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

That night, in Chang'an city.

Under martial law, the streets were deserted, with only patrols of soldiers marching past in orderly, heavy steps.

But the human heart cannot be restrained.

Inside the Lizheng Hall.

Prince Li Zhi of Jin, who was only five years old, was peering out the window at the heavily guarded outside, his little face filled with confusion and fear.

Beside him, a woman in her thirties with a gentle appearance, dressed in palace attire, gently embraced him. She was his mother, Empress Zhangsun.

"Child, don't be afraid."

Empress Zhangsun offered gentle words of comfort, but her eyes held the same worry.

"Mother, has my eldest brother... has he really rebelled?"

Li Zhi turned his head, tears welling in his eyes: "My elder brother is the best to me. Every time he comes back from outside, he brings me fun things and teaches me how to ride a horse..."

"He also said that I should become king overseas, and that the future of my Great Tang Dynasty is the stars and the sea..."

"Child slave..."

Empress Zhangsun did not know how to answer.

She knew the conflict between Li Shimin and Li Chengqian was irreconcilable, but now...

"Queen."

Gao Yao walked in silently and whispered:

"This servant just came from Xuanwu Gate... The generals and ministers of the Crown Prince's residence are all being held on the city wall, tightly bound... Your Majesty... Your Majesty is going to take drastic measures."

Empress Zhangsun trembled upon hearing this.

Although Li Chengqian had hinted to her back in Chang'an that he and his son would come to this, she never imagined that this step would be so cruel.

"Will my elder brother die? Will Father be alright?"

Li Zhi couldn't help but ask again, his voice trembling with tears, "Will Father kill my elder brother? Will my elder brother kill Father? What should I do?"

Empress Zhangsun hugged her son tightly, tears streaming down her face, but she did not say a word.

But in my mind, one thought grew clearer and clearer—

This fratricidal conflict between father and son must come to an end.

And the way to end it...

She looked out at the dark night sky and seemed to see the young prince, who was leading his army closer and closer, a hundred miles away.

Meanwhile, at the Duke of Wei's residence.

Li Jing dismissed all the servants and sat alone in his study.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating his deep and weary face.

On the table lay Li Chengqian's "Proclamation to Clear the Emperor's Side of Evil Officials," which he had ordered to be shot into the city.

The writing is sharp and incisive, each sentence piercing the heart.

[Treacherous officials held power, deceiving the emperor, framing the crown prince, and ruining the nation's destiny...]

"My uprising is not for usurpation, but to purge the court of corrupt officials, rectify the government, and ensure the eternal stability of the Tang Dynasty..."

All soldiers of our Great Tang should be able to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, and must not be used by villains, nor fight against their own compatriots...

Li Jing closed his eyes.

He recalled the days when he fought alongside Li Chengqian.

In the icy wilderness of Goguryeo, the young crown prince led the charge, fighting alongside him.

At the military academy, the crown prince enthusiastically discussed with him new tactics, the application of firearms, and the vast world overseas.

In the imperial court, the crown prince defied public opinion and repeatedly supported him...

That's not someone who would easily rebel.

Unless... they are truly driven to a dead end.

"Pharmacist, are you really going to send troops?"

A familiar and spirited voice came from behind the screen.

Li Jing opened his eyes and saw his wife, Hong Fu Nu, come out.

This once-famous heroine still retains her charm today.

"His Majesty has issued an edict; how can I disobey?" Li Jing said with a wry smile.

"Imperial decree?"

Hong Fu Nu snorted coldly:
"Back then at Xuanwu Gate, he also claimed to have received an imperial decree. And what was the result? Brothers turned against each other, and rivers of blood flowed."

"Now he's going to turn on his own son and drag so many meritorious officials down with him... Pharmacist, must the Tang Dynasty be watered with human blood?"

Li Jing remained silent.

"I heard……"

Hong Fu Nu lowered her voice:
"In his proclamation, the Crown Prince said that after entering Chang'an, he would not harm a single member of the royal family, nor kill a single meritorious official, but would only purge the court of corrupt officials and return power to the emperor."

