surface, and everyone seemed to be able to live in peace for a long time. Seeing that the heat was gradually rising, Li Longji played at the court meeting hosted by Li Dan today, asking the Supreme Emperor to take his aunt and others out of the city to escape the summer heat, and the time to leave the city can be selected in mid-July.Li Longji said this, in fact, to express his filial piety. Since Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan, every July and August during the hot summer, the emperor would lead his concubines and important officials to leave the palace to escape the summer heat, and often leave the prince to live in the capital to supervise the country.李隆基提出此议，自是以太子身份自居，他自是留在京中的。 李旦也有避暑之意，欣然说道：“好哇，朕正有此意。只是去岁入玉华宫避暑之时，见其中台阁有些破败，崔卿，不知那里已修缮完毕否？” 是时皇帝夏时避暑，主要有两个去处。一个是武功县的庆善宫，此为高祖皇帝的旧宅，太宗皇帝李世民就出生在这里；另一个是京城正北约百余里宜君县的玉华宫。李旦因为喜欢玉华宫周围的风景，加之盛夏之时这里凉风习习，因而偏爱来这里避暑。 崔湜为尚书省左仆射，所辖工部负责所有宫殿的营缮之事。他出班奏道：“按照太上皇的旨意，工部早将玉华宫修缮一新。太上皇若七月中旬入宫避暑，其修缮时的漆味早已散尽，入住最为相宜。” 李旦道：“如此甚好。崔卿，大明宫修缮得如何？这个太极殿确实有些潮湿，若大明宫修缮好，朕就马上搬过去。” 大明宫始建于贞观八年，其初名为大安宫，是太宗皇帝李世民为太上皇李渊准备的避暑地，只是宫未建成，李渊已逝。此后到了高宗皇帝和则天皇后主政时代，又多次在原基础上进行扩建，其方圆比起初的大安宫大了十余倍，成为京城中最大的一片宫殿。 大明宫位于龙首原上，从这里可以俯瞰长安全城，与南边的终南山相对。宫殿群的周长约有十六里，皆围以宫墙，设有十一座宫门，其中南面五门，北面三门，东面一门，西面二门。 大明宫南墙正中为丹凤门，入内即为待漏院，此为百官在凌晨上朝时休息的场所；向内行有二百余丈，即耸立着高敞雄伟的正殿含元殿，此殿为举行朝会及盛大庆典的场所，其殿基高出龙首原约六丈，由三条长近三十丈的龙尾道与前广场相连。大殿如鸾凤翘首，两侧的翔鸾阁与栖凤阁似双翼舒缓，站在殿前台上再俯视南面，可以体会“捧帝座于三辰，衔天街之九达。进而仰之，骞龙首而张凤翼；退而瞻之，岌树颠而崒云末”的豪情。 再往后行，即为宣政殿和紫宸殿，此为大明宫的三处主要宫殿，是为皇帝会见群臣及议事的主要场所。然若论规模最大的宫殿，当属太液池正西的麟德殿，这是一座前、中、后三座宫殿毗连的建筑，周围回廊环绕、亭阁簇拥，占去了好大一处地面。 