Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 226 My damn charm

"Hiss... Eh? Huh?"

Li Junxian scratched his scalp, feeling that there seemed to be something wrong with the way he opened his eyes, so he closed his eyes and opened them again.

That’s right.

In front of him was Su Dingfang, who was carrying out a suicide assassination mission, riding on his horse in perfect condition.

And in the arms of this scapegoat is the target of the assassination, the most expensive little meat ball in the world - His Royal Highness Li Ming, the Regent.

Now I am also safe and sound, sitting safely in my arms.

Li Junxian looked at Su Dingfang, then at Li Ming, and couldn't help feeling disheveled in the late autumn night breeze.

As the biggest trump card in Chang'an City at the moment - the commander of the Xuanwu Gate Tunying, when Su Dingfang made big news in the palace, Li Junxian could not help but have a backup plan.

As expected, those police officers failed to deliver.

If it were possible to use Li Tai's minions to quietly "harmonize" His Highness Li Ming, that would certainly be a great idea.

But if Su Dingfang made a mistake, Li Junxian would have to carry out the task personally.

Because if Li Ming investigates the matter later, Li Junxian, who let the wolf into the house, will definitely be in trouble.

Just as Su Dingfang said, he had already gone into the sea and was involved in this cause and effect, and it was impossible for him to deny himself.

Therefore, when the spy buried at the south gate of the palace sent a signal, he did not delay for a second and immediately led his troops from the Forbidden Garden outside the Xuanwu Gate, circling the palace wall and galloping southward.

Finally, they successfully intercepted Li Ming and his widowed mother at Suzaku Gate.

Along the way, Li Junxian imagined many possibilities of failure.

But he really didn't expect the current situation where the kidnappers and the kidnappers were getting along so happily.

"General Li, you are like a mysterious dragon that is hard to find. I have invited you several times but you never came. Why did you come here today without an invitation?"

Li Ming spoke first, with a sly smile on his face.

Su Dingfang couldn't help but take a deep breath after hearing this.

No, Your Highness, the other side is chasing and intercepting us with superior forces. Why did you provoke them first?
Are they the bad guys, or are you the bad guy?

"Your Highness, the Suzaku Gate has not been closed yet. We still have a chance to retreat to the palace. They can't break in." Su Dingfang suggested in a low voice.

Li Ming waved his hand and deliberately said loudly:
"Why run away? The soldiers in Beimen Tunying are all loyal to our Tang Dynasty!"

Li Junxian had recovered from his initial shock and realized that the Zuo Wuhou Guards had been collectively bewitched.

But it's not a big problem.

Now it is the Garrison, which is proficient in actual combat and has a large number of people, against the Imperial Guards, who can only stand guard and pose, and a ragtag force composed of high-level police officers, the Wuhou Guards.

The advantage is mine!

"Your Majesty is right. We are all soldiers loyal to Your Majesty."

Li Junxian did not lose the upper hand and said tit for tat:

"Therefore, we will kill the traitors who plotted to murder your majesty!"

He made no effort to conceal his murderous intent.

"Your Highness, please return to the palace first!"

Su Dingfang was alarmed.

The palace's defense capabilities are not to be underestimated, and the gate guards are on his side. It is safe to sneak back and close the door now.

However, Li Ming turned a deaf ear to Lao Su's suggestion.

"If you stay in the palace, you will be caught sooner or later. The world outside is much broader than the sea and sky."

But if you catch a turtle in a jar, you can at least survive for a while. If you go out into the outside world now, you will be doomed to death... Su Dingfang was really confused and looked back subconsciously.

Yang was quite calm and even smiled and nodded at him.

His Highness Li Ming is a little bit stupid, it turns out he inherited it from Her Highness the Queen... Su Dingfang's mouth twitched.

"The soldiers are all our own people, how could they harm me?"

Li Ming comforted the panicked Lao Su.

"Hahaha! Your Highness is so humorous." Li Junxian laughed so hard that he fell backwards.

How dare a child living deep in the palace challenge the control of the army over him, a general who led the troops and fought all the way from Wagangzhai?

