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

Chapter 438 My debts are settled, now it's time to settle Li Er's debts [Seeking monthly votes]

Just after the midnight clapper sounded, the night sky over Naniwa-kyo was shrouded in a layer of thick, inky clouds, swallowing up even the faint light of the stars and moon.

The lanterns patrolling the palace at night cast a dim yellow light, making the bloodstains on the brick walls appear even darker.

Those were left by Japanese samurai who tried to resist during the day; now they have solidified into dark brown marks, like ugly scars.

Soga Shizuka stood under the corridor of the side hall of the sleeping quarters, her fingertips icy cold.

She was wearing a plain-colored kimono, her long hair loosely tied back, and she looked so delicate that a gust of wind could blow her over.

But only she knew that the short knife hidden in her sleeve was digging painfully into her palm. It was a "gift" from her father, Soga Iruka, who said that if the assassination failed, she should use this knife to "preserve the dignity of the Soga clan".

"Miss Shizuka, His Highness invites you inside for tea."

The eunuch's voice broke the silence, his tone deliberately gentle, yet unable to conceal the scrutiny in his eyes.

Soga Shizuka took a deep breath, suppressing the trembling in her heart, and curtsied, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, sir."

She stepped into the bedchamber, her eyes quickly scanning the surroundings.

Only two palace lanterns were lit inside the hall, casting a dim light. Li Chengqian was sitting behind a desk, flipping through files, his profile appearing even colder and harder in the lamplight.

Pei Xingjian stood beside her, his hand on the sword at his waist, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's, watching her every move intently.

"sit down."

Li Chengqian didn't even raise his head, his voice flat and emotionless.

Soga Shizuka sat down as instructed, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her kimono.

She was supposed to follow the plan, quietly observing the guard rotation patterns in the bedroom and noting the location of the secret passage entrance, but at this moment, her heart felt like it was being gripped by an invisible hand, and even breathing became difficult.

She recalled the secret letter she had sent out last night, and the cold look in Pei Xingjian's eyes when he received it, and suddenly felt a little dazed.

Was what I did right or wrong?

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall, accompanied by the crisp sound of clashing weapons.

Soga Shizuka suddenly looked up, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes.

Li Chengqian finally put down the dossier, looked up at her, and a mocking smile appeared on his lips: "It seems that your people have already arrived."

"Your Highness..."

Soga Shizuka's voice trembled, and she subconsciously took a half step back.

Pei Xingjian stepped forward and shouted sternly, "Suwa Jingxiang, do you know your crime?"

"I……"

Soga Shizuka opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

She wanted to explain, to prove that she had betrayed those fanatical tribesmen, but the words that came out were just a weak sob.

Li Chengqian stood up, walked up to her, and looked down at her:
“I gave you a chance. I said that the Tang Dynasty has no need for disloyal dogs, but you insisted on following your people and making this futile struggle.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the dagger in her sleeve: "That dagger, was it prepared for me, or for yourself?"

Soga Shizuka trembled, and the short sword in her sleeve clattered to the ground.

She knelt on the ground, her forehead pressed against the cold floor, tears streaming down her face: "Your Highness, spare me! This humble woman... this humble woman has already told General Pei about the plan. This humble woman doesn't want to die, this humble woman wants to live!"

"live?"

Li Chengqian sneered: "You think you can survive by betraying your people?"

He turned to look at Pei Xingjian:

“Take her out and let her see how her people ‘die in glory’.”

Pei Xingjian responded, reached out and helped Suwa Jingxiang up, dragging her outside.

Soga Shizuka struggled desperately, crying and begging for mercy, but Pei Xingjian's hand was like an iron clamp, not moving an inch.

Outside the sleeping quarters, the battle had already begun.

Japanese assassins, dressed in black and wielding samurai swords, swarmed out of the secret passage and rushed towards the sleeping quarters.

Their eyes were filled with fanaticism, and they shouted slogans such as "For Japan" and "To die for one's country," like a pack of irrational wild beasts.

But what awaited them was a trap that had already been laid.

Tang soldiers, armed with muskets, lay in ambush. When the Japanese assassins rushed out, they immediately pulled the triggers.

"Bang bang bang-!"

Gunshots echoed in the night sky, bullets pierced through the night clothes, splattering blood everywhere.

One by one, the Japanese assassins fell, their bodies quickly piling up like a mountain, and blood flowed down the steps, forming a small red stream.

Soga Iruka stood at the entrance of the secret passage, looking at the horrific scene before him, his eyes bloodshot.

He didn't expect that the Tang army already knew about their plan and had set up an ambush.

Fujiwara no Kamatari, standing beside him, was pale-faced, his hands clenched into fists, his nails digging deep into his palms.

He knew that their "shattered jade" plan was doomed to failure from the very beginning.

"Charge! Charge!"

