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

Chapter 407 Emperor Li Er's Edict Arrives, Everyone's Stunned [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

"Your Highness, you..."

"What? Do you really think I can't see anything?"

Li Chengqian sneered, then pulled out the spear that had been thrust into his body, and said, "Even Bai Tong and his sister's disguise was easily seen through by me. You dare to show off your meager disguise skills in front of me? You're simply courting death!"

".Heh.Heh."

The man impersonating Yuan Tiangang's expression changed, then he revealed a cruel, murderous grin: "Li Chengqian, you are indeed formidable. But don't be too happy yet, the show has only just begun. We, the garrison commanders, will never release you."

"Puch!"

Before he could finish speaking, Li Chengqian plunged another spear into his throat, irritated, "You're about to die, and you still have so much nonsense to say! You guards are hopeless!"

After saying this, he drew his spear, shook off the blood, and frowned, saying, "Someone! Call Ma Zhou and the others here. I'll wait for them in the meeting hall. Also, clean up this corpse; don't let it get in the way!"

"promise!"

A voice immediately responded from inside the Crown Prince's residence, and then two guards hurriedly carried the body away.

Li Chengqian took the map and went straight to the conference room.

Although he didn't know why the guard would impersonate Yuan Tiangang to deliver the map to him, the first generation of the Bad Guy Commander sent by Li Yuan to assist him piqued his interest.

"Bad Mountain, huh?"

Li Chengqian narrowed his eyes and said, "It seems that Old Li was indeed hiding his true abilities!"

Actually, when he first started working with Lao Li, he knew that Lao Li was not as incompetent as portrayed in history books.

After all, he was emperor for nine years, and it's impossible that he accomplished nothing during those nine years.

Moreover, besides being emperor for nine years, he also served as a duke for several decades; it's impossible that he wasn't capable.

"Yes, I'll have to find some time to go see him!"

Li Chengqian muttered something as he sat down, then picked up the map and studied it carefully.

This map is somewhat different from the current map of Chang'an, but the key points of the secret passages marked on it are largely the same.

In other words, if the map is real, then he can find the secret passage marked with these symbols.

But this map was delivered by the Shouchuro. What is their purpose?

Surely they wouldn't lure me into a secret passage and then ambush me, would they?

If that guard really thinks I'll fall for it, he's seriously underestimating me!

"His Royal Highness!"

Just as Li Chengqian was dismissing the garrison commander with disdain, Ma Zhou and his men strode in.

"Sit down and talk!"

Li Chengqian put down the map and gestured with his hand.

"Your Highness, what's the situation with the Prince of Liang and the Prince of Shu? Were they kidnapped by that guard impersonating you?" Cen Wenben asked first after sitting down.

They were unaware of Li Chengqian's plan, and even less aware that Li Chengqian had already killed the Li brothers.

The only person who knew about this was Yang Nannan; even Pei Xingjian was unaware of it.

Because Yang Nannan used her 'Gu people' to investigate the secret strongholds of the Guardian.

But then Li Chengqian said regretfully, "Yes! Brother Li Ke was indeed kidnapped by that guard who impersonated me. When I got there, I was still a step too late!"

"So, do we still not see any movement from that garrison commander?" Ma Zhou couldn't help but ask.

Li Chengqian glanced at him and nodded, saying, "That's right, we don't know the movements of the Garrison Commander yet."

"but."

As he spoke, he changed the subject: "The garrison commander just sent someone over, and he was impersonating Mr. Yuan! Luckily, I saw through his ruse and shot him dead, otherwise, I might have fallen for his trap!"

"Furthermore, I want to remind you all not to be like me and almost fall for a scam. Always use your brains!"

"This"

The group exchanged glances, then answered in unison, "We will obey His Highness the Crown Prince's instructions!"

"Alright, enough with the nonsense. Now, listen to my instructions. Hou Junji's army is about to arrive!"

"promise!"

Everyone immediately agreed, sat up straight, and listened attentively.

On the other side, outside Lintao Pass.

After wandering around Gaochang, Hou Junji's army, under the pretext of "serving the king," headed straight for Chang'an.

At this moment, Hou Junji, clad in bright armor, stood at the foot of Lintao Pass, gazing at the familiar Tang banners within the pass, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

Behind him stood a massive army of 30,000, their helmets and armor gleaming, yet they exuded an indescribable restlessness.

This army harbored too many spies planted by the garrison commander, as well as his own desperate ambition.

His original plan was to destroy the Gaochang Kingdom, then become a local tyrant there for a while and make a small fortune.

