My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

Despite his numerous wounds, Qin Ying smiled and said, "Your Highness, these are just superficial injuries, nothing serious. The most important thing now is to find a way to rescue Fuyu Fengzhang and his army. We should save as many as we can."

Li Chenggan said to Xue Rengui, "You stay here to take care of Qin Ying. I will go to the Baekje army camp alone."

Qin Ying waved her hand: "I don't need to be taken care of. Let Ren Gui accompany you and protect your safety."

"Then you should stay in the inn and not wander around."

"I know, don't you trust me? I'm the most honest person I can be."

then,

Li Chengan and Xue Rengui mounted their horses and left the Yuelai Inn, heading towards the Baekje military camp.

When Li Chenggan and Xue Rengui arrived at the Baekje army camp, the battle was already over.

By the light of the torch, Li Chengan looked up and saw that the ground was littered with corpses.

Thousands of Baekje's troops died, yet not a single body of a man in black could be found on the ground.

Li Chengqian was filled with grief and indignation, thinking that he had let Fuyu Fengzhang down and that he was the one who had harmed Fuyu Fengzhang and his soldiers.

He found a new type of long Japanese sword on the ground.

He found the sword looked familiar, and upon closer inspection, he realized it was a new type of long Japanese sword that he had designed.

Li Chengan was very puzzled. The new long Japanese swords that he had ordered the armory to make had not yet left the armory, so how could they appear here?

It turns out that the Tang army that had surrounded this place had also withdrawn.

I wonder where Li Daozong went.

Li Chengan was furious, thinking that Li Daozong was not immune to the consequences and that he had to settle accounts with him.

Li Chengan and Xue Rengui rode their horses to Zhaoren Palace.

When they arrived, they found that Li Daozong, Zhang Shigui, and their men had all fled.

At this moment, a eunuch appeared before Li Chengqian.

That eunuch was none other than Wang De.

Wang De, holding the imperial edict in his hands, shouted loudly, "Li Chenggan, receive the edict!"

Li Chengan dared not delay and quickly knelt down on the ground along with Xue Rengui.

"Your subject receives the imperial decree!"

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Xue Hu tribe of Lingzhou has rebelled again. Emperor Yi Daozong is ordered to lift the siege of the Baekje army and lead his troops to quell the rebellion."

Luoyang was of paramount importance, so Li Chengan was ordered to garrison Luoyang and handle various government affairs, while 5000 Turkic troops were left to guard the city, with Fang Yi'ai serving as the military supervisor.

The remaining Turkic troops were transferred to Chang'an and assigned to other posts.

After receiving the imperial edict, Li Chenggan stood up and asked, "Eunuch Wang, what exactly is going on?"

Wang De sighed: "Your Highness's decree has come a step too late."

Under the persuasion of Empress Zhangsun and Wei Zheng, His Majesty has agreed to release Buyeo Pungjang and lift the siege of the Baekje army.

However, unexpectedly, someone had already struck first against the Baekje army.

"Eunuch Wang, do you know who did this?" Li Chenggan couldn't help but ask.

Wang De glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then lowered his voice: "Your Highness, to be honest, this old servant doesn't know the details of this matter either, but I can offer you a clue."

"What clue?"

Wang De had gained some weight and paced back and forth in the hall: "Do you still remember?"

Last time, you brought back a long Japanese sword from the Wa (Japanese) Kingdom.

Then you redesigned it, making the knife sharper, more powerful, and easier to use.

Then, the armory began batch forging, and thousands of long Japanese swords have already been produced.

A few days ago,

Li Tai took a thousand long Japanese swords from the armory. As for what he intended to use them for, this old servant has no idea.

At this moment, Li Chenggan handed the long Japanese sword he had found in the Baekje army camp to Wang De for inspection: "Eunuch Wang, to be honest, this new type of long Japanese sword was found in the Baekje army camp."

Wang De had been walking in the palace for many years; what hadn't he seen?

He took the long Japanese sword in his hands and examined it carefully, praising it repeatedly: "Your Highness, you are truly brilliant! This sword is perfectly designed, a fine sword indeed!"

"Those assassins also used long Japanese swords. Does that mean they were sent by Li Tai?"

