The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 417: King Jin’s Martial Arts (I)

In summer and autumn, the north wind blows suddenly, and the grass and trees bend.

A few dozen miles southeast of Xinzhou, east of Shiling Pass, at the foot of Xiao Wutai Mountain, Li Siyuan stood on the rocks with his white robe fluttering. The white silk in his palm was soaked with cold sweat and his face was pale.

However, the Holy Master of Tongwenguan met up with his ninth brother Li Cunzhong in the mountains of Yunzhou. After learning that his adopted son Zhang Zifan had indeed fallen into Xiao Yan's hands, he felt a little relieved.

This kid was captured by Xiao Yan, and finally fell into the hands of the Bad Leader. This guy knows all the connections behind Zhang Zifan. If he tells his adoptive father about it, it would be like being held at a disadvantage.

Moreover, this matter was expected after all, so it didn't make Li Siyuan very upset. What was surprising was that Xiao Yan, a young but already the overlord of the Central Plains, actually admired him! In any case, Li Siyuan was glad that his actions in the past two years had not been exposed to Xiao Yan.

Now that the King of Qin had shown favor to him, Li Siyuan was no longer depressed. Feeling encouraged, he continued to ride south to Taiyuan with his son-in-law and ninth brother.

You must know that since Li Siyuan went out of the border to lobby Shulido a few months ago on the orders of the Marshal, the Holy Lord who had been lying in Tongwenguan due to "serious injuries and not yet recovered" was not himself at all, but a substitute who was so lifelike that he was just attracting Taiyuan's attention on his behalf.

Not to mention the failure in Yinshan this time, since Li Siyuan already knew that the storms in the next few years would gather on the grassland, why didn't he return to Taiyuan early to make preparations?

The situation in the world is turbulent. In the foreseeable future, the turbulent situation on the grassland should be his last chance. Seeing that the chess game that has been dormant for many years still has a way out, how can Li Siyuan let it go, even if it means fighting for life from death?

He immediately hurried back to Taiyuan. Besides the fact that the substitute was not a safe option after all, he was also planning to use the name of "controlling the barbarians" to spread the shadow of Tongwenguan to the grassland as soon as possible. With such an excuse, even his adoptive father who was well versed in checks and balances would find it difficult to refute this upright move.

After all, the so-called expansion of Tongwenguan was actually just to serve the military. Li Siyuan had great prestige and power in Tongwenguan, and could decide the life and death of others with a single word. However, when he went out, he could only rely on his official position as the governor of Daizhou. This was the tacit understanding between father and son over the years. With the suppression of the King of Jin himself, it seemed that Tongwenguan would never be able to make a breakthrough.

Unexpectedly, when he reached Shiling Pass while secretly planning his own good strategy, a report sent from Taiyuan frightened him so much that he lost his mind. Even the thick clouds in the distant sky that he had seen from a high place not long ago seemed to have turned into ink pouring down on him.

"Lord Taishan?" Shi Jingtang had just been directing a few attendants to take care of the embarrassed messenger from Taiyuan. When he turned around and saw Li Siyuan in such a state, his heart subconsciously skipped a beat, but his face showed no emotion. He leaned over and asked in a low voice.

Li Siyuan was awakened by the call, and a cold light suddenly flashed across his face. He subconsciously wanted to use his internal force to shatter the silk book in his hand, but his eyes sank and he handed the silk book to Shi Jingtang without saying a word.

Shi Jingtang took it and looked at it carefully, and was instantly shocked.

It turned out that what was written on the illegible silk book was exactly what Jin Wang Li Keyong had invited the Saint Master of Tongwenguan Li Siyuan and the Second Saint Li Sizhao to a family banquet a few days ago. Later, at the banquet, he enumerated ten major crimes, such as secretly raising assassins, plotting to become the crown prince, storing up talents and nurturing reputations, and coveting the throne, and sentenced Li Siyuan to death on the spot.

This was not the end. The Prince of Jin then ordered Li Sizhao to execute Li Siyuan in the palace to show his loyalty. Unexpectedly, Li Sizhao scolded the Prince of Jin in the palace and then suddenly resisted. He even managed to stab the Prince of Jin in the waist and abdomen. However, that was all. He was soon severely injured and captured on the spot by the "Shang Organization" led by Li Cunren.

