Chapter 99 Swords Drawn Before the Emperor, The Emperor's Heart Turns to Slaughter
The lights in the Liangyi Hall remained lit all night.
When Li Chengqian, carrying those blood-stained, irrefutable pieces of evidence, knocked on the palace gates that very night and stepped into the heart of this empire, the atmosphere inside seemed to be frozen by an invisible chill. Li Shimin did not sit behind his desk as usual, but stood with his hands behind his back before the massive map of the territory, his shadow stretched long in the candlelight, exuding an unusual solemnity and... a murderous aura.
He had already received a secret report from the Hundred Cavalry Commandery, informing him of the discovery and preliminary findings of the Qinling stronghold. At this moment, looking at the cold pottery jars, rubbings of symbols, confessions, and gold ingots presented by his son, his face showed no surprise, only a deep, storm-brewing calm.
Li Chengqian said nothing, but simply laid out the evidence one by one, then stepped back two steps, stood with his hands at his sides, and awaited the emperor's decision. His posture was more powerful than any impassioned speech.
Li Shimin slowly turned around, his gaze first falling on those inconspicuous pottery jars, lingering for a long time. Inside them were one of the murder weapons that poisoned his eldest grandson, a poisoned dagger secretly forged by a certain ancient aristocratic family, aimed at the heart of the royal family.
"Has Sun Zhongjing's confession been verified?" Li Shimin asked, his voice not loud, yet it seemed to carry the sound of metal.
“The Hundred Cavalry Division interrogated him repeatedly, and the details were all correct. The gold ingots seized from his home, after being compared with the secret files of the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Revenue, were indeed a batch that had flowed out of the Longxi private minting case five years ago. Their final whereabouts are a mystery. Now it seems…” Li Chengqian’s voice was steady, but every word was clear, “Moreover, the timing of the disappearance of the medicine boy and the drowning of the physician in the Imperial Medical Bureau is suspicious and is by no means a coincidence.”
Li Shimin nodded, then looked at the map and description of the Qinling stronghold. "Is that valley confirmed to be Li family property?"
“Although the manor deeds are registered under the names of several unrelated individuals, tracing the actual control and the flow of rent and taxes over the years ultimately points to a steward of the outer courtyard of the third branch of the Longxi Li family (that hidden family). The defensive arrangements and supply lines within the valley are also closely related to the manor. The poisons seized at the scene, secretly identified by the Imperial Medical Bureau, are of the same origin as the poison that Li Xiang was poisoned with.” Li Chengqian paused, then added, “After the Hundred Cavalry Division withdrew, the valley was burned down, clearly indicating that the other party discovered this and destroyed evidence, further proving that they have something to hide.”
The chain of evidence is closely linked, from the source of the poison (Qinling stronghold), to the transportation channel (bribing the mole in the Imperial Medical Bureau and tampering with the formula), and finally to its use (mixing it into the Crown Prince's wound medicine). Although there are some missing direct witnesses at certain stages (such as Steward Wu), the overall context is clear and the direction is unmistakable.
Li Shimin fell silent. Only the crackling of the candlelight and the suppressed breathing of the father and son filled the hall.
This is not a simple case of fratricide, nor is it ordinary palace intrigue. This is a powerful aristocratic family taking advantage of court intrigue to use their hidden and forbidden power to directly poison the heir to the throne (the eldest grandson of the emperor is, in a sense, one of the future heirs)! Their audacity, their viciousness, and the profound implications behind it... are chilling.
If they can use such methods to kill a royal grandson today, can they use them on the crown prince tomorrow? Or even... the emperor?
“The Li family of Longxi…” Li Shimin slowly uttered the name, his tone calm, yet it made the air in the hall grow colder. “Since the time of the Eight Pillars of the Western Wei, they have shared the fate of the nation. Since I ascended the throne, I have been very lenient with them, with continuous marriage alliances and generous rewards. Even that hidden branch, although I know that their lineage is ancient and unusual, as long as they behave themselves, I have never investigated them deeply.”
He walked to the imperial desk, his fingers lightly tapping the gold ingots presented as evidence: "It seems I have been too lenient. So lenient that they have forgotten who is the ruler of this land. Forgot who gave them their wealth and glory."
Li Chengqian's heart skipped a beat as he sensed the chilling killing intent in his father's words.
“Li Tai is nothing but a tool to be used, a fool who sought his own death.” Li Shimin’s gaze turned to Li Chengqian. “But the hand that wielded the knife, the one who handed it to him, deserves to die even more.”
He looked at the map again, his gaze falling on the vast land of Longxi: "This matter must not be made public. To murder the imperial heir, especially by such insidious means, is an unforgivable crime. But if it is tried publicly, it will expose the legacy of the retired emperor, the secret inheritance of aristocratic families, and the traitor within the Imperial Medical Bureau... Where will the dignity of the court be? Where will the imperial family's authority be? It will also cause all the aristocratic families in the world to feel insecure, and the political situation to become unstable."
Li Chengqian's heart sank slightly. Was his father going to... endure? Compromise?
