The Bad Guys: Playing the Fake Li Xingyun at the Beginning

There are two typical examples like Yelu Bei in Chinese history. One is Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty, and the other is Crown Prince Yinreng of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty.

These two are typical examples of people who were suspected by the old emperor and were driven crazy.

"You emperors have so many thoughts and ideas." The empress looked at him and smiled.

"That's what being an emperor is like. If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight." Su Ming touched her hair and said softly.

Chapter 151 Meeting Feng Dao

Then, Su Ming continued, "This peace talk is the general trend, and no one can stop it. The Khitans are busy digesting the Bohai Kingdom, and the governors of various parties in the Central Plains are busy licking their wounds, so they can't start a war."

"The world has been at war for too long, from the Huang Chao Rebellion, to the annexation of the feudal lords, the struggle for hegemony between Jin and Liang, to Li Cunxu's unification of the Central Plains, wars of all sizes have been fought for nearly a hundred years."

"The lower classes have suffered greatly from the war, with heavy casualties. As long as the imperial court is stable, even if the local military governors start a war, it will not affect the overall situation."

As long as both sides are willing to negotiate, nothing can be accomplished even if someone secretly instigates them. This is a matter of national interests and no one will be vague about it.

Queen Shuliduo of King Yingtian is shrewd and capable, and the officials he sent out are mostly elite and cunning people. They can benefit from both short-term and long-term peace.

If you ask what these benefits are, is there any need to explain them?

Of course it was smuggled.

Historically, apart from the foreign tribes from the grasslands migrating south to rule the Central Plains, smuggling on the borders of both sides could not be stopped at all, not to mention that now the borders of the Central Plains are inhabited by military governors of all sizes, and the defense system is like a sieve.

The Jiedushi were unable to obtain financial transfusions from the imperial court and faced military threats from foreign races, so they could only rely on smuggling to save their lives. If they smuggled, they would not die, but if they did not smuggle, they would definitely die.

Even though this is a temporary solution, they have to do it in order to survive.

Once the Central Plains court and Khitan reach peace talks, the scale of smuggling between the two sides will certainly rise to a higher level, and the Khitan dignitaries will not miss this good opportunity.

As soon as Su Ming said this, she understood what kind of person the empress was. She knew all the tricks of the local vassal states. "Alas, it's a pity that the court doesn't control the border. Otherwise, we would have made a lot of money by trading with the Khitan."

Su Ming also nodded, "Yes, mutual trade between the Central Plains and Khitan is a good thing for both sides. It may not be possible now, but it may be possible in the future."

As he spoke, he gently held the empress's hand, his eyes full of tenderness, "The future depends on our joint efforts."

When you are with women, don't talk about rationality or reality. You just need to paint a rosy picture of the future. Only in this way will they emotionally invest in it and give more.

Once you have paid the sunk cost, you will be even more reluctant to break up in the future. If you just keep giving and being a bootlicker, that would be the stupidest thing to do.

If you don't trap her when she is deeply in love, should you wait until later when both sides have difficulty in trying to keep her?

Sure enough, no matter how rational the empress was, she was very happy to see Su Ming's big cake. She did not struggle, but held his hand tightly, interlocking her fingers, her eyes full of tenderness and sweetness, "I will help you."

Perhaps, what she wanted was not the pie, but Su Ming’s attitude.

In the eyes of the empress, Yelu Zhiwu's marriage was a marriage of convenience, which was related to the future of the country, but it was a product of interests and there was no affection between the two parties. Even if she became the queen, she could never compare to herself.

And she was the one who had always been by Su Ming's side, helping him reach the top.

In other words, she is now both an angel investor and a couple with Su Ming. If we have to find an example, she is a combination of Lou Zhaojun and Queen Ma. In the future, she will also be the woman behind Su Ming.

As for why it is not a complete Lou Zhaojun, it is because the empress did not place any personnel in the imperial guards. After sending the elite veterans, she left them alone and handed them all over to Su Ming for disposal.

As the monarch of Qi, she did not bring Qi's power into the court. Instead, she slowly developed Luoyang's local power after gaining a foothold.

Qi State is still Qi State, and the imperial court is still the imperial court. In this regard, she has always been very sensible.

But she didn't know that Su Ming didn't mind. He was in danger of losing his job at any time, so how could he worry about ensuring the purity of his team? Of course, the bigger his power, the better.

She comes with her own dowry, can be domineering or sweet, is also an expert in government affairs, and has a brother-in-law with extremely high martial arts skills. All things considered, she is really a treasure queen. Isn't she much better than Lou Zhaojun?