It’s simply whimsical!

"Your Highness, let's stop talking nonsense."

Li Junxian's eyes flashed fiercely:
"The people of the world suspect that you are colluding with foreigners and plotting against His Majesty. Please surrender to the court and apologize to the world."

Su Dingfang gripped the reins tightly, his fists trembling slightly from the excessive force.

It's not that he's afraid.

They all emerged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and they are all meritorious generals who have made outstanding military achievements. Who can be afraid of whom?

But Su Dingfang also had his reasons. What kind of soldiers did he lead? They were local policemen. What kind of soldiers did Li Junxian lead? They were the elite of the elite, the Northern Yamen Forbidden Army.

Let Lao Su lead the troops like this, we really have to let him lead them.

Although it is said that a gentleman will die for his friend.

But it was really a loss for Su Dingfang and his brothers to just hit a rock with an egg and die in obscurity.

Su Dingfang felt a little regretful.

I am so stupid, really, how could I be blinded by lard and let this irresponsible little bastard drag me into this water...

"You and your scheming little master Li Zhi are qualified to represent the people of the world? It's really laughable."

Li Ming seemed to have no idea of ​​the situation and was unwilling to lose by talking nonsense:

"Don't even mention the world, can you convince your men?"

"Haha! Interesting, Your Highness is really interesting!"

Li Junxian gave a fake smile, not showing the slightest sign of being submissive or fawning in front of His Majesty. His sinister eyes swept over Li Ming without any concealment, and he raised his right hand, then suddenly dropped it downwards.

"Catch those traitors who plotted treason and usurped the throne, and those who killed their fathers and their kings. Those who refuse to obey will be executed immediately!"

The sonorous and powerful command echoed in the night sky, like a stone thrown into the water, which caused ripples and then no more waves.

His soldiers did not move.

Hmm? Did I not make myself clear enough?
Li Junxian frowned, put on his previous pose again, and spoke frankly:
"Quickly capture the thief Li Ming and the criminal Yang! Kill them if they dare to resist!"

However, his men still did not make any move.

Are you fucking deaf?! ... Li Junxian's eyelids twitched, and he turned back viciously, subconsciously wanting to curse at his soldiers.

However, as soon as he turned around, his fierce gaze was drowned out by countless indifferent gazes.

His soldiers were now staring at him with expressionless faces.

The dark night, the blazing fire, and the cold eyes staring at him.

Li Junxian felt as if he was in the wild, surrounded by a pack of wolves.

Panic slowly crept into his heart and goosebumps stood up instinctively.

Li Ming slowly raised his right hand. His childish voice was not loud, but it revealed unquestionable authority.

"All generals, listen to my orders. Execute the traitors and rebels."

Gently lower your right hand.

A flash of knife light fell simultaneously.

Li Junxian was covered in blood!
It was his deputy general who drew his sword without hesitation and killed his general from behind!

"Hiss... Eh? Huh?"

Su Dingfang's eyes widened in shock, his face disheveled in the late autumn night breeze.

He knew the organization of the garrison. Unlike the Sixteen Guards of the Southern Yamen, the soldiers and generals were not separated.

They usually conduct combat training together, so the relationship between soldiers and generals is closer than that of ordinary troops.

However, why did these soldiers, who were led by Li Junxian, suddenly turn against their own side in the battle?
With just a few words from His Highness Li Ming, they suddenly jumped up and killed their own commander?
Old Su scratched his head but couldn't figure it out.

Could it be... Could it be that His Highness Li Ming has mastered some evil magic that can take away people's minds?
Thinking of this, he subconsciously moved his butt back, fearfully moving away from the little ball of flesh in his arms.

For the first time, he deeply realized the horror of His Highness Li Ming.

Keep your distance, keep your distance...

"Li Junxian is too stupid. He thinks other people are as stupid as him."

Li Ming chuckled and explained to Su Dingfang, whose face was disheveled in the wind, to avoid any strange misunderstanding among these new comrades from the Fourteenth Party.

