Chapter 389: Hedong Affairs (I)

The time goes back to two months ago.

In late June, when Xiao Yan crossed the Tangluo Road and entered the Hanzhong Plain, the news that Yang Shihou in Chang’an was captured alive by Xiao Yan was also fermenting and was quickly passed back to the country by spies scattered in the Central Plains.

Among them, the city that is most concerned about this is Taiyuan.

However, along with the news that Yang Shihou was defeated and all the troops in Guanzhong fell into Xiao Yan’s hands, there was also another piece of spy intelligence that had been silent for a long time.

Compared with this piece of information, it seemed that whether Yang Shihou’s mutiny was successful or not became unimportant.

Li Cunren was surprised when she received the letter from Ren’s disciple, because she had never thought about how much the woman who was planted next to Xiao Yan could play a role. But the matter was of great importance, and the information in the letter even made Li Cunren gasp, so she did not dare to delay for a moment and hurried to the Prince of Jin’s Mansion.

Because Li Xingyun was brought to the State of Jin, Li Keyong had moved out of the Jin Palace for several months as a gesture. However, the current palace is not small. Although it is not newly built, it has several courtyards in front and back, and its luxury is in line with Li Keyong’s status.

Unfortunately, Li Keyong was not in the palace, and even the Shang organization under Li Cunren did not know where he was.

But this kind of thing is actually very common. Although her adoptive father has a leg disease, he will disappear alone for a period of time from time to time, and his whereabouts are even more secretive, and no one knows. Li Cunren has been accustomed to it for many years, and even needs to ask her adoptive father to cover up his whereabouts.

However, the situation today was special, and Li Cunren could not continue to wait. She suppressed the complexity and uneasiness in her heart, thought about it, and first left “Shang” to keep an eye on the palace, while she took two people on horseback and rushed to Tongwenguan.

Tongwenguan is located in the suburbs of Taiyuan and owns a large garden. On the surface, it looks like just a huge manor, but Li Cunren is well aware that the secret guards there are very strict, no less than the previous Jin Palace.

In the State of Jin, the Tongwenguan formed its own faction in the imperial court. Except for the saintly leader Li Siyuan who only held some honorary positions, the other leaders each had real power to command. Even the tenth leader Li Cunxiao, who was not very smart, had 500 Flying Tiger soldiers composed of fully equipped cavalry at his disposal. However, they all died in Hebei a year ago during the battle between Li Cunxu and Xiao Yan.

However, these powerful guardians were in between reality and illusion, and were particularly closely related to Li Siyuan. Among the thirteen guardians, in addition to the crown prince Li Cunxu and Li Cunren, who served as the assistant of the Prince of Jin, there was also the fifth guardian Li Cunyi, who left the Tongwenguan many years ago due to personality differences and has been missing ever since.

The rest, openly or secretly, particularly admired their eldest brother, even though Li Siyuan had not been very popular in the Jin court in recent years. As the leader of the Thirteen Guardians, he was like a transparent person compared to the Crown Prince Li Cunxu.

In the past, Li Cunren would have thought that Li Siyuan was giving up power to avoid suspicion and did not want his own brilliance to affect the crown prince. The leaders of the Tongwenguan were on good terms with Li Siyuan only because they had built the Tongwenguan together with Li Siyuan and the brotherhood they had formed was too unforgettable.

Even in recent years, as Li Siyuan became increasingly detached from the center of power and his influence became smaller and smaller, he only knew how to take care of trivial matters in the Tongwenguan all day and go to the countryside to interfere in the farming work of the people. Li Cunren would unconsciously think that his adoptive father was too wary of this elder brother.

Can a person who has almost no power, no team, and no military power really pose any threat to the prince?
It was not until this letter arrived that Li Cunren realized that something was not quite right.

Her elder brother was not giving up power to avoid suspicion, but was clearly keeping a low profile! And those sect leaders who seemed to be just grateful for the brotherhood might have been trained by Li Siyuan unknowingly to be a complete group that only supported the Holy Lord and did not know the Crown Prince. They might not even be very loyal to their adoptive father.

