Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 376 Sudden Change in Chang'an! Assassination Operation in Youzhou! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

"What does General Hou mean by this?"

Li Chengqian looked at Hou Junji warily, frowning as he said, "I have no other plans right now. How can you lend me a hand?"

"hehe."

Hou Junji smiled, then unfolded the map and said, "His Majesty has already told us old ministers about His Highness the Crown Prince's intentions. You want to destroy four kingdoms in one battle, right?"

Oh shit!

Li Er is such a blabbermouth! Why does he tell everyone everything?

Little did you know, you treated your ministers as confidants, but they treated you as an ATM!

They have absolutely no sense of boundaries!
Li Chengqian was annoyed by Li Er's behavior, but then he heard him say casually, "That was all just me bragging to Father Emperor. How could I possibly have the ability to destroy four kingdoms in one battle? You can see it now, can't you? I've been in Fu'ai City for a month or two!"

"It is now winter, the coldest time of the plateau. It is certainly not advisable for the army to fight. It is perfectly normal for His Highness to recuperate in Fu'e City."

Hou Junji remained noncommittal.

Li Chengqian opened his mouth, but was speechless for a moment because of this guy.

However, Li Chengqian's silence does not mean that Hou Junji will shut up.

But then he continued, "This old minister is ordered by His Majesty to attack the Kingdom of Gaochang. However, the situation of the Kingdom of Gaochang is well known; they will receive support from the Western Turks. Therefore, when attacking the Kingdom of Gaochang, we must first guard against the Western Turks."

"Therefore! My idea is that the Crown Prince should first abandon Tibet and split up with me. The Crown Prince should first attack the Western Turks, and I will then attack the Gaochang Kingdom."

“In this way, we, the ruler and his ministers, can support each other and also isolate the alliance between Gaochang and the Western Turks. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

"Ah!"

Li Chengqian laughed: "Aren't you afraid that the Tibetans will take advantage of the situation? I was just robbed by them when I was down!"

He was referring to Dayan Mangjiebo's surrender to Songtsen Gampo, which resulted in the handover of western Tuyuhun to Tibet.

Hou Junji was unaware of this matter.

However, this does not seem to affect Hou Junji's plans.

But he said dismissively, "The reason why Tibet can resist our Great Tang is because of its geographical advantage! If they lose their geographical advantage, they will not be much of a threat to our Great Tang!"

"May I ask, General Hou, have you ever fought against the Tibetan army?"

Li Chengqian asked with amusement.

In his memory, before Princess Wencheng married him, the Tang Dynasty had fought a battle with the Tibetan Empire on the border of the plateau.

As a result, the Tang army was utterly defeated by the Tibetan army, which led to Princess Wencheng's marriage into Tibet.

In other words, Hou Junji's underestimation of the Tibetan army was extremely foolish, and could even be described as a complete lack of experience.

And indeed, things turned out exactly as Li Chengqian had predicted.

Hou Junji was visibly taken aback when he heard the question, then frowned and said, “Although I have never fought against the Tibetan army, I have fought against the Tuyuhun army. As far as I know, the Tibetan army is not as good as the Tuyuhun army. Does that mean that my Tang army can deal with Tuyuhun but not Tibet?”

"What you know are all old news. The Tibet of today is not the Tibet of the past. Especially after Songtsen Gampo came to power, the Tibetan army underwent tremendous changes. Even in the later years of Fuyun's reign, he did not dare to go to war with Tibet!"

"this."

Hou Junji was clearly taken aback by the information Li Chengqian provided.

But then Li Chengqian changed the subject again: "However, I still think your suggestion is good. Let me think about it some more. Anyway, there's no rush!"

Upon hearing this, Hou Junji hesitated slightly, then bowed to Li Chengqian and said, "Then this old minister will await good news!"

After saying that, he stood up from his seat and prepared to leave.

At this moment, Helan Chushi suddenly spoke up, "May I ask Your Highness, what are my duties going to be? Could you please tell me?"

"Uh,"

Li Chengqian's lips twitched. He thought to himself, "You've really got too much respect for me. Do you really think you're something special? If it weren't for finding out your father-in-law's intentions, do you think I would have kept you around?"
Although he was inwardly grumbling, Li Chengqian did not completely break ties with Hou Junji. After a moment of reflection, he smiled and said, "I haven't figured out exactly what you'll do next. However, you can ask Laifu. He is mainly in charge of some matters around me!"

After saying that, she turned to Laifu and said calmly, "Laifu, go and make the arrangements!"

