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

Chapter 519 Leading a Million Troops to West Lake (Part 5)
In the afternoon, a light drizzle continued to fall in Yangzhou Palace.

Shangrao leaned against the window, listening to the pattering rain outside the eaves, gently stroking her high, swollen belly, her gaze blank.

Li Xingyun hadn't spoken properly to her for two days. Although he knew it was because he was preoccupied with court affairs, he always returned with a furrowed brow, and when asked, he would only force a smile.

They've been married for a year. How could she not tell if it was real or fake?

A trusted maid who had served her since childhood quietly entered. After dismissing everyone else, she finally couldn't help but whisper the matter of how the court officials had pressured Li Xingyun to personally go to the front line of the river defense to reward the troops the day before, and how Li Xingyun had not refused on the spot.

Before she could finish speaking, Shangrao's face had already turned slightly pale, and she clenched her sleeves tightly. Born into royalty and raised in the inner palace, how could she not know the risks that the words "personally going to the front lines" meant at such a sensitive time?

This is clearly an attempt by Xu Wen, Zhang Hao, and others to force her husband away from the central government and even put him in danger!
Just as he was in a state of utter confusion, a report came from outside the hall that Li Xingyun and Lu Linxuan had arrived together.

Dressed in casual clothes, Li Xingyun walked to the window with a gentle smile and asked softly, "How are you feeling today? Has the little one been behaving well?"

Lu Linxuan followed behind him, holding a food box in her hands, with a warm smile and a bright and radiant appearance.

Shangrao straightened up, his gaze fixed intently on Li Xingyun, then at Lu Linxuan. After waving away the maid beside him, he hesitated for a long time before finally speaking: "Xingyun, I have heard about what happened in the court. You...you really want to agree to go to that dangerous place on the river defense?"

Li Xingyun's smile froze slightly, and Lu Linxuan behind her was also startled. He was about to speak up for Li Xingyun, but after sighing, the latter waved her hand, then helped Shangrao to sit on the edge of the couch and took her hand:

"Don't listen to those idle rumors. The defense of the Jianghuai region is of utmost importance. As the emperor, I cannot remain secluded in the palace forever. I am merely going to inspect and comfort the troops and reassure them. I am not going to personally lead the troops into battle, so nothing will happen."

"You're lying to me!" Shangrao abruptly pulled her hand back, her eyes instantly reddening. "Xu Wen and Zhang Hao are wolves in sheep's clothing. They forced you to leave the capital, clearly intending to... Xingyun, we are husband and wife, what can't you tell me frankly? In your heart, am I still that spoiled princess who can't be trusted? Who are Xu Wen and the others? Is there anyone who knows them better than me?"

Seeing her agitated state, Li Xingyun feared it might harm the baby and quickly reassured her, "That's not true at all! Shangrao, listen to me..."

He took a deep breath, avoiding Lu Linxuan's worried gaze, as if he had made up his mind, and said, "Precisely because the situation is delicate, I need to be even more cautious. You and I, husband and wife, and this unborn child are my most important things. How could I possibly play with my own safety?"

He paused, then adopted a more serious expression: "I have come here today to discuss something with you. Xu Wen and his men are pressing us relentlessly, and Yangzhou may not be a safe place for long. After much consideration, I would like you to leave the palace temporarily to avoid the storm."

Shangrao was taken aback: "Leaving the palace? Where to?"

At this moment, Lu Linxuan stepped forward, opened the food box, and took out a bowl of calming soup, saying, "Sister-in-law, your senior brother is doing this for your own good. You see, the atmosphere in the palace has been tense lately, which is indeed not suitable for your pregnancy. Qionghua Temple outside the city is a blessed place for quiet cultivation, with a tranquil environment and flourishing incense offerings. We can use the excuse of praying for your senior brother's personal expedition and praying for the safety of the imperial heir in your womb, and go to the temple for a few days of fasting and prayer. Firstly, this will fulfill the wishes of both the emperor and his wife, silencing those gossips; secondly, it will allow you to escape these troubles and rest peacefully in preparation for childbirth."