Because Li Sizhao risked his life to save Li Siyuan's life, the latter was able to escape from the Prince of Jin's Mansion. However, he was at the end of his rope, and this moment was only enough for him to flee back to Tongwenguan and call on his disciples to rise up in resistance.

Under the instigation of Li Siyuan, nearly a thousand disciples also gathered to attack the ceremonial guard of the King of Jin, and the act of rebellion was completely confirmed. The two sides fought fiercely for a while, and Li Siyuan took advantage of the chaos to escape. The disciples of Tongwenguan abandoned by Li Siyuan were not warriors after all, and were quickly killed by the Yaer Army who came to support the King of Jin.

However, the Prince of Jin was kind and righteous, thinking that the Tongwenguan had been deceived by Li Siyuan for many years and did not know that he had committed a serious crime. He believed that the crime was only on the head of the gang, so in addition to issuing a nationwide arrest warrant for Li Siyuan, he also issued an imperial edict to pardon all the people in the Tongwenguan, and nominated Li Cunli, the head of the Tongwenguan Li Sect, as the Holy Leader. He immediately returned to Taiyuan from Luzhou to take over the Tongwenguan.

In just a moment, Shi Jingtang was speechless, sweating profusely, and his hands and feet were unable to move.

In his peripheral vision, Li Siyuan had a calm square face. His fair complexion seemed to be slightly dark, and his triangular eyes were slightly half-closed, as if he was staring at him intently.

Shi Jingtang's back was covered in cold sweat, he knew very well that once this book arrived, his father-in-law would become a lost dog of Jin State. Not to mention taking advantage of the grassland to gain a little wealth, he was afraid that he would lose his foothold in the Three Jins or even in half of the world!

When people are subjected to extreme stimulation, they are very likely to go crazy!
So Shi Jingtang had countless thoughts flashing through his mind, and he turned around in an instant. Under Li Siyuan's suspicious gaze, he suddenly drew the sword from his waist and walked quickly towards the messenger who was sitting on the ground drinking water. When the latter was stunned and got up hastily, he stabbed him in the waist and abdomen with a sword before he could react. Not only that, he also slashed his throat with the sword, leaving a bloody mark.

"Nephew Shi...!?" Li Cunzhong jumped suddenly to the side to avoid the spurting blood, and his voice became shrill for a moment.

Several attendants who were taking care of the horses and lazily resting on the rocks also stood up in panic, shocked and stunned. After all, to these people, Shi Jingtang had always been a polite and weak scholar, and they had never seen him so fierce.

Shi Jingtang ignored these people and just turned around to salute Li Siyuan. "Lord Taishan, there are priorities. Not to mention how this person could find this place, the person who ordered him to deliver this letter is a little shady, and his purpose is even more unclear. I have heard that there is a method of tracking traces in Raojiang Gu Shu. Even if it is just a rumor, in this situation, I think it is better to kill the wrong person than to let him go! To be on the safe side, Lord Taishan, please leave this place quickly and don't give others a chance!"

When Shi Jingtang thrust his sword, even Li Siyuan was a little stunned, but a hint of fear immediately flashed across his eyes, and then he smiled bitterly and walked over to help Shi Jingtang up.

"My dear son-in-law, your intentions are good. How could I not know this? In the current situation, why do you need your son-in-law to explain it like this? But this killing is a bit too decisive... Alas, let's not talk about him. My father is now trapped in this situation. I am afraid that it will be difficult to leave Sanjin. My dear son-in-law, please take your ninth brother and others with you. Otherwise, I am afraid that you will be implicated by your father."

Li Cunzhong and his companions were already confused by what they heard. A big event had happened in Taiyuan, but the news had not yet spread. Even if they had wild imaginations, they could not imagine that Li Keyong would suddenly kill Li Siyuan. This was too unbelievable.

"Brother, what are you and my nephew doing...?"

"You can see for yourself."

Li Siyuan still trusted Lao Jiu's loyalty. After handing the silk book to Li Cunzhong, he began to stroke his mustache with a chill on his back. His pair of fine eyes moved slightly, and he looked at the others except Li Cunzhong calmly. He briefly extracted the contents of the silk book and told them.

Everyone panicked instantly. Li Cunzhong was shocked and angry, saying, "Prince Jin, this is a fabricated accusation!"

