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

"Commander, the brothers are all settled!"

"The Cui family estate has three layers of patrols and defenses, with at least a thousand guards. The ancestral hall where Cui Mingan and other core members of the Boling Cui clan are located tonight is in the innermost layer... Our people can only sneak past the outer defenses at most."

"Any further in... we'll have to kill them."

Upon hearing this, Cui Xiaoguo snorted coldly.

"Then kill them! This rebellion by the Cui family of Boling is disregarding not only our interests but also the interests of the people of Hedong!"

He took a deep breath.

He turned around and looked at the more than 500 Imperial Guards standing densely behind him.

He picked up a bowl of wine from the table.

"I am a soldier, and you are all soldiers too!"

"A soldier should die for his country! Why should he need to be wrapped in a horse's hide to die!"

The crowd was solemn, and a chilling atmosphere permeated the stronghold. Those who were chosen by Cui Xiaoguo and stood here after passing the test were all people with real talent and learning, but who were ostracized by the direct descendants of aristocratic families because of their status.

Many of them were men with irreconcilable blood feuds with local powerful clans.

Each of them possessed great bravery and martial prowess.

Cui Xiaoguo raised his wine bowl, his voice filled with the indomitable spirit of a soldier who fearlessly faced death.

"Brothers! Cheers!"

"Slay the traitors! Serve the court!"

The crowd responded in a low shout: "Slay the traitors! Serve the court!"

"Clap clap clap!"

One by one, the wine bowls were smashed on the spot.

That night.

A solemn and dignified atmosphere pervaded the ancestral lands of the Cui clan in Boling.

The servants and guards patrolled closely, and lanterns were set up on some of the high walls, illuminating the surrounding area.

however.

Amidst a rustling sound, a series of lithe figures suddenly appeared in the gaps between the guards' patrol.

Or perhaps they slip past the guards with a silent swift step, or simply, like a raccoon in the night, leap onto the rooftop...

Cui Xiaoguo, as a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, led more than 500 Embroidered Uniform Guards to infiltrate from the southeast.

And the other side.

Li Ke, the third son of the Tang emperor, the Prince of Hanzhong, and the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, led more than 800 Embroidered Uniform Guards to infiltrate from the northwest.

He was still a boy, but at this moment he held a round shield in one hand and had an embroidered spring knife at his waist.

Leading his Imperial Guards, he moved silently through corridors, passageways, and servants' courtyards, following the established plan.

The winter rains in Hadong Province are bitterly cold.

Fortunately, the pattering sound, along with the dark sky, became the best cover for the Embroidered Uniform Guard's infiltration.

Li Ke raised one hand.

In an instant, the figures in the surrounding courtyards, high walls, corners, and roof tiles all stopped in their tracks, their expressions cold and wary of their surroundings.

In the darkness, the second layer of defense before them was already openly armed.

Li Ke's expression was icy: "They actually hoarded so much armor. Five surnames and seven noble families, they truly have the ambition of wolves!"

He didn't rush to make a move, but quietly waited for reinforcements from Cheng Yaojin's side in the darkness.

Inside the Cui Clan Ancestral Hall.

Under the witness and guidance of the elders of the Cui clan, Cui Minshi is conducting the ancestral worship ceremony.

Burn incense and pray, recite hymns.

The heads, stewards, and members of the various branches of the Cui family of Boling all bowed their heads in solemn silence.

"Ancestors above, your unfilial son Cui Minshi kowtows to the heavens for protection and bows to your ancestors for their blessings..."

"The current imperial family will not tolerate the survival of our noble clans. They have seized our property and plotted to kill us. Cui Minshi, the unfilial descendant, has been appointed as the clan head. He dares not allow the family business to decline and the family's reputation to fall into ruin. He has recently decided to launch a great undertaking to seek survival from the brink of death and to ensure the longevity of the Cui clan of Boling..."

"May our ancestors bless their descendants so that their great undertakings may be accomplished..."

Cui Minshi loudly kowtowed and paid his respects.

The surrounding Cui family members from Boling followed suit and kowtowed.