Li Xingyun continued, "That's exactly what I meant. Lin Xuan will accompany you, and you'll also have reliable guards with you. You can recuperate in the temple with Lin Xuan taking care of you, and I can go to the river defense with peace of mind. When I return from inspecting the troops, I will personally come to pick you up and take you back to the palace. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

Lu Linxuan also gently advised from the side, "Yes, sister-in-law, I heard that going to the temple for a few days to have some peace and quiet is good for your health. I will stay with you and take good care of you."

The two spoke in unison, their words earnest and their reasons plausible: praying for the country's well-being and seeking peace for their son. No one could find fault with them.

As for the idea of ​​a coup or fleeing to the Celestial Master's Mansion, if we were to discuss it now, I'm afraid Shangrao would not agree. She is a stubborn person. She did marry Li Xingyun against her will at first, but now that things have come to this, the idea of ​​a wife following her husband's lead is truly regarded by Shangrao as a life principle.

Looking at the worry and pleading in her husband's eyes, and then at her junior sister's sincere face, Shangrao still had doubts, but the reason of "for her husband and for her children" finally touched her softest spot.

She was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, tears streaming down her face: "...Okay, I'll go. But Xingyun, promise me you'll be extremely careful and come back to pick us up safely."

A huge weight lifted from Li Xingyun's heart. He gently embraced her and whispered a promise: "I promise. You only need to stay for a few days. Once the situation becomes clearer, I will bring you back to the palace. After this matter is resolved and Jiangnan is at peace, we will no longer have to live in such fear..."

Once it was agreed that the Empress intended to leave the palace to go to Qionghua Temple to pray for the Emperor and the unborn imperial heir, the news was quickly reported to the Secretariat and Chancellery in accordance with regulations, under the pretext of "showing the virtue of the Emperor and Empress and appeasing the people's hearts."

When the news reached Xu Wen's residence, he was discussing matters with Zhang Hao and their close confidants, such as Yan Keqiu, Luo Zhixiang, Liu Xin, and Li Yu.

After the servant reported, Xu Wen stroked his beard, pondered, and remained silent.

His eldest son, Xu Zhixun, took the official document, glanced at it, and scoffed, "A woman's view. Or is it that Li Xingyun has run out of tricks and came up with this delaying tactic? Does he think that by letting the Empress hide in the Taoist temple for a few days, he can temporarily stop Father and Uncle from pressuring him to personally lead the expedition?"

Zhang Hao scoffed, "What a hypocrite! Are you trying to win people's hearts with this?"

Xu Wen simply said slowly, "The Empress is about to give birth, and His Majesty will personally go to the river defense to pray for her at the temple. It is only reasonable. There is no need to pay too much attention to it. Just keep an eye on the movements at the temple and do not disturb the Empress's meditation."

Seeing that even the dignified Prime Minister Xu had spoken in this way, the crowd stopped talking and changed the subject.

However, at that moment, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall. A trusted lieutenant of Xu Wen's mansion led a guard captain under Zhong Taizhang, who was responsible for monitoring the Wu Prince's mansion, into the hall. The latter did not even have time to bow before saying urgently, "My lord, Minister, there is an emergency!"

"Just now, a group of beggars were loitering and causing trouble outside the Wu Prince's Mansion. When the guards chased them away, one of the clever little beggars slipped a note to the guard, saying that someone had given him money and that he should personally hand it over to General Zhong of the Wu Prince's Mansion!"

"A note?" Xu Zhixun stepped forward. "Where is it?"

The captain hurriedly took out a crumpled piece of coarse paper from his pocket and presented it with both hands. Xu Zhixun took it, unfolded it, and glanced at it. His expression changed drastically, and he quickly turned around and handed the paper to Xu Wen: "Father, please read this!"