Why?
It is obvious that her elder brother only has the title of Holy Lord, without real power or military achievements. He just has a good reputation in the court and the country. Is he more worthy of loyalty and following than the crown prince who was praised by Emperor Zhaozong as “as good as his father”?
With these thoughts in mind, Li Cunren ordered two of his disciples named Ren to wait outside, and walked into the courtyard where Li Siyuan lived.

Because she had other thoughts this time, Li Cunren discovered that the courtyard, where she almost never visited before and even if she did, she would just go straight in and out without stopping, was actually very narrow and shabby.

Logically speaking, Tongwenguan has been run by Li Siyuan for many years, and he himself is a saintly leader with a great reputation in the whole world. Even if his residence is not luxurious, it should at least have its own style.

But Li Siyuan’s courtyard was really simple. Even Li Cunren, who didn’t care much about these things, felt that it was too plain.

I don’t know if it’s because I had different thoughts this time.

Li Cunren walked in silently, and behind the ceremonial gate, a steward in simple clothes came out to greet him with a slightly trepidation, smiling apologetically: “The Thirteenth Sect Master has arrived suddenly, how come no one informed us, really…”

There are secret sentries all over the Tongwenguan. Only a fool would believe that there was no advance information received here. Li Cunren’s eyes were cold behind the mask. He did not respond and just walked in.

The steward was obviously a little anxious. He went out to greet them while apologetically saying, “The Holy Lord was poisoned by the Mobei demon a month ago. Although he has woken up, his body is still weak and cannot be seen in the light. If the Thirteenth Sect Master has any important matters or an imperial decree from the King of Jin, I can do it for you. I don’t know…”

“Get out.” Li Cunren shouted, put his hand on his sword, and ignored the man, walking straight into the ceremonial gate alone. The manager had an embarrassed look on his face, with some anger in his eyes, but he bent aside and did not dare to stop him.

Li Cunren walked through the short corridor and smelled the smell of medicine coming from Li Siyuan’s room. She didn’t pause and went straight to open the door.

“Thirteenth sister!”

Just then, he heard a voice behind him. Li Cunli walked in quickly, still smiling, “But my foster father has something important to entrust to you, big brother? Could it be the news that Yang Shihou in Guanzhong was captured? I told you not long ago, big brother, you…”

Li Cunren didn’t even turn his head. He pushed the door with his palm and it opened straight up. The sunlight slanted in. Because the movement was too big, the door brought up wind, and a layer of dust floated in the air.

Li Cunli, who was not far behind, suddenly stopped, his hand raised as if to stop them, his heart almost in his throat.

“Cough cough cough…”

Li Cunren narrowed her eyes slightly and heard the coughing sound behind the screen, but she did not hesitate. She strode in and saw a figure sitting up in the thick mosquito net on the bed.

“What’s going on, Thirteenth sister?” Li Siyuan took the initiative to lift the curtain, revealing a square face that looked weak and pale as if it had not been exposed to the sun for more than a month.

Li Cunren stopped at this time, hesitated for a moment, and then clasped his fists again: “The King of Jin ordered me to take care of the Holy Lord’s injuries on his behalf, and to ask Tongwenguan if there is any other information intercepted in the Central Plains.”

“What other news did Thirteenth Sister mention?” Li Cunli walked in with a warm smile on his face, closed the door casually, and then said, “Yang Shihou was defeated and captured in Tongguan, and the power of the Liang Dynasty was taken by the Song King Xiao Yan. This is already known to everyone in the world. But apart from this news, is there anything else in the Central Plains that is worth my father’s concern?”

As he spoke, he naturally added a bit of blame in his tone: “Big brother is recovering from his injuries, and the affairs of Tongwenguan were handed over to me a month ago. If there is nothing important, why would Thirteenth Sister bother Big brother?”

Li Cunren clasped his fists to Li Siyuan apologetically, while the latter waved his hands nonchalantly while leaning on the cushion, and then smiled: “It is my honor to be valued by my adoptive father… But Thirteenth Sister rushed in so anxiously, as if… as if she didn’t believe that I would be in this room?”

“My younger sister has always acted like this. In a hurry, I was unable to consider other things. I hope the Holy Lord will forgive me.”