The densely packed incense sticks rose and stretched upwards.

However, in today's rain, even the ancestral hall cannot be dispersed.

The dark, icy rain was biting cold, and the Cui clan elders kneeling on the stone slabs felt a chill that seemed to penetrate to the bone and could not be dispelled.

No one spoke out.

However, a tense and uneasy atmosphere lingered in everyone's hearts as Cui Minshi repeatedly prayed for the blessings of his ancestors.

"call out!!!"

"boom!!!"

Suddenly, a sharp whistling sound came from the direction of the city gate of Boling City in the dark night.

The members of the Boling Cui clan, who were already under great tension, all trembled.

"what happened?"

"What's that noise! ​​Quick, go check it out!"

A wisp of fire, almost a fleeting moment, rose from the direction of the city gate of Boling City and vanished instantly into the rain.

however.

One of the Cui family's collateral relatives, who was on patrol, suddenly seemed to sense something.

"Who is there!"

With a sudden kick, a flowerpot placed in the center of the courtyard flew towards the eaves.

But the next moment.

With a "bang," the flowerpot that had just flown up suddenly flew back down hard.

The man's expression changed, and he dodged instantly.

"what!"

Watching the servant who had been hit on the head by a flowerpot and fell to the ground with a scream.

The Cui family member's expression changed.

However, when you look at those figures in the darkness, seemingly appearing out of nowhere from the eaves, corners, or corridors...

Everyone present couldn't help but shrink their pupils instantly.

Cui Xiaoguo stood tall and straight, his feet still covered in mud from the flowerpot.

Holding a fine steel embroidered spring knife, he casually lifted his raincoat, revealing a Jinyiwei flying fish uniform that exuded a sense of solemnity and majesty.

"The Cui family of Boling has committed treason and rebellion, and harbors treacherous intentions!"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is acting on the orders of His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Execute the traitors!"

Splash.....

At this stern shout, the entire clan's territory was filled with guards and servants who grabbed their swords and weapons and went on high alert.

And soon, on the other side...

A series of shrill screams rang out, followed by the sharp shouts of "Enemy attack!" from the patrolling Cui family guards, causing everyone present to change color.

"It's you? Cui Xiaoguo! You're also from the Cui clan of Boling, why did you become a lackey of the tyrant Li Tang?!"

Cui Xiaoguo snorted coldly.

"Tyrant? Hmph!"

"Which of our current emperors and crown princes is not a wise ruler who is dedicated to governing the country and bringing our Tang Dynasty into a golden age? Your repeated opposition to the new policies is nothing more than your desire for the aristocratic families to control the power of the state!"

"If you were to truly control the court, the nation would surely perish!"

"Xiao Guo is first and foremost a soldier of our Great Tang Dynasty, and only then a member of the Cui family!"

A murderous glint flashed in Cui Xiaoguo's eyes, and suddenly, without the other party's expectation, he flicked his long sleeve.

A sharp blade shot out instantly.

With a "plop," it pierced through the opponent's throat.

"Kill! Slay the traitors! Today, in the territory of the Cui clan of Boling, not a single chicken or dog will be spared!"

In an instant, shouts of battle erupted throughout the entire Cui clan territory.

The guards and servants patrolling the perimeter rushed over, but at that moment, they were at the city gate of Boling City.

"Boom!" A violent explosion rang out.

Cheng Yaojin laughed loudly and charged into the city gate first. Then, 20,000 fierce warriors, dressed in fine iron armor and fully armed, rushed in amidst the exclamations of the Cui family generals guarding the city.

They stormed the city walls.

"Leave 5,000 men to control the city's defenses! From this moment forward, no one in Boling City is allowed to leave the city!"

"The rest of you, follow me to capture the entire Cui family of Boling!"

Cheng Yaojin was overjoyed.

Hahaha!

No matter how brilliant Li Jing was at strategizing, wasn't the greatest credit for wiping out the powerful clans still mine, Cheng Yaojin?

The ancestral home of the Cui clan in Boling.

