Hearing Fan Leyuan's words, Zhang Changzong replied guiltily, "This … ever since I became the commander of the Thousand Ox Guard, I have only been to the army a few times because I have to serve the Sage. I don't know if the soldiers will listen to my orders. Moreover, I am only a commander of the Thousand Ox Guard. There is no war outside and I have no right to mobilize the army … "
Fan Leyuan said, "This is easy. Isn't the imperial seal currently in the hands of Fengchen? As long as Fengchen drafts an imperial edict and mobilizes the army in the name of the Son of Heaven, who would dare to disobey? "
Zhang Yizhi could no longer hold back and asked sternly, "Then what should we do after we mobilize the army to control the palace? Do you think we can still rebel? "
Fan Leyuan said, "We naturally don't have the power to rebel. We might as well fake an edict from the Son of Heaven and kill Zhang Jianzhi and the others. We should be able to do that, right?"
Zhang Yizhi said, "Zhang Jianzhi has the current crown prince behind him. Do you think that killing Zhang Jianzhi will solve our current predicament?"
Fan Leyuan said fiercely, "Then kill the crown prince as well!"
Zhang Yizhi said coldly, "Kill the crown prince? Do you think that the Prince of Xiang and Prince Liang will just stand by and watch? "
Fan Leyuan used his palm like a knife and slashed downwards. With a savage expression, he said, "Then we'll go all the way. We'll kill the crown prince, Prince Liang, Prince Xiang, and Princess Taiping. When the time comes, we'll be like a group of dragons without a leader. Won't they be at our mercy?"
Fan Leyuan's words stunned his young companions. "This kid has gone crazy!"
Fan Leyuan looked at their shocked expressions and said, "What? Are you afraid? This is something that a young minister wanted to do, and he really did it. Now that we have the Emperor in our hands, as long as we control the palace and issue an imperial edict, what can't we do? "
Zhang Yizhi shook his head. "Do you think that they will wash their necks and sit at home waiting for us to kill them? Will they not guard against us? Do you think you can kill them just because you want to? Do you know what it means to fail? Wishful thinking! Truly wishful thinking! "
"Slow down, slow down! Brother Fan's idea might work! " Cao Sheng, who was also a member of the Fengchen Prison, suddenly said with shining eyes: "It is impossible to kill all the princes. When the time comes, all their sons and nephews will rebel. We will not be able to suppress them with just the Thousand Ox Guards. But what if we pull one faction to fight against the other? "
Cao Sheng surveyed the crowd and said, "The Prince of Xiang and Prince Liang are both people who no longer have any fate with the imperial throne. If we can rope in one of them and use it, promise to make him emperor …"
Zhang Yizhi closed his eyes and slowly said, "Don't forget, we killed the Wu and Li clansmen."
Cao Sheng said, "So what? With benefits in front of them, how could they not let go of this hatred? Moreover, the dead were the children of the crown prince and the son of the King of Wei, not the biological children of the Prince of Xiang and the Prince of Liang. As long as we control the palace and the emperor, we can negotiate with the Prince of Xiang or Prince Liang, using the throne as bait. We won't have to worry about them not obediently submitting. "
The crowd looked at each other in dismay. Although Cao Sheng's idea was bold, it was not without reason. Following his train of thought, Zhang Yizhi said, "The Wu clan is out of the question. The people of the Wu clan control most of the military power in the capital, and the Wu clan has many sons and nephews, all of them in high positions. They have no need for us. As long as we support Wu Sansi to the throne, once he puts on the imperial robe, he can immediately kick us aside!"
Zhang Changzong excitedly said, "Then let's go find the Prince of Xiang. What do you think?"
Zhang Yizhi stood up and slowly paced around the hall. He hesitantly said, "Prince Liang has military power, the crown prince has righteousness, and although the ministers of the court have their own supporters, ever since Di Renjie died, the power of the Prince of Xiang's faction has been greatly reduced. Moreover, after the position of crown prince was confirmed, the Prince of Xiang intentionally reduced his interactions with the ministers to avoid suspicion.
Of all the factions in the court, the Prince of Xiang's faction is the weakest. Even Princess Taiping is stronger than him. Do we support him? Even if he's willing to agree, it's still too risky. If we had the ability to eliminate the crown prince and Prince Liang and support the Prince of Xiang to the throne, would we be in such an awkward situation? "
These words silenced the crowd. It was true that the plan was good, but in the end, they did not have the strength to do so. The emperor was not someone they could elect just because they wanted to. If they tried to recruit the Prince of Xiang, even if the Prince of Xiang coveted the throne, he would not believe in their abilities. Perhaps he would even sell them out to win the trust of the crown prince.