高宗皇帝待大明宫建成后于龙朔三年入大明宫听政，大明宫于是成为大唐的中枢之地。只因此后高宗皇帝与则天皇后迁往东都，十余年过后，大明宫由于无人居住渐至破败，其状况反而不如太极宫，所以中宗皇帝带领百官自东都返回长安后，选择在太极宫居住。 崔湜闻言答道：“大明宫占地甚多，修缮工程就要浩大一些。臣督促工部，让他们多上人力，争取年底前修缮完毕。依臣估计，来年春天，太上皇就可以入住大明宫了。” 李旦道：“你还要加紧督促，让工部再快一些。如此小的太极宫里，太上皇与皇帝皆住在这里，确实有些狭小，朕还是及早搬走为好。” 李旦既然同意出外避暑，朝中大臣也要分成两班。萧至忠与魏知古带领一班大臣随李旦与太平公主到玉华宫避暑，京中剩余大臣以崔湜为首，辅佐李隆基居京处置政事。此时离七月中旬仅有近二十天的日子，大家按序安排，分头妥当行事不提。 李隆基这日主持朝议，群臣所奏事情不多，用时仅大半个时辰即散去。李隆基走入侧殿，要在这里静心阅读群臣的奏章。高力士这时轻步走到李隆基身侧，轻声说道：“陛下，侍中魏大人现候在殿外，要求请见陛下。” 李隆基道：“朝会刚刚散去，他有事为何不在朝会上说？”魏知古昔为相王府属，然其被授任侍中之后，与李隆基落落寡合，反而对太平公主十分殷勤，李隆基对他没有什么好感。 高力士道：“小人见魏大人求见陛下甚为殷切，似有什么要紧话儿要说。” “让他进来吧。”李隆基忽一转念，又说道，“魏知古这么多年从未单独见我，他今日确实有些蹊跷，也罢，你将殿内人引出，不许有人接近。” 高力士领命而出，很快，魏知古疾步入殿，走至李隆基面前伏地叩拜。 李隆基令其平身，并手指侧旁圆凳，令其坐下说话。魏知古也不谦让，坐定后笑吟吟瞧着李隆基。 李隆基觉得魏知古今日来见自己有些奇怪，眼前的神情也很怪异，因问道：“魏卿今日见予，有何话说？” 魏知古笑吟吟说道：“陛下心中定是奇怪，这个魏知古平时追逐太平公主，今日前来定是不安好心吧！” 李隆基想不到魏知古说话竟然如此直接，心里就打了一个突儿，脸色犹然平静道：“魏卿怎能如此说话？你为门下省侍中，为予之近臣，可以随时见予，有什么奇怪的？太平公主为予之姑姑，你追随姑姑，并无不当。” 魏知古见李隆基的这番话说得冠冕堂皇，知道他对自己深存戒心，因笑道：“陛下与太平公主确实为至亲，然姚崇与刘幽求被逐又是何因？陛下与公主走的不是一条道儿，此为天下之人皆知的事实，陛下为何还要刻意隐瞒呢？” 李隆基展颜一笑，说道：“如此说，莫非姑姑让你带来什么话不成？” 魏知古摇摇头，说道：“非也。臣今日面见陛下，其实自己有话要说。” “好呀，魏卿请讲。” “陛下，若臣说太平公主欲不利于陛下，陛下定是不信了？” “好端端的，姑姑为何要不利于予？魏卿，这等无稽之谈还是不说为好。”李隆基说话至此，脸上已薄有怒色。 魏知古并不畏惧，脸上依然含着微笑，慢悠悠说道：“臣知道陛下难去疑惑：一个整日里追随太平公主之人，怎么突然之间来说太平公主不好？他会不会是太平公主派来的？臣请陛下今日一定要有耐心，待听完臣下之话再做评判如何？” 李隆基没有吭声，他没有出声拒绝，自是鼓励魏知古说下去。 魏知古接着道：“天下之人皆知如今宰臣七人中，有五人出于公主之门，臣虽非公主所荐，也心归公主，如此仅剩下郭公元振一人未随公主。陛下，其实我们六人中也有区别。萧至忠属于公主的第一层之人，他与公主无话不说，许多计谋皆是他与公主商量而来；第二层即是崔湜与窦怀贞了，崔湜与公主有肌肤之亲，窦怀贞忠心耿耿，办事最称公主之心；第三层为岑羲与卢藏用，他们皆由公主擢拔而来，然所知机密有限，比前三人就差了一些；至于臣嘛，似介于第三层与其他追随公主的人群之间，遇事当然听公主之言，然对内里密情的了解并不甚详。” 