Li Longji had been on the throne for so many years. He had experienced many things and foiled many conspiracies, but this was the first time he was in such a sorry state. Not only was his dragon robe soaked, but he also hid in the dirty room for so long. If this spread out, he would lose his face.
After calming down, Li Longji began to think about who was so bold to assassinate him. If he found out the person behind this, he would definitely tear him into pieces.
"Where are the two assassins that were captured alive? I want to interrogate them personally. "
"Your Majesty, these two assassins were seriously injured and have fainted. However, I can be sure that these assassins are Tibetans."
The guard commander answered with certainty.
"Humph, damn Tibetans. I am magnanimous and exempted them from most of the corvee labor. They actually dared to assassinate me. They are really heartless."
Li Longji was infuriated. He wished he could slaughter all of the Tubo people to vent his anger.
There was a saying that those who were not of the same race would have different hearts. If a foreign race was conquered, how could they be obedient sincerely? Even if they integrated with the Tang dynasty for a hundred years, they might not be able to integrate. This was especially true for the Tibetans, who were separated by mountains and rivers from the Tang dynasty. They did not have enough customs and connections, so it was even more difficult for them to submit. Their temporary submission was only because they did not have enough power. However, in the hearts of the Tibetans, they were definitely not loyal to the Tang dynasty. Unless the Tang dynasty could bring them great benefits and completely change their living standards so that most of them could enjoy the benefits of being part of the Tang dynasty, then they might be able to slowly integrate.
If a ruler treats me like a national hero, I will repay him with a national hero. If a ruler treats me like a passerby, I will repay him with a passerby. Humans loved to pursue their own interests. When their interests were infringed, they would stab them. When their interests were protected, they would support the ruler. As for whether the ruler was of the same race or not, it was not very important at all.
For example, in the later Celestial Dynasty, all the races with a small population could get extra points in the college entrance examination and obtain more rights. In this way, although they were a ruled race, they could still integrate into the country.
Although the Tang dynasty did not discriminate against the surrounding ethnic groups and showed a very tolerant attitude, these ethnic groups were still second-class citizens. Their status would always be lower than others, especially the ethnic groups that had just submitted to the Tang dynasty. They were very alienated.
Before he had completely subdued certain races, he had to maintain a strong deterrence. Once the nation's strength weakened, these races would quickly separate and cause the empire to collapse.
The reinforcements from the capital quickly arrived at the scene of the incident and sealed off the area within a radius of five kilometers. Then, they began to investigate the assassin's whereabouts.
After changing into clean clothes, Li Longji gave the order to return to the capital. Right now, he was no longer in the mood to take a bath in Pure Flowers Palace. He wanted to return to the Imperial Palace and give the order to thoroughly investigate this matter until the power behind the assassins was uprooted.
The assassination of the Emperor was no small matter. The speed at which the news spread was abnormally fast. In less than two hours, almost all of the commoners in the capital knew about it and began discussing it in the streets.
When the commoners of the Tang dynasty heard that the assassins were all Tibetans, they were immediately enraged. They cursed the Tibetans for being shameless and daring. Some of the more agitated ones even went to smash the shops of the Tibetan merchants, causing the merchants to suffer heavy losses.
Of course, this kind of action was not very desirable. It would only increase the hostility of the Tibetans towards the Tang dynasty and make the ethnic conflict even more irreconcilable.
However, the commoners of the Tang dynasty were just so hot-blooded. They would beat up anyone who dared to disagree with them. It did not matter if they were Tibetans or other ethnic groups. Anyone who dared to offend the authority of the Tang dynasty would be taught a lesson.
Although almost all of the commoners of the Tang dynasty knew about the assassination of the Emperor, Ang Lee was not aware of it. This was because the R&D Center was relatively closed and outsiders would not normally enter. When the various departments and nobles heard about this, they were all busy going to the Imperial Palace to show their loyalty. No one thought of informing Ang Lee.
At this time, the Imperial Palace was in a mess. A large group of ministers who entered the Imperial Palace gathered in twos and threes to discuss this topic. Those who knew some information were busy explaining to others. Of course, more people were talking about the various possibilities behind the assassination.
After learning that the Emperor was only a little frightened and had some minor bruises, everyone was relieved. As long as the Emperor was not seriously injured, everything would go back to normal. The Tang dynasty would not have a big change in power for the time being. They could also live a stable life.