"Father-in-law, please don't say anything about involvement or non-involvement." Shi Jingtang smiled bitterly: "I have served you for many years, and we have become one. If I leave you, can I avoid the suspicion of the King of Jin?"

"You can take my head back to Taiyuan." Li Siyuan said seriously, "Father just wants me to die. If you bring my head back, it will be a great achievement and a token of your loyalty."

"Brother!" Li Cunzhong finally reacted and said in a deep voice: "Brother, why are you so discouraged? Not to mention whether the person who sent the letter was a traitor as my nephew said, even if there is really someone following behind, would you be willing to surrender? This is the King of Jin who doesn't distinguish right from wrong!"

"That's right." Shi Jingtang said calmly on the side: "Tongwenguan is spread throughout the Three Jins. This time it's just an incident in Taiyuan. How can father-in-law stop here? I think that father-in-law should gather as much strength as possible from various places before Taiyuan while other places have not yet taken the lead. As long as you have the bargaining chips in your hands, not only will father-in-law and my family be safe in Taiyuan, even if they go to serve the King of Qin, they will not be looked down upon." "Besides." Shi Jingtang continued: "Since the substitute of father-in-law in Taiyuan has escaped by chance, the King of Jin will naturally focus on him first. This just leaves us room to seize the opportunity..."

In fact, at this point, Li Siyuan's fear that had just chilled his whole body had calmed down, and he just made subtle movements by looking around at a few people during the conversation.

Those who could follow him in and out of Yinshan and always stay by his side were naturally his most trusted confidants, but he always believed in one principle: being extremely cautious was the only rule to preserve one's life and property in troubled times.

Fortunately, these years of training were not in vain. At least in such a situation, everyone was still able to remain loyal to him, Li Siyuan.

"My dear son-in-law, do you think that I should go and serve the King of Qin?"

"The only solution now is to serve the King of Qin. Among all the heroes in the world, only the King of Qin is not afraid of the power of the King of Jin. People like the King of Zhao Wang Rong, the King of Beiping Wang Chuzhi, the King of Chu, the King of Wu, etc., are afraid that they will waver between Jin and Liang. Even if they serve him, they may still be in danger of their lives." Shi Jingtang did not hesitate at all, crossed his hands and saluted, "However, in my humble opinion, although the King of Qin is a good person, you, my father-in-law, should not serve him like this."

"My dear nephew, are you waiting for a good price to sell it?" Li Cunzhong asked immediately.

Li Siyuan was still self-aware, and he rejected the suggestion with a sad face: "In the current situation, there is no room for us to wait for a price."

"Father-in-law, your opinion is great."

Shi Jingtang tried to be as concise as possible: "The King of Qin already has Yebushou under his command. Even if my father-in-law brings the remaining members of the Tongwenguan to surrender, it will probably be difficult to achieve anything. Besides, the King of Qin had a favorable view of my father-in-law before because he could pose a threat to the Crown Prince, and it was not necessarily out of kindness. Now that my father-in-law is in trouble, it is hard to say whether the King of Qin will change his mind... Didn't my father-in-law speculate that the Liang Dynasty would rest and recuperate in the next few years? What if the King of Qin wants to take this opportunity to ease the situation with the King of Jin, then wouldn't our lives be in danger?"

"My dear nephew, what you said makes sense." Although Li Cunzhong had only met Xiao Yan once, he was deeply impressed, so he hurriedly said, "Brother, Xiao Yan... King Qin is really hard to figure out, it's not impossible."

"Then..." Li Siyuan's mind moved, and he looked at Shi Jingtang: "What do you mean, my dear son-in-law?"

"Mobei Queen Mother, Shuliduo." Shi Jingtang said calmly, "The grassland is now divided, and Li Maozhen led the Yaer Army to the battlefield, so he must have been allied with the King of Jin. He must not have been able to go to Yelu Lage's side. Although my father-in-law had a feud with Shuliduo not long ago, it was only because of their different positions at the time. If my father-in-law now leads the remnants of the Tongwenguan to surrender, Shuliduo will surely be very happy. My father-in-law also knows that the Mobei Queen Mother has always been ambitious and strategic, and now she is in a weak position, how can she not use my father-in-law? Compared with the Liang Dynasty, Mobei does not have many choices."

