Datang: Rebirth of Li Chengqian, the beginning of the treason interrogation

Chapter 199 Li Shimin entrusted Fang Xuanling to restart his career

The legend finally came to an end. With the arrival of two urgent military reports from the border, Li Shimin was so angry that his old illness relapsed and he almost collapsed in the Taiji Hall.

He could no longer put on his armor and go into battle. Even sitting was a burden. He was so angry that he wanted to report to the underworld.

"Investigate, investigate for me, who initiated the mutiny?"

Li Shimin leaned on the imperial chair, his eyes wide open, his rage like thunder. Even though he was terminally ill, his dragon might was still there.

One was an urgent military report from Zhang Liang, and the other was an urgent secret report from Su Dingfang.

The contents all accuse the other party of treason.

But the people far away in Chang'an had no idea who was rebelling.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. I think the most urgent thing right now is not to thoroughly investigate who is plotting rebellion, but to immediately order all states to send troops to defend Chang'an."

"Whether it's Zhang Liang's rebellion or Su Dingfang's mutiny, they will both take advantage of Xueyantuo. When the time comes, 200,000 cavalrymen will march south. I'm afraid it will be another White Horse Alliance."

Xu Jingzong took over despite himself. Now that he was no longer constrained by Zhangsun Wuji, he truly deserved the title of Zuo Pushe.

Under the deliberate suppression of imperial power, it became difficult for the aristocratic families to take charge of state affairs.

At this moment, he has a very strong voice.

"What Xu Pushe said makes sense. As for who started the mutiny, we will know in a few days. The most urgent task is to protect the safety of Kyoto."

Li Zhi walked out calmly, not as panicked as one might imagine. He remained calm even when faced with a huge crisis.

Under Li Shimin's careful guidance, Li Zhi began to show signs of being an emperor.

"Humph!"

Li Shimin snorted coldly, and there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes when he looked at Li Zhi.

Among these people, few understand military affairs.

If the rebels' target is Chang'an, it is too late to mobilize troops now.

When these two urgent military reports arrived, the Xueyantuo might have already entered the pass and were heading towards Chang'an.

By the time you pass the military order requesting help to the local area, the enemy will already be at the gates of the city.

"If they really launched a mutiny, where do you think they are now? Will they still give us a chance to gather reinforcements?"

The hall suddenly fell silent.

Li Zhi lowered his head in shame. There were still many shortcomings in the issues he considered.

"Only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you win every battle. Who do you think is more likely to rebel, Zhang Liang or Su Dingfang?"

Li Shimin asked again, these people have no idea how many military operations they have, but they are first-class at guessing people's hearts.

At the same time, soldiers on war horses were rushing out of the city.

It is necessary to notify all provinces to provide assistance.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I think Zhang Liang is more likely to be involved in treason. When he was appointed as the governor of Xiangzhou, he recruited many adopted sons. He is a true warrior and deserves death."

Gao Shilian said with trembling body, "Recruiting retainers has been a practice since ancient times, but this has happened now, which is indeed worthy of doubt."

"Duke Shen's words are biased. Zhang Liang is a slick man who is afraid of death. I'm afraid he doesn't have the courage to do this."

"On the contrary, Su Dingfang is different. He is incredibly courageous. He dared to charge into the Turkic army of tens of thousands with only 200 knights. I'm afraid there is nothing he dare not do."

"Besides, everyone should remember who Su Dingfang used to be under. Before he returned to the Tang Dynasty, he was a capable general under Dou Jiande and Liu Heita. Now he has been released back to the Guannei Road, where he is deeply loved by the people. I am afraid that he has been bewitched by someone with ulterior motives and wants to lead the people of Hebei to make a comeback."

When Duke of Ju Tang Jian spoke, there was a suspicion of personal revenge.

But what he said makes sense.

The area of ​​Hebei has never been stable, with riots occurring from time to time.

From then on, Li Yuan ordered the killing of Dou Jiande, and the people in Hebei Province rebelled.

Even under the governance of the Tang Dynasty, they were only superficially obedient and were always ready to cause trouble.

"I also think that Su Dingfang is very likely to rebel. He has a close relationship with the former crown prince, and now that Your Majesty has deprived him of his power, he is resentful and is leading the people in rebellion."

"There is also Zhishisili. He is originally a Turkic. Now that he sees the Xueyantuo marching south in large numbers, he must think that there is a chance for the restoration of the country. The two of them are in cahoots with each other, which is why they are like this."

"The urgent report sent here is to confuse the superiors and give them time to prepare."

Wei Ting's analysis is also well-reasoned and reasonable.

Li Shimin was also more inclined to support Su Dingfang's rebellion.

He knew Zhang Liang very well. He knew that he was a villain with no talent. How could he dare to rebel?

However, we have to be on guard.

