Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 222 Xuanwu Gate means the back door
"There are rumors everywhere that the emperor's whereabouts are unknown at the front? There are even rumors in Qizhou that the emperor is dead?

"The princes are all ready to make a move and flirting with the Governor's Office? The Prince of Qi has even begun to secretly organize his troops and prepare for a rebellion?"

Taiji Palace, Liangyi Hall study.

Li Ming sat upright, reading the intelligence Lai Junchen received from various places, tapping the table with his fingers.

Only the rise and fall of his chest showed that his mind was far from as calm as he seemed.

Although it was expected before.

But when the rumor that Li Shimin had encountered an accident on the front line really came to his desk.

Li Ming still felt extremely sad and his mind was a mess.

He was his biological father - even though before last year, Lao Li had not fulfilled many of his fatherly responsibilities to his youngest son...

Huh... Huh... Li Ming took several deep breaths and forced himself to calm down.

"It's not that simple. This rumor came out of nowhere..."

Logically speaking, if His Majesty had an accident, the front line would definitely send a message to His Royal Highness the Regent, that is, Li Ming, as soon as possible.

As the person primarily responsible, Li Shiji would definitely not be stupid enough to play tricks on this matter.

To take a step back, even if Li Shiji was really so stupid, Hou Junji, Li Daozon, and Hou Junji who were also on the front line would not remain silent, right?

However, no, the three loyal members of the treacherous party did not inform the party leader of the news.

It couldn't be that the 80,000 main forces of the Tang army were wiped out in one move by the Trisolarans, and they couldn't even send a letter, right?

"Father, what do you think?"

Li Ming asked subconsciously.

Fang Xuanling's seat was empty. In the huge study, Li Ming could only hear his own voice, and no one answered.

"Ah, look at me, I have completely forgotten about Fang Xuanling's trip to Liaodong."

Li Ming smiled bitterly and patted his head, feeling inexplicably sad and lonely.

Rumors about Li Shimin's whereabouts spread rapidly across the country, with Luoyang where Li Tai was located as the center and the prefectures and counties where the seven concubines' sons were in charge as nodes.

It is obvious that he, the regent, did not receive any secret information!
How do those eliminated rotten fish and shrimp know this?

Obviously a rumor.

Rumors made up by Li Tai.

"And the rumors, without exception, all point to me..."

Li Ming turned his attention back to Lai Junchen's intelligence.

The rumors from the eight royal palaces were highly consistent, all claiming that Li Ming was the mastermind behind this "unlucky incident for His Majesty."

Because if His Majesty and the Crown Prince were killed, there would be no doubt that Li Ming, as the Regent, would benefit the most.

He went straight to the point in one step, skipping the stage of becoming the crown prince and ascending the throne to become emperor.

Moreover, not only the motive, but also the method of committing the crime, these rumors were spread with details and evidence.

“It was the Turks who stabbed the Tang army in the back, which led to your majesty’s misfortune. Li Daozong, who was suspected of colluding with the Turks, and Qibi Heli, who was suspected of colluding with the Tiele people, were both my confidants.

"Moreover, when they were suspected of collaborating with the enemy, I defended them in court, which also became evidence of my murder of my own father..."

Li Ming recalled every detail of the court.

It's really weird. He has both motive and method. Even Li Ming feels more and more suspicious the more he looks at himself.

Putting aside the fact that he is not a human being, if he simply wanted to get rid of his father and ascend to the throne, this method was really perfect and could greatly save him the time he would have to wait in the position of crown prince.

"In other words, Li Tai's followers have been setting a trap for me since then..."

Li Ming had a headache.

His Chang'an Newspaper only covered Chang'an and the Northeast.

The public opinion field in other vast areas is not under his control.

In other words, Li Tai could create an information cocoon in other states and counties, throw all the dirty water on Li Ming, and then surround the city with the countryside, so that this wave of public opinion that is extremely unfavorable to him can flow back to Chang'an.

