Among King of Tang's sons, the eldest son, Li Hong, and the second son, Li Yi, both had powerful maternal families as backup.
The Cheng Family and the Situ Family also didn't hold back and placed heavy bets on the two of them.
The Cheng Family was ordered by Li Hong to make a move. They sent Cheng Jingyuan and Cheng Luo, two great Confucian scholars of the Seventh Land, to Chang 'an.
The House of Stuart didn't need to be mentioned. The head of the family, Situ Jinsheng, and Li Yi both died outside Chang 'an.
Except for Li Hong and Li Yi, none of King of Tang's other sons had such a powerful maternal family.
The ninth son, Li Qiong, was even born of a palace maid. Among King of Tang's sons, he had always been inconspicuous.
However, being inconspicuous didn't mean that he didn't have dreams. His mother's low status didn't mean that Li Qiong had no future at all.
He had quietly won over Xuanyi Yi to support him. Obviously, Li Qiong wasn't easy to deal with.
However, could he ensure that he and Xuanyi Yi would work together and not completely become Xuanyi's puppet?
In Daming Palace, Zhang Dongyun smiled.
Mr. Dark Cloud, who was projected by him, looked at the two people in front of him calmly. "No wonder Xuanyi Yi is also involved."
In Hexi County, Li Qiong and the old Prince, Li Dong, commanded the Eastern Tang army. They were fighting against Chang 'an and were at a disadvantage.
Recently, a group of disciples led by an elder of Xuanyi Yi suddenly arrived to support Li Dong, Li Qiong, and the others. They helped them relieve the pressure brought by Chang 'an.
Although Chang 'an still had the upper hand in Hexi County, the momentum of their advance was affected again.
"We're just cooperating with the Ninth Prince. We're pretending to be obedient in front of King of Tang. We have no intention of becoming enemies with Chang 'an."
Liang Zhen, the elder of Xuanyi Yi Yi Yi Yi Yi Yi Yi, said, "I hope Chang 'an can forgive us for offending you. I'm here to apologize."
Mr. Dark Cloud was unmoved. "So, you're going to continue offending me, right?"
Xing Liande, the head steward of Li Qiong's residence, hurriedly said, "I wouldn't dare. His Highness and the people from the Xuan Yi Sect have never intended to be enemies with Chang 'an. On the contrary, His Highness sent me here specifically to negotiate with Chang' an."
Mr Dark Cloud glanced at him. "Does he represent himself or the Eastern Tang?"
Xing Liande replied, "His Highness secretly sent I to Chang 'an in his own name."
"Isn't he a little too light?" Mr Dark Cloud said bluntly.
Xing Liande and Liang Zhen's expressions remained the same.
"Sir, there's something you don't know."
Xing Liande explained, "Not only did His Highness reach a tacit understanding with the Taoist masters of the Xuan Yi Sect, but he also has other supporters outside of the Tang Empire."
Mr Dark Cloud didn't get to the bottom of it. Instead, he nodded slightly. "That's more like it. Go on."
Xing Liande said respectfully, "The Tang Empire has repeatedly provoked wars and disrespected Chang 'an. His Highness has been deeply worried about it. Unfortunately, His Majesty refuses to change his mind, so His Highness can't do anything about it."
He raised his eyes and looked Mr Dark Cloud in the eyes. "But if the Tang Empire can change its monarch, the dispute between Chang 'an and the Tang Empire will be resolved immediately …"
Before the old man could finish his words, Mr Dark Cloud interrupted him. "There's no need to stop. The outcome has already been decided. The Eastern Tang is just seeking its own destruction."
His tone was matter-of-fact, as if he was stating an objective fact in front of everyone.
Xing Liande didn't know what to say.
"Judging from Chang 'an's behavior, he's not a person who kills indiscriminately." Liang Zhen, the elder of the Xuan Yi Sect, said at this time, "Heaven is virtuous. I believe that you don't insist on seeing the common people shed blood like rivers."
Mr Dark Cloud said indifferently, "I've followed His Majesty's example. I'm not a bloodthirsty person, but I'll never forgive those who ask for it."
He glanced at Xing Liande and Liang Zhen. "I won't neglect a friend with good intentions. Since Li Qiong has such intentions, there's no harm in having a talk with him."
Xing Liande was delighted. When he was about to respond, the old man in black in front of him continued, "However, I don't wait for messages. If you want to talk, Li Qiong has to come to Chang 'an to see me."
Xing Liande and Liang Zhen looked at each other.
They had expected that the old man might raise this point.
But when it came to making a response, it was not so easy.
If Li Qiong came to Chang 'an, not to mention whether the Chang' an would suddenly attack and detain him, the King of Tang would be at great risk. If the news spread to the Royal Capital Luyang Castle and the King of Tang learned about it, the Ninth Prince would be in serious trouble.
"Sir …" Xing Liande was thinking about his words when he saw Mr Dark Cloud directly pick up his teacup. Obviously, he meant to see them out.
The meaning was clear.
If Li Qiong didn't come, there was no need to continue the talk.
Xing Liande and Liang Zhen had no choice but to say goodbye to Mr Dark Cloud.
They sneaked out of Chang 'an quietly, and then went to Hexi County to see Li Qiong and ask him to make a decision.
In Moyang Mansion of Hexi County, Xing Liande and Liang Zhen met Li Qiong.
Li Qiong greeted Liang Zhen first. "Taoist Liang, please take a seat. Taoist Song has gone to Huiyan Mansion."
"Senior Brother Song is fine. I and Director Xing are here this time because we need Your Highness to make a decision." Liang Zhen returned the salute.
