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

Chapter 398 Singing in Prison, Accompanying Murder at Night! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Tonight, Chang'an seems to be shrouded in an even deeper silence than usual.

The curfew gong had already sounded, the gates of the neighborhood were tightly closed, and only the city defense soldiers patrolling the streets were moving about.

Their steps were monotonous, their footsteps echoing through the empty streets.

However, in the shadows of countless low walls, deep within those dilapidated houses with their doors and windows tightly shut, poisoned by "Qingwen San," pairs of eyes are anxiously watching the darkness outside.

Those were Pei Xingjian's most elite Imperial Guards. They held their breath, like lurking cheetahs, waiting for their prey to step into the carefully woven net of death.

Meanwhile, at the Shu King's Palace.

"Your Highness!"

Cheng Huailiang rushed to Li Ke, cupped his hands and said, "The enhanced 'Qingwen Powder' is all ready! The staff in each ward are also prepared! We are just waiting for your order!"

"it is good!"

Li Ke slapped the table with satisfaction, then stood up from his seat, looked around at everyone, and said, "Brothers, after tonight, our big plan will be accomplished!"

"Hahaha!"

The crowd burst into excited laughter.

But Chai Zhewei spoke first: "That scoundrel Li Chengqian, relying on his status as the Crown Prince, has no regard for the law and actually arrested Yindi. We can't swallow this insult!"

"That's right! We did a good job with epidemic prevention, and he didn't even approve of it. But when he came back, he even drove away our miracle doctor! That's really too much!"

"Hmph! This kind of person needs to be taught a lesson! If we don't, he'll never know his place!"

"I heard he's already in prison? Serves him right! His Majesty should see what kind of person he really is, and whether he's even fit to be the Crown Prince!"

"In my opinion, our third brother is the one who should be the crown prince!"

Hearing about the "Five Tigers and One Tai Sui," and how everyone was criticizing Li Chengqian while praising themselves, Li Ke felt very pleased. However, he quickly came to his senses amidst these words: "Alright, let's not worry about Li Chengqian for now, let's talk about our important business!"

"Distributing the enhanced 'Qingwen San' tonight was a desperate measure, because I wanted to prove to everyone that I am wholeheartedly committed to fighting the epidemic! I am not the kind of person like Li Chengqian who disregards epidemic prevention regulations for his own selfish interests!"

"Therefore, I hope everyone will help me by using the resources of your families to distribute the enhanced 'Qingwen San' as soon as possible to save more people!"

"Third Brother! Don't worry! Everyone in our family is at your disposal!"

Chai Zhewei was the first to step forward again.

The others chimed in, "That's right, we'll all listen to Third Brother!"

"Good!" Li Ke's eyes burned with a desperate glint: "Pass down the order! At midnight, simultaneously release the enhanced 'Plague-Clearing Powder' at all points! I want to make the entire city of Chang'an boil over tonight!"

"Yes!"

The group immediately accepted the order and soon left.

The plague doctor, who had remained silent until then, revealed a meaningful smile after they left: "Your Highness is truly surrounded by talented people! This enhanced version of 'Plague-Clearing Powder' is far more effective than the original. Once those common people get even a little bit of it, they'll be like maggots clinging to their bones, unable to leave!"

"At that time, the hearts of the people of Chang'an will be the sharpest knife in Your Highness's hand!"

"Public support?"

Li Ke sneered, his eyes flashing with a venomous light. "No, it's desire! It's fear! It's greed! With these, they'll become the most obedient mad dogs!"

As he spoke, he suddenly turned around and stared intently at the plague doctor: "When will the garrison commander make his move? With Li Chengqian in prison, it's the perfect opportunity to deal with his henchmen!"

A glint flashed in the Plague Doctor's eyes: "Generals Wu Bing and Liu Yun have received orders from the Garrison Commander to personally take action tonight!"

"Target—Pei Xingjian, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

"As long as we get rid of this most vicious watchdog of Li Chengqian, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will be leaderless, and the city defense troops bought by Xi Jun will be unable to hold on alone!"

"When the enhanced version of 'Plague-Clearing Powder' triggers a city-wide riot, that will be the time for Your Highness to rise up, rally the troops, clean up the mess, and become the savior of Chang'an!"

Pei Xingjian

Li Ke chewed on the name, his eyes flashing with murderous intent: "Fine! I want to watch this loyal dog turn into a dead dog with my own eyes! Let Li Chengqian taste what it's like to lose an arm!"

