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

Chapter 227 Li Jing is the only one who can quell the rebellion

"Investigate for me! You must investigate thoroughly! I must know the detailed list of all the clans!"

Li Zhi was furious, his face was livid, and his voice was like thunder exploding in the palace. His tightly clenched fist was trembling slightly because of too much force, showing that his inner anger had reached its peak at this moment.

After a long time, Li Zhi seemed to be unable to suppress his anger any longer, and suddenly stood up from the dragon throne. His movement was so large that he even knocked over the table beside him, and the memorials, writing brushes, inkstones, and inkstones on it fell to the ground.

At the same time, a strong murderous intent burst out from him, as if it had turned into reality and was terrifying.

At this moment, Li Zhi deeply felt the powerful constraints of the aristocratic families on the imperial power.

Relying on the wealth, connections and power accumulated over hundreds of years, these families can call the shots in the court and influence the country's political direction.

And in private, they can still decide the fate of the dynasty.

As the saying goes, a new official starts with three things.

To quell Zhang Liang's rebellion and to settle accounts with the government and the opposition.

This is a good opportunity.

Li Zhi had already decided to kill.

However, at this moment, Fang Xuanling, who was standing below, hurriedly stepped forward, cupped his hands and whispered:

"Your Highness, please calm down and listen to what I have to say. The chaos is just beginning and the situation has not yet completely stabilized. We must not start a war at this time, lest we force these great families to oppose us. Even if we want to deal with them, we must not be too ostentatious, and we must not openly attack the aristocratic families. We can only plan in secret."

Fang Xuanling has seen too many things like this.

These aristocratic families have always been good at judging the situation. Before the situation becomes clear, they often choose to bet on multiple parties to leave themselves ample room for fallback.

They will never bet all their chips on one side, but will plan carefully like a cunning rabbit with three burrows to ensure that no matter what the final result is, they will be invincible.

So, even though it has been discovered that they have some connection with Zhang Liang, we cannot conclude that they will definitely rebel.

Maybe they are just watching the situation and watching the fight between two tigers.

They naturally had no reason to refuse the olive branch Zhang Liang offered them. After all, one more way is always better than one less way.

But if Li Zhi rashly took action to suppress it or even killed the chicken to scare the monkey in order to establish his own prestige.

I am afraid that it will arouse their resistance and make the situation that was originally under control become out of control.

"Your Highness, in my opinion, this is most likely a plot carefully planned by Zhang Liang to sow discord. His sinister intention is to plunge the court into chaos and turmoil, to make Your Highness and the ministers suspicious of each other, and thus completely disintegrate us from within."

Chu Suiliang advised anxiously with a worried look on his face.

It has to be said that Zhang Liang's plan was extremely vicious and forced Li Zhi into such a dilemma.

If Li Zhi ignored those aristocratic families, he would probably face the huge risk of being secretly plotted against and stabbed in the back by them, which would make Li Zhi unable to sleep or eat.

He even had doubts about his ministers.

However, if an order was issued for a thorough investigation, it would most likely arouse strong resistance from these clans and families, which would backfire and have the opposite effect.

"Zhang Liang is so evil! I almost fell into his trap."

Li Zhi snorted coldly and walked down the steps given by the two men.

However, deep in his heart, he kept the words spoken by the two of them in his mind.

If you want to deal with those powerful clans and families, you must never take a head-on or openly violent approach.

You must plan carefully before you act.

Moreover, if he wanted to kill someone, he had to use someone else's knife to kill him.

Li Chengqian is the best example.

"May I ask, Duke, is this situation resolvable?"

Li Zhi looked at Fang Xuanling, the top strategist of the Tang Dynasty.

No one else can be trusted, so we can only place all our hopes on this great think tank of the Tang Dynasty.

"It's not difficult to break the situation. As long as this person is willing to take action, the rebellion can be quelled."

Fang Xuanling seemed to be confident.

"Oh, there is such a strange person in our Tang Dynasty. I wonder who the Duke is talking about?"

Li Zhi's gaze became a little more fiery.

"Duke Weiguo Li Jing."

Fang Xuanling spoke solemnly.

The only one who could turn the tide in such a situation was Li Jing, who was deeply loved by the soldiers.

These rebels were not real rebels, but rather soldiers of the Tang Dynasty who had been bewitched.

Zhang Liang thought that Li Chengqian was just trying to clear his name, so he went out to fight.