"Yes!"

Lai Fu respectfully responded and walked straight towards Helan Chushi, saying indifferently, "Helan Qianniu, let's go?"

Helan Qianniu?

What the hell?

Helan Chushi looked annoyed, then turned to look at Hou Junji, who smiled slightly and said nonchalantly, "In that case, I'll have to trouble Your Highness!"

After saying this, he ignored Helan Chushi and left on his own.

After seeing him leave, Helan Chushi reluctantly followed Laifu out of the room.

Once only Pei Xingjian and Li Chengqian remained silent in the room, Li Chengqian coldly said, "Send someone to keep an eye on Hou Junji and that Helan Chushi. Report any unusual activity to me immediately!"

"Yes!"

Pei Xingjian responded, then asked with some confusion, "Since the Crown Prince knew that Helan Chushi had problems, why did he still accept him?"

"Ha! You don't understand! You think Hou Junji really came to help me? No! He's actually here to test the waters!"

"What do you mean by 'testing the waters'?"

"Don't you understand yet?"

Li Chengqian raised an eyebrow: "My father ordered him to attack Gaochang, but Gaochang is backed by the Western Turks. The reason he offered to help me is to see my control over Li Ji's 200,000-strong army!"

"If I readily agree to his request, barring any unforeseen circumstances, my father will definitely summon me back to Chang'an, just like he did to Shuofang back then!"

"Huh? Why is that?" Pei Xingjian asked, his face full of surprise.

But Li Chengqian remained remarkably calm: "Because the Crown Prince cannot hold military power! If he does, the country will surely be thrown into chaos!"

"But."

Pei Xingjian was still somewhat puzzled: "Didn't His Majesty previously give you command of those 200,000 troops? Isn't that giving you control of the military?"

"Command authority is not the same as military authority! You need to understand that!"

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "Only by deploying troops can one truly possess military power!"

"Take Li Ji for example. Although he accepted my command strategy, I have no authority to mobilize him and his army! If I agree to Hou Junji's request to let Li Ji and the remaining troops assist him in attacking the Western Turks, nominally my command is not problematic, but in reality, it is illegitimate because my father has already handed over the power to mobilize troops to Hou Junji!"

She paused, then looked at Pei Xingjian meaningfully: "Do you understand the ins and outs here?"

Pei Xingjian frowned, then said thoughtfully, "The Crown Prince disobeys the Emperor's orders and abuses his military power?"

"Yep!"

Li Chengqian clapped his hands and laughed, saying, "There are many pitfalls here! If no one cares, that's fine, but if someone does, then it'll be troublesome!"

"Damn it! This Hou Junji is so cunning! Is he trying to find something to use against the Crown Prince?"

"Ha! This old guy has always been cunning, otherwise he wouldn't have ended up like that."

Li Chengqian gave a cold laugh, then frowned and said, "We don't need to worry about him. Let's continue with our strategy towards Tibet!"

"it is good!"

Pei Xingjian immediately accepted the order and then prepared to leave.

However, at that moment, a hurried report came from outside the door: "Your Highness, there is an urgent report from the Crown Prince's residence!"

Swish!
Li Chengqian's expression changed, and he vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

Because it was an urgent report from the Crown Prince's residence, it wasn't something that could be sent out casually.

When he left Chang'an, he told Ma Zhou and the others that if anything major happened, they should report it in the name of the Crown Prince's Palace.

And now, the report he least wanted to hear has actually arrived.

He steadied himself, calmed his emotions, and then said in a deep voice, "What happened?!"

"Your Highness, there is a smallpox epidemic in Chang'an!"

"what?!"

Meanwhile, in Youzhou City.

Since Li You arrived in his fiefdom, he has been like a wild horse that has broken free of its reins, letting his horse run wild as it pleases.

Here, he is the law.

They could play however they wanted, be as unrestrained as they pleased, and almost no one cared.

As a result, less than six months after he arrived in his fiefdom, the local people were already suffering terribly at his hands.

Yin Zhihong, who came with him, did not try to dissuade him at all, even though he was the chief secretary of the Prince of Yan's mansion.

They even allowed him to disregard the law and act recklessly.

Of course, his purpose in doing this was not simply to corrupt Li You, but to better control Li You and use him for his own purposes.

Only when Li You desperately needed him could he implant his thoughts of revenge into Li You's mind.

