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

Chapter 380 The Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, a Legacy of Cao Cao? [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

"Your Highness! You can't go back!"

Su Xu reacted for a moment and quickly tried to dissuade Li Tai.

Liu Yuan echoed, "Yes, Your Highness! You cannot go back now. Firstly, you haven't received His Majesty's decree, and secondly, disaster is imminent. If you leave alone, you'll be in big trouble!"

"What big trouble is there? Why can't we leave? Are you all just going to watch me drown?!" Li Tai roared in fury.

How could he possibly die here? He still has so much to do! He hasn't become the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty yet, he hasn't ruled the world, he absolutely cannot die here!
"Get out of the way! Get out of the way right now!"

Li Tai, with his obese body, repeatedly pushed aside Liu Yuan and Su Xu who were blocking his way, and roared almost like a madman: "Even my father, the Emperor, cannot just stand by and watch me die here!"

"Your Highness! We won't die! As long as we arrange for people to reinforce the river embankment and dredge the waterways through which the floodwaters flow, it's possible to avoid this flood!" Liu Yuan said hurriedly.

Li Tai, however, dismissed the idea, saying, "You yourself said it's possible! What if it can't be avoided? Are you planning to kill me?"

"But Your Highness."

"Alright! All of you, shut up!"

Before Su Xu could speak again, Li Tai rebuked him without any room for argument: "I will take full responsibility for anything that happens!"

After saying that, he shouted towards the door, "Guards! Inventory the valuables and prepare to move out of the Prince of Wei's residence!"

Upon hearing this, everyone outside the door exchanged bewildered glances.

However, before they could make a move, two Imperial Guards walked in unhurriedly and said indifferently, "Your Highness, where are you headed?"

"You! You guys!"

When Li Tai saw the two Imperial Guards, his eyelids twitched, and he almost took a few steps back. However, he quickly regained his composure and roared, "A flood is coming! I'm moving out of the Prince Wei's residence. What, you dare to stop me?!"

"Your Highness misunderstands. We are not trying to stop you, but rather to assist you!"

"I don't need your help, get out of my sight!"

After saying this, he immediately shouted towards the door again: "Where are my personal guards? Where have they all gone? Come and protect me!"

Wow!
As Li Tai finished speaking, a group of armored guards filed in.

At this moment, Li Tai finally gained confidence and said in a deep voice, "Anyone who dares to obstruct this king will be killed without mercy!"

"Yes!"

All the guards spoke in unison.

The two Imperial Guards ignored them and stood quietly at the door, watching Li Tai and his guards.

Li Tai narrowed his eyes and said, "What are you doing? Do you want to kill me? If I die here, your Crown Prince will definitely be implicated!"

"Your Highness is overthinking it. We've already made it very clear that we're only here to help you leave!"

"As I've said, I don't need your help!"

At this point, Li Tai sneered disdainfully, "If I were to say I need to return to Chang'an to avoid disaster, would you all come with me?"

"sure!"

The two Imperial Guards exchanged a glance and said in unison, "We can escort Your Highness back to Chang'an. We can do so anytime Your Highness wishes!"

"what?!"

Upon hearing this, Li Tai's pupils constricted sharply, as if he couldn't believe his ears. He then subconsciously looked at Liu Yuan and Su Xu.

They also looked completely surprised.

It should be noted that Li Tai was forcibly brought to Yangzhou by these Imperial Guards.

Although most of the Imperial Guards had returned, leaving only these two, Li Tai maintained a peaceful coexistence with them.

Because they were, after all, Li Chengqian's men.

Despite his secret rivalry with Li Chengqian, having learned from past mistakes, he no longer dared to confront Li Chengqian directly in real life or in face-to-face interactions.

Therefore, he couldn't help but be surprised when he heard that Li Chengqian's men wanted to help him leave.

But then he asked, his face full of confusion, "What do you mean by this? You actually want to help me return to Chang'an?"

"Didn't His Highness say he wanted to return to Chang'an?"

One of the Imperial Guards chuckled and said, "Our duty is to follow His Highness. Since His Highness is returning to Chang'an, we naturally have to follow!"

“That’s right, we’ll go wherever His Highness goes, mainly to prevent any accidents from happening to him!” Another Imperial Guard chimed in with a smile, “Actually, our Crown Prince has wanted to make a move against His Highness for a long time. Oh, no, I mean, our Crown Prince just hasn’t found the opportunity yet.”