Soga no Iruka roared, drew his katana from his waist, and personally led the charge.

Fujiwara Kamatari gritted his teeth and rushed forward as well.

They knew there was no turning back now; they would either die in battle or be captured by the Tang army and die a humiliating death.

However, the Tang army's muskets were too powerful, and they couldn't get close to the sleeping quarters at all.

One by one, the Japanese assassins fell, and Soga no Iruka was also hit in the left arm by a bullet, bleeding profusely.

He staggered back a few steps, watching more and more of his clansmen fall, a hint of despair flashing in his eyes.

Just then, Su Dingfang led a troop of cavalry charging in from the side, wielding his saber and cutting down the remaining Japanese assassins one by one.

When Soga Iru saw Su Dingfang, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes. He rushed forward and slashed at Su Dingfang.

Su Dingfang sneered, dodged to the side, and then with a backhand slash, severed Soga Iruka's head.

Fujiwara no Kamatari was terrified when he saw Soga no Iruka killed.

He turned to run, but was stopped by a Tang soldier.

He brandished his katana, trying to fight back, but the Tang soldiers were much faster and chopped off his arm with a single blow.

"what!"

Fujiwara no Kamatari screamed and collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony.

Suga Shizuka was held aside by Pei Xingjian, and she trembled with fear at the sight of the terrible scene before her.

She saw her father's head roll to the ground, and saw Fujiwara no Kamatari's arm severed, howling in pain. Her heart was filled with fear and regret.

She regretted not standing firmly on the side of the Tang army, and regretted still harboring a sliver of hope for those fanatical tribesmen.

The battle ended quickly; the Japanese suicide squad was almost completely wiped out, with only a few captured.

Li Chengqian stood on the steps of the sleeping quarters, looking at the corpses and blood all over the ground, his face expressionless.

He turned to Pei Xingjian and said, "Take all the prisoners away and interrogate them thoroughly to see if there are any other accomplices. Also, issue an order that all Japanese who participated in this assassination, and their families, regardless of age or gender, be executed."

"Yes--!"

Pei Xingjian responded and immediately went to make the arrangements.

Upon hearing Li Chengqian's words, Soga Shizuka was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground.

She knew she was doomed. She raised her head, looking at Li Chengqian with pleading eyes: "Your Highness, I have betrayed my people. I have told you my plan. Please spare me!"

Li Chengqian looked down at her, his eyes icy: "I've said it before, betraying one's people doesn't guarantee survival. Do you think I would keep someone who might betray me again at any moment?"

He paused, then said, "However, I can give you a dignified death."

Soga Shizuka closed her eyes in despair, tears streaming down her face. She knew she had no hope left.

She slowly stood up, picked up the dagger that had fallen to the ground, and then plunged it into her heart.

Li Chengqian watched as Soga Shizuka collapsed to the ground, blood gushing from her chest, his face still expressionless.

He turned around and walked towards the sleeping quarters, leaving Pei Xingjian and the other Tang soldiers to clean up the battlefield.

The night remained dark, and the stench of blood lingered in the palace of Naniwa-kyo.

This "suicide mission" ultimately ended in a crushing defeat for the Japanese, which further solidified Li Chengqian's determination to completely conquer Japan.

He knew that only by completely incorporating Japan into the Tang Dynasty's territory could future troubles be eliminated forever.

The next morning, sunlight shone through the clouds and into the palace in Naniwa-kyo.

But the sunlight seemed somewhat pale, unable to dispel the bloodshed and coldness within the palace.

Li Chengqian stood by the window of his bedchamber, looking at the scene outside, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

He knew that there were more important things to do next.

"Pass down the order: tomorrow at the central square of Namba-kyo, Soga Iruka and others will be publicly executed. At the same time, announce the following orders!"

After saying this, Li Chengqian handed the pre-written "Letter of Order" to Pei Xingjian.

Pei Xingjian carefully took the "Order" and couldn't help but unfold it to examine it.

It would have been better if I hadn't looked at it; once I did, I was so terrified that I almost dropped the "order" in my hand.

"Your Highness, this..."

He looked at Li Chengqian with a face full of surprise and doubt, as if he did not recognize the crown prince in front of him.

But Li Chengqian's expression remained very calm, as if he were giving instructions on a few trivial matters:
"Don't ask questions, don't worry about anything, just execute my orders!"

His tone was chillingly murderous and brooked no argument.

Even though Pei Xingjian was completely puzzled, he could only open his mouth helplessly before turning away in fear.

The following day at noon, at the central square of Naniwa-kyo.

Dark clouds loomed overhead, as if even the heavens could not bear to witness this bloody scene.

The square was heavily guarded by Tang soldiers, and countless Japanese civilians were forcibly driven to watch the execution. They were terrified and silent.