But then Yin Zhihong smiled and looked at Li You, who was about to leave, and said, "Your Highness, have you heard? There's a snowman-building competition being held in Youzhou City today. It's said to have come from Jiangling!"

"It's very popular with young men and women!" "Some even say that if a snowman built by two people doesn't fall down for seven days, they will become a couple. So, Youzhou City is quite lively today!"

"Oh, is it so?"

Upon hearing this, Li You immediately became interested and said excitedly, "Then I want to go and see too!"

"Since it came from Jiangling, it must be the work of my elder brother, the Crown Prince!"

"Hehe, does Your Highness know where it is?"

"Oh, Uncle! Why do you always only say half of what you mean? Didn't you tell me the address? Why haven't you told me yet?"

Li You feigned displeasure and complained, then grinned and leaned close to Yin Zhihong, winking and asking, "Are there any pretty women who catch my eye?"

"Oh! Of course, many young ladies from prominent families went!"

"That's great! Tell me where it is!"

"It's in Xifang!"

"Okay, okay! I'll go right away!"

After Li You finished speaking, he left the palace with a group of guards without saying another word.

Yin Zhihong, who watched him leave, smiled slightly and murmured, "My foolish nephew, this is all your uncle can do for you."

On the other side, in Youzhou City, at the West Market.

Li You, accompanied by a group of guards, rushed here excitedly, but he didn't see a single snowman, let alone any snowman-building contest.

He said angrily, "What's going on? My uncle lied to me?"

"Impossible! Chief Secretary Yin is His Highness's uncle! Have we come to the wrong place?" a lackey said doubtfully.

"Snapped!"

Li You slapped him across the face and yelled, "Are you blind? Didn't you see the two big characters 'West Market'?!"

"Your Highness, calm down! Your Highness, calm down!"

The lackey was beaten until he saw stars, but he still couldn't help but argue, "What I mean is, a snowman-building competition like this can't possibly be held in the market. It might be on the outskirts of the West Market. Why don't we ask someone and find out?"

"That's right! How could I not have thought of that!"

Li Youyi slapped his thigh, belatedly announcing, "You! Go and ask right now! Where's the snowman-building competition?"

"Yes, yes, yes! I'll go right away!"

The lackey bowed and scraped as he retreated, but no one saw the fleeting glint of cold light in his eyes the moment he lowered his head.

He left in a hurry very quickly.

However, after waiting for almost fifteen minutes, he still hadn't returned.

This infuriated Li You, who was always easily agitated, so he angrily said, "Damn it! When that bastard comes back, I'll break his legs!"

After saying this, he prepared to leave in anger, but then he saw a beautiful woman dressed in gorgeous clothes standing by the roadside, looking ahead with a worried expression.

This caught Li You's eye, and he immediately led his guards toward the woman.

"Young lady, what's wrong? Do you need help?"

Li You looked at the woman with a lewd grin, already having already planned out the next part of the story.

However, when the woman saw him, her expression changed, and she immediately turned and left.

This greatly displeased Li You, who immediately ordered his guards to surround the woman.

"What do you want to do? In broad daylight, do you intend to abduct a woman?"

The woman's face turned extremely ugly as she looked at the guards who had surrounded her.

"Abducting a woman? That's an exaggeration. I simply thought you were beautiful and wanted to invite you to my residence!"

Li You looked at the woman with an arrogant expression, as if to say, "What can you do to me?"
Upon hearing this, the woman became even angrier, but she still forced herself to remain calm and said, "My father is the Sima of Youzhou. If you dare to touch me, my father will not let you off!"

"The Prefect of Youzhou? Hmph! Who does he think he is? The entire Youzhou belongs to me, what can he do to me?"

Upon hearing this, Li You snorted disdainfully and then took another step closer to the woman.

The woman was so frightened by his actions that she backed away repeatedly.

But then Li You leered and said, "Girl, stop struggling. Come back to my manor with me, and I guarantee you'll eat and drink the finest food and enjoy endless riches and glory!"

After saying that, he reached out and grabbed at the woman.

Upon seeing this, the woman screamed in fright and immediately turned and ran.

Seeing the woman run away, Li You was not angry at all. Instead, he laughed loudly and said, "Interesting! I like this kind of spirited woman!"

After saying that, he led his guards and chased after the woman.

"Run! Run as fast as you can! Let's see where you can run to! Hahaha!" Li You panted heavily, a mocking smile on his face like a cat catching a mouse.

The guards spread out in a fan shape, gradually forcing the woman into a narrow alley.