Although he said this, Li Cunren’s tone did not show much apology. He just held his sword and said, “A month ago, Qi suddenly attacked Xizhou and broke with Jin, causing our Western Army to be restrained by them and unable to send troops to Hebei. Later, the Mobei army coveted the Yinshan tribes and led the prince to lead the Eastern Army to the north. Soon, news came that Xiao Yan had seized power in a mutiny in Bianliang. From this, it can be known that Qi and Mobei may have been instructed by Xiao Yan.

This time Yang Shihou lost power, Qi and Shu are at odds with Fengxiang, and Xiao Yan may interfere in this war again. King Jin ordered me to ask the Holy Lord for his opinion. If the Holy Lord recovers from his injury, can he lead the Western Route Army to attack Qi?”

Li Cunli tucked his sleeves in and said nothing, but when Li Cunren couldn’t see, his eyes were slightly half-closed, hiding other meanings. Li Siyuan couldn’t stop coughing, then smiled bitterly and waved his hands: “My foster father has an important task, I’m afraid I can’t handle it right now. The Western Army is stationed in Jinzhou, one is to guard against Qi State, Dingnan, and Shuofang, and the other is to deter Shaanxi, Guo, and Heyang of the Liang Dynasty. It’s a heavy task. Siyuan has never led such a large army, and he is sick right now. The consequences are too great. If the task fails, there will be no recovery. I hope my thirteenth sister will convey to me that Siyuan has only let my foster father down…”

Li Cunren thought about it for a moment, then nodded: “I understand, brother, take good care of your injuries.”

She was about to leave, and Li Cunli was about to follow her out with a smile, but unexpectedly, when Li Cunren reached the door, he suddenly turned back and asked, “I wonder if you have found your adopted son Zhang Zifan?”

Li Siyuan was stunned for a moment, and then fell silent.

Li Cunli explained for him: “Zhang Zifan and my ninth brother disappeared in Hebei together. Their whereabouts are still unknown. My eldest brother has sent people to search for them. I’m afraid…”

Li Cunren continued to ask: “Come to think of it, I still don’t know why Zhang Zifan and Brother Jiu disappeared.”

This visit to the patient was more like an interrogation. Li Cunli was embarrassed for a moment and wanted to explain something, but then he heard Li Siyuan himself say: “At that time, I was in Hebei to investigate the military situation of the Liang Dynasty. I sent Faner and my ninth brother back to Taiyuan first. I left two days later, but unexpectedly they were intercepted and killed by the people of Mobei. After I luckily escaped back to Yanmen Pass, I found out that Faner and the other two had not returned. I sent people to look for them at that time… Now that I think about it, I’m afraid it has something to do with Mobei.”

Li Cunren finally nodded and clasped his fists: “Sorry for bothering you, big brother.”

She left immediately after she finished speaking. Li Cunli followed her and saw her off. After she left the ceremonial gate, he smiled bitterly and said to her, “Thirteenth sister is still… a little unkind.”

“I also respect you, big brother.” Li Cunren said, “Prince Jin has a leg disease and cannot move easily. I cannot afford to delay too much time running for him. This is my duty. Please forgive me, Sixth Brother.”

“Sixth brother is fine, but I’m afraid that eldest brother…” Li Cunli shook his head, then lowered his voice and changed the subject: “Speaking of which, I wonder if the Bago in my hand can be used?”

“Xiao Yan has been rising rapidly all the way, how can he be approached easily? The King of Jin also said that this chess piece cannot be used too much.” Li Cunren did not say much, but just bowed slightly: “I still have things to do, Sixth Brother, you don’t need to see me off, so let’s say goodbye now.”

Li Cunli put up his sleeves to return the greeting, and watched the Thirteenth Sister leave neatly before turning back. His expression had become slightly cold. After opening the door, he saw Li Siyuan behind the screen already staying in the room.

“Lie down.” Li Cunli sighed.

Li Siyuan just sneered and didn’t respond. He just said, “Just now I really wanted to take over the military power of the Western Route Army on behalf of my elder brother.”

“Don’t forget your elder brother’s instructions.” Li Cunli said coldly, “Before he comes back from Mobei, you can’t act on your own. You should know that every instruction from your foster father may be a test.”