Fujiwara no Kamatari, several princes, clan leaders, and their adult male members, totaling several hundred people, were bound and kneeling in the center of the square.

Some were numb, some wept bitterly, some were still cursing, but there was mostly deathly silence and despair.

Pei Xingjian walked heavily to the execution platform, glanced at Soga no Iruka and the others, then at the other Japanese around him, took a deep breath, straightened his expression, took out the "Order," and loudly read:

"By order of the Crown Prince of the Great Tang: The treacherous officials Soga no Iruka, Fujiwara no Kamatari, and several former Yamato princes, who promised to surrender to the Great Tang, have been fickle and have plotted treason and assassination. Their crimes are unforgivable and they shall be executed by slow slicing!"

"Furthermore, the Great Tang, in the name of a celestial empire, gave you the opportunity to integrate into the Tang Dynasty, yet you showed no gratitude or appreciation, truly deserving to be treated worse than beasts. Therefore, the Great Tang, on behalf of Heaven, will punish you!"

"Anyone who is associated with Soga Iruka, Fujiwara no Kamatari, and all their associates shall have their relatives and friends exterminated along with ten generations of their families!"

Boom!

Upon receiving this order, the entire audience seemed to be struck by a thunderbolt from the heavens, their faces filled with horror.

Even Soga no Iruka, Fujiwara no Kamatari, and several princes were dumbfounded.

Lingchi (death by a thousand cuts)?!
Exterminate ten generations of their family!?

They even exterminated ten generations of their relatives and friends?!

Is this an attempt to massacre the entire Japanese nation?!

Wouldn't this implicate hundreds of thousands of people?!

"No! No!"

"Crown Prince of Tang! We are innocent! We had no idea about Soga no Iruka's assassination attempt!"

"Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty! You will die a horrible death!"

"Baka! I'll fight you to the death!"

The clamor of madness and despair rose and fell, but it was quickly drowned out by the bloody suppression of Su Dingfang and his men, who were already prepared.

"Execution——!"

Pei Xingjian ignored the Japanese.

Although he felt that Li Chengqian's actions were somewhat cruel, he suddenly felt relieved when he heard the insults.

These are a bunch of insatiable ingrates; they deserve to die.

Soon, the executioner brought down his blade.

Heads rolled to the ground, and blood stained the square red.

The headless corpse collapsed.

The entire process was efficient, ruthless, and silent.

The only sounds were the dull thud of a blade cutting through bone and the occasional suppressed sobs.

Meanwhile, Li Chengqian rode his white horse to a snow-capped mountain. Looking at the mountain, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

"Someone come here! Bring me a cup of wine!"

"promise!"

Soon, a eunuch carefully brought over a cup of Japanese sake. Li Chengqian picked up the cup, smiled at the snow-capped mountains, and murmured:
"Drinking your ancestors' wine, killing your ancestors! What a great pleasure in life!"

"Well, this debt is settled with me!"

After saying this, he turned his wine glass towards the east and then drank it all in one gulp.

After three days of massacre, Pei Xingjian came to report, more submissive than ever before:

"Your Highness, as per your orders, Commander Su has completed his mission, slaughtering over 300,000 in total!"

"Oh?"

Li Chengqian sat at his desk, not even looking up, and chuckled, "Is Su Dingfang really that efficient? He finished killing them all in just three days?"

"Yes! Commander Su used many methods, including volley fire with muskets, mass graves, artillery bombardment, and even driving them into the sea..."

"Alright, I have no interest in hearing about disciplining a bunch of dogs!"

Li Chengqian interrupted Pei Xingjian's report in a calm tone, looked up at him, and said:

"Pass down the order: the Japanese Island Governor's Office is officially established."

"First decree: Effective immediately, all old laws, official titles, and ranks of the Japanese are hereby abolished. The Tang laws, Tang system, Tang language, and Tang script shall be fully implemented. All Japanese shall re-register their households, shave their heads, change their clothes, and learn etiquette."

"Second order: Conscript all able-bodied Japanese men to mine silver, and build roads and ports. Anyone who dares to slack off or resist will be severely punished."

"Third order: Sun Yuan, the 'Plague Doctor,' may begin his 'research.' The required 'materials' shall be selected from prisoners and those who resisted work."

His orders set the tone for the future of this land that had just undergone a bloody purge.

That would be a path of complete assimilation, exploitation, and ultimately, the demise of their national identity.

"As for that silver..."

A cold smile finally appeared on Li Chengqian's lips: "It will be just right to support the future monetary reform of my Great Tang Dynasty."

"promise!"

Pei Xingjian acknowledged and immediately turned and left.

Li Chengqian, who watched him leave, slowly stood up, walked to the window, looked in the direction of Chang'an, and murmured, "It's time to go back, Li Er, it's time to settle our scores."

(End of this chapter)