Deposed? I couldn't be happier! I wouldn't even be a dog to the crown prince.

"Did Wei Zheng back down?"

"That Wei Xuancheng, who dared to spit in even His Majesty's face, actually slunk out of the Eastern Palace?"

The news spread like wildfire, reaching every official circle in Chang'an in less than half an hour.

In a side hall of the Taiji Hall, several officials from aristocratic families were gathered together, their faces clearly showing their disbelief.

"Nonsense! That's absolutely a rumor!"

A wealthy official surnamed Wang curled his lip, his face full of disdain, "That's Wei Zheng! In my opinion, the Crown Prince must have used some underhanded tricks, like pretending to be crazy, to anger Lord Wei and make him leave."

"That's right, what tricks can an eight-year-old child have besides being born into a good family?"

Another person chimed in, "Just wait and see. At tomorrow's morning court session, Lord Wei will definitely impeach him again. That kid will get what's coming to him then."

The crowd burst into laughter, the atmosphere so cheerful it was as if they could already see the scene of the crown prince being deposed.

However, they did not know.

Just as they were drinking and chatting, dreaming about the future, an invisible net had already silently enveloped the sky above Zhuque Street.

The Eastern Palace, Lizheng Hall.

Li Chengqian rubbed his throbbing temples and casually tossed a list in his hand to Qinglong, who was standing in the shadows.

"These flies in the imperial court are so annoying, buzzing around like crazy."

He yawned, his eyes revealing a chilling indifference. "Since they don't want me to have any peace and quiet, then they won't be able to get a good night's sleep either."

"Make an example of someone to warn others, understand?"

Qinglong took the list, his gaze sweeping over the string of red names, a cruel smile curving his lips.

"Your Highness, rest assured, the blades of the Embroidered Uniform Guard haven't tasted blood in a long time."

……

Zhuque Avenue, as the central axis of Chang'an City, is still bustling with traffic even on non-market days.

Zhao Dequan, a senior official in the Ministry of War's Carriage Department, was humming a little tune as he rode in a sedan chair, swaying and wobbling, on his way home.

He's in a good mood today.

Although the Battle of Wei River emptied the national treasury considerably, he was in charge of the allocation of horses and provisions, and with just a few strokes of his pen, he could rake in thousands of strings of cash.

"These chaotic times are the best time to make a fortune."

Zhao Dequan touched the thick stack of silver notes in his sleeve, his fat face squeezing into a flower shape.

Sudden.

"Stop the sedan chair—!"

The sedan chair suddenly stopped, and Zhao Dequan almost tumbled out of it.

"You insolent fools! How did you manage to carry this sedan chair? If you've damaged me, you'll all be worth more than a few heads!"

Zhao Dequan cursed and lifted the sedan curtain, about to kick the sedan bearers, but he froze.

In the middle of the wide Zhuque Avenue, a row of people had appeared out of nowhere.

They were all dressed in dark green flying fish robes, with long, narrow, curved swords hanging at their waists, and black official hats on their heads. Their faces were so cold and stern that they seemed to be cast from molten iron.

The leader, in particular, had a sinister look in his eyes, staring at him as if he were already dead.

The surrounding people had long been frightened and hid on both sides, pointing and whispering, but dared not make a sound.

Zhao Dequan's heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition surged into his mind.

But he was, after all, an official appointed by the imperial court, a fifth-rank official, and a prominent figure in Chang'an.

"How dare you! Who dares to block my path? Do you have a death wish?!"

Zhao Dequan roared, his voice stern yet betraying his fear, "I am a senior official in the Ministry of War! If you know what's good for you, get out of here!"

The leader laughed.

His laughter was chilling.

He slowly drew his embroidered spring knife from his waist, the blade scraping against the scabbard with a teeth-grinding scraping sound.

"The Ministry of War official? That's exactly who we're after."

Shen Lian walked forward step by step, each step feeling like he was stepping on Zhao Dequan's heartbeat.

"Who are you? According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, arresting an official of the imperial court in the street without any evidence is a capital offense!" Zhao Dequan was still struggling in his death throes, trying to intimidate people with his official power.

"Credentials?"

Shen Lian pulled an account book from his pocket and threw it directly at Zhao Dequan's fat face.

"In August of the first year of the Zhenguan era, he embezzled 3,000 strings of silver for military supplies and provisions; in September, he resold military equipment to a Turkic merchant caravan, making a profit of 5,000 strings of silver; he also kept three mistresses in the south of the city..."

"Lord Zhao, does this account book look familiar?"

Zhao Dequan's face turned deathly pale instantly, and cold sweat poured down his face like a waterfall.

This ledger...wasn't it hidden under the floor tiles in his secret room? How did it end up in this person's hands?!

"You...you..."

"Take it down!"

Shen Lian was too lazy to waste words with him and gave an order.

Two Imperial Guards rushed forward like wolves and tigers, kicked over the sedan chair, dragged Zhao Dequan out like a dead dog, and pressed him to the ground.

"I refuse to accept this! I am an official appointed by the imperial court! I demand to see the Minister! I demand to see His Majesty!"

Zhao Dequan struggled desperately, his pig-like screams echoing throughout the street. "Who are you people? Who gave you the right to arrest me? Even the Dali Temple wouldn't dare!"