Li Siyuan chuckled, stroking his face with his fingers, and thought to himself: “What’s so great about these assholes? My brother’s current position is really awkward. It would be better to be like Xiao Yan of the Liang Dynasty, first imprisoning his adoptive father and then killing the prince, wouldn’t it be more satisfying? If we endure this, I’m afraid the situation in the world will change and the tide will no longer be turned.”

“Don’t say too much.” Li Cunli narrowed his eyes and said, “Today, Thirteenth Sister… doesn’t seem to be a simple test.”

But after thinking about it, he did not tell anyone about Baguo. Li Keyong had already warned him about this matter. Li Cunli was cautious and had not even spoken a word to Li Siyuan until now, let alone other people.

He just said: “Big brother has his own plan, it’s good as long as you and I don’t mess things up.”

—-

In the twilight, only a few candles were lit in the Prince of Jin’s mansion. Li Cunren knelt on a stool at the door of the study with his head lowered, not even daring to look up at Li Keyong’s back in the wheelchair.

The atmosphere in the study was very oppressive, and the air was filled with murderous intent that seemed to be condensed into substance. Over the years, Li Cunren had only felt this once on Li Keyong.

The last time was a few years ago when the news of Zhu Wen’s enthronement reached Taiyuan.

“You did a great job today.”

Li Keyong’s deep voice rang out in the darkness: “Boss, you are really ambitious.”

Li Cunren lowered his head and responded in a low voice: “According to the letter from Ba Ge, Zhang Zifan and Ninth Brother should have been ordered by Big Brother to go to Bianliang to spread the news that Ding Badu went south, and were captured by Xiao Yan’s men. But Big Brother said something completely different. Not only that, when Big Brother found out the whereabouts of Ding Badu going south in Hebei, he did not report the news back to Taiyuan, just as Xiao Yan told Zhang Zifan in the palace at that time…”

She hesitated and said, “However, when I was in a hurry today to test you, I promised you the military power of the Western Route Army without authorization, but he did not accept it just like last time.”

Li Keyong’s emotionless voice came: “If it was the boss himself, he might really take the bait. But if the person standing behind him was the bad commander, it wouldn’t be surprising.”

Li Cunren was shocked and didn’t know why Li Keyong suddenly said that, but she just remained silent.

“According to what Bago wrote.” Li Keyong suddenly asked, “Is Xiao Yan a mortal enemy of the Buliang Commander?”

“Father, there is such a saying.”

“Interesting, interesting.” Li Keyong tapped the wheelchair armrest gently, his murderous voice mixed with a bit of gloomy laughter: “Boss is such a fool, he has become a pawn without knowing it. Cooperating with the Bad Leader is not as simple as trying to get the skin of a tiger…”

In the latter part, Li Keyong actually asked and answered his own questions: “No wonder you asked me to withdraw the Eastern Army from the grassland… No wonder you asked me to send troops to Hebei… But you want to use my Jin State to plan your big plan?”

Li Keyong laughed, his voice deep and muffled: “I heard that Yelu Lage, who was chased away by Xiao Yan in Mobei, has gathered tens of thousands of troops in Xiu Tu Ze? Is Zhenqi King Li Maozhen also among them?”

“That’s true.” Li Cunren said hurriedly, “But according to the intelligence, they are just bandits and are useless. As for the matter of Li Maozhen… the people below haven’t come up with any definite information yet.”

“As long as he wants to fight back to the Mobei royal court, no matter how useless he is, I can make him do it!” Li Keyong sneered, “As for Li Maozhen, he knows who the bad commander is better than I do. Go, find a way to contact Yelu Lage and Li Maozhen.”

Li Cunren had no objection, but seeing that Li Keyong was about to end the conversation, he could not help but remind him: “In the letter from Baguo, it was mentioned that Xiao Yan wanted to sneak across the Tangluo Road and raid Hanzhong… I think we can take this opportunity to go south…”

“Go south.” Li Keyong sneered, “Isn’t this just what the bad commander wants?”

“He wants to use someone else’s power to take his place. How can I let him do that?” Li Keyong said in a low and cold voice, “Let’s talk about it later. It won’t be too late to discuss it after Xiao Yan can conquer Hanzhong. I would rather see Xiao Yan become more powerful than let such a foundation be taken away by the idiot boss and the bad commander!”

“After you contact Li Maozhen, tell him that I can make him the King of Mobei!”

(End of this chapter)