roccoschili Chapter 924: The Power Unwilling to Give Up
Chapter 924: The Power Unwilling to Give Up
The rain in Shu always brings with it a damp and cold feeling that cannot be melted away.
Li Longji sat in front of the window of the Chengdu Palace, looking at the drizzle under the corridor, his fingers unconsciously stroking the gilded sachet on the table - the musk in the sachet had long dissipated, leaving only the lotus pattern on the sachet body that retained its former exquisiteness.
When Gao Lishi came in with a bowl of warm ginger soup, he saw him staring at the rain curtain in a daze. The white hair on his temples trembled slightly in the wind, and he looked even more desolate than the old plum branches in the palace courtyard.
"Saint, drink a bowl of ginger soup to warm yourself up. The humidity in Shu is very high, be careful not to hurt your bones."
Gao Lishi handed the bowl to him, his voice very low.
Since the Mawei Rebellion, he no longer dared to call himself "Grand Emperor" and only continued to use the previous title, as if he was carefully guarding the last dignity of the emperor.
Li Longji took the bowl but didn't drink. He just looked at the ginger chunks swaying in the bowl and suddenly said, "Gao Lishi, tell me, how is Li Heng doing in Lingwu now?"
Gao Lishi was stunned for a moment, then bowed and said, "The scouts reported the other day that the new emperor has appointed Guo Ziyi as the Grand Marshal of the Army and Li Mi as the Military Secretary. He is reorganizing the troops and preparing to counterattack Chang'an."
He paused, then added, "I heard that the Uighur envoy has arrived in Lingwu, and they may send troops to help us soon."
"Oh? The Uighurs sent out troops?"
Li Longji's fingers clenched the rim of the bowl fiercely, his knuckles turning white. "Li Heng, he's more courageous than I was back then. But... the military power ultimately fell into his hands."
Just as he finished speaking, hurried footsteps were heard outside the palace, and a eunuch hurried in to report: "Your Majesty, the three princes, Prince Yong Li Lin, Prince Sheng Li Qi, and Prince Feng Li Gong, have rushed to Shu from Jiangnan and Longyou, and are now requesting an audience outside the palace!"
A glimmer of light suddenly flashed in Li Longji's eyes, and he quickly put down the bowl: "Quick, let them in!"
He stood up and straightened his clothes. Although he was only wearing plain casual clothes, he subconsciously straightened his back - this was the first time that a prince had come to see him after he abdicated. It was like a long-dry land waiting for a little rain, which suddenly made his empty heart feel at ease.
When the three princes entered the palace, they were still covered in dust from their journey.
Prince Yong Li Lin was wearing a brocade robe. Although he looked tired, the sharpness in his eyes could not be concealed.
Prince Sheng Li Qi held a scroll of maps with a calm expression; Prince Feng Li Gong carried a scimitar on his waist, with a look of bravery like a military commander.
.
The three of them knelt down and saluted, their voices filled with mixed emotions: "Your Highness, your sons pay their respects to your Majesty!"
"Get up, everyone sit down."
Li Longji waved his hand to ask them to stand up. He glanced at the three of them as if examining some treasure. "Why did you suddenly come to Shu?"
"Chang'an has not been recovered yet, and the rebels are still wreaking havoc in Hebei. Why are you here instead of defending your fiefdom?"
Prince Yong Li Lin spoke first, his tone filled with urgency: "Father, I heard that you abdicated the throne to my brother, the Crown Prince, and I am deeply uneasy. Chang'an is still in the hands of the rebels, and the foundation of the Tang Dynasty is shaken. Although my brother, the Crown Prince, has ascended the throne in Lingwu, the military governors of various towns wield heavy troops. If they are not checked and balanced, disaster may ensue!"
"I have come this time to ask your Majesty to take charge of the situation and prevent the military power of the Tang Dynasty from falling into the hands of outsiders!"
These words were like a match, instantly igniting the resentment in Li Longji's heart.
He tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said thoughtfully, "You're right. Military power is the foundation of a country. How can it be easily lost to others?"
"Li Heng is young. Although he has the assistance of Guo Ziyi and Li Mi, he still lacks experience."
"Chang'an has not yet been recaptured, and the rebels are strong. If all military power is in his hands, the consequences of a wrong decision will be disastrous."
Prince Sheng Li Qi came forward holding the map and spread it on the table: "Father, I have recently surveyed the terrain of Longyou and drawn this map."
"Longyou is the gateway to the northwest, a crucial place for defending against Tubo. If we allow outsiders to guard it, I will be worried."
"How about your Majesty, Father, issue a decree to have me guard Longyou? This will not only protect us from Tubo, but also help tie down the imperial court's military strength."
Prince Feng Li Gong also followed suit, saying, "Father, I wish to go to Hedong! Hedong is where the remnants of the rebels are entrenched. I am willing to lead the army to wipe out the rebels and contribute to the recovery of Chang'an!"
"As long as the emperor gives the order, I will do it without hesitation!"
Li Longji looked at the eager eyes of the three princes, and his mind was rapidly calculating.
He knew that these three princes each had their own ambitions, but at the moment, they were his only bargaining chip to check and balance Li Heng.
Chang'an had not yet been recovered, and Li Heng's foundation was still unstable. If he granted the military power to the princes at this time, while still nominally commanding them, it would not only weaken Li Heng's power, but also allow him to regain control of the lifeline of the Tang Dynasty - even if it was only in name, it would be better than being a powerless "emperor" now.
"Okay! As expected of my son!"
Li Longji slammed his hand on the table, a long-lost sharpness flashing in his eyes. "Although I have abdicated, as a descendant of the Tang Dynasty's Taizu and Taizong, how can I sit idly by and watch military power fall into the hands of others?"
"Today I will issue a decree granting you military authority: Prince Yong, Li Lin, you will guard Jiangnan and manage the grain transport between the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers, providing food and fodder for the imperial court; Prince Sheng, Li Qi, you will guard Longyou and command the troops there to defend against Tubo; Prince Feng, Li Gong, you will guard Hedong and eliminate the remaining rebel forces."
He paused, then pulled out three bronze military tokens he had prepared long ago and placed them on the table. "These three military tokens were used as tokens to mobilize the troops from Jiangnan, Longyou, and Hedong. I give them to you today."
"Remember, the troops of the world are still nominally under my command. If you need to mobilize troops, you must first report to me, and then I will make arrangements."
"If Li Heng has any objections, let him come to see me!"
The three princes took the military orders, their faces lit up with joy, and they knelt together: "Your sons obey your orders! We will live up to your father's trust and serve the Tang Dynasty!"
Gao Lishi stood aside, his face turning pale.
He wanted to dissuade him, but he knew that Li Longji had already been blinded by his obsession with power. Chang'an had not yet been recovered, and the Tang Dynasty needed unity. If the military power was given to the princes at this time, it would inevitably lead to internal strife. But he was just a eunuch, how could he go against the emperor's will?