Jiuxi

Chapter 404 Chapter 402 [Rolling Heads]

Pingnanfang, the Li family's mansion.

Twelve-year-old Li Gongxu looked at the old man leaning on the couch and asked with concern: "Grandpa, are you feeling unwell?"

Li Daoyan narrowed his eyes slightly, shook his head and said, "It doesn't matter."

Today, the court was closed for rest, and Li Daoyan still got up early as usual. This was normal for the elderly, but only he knew in his heart that he had an uneasy feeling from the moment he opened his eyes this morning.

This is a very strange thing.

It has been fourteen years since he supported Li Duan on the throne and was promoted to left prime minister. He has experienced many storms. Even when the emperor and the Jiangnan family were at war with each other some time ago, the old man remained as stable as a mountain.

What is the cause of this uneasiness?

Li Daoyan couldn't figure it out for the moment. He looked at his young grandson's straight body and said gently: "Zhi Yu'er, you can't imitate your incompetent third brother."

Li Gongxu knew that this sentence referred to his third cousin Li Yunyi, so he responded respectfully: "Yes, grandfather."

Li Yuliang continued: "Master Prime Minister, those dead soldiers are armed with strong bows, hand crossbows and waist-length crossbows."

……

This person's name is Li Yuliang, a descendant of the Jinlin Li family. He has followed Li Daoyan since more than 20 years ago, and now controls a very secret information channel for Li Daoyan.

"it is good."

When Li Gongxu saw this, he stood up and said, "Grandpa, grandson, please leave."

"Yes."

While listening, Li Daoyan reached for the celadon tea cup on the small table next to him.

Li Daoyan's hand that reached out suddenly stopped, and then slowly retracted it. A cold light suddenly appeared in his old eyes: "Is the crossbow at the waist?"

During the previous period, the soldiers of the Hou Mansion, organized by Qin Zilong, had already conducted preliminary interrogations on the remaining four survivors.

The old man raised his eyes and looked at the picturesque screen in front of him, and said coldly: "Bring Li Yunyi here."

"Yes!"

Li Yuliang agreed, raised his head to look at the old man with extremely sharp eyes, who seemed to be more than ten years younger for a moment, and said hesitantly: "Master Xiang, I compared the description according to the eyeliner and found that the five who were killed by Shanyang Marquis and his soldiers Among the famous assassins, one once appeared in the Li family manor in the western suburbs outside the city."

Li Daoyan nodded slightly, and then looked at the solemn-looking middle-aged man.

Li Yuliang bowed his head and said: "Prime Minister, Shanyang Marquis Lu Chen went to Fengleyuan for a banquet at noon today at the invitation of the eldest prince. What was said during the banquet is not known to outsiders, but judging from Shanyanghou's demeanor when he left Fengleyuan, they There was no conflict between them. However, when Shanyang Hou and his party passed through Qingfeng Street on their return, they encountered a large number of assassins and dead soldiers, as well as a middle-aged swordsman with extremely high martial arts skills. Fortunately, Shanyang Hou also had a top master beside him. The assassins did not succeed, Shanyang Hou was safe, but several of his soldiers died in the battle."

At this moment, a middle-aged man walked into Jinlin Hall quickly, and after saluting, he said nothing.

Li Daoyan slowly sat up straight and said calmly: "Go ahead."

Although these military men are not as professional as the masters of the Warp Weaving Department, they have a very unique way of torturing people, and they can ensure that the other party's life will not be in danger.

Li Daoyan laughed expressionlessly. When Li Yuliang said Xijiao Manor, he already understood who he was referring to.

It's just that the four living dead soldiers knew very well that they would never survive. Gritting their teeth could still benefit their loved ones, but letting go would mean everything was over. Therefore, apart from screaming, they did not say a word from the beginning to the end.

"hehe."

On Qingfeng Street, with the arrival of a thousand cavalry, the atmosphere instantly became extremely tense.

The wailing sounds continued to reach his ears. Although Wen Yingzhang was an official and weaver, he couldn't help but feel a little chill at this moment. However, these screams were far less frightening than the appearance of the thousand cavalry.

Not shock, but fear.

In Wen Yingzhang's personal view, assassinating a prince on the street was naturally an extremely serious incident. If Lu Chen died on Qingfeng Street, no one would be able to bear the emperor's wrath. However, Lu Chen was unscathed. For a mature nobleman, , naturally we have to use this matter to seek the greatest benefit.

According to common sense, since the assassination was unsuccessful, the next step is for Yousi to investigate the truth of the case, catch the mastermind behind it, and punish him in accordance with the court's laws.

But the young prince in front of him actually mobilized a thousand cavalry. What on earth did he want to do?
Two young generals came to Lu Chen and saluted, "Master Hou!"