"His Majesty was suddenly attacked by assassins. If it were not for the bodyguards who fought desperately to kill the enemy, the consequences would be unimaginable."
"Yes! I heard that the assassins were lying in ambush under a bridge. When His Majesty passed by, they suddenly destroyed the train tracks and caused His Majesty's carriage to fall into the river. "
"Strange. When His Majesty travels, there are always guard cars in front of the special train to clear the way. Why didn't they find any traces of the assassins?"
"As I said, the assassins suddenly came out from under the bridge after the guard car passed by."
"I heard that in order to derail the train, several assassins directly lay on the tracks and were crushed to pieces by the iron wheels of the train."
"Impossible. How can a human's flesh and blood stop a train from moving forward? The assassins placed the tracks on the tracks and caused the train to derail."
"I heard that there were 50 assassins. Two were captured alive, 32 were killed by the bodyguards on the spot, and more than 10 escaped. The bodyguards were worried that it was a diversion, so they did not immediately chase after them."
"I heard that these assassins were all Tibetans. It seems that the Tibetans are behind this."
"The Tibetans have just submitted to us not long ago, and Tseng Pu is still under house arrest in the capital. It must be a plot by the Tibetan nobles who are loyal to Tseng Pu."
"They really don't give up! Our Tang dynasty is now at the peak of power. The Tibetans have no chance to make a comeback. They are digging their own graves. "
"Fortunately, His Majesty is fine. This is really a blessing from the heavens!"
"His Majesty was attacked by an assassin. This is not a small matter. The bodyguards did not protect him well. I'm afraid that they can't escape the blame!"
"That's right! Fortunately, His Majesty is fine. I heard that more than 20 bodyguards died, and more than 10 palace maids and eunuchs died. The scene is a mess, and there are even more injured. "
"It's fine as long as His Majesty is fine. The other losses are not important."
"Yes, yes, yes. It's fortunate as long as His Majesty is fine."
The officials discussed softly.
"Lower your voices. The Right Chief Minister is here, the Right Chief Minister is here."
The officials who were discussing enthusiastically saw Li Linfu rushing over, and they quickly opened up a path for him.
Following behind Li Linfu was Yang Zhao. He kept nodding and bowing along the way, but his expression was very serious. After all, the emperor had just been attacked by an assassin. Even if he was fine, as an official, he must not smile in public. Otherwise, if the imperial censor saw it, he would definitely be impeached.
"Everyone is here! How is His Majesty? "
It was rare for Li Linfu to be so serious. Usually, he would be smiling, but this time, even he didn't dare to smile.
"Right Chief Minister, His Majesty is fine. According to the imperial physicians who just came out, it's just ordinary bruises and some shock. At this moment, the imperial physicians are conducting a detailed examination on His Majesty."
"Oh, it's good that His Majesty is fine. Thank the heavens!"
Li Linfu prayed.
"Who is so daring to assassinate His Majesty? After we capture them, we must punish them severely."
Yang Zhao reprimanded angrily.
"Yang Zhao, the assassin is from Tubo. It's likely that the Tubo are trying to revive their country."
An official replied.
"The Tubo are dreaming if they want to revive their country. His Majesty is wise and powerful, how could he allow them to succeed?"
Yang Zhao didn't forget to flatter the emperor.
Li Linfu frowned. He looked at Yang Zhao and the officials, and his lips twitched. Perplexed, he asked, "The Tubo tried to ambush under the bridge, cleverly avoiding the train that was clearing the way, and accurately overturning His Majesty's train. They must have planned this for a long time! But how did these Tubo find out about His Majesty's whereabouts? "
"The Right Chief Minister is wise. His Majesty's whereabouts are all top secret. It is impossible for the Tubo people to know about it in advance and be fully prepared. Someone must have tipped off the Tubo assassins, giving them the opportunity to be fully prepared. There must be a mole in the palace!"
Yang Zhao immediately realized what was going on and flattered Li Linfu.
"Indeed! Right Chief Minister's words have enlightened me! There must be someone in the palace who leaked His Majesty's whereabouts beforehand. "
"Indeed! Indeed! To think that there would be a mole in the palace. "
All of the officials were stunned. They were busy discussing the assassination that they neglected such an important detail. At this moment, they finally understood that the assassination this time wasn't as simple as the Tubo nobles wanting to revive their country. There were also people in the Tang dynasty who were disloyal and colluding with the Tubo nobles.
