One of them patiently explained: "Isn't this simple?
His Majesty is forcing us, the noble families, to take a stand. He hopes that we will take the initiative to expose and report the real hostile forces.
Since they can use this method of frame-up against us, why can't we fight back in the same way and let them taste the bitter fruit of their own sowing?"
"Yeah, why didn't I think of that!" The manager suddenly realized, a gleam in his eyes, "This is simply a godsend!
Not only can we use this opportunity to clear our names, but we can also take the opportunity to eradicate those families that have always been our enemies.
In this way, we can not only get out of trouble, but also consolidate our position in the court."
The secret meeting lasted late into the night.
As the discussion deepened, these peripheral members gradually clarified their action plans.
They decided to take advantage of this opportunity of being framed, strike back, and give out all the hostile families, and then rescue the main family.
In the next few days, undercurrents surged in Chang'an City.
Those peripheral members of the aristocratic families who were implicated in the assassination no longer sat idly by, but began to actively collect evidence in secret and prepare for a powerful counterattack.
They know very well that only by taking the initiative can they escape from the current predicament and clear their own grievances.
At the same time, the noble families who actually participated in the assassination were not idle either.
While they were eager to distance themselves from the assassination, they even resorted to filing a complaint with the emperor in an attempt to completely nail those innocent families who were implicated to the cross of guilt.
In the court, petitions were flying like snowflakes.
The aristocratic families took advantage of this opportunity to attack each other, trying to suppress their opponents in order to enhance their own status and influence.
In this dispute, Li Shimin remained silent and quietly observed the turmoil he had created.
Whenever a noble family came to complain, he would always listen patiently and then calmly say that he would handle the matter impartially.
However, in reality he was secretly collecting more evidence in order to deal a fatal blow to the real culprits in the future.
Time passed slowly, and two weeks passed in the blink of an eye. Finally, it was the last time that the "little princess" had promised to meet.
After this period of mutual attacks among the major families, not many of them were cleared of their grievances, but many of their crimes were exposed.
Many families were severely damaged and the power in the court was reshuffled.
The truth behind the assassination gradually surfaced in this dispute.
The members of the aristocratic families imprisoned in the Princess Huguo Mansion have been replaced one after another, and there are still more than 10,000 people.
Most of them have been found to have participated in the assassination, while a few still firmly deny their guilt.
These imprisoned members of aristocratic families were not conspicuous in Chang'an City.
But in their territory, each of them is a "local emperor" who commands thousands of people.
Their combined strength should not be underestimated. The number of people under their command is more than two million, accounting for one-tenth of the total population of the Tang Dynasty.
These people relied on their influence in the local area and did not believe that Li Shimin would resort to swords and spears against them for an assassination, or even sacrifice the country and people of the Tang Dynasty.
But they ignored Li Shimin's determination and wisdom as an emperor, and his profound considerations for the future of the Tang Dynasty.
What's more, they ignored the little princess's position in Li Shimin's heart and her importance to the entire Tang Dynasty.
She is the treasure of the Tang Dynasty and its future. She is deeply loved by the people and also possesses extremely high wisdom and skills.
Because of this, when the deadline arrived, Li Shimin sent the detained members of the aristocratic families to the execution ground without hesitation.
This action was like a bolt from the blue, instantly shocking countless aristocratic families in the world.
On the day of the execution, the temporary execution ground outside Chang'an City was filled with people, as noisy as boiling water.
People from all directions came like a tide, all wanting to witness this unprecedented grand scene with their own eyes.
More than 10,000 members of aristocratic families were taken to the execution ground. Their faces were as pale as snow, and their eyes showed fear and unwillingness.
Some people hang their heads, as if they have foreseen their fate;
Some people hold their heads high and try to face the coming end with a firm gaze.
"Your Majesty, please have mercy!" An elderly member of aristocratic family suddenly broke free from his restraints, knelt down in front of Li Shimin, and pleaded with tears in his eyes.
Li Shimin looked at him coldly, with a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
However, he did not speak, but just waved his hand, signaling the guards to drag him away.
Following the majestic order from the supervising officer, the executioners raised their swords and heads rolled to the ground, staining the execution ground red with blood.
The onlookers were completely silent, with only occasional cries and sighs echoing in the air.
The smell of blood filled the execution ground, intertwining with the fragrance of wild flowers outside Chang'an City, creating a strange and suffocating atmosphere.
However, none of the onlookers retreated.
They stared with their eyes wide open, closely focusing on every detail on the execution ground, as if they wanted to engrave this scene in their hearts forever.
"This is for the future of the Tang Dynasty and for world peace!"
An old man raised his arms and shouted, his voice echoing over the execution ground, resonating with the people.
They knew very well that this was the price they had to pay to maintain the prosperity and stability of the Tang Dynasty.
However, shortly after the execution, local rebellion broke out as expected.
Those aristocratic families have enormous power in the local area and are as deeply rooted as towering trees.
The people under their command are numerous, like a dense forest, ready to fight for their master at any time.
This sudden rebellion, like a violent storm, swept across several states and counties.
But Li Shimin had anticipated this. He was well aware of the influence of these aristocratic families in the local area and anticipated that they might launch a rebellion.
Therefore, he secretly mobilized the Black Armor Army in advance and distributed them in key positions in various places, so that they could suppress the rebellion immediately if it occurred.
As the elite force of the Tang Dynasty, the Black Armor Army was well-trained and wore black armor and held sharp blades.
Under Li Shimin's order, they pounced on the rebels like a tiger descending from the mountain.
Although the rebels were large in number, they were quickly defeated by the Black Armor Army like fallen leaves swept away by the autumn wind.
The rebellion came quickly and went away quickly.
Under the strong suppression of the Xuanjia Army, the rebellions in various places were quickly quelled.
Those forces that attempted to use the death of the noble family to launch a rebellion ultimately failed.
It is worth mentioning that the little princess made an unprecedented suggestion to Li Shimin at this critical moment:
Utilize emerging radio technology to broadcast the entire counterinsurgency process in real time.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
