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

The sounds of swords slashing and hacking, like flesh and bones being cut, accompanied by piercing, mournful cries, were like a scene from hell on earth.

The banners bearing the character "Li" fluttered in the wind outside Hongzhou City in April, carrying with them a strong stench of blood.

They were blown into the city together.

“Thump, thump, thump…”

As the army entered the city, the cavalry of the Eastern Palace's Six Commands, riding their well-fed and powerful warhorses, remained completely unmoved by what had just happened. Their military bearing remained solemn, and their unwavering resolve protected the front of the column.

However, Li Chengqian, who was in the group, looked at the tightly closed doors of the houses on both sides of the street, and the faint figures of people peeking out from the windows.

His eyes were sharp; he could see the fear and apprehension in their eyes at a glance.

It seemed as if those who entered the city were the rebels...

He remained silent and moved into the current Governor's Mansion.

"Gao Ming, you must be tired from your journey. I had someone check the granaries in Hongzhou this morning. The grain is plentiful. So even though there are fewer officials in the city, there won't be any trouble. You can rest for a few days."

Li Shimin ordered the killing of tens of thousands of civilians, even though these people were addicted to opium.

But to say that he felt no pressure at all would be a lie.

Moreover, he has come all the way from Chenzhou, where he has ordered the resettlement of many people who were also addicted to opium.

If all these kinds of people in Hongzhou, Shuzhou, Jiangzhou, and Shouzhou were killed, what about those in other places?

To kill or not?

Fang Xuanling is already on his way to Hongzhou and should arrive in a few days at most.

He must have a proper discussion with the other party about the resettlement plan for Jiangnan and Huainan provinces.

Li Chengqian nodded, seemingly no longer displaying the rebellious demeanor he used to have when he was at odds with his father, the emperor.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty...you don't need to be afraid, I'm here!"

After Li Shimin left, Li Tai also offered encouragement from the side, but it would have been more convincing if his voice hadn't trembled when he said those words.

Li Chengqian smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

"I'm afraid? I wasn't afraid when I led you through the grasslands, fighting my way through the land. Why should I be afraid now?"

Li Tai felt a little more at ease, but even now, he couldn't help but recall everything that had just happened outside Hongzhou City.

Not only Li Shimin, but also Li Chengqian and Li Tai, didn't they also need to calm down and make some adjustments?

Fortunately, just as Li Shimin said.

Today, the war in Hongzhou, and even in Jiangnan and Huainan, has been largely brought under control.

This rebellion, which began with great fanfare but ended abruptly due to the cleverness of a mere merchant, was quelled in just two months.

However, the hidden dangers and losses brought about by this rebellion were no less than those of a true rebellion.

It's almost the end of April.

Qianlou was in the courtyard where Li Chengqian was, reporting to him on some recent events and the interrogation of Zhang Zhenzhou and others.

"I have thoroughly investigated Zhang Zhenzhou's matter. He has only reached this point because of Chen Congyun's coercion and constant concessions. However, according to my interrogation, this is not the case with Fangcheng County Duke Li Xiyu. He not only smokes opium himself but also participates in the opium trade. After searching Shuzhou and Shouzhou, we discovered three large secret rooms scattered in various places, with a total value of over 400,000 strings of cash."

"As for whether there are any others, I am still having interrogations conducted..."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly: "Continue the interrogation, but we can't let them die so easily!"

Qian Lou accepted the order, a sinister glint in his eyes. He glanced around, then leaned closer to Li Chengqian: "Your Highness, the people you requested have been brought from the Datong National Medical College. They have already begun preparing the surgical plan."

Li Chengqian nodded, and just as he was about to leave after Qianlou finished his report, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside.

A member of the Imperial Guard, holding a letter, approached Qianlou.

Qianlou listened to his report, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes.

He turned back and came to stand in front of Li Chengqian.

"Your Highness, the rebellion of the powerful families of Pyongyang has been quelled by Wang Qingyun, the Prefect of Shengjing Prefecture! The rebel leader, Cui Jun, and several others have been captured alive! However..."

"But what?" Li Chengqian asked, puzzled.

Qianlou considered for a moment: "He killed many people... the Cui, Lu, and Li families, as well as those small and medium-sized aristocratic families who participated in the rebellion, the entire clan, men, women, and children, and even the old Goguryeo nobles who followed them and their relatives, were all wiped out by him."

......

"kill!"

The small actions taken by Wang Qingyun's army camp over the past few days, and the lack of news from Cui Guangshou after his breakout with two thousand cavalry, made Cui Jun in Pyongyang increasingly anxious.

After several days of hesitation.

He finally dared not wait any longer. If he delayed for another day, and the Silla forces captured Amuro Castle and then besieged them, they would be doomed.

He was determined to lead his men out of the city to launch a night raid on the enemy camp.

“That traitor Wang Qingyun, who is an accomplice to evil, has been making strange noises from the cooking fires in his camp these past few days. I’m certain he’s sent troops to deal with the smaller families in the surrounding counties. If we can trap us in the city now, he can take advantage of the situation to take down the smaller families in the surrounding area. When the people from Silla arrive, we’ll be all his, meat and broth!”

"Tonight's raid on the camp must be a full-scale attack. I will personally lead the charge. Anyone who dares to retreat will be held accountable afterward!"

"Yes!!!"

Cui Jun's arrangements were all very proper; if things really went as he predicted...

The night attack was sudden. Although Wang Qingyun had arranged for guards outside, they were clearly much lax, and Cui Jun led his men out of the city and instantly stormed into the camp.

Cui Jun, his eyes red, shouted, "Kill! Follow me and take that traitor Wang's head!"

He was fierce and exceptional, and the way he wielded his weapon perfectly showcased the ancestral spear technique of the Cui family of Qinghe. He easily fought his way into the core area of ​​the camp.

then.....

"kill!!!"

Suddenly, shouts of battle erupted from all directions, startling Cui Jun and the others, whose faces turned pale instantly.

Looking up and around, I saw shouts of battle rushing in from all directions of the camp, and the sharp sound of crossbows being fired rang out.

Cui Jun was shocked and rushed to the large tent where Wang Qingyun was, lifting the curtain of the general's tent.

What they saw was a large pit passage that still smelled of earth.

Cui Jun: "!!!"

Fell into a trap!

Amidst the thunderous clatter of hooves, he and his men attempted to break through and return to Pyongyang, only to be blocked by the cavalry.

When Cui Jun saw who it was, his face completely lost all color.

"Zheng Wuyang?! What are you doing here?! You couldn't have killed all our cavalry so quickly!"

Zheng Wuyang sneered: "Who told you I went after Cui Guangshou?"