The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 355

Jin Yang nodded fiercely and said, "You're so stupid, it took you so long to realize."

Xu Tian couldn't help but curse inwardly, "These ancient people are too cunning, and this Magistrate Chen is even more treacherous."

Xu Tian lifted the carriage curtain and turned to see General Qin Xian still staring at him. He immediately instructed the steward to deliver a message, and then ordered the retreat.

Qin Xian was taken aback for a moment, then a silent smile appeared on his lips. He took out a brush, wrote a few strokes, and then directly drew his bow and shot an arrow, aiming the letter at the shield of the Turkic soldier.

Soon, a soldier delivered the letter to Magistrate Chen.

Magistrate Chen opened the strip of cloth and saw the six large characters written on it: "You will suffer retribution." He was immediately shocked and then tore the cloth to shreds.

Jili turned his head and saw that the royal and imperial carriages behind him had all left. He breathed a sigh of relief and then turned his horse around.

"Now that the Tang people have withdrawn, let's go back to our tribe."

Magistrate Chen looked anxious.

"Now is the best time to get rid of Xu Tian, ​​especially since the princess is on the carriage. Why don't we kill Xu Tian in one fell swoop, snatch the princess, and then we can coerce the Tang Dynasty into providing enough grain and silver for this year?"

Unexpectedly, a murderous intent flashed in Jili Khan's eyes. He placed his sword directly against Magistrate Chen's neck and then said boldly, "Since when did it become your place, a Han slave, to teach me how to do things?"

At this moment, Geshuhan glanced at Magistrate Chen without leaving a trace, then quickly looked away and shouted, "Retreat quickly! The Khan has ordered an immediate retreat!"

In June in Chang'an, the lotus flowers along the Imperial River attracted passersby to stop and admire them. After several days of sweltering heat, the people of Chang'an were restless and irritable, and it rained on the morning of the grand court assembly the next day.

A light drizzle pattered on the bluestone bricks of Chang'an Road, forcing the vendors who had set up their stalls to go home.

The breakfast stalls by the roadside had no choice but to extinguish their candles and look up, hoping the rain would stop soon.

The distant sky was as dark as the night sky of the deep sea, yet also tinged with the azure hue of dawn. The cool rain extinguished the heat in the hearts of the people of Chang'an.

The vermilion palace seemed like a natural protective color. One after another, official sedan chairs glided lightly into the palace.

The night in Chang'an Palace was cool and still, the entire palace shrouded in darkness. At this moment, the candles in the palace were lit, and a eunuch came out from the side passage and called out: "At the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), all officials shall enter the palace."

Soon, all the civil and military officials entered and saw Li Er sitting upright on the dragon throne.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live the Emperor!"

Before Li Shimin removed his crown, the twelve tassels hung down, preventing the ministers from seeing his expression. Even so, everyone felt his immense majesty and dared not make the slightest mistake.

As was customary, Li Shimin glanced at Eunuch Kou beside him. Eunuch Kou stepped forward and said, "If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn."

At this moment, Li Shimin glanced down and saw Duan Lun, the Minister of Works, stepping out from among the civil officials.

"Your Majesty, I, your subject Youben, hereby report."

Li Shimin nodded.

"Play it."

Duan Lun immediately raised his head, walked to the front of the court officials, and said righteously and solemnly, "Your Majesty, the person I am impeaching this time is Prince Rui, Xu Tian."

The officials were immediately in an uproar.

“Xu Tian is a close advisor to the emperor, a very popular figure right now.”

"That's right, has Lord Duan gone mad? He can't even see this clearly. The Emperor is deliberately protecting Prince Rui. Now, anyone who makes trouble for Prince Rui is going against the Emperor."