However, plans can't keep up with changes. A secret letter from the garrison commander forced him to cooperate with the garrison commander's actions.

This secret letter concerned the very survival of his Hou family.

"General, shall we enter the pass?"

The lieutenant asked in a low voice, his tone tinged with unease.

Hou Junji twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a cold smile: "Enter! Why not enter? His Majesty has decreed that the epidemic in Chang'an is critical, and we, as his subjects, should rush to its aid day and night."

This is half true and half false.

Li Shimin did issue an imperial edict ordering all regions to strengthen their defenses and prevent the spread of the epidemic, but he never mentioned anything about "rushing to the aid of Chang'an".

This privately added sentence was a signal he had agreed upon with Shouchuro.

When the army entered the pass, the guards routinely checked the documents.

"General Hou, please do me this favor!"

"I am here on His Majesty's orders to reinforce Chang'an. What is there to inconvenience about?!"

Hou Junji waved his hand impatiently, signaling his personal guards to hand over the travel document, but his eyes swept over the guards on the city wall like a hawk.

Soon, he noticed an unusual guard who was winking at him.

This means that preparations are complete in Chang'an.

"go!"

After the documents were checked, Hou Junji immediately waved his hand.

The 30,000-strong army marched into the pass in a grand procession.

As they approached Chang'an, the lieutenant suddenly pointed ahead, frowned, and said, "General, something seems amiss in the direction of Chang'an."

"What's wrong?"

"It doesn't look like there's going to be any major chaos."

Hou Junji narrowed his eyes instantly.

According to the plan of the garrison commander, after Li Ke and his brothers were killed, the garrison commander would take the opportunity to spread rumors that "the crown prince killed his brothers," and then lead troops to "suppress the rebellion" and take control of the capital.

But the current calm is definitely not quite right.

"What's the panic?" Hou Junji said sternly, "The calmer things seem, the more turbulent the undercurrents are. Perhaps the Crown Prince has already been taken into custody, but the news is being suppressed!"

Despite this, he secretly slowed down the march and secretly sent his trusted confidants to Chang'an to investigate the situation.

Three days later, the army arrived in Xianyang, only a day's journey away from Chang'an.

The confidant finally brought back news, but it plunged Hou Junji into an icy abyss.

"General, everything is normal in Chang'an! His Highness the Crown Prince is safe and sound. The Li brothers have colluded with the guards to escape from prison!"

The trusted aide reported breathlessly, "Moreover, His Highness the Crown Prince seems to have anticipated your arrival and has already ordered General Li Jing to lead 5,000 imperial guards to camp outside the city and wait for you!"

"what?!"

Hou Junji suddenly pulled on the reins, his face turning deathly pale.

The Li brothers didn't die? They even escaped from prison?
What about the garrison commander's plan? What about the pawns planted in Chang'an?

Wasn't it said that Chang'an was already ready? What's going on?!

Countless questions flooded my mind, but there was only one answer.

They were outmaneuvered by Li Chengqian!
"Ah!"

Hou Junji suddenly chuckled, his laughter laced with icy glint: "Five thousand Imperial Guards? And Li Jing is in charge? Li Chengqian certainly thinks highly of me!"

He raised his hand and pressed it against the horizontal sword at his waist, the gemstone inlaid on the hilt gleaming coldly in the sunlight: "Send the order down, the army shall set up camp ten miles outside Xianyang City, and change the banner to 'By Imperial Decree, Suppress the Remnants of the Rebellion'."

"General?" The lieutenant was slightly taken aback, then asked with some doubt, "Aren't we going into the city?"

"Which city are we going to?"

Hou Junji glanced at him sideways, his eyes almost overflowing with ruthlessness: "That old fox Li Jing dared to bring only five thousand Imperial Guards, either he has laid a trap in the city, or he wants to lure me in for street fighting. Do you think I'll give them that chance?"

He dismounted, his boots crunching over the gravel by the roadside: "Go, send a message to Chang'an, saying that this general has heard that the Prince of Shu and the Prince of Liang are plotting a rebellion, and has come to assist His Highness the Crown Prince in suppressing the rebellion."

"in addition!"

He paused for a moment, then added, "Give half of the 'medicinal herbs' brought from Gaochang to General Wang of the Capital Garrison, and tell him that the favor owed from back then should be repaid."

The lieutenant suddenly realized: "The general wants to..."

"What are you thinking about?"

Hou Junji interrupted him, a sinister smile playing on his lips: "I'm here to serve the emperor, not to rebel. Naturally, I need to let Chang'an know my intentions."

"Yes!"

The lieutenant immediately accepted the order and withdrew.

