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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 90 King Qi
After returning to the residence, Li Shimin said, "Elder brother, I see that Dan Xiongxin seems eager to serve you. Why push him away?"
"He is indeed a brave individual; even Shen Guang is no match for him, having been defeated in just a few rounds," Li Xiaogong replied. "Such a Fierce General should be kept; the situation in the regions is not peaceful."
Li Jian Cheng had them both sit down. "Learning both civil and military arts, and serving the imperial family—how many would willingly serve my family?"
"Dan Xiongxin believes in his own strength and feels that his family background is holding him back. If I force him to stay without offering him a high position, resentment will surely grow over time, which would be counterproductive."
Li Xiaogong frowned. "He is merely from a fallen family; if he dares to harbor resentment, I will ensure he never rises again. If he has any ulterior motives, he can be dealt with."
"It has always been difficult to manage capable individuals. This has been true throughout history. While Dan Xiongxin's humble background can be suppressed, what about others? Creating enemies everywhere will not lead to longevity."
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui had corresponded with him and even met on several occasions, but what of it?
In a time of peace under the emperor's rule, when one does not lack for food or clothing, even if you hold a higher office, it does not compel others to bow before you.
Let alone talk of loyalty; dare to speak of treasonous thoughts, and one could easily find themselves accused before the emperor.
"Let’s wait and see; after facing setbacks, he will surely remember my kindness."
...
The next day, Li Jian Cheng summoned Come Together and solemnly recommended Dan Xiongxin to him. Though Come Together was young, he resembled his father closely and was also a valiant general. Upon seeing Dan Xiongxin's robust physique, he knew he was no ordinary man.
Thus, he gladly accepted and promised to personally introduce her to his father. After the banquet, both Li Jian Cheng and Come Together expressed their gratitude.
After Li Jian Cheng left, Come Together eagerly led Dan Xiongxin outside the city for a trial. After being thrown off his horse three times in a row, Come Together remarked, "With such skills, only Qin Qiong under my father's command could compete with you."
Half a month later, the Li Family received funds from various shops. Li Jian Cheng first repaid King Qi, as he was essentially the crown prince and should not be neglected.
Although he did not meet King Qi, he still proceeded with the repayment, even paying interest according to common practice. Just as Li Jian Cheng exited the residence, he saw officials from Qi Wang Mansion, Qiao Lingze and Liu Qian'an, dragging several beautiful women from a carriage into the mansion.
These two were originally officials from the Crown Prince's Residence but had fallen out of favor due to their low character and had lingered around the eighth or ninth rank. Now, however, they had gained King Qi's attention and had been promoted three ranks in just a few months.
The women were struggling desperately and calling for help, but the surrounding courtyard doors were tightly shut, and even the guards at the entrance had been called inside.
Clearly, this was not the first time such an incident had occurred. Coincidentally, one of the women recognized Li Jian Cheng and hurriedly shouted, "Li Langjun, help! I am Chen Rong's wife; I beg you to save me!"
Chen Rong was merely a city guard at Mingde Gate, but Li Jian Cheng still stopped them and said sternly, "What are you doing?"
Liu Qian'an glared fiercely at the woman. "It's nothing. Li Langjun need not worry; they will be released in a few days."
Qiao Lingze was more cautious. "We are merely following orders; please do not ask further. Since this woman knows you, we will take the risk of being punished by His Highness to give you face. Please take her away."
With that, they released the woman, who hurriedly hid behind Li Jian Cheng. She could hardly bear to think about what would happen if she were dragged inside; even if her life were spared, how could she face the world afterward?
The other women saw this and pleaded with Li Jian Cheng for help. When they noticed that Li Jian Cheng did not clear a path for them, their expressions turned cold. "My Lord, do not mislead yourself. We are all officials under His Highness; we should work together."
Li Jian Cheng glanced back at Qi Wang Mansion and sighed. "Let them go."
"Do you dare to defy Prince Qi?"
"How dare you slander His Highness with baseless accusations? It is clearly you who have pillaged and abused the common women for your own desires. Such audacity! I will report this to the Emperor and have you all punished!"
The guards of Qi Wang Mansion gathered around at the call of these two, while nearby, the Li Family's servant approached. Li Jian Cheng waved them off, saying, "Go find Lord Liu."
He then addressed the encroaching guards of Qi Wang Mansion, "I am the Crown Prince's Imperial Guard, Silver and Blue Grand Minister. How dare you act against me!"
With that, he charged directly at Qiao Lingze and Liu Qian'an, knocking them to the ground with just a few punches. Ignoring their threats and pleas for mercy, he continued to strike without expression until they lay still.
The surrounding guards of Qi Wang Mansion were left dumbfounded. On the ground, alongside pools of blood, lay seven or eight yellowish-white teeth. Li Jian Cheng stood up, shook his hands to rid them of blood splatters on his face, and looked up to see King Qi, Yang Liang, staring coldly at him.
After adjusting his sleeves, he bowed respectfully and said, "I have taught these two treacherous scoundrels a lesson on behalf of Your Highness. They dared to act against public interest for personal gain, and what is worse, they slandered Your Highness by claiming it was your command. Their hearts are deserving of punishment. I apologize for my rudeness in front of Your Highness; please punish me as you see fit."
Yang Liang sneered, "Is that so? Then I must thank you."
"No need for thanks; it is my duty to serve Your Highness faithfully. The Emperor has commanded us to assist you in correcting any faults. Now that there are no faults on your part, yet these rascals tarnish your reputation, I could not tolerate it and thus took action."
Yang Liang took a deep breath to calm his anger. With the women present here, causing a scene would only bring trouble from his father. Reluctantly, he ordered the guards to drive the women away before returning to his residence.
Seeing this, Li Jian Cheng advised them to leave the capital quickly to avoid disaster and return in a few years when things settled down. He would arrange for some money to be given to them through the servant.
Then Liu Jianzhi rushed over and after clarifying the situation with Li Jian Cheng, insisted on taking him into the palace to meet the Emperor.
Li Jian Cheng obediently followed along and soon met the Emperor, who appeared somewhat impatient. After all, the capital was rather simple compared to the splendid Western Garden.
Only the Predecessor Emperor would have appreciated Ren Shou Palace; the current Emperor was unwilling to settle for less and certainly preferred to reside in the newly constructed Summer Palace.
After Liu Jianzhi finished explaining the situation, he knelt down and pleaded for forgiveness. "I was ordered to serve as Chief of the Jin Prince's Office for King Qi, yet I failed to correct the mistakes. I ask Your Majesty to punish me and appoint someone more capable."
Yang Guang replied, "Wasn't it said that only those two acted under King Qi's name?"
The Emperor's tone remained even, but Liu Jianzhi felt a shiver run through him. He had long noticed King Qi's actions, but King Qi never listened to his advice.
He worried that if King Qi made a grave mistake in the future, the Emperor, reluctant to hold his son accountable, would instead blame him as Chief of the Jin Prince's Office.
Thus, he hoped that Li Jian Cheng would discover this matter, attempting to distance himself from King Qi’s subordinates. He would rather return home to live in peace than continue in this position.
"Jian Cheng, tell me, whose fault is it really? Those two or King Qi?"
Li Jian Cheng answered without hesitation, "It is undoubtedly the fault of those two traitors, Qiao Lingze and Liu Qian'an!"
……
(End of Chapter)
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