Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 176 Li Shimin: My heart is so tired! Who understands! [Seeking monthly votes]

After a night of terror, the morning light gently spreads across the earth.

Countless people gathered outside the inn, which had become a ruin, pointing and whispering.

at the same time.

Li Chengqian and Li Yuan were sitting in a carriage, embarking on their journey back to Chang'an.

Amidst the noise of carriages and horses, Li Chengqian opened the curtains, stuck his head out and looked back at the county seat of Haozhi County. He seemed to be looking at something, or thinking about something. After a long while, he retracted his gaze and got back into the carriage.

At this moment, Li Yuan suddenly spoke up, "Why don't you conduct a thorough investigation in Haozhi County before returning to Chang'an? Aren't there still many things you haven't investigated?"

"Grandpa, I can't figure it out!"

Li Chengqian shook his head and smiled bitterly, "The body in that dilapidated house must be the mastermind of this assassination. However, judging by the time the coroner performed the autopsy, he must have been killed before the assassination!"

"What does this mean? It means the people behind him have planned everything long ago, including every trace of his existence. They've all been eliminated. Is there any need for us to investigate?"

"But if we don't check now, how can we check later?"

"Let's talk about the future later. If we can return alive, it will be their nightmare!"

Li Chengqian smiled, then put his hands on his head and slowly closed his eyes.

Li Yuan looked at him helplessly and said nothing more. Instead, he picked up the rifle on the table and wiped it carefully.

Although Jiangling's "private weapons" workshop has developed muskets, it is still unable to produce them on a large scale.

The main problem is the manufacturing process of the gun barrel, which is too complicated and not as convenient as modern machine tools.

Anything that is handmade will naturally be much slower.

Of course, as the 'Xingtang Chamber of Commerce' continues to recruit skilled craftsmen from all over the country at high prices, it is only a matter of time before productivity increases.

"I hope the Musketeers can be formed soon, otherwise that rebellious son will be really hard to deal with."

Li Yuan muttered to himself, then immediately picked up his rifle and pointed it out the window, taking aim, and murmured, "Times have changed, Erlang!"

Li Chengqian: "."

the other side.

In the woods outside Haozhi County, two figures, one tall and one short, were quietly watching the departing convoy. Only after the convoy disappeared did the two figures turn around and walk into the woods.

At this time, the short girl said with a smile, "The weapons in the hands of the Crown Prince and the Emperor are really powerful. I have never seen them before."

"Hmph! If I accept this task, I guarantee they won't have a chance to make a move!" said the tall man with a cold snort.

"But, did Ah Yue die in vain?"

"In our line of work, there's no such thing as dying in vain. Everything is a mission!"

"That's right."

The girl licked her cute little lips, covered her mouth with her hands and chuckled. Then she said with a half-smile, "But Ah Yue is my brother. I am the only one who loves him the most."

"Didn't you secretly dig out his heart? Just take it back and keep it well!"

The tall man glanced at the girl and said, "Don't blame me for not warning you. If you dare to act without authorization, I will kill you!"

"Oh, Brother Xiaowu, my daughter always listens to you. How dare she act on her own?" The girl pounced on the tall man, then pulled out a flower from somewhere, put it to her nose and sniffed it. Then she smiled and asked, "Where are we going next?"

"Chang'an!"

"Huh? Another new mission?"

"Don't ask if you shouldn't know!"

The tall man said this coldly, then he lightly tapped his toes, jumped up with all his might, and then ran forward quickly.

The girl smiled and watched him leave. She licked her cherry-red lips and said with a smile, "Brother Xiaowu has taken on a new task. I feel sorry for you too."

As soon as these words were spoken, the tall man running in front obviously froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered and continued running forward.

at the same time.

Chang'an Imperial Palace, Ganlu Hall.

Li Shimin is asking Yunduan about the results of the investigation.

Yun Duan then respectfully said, "Your Majesty, according to the Hundred Cavalry Division's investigation, the people spreading the rumors in Chang'an recently weren't from the city itself, but traveling merchants. They were the first to spread the rumors!"

"What about these traveling merchants? Have they been caught?"

"No, they are not often in one place, so it is difficult to catch them, but I have already investigated their identities!"

