Insufficient balance

  Xue Chongxun was taken away by Li Gui to treat his injuries, and it is not yet known whether he is dead or alive. After this incident, there were no people in the court who were particularly happy, neither the side of Taiping Princess nor the side of Li Longji had any joy. Even Gao Lishi, Xue Chongxun's enemy, was not happy, as Xue Chongxun was still alive and he would be the one to die instead.

  The only person who was overjoyed and danced with joy was Liu Youqiu.

  Liu Youqiu's mind was racing: This is truly heaven helping me! With this, if a coup is proposed, the number of supporters should include Gao Lishi as well. At the same time, everyone around the Crown Prince will be in danger, and the opposition to the coup will suddenly decrease.

  He thought for a moment, then changed into a coarse linen robe after his shift, bought a large package of braised meat in the East Market, had two jars of wine, and strolled through the East Market to visit General Zhang Wei of the Ten Thousand Riders in Anxingfang.

  The sun sets in the west, the eaves and stone paths are full of ancient charm. Liu Youqiu looked at the sunset hidden among the willow branches, a glimmer of hope rose in his heart, and he muttered to himself: "Tomorrow morning, it will shine brightly again."

  When they arrived at the Zhang residence, the slaves said that General Zhang had not returned from the imperial park and asked Liu You to enter and sit down, but Liu You sat under a tree opposite the gate, drinking wine while waiting.

  At dusk, Zhang Wei rode back on horseback under the protection of a team of imperial guards. Liu Youqiu stood up and clasped his fists in respect: "General Zhang, welcome back."

  "What? It's Lord Liu!" Zhang Wei hastily dismounted his horse and burst into loud laughter, "Lord Liu, why are you dressed like this?"

  Liu Youqiu smiled and picked up the wine jug in his hand: "It's just that I wanted to drink, but drinking alone is more sorrowful the more you drink. If there are one or two close friends to drink together, it would be different, and the more you drink, the merrier."

  Zhang Wei, with his thick beard and whiskers, was originally a local hero who most admired drinking large quantities of wine and eating large amounts of meat. He loved being bold and uninhibited, but if Liu You sought to put on airs, he would be displeased instead. However, seeing Liu You carrying wine and meat, Zhang Wei suddenly became very pleased and said with excitement: "Liu Gonggong is the current prime minister, this has made me feel embarrassed instead."

  Liu You shook his head and said, "You and I are both people of the Crown Prince."

  "Haha... I like this phrase, it's refreshing! Unlike some people who are reserved and awkward!"

  Liu Youdao said, "I'm older than you, so I'll call myself 'ge' without being polite. You can just call me Liu Xiong. Look at my clothes, I don't have any official robes on, wouldn't it be out of place to address me as 'daren' or 'langzhong'?"

  "Good! Brother Liu, just based on this sentence, let's brothers drink a pot." After that, he snatched the wine jug from Liu Youqiu's hand, raised it, and clinked it with Liu Youqiu. Then, he tilted his head back and started drinking loudly, "Gulugulu".

  "Good capacity... good capacity." Liu Youqiu looked at the wine jug in his hand with some distress, Zhang Wei had drunk half of the wine he had prepared in one gulp, and the remaining half was difficult for him to finish in one gulp.

  Zhang Wei casually threw away the wine jug in his hand and said, "Brother Liu doesn't have to drink it all in one gulp. I'm not particular about these things. How about we go inside and have another good drink?"

  "Please, younger brother."

  The two of them walked hand in hand into the mansion, Zhang Wei called for the servants to bring up wine and dishes, and without further ado, he and Liu Youqiu began to eat and drink heavily at the table.

  At the banquet, Zhang Wei smiled and said, "There's no delicacy from mountains or seas, but it'll fill your belly."

  Liu Youqiu sighed and said, "We can't even think about having mountain delicacies and seafood anymore. All the good things have been taken by those people under Taiping's command. They get to enjoy all the luxuries, but as for us, who knows how long we'll be able to eat this meal?"

