Chapter 89

The city wall fell silent once again, with no one speaking. Even after Changsun Wuji and the others struggled to get up, they only stood quietly. A mysterious atmosphere enveloped the city tower. Li Er now felt like a volcano about to erupt, believing his authority had been challenged. This day was supposed to end with a final resolution, but unexpected events kept occurring, one after another, beyond his expectations.

Xiao Ming had actually prepared the anesthetic long ago, which could have resolved the operation without bloodshed, but he insisted on using it, insisting that the Crown Prince must be killed. "You, a nine-year-old brat, do you understand the world of adults? This will only burden your father with the sin of fratricide."

Not only Xiao Ming, but Li Er had long let this boy run wild. Because of that secret scientist, he wanted to see what the scientist would do with Xiao Ming, and at the same time, to probe their true capabilities. Once he had more than a fifty percent confidence, Li Er would use decisive means to capture the scientist, and then he could mold him as he wished!

But Xiao Ming's affairs were not over yet. Another incident occurred: Qin Qiong, disregarding Li Er's orders, killed Li Yuanji. This was a direct challenge to his authority. If he did not respond, the hearts of his people would scatter, and how could he lead these unruly fellows?

"Was it you who killed the third prince?" Li Er walked a long distance along the city wall, making sure no one could hear, before he spoke to Qin Qiong, who had been following him.

"Indeed, it was I who killed him, Your Highness!" Qin Qiong did not deny it, knowing that hiding it would be futile. Soon, this Qin King would ascend the throne, and then the entire Tang Dynasty would have no secrets from him. The secret guards would be under his command, and his identity would be exposed. It was better to admit it straightforwardly.

"Why?" Li Er asked.

"To repay a debt!" Qin Qiong replied. Although he was registered as a secret guard, he never considered himself one. He was repaying the debt of gratitude for Li Yuan saving his mother's life, even though he bore the mark of the secret guards. He still believed he was free, having only promised to do three things for Li Yuan. In his heart, he had always been loyal to the Qin King of the Tiancefu, not the current emperor Li Yuan.

"Your identity?" Li Er guessed there was more to it. He did not believe Qin Qiong was not registered in Li Yuan's secret forces.

"Dark Seven!" Qin Qiong admitted.

"What else have you done?" Li Er wanted to know how many things Qin Qiong had done for Li Yuan over the years.

"I promised the Emperor to do three things for him. Killing the Crown Prince and Prince Qi was one. The other two: I placed the secret edict, and when Dark One appeared in the camp, I set up a defensive line and left a passage open." Qin Qiong answered honestly.

"Very well done! Ha... I was played by you, General Qin. I never expected you to do these things, ha..." Li Er's voice was filled with sorrow. He had thought they were brothers in life and death, but it turned out they were all sent by others. Even for repayment, Li Er found it hard to accept.

"Your Highness!" Qin Qiong, hearing Li Er's words, immediately knelt down, his armor clashing with the stone floor. "Since I joined Your Highness, I have never had a second heart. But the Emperor saved my mother's life, a debt higher than mountains and deeper than the sea. As a son, how could I not repay it?" He lowered his head, ready for any punishment.

"Repayment, ha... We are brothers in life and death, aren't we? Even if you value your identity and see me as your lord, in my heart, you are my brother. Why couldn't you tell me about this debt? What position does this put me in? What position does it put our brothers in? By leaving a passage for Dark One, you left our camp defenseless. If Dark One had evil intentions, he could have caused us endless losses. Now you've killed the third prince and even the others in the city gate to cover up the truth. You have put me in an unjust position, and yourself too! Since it has happened, let it be. In the past, we were brothers, but from now on, we are only lord and subject!" Li Er's tone was cold, and his meaning was clear. Though he did not formally sever ties, it was almost the same.

Qin Qiong knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face. This situation was his own doing. He had only wanted to repay his debt without involving his brothers, but now it had come to this. He had no one to blame but himself.

Li Er turned and left, looking up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle. The sun was out, blinding his eyes, and a tear glistened and disappeared.

"Pass my order! Execute the Crown Prince Li Jiancheng on the spot, lead the army to the palace, and kill him to appease the people!" Li Er accepted the fact that he was a fratricidal usurper and had experienced his father's cunning. His hands clenched into fists, nails digging into his flesh, blood trickling from his fingertips. This was a forced move, a farewell to his former self. At this moment, Li Er began to transform from a soldier into a politician.

"Kill!" Li Er ordered again. Below the city wall, the Xuanjia guards dragged Li Jiancheng out and executed him, presenting his head.

"Where is Cheng Zhijie?" Li Er continued.

