Datang: Rebirth of Li Chengqian, the beginning of the treason interrogation

Chapter 106 Is the Crown Prince Rebelling Again?
Suddenly, at the mouth of the Xiongjin River, huge ships came over the waves like giant beasts. Their huge figures gave people an incomparable sense of oppression.

“Enemy attack!”

A series of loud and close bell sounds rang out from the sentry post above the harbor. Then, smoke billowed like a black torrent rising into the sky and spreading along the coastline.

“Have you been discovered?”

Li Zhen looked into the distance, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, but there was no trace of worry.

Because half a month ago, they had received accurate information that the nearby troops had been transferred to other places. Therefore, this attack was completely unexpected.

"Pass my order, all ships proceed at full speed."

Li Zhen waved his hand and gave the order. The huge fleet quickly rushed to the port.

Facing the enemy's obstruction, Li Zhen was not afraid at all. The giant warships directly broke the chains of Hengjiang, and those small boats could not withstand their impact at all.

These warships were carefully designed by Yan Lide, a famous craftsman in the Tang Dynasty. Their power and durability are far beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

The Tang soldiers stood on the towering side of the ship, and the arrows in their hands flew down like raindrops, killing all the Baekje soldiers who intercepted them in front, and their blood dyed the river red.

They marched straight in and went upstream, their destination was Sabi Castle, the capital of Baekje.

At this time, inside the imperial palace of Chang'an City.

Xu Jingzong hurriedly ran towards the Liangyi Hall.

"Your Majesty, military intelligence has come in from the front."

"Quick, pass it up!"

Li Shimin also shouted anxiously that it would take at least a month to send military reports from the front line.

Li Shimin immediately opened the envelope. It was not a victory report, but a battle deployment.

"Well, Li Ji's approach is good. He made a feint to the east and attacked in the west. He rushed thousands of miles and destroyed the natural barrier of Goguryeo."

Li Shimin cheered loudly, as if he had already seen the tragic scene of Goguryeo being caught off guard.

Then he turned over another military report, and his face suddenly became extremely gloomy.

This is a military memorial written by Zhangsun Wuji. Between the lines, it reveals his dissatisfaction with Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince acted on his own will and placed his own people in the navy, undermining the power of veteran generals such as Changsun Wuji.

Moreover, the 500 warships were divided into three routes, one to transport food, one to attack Goguryeo, and one to go to Silla to prepare to attack Baekje.

"Nonsense!"

Li Shimin slammed the memorial on the table with one hand.

Is this because there are too many soldiers?

Moreover, he really didn't expect Li Chengqian to make such a big move and forget all his arrangements.

This made his original combat deployment a mess.

What he didn't expect was that Li Chengqian actually sidelined Changsun Wuji and took control of the naval power firmly in his own hands. What was he trying to do?

rebellion?

In addition, there were unfavorable remarks about Li Chengqian circulating in Chang'an City, which made Li Shimin feel shaken.

This kind of subtle perception is very dangerous.

"Your Majesty, the Minister of Justice Zhang Liang, the Vice Minister of Personnel Cui Yi, the Counselor Chu Suiliang and others are outside the palace asking for an audience."

At this time, the eunuch came over and bowed and said.

This military intelligence was not top secret. According to the procedure, it was made in two copies, one was sent to the Ministry of War, and the other was sent to Li Shimin.

"Summon!"

Li Shimin took a deep breath and realized that he couldn't keep his subjects out forever.

Zhang Liang, the Minister of Justice, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, during the investigation of the case, the Ministry of Justice discovered that many criminals were related to the Eastern Palace. According to the Dali Temple, this is an organization with tens of thousands of members spread all over the place."

"Do you have any evidence?" Li Shimin glanced at Zhang Liang with a cold gaze.

Last time, it was because he accused the Crown Prince of treason that caused him to break up with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Are you going to frame me again now?
"Yes, this is the record of the investigation and confession."

Zhang Liang calmly handed over a stack of thick papers.

Li Shimin read the testimony with doubt.

The bad guy!
All the prisoners are bad people.

It was indeed Li Shimin who handed over the management of The Bad Guys to Li Chengqian, but he still had absolute control over it, though he seldom interfered.

The distribution of the bad people is only in the Guanzhong area, but according to the testimonies, they are spread all over the country.

Dali Temple will not lie.

"Doesn't this explain it?" Li Shimin said, but he would definitely figure it all out afterwards.

Zhang Liang was not discouraged. He thought it was great that he could plant a thorn in Li Shimin's heart.

The first time he informed on Li Chengqian and Hou Junji's conspiracy to rebel, his plan was only half successful, and Li Chengqian was able to escape unscathed.

Old grudges had already been formed, and this time, due to Li Chengqian's advice, he missed the opportunity to make great achievements in the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo.

The prince had not yet ascended the throne, but he was suppressed like this, so he decisively joined the camp of the aristocratic families.

If Li Chengqian came to power, it would be very easy to kill him, a peasant.

"Your Majesty, we have received news from the Ministry of Personnel that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has appointed people based on personal connections in the army and has dismissed many generals. He is treating the army as his own. I am afraid that he is plotting something bad. I hope Your Majesty will make plans as soon as possible."

Cui Yi also spoke up and said that any official of the fifth rank and above had the right to give advice to Li Shimin, even if Cui Yi was not the head of the Ministry of Personnel.

"Your Majesty, all these indicate that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince does have ulterior motives."

Chu Suiliang said again.

Chu Suiliang and Zhangsun Wuji were in the same group, and the people who supported Li Zhi were just the two of them.

Changsun Wuji was sidelined in the army, so he wrote all his worries in a letter and gave it to Chu Suiliang, asking him to coordinate in the capital.

"The prince is leading troops outside, fighting for the country. How can you slander him like this? These are all your own words."

Li Shimin spoke angrily, but his defenses had already been breached.

The struggle between imperial power and scholar power is true.

But these people did not dare to speak out, otherwise they would give Li Shimin an opportunity.

What they said should be serious.

"Do you know that accusing someone of treason is also considered treason? Do you still remember what happened to Gao Zhensheng?"

Li Shimin said coldly again.

Chaos again.

Prince, what are you doing?
"Your Majesty, I ask Your Majesty to punish Zhang Liang, Cui Yi, and Chu Suiliang for slandering the Crown Prince for treason."

A sinister smile appeared on Xu Jingzong's lips, and he bowed his head.

"Zuo Pushe, please watch your words!" Cui Yi looked at Xu Jingzong and said.

"I don't need to be careful about what I say, but why do you want to deliberately slander His Royal Highness the Crown Prince? What is a crown prince? He is the heir to the throne. Does His Royal Highness the Crown Prince want to rebel?"

Xu Jingzong replied, and then looked at Li Shimin who was sitting on the first seat again.

"Your Majesty, it is this group of people who have evil intentions. Please punish them."

(End of this chapter)