Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
After sending off Lu Lingling, Niu Fu arrived at the study. Seeing his cheerful demeanor, Li Jiancheng knew there must be good news.
"Niu Fu, do you have good news?"
"Yes, Your Highness! I was supposed to report to you yesterday afternoon. However, you returned very late last night and were quite drunk, so I am only able to report now," Niu Fu replied respectfully.
"That's alright; it's not too late now. Let's head to the secret chamber!" Li Jiancheng waved his hand and led Niu Fu to the secret chamber.
"Go ahead and speak."
"Yesterday afternoon, I had tea with General Yuwen!" Niu Fu said.
"Oh? Did he provide any useful information?" Li Jiancheng had already guessed it was about Yuwen Shiji, as he had assigned Niu Fu a key task related to Yuwen Shiji. This was also why he wanted to come to the secret chamber.
Developing Yuwen Shiji as his informant was crucial for the struggle against Li Shimin; it was highly important and confidential. The level of secrecy was only second to Jia Jian's role as a decoy. Jia Jian was only used during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, but what if Li Shimin acted first? Precautions were necessary! With Yuwen Shiji as his informant, Li Jiancheng felt much more at ease.
Niu Fu nodded. "Yes, this time he told me an important piece of information regarding Prince Qin."
"What information?"
"General Yuwen said that Prince Qin is currently in 'Ming Xiu Zhan Dao, secretly crossing the river.'"
"Oh? What does that mean specifically?"
"Prince Qin is openly recruiting troops in Chang'an City to increase the strength of Prince Qin's mansion, creating an impression that he intends to engage in a decisive battle with His Highness the Crown Prince in Chang'an City. However, in reality, he has sent his trusted general, Zhang Liang, to Luoyang. He has instructed him to secretly connect with the Shandong Heroes in preparation for any changes in the situation."
Upon hearing this, Li Jiancheng nodded and quickly grasped Li Shimin's intentions.
In Chang'an City, what good would it do for Li Shimin to increase his troops to two thousand? The key factor remained their father's stance. After the Yang Wengan Incident, it was clear to everyone that Li Yuan had no intention of making Li Shimin the Crown Prince.
Li Shimin's hopes of becoming Crown Prince through Li Yuan were essentially futile.
So what would he do? The only path left was to seize power by force!
However, seizing power by force in Chang'an City would be extremely difficult. Not only were two thousand troops fewer than the Eastern Palace's three thousand Changlin Army, but there were also numerous Imperial Guards!
Li Shimin knew that seizing power by force in Chang'an City was too challenging yet still actively recruited soldiers, clearly trying to mislead others. His true intention was to go to Luoyang first and establish himself as a regional king. When the time was right—most likely when the Emperor passed away—he would lead his army back to Chang'an and seize the throne.
If that were to happen, Li Jiancheng could equip his troops with new weapons and wouldn't fear being unable to defeat Li Shimin.
However, such a conflict would lead to a large-scale war, causing immense suffering for the common people—a scenario Li Jiancheng wished to avoid.
Thus, it was imperative to thwart Li Shimin's intentions.
Li Jiancheng pondered for a moment and said, "Niu Fu, this information is very important. Find an opportunity to hint at it to Prince Qi's guards, but absolutely do not disclose the source of the information."
"Understood, my lord," Niu Fu nodded in agreement.
After leaving the secret chamber, Li Jiancheng plunged into the workshop. He knew that Li Yuanji would definitely come looking for him today. First, there was last night's winnings, and second, there was Mahjong. Li Yuanji would surely want to play Mahjong again, so Li Jiancheng needed to hurry and prepare it.
Before long, afternoon arrived, and indeed, Li Yuanji came.
"Fourth Brother, you're here again today?" Li Jiancheng asked knowingly.
"Big Brother, weren't we supposed to go claim our winnings from yesterday today?" Li Yuanji replied, clearly still thinking about last night's prize, which was nothing more than a chance to see Dan Bingbing.
"Shh..." Li Jiancheng gestured for Li Yuanji to lower his voice. "Let's forget about the winnings. We can't risk being discovered if we go to that kind of place during the day. Not to mention how your sister-in-law and younger siblings might feel about it; if Father finds out, we'll be in big trouble."
Li Jiancheng deliberately mentioned Consort Qi, knowing it wouldn't scare Li Yuanji. If he were truly afraid, he wouldn't have gone to the brothel in the first place. However, invoking their father did carry weight; upon hearing it, Li Yuanji deflated a bit. "If it's Big Brother's winnings and you don't want them, then forget it. By the way, can you send me another set of Mahjong from yesterday?"
"Sure. I just made a set this morning that I intended to keep for myself. Since Fourth Brother wants to play, I'll give it to you and make another set for myself later," Li Jiancheng readily agreed.
"Then Big Brother should come over to my residence! Teach us how to play and we can have some fun together!" Li Yuanji suggested eagerly.
"Alright," Li Jiancheng nodded.
This time, not only did Li Jiancheng bring Ma Qiang along, but he also took Niu Fu with him as they headed to Prince Qi's Residence.
At Prince Qi's Residence, Li Yuanji arranged for a table in the living room for four players just like yesterday. Niu Fu and the other guards from Prince Qi's Residence watched from the side, learning while chatting. The maids took care of serving tea and other chores.
Niu Fu understood that His Highness had brought him to Prince Qi's Residence for other reasons as well. Therefore, he tried his best to become familiar with the guards there. Even when he needed to use the restroom, he went along with them.
As evening approached and darkness began to settle in, Niu Fu seized one last opportunity while accompanying one of Prince Qi's guards to the restroom and began discussing serious matters: "Hey buddy, do you know General Zhang Liang?"
"General Zhang Liang? I've heard of him but don't know him well!"
"I heard he went to Luoyang!"
"Isn't he the cavalry general from Prince Qin's mansion? Why would he go to Luoyang? What's he going there for?"
"He must have been sent by Prince Qin! What he's going there for is beyond me," Niu Fu replied cryptically.
...
By evening, Li Jiancheng returned with his companions to the Eastern Palace. Meanwhile, at Prince Qi's Residence, Li Yuanji quickly learned that Zhang Liang had been dispatched by Li Shimin to Luoyang.
After a moment of thought, Li Yuanji deduced Li Shimin's intentions; it wasn't difficult to guess.
He immediately summoned Yuwen Bao, and the two of them headed to the study. Since there was no secret chamber at Prince Qi's Residence, the study served as their place for discussing confidential matters.
"General Yuwen, I wish to arrange a secret trip to Luoyang tomorrow," Li Yuanji said.
"Your Highness, I am willing to follow your orders, but I do not understand what we are going to do in Luoyang. Moreover, if I leave Chang'an, who will help you deal with Li Shimin?" Yuwen Bao replied with a respectful bow.
Li Yuanji smiled and said, "Using assassination against Li Shimin is no longer feasible. The reason I want you to go to Luoyang is to deal with him. Li Shimin has sent Zhang Liang to Luoyang to secretly recruit troops, which is an act of rebellion. You will go to Luoyang and quietly gather evidence of Zhang Liang's private recruitment. With this evidence, I can report to my father. How can he survive a charge of rebellion?"
"Oh, very well. I will not fail in my mission!" Upon hearing that it was about gathering evidence against his enemy Li Shimin, Yuwen Bao immediately accepted the task with enthusiasm.
Comment 0 Comment Count