However, no one could be sure as to who was the one who colluded with the Tubo nobles, and no one dared to make wild guesses. This was a taboo in the officialdom, and no one dared to talk about it.
In front of the officials, the Crown Prince and the other princes and imperial grandsons were all waiting outside the Zichen Palace Hall. They originally planned to go in and take care of Li Longji, but Li Longji had already given an order for everyone to wait outside, and he wouldn't meet anyone.
This was because this intelligent and farsighted emperor had already thought of the problem that Li Linfu had just thought of. He knew that there was a high possibility that some of his princes and officials were colluding with the Tubo nobles. Otherwise, his whereabouts wouldn't have been leaked. As for who wanted to kill him, he couldn't make an accurate judgment. Before he came up with an idea, he didn't want anyone to disturb his train of thought.
After the Imperial Physician finished his examination, Li Longji took a simple bath in the side chamber and changed into another set of clean clothes. Before returning to the palace, he had already changed once. However, due to the urgent situation at that time, he didn't take care of it well enough. Therefore, after returning to the palace, he took a bath again, and only then did he feel comfortable.
The bruises on his body caused by the rolling of the train weren't serious. As long as he didn't touch them, he wouldn't feel anything. However, after touching them, he would feel a lot of pain.
Li Longji sat alone on the Dragon Throne. He held his chin with one hand and fell into deep thought. He was thinking about the people around him, including the palace maids, eunuchs, concubines, princes, and officials.
He was thinking about who would betray him and tell the assassin his whereabouts. Who would collude with the assassin to kill him? If he really died, who would gain the most benefits?
These were all questions that he urgently needed to consider. Only when he thought through these questions could he analyze who was the mole.
However, there were too many people that he suspected. Everyone could betray him. This made him unable to find a clue for a while.
Logically speaking, as long as the Emperor died, the Crown Prince should smoothly ascend the throne. In this way, if he was killed by the assassin, the one who would gain the most should be the Crown Prince of the Tang dynasty, his good son.
However, his good son had always been under his strict surveillance. It was impossible for any improper actions to escape from his control.
Could it be that the person in charge of surveillance had been bribed by his son? This was a possibility, but it wasn't very likely. He couldn't convict someone based on speculation.
Prince Qing, Li Tan, and the other princes could also collude with the Tufan assassin because of resentment. However, if he died and the Crown Prince could ascend the throne, it would be somewhat unreasonable. However, if they colluded with the eunuchs and officials in the palace and suddenly made a posthumous edict, they could seize the throne and ascend the throne.
As for whether the posthumous edict was real or not, in fact, it didn't matter at all. As long as the officials in power fully supported it, a large number of fence-sitters would follow, thus creating a fait accompli.
It should be known that he had supported his father to ascend the throne through the mutiny. At the same time, he had relied on his many supporters to make his elder brother give up the position of Crown Prince. Even his father retired early and became the Retired Emperor, allowing him, the Crown Prince, to ascend the throne.
When it came to power, Li Longji was definitely at the grandmaster level. Therefore, he knew a lot more than others and was much more thorough.
In addition, he didn't completely trust those officials who showed their loyalty every day. These officials were loyal to him because he had power and could give them status and identity. If his son gave these officials a higher promise, would these people betray him? The answer was obvious.
Although he established the Residence of the Ten Lords and the Baisun Courtyard, which to a certain extent limited the opportunities for his descendants to make friends with the influential officials in the court, it was impossible to completely eliminate it. He couldn't treat his children and grandchildren as prisoners!
"Everyone, the princes and officials are waiting outside. Should we summon them in? "
Gao Lishi reminded when he saw the Emperor in a daze.
This time, Gao Lishi didn't go to Pure Flowers Palace because he wasn't feeling well. In the end, such a big thing happened, so he felt very uneasy.
He was fine serving the Emperor every day, but such a big thing happened even though he didn't get on the train. He knew that the Emperor was going to Pure Flowers Palace, so he was also very suspicious. Naturally, he felt very uneasy and regretted not getting on the train. Even if he drowned in the water, he was willing to do so.
But the more it was like this, the more he couldn't avoid it. He had to actively stand in front of the Emperor. Once the Emperor asked something, he would be able to explain. After so many years of relationship between master and servant, he believed that it wouldn't be broken so easily.
Li Longji raised his eyelids and looked at Gao Lishi. He waved his hand and said, "Little Gao, come here."
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