  Zhang Weidao said: "Brother Liu, this is a roundabout way of speaking. If you have something to say, just say it straight out. I can understand it, but I don't like beating around the bush."

  "Good!" Liu Youqiu clasped his fists and said, "That old brother just spoke straight out. Two days ago, something happened - Wei Guogong Xue Chongxun was stabbed and his life or death is unknown. Now Gaoli Shi can't escape, he will definitely fall because of this matter."

  Zhang Wei nodded while eating: "I know this, Gao Lishi is done for, everyone in the court knows. Although Lishi is a eunuch, he's qualified to spar with me, I look up to him, alas, soon I'll lose another sparring partner."

  Liu You calmly said: "This time it's Gao Lishi, next time it might be your turn, younger brother."

  Zhang Wei was taken aback, dropped the chicken leg in his hand and said: "I didn't do anything bad, I don't even drink in the army camp, why are you picking on me?"

  "With the reins of the Ten Thousand Riders in your hands!" Liu Youqiu's expression turned cold, and he deliberately created a sense of urgency, "The Ten Thousand Riders are the most elite troops of the Imperial Guard. Can they just sit back and watch as it falls into the Crown Prince's hands? When the time comes, you'll shout from the heights: Brothers, with swords in hand, follow me to help the Crown Prince eliminate the rebels and uphold justice... won't they be afraid?"

  Zhang Wei's words stuck in his throat as he stared at Liu Youqiu with wide eyes.

  Liu Youqiu hastened to strike while the iron was hot, saying: "As far as I know, Dou Huai-zhen and Xiao Zhi-zhong and several other chancellors have already been plotting to get rid of you, Zhang Wei. This news is absolutely true; if I, Liu You-qiu, utter a single false word, may heaven strike me with lightning."

  "Bang!" Zhang Wei slammed the table and cursed: "Damn it! When we old men made contributions with our heads held high, it was real merit that made us generals. Why should I be driven out?"

  Liu You coldly said: "Expel them? Those are good ones, be careful with your head..."

  Zhang Wei was so angry that he spun around and said, "This way, let's go to the Crown Prince and tell him. We can't just sit back and watch as others kill us one by one! Can't we move against Taiping Princess? If she moves against us, we'll move against her! Isn't Taiping Princess just like Empress Wei of old? Let's rise up in revolt again and eliminate her directly - wouldn't that be satisfying?"

  Liu You sought great joy, and immediately clapped his hands together: "You have the troops, I have the strategy. If you and I join forces with the Crown Prince's six rates and prestige, things won't be difficult... However, this matter requires you to speak up, because the 10,000 cavalry in your hands are crucial. As long as you make up your mind, the Crown Prince can avoid worrying about future troubles."

  Zhang Wei grabbed Liu Youqiu's hand: "Let's go together, let's go to the Wangzi Mansion in Longqingfang and find the Crown Prince to discuss something."

  Liu You was lost in thought when he was pulled away by Zhang Wei. As they walked out of the Zhang mansion, the night had already fallen, and they rushed straight to the Crown Prince's residence under the cover of darkness.

  Since both were high-ranking officials under the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince's guard hastily reported to Li Longji. As it was a midnight visit, there must be something important, so Li Longji ordered them to bring him in for a talk.

  Li Longji wore a brocade robe and sat in the superior position. After the two exchanged greetings, Zhang Wei hastily said: "Your Highness, isn't Gao Lishi one of our old comrades who helped us with great undertakings? Now others say he's guilty, so he's guilty?"

  "You're coming so late just to talk about this?" Li Longji frowned and said, "You'd better not say more about this matter, I have my own plans."

  Zhang Wei fell to the ground and said, "Your Highness, a great man has things he can tolerate and things he cannot. We cannot just sit here waiting for death. Why not do as Tang Long did, lead ten thousand cavalry into the residence of Princess Taiping and settle everything in one go!"

