Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 272 Only the Emperor can stop him...

"The weather has just gotten warmer, but I caught a cold..."

In Chang'an, the Zheng Palace was established.

Li Zhi muttered, wiped his nose, and continued to read the secret letter in his hand.

It is early spring now, everything is reviving, and the sun is shining brightly outside the window.

But Li Zhi's mood was not bright at all.

"Li Tai is dead..."

He was a little dazed and subconsciously crumpled the letter into a ball.

Although his relationship with Li Tai was just so-so, a typical pair of royal plastic brothers, they had recently even gone to war with each other.

But when he really received the news of his legitimate brother's death (he was not very familiar with his half-brother Li You), the sadness still welled up in his heart.

Li Zhi is just fifteen years old this year, and has been regent for less than half a year. Compared with a kindergarten student in the Eastern Han Dynasty, he is certainly not young, but it is indeed a bit... too young for him to be in charge of state affairs at this age.

A teenage child will tend to be somewhat sentimental.

"call……"

He let out a long breath, struggling to digest the fact that Li Tai was dead, and brought his scattered thoughts back to the main business.

"Li Ming, it was Li Ming who killed Li Tai..."

If Li Tai's death made him sad, then "Li Tai died at the hands of Li Ming" made him feel that something was wrong.

It only took little brother Li Ming a few months from the time he encountered a coup and fled in a hurry to the time he annihilated the powerful coalition forces of Xueyantuo and Li Tai.

Anyone who encounters this will be confused.

"Is that guy a monster..."

Li Zhi rubbed his eyes in annoyance.

Li Ming is now very strong. He has expanded from the two remote states of Liaodong to become a huge force that occupies half of the country.

He swallowed up Goguryeo in the north and attacked the northern desert in the west, expanding the territory by more than ten thousand miles and recruiting forty thousand elite troops. He was the most powerful person at that time.

What made Li Zhi even more worried was that the core areas of Shandong and Hebei had already fallen into Li Ming's hands.

The evidence is that the intelligence coming from that place is gradually decreasing and the news is becoming increasingly delayed.

Even though Zhang Liang worked at full capacity and mobilized his "adopted sons" to investigate the latest situation in Hebei, it was like a drop in the ocean, and no news came out.

This secret letter saying "Li Tai is dead" had just arrived in Li Tai's hands, but the incident happened in winter and a month had passed.

This "Mars" news was the last piece of intelligence about Hebei that Li Zhi's side had obtained after trying their best.

Because Zhang Liang’s “adopted sons” have been almost exhausted, he will no longer receive any intelligence from that direction.

As for the local Hebei gentry such as the Fanyang Lu family that he had hooked up with a few months ago, it was as if they had agreed to cut off all ties with Chang'an on the same day, like a kite with a broken string, and have been out of touch ever since.

Don't cue, for fear that His Highness Li Ming might misunderstand.

Hebei has become the third intelligence black hole after Liaodong and Goguryeo, which also indirectly indicates that Li Ming has established an extremely stable rule there.

"Even the rebellious Hebei..."

Li Zhi sighed softly and buried his face deeply in his hands.

You can't think about this matter too much.

The more I thought about it, the more I felt that the gap between the two sides was terrifyingly large, making me despair.

Compared with Li Ming, his own political methods can be described as "immature".

Li Ming brought Liaodong, Goguryeo and Hebei, which were completely unrelated, together. Although he controlled the entire court, he could not even completely subdue the south, which was already within his territory, and now they were still pretending to obey him but actually disobeying him.

Let alone the South, if he continues like this, he might not even be able to control the situation within the imperial court.

Although coming to power through a coup was indeed shocking and frightened the court officials.

But distance creates beauty, and after a long time, his underwear was seen through by these old foxes.

Not to mention his governing ability, Li Zhi was also unable to trust his subordinates in the employment of personnel. He only valued the brothers in Wagangzhai and was only polite to other ministers but did not have a deep relationship with them.

Compared with Li Shimin and Li Ming, they are far inferior.

It is difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. The ministers who were used to the fine food of the two Li brothers were not used to the rule of the new regent, and their hearts were inevitably uneasy.

If His Majesty the Emperor had not lost contact in Shuobei, and His Royal Highness the Regent had not been "killed", the court would probably have been torn apart by now...

Li Zhi grabbed his hair:

"Alas, I didn't expect Li Ming to be so troublesome. I am still too kind-hearted. I shouldn't have let him out of Chang'an that night. At least he should have been locked up in a small dark room.

