Tang Dynasty: Father, if you don't rebel, I will!

"Waaaaah, waaaaah, my royal brother~"

"My mother and father beat me again, waaaaah..."

East Palace.

Li Zhi's voice became hoarse from crying, and the bright red welts on his buttocks increased in volume the moment the imperial physician touched them while applying medicine.

Li Chengqian stood aside, watching Li Zhi, who was crying his eyes out.

His expression at that moment was truly fascinating.

"I thought that kid Li Yin, the sixth brother, was tough enough, but I never expected... Ninth brother, you're the real hero..."

Honestly, even if Empress Zhangsun were angry, she would never lay a hand on her eldest son.

But when Li Chengqian was faced with the body's birth mother and the eyes of that wise empress, he could not muster the slightest rebellious thought.

He would occasionally tease his own father, Emperor Li Er, just to have some fun in life.

Like Li Zhi, who single-handedly confronted the two major bosses of the Tang Dynasty, the Dragon and the Phoenix...

Li Chengqian truly admired his courage.

This kid seems to have been missing a screw in his head since he was a child. In the past two years, he has lost count of how many beatings he has received for eating candy, but his addiction to sugar has not changed at all.

At such a young age, they're already in a relationship...

Is the object of his affections still Murong Shun's daughter?

Li Chengqian felt it was necessary to have a good talk with this "Crown Prince's companion".

The child may not know any better, but shouldn't he at least be more sensible?

Li Tai, who was trying to suppress his laughter, covered his mouth and pursed his lips from time to time to physically suppress the trembling corners of his mouth, and looked on with curiosity.

"Zhi Nu, what do you see in that little girl named Murong Yu? She doesn't even want the candy shop."

Li Zhi grinned.

Upon hearing his elder brother mention Murong Yu, his eyes immediately lit up with excitement.

"Me, hiss... Murong Yu did my homework and even taught Wu Zetian, that guy who's always targeting me, a lesson! Hiss, ouch!"

When Li Chengqian heard the name "Wu Zetian", his eyes flickered slightly.

Wang De quickly spoke up from the side.

"Wu Zhao should be the second young lady of the Duke of Ying's mansion, and the younger sister of Miss Wu Shun..."

Li Chengqian nodded, looking at Li Zhi, who should have taken advantage of his brothers in the future and ascended the throne, on the bed. He never expected that because of his appearance, Li Zhi and the future Wu Zetian would meet in this way.

Why is she always targeting you?

Li Zhi grinned, his body trembling as the imperial physician applied the medicine.

However, when the name Wu Zetian is mentioned, his eyes are filled with a fierce light.

Baring its teeth, it looked like an angry little tiger.

"She, she's such a self-important person! She loves to show off so much, and she always says that because I'm a prince, I must be just as capable as my brothers..."

"She's always tattling to the instructors! She... ouch!"

"Waaaaah, Your Majesty, you have to help me! That Wu Zetian is bullying me, and Father and Mother are bullying me too, waaaaah..."

Li Chengqian: "......"

This thing, in history, stole the fruits of his and Li Tai's labor?

He ascended the throne?

Even though he knew perfectly well that the other party was still a clueless little kid, Li Chengqian couldn't help but feel a surge of anger at this brat.

If it weren't for the fact that the other person was in such a miserable state, I probably would have tied them back to the chair on the spot.

Let him see what a second-generation General Tian Ce is all about!

Just as Li Tai and Li Ke were lying next to Li Zhi, teasing and joking with each other and asking questions about Murong Yu, a sound of footsteps came from nearby.

The eunuch Sun Yi strode in.

He first glanced at Prince Li Ke of Han, who was standing to the side, and then quickly went to Li Chengqian's side.

"Your Highness, urgent military intelligence from the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

Prince Li Ke of Han was taken aback and hurriedly came over: "What happened?"

Li Chengqian gently shook his head, telling Wang De to stay and take care of Li Zhi, and then left with Li Ke and Li Tai.

A member of the Imperial Guard was waiting solemnly outside.

Upon seeing Li Chengqian and Li Ke, he hurriedly bowed.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, and Your Highness the Prince of Han!"

Li Chengqian nodded, and the latter immediately handed over a document containing top-secret military intelligence from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Li Chengqian tore it open directly, then glanced at it briefly.

The fierce killing intent that flashed in his eyes immediately made Sun Yi, who was standing to the side, tremble.

"As expected... this wolfish ambition really was passed down from our ancestors..."

Li Ke reached out and took the document from Li Chengqian.

"The Imperial University's Supervisory Office of the Northern Garrison Command of Taiyuan Prefecture has secretly reported that three Japanese students have leaked our dynasty's top-secret technology and were intercepted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Li Ke's face immediately turned cold.

"Brother, I didn't expect these Japanese to lose their patience so quickly!"

Li Chengqian snorted coldly, looking at the cold and desolate crescent moon in the sky.

"They were not only bold, but also incredibly greedy... Steam engines, treasure ships, and iron forging technology... They truly had eyes perfectly suited for thievery."

Li Chengqian's gaze shifted.

"There are now thousands of Japanese students studying at the Imperial University, in addition to servants and family members who have bought property there, totaling tens of thousands... It has been a while since any students have come to study here."

"In that case... let's notify the National Medical College of Datong; they have the research materials."

......

