Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 219: Supervising a country, supervising a country, supervising a bird country

Li Ming returned to the Lizheng Hall.

"Your Highness~Your Majesty..."

When the palace maids saw the long-lost Prince Li Ming from afar, they happily surrounded him.

However, when they saw his cold eyes and the murderous imperial guards and eunuchs behind him, they fell silent like little sparrows and hid aside cowardly.

Li Ming ignored them and walked straight into the hall.

no……

No.

No!

"Where is the King of Jin?"

Li Ming questioned the steward of Lizheng Hall.

"Reply...Reply to His Highness. His Highness Prince Jin...Prince Jin is not here..."

The old palace maid had never seen such a terrifying Prince Li Ming, and she stammered and uttered some correct nonsense.

Li Ming frowned.

The palace maid pressed herself against the wall like a shivering kitten.

"Your Highness, please don't embarrass the servants. They know nothing."

A childish voice that pretends to be calm.

It’s Li Mingda.

Li Ming slowly turned his head and tried to make the corners of his mouth as straight as possible.

"Sister Sizi, do you know where Brother Zhi has gone? I need to talk to him about something."

Li Mingda subconsciously took a half step back and said with all his might:

"He said he was going to visit the people and has been out of the palace for several days."

"Oh? Brother Zhinu is too polite. He ran away from home without telling me?"

The corners of Li Ming's mouth widened.

Li Mingda swallowed his saliva:
"He wrote to his father and asked."

"Has your Majesty replied with permission?"

"Not yet. If Brother Li Zhi did something wrong, Father will reprimand him when he returns."

Li Mingda took a deep breath and added:
"Your Highness, the Regent, does not need to worry about it."

Li Ming frowned.

Well, after all, you two are siblings who grew up together and have the same mother.

It's me, a bastard from outside, who doesn't know what's tactful.

He turned and left.

"Xiao...Xiao Ming!"

Li Mingda plucked up the courage to call him.

Li Ming turned around silently.

Only then did I realize that Ah Sizi's eyes were red, obviously he had just cried.

"Don't kill your brother, okay?" she said in a trembling voice.

Li Ming looked at her quietly for a long time and said:

"I'll tell you when I'm alive."

…………

On that day, all the government offices in Chang'an were mobilized.

The whole city was searching for Prince of Jin Li Zhi.

His Highness the Regent had a very good reason for doing this - his dear brother Shan Ji had suddenly disappeared, wouldn't he be extremely worried? Isn't this a big deal? He had to mobilize all his forces!
Search, search hard!

At the same time, His Royal Highness the Regent, who missed the brotherhood, also sent a letter to Prince of Wei Li Tai, who was in the "Registrar's Residence" in Luoyang, the eastern capital.

He said that he was unsure about some state affairs and asked his fifth brother to come to Beijing to help him correct them.

"Your Highness, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei replied that according to the Zhenguan Law, the princes are not allowed to enter the capital without the permission of Your Majesty.

"He also said that if His Majesty the Regent really had something important to discuss, he would not dare to disobey him. He has already written a letter to His Majesty. As long as His Majesty agrees, he will definitely return to Chang'an overnight."

Zhongshu Ling Yang Shidao reported back.

Li Ming almost laughed out of anger:
"What a law-abiding King of Wei! His Majesty the Emperor is far away in Dingxiang City, but he is still planning at the front line.

"By the time you wait for your Majesty to reply, the flowers will be cold!"

Yang Shidao didn't dare to say much.

At this time, the Minister Cui Renshi also came to report:

"Your Majesty, the whereabouts of Jin Wang Li Zhi have not been found yet."

Li Ming tapped his fingers:

"He left Chang'an?"

“Neither have I.” Cui Renshi said:
"After checking the gatekeepers in the capital, there is no record of the King of Jin leaving Chang'an. But according to the gatekeepers in the palace, the King of Jin left the palace a few days ago and has not returned since."

In other words, the little guy Li Zhi has been hiding in the city.