The woman seemed to be in a panic and plunged headlong into the dark and gloomy alley.

The alley was very narrow, only wide enough for two or three people to walk side by side, with towering walls on both sides and snow piled up at the corners.

"Little beauty, now you're stuck, aren't you?"

Li You, beaming with pride, led two of his personal guards to block the alley entrance, while signaling the others to stand watch outside.

He rubbed his hands together and approached the woman huddled in the corner of the alley, trembling with fear.

"Don't come any closer! My father is the Sima of Youzhou! You...you are a prince, forcibly taking a woman from the people, aren't you afraid of the law?!" The woman leaned against the cold wall, her voice trembling with sobs, but a sharp glint, completely different from fear, flashed deep in her eyes.

"The law? In Youzhou, I am the law!" Li You grinned maliciously and reached out to grab the woman's arm.

Just as his fingers were about to touch the woman's sleeve—

A sudden change occurred!

The woman, who had been huddled in the corner and looked weak and helpless, suddenly darted to the side with astonishing speed, showing no sign of panic whatsoever!

All fear vanished from her face in an instant, leaving only a chilling murderous intent and a hint of mockery.

What terrified Li You even more was that behind the spot where the woman had dodged, a dark shadow suddenly sprang up from the shadow of the snowdrift in the corner of the wall, like a ghost!
It was that lackey who went to ask for directions but never returned!

There was no trace of flattery on his face now; only a twisted ferocity and resolve remained!
Holding a gleaming dagger in his hand, he used the momentum of his charge to thrust it forward without hesitation, using all his strength to stab Li You in the unsuspecting chest!
Too fast! Too close!
Before Li You's smile could even turn into astonishment, the cold light reflected in his pupils was already inches away!
"Be careful, Your Highness!"

The guard closest to Li You reacted extremely quickly, instinctively shoving Li You in shock.

puff!

A sickeningly sharp sound of a blade piercing flesh rang out!
Li You was pushed by the guard and stumbled, his body involuntarily falling to the side.

That fatal blow, originally aimed at the heart, narrowly missed because of the push and the body's tilt!
The sharp dagger didn't pierce his heart, but instead plunged deep into Li You's left shoulder socket, near his collarbone!

"Ugh—!"

Li You let out a bloodcurdling scream, so shrill it was inhuman. The excruciating pain overwhelmed all his senses like a raging storm.

He could clearly feel the cold metal tearing through his skin and muscles, and possibly even scraping against his bones!
"I'm sorry, Your Highness, this is the Crown Prince's order!"

"you!"

Li You's eyes widened in disbelief, but the warm blood, like a floodgate opened, told him that it was all true.

The excruciating pain and fear made his vision go black, his legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground.

"Assassins! Protect His Highness!!!"

The guards at the alley entrance suddenly realized what was happening and charged in, roaring as they drew their swords.

The assassin disguised as a woman and his henchman, having failed to kill her with their first strike, did not linger in battle upon seeing the guards approaching.

With a nimble movement, the woman pushed off the wall, used the momentum to flip over, and instantly disappeared on the other side of the wall.

The henchman suddenly pulled the dagger from Li You's shoulder, drawing a spurt of blood. Amidst Li You's renewed scream, he threw the dagger at the leading guard. Taking advantage of the guard's momentary lapse in concentration, he slipped away like an eel into the depths of the alley, disappearing in a few flashes.

"Chase them! Capture them! Kill them without mercy!"

The guard leader's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He ordered his men to give chase while rushing to Li You's side.

"Your Highness! Your Highness!"

Li You lay on the cold snow, blood gushing from the wound in his left shoulder socket. The excruciating pain caused him to convulse, and cold sweat soaked through his inner shirt.

His expensive mink coat was soaked in blood, a glaring crimson stain. His face was deathly pale, his lips trembled, and his eyes were filled with horror and excruciating pain.

"My elder brother, the Crown Prince... that bastard... and that vile woman... the Crown Prince... the Crown Prince!"

The intense pain and blood loss made Li You's consciousness begin to blur, but the words "Crown Prince" were unconsciously squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a sense of bewilderment and anger at being betrayed by his closest relatives.

"Quick! Stop the bleeding! Carry His Highness back to the manor! Find the best doctor!" The head guard frantically tore off a piece of his own clothing and pressed it tightly against Li You's horrific wound, but blood continued to gush out from between his fingers.

The snow-covered ground was a mess, and the glaring scarlet red stood out starkly against the white background.

(End of this chapter)