The strongest Marquis in history

Further, bring both sides down.

A mere Zhao Yan is not worthy of Wang Qi's efforts. It is Zhao Yu who he wants to plot.

After Zhao Yan heard it, although he couldn't make up his mind, he relaxed a little.

As long as Wang Qi is willing, everything is easy to talk about.

Zhao Yan said solemnly: "My lord, as long as the conditions are within a reasonable range, His Royal Highness will not object. What does your lord need, but please be frank, as long as your lord says, I will immediately rush to the East Palace, and His Highness will make a decision."

Wang Qi snorted, and said in a deep voice: "My lord just said very clearly, what can the crown prince give me? It's not what I want. After you go to ask the crown prince for instructions, I will answer it tomorrow."

"Yes!"

Zhao Yan stood up and bowed back.

Knowing the matter involving Pu Nu, it seems that it has calmed down.Judging from the current situation, Wang Qi is actually making use of the problem, the purpose is to get benefits from the East Palace.

Wang Qi looked at Zhao Yan's leaving back, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

The fish started to bite the bait.

Curtain, open!

Chapter 138

Zhao Yan returned home in the rain, changed into a new set of clothes, and was ready to go out.

Seeing this, his wife, Wu Shi, asked: "Husband, it's so late, and it's stormy outside, where are you going?"

Zhao Yandao: "I'm going to see my father-in-law."

Wu Shi was puzzled, and even more worried about Zhao Yan, and said, "It's late at night, and the rain is so heavy. Why don't you wait until tomorrow morning to visit your father?"

Seeing Wu Shi's concerned expression, Zhao Yan shook his head and said, "The situation in Chang'an is turbulent. Whether I, the county magistrate of Chang'an, can sit still, or even go further, is a recent matter. At the moment, we must be cautious. Go to bed early, I'm going to see my father-in-law, I don't know when I'll be back."

Wu Shi took the cloak, put it on Zhao Yan, and reminded: "It's windy and rainy outside, be careful, don't catch the wind and cold. The autumn is strong, and it's getting colder after each autumn rain."

Zhao Yan patted Wu Shi's hand and strode away.

He took a carriage and rushed to Wu's house overnight.Not long after he entered the mansion, he saw the sleepy Wu Zongxiao.

After all, Wu Zongxiao was getting old.

Already rested.

Now he got up, put on a big cloak, rubbed his cloudy eyes, and said, "Zhao Yan, I came to visit at night, but after you go to plead guilty to Wang Qi, what's the matter?"

Wu Zongxiao knew about Zhao Yan going to plead guilty and being blocked from the door.

Now it's night.

Something must have happened.

Or, it was Zhao Yan who made progress; or, it was Zhao Yan who got rejected.

Zhao Yan said solemnly: "Father-in-law, I met Wang Qi and sincerely kowtowed to him to plead guilty. After a while, Wang Qi no longer pursued Pu Nu's matter. It's just that Wang Qi said that he should stand on the side of the prince. Yes, what can the crown prince give him?"

Wu Zongxiao's eyes widened immediately.

Look a little excited.

In fact, Zhao Yan could go to the East Palace to report such things by himself.Now that Zhao Yanxian was discussing with him, it meant that once Wang Qi was persuaded to surrender and the Wang family stood in the East Palace, it would be Wu Zongxiao's contribution.

It is also of great help to his position in the East Palace.

Wu Zongxiao is the minister of the Ministry of Rites, and under Zhao Yu's command, he is regarded as an important minister.However, compared with the Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of Punishment, it is far behind.If he makes great contributions this time, even if he is only a minister of the Ministry of Rites, his status in the prince's heart can be further improved.

Wu Zongxiao was full of energy, and ordered: "My son-in-law, wait for the old man to change his clothes, and follow the old man to the East Palace overnight."

"Yes!"

Zhao Yan responded immediately.

He also felt joy in his heart, it was not so easy to hear the word 'virtuous son-in-law'.

In fact, before he came, he did consider going to see the prince alone and reporting the news that Wang Qi might be on the side of the East Palace.It's just that he chose to give up after thinking about it. There are two reasons.

Firstly, it was because others were soft-spoken and their status was very low, so they had no right to speak in front of the prince; secondly, he could not offend Wu Zongxiao just because of this matter.

After Wu Zongxiao changed his clothes, he hurriedly took Zhao Yan out of the mansion, and took a carriage to the East Palace in the rain.

The location of the East Palace is to the east of the imperial city.

It is not far from Wu Zongxiao's residence.