"Your Highness, this old servant dares not say such a thing. You should think about it yourself."

Li Chenggan thought to himself that Wang De was truly cunning and shrewd, speaking with great caution.

However, we can't blame them for this. They've been in officialdom for so many years, and they've already done enough to say that much.

Xue Rengui bowed and said, "Your Highness, it's quite clear now. Li Tai is trying to frame you."

Everyone knows that long Japanese sword was brought back by you from the Japanese slave country.

The Baekje army, upon discovering that the black-clad assassins were using long Japanese swords, would undoubtedly assume you sent them to kill.

Wouldn't that make the Baekje army hate you to the bone?

Also, why did your father appoint Fang Yi'ai as the military supervisor?

"Does this mean your father still doesn't trust you?"

In truth, Li Chengqian was not entirely happy with Li Shimin's arrangement.

However, since the Emperor has already issued the decree, we can only obey it.

Wang De laughed and said, "Your Highness, from this moment on, you are the ruler of Luoyang."

Luoyang is a wonderful place, full of potential. Your Highness, you must seize this opportunity.

Li Chengan understood the meaning behind Wang De's words and slowly said, "Since Father Emperor has entrusted Luoyang to Imperial Uncle Li Daozong, I will still hand Luoyang over to him after he pacifies Lingzhou and returns."

However, even if his father ordered him to quell the rebellion, was it necessary for him to run so fast?

"On the one hand, Xue Hu's forces in Lingzhou are launching a fierce offensive, and the situation is urgent;

On the other hand, would he dare to see you?

He's in the wrong.

How did those black-clad assassins break through the Tang army's defenses?

Their defense must have had weaknesses.

Li Daozong has also learned to enjoy life and seems to have lost interest in military campaigns.

There's a saying, isn't there? "Big or small matters, it's okay if you run away."

Li Chengan nodded, understanding that Li Daozong and Zhang Shigui were, after all, father-in-law and son-in-law.

With Zhang Shigui around, he'll definitely come up with some ideas for Li Daozong.

"The problem now is that after Fuyu Fengzhang was sent to the Imperial Hospital, the medical officers there were helpless and could neither save his life nor cure his poison."

Li Chengan then asked, "Eunuch Wang, when will you return to Chang'an?"

"This old servant will return now."

"Here's what I'll do. I'll write a letter and ask you to give it to Su Wan so she can go to Lu Zhaolin to treat Fu Yu Fengzhang's injuries."

"OK."

So Li Chengan quickly wrote a letter and handed it to Wang De, who took the letter and put it in his pocket.

Wang De reminded Li Chenggan, "The martial arts exam is on the Lantern Festival. Aren't you planning to go back and participate in the grand ceremony?"

Li Chengan looked at Xue Rengui: "We'll see when the time comes."

"This old servant has something to tell you: Li Tai and Fang Xuanling have been plotting together for many days. They seem determined to win this martial arts exam."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan smiled slightly: "If they have real skills, everyone will naturally be willing to give them the top scholar title."

"This old servant will take his leave now!"

After Wang De finished speaking, he turned and left Zhaoren Palace.

Just as Wang Degang left, Qu Zhili walked in from outside with her hands behind her back and deliberately said, "Your Highness, I congratulate you. Now that you have occupied Luoyang, you can finally stand on equal footing with your father, the Emperor."

Li Chengqian looked at Qu Zhili and said, "The area around Luoyang is not peaceful, but Father Emperor only gave me 5000 troops. How can we talk about standing up to him?"

Qu Zhili looked at Li Chenggan with tender eyes: "This time, when I went to Chang'an, I found out that the poison Fuyu Fengzhang was poisoned with was the same as the poison you were poisoned with last time."

"What?" Li Chenggan exclaimed in surprise, "You mean she was poisoned by the Yin-Yang Union Smoke of the Blue Brahma?"

"Exactly."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan was so angry that he punched the table: "This old hag is truly incorrigible!"

Last time, I released her because she was old, but she came back to harm people.

What had Fuyu Fengzhang done to offend her? Why would she want to harm him?

"The Imperial Medical Academy cannot cure Fuyu Fengzhang's poison; he is about to be consumed by lust."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan became even more anxious and asked, "Is there any way to cure his poison?"

