Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 235: I take Qingque to find his witchcraft

Chapter 235: I take Qingque to find his witchcraft (First update)
Dark clouds drifted across the night sky, and the bright moon once again illuminated the earth.

At the Suzaku Gate, Hou Zhiyi was holding Hou Junji's body and crying and wailing, tears streaming down his face.

Everyone in the city and outside the city was shocked by this sudden change.

Hou Junji, one of the few commanders in the Tang army, former Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Personnel, and Chief Clerk of Yongzhou, committed suicide.

The incident happened too quickly.

On the city wall, Li Chengqian closed his eyes and sighed softly.

Then he turned around and nodded to Li Jing solemnly.

Li Jing immediately bowed, and then waved the triangular flag in his hand again, and the sound of drums on one side suddenly became faster.

"Boom, boom, boom..." The drumbeats were so fast that they seemed to be urging someone to die.

This was indeed the case. As the drum beat faster, Qibi Heli's movements in the distance stopped instantly. The next moment, the long spear in his hand was raised.

"Kill!" Qibi Heli suddenly shouted angrily, and the three thousand cavalrymen of the Right Guard immediately charged forward, and the cold wind instantly blew to the Suzaku Gate.

"Tramp, tramp, tramp!" The Jinwu guards on both sides also began to raise the lances in their hands and slowly approached the Suzaku disciples step by step.

"The Emperor of the Great Tang has decreed: Anyone plotting treason will be executed." Inside the palace, Li Daliang shouted angrily to the thousands of soldiers outside, "Put down your weapons, kneel down, and be bound. Anyone standing within ten breaths will be killed!"

A crazy roar resounded between heaven and earth, and almost in an instant, with a "clang", a broadsword was thrown to the ground.

His original master fell to his knees almost instantly.

In an instant, more people dropped their weapons and knelt on the ground.

The rapid sound of horse hooves, the rhythmic heavy footsteps, and the flashing cold light put pressure on people's nerves to the extreme in a very short period of time.

When Qibi Heli led the crazy cavalry to attack, there were not many people standing in front of the Suzaku Gate.

No, but there is.

Some soldiers stood with their necks stiff, heads raised, and long spears in hand, motionless, watching the charging Right Guard army, looking as if they were waiting to die.

Hou Junji's loyal confidant.

Qibi Heli immediately understood who these people were.

He swung the long spear in his hand to the side, knocking these people to the ground.

The soldiers behind him did the same thing.

Qibi Heli had already conveyed Li Chengqian's instructions.

At this point, there is no need to kill anymore.

……

In front of the Suzaku Gate, everything became completely quiet.

Li Tai and Zhang Liang were pinned to the ground by their necks.

The sharp blade was right in front of them. Although the two men looked grim, they dared not move.

On the city wall, Li Chengqian took a glance, then turned around instantly and strode towards the bottom of the city wall.

The ministers on both sides all bowed respectfully: "Your Highness!"

A major rebellion was put down in a very short time, and only two people died.

Four thousand people fell to their knees.

Even though he set up a trap with absolute advantage, Li Chengqian was able to resolve everything with the minimum cost of death in the end. His strong scheming is enough to be admired.

Li Chengqian, with his hand on the black sword hilt, wearing a black python robe, with an upright posture and a stern face, walked down the Suzaku Gate step by step.

The five thousand guards inside the Suzaku Gate bowed their heads to Li Chengqian at the same time, their movements coordinated and their awe-inspiring demeanor.

Li Chengqian took a look, nodded slightly, then turned and walked out of the Suzaku Gate.

Fang Xuanling, Li Jing, Yu Zhining, Chu Suiliang, Ma Zhou, Changsun Xiang and others followed closely behind him.

Outside the Suzaku Gate, Zheng Rentai, Qibi Heli, Zuo Kuangzheng, and many other generals saw Li Chengqian step out of the Suzaku Gate and immediately bowed and saluted, saying, "Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"No need to be polite." Li Chengqian raised his hand slightly and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

Everyone immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness!"

Li Chengqian looked up at the countless soldiers in front of him.

Hou Junji, Li Tai, and all the people brought by Zhang Liang have been taken under thorough custody by the Left and Right Jinwu Guards and the Right Xiaowei Guards.

Li Tai, Zhang Liang, and Du Chuke were pressed to the front, each with two long swords pressed on their necks.

The Qianniu Guards behind them had stern expressions. If the three men made any rash moves, they would kill them immediately.

Li Chengqian glanced at the three of them, and finally walked to Hou Zhiyi, who was still crying while holding Hou Junji's body.

Li Chengqian looked at Hou Junji, sighed softly, and said, "He died for you."

Hou Zhiyi looked up blankly while crying.