"Here, Your Highness!" Cheng Yaojin bowed.

"Order you to lead five hundred Xuanjia guards to the Eastern Palace and kill all the remaining rebels, leaving no one alive!" Li Er commanded coldly.

"Your orders, Your Highness!" Cheng Yaojin's face changed, but he accepted the order. The Eastern Palace was the home of the Crown Prince's family, and this was a command to kill them all!

"Where is Liu Hongji? Order you to lead five hundred Xuanjia guards to the Qi Prince's residence, leaving no one alive, or bring your head to me!" Li Er continued, ignoring Cheng Yaojin's expression.

"Your orders, Your Highness!" Liu Hongji accepted the order.

"Your Highness, this may violate the will of heaven!" Fang Xuanling reminded.

"Cutting the grass without uprooting it will lead to endless troubles. While they are still unaware, we must eliminate them all. If we do it, we must do it thoroughly!" Li Er explained. He was in a hurry to eliminate all threats, fearing that if he met Li Yuan, Li Yuan might spare Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji's descendants out of old feelings, causing future troubles. It was better to act decisively with Li Yuan's secret edict.

"Let's go, follow me to see my father. He must be waiting!" Li Er ignored Qin Qiong, still kneeling on the city wall, and led the others to the Taiji Palace. Qin Qiong's lonely figure was left behind, looking desolate in the morning sun.

Yuchi Gong, covered in blood, and Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Changsun Wuji quickly followed. Cheng Yaojin looked back at Qin Qiong, his face changing, but after a struggle, he followed Li Er.

At the Taiji Palace, the ministers heard the shouting stop and knew the battle was over. The future ruler of the empire was about to be revealed. Everyone stretched their necks, eager to see who had won. But some hid in the corners, indifferent to the outcome. No matter who ruled, they would still be needed, as they represented powerful families that had been established for centuries, deeply rooted in the empire.

They were the representatives of the great families, the Five Surnames and Seven Clans. The Tang royal family, the Li clan of Longxi, was just a branch of the Li clan. Without the support of the Li clan of Longxi, Li Yuan might not have been able to establish the Tang Dynasty, as there were several other powerful regimes at the time.

When the sun's rays shone through the palace gates onto the square in front of the Taiji Hall, Li Er and his men appeared in the sunlight, standing before all the officials.

At this moment, everyone's expressions changed. Some were shocked, some excited, and some uncertain.

Li Er observed everyone's reactions, quickly distinguishing who supported the Crown Prince, who supported him, and who remained neutral. This would affect his future relationships with them, whether to win them over or suppress them. As a politician, Li Er quickly adapted, easily distinguishing friends from enemies and understanding the balance of power. He excelled in this short time, not only due to his natural talent but also his preparation.

"Your humble son greets Your Majesty!" Li Er led the way, kneeling on one knee, a tradition among generals.

"Your subjects greet the Emperor!" A large group of people knelt, shouting.

"Your humble daughter greets Your Majesty!" Changsun Yingying bowed, her figure like a celestial maiden, her dress embroidered with golden peonies, shining in the morning light, appearing sacred and untouchable.

"Good, good... ha ha..." Li Yuan laughed. Li Er's appearance meant the others would not appear. Although Qin Qiong was not seen, he was not significant to Li Yuan. A casual favor in the past had unexpectedly borne such fruit today!

"Father, it is time for the morning court!" Li Er reminded, as it was already past the hour of Chen, the usual time for the morning court.

"Right, the morning court, the morning court! Ha ha..." Li Yuan laughed and turned into the Taiji Palace. A eunuch then announced, "All officials, present yourselves!"

The officials divided into two groups and entered the Taiji Palace. Li Er stood at the front, a position previously held by Li Jiancheng, now his.

"Long live the Emperor!" The officials shouted, a necessary ritual. No matter which emperor was on the throne, the "long live" was never enough. Even though Li Yuan had been diagnosed by Sun Simiao to live no more than fifteen years, and he himself estimated only ten, hearing the "long live" made him feel he could live that long.

At this court session, Li Er was the main character. He passionately presented his case, accusing the Crown Prince and Prince Qi of plotting rebellion, leading eight hundred soldiers to force the palace. He described how he, with five hundred Xuanjia guards, fought a fierce battle and finally won.

Everyone listened to Li Er, as Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji were dead and could not defend themselves. Only an old man, standing by a pillar, looked at Li Er with cloudy eyes, slightly smiling, and wrote a few lines on his tablet.

After that, it was Li Yuan's turn to decide. In the end, Li Er was appointed as the Crown Prince, to ascend the throne in September. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote and support. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users can read at m.qidian.com.)

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends