The groom Li Xiang was shaving his teeth while Qian Ping was reporting beside him. Zhang Jiuli's mind was also working fast. He didn't expect that the King of Nanzhao's mind was so quick. When they met on the first day, he thought this guy was a loyal and honest person. It seems that we were all wrong. How loyal could a person who could become a king be?
"This king is truly no ordinary man. He's pushed my influence to its limit, and it seems he's also plotting against me. I originally thought he was weaker, so in this battle between the two heroes, I tend to side with him..."
After listening to Qian Ping's report, Li Xiang and Zhang Jiuli had the same reaction. They both thought that the king was powerless. After all, most of the generals in the country were on the side of Prince Zhennan. If Prince Zhennan raised his arms, the king might not have the strength to resist. Unexpectedly, he was going to use the wedding to cut off Prince Zhennan's arms, and there were so many people at once. This guy's brain was really quick. He took everything into consideration, especially Li Xiang's strength.
Zhang Jiuli knew that Li Xiang did not want to be calculated by others, especially in the current situation. If the strength of one side grows too fast, it will not be in the interests of the Tang Dynasty. According to the plan made by Li Xiang before, your fight can only begin after all of us leave. Now that the King of Nanzhao has brought all this forward, how can Li Xiang agree?
"Send someone to tell the Prince of Zhennan that after careful consideration, I'm ready to reject the king's proposal. Of course, let the news spread slowly, saying that I don't want to bring so many people back to Chang'an..."
Regardless of whether the news is true or false, Li Xiang must keep everything confusing. After all, everything is done in secret, so Li Xiang is also prepared to let everything slowly ferment in secret.
Originally, Li Xiang wanted to fool people. The Prince of Zhennan was very powerful, so Li Xiang avoided this guy and did not give him any support. Now it seems that if he does not give any support, this guy might take risks. Before his men have left, this guy might have already started an uprising.
"You and Qian Ping should discuss this on the way together. Try not to express your opinion, but at the same time, you must let the King of Zhennan know that I will not favor anyone. I will do my best to ensure peace here."
There is nothing wrong with Qian Ping's heart, but when it comes to these political matters, Zhang Jiuli is better. If the two of them can cooperate well, there are some things that do not require Li Xiang to step in at all, and these two people can handle it well.
"I obey your orders."
Zhang Jiuli and Qian Ping went out, and Li Xiang also thought for a long time looking at the sunset in the distance. The development of things was really beyond his expectations. It seemed that he could not underestimate anyone, especially the seemingly loyal King of Nanzhao.
At this moment, the palace was also holding a banquet for all the ministers. Some people were drinking wedding wine with Li Xiang, and some were drinking wedding wine in the palace. In short, the King of Nanzhao was very happy now. If there was anyone unhappy in the palace, it might be the Queen Mother.
The King of Nanzhao was very clear about the Queen Mother's thoughts. Some old ladies favored their youngest sons and would rather give the position to their youngest son than to their eldest grandson. The King of Nanzhao had tried hard before, but finally found that there was no way to win his mother's heart back, so he could only take this step, that is, to marry into the Tang Dynasty and use external forces to attack his own brother.
Although doing so carries huge risks and it may be easier to invite the gods than to send them away, the King of Nanzhao has no other choice now. If he does not take this step, his mother and brother are much more powerful than him. Even with the protection of religious robes, the final result is that his son will not be able to inherit the throne. The final outcome of the Qian family can be imagined.
"Mother, is there anything that worries you?"
Seeing his mother so unhappy, the King of Nanzhao felt uncomfortable. Today was supposed to be a happy day, and you were putting on such a sour face. Aren't you just making fun of everyone here? The Nanzhao royal family didn't have many good things to offer, and now that something like this has happened, can't you even smile? If it weren't for her biological mother, she would probably have done something truly treasonous.
"There's nothing to worry about. Everything is as you wish. When your eldest brother returns from Chang'an, will your brother be executed?"
The old mother was well aware of the fierce competition for the throne. She reasoned that since the eldest son had been king for so long, why couldn't the second son have his turn? Furthermore, the second son had already sworn an oath that he would never mistreat his older brother's children. When he grew old, he would definitely let his older brother's eldest son succeed him.
The Prince of Zhennan spoke so sincerely that the Queen Mother readily believed him. But the question was, could the King of Nanzhao believe it? Even a random child off the street wouldn't believe such a thing. Would you still think of my son then? The practice of brother-to-brother succession had caused so much trouble. Everyone knew that the current system of father-to-son succession was the most stable. If brother-to-brother succession was the preferred method, why didn't other countries use it?
"Mother, what are you talking about? My second brother swears in front of you, and I swear in front of you too. As long as the throne is properly inherited, I guarantee that my second brother and his family will enjoy eternal wealth and honor. The Prince of Zhennan will still be his, and his descendants will inherit it forever."
It would have been fine if this matter had not been mentioned. As soon as it was mentioned, the King of Nanzhao felt a little annoyed. Both sons had sworn the same oath, and his own face was relatively kind, but for some reason the old mother believed the younger son and never believed her eldest son.
"Let's not talk about this matter, let's just talk about the marriage. You brought people from the Tang Dynasty in, which has already shaken our foundation. Take Li Xiang for example, do you really think he is a good person? How many countries have been destroyed at his hands? Why should we, Nanzhao, get involved in this?"
When they met these past few days, the old lady saw that Li Xiang was a rare talent. She had once thought that Li Xiang was good, but when she thought about the Nanzhao Kingdom...