"I regret listening to the woman..."

"Which woman is your brother complaining about?"

A cold voice came from outside the study door.

It was the "little woman" Li Mingda who persuaded him to let Li Ming go that night.

Li Zhi's body trembled, and an awkward smile immediately appeared on his face:

"Ha, ha, ha, I'm talking about Concubine Wei."

He casually threw the pot towards the harem, and calmly placed the crumpled news of Li Tai's death under the table, and hurriedly stood up to greet them:

"Come here, the governor of Hangzhou presented some tangerines, sweet and sour, I left some for you. Have you finished your homework, sir?"

He welcomed his sister into the study very naturally, and was very considerate and affectionate, as if he was still the same sister-slave and had never changed.

Alas... Li Mingda sighed softly in her heart, and obediently let Li Zhi take her to the same seat.

After the night at Suzaku Gate, the relationship between the brother and sister became awkward for a while.

Unlike Li Ming, Li Mingda has been loved by everyone since she was a child. What happened that night was the first time she faced the cruelty of politics.

The gentle and refined brother Zhinu showed a terrible expression, drove away brother Xiaoming, and then fought with brother Qingque.

This came as a huge shock to her.

Then, her father disappeared, civil war broke out, and the Xueyantuo invaded... These major events almost suffocated her, but also made her mature quickly.

The innocent A Sizi also began to hide her true feelings and played the role of "Princess Jinyang" according to the expectations of others.

"Auntie Wei is my father's concubine and the elder of all the princes. I don't know how she has offended my brother."

Li Mingda said appropriately.

Li Zhi felt that the word "royal brother" was particularly harsh when spoken by her, so he changed the subject to a more relaxed one:
"I just let it slip. Rather than that, Ah Sizi, there is good news from the front!"

Facing Brother Zhinu, whose eyes were shining with excitement, Li Mingda just shook his head slightly:

"Military secrets, tell me a woman..."

"This secret can only be shared with you, as it concerns our father!" Li Zhi looked at his sister with burning eyes:

"We have found out where our father is!"

Li Mingda's face relaxed all of a sudden, and he seemed to have turned back into the lively and cheerful Ah Sizi:
"Really?"

Li Zhi nodded:
"Li Shiji discovered traces of a large group of people west of the Helan Mountains. They seemed to be heading west towards Liangzhou."

Li Mingda's eyes dimmed:
"Another trace. When can we get definite news?"

Li Ming looked at her and added:
"According to local eyewitnesses, there was a beautiful woman dressed as a Hu people in the group, but she spoke like a man."

"Brother Chengqian!" Li Mingda's eyes lit up. With this appearance, he must be the crown prince.

"Finally... there is accurate news about my father and brother. They are still alive. God bless them..."

Li Mingda was so excited that he cried with joy.

The brother and sister shared this joy, ate oranges, and reconciled as before.

"It's bad. Mingda shouldn't have disturbed my brother from handling state affairs."

Li Mingda stopped talking sensibly and was about to leave when he suddenly thought of a question:
"Why did Father go to Liangzhou? Why not just turn south and go back to Tang Dynasty?"

"Well... maybe there were Tiele Turks chasing them, forcing them to move westward."

Li Zhi casually defended himself:
"Li Shiji has stepped up his search to the west and sent fast horses to Liangzhou to ask the local governor to help welcome back His Majesty."

Li Mingda tentatively accepted this explanation:

“No matter what, as long as Father enters Liangzhou, he will be considered back.

"Brother Emperor...Brother Zhinu, what about you and Brother Qingque..."

The father went abroad to study for half a year. When he returned home, he saw his two sons fighting a civil war.

It doesn't take much political knowledge, even Li Mingda knows that the current situation is not good for Li Zhi.

When my father returns to Chang'an, he will be in trouble.

"I... have stopped fighting now and will not fight with Li Tai anymore." Li Zhi tried hard to raise the corners of his mouth.

Li Mingda breathed a sigh of relief:

"Really? That's great!"

She didn't know yet that Li Tai had been killed by Xiao Ming's younger brother. She thought today was a day of double happiness and left the study in a happy mood.

Li Zhi watched her leave and said to himself:

"I hope that Father can return home safely... Is it Li Chengqian who is trying to sow discord between you and me?"

He could more or less guess that his father's strange marching route was probably because he was worried that he would be silenced by the guilty Li Zhi and Li Shiji after returning home, and he was fighting wits and courage with the air the whole time.

However, as mentioned earlier, neither Li Zhi nor Li Shiji had, nor dared to have, any idea of ​​harming Li Shimin.