"Hey! What are you saying?!"

"Oh, no, Your Highness, that's not it. I misspoke. We... we will protect you!"

Li Tai: "."

Liu Yuan: "."

Su Xu: "."

The three men's faces turned pale, then white, then red, completely speechless at the two Imperial Guards.

The guards surrounding the King of Wei couldn't help but look at each other with strange expressions, wanting to laugh but not daring to.

"Your Highness! Your Highness! His Majesty has replied to your letter!"

Just as Li Tai and the others were at a loss, a shout suddenly came from outside the door.

They couldn't help but look towards the door.

Two young men of different builds and dressed differently rushed in, their faces beaming with excitement, each holding an envelope.

However, the moment they rushed in, the scene before them made them pause slightly, and they couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, what's going on?"

"Your Highness, has something happened?" another young man asked, puzzled.

"Uh,"

Li Tai's lips twitched, and he subconsciously glanced at the two Imperial Guards before feigning composure and saying, "It's nothing. What were you talking about? My father replied?"

"Ah? Oh, yes, His Majesty replied!"

After saying this, he handed the letter in his hand to Li Tai, while giving the two Imperial Guards a slightly strange look.

Without saying a word, Li Tai tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter inside.

Upon reading the contents, Li Tai was first taken aback, then delighted, but ultimately became somewhat conflicted.

"What's wrong, Your Highness? What did His Majesty say?"

Seeing Li Tai's constantly changing expression, Su Xu's heart was in his throat, and he couldn't help but ask a question.

“My father said that Li Ke is always thinking of his mother when he is away from home, and asked me to write a letter to her as well. If I want to go back to visit her, he will allow me to go back for a while. However, smallpox has broken out in Chang'an now, and he does not recommend that I go back now. Whether I go back or not is up to me,” Li Tai replied with a frown.

If it were just now, he would have been overjoyed to see this letter, even though he is now over 160 years old, nothing could stop his joy.

But now, he seems very conflicted.

The two Imperial Guards' slip of the tongue made him begin to worry.

Although he didn't believe Li Chengqian would kill him, Li Chengqian had warned him in front of Li Shimin that he could only return to Chang'an with Li Chengqian's permission.

If he were to rashly return to Chang'an, who knows what Li Chengqian would do to him?
After all, he was no longer as favored by Li Shimin, and dared not be arrogant because of his favor.

Moreover, what exactly was Li Ke's purpose in returning to Chang'an at this time?

Was it really to go back and see his mother?
If he really cared so much about his mother, why would he go to the fiefdom in advance and seal it off?
He wasn't forced by Li Chengqian.
and many more!

Something seems wrong!
It seems like something happened between Li Chengqian and Li Ke.

Li Tai seemed to have thought of something, and his heart stirred, causing him to fall into deep thought.

After a moment, Liu Yuan tentatively asked, "So, Your Highness's intention is to return, or..."

Li Tai narrowed his eyes, then turned to look at the two Imperial Guards, gritted his teeth, and shook his head, saying, "Now is not the time. I cannot abandon the people of Yangzhou."

After saying this, he gripped the envelope in his hand and said in a deep voice, "Guards! Summon the governor of Yangzhou! No, summon all the officials of Yangzhou, high and low! I want to oversee the disaster relief efforts!"

Wow!
The whole place was in an uproar!

Everyone stared at Li Tai in disbelief, wondering what had gotten into His Highness Prince Wei today.
He's actually thinking about the people?!

Are we dreaming?!
Clearly, Li Tai's sudden outburst caught everyone off guard.

But one person couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

And this person was none other than Liu Yuan.

Because his father was the governor of Yangzhou, if Li Tai left like this, his father would definitely have to take the blame.

Fortunately, Li Tai did not leave in the end.

The two young men looked on with surprise.

But then one of the young men said urgently, "Your Highness! Why are you doing this? Haven't you always wanted to return to Chang'an? Now His Majesty has sent a letter allowing you to return, why are you..."

"Chai Lingwu! Please be mindful of your status! You are the descendant of a meritorious official, how can you do something that disregards the common people?"

Li Taiyi sternly interrupted him, then looked at another young man and said with a stern face, "Pei Qian! Go and write a letter to the people of Yangzhou! Say that I will stand with them and fight the disaster together!"

"Furthermore, appeal to the surrounding prefectures and counties to donate money and grain! In my name alone! Say that I owe them! Go now!" "Yes, sir!"