"But keeping quiet doesn't mean we won't deal with it." Li Shimin's next words made Li Chengqian's heart leap. "A blood debt must be repaid in blood. The face of the imperial family cannot be trampled on like this!"
Li Shimin turned around, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, the decisiveness and ruthlessness of a founding emperor: "I entrust this matter to you."
Li Chengqian suddenly looked up at his father, the Emperor.
"First, Li Tai was ordered to commit suicide. To the outside world, it was said that he died of a sudden illness. His title of prince was retained to preserve the dignity of the imperial clan, but his lineage for three generations was prohibited from holding official positions or commanding troops. His associates were severely punished according to the law, those who should be exiled were exiled, and those who should be dismissed were dismissed."
"Secondly, the branch of the Li family of Longxi involved in the case," Li Shimin said in a chilling tone, "the clan leader and core members were secretly executed, leaving no one alive. Their manors, fields, and shops were confiscated by the government. That valley in the Qinling Mountains, along with everything within it, was completely burned down and razed to the ground, leaving no trace. The rest of their family members were exiled to the malaria-ridden lands of Lingnan, never to return to the Central Plains."
"Third, Sun Zhongjing of the Imperial Medical Academy shall be executed by slow slicing, his family property shall be confiscated, and his relatives shall be exiled. Other medical officers and apprentices involved in the case or who were negligent in their duties shall be executed, exiled, or permanently barred from employment, depending on the severity of their offenses. The Imperial Medical Academy shall be thoroughly reorganized, and you shall personally select a reliable person to take over."
"Fourth," Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian, his gaze profound, "After this incident, the Longxi Li clan suffered a great loss of vitality, but its foundation remains. You need to take this opportunity, under the guise of 'rectifying officialdom,' 'investigating hidden households,' and 'collecting arrears,' to launch a round of attacks and weakening against Longxi, and even other powerful clans closely related to the Li clan. You will decide the specific measures yourself. Remember, be quick, be accurate, make them feel pain, but not dare to openly resist."
This series of orders was ruthless, decisive, and merciless, without the slightest hesitation. It wasn't just about avenging Li Xiang; it was also about using this incident to deliver a stern warning and a substantial blow to the powerful clans! Especially against the Longxi Li clan, it was practically crippling them, destroying their core secret forces, and uprooting a portion of their power!
Li Chengqian was deeply moved. His father's decision was more thorough and supportive than he had expected! This was not just about revenge, but also about giving him a powerful sword, allowing him to represent the imperial authority and strike a heavy blow against the increasingly arrogant aristocratic clans!
"Your subject obeys the decree!" Li Chengqian kowtowed heavily, his voice trembling slightly with excitement. "I will certainly live up to Father's expectations! I will make those who harm the imperial bloodline pay the price they deserve! I will also use this opportunity to rectify the court and deter disloyal subjects!"
"Get up." Li Shimin helped him up, patted his shoulder, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes—expectation mixed with warning. "Chengqian, this matter is of utmost importance. You must act with secrecy and keep your hands clean. I will order the Hundred Cavalry to fully cooperate with you. But you must remember, swift and decisive action must be tempered with compassion (referring to subsequent appeasement and balance). Suppressing the powerful clans is to consolidate imperial power and ensure long-term peace and stability for the country, not for endless killing and hatred. The balance must be carefully managed."
"Your subject understands!" Li Chengqian replied solemnly. He knew that his father was teaching him the art of being an emperor: to be ruthless when necessary, but also to know when to stop and maintain overall stability.
"Go," Li Shimin waved his hand. "Hurry up. I await your results."
Li Chengqian bowed again, his heart filled with murderous intent and the exhilaration of soon wielding the power of life and death, before leaving the Liangyi Hall. Outside the hall, the sky was just before dawn, the darkest moment of the day, yet also the closest to daybreak.
He knew that a bloody storm sweeping across Chang'an and even Longxi was about to be unleashed in his hands. Li Tai's life, the annihilation of the Longxi Li clan, the purge of the Imperial Medical Bureau... all would become sacrifices for him to seize power and intimidate the powerful families.
He will no longer be the crown prince who needs to endure and scheme. He will become a sharp blade drawn from its sheath, cutting down all enemies who dare to challenge imperial power with the tacit approval and support of his father.
The emperor's mind is made up; war is about to break out.
The Crown Prince's study once again became the epicenter of the storm, with secret orders being issued at breakneck speed. Spies from the Hundred Cavalry Division, the Crown Prince's personal guards, and even some of the secretly mobilized Imperial Guards, like ghosts in the night, began to move silently according to the predetermined lists and plans.
A secret purge and retribution, unrecorded in history yet destined for bloodshed, was launched brazenly beneath the glamorous facade of the Zhenguan era. And it all began with a child who perished in a conspiracy and a deadly poison.
Li Xiang's death finally ignited the flames that burned away all intrigue and arrogance. The veil of warmth between imperial power and powerful clans was completely torn away, revealing the cold and cruel nature of power beneath.
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