Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 229 Li Ming's conspiracy, no solution
One army is as fierce as wolves and tigers, and the other army is extremely vicious.

Between the two armies, Li Mingda's figure was as thin as a piece of paper that would break with a single poke.

But she still stood resolutely in the middle, with her arms open, using her body to separate the feuding brothers.

"Ah Sizi?!"

Li Zhi was shocked and confused.

He almost trampled over his dearest sister!
After calming down, Li Zhi could not help but get angry and yelled at his disobedient sister:
"What do you want to do! Why are you here? How can you leave the palace without permission!"

Li Zhi had never expressed his anger so obviously.

Because he was really scared.

Just a little bit! He made an irreparable mistake...

Facing the fierce brother Zhinu who seemed like a different person, Li Mingda did not behave obediently or act coquettishly as he did in the past.

Instead, he held his head high stubbornly, stared at his brother who was riding a tall horse, and retorted pointedly:
"Since my brother can leave the capital without permission, what's wrong with me leaving the palace without permission?
"My little brother Xiao Ming fled the palace in the middle of the night on horseback. As his elder sister, I was worried and followed him secretly. What's wrong with that?"

Li Zhi was choked.

I didn't expect that the usually well-behaved and cute sister A Sizi would be just as stubborn when she got angry...

He glared at Li Ming fiercely:
Why didn't you take good care of her when you were in the palace? !
Li Ming spread his hands innocently:
I don't know! How could I know there was an extra horse behind me when I was in such a hurry?

Huh... Li Zhi swallowed hard and tried to reason with him in a friendly manner:
"Ah, you don't understand.

"The rebellious son you protected plotted to harm your father and brother!"

"Impossible!" Li Mingda said firmly:

"Xiao Ming has saved my father, the royal family, and the Tang Dynasty so many times!

"Could it be that after becoming the regent, I was suddenly struck by some evil spell and became a traitor?"

Li Zhi shook his head and said earnestly:

"You don't know what power can do to people..."

Li Mingda looked at him steadily, not disguising the sarcasm in his tone:

"I saw it today and it was really eye-opening and breathtaking."

"you……!"

Li Zhi seemed to have swallowed a mouthful of peppercorns. His face turned red and his whole body felt numb from the ridicule.

Li Mingda slowly put down his hand and turned around.

Looking into the eyes of the little tigress, Li Ming subconsciously straightened his body and explained quickly:
"Big sister, you know me well. If I really wanted to rebel, would I end up like this?"

Li Mingda simply skipped his explanation, tried to put on a friendly smile, and asked:

"Xiao Ming, do you want to go home? Or..."

After a moment of silence, Li Ming shook his head firmly:

“No, I want to go back to the Northeast.”

Li Mingda's shoulders visibly sank.

"I will lead the army to attack from the northeast to the west, deep into the desert, and rescue our grandfather." Li Ming added.

Of course, neither Li Zhi nor Li Mingda believed his nonsense.

Li Ming’s words are deceiving.

"Go ahead. You are the regent. Wherever you want to go, I can't stop you..."

Li Mingda turned his head away with great melancholy, and with two hot tears in his eyes, he begged Li Zhi in an almost pleading tone:
"Brother, let Xiao Ming go, okay?"

"?!"

Li Zhi's chest heaved violently, his head tilted upward, trying hard to hold back the tears from falling.

This bloody night reminded him of another night.

It was also the bloody night of the Jiucheng Palace incident.

He had just been rescued from the Turks' butcher knife by Li Ming and was sitting behind his saddle.

When he learned that Li Ming was going to rush into the inner court gate to rescue his father, he immediately grabbed Li Ming's clothes to stop him:
“Are you crazy?!”

Li Ming replied:
"My dad's in there!"

Such a Li Ming would suddenly change his temperament and plot to kill his father...

After all, I am no exception and only believe what I want to believe... Li Zhi lowered his head and waved his hand.

Cheng Zhijie rode his horse and whispered in Li Zhi's ear:
"Your Highness, this..."

They had already offended Li Ming badly, but it came to an abrupt end. Given Li Ming's character, I'm afraid everyone will suffer in the future.

