novelhk Chapter 163 Self-directed and self-acted
Chapter 163 Self-directed and self-acted
When Wang Cheng, the patriarch of the Wang family in Taiyuan, learned that the Xueyantuo cavalry retreated northward without fighting, he was so angry that he stamped his feet.
"Damn it, they are all ungrateful wolves who didn't even follow the agreed plan!!"
"Father, what should we do now?"
Wang Cheng glared at his eldest son and said, "What are you afraid of? We are just a kind-hearted family. What does the imperial court have to do with us?"
"Father is going to give up the commander of Yanmen Pass?"
"It's not just Yanmen Pass. We can't care about Taiyuan anymore. Go and tell them that it's time to sacrifice yourself for the family."
Is it that simple?
After Li Chengqian went south, he did not arrive in Taiyuan City immediately, but went to Wang's Castle, 30 miles outside the city.
Yuchi Gong came to meet them and reported the situation.
"Your Highness, the castle is heavily guarded, and the walls are even higher than the walls of Taiyuan."
Li Jing looked at the towering Wang's Castle in the distance and asked, "Your Highness, do you really want to take this risk?"
Li Chengqian also looked at Wang's Castle, but he did not answer Li Jing's question directly.
"Does every thousand-year-old family have a castle like this?"
Li Jing was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's right, but Wang's Castle is also the best castle I have ever seen. They are facing the grassland cavalry from the north who may come south at any time. If they want to protect themselves, they must have such a defense."
"What about those noble families in the Central Plains?"
Li Jing replied: "The environment in which the Shandong Central Plains aristocratic families live is relatively stable. They must have castles, but they can only be regarded as high-walled courtyards. Their main defense is internal rioters, not foreign races."
Li Chengqian looked at Pei Xingjian: "Where is your Pei family?"
Pei Xingjian touched his nose and said, "The Pei family has many castles. Because they are geographically close to Guanzhong and the Central Plains, they are rarely harassed by the northern grassland cavalry. The scale of the castles is not worth mentioning compared to the castle in front of us."
At this point, Pei Xingjian asked, "Your Highness wants to use yourself as bait to lure Wang to assassinate him, but Wang is not a fool. They will never do such a stupid thing on their own territory. I think Your Highness does not need to take this step at all."
Li Chengqian sneered, "I think if there is an assassination, then there must be one."
Pei Xingjian was stunned, and Li Jing was also thoughtful.
"Your Highness, do you want to direct and act in a big drama yourself?" Li Jing asked in surprise.
Li Chengqian laughed: "No?"
"this....."
Li Jing and Pei Xingjian were both silent.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is so cruel!
Assassinating the prince is tantamount to treason.
This is to uproot the Taiyuan Wang family...
"Your Highness, aren't you afraid of causing a strong reaction from the Shandong families by doing this, such as a real rebellion!" Pei Xingjian asked.
Li Jing stroked his beard and said, "Strictly speaking, the Wang family of Taiyuan is not a member of the Shandong family. Although it is one of the Five Surnames and Seven Families, other families would not dare to react violently in the face of the crime of treason.
The key is that we have gunpowder and cannons. The balance between the royal family and the noble families has been broken. If they want to take advantage of the situation, they will definitely consider the factor of cannons. I don’t think they dare to do that.”
Li Chengqian nodded: "That's right, they don't dare!"
"Old Li, you lead the troops to guard outside. Pei Xingjian, Cheng Yaojin, Hou Junji, you lead a hundred black armored soldiers and follow me to visit the Wang family."
At the same time, Wang Cheng had already led his men back to the castle.
When he learned that the prince only came to visit with a hundred people, he immediately sensed a conspiracy.
But for a moment he couldn't figure out the trick.
Now the prince is outside the door, and we have to welcome him.
The prince came to visit on his own initiative, what do you mean by not seeing him?
Li Chengqian stood in front of the tall city gate: "Wang family of Taiyuan..."
The Wang family in the world originated from Taiyuan, which is a top-notch aristocratic family.
This fertile soil gave birth to a group of top poets and ministers such as Wang Bo, Wang Zhihuan, Wang Changling and Wang Wei.
There is also the great general Wang Zhongsi, who also came from the Wang family of Taiyuan.
It is conceivable that the Wang family played an extremely important role in the historical development of the Tang Dynasty.
But it is precisely because of this that such a family must perish.
There were many military and political talents, as well as great poets and cultural figures.
Such a background is so terrifying that it can influence the Tang Dynasty in all aspects and even affect the Tang Dynasty's government.
As a dictator, can the emperor tolerate the existence of such forces?
Li Shimin was unable to deal with him throughout his life. Li Zhi wanted to take action, but he failed.
However, it was under Wu Zetian that the influence of the aristocratic families was greatly weakened.
But with the rise of Li Longji, the aristocratic family began to grow stronger again.
The positions of military governors, the right to mint coins, the right to tax, and the right to appoint officials were all controlled by the aristocratic families.
During the Tianbao period, at the instigation of the aristocratic families, An Lushan launched the An-Shi Rebellion, which completely dragged the Tang Dynasty off the altar and eventually led to a situation of separatist regimes.
Behind the separatist rule of the feudal lords were the strong support of the aristocratic families, and some of them even came to the fore and became warlords.
But now, he is here.
A brand new Li Chengqian has arrived.
He must not let this happen again. He must completely eradicate the scourge of the aristocratic family in his own hands.
Just then, the door slowly opened.
Wang Cheng led the important members of the clan, ran forward and bowed with a respectful attitude.
"I didn't know His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was here, I'm sorry for not welcoming you!!"
In order to prevent Wang Cheng from getting suspicious, Li Chengqian quickly dismounted and enthusiastically helped Wang Cheng up.
"You are too polite, Lord Wang. This time, the Xueyantuo attacked us, thanks to Lord Wang's vow to defend Taiyuan City to the death. Otherwise, if Taiyuan City was lost, the consequences would be disastrous."
Wang Cheng quickly cupped his hands and said, "No, no, no, it's all thanks to the Taiyuan garrison. I'm just a commoner and I don't dare to take credit for it."
Li Chengqian patted his hands enthusiastically: "The Taiyuan Wang family has made some contributions. After returning to Chang'an, I will report the merits of Lord Wang to my father."
After some greetings, everyone walked into the castle one after another.
Along the way, Li Chengqian discovered that the people on the street were all tall and strong. Although they were dressed in casual clothes, as long as they took up weapons and put on armor, they would be elite troops.
Moreover, the scale of the castle is similar to that of some county towns, with all kinds of shops on the streets selling all kinds of goods.
This is not a castle for each family, it is actually a county town, an independent small kingdom.
Arrive at Wang's mansion in the center of the castle.
Looking at the equally tall walls of the mansion, this is a city within a city.
Even if the outer walls of the castle were breached, the Wang mansion could still resist for a while with the help of its high walls.
Moreover, Li Chengqian believed that there must be an underground passage in the base camp that the Wang family had operated for hundreds of years.
Even if the house was breached, they could still escape through the underground passage.
With the wealth and connections they have accumulated over hundreds of years, as well as the Wang family members spread all over the world, they can completely move to another place to continue the glory of the Wang family.
This is the family's heritage, so terrifying! !