Xu Wen took the note, and saw a few words written on it in messy handwriting:

"Li Xingyun has decided to surrender Jiangnan to Xiao Yan in exchange for a peaceful life. His junior sister, Lu Linxuan, has already secretly gone south to serve as Xiao Yan's messenger and liaison. Today, she sent the Empress out of the palace, ostensibly to pray for blessings, but in reality, it is a harbinger of her escape to the north. She is also preparing to launch an attack in the palace to eliminate dissidents and seize control of the government. The messenger only seeks to live and should not investigate further."

The letter was unsigned and written in charcoal, so hastily that it was impossible to tell whether the writer used their left or right hand.

Xu Wen's pupils suddenly contracted, and his face turned so gloomy it seemed like water could drip from it.

Zhang Hao leaned over for a look and immediately flew into a rage. He slammed his fist on the table, making the teacups jump around: "What a foolish ruler! What a shameless scoundrel! I supported him to become emperor, and he dares to betray the country for personal gain! I told you long ago that this Li family brat is unreliable! Xu Wen, what are we waiting for? Immediately muster the troops, first slaughter all those useless fools in the Wu Prince's mansion, then enter the palace to capture this foolish ruler and kill him to vent my anger!"

An uproar erupted in the hall, filled with murderous intent. Xu Zhixun, Liu Xin, and the others were also enraged and drew their swords, ready to attack.

"Wait a minute!"

A clear, resounding voice rang out. Xu Wen's adopted son, Xu Zhigao, strode forward, stood in front of Zhang Hao, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Father, Uncle, please calm down and do not act rashly!"

Zhang Hao glared at him angrily: "Zhigao, are you going to plead for that tyrannical emperor?"

Xu Zhigao hurriedly replied, "How dare I, your nephew? But Uncle, think carefully. Li Xingyun is still the emperor of the court, and nominally the ruler of Jiangnan. Many soldiers and common people still recognize him as a descendant of the Li Tang dynasty. If we rashly assassinate the emperor now without any evidence, wouldn't that confirm our reputation as traitors? At that time, not only will the Jiangbei army press on our borders, but Jiangnan will also be thrown into chaos, and the people's hearts will be scattered. How can we then resist the Northern Dynasty?"

He paused, looked at Xu Wen, and lowered his voice even further: "Furthermore, although this note exposes Li Xingyun's conspiracy, its source is unknown and its contents are horrifying. What if... what if it's a counter-espionage plot by the Northern Dynasty, intended to lure us into killing each other so they can reap the benefits? Father, Uncle, we must be on guard!"

Xu Wen's eyes flickered, clearly having taken some of the information to heart. He was already suspicious, and after Xu Zhigao's analysis, he felt the matter was even more peculiar.

Seeing that the two men's expressions had softened slightly, Xu Zhigao continued, "The most urgent matter is not to immediately break ties with Li Xingyun. Since he intends to send the Empress and Lu Linxuan away under the pretext of sending them off to pray for blessings, we should go with the flow. Judging from Li Xingyun's actions, the Empress and Lu Linxuan are indeed his greatest weaknesses. As long as we keep them firmly under our control, Li Xingyun will be hesitant to act rashly."

He pondered for a moment, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "I think it would be better to use the pretext of protecting the Empress's safety to send more of Father and Uncle's trusted guards to 'protect' Qionghua Temple. Ostensibly for protection, but in reality for surveillance. Let's see how they act and who they contact. Only by finding out their plan to flee north and who their accomplices are can we take the initiative. If Li Xingyun has indeed committed treasonous acts, and we catch him red-handed, then we can depose him and establish a new emperor in a just and legitimate manner, and no one in the world can criticize us!"

"In that case, we can still appease Li Xingyun and his cronies, such as Zhang Zifan, making them believe that we have not noticed anything. Once we have the situation under control, withstood the coming onslaught from the north, and completed the internal reorganization, we can then proceed with the matter of deposing and installing someone else. Only then can things proceed naturally."