Li Zhi did not answer him directly, but waved his hand expressionlessly.

Cheng Zhijie shut up and silently pulled the reins to the side.

The thick formation of heavy cavalry quickly made way for the enemy.

Huh... Li Ming and his party breathed a sigh of relief.

There is always a way out!

"Sister! Come back to Northeast China with me!" Li Ming extended his hand to her.

Li Mingda stood there and shook his head, tears falling down:

"When you come back from Liaodong, don't kill your brothers and family members, don't kill your soldiers, don't kill your people!"

Li Ming was also choked, his eyes drifted away subconsciously, his throat gurgled a few times, and he mumbled three words vaguely:

"I try my best……"

The group then galloped along the road vacated by the Bingzhou army, fearing that they would regret it.

Cheng Zhijie was a little anxious:

"Your Highness Prince Jin! If we let the tiger go back to the mountains this time, I'm afraid that in the future..."

It is widely rumored that "that prince" has a bad temper and will take revenge for any slight.

In this event, His Highness Li Ming will end up making the most of it.

So what should we do if we follow our brothers in rebellion?
"Who knows?" Li Zhi looked at the backs of the dozen or so light cavalrymen, as if talking to himself:

"That kid's every move is the most chaotic. Whether it is a blessing or a curse is still unknown."

He calmed himself down and looked at Li Mingda's younger sister.

Li Mingda was crying so hard that it made people feel distressed.

Li Zhi sighed secretly, forced a smile, and returned to his previous kind and friendly appearance:

"Crybaby, I let him go as you said, why are you still crying?"

Li Mingda's tears flowed like a flood, and he sobbed and said:
"Mother passed away, father is missing, and you brothers are killing each other. Taiji Palace is now deserted..."

Li Zhi's eyes dimmed, and he said in a relaxed tone:
"You are still young, but you still have a lot to worry about. Go back. Grandpa is blessed by God. He has encountered far more dangerous situations than this one, and he always managed to escape danger. What do Xueyantuo think of you?"

Li Mingda was still crying: "Don't punish the maids and eunuchs in Lizheng Palace when you return to the palace. I sneaked out without telling them."

Li Zhi felt helpless, but this time he really laughed:

"Okay, okay, all up to you!"

The brothers Li Ming and Li Zhi made a feint, but no bloodshed occurred in the end.

With the support of the Bingzhou Army, Li Zhi's anxious heart finally settled down, and he was about to take Li Mingda back to the palace.

At this time, a messenger came on horseback:

"Report! A suspicious person has been spotted!"

When the army set out, the Bingzhou army habitually arranged secret sentries nearby.

Unexpectedly, with this arrangement in the field, I could catch a fish in the city—

The secret sentry discovered that someone was secretly observing them.

The citizens of Chang'an are all battle-hardened and have seen a lot.

When a large group of cavalry was seen entering the city in the middle of the night, no one would be so foolish as to come and watch the fun.

He is not even afraid of heavy cavalry. He is no longer an ordinary citizen and must be dealt with severely.

"Suspicious person?"

Li Zhi and Cheng Zhijie looked at each other and immediately ordered:

"Bring it up!"

The soldiers helped a middle-aged noble forward. He was trembling all over, and his silk and satin shone in the light of the torches.

"uncle?"

When Li Zhi saw who was coming, he was also surprised and immediately dismounted.

The ordinary passerby who was secretly observing the internal conflicts of the Li family was none other than Zhang Sun Wuji!

Tonight was really weird. First I "accidentally met" Li Ming, and then I "accidentally met" Li Mingda.

Now I have "accidentally met" everyone's uncle again.

Why did the whole family get together for a meeting?

"Uncle! Why are you walking on the street so late at night?"

Li Zhi bowed respectfully to Changsun Wuji and supported him with his own hands.

Although he excluded his brother-in-law, the Grand Marshal, from his core decision-making level, Li Zhi still appeared to be a good boy who respected his teachers.

"Well, I... I was looking for my unworthy grandson and happened to pass by. I don't mean to offend you..."

