Time Travel: The Survival of Li Zhi

"What else do you want to say?"

A majestic voice sounded in the imperial study, echoing in the empty room.

The imperial study is filled with the faint scent of ink. The walls are covered with calligraphy and paintings by emperors of past dynasties, and the four treasures of the study are placed on the desk. It is magnificent and elegant.

However, at this moment, Li Zhi had no intention of appreciating it at all.

He was kneeling on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold and hard ground, not daring to move at all. He didn't even look at the charge that the emperor threw in front of him.

"Your Majesty says I am guilty, so I am guilty. I have nothing to say."

Li Zhi naturally knew that since those people dared to take action, they must have been fully prepared, and Li Fu had already fallen into their hands. Even if they tortured him, they could still get a lot of information they wanted to know.

So at this time Li Zhi knew that it was useless to explain himself. He also knew that if the emperor really believed that he had surrendered to the enemy and committed treason, he would not have summoned him alone.

"You, you..." The emperor pointed at Li Zhi but said nothing.

Li Zhi didn't even raise his head. His mind was full of mixed thoughts, but he remained calm because he had already thought of a plan when he came here.

"Raise your head! Let me see what the little Zhang Fei, who is famous in the capital, looks like!" said the emperor.

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi slowly straightened up and raised his head slightly, but his eyelids drooped so that the emperor could not see his calm expression.

The emperor looked at Li Zhi and said with a low laugh, "How come you are so fair? People say you are the Zhang Yide of the modern age, but I thought you were a dark-skinned man."

Li Zhi immediately lay down and said, "I am afraid and dare not compare myself with the famous generals of the past."

The emperor slowly walked to a table nearby and took out a letter from it. He opened it and began to read it slowly.

"...There were 3,000 Tartars, driving 8,000 civilians to come...The Tartars were cunning and wanted to use the civilians as vanguards to attack the city, using the flesh and blood of our people to push down our city...Taking advantage of their unpreparedness, I personally led 2,000 soldiers and 3,000 strong men, cut in from both sides, separated the Tartars from the civilians they drove, and then won a bloody battle...The Tartars fled in disarray, and the civilians took advantage of the chaos to flee..."

This was a briefing written by Li Zhi. He didn't know what the emperor meant, and for a moment he didn't dare to speak. He just lay quietly on the ground.

The emperor glanced at Li Zhi and asked, "Are the facts in your report true?"

Li Zhi's mind was in turmoil, with countless thoughts circling in his mind. In the end, he decided to tell the truth.

He lowered his head and said, "I am guilty. Those people did not flee in the chaos. I let them go. Please punish me, Your Majesty."

The emperor did not change his expression upon hearing this, as if he had known this for a long time. He said calmly, "Why did you release these traitorous thugs? Is it true, as some people say, that you want to support the bandits to protect yourself, or are those people yours and you are just putting on a show for me?"

"I would never do this even if I die! I just feel that these people are just coerced by the Tartars and have no choice. I can't bear to make a mistake at the moment, but I have no other thoughts. I hope Your Majesty will understand."

Li Zhi lay on the ground with cold sweat on his back. He knew that if the emperor did not believe him, he would not be able to escape death today.

Not sure if it was because he was too nervous or because of the threat of death, the strange emotion in Li Zhi's heart surged up again. Under the impact of this strange emotion, Li Zhi's body trembled slightly.

"Trample! Trample! Trample! Trample!"

The emperor slowly walked up to Li Zhi.

Looking down at the trembling Li Zhi, the emperor reached out and picked up the confession letter of Li Fu that he had just thrown to Li Zhi.

Li Zhi heard the noise and looked up, only to see that the emperor had torn up the confession.

"I believe you!" The emperor's dark eyes seemed to contain endless majesty.

Li Zhi's heart trembled and he quickly lowered his head.

 …

Looking at Li Fu being carried out of the prison on a stretcher, Li Zhi's heart sank suddenly.

I hurried forward and saw that Li Fu had his eyes closed, his face was as pale as paper, and he had completely lost consciousness.

At this time, a jailer came over quietly and whispered to Li Zhi: "General Li, your father was like this when he was sent here. We checked and it seems that he was lynched on the way..."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi looked up at the jailer. The jailer's heart almost stopped beating when Li Zhi glanced at him.