In less than a quarter of an hour, they arrived outside the East Palace.Holding an umbrella, Wu Zongxiao led Zhao Yan to knock on the door.As soon as the concierge saw Wu Zongxiao, he asked, "Wu Shangshu, you came overnight, but what's the matter?"

Wu Zongxiao's eyebrows were sharp, and he said in a deep voice: "Inform the prince, the old man has something important to report."

"Yes!"

The servant went directly to report.

Wu Zongxiao and Zhao Yan went straight to the East Palace and took their seats.

Not long after, Zhao Yu, dressed in brocade clothes and a large cloak, stepped in.Zhao Yu's age is in his thirties, about 170 centimeters, neither tall nor short.

He has single eyelids and small eyes, slightly narrow eyes, thin lips, and two mustaches on his lips.At any time, his eyes seemed to be slightly squinted, and being stared at by Zhao Yu was like being stared at by a poisonous snake, and his whole body felt cold.

Wu Zongxiao saluted and said: "Veteran Wu Zongxiao, pay homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Zhao Yan also hurriedly saluted.

After Zhao Yu took his seat, he stroked his mustache and said, "Zhao Yan, you are famous! In order to show off to the Huns, he led the Huns to arrest Wang Zongxi's son Wang Qi. Unexpectedly, he was scolded." The dog's head was bloody, and he vomited blood and passed out after being scolded. You are really capable!"

thump!

Zhao Yan's legs softened and he knelt on the ground, his expression flustered, and he said quickly: "His Royal Highness, the minister is guilty!"

Zhao Yu said: "You are indeed guilty."

Zhao Yan had already knocked his head on the ground, and his heart was even more flustered.In case Zhao Yu was furious, his dismissal would be minor, or he would be directly questioned.

Zhao Yu snorted, and scolded: "Things that succeed are not enough to fail."

Zhao Yan knelt down, not daring to move.

My heart panicked.

Zhao Yu turned his gaze, landed on Wu Zongxiao, and asked, "Wu Shangshu, are you here to intercede for him?"

Wu Zongxiao shook his head, and said in a calm manner: "Your Highness, Zhao Yan made a mistake and should be punished. It was his own fault. Old minister, there is nothing to beg for mercy."

Zhao Yu asked: "Since that's the case, why are you here tonight?"

Wu Zongxiao replied: "After Zhao Yan and Wang Qi had a conflict, they reported the matter to the veteran. At that time, the veteran gave two directions. First, Zhao Yan personally went to the door to plead guilty and resolve the conflict. Second, Zhao Yan The prince wins over Wang Qi, trying to get Wang Qi to side with the prince and become a member of the East Palace."

Zhao Yu's eyes lit up, and an expression of approval appeared on his gloomy face.

As expected of Wu Zongxiao.

Ginger is old and spicy.

Zhao Yu nodded and said: "Although Wang Qi is a commoner, he is very important. He not only represents himself, but also represents Cui Dongshan and the Wang family. Even Lin Yuanchong, who just arrived in Chang'an, belongs to Wang Qi." Uncle, to put it bluntly, Wang Qi connected these people together with a thread. With Wang Qi's allegiance, the strength of my East Palace will definitely increase greatly."

Wu Zongxiao said: "The prince is wise!"

Zhao Yu said, "What did Wang Qi say?"

Wu Zongxiao looked at Zhao Yan, and scolded: "Zhao Yan, why don't you tell His Royal Highness, what did Wang Qi answer?"

Zhao Yan hurriedly said: "Reporting to His Royal Highness, Wang Qi asked him to stand on the side of the East Palace. What conditions can the East Palace give? This is Wang Qi's words. Wang Qi's attitude should be that he is willing to stand on the side of the Crown Prince."

Zhao Yu narrowed his eyes, thinking in his heart.

After a while, Zhao Yu said, "Wu Shangshu, what do you think of this matter?"

Wu Zongxiao said: "Prince, if you just give some benefits, you can win Wang Qi's loyalty. It will be beneficial and harmless. Another point is very important. Wang Qi and King Qi are opposed to each other. On the prince's side, that's normal."

Zhao Yu stroked his beard and said, "Zhao Zhi arranged for people to go to Fanyang to deal with Wang Qi and Cui Dongshan. Everyone knows about it. Before that, Zhao Zhi arranged people to go to Youzhou one after another, but they all failed. Hate it to the bone."

After a pause, Zhao Yu continued: "If we win over Wang Qi this time, Zhao Zhi originally wanted to use Lin Yuanchong to disrupt the situation, but instead he made us a success and helped the prince a lot."