Changsun Wuji also answered respectfully.

Compared to him wandering around the street in the middle of the night, it is more suspicious to see Li Zhi wandering around the street with hundreds or thousands of heavy cavalry.

But he didn't dare to ask, he still wanted to live a few more years. After witnessing his eldest grandson climbing over the wall to leave the hospital, he was kidnapped by Li Ming, that little bastard.

Changsun Wuji didn't think twice and just rode his horse to catch up.

However, the dozen or so light cavalry under Su Dingfang's command ran too fast.

When he caught up, he happened to see Li Mingda split Huashan Mountain with all his strength, opening a path and letting Li Ming and his gang go.

He felt that his three views were completely shattered.

Li Zhi, an honest man in everyone's eyes, is actually a ruthless character who pretends to be a pig but is actually a tiger.

Not only did he quietly gather a team, but he also entered Beijing openly.

It even pushed "that" prince to the point of being almost at the end of his rope!

Is this still an honest man? Is this still his good nephew? !
Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger... Changsun Wuji felt a wave of fear.

"Chang Sun Yan and... my nephew's younger brother, went to Liaodong to do some wild things.

"Although that guy is jumpy, he still takes good care of his subordinates, so uncle doesn't need to worry.

"Then let me escort my uncle back home first, and then I will go back to the palace with Mingda."

Li Zhi spoke politely to Zhangsun Wuji, as if there were no hundreds of big men following him.

"No, no, I can go home by myself, and I will leave my unworthy grandson alone. I dare not trouble Your Highness."

Changsun Wuji was more polite to his nephew than ever before.

It was definitely not because of Cheng Zhijie and the hundreds of big men who were eyeing him covetously.

"My mother has passed away, and my father is unknown. My uncle is half my father and mother. Please allow me to be filial to my uncle."

Li Zhi still insisted.

Now that things have come to this, it would be too stubborn to refuse.

"Then...I'd better obey your command." Changsun Wuji had no choice but to accept this good intention which was as heavy as a mountain.

Along the way, Changsun Wuji rode his horse in the middle.

On the left is Li Zhi, whose face is livid but who is still forcing a smile.

On the right is Li Mingda, whose eyes are red and who says nothing.

Behind him were Cheng Zhijie and several hundred big men.

Changsun Wuji felt that the saddle under his butt seemed to be covered with sharp thorns, making him feel uneasy.

"correct."

Changsun Wuji calmed down and remembered something he had originally planned to report as soon as possible.

He felt like he had found a life-saving straw and hurriedly used it to ease the awkward silence.

"Your Highness, the Regent... that is, Li Ming, has assigned me a task."

Li Zhi said:
"Oh? What kind of work did Mingdi arrange for uncle?"

This intimate tone was as if the tension just now had never happened.

Such a naturally skillful acting made Changsun Wuji feel terrified, and he quickly replied:

"Your Highness, it's the Regent."

"Hmm?" Li Zhi didn't understand for a moment.

"Li Ming has basically handed over the important functions of governing the country to me." Changsun Wuji explained in detail:
"In addition, the Crown Prince and the Prince of Wei's factions were in decline, and Li Ming's faction, which was on the rise, was sent to Liaodong by him first. This means..."

Changsun Wuji's voice gradually became softer. He lowered his body and looked up, looking up at his little nephew with a humble attitude.

"This means that the power to govern the country is in our hands... in your hands!"

"Yeah." Li Zhi just hummed.

Changsun Wuji waited for a long time but did not receive any further instructions from the young leader.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin is truly a man who does not show his true colors. He is so indifferent and detached... Changsun Wuji sighed in his heart and took the initiative to suggest:

"If Your Highness orders, I will return the power of governance entrusted to me to Your Highness."

After a long while, Li Zhi seemed to wake up from a dream.

"What? Oh, no need... No, since our father is not in the court, it is up to our uncle to take care of state affairs."

He subconsciously put together polite words.

Unlike his expressionless appearance, Li Zhi's heart was filled with turmoil.

The power of the state!

At this moment, it is in my own hands!
He had a sense of unreality.

