Chapter 538 The Death of Emperor Ming

In Chengdu, Li Heng's army has been in Yizhou for almost a month. During this period, Li Heng has been acting quite low-key. He seemed to have learned from the lessons of being the prince many years ago and has always lived in the military camp outside the city. He did not visit any officials in Chengdu, nor did he privately meet Gao Xianzhi, who holds military power. Every evening, he would go to Nanming Palace on time and never enter the palace. He knelt deeply in front of the palace gate and choked and said, "I wish my father good health!"

He knelt every day, regardless of wind and rain, and indeed won praise from many people. Today is dusk again. Li Heng drove to the Nanming Palace as usual. He walked out of the carriage and quickly came to the palace gate. Hundreds of guards guarding him and looked at the surrounding situation vigilantly. At this time, Li Heng slowly knelt down and kowtowed respectfully to the direction of his father's bedroom in Nanming Palace, saying with tears: "I wish my father to protect the dragon body forever forever!"

In front of Nanming Palace is a wide street, which is the main road in Chengdu. It is crowded and bustling. Li Heng knelt in front of the palace gate, which immediately attracted countless people to watch from afar. The crowd whispered, mostly praise.

"Is it because he has been filial to him for a month and comes to pay homage to his father every day? It rained so heavily yesterday, so he actually came too. Not bad! Not bad! Filial piety is the first priority."

"I also heard that he has a bad reputation in Chang'an. Today, it seems that the rumors in Chang'an may not be true. Even if you are sincere, you can't pretend to be."

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Just as everyone was talking, a carriage passed by. Inside the carriage was Cui Yuan, who had just replaced Yang Guozhong as the right prime minister of the Southern Tang Dynasty. He had just left the court and was about to return home. When he passed by, he happened to see Li Heng kneeling on the street to worship Li Longji. Cui Yuan couldn't help but smile coldly. Li Heng's actions really made him disgusted. Why didn't he go in and kneel down and insist on kneeling in public? Who are you doing this for?

Cui Yuan was not very interested in Li Heng, especially because he was not Li Heng's direct descendant. This time, Li Heng came to Sichuan and brought more than 90 important officials from the Northern Tang Dynasty, including Wang Gong, Li Lin, Linghu Fei and other important figures. These people were once the Prime Minister of the Political Affairs Hall of the Northern Tang Dynasty. So once Li Heng ascended the throne, would he use himself? Even if he reuses it for a short time, once he stabilizes the situation, he will still abandon himself.

Cui Yuan was both disdainful of Li Heng and worried at the same time. He knew that Wang Gong, Linghu Fei and others were secretly active in Chengdu and made friends with many ministers. He also reported to Li Longji secretly for this. However, Li Longji was extremely stupid and actually told himself that it was normal for Li Heng to ascend the throne sooner or later, and that it was normal for him to make friends with ministers. He warned Cui Yuan not to provoke the relationship between them father and son, which left Cui Yuan speechless.

Cui Yuan looked at Li Heng's farce-like performance. He shook his head, ordered the carriage to speed up and leave Nanming Palace.

Cui Yuan's mansion was not far from Nanming Palace, and he arrived after walking a few streets. The carriage slowly stopped in front of the mansion. At this time, a confidant family member rushed forward to report: "Cui Xiangguo, a letter has been sent in Chang'an."

Cui Yuan was slightly stunned and asked, "Who sent the letter?"

The family whispered: "It's Mr. Cui Er, Chang'an!"

Mr. Cui Huan is Cui Huan, Cui Yuan’s clan brother. Cui Yuan was shocked and hurriedly said, “Where is the letter?”

"The letter has been sent to the master's inner study."

Cui Yuan nodded and quickly walked into the mansion. He came to the inner study room. There was a letter on the table in the study room. He picked up the letter and the letter was written very simply: Brother Cui Yuan was intimate, and it was obvious that it was Cui Huan's handwriting. This was the first time Cui Huan wrote to him this year.

Cui Yuan seemed to have some feelings in his heart. He opened the letter and said that there was not much content. He just discussed with him the family's ten-year worship for the first month of next year. Cui Huan hoped that Cui Yuan would also return to Chang'an by then.

‘Go back to Chang'an?’ Cui Yuan thought deeply. The words were like words, as if they were implying something. He slowly walked to the window and looked at the dark green outside the window, with some thought in his eyes.

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After Li Heng worshipped his father, he returned to the camp. It was already dark. Li Heng changed his clothes and sat at the small table to drink tea slowly. He knew that someone would come to see him soon. He received the news at noon that his brother Li Lin's secret envoy had arrived in Chengdu and was about to arrive at the military camp. He was not in a hurry, and he was drinking tea calmly, thinking about the next plan in his mind.

Of course, Li Heng would not really wish his father a hundred years of life. What did he do when he came to Chengdu? He was not a prince. He was the dignified Emperor of Northern Tang, but he came to Southern Tang to be the prince. Isn’t this a joke? The reason why he refused to enter the city was actually because he wanted to go directly to the city to become the emperor.