You know, my brother-in-law Li Maozhen is not only a good fighter, but also has strong ability to lead troops in combat, and in some aspects he is almost as good as Li Cunxu.

Comparing her with Lou Zhaojun is simply an insult to her!

The two of them spent a few moments in a gentle embrace and then continued to talk about other things.

……

In the Ministry of Rites, Feng Dao was packing up official documents and preparing to go home after get off work. At this moment, a eunuch dressed in eunuch's clothes walked into the yard.

After the official from the Ministry of Rites received the eunuch, he quickly reported to Feng Dao, "Sir, someone has come from the palace."

Feng Dao's hand paused, a little confused. Someone coming from the palace?

He didn't have time to think about it, so he asked his men to invite him in, "Please let him in."

After the eunuch came in, he first bowed to Feng Dao, and then said, "Sir Feng, His Majesty wants to see you. Please come with me."

Your Majesty wants to see me?

"Okay, let me clean up." After saying that, Feng Dao packed up the things on the table and followed the eunuch.

After passing through the palace complex, Feng Dao was led to the Qianqiu Palace.

Ever since Su Ming moved here to handle government affairs, Qianqiu Palace has swept away its former decadence and become solemn and dignified. Although it does not have luxurious decorations and beautiful palace maids, it still makes people dare not look down on it.

In a corner of the hall, an animal-shaped incense burner was burning with fragrance. The smoke was curling up like clouds, and the faint pine resin smelled very pleasant.

At this time, there were two people kneeling on the soft couch in the hall. One of them was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe. He had a handsome face, a dragon-like appearance, and a majestic and dignified demeanor.

The other man was wearing a red official robe, had snow-white hair, and a handsome face, but his eyes had an indescribable sharpness.

They were staring at the chessboard, fighting fiercely.

Sensing Feng Dao's figure, Su Ming looked up at him. Feng Dao was in his forties, a man in his prime. He was wearing a scarlet official robe, and his figure was a little thin. His facial features were regular, with a few crow's feet at the corners of his eyes. He was gentle and refined, and exuded the elegance of a scholar who was well-read.

Before he could speak, Su Ming greeted him first, "Lord Feng, come and sit down!"

Feng Dao was stunned and quickly saluted, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

"Be flat."

Then Feng Dao came over and knelt quietly on the couch.

Su Ming reached out and poured him a cup of tea, and smiled softly, "Try my tea, it's no worse than the expensive ones you buy outside."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your reward." As he said this, Feng Dao was about to salute again.

Su Ming waved out a stream of Qi and held down his body. "No need to bow. Sit down and talk. There are only three of us today, no outsiders. Lord Feng, don't be so restrained."

Feng Dao immediately felt an invisible force pressing down on his shoulders, preventing him from standing up. He was startled, realizing that this was the emperor's trick, so he stopped struggling and sat on the couch and bowed to him.

Seeing that he understood, Su Ming withdrew his true energy and turned his gaze to Li Cunli. He was not distracted by Feng Dao's arrival and was completely immersed in the chessboard.

Chapter 152 Three-player game

Every time Li Cunli played chess with the emperor, he lost more than he won. At that time, because of the existence of seats in Go, Go was very much about fighting. Throughout the entire game, there was fighting everywhere.

In today's game of chess, Li Cunli felt a little exhausted in the middle of the game, but he still did not give up. He has always been a person who never admits defeat.

And this is what Su Ming admired the most, the unwillingness to admit defeat, the courage to fight and struggle, regardless of the cost. Otherwise, how could he dare to kill the emperor with his own hands later? Most people would not dare to play like this.

Li Cunli looked at the chessboard, but he couldn't place the chess piece in his hand because he felt that no matter where he placed it, it would be wrong.

Feng Dao next to him took a sip of tea. The warm and sweet tea made his eyes light up. Most people like sweets. In ancient times when resources were scarce, sugar was a luxury.

He drank tea while watching the chess game. As a spectator, he quickly saw the situation clearly. King Xue's black pieces were constantly entangled by the white pieces, resulting in a fight for the throne, but his own big dragon was broken into pieces.

Not only does the chess piece shape look ugly, but the thickness is also far less than that of the white pieces. As long as the white pieces do not leak and slowly consume the chess, even if they do not kill the chess piece, they will definitely win in the end.

This game of chess is doomed to fail.

