Chapter 29: Prophecy (Part 2)
"The Eighteen Sons will be in charge of the divine weapon. Several times, Jiaolong acted out the events of the past, bringing peace and prosperity to the people in Chang'an. The two palaces talked about gossip in seclusion. Who knows what is right and wrong!" After thinking about it, Hou Xibai couldn't help but laugh: "How did Li Shimin offend you? How dare you harm him like this?"
The Eighteenth Son will seize the main artifact, which makes it very clear that the Li family wants to take over the world.
However, "the dragon reenacted the events of the past, and brought peace to the world and benefited the people in Chang'an" is very vicious. You know, Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty was the second son of the emperor. He was wise and brave, and had extraordinary skills in both civil and military affairs. He killed his father and brother to seize the throne, but it was in his hands that the Sui Dynasty became shaky. The dragon reenacted the events of the past, which alludes to the second son of the Li family.
As for pacifying the country and helping the people, it was directed at Li Shimin, and he was the second son of Li Yuan. The more wise and brave he showed, the more he looked like Yang Guang, the Prince of Jin (in fact, they were very similar in real history). And "acting out events of the past" was a prediction that he would kill his father and brother. Wouldn't that make his father and brother suspicious and heartbroken?
At this point, even if one directly said that the Li family was going to rebel in the future, it would be of no avail. Yang Guang, who had been defeated in three expeditions to Goryeo, would find it difficult to kill Li Yuan even if he knew tomorrow that Li Yuan was going to rebel. Therefore, because the world was in chaos at this time, the Li family was deeply rooted, and the royal family was severely damaged, how could they be easily moved?
However, it was still possible for Yang Guang to create some trouble for the Li clan at this time, and even if Yang Guang had no effect, the other few words could have intensified the internal strife within the Li clan in advance, and restrained Li Shimin's development in the Li clan, and even led to the Xuanwu Gate Incident in advance, which was a big layout.
Moreover, this is close to an open conspiracy. Even if they knew that someone was instigating, there would be rifts and suspicions between the Li family father and sons and brothers - there is only one position, and even if no one instigated, they would still scheme against each other. Instigation only made the rift appear earlier and strengthened it.
He knew long ago that persuading people from slander could be effective, not because of exaggerated words, but because he just spoke to the right people's minds.
Of course, Zhang Xuanning also knew that the Li family was deeply rooted, with many talented people and strategists, and they were also in collusion with the Turks. Moreover, whether it was Li Yuan, Li Jiancheng, Li Yuanji, etc., they were all heroes of the time, especially Li Jiancheng. In real history, after the uprising, he was in charge of internal affairs and logistics. Although his performance was not as outstanding as that of Shi Min, his talents were definitely not inferior.
Therefore, it does not mean that the Li family would not have been able to rise without Li Shimin, but at least if the internal struggle intensified and they checked and restrained each other, it would consume some of the Li family's strength and also buy some time.
Compared with a force as complicated and deeply rooted as the Li Clan, with numerous talented generals and counselors, even if they got Yang Gong's treasure, they would only have the capital to give it a try. Of course, they would do everything they could to weaken the Li Clan in advance, even if they could gain a year or half a year.
Moreover, this also explains why we came to Chang'an, which was still the capital of the Sui Dynasty at that time!
Hou Xibai thought about it, and then stared at Zhang Xuanning for a long while before saying, "Is there anything else you want me to help you with? Tell me all together."
"Well, you know that I have to practice the Tyrant Blade in the midst of killing, and killing, what can compare to the military? On the battlefield, although there are millions of people charging into battle, everyone is alone, and death is even more lonely! Imagine the feeling and test of fighting alone among millions of people, my Tyrant Blade skills will surely improve by leaps and bounds, and live up to the reputation of Senior Yue Shan." Zhang Xuanning showed a bitter smile: "But you also know that military affairs are not trivial, and you can't just get in casually. Although I have the idea of practicing in the army, I don't have a way to get in for the time being. I wonder if Brother Hou has a way to make my wish come true?"