Lu Chen nodded slightly, walked straight past Wen Yingzhang, and said to Qin Zilong: "The bodies of the five assassins and the leaders of the dead soldiers are easy to keep alive. Although the dead can't speak, I believe there are always people in this huge capital. If we pass them, we will definitely be able to find out their clues. As for the four survivors, I want them to live well, let them watch the backers behind them fall, watch their families be confiscated and exterminated, and then let them die."

Qin Zilong said solemnly: "Yes!"

After Wen Yingzhang heard these words, his heart went cold.

Lu Chen then said to the two young generals in charge of the cavalry: "There is no need to investigate the remaining dead soldiers. The mastermind behind the scenes must have concealed their identity information. According to our previous habit, take them with the standard weapons. .”

"Follow the order!"

The two generals responded in unison.

Wen Yingzhang didn't understand what his previous habits were. After the two generals left, what happened next made him frown and his heart became more and more panicked. He didn't care about many others and quickly stepped forward and said: "Marquis Lu——"

The words stopped abruptly.

Lu Chen just looked back, and his cold eyes made Wen Yingzhang subconsciously shut his mouth, and the words of persuasion that followed could no longer be uttered.

He watched Lu Chen get on his horse and leave Qingfeng Street with a thousand cavalry and the evidence. He did not dare to leave without permission. He turned around and looked at his subordinates who were also at a loss. He raised his hand and pointed at a close confidant and said: "You Go to the palace immediately and find a way to inform Mr. Tiju, and the others will follow me. You all must remember that as long as Shanyang Marquis has not ordered killing, you must not stop his soldiers, and at the same time ensure his safety!"

Everyone could tell from this complicated order how dangerous the situation was, and they all said in unison: "Yes!"

At the same time, Lu Chen led the cavalry with a solemn appearance and left Qingfeng Street, heading south unhurriedly.

Yuchi Gui and Lin Xi rode their horses to Lu Chen's side. Although they had slightly different concerns about the assassination, they both wanted to find out who was behind the assassination.

Lu Chen was also thinking about this issue.

Today, these assassins are not simple. Among them are masters of Yin Qianjue's level. Ordinary people definitely don't have the ability to organize such a killing. There is no doubt that the Jiangnan clan is the first group to be suspected by Lu Chen. For these powerful clans with roots in Jiangnan, it is common for them to recruit scum and raise dead soldiers. They also have enough confidence to ask the military rankings. Six's Yin Qianjue. Coupled with the irreconcilable conflict between them and Lu Chen, the possibility of sending someone to assassinate him is extremely high.

The Beijing army system is also suspected of this, because the emperor wants to reorganize the Beijing army. This move will inevitably infringe the interests of many people. They do not have the guts to openly rebel, but it does not mean that they dare not attack Lu Chen. After all, Lu Chen relies on the support of the border army and his own strength. Fame is the emperor's greatest help to the Beijing army.

The princes were also among Lu Chen's suspicions. Except for the second prince, who had no need to do so, the other two were all possible.

Needless to say, the third prince had a conflict with Lu Chen two years ago. According to this man's vengeful character, taking advantage of the complicated situation to quietly take action during this period was in line with his usual character.

As for the eldest prince...

Lu Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. Let's not say whether the eldest prince would go to an extreme because of what Lu Chen said during the dinner. He would not be able to escape suspicion because Lu Chen was attending the appointment in private today and only a few people knew the details. .

Except for the Emperor, everyone else was from Prince Chen's Mansion.

This assassination was arranged very carefully and was by no means a hasty operation. The mastermind behind it was obviously aware of Lu Chen's whereabouts.

Thinking about it this way, everything seems suspicious.

Yu Chigui had been following Lu Chen during this period and was quite familiar with the situation in the capital. His judgment was very similar to that of Lu Chen, so he said in a deep voice: "There are too many suspects."

Lu Chen raised his eyes and looked forward, and said quietly: "Since we are all suspected, why do we have to kill one person?"

Yu Chigui felt relieved, nodded and said, "That's right."

Lin Xi on the other side did not speak. She knew that her junior brother needed to think quietly now, and she also knew that he understood her own thoughts - no matter where he wanted to go, whether it was mountains of swords, seas of fire, or the Nine Nether Purgatory, she would never leave him and stay with him. .

This cavalry team, exuding a murderous aura, silently headed south. Their neat military appearance and fierce momentum attracted the attention of countless people. Some bold idlers followed them from a distance, and at the same time they were whispering and talking.

By the time Lu Chen led the cavalry to the gate of a grand government office on Shengwu Street, many idle men who were cautious but couldn't bear to leave were already following from a distance.

Naturally, the people in this official office had been notified long ago, and hundreds of sword-wielding soldiers swarmed out. However, they only dared to guard outside the gate, because thousands of horsemen stood in silence on the long street. This formation was enough to scare ordinary people. Liu Shen Wuzhu was frightened.