Establish a military temple and raise the status of soldiers.

Establish military pay and provide benefits to the entire army.

Soldiers across the country were all moved to tears of gratitude towards Li Chengqian.

However, Li Chengqian, who had been very kind to them, was deposed from the position of crown prince on charges of treason.

Zhang Liang came to this trip to show his gratitude and to restore Li Chengqian's reputation as his master.

Otherwise, the soldiers under his command would not obey him so easily and commit such a treasonous act.

"The Duke of Wei is highly respected and admired. With his prestige in the army, he only needs to raise his arm to stabilize the situation and prevent the rebels from attacking easily."

"But now that Duke Wei is ill at home, I wonder if this plan is feasible?"

Chu Suiliang had mixed feelings.

"That depends on what kind of medicine your Highness sends!"

Fang Xuanling had other ideas.

"I have heard that the Duke of Wei has been ill at home for a long time, but I don't know what his illness is. In fact, I should have asked the imperial physician to see him long ago."

When he needed this man, Li Zhi remembered that there was such a powerful man in the Tang Dynasty who could turn the tide.

"Duke Weiguo is suffering from a heart disease, and ordinary medicines are difficult to use."

Fang Xuanling said again, as also an old fox, he knew Li Jing's illness too well.

"Heart disease needs heart medicine to cure it, and Your Highness the Crown Prince, you are that heart medicine."

Similarly, Xu Jingzong, who was good at guessing people's minds, also guessed the reason.

The three of them were clear-headed, except Li Zhi, who was still confused.

"Lonely?"

Li Zhi was stunned and fell into deep thought.

What the three people said were definitely not real medicinal herbs.

But it refers to something else.

"The root of the Duke of Wei's illness is that his achievements are so great that he becomes ill from thinking about them."

Seeing that Li Zhi still hadn't grasped the point, Fang Xuanling gave him some guidance.

Will Li Jing get sick?
Of course not. Although he also spent his whole life in military service, his fighting style was different from Li Er's.

When Li Er was young, he liked to take the lead in charging. But what about Li Jing?

It is better for him to just be a commander. Military life is good for his health and not too much of a burden.

Can he still lead the tiger and ride on Hongfu girl now?

The real old but strong.

"So this is the root of the old general's illness. Now that we know where the symptom is, we can cure it."

Li Jing was defaming himself, fearing that his achievements would become too great and he would be killed by his superior.

Only in this way can you protect yourself.

"Prepare the carriage, I want to leave the palace!"

The situation was critical and Li Zhi couldn't wait too long.

He immediately ordered the eunuchs to leave the palace and invite Li Jing out to calm the situation.

As the new crown prince, he can no longer handle this situation.

... "Father, there is someone outside the palace who wants to see you. He says he is your former subordinate!"

The situation in the Duke of Wei's mansion was not peaceful either.

Although Li Jing wanted to stay away from trouble, trouble still found him again.

"Subordinates, where did these subordinates come from? They are like weasels paying New Year's greetings to chickens. They have no good intentions. Didn't I tell you to cut off all contact with the outside world?"

Li Jing opened his droopy eyes and spoke nonchalantly.

He is now living a happy and contented retirement life, enjoying all the blessings of a happy family.

"Father, the outside world is in chaos. Zhang Liang is leading an army of 100,000 to besiege Chang'an City. They may break into the city soon!"

Li Dejiang said worriedly.

"Is this something you should care about? Why are you worrying about it?"

Li Jing shook his head.

"Father, how can I not worry about this? This is the imperial city, the land of dragon veins. If it is lost, the world will be reversed."

Indeed, Li Dejiang also wanted to follow the example of other families and have his feet in several boats.

In fact, you don’t have to do anything, just give the other person face.

This is not considered treason.

Just leaving a way out for my family.

"What's the loss? There are many capable people in the court. Who is Zhang Liang? What kind of waves can he cause?"

He has seen all kinds of storms.

Having an enemy at the gate is just a common occurrence.

"You hold a low position, but you are already worried about the affairs of the country. You have become very capable. I, your father, don't have this ability."

Li Jing then went on to accuse him, saying that his Duke Weiguo Mansion was a big attraction.

If he were to hook up with Zhang Liang again now, wouldn't this give him an opportunity to be impeached?
If he were not a wise king, he could have easily taken advantage of this situation and confiscated the property and exterminated the clan.

I guess he's treading on thin ice now.