As a prince, it is impossible for you to sleep under a bridge, right?

There are actually only a few places where he can hide.

How could this not be found?
"You Wuhou Guard Office, have you searched it?"

Cui Renshi paused, his face somewhat embarrassed, and said timidly in a low voice:
"That... the guards may not be able to enter the Sixteen Guards' base..."

"Have you searched Changsun Wuji's mansion, Gao Shilian's residence, and the Changsun family's ancestral temple?" Li Ming asked, his tone becoming increasingly serious.

Cui Renshi and Yang Shidao lowered their heads after being scolded.

Alas... Looking at the two elders who are both benevolent and virtuous, Li Ming couldn't be too harsh on them.

"Forget it, forget it. I won't embarrass you."

Both of them looked ashamed.

Li Ming pointed at the table and changed the subject:

"There has been no news from Yingzhou and Pingzhou for a while. Would it be convenient for you two to go over there for me to take a look?"

"what?"

Faced with the questions suddenly raised by His Royal Highness the Regent, Lao Cui and Lao Yang were a little confused.

Both of them were people of prominent family backgrounds, with decent abilities and cultural accomplishments, but they were cowardly in character.

Dayong was embarrassed, but Xiaoyong was okay. In addition, he was Li Ming's family member by blood, so he was quite trusted.

Kicking them to Pingzhou and Yingzhou in Liaodong was considered exile in the past.

But now, who doesn’t know that the two states of Liaodong are the apple of His Highness the Regent’s eye?
The two were unsure for a moment whether this was a promotion or a demotion, and whether they had done something right or wrong.

Li Ming looked at the two confused people and said in a low voice:
"Chang'an has been in turmoil lately. You should go to Liaodong first."

what? !

Lao Cui and Lao Yang wondered if they had missed reading dozens of chapters.

Isn’t Xiao Li leading the country well?
Isn’t the capital and the world peaceful?
Isn’t it wonderful when the country is safe and the people are happy?
Why is there suddenly unrest?
"Your Highness! If there is any emergency, we are willing to help you! How can we leave without your permission when you are in danger?"

Yang Shidao said hurriedly.

Cui Renshi nodded: "Me too."

Although they didn't know what happened, they decided to stand by the young master.

The loyalty of the Fourteen Traitors is still quite good.

"No need, you guys go first, maybe I'll come later."

Li Ming said that now is not the time to be humble.

Looking at His Highness's serious expression, the two immediately realized the seriousness of the problem.

Combined with the task that Li Ming secretly entrusted them to find someone...

"Does Your Highness suspect that the King of Wei and the King of Jin are plotting a rebellion?" Yang Shidao was shocked.

Cui Renshi slapped his head:
"Why should we hide from them when we can just send the guards to arrest them?"

Li Ming glanced at Li Ling's elder sister's father-in-law:
"Have they been captured?"

Cui Renshi was choked.

This is where the trouble lies now.

The faction of the eldest son and the faction of the eldest grandson have been deeply rooted in the capital for a long time, and the power that is willing to protect them to the death is very strong.

In addition, the aristocratic families, landlords and other forces that had fundamental conflicts with Li Ming also had the need to protect Li Tai and Li Zhi and fight against Li Ming.

Therefore, if Li Ming wanted to touch his two brothers, he would face tremendous resistance.

Besides, let’s not even talk about Li Zhi, there was not enough evidence to prove that Li Tai was plotting a rebellion.

Be it the Jiucheng Palace case or the assassination case, not only was there a lack of strong evidence, but most of it was entirely based on Li Ming's imagination.

Even the few clues he had were obtained by Li Ming when he eavesdropped on his father's spy on his son Li Junxian.

When it comes to treason, Li Ming is more like a rebel.

To take a step back, even if his "tainted evidence" was accepted, the finger of blame would still be pointed at the white glove Li You.

By the time Prince of Qi Li You was brought to the capital for questioning and the real mastermind Li Tai was identified, Li Shimin might have already become a bystander.

