Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 85 I beat Zhangsun Wuji? Is this true?
Li Tai was startled when he heard his father's question:
"Brother Ming? Isn't he still in Chang'an? This place is three hundred miles away from Chang'an!"

Li Mingda wanted to agree, but seeing his brother Li Zhi looking thoughtful, he chose not to speak.

Li Zhi whispered:
"No, Li Ming is here. He traveled 300 miles overnight just to inform us in advance.

"Ashina formed a society and started a rebellion.

"If it weren't for him, the rebellion would have succeeded, and the royal family would have been..."

Li Tai's pupils shrank and he couldn't say anything.

"Damn it, damn it!"

Li Shimin could not help but roar to the sky:

"This kid is too naughty! Running around at this critical moment!"

He immediately changed his deployment:
"Zhangsun Wuji, you take the other princes back to Qizhou. Li Daozon, you will command the Jiucheng Palace Imperial Guards to suppress the bandits!"

Changsun Wuji and Li Daozon looked at each other and felt that His Majesty was about to do something stupid.

"I will lead a hundred elite soldiers to personally bring that naughty boy back!"

Li Shimin was furious and rushed towards the direction of the Lihua Pavilion where the fire was raging.

If he had sufficient troops, he would definitely choose the safer carpet search without hesitation.

But in the current situation of constant harassment from the Turkic rebels and tight military forces, he can only rely on his understanding of his son and go to Lihua Pavilion to take a gamble.

"But Your Majesty." Changsun Wuji was a little anxious:

"I have already sent a clerk from the Ministry of Personnel to Lihua Pavilion to release the marquis..."

"Shut up!" Li Shimin retorted angrily.

Changsun Wuji was afraid of Hou Junji and blamed Hou for being unwilling to contribute to the Eastern Palace. Li Shimin saw through this little trick.

Therefore, he also had a vague guess similar to Li Ming's.

He also felt that Changsun Wuji's attitude towards Hou Junji might be problematic.

Perhaps, Changsun Wuji wanted to use the rebels and the fire to eliminate Hou Junji, the unstable factor, once and for all without leaving any trace!

"I'll deal with you later!"

After angrily scolding the inexplicable Changsun Wuji, Li Shimin left in anger.

He had only taken a few steps when he felt someone pulling at his dragon robe.

"Father!"

"Go away!"

Li Shimin angrily opened the man's hand and turned back.

What came into view was the prince's face full of surprise.

"Father! Don't go, it's dangerous!" Li Chengqian knelt on the ground, almost begging:
"The fire is merciless! Why should we do that for a bastard's sake..."

"Without that bastard, you and I would have been dead long ago!" Li Shimin roared at his eldest son.

He was extremely disappointed with the prince's party.

If it weren’t for this uncle and nephew who brought political manipulation to the battlefield of life and death.

How could this trouble come about out of nowhere!
Li Shimin was full of anger, and turned around and headed east with his hundred well-trained and brave cavalrymen.

Another person stood in front of him.

It’s Li Zhi.

"You want to stop me too?"

Li Shimin's voice was very deep and his eyes were sharp.

Li Zhi had a calm expression on his face. He shook his head slowly and firmly and said:

"Please allow me to go with you, Father."

Li Shimin subconsciously glanced at Li Mingda, who had the best relationship with Li Zhi.

Ah Sizi's eyes were blurred with tears, but he had no intention of stopping his brother from making trouble.

If she weren't a girl, she would have been afraid of being a hindrance and even wanted to go find Xiao Ming.

Li Shimin closed his eyes and rejected coldly:
"no!"

"Father." Li Zhi said sincerely:
“Li Ming saved me from the Turks, and I can’t just sit there and watch him get into danger.

"We should repay a drop of kindness with a spring of water. Isn't this what our father has always taught us?"

Looking at his childish but serious face, Li Shimin couldn't help but be stunned.

After a while, he tilted his head forward:

"Follow closely."

As he spoke, he walked towards the direction of the fire.

In this way, Li Shimin and Li Zhi led a team of soldiers and rushed towards the fire scene without hesitation.

Li Chengqian knelt on the ground, his face ashen.

Even Li Tai didn't dare to provoke him and stayed obediently by Li Daozon's side.

Zhang Sun Wuji whispered in Li Chengqian's ear to comfort him:
"Your Highness, please rest assured. Your Majesty is blessed by God. He has led the charge many times without any harm. Tonight is just a small incident."

Li Chengqian remained kneeling, motionless.

Chang Sun Wuji swallowed his saliva and asked cautiously:
"Your Highness...can we set off now?"

Under his messy long hair, the corners of Li Chengqian's mouth curled up in a strange arc.

"I...can't compare to that bastard.

"In his eyes, the eldest son is not as good as a concubine's son..."

…………

"Brother Ming... No, Your Highness Li Ming. Do you think that if I accompany you in such a mess, will the promised promotion and salary be lost?"

Wei Daijia complained as he walked.

