A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 220 Old Madam, You Must Hold On

As night falls, the lights of thousands of homes flicker, like stars falling to the earth.

Li Yi stood outside the Wutou Gate, the biting cold wind whistling past, blowing his clothes.

Ren Can, the Minister of Food, smiled widely as he quickly stepped forward and draped a sable fur cloak over Li Jiancheng. The cloak's fur was glossy and shone with elegance even in the dim light. He then handed him a warm copper hand warmer, his movements gentle and ingratiating.

Li Jiancheng threw his head back and laughed out loud. His laughter was so hearty that it echoed far into the night sky.

He raised his hand and patted Li Yi's arm heavily, with a look of expectation on his face. He said in a loud voice, "Marquis Qianshui, your mansion's gate is still short of a few halberds. When we return victorious from the Hexi expedition, I will definitely add a few for you, hahaha! You can rest assured and recuperate. In the future, I will join the camp to assist in military affairs. I still hope to give you advice!"

There are spears lined up inside the gate, and only officials of the third rank or above are qualified. This is implying that Li Yi will have a bright future if he follows him.

Li Jiancheng turned to look at Ren Can, his expression darkening instantly, his brows furrowed slightly, and his tone was filled with a hint of displeasure: "Minister Ren, why did you forget to take down the gift I gave to the Marquis of Qianshui?"

Ren Can shuddered all over, a trace of panic flashed across his face, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and he quickly bowed and apologized, his voice trembling: "Your Highness, please forgive me. I was negligent for a moment. I will move it down right away." After that, he hurriedly ran to the East Palace carriage with two followers. After a while, the two of them worked together to move down a huge box.

Li Jiancheng raised the corner of his mouth, revealing a gentle smile. He said with a smile, "You are now the Inspector General of the Left Guard and the General of the White Deer Cavalry. How can you be justified without a set of fine armor? This set of armor was meticulously crafted by the Imperial Court. It is a rare treasure."

As everyone knows, Shangfang manufactures artifacts specifically for the emperor. The Shangfang sword is famous far and wide, and the armor made by Shangfang is even more precious.

The box slowly opened, and suddenly a murderous aura came over him, and sophisticated iron armor appeared before his eyes.

Li Jiancheng nodded slightly, a look of encouragement in his eyes, and signaled several soldiers to try on Li Yi's armor. Everyone rushed forward and got busy with their hands and feet.

There are thirteen types of Tang Dynasty armor, with the Mingguang armor being the most outstanding. This set of Shangfang Baojia combines the advantages of mountain pattern and fish scale armor, retaining the iconic large round guard, with a unique design and exquisite craftsmanship. This armor is extremely thick and heavy, and the whole set includes body armor and helmet.

The top half of the helmet is like a towering mountain peak, the ear guards on both sides are rolled up like a phoenix spreading its wings, and it hangs down from the neck to the shoulders, perfectly balancing defense and flexibility.

The two breastplates of the body armor are solid and heavy, and are tied vertically with armor straps. The arc-shaped patterns on the left and right large round guards are exquisite, flickering faintly in the dim light, like the bright moon, hence the name "Ming Guang Armor".

The shoulders are draped with the upper layer shaped like a unicorn's head, with fangs exposed, showing its dominance; the waist is equipped with a lion belt, knee skirt, arm guards, and leg hangings, providing comprehensive protection.

Li Jiancheng stroked the armor gently, his eyes full of admiration as he introduced it, "This armor is composed of 1,800 fish-scale plates and 720 mountain-patterned plates, with three large round guards and a phoenix-wing helmet. It took several top craftsmen over a year to complete. Wearing it will surely keep you safe on the battlefield and help you achieve great success!"

As soon as Li Yi put it on, he felt the weight of a mountain. With his left shoulder still injured, he couldn't help but grimace, thinking to himself: Wearing this armor, let alone charging into battle with a 10-foot-long lance, even just standing there would be exhausting. He couldn't help but sigh, no wonder most of the Tang Dynasty's generals were burly. With his physique and some abdominal muscles, he would probably be regarded as a weak scholar in the army.

Without a weight of about 200 pounds, it would be difficult to gallop across the battlefield.

If a true military commander saw this set of armor, he would be horny and thirsty, just like a pervert seeing a peerless beauty. However, Li Yi remained calm, his eyes were calm, and his face showed no trace of excitement.

Li Jiancheng saw all of this and couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. He shook his head slightly and even vaguely regretted giving this generous gift.

"Rest well." Li Jiancheng forced a smile, waved his hand, got on the carriage, and slowly left amid the sound of wheels.

