The film and television world begins with the battle for the throne in Kowloon

Chapter 683 Li Ke's Plan

After Li Ke had put the bait back on and sat down, Quan Wanji said, "Your Highness, you don't have to belittle yourself. In my opinion, the emperor may want to train the prince, but he hasn't completely given up on you."

"Oh, what do you mean, Wanji, what did you figure out?" Li Ke immediately shifted his attention and asked seriously.

"Your Highness, think about it. It is true that the Emperor asked the Crown Prince to train the Flying Tiger Army, but the Emperor did not arrange for so many generals to lead the Sixteen Guards, but instead asked you to join Qin Qiong's Zuo Wuwei Army. Isn't this obviously a training for you?"

Quan Wanji said thoughtfully: "In my opinion, although the emperor is inclined to the prince, he will not put all his hopes on the prince. The prince is weak and does not know military affairs. Can he shoulder the heavy burden of the Tang Dynasty?"

"Can you calm down the wolf-like generals like Yuchi Gonghou Junji and Chai Shao? And there are also the hungry wolves in the north, and Jie Li who is eyeing the Central Plains. Can the emperor be assured to hand over the world to the weak prince?"

"In my opinion, the emperor has also seen the prince's weakness, so he wants him to train the Flying Tiger Army and familiarize himself with the military. But if the prince can't hold on, in the end, for the sake of the inheritance of the Tang Dynasty, he will most likely consider a successor with outstanding military strategy like him, so he will appoint you, the Xiangzan Zuowuwei Army, to take charge of the Zuotunwei Army at the same time."

"Yes, your analysis makes sense!"

Li Ke nodded repeatedly, the light in his eyes growing brighter and brighter, and finally said excitedly: "Wan Ji, it seems that I am really a little confused by the situation. I can't see it as clearly as you, a bystander. I only see the negative side. Only someone as wise as Zhuge Liang like you can see through the deep meaning of my father!"

"So, Your Highness, on the one hand, we must conscientiously manage the Zuo Wuwei Army, and on the other hand, we must not fall behind in the Zuo Tunwei Army. Let the emperor and the ministers see that the soldiers led by the King of Shu are all brave and powerful."

Quan Wanji looked around and whispered, "At the same time, we have to find a way to undermine the East Palace and make his Flying Tiger Army a joke in Chang'an. With this comparison, all the officials in the court will naturally see clearly who is the pillar of the Tang Dynasty."

"Yes, that's right. It's not enough for us to just work hard. We also need to find ways to set traps and trip up the East Palace."

Li Ke's eyes gleamed, and he asked, "Wan Ji, do you have any ideas? Tell us and we can discuss it together. We must not let him train the Flying Tiger Army."

"Hehehe, Your Highness, I have been thinking about this all night yesterday and have already come up with a brilliant plan for Your Highness."

"In order to win over the ministers, the Crown Prince gathered the sons of the ministers in the court into the Eastern Palace without distinguishing between good and bad. Many of them are the illegitimate sons and bloodlines of our powerful ministers. He thought that this would shake these people, but it made it easier for us to infiltrate the Eastern Palace."

At this point, Quan Wanji's eyes became fierce, and he said sinisterly: "This time we will use these people to let Donggong know what's going on, so that he will lose both his wife and his army in order to pacify the world."

Li Ke looked very excited. Although Quan Wanji was a little frivolous before, after the last rumor incident, he had learned his lesson and became very calm and steady. All his suggestions were successful.

Not only did he send Yuchi Gong to the south, but he also made a very thorough psychological analysis of the court officials, raising the level of his planning by several levels.

Li Ke suggested in Chengqing Palace to assist the prince in managing grain and fodder, and the emperor agreed without a second thought. He also transferred Quan Wanji to the Sinong Temple to serve as the Taicang Office Commander to be Hu Cheng's deputy.

When the imperial court launched the Northern Expedition, it could now at least get half of the grain transportation rights, laying the foundation for winning over the generals at the front in the future.

After several successful plans, Li Ke has already regarded Quan Wanji as his most trusted confidant, and the degree of his trust in him is even higher than that of Cen Wenben. However, Quan Wanji's status in the court is too low and he cannot be compared with Cen Wenben.

Moreover, Cen Wenben was dignified and majestic, and often restricted Li Ke's words and actions. When encountering major events, he would make decisions on his own in the name of doing good for Li Ke, and sometimes he would call on Concubine Yang to oppress Li Ke.

Li Ke was only a few months younger than the crown prince. He was young and had an unstable mind. In addition, he was a young man who had just grown up and had high aspirations. He wanted to make his own decisions in everything, but he was restricted. This stimulated the rebellious psychology unique to young people. He had long been resentful and dissatisfied with Cen Wenben's strict fatherly teaching.

But Quan Wanji was different. He was in a very upright position, followed Li Ke as his role model, always considered Li Ke's face, asked for instructions before implementing anything, and was always flattering to Li Ke.

As long as Li Ke's opinion was different from his, Quan Wanji would immediately and decisively give up his insistence and unconditionally agree with Li Ke. In turn, he would find theoretical basis for Li Ke's decision, which greatly satisfied Li Ke's self-esteem and sense of accomplishment, and made Li Ke more and more satisfied with Quan Wanji.