"Bang—!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of the clapper at midnight, like a death knell, faintly came from afar.

Deep within Anrenfang, in the East Market.

Several furtive shadowy figures moved swiftly and silently along the base of the wall, like geckos.

They were dressed in night clothes that blended into the darkness, carrying heavy bundles that exuded that familiar, nauseatingly sweet and fishy smell.

It's an enhanced version of 'Qingwen San'!
The leader, with a cruel excitement on his face, lowered his voice and said to the men behind him, "Hurry up! According to the list given by the Plague Doctor, this area is full of 'regular customers' who trust our 'Plague-Clearing Powder' the most!"

"Stuff things under their doors and windows!"

"Once it's daylight, and they discover the 'miracle drug' has fallen from the sky, and hear our people stirring things up... hehe, that'll be enough to give the Crown Prince a major headache! And make His Highness the Prince of Shu overjoyed!"

As they spoke, they skillfully made their way to a marked house.

"Hmm? Something feels off. Why is there no sound coming from inside?"

One of the men in black paused, looking at the leader with some confusion.

The leader was also taken aback, then raised his hand to signal to several subordinates who were approaching, and whispered, "Could it be that he died of the plague?"

"No way, so fast? If he were dead, the Shuchoro's men shouldn't have marked him!" another man in black chimed in.

The leader thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "You're right, they're probably already asleep. Don't worry about it, just release them first!"

"it is good!"

Several men in black immediately scaled the wall and entered the courtyard.

Then one of the men in black carefully took out a small, rough pottery jar from the package. Inside was a dark red, viscous, enhanced version of 'Qingwen Powder'.

He bent down, preparing to stuff the jar under the seemingly unguarded crack in the door.

However, just as his fingers were about to touch the door panel—

"boom!!!"

The seemingly fragile wooden door burst open inwards as if struck by a battering ram!
Splintered wood shavings shot out like sharp arrows!

"what--!"

The man in black, who was bent over, was the first to be hit. Several sharp pieces of wood were deeply embedded in his face and chest. He screamed and fell backward, and the poison jar in his hand flew out of his hand!

"No! There's an ambush!"

The leader's pupils suddenly contracted.

His reaction was extremely fast; as he shouted a warning, his figure retreated rapidly like a ghost.

But it was too late.

Behind the shattered door panel was not some dormant 'old customer' at all.

Several Imperial Guards, dressed in flying fish robes and masked, with eyes as cold as knives, emerged like tigers from their cages. Their embroidered spring knives flashed with a deadly light in the dim night, instantly sealing off all escape routes!
Meanwhile, shadowy figures could be seen on the low walls and rooftops on both sides of the courtyard.

Powerful bows and crossbows, along with muskets, gleamed with a deathly light under the moonlight, their cold arrowheads and gun barrels firmly locked onto the uninvited guest in the courtyard!
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is investigating! Surrender!" A cold voice came from the Embroidered Uniform Guard who burst through the door, devoid of any emotion.

"Damn it! We've fallen for their trap!"

The leader, terrified, instantly understood.

No wonder there was no sound in the courtyard; it turned out to be a trap set by the Imperial Guards, who were just waiting for them to come and poison the poison so they could catch them all in one fell swoop.

But how did the Embroidered Uniform Guard know about their actions tonight, and even move their "old customers" away in advance?
Could it be that there are spies from the Embroidered Uniform Guard among them?
Thinking this, a fierce glint flashed in the eyes of the leader. He knew there was no chance of survival tonight, so he suddenly drew a poisoned short blade from his waist and roared, "Fight our way out! Everyone who can escape is a piece of cake! Those who can't escape should commit suicide! Don't let the Embroidered Uniform Guard find any evidence against us!"

Upon hearing this, the men in black immediately transformed into assassins!
The battle breaks out instantly!

These assassins were no ordinary men; each one was incredibly brave and fierce. Poisoned darts and hidden weapons rained down on the Imperial Guards around them, attempting to create an opening.

However, they were facing the Empire's most elite agents, who were well-prepared, well-equipped, and worked in perfect harmony!

The embroidered spring knives wove a dense, impenetrable net of deadly blades, precisely parrying deadly hidden weapons, and steadily compressing the encirclement.

The crossbows and muskets on the walls and rooftops were like the Grim Reaper calling out names; every click of the mechanism was accompanied by a muffled groan or scream from the guards.

"Pfft!"

A suicide soldier who was trying to escape was stabbed through the waist and ribs by a slashing embroidered spring knife that came from the side.