Upon hearing this, Xu Wen slowly nodded, his gloomy expression softening slightly: "What Zhigao says is wise and experienced in governing the country. Brother Zhang, you certainly shouldn't be hasty." Although Zhang Hao was still furious, he knew that Xu Zhigao's words made sense. Although he usually disliked Xu Wen, he also knew that the man was intelligent. Therefore, he suppressed his anger and said, "Alright, we'll follow Zhigao's advice! But I can't be without thorough preparations, Li Yu!"

A burly general stepped forward and announced, "Your subordinate is here!"

"I order you to immediately and secretly mobilize the elite troops of the Black Cloud Longsword Capital, disperse them to key locations throughout the city, reward each of them with ten strings of cash, and order them to always be in their armor, with their swords at all times, ready to be deployed at any moment. Without my written order, they must not obey anyone else's command, and even if the sky were to fall, they must not act rashly!"

"Your subordinate obeys!" Li Yu clasped his hands in a fist salute and quickly left.

Xu Wen pondered for a moment, then said, "Since Li Xingyun dared to launch a coup, he is very likely to secretly infiltrate the Yangzhou troops. We must be on guard. Zhixun."

"Your son is here!" Xu Zhixun stepped forward.

"With this order, you must immediately and secretly depart for Jinling. Recruit the ten thousand former troops of Li Shenfu, the Yellow-Headed Army stationed in Jiangling, and secretly move them to the vicinity of Yangzhou. Remember, secrecy is crucial; do not let a word leak out. If Yangzhou remains peaceful, they will be an invisible shield; but if Li Xingyun truly dares to make a move…"

A cold glint flashed in Xu Wen's eyes, "Then don't blame us for taking swift and decisive action!"

"Yes, Father!" Xu Zhixun glanced at Xu Zhigao, accepted the order in a deep voice, and hurriedly left.

Xu Wen finally looked at Xu Zhigao and the captain who had delivered the message, and said coldly, "Zhigao, since the person who delivered the message took the initiative to leak the information, regardless of whether it is true or false, he must be of great use. Through the beggar who presented the note, follow the clues and bring him to see me. I want to see what kind of person... is behind all this."

Xu Zhigao bowed and accepted the order, then immediately led the captain away to make arrangements.

------

That night, in Bianjing, the imperial city a thousand miles away, the lights were dim.

Xiao Yan spent the night in Shuliduo's bedroom. The bed was warm and fragrant, and Shuliduo and Qianwu were fast asleep, nestled on either side of him.

In the middle of the night, very low voices could be heard outside the palace. Soon after, Yu Youshu walked in slowly, knelt down by the bed, and softly reported:
"Everyone, an urgent message from Jiangnan has arrived! Zhao Congyi, the commander of the Imperial Guard stationed in Yangzhou, has secretly reported that another important person urgently requests an audience. He is currently being escorted by Duan Chengtian, Wen Tao, and Shangguan, and is waiting in the Imperial Study..."

Xiao Yan suddenly opened his eyes, all sleepiness gone. He gently moved Shuliduo's arm away from him and tucked the blanket around Qianwu. Qianwu mumbled a soft "hmm," as if trying to wake up, and Xiao Yan said in a low voice, "It's nothing, go to sleep."

He put on his robe and got up, waving to Yu Youshu without asking her to help him change his clothes properly. He simply led her out of the bedchamber silently, where they saw Zhong Xiaokui standing respectfully outside with her head bowed.

"What is it?" Xiao Yan asked in a deep voice while tying his belt, already heading towards the Imperial Study.

