Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 182 Yin Hongzhi Intends to Kidnap the King of Chu and Plot a Rebellion

"You country bumpkin, hand over the King of Chu right now!"

A group of people appeared out of nowhere and blocked the entrance to Wenhe's mansion. The leader was a young man who looked to be in his twenties.

He held a sword that was still sheathed in his hand and pounded on the door.

Seeing this, the neighbors couldn't help but curiously peek out.

In all these years, I've never seen anyone dare to be so arrogant and defiant towards a wealthy and powerful family.

Upon seeing this, the gatekeeper of the Duke of Ying's mansion across the street immediately ran towards the front yard.

"Something terrible has happened! The people across the street have come to beat us up!"

Samurai Go was startled by the sound when he stepped out of the door and saw a small figure walking towards him.

"Second Aunt, what happened?"

The newcomer was none other than Wu Erniang, who had come out after hearing the commotion.

Soon after, Yang and Wu Shun also came over.

"It must be their rival across the street. That guy is incredibly arrogant; he must have messed with someone he shouldn't have."

Wu Shun snorted angrily.

Ever since she returned from the Eastern Palace, she has harbored resentment towards Wen He.

When Wu Shiyue arrived in Chang'an and learned of this matter, he immediately placed her under house arrest.

Wu Erniang glanced at the former indifferently, then stepped forward and gently tugged at Wu Shiyue's sleeve: "Father, there's not much people in Wen Xiaolang's residence."

"Yes, yes, quick, call all the servants and bring their weapons!"

Wu Shiyue suddenly woke up; he couldn't just watch the show here.

Not to mention that his two sons are now in someone else's hands, just considering that Li Shimin is behind Wen He, he cannot sit idly by.

"Father, we still need to inform His Majesty," Wu Erniang reminded him as he was about to leave.

"Yes, yes, butler, butler, where the hell are you at this hour!"

In his desperation, Samurai Go was enraged.

Yang tried to persuade him, but he cursed her out.

"Ignorant woman, get back to the backyard!"

If Yang hadn't been pregnant, Wu Shiyue would have punished her by making her kneel in the ancestral hall long ago, just for the time she offended Wen He.

"Father, Second Mother is going to find her. You quickly take the people and go to the other side."

Wu Erniang quickly said.

"Alright, Second Aunt is so sensible. Father, you're off then." Wu Shiyue smiled at her, then turned around to gather his men.

"I don't know what's gotten into you and Father that makes you insist on helping that Wen He," Wu Shun said, displeased.

Those two useless brothers not only failed to teach Wen He a lesson, but they almost confessed that she was the one who instigated it.

Fortunately, her father didn't press the matter, otherwise she would definitely be in far more serious situations than just being confined to her home.

However, this only deepened her hatred for Wen He.

"Shut up!"

A cold shout made Wu Shun look at Wu Erniang in disbelief: "How dare you yell at me?"

Wu Erniang didn't even glance at her, and strode off to find the steward.

at the same time.

Outside the Wenhe Mansion.

Wenzhong heard the commotion and came out to open the door. He had only opened the side door a crack when he was suddenly pushed.

He stumbled back a few steps before regaining his footing.

Then a group of people filed in from outside.

"Where is that country bumpkin Wenhe? Hand over the King of Chu at once!"

More than twenty burly men walked in blatantly, each looking fierce and menacing, and each carrying a sword.

"Who are you? How dare you trespass into Gao Yangzi's residence!"

Wen Zhong was taken aback by the sight of these people.

He had racked his brains but never imagined that someone would break in so fiercely in broad daylight.

"Wenzhong, stop scaring people!"

Suddenly a cold laugh rang out, and the people who had been blocking Wen Zhong's way dispersed, allowing the young man who had been banging on the door to walk in.

"Yin Langjun?"

Upon seeing the person who arrived, Wen Zhong stared in astonishment.

He recognized the person who came; in fact, he knew him very well.

This man is named Yin Hongzhi, and he is currently the Acting Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

However, he also has another identity: he is the younger brother of Consort De, who was recently enthroned, and thus Li You's maternal uncle.

"Wenzhong, make Wenhe hand over the Prince of Chu, or don't blame me for my ruthless swordsmanship today!"

Yin Hongzhi drew his sword and pointed it at Wen Zhong.

However, Wenzhong was also a soldier who had followed Li Shimin in many battles over the years, and he was not so easily intimidated.

“Young Master Yin, I know you love the Prince of Chu, but his arrival here is by order of the Emperor. If you are unwilling, you can go to the palace to find the Emperor. Your intrusion today violates the laws of the Tang Dynasty!”

Wen Zhong gave a cold shout.

Yin Hongzhi scoffed dismissively, "Don't bother with your high-sounding words. It's all because of that brat Wen He who bewitched the Emperor. Wenzhong, I respect you as a senior member of the Prince of Qin's Mansion, but don't force me to take action against you!"

"I'd like to see who dares to cause trouble here!"

With a long howl, Wen He led more than twenty Xuanjia guards toward them.

Yin Hongzhi and the others were clearly taken aback when they saw the Xuanjia Guards wearing bright armor.

"Xuanjia Guards?"

The reason Wen He took so long to come out was to wait for the Xuanjia Guards to finish putting on their armor.

Yin Hongzhi clearly did not expect that Li Shimin would actually have the Xuanjia Guards protect Wen He closely.

Despite his surprise, he still looked down on Wen He.