Li Yi was wearing a full set of Mingguang armor and stood there like a towering iron tower. He estimated that the armor weighed at least fifty kilograms.

"You helped me put it on, so please help me take it off before leaving!" he cried helplessly in his heart.

This armor was extremely complicated to put on, with one piece on each side and one on the other, and it needed to be tied up layer by layer with armor ties. An ordinary person would have no idea where to start. Fortunately, Zhao Yongan and other imperial guards were still there. As soon as the crown prince left, the group of Yulin and Luben soldiers immediately surrounded him, staring at the precious armor with greed and desire in their eyes, almost drooling. They looked as if they had been imprisoned for eighteen years and had just been released to meet the stunningly beautiful Diao Chan.

"It's worthy of being a precious armor made by Shangfang. Look at the materials, look at the workmanship. The fish scale armor and the mountain pattern armor, each piece is well hammered and woven exquisitely. The anti-stab and anti-slash effects are much better than lamellar armor!" A soldier's eyes lit up, and he shouted excitedly while touching the armor.

"Look at these three big round guards, two in front and one in the back. They are made of solid material and are incredibly thick. Wearing them will give you three extra lives on the battlefield!" Another soldier, not to be outdone, echoed loudly, his face full of envy.

"This Qilin Shoulder Swallow is so lifelike and truly exquisite!"

"The Lion Barbarian Belt is incredibly powerful. It not only protects my waist and abdomen, but also adds a bit of majesty and provides another layer of protection to save my life!"

"This helmet is truly exceptional, with a sophisticated design and comprehensive protection!"

Everyone was talking and huddling around Li Yi, caressing the armor and admiring it endlessly. What soldier wouldn't want such a precious set of armor? Wearing it was like having eight extra lives on the battlefield, greatly ensuring their safety.

"How much is this set worth?" someone couldn't help but ask, eyes full of curiosity.

"Money? This is made by the Shangfang. The Twelve Guards Generals can't even think about owning it without the reward from His Majesty and the Crown Prince!" An old soldier sneered and responded with disdain.

"The Crown Prince truly admires the Shallow Water Marquis, that's why he gave him such a precious gift!"

Li Yi rolled his eyes and said unhappily, "Help me remove my armor first. If you like it, you can line up and try it on." Everyone cheered and excitedly scrambled to try it on first. In the blink of an eye, they stripped Li Yi of all his armor, their movements so swift that it resembled a pack of hungry wolves pouncing on their prey. Just then, a loud, "Imperial Edict!" pierced the clamor.

Li Yi's expression was startled, and he quickly straightened his clothes and set up the table to welcome him.

"The Imperial Court, I have the honour to inherit the great throne, ruling over the four seas. I rely on loyal ministers to work together to govern. Now I have Li Yi, a man of pure character and good conduct, talented in both civil and military matters. Since serving me, he has devoted himself wholeheartedly and his loyalty is evident. Rewards are meant to honour virtue and reward merit.

Now, according to the proposal of the Ministry of Personnel, Li Yi is granted the title of founding marquis of Qianshui County, with a fief of one thousand households. We hope that he will accept this honor and be more willing to repay his country.

The Lord performs,
The first day of the first lunar month in the second year of Wude.

After the imperial edict was read, Li Yi stepped forward and respectfully took it with both hands.

The imperial seal, a dazzling crimson, radiated majesty even in the dim light. The signatures of the prime ministers and officials from the three ministries of government, the Secretariat, and the Chancellery, were clearly visible, each one seeming to convey the solemnity and formality of the edict.

"Congratulations, Marquis Qianshui!" The eunuch smiled and handed over a booklet. "This is the list of the properties confiscated by the court from Guo, Du Yan, and Du Rui. From now on, all this property belongs to you."

Li Yi marveled inwardly at the court's astonishing efficiency. At the palace banquet that day, Li Yuan had conferred upon him the title of Marquis and promised to reward Guo's mother and son with their property. Yet, not long after, the official edict had gone through the three provincial departments, and the property had been inventoried, registered, and handed over to him.

The emperor appreciated the request and the whole process was expedited.

After rewarding the messenger, Li Yi was about to flip through the booklet.
The housekeeper hurried over to report, "Ah Lang, Commander Qiu of the Left Guards wants to see you. He said he has an urgent matter. It's the matter you instructed me to do earlier, and he said it's been completed."

Upon hearing this, Li Yi immediately closed the booklet, his expression brightened, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "Hurry and ask Commander Qiu to come in!"

Qiu Shenyan's face was filled with excitement as he strode in. His voice was filled with uncontrollable excitement, almost shouting, "Marquis Qianshui, it's done!"