Although Pei Qian was equally puzzled, he was also somewhat relieved that this Prince Wei had finally managed to do something decent.

So he quickly turned and left.

As for the two Imperial Guards, they were also somewhat surprised to see that Li Tai had actually given up on returning to Chang'an.

However, they didn't say anything more.

Their duty was to prevent Li Tai from leaving Yangzhou, and since Li Tai was no longer planning to leave, their mission was accomplished.

Li Tai, unusually energetic, began directing those around him to participate in the disaster relief efforts.

He even tore up the letter he had written to Li Shimin.

For a moment, no one knew what he was planning.

Meanwhile, in Hunzhou City.

Since Li Chengqian learned of the smallpox epidemic in Chang'an, he has been unable to sleep well.

I'm always worried about this or that.

Even though he had already chosen to be someone who didn't care so much about family ties, he couldn't help but feel anxious whenever he thought of Empress Zhangsun, Li Yuan still being in Chang'an, and even his lovely and sensible younger sisters.

As a result, I haven't been able to eat or sleep well lately, and I've become quite haggard.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Seeing that Li Chengqian had dark circles under his eyes and was staring at the documents on his desk, frequently getting distracted, Laifu couldn't help but call out to him softly.

"Ah? What's wrong?"

Hearing the call, Li Chengqian seemed to snap out of his daze and looked at Laifu: "Has there been new news from Chang'an?"

"No, Your Highness, this old servant was just reminding you that it's time to eat something."

"Oh, this? I'm not hungry right now, you can put it aside."

"But it's already been heated three times already, it'll spoil if it's heated any more."

"Okay, okay."

Knowing Lai Fu's loyalty and not wanting to make things difficult for him, Li Chengqian reluctantly took the chopsticks and began eating absentmindedly.

“Your Highness, if you are really worried about Chang’an, you can go back to Chang’an yourself. Anyway, it is winter now and there is no war.” Lai Fu couldn’t help but remind him again.

Li Chengqian glanced at him, then shook his head and said, "It wouldn't be of much use for me to go back. I've written down how to fight the epidemic on paper. With Doctor Sun and the others here, there won't be any problems!"

"But."

"Your Highness!"

Just as Laifu was about to say a few more words, a voice suddenly came from outside the door: "The Tibetan envoy requests an audience!"

"Ok?"

Li Chengqian was slightly taken aback, but immediately perked up.

Although his next goal was very clear: to attack Tibet.

However, he did not formally declare war on Tibet.

In other words, although Tibet and the Tang Dynasty are currently at peace, both sides are well aware that a major war is about to break out.

However, he couldn't understand why Songtsen Gampo would send an envoy now.
Could it be that they want to sue for peace?

Obviously, this is impossible; he will absolutely not agree to a peace treaty!

After all, the threat that Tibet posed to the Tang Dynasty in the future was far greater than that of any country at present.

It is a major threat and must be eliminated as soon as possible.

Li Chengqian composed himself slightly and solemnly ordered, "Let the Tibetan envoy in!"

"Yes!"

A voice answered from outside the door, and about fifteen minutes later, the Tibetan envoy walked in with a smile.

Beside him was a deputy envoy who was clearly of Han Chinese descent.

"Your humble servants Sangbuzha and Hegan Chengji pay their respects to His Highness the Crown Prince of the Great Tang!"

"No need for formalities! Please take a seat!"

Li Chengqian calmly raised his hand to them, while his heart was filled with surprise.

This Sangbu Zha was a minister in the imperial court of Songtsen Gampo and was later praised as one of the "Four Wise Ministers of Tibet". Unexpectedly, Songtsen Gampo did not send him as an envoy to the Tang Dynasty.

And this Hegan Chengji, isn't he the traitor who betrayed Lu Dongzan and the cripple?
He actually gained Songtsen Gampo's favor!

It seems their purpose in coming here is not simple.

But Sambuto spoke first: "I have heard that the Tuyuhun Khan Murong Shun has surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, and I have come on behalf of our Zanpu to congratulate the Tang Dynasty!"

As he spoke, he turned his head and glanced at Hegan Chengji.

Hegan Chengji immediately produced a dagger inlaid with various gemstones, explaining with a smile, "This is the Hidden Dragon Blade, personally crafted by our Zanpu for His Highness the Crown Prince! Forged from meteorite, it can cut through iron like mud and sever a hair in an instant. The gemstones are also from our Zanpu."

