son, don't mess around

Chapter 649: The Daning Dynasty with Internal and External Troubles

In the valley, the trees block out the sun.

A winding stream divides the valley into two.

Just upstream of the stream, the thin-faced monkey was squatting on a rock, grinning at Li Yuan who was sitting on the ground, and said, "Don't be nervous, Your Highness. I have no ill intentions."

Li Yuan's eyes were still full of suspicion and vigilance, as if he realized something: "Are you in the same group with the keeper of the imperial mausoleum?"

"That's it."

The thin-faced monkey grinned and said, "If it weren't for him, it wouldn't be so easy for you to figure it out, Your Highness the Third Prince."

Li Yuan seemed to realize something and looked around suddenly: "Where is this?"

"Behind the capital, outside the imperial mausoleum!"

The thin-faced monkey smiled and said, "First, I have to congratulate His Royal Highness the Third Prince for escaping from this predicament."

Really come out?

Hearing this news, Li Yuan looked dazed and felt a little unreal.

When he was poured into the imperial mausoleum, he thought that his life was over and that he would die alone in the imperial mausoleum for the rest of his life, buried with his father.

But who would have thought that one day he would be able to come out?
This imperial mausoleum is heavily guarded. How did these people break in?
Also, how could there be a secret passage in such a huge imperial mausoleum?
When the imperial mausoleum was built, could it be that...

As if realizing something, Li Yuan's pupils suddenly shrank, and he thought of a terrible possibility.

Li Yuan suddenly raised his head and stared at the thin-faced monkey: "Who are you?!"

"What is your purpose?"

The thin-faced monkey smiled and said, "It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is that we and the Third Prince have the same goal and the same enemy."

Li Yuan stared at him coldly: "Do you think I should believe you?"

The thin-faced monkey laughed and said, "Does His Royal Highness the Third Prince still have a choice now?"

Li Yuan was silent.

Indeed, he has no choice now!

Even if he escaped from the imperial mausoleum, what good would it be now that he is alone and helpless?

The best outcome is to find a place where no one knows you and spend the rest of your life.

Li Yuan stared at him with gloomy eyes: "If you rescue me, you must let me know your purpose, right?"

"Why would the Third Prince ask this question when he already knows the answer?"

The thin-faced monkey smiled and said, "We naturally want to invite the Third Prince to join us in our great cause!"

Li Yuan's eyes flashed with a sharp look, as if he realized something: "You want to rebel?!"

"Your Highness the Third Prince, be careful with your words. Treason is a capital crime!"

The thin-faced monkey smiled and said, "We are just following the will of heaven!"

"Isn't that still treason?"

Li Yuan said coldly.

When he was rescued by these people, he had already realized their purpose.

They naturally wouldn't help him for no reason. Now the only title left on him was the Third Prince, which was of some use.

The thin-faced monkey squatted on the stone, looking down at the embarrassed Li Yuan: "Your Highness the Third Prince, what you said seems to be a big deal? Could it be that Your Highness the Third Prince has never rebelled?"

After hearing this, Li Yuan fell silent.

Isn't it because of treason that he has fallen into his current situation?
but……

A sharp light flashed in Li Yuan's eyes. He was different from them!
He is a member of the Li family!
Even if he was plotting a rebellion, what he was plotting against was still the Li family's kingdom!

But these people in front of me...

"Your Highness, the Third Prince, do not have to be so wary and malicious towards us. My master came here with sincerity this time and is sure to satisfy Your Highness, the Third Prince."

Li Yuan stared at him: "Who is your master?"

"Then I'll have to trouble His Royal Highness the Third Prince to accompany me!"

The thin-faced monkey stood up from the stone and said with a smile: "It is not advisable to stay here for long. Your Highness disappeared from the imperial mausoleum and will probably be discovered soon. I have to leave here first and then make plans!"

Li Yuan sat on the ground without moving, staring at him: "I want to know who your master is!"

"You will know when Your Highness meets my master!"

The thin-faced monkey did not answer.

"If you don't tell me, how can I follow you?"

Li Yuan said coldly.

He is not a fool, how could he be fooled so easily?
If we follow this person now, we will probably end up on a pirate ship without knowing what is happening.

Hearing this, the thin-faced monkey paused and said calmly, "Your Highness the Third Prince, do you think you still have a choice?"

Li Yuan's face turned ugly.

"His Royal Highness the Third Prince has now escaped from the Imperial Mausoleum. Once he is discovered by the imperial court, his fate is self-evident..."

"For Your Highness, could the outcome be any worse than this?"

Li Yuan stared at him intently: "Do you want me to betray my ancestors?"

As if hearing something funny, the thin-faced monkey laughed loudly twice, his eyes full of mockery: "Your Highness the Third Prince, do you still have the concept of ancestors in your eyes?"