Meanwhile, atop Chang'an city walls, Li Chengqian, accompanied by Pei Xingjian, was inspecting the city's defenses. "Your Highness!"

Hu Deli, the gatekeeper of Mingde Gate, rushed to the scene immediately upon hearing the news.

He still vividly remembers the scene of Li Chengqian entering the city that day, and remains trembling with fear.

"Hmm, General Hu, has anything unusual happened lately?"

Li Chengqian nodded calmly.

Hu Deli had already received instructions from the Embroidered Uniform Guard to focus on investigating any suspected accomplices of the city's guards.

Therefore, as soon as Li Chengqian asked, he immediately reported to him: "Your Highness, I have done my best to investigate and have only caught three suspects so far. Moreover, I have arranged for my trusted confidants to guard the key locations."

"What about the three suspects? Were they sent to the Embroidered Uniform Guard for questioning?"

"Uh, this."

Hu Deli hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Pei Xingjian and said, "Not yet, they're all locked up in the city gate cells!"

"Why aren't you following my orders?"

Li Chengqian's eyes turned cold: "Are you going to disobey orders?"

"Don't dare!"

Hu Deli's face paled, and he hurriedly said, "It's not that I'm disobeying orders, but I'm not sure about these three people either. Moreover, their identities are not simple; they come from noble families."

"What noble family?"

Li Chengqian immediately interrupted him coldly: "Here, even princes are treated the same!"

"Yes, yes, yes, Your Majesty, I will immediately send someone to the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters!"

Hu Deli was drenched in cold sweat and nodded repeatedly.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside the city, and someone immediately shouted, "Who goes there?! Report back immediately!"

"I am the Commandant of the Hundred Cavalry Division, here by His Majesty's order to deliver the decree!"

The man below the city wall reined in his horse and shouted back.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian frowned immediately.

Hu Deli, standing to the side, looked at him cautiously, not daring to breathe.

After a moment, Li Chengqian calmly said, "Let him in!"

"Yes!"

Hu Deli felt as if he had been granted a pardon and left without saying a word.

"Your Highness."

After watching Hu Deli leave, Pei Xingjian immediately looked at Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian smiled faintly: "It's alright. My father probably doesn't know about what happened in Chang'an yet. Otherwise, given what Li Ke and his brother did, he would have been forced to return to the capital long ago. Why would he need to issue an imperial edict to come back now?"

"So, what does His Highness the Crown Prince mean?"

"If I'm not mistaken, something must have gone wrong in the war in Liaodong. Li Ke is in charge of the grain supplies in Liaodong, so he must have sent an imperial edict to urge the delivery of grain!"

As Li Chengqian spoke, he seemed to be deep in thought, saying, "Although news of what happened in Chang'an will soon reach my father, we still need to prepare provisions for him, since the soldiers in Liaodong are innocent."

"Good! I'll go and inform Minister Ma right away, and have him immediately allocate grain supplies to Liaodong!"

After saying this, Pei Xingjian prepared to turn and leave.

But then Li Chengqian called out to him in time: "Wait a minute!"

"Does Your Highness have any further instructions?" Pei Xingjian paused in his steps.

Li Chengqian frowned and said, "I heard you say before that Xi Junmai saw Bai Tong carrying someone through the rainy night. Have you found out who that person is? Is it one of my brothers or sisters in the palace?"

"No, Your Majesty, I have already checked with Steward Laifu one by one, and it is not someone from the palace!"

Pei Xingjian shook his head and said, "But according to my guess, could it be that plague doctor?"

"Impossible! The Plague Doctor is a general. Although he looks sickly, his strength is no weaker than Bai Tong's, and he certainly wouldn't be carried away by him!"

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "But speaking of the plague doctor, have you found out where he is?"

"No, he disappeared the night we took action. The last person to see him was Li Ke. Now that Brother Li Ke has disappeared, his whereabouts are even more unknown!"

"Well, I understand, you go down first!"

"promise!"

Pei Xingjian acknowledged and immediately turned and left.

Li Chengqian stood on the city wall, gazing at the scenery outside, his eyes gradually becoming unfocused.

Killing Li Ke and his brothers was only the first step; the next step was even more important: how to eliminate the remaining forces of the Shouzhuo Lang.

The arrival of Hou Junji was a key factor.

Now that they've colluded, they're bound to make some bigger moves.

"As for Father Emperor..."

Li Chengqian placed his hand on the battlements of the city wall, his fingers unconsciously tightening: "We need to make plans soon."

On the other side, at Taiji Palace, in the Taiji Hall.