They are both loyal ministers of the Tang Dynasty, and they both sincerely hope that His Majesty the Emperor will return to loyal Chang'an!

Let’s not talk about Li Shiji, his motives were very simple.

It is true that his minor leader is the Regent Prince of Jin, but his major leader has always been the Emperor himself.

We must believe in the wisdom of Lao Wagangzhai and never take a wrong stance.

Chief Eunuch Li kept in touch with Li Zhi at all times and reported any latest developments as soon as possible.

On the other hand, without waiting for Li Zhi's order, he immediately mobilized all his forces to search for the whereabouts of His Majesty and the Prince.

Make sure both sides are explained.

And Li Zhi also had reason to welcome the return of the two saints.

Even though he was usurping the throne, even though he started a civil war, even though he knew that a beating from his father would be the least of his worries.

But compared with Li Ming's perverted political machine, Grandpa's encouragement is simply a caress of love!
He suspected that now only his father was his life-saving talisman, and only his father's return could save his life.

No matter how big a mess he causes or how much harm he causes, at least my father will not execute him.

But the same cannot be said for Li Ming!

There was a fundamental contradiction between Li Ming and him, and although the two sides had not completely fallen out, they were not far from it.

What's more, Li Tai's head has already proved that Li Ming really doesn't care about brotherly feelings and will really chop people down if he has a grudge!

“Liaodong, Goguryeo, Hebei, Xueyantuo… that demon simply can’t be stopped!

"If this continues, the Central Plains left by Li Tai and other kings will sooner or later become his possession and be completely devoured by him, right?
"By then, he would only be a thin line away from Guanzhong via Tongguan..."

Li Zhi was in great fear, holding his head with both hands:

"The only person in the world who can stop Li Ming is my father, right?"

"I'm far from ready. I'm just a kid!"

…………

West of the Helan Mountains, the Hexi Corridor.

Li Chengqian led the team westward, and after several months of trekking, they finally arrived at the border of Liangzhou.

Under his command, the team did not take the emperor back to the country, but made a big turn and headed north.

Head straight to the territory of Western Turks.

"Little Khan!" Ashina She'er rode alongside him:

"Will the Western Turks really form an alliance with us? Instead of detaining us or killing us directly?"

Li Chengqian is confident:
"Don't worry, the fight between Yibi Duolu Khan and Yibi Shaboluo Yehu Khan is very fierce, and they need external help now."

The official titles of the Turks are so long... Lao Sheer couldn't help but complain in his heart, still worried:
"Is the source of the little Khan's intelligence reliable?"

"Reliable." Li Chengqian replied briefly.

Having said this, She'er didn't want to ask any more questions.

After a moment of silence, Li Chengqian took the initiative to speak:
"How is my father doing?"

Ashina She'er's eyes dimmed:
"I'm afraid it's not very good."

At the center of the team was a large carriage.

Li Shimin was half lying on the carriage, bumping along with the army, his eyes half closed, not knowing whether he was awake or asleep.

The horse-drawn carriages are used by nomadic people to transport and move tents. They have a very simple structure and there are no roads in the wilderness, so the carriages are very bumpy.

Although everyone put thick felt on the car floor and erected a windproof tent on the top, the conditions were limited and it was a bit of a luxury to talk about comfort.

Even a healthy young person would lose half his life if he was exposed to the cold wilderness for several months, from the end of winter to the beginning of spring.

Not to mention a stroke patient.

"The numb right side of Tian Khan's body can move a little, which is better than when he first got the flu. But, alas..."

Ashina She'er sighed:
"Tian Khan's consciousness was still in a state of confusion. He was often half asleep and half awake, and even his thoughts when he was awake were very strange. He said something like 'Li Zhi is my son, and Li Shiji is the surname I gave him. They will never harm me.'"

Li Chengqian immediately shook his head:

"It's simply unreasonable! Alas, the disease is merciless. How could a great leader be so confused?

"Li Zhi and Li Shiji caused a terrible disaster. It is no exaggeration to say that the chaos in the country was caused by them.

"They fear the Holy Majesty, how could they be willing to welcome the Emperor back?"

Ashina She'er nodded heavily: "Yes, the little Khan is right!"

Li Shimin lay weakly on the car board and closed his eyes silently. I don't know if it was because he heard their conversation.

Not long after continuing northward, Qibi Heli, who was exploring the way ahead, came back.

"There is a large tribe ahead, they seem to be Turks!"

(End of this chapter)