The military is extremely strict. The idea that one can enter the military camp at will is speechless. Unless the army is completely disbanded and the person is the highest-ranking officer, others would not dare to ask about his origins in detail, otherwise he would be exposed sooner or later.
Hou Xibai's eyes lit up, and he laughed and said, "It is indeed Brother Zhang, who is truly remarkable. Not only is his literary talent so outstanding, but he also has a deep understanding of martial arts. Yes, to practice the Hegemon Sword, only the military is the most suitable. I just don't know what identity Brother Zhang will choose to enter?"
“To practice Dominant Sword, one must fight in the battlefield in person, so a too high score is not necessary. But I also don’t want to be unpopular, so a too low score is not acceptable either. If I can be selected into the team of Broken Army Cavalry and become a fire captain, that will be enough.” There is one fire captain for ten people, and the fire captain is equivalent to the current squad leader, which is indeed not a high score.
Hou Xibai heaved a sigh of relief. This kind of position did not even require the son of a bureaucrat. Even distant relatives beyond the fifth degree of mourning could be arranged. So he smiled and said, "This is a small matter. I can arrange for you to gain experience in the army by finding some connections."
Then he said with a smile: "Did you know that Mr. Shang will also arrive in Chang'an soon?"
"Ah, will Ms. Shang come too? We are so lucky. I wonder which family we will get into?" Zhang Xuanning also said with surprise. Shang Xiufang was the most talented woman in the world. She always caused a sensation wherever she went. She was determined to visit the world and collect music from all over the place in order to create her own style.
However, Zhang Xuanning was actually suspicious of this woman. First of all, she was so beautiful and her martial arts were not very good, so why didn't anyone want to take her into the harem and let her live freely? Secondly, she once said to Kou Zhong: "If the young commander gave up fighting for supremacy, Xiufang would always be by your side, playing the zither and singing songs to entertain you."
Isn't this the role of Shi Feixuan? Is it true that Shang Dajia is also a member of Cihang Jingzhai? In fact, if Cihang Jingzhai wants to maintain its influence, Shi Feixuan is the only representative figure, but there must be a large group of people cooperating with it. Is Shang Dajia one of them?
"Brother Zhang, do you also have a good impression of Ms. Shang? I remember that the first time I heard her music, it was really unforgettable. You know, I have seen many beautiful women with great singing skills and looks, but they always lack the charm of Ms. Shang that can captivate everyone. At that time, I felt that through the role in the play, you have deified her and expressed her selflessness. After watching it, I felt like I was reborn!" Hou Xibai seemed to be recalling that time, with a sobbing expression.
He sighed again and said, "I have seen the song and dance performed by Master Shang more than once, but each time it seems completely different, which makes me intoxicated. Brother Zhang, why don't you live with me so that we can be closer. Well, if you can get a few more poems, we can sing poems together and have more good stories!"
Zhang Xuan looked around and saw houses extending to both sides of the canal. Not far away was a wealthy family's residence, covering a vast area. It was like a dream. He knew that Hou Xibai still had doubts, so he sighed and said, "Brother Hou, if that's the case, I really want to see it. Since Brother Hou has invited me, how dare I not obey?"
But I have already decided in my heart that I will never go to Yang Gong's treasure again for some time.
The first time Hou Xibai and I met, it was just through that song "Jinjiu Song" by Li Bai. But afterwards, all my actions somehow attracted Shi Zhixuan's attention, so Shi Qingxuan came in person. And Shi Qingxuan was absolutely sure of something, so he gave Yueshan the scroll.
Now that I am in Chang'an, masks suddenly appear. Although it makes sense, it will also be associated with Yang Gong's treasure, so I have to be more careful.
As for Shang Xiufang, Shi Qingxuan and Xiao Yi are known to the world, at least a little bit, they rely on the Cihang Jingzhai's skill to confuse people, and Shi Feixuan is even more so. Is it the same for Shang Xiufang be able to turn people upside down? If there is no such skill to confuse people, it is unimaginable to reach this level.
It's such an intricate and fascinating world, it's just so interesting.
Thinking of this, Zhang Xuanning laughed, got into the carriage, and drove forward, going far away.
