Li Chengqian and Changle, who had almost been kidnapped by the assassin, quickly returned to the palace under the escort of a group of imperial guards. Empress Zhangsun, who had been worried for a long time, looked up and down at her son and daughter to see if they were missing any "parts".
After seeing the bruise on Li Chengqian's neck, Empress Zhangsun was naturally very distressed. She, who had always been gentle, couldn't help but be angry. That was the anger of a female eagle protecting her young. "Your Majesty, no matter what, you must find out the whereabouts of this assassin. No matter where he comes from, no matter what his intentions are, you must capture him. Otherwise, Chengqian, Changle, and even Qingque may encounter danger at any time in the future!"
Empress Zhangsun's tone was murderous, which was very rare for her, who had always been generous and benevolent.
Li Er didn't feel strange about this. On the contrary, he understood Empress Zhangsun's feelings because he wanted to capture the assassin more than anyone else and then cut him into pieces.
"Maid Guanyin, don't worry! That assassin dared to harm my children. No matter where he hides, I will find him. At this time, all the gates of Chang 'an City have been sealed. That assassin can't escape! After we capture him, we will cut him into a thousand pieces! "
Li Er's eyes were cold as he said in a low voice.
"Father, Chang 'an has a population of a million. If the city gates are closed for a long time, it will have a great impact on the people's livelihood. Moreover, many people in Chang' an City are merchants or farmers outside the city. If Father can't catch the assassin, will the city gates be closed for a day? Then if the merchants and farmers outside the city can't leave the city, won't they be unable to return home and cut off their livelihood?
I think that the assassin should be caught, but I still hope that Father won't affect the livelihood of the ordinary people just to catch the assassin. Otherwise, Wei Zuocheng will impeach Imperial Father and make him angry again! "
When Li Er was full of anger, Changle took a step forward and looked at Li Er seriously.
She was kind-hearted and always thought more than others. Moreover, what she said was indeed the truth. The city gates of Chang 'an City were closed around nine o' clock in the morning. At this time, many merchants and farmers outside the city had just entered the city. However, when the city gates of Chang 'an City were suddenly closed, they couldn't go back even if they wanted to!
Li Er was first stunned, then immediately smiled knowingly and said, "Haha! Changle knows how to care for me! But Changle, you don't have to worry. If we really can't find the assassin today, we won't keep the city gates locked! At the latest, I will have people open the gates of Chang 'an City again before noon tomorrow. I will not let Wei Xuancheng find an excuse to remonstrate. As for that assassin, even if we can't find him today, We don't believe that we can't find him in a month, or even a year! "
"En, en! Father is wise! "
Changle nodded happily.
"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Yong 'an requests an audience!"
Just as Old Li's family was enjoying themselves, a young eunuch quickly walked in and bowed to Li Er.
Li Er's expression turned solemn and he said in a solemn voice, "Let him come in!"
"Here ~!"
The eunuch accepted the order and left.
At this moment, Empress Zhangsun stood up and said, "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Yong 'an must have something important to discuss with you. I, Chengqian, and Changle will take our leave first! But this time, Chengqian and Changle were in danger, and it was thanks to the Marquis of Yong 'an that they saved us. Your Majesty, don't forget to reward me! "
Empress Zhangsun was grateful to Li Zexuan from the bottom of her heart. Without Li Zexuan, Li Chengqian and Li Tai might have fallen out because of fighting for favor. Changle's illness definitely wouldn't have been completely cured, and today, Li Chengqian and Changle would have been kidnapped by the assassin. Empress Zhangsun even felt that Li Zexuan was like Qin Qiong, a noble of the Li family!
(Back then, Qin Qiong had saved the lives of Li Yuan's family many times. It wasn't an exaggeration to call him the noble of Li Yuan's family.)
If not for this, Empress Zhangsun wouldn't have taken the initiative to ask for a reward for an official no matter what. This was because she understood better than anyone the principle that the harem could not interfere in politics!
"Hehe! We know what to do! "
Li Er nodded.
Empress Zhangsun left with Li Chengqian and Changle from the back of the hall.
"Official Li Zexuan pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
After the three left, Li Zexuan stepped into the hall and bowed to Li Er.
Speaking of which, he had just left an hour ago. Who would have thought that he would return at this time!
"Rise!"
Li Er waved his hand. After Li Zexuan stood still, he said, "Chengqian and Changle were attacked by an assassin in Xi City. It was thanks to you and Daoist Xuan Qing that you arrived in time and saved them. What reward do you want? If it's reasonable, we will definitely grant it to you!"
In the morning court more than two hours ago, Li Zexuan had just received a reward, directly increasing his fief by a county. However, just over two hours later, Li Er wanted to reward Li Zexuan again. It had to be said that Li Zexuan's imperial favor was probably something that few people could match!
However, when Li Zexuan heard this, he did not show any joy on his face. Instead, he said with a serious expression, "Your Majesty, I am not here to ask for a reward. I have an extremely urgent matter to report to Your Majesty!"
Li Er asked curiously, "What is it?"
From his point of view, Li Zexuan was a little strange today. In the court, he had hinted in every possible way, but this guy just wanted to decline the reward. Now, he did not even care about what the reward was!
Was this still the same person who would not act until he saw a rabbit?