Blood mixed with rainwater dripped from the embroidered spring knife in Li Ke's hand as he led his Imperial Guards into a winding corridor within the territory of the Cui clan.

They were met head-on by a group of Cui family guards who were rushing towards them.

At this moment, Li Ke seemed to see his imperial brother standing in front of him, clad in armor and wielding weapons, leading the charge. He couldn't help but let out a roar.

"kill!"

He strode forward, crouched down, and rolled his shield to dodge two overhead slashes, then swung his embroidered spring knife upwards at a person's neck.

"Pfft!"

With the left shield behind, the blade comes forward; with the right hand, the Embroidered Spring Blade is reversed and thrusts backward.

"Pfft!"

He turned around, raised his shield, and thrust his sword forward, leaving the enemy wide open. The Embroidered Spring Blade pierced through the enemy's heart.

"Pfft!"

In the blink of an eye, the three Cui family guards who rushed to the front were instantly killed.

Following Li Ke's shout, the Imperial Guards behind him quickly leaped forward.

The clanging of swords and the screams of pain as weapons pierced flesh echoed through the increasingly intense rain.

The increasingly loud rumble of galloping hooves, along with the ubiquitous presence of Imperial Guards from all directions, made Cui Minshi and other high-ranking members of the Boling Cui clan, who were in the ancestral hall at that moment, very nervous.

Their expressions changed drastically with horror.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard! Aren't the Embroidered Uniform Guard only allowed to appear in Bingzhou? Why are they here?!"

"Go! Go now! That treacherous Li Chengqian has made his move so quickly. We can't stay here any longer, let's leave immediately!"

"We can't leave! There's no secret passage out of the city from here at the ancestral hall..."

Cold sweat beaded on Cui Minshi's forehead.

Although many members of the Cui family of Boling were skilled in martial arts and were currently fighting with the Imperial Guards, they were clearly no match for the enemy.

"What to do, what to do..."

Some people frantically searched for something in the ancestral hall, but instead of finding the secret passage they had hoped for, they tripped and fell to the ground.

There was a crash.

The offerings that had just been presented to the ancestors of the Cui clan of Boling were instantly scattered all over the ground.

Upon witnessing this scene, the elders of the Cui family and the family head, Cui Minshi, all had their pupils shrink instantly, and their expressions changed drastically.

"You bastard! Cui Siqi! What have you done?!"

"Boom!"

A heavy thud followed, accompanied by a noticeable increase in the number of troops arriving. A hoarse voice, one that Cui Minshi knew all too well, instantly echoed throughout the entire Cui family territory.

"Hahaha! Cui Minshi, where the hell have you been! Your Grandpa Cheng is here, and you didn't even offer him tea?!"

"Hahahaha!"

Cheng Yaojin!!!

Amidst shouts of battle, the fierce figures of the Imperial Guards finally broke through the last layer of defense held by the Cui family members and reached the Cui family ancestral hall.

Rainwater trickled down Li Ke's helmet, running along his tightly fitted flying fish robe, making him appear even more menacing in the darkness.

"Lord Cui, how have you been?"

Cui Minshi's pupils contracted.

"Li Chengqian? No... you are not Li Chengqian! You... Prince Li Ke of Hanzhong!"

In the darkness, when Cui Minshi finally saw the person's face, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and he couldn't accept it at all.

His body trembled, as if from anger or fear.

"Alright, hahaha, what exactly does Li Tang have to offer!?"

"Why!"

"We have Li Shimin, then Li Chengqian, and now even you, Prince Li Ke of Hanzhong, have managed to force my Cui family into such a predicament! Hahahaha!"

"The sky is unfair!"

Cui Minshi cried out and wailed to the sky, but Cheng Yaojin arrived with soldiers clad in fine iron armor.

Seeing the Cui family elders and patriarch all gathered together, along with the stewards of each branch, a sly grin of excitement spread across his rain-soaked face.

"Good! Your Highness the Prince truly has the bearing of the Crown Prince! Guards! The Cui clan of Boling has committed treason; bind them all! Hahahaha!"

Cheng Yaojin laughed loudly, but the few Cheng family retainers who had accompanied him on the expedition opened their mouths.