In this way, Li Tai had a legitimate reason to fight and could order the kings to swear an oath to fight the rebellion!

“Although the capital is depleted of military forces, the city is still here, and the imperial guards and garrisons are still here.

“Without the assistance of the other seven princes, Li Tai’s army would not have been able to break into the fortified city.

"In order to get the other seven princes to follow him in rebellion, Li Tai would not hesitate to spread rumors about our father?"

After all, we are all brothers, not superiors and subordinates.

No matter how good the relationship between Li Tai and his seven other illegitimate brothers was.

There is nothing wrong with drinking and bragging at ordinary times, but if they are asked to rebel against the regent, they definitely don't have the courage to do so.

After all, the emperor is still there to pressure them, so who among those seven rotten fish and shrimps would dare to jump like that?
However, the princes did not have the courage to rebel, but they did have the courage to gain political capital in the name of "suppressing rebellion", and their courage was great!

And Li Tai gave those bad guys the opportunity to play the role of loyal ministers and filial sons.

"If the seven princes were fooled by Li Tai and thought I did it..."

Li Ming subconsciously turned his gaze to the Tang Dynasty Feng Shui map hanging on the wall.

The military governorates remotely controlled by the eight kings were all located in strategic locations.

The Qinzhou Military Governor's Office, which is closest to Chang'an, is controlled by Concubine Wei's son Li Shen, and it would only take a step on the accelerator to attack the city.

The troops that Li Ming could mobilize were either in Liaodong or in the south, very far away from Chang'an.

Add to that the long-standing problem of tight water transport across the country.

By the time these troops from all over the country were transferred to the capital, they would just have time to attend their own seventh day memorial.

But rumors are just rumors after all.

Before credible battle reports were sent from the front, it would be impossible to easily mobilize the armies of several major military governorates based solely on Li Tai's rumors.

And this seems to be confirmed by the intelligence of the spies.

Under the high-intensity surveillance of the Suppression of Counterrevolutionaries Committee, the various military governorates remained unmoved, and there was no sign of calling up soldiers from the Zhechoufu.

There was no movement in Luoyang either.

The world is temporarily calm.

“However, Li Tai has already prepared public opinion in advance, so we should not take it lightly.

“Who knows what this guy is secretly planning? Even spies can’t be planted in his mansion.

"Li You's movements are also worthy of vigilance... Damn it, if it weren't for the group of insects in the court led by Zhangsun Wuji, I could have used the suspicious actions of the Qizhou Governor's Office as an excuse to mobilize soldiers from the south to Guanzhong..."

Li Ming pondered and couldn't help but admire himself for being prepared.

The battle report has not arrived yet and rumors are spreading. Now is the darkest moment when the storm is about to come.

Fortunately, I made preparations in advance and sent the old men who had difficulty traveling out of the capital early.

Compared with Li Tai, Li Ming is not without information advantages.

That is, he guessed the other party's plan in advance and made corresponding arrangements.

In the seventh century AD, talent was the key.

Fang Xuanling, Yang Shidao, Cui Renshi and other old ministers who could not bear the fatigue of the journey had already set off.

Some other peripheral members of the Fourteen Parties did not have to worry about being liquidated and could lurk in Chang'an and pretend to be in good terms with Li Tai.

Use the same method that the legitimate son’s party used to disgust Li Ming, and disgust him back.

As for the n generations of officials of Chang'an Newspaper, those who should leave leave, and those who should stay stay, and all arrangements have been made properly.

Di Renjie and Lai Junchen insisted on staying in Chang'an to do work "behind enemy lines".

For some reason, ever since he had a great time defeating Li Qianyou, Lai Junchen has been in high spirits every day, as if he had been given an injection of chicken blood.

This also mobilized the work enthusiasm of Di Renjie and the entire Suppression of Counterrevolutionaries Committee.