Even Li Cunzhong was instantly tempted and encouraged: "Brother, this method is feasible. The grassland is not completely useless. Going to Mobei, you can continue to accumulate strength..."

Shi Jingtang also continued, "According to what the Nine Gate Master said, even if my father-in-law wants to sell it in the future, he can get a good price from the King of Qin."

"That makes sense..." Li Siyuan paced and thought carefully, and finally heaved a sigh of relief, saying with emotion: "My dear son-in-law, you are so thoughtful and considerate, I am not as good as you, my father."

Shi Jingtang's sword was still stained with blood. He just smiled when he heard this. Then he wiped the blood off the sword and said, "So there are only two things we need to do now. First, my father-in-law's substitute in Taiyuan..."

"It must be the fourth brother." Li Cunzhong had already seen that his eldest brother's son-in-law was indeed an important figure, and he himself was so panicked that he did not bother to ask Li Siyuan for instructions and hurried to explain to Shi Jingtang.

"The Fourth Sect Master, Li Cunren, is a great helper to my father-in-law and is loyal to him. He must be saved... And I dare to say that since the Fourth Sect Master can act on my father-in-law's behalf in Taiyuan, he must know a lot about my father-in-law's arrangements over the years. Even if there is really no other way, we cannot let him fall into the hands of King Jin."

"This..." Li Cunzhong could hear the hidden meaning of this sentence and hesitated for a moment, while Li Siyuan nodded expressionlessly: "Of course."

Li Cunzhong thought that his elder brother meant that he must be saved, so he also echoed him.

"Secondly, the Sixth Sect Master has a deep relationship with my father-in-law. He previously replaced Zhou Dewei to take charge of Luzhou, and was now appointed as the Holy Lord by the King of Jin. These were all plots by the King of Jin to alienate him. My father-in-law must not fall into the trap and should try his best to contact the Sixth Sect Master."

Shi Jingtang was quick-witted and told them everything at once, and then arranged for several people to do their own thing. Li Cunzhong and the others were panicked just now, but they calmed down because of Shi Jingtang, and they subconsciously followed his orders, until Shi Jingtang suddenly changed his expression and bowed to Li Siyuan: "The situation is urgent, and I have no choice but to act on my own..."

"That's not the case." Li Siyuan was just moved. "You and I are father and son, what's the difference between us? The only people I can rely on right now are my son-in-law and my nine brothers. I am grateful that you have not abandoned me, how can I have any other extravagant requests?"

After that, he said to Li Cunzhong and the others, "From now on, what I, your son-in-law, say is what I want. You all should not delay any more. Just follow the arrangement just now and seize the opportunity to do what you think is right!"

Shi Jingtang breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately followed the orders and led the horses down the mountain.

Li Siyuan looked at the back of this good son-in-law, narrowed his eyes slightly, and suddenly stroked his beard and smiled.

------

"The body of 'Big Brother' is indeed that of Fourth Brother."

In Taiyuan, Li Cunren clasped his fists and saluted: "According to my adoptive father's arrangement, my son has already escaped from Taiyuan... I think if my elder brother is not scared, he will take the initiative to contact my son."

"Scared to death?" Li Keyong, who was sitting in a wheelchair and looked a little pale because of the sword wound on his waist and abdomen, held a piece of dough in his hand, looked at it carefully for a while, and chuckled, "Since he dared to leave Lao Si in Taiyuan to fool me, he is not the kind of person who can be scared to death."

Li Cunren clasped his fists in silence for a long time, and whispered: "The child is incompetent."

"It's just a minor injury. I fought a bloody battle with Huang Chao's rebels and suffered numerous injuries. This is nothing." Li Keyong calmly turned his wheelchair and said, "But I am a little surprised that Fourth Brother has such a real-looking head. Haha, you personally take someone to go there. I want to see what the difference is between a real head and a fake one."

"But foster father..." Li Cunren lowered his voice: "The Western Route Army marched eastward for no reason, and the person behind it is still unknown. How can I leave?"

"If you don't leave, how can the fish take the bait? I have made up my mind, so don't say anything more. Send a message to Lao Liu and ask him to come to see me immediately after he returns to Taiyuan."

"...here."

(End of this chapter)