Taiyuan Prefecture, Imperial University.

Dormitory for Japanese international students.

"Fujiki-kun, Soga-kun was taken away during class today and hasn't come back yet... Could something have happened to him?"

"They were arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Something big must have happened, otherwise the Embroidered Uniform Guard would never have come to their door."

"How dare they arrest even Soga-kun! Is the Tang Dynasty going to break its agreement with General Soga? Aren't they going to attack Goguryeo?"

"..."

Under the cover of night, almost all the Japanese exchange students, not just those in this dormitory, were discussing this matter.

As Fujiki Hide lay in bed, the comfortable living conditions in the Tang Dynasty and his life at the Imperial University made this minor Japanese nobleman feel like he was living in paradise.

During the day, you can not only learn the world's top technologies and knowledge, but also experience all the prosperity of Taiyuan Prefecture.

Having stayed here for a year, he's come to see everything here as the life he's entitled to.

As for Japan, he had long since given up on going back.

Where in Japan can you find anything better than the Tang Dynasty...?

There were many others who shared his thoughts; otherwise, no one would have even brought their wives and children to live in Taiyuan Prefecture.

however.

Three days later, there was still no news of the Japanese students who had been arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Moreover, when the Imperial Guards once again appeared in the classroom and took away several Japanese students.

Finally, someone noticed that something was amiss.

The Wang family mansion in Taiyuan.

The Japanese envoy, Soga no Kiseki, who had previously been stationed in Chang'an, now resided in Taiyuan Prefecture. He anxiously sought out Wang Ming, the governor of Bingzhou.

"Governor Wang, where exactly are our Japanese students being held by the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

"What mistake did they make that required the Imperial Guards to intervene?"

“Governor Wang, this does not comply with the promises made to our country by your Crown Prince! Even if our people have made a mistake, you should at least have notified us. How can you arrest them directly?”

"I demand that you immediately release our Japanese students!"

Governor's Mansion.

Wang Ming was momentarily dumbfounded when he saw Suwo Qishi looking anxious yet defiant.

He couldn't help but ask his deputy in surprise.

"Were all the Japanese this brave before?"

Wang Ming was also unclear as to why the Embroidered Uniform Guard wanted to arrest those Japanese students, who were usually the ones whose families in Japan would send them gold and silver from time to time.

It can be said that it is a key focus of the entire Imperial University.

However, it is unclear whether they have enjoyed this kind of care for too long, or they simply feel that if the Tang Dynasty wants to take action against Goguryeo, it must rely on the power of Japan.

Now, even when they come to my prefectural residence, they speak with such confidence...

Wang Ming narrowed his eyes, looking at the furious Suwo Qishi with a displeased expression.

"Since you were arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, you should naturally go to their office to ask questions. What are you doing here at my prefectural residence? You've been in Taiyuan for over a year now. Do I have to teach you the rules here?"

Soga Kishoku gritted his teeth: "Of course I know where the Embroidered Uniform Guard's headquarters is, but they won't give me an explanation..."

Of course, they won't give you some ridiculous explanation from a short Japanese person.

Wang Ming rolled his eyes inwardly, then casually waved his hand.

"Then it will depend on your own efforts, Envoy Suwo. I have no authority to manage the Embroidered Uniform Guard... Of course, if you are not satisfied, you can go to Chang'an to find His Highness the Crown Prince."

Suga Kiseki's angry expression froze instantly.

Looking for Li Chengqian?!

What is the Tasuwo Qishi?

Just as he was caught in a dilemma, anxiously wondering how to handle the situation, a servant suddenly rushed in and stood beside him, looking flustered.

"Lord Soga, something terrible has happened! The Imperial Guards have taken more than a dozen of us away from the Imperial University!"

"Nani?!"

The Imperial Prison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in Taiyuan Prefecture.

"You can't do this! We are Japanese, we are guests of your Crown Prince! You can't treat us like this!"

"You bastards! You are damaging the relations between the Tang Dynasty and our Japan! Your Crown Prince will not let you get away with this!"

"Let me go, you bastard! If you dare touch me, I'll report you to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"..."

One by one, the Japanese students were forcibly escorted by the Imperial Guards through a series of prisons that still held many prisoners, until they arrived at the innermost cell door.

"boom!"

A brutal kick, clearly driven by personal grudges, landed directly on one of the men's lower back.

The guy who had been shouting the loudest earlier was kicked and screamed in pain.

He was lying in his cell, unable to get up.

"Alright, stop letting these guys kick it and hurt it. The people from the National Medical College will be here soon..."

When the leader of the Imperial Guards mentioned the name of the National Medical College, a chilling sneer flashed across the eyes of the other Imperial Guards present.

This cold smile was seen by the Japanese students who were currently imprisoned.

An ominous premonition suddenly arose in my heart.

A short while later, a dozen or so figures appeared, dressed in somewhat eerie black robes, wearing bird-beak masks, and carrying iron chains and ropes.

They were protected by a dozen or so burly men whose faces resembled those of Persians or people from the Western Regions.

They appeared before these Japanese students.

Berens stood in the very center, at the head of the group. Through the eerie black bird-beak mask, the light emanating from his eyes silenced the previously shouting Japanese students.

Berens gave a cold laugh.

"Put hoods on them all, put them on the carriage; this old man can hardly contain his thirst for knowledge..."