Looking at the chess game, Feng Dao was inexplicably reminded of the emperor. Over the past year, he had witnessed a lot of disputes in the court. The emperor's political skills almost made him applaud.

From a blank slate emperor with only 500 Khitan soldiers and no confidants in the court, to the present, the emperor has established a foundation in the court, forced the King of Jin to make concessions, negotiated with the Khitan externally, and restored contact with the military governors of various places.

This series of actions made it hard for him to believe that this was something a 19-year-old could do in just one year.

But the facts were there, and he had to believe it.

Soon, Li Cunli took out two chess pieces from the box and placed them on the chessboard, resigning himself to defeat. He was too eager for success in the early stages, and his rhythm was interrupted by the fights for chess pieces. His territory was in a mess, and he could not win at all.

"Your Majesty's chess skills have improved again. I admire you." Li Cunli bowed and chuckled. He didn't take the loss just now to heart. After all, he was used to it.

Su Ming held the tea and looked at him with a smile, "Perhaps, it's not that my chess skills have improved, but that you are too impatient?"

Li Cunli was silent for a moment, then bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your teachings."

"My dear Lord Feng, do you know how to play chess? Please play a game with me." He nodded, looked at Feng Dao and invited him.

Since Li Cunli played chess with him, it would not be good to favor one over the other and neglect Feng Dao. At least he should treat them equally. Judging from the chess pieces is like judging the person. A person's character can be glimpsed through his chess style and strategy.

On the contrary, the idea that the handwriting reflects the character of the person is really bullshit. There were so many treacherous ministers in history like Cai Jing and Yan Song, who were famous for their magic and were the best in the world, but they were also nailed to the pillar of shame in history.

On the contrary, chess style and approach represent a person's style of doing things, which may be disguised, but some clues can be seen during the battle.

"Your Majesty, I am not very good at chess. I hope you will not blame me." Faced with his invitation, Feng Dao did not refuse, but accepted it humbly.

Soon, Feng Dao and Li Cunli changed seats, and they picked up the chess pieces together and restored their seats.

"Your Majesty, please go first."

Su Ming made his move without hesitation. He was the emperor, could Feng Dao possibly get ahead of him? There was no point in refusing, it would only make him look hypocritical and disgusting.

Seeing that the emperor was easy-going, Feng Dao felt relieved and played the chess game with full concentration.

Both of them played very quickly, with the crystal chess pieces hitting the chessboard one after another with crisp sounds. Li Cunli sat on one side, staring at the chessboard.

At the same time, he was also thinking about Feng Dao.

Judging from the situation in the court, the emperor undoubtedly wanted to use this man. Feng Dao had a good reputation in the court, was talented, and was a man who could get things done.

Secondly, Feng Dao was an old minister during the period of Li Cunxu, who was promoted and reused step by step by Li Cunxu. He was not the same kind of person as Li Siyuan and had a very clean background.

Today, the emperor summoned him over, which was undoubtedly an expression of his closeness to him, and also sent a signal to the court and the public that he wanted to make use of him.

The purpose of calling himself here was very obvious, which was to let them cooperate with each other in the court.

A lot of information flashed through Li Cunli's mind as he stared at the chessboard. He found that although Feng Dao played very quickly, his style of play was very steady. Facing the emperor's offensive, his defense was flawless and very experienced.

Soon, they had made more than a hundred moves, and the speed of placing pieces became slower and slower. From the perspective of the situation, the black and white pieces were evenly matched. In the middle game, every move had to be cautious, and the changes in the game had to be calculated clearly, which was very laborious.

Finally, Feng Dao was the first to fall into a slump and fell into long contemplation.

As the Art of War says, if you defend for too long, you will lose. The same principle applies to the chessboard. When playing chess, you must not only defend, but also learn to attack while defending, and be flexible.

Su Ming's offensive became more and more fierce. No matter how well Feng Dao defended, there were only so many positions on the chessboard. Where could he retreat to in the end?

This is also the reason why offense is more popular than defense in the seat era. The seat limits changes, and if you want to win, you must attack.

Feng Dao held on for several moves, but finally couldn't hold on any longer. Su Ming seized the opportunity and cut off the dragon with one move. He was powerless to save the situation. Looking at the black and white chess pieces on the chessboard, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed, "Your Majesty is a superb chess player. I admire you."

"My dear Lord Feng is not bad either. I haven't had such a satisfying time in a long time." When saying this, Su Ming did not avoid Li Cunli.

This guy is a terrible chess player. What else is there to say? When it comes to Go, a bad player is a bad player. Can't he see the difference?