"okay!"

Before Hegan Chengji could finish speaking, Li Chengqian impatiently interrupted him: "If I'm not mistaken, you should be a Han Chinese, right? How come you, a Han Chinese, speak of your Zanpu (Tibetan king) so fluently? Have you really gotten so used to being a dog that you can't speak human language anymore?"

"Ah? This"

He Gan Chengji's expression changed after being rebuked by Li Chengqian, and he was at a loss for words.

Even Sambuza, who was standing to the side, looked surprised.

Clearly, they had no idea why the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty was so angry.

We two don't seem to have done anything impolite!

"Alright, let's get down to business first. We can put the gift aside for now!"

Seeing that he had disrupted the rhythm of the two, Li Chengqian pressed on while the iron was hot.

The two exchanged a glance, then Sambuto quickly said, "Your Highness, Crown Prince of the Great Tang, please calm down. We have come here with no ill intentions. Besides congratulating the Great Tang on its pacification of Tuyuhun, we also represent our Zanpu to discuss a matter with you!"

"What is it?" Li Chengqian asked directly.

"Uh, this"

Sambuto hesitated for a moment, then took out a map from his robes and said, “Previously, our Zanpu was unaware that Tuyuhun intended to surrender to the Tang Dynasty, and thus accepted the surrender of the former Tuyuhun crown prince and the western Tuyuhun territory he occupied! Now, Tuyuhun has surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, and our Zanpu has no intention of being an enemy of the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, we intend to return western Tuyuhun, so that Tuyuhun may belong to the Tang Dynasty in its entirety. What does the Tang crown prince think?”

"We have an old saying in the Central Plains: 'No one gets up early without a reason.' Whatever your purpose is, Your Majesty, just say it! Don't try to reason with me; my patience is limited!" Li Chengqian said calmly and authoritatively.

Sambuto was speechless for a moment, then turned to look at Hegan Chengji, thinking to himself, "How can the Crown Prince of your Great Tang be like this? He doesn't follow any negotiation rules at all!"

But then Hegan Chengji laughed and said, "Your Highness, the Zanpu's goal is very simple. If the Tang Dynasty agrees to let him marry the princess, he is willing to live in peace with the Tang Dynasty, become a vassal of the Tang Dynasty, and return the old Tuyuhun territory! I wonder what Your Highness thinks?"

Li Chengqian sneered, then slowly stood up from his seat, and said disdainfully, "As expected of a yellow-eyed dog, he knows how to betray his own people!"

"Don't you understand? Our Great Tang Dynasty has a national policy of not engaging in marriage alliances, not ceding territory, not paying reparations, and not paying tribute. Or perhaps you haven't explained this clearly to your master?"

"Looks like you won't be a good dog over there either!"

"you!"

He Gan Chengji was so angry with Li Chengqian that his face turned dark, and he hesitated to speak.

Meanwhile, Sambuza's expression also turned somewhat unpleasant.

Although in his eyes, Hegan Chengji was indeed a Han dog who had defected to their Zanpu, as the saying goes, you have to consider the owner before you beat a dog.

Li Chengqian repeatedly humiliated Hegan Chengji, showing no respect to their Zanpu (king), which naturally became intolerable to him.

But then he stood up angrily, squinting his eyes and saying, "What does the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty mean by this? Does he really want to start a war with my Tubo?"

"Otherwise what? What do you think I'm doing here? Admiring the snow?" Li Chengqian asked with amusement.

But then Sangbuza sneered, "I think the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty doesn't know his own situation, or rather, he underestimates Tibet!"

"No, I have always valued your Tubo, especially Songzan Gampo. I consider him one of the few rivals I have ever faced, much stronger than Yishiyinan and Fuyun!"

Upon hearing this, Sangbuza and Hegan Chengji exchanged bewildered glances.

It seems no one expected that Li Chengqian would have such a high opinion of Songtsen Gampo.

But then Li Chengqian suddenly seemed to remember something and said, "I originally intended to contact your Zanpu, but since he has sent an envoy first, I will tell you directly: I want to ask him for someone!"

"who?"

"Dayan Mangjiebo's mother!"

"what!?"

Sangbuza and Hegan Chengji were taken aback upon hearing this.

Even the way he looked at Li Chengqian changed.

Could this Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty still possess the spirit of Cao Cao?!
(End of this chapter)