"Ugh!"

Another assassin who had leaped onto the wall was also pierced by three crossbow bolts at the same time and fell down like a broken sack.

The assassin who was prepared to fight the Imperial Guards to the death was shot in the head by a musket.

The battle was intense but brief, a complete one-sided massacre!

The bravery of suicide squad members is like moths drawn to a flame when faced with overwhelming strength and meticulously laid traps.

The leader was the most skilled in combat.

Despite being stabbed in the shoulder and shot in the thigh, he managed to parry two embroidered spring knives and was about to break through the blockade of a Jinyiwei guard and escape into the dark alley.
"Stay!"

A cold shout exploded behind him like a thunderclap!
A figure, like lightning tearing through the night sky, arrived first despite being behind, carrying unparalleled power and chilling killing intent!

It was Pei Xingjian, who was in charge of clearing out this area! The specially made, elongated embroidered spring knife in his hand whistled through the air as it came down with the force of splitting Mount Hua!
The leader was terrified and only had time to raise his poisoned short blade to block!

"Dang - click!"

The poisoned short blade, forged from high-quality steel, was cleaved in two by that single, terrifyingly powerful strike!

The blade continued its momentum, slicing diagonally from the leader's left shoulder to his right ribs like a hot knife cutting through butter!

Fresh blood mixed with fragments of internal organs gushed out!

The leader's body stiffened for a moment, his eyes still filled with disbelief and horror, before he split in two and crashed heavily into the pool of blood!
Pei Xingjian sheathed his sword and stood there, the blood in the groove on the blade flowing like a stream.

He didn't even glance at the mangled corpses on the ground. His cold gaze swept over the Imperial Guards who had quickly finished fighting and were beginning to clean up the scene. He ordered in a deep voice, "Check for poison! Confirm identities! Drag away the bodies! Next!"

"Yes!"

The Imperial Guards around immediately obeyed the order.

The same scene was playing out almost simultaneously in dozens of locations in Chang'an City, including the East Market, West Market, and Guangde Ward, which were marked as 'key deployment areas' by the guards!
"Kill them! Kill all these treacherous dogs who harm people!"

"Stop—Don't run!!"

A large number of Imperial Guards chased after the assassins who had administered the enhanced version of "Qingwen San" (a traditional Chinese medicine), wreaking havoc on rooftops, in alleyways, and in every corner of Chang'an.

Countless lives were spilled, staining the night in Chang'an crimson.

A faint chill lingered in the moonlight's reflection.

A meticulously planned, enhanced version of the "Qingwen San" (a traditional Chinese medicine) distribution operation turned into a mass grave for the Shu King's men who had committed suicide!
Those ordinary people who were drugged with incense and placed in safe places were completely unaware of the bloody massacre that was taking place at their doorsteps that night.

And the other side.

The temporary prison cells in the main hall of the three courts were even colder and more gloomy than the interrogation rooms.

The air was filled with the musty smell of years past and a faint sense of oppression.

Li Chengqian, however, was completely oblivious to his surroundings.

He sat cross-legged on a simple straw mat, his back ramrod straight, his eyes slightly closed, as if he were in the quiet room of the Eastern Palace.

His dark, tight-fitting clothes, even in the dim light, exuded a deep and unfathomable aura.

"Your Highness, I'm sorry to have troubled you."

Outside the prison gate, Chu Suiliang's voice was filled with apology and helplessness.

He personally brought clean bedding, food and water, and even a brighter oil lamp.

Li Chengqian slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calm and unwavering: "Grand Counselor, there's no need to take it to heart. I find peace and quiet here."

Then, he changed the subject, his tone turning cold: "As for the Prince of Yan, how are your injuries? Don't let yourself be used as a pawn and end up being taken advantage of."

Chu Suiliang felt a chill run down his spine and said in a low voice, "His Highness the Prince of Yan is emotionally agitated, and with Chief Secretary Yin present, we officials have no right to offer any advice."

He paused, then lowered his voice even further: "Your Highness, rest assured, there are many suspicious points in this case. I will do my utmost to find out the truth and clear Your Highness's name!"

"Innocence?" Li Chengqian's lips curled into a faint smile, tinged with a knowing mockery: "My innocence does not depend on whether you can investigate it thoroughly. The Grand Counselor only needs to remember that you only need to act according to the law and handle matters impartially."

Looking into Li Chengqian's unfathomable eyes, Chu Suiliang felt a chill rise from the soles of his feet.

