Xuanzong's death seemed accidental to some, but in the hearts of some it was an inevitable result. Especially in the minds of Gao Xianzhi, Liu Jun, Zhao Qing, Tan Ping, Song Jiangong, Liu Dehai and other major generals of the Shence Army who stayed in Chang'an City, this is an inevitable thing, and everything is in the plan.

The generals of the Shence Army have been in their throats since Wang Yuan was restored to the throne of Xuanzong, and they were extremely uncomfortable. But they didn't dare to disobey the commander's orders, and with the big war imminent, they had no time to take care of this matter for the time being. But when Chang'an was taken and the war was over, the marshal asked Xuanzong to return to Chang'an according to the original agreement, and when he wanted to return the Tang Dynasty to Xuanzong, everyone really couldn't stand it.

In their opinion, Xuanzong has long been unqualified to be the emperor, and the world can be said to have been pacified by the Shence Army, and there is only one person who is qualified to be the emperor, and that is Wang Yuan. But the handsome man just gave it up, which was both disappointing and disturbing. In view of this, a cadre of generals ran to trouble Gao Xianzhi almost every day, and they knew that only Gao Xianzhi could persuade the marshal to change his mind. The marshal ascended the throne as the emperor, which is a matter of course.

Gao Xianzhi's heart is like a mirror, among these people, I am afraid that only he knows Wang Yuan's true thoughts, and only he knows why Wang Yuan did this. As Wang Yuan's most confidant, he knew that although Wang Yuan hadn't said anything to himself, it was time for him to make a move. There are some things that Wang Yuan may not be able to do, but he has to do it for him, Wang Yuan didn't say it, but he has to understand it. This is the role he needs to assume at this time, and perhaps it is the role that Wang Yuan wants to take on himself.

So, one night in the first month, Gao Xianzhi summoned Liu Jun and other backbone generals of the Shence Army to discuss all night. The next day, hundreds of cavalry of the Shence Army rushed to the various state capitals and began their hunting operations. In more than a month, all the bloodlines of the Li Tang royal family that came out were all killed. Except for Xuanzong, the Li Tang Dynasty has been extinct ever since. Or there are still omissions, but I'm afraid that no one will dare to come out and admit that it is after the Li Tang clan.

This is the first step, and if this step is solved, Li Tang basically has no possibility of continuation. The second step is to prevent the old thing Xuanzong from coming up with any more moths and making some new tricks. is even worried that after this old thing's body is raised, or if he grows old and strong, he will enlarge the belly of a certain palace maid and give birth to an heir, and he must end Xuanzong's life as soon as possible.

According to Liu Dehai and Tan Ping's suggestion, he led his troops into the palace directly at night and hacked Xuanzong to death on the dragon bed and pulled him down. But of course Gao Xianzhi would not use such drastic means, wouldn't it be to discredit Wang Yuan if he did so. As a result, a small official in the political hall timely revealed the news that all the descendants of the Li Tang clan had been killed. Gao Xianzhi knew that the news would soon reach Xuanzong's ears. If Xuanzong can withstand such a blow, he is really the strongest person in the world. If he is not dead, he will lead everyone to the palace and force him to Zen.

But it was clear that Xuanzong couldn't stand this blow. After experiencing the An Lushan rebellion, Ma Weipo's horror, the survival of Shudi, and the abuse of Lishan Palace, it is actually a miracle that Xuanzong is still alive. Even without this final blow, he would have run out of gas. What's more, this final blow completely annihilated all his hopes, and his Li Tang Jiangshan had no possibility of continuing, and he had no possibility of living.

So, the third step is on. Xuanzong is dead, and now there is only one thing to do. That is to support someone to be in a position. But this embrace is exquisite. Gao Xianzhi thought about it, Liu Jun and others actively offered suggestions, and finally decided to solve the problem in an extremely simple and crude way.

……

In March, spring is just right. The next two months were a rare leisure time for Wang Yuan. All the things in the court were handed over to Gao Xianzhi, Liu Jun and others to take care of, Wang Yuan didn't even ask, he feasted and played every day, enjoyed the snow and listened to the music, and seemed to have decided to live this kind of life without the world.