"Okay! Then let's hand this matter over to the Dali Temple and let them issue a wanted order to catch these rogue merchants!" Li Shimin said seriously.

"Yes!"

Yunduan respectfully accepted the order and then added, "Your Majesty, although those peddlers are the culprits of spreading rumors, those who come into contact with them and spread rumors are equally despicable. In my opinion, it would be best to arrest a few of them to serve as a warning to others!"

"Well, you're right, let's do as you say!"

Li Shimin nodded in approval and handed the matter over to Yunduan.

Just as Yunduan was about to leave, a voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, the Minister of the Central Secretariat Fang Xuanling requests an audience!"

Why is he here again?
Li Shimin was somewhat puzzled, but he calmly instructed the outside of the door, "Call the Secretary in!"

"promise!"

There was a response from outside the door.

Soon, Fang Xuanling walked into the Ganlu Hall.

Li Shimin was the first to speak. "Minister Fang has arrived just in time. Yunduan has already traced the source of the rumors. It was some peddlers who spread them. I have asked him to assist the Dali Temple in apprehending these peddlers!"

"Your Majesty, I am here for this matter as well. There is no need to worry about those itinerant merchants. They have already taken action!" Fang Xuanling said.

"What do you mean?"

Li Shimin frowned.

Fang Xuanling glanced at the clouds, then at Li Shimin, and said solemnly, "I have just received news that the Crown Prince and the Emperor were assassinated in Haozhi County last night. Over a hundred people were killed or injured by unidentified assassins and assassins!"

Li Shimin was shocked and said angrily, "How dare they become so arrogant?"

"Alas, I was skeptical at first, but now it seems I underestimated their courage!"

"Hahaha!"

When Li Shimin heard Fang Xuanling's sigh, he laughed out loud in anger. "How dare they! They are such a bunch of ignorant people!"

"Yunduan! Investigate this for me! Anyone involved in these rumors will be severely punished!"

"As ordered!"

Yunduan accepted the order respectfully, turned around and left Ganlu Palace.

At this time, Fang Xuanling said in a worried tone: "Your Majesty, will there be any danger in summoning the Crown Prince and the Emperor back this time?"

"Humph!"

Li Shimin snorted coldly and said with disdain, "They are just a bunch of clowns who are doing evil things in secret. Do you think I am afraid of them?!"

"As long as they dare to show their heads, I will never let them go!"

After saying this, he turned to Fang Xuanling and asked, "How are the Crown Prince and the Retired Emperor?"

"According to the messenger, the Crown Prince and the Emperor have already set out on their journey back to Chang'an and should arrive in Chang'an around 3 p.m." Fang Xuanling replied.

"No, weren't they just assassinated?"

Li Shimin asked with some confusion: "Why don't you investigate this matter before returning to Chang'an?"

Fang Xuanling thought for a moment and said thoughtfully, "It must be because of your Majesty's order. Didn't you ask the Crown Prince to return to Chang'an on time?"

"But, given the prince's personality, do you think he will let those assassins go?"

"This"

Fang Xuanling was also a little confused.

At this moment, another report came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Shangshu Youcheng Wei Zheng requests to see you!"

Li Shimin frowned, then turned to look at Fang Xuanling. Seeing him shake his head slightly, he knew that Wei Zheng's request for an audience had nothing to do with him, so he waved his hand and said, "Let Shangshu Youcheng come in!"

"promise!"

There was a response from outside the door.

Soon, Wei Zheng entered the palace gate under the guidance of the palace servants.

But Li Shimin was the first to speak: "The Right Chancellor wishes to see me. What is the matter?"

"Your Majesty, I have just received urgent reports of disasters in Weizhou, Xiazhou, and other places. The drought has lasted for several months, and the fields have yielded no harvest. Many people have flocked to the nearby counties to beg for food. Fathers and sons are being sold, and the streets are lined with people starving to death!"

"Also, there are signs of numerous locusts in many areas of Guanzhong. I'm afraid a locust plague will occur in less than a month!"

"What!?"

When Li Shimin heard Wei Zheng's report, he opened his mouth in surprise.

Fang Xuanling, who was standing by, also felt his scalp tingling after hearing this.

I am really afraid of what will happen.

When Li Shimin sent emergency food to Tuli, he was worried about whether there would be new natural disasters in the Tang Dynasty.