Li Zexuan took out a small piece of paper from the pouch at his waist and raised it above his head with both hands. Then, he said, "I accidentally received a secret letter. Please take a look, Your Majesty!"
"Secret letter? All of you, leave! "
Li Er was slightly shocked. He first dismissed his attendants, then looked at Li Zexuan and said, "Show it to me!"
As Zhao Song was currently outside the palace with the imperial guards, looking for the assassin's whereabouts, he naturally could not be in the main hall. Li Zexuan had also dismissed the rest of the people in the main hall, so the task of presenting the secret letter naturally fell on Li Zexuan's shoulders.
"Guards! Quickly summon Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Li Jing into the palace for a discussion! "
Li Er expressionlessly took the secret letter from Li Zexuan's hands. When he opened it, his expression changed with a "shua"! After a moment, Li Er first shouted out of the hall, then looked at Li Zexuan and said with a pale face, "Where did you get this secret letter?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
A series of replies came from outside the hall, and then someone went to deliver the decree.
When Li Zexuan heard Li Er's question, he clasped his hands and asked, "Your Majesty, is the handwriting on this letter from General Li Junxian?"
Li Er lowered his head to take another look before nodding. "It is indeed Junxian's handwriting!"
Li Zexuan asked again, "Your Majesty, may I ask where General Li is now?"
Li Er replied, "Several days ago, in order to investigate the origins of the Dragon King Sect, Junxian specially infiltrated the Dragon King Sect. Right now, wherever the Dragon King Sect is, he should be there as well!"
Li Zexuan's heart trembled. He had guessed correctly. Li Junxian had really infiltrated the enemy camp, or else he would not have so much information on the Dragon King Sect!
"If that's the case, the matter is very clear!"
Li Zexuan stepped forward and clasped his hands. "The people of the Dragon King Sect are currently hiding in the Serpent Spirit Mountain. They are preparing to attack Chang 'an tomorrow!"
The words' attack Chang 'an' immediately caused the atmosphere in the hall to turn somber. Li Er's face was grim. After a long silence, he couldn't help but sneer. "Hmph! A mere Dragon King Sect dares to dream of attacking Chang 'an? They came at the right time. We wanted to find them, but they delivered themselves to our doorstep! "
"Your Majesty, you must not underestimate the enemy!"
Li Zexuan hurriedly clasped his hands. "Your Majesty, the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. If they want to know how many soldiers Chang 'an has and how many provisions we have, they will definitely be able to find out. On the other hand, the imperial court knows nothing about their situation. Since the Dragon King Sect dares to attack Chang' an, their leader must be very confident. If we underestimate the enemy, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
"Your Majesty, Duke Zhao, Prime Minister Fang, and Duke Wei request an audience!"
At this moment, a eunuch ran in and bowed.
Li Er hurriedly said, "Summon ~!"
"Yes ~!"
After a while, Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Li Jing, who had just finished the morning court, walked into Taiji Palace once again!
"Your subjects greet Your Majesty!"
After Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Li Jing entered the hall, they hurriedly clasped their hands and bowed to Li Er.
Li Er waved his hand. "My three beloved subjects, there is no need to be so courteous!"
Without waiting for Li Er to explain why he summoned them here, Zhangsun Wuji hurriedly stepped forward and clasped his hands. "Your Majesty, I heard that the Crown Prince and Changle were attacked by an assassin in Xi City. I wonder if the assassin …"
Zhangsun Wuji was a staunch member of the Crown Prince Party. After hearing that Li Chengqian was attacked by an assassin, he was more furious than anyone else. At this moment, he had already sent out all of the Zhangsun family's guards to assist Wu Hou in finding the assassin.
Li Er waved his hand. "Assistant, We have already sealed off all the city gates and sent the Imperial Army and Wu Hou to find the assassin. However, We have not summoned you here for this matter. Marquis Yong 'an, show this secret letter to the three beloved subjects!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Li Zexuan clasped his hands and bowed. Then, he stepped forward and took the secret letter from Li Er before passing it to Zhangsun Wuji.
After the three of them read the letter, their faces turned grim.
"As you can see, Junxian mentioned in the secret letter that the Dragon Sect plans to attack Chang 'an City tomorrow. The Marquis of Yong' an's opinion that the imperial court cannot underestimate the enemy under the cover of the enemy. I agree with him!"
At this time, Li Er spoke up, but he immediately changed the topic, "But now that we know where the Dragon Sect is hiding, why not take the initiative to send troops to Snake Spirit Mountain before they descend the mountain to cause trouble and catch them off guard? What do my beloved subjects think? "
Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Li Jing frowned. Li Zexuan pondered for a moment before stepping forward and clasping his hands. "Your Majesty, I think it is inappropriate!"
"Why?"
Li Er was puzzled.
Li Zexuan clasped his hands and said, "Firstly, Snake Spirit Mountain's terrain is steep. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack. When the Imperial Court sent an army to encircle the Seven Cultivators Sect, they suffered heavy losses on Snake Spirit Mountain. Now that the Dragon Sect has the guts to attack Chang 'an City, they must have at least thirty to fifty thousand soldiers. Just based on this point, their strength is a hundred times stronger than the Seven Cultivators Sect! If we attack Snake Spirit Mountain rashly, the Imperial Court will suffer heavy losses. The gains will not make up for the losses! "
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