The wives and concubines of the Wang family rarely had such a time with Wang Yuan, although some of them knew very well that Erlang would never live such a life forever.

On the third day of the third month of March, it was a good time to go out, and he had already chosen a place, which was the thatched cottage on the bank of Huanhua Creek.

In the morning, more than a dozen luxurious carriages carrying the wives and concubines of the Wang family arrived at the Huanhuaxi Thatched Cottage. Du Fu and his wife and concubine stood on the side of the road early in anticipation. Wang Yuan had already given this place to Du Fu to live in, and Du Fu basically lived here, and he didn't go to the city much, so in fact, the two had only met twice in the past few months.

Seeing Wang Yuan coming from the avenue and stepping on the path leading to the cottage, Du Fu hurriedly took his old wife forward to greet him.

"Brother Du, don't come unharmed, it's bothering." Wang Yuan laughed and rode over.

"Where did the marshal come from, I didn't sleep all night last night when I learned that the marshal was coming. Tossing and turning, I look forward to the dawn and the arrival of the handsome. Du Fu laughed.

Wang Yuan turned over and dismounted and said with a smile: "It seems that Brother Du didn't sleep well." That's no way, today is March 3rd, and I miss Brother Du again, so I'm here. ”

Du Fu smiled: "Where, I'm so excited that I can't sleep." Xiangguo can come to see me, which is a great honor for me Du. ”

While talking, the rear cars and horses were sparkling, more than a dozen big cars arrived in front of the front, the car door opened, and the wives and concubines of the Wang family chattered and chirped and the warblers and Yanyan got out of the car. Gestures or smiles, or coquettish or angry, pointing and laughing, looking forward to it. The sudden appearance of this group of women, almost the beautiful spring color on the bank of Huanhua Creek has dimmed a little, and they are the most beautiful and beautiful scenery in this world.

Du Fu's wife hurriedly took two maidservants to meet them one by one, and Du Fu also met with the girls under the introduction of Wang Yuan. When Wang Yuan introduced the names of Mrs. Qin Guo and Yang Yuhuan to Du Fu, Du Fu almost dropped his jaw in shock. He didn't expect that the rumors outside were true, Wang Yuan actually saved Yang Yuhuan, and it seemed that he had already taken him as his personal favorite.

A large white felt blanket was laid on the grass by the Huanhua Creek, and it was filled with all kinds of food and drinks brought by the car. Flowers are like blankets, green grass is like grass, the spring light on the bank of Huanhua Creek is just right, everyone is sitting or standing, or drinking or eating, children and maids pick flowers and flutter butterflies, wives and concubines sit and chat, laugh and laugh, and they are happy.

Wang Yuan and Du Fu sat and drank and chatted in a simple grass pavilion by the stream, the breeze and white clouds, the air was fresh, and the two were in a happy mood and had a strong conversation.

"Brother Du, has Brother Changling ever come to visit you?"

"Why didn't you come? Some time ago, Lai lived here for half a month, talking with me about poetry and drinking every day, and I was overwhelmed by him. He also said that he would build a grass hut near the left and live with me. This man, really. Du Fu smiled bitterly.

Wang Yuan laughed and said, "He wants to live a leisurely life, and he told me too." But you people like to live in seclusion without caring about anything, and that's not good. The country is new and peaceful, and all kinds of waste are waiting to be revived, how can you people leave it alone? That's not positive enough. ”

Du Fu looked at Wang Yuan strangely and said: "Wang Xiangguo is talking about us, isn't Xiangguo himself a shopkeeper?" I have heard that not only will Xiangguo not enter the capital from now on, but even Gao Dashuai and the officials and generals of Chengdu will withdraw from the Central Plains and return to Shu. Xiangguo is like this, how can you blame us? ”

Wang Yuan smiled and said, "It seems that you have caught the handle." But you must know that there is no way for me to return to Chengdu, I try my best to avoid the suspicion of others, maintain a stable situation in the world, and avoid other branches. If I stay in Chang'an, it will not be good for Your Majesty or me. You are different, you should serve the court. To serve the court is to serve the people, isn't that what you have always wanted? ”