In addition, he also took the time to make a leisurely move...

"Your Highness, the Turkic merchant Zhishi Buzhen wants to see you."

The eunuch reported calmly.

He could never understand why the Regent, who was so busy with state affairs, valued a Hu merchant so much.

But he didn't dare to ask, so he just conveyed the message.

"Invite him in."

Li Ming organized his thoughts and gave instructions calmly.

After a while, Zhi Shi Bu Zhen entered the hall. Compared with before, this old friend had changed drastically.

He was wearing a well-fitting round-necked Tang Dynasty robe, with a round face and a rosy complexion. He looked nothing like the pitiful, dispirited and skinny look he had shown after repeated bankruptcies.

"The common people pay homage to His Highness!"

As soon as Zhi Shi Bu Zhen entered the room, he knelt on the ground and kowtowed to his savior with great respect.

To this day, he still feels as if he is living in a fairy tale in the Western Regions, and everything seems so unreal.

The small profiteer who was in partnership with him to resell the palace's supplies turned out to be the ruler of the Tang Empire. One day, he suddenly stopped pretending and showed his cards, dropping gold, silver and treasures on his head...

The male protagonist in a cool novel is just like this.

"You and I are old friends, there's no need to be so reserved."

Li Ming kindly asked him to stand up and asked gently:

"Have you finished what I asked you to do?"

"Return to Your Highness, it's done!"

Zhi Shibu had been in Han territory for a long time, and he knew that His Highness's words of "no need to be so reserved" were just a polite gesture. He did not dare to relax at all, and imitated the Tang people's etiquette, answering respectfully:
"The Chamber of Commerce has been established. Merchants of all sizes from East and West Markets, from all walks of life, from peddlers to wholesalers to retailers, have joined enthusiastically. The number of members has exceeded 1,000 and is still increasing."

Li Ming listened to Zhi Shibuzhen's report with a smile and nodded with satisfaction:
"Very good."

The previous copper and iron crisis made Li Ming realize that he still lacked an organization dedicated to collecting economic intelligence for him in the vast heartland of the Tang Dynasty.

In the fraud case that stemmed from the copper and iron crisis, the ability displayed by Zhi Shi Bu Zhen amazed Li Ming -

Not only was he well-informed, but he also had great interpersonal relationships and strong organizational skills. It was actually he who organized the first wave of victims who rushed to the court.

This businessman knows everything except business!

This is exactly the talent that Dongchang needs!

Therefore, Li Ming handed the important task of establishing this commercial espionage intelligence organization to Zhi Shi Buzhen.

They gave him money, resources, and even introduced to him businessmen who had advertised in the Chang'an Express.

And Brother Zhishi did not disappoint his expectations.

Because His Highness Li Ming pulled him back from the brink of starvation and lavished fine clothes and delicious food on him.

To him, His Highness is closer to him than his parents, so he risked his life to complete the task assigned by His Highness.

"It won't be long before I leave Chang'an and go to Liaodong to stay for a while."

Li Ming said to Zhi Shi Buzhen calmly.

Because the tone was too calm, Zhi Shi Buzhen didn't hear the swordplay hidden in it at all. He just thought it was the ruling lord touring the country, and hurriedly expressed his loyalty to His Highness:
"I will never forget your instructions and will report to you anytime on the business trends in Chang'an and across the country!"

"Very good."

Li Ming nodded with satisfaction.

He risked staying in the capital just to complete the following backup arrangements.

After learning about Li Tai's conspiracy, Li Ming knew that staying in the capital for one more day would bring more risks.

What's more, after his old friends left, he himself didn't want to get entangled with the beasts in human clothing in the court anymore.

Can't wait to return to Liaodong and experience the silky rule.

The reason why he stayed in Chang'an against his will and did not run away was to plant the seeds of trouble like Zhi Shi Bu Zhen.

After all, he didn't really run away to Liaodong, live his own life behind closed doors and ignore the affairs of the world.