There was no emotion in Li Zhi's eyes, but people could feel the terrifying anger in his heart.

The jailer said, "My family is in a village outside the capital. If General Li hadn't stopped the Tartars outside Qi Town, I'm afraid we would have been harmed by the Tartars long ago. My family is very grateful to General Li, but I am a nobody and can't help General Li. I can only tell you the truth..."

Li Zhi knew that this person said so much simply because he saw that Li Zhi was not arrested directly, and guessed that Li Zhi still had a chance to turn the tables. He was worried that Li Zhi would settle the score with him in the future, so he said so deliberately.

However, Li Zhi said nothing, but hurried away with Li Fu. The man in front of him was just an insignificant little character, and Li Zhi didn't want to waste words with him. Moreover, Li Fu was dying now, and he had to send him to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible. Time was pressing and there was no time for delay.

After running anxiously all the way, he finally arrived at Xinglinfang, the most famous place in the capital.

Xinglinfang is well-known for its superb medical skills, and Dr. Chen is known as a famous doctor in the capital.

Li Zhi and his men carried Li Fu and rushed into the town, panting and looking nervous.

Doctor Chen knew something was wrong when he saw this, and rushed forward to check on the situation. He saw that Li Fu's face was as pale as paper, his breath was weak, and his life was in danger.

Doctor Chen frowned and said, "What a serious injury! Go inside quickly!"

Li Zhi and others quickly took Li Fu into the inner room. After lifting Li Fu onto the bed, Li Zhi and others were driven out by Doctor Chen.

Li Zhi, who was sitting outside restlessly, waited for about half an hour before Doctor Chen finally came out of the room.

Seeing this, Li Zhi hurried forward and asked, "Doctor Chen, how is my father?"

Doctor Chen looked too good. He shook his head and said, "The injury is too severe. There is no way to save him."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi's face turned pale, he staggered and almost fell to the ground. Zhang Dalian hurriedly supported him.

Li Zhi suddenly pushed Zhang Da away and rushed into the room.

As soon as you enter the house, various strong herbal smells hit your nose, mixed with a hint of blood, which makes people frown.

But Li Zhi seemed unaware of this and went straight to the bed.

At this moment, Li Fu seemed to be recovering from his last breath, his face was unreasonably ruddy. When he saw Li Zhi coming in, he actually smiled and said, "Zhi'er, you're here."

Li Zhi reached out and held his hand tightly. Li Fu's hand was extremely cold, as if it had completely lost its warmth and vitality.

"Father..."

Li Zhi was interrupted by Li Fu just as he opened his mouth.

Li Fu smiled kindly and said softly, "Don't talk, let me say a few words... I'm almost dying."

Li Zhi looked at Li Fu, who just shook his head slightly. He continued, "I regret not listening to your advice and going to Xuanzhen. Not only did I hurt myself, but I also hurt you..."

"Although I am only a businessman, I know that you are being marginalized in the court. I am going to Xuanzhen this time because Lord Li promised to help him open up the trade route to Xuanzhen, and he will find you a civil servant position..."

Although Li Fu's voice was small, it sounded like thunder to Li Zhi's ears. He never expected that his father had to go to Xuan Town just for him!

Li Fu reached out and gently patted Li Zhi's hand. He said, "It's a pity that the Tartars really broke in. Lord Li is probably busy trying to distance himself from me. This road is blocked... I just don't know when you will..."

"It's okay. Even if I'm a military officer, I can do my best. Do you believe me?" Li Zhi said.

Li Fu looked at Li Zhi, nodded and said: "My Qilin has never let me down..."

"It's just that from now on, your father can no longer protect you...You have a cold personality and it's hard to change...If you encounter some favors that need to be handled...you can let Chen Xi handle it...I have seen this child over the years, he is a good child...I have put all the money and deeds of the family in his hands..."

Li Fu's voice became smaller and smaller, and the redness on his face gradually faded, revealing a lifeless paleness.

The hand that was holding Li Zhi suddenly loosened and slipped out of Li Zhi's hand.

Li Zhi stood frozen and motionless.

Tears had already been flowing from her calm eyes.

Li Zhi had no expression on his face, but he felt his heart aching...

It hurts so much...

Very painful!