Qu Zhili smiled mysteriously: "Actually, there is a way. We can just send him a woman."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan frowned: "Fuyu Fengzhang is not yet married, so where would he find any women?"

"However, the Imperial Hospital cannot cure his poison unless Lu Zhaolin personally intervenes."

"Have you seen Lu Zhaolin?"

"yes."

"What did Lu Zhaolin say?"

"He said he had a way to cure Fu Yu Feng Zhang's poison."

"Yeah?

"That's great." Li Chenggan's expression softened slightly.

"I also asked Lu Zhaolin to take my pulse," Qu Zhili said deliberately.

"Take your pulse? What pulse? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No, that's not it."

I heard he could tell whether a woman's baby was a boy or a girl just by looking at her pulse, and I'm having a boy.

Li Chengan was stunned when he heard this.

"Your Highness, are you not happy?"

Li Chenggan felt his head buzzing, wondering if what happened that night was really true.

She vaguely remembered being affectionate with Su Wan, but how did it turn into Qu Zhili?

Li Chenggan was also a little dumbfounded.

Qu Zhili looked at him and said, "Your Highness, aren't you happy? This is your son."

Xue Rengui clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "Your Highness, congratulations! I didn't expect you to have a son at such a young age. How come I never heard that you were married and already have a child!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan frowned, thinking to himself, "What's with Xue Rengui? Why is he making such a fuss?"

Li Chengqian wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Princess, this is a very important matter. Don't rush to conclusions. I don't remember what happened that night."

Upon hearing this, Qu Zhili's face darkened: "Your Highness, are you trying to renege on your promise?"

At this moment, Li Chenggan knew in his heart that Lu Zhaolin would not speak carelessly.

If Lu Zhaolin said Qu Zhili is pregnant, then she must be pregnant.

Li Chengan slumped into a chair, pondering how he should respond when he saw Su Wan.

at this time

A group of people entered from outside, including Songtsen Gampo, Murong Shun, Tuoba Chici, the Great King of Shanbei, Ashina Simo, Fang Yi'ai, and the three great assassins.

Li Chengan hosted a banquet for everyone.

Li Chenggan sat in the middle.

The group sat on both sides, with a square table in front of each of them, laden with wine and meat.

Songtsen Gampo raised his wine cup: "Your Highness, firstly, congratulations on becoming the ruler of Luoyang."

Secondly, congratulations on the birth of your son, Your Highness!

Your Highness, this is truly a double celebration!

"Congratulations, Your Highness!" everyone said in unison.

A slightly embarrassed look appeared on Li Chengqian's face.

"Don't try to hide it from us. We heard everything you said outside."

Li Chengan was both amused and exasperated. He thought to himself that he hadn't even figured it out himself, yet these people were taking it seriously. He could only vaguely reply, "Congratulations!"

"Luoyang is of great importance. It was once the capital of the Zhou Dynasty and the Eastern Han Dynasty. Later, after Emperor Yang of Sui rebuilt it, Luoyang was no less than Chang'an."

Li Chengan put down his wine cup: "Luoyang is very important; it is the shield of Chang'an."

The Xue Hu tribe in Lingzhou rebelled, and Father Emperor dispatched Li Daozong to quell the rebellion, leaving me to temporarily guard Luoyang.

Murong Shun then said, "Your Highness, I think you should stay here and guard this place for a long time. We all support you."

Ashina Simo waved his large hand: "Your Highness, I made it clear when I surrendered that the court must not reorganize our army."

But this time, you want me to leave 5,000 men to help you defend the city, and transfer the rest of the troops to Chang'an. How can this be allowed?

"I surrendered because the court initially agreed to my demands. Are they going to change their minds so quickly?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan gently advised, "You don't need to get so agitated. This doesn't count as breaking up your army."

It's just a temporary reassignment.

"We surrendered to the Tang Dynasty mainly out of respect for you."

"Now that Luoyang is in your hands, why don't you declare yourself emperor here? What's wrong with that?" Ashina Simo placed his hands on the table. "We Turks speak frankly and directly, without any beating around the bush. As far as we know, Li Tai has long coveted the position of crown prince. He only wants to kill you and become crown prince himself."