After hearing Xing Daorong's report, Li Qiong thought for a moment and then smiled.
"Well, then I'll go to Chang 'an in person. I've always wanted to see how magical this city is with my own eyes."
Xing Daorong hesitated. "Your Highness, Chang 'an has detained envoys before …"
"Then if we do something, we'll detain you two." Li Qiong smiled and then looked more serious. "If we want to achieve great things, we can't go around Chang 'an."
With his hands behind his back, he walked out of the door and looked at the sky in the distance.
"No, I should say that I thank God for this city. It not only weakened the power of Big Brother and Second Brother, but also attracted the attention of Father.
The location is just right. In the future, it can block Western Zhou and let them fight each other. "
"Your Highness, you've been hiding for so many years. I'm afraid it's a little risky this time …" The old butler was still a little worried.
Li Qiong nodded. "It's risky, but I've been hiding for so long. Now that the opportunity has appeared, I must seize it. It's worth the risk."
He took a deep breath. "If we want to get to that position, there are thorns everywhere. How can there be no risk at all?"
Xing Daorong said, "Then I will go to Chang 'an with Your Highness."
"You stay here and pretend for me in case others find out that I've left Hexi County."
Li Qiong said, "Daoist Liang, please come with me to Chang 'an."
"Okay." Liang Zhen nodded.
Xing Daorong immediately arranged for a substitute for Li Qiong.
With the help of Liang Zhen, Li Qiong quietly left Moyang Prefecture and went all the way out of Hexi County to Chang 'an.
After they arrived in Qinzhou Prefecture, they secretly contacted Chang 'an. Wu Qiong showed up again and led Li Qiong and Liang Zhen, who were disguised, into Chang' an.
Li Qiong looked around as he walked. After seeing the scenery of Chang 'an with his own eyes, he began to hesitate.
His previous judgment was right. Chang 'an was very strong. With the help of this place, he would definitely be able to get to the throne.
But because Chang 'an was so strong, it might become a big problem in the future.
Would the way he expected to check and balance Chang 'an really work?
Li Qiong pondered.
However, the hesitation only lasted for a moment. The next moment, the Ninth Highness of Eastern Tang reaffirmed his belief.
He entered Tianshu Hall with Liang Zhen.
Mr. Dark Cloud, who was projected by Zhang Dongyun, was waiting for them in the hall.
"Junior Li Qiong greets senior." Li Qiong was very respectful. He was not proud of his identity, but greeted Mr. Dark Cloud like a junior greeting a senior in Jianghu.
"No need for formalities." Mr. Dark Cloud seemed to be easy to talk to. "Sit down."
After Li Qiong and Liang Zhen sat down, Mr. Dark Cloud asked, "I heard from your subordinates that you have other preparations outside the Eastern Tang?"
Li Qiong nodded. "I don't lie in front of Immortal. I have some connections in West Chu."
The West Chu Dynasty was located to the south of the Western Zhou Dynasty and southwest of the Eastern Tang. It was also full of masters.
"I see."
Mr. Dark Cloud nodded. "Li Xuanxin is over 80 years old, but according to his lifespan, he still has a few decades to live. What do you plan to do if you want to get to the throne of Eastern Tang?"
King of Tang, Li Xuanxin, was a master of the Ninth Realm. Usually, when one embarked on the path of cultivation, one's lifespan would be prolonged. However, martial arts and Confucianism were an exception.
If one took these two paths, even if they reached the Ninth Realm, their lifespan would still be limited. They would die of old age around 150 years old. However, relatively speaking, they would not age so early.
"Although Confucianism says that the son does not blame the father, no matter how unwilling I am, I have to admit that many of my father's decisions are not appropriate."
Slowly, Li Qiong said, "In the long run, it will be harmful to the country. We need to ask him to abdicate."
Mr. Dark Cloud smiled. "I don't think Li Xuanxin will be willing."
"Therefore, I am here to ask Chang 'an to help me ask my father to abdicate," Li Qiong said.
"You must know that life and death are predestined," Mr. Dark Cloud said calmly.
Li Qiong was silent. After a while, he said, "Swords and spears have no eyes. Sometimes, there is no other way."
"Swords and spears have no eyes, but I do." Mr. Dark Cloud suddenly smiled.
Li Qiong and Liang Zhen suddenly had a bad feeling when they saw his smile.
Mr. Dark Cloud looked at the two of them with a smile. "Chang 'an is enough to depose Li Xuanxin. As for West Chu, let them wait quietly. Even if you ascend the throne, your reputation will be ruined, won't it?"
Li Qiong's heart almost skipped a beat.
Then, Mr. Dark Cloud did not finish his words. "As for Western Zhou, there is even less of a need."
Li Qiong's heart sank when he heard that.
He wanted to use Western Zhou and Western Chu to restrain Chang 'an in the future and balance each other. Only then could he stabilize his power in Luyang City.
However, Li Qiong did not show it on his face. "Of course. Of course, I trust you and Chang 'an."
Although he said that, when it was time to take action, he would hide it from Chang 'an and let the Western Chu Dynasty gain the upper hand.
However, at this time, Li Qiong saw Mr. Dark Cloud's smile disappear. "Honesty is the basis of our conversation today. You are not telling the truth. Are you here to make fun of me?"
Li Qiong was shocked. "Senior, please forgive me. I don't mean to …"
He could not understand why Mr. Dark Cloud suddenly turned hostile.
However, without giving him any room to explain, Mr. Dark Cloud had already reached out. Dark Cloud appeared in the sky and enveloped Li Qiong and Liang Zhen.
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