At that time, Li Tai's army had already arrived at the city of Chang'an.

"This matter is rather complicated and beyond the ability of the two of you."

Li Ming said.

"Gather your family members in Beijing, as well as your cronies, followers, teachers, and students, and go to Liaodong to avoid the limelight first."

Yang Shidao and Cui Renshi left anxiously.

Li Ming looked at their backs and crossed out their names in the small notebook.

"Already arranged for nearly half of the people to evacuate to Liaodong for refuge, and the remaining half...

“They are all my best friends and must be protected.

"While there is still time, Li Shimin hasn't met with any accident yet, and the starting gun for the civil war hasn't been fired yet..."

Li Ming muttered softly.

In the first game, Li Tai won by being careful and unintentional.

Although Li Ming was called the regent, he was actually trapped in a huge military encirclement.

If Li Shimin was not in trouble, he could not mobilize the army; if Li Shimin was in trouble, Li Tai's army would be able to reach Chang'an faster than his army to support the king.

This time lag is fatal.

In addition, most of the defenders of Chang'an were under the command of Li Tai or Li Zhi, and were hostile or neutral forces.

In terms of military strength in the short term, Li Ming has almost no ability to resist!
General!

"I didn't expect it to be the same script as Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty, except I'm Emperor Jianwen Zhu Yunwen..."

Li Ming's scalp felt numb.

Of course, he was not a little kid like Zhu Yunwen who didn't understand the situation.

He will definitely not surrender.

The solution is simple - jump out of the chessboard set by Li Er and return to Liaodong.

As long as the green mountains remain, there will be no shortage of firewood. As long as we keep our people, we can still turn the situation around by returning to the vast land of the Northeast.

He was extremely grateful that he had set up a base for himself in the Northeast.

This way, you can have a basis for advancing and retreating, and avoid being caught in a trap.

This time, he not only wants to turn the tables.

By the way, he also had to dig out all the institutional soil in the entire Tang Dynasty that did not listen to him (crossed out) and was not in line with the development of productivity!

…………“Reject.”

Liu Li, the Yellow Gate Minister of the Menxia Province, once again rejected Li Ming's proposal.

"why?"

Li Ming was very dissatisfied with this servant who always contradicted him.

Liu Li, originally one of the two-headed dogs under the throne of King Wei, and together with Cen Wenben, spread rumors and slandered himself.

Now this guy has brazenly jumped off the King of Wei's boat and joined the King of Jin as a minion.

"Ah? Because..." Liu Li felt embarrassed by the Regent's question.

There are too many slots but no mouth.

I don't know what's wrong with His Royal Highness the Regent. He suddenly reported that Prince of Wei Li Tai was plotting a rebellion, but he couldn't produce any evidence.

This made him, a small subject of the three families of Li Shimin, Li Tai, and Li Zhi... ahem, three families, what could he say?
"Because treason is a serious matter, especially when a prince is suspected of treason, it is no joke. How can he be convicted so easily?"

Liu Li tried to fight back with some general principles.

Li Ming persisted:

"Li Qianyou has confessed that the mastermind behind using copper and iron to support the enemy is Li Tai. How can this be a joke?

"At least bring him to the capital for questioning. That's not too much!"

Then he was questioned and became a psychopath, just like Li Qianyou, right? Liu Li complained in his heart, but still refused with an iron face:

"Li Qianyou is insane and his confession is not credible.

"Today I asked him if he knew His Highness Li Ming, and he said that the golden sun in the sky fell on the Taiji Palace and blinded him. His previous words are no longer consistent with the current ones."

"Tsk...Okay, let's go."

Li Ming waved Liu Li away impatiently.

Fang Xuanling stood aside, saying nothing.

"These insects have made no secret of their opposition to me at every turn!"

Li Ming turned around and complained to his right-hand men:

"They are just covering for the King of Wei. When something goes wrong with my father, they will march down to the city and replay the Xuanwu Gate incident for me!"