"He also said... he wished to speak with His Majesty in person. If His Majesty could punish the treacherous officials and rectify the court, he was willing to relinquish his military power and imprison himself in the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs." Li Jing suddenly looked up: "Is this true?"

"It's true."

Hong Fu Nu took out a more detailed coded message from her sleeve, which had been delivered to the mansion through special channels.

Li Jing glanced through the text quickly, his eyes shifting rapidly.

If that's the case... the Crown Prince isn't trying to usurp the throne, but rather to force the emperor to abdicate and purge his inner circle of corrupt officials?
"Madam, what do you think I should do?" Li Jing sighed.

"I am not a court official, and I do not understand those grand principles."

Hong Fu Nu held her husband's hand:
"But I know that a general's duty is to protect the country and its people, not to participate in palace intrigues."

“I know even more that my husband was loyal and righteous all his life, and should not bear the infamy of slaughtering the crown prince and helping the emperor kill his son in his old age.”

"Besides, didn't you and I already make a decision? This time, we definitely won't make the wrong choice!"

Li Jing was startled.

After a long while, he slowly got up, walked to the window, and looked towards the direction of the palace.

"Pass the order..."

His voice was low and firm:
"If I send out troops tomorrow, the entire army will proceed at a slow pace, advancing thirty li per day."

"Also... secretly send someone to Tongguan to inform the Crown Prince..."

"If we are to talk, I, Li Jing, am willing to act as the mediator."

A hint of relief flashed in Hong Fu Nu's eyes.

She knew her husband had made a choice.

It wasn't about betraying the emperor, but about giving the father and son one last chance to 'reconcile'.

The next day, early morning.

The atmosphere atop Chang'an city walls was extremely oppressive.

Li Shimin personally ascended the Xuanwu Gate tower, looking at Li Tai, Pei Xuan, and others who were bound to the battlements, his eyes devoid of any warmth.

Below the city, Li Jing had already led 20,000 elite troops into battle formation.

"Your Majesty, I request permission to lead the army!"

Li Jing clasped his hands in a fist salute on horseback, his voice booming.

Li Shimin looked at him and nodded:

"Pharmacist, I entrust the safety of Chang'an to you."

"I will definitely fulfill your mission!"

Li Jing turned his horse around, about to give the order to set off—

"Report——!"

A swift horse charged from the east like a madman, the rider shouting at the top of his lungs:

"Urgent report! Urgent report! The Liaodong army has moved! Xue Rengui has personally led 50,000 elite cavalry, has broken through Juyong Pass, and is advancing rapidly towards Youzhou!"

"what?!"

An uproar erupted both on and below the city walls.

[Xue Rengui has really made a move! And not westward to Tongguan, but southward to Youzhou!]

Where is he going? Hebei? Or... straight to the Yellow River to join Su Dingfang?

"Report again—!"

Another rider charged in from the south:

"The main force of the Jiangling navy has appeared in Xiangyang! Hilde is leading a hundred warships, advancing by both land and water, heading north along the Han River. They will reach Nanyang within three days!"

Nanyang!

That's another important route into Guanzhong!
A pincer attack from the east and west, coordinated from the north and south!
Li Chengqian's plan was finally revealed at this moment!

He didn't want to launch a direct attack on Chang'an; he wanted to encircle the entire Guanzhong region from all sides, turning it into a giant prison!

"Good good..."

Li Shimin nodded repeatedly, his face ashen, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white:
"My good son... what a brilliant method!"

"His Majesty!"

Changsun Wuji said urgently, "Xue Rengui is heading south and Hilde is heading north. They are trying to cut off our retreat and trap us in Guanzhong! We must immediately divide our forces to intercept them!"

"Splitting the troops? How?"

Li Shimin said sternly, "If Li Jing divides his troops, Xi Junmai of Tongguan will immediately attack! If he doesn't divide his troops, Xue Rengui and Hilde will surround him!"

Desperate situation!

A real desperate situation!
Only now did everyone truly realize how meticulously planned and how devastating Li Chengqian's 'rebellion' had been!
He not only wanted Chang'an, but he also wanted the whole world to see it—

Who is the true master of this empire?! (End of Chapter)