For a moment, the discussion of the youths reached a dead end. At this moment, a light cough came from behind the curtain. A palace maid cried out in alarm, "The Saint has awakened! The Saint has awakened!"
Zhang Yizhi hurriedly raised his hand to stop the crowd from speaking. He lowered his voice and said, "We will discuss this matter later. All of you, withdraw!" After saying this, he purposely messed up his hair, making it seem as if he was extremely haggard from serving the emperor without care for his clothes. He jogged into the curtain …
… …
In the winter of the River Qu, the southern slope was covered in snow, and the chill was biting.
Standing on the Furong Tower, on this clear day, one could see the snow and floating clouds on Mount Zhongnan in the distance.
Yang Fan pushed open the window. He did not look at Mount Zhongnan, but at the city in the north that was as orderly as a chessboard.
Mount Zhongnan was a place of seclusion. He was currently actively trying to enter the world.
The stove was blazing. Shen Mu did not have a body as strong as Yang Fan's. He found it hard to endure such a cold day. When Yang Fan opened the window, the cold wind blew in. Shen Mu, who was sitting in front of the stove, shivered. He quickly picked up a fur coat and wrapped it around his body. Only then did he walk over to Yang Fan's side.
Yang Fan did not turn his head. He only faced the wind and rain, gazing at the majestic scene of the distant palace. He sighed with emotion, "Who would have thought that under this peace, a great change was about to take place? If we can successfully mutiny this time, perhaps our Tang dynasty will be able to reappear as a mighty country! "
Shen Mu tightened the collar of his fur coat and closed his mouth. After he got used to the cold air that rushed into his nose, he then said, "Does the Xian Sect plan to be at the forefront this time?"
Yang Fan shook his head and said, "I have thought about it carefully. If I want a moment of riches, then I will do it. If I want a long term riches, then I should hold back a little in everything and not show off my abilities …"
He did not finish his words. His gaze landed on a tall tree in the Furong Garden. Because of the heavy snow, the old tree trunk had cracked and was shaking in the wind and snow.
Shen Mu smiled and revealed a trace of joy. "Once the new year is over, I will leave."
Although the Xian Sect and the Hidden Sect had always cooperated well, this time, the Hidden Sect did not plan to get involved. Not only was Shen Mu leaving, but many important figures of the Hidden Sect were leaving Chang 'an before the coup.
Once the coup that the Xian Sect participated in failed, according to the agreement between Yang Fan and Shen Mu, the Xian Sect and the Hidden Sect would exchange identities. The light would be in the dark, and the dark would be in the light. At that time, Yang Fan would lead the Xian Sect to hide behind the scenes and become the Hidden Sect. Shen Mu would lead the Hidden Sect to make contact with the victors of the coup and become the Xian Sect.
Seeing Shen Mu shiver again, Yang Fan smiled and closed the window. Shen Mu let out a breath and returned to the stove to remove his fur coat. Yang Fan also walked back and sat down by the stove. He poured a cup of hot wine. Shen Mu said, "Before you leave, I have to remind you to be careful of the Wu Clan taking advantage of the situation."
Yang Fan smiled peacefully and said, "We do not have to worry about this. Zhang Jianzhi has already thought of this. In the southern border, I have interacted with that old fellow. This person is astute and has deep schemes. How could he not think of this? Not only is he guarded against the Wu Clan, but he also does not have absolute trust in me. "
Shen Mu couldn't help but laugh and said, "Who asked you to be so close to the Wu Clan? If I am Zhang Jianzhi and the fate of the nation and clan is at stake, I would not dare to let my guard down against you. Hehe, what is he going to do? "
Yang Fan said, "The ones who planned and presided over the military remonstrance were the ministers in the imperial court. They were the main force of the rebellion. The Crown Prince was the banner that rallied the people and used his righteous name to gather the people's hearts. After the military remonstrance was successful, he took charge of the overall situation.
In the last few Turkic invasions, the Emperor has always appointed the Prince of Xiang as commander and the Prime Minister as deputy commander. Although the one truly in charge of the army is the deputy commander, the Prince of Xiang is still nominally the highest commander. Even now, the Prince of Xiang has not been relieved of his duties. He is currently the highest commander of the soldiers of the Southern Guard … "
Shen Mu emphasized, "Only nominally."
Yang Fan said, "Being the supreme commander in name is also a righteous name. If the Emperor has already lost control of the political power and the Wu Clan, which controls most of the military power, recognizes his status, then he can command the soldiers and horses of the Nine Cities and maintain the stability of the capital during the military remonstrance."