Li Ming followed him closely, giving his capable assistant some chicken soup:
"Wealth and honor are sought in danger. Think positively. Maybe father will think you are courageous and let you skip two levels."

While chatting to relieve the pressure in their hearts, the two of them walked towards the east side of the Jiucheng Palace sleeping area.

Behind them is the darkness where remnants of bandits may be lurking.

Ahead of them was a blazing sea of ​​fire.

The master and servant, who were willing to sacrifice their lives to rush into the bedroom and purge the emperor's side, were no stranger to this scene and were now on their way to rescue Hou Junji.

"I still think that rescuing people from a fire scene should be left to the Imperial Guards, or at least we should call in a few more escorts." Wei Daijia muttered:

"It's not a good idea to leave without saying hello."

Li understood him at a glance:
"With Changsun Wuji interfering, how can we withdraw our troops easily?
“It was only because we two disappeared that Father got really anxious and sent troops to search the Lihua Pavilion area.

"We just need to wait at the door, and after we meet up with them, we can activate the skill 'Since we're already here' and convince the soldiers to rush into the fire, and then we can rescue Hou Junji."

Wei Daijia was stunned by what he heard, and felt that this short sentence contained too much information.

"Your Highness, this... that... oh my, what a good idea!"

Using himself as bait, he forced Changsun Wuji to be unable to stop His Majesty from sending troops to Lihua Pavilion. This disguised method of swaying people was really a great idea.

But he also found a bright spot:

"But...you mean that Lord Changsun wants to put Lord Hou to death?"

Li Ming looked at the grown-up Wei Daijia and said seriously:
“Awei, wherever there are people, there are rivers and lakes.

"In addition to governing the country, bureaucrats will also form cliques and fight among themselves. This is inevitable."

Wei Daijia couldn't help but feel horrified:
"You mean, we are in opposition to Lord Changsun?!"

The head of the civil officials and the first meritorious minister for the current emperor’s succession to the throne, Zhangsun Wuji?
Li Ming nodded without hesitation:
“Yes, he thinks my growing power will threaten his nephews.

“So when I wanted to win over Hou Junji, Changsun Wuji would sow discord.

"If his provocation fails, I don't rule out the possibility that he will use other tricks to kill the power that I can use to my advantage."

Wei Daijia muttered to himself in a low voice:

"For example, in the name of a fire, let Hou Junji be burned to death..."

Only then did he see the viciousness of Zhangsun Wuji's plan -

The first step was to declare that Hou Junji was fine and that a clerk had been sent to open the door for him; the second step was to say that Hou Junji might be in some danger, but the situation was critical and the imperial guards could not be sent out; the third step was to say that perhaps the imperial guards should be sent out, but the fire was too big and nothing could be done.

When Hou Junji was completely cold - or rather, cooked through, Changsun Wuji could still pat his butt and say something sarcastic: Maybe I could have rescued Duke Chen at the first opportunity, but it's too late now.

It is a non-stick pan that stands on the high ground of rationality and morality!

He took advantage of the fire and the chaos caused by the rebels to kill a minister without any reason and did not have to bear any responsibility!
When masters play chess, it may seem like they are strolling leisurely, but in fact, every move is carefully calculated... Wei Daijia was sweating profusely.

If it were him, he felt he wouldn't survive more than three chapters.

"Of course, all of this is just my speculation. Zhang Sun Wuji may have really sent out the clerks to save Hou Junji." Li Ming spread his hands and said frankly:

"But the dead cannot be resurrected. I cannot take such a risk and let myself lose another arm and let Hou Baolin lose his grandfather."

Wei Daijia swallowed hard.

Li Ming looked at him and said calmly:
“If you stand on my side, you will be enemies with opponents of this level.

"Are you scared?"

Wei Daijia was a little stunned.

He grew up listening to the stories of Changsun Wuji.

From the Li Tang family's uprising in Jinyang to their campaigns in the east and west, organizing the Xuanwu Gate Incident, to presiding over the court and assisting the current emperor in creating the Zhenguan Reign.

It is no exaggeration to say that Changsun Wuji was the idol of him and many other children from aristocratic families in their childhood.

Being enemies with idols, is this true or not...

But Wei Daijia shook his head decisively without hesitation:

"With His Highness here, what is there to be afraid of?"

After hanging out with Li Ming for a long time, he unknowingly developed the bad character of being fearless.

The two trudged for a while and came to a small alley.

On both sides of the alley are exquisite architectural gardens and grass courtyards, which are quite romantic on ordinary days.

However, at this moment, everything here was engulfed by the blazing flames.

"This is the pavilion area of ​​Jiucheng Palace. The Lihua Pavilion where Hou Junji is imprisoned is deep inside."

As the former gatekeeper general, Wei Daijia had been to Jiucheng Palace several times and introduced the place with great familiarity:

“It’s dangerous to go in again, let’s just wait here.

"If His Majesty really sent someone, they would definitely be able to see us."

Li Ming swallowed and felt the heat wave coming towards him.

There was no one around, and the crackling of the flames even drowned out the whistling wind.