Li Heng has been in the Southern Tang Dynasty for nearly a month. Although he did not go to the city to live and rarely went out of the military camp, his confidants Wang Gong, Linghu Fei and others were secretly engaged in activities. Not only were many ministers willing to support him, but even Gao Xianzhi, who held a heavy army, expressed his opinion. He supported the Southern Tang Emperor, and he supported him no matter who ascended the throne. In other words, Gao Xianzhi would not participate in the alternating struggle of the throne.

With Gao Xianzhi's words, Li Heng was completely relieved. As time passed, the time gradually ripened. Now he is still waiting for the last condition. Once the conditions are realized, the time is coming.

At this time, the sound of the guards running outside the tent came. Li Hengteng stood up and looked outside the tent nervously. The guards quickly ran to report: "Your Highness, he is here!"

"Okay! Please come in quickly."

The visitor was the special envoy of King Li Lin of Wu. The sixteenth son Li Lin was born to Guo Shunyi. He was raised by Li Heng since his childhood and grew up. He slept in his arms. Although they were called brothers, they were like father and son. After Li Heng ascended the throne in Chang'an, he received a secret letter from Li Lin, supporting his brother as the Emperor of Northern Tang. This time Li Heng came to the Southern Tang Dynasty. He hoped that his brother would support him ascend the throne. The letter had been written, and he had been waiting for his brother's official reply.

After a moment, Li Lin's special envoy was led into the tent, and he saw the phoenix-headed and long nose, and his aura was extraordinary. Li Heng was stunned. He had seen this person and was very familiar with him. The vocation was actually the famous poet Li Taibai.

The envoy was indeed Li Bai. Since Li Bai left Chang'an, he traveled around. After returning from Qilu, he went to Hangzhou to pay homage to Zhizhang. He liked the scenery of Jiangnan, so he lived in the Jiangnan area for a long time. When Li Lin heard that Li Bai lived in Jiangnan, he sent someone to invite Li Bai to be born as an official, but Li Bai politely refused. Li Lin did not give up. He sent someone to go there the second time, but was still rejected. When Li Lin personally went to Yuhang for invitations, he finally moved Li Bai, who had been depressed for many years. Li Bai felt his sincerity and agreed to assist Li Lin as his aide.

Because Li Heng's matter is of great importance, and Li Bai grew up in Bashu, Li Lin sent Li Bai to Chengdu to complete this important task for him.

Li Bai stepped forward and bowed and said, "Li Bai, aide under the tent of the King of Wu, met His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Li Heng quickly returned the polite smile and said, "It turns out it's Mr. Taibai. We haven't seen each other for many years!"

Li Bai also smiled and said, "The last time we met was in the fourth year of Tianbao. We met at the New Year banquet in the Daming Palace. Ten years have passed in a flash. Your Highness is still in style!"

"Where! I'm getting older every year!"

Li Heng laughed loudly and waved his hand quickly, "Mr. Taibai, please sit down!"

Li Bai was not polite, and sat down. Without waiting for Li Heng to speak, he took out a letter and placed it on the table and pushed it to Li Heng, "This is His Highness's handwritten letter from His Highness King Wu, please check it out."

Li Heng hurriedly opened the letter and read it carefully. In the letter, Li Lin not only clearly expressed his support for him as emperor, but also was willing to send troops to advance westward and cooperated with him to jointly eliminate King Jing Li Mao.

Li Heng was overjoyed and stroked his beard and smiled, "I knew my brother would not disappoint me."

Li Bai also smiled and said, "The King of Wu also asked me to bring it to Your Highness."

"Speak quickly, what's the message?"

"The King of Wu said that Bashu relies on one territory, which is not conducive to strength and control of Jiangnan. He hopes that His Highness can move the capital to Jingxiang as soon as possible, take advantage of the opportunity of the Northern Tang Dynasty to deal with An Lushan to look south, collect money and grain, and train troops, so that he can compete with the Northern Tang Dynasty at that time. He hopes that His Highness will not rush to attack Chang'an in the north. We are far from Li Qing'an's opponent now."

When Li Qing'an's name was mentioned, a hint of unnatural flashed across Li Bai's face. He had an old friend with Li Qing'an. He himself did not want Li Lin to compete with Li Qing'an. It would be better for both sides to compromise and rule the river. However, with the development of the current situation, as Li Lin supported Li Heng, Li Bai gradually realized that living together peacefully was just a dream, and at most it would be time to extend backwards.

Li Bai sighed in his heart and continued, "Your Highness, this is the message from the King of Wu. Your Highness can send someone to verify it."

"I don't think it's necessary!"

Li Heng waved his hand and smiled, "I can trust you, sir, sir, have worked hard all the way, I have arranged food and accommodation, please go and rest!"

After saying that, he ordered the guards again, "Serve Mr. Taibai well and do not neglect at all!"