"Dali Temple?"

Shen Lian stepped forward and stomped heavily on Zhao Dequan's greasy, fat face, grinding it forcefully.

"That slow-paced place doesn't even dare to compare itself to us!"

He bent down and patted Zhao Dequan's cheek with the embroidered spring knife in his hand. The sound was not loud, but everyone present could hear it clearly.

"Listen carefully, so you'll remember this better in your next life."

"We are from the Crown Prince's Palace."

Shen Lian abruptly straightened up, glanced around at the officials who were either watching or passing by, his eyes flashing with a cold light, and shouted loudly:

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard operates with the special permission of the Emperor! They act first and report later!"

"You have a problem with that?!"

The words fell.

"Pfft—!"

Knife up and down.

A huge head rolled in the middle of the street, blood splattering three feet high and staining the bluestone pavement red.

Quiet.

A deathly silence.

The once bustling Zhuque Avenue was now so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The officials who happened to be passing by were all trembling with fear, some even collapsing to the ground, their crotches soaked with sweat.

Too bad!

That's brutal!

A fifth-rank official was executed in the street without any trial or even an imperial edict!

Are these the Crown Prince's men?

Is this the salted fish prince who supposedly only knows how to sleep?

"Fall back."

Shen Lian didn't even glance at the corpse on the ground. He took out a white handkerchief, wiped the blood off the knife, and casually threw it at Zhao Dequan's face.

That group of Imperial Guards, like ghosts, came quickly and left quickly, disappearing at the end of the street in the blink of an eye.

All that remained was a field of blood and a group of trembling "Tang Dynasty elites".

……

Half an hour later, at the Ganlu Hall of the Taiji Palace.

Li Shimin was frowning as he looked at Zhao Qian standing in front of him.

Behind Zhao Qian stood dozens of newly recruited "Fang" members.

Well...

This group consisted of street thugs and outlaws. Although they were somewhat skilled, they stood there crookedly and without any discipline, giving off the vibe of a "rabble".

"Is this the 'fangs' you've assembled for me?"

Li Shimin rubbed his temples, his tone revealing a hint of disdain, "This group of people, can they oversee the entire realm? Can they make all the officials tremble?"

Zhao Qian was sweating profusely, kneeling on the ground and not daring to raise his head: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, time was short, and... and it's difficult to find a master."

Just then, Wang De rushed in with small, hurried steps and a flustered expression.

"Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened! A major disaster has occurred!"

"What's the panic!" Li Shimin glared at him. "Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up!"

"It's not that the sky has collapsed, it's that Suzaku Avenue has collapsed!"

Wang De, panting heavily, reported incoherently, "Just now, His Highness the Crown Prince's men publicly executed Zhao Dequan, the Vice Minister of War, on Zhuque Street! They say they've uncovered irrefutable evidence of his embezzlement of military funds and illegal arms dealing!"

"What?!"

Li Shimin suddenly stood up. "Murder in the street? Zhao Dequan is a fifth-rank official! Has the Court of Judicial Review tried him? Has the Ministry of Justice approved it?"

No...nothing at all.

Wang De swallowed hard, his voice trembling. "Those people called themselves the 'Imperial Guards,' and said... said they were 'granted by imperial authority to execute first and report later!'"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard? Granted by imperial authority?"

Li Shimin was stunned.

He looked down at the quail-like "fangs" behind Zhao Qian, and then thought about the scene Wang De had just described.

Wearing flying fish robes and embroidered spring knives, he beheaded people in the street, and all the officials fell silent in fear.

This level of execution, this intelligence gathering capability, this arrogant and domineering attitude...

This is the kind of intelligence agency I want!

How many good things is that rebellious son still hiding?

Last night they stripped my spies naked and hung them at the door; today they'll kill them in the street to establish their authority.

This is not salted fish at all.

That's clearly a man-eating shark!

"Your Majesty..." Zhao Qian began cautiously, "Then what about our 'fangs'..."

"What fangs! Compared to them, yours are just a mouthful of rotten teeth!"

Li Shimin was furious and kicked Zhao Qian in the backside. "Look at the Embroidered Uniform Guard! And look at you! You've completely disgraced me!"

He paced anxiously inside the hall, his hands behind his back.

"no."

"This rebellious son's intelligence network is even faster than mine? I'd barely gotten wind of Zhao Dequan's embezzlement when he went and killed someone with the account books?"

"That's too dangerous! This kid is too dangerous!"

Li Shimin stopped and turned his gaze toward the direction of the Eastern Palace, his eyes becoming deep and unfathomable.

"I need to go and find out what's going on."

"Let's see what this kid's up to!"

"Wang De!"

"This servant is here."

Li Shimin straightened his clothes, and a strange smile suddenly appeared on his face.

"Prepare the carriage for the Eastern Palace! I've heard that that rebellious son has recently invented quite a few new dishes. Since I haven't had my meal yet, I'll take this opportunity to... cough cough, to inspect the Crown Prince's living conditions!"

"A free meal?" Wang De blurted out instinctively.

"Stop talking nonsense! That was me being considerate of my son!"

Li Shimin flicked his sleeves and strode out.

"Let's go! Let's see if those so-called 'Imperial Guards' really have three heads and six arms!"