Now, only three months have passed and a new natural disaster has struck.

And it’s a locust plague!

Isn’t this drought and locust plague going to kill me?! “Your Majesty, Your Majesty!”

Seeing Li Shimin sitting on the ground dejectedly, Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng hurried forward to support him.

However, Li Shimin waved his hands weakly at them and said, "You guys handle this matter first. I'm tired and want to rest for a while!"

"This"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanling turned his head to look at Wei Zheng, hoping that Wei Zheng would go easy on him.

But Wei Zheng had no intention of criticizing Li Shimin, so he just said goodbye and left.

Because when food was sent to Tuli, he was the first to express his approval.

However, even he did not expect that the Tang Dynasty would have so many hardships.

Disasters occurred one after another, as if it were a punishment from heaven.

And the other side.

In the secret room of Cui Mansion.

Officials from the five surnames and seven families gathered together again.

As soon as they received the news of the failed assassination, the Li family officials went to Cui's house immediately.

Now, each of their faces had a hint of solemnity and fear.

After a long while, the Zheng family official complained, "I told you not to act rashly! You didn't listen, and now we've alerted the enemy! Our lives will be even more difficult in the future!"

After these words were spoken, the expressions of the officials from other families became even uglier.

Especially the Li family officials who were dancing the most happily before, now they dare not even breathe.

However, not all officials from the family thought that the Li family officials had done something wrong. For example, the Wang family officials stood up and supported the Li family officials.

But he said in a deep voice: "Master Zheng, now that things have come to this, it's meaningless for you to say this. When Master Li proposed the assassination, you didn't object too much. Besides, your Zheng family also paid for it!"

"Yes, my Zheng family paid the money, but weren't we coerced by you? Didn't I object? Would my objection be useful?" The official of the Zheng family retorted somewhat dissatisfiedly.

The official from the Wang family slammed the table and shouted angrily, "You said we were blackmailing you. Didn't your Zheng family agree to a marriage alliance with my Wang family, but you went back on your word? Who among us doesn't know what kind of people your Zheng family is?!"

"What do you mean by going back on your word? It was that disabled person from your Wang family who concealed his injury and even wanted our Zheng family to marry our daughter to him. This is simply outrageous!"

"Who are you calling disabled? Our eldest grandson."

"okay!"

Seeing the two men getting increasingly agitated and about to come to blows, the Cui family official quickly stopped them and scolded them, "You're both from aristocratic families, how can you lose your manners? Do you have any shame?"

"Yes, my lords, we are talking about the future of the family now, so please don't bring up those old accounts!" The official of the Lu family agreed helplessly.

Upon hearing this, the officials from the Zheng and Wang families snorted coldly, but did not argue anymore.

At this time, the Cui family official said, "Master Li, has the identity of the assassin you arranged been exposed?"

"what?"

The Li family official reacted for a moment and quickly said, "That's not the case! The people I arranged are dead!"

"That means the prince can't trace it back to us, right?"

"Yes, he will only doubt those who spread rumors!"

"Well, that's very good!"

The Cui family official nodded in satisfaction, then looked around at everyone and said, "The failed assassination attempt is in the past. Now we should look to the future. Since the conflict between us and the Crown Prince is irreconcilable, there is no need to worry about anything else. Let's just focus on dealing with him!"

"What do you mean? You still want to assassinate the prince?" The Zheng family official's face darkened.

The Cui family official glanced at him and said, "I didn't say I was going to assassinate the prince. I was going to use other methods to prevent him from growing up!"

"What method?" The Lu family official couldn't help but ask curiously.

The Cui family official smiled, then looked around at everyone and said meaningfully, "Have you forgotten that the prince wants to pray for rain?"

"Pray for rain?"

The officials from the noble families were slightly stunned.

The next moment, the official of the Wang family couldn't help but throw his head back and laugh: "Hahaha, why didn't I think of that, the prince wants to pray for rain!"

"If the prince dies on the altar praying for rain, do we still need to worry about the future of our family?"

"This"

The officials from the noble families looked at each other and reacted instantly.

The Li family official suddenly smiled and said, "I told you so. Misfortunes sent by Heaven can be defied, but misfortunes brought upon oneself cannot be avoided! Even if the prince is perfect, it is useless if he cannot pray for rain!"