Du Fu smiled and shook his head: "I used to think so, but now I don't think so." After this catastrophe, I thought a lot. In the past, I just wanted to be ambitious, and I just wanted to be worthy of my heart. But now I realize how ridiculous that is. It was a selfish act for me, just to have peace of mind, but like a blind man, I didn't care about external limitations. If you want to really make a difference, you can't do it by relying on your own enthusiasm, but you must have the right environment and atmosphere, and you must work together, all of you have a drive, not that you work hard alone, but others are hindered, or you are still lying in place and living a drunken life. ”

Wang Yuan nodded slightly, drank a glass of wine and was silent.

Du Fu continued: "Brother Changling and I also agree with these words just now, and the two of us have been talking for many days, and it can be said that everything that should be talked about has been talked about thoroughly. Brother Changling and I both believe that although we have experienced this catastrophe, the current imperial court is afraid that it will continue to follow his old path. ”

Wang Yuan frowned and said, "How do you say this?" ”

Du Fu said in a deep voice: "Today, Your Majesty is not in love with the stack and refuses to abdicate, which is a harm to the people of the world, and it is even more contempt for the hearts of the people. The chaos in the world began with Your Majesty, and Your Majesty should have taken the blame and retreated, and that was the correct attitude. If he is not responsible, who will? I know it's a bit contradictory to say that, but that's exactly what Brother Changling and I have agreed to. The premise of national rejuvenation is that the people of the world work together to tide over the difficulties, and now, how much do the people of the world still expect from Your Majesty? How can a court that has lost the support of the people inspire the people to unite for rejuvenation? ”

Wang Yuan raised his glass to the wind and was silent.

"Sangkook is also disappointing in this matter." Du Fu suddenly said this, maybe he had drunk a lot of wine, and he had no scruples.

Wang Yuan smiled bitterly: "What's wrong with me? ”

Du Fu said: "Xiangguo did not enter the court, which made the people of the world extremely disappointed, as far as Brother Changling and I are concerned, we don't understand why Xiangguo did this." Xiangguo said that it was for the stability of the imperial court, and if this was the case, Xiangguo should not divide Shu. If you want to let go, let go completely and return to the mountains and forests. Otherwise, Yixiangguo's current behavior is not only not for the stability of the imperial court, but has caused a de facto split in the Tang Dynasty. Xiangguo didn't blame me for saying bluntly, Xiangguo led the Shence army to stay in Shudi, in fact, it was to separate the four northwestern provinces from the imperial court. This is the next big mess brewing. It is really puzzling why such a smart person would make such a move. ”

Wang Yuan smacked his lips and said, "I may just be protecting myself and thinking about living a peaceful life." ”

Du Fu shook his head and said, "No, Xiangguo didn't tell the truth. Xiangguo is a person who has the world in mind, and it is really anticlimactic to retreat like this. Let the people of the world lose hope and let the court return to chaos. So what was the purpose of the bloody battle before Xiangguo? I don't understand. ”

Wang Yuan smiled: "Brother Du, you are overly aggressive. ”

Du Fu shook his head and said: "No, today, non-Xiangguo cannot gather people's hearts. Xiangguo is the saint of destiny, and it is time to do something. Xiangguo can't cower in Shu because of what he is worried about and what he is afraid of, so that the world will soon have disputes again, and the people will still not be able to enjoy peace. ”

Wang Yuan glared at Du Fu and said, "Brother Du, you drank too much." ”

Du Fu shook his head and said, "I didn't drink much, I know what Xiangguo was thinking." In fact, things in the world are like withering and growing, with their own time and reason. The grass and trees are like that, and so are all things in heaven and earth. The glory of the Tang Dynasty has actually passed, although we miss the Tang Dynasty in the past, but it does not mean that we know that it has declined, but we still have to work hard to maintain it, that is actually a sin. Changing the dynasty is really the trend of the times, and the only person who can do this without chaos in the world is Xiangguo. Xiangguo may be worried about public opinion in the world and worried about being pointed at. But I dare to assert that the hearts of the people in the world are now oriented towards Xiangguo. And even if there are discordant words, so what? Since ancient times, when a saint is born, his words and deeds will not be understood by the world, so every slander and slander will be made. But the reason why a saint is a saint is that he cares about the eyes of the world. What a saint wants to do, how can ordinary people understand? The goal of the saint is to be peaceful and peaceful, but he has no time to care about other people's eyes and gossip. In my eyes, Dashuai is a saint from heaven. ”