  Liu Youqiu hastily said, "General Zhang's idea is correct, but the strategy is not. We can still deliberate and plan. Simply killing our way into the residence of Princess Taiping of the State of Ping is not enough. As soon as we raise our arms, we will offend the Emperor and divide the troops to rush into the Great Ming Palace... control the Imperial Guards, capture the party members of Princess Taiping, all need to be carefully planned step by step."

  Li Longji looked at Zhang Wei, then turned to Liu Youqiu. Two officials, one civil and one military, who held great power in their hands, were both sincere about doing it, and could also invite people like Gao Lishi to participate... It was indeed exciting.

  But Li Longji seemed to have his own ideas, and he did not immediately agree. He hesitated and said: "I am still the crown prince now, and I am also the emperor's minister. To plot against the emperor as a minister is not right, and it's hard to guarantee that mobilizing the imperial guards will be completely safe. Even if we have a good grasp of the imperial guards, what about the Feathered Forest Army? At that time, will they listen to the emperor or me, the crown prince? You must understand that the generals of the Imperial Guards all have their own calculations, and their duty is to protect the emperor and the central government."

  Liu You sought the way: "Last year, Tang Long's great cause, Your Highness was in the army with no prestige at all, and Wei Huanghou's power was greater than that of Taiping Gongzhu or the current emperor. Didn't we succeed just the same? People's hearts are towards Your Highness, everyone hopes that the crown prince will rule the world, eliminate the evil forces of Taiping who plot and scheme... Today is vastly different from last year, Your Highness' prestige among the ten thousand cavalrymen is like the sun in the sky. You will be the Son of Heaven sooner or later, and there are many generals who are our people, how can they not listen to Your Highness? Controlling the ten thousand cavalry is absolutely no problem, and we can also think of a way for the flying cavalry (Yu Lin Jun)."

  Li Longji furrowed his brow and thought for a long time before saying, "I still think it's not the right time. If I had the title of Emperor, there would be more opportunities. Those who can accomplish great things need to be not only decisive but also able to remain calm!"

  Liu You urged him to continue his efforts: "I'm afraid that the peaceful faction will never give Your Highness a chance to ascend to the throne. They are a pack of vicious wolves, always waiting for an opportunity to pull you down! Yesterday it was Yao Chong and Song Jing, today it is Gao Lishi, tomorrow it will be Zhang Wei... If this continues, what 'power' can Your Highness still speak of? I'm afraid that when the time comes, even if Your Highness wants to take decisive action, you will be powerless! Please think thrice!"

  Li Longji said: "The overall situation cannot be too concerned with the gains and losses of one move, but when it's time to fight, we must fight. As for Gao Lishi's matter, I have already made arrangements. As long as we find out the real culprit and bring true evidence to the emperor, everything will be resolved. If it was indeed Gao Lishi who did it, then he is asking for his own death!"

  "Your Highness......" Liu Youqiu almost begged, he had nightmares every night that his son would take a knife and cut off his own head.

  Li Longji glanced at Liu Youqiu and said, "This matter should not be made public, you must not leak a single word! In these extraordinary times, we cannot afford to lose our focus and disorder our formation. Let's wait for two days and find other trustworthy people to discuss this further, with a unified goal in mind."

  Liu Youqiu and Zhang Wei had no choice but to bid farewell and leave. Li Longji also walked out of the room, looking up at the starry sky.

  Mandate of Heaven is mine! No one can take it away, and if no one can take it away, I can ascend to the throne as Emperor and carry out great justice in the name of the Emperor. That's where the Mandate of Heaven belongs... But, if people don't fight for it, does the Mandate of Heaven still exist?

  To settle the enemy with one blow and to grasp imperial power soon, the temptation is very great. But Li Longji hesitated, for he had a faintly ominous intuition.

  Perhaps, if he were still the original " penniless" Sanlang with few opportunities, he would not give up this chance of success! However, now that he is the prince, with power and fame, there are too many things to consider, too many concerns, and he cannot risk everything...