Chapter 130: 111, Deep-seated blood feud, avenging army marches south (Chapter of 7K, asking for monthly votes) _3
"Guards, guards! Take this unfilial child and lock him up!" Li Liang trembled with rage.
Though he and Xu Xing were enemies, not friends, he had to admit that Emperor Tiande was undoubtedly one of the foremost talents under the sky. His own son, while no mediocrity, was far from a match for Emperor Tiande. The difference between them was vast.
"Father..."
"I implore you once more, rescind your order."
Li Xiaozu pressed the sword deeper against his own neck. In an instant, fresh blood stained the blade. As he spoke, blood flowed unceasingly.
He was a man of honor; he would never send his own wife to Ascending Dragon Mansion as a hostage.
"Stop it, you!" Li Liang roared, stepping forward to intervene.
If he lost Li Xiaozu, his Crown Prince, the future of Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion would be in jeopardy. Although he had several sons, none were competent enough to inherit his title except for this eldest son, who had grown up by his side and experienced half a lifetime of military service.
But then, the unexpected happened.
The moment Li Liang drew near, a ruthless glint flashed in Li Xiaozu’s eyes. The long sword at his neck suddenly slashed towards Li Liang’s head. With a single stroke, the unprepared Li Liang was beheaded.
The severed head rolled across the ground, spinning a dozen times.
A closer look revealed that even in death, Li Liang’s face still showed concern for Li Xiaozu.
"Father..."
"You’ve grown old. Don’t blame your son for being unfilial."
Li Xiaozu took a deep breath, retrieved a white cloth from the desk to wipe the fresh blood from his sword, then tore a strip of fabric from his lower garment and tied it around his neck to stanch the bleeding.
"As the saying goes, an army in grief is destined to be defeated!"
"You sent the Old Master to Shenjing with this very idea in mind. Like father, like son. If you dare to make the first move, I dare to make the last. Sending my wife as a hostage..."
"Haha, even if our Li Family were to one day rule the world, with such a stain on my reputation as Crown Prince, how could I ascend to become the Imperial Crown Prince? Deposing me would be a matter of a single word from you. And once we rule the world, I, the Crown Prince proven in battle, would no longer be important. Any younger brother could inherit the rivers and mountains..."
His gaze fell upon Li Liang’s head, his expression a mixture of sorrow and profound, chilling indifference.
"Attendants!"
"Relay my order, as Crown Prince."
"Emperor Tiande is cruel! He sent assassins into the Royal Mansion to murder my father and me. My father, in saving my life, was tragically killed by these villains! This is a blood feud of immense proportions. If I, Li Xiaozu, do not avenge this, I am unworthy of being called a son! If the Luzhou Troops feel any gratitude for the Li Family’s benevolence, let them all don mourning clothes, declare themselves the ’Army Seeking Revenge,’ and march south to avenge my father!"
Li Xiaozu looked outside the door. The Family Generals of the Royal Mansion were kneeling, their expressions solemn.
Today, he had come with the intention of forcing a coup. If his father, King Zhenbei Li Liang, had agreed to attack the Imperial Court directly, this patricide would not have occurred. But if King Zhenbei Li Liang was unwilling, then he, Li Xiaozu, could not accept the further humiliation his father had planned for him...
"We obey your order!"
The Family Generals acknowledged their orders and filed out of the Royal Mansion, rushing to the military camp to deliver the Crown Prince’s command.
The death of the Old Master could not incite as much anger from the Outside Iron Riders as the assassination of King Zhenbei Li Liang, supposedly by Emperor Tiande. For years, the Outside Iron Riders had been like the Li Family’s private army. They were all fiercely loyal to the Li Family and regarded King Zhenbei Li Liang as their savior, the very pillar supporting the heavens.
Now that King Zhenbei was tragically killed, beheaded with a single sword strike.
How... could they possibly endure it?
「Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion, late at night.」
Time passed slowly.
"Crown Prince..."
"Left Guard General Li Yong is willing to die for you, Crown Prince, and will head south to avenge the Prince."
"Crown Prince..."
"Lizhou Garrison General Zhang De has already mobilized three thousand soldiers of the Tiger Division and is en route to Luzhou, ready to march south with you, Crown Prince. His troops have also donned mourning clothes and raised the banner of the ’Army Seeking Revenge’."
"The entire Wuyi Camp is in white, vowing to seek justice for the Prince."
"..."
The Family Generals who had departed in the afternoon returned one by one to the Royal Mansion, reporting to Li Xiaozu. He was in the living room, dressed in mourning clothes, kneeling before a fire basin and burning spirit money.
The outcome was as he had expected. The Li Family had been benefactors to the Outside Iron Riders for many years. With the order given in the name of avenging a blood feud, even if the commanders of the Outside Iron Riders harbored reservations, they dared not go against the sentiments of the rank-and-file soldiers...
"The great undertaking is accomplished!"
Li Xiaozu, having waited for news all night, showed deep exhaustion on his face. After the Family Generals departed, he rose, rubbed his aching temples, took a few steps, then collapsed onto a high-backed chair, gasping heavily.
At this moment, the sound of light footsteps came from outside the hall.
"Thank you, Husband, for speaking out on my behalf..."
Song Miyao, also in mourning clothes, entered the living room carrying a bowl of Bird’s Nest Soup. She placed the White Porcelain Bowl containing the Swallow’s Nest on the tea table by Li Xiaozu’s high seat, then gave a slight curtsy and thanked him.
Li Xiaozu’s patricide could fool outsiders, but it could not escape her, his wife. No matter how perfectly it was done, some trace clues could not be hidden. For instance, much of the Royal Mansion’s wealth had recently vanished, taken by Li Xiaozu. Furthermore, many Family Generals within the Royal Mansion had become his trusted aides, while Prince Li Liang’s own trusted aides had been continuously demoted during this time... Today, Li Xiaozu had rushed into Li Liang’s study, publicly claiming it was to prevent her, his wife, from being sent to Ascending Dragon Mansion as a hostage. Certainly, Li Xiaozu might have other motives. But...in their years of marriage, she had taken note of every kindness Li Xiaozu had shown her.