"He's worried that I won't keep my promise. He's worried that I'll settle accounts with you later." Li Chengqian shook his head and said bitterly, "He underestimates me. My words may not be as steadfast as my father's, but once they're spoken, they can't be taken back."

Hou Zhiyi felt inexplicably relieved, and then nodded vigorously.

Li Chengqian stepped forward, patted Hou Zhiyi on the shoulder, and said, "Regarding your father's affairs, I will do my best to ask the emperor to bury him properly. As for you, it would not be good for you to continue staying in Chang'an, a place with such turmoil. I will report to the emperor and request that you be transferred to the position of magistrate of Taiyuan County..."

When the Taiyuan County Magistrate heard this name, many people looked serious.

In the Tang Dynasty, the lowest rank of Inspector was the lower fourth grade, while the highest rank of County Magistrate was the upper fifth grade.

The county magistrates in Chang'an Wannian, Luoyang in Henan, and Taiyuan in Jinyang were all above the fifth rank.

The six ministers and the three prime ministers are only of the third rank.

As long as Hou Zhiyi serves two terms, ten years as the magistrate of Taiyuan County, he will definitely be the governor of a state of the fourth rank. After another ten years, he will at least be the third rank.

No matter whether he was the third-rank governor of Shangzhou or the third-rank prime minister of six ministries, with Li Chengqian's words, Hou Zhiyi would have a smooth life.

He has not broken his promise, nor will he break it.

"Duke Chen's remains will be sent to the Imperial Ancestral Temple for interment. Father will make the final decision later." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said, "As for you, return home first and take good care of your brothers and sisters. The Jinwu Guards will help guard the gate for you. Also, ensure that you have access to food, drink, and other necessities, both inside and outside the home."

Li Chengqian looked directly at Zheng Rentai.

"Yes!" Zheng Rentai immediately bowed.

"Go, go back and have a good rest. Don't worry about other things. I will arrange everything for you." Li Chengqian patted Hou Zhiyi's shoulder and looked at Zheng Rentai at the same time.

Zheng Rentai nodded and waved behind him.

Two Jinwu Guards came over to support Hou Zhiyi. They found a stretcher and carefully lifted Hou Junji's body, then carried it into the palace. Hou Zhiyi, with a face full of grief, was supported and returned to the Duke of Chen's Mansion.

"Pass the order down. No one is allowed to harass the family of Duke Chen. Anyone who disobeys the order will be executed." Li Chengqian said this, and everyone around him bowed in unison: "Yes!"

Some people even had gratitude in their eyes.

No matter what, Hou Junji accompanied the emperor in the fight at the end of the Sui Dynasty, and many people fought alongside him.

If he stood on the opposite side, everyone would naturally serve their own masters and fight each other.

But now Hou Junji is dead, and Li Chengqian very cleverly saved his son and even prepared a future for him.

Many military generals immediately developed a favorable impression of Li Chengqian.

And it's very deep.

……

Li Chengqian watched Hou Zhiyi leave, then turned and walked in front of Li Tai.

Looking at the dismantled crossbow on the ground, a sneer flashed in Li Chengqian's eyes. This thing could hurt him.

Then, Li Chengqian walked up to Zhang Liang and Du Chuke, his face suddenly filled with disgust.

"Zhang Xuan, the Left Thousand Oxen Guard General!" Li Chengqian turned slightly sideways.

"I'm here!" Zhang Xuan, dressed in red and golden armor, walked out from behind the crowd and bowed seriously.

"Imprison these two men and forbid any visitation." Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said, "Send an order to summon Li Shangzhen, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and Hu Yan, the Junior Minister of the Supreme Court, to the palace to discuss the next steps together with Ma Zhou, the Chief Censor, Fang Xiang, Yu Xiang, and Lord Chu!"

"Yes!" Zhang Xuan immediately bowed, and then ordered someone to take Zhang Liang and Du Chuke away together.

"As for these soldiers before me, except for a few stubborn ones who will be imprisoned, all others will be escorted out of the city and sent to the military camp for registration." Li Chengqian raised his head and shouted, "Don't worry, I've said that those who surrender their weapons will not be killed. Don't worry, I will report to the emperor and pardon your death sentences. As for the rest, you understand the military rules!"

Death warriors!
Li Chengqian's meaning was very clear.

It is impossible for these people to be completely innocent as they were involved in Li Tai's treason case.

It’s just a question of how many to exile.

However, the military has its own rules for these matters, which is to act as a suicide soldier.

As long as they make enough contributions in the army, they will have a chance to survive.

Hearing Li Chengqian say this, most people in the scene couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

They were all brave soldiers who had fought their way out of the battlefield, otherwise they would not have become the confidants of Hou Junji and Zhang Liang.

What they fear is being beheaded or exiled, but they are not afraid of going to the battlefield.

Especially since the emperor was about to march eastward to attack Goguryeo, there were plenty of opportunities for him to go to the battlefield.