"Wen He, don't think you can intimidate me with the Xuanjia Guards. Even if I retreat today, I will bring more people another day. If you don't let the Prince of Chu return to the palace, I will make your family live in constant turmoil!"

"I'd like to see who in Chang'an dares to help you!"

This man is so arrogant. Wen He frowned and beckoned Wen Zhong to come to her side.

"Who is this person?"

"This is Consort De's younger brother, Yin Hongzhi. He is currently the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and many people in the court do indeed have to show him respect."

Upon hearing this, Wen He suddenly understood.

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was in charge of the appointment, dismissal, and evaluation of officials at the middle and lower levels.

Whether officials of the sixth, seventh, or eighth rank could be promoted or transferred from impoverished areas to prosperous ones was entirely up to him.

Even powerful and influential families had to show him some respect.

Not to mention Wen He, this so-called scion of Gaoyang County who has no connections whatsoever.

However, Wen He didn't care about that; he was more concerned about Yin Hongzhi.

Li You's future rebellion is inseparable from him.

When Li Yuan entered Chang'an, Yin Hongzhi's father was killed for resisting, so the Yin family hated the Li Tang dynasty very much.

In order to quell the hatred of the Yin family, Li Yuan arranged for Yin Yue'e, the eldest daughter of the Yin family, to marry Li Shimin as a concubine.

But Yin Hongzhi did not forget, so later he secretly recruited assassins for Li You, which caused a rift between Li Shimin and his son.

In order to discipline him, Li Shimin appointed Quan Wanji, who was known for his integrity, as Li You's chief secretary.

Quan Wanji was merely a figurehead and a narrow-minded person. He was afraid of being punished by Li Shimin, so he was very harsh on Li You.

Li You secretly said many times that he wanted to kill Quan Wanji.

Later, on Quan Wanji's way back from Chang'an, he sent Yan Hongliang and others with 20 horsemen to shoot and kill Quan Wanji and dismember him.

At this point, Li Youcai had nowhere to retreat.

Yin Hongzhi then instigated Li You's subordinates to persuade him to rebel.

It can be said that Li You's uncle was the biggest driving force behind his descent into a path of no return.

Unexpectedly, before he could even tell Li Shimin, this person came to his door.

"Yin Hongzhi is plotting to kidnap the King of Chu and rebel. Seize him!"

Wen He was too lazy to waste words with him, so she took a step back and immediately ordered the Xuanjia Guards to step forward.

These twenty-odd Xuanjia Guards don't care whether you're a member of the royal family or not.

They were ordered to come here to protect Wen He, but now someone has broken in like this, which is already a dereliction of duty on their part.

If Wen He is injured again, he will likely be subject to military law.

"Wen He, how dare you!"

Yin Hongzhi never expected Wen He to be so bold as to accuse him of rebellion.

Little did he know that if Wen He told Li Shimin about the future, the latter would probably want to tear him to pieces.

His sister, Yin Yue'e, who had just been granted the title of Consort De, would also be implicated.

"Who dares to rebel!"

Li Tai and Li Ke roared and rushed out of the backyard, each holding a stick.

There was also a Li You backstage, who picked up a stone from somewhere and roared, "Who's looking for death and wants to rebel? Take a punch from your Ah Lang!"

"A-Fu!"

Upon seeing Li You, Yin Hongzhi was overjoyed and called out his courtesy name.

Upon hearing this, Li You finally noticed him: "Uncle? What are you doing here? Did you also hear about the rebellion and come to fight that beast?"

Li You was completely oblivious to Yin Hongzhi's astonished face as he excitedly asked, "Who's rebelling?"

"Snapped!"

Suddenly, a slap landed on his head, and Li You was stunned. When he turned around, he saw Wen He pointing angrily at Yin Hongzhi: "That's your unlucky uncle."

"what?!"

Li You was so surprised that he even forgot that Wen He had hit him.

When Yin Hongzhi saw Wen He make a move, he was furious: "You country bumpkin, how dare you lay a hand on the King of Chu! You're courting death!"

"Hit me!"

Wen He shouted even faster than him.

More than twenty Xuanjia guards immediately rushed out.

Those who were with Yin Hongzhi panicked upon seeing this.

Although they were all carrying swords, the people charging at them were all wearing armor of light.

Not to mention, attacking the Xuanjia Guards would be no different from rebellion.

But the enemy had already charged over, and they couldn't just passively take the beating, so they gritted their teeth, threw away their knives, and fought two or three against one Xuanjia Guard.

"My uncle really rebelled?"

Looking at this scene, Li You felt as if he were dreaming.

"Snapped!"

"what!"

Li You cried out in pain, clutching his head and glaring fiercely at Li Tai: "Why did you hit me again!"

"These people are the ones you provoked!"

"Well, it's not my fault!"

Li You felt he was wronged.

He didn't know what had gotten into his uncle, that he would bring people to their door to attack them.

Moreover, the men he led were utterly no match for the Xuanjia Guards.

"Wenzhong, what are you still standing there for? Go to the palace!"

Wen He was truly enraged.

If he were to let this go after being attacked like this, he would become a laughing stock in Chang'an!
Upon hearing this, Wen Zhong nodded in agreement, but he had just reached the doorway when...

Suddenly, he heard a series of hurried footsteps outside. When he looked over, he saw dozens of fierce-looking men rushing towards him.

He was so frightened that his eyes widened immediately!

This is a real rebellion!

(End of this chapter)