"When His Royal Highness the Third Prince was plotting to murder his brothers and his father and usurp the throne, why didn't he think of his ancestors?"

These words made Li Yuan pale and speechless.

"Your Highness, the Third Prince, you no longer have a choice!"

"Cooperating with us will not only save your life, but also..."

The thin-faced monkey laughed: "It can also help Your Highness the Third Prince get the position you have always dreamed of..."

"Isn't your highness the Third Prince tempted?"

Li Yuan was still sitting on the ground, not saying a word.

There was a hint of hesitation in his deep eyes.

After a while, he said in a cold voice: "What is your purpose?"

"I didn't know that!"

The thin-faced monkey said with a smile: "When His Royal Highness the Third Prince meets my master, he will naturally understand."

Li Yuan took a deep breath, hesitated for a long time, and finally seemed to have made up his mind.

"Okay, I'll go with you!"

"..."

At noon, the dazzling sunlight enveloped the imperial city.

Outside the Imperial Study Room.

A group of soldiers in armor came hurriedly.

"General, please stay!"

An eunuch stopped the soldiers in their tracks.

"I have important information to report to His Majesty!"

The soldiers looked serious and extremely anxious.

"General, wait a moment. I will go and inform His Majesty right away!"

It was quiet in the imperial study.

Occasionally there were a few coughs.

A young figure sat in front of the study, frowning as he looked at the memorials displayed on the desk.

From time to time, the coughing gradually became louder.

"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself and rest!"

The eunuch beside him immediately reminded him anxiously.

Li Ci Ning waved his hand, his handsome and pale face showing a hint of deep worry.

"My father handed the dynasty into my hands. Now the dynasty is facing internal and external troubles. How can I rest?" Li Ci Ning frowned deeply. The situation in the world is more serious than he had imagined.

What his father left him was a mess!

Previously, the court had been targeting Lin Hengzhong of Linzhou in the south, trying to weaken his military power and reduce the power of his vassal to resolve the hidden danger.

But they just overlooked King Xu, who was guarding the northern border of the dynasty and had a large army under his command!
The threat posed by King Xu is even greater than that posed by Lin Hengzhong!

Of course, maybe it’s not ignoring…

But the imperial court has been infiltrated by King Xu over the years, and countless officials have been bribed by him to speak well of him.

What? The Xu family has been loyal for generations, and has made great contributions and worked hard for the court in guarding the border, and they are loyal to the court!
The King Xu had been keeping a low profile over the years, and had hardly attracted anyone's attention. Even when the King Xu's threat was mentioned in the court, it was quickly ignored.

While everyone was deliberately directing the conflict towards King Lin in the South, King Xu in the North quietly evaded the court's attention time and time again, and gradually grew stronger!

By now, it has become a serious threat to the court!
Now, the situation in the north is critical, and there have been reports that King Xu is recruiting troops and horses on a large scale with the intention of rebellion.

Although it has not been confirmed,...

Some things no longer need to be confirmed!
After Li Ci Ning dug up the investigations on Xuzhou over the years, he had already discovered something was wrong. The court had been letting Xuzhou go for so long that the court knew very little about it. It was unknown what the situation was like inside Xuzhou now.

Even the officials stationed in Xuzhou by the imperial court have basically become marginal figures!
This is already an extremely obvious sign of rebellion.

Can……

Even if we know this, what can we do?
A hint of gloom flashed across Li Ci Ning's eyes.

Today, the King of Xu has already built a strong army and escaped from the control of the imperial court. It is almost impossible to resolve the conflict in Xuzhou without bloodshed!

In fact, once this veil is lifted, it may lead to unknown consequences in advance!
The current court is in a very bad situation.

Since Li Ci Ning ascended the throne, the world has remained unsettled. Although Li Ci Ning barely managed to shock the court and took back the power of the court, undercurrents still surged in the court. The governors of various states in the dynasty were still at odds with each other.

Many people still do not submit to the new emperor, and their loyalty remains to be tested. The aristocratic families in the south of the Yangtze River are also extremely dissatisfied with the court.

Not to mention... the imperial treasury is now empty and not rich. If they want to mobilize a large army, they may not even be able to pay the military salaries for a long time.

Although Li Ci Ning is the emperor, his health is deteriorating. In addition, he has no offspring, which makes all parties still wait and see.

Today, Li Ci Ning is facing a mess of internal and external troubles!
How to deal with all this?
Li Ci Ning felt deeply tired and helpless.

Only when you really sit in this position can you experience this feeling of powerlessness!
Even though he was revered as the Son of Heaven, he could not do almost anything he wanted to do. If it were not for the fact that he had taken control of the Imperial Guards and the capital's garrison with the help of his sister since he ascended the throne,

Even the emperor’s decree may not be able to leave the palace!