He took long strides, which was fine for Yu Youshu, but Zhong Xiaokui could only jog to keep up, whispering:
"Commander Zhao's secret report mentions that although Zhu Jin of Huainan is idle at home, he seems to have sensed a major change in Jiangnan recently. He has taken the initiative to secretly contact Commander Zhao, claiming that he is willing to contact his old subordinates to help the royal army capture and kill Xu Wen, the false emperor, and others, and hand over Yangzhou. In addition, the report also mentions that there was unusual activity in Yangzhou today. The false emperor sent his wife away from the palace to Qionghua Temple under the pretext of praying for blessings. However, the security was tight, which was unusual."

Xiao Yan did not stop walking. He took the secret report, glanced at it, and said nothing.

Upon arriving outside the Imperial Study, they saw Duan Chengtian, Wen Tao, and Shangguan Yunque standing solemnly before the door, their expressions grave.

Upon his arrival, the three bowed in unison. Duan Chengtian stepped forward and whispered, “Your Majesty, we are terribly sorry to have disturbed you in the dead of night. The leader of the Bad People’s headquarters has suddenly and secretly arrived in the capital, claiming to have an extremely urgent matter to discuss. Seeing that his situation was unusual, we dared not be negligent, and fearing that the news would leak out, we specially asked Brother Wen and Brother Shangguan to escort him to the palace. We brought him here without asking permission; we deserve to die a thousand deaths. Please punish us, Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yan did not stop walking, but raised his hand to stop him from speaking: "It's alright. The Three Thousand Courtyards are old friends. Since they have come so late at night, they must have something important to discuss. Last year, I asked for it several times but could not get it. You all know my intentions and handled it properly. What crime have you committed?"

As he spoke, he pushed open the door and entered.

Inside the study, candlelight shone brightly. A person stood with their back to the door, dressed in ordinary cloth clothes, of average build, showing no distinguishing features. Upon hearing the door open, the person swiftly turned around and, without hesitation, knelt down, forehead touching the ground deeply.
"This humble subject, from the Bad People's Courtyard, kowtows to the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Xiao Yan's gaze fell on him. After a moment of silence, he shook his head and chuckled, then quickly stepped forward to help him up.
"Why does the Grand Master need to perform such a grand ceremony? Please rise. It feels like only yesterday that we parted on the grasslands. I never imagined that so many years would have passed. How have you been? I still remember that if it weren't for the Grand Master's secret intervention back then, I might not have been able to so smoothly cooperate with the current Consort Xian on the grasslands when I first arrived in the northern desert. Speaking of which, I still owe you a favor."

With Xiao Yan's help, Sanzenin rose to his feet, but still maintained a slight bow, not daring to look directly at the emperor's face. Upon hearing this, he appeared even more apprehensive and said with a wry smile:
"Your Majesty flatters this humble subject. The small merit I made in the snowstorms of the northern deserts back then was merely in accordance with the times; how could I dare to trouble Your Majesty with such concern? I have survived in this chaotic world, wandering aimlessly, yet not a day has passed without remembering Your Majesty's sincerity and kindness. Your Majesty has swept away the chaos, restored the Tang Dynasty, and rebuilt the nation. Although I have not been able to emulate you, my blood still boils with pride, knowing that destiny will ultimately find its way!"

He paused slightly, then solemnly took out a thick and heavy book from his bosom. He then placed a black jade token firmly on top of the book, held it high above his head with both hands, and bowed deeply once more.

Yu Youshu, Duan Chengtian, Shangguan Yunque, Wen Tao, and the others standing to the side were instantly drawn to the token, their breaths caught in their throats, and they all stared at the token in silence.

"Your Majesty, this is the roster, personnel, spy list, secret vault list, and contact information of the remaining members of the Thirty-Six Branches of the Bad People. I have come here today because the Grand Master of the Bad People is leading all the remaining members of the Bad People to submit to the Great Tang and follow the orthodoxy."