In addition, Cen Benwen was the Secretary of the Central Secretariat and often served the emperor in the Hongwen Hall, focusing his main energy on Li Shimin and state affairs, while Quan Wanji could stay in the Shu Palace every day. Over time, their relationship became more harmonious. Therefore, when Li Ke encountered problems, he preferred to ask Quan Wanji for advice instead of going to Cen Benwen.

"Wanji, what ideas have you come up with? Tell us quickly." Quan Wanji could clearly see Li Ke's emotional closeness and the changes in his attitude, which showed that he was becoming more and more serious, and he felt a little proud in his heart.

Then he smiled and said, "Your Highness, Lord Cen's nephew Hu Lixian is serving as a tutor in the East Palace. According to the news he sent back, the Crown Prince plans to select some people from among the tutors to help manage the recruitment and training of the Flying Tiger Army."

"He also plans to wait until the Flying Tiger Army is formed, insert these trusted men into the army to lead the troops and firmly control the army, so that the Flying Tiger Army will become the private army of the Eastern Palace."

"In that case, why don't we lend a helping hand and let Hu Lixian find a way to get involved? If the prince doesn't manage it strictly, we can sabotage it secretly and prevent him from training an army. If the prince really manages it well, then let Hu Lixian take an important position to lead the troops. Then, whether the Flying Tiger Army belongs to the East Palace or the Prince of Shu's Mansion is still unclear."

"Hahaha, brilliant, it really is a brilliant plan, taking advantage of the situation, making both advances and retreats convenient, Wanji, only you can come up with such a brilliant plan."

Li Ke clapped his hands and smiled, "If that's the case, let's arrange for Hu Lixian to follow this idea!"

Quan Wanji then said with a look of embarrassment: "Your Highness, this matter is not a small matter after all. Should we consult Lord Cen and get his approval before implementing it? And since it involves Lord Cen, Hu Lixian is his nephew after all, should we greet him?"

Quan Wanji, a veteran official, who knew Li Ke very well, could certainly see Li Ke's inner rebellion towards Cen Wenben. Moreover, his own unremitting efforts were also behind this.

Asking this question not only expressed respect for Li Ke, but also laid the groundwork for shirking responsibility if things failed in the future. At least Li Ke would not doubt his intentions, and it also once again provoked the relationship between Li Ke and Cen Wenben.

As expected, Li Ke frowned immediately, with an unhappy look in his eyes, and immediately shook his head and said, "No, Lord Cen is good in every way, but he is too pedantic. If he knows about this, he will definitely stop us. Besides, he is just a nephew. How dare he disobey my orders?"

At this point, Quan Wanji asked hesitantly, "Your Highness, if you want Hu Lixian to act according to our wishes, I am in a low position, so I am afraid you will need to come forward and persuade him in person."

"In addition, it will probably cost a lot of money to run it. Hu Lixian is neither good at literature nor martial arts. He is good at flattering, building relationships, eating and drinking, but if we talk about talent, he alone will not be able to make it. Are there any capable people among the tutors in the East Palace?"

"What's the big deal? As long as the East Palace can be impressed, I will pay for it no matter how much it costs. You can ask him to come out today. I will personally give him the order."

Li Ke said indifferently, "Besides, this prince values ​​the fact that he has no morals or talents but is good at scheming for personal gain. I want him to be careless and work hard, to indulge in eating, drinking, whoring and gambling, and to change the atmosphere of the Eastern Palace."

"Tell him that not only will he have to spend money to get an important position, but he will also have to win over the disciples of the King of Wei and the King of Qi, and stir up trouble for me. Not only will the East Palace not be able to train a Flying Tiger Army, but even the circle of tutors will be in chaos and there will be no peace."

Quan Wanji flatteredly agreed, "Your Highness is indeed brilliant, planning and winning battles thousands of miles away. I just wanted to use Hu Lixian to infiltrate the Flying Tiger Army, but Your Highness learned from it and attacked and attacked the interior of the East Palace. This time, the prince may have really invited a wolf into the front yard and a tiger into the back yard, and was caught by Your Highness. I really admire you!"

"Hahaha, another fish." Li Ke changed his previous decadent and depressed attitude and became full of energy and spirit!

Qingyun Tower!
Qingyun Tower is one of the most luxurious restaurants in Chang'an East Market. It is located in the northwest of East Market, close to Pingkangfang. Its carved eaves reflect the sun and its painted buildings have flying clouds, which is inspired by the idea of ​​rising straight to the sky.

There are several pavilions and towers in a row with flying eaves and painted corners, each seven stories high. From the top viewing platform, one can overlook the entire East Market, and even a corner of the Taiji Palace in the distance can be vaguely seen. The scenery is excellent, and it has always been a place where dignitaries in Chang'an City go to feast and banquet.

The green lantern is connected to the lower window, and the emerald curtain is higher than the window.

Outside the restaurant there was a lot of noise and bustle, and the cries of hawkers could be heard one after another.

Qingyun Tower is half a restaurant and the other half a brothel, where you can while away your drunken eyes, leaning against the blue sky with its endless clouds and mountains; and seduce the poetic soul, while the snow-covered river is covered with misty water. The women in the building are gorgeous, and the piano and dance music are wonderful, attracting many diners to linger.

It is said that behind Qingyun Tower is the property of Prince Lu Li Yuanchang, so no one has ever dared to cause trouble in Qingyun Tower.

(End of this chapter)