"Cough cough..."

Li Ci Ning coughed violently a few more times, and his face became even paler, without a trace of blood.

"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself!"

The eunuch beside him had been with His Majesty for many years and was most familiar with His Majesty's physical condition. His Majesty had hardly rested during this period, and such fatigue had exacerbated the deterioration of his health.

"The world is still unsettled. If Your Majesty gets sick at this time, it will be more trouble than gain."

Li Ci Ning took a deep breath, his eyes deep and powerless.

"I'm afraid I don't have much time left!"

The eunuch's expression changed slightly: "Your Majesty is a dragon, so of course..."

He wanted to say something else, but was interrupted by Li Qining: "I know my body best."

The eunuchs around him are the people he trusts the most, having followed him for decades.

Li Qining raised his eyes and looked outside the door, as if he remembered something: "Where is the eldest princess? Where is she now?"

The eunuch said in a deep voice: "Her Royal Highness the Princess was in the Prince Lin's Mansion some time ago. I estimate that she will return to the palace soon after receiving your letter."

Li Ci Ning looked dazed, not knowing what he was thinking about.

After a while, he gave a bitter smile and said, "I am indeed an incompetent emperor!"

He naturally knew why Li Piaomiao went to Prince Lin's Mansion.

only……

"Sister, you are too naive... From now on, I can only rely on you for things that I can't do."

Li Ci Ning muttered to himself, and when he raised his eyes again, there was a little more brilliance in his eyes, and his whole aura changed slightly.

At this moment, there were rapid footsteps outside the door.

"Your Majesty, urgent news from the Imperial Mausoleum!"

An eunuch appeared outside the imperial study and spoke in a hurry.

"What's the matter?"

When he heard that it was related to the imperial mausoleum, Li Ci Ning was instinctively startled and had a bad feeling.

"Your Majesty, the guards of the Imperial Mausoleum have reported that the Third Prince was found imprisoned in the Imperial Mausoleum this morning... No, he is gone!"

"..."

In Linzhou, in a small town.

It was a sunny and beautiful day, and the weather was excellent. The residents of the town were living their lives as usual, and there was not much disturbance.

Everyone in the inn had a good sleep!

These days, almost everyone is on high alert to deal with the black-robed leader.

Even Xu Lan and Xiao Lu, who were not involved, were still worried for a long time. They were not relieved until they learned that the leader was dead.

With the death of the leader, the matter came to an end. After staying in the small town for several days, it was time to continue on the road to Chuzhou in the south of the Yangtze River.

Therefore, everyone decided to stay in the town to rest for a day and continue on the road early tomorrow morning.

In the lobby of the inn, Xu Lan and Xiaolu sat in the corner.

"Sister Liu, do you really want to go to Jiangnan with us?"

Xu Lan looked excited, his eyes shining, and he was filled with surprise.

Liu Su, whose injuries had not yet healed and whose face was still pale, sat in front of the window, his eyes and thoughts a little dazed.

"Sister Liu, didn't you say before that you wouldn't go? Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

Xu Lan asked excitedly.

She had been thinking about how to coax Sister Liu to go to Jiangnan, but she didn't expect that Sister Liu Su suddenly changed her mind.

What a pleasant surprise!
Hearing this, Liu Su came back to his senses, as if he recalled some shameful memories, and anger suddenly appeared in his eyes.

“I was forced to do so.”

Her face was expressionless.

"Forced?"

Xu Lan blinked and soon realized something: "Lin Jiangnian forced you!"

Before Liu Su could speak, Xu Lan angrily stood up for Liu Su: "I knew that guy was not a good person. He just likes to bully people... It's ok for him to bully me on weekdays, but I didn't expect that he would bully you, Sister Liu, too."

Liu Su nodded in agreement. That guy really did like to bully people.

but……

Liu Su quickly realized something and glanced at Xu Lan: "Does he bully you on weekdays?"

"Yes!"

Xu Lan looked like she shared a common hatred for the enemy and said angrily, "He always bullies you."

Liu Su looked her up and down: "How does he bully you?"

"he is the one……"

Just when Xu Lan was about to complain to Sister Liu and describe in detail how that guy bullied her, Xiaolu beside her suddenly tugged at the corner of her clothes, as if reminding her of something.

Xu Lan was stunned for a moment, then turned around and found that Xiaolu was secretly winking at her.

Xu Lan looked at Liu Su, and then she saw that Sister Liu looked like...

Xu Lan was a little confused, and blinked, as if he was just beginning to realize something...

"Ahem... Sister Liu, what you mean by 'bullying'..."

"Is it the serious kind?!"

"..."

(End of this chapter)