With Li Chengqian's guarantee, the soldiers immediately headed towards the Jinguan Gate respectfully.

……

After thousands of soldiers had left, Li Chengqian came to Li Tai and looked at him with cold eyes.

Li Tai knelt on the ground, the sharp blade pressing on his shoulder and grazing his neck. If he moved, the blade would cut his skin.

Li Chengqian waved to the Qianniu Guards behind him.

The two men immediately pulled back, leaning their swords on the ground, but their eyes were already fixed on Li Tai's neck.

"Qingque!" Li Chengqian sighed and lowered his head, "Why won't you stop? I've warned you so many times. If you had listened just once, all this could have been avoided."

"Avoid it? Why should I avoid it?" Li Tai raised his head, staring coldly at Li Chengqian, and said, "Why are you pretending to be a good person? Now I just lost and you won, that's all... And don't think you can get away with it just because you beat me today. Your witchcraft from the East Palace can still cripple you!"

"Witchcraft, witchcraft, you can't forget this." Li Chengqian shook his head, then looked at Fang Xuanling and said, "Prime Minister Fang, matters like witchcraft must be thoroughly explained. I can't bear such a false accusation forever...Prime Minister Fang, please be my witness. I will take Qingque to the Eastern Palace to search for her. If we can find her, we will report everything to the emperor and he will deal with her."

"Your Highness!" Fang Xuanling was about to stop him, but Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "I am an open and honest person and have nothing to hide. Go ahead and investigate."

After Li Chengqian finished speaking, he immediately turned around and walked towards the palace.

Fang Xuanling looked at Yu Zhining, Chu Suiliang and Ma Zhou helplessly.

Yu Zhining immediately bowed and said, "Prime Minister Fang, let's investigate. We have to get to the bottom of this matter. And after tonight, even if there's nothing, I'm afraid it will become something."

If the matter of witchcraft is delayed, the emperor will become suspicious.

If Li Chengqian was suspected by the emperor because of the witchcraft incident, he would definitely not have a good ending.

"It should be so." Ma Zhou bowed with a calm expression. Everything that happened was enough for him to have full trust in Li Chengqian.

"Okay." Fang Xuanling turned to look at Li Tai and said, "Bring the King of Wei into the palace."

A strong expectation suddenly flashed in Li Tai's eyes.

……

Jiafu Gate, the main gate of the East Palace.

Li Chengqian dismounted and looked at Lai Heng, the Crown Prince's chief officer, who was standing in front of the gate. He nodded and asked, "After I left, did anyone go into the East Palace?"

Fang Xuanling and others dismounted at the same time, their eyes fixed on Lai Heng.

Lai Heng bowed, somewhat confused, and said, "Your Highness, no."

Li Chengqian nodded, then turned to look at Li Tai and asked, "Qingque, although I can let you investigate the Eastern Palace, there are countless people in and out of the Eastern Palace. It would be time-consuming and laborious to investigate thoroughly. It is late at night now, and I can't let everyone in the Eastern Palace come out and let so many people in to investigate randomly."

Li Tai's gaze fell on Lai Heng, who had a bewildered look on his face.

He knew that not much time had passed since he first proposed the word witchcraft.

Especially since Li Chengqian had been at Suzaku Gate the entire time, he had no time to return to the Eastern Palace for a thorough investigation.

enough.

Li Tai stood in front of Li Chengqian, took a deep breath, and said, "In the Eight Winds Hall, in the East Palace, there is a Buddha statue. The witchcraft is hidden inside it."

"Buddha statue?" Li Chengqian frowned and said, "Are you talking about the Buddha statue I brought back from the White Horse Temple?"

"What White Horse Temple? Isn't it a wooden Buddha sculpture requested from the Tiantai Sect in Jiangnan?" Li Tai said subconsciously, and everyone looked at him deeply.

The prince dared to guarantee that there was no such thing, but the King of Wei insisted that there was, and even explained clearly where it was and where it came from.

If she hadn't hidden the things in the East Palace, that would be weird.

"Go and bring out that stone Buddha statue." Li Chengqian nodded at Lai Heng, then looked at Li Tai and said, "There are only stone Buddha statues in the East Palace, no wooden ones. As for the wooden Buddha statue you mentioned, there was indeed one in the East Palace, but it is no longer there. It only stayed in the East Palace for three or five hours before being sent to the Prince's Household Temple!"

Li Tai's pupils dilated instantly. Didn't you move it from the Prince's Household Temple to the Eight Winds Palace?
The people around no longer wanted to look at Li Tai. How could they not understand that this was a frame-up by Li Tai? He even sent people to keep a close eye on the East Palace's every move.

"Come here, take that wooden Buddha statue out from the treasury of the Prince's Household Temple."

(End of this chapter)

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