Li Yi pulled him onto the kang and said enthusiastically, "Brother Qiu, please sit down and talk slowly."

The call of "Brother Qiu" warmed Qiu Shenyan's heart. He straightened his back proudly and said with a beaming face, "Tonight I took my brothers to Wubenfang and indeed ran into the people we were looking for. We arrested four of them at once. You'd never guess that this time we caught a big fish, the real mastermind behind the assassination in Pingkangfang! Moreover, he has two major operations tonight. At three o'clock in the morning, he sent people to Pingkangfang to assassinate you, burn down the Marquis's mansion, and abduct Du Xianjun. He also sent another group to Anminfang to assassinate Du Changshi and abduct Guo. They also plan to set three fires to burn down the Qianshui Marquis's mansion, Du Changshi's mansion, and the house in Wubenfang."

Li Yi was extremely excited. He had already suspected that Du Yan was behind the assassination, so he placed the token left by Xiao Shisanlang on the assassin. While leading the court to investigate Du Yan, he also leaked the information to Qiu Shenyan, Li Dejiang and others, asking them to wait. Qiu Shenyan went to wait at Du Yan's house in Wubenfang and actually got an unexpected reward.

"Who was caught?" Li Yi asked anxiously, leaning forward unconsciously.

"Your elder brother-in-law, Du County Lord's elder brother, Du Yan's eldest son, Du Jingai!"

"Hiss!" Li Yi gasped. He had never expected Du Yan to send his eldest son to kill him. His eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you sure it was him?"

"It's absolutely certain! This Mr. Du has a handsome face and looks quite good, but he's a sickly person. I yelled at him and he was so frightened that he vomited blood and fainted. We sent him to Yongzhou Prefecture, but he didn't even wake up."

"Did you send him to the Yongzhou government office?"

"Of course. We finally caught a big fish, so we can't let it get away. My brother and I rushed to send him to Yongzhou government office. He has been imprisoned in Yongzhou prison and can't escape even if he has wings!" Qiu Shenyan's face was full of pride, and the smile on his face was almost overflowing.

Li Yi was a little dazed for a moment. Du Yan's eldest son led a team to kill him, but he was caught by accident. This was really a coincidence.

With the man already in prison, he put the matter aside for now. His most pressing task was to deal with the two assassination attempts tonight. He quickly sent someone to notify Du Ruhui and summoned Zhao Yongan and other officers, solemnly informing them of the assassins' approach. Everyone was startled, their faces filled with shock and worry, as they looked at each other in bewilderment.

Li Yi said in a deep voice, "The mastermind behind the assassination has been apprehended and has confessed, but the order has already been issued, and the assassins are still unaware. We will counter their strategy and make preparations to capture them all in one fell swoop! If anyone is apprehended tonight, I will personally reward him with twenty pieces of silk and recommend him to the court for merit!"

Under the reward, there must be a brave man.

The men of Yulin and Lubin, who were originally queuing up to try on their armor, now focused their attention, quickly entered combat mode, actively deployed and prepared, shouting that no one should be spared and all assassins must be captured, and they also discussed dividing the reward money.

Li Yi thought for a moment and called the housekeeper Fu An.

Fuan is the companion brought by Shi Niang from the Du family. He has been in the Du family for many years and knows everything about the Du family.

"Housekeeper, I just received news that Shi Niang's brother, Du Jingai, was arrested by Yongzhou Prefecture at the Du residence in Wubenfang and has been imprisoned in Yongzhou. You should quickly go to my second brother's home in Anminfang and meet with Old Madam Guo to tell her this urgent news. Jingai is in great danger. If you want to rescue him, have Old Madam find a way quickly."

Du Fuan was immediately panicked when he heard this. After all, he was an elder of the Du family and had deep feelings for the Du family. He nodded repeatedly and ran off to report the news, his steps hurried and flustered.

Li Yi watched him leave with a faint smile on his face. "Madam Guo, you have come to this day. I hope you can handle this news and not be frightened to death."

Initially, while Li Yi disliked Madam Guo's actions, he could understand her deep love for her granddaughter. However, her actions became increasingly excessive, with no boundaries. Li Yi had long been preparing for a counterattack. Leaving the wooden plaque of Guo Liudifang on the assassin's body was the beginning of his counterattack. Unexpectedly, he also had the unexpected bonus of Du Jingai, a perfect opportunity to deal another blow to Guo and Du Yan. It would depend on whether they could withstand this heavy blow. If Madam Guo died of anger, Li Yi would have no mercy and would believe she deserved it.

(End of this chapter)