Shen Mu narrowed his eyes in thought, then nodded and said, "Continue."
Yang Fan said, "Princess Taiping is a woman, so her movements will not attract much attention. Thus, during this time, she will be in charge of the liaison and will travel everywhere as the liaison between the Crown Prince, the Prince of Xiang, and Prince Liang."
Shen Mu nodded and said, "The military power of the capital is divided into the Northern and Southern Guards. The Southern Guards should have been under the command of the Prime Ministers. Now that there are two Prime Ministers, Zhang Jianzhi and Cui Xuanhui, and the Prince of Xiang, the supreme commander in name of the Southern Guards, and the Wu Clan does not interfere, the Southern Guards should be under our control. Then what about the Northern Guards? "
Yang Fan said, "The Northern Guards are a little more complicated. Most of the soldiers and horses of the Northern Guards are in the hands of the Wu Clan, stationed outside the Black Tortoise Gate on the north side of the palace. Wu Sansi and Wu Yizhong can control most of these soldiers and horses. The Featherwood Guard is directly guarding the palace, and it is not under the control of Wu Sansi and Wu Yizhong. The Featherwood Guard is divided into three forces … "
Shen Mu smiled and said, "Your thousand cavalry is an independent force?"
Yang Fan nodded and said, "Correct. The Great Generals of the Left and Right Featherwood Guard can usually order me around, but in reality, I am directly under the Son of Heaven and can completely refuse their military movements and orders. Then the next two forces are the Left and Right Featherwood Guard. The Great General of the Left Featherwood Guard is Wu Youyi. The Left and Right Featherwood Guards are respected. He controls the entire Featherwood Guard, but in reality, he can only directly mobilize the Left Featherwood Guard. Li Duozuo has controlled the Imperial Army and the Northern Guards for more than twenty years. The Right Featherwood Guard is completely under his control. Usually, he obeys Wu Youyi's orders, but if he disobeys at a critical moment, Wu Youyi cannot do anything to him. "
Shen Mu gently raised his cup and said, "Mutual checks and balances, layer upon layer of restraint. The Empress has good methods."
Yang Fan said, "Unfortunately, the methods are too complicated and sometimes fatal."
Shen Mu took a sip of wine and leisurely said, "Correct! If my guess is correct, this Great General Li Duozuo has also been instigated by Zhang Jianzhi? "
Yang Fan nodded and said, "Correct! Between the Second Zhang and the Wu and Li families, it doesn't need to be asked which choice he will make. "
Shen Mu focused his eyes and pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "No wonder Zhang Jianzhi is using and guarding against the Wu family, and Wu Sansi is also willing to cooperate. So the key lies here."
Yang Fan nodded and said, "When the time comes, Zhang Jianzhi will mobilize the trusted generals he has placed in the Featherwood Guard. They will lead their trusted aides to meet at the Black Tortoise Gate. I will open the Black Tortoise Gate to let them in, and then close it to prevent Wu Sansi from following behind. I will arrange for my subordinates to guard the Black Tortoise Gate, while I myself will move with them."
Shen Mu smiled and said, "This is using you as a hostage, but as long as you have no disloyalty, you will definitely agree to their arrangement. The merit of following the dragon also varies. Since everyone is risking their lives, who wouldn't want to show their face in front of the Crown Prince? Hmm … the Prince of Xiang will command the Southern Imperial Army to control the nine cities, and the Northern Imperial Army will be commanded by Wu Sansi to suppress the army. In that case, the biggest variable will be the Left Featherwood Guard, and they will be restrained by the Right Featherwood Guard … in this case, it is indeed foolproof. "
Yang Fan laughed and said, "I don't know if it's because I'm getting older and have experienced more things, but I don't believe in being infallible anymore. 'Gui Guzi' says, 'It is not difficult to plan thoroughly, it is not difficult to speak, it is not difficult to listen, it is not difficult to accomplish.'
However, with this arrangement, the success rate of the military remonstrance will indeed increase greatly. In fact, in the entire military remonstrance plan, there are more than what I have told you. There are some defensive measures that even I am not aware of. What I can confirm is that the success rate of this military remonstrance is at least 70%, unless the secret is leaked in advance or a major accident occurs. "
Shen Mu said, "For the benefits of our Succession Hall, we must make use of this mutiny to strive for the greatest benefits."
Yang Fan replied calmly, "Of course, this is for sure."
Shen Mu smiled and said, "From the looks of it, our Hidden Sect will have to continue lying in wait! I toast you with this cup of wine. I wish you immediate success! "
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