Li Shimin immediately issued an order, "Inform all the pass cities that any troops from Su Dingfang, the Eastern Turkic army, or Zhang Liang that they encounter should be isolated and not allowed to pass through."

"Each prefecture within the Great Wall should recruit soldiers and brave men to resist the Xueyantuo."

Whoever plots rebellion will join forces with the Xueyantuo and launch a massive invasion.

Li Shimin endured the pain all over his body and delivered the order.

"With the enemy at hand, each department shall perform its duties and the court shall be dismissed."

Li Shimin pretended to be calm and spoke in a loud voice, not sounding like a seriously ill person.

As the last minister stepped out of the Taiji Hall, Li Shimin fell on the imperial desk like a deflated balloon.

"Father!"

Li Zhi was horrified and started shouting.

"Someone, come quickly!"

While shouting, he quickly walked up the dragon ladder.

"Don't make it public. Help me to the bedroom, and then secretly summon Fang Xuanling to the palace."

Li Shimin's breath was weak and it seemed as if he was leaving his last words.

"Is the emperor talking about Fang Xuanling?"

Li Zhi thought there was something wrong with his ears, but Fang Xuanling was involved in a case of treason.

Previously, Li Shimin had issued an order forbidding him to participate in state affairs.

"You know that Fang Xuanling has no intention of rebelling. He is just a victim of the power struggle. If I am gone, you can entrust the affairs of state to him."

Li Shimin warned, at this moment, he just felt that the end was approaching.

A lot of big things have happened recently, which have made him exhausted.

Fang Xuanling was indeed just a victim in the previous struggle between Li Tai and Li Chengqian.

Being taken out to take the blame.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see and understand.

The sword of the previous dynasty could not kill the officials of the later dynasty, but in Li Zhi's generation, it could be reused.

This is also one of Li Shimin's foreshadowing.

"No, Father will definitely get better."

There was a hint of sob in Li Zhi's voice.

His feelings for Li Shimin were genuine and he was very filial.

He is so filial that he even takes care of his stepmother.

"I know my body won't last much longer. I don't know how your uncle Changsun Wuji is doing now."

Li Shimin couldn't help but worry again. If Changsun Wuji had been firmly in the center of the army, such a thing would definitely not have happened.

Li Shimin still had great confidence in Zhangsun Wuji's abilities.

It can be said that in terms of the overall capabilities of the entire Tang Dynasty, Changsun Wuji is undoubtedly the second best.

Now it seems that the situation is more dangerous than good.

Before he passes away, he must have someone to take charge of the situation.

The most ideal person is still Zhangsun Wuji, but his life or death is uncertain now.

He had no choice but to settle for the second best and chose Fang Xuanling.

If he is pardoned and reinstated, he will definitely be grateful and allow Li Zhi to command him.

Outside the Wude Hall, the sunlight fell on the ground, but it could not dispel the tense and solemn atmosphere.

Li Zhi was like an ant on a hot pan, pacing anxiously in front of the hall, back and forth, his steps seeming a little flustered.

He clenched his hands into fists, as if trying to relieve his inner uneasiness and anxiety in this way. Perhaps among all the princes in the past dynasties, he was the only one who really cared about the emperor's condition.
Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps came from far away.

Led by the eunuchs, Fang Xuanling hurried to the front of the Wude Hall. When he saw Li Zhi, he bowed and said respectfully:

"I pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

At this time, Fang Xuanling had already been dismissed from his official position and no longer had any achievements.

"May I ask your Highness, what happened?"

Along the way, the number of guards in the imperial city more than doubled.

And Li Shimin summoned this extremely evil traitor again, and Fang Xuanling already had a bad feeling in his heart.

Just as Li Zhi was about to answer, a weak voice suddenly came from inside the house. Although the voice was obviously weak, it could still be heard that it was a call from Li Shimin:
"Has Xuanling arrived? Please come in quickly."

Hearing Li Chengqian's summons, Fang Xuanling did not dare to be negligent and hurried forward. He passed through the open palace door and entered the room as quickly as a nimble fish.

As soon as he stepped into the room, the scene that came into view made Fang Xuanling's heart tremble.

Li Shimin was seen half-leaning on the wide bed. His originally jet-black hair had now turned as white as frost, especially his temples.

His once smooth and firm face was now covered with deep and shallow wrinkles, as if the knife of time had mercilessly cut across his face.

After not seeing him for just a few years, the old man in front of me looked so haggard and sickly that I almost couldn't recognize him.

Is this still the same Tang emperor who was so heroic, capable of ruling the country, so powerful, and so feared by countless grassland tribes, and the Li Shimin who was honored as the Heavenly Khan?

"Your Majesty, what's wrong with you?"

Fang Xuanling walked forward tremblingly, tears glistening in his eyes.

"Xuanling, I am sorry for you. Do you blame me?"