李隆基微笑接口道：“原来其中竟然有如此多的奥妙啊，今日得魏卿之言，让予大开眼界。” 魏知古心想这些事儿稍微用点心的人都能瞧清楚，李隆基如此说定是心中疑虑难消，遂不加辩解，继续说道：“卢藏用是一位心气儿甚高之人，他瞧不上窦怀贞对公主的巴结劲儿，然碍于公主不敢明说，只好私下里找臣倾诉。” 窦怀贞自从抛却此前的儒家信条之后，倾心拜读来俊臣所著的《罗织经》等，揣摩其中的“微言大义”，此后娶了韦皇后的奶妈，开始将所想用于实际，一跃成为一个厚颜无耻与溜上欺下的“好官”。所以李隆基诛灭韦氏之后，他一刀砍下老妻的头颅，然后携至承天门前向李旦表示自己与韦氏一刀两断，从此再做新人的决心；待太平公主从蒲州返回京城之后，他率先下朝后再到太平公主府中问安，使得萧至忠、崔湜等人也自感弗如，只好争相效仿。 李隆基听到此时嘴角微微一动，心想卢藏用的巴结功夫又何尝差了？其行为以“终南捷径”为词永远铭记在人心中，说不定时间久远之后，其名气还要盖过窦怀贞，因问道：“哦？想不到卢藏用也有怨愤的时候。” “是啊，臣很配合卢藏用的倾诉，如此一来二去，卢藏用认为臣是一个可以交托心事之人，说话没有顾忌，话儿就多了起来。前日晚上，卢藏用又入臣府中，我们二人对饮，因说着高兴，他竟然饮多了，说话也就无顾忌起来。陛下，臣转述他的一些无礼之言，请陛下免罪。” “嗯，你尽管说吧，恕你无罪。” “卢藏用饮多了之后，忽然乜斜着眼睛说道：'岑羲今日悄悄对我说道，时辰快到了，公主马上可以把那个讨厌的皇帝拿下。'臣一惊，急忙问询究竟，卢藏用又道：'岑羲也仅从崔湜那里知晓了大概，公主的意思是不想再做督促太上皇让圣上巡边之类的事儿，须采用断然之措。'” 李隆基此时有些动容，问道：“断然之措？魏卿，你知道如何断然吗？” 魏知古知道，李隆基既然有此问话，显然已相信了自己三分，因说道：“臣当时大为震惊，就继续小心与卢藏用说话，以图多套出些话儿。那日卢藏用还算老实，看来没有什么隐瞒，把所知道的都说了出来。总而言之，公主的断然之措无非想结果了陛下的性命。” “如何结果呢？”李隆基一面问话，一面情不自禁地立起身来，渐渐行至魏知古的身边。 魏知古也急忙立起身来，垂手答道：“陛下，臣问清楚了，公主主要想用二策来图谋陛下。一者，选定日期，由常元楷与李慈率领禁兵，突入武德殿以控制陛下，窦怀贞与岑羲率领南衙军举兵响应，从而举事成功；二者，公主府有专人与宫中之人联络，密谋以毒加害陛下。” 李隆基沉声问道：“魏卿，此话当真？你们已开始行动了吗？”李隆基说到这里，忽然意识到自己失态，如此说话还是将魏知古视为姑姑阵营中人，遂更正道，“错了，是姑姑他们开始行动了吗？” “臣之所以冒昧来报，缘于臣以为事态紧急，此事已迫在眉睫。” 魏知古所言，与李隆基此时掌握的情况大致暗合。窦怀贞调任雍州刺史，姑姑的目的就是让其掌控南衙军；姑姑又向常元楷与李慈示好，自是想拉拢北门四军的禁军力量。至于投毒之事，姑姑可以指挥王师虔启动其宫中之人，伺机在自己的食物中下毒，也为易事一件。李隆基到了此时，已对魏知古有了八分信意，然终有疑惑，因笑问道：“魏卿，姑姑始终将你视为她的人，若其事成，对你也有好处，你今日为何要来告发她的好事？” 魏知古很理解李隆基对自己的疑惑，自己一直追随太平公主，且眼前是太平公主最得势的时候，自己又猛然转身反水，任何人都会怀疑自己的动机。他于是微微一笑，说道：“臣知道陛下终难释疑。陛下，还记得姚崇与宋璟被贬之时吗？” 