For some reason, he had a feeling that something big was going to happen in Chang'an tonight.

Although Li Shimin's decree instructed them to investigate Li Chengqian, they were also well aware of that decree; Li Shimin simply did not believe that Li Chengqian would send someone to assassinate Li You.

First, there is no plausible motive.

Secondly, Li Chengqian was not that stupid.

Therefore, they did not devote much energy to this matter.

On the contrary, they were full of anticipation for Li Chengqian's return to Chang'an.

Everyone knew that what Li Ke and his brothers did in Chang'an was ostensibly to fight the epidemic, but in reality, it was to seize power.

Therefore, many imperial officials, including Fang Xuanling, Li Jing, and Wei Zheng, chose to avoid confrontation and observe the situation.

After all, the people who dealt with them have already returned.

After a moment's hesitation, Chu Suiliang solemnly cupped his hands and said, "This humble official understands! Your Highness, please take care!"

After saying this, he immediately turned around and prepared to leave.

However, at this moment, Li Chengqian suddenly spoke up again: "Grand Counselor, could you do me a small favor?"

Chu Suiliang paused, then bowed respectfully and said, "Whatever Your Highness's orders are, this humble official will do his best to fulfill them!"

"Heh, don't be nervous. I'm just feeling a bit bored in prison. Go find me a pipa, I'll play it for fun!"

"lute?"

Chu Suiliang was somewhat surprised: "Your Highness, you can play the pipa?"

"Is it weird?"

Li Chengqian laughed: "I stayed in Jiangling with the Emperor Emeritus for more than a year. The Emperor Emeritus loved playing the pipa, so he naturally taught me. But I don't play as well as him; it was just for fun."

Upon hearing this, Chu Suiliang suddenly realized what was going on, and then bowed again: "Your Highness, please wait a moment, I will find you a pipa right away!"

"Go ahead, it doesn't need to be too good, just enough to play!"

"promise!"

Chu Suiliang agreed and immediately took his leave.

Before long, he walked into the prison cell with a pipa.

"Your Highness, what do you think of this?"

"Row!"

Li Chengqian smiled and nodded, then reached out and stroked the strings of the zither, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes wide, a glint of light flashing in them, but a cold and disdainful smile slowly curved his lips.

Long, strong fingers gently brushed across the cool pipa strings.

"Zheng——!"

A clear, solitary string note suddenly pierced the dullness of the dungeon, like a golden spear being drawn from its sheath, carrying a chilling sharpness that cut through all filth.

Immediately afterwards, a rapid, rain-like series of finger strikes began.

The music was a cacophony of sounds, a jumbled mess of notes.

The melody was neither court music nor a folk tune.

Instead, it carries a fierce and ruthless aura of war, while also containing a cold and aloof arrogance and unrestrained spirit.

It's that song, "Ambush from Ten Sides"!
Chu Suiliang felt a chill rush straight to the top of his head, and his scalp tingled instantly.

The sound of the pipa grew higher and higher, more and more intense.

At the climax of the piece, Li Chengqian suddenly stopped playing, the lingering sound of the zither echoing and reverberating between the stone walls.

He looked up, his gaze seemingly piercing through layers of thick stone walls, landing on the night sky of Chang'an shrouded in poisonous flames and madness.

A clear voice, filled with boundless killing intent, boomed in the dungeon, against the backdrop of the chaos faintly echoing from Chang'an:

“Everything is created to nourish man, and man has nothing to repay heaven with!”

"Zheng——!"

The sound of the zither, like a drumbeat, roused a silent heart.

"Kill kill kill kill kill kill!"

"Zheng——!"

The music was like a knife, slicing through the darkness of the dungeon.

"Those who are disloyal can be killed!"

"The unfilial person deserves to be killed!"

"The unkind man says he can be killed!"

"The unjust can be killed!"

"It's unkind, unwise, and untrustworthy!"

"This prince commands: Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The verses are powerful and resounding, each word as firm as iron!
That soaring murderous aura, that arrogant disdain for the world, that determination to cleanse the universe, along with the song sung in prison, swept out like an invisible raging tide!

Chu Suiliang's face turned deathly pale instantly!
Even the few prison guards standing outside the cell were so frightened by the sudden sound of the pipa and the murderous verses that they almost collapsed to the ground!

What is your highness the Crown Prince doing?!

Is this overwhelming killing intent meant to massacre Chang'an?!

(End of this chapter)