He was ready to fight back at any time and take back the Central Plains.

…………

"Mother, why do you keep it?"

As usual, Li Ming had dinner today in Lide Hall.

"Silly child." Yang - now Empress Yang - smiled gently:

"I am the Queen of the Tang Dynasty. If I don't stay in the palace, where else should I go?"

"Hunting in the north." Li Ming said without thinking.

After realizing that Chang'an was unsafe, the first thing Li Ming thought of was to bring his mother back to Liaodong.

But to his surprise, Yang always refused.

She insisted on standing by Li Ming's side and stayed in the palace until the last moment.

"Li Tai and his brothers have already taken action, and the situation is becoming more urgent day by day." Li Ming said seriously:
"I'm not kidding."

Yang answered with equal seriousness:
"I'm not kidding either. You can send your other aunts over first, and I'll go with you."

"Why?" Li Ming asked puzzledly.

Seeing her son's anxious expression, Yang replied quietly:

"I am the master of the harem. You cannot be without support in the harem."

Li Ming was even more puzzled: "What can there be in the harem?"

"There is information that your spies cannot find."

Yang said:
"For example, do you know what rumors are circulating in the harem?"

Li Ming raised his eyebrows.

"They say that you colluded with the Tiele people and the Turks, causing Ashina Simo's Turkic allies to betray your majesty on the front line, causing your majesty to be separated from the main force of the Tang army and his whereabouts unknown."

Li Ming was shocked:
"Has this rumor spread to the harem?!"

Yang looked at her son and said:
"The concubines in the harem had correspondence with their sons who were serving as vassal kings in various places.

“Led by Concubine Wei and Concubine Yin De, they have never had a good impression of you.

"If I wasn't there to suppress them, and they spread this rumor outside the palace, even though they are the noble concubines in the harem, they would be able to form a force to oppose you."

Yang looked directly at Li Mingdao:
"Whether in the court, in the army, or in this Taiji Palace."

…………

Xuanwu Gate is the north gate and back gate of Taiji Palace.

It is separated from the harem area by only a royal garden and a sea pond.

Among the four symbols of east, south, west and north, Xuanwu represents the north, so in the imperial palaces during the Sui and Tang dynasties, the north gate was usually called "Xuanwu Gate".

It is only because a well-known event happened at Xuanwu Gate sixteen years ago that the name "Xuanwu Gate" has taken on a different meaning.

That night, near Xuanwu Gate.

A woman dressed in ordinary palace maid's clothes but wearing a conical hat and a veil, coughed lightly.

A general walked up to the disguised woman.

That general was the Garrison General, Li Junxian.

Li Junxian was a close confidant of His Majesty Li Shimin.

He took over the power of Zhang Liang, the former general of Wagangzhai, and became the leader of the spy.

He also took over the power of Chang He, the former general of Wagangzhai, and took charge of the garrison outside Xuanwu Gate, which was currently the most powerful armed force in Chang'an.

And Li Junxian himself is, of course, a former general of Wagangzhai.

Through Chang He, he got in touch with the new core of the old guys in Wagangzhai - Prince of Jin Li Zhi.

For this reason, he also declined the invitation from His Royal Highness Li Ming, the Regent.

Tonight, he has an important mission.

"Your Highness, what has delayed you to come and visit me only today?"

Li Junxian asked the veiled "palace maid" in a low voice.

"The Queen was watching me closely, so I just found a chance today."

The "palace maid" looked left and right as she spoke, and only took off her veil after making sure that there was no one around.

In the faint light of the fire in the distance, one could vaguely see her thin cheekbones and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.

She is the mother of Prince Ji Li Shen and Imperial Concubine Wei Gui.

"Do you know your mission?" she asked.

Li Junxian said without comment:

"I only opened this Xuanwu Gate and had no idea what was going to happen tonight."

(End of this chapter)