I wanted to advise my husband to watch his words.

What does it mean that His Highness the Prince of Hanzhong has the demeanor of the Crown Prince?

However, seeing the golden-glowing heads of military merit in the Cui family ancestral hall, no one said anything more.

One by one, like wolves and tigers, they were met with the angry curses of Cui Minshi and others from the Cui family.

They rushed in and pinned everyone down.

Despite being a slender civil official and the head of the family, Cui Minshi was immediately subjected to the suppression and binding of three burly men.

He was pinned to the ground.

Looking up, I saw portraits of Cui family ancestors in the ancestral hall, seemingly gazing into the distance, as if they regarded the descendants of the Cui family of Boling in the ancestral hall as nothing.

All he could let out was a desperate and unwilling roar.

"Aaaaaah! My Cui clan of Boling! My Cui clan of Boling! How could we possibly lose like this?!"

"Li Shimin! Li Chengqian!!!"

"May you and your son die a horrible death! Aaaaaah!"

Yizhou City.

A blazing fire suddenly rose from the location of several granaries within the city in the darkness of night.

Li Jing was awakened from his sleep upon hearing the report from the messenger.

Upon hearing the news of the burning of the granary, he showed no panic whatsoever; instead, as if he had been prepared for it all along, he immediately gave orders.

"Apprehend the arsonist. Also, make sure to protect the portion of grain we secretly transferred, and immediately send a report on the situation in Yizhou back to Chang'an by fast horses..."

"His Majesty's decree will be announced throughout the city first thing tomorrow morning!"

"The powerful clans of Hedong are plotting a rebellion! This general has been ordered to quell the rebellion!"

Watching the guards walk away quickly.

Li Jing walked to the door, looked at the dark sky outside, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

"The era belonging to the aristocratic families is finally coming to an end..."

“Your Highness! What the Zheng family of Xingyang can do, our Wang family of Taiyuan can do too! I have always been in charge of the whole-state heating policy in Bingzhou. The Zheng family of Xingyang are just a bunch of kids. They will only ruin Your Highness’s important plans!”

Yanmen Pass.

Early in the morning, Li Chengqian received a message from Wang Ming, the governor of Bingzhou, who was rushing from Taiyuan Prefecture to Yanmen Pass.

Hearing the other party's anxious voice, Li Chengqian glanced sideways at Zheng Wuling, who was standing to the side in the reception room.

The latter noticed Li Chengqian's gaze and quickly bowed.

“Your Highness, although we are not as old as Governor Wang, our knowledge is a family tradition of Xingyang. In recent days, as Your Highness requested, we have been studying the new policies of Bingzhou Circuit.”

"The policy of providing heating to all citizens of Bingzhou has already been implemented for some time. We simply need to continue maintaining it according to the established procedure. We hope Governor Wang will have some confidence in us..."

“Old man?! Youngster from Xingyang! While I was galloping across the land fighting the Turks, you were still composing poems in your hometown of Xingyang!” Wang Ming roared in anger.

"Your Highness..."

Li Chengqian waved his hand.

He seemed oblivious to their argument.

"Alright, alright, Governor Wang, it's almost the end of the year. There's the year-end assessment for the promotion of officials in Bingzhou that you need to oversee, plus the land and commercial reforms aren't finished yet. You should always take care of your health..."

Li Chengqian smiled slightly.

"Young people should always be given a chance, shouldn't they? After all... Governor Wang probably doesn't want to have absolute power in Bingzhou, right?"

Wang Ming was instantly terrified and knelt down with a thud.

"Your Highness, I... I would never have such an absurd thought!"

Li Chengqian nodded: "Of course I trust Governor Wang..."

Just saying.

Suddenly, Li Tai strode in and glanced at the two men, Prince Zheng and Prince Zheng, who were still there.

"Your Majesty! The Cui clan of Boling has been plotting a rebellion and has been arrested and brought to justice by Third Brother, who led the Imperial Guards in conjunction with General Cheng Yaojin!"

"thump......."

"thump......"