Wang Yuan looked at Du Fu's excited face in a daze, he never expected that Du Fu would say such a thing today. In his mind, literati like Du Fu are the biggest obstacle to his ascension to the top. These people are often more difficult to deal with than those who directly oppose them, because they are hard-boned and not afraid of death. If you kill him, you will lose the hearts of the people, and if you don't kill them, they will spread their rhetoric everywhere, and these people have a lot of influence. The reason why this is the case is that Wang Yuancai is not willing to carry out his plan in a radical way. Until now, he didn't dare to say whether these people would turn their faces and deny people if he ascended to the throne.

But now, Du Fu's words have subverted Wang Yuan's cognition. Wang Yuan had to admit that he did not have a deep understanding of the inner world of people like Du Fu. In the past, I thought that people like Du Fu were essentially pedantic defenders, and they would stick to the old rules and refuse to change. But now I found out that these people are not like this. Du Fu's starting point is for the people of the world, not to occupy a place in the court, he is much more noble than he imagined.

In the evening of the same day, Zhao Qing personally rode back from Chang'an, bringing the news of Xuanzong's death. Along with the news, there were also letters written by Gao Xianzhi and other generals in the capital and a hundred civil and military officials in the DPRK and China. They asked Wang Yuan to go to the capital to participate in Xuanzong's funeral and preside over the overall situation.

Wang Yuan knew that although he didn't say anything or give any orders, Gao Xianzhi obviously did what he wanted to do for himself. Wang Yuan didn't feel guilty at all, in this matter, Wang Yuan had already drawn up a plan, and all this was just in the plan. Now that Xuanzong is dead, everything is within reach.

That night, Wang Yuan informed the wives and concubines of Xuanzong's death. The crowd was amazed. For some of the wise men among the wives and concubines, they immediately knew that a great change was about to happen, but they did not dare to say more.

Quiet night, in the plum garden. Wang Yuan Gongsun Lan sat under the lamp, under the swaying candle flame, the husband and wife faced each other silently, and no one spoke. , Gongsun Lan still looks calm, and Wang Yuan also looks calm. But in this silent air, there is a turbulent undercurrent surging. Even though Wang Yuan's appearance was calm, his heart was beating faster and his blood was obviously faster, and his breathing was obviously heavy and rapid.

"Cousin, can you ...... Play a song for me. Wang Yuan broke the silence and sighed.

Gongsun Lan smiled slightly, tapped her head, got up and took out a yaoqin from the room and placed it on the table. Between the light waves of the plain hand, the sound of the piano rises in the waves, like a jade bead falling on the plate, crisp and pleasant.

"What's the song?" Gongsun Lan tilted her head and muttered to herself.

Wang Yuan didn't answer, and Gongsun Lan didn't want an answer, and after a while, she had an answer herself.

The sound of the piano tinkles, like the spring snow melts and flows into a stream flowing out of the valley, the valley is full of flowers, the sun is full of sky, and the birds are singing, which makes people feel happy to hear, Wang Yuan, close his eyes and listen quietly, and he doesn't feel that the corners of his mouth also show a smile.

However, all of a sudden, the sound of the piano changed from soothing and cool to rapid and harsh, and the sunny day was suddenly obscured by dark clouds, and then the storm and rain flew away, the trees shook and the grass flew, and the sun and moon were dark. The sound of Zheng Zhengqin carries the sound of killing, as if thousands of troops are fighting with swords.

Just as Wang Yuan's brows were furrowed, his face changed color, and his heart was pounding, there was a buzzing sound, and the piano sound stopped suddenly, and in an instant, it was like a cloud opening and the sun rise, the wind stopped and the trees were quiet, and all the hallucinations that made people's hearts beat wildly disappeared in an instant.

“