The commander of the Hundred Cavalry, who was in charge of delivering the imperial edict, rushed to Taiji Palace as soon as he entered the city.

Meanwhile, the temporary cabinet ministers, who had already heard the news, gathered together, waiting for the imperial edict to be announced.

"Prime Minister Fang, should we inform General Li?"

Chu Suiliang couldn't help but ask Fang Xuanling a question.

Fang Xuanling shook his head and said, "General Li is now under the Crown Prince's orders to shoulder the heavy responsibility of guarding Chang'an. He must not leave his post without authorization!"

"But, it's His Majesty's decree."

"It's alright. As long as it's not something that requires General Li to receive the decree alone, we can listen first and then relay the message to General Li later!"

"it is good!"

Just then, the centurion of the Hundred Cavalry Division walked in with the imperial edict.

"Your Majesty has a decree——"

Upon hearing this, all the officials immediately bowed and said in unison, "Your subjects obey the decree!"

"The Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty decrees: Prince Li Ke of Shu is ordered to return to Shu as soon as possible upon receiving this decree, to gather provisions and send them to Liaodong, without delay. Furthermore, Crown Prince Li Chengqian is to return to the army as soon as possible after resolving the epidemic in Chang'an. All matters of state, large and small, shall be handled by the Grand Secretariat. I will return to the capital as soon as possible. April 10th, the fifth year of Zhenguan."

"This"

The officials were completely stunned when they heard the imperial decree.

"What's wrong, ministers? Why don't you accept the imperial decree?"

Seeing that Fang Xuanling and the others were stunned in place, the captain of the Hundred Cavalry immediately asked in a cold voice.

“If you’re not a captain, don’t you know?” Liu Ji couldn’t help but speak first.

"what do you know?"

The Commandant of the Hundred Cavalry frowned and said, "I came from Liaodong on the Emperor's orders and am unaware of the situation in Chang'an. Moreover, you have not reported the situation in Chang'an to His Majesty. Could it be..."

At this point, his eyes narrowed slightly: "You dare to defy the imperial decree?"

"No, no, no, Captain, you've misunderstood. It's like this..."

Cabinet Minister Yu Zhining immediately recounted the situation in Chang'an to the captain, who listened in stunned silence, his expression shifting repeatedly until he finally exclaimed in fear, "Is this all true?!"

"Absolutely true!"

Fang Xuanling said confidently, "It's not that we don't want to report to the Emperor, but that we simply can't get out!"

"Then why was I able to come in so easily just now?"

The captain asked with some suspicion.

Wei Zheng, standing to the side, said with a stern face, "That's because His Highness the Crown Prince has just quelled the rebellion! But now there's new trouble. Hou Junji is leading a large army here, his intentions are unclear, and he may be suspected of plotting a rebellion!"

"Ah? This"

The captain was taken aback and exclaimed, "What do we do now? His Majesty is waiting for supplies! The war in Liaodong is also not going well. What can we do?"

"Perhaps we should inform His Highness the Crown Prince first and ask him to make a decision?" Fang Xuanling tentatively suggested.

"Humph!"

Liu Ji sneered, "Has the Crown Prince not committed enough crimes? First, there was the assassination of the Prince of Yan, and then there was the abuse of power to kill the Prince of Shu and the Prince of Liang."

"Minister Liu, stop your insolence!!"

Before Liu Ji could finish speaking, Wei Zheng interrupted him angrily: "The Crown Prince's assassination attempt on the Prince of Yan was a complete frame-up! The murders of the Prince of Shu and the Prince of Liang were also orchestrated by treacherous officials! All the people of Chang'an witnessed it! How dare you tarnish the Crown Prince's reputation?!"

"Whether he is innocent or not still needs to be verified! How can we listen to your one-sided story?!" Liu Ji immediately retorted.

Wei Zheng was furious and was about to retort.

At this moment, Fang Xuanling, who had been silent all along, suddenly became angry and shouted, "Enough—!"

The moment the words were spoken, the entire room fell silent.

Fang Xuanling, still furious, said, "What time is it now? Why are you still making such a racket? Don't you care about His Majesty's decree? What are you trying to do? Start a fight among yourselves?! This is outrageous!"

Then, he looked at the captain and said with the unquestionable authority of a prime minister, "Captain, you may truthfully report the matter of Chang'an to His Majesty. As for the other matters, we will handle them as soon as possible!"

"Yes!"

The captain of the Hundred Cavalry hesitated for a moment, then bowed respectfully before turning and leaving.

Fang Xuanling, who watched him leave, frowned deeply, lost in thought.

(End of this chapter)