Wu Zongxiao said: "The prince is wise!"

Zhao Yu took a deep breath and said, "Zhao Yan, get up and talk."

"Thank you prince!"

Zhao Yan breathed a sigh of relief, then stood up, slightly arched his back and stood with his hands down.

Zhao Yu said: "Did Wang Qi ever say, what conditions does he want?"

Zhao Yan shook his head and said: "Never said, he just said, let the prince give conditions."

Zhao Yu narrowed his eyes and thought about it again. After a while, he looked at Wu Zongxiao and asked, "Wu Shangshu, what do you think Wang Qi means?"

Wu Zongxiao said: "Explore!"

Zhao Yu nodded and said: "I also think it's a test. It depends on how the prince treats him. In other words, it depends on the conditions given by the prince to evaluate how much he is valued."

Zhao Yu said: "Come here!"

A servant immediately entered and stood bowed.

Zhao Yu said: "Notify Wei Yuanli to discuss matters."

"Yes!"

The servant got the order and went to inform immediately.

Wei Yuanli, in charge of washing horses for the Prince of the Eastern Palace, is Zhao Yu's confidant and counselor.The strategies of the Eastern Palace were all formulated by Wei Yuanli. In Zhao Yu's mind, Wei Yuanli had a great influence.

The servant went to deliver the order, and after about two quarters of an hour, Wei Yuanli arrived.

Wei Yuanli is a man in his thirties.

He has a resolute face, sharp eyebrows, piercing eyes, and a big beard under his jaw. He is quite a powerful person.

Because Wei Yuanli came in a hurry, his clothes were slightly stained with water.He shook his robe at the door, entered the hall and stood still, saluting: "My minister, Wei Yuanli, pay homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Chapter 139

Zhao Yu waved his hand and said, "Mr. Wei, sit down!"

After thanking Wei Yuanli, he sat down, looked at Zhao Yu, and asked, "The crown prince urgently summoned the ministers to enter the palace, but what is the urgent matter?"

Zhao Yu directly talked about Wang Qi's matter, and finally said: "Wang Qi is willing to stand by my East Palace, but I want the East Palace to make conditions. Mr. Wei, what do you think is suitable for him at the moment?"

Wei Yuanli thought for a while, and said, "His Royal Highness, the conditions that I propose to Wang Qi are divided into two parts."

Zhao Yu said: "Tell me carefully."

Wei Yuanli said: "First, it is to benefit Wang Qi. His Royal Highness promised Wang Qi that as long as he stands by the side of the East Palace, he will help the crown prince deal with the king of Qi. When the crown prince inherits the great treasure, he will give Wang Qi the marquis and appoint him as the governor of Yanmen. , to guard the border counties. Even if Wang Qi wants to attack the Xiongnu, the imperial court has full power to help him."

Zhao Yu said: "This is also a good suggestion."

Wei Yuanli continued: "The second is to benefit Wang Zongxi. When the crown prince succeeds, he promises to call Wang Zongxi into the court as an official, appoint Wang Zongxi as Taiwei, and take charge of the world's soldiers and horses."

Zhao Yu raised his eyebrows when he heard this, and said in a deep voice, "Is it too much for Wang Zongxi to be a captain and command the world's soldiers and horses?"

Wei Yuanli chuckled, and said, "His Royal Highness, now he is just drawing a cake for Wang Qi to let Wang Qi know how much His Royal Highness regards him. What's more, although the promise is good, His Royal Highness has never paid anything."

"Even if the crown prince ascends the throne and Wang Zongxi enters the court as an official, at that time, Wang Zongxi will be inside and Wang Qi will be outside. Even if Wang Qi is quite powerful, he will not be able to find the palm of His Highness the crown prince."

"Especially when Wang Zongxi returned to the court, he is under the control of the prince."

"This arrangement seems to have given a lot of benefits, but the prince has never paid anything. Because these promises cannot be fulfilled until the prince inherits the great treasure."

Wei Yuanli said: "Wang Qi submits to the Crown Prince, and to help the Crown Prince deal with the King of Qi, he has to do things in a down-to-earth manner. Only in this way can he have the opportunity to enjoy the promise of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

After Zhao Yu heard it, a smile appeared on his slightly sinister face.

Appears very satisfied.

Wei Yuanli is indeed his confidant.

Zhao Yu looked at Wu Zongxiao and asked, "Wu Shangshu, what do you think of Mr. Wei's analysis?"

Wu Zongxiao said: "His Royal Highness, Mr. Wei's analysis is excellent. However, I think that I can give you some benefits."