李隆基点点头，景云二年二月，李隆基为避嫌向李旦请求贬姚崇和宋璟，以去姑姑之责，结果，姚崇被贬为申州刺史，宋璟被贬为楚州刺史，皆在京城千里之外。李隆基想到此处，叹道：“是啊，想来此事离今已经三年有余，魏卿，他们还是因予而受累。”是时，宋璟已被授为幽州都督，姚崇也调任同州刺史，离京城甚近。 魏知古道：“他们那次离京前夕，曾联袂入臣府中。臣当时也向他们表达惋惜之意，孰料姚崇说道，他们被贬出京并非坏事，至少可以保全自己，他们只是深忧陛下今后的日子，定然艰难万分了。” 李隆基悠悠说道：“自他们走后，我们再未见面。如此来说，他们对于予未有怨恨之心？” “他们怎么会有怨恨之心呢？他们知道陛下之所以建言贬斥他们，实为不得已之事。姚崇更对臣说了一番话，让臣至今记忆犹新。” “哦，他说了什么？” “姚崇说道，自则天皇后之后，多为女主天下，致使乱象环生。当今天下之人思归李唐宗族主政，更思念贞观、永徽时期的安定与富足。如何将权归李唐、天下富足？陛下为唯一希望所在！陛下，不唯姚、宋二人这样说，就是已过世的韦公也是这样看的，臣也信然之。陛下，臣等昔为相王府属，侍奉太上皇日久，与陛下却没有什么渊源，所以如此心向陛下，皆为是思。” 李隆基由此想起韦安石离京前与自己说的那席话，其大意正是如此，心中就大为感动，遂伸手握着魏知古之手，说道：“魏卿，你们如此对予寄以期望，实在是想差了念头。你也看到了，予在朝中形单影只，能成什么事儿？” 魏知古摇头道：“陛下不可妄自菲薄。那日姚崇说道，臣等遥慕太宗皇帝之英烈，觉得陛下身上继承了太宗皇帝之特点：沉静有谋，行事果决且正大光明。姚崇那日嘱咐微臣，让臣此日后与陛下疏远距离，设法取得太平公主好感，以掌控太平公主的预谋，关键时候能为陛下所用。” 李隆基到了此时，方才十足相信魏知古的真诚，心中大喜，说道：“哦，原来姚崇深谋远虑，早早让你故意取得姑姑的信任。魏卿，三年多来，你不着痕迹，实在难为你了。”说完，他更紧握魏知古之手，眼中流露出真诚感谢之意。 “陛下，卢藏用所言并非虚妄，臣以为事态紧急方来直言，请陛下速速定计，以图保全。” 李隆基点点头，松开魏知古的双手，缓缓地复归座上，然后低头沉思。 魏知古双眼直直地盯着李隆基，静观其的下一步反应。 李隆基沉默了片刻，抬起头来又问道：“魏卿，卢藏用说过他们欲何日举事吗？” “卢藏用也是从岑羲那里得知，惜未知详。” “哦，看来知道确切日子者，大约只有姑姑、萧至忠与窦怀贞三人，此事有些难办。”李隆基知道，若想从此三人处查知举事日期，无异与虎谋皮。 “陛下，臣以为，如今得知了他们的奸谋，其举事日期知与不知并无分别，陛下只要先发制人就好。” 李隆基稍微考虑了一下，然后下定决心，说道：“也罢，魏卿，他们举事的日子应该定在七月初四吧？” 魏知古一时摸不住头脑，心想李隆基怎么就把对方举事的日期自顾自定在了七月初四？其脑中突然晃过“自顾自”三个字，遂灵光一现，坚决说道：“对，陛下，就是七月初四！” 魏知古此时已大致明白李隆基的心思，他之所以胡诌个日期，分明是想告诉众人，太平公主的一切行动已尽在掌握之中，这样一来，己方阵营的人心才能稳定，便于起事。 李隆基起身向外大喊了一声：“高力士！”然后轻声对魏知古说道，“待会儿宋王和郭公过来，你就对他们说七月初四！” 魏知古躬身道：“臣明白。” 高力士闻言入殿，李隆基吩咐道：“你速传宋王和郭公入宫见我！” 高力士躬身答应，转身出殿。 趁此间歇，君臣二人又聊了些轻松话儿。他们又忽然聊到了崔湜，李隆基问道：“魏卿，你以为崔湜此人如何？” 魏知古答道：“此人文才见识，臻于一流，然其心中幽暗之处，尤甚于窦怀贞与萧至忠，他今后若在太平公