"For three hundred years, the Bad People have lurked in the shadows, sometimes in the light, sometimes in the dust, sometimes loyal, sometimes traitorous. The grudges and entanglements they have endured are too numerous to recount. But from this day forward, all the past deeds of the Bad People, regardless of merit or demerit, will be judged by His Majesty. All remaining strength will become the blade of the Great Tang, the blade of His Majesty. We will have the power of life and death, and we will have no regrets!"

The study fell silent. Duan Chengtian and Shangguan Yunque held their breath, while Wen Tao stood with his hands hanging down, staring at the ground without saying a word.

Yu Youshu glanced at Xiao Yan, waiting for his reaction. Zhong Xiao Kui simply stayed outside the door and didn't come in at all.

Xiao Yan stared at the three characters 'Bad People' written in one stroke on the token, his hands behind his back, his gaze deep and unfathomable. It was as if he saw his first encounter with Sanqianyuan in Bianliang, the plans they made side by side on a snowy night in Luoyang, and the magnificent waves that have swept across the world over the past few years.

However, after a long while, he did not accept the command order and the roster, but simply smiled faintly:
"Is this how Yuan Tiangang views me and the world? Does the fate of the world depend on his single thought, whether he gives or takes, and whether he can turn the tide? Can he condemn me as a traitor and a villain in one thought, and then honor me as a loyal minister and wise advisor in another? Does he think that by sending you, the chief of the sect with whom I have a past, and with this token and register, I will gladly accept everything and wipe away all those grudges and past grievances with a smile?"

He took a step forward, his expression laced with barely suppressed anger, though he didn't speak harshly. His gaze swept over the black jade token, and he chuckled again.

"Or does Yuan Tiangang think that I am like that woman, blinded by greed and forgetting my roots, only seeing the small benefits these scoundrels hide in the shadows? Does he think I won't follow the names on this register, investigate and exterminate all of you so-called loyalists of the Tang Dynasty?"

Sanzenin's body trembled, but he calmly raised his head:
"This humble subject dares not presume to know Your Majesty's will, much less rely on past favors. Your Majesty is the ruler of all under Heaven, possessing a heart that encompasses the universe and a vision that spans the ages. The Bad People are indeed weapons of mass destruction, a motley crew of villains, entangled in a web of grudges and favors. But to Your Majesty, all of this is but a dull, rusty knife. Whether this knife is dull or sharp, whether it is to be discarded or used, whether it is to be wielded and admired or melted down and reforged, is entirely at Your Majesty's discretion. With a flick of Your Majesty's hand, Your Majesty can restore its sharpness, or with another, you can utterly destroy it, eliminating any future threat."

Having said that, he simply kowtowed deeply once more, his forehead touching the ground:

"This humble subject's journey is not to beg for the lives of scoundrels, nor to defend the commander, nor to preserve any meager past friendship. This humble subject merely... obeys the will of the people, to deliver this rusty blade intact into Your Majesty's hands. This humble subject is no different from the people of the world, only hoping that the day this chaotic world is unified will be tonight. May Your Majesty wield this blade and usher in an era of lasting peace..."

Upon hearing this, Duan Chengtian and Shangguan Yunque hesitated, but then Wen Tao subtly gave them a meaningful look. The two of them immediately tensed up and became solemn.

Xiao Yan remained silent, no longer looking at the token or at the Three Thousand Courtyards.

He took a step and slowly walked to the pavilion outside the hall. A night wind suddenly rose, fluttering his robes as if he wanted to ride the wind away.

A crescent moon hangs in the sky, its clear light bathing pavilions and palaces.

He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the moon, motionless for a long time, his shadow stretching long in the moonlight. The entire imperial city seemed to hold its breath, awaiting his voice.

In the end, he didn't turn around, but simply spoke calmly:

"Preach my will."

"A letter was sent to Wang Yanzhang, Chi Li, He Gui, Wang Zongkan, and all the generals. After tonight, the entire army will cross the river and pacify Jiangnan."

"I want to enjoy the spring scenery of the first year of Hongwu on West Lake."

(End of this chapter)