It seemed as if the only two people left between heaven and earth were this fearless master and servant.

The intensity of the fire was far beyond Li Ming's expectations.

"Can Hou Junji really hold out until reinforcements arrive?"

Li Ming stamped his feet anxiously.

So slow...

…………

What Li Ming didn't know was that Li Shimin had indeed sent a team to search for him.

But the leader of the team was the irrational Li Shimin himself.

This cavalry emperor, who had personally led the charge into battle and defeated heroes such as Wang Shichong, Dou Jiande, Liu Heita, and Jie Li Khan, also personally led the team to find his son this time.

Accompanying him was Li Zhi, who was also not very rational.

Both of them were rescued by Li Ming who went deep into the tiger's den alone. Naturally, he also had to personally bring back this naughty boy who was loved and hated by everyone.

Both of them had stern faces and the atmosphere was very solemn.

Blown by the night wind, Li Shimin calmed down a little.

He felt that he was a bit arbitrary and too rude and harsh to the prince who was concerned about his safety.

After losing his temper, he regretted it out of habit.

After all, apart from speculation, there is no direct evidence to prove that Changsun Wuji really wanted to kill Hou Junji.

It is really hard to call him wise to suspect his eldest son and his confidant out of thin air.

"Alas, have I also been infected by that naughty boy and started to become suspicious?" Li Shimin knocked his head in distress.

Changsun Wuji is what I want; Hou Junji is also what I want.

The infighting among the meritorious officials made Li Shimin very worried.

The sharp conflict between the two princes' groups reflected here made the old father's heart break.

Fortunately, he has a well-behaved, stubborn, and affectionate younger son who accompanies his tired old father in going crazy.

But the two of them didn't speak along the way, and the atmosphere was a little awkward.

"Ahem." Li Shimin coughed dryly and asked Li Zhi:
"I didn't have time to ask you just now, how did Li Ming save you?"

Recalling what happened just now, the calm Li Zhi couldn't help but turn pale:
"Yes, he saved me directly from the Turkic butcher's knife."

Li Shimin's heart suddenly tightened:

"Zhi Nu, could it be that you...you encountered the rebels directly?"

Li Zhi was the last son of him and Empress Changsun, and he loved Li Zhi as if he were his youngest son.

Li Zhi nodded: "At that time, I went out of the palace for a tour as usual..."

He then recounted how Li Ming had used a clever trick to impersonate a Turk and rescued him from dire straits.

“It’s dangerous, it’s dangerous!”

Li Shimin listened carefully and felt so nervous that his stomach ached.

The father and son almost couldn't be reunited, or rather, they almost could only be reunited in the underworld!

"That guy is really fooling around, but I have to say, he does have a way!" He couldn't help but sigh repeatedly.

"I wouldn't be Li Ming if I didn't act silly." Li Zhi nodded with deep feeling and continued to recount what had happened to them since they met.

The story continues until Li Daozon throws Li Ming into the inner palace gate and the two sides part ways.

Li Shimin was overwhelmed with emotion, and his smile was harder than that of a local tyrant. After hearing the details, he did not forget to ask again and again:
"Did he really say that before he entered the inner city gate? 'My father is inside'?"

Li Zhi nodded affirmatively:
"Every word is true."

"Haha, that guy is kind and righteous."

Li Shimin cursed with a smile on his face.

Because of his unique parent-child relationship with his father Li Yuan, Li Shimin paid special attention to the "filial piety" of his descendants.

Li Chengqian and Li Tai's respectful attitude towards him perfectly met the Confucian definition of "filial piety", which made him feel very gratified.

However, Li Ming and Li Zhi, one went crazy to save him and the other went crazy with him, both showed filial piety with real flesh and blood, which made him feel sincerely happy.

It's a pity that they are both too young...

Thinking of this, Li Shimin couldn't help wondering:

"Why didn't he tell me about this important matter in person?"

In fact, Li Ming had forgotten about Li Zhi.

But under the beauty filter, Li Shimin felt that Li Ming's move must have a deeper meaning.

"Is he afraid that I'll worry about nothing?
"No, he is not such a gentle person."

Li Shimin frowned, thinking he had grasped the key point:
"I understand. He is using the tactics of playing hard to get and indirect attack to win people's hearts through your mouth, Li Zhi!"

"Have it?"

Li Zhi was stunned, thinking that Li Ming was in a state of severe sleep deprivation at the time and might not be clear about what he was doing.

"It must be so!" Li Shimin was very confident, and a proud smile appeared on his serious face:

"I finally understand how that guy fooled so many people into working for him."

This method of winning people's hearts is really clever!

Not to mention Hou Junji couldn't resist, even Li Shimin was aroused.

He was a little excited, but at the same time he was more worried about Li Ming, so he couldn't help but quicken his pace.

"Hurry up! The longer you delay, the more dangerous it will be!"

Just when he was a few steps away from the main group.

Suddenly, there was a whooshing sound.

The building on the side of the road collapsed!
The burning building fell down on Li Shimin's head!

(End of this chapter)