That was the power he longed for deep in his heart, but his mind made him dare not hope for it!
Li Zhi's original intention of participating in the four sons' fight for the throne was that he just couldn't stand the sudden rise to fame of Li Ming, the illegitimate son. He couldn't help feeling dissatisfied, thinking "He can do it, but I can't?"

If one of his two elder brothers had inherited the throne, Li Zhi would not have been so jealous.

Whether it was Li Chengqian or Li Tai, he would just accept it calmly.

Just like this time, when Li Tai asked him to "plan something big together", he gladly cooperated.

In his heart, he tacitly accepted that his brother was the one who took the lead and he just had to passively follow suit.

However, however.

When you really hold power in your hands.

Even if only for a moment, even if he hasn't had time to exercise it yet.

Li Zhi's mentality has also completely changed.

The blood of the old Li family and the innate desire for power were completely awakened in his veins.

"I know. Ha, I know."

Li Zhi laughed:

"I know Li Ming's plot. Cunning fellow, he didn't forget to set a trap for us before leaving?

"He used the whole world as bait to induce Li Tai and I to turn against each other and attack each other. He can hide in the northeast and reap the benefits, right?
"Sly, sly!"

He laughed louder and louder, and more and more wildly.

Changsun Wuji laughed so hard that he wanted to crawl into the ground. Li Mingda laughed so hard that his brows furrowed. He asked worriedly:
"elder brother?"

Li Zhi, however, acted as if he hadn't heard anything and was still immersed in his own world.

"What a pity! Even if I figured out Li Ming's secret, what else can I do?

"Aren't we being manipulated by him, willingly helping him get out of trouble, fighting Li Tai for three hundred rounds for him?!
"Because, because..."

Li Zhi's smile gradually twisted.

"Because I really don't want to give up all the power in the world..."

Some things, once you have owned them, will arouse greed in your heart.

It's impossible to let go easily.

Not every descendant of Li Shimin has the same wisdom as Li Ming.

Li Ming also worked at the grassroots level for decades in two eras, living in constant fear of death, before he reached such enlightenment.

Li Zhi, Li Tai, and other princes who had been pampered since childhood did not possess such wisdom.

Li Ming dug this trap because he had figured out their mentality.

Even though they knew it was a big pit, these princes would jump in without hesitation.

The conspiracy has no solution!

"I know what to do."

Li Zhi said to himself.

Zhang Sun Wuji looked at his little nephew with some fear:

"Uh...Your Highness?"

"Uncle." Li Zhi regained his previous gentle appearance and said to him in a gentle voice:
"I suddenly remembered an urgent matter and had to go out of town. I might not be able to take my uncle back home.

"Could you trouble uncle to escort sister Mingda back to the palace?"

Li Mingda was shocked:
"Brother Zhinu, what are you doing out of town so late at night?"

Li Zhi ignored his sister's protest and continued to instruct Zhangsun Wuji:
"I'll give you fifty horses. Is that enough?"

"Enough, enough, enough, absolutely enough!"

Changsun Wuji nodded his head like pounding garlic, held down Li Mingda who wanted to continue protesting, and pulled the reins towards the Taiji Palace.

"I will escort Princess Jinyang back to the palace right now!"

Having said that, he forcefully pulled Li Mingda's horse reins and slipped away.

Li Zhi watched them walk away without delaying for a moment.

"Gong Lu."

"I am here." Cheng Zhijie rode his horse forward.

"We will lead the army out of the city through the Jinguang Gate and head west." Li Zhi said quickly:
"If the letter that King Wei sent me is true, then he will lead his troops to Chang'an later this night.

"Outside the east gate of Chang'an City, there is a Longshou Canal that cuts off the east and west. It is not convenient for a large army to march, so he will take a detour to the west."

Unconsciously, the way he addressed his fifth brother Li Tai changed from brother to "King of Wei".

"As ordered."

Cheng Zhijie took the order and asked:
"Are you welcoming His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei?"

"Hmm..." Li Zhi nodded and added:
"And by the way, stop him and his troops from entering the city."

(End of this chapter)