"Li Tai and Li Zhi are doing something behind my back, and I'm just going to surrender and do nothing?

"They will collude with the generals, so won't we unite the soldiers?"

Li Ming and his mother had already started infiltrating the Xuanwumen Tunying.

The specific method is not difficult. Refer to the way Empress Dowager Cixi treated ordinary soldiers of the Imperial Guards.

Li Ming was responsible for playing the role of a good leader, improving treatment, making big promises, and drinking and eating meat with the soldiers.

Yang was responsible for playing the role of a gentle and considerate old nanny. She put aside her pride, spent some time chatting with the soldiers, and asking about their well-being.

People are all made of flesh and blood. Being treated so sincerely by the two top leaders of the empire, which soldier can withstand such a test?
The soldiers were naturally loyal and obedient. Cixi's operation of winning people's hearts allowed the soldiers to put Emperor Guangxu under house arrest.

Then Li Ming asked them to kill their immediate superior or something, just to make things easier.

Not to mention the soldiers under his command, even Li Junxian's own residence was infiltrated by Li Ming's anti-counterrevolutionary committee, and confidential intelligence was carried out in batches.

It can be said that Li Junxian’s lifeblood has always been in Li Ming’s hands.

This is also the reason why he dares to continue to stay in Taiji Palace and cover his brothers.

"Thank you to all the soldiers for your bravery and for clearing the court of evildoers!"

Li Ming clasped his fists to the soldiers stationed in the camp:
“Next I will go north to Liaodong. Anyone who wants to experience the northern scenery can follow me.

"If you want to stay, I won't force you to stay. When I come back, show me the garrison sign and I will reward you handsomely!"

The soldiers said in unison without hesitation:
"I am willing to escort His Highness north!"

Once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back. Since they have killed their own commander, they are ready to follow Li Ming till the end.

"What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and go." Li Ming urged.

"oh oh……"

Su Dingfang was still in a daze, and followed Li Ming's instructions in a daze. He led a large army and rode out of the palace.

The mighty horses' hooves made crisp sounds as they stepped on the Zhuque Street, which was dozens of feet wide.

It was already past curfew, but the night watchmen pretended not to see anything and no one was brave enough to do anything.

They still want to see tomorrow's sun.

The residents along the road were awakened by the rumbling of horse hooves, but they could only turn over, force themselves to close their eyes, and sigh in their hearts:
The world is about to fall into chaos again.

Feeling the cold wind and listening to the sound of horse hooves, Su Dingfang's sluggish brain finally started to work.

It all happened so fast, he had to sort it out.

His Highness Li Ming only spoke a few words, and from the state of an orphan and a widow, he suddenly gathered a considerable army with different origins -

Part of the Zuo Wuhou Guard's Death Squad, almost all of the remaining imperial guards, and some of the garrison troops who followed Li Junxian to the Suzaku Gate and then turned against him in the battle.

Su Dingfang's own experience is even more dramatic.

From being the top vanguard in the murder of the traitor Li Ming, he has transformed himself into the top general (temporarily) under the Regent, and is in charge of this motley army.

A terrible question suddenly popped up in his mind -

If at the beginning, he hadn't...that, abandoned the light and turned to the dark.

Instead, he chose to follow Li Tai's order and kill His Highness Li Ming.

So……

Will he end up like Li Junxian, with his head chopped off from behind by his men?
A layer of fine beads of sweat immediately broke out on Su Dingfang's back.

Don’t dare to think too much, don’t dare to think too much…

"Old Su, I did what I said, didn't I?"

Li Ming didn't know what the shivering Su Dingfang was thinking, facing the howling north wind, he said proudly:

"If I let you lead an army, I'll give you a real army!"

Su Dingfang was stunned, and the uneasiness he had just felt miraculously disappeared, and a sense of relief arose spontaneously.

I'm glad that I was blinded by greed and repented before the final moment, and got on board His Highness Li Ming's pirate ship.

"The defense zone of the Zuo Wuhou Guard is in the west. Go out of the city through the Jinguan Gate in the west, bypass the Beijin Garden where the Tunwei are stationed, and then turn back to the northeast!"