"Instead of that, why don't you just declare yourself emperor sooner, and remotely honor your father as the retired emperor in Chang'an, just like your grandfather? Wouldn't that be better?"

Li Chengan's expression changed slightly, and he quickly waved his hand: "I am grateful for your support and trust."

However, I would never do something so disloyal and unfilial.

Please don't say things like that again.

Seeing that Li Chengqian's attitude was resolute and that he had absolutely no intention of becoming emperor, the crowd stopped mentioning the matter.

King Yamabe put down his wine cup: "Your Highness, you once said that you would ensure the safety of Buyeo Pungjang and his ten thousand troops."

However, tonight, suddenly thousands of black-clad assassins stormed into the Baekje army.

Of the men brought by Fuyu Fengzhang, only two or three thousand escaped; the rest were all killed in battle.

Moreover, the long Japanese swords used by those black-clad assassins are extremely similar to the one I gave you, only they are more advanced than the ones we use.

"I deeply regret this matter."

Li Chengan then recounted the events and showed everyone Li Shimin's imperial edict.

"As you all have seen, the Emperor has agreed to release Buyeo Pungjang and the Baekje army he led. I never expected this to happen."

Prince Yamashiro placed the long Japanese sword on the table and introduced it to everyone, saying, "Your Highness, this long Japanese sword is stronger than ours in terms of lethality and attack power."

I heard you designed this knife.

"Does Your Highness mean you want to kill the Baekje army?"

Qu Zhili sat down next to Li Chengqian and quickly explained to everyone, "You've misunderstood. This long Japanese sword was designed by His Highness, and then it was forged in batches in Chang'an."

However, those men in black were not sent by His Highness.

Those black-clad assassins were highly skilled in martial arts and were by no means ordinary soldiers.

Instead, they were specially trained assassins and martial arts masters.

Please, you must believe in the Crown Prince.

Li Chengan looked at everyone: "How should I put it? I also bear some responsibility for this matter."

If Zhang Shigui had been rescued sooner, things wouldn't have turned out this way.

"Your Highness, you once saved my life, and I admire you greatly."

To be honest, the relationship between Baekje and our Wa (Japanese) Kingdom is quite delicate.

However, Fu Yu Feng Zhang came with me, and I think he's not bad. Besides, his purpose in coming here is to save you.

You said those assassins weren't sent by you, and we completely believe you.

So, who could have done it?

Who could possibly possess such strength?

Qu Zhili said solemnly, "Wang De from Chang'an just said that Li Tai, without Li Chengan's knowledge, transferred a thousand long Japanese swords from the armory."

"So, those black-clad assassins were sent by Li Tai?"

Li Chenggan did not express his opinion.

Qu Zhili nodded: "You're right, this matter is Li Taiqian's."

Please think about why those black-clad assassins are masked.

They're just afraid people will recognize them.

Why did they choose to use a new type of long Japanese sword as a weapon?

It's because they wanted to frame the crown prince.

He just wants you to fall out with the Crown Prince so he can profit from it.

Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately began whispering and discussing among themselves.

Ashina Simo had a fiery temper. He slammed his hand on the table and said, "Who does Li Tai think he is?"

He's just a king, what's so great about him?

I led my 10 Turkic troops to annihilate him.

He said this and took a big step to walk out.

"Ashina Simo, sit down quickly!" Li Chenggan hurriedly stopped him.

"Your analysis just now makes some sense, but to conclude that those black-clad assassins were sent by Li Tai based solely on the long Japanese swords is probably a bit far-fetched. How can we act rashly before we have a clear understanding of the situation?"

In two days, it will be the day of the martial arts exam.

At this time, Father Emperor does not want any major actions to take in Chang'an and Luoyang.

Tuoba Chici picked up his teacup and took a sip: "Your Highness, others may not know, but I do know something about Li Tai."

I remember, when the Tang army went to attack our Tanguts, it was Li Tai who led the troops.

Before the battle even began, Li Tai abandoned his army and fled back to Yangzhou alone; he didn't even dare to return to Chang'an.

Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this.

Therefore, I have little to say about Li Tai's military command abilities.

In this battle, those black-clad assassins fought very well. Isn't that contradictory?

When did Li Tai become so wise and capable?