However, his son wanted to betray his father at this very moment and ruin his reputation in his later years.

"Father, Dejiang is only worried about the future of the family, and has not met with the rebels in private."

Li Dejian also excused his brother at this time, and his words were calm, as if he had inherited some of Li Jing's true skills.

His trip to Goguryeo benefited him a lot, and now he is fully capable of standing on his own.

"If it weren't for the fact that his starting point was for the sake of his family, do you think he would still be standing now?"

"It's not so easy to stand on the right side. Standing on the right side doesn't necessarily mean you can rise to the top, but once you stand on the wrong side, you will definitely be crushed to pieces."

"Even if you think you're sure to win!"

Li Jing looked at the Li Dejian brothers and spoke earnestly.

This is also his life experience.

The battles were never lost, and the teams were never won.

Before, I thought betting on Li Chengqian was a sure win, but I never thought something like this would happen.

"Your Excellency, the Crown Prince Li Zhi and his men have come to inquire about your condition and have arrived at the guest hall."

A black man walked over quickly and spoke slowly in broken language.

"Alas, the tree wants to be still but the wind does not stop. Could it be that there is no one in this huge court?"

Li Jing stood up and let out a long sigh.

But when I turned around, there was really no one there.

"Father, how do you answer?"

Li Dejian asked for instructions and said that he was not sure what to do. It seemed that only his father could solve the current situation.

"It's up to you to answer. How can you ask me a patient who is terminally ill?"

Li Jing's meaning couldn't be more obvious.

"Please forgive my recklessness. Father, do you really not want to get involved in this matter? If so, is the capital really in danger of being destroyed?"

There was a look of unwillingness in Li Dejian's eyes. He didn't want to see such a beautiful country torn apart like this.

"Whether the capital is destroyed or not, I don't know. But if I can save the country from collapse when it is in danger, how will I be rewarded for this great achievement? The world only knows my name, Li Jing, but doesn't know the achievements of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Isn't this a disaster?"

"Although the capital has been saved, who will protect my Li family? A favor is as great as an vengeance. Not only can I not achieve this feat, but neither can you."

Before Li Shimin went on a military expedition, he specially came to visit Li Jing. Their conversation that night was shocking.

Whenever Li Jing thought of it, he felt a chill down his spine.

Li Shimin seemed extremely wise, but he was still extremely wary of Li Jing.

This secret attack has happened more than once or twice.

"I will follow my father's instructions."

Li Dejian and Li Dejiang responded in unison.

They are not stupid people. As heirs of the Duke's Mansion, their strategies and martial arts are beyond the reach of ordinary people.

"Wait a minute!"

The moment the two turned around, Li Jing's thoughts also changed.

"Dejiang, you go and invite the envoy sent by Zhang Liang first, and Dejian, you go and invite His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in later. Make sure they don't collide on the way."

It's just self-pollution.

In this way, Li Zhi will no longer trust him, so there is no need to speak anymore.

The two Li Dejian brothers looked at each other, and then they could see each other's worry.

This is playing with fire.

It would be easier if Li Shimin were still alive.

However, they did not know the new crown prince Li Zhi well, and it would be a great loss if they attacked them for this.

Different positions lead to completely different actions.

Li Jing just wanted to protect himself and didn't want to get involved in too many national affairs.

After all, he had participated enough before.

"Are you still not going down? Do you want His Royal Highness to wait for a long time?"

Li Jing didn't really have such worries.

Even if Li Zhi was impulsive, those assistant ministers were not fools and would not let Li come.

"promise!"

The two brothers retreated with heavy hearts.

"Your Majesty, is this also your plan? Did you think of this day when you asked me to stay in the capital?"

Li Jing looked northwest and fell into deep thought.

Before Li Shimin set out, he visited Duke Li Jing's residence, intending to invite Li Jing to join him in the northern expedition.

In fact, with General Tian Ce taking action, there is no battle that cannot be won.

What Li Shimin was afraid of was not his enemies, but his concern for his minister Li Jing.

After all, apart from Li Shimin, no one could suppress him.

But in the end, Li Jing just perfunctorily let it go by saying he was seriously ill and could not participate in court affairs.

At the same time, he also expressed to Li Shimin that he would no longer participate in the affairs of the court.

After hearing Li Jing's reply, Li Shimin did not respond, but turned and left, leaving Li Jing in suspense.

It is also a heavenly sword hanging high above your head.

It could fall at any time.

(End of this chapter)