Li Ming made arrangements decisively and said:

"The main force will escort the Queen Mother first. Su Dingfang, you lead a dozen imperial guards and follow me to Chang'an City to pick someone up.

"After that, meet at the north bank of Yong'an Bridge outside the city."

It was the place where he pretended to meet Sun Simiao in the previous assassination attempt, not far from the Jinguan Gate.

Su Dingfang couldn't believe his ears:

"It's already this late, and you still want to pick someone up and delay time?!"

He subconsciously turned around and looked at Yang for help.

I hope Her Majesty the Queen, as the mother of the country, can take good care of her naughty child.

Yang's face also showed obvious confusion and entanglement.

But she also knew that every imaginative decision made by Li Ming had his reasons.

Finally, she answered weakly:

"I am a woman, and I will obey the orders of His Royal Highness the Regent."

Hasn't Ning always been very opinionated? She is so cunning to act like a little woman in this matter... Su Dingfang complained, wanting to vomit but unable to.

"Your Highness, is that person worth risking your life to pick him up?"

Now is not the time to beat around the bush, Lao Su decided to ask directly.

"It's worth it." Li Ming nodded affirmatively:
"That man's residence is not far from the imperial city. Speaking of which, he has a close relationship with you, General Su."

Su Dingfang raised his eyebrows:
"Who?"

"Li Jing."

…………

Within the palace, there is the Menxia Province.

Liu Ji, the Imperial Court Minister, was on night duty in the Menxia Province Yamen, nodding his head in a half-asleep state.

The Tang Dynasty had a system of prime ministers on night duty. Every night a prime minister would be left on night duty in the yamen to prepare for emergencies.

And for reasons unknown to everyone, almost half of the prime ministers of the court were sent to distant Liaodong by the Regent.

This means that the frequency of night duty for the half of the prime ministers who stayed in the capital doubled.

Liu Li had been working non-stop for several days during this period. During the day he had to think of ways to trip up the Regent, and at night he had to be on duty. He was very tired and couldn't help dozing off.

Go to sleep, just take a nap...

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves came from outside the window.

Am I dreaming? How dare someone in the palace ride a horse... Liu Li raised his right hand in a daze and pinched his cheek.

pain……

Liu Li woke up suddenly.

The sound of horse hooves outside the window not only did not disappear, but became louder and louder, the hooves rumbling, as if thousands of troops were galloping on the battlefield.

It is particularly loud in the quiet autumn night.

In the palace, with the sound of horse hooves, late at night... Liu Li suddenly lost all his sleepiness.

But he did not panic, thinking that there was some rebellion or something.

Because this little accident was also within the expectations of His Royal Highness Prince Jin.

If "that" little prince could be easily killed by a senior police officer, he would not have become "that" prince who caused so many people such headaches.

He immediately wrote a short secret letter:

"Something has changed. He is expected to flee to Liaodong."

…………

The Duke of Wei’s Mansion.

"?!"

Li Jing suddenly woke up from his dream.

My old partner Zhang Chuchen muttered incoherently:
"what happened?"

"Shh..." Li Jing gestured for silence and made the following mouth shape:
"Someone!"

Brush it!

In an instant, the door was roughly opened.

The torches outside the door were bright, causing the two old men to squint their eyes.

After a while, Li Jing's vision slowly returned to normal.

He found that a group of uninvited guests had broken into his house, all of them looking ferocious.

The servants in the mansion were tied up tightly, with cloth strips stuffed in their mouths, so they could not make a sound.

Thief?

Li Jing squinted his eyes and identified them for a long time before he found that this group of people looked somewhat familiar.

The leader was the spy who had been monitoring him outside the Duke's Mansion during this period.

Li Jing was in the dark, quietly covering his theoretically "dead" wife with a quilt, and calmly asked:
"What do you want from me?"

The visitor bowed respectfully and crossed his hands, saying:
"According to the secret decree of His Majesty, I am sending you on your way!"

(End of this chapter)