"That's right! Praying for rain is the main thing! If he can't pray for rain, he's finished!"

The Zheng family official also agreed with a smile.

But then the Cui family official said, "Regarding the Crown Prince's prayer for rain, we must use our family's influence to draw more attention to this matter. Even if the Crown Prince wants to refuse, he can't!"

"In addition, we must give hope to the victims in the disaster area and tell them that the prince is their hope. But once this hope is shattered, think about what the consequences will be."

"This"

Upon hearing this, the officials from the noble families couldn't help but shrink their pupils.

This move is too cruel!

This is simply pushing the prince into a desperate situation!
But it’s better this way, who dared to go against us!
Even his father is a little wary of us, let alone him! ?
Just when the officials of the aristocratic families were discussing how to deal with Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian and Li Yuan's motorcade was crossing the Wei Bridge and heading towards the Chang'an city gate.

Although Li Shimin had ordered the Ministry of Rites to cancel the welcoming ceremony, there were still many people waiting at the city gate for the triumphant heroes to return.

Each of their faces was filled with excitement and excitement.

As the convoy entered the city gate, they shouted with all their might: "Long live the Tang Dynasty!" and "Mighty Tang Dynasty!"

Even as the convoy entered the city gate, many people were still shouting enthusiastically, which made Li Chengqian and Li Yuan, who were sitting in the carriage, smile from ear to ear.

The so-called national confidence and national cohesion are built in this atmosphere.

And this is exactly the atmosphere Li Chengqian wants.

Just as their motorcade entered Suzaku Street, an official on horseback came running in front of the motorcade.

Just as he was about to reach the convoy, he immediately stopped his horse, dismounted, and hurried to Li Chengqian's carriage. He bowed respectfully and said, "Your humble servant pays respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the Retired Emperor. His Majesty has ordered His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to enter the palace immediately!"

"Ok?"

Li Chengqian was slightly stunned, then turned to look at Li Yuan.

Li Yuan frowned and asked coldly, "Why summon the Crown Prince to the palace? What will be done with the other meritorious officials?"

"Replying to the Emperor, I do not know the arrangements for the other meritorious officials. I am only here to summon His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"What are you talking about!?"

Li Yuan's face darkened, and he immediately ordered, "You, immediately convey my order and have Erlang come to see me!"

"Ah? This"

The official who delivered the imperial edict looked terrified and didn't know how to respond.

The next moment, several more fast horses came running towards this side.

Li Yuan narrowed his eyes and instantly recognized the person. He sneered, "Cheng Fan, why are you here?"

Li Daozong rode his horse to the carriage with a smile, saluted Li Yuan and said, "I am here to take the Emperor home!"

"Going back to what home?"

Li Yuan frowned: "Where is my home?"

"Your Majesty, you're joking. The entire world belongs to our Li family. Where is not your home?"

"Ha! I haven't seen you for a few years, and your eloquence has improved a lot!"

"Your Majesty is too kind!
Li Dao Zong smiled, then turned and saluted Li Chengqian, saying, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to the Crown Prince!"

"Uncle Wang, you are so polite. Cheng Qian greets Uncle Wang!"

Li Chengqian also smiled and returned the greeting to Li Daozon.

As the saying goes, don't hit someone with a smiling face.

He had a good impression of the Prince of Jiangxia, who was known as the "Wise King" together with Li Xiaogong. After all, the Prince of Jiangxia was the most famous general of the Li Tang royal family.

But no matter how good your impression is, you still have to ask clearly what needs to be asked.

Li Chengqian then smiled and said, "Uncle Wang just said he wanted to take my grandfather home. I wonder which family he's referring to?"

"Your Majesty knew that the Emperor Retired did not want to live in Da'an Palace, so he chose a new residence for him!"

"Oh?"

Li Yuan raised his eyebrows, thinking that he would be so kind, but he couldn't help asking: "Where is the new residence?"

"Taiyuan!"

"Bastard thing!"

When Li Yuan heard this, he flew into a rage and started cursing, "This rebellious son!!"

　Please vote for the monthly ticket, please vote for the monthly ticket, please vote for the monthly ticket. I will update more chapters when the number of words reaches 1000. Today is another -word update!!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)