Li Shimin answered the question irrelevantly, and tears seemed to flow from his eyes.

At this moment, he was not an emperor, but more like an old man in his twilight years, becoming sentimental.

Fang Xuanling provided him with great help.

Fang's plan is over.

Fang Xuanling was the strategist beside Li Shimin and was Li Shimin's Zhang Liang.

But after he came to rule the world, he could not keep his wealth.

"I dare not. I am grateful to Your Majesty. If Your Majesty had not intervened, I would have lost my head long ago."

Fang Xuanling immediately knelt down and said gratefully.

"Xuanling, please get up and come to my side. I want to ask you to come here today because I have something to tell you."

Li Chengqian waved his hand.

Yuan Tiangang on the side also bowed and retreated tactfully.

The conversation between the two that followed must have been extremely secret, and even Crown Prince Li Zhi was not allowed to come in.

He, Yuan Tiangang, is just a sorcerer, so what qualifications does he have?
"You can stay too!"

At this time, Li Shimin looked up at Yuan Tiangang.

When Yuan Tiangang heard this, his body stiffened, and then he quickly stood aside.

"I don't have much time left. The crown prince is still young. There are clan troubles at home, and there are troubles from the Xueyantuo, Tubo, and Western Turks outside. In addition, the rebellion of the previous crown prince has shaken the foundation of the country."

"The Tang Dynasty is like a floating catkin in the wind and rain, which may fall from its height at any time. I am very worried. If that day really comes, you must lend a helping hand to the Crown Prince, and do not let the foundation of the Tang Dynasty that we have created be destroyed in an instant."

Li Shimin glanced at the two of them with a dim gaze.

Pfft!
Without any hesitation, they both knelt down on their knees at the same time, with their heads on the ground.

"We will not fail your majesty's trust, and we will not refuse even if death is the cost."

The picture seemed to be still.

Li Shimin did not ask them to get up.

The two of them were also like sculptures, motionless.

Fang Xuanling was also a man from a poor family, and he was able to rise to fame with the help of Li Shimin.

"Everyone get up!"

After a long while, Li Shimin spoke leisurely. Although he was seriously ill, he still had the power of life and death.

If the two of them hesitated for a moment, they might have been beheaded.

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty, but at my age, I am afraid I still have to walk in the front."

A bitter smile appeared on Fang Xuanling's face, like a leaf falling in the wind, he was no longer able to do anything.

Li Shimin carefully examined Fang Xuanling and indeed saw signs of old age in him.

"Haha, after more than twenty years of bloody storms, we have all grown old."

Li Shimin said with infinite emotion, Fang Xuanling was more than ten years older than him.

You never know, he might leave one day.

"Xuan Ling thinks, who in the court is capable of this important task?"

Li Shimin asked, the people he trusted were all in foreign places, and some had unclear relationships with clans and powerful families, so they were not a good choice.

"Li Daliang, the Minister of Works, has the integrity of Wang Ling and Zhou Bo. We can entrust him with important matters."

Fang Xuanling spoke.

"According to the Bad People report, Li Daliang is honest and dedicated to the people and loyal to the country."

Yuan Tiangang on the side also said.

"Ugh!"

Li Shimin couldn't help but sigh again. Li Daliang was now deep behind enemy lines and no one knew whether he was dead or alive.

"After he returns to the capital, I will make the appointment. I will draft an edict."

Li Shimin had to prepare for a rainy day.

He still had too many things to deal with, and he was not yet at ease handing over such a powerful yet hidden danger-filled Tang Dynasty to Li Zhi.

"May I ask your Majesty, how should the Tang Dynasty treat Goguryeo?"

How could Fang Xuanling not see Li Shimin's ambiguous attitude towards Goguryeo?

If it were anyone else, they would have sent troops to suppress it long ago.

Even if we cannot win, we must show our attitude.

But Li Shimin only gave a verbal warning.

Li Chengqian's confusing actions also made it difficult for the strategist Fang Xuanling to understand the significance of them.

It's totally confusing.

Let him dismantle the cards that are his best bet and play them out.

Or maybe there is some hidden secret that they are not aware of.

"What should it be?"

Li Shimin was instantly caught in a dilemma.

Did Li Chengqian betray the Tang Dynasty? It seems not.

But it is also true that he did not obey my orders. Isn't this treason?

Moreover, judging from the secret letter sent by Li Chengqian, he will one day launch an attack on the Tang Dynasty.

However, it targets individual individuals among them.

The struggle in Li Shimin's eyes gradually disappeared. He reached for the head of the bed and pulled out a few letters from a secret box on the wooden board.

He handed it to the two of them.

"Look!"

This is one of Li Shimin's biggest secrets.

If he doesn't take them out now, these secrets may be buried underground like him.

Never to see the light of day again.

(End of this chapter)