Lu Chen reined in the reins and turned the horse's head to face the gate tower of the government office.

On the plaque are written three large characters with iron paintings and silver hooks: Privy Council.

After a while, a middle-aged Wu Xun walked out of the Daqi Privy Council with a large number of subordinates. It was Guo Congyi, the current Privy Council envoy.

He stood on the steps, looked at Lu Chen who was sitting on the horse with a solemn expression, and said in a deep voice: "Marquis Shanyang, why did you lead your troops to approach the Privy Council?"

This question is very particular.

As the number one person in the Daqi military, Guo Congyi did not become as frightened as ordinary officials, nor did he become angry and eager to pin the charge of rebellion on Lu Chen. On the contrary, he maintained enough restraint and obviously did not engage in any Before he knew the whole story, he didn't want the conflict to escalate directly.

Lu Chen was not in the mood to test him at the moment, and said bluntly: "Privy Privy Guo, I encountered an extremely sinister and vicious assassination on Qingfeng Street in Xicheng half an hour ago. Do you know about it?"

His voice was quite loud, not only could Guo Congyi hear it clearly, but even the idle men in the capital could hear it in the distance.

Guo Congyi's expression changed slightly, and other subordinates looked even more panicked. Looking at the young marquis's posture, could he suspect that the assassination was related to the Privy Council?

Guo Congyi took a deep breath and said seriously: "I have heard about this earlier and hope that Marquis Shanyang will calm down. The court will definitely give you an explanation."

"Explain?"

Lu Chen's tone was indifferent and he asked again: "I wonder if Privy Guo is related to those assassins?"

"Marquis Shanyang, you are so brave!"

A military general next to Guo Congyi reprimanded angrily, but what greeted him was not Lu Chen's retort, but a roaring steel knife!

The general's color suddenly changed and he quickly fell back. The steel knife passed over his head and penetrated straight into the door behind him.

Lin Xi looked at this person coldly, raised his hand to the side, and someone immediately handed him a knife again.

If the general hadn't reacted in time, this knife would have struck him to the core!
There was a commotion in the room. Guo Congyi raised his hand to stop him, then looked at Lu Shen and said: "Marquis Shanyang, I didn't know anything about it beforehand. No matter what grievances you have, the Privy Council is not a place for you to act wild! You have done your best to serve the country. I have encountered another major change and am so angry that I don’t care about today’s events. I hope you can lead your troops back quickly! If you persist in your obsession, be careful of the ruthless laws of the country!”

"National law?"

Lu Chen smiled coldly, then raised his right hand and waved it. The soldiers in front of the Privy Council Gate immediately felt as if they were facing a powerful enemy, fearing that thousands of horses would ride up to them in the next moment.

However, the cavalry behind Lu Chen did not move. Only dozens of people walked quickly to him, each holding a standard crossbow in their hands.

There was a dead silence in front of the gate of the Privy Council.

Under the sunlight, those weapons looked particularly dazzling.

Guo Congyi's face became extremely ugly at this time.

Lu Chen's voice then sounded: "Privilege Guo, these are the weapons used by the assassins to ambush me. You and I are both in the army, and you have stayed in the army for more than twenty years longer than me. You I shouldn’t deny it in public, these are military standard weapons!”

Guo Congyi remained silent, unable to argue at all.

The armor and weapons in the army are very strictly managed, not to mention that there are six waists and crossbows among them. No matter what, the military cannot clear up the suspicion of assassinating Lu Chen, and as a privy envoy, he cannot escape the blame.

When Lu Chen's words spread, there was a buzz of discussion from both ends of Shengwu Street.

Lu Chen raised his head slightly and said in a cold voice: "Just now, Privy Councilor Guo said that I have made great contributions to the country. However, some people in the army hated me and even brought out crossbows in order to kill me. Privy Council Guo is a As the person in charge of the military, I really want to know what you have been doing all these years. You can't even control the people below. How can you have the face to see His Majesty and tell His Majesty that this is the result of your nearly ten years in charge of the Privy Council? ?!”

Guo Congyi's face turned red, and he gritted his teeth and said: "Shanyang Marquis, since this matter involves the army, I promise you that the truth will be revealed."

"good very good."

Lu Chen nodded indifferently, and then said: "Since Privy Councilor Guo is willing to make this promise, I will hand over the heads of the assassins to you now. I hope you can find out as soon as possible!"

Before the words were spoken, Qin Zilong came to Lu Chen again with dozens of people. Each of them was holding a bloody head in their hands. Qin Zilong roared and dozens of heads flew upwards, all falling on the ground. In front of those soldiers.

It was like dozens of extremely loud slaps, slapped extremely decisively on Guo Congyi's face under the watchful eyes of countless people, openly and covertly!
(End of this chapter)