Although he said he wanted to moisten it, Li Ming did try to resist head-on.

If he really wanted to temporarily give up the power of the Tang Dynasty and return to Liaodong to fight guerrilla warfare, it would take a lot of determination.

Li Ming's resistance strategy was also very clear - to accuse Li Tai of treason.

It would be better to put one on Li Zhi as well.

It is not necessary to prove the crime, as long as there is suspicion.

In this way, they could legitimately send the yamen runners to bring him back to Chang'an for "questioning."

If Li Tai follows obediently, the problem will be solved.

If Li Tai resisted stubbornly, it wouldn't be a big problem.

As long as Li Shimin was still in contact and Li Tai was accused of "suspected rebellion", the other seven rebel kings would never dare to launch an uprising rashly.

Even Li Tai's own Zuo Wuhou Guard would never act rashly.

In contrast, Li Ming could legitimately stand on the moral high ground, and in the name of regulating the country and suppressing the rebellion, he mobilized the Tang army left behind in the south to destroy Li Tai's old nest in Luoyang in one fell swoop.

This is completely in line with the Basic Law of the Tang Dynasty, and the soldiers will definitely obey orders.

In this way, we can turn the tables on Tiangang and reverse the disadvantage of "the enemy is stronger than us" in one fell swoop.

Unfortunately, facing Li Ming’s bold ideas, the Tang Dynasty had a complete set of national laws.

The good days of the "Witchcraft and Poisoning Disaster" have passed, and the new era of "literary inquisition" has not yet arrived. The Tang Dynasty is in the middle of this, and you can't just tell anyone to rebel.

Even His Majesty Li Shimin could not lock anyone up for the "groundless" crime of treason - otherwise Li Ming and Hou Junji would have died countless times - let alone Li Ming, the "little" regent.

The result was that his just report was easily strangled in its infancy by the minions of the traitors and the representatives of the interests of the landlord class.

"Well... I think Liu Li did nothing wrong in his rebuttal."

Faced with a young leader whose thoughts were somewhat slippery, Fang Xuanling didn't know how to persuade him.

"On the one hand, the evidence is indeed insufficient. It is a bit far-fetched to summon a prince based on the one-sided statement of a madman.

"on the other hand."

Fang Xuanling subconsciously wanted to drink tea, but the teacup was taken away by Li Ming.

Faced with the young leader's bad temper, Lao Fang was helpless.

For some reason, he felt a year younger.

Because his dearest little prince had returned to the beautiful mental state of last year, and felt all day long that someone was trying to harm him.

The life-saving tea was confiscated, and Fang Xuanling had no choice but to clear his throat and continue:
“On the other hand, your Majesty hates sibling discord the most, as you know.

"Before leaving, in order to prevent possible conflicts among the brothers, Your Majesty had repeatedly warned the ministers not to get involved.

"You only need to compete with His Majesty the Prince of Wei in wits and courage, but Liu Li has a lot to consider in order to avoid being hated by His Majesty."

How come my trendy catchphrase was learned by an old man like you...Li Ming finally saw the day when his core technology was learned by the other party.

"Alas... Even you don't support me, and no one in the court will stand on my side..."

Li Ming looked very solemn.

This also meant that he could no longer peacefully resolve the two major concerns, Li Tai and Li Zhi, through "civil" means.

As for the one who played "martial arts", he had neither an army nor a general, and was no match for those two men.

Regent, regent, what country?

I can't do this, and I'm constrained by that.

He focused all his attention on governing the country and was busy working for the national economy and people's livelihood, but he was stabbed in the back by his brother.

You can’t defend yourself, you have to endure it!

This country is better off not being supervised!
"It can only be moistened."

"Only what?" Fang Xuanling didn't understand.

"Father." Li Ming said solemnly:
"Take your family and go to Liaodong for shelter first."

Fang Xuanling was startled:
"so serious?"