The guard agreed and led Li Bai down. Li Heng looked at Li Bai's back with his hands behind his back and walked away. He suddenly snorted coldly and immediately returned to the account to write a letter, handing it to Li Fu Guodao who had been standing behind him: "Send someone to send this letter to Yangzhou to the King of Wu."

Li Fuguo agreed and hurried away with the letter. In fact, Li Heng did not believe Li Bai's oral message at all. He had to send his own people to implement it before he could believe it.

After arranging Li Lin's affairs, Li Heng finally made up his mind at this time. Once the time is ripe, he will not hesitate at all. Now the time is ripe.

He took out a small sandalwood box from the box beside him and opened it. It was a pearl as big as a pigeon egg. He carefully clamped the pearl with his index finger and thumb. Looking closely, the pearl was shining with green light, but if you look closely, you will find that there was a short and thick needle hidden inside the pearl.

Li Heng carefully put Mingzhu back into the box, summoned one of his confidant guards, handed him the box and said, "You go to Nanming Palace to find Yu Chaoen and hand it over to him. No need to say anything, he will naturally understand."

The guard took the wooden box and left the tent. At this time, Li Heng felt excited. The moment of hope finally came. He immediately stood up and ordered: "Tell me my order, the army is ready for combat and stand by at any time!"

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In Nanming Palace, Li Longji was ready to go to bed. Since Li Heng entered Sichuan, his successor problems have finally been resolved. One of the most anxious things in Li Longji's heart was put down. He no longer asked about political affairs and handed them all over to Cui Yuan. In his plan, as long as Li Heng adapted in Chengdu for three months, he could hand over all the power of government affairs to Li Heng and let him be the prince's supervisor. At that time, there would be no conflicts between him and his son, and he could be his emperor with peace of mind and enjoy it for a few more years.

It was precisely because of this beautiful wish that Li Longji's mood became relaxed and his sleep gradually returned to normal, but his suspicion for the people around him became heavier and he became more and more serious. Since the incident of Li Wan and Yang Guozhong trying to harm him broke out, Li Longji no longer trusted anyone around him. The suspicion made his heart full of killing. The palace maids and eunuchs who served him made a mistake and immediately executed them.

At this time, Li Longji had already soaked his feet in hot water. Two palace maids knelt in front of him and wiped his feet with a thick white cloth in fear. Originally, Li Longji used silk to wipe his feet, but the silk was not absorbent, so his feet were always wiped without drying. For this reason, he was angry and killed people several times.

Just now, the eunuch, Ling Yu Chaoen, asked him for instructions, and could be changed to white cloth or fine linen cloth to wipe his feet. Li Longji agreed. This was the first time to use white cloth to wipe Li Longji's feet. This white cloth was tributed to the court more than ten years ago by Fu Meng Lingcha, the governor of Anxi, and was a white cloth produced in Egypt and has never been useful.

This white stacked cloth is different from Gaochang's white stacked cloth. It is very thin and soft, with strong water absorption. Li Longji feels very comfortable. Only then did he realize that the cloth that wipes his feet is different from before, so he asked, "What is this?"

A palace maid said tremblingly: "Report to the emperor, this is Anxi's white stack of cloth!"

It was also the fate of this palace maid who was not good. She didn't know how sensitive Li Longji was to the word "Anxi". When Li Longji heard the word "Anxi", he immediately shot a fierce light in his eyes and stared at the palace maid viciously, "What did you say just now?"

Both palace maids were so scared that they were scattered, their teeth were clattering!, and they couldn't say a word. Li Longji was furious and kicked the two palace maids over with one kick, shouting angrily: "Drag them out and beat them to death!"

More than a dozen guards rushed out from outside. They were extremely skillful in their movements. They grabbed the hair of the two palace maids and dragged them out. The two palace maids collapsed in fear and no sound of begging for mercy. They just made a mute cry in their throats, and the other dozen palace maids standing on both sides were already sad and heartbroken. They turned their heads one after another, and the wall opposite was full of tears. It was their turn below.

At this time, it was the other two palace maids who came up to serve him. They did not dare to say a word, fetched Li Longji again and scalded his feet, wiped them clean. Perhaps because they had already killed the two, Li Longji was a little tired, so he got off the bed under the service of the palace maids. At this time, Li Longji pointed to one of the palace maids named Xunniang and asked her to stay with her to sleep. Although Li Longji was no longer humane, he still had a strong desire for women, and he would use a special way to satisfy his desires.

The palace maids looked at Xun Niang with pity and retreated to the outer room one after another. At this time, Li Longji took out a whip from the secret box inside the bed, squinted his eyes and looked at the young palace maid who was only sixteen years old. His eyes were filled with evil smiles, and the whip pointed at her.

Xun Niang knew she could not escape, so she finally looked at the night sky outside the window with nostalgia, unbuttoned her belt, and the skirt robe slid off her body, revealing a crystal white jade body, kneeling on the ground. At this time, Li Longji's eyes gradually began to turn red. He grinned and twisted his whip, "Bang!" with a crisp sound, accompanied by a miserable scream of a woman.

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To be continued...