His series of speculations about Li Ming include but are not limited to——

The clues to several suspicious cases since last year, as well as the conspiracy of Li Tai and the seven minor princes, and the possibility of using an insider to "get rid of" the emperor and the prince -

Not unfamiliar.

Li Ming has shared this with him many times.

But no matter how many times he heard it, Prime Minister Fang still felt that the chain of evidence was a bit far-fetched, and that His Highness was somewhat suffering from delusions of persecution.

“It’s that serious.”

Li Ming said very solemnly and seriously.

There is a fundamental difference in the way the two think.

Fang Xuanling was a counsellor, and if one plan failed he could come up with another.

Li Ming is the decision maker and the ultimate person responsible for all decisions, and he has to bear all the consequences.

The consequence may very likely be one's own life.

One wrong move can lead to a complete failure, destroying all the advantages accumulated in the early stages.

"Liaodong is a place full of stars. After Yang Neishi and Cui Gelao, I, the old minister, will also patrol the two northeastern borders, those two low-ranking states with sparse populations?"

Fang Xuanling's answer could not be said to be without irony.

Li Ming understood the old subordinate's complaints and advised him kindly:

"That's not true, father. Goguryeo has essentially fallen into my hands. It will take a lot of effort to take over the local civil administration.

"There is a lack of talent in Liaodong. I am worried without the Prime Minister, my father, to take charge."

Seeing Li Ming pretending to be ignorant, Fang Xuanling could not get angry. He could only sigh and say clearly:

“What I mean is that you are only a stone’s throw away from the Nine Cauldrons.

"But you are willing to give up the whole world because of some unfounded speculation.

"Is it really worth it?"

The emperor asked you to be regent, but not only did you run away, you also took important officials of the court with you.

When His Majesty the Emperor comes back, will he let you, a child who is more easily stressed than a kitten, inherit the throne?

impossible.

It is a bit neurotic to hedge against the risk of "Li Tai" which has not yet shown any signs of emerging by using the position of crown prince and the whole world as the cost.

It is good to be alert to risks, but not to overdo it.

Once you become too sensitive, it will become ridiculous, regrettable and sad.

Li Ming pursed his lips and asked back:

"If my speculations about Li Tai and Li Zhi are correct, then other than fleeing to Liaodong, does Fang Xiangfu have any other solutions with a better price?"

Fang Xuanling shook his head frankly:
"I'm afraid not."

He had been pondering this problem in his mind for several days and nights.

The conclusion is that Xiao Li’s vision is indeed long-term. If he had not established his own territory in the northeast corner, he would have been trapped in a deadly situation.

The premise is that if all the suspicions about Li Tai come true.

“I only have one life, and I can’t afford to take the risk.

"History is full of coincidences. If Li Yuanji had not missed the target during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, what would history have been like?"

Li Ming looked into Fang Xuanling's eyes frankly.

"Well, then what?"

Fang Xuanling didn't buy it at all.

He knew that "fear of death" was not the reason why Li Ming did this.

Or at least, not all of the reasons.

He could clearly feel that Li Ming himself was also secretly trying to "escape to the northeast."

"I really can't escape the sharp eyes of Fang Xiang." Li Ming said with a smile:
"If I say that I don't want to be regent, would you believe me?"

If it were in the past, Fang Xuanling would have given this kid a slap on the head, telling him to stop being so pretentious and be careful of getting struck by lightning.

But now, Lao Fang realized that this guy was serious.

"I don't really want to go so far, and I don't want to be so extreme."

Li Ming said slowly:

"However, this experience as a regent has forced me to re-examine common sense."

Fang Xuanling: "What common sense?"

Li Ming: "Dust won't go away on its own unless you sweep it with a broom."

Fang Xuanling frowned.

He didn't understand it completely, but he could vaguely guess its meaning.

"There is always opportunity in crisis, and Li Tai's conspiracy just provided me with an opportunity.

"An opportunity to completely change the power structure of the Tang Dynasty."

Fang Xuanling shuddered involuntarily.

He suddenly felt that His Highness Li Ming was particularly terrifying today.