"Your subordinate, Duan Zhixuan, reports with the Tiger Guard's Sixth Regiment, awaiting orders!"
He strode forward and cupped his fist in a salute before Li Chengqian.
"Greetings, Duke of Anguo!"
Fang Er rose and returned the salute, "Greetings, Duke of Fan."
Li Chengqian also stood up from his chair, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed out the door.
"Has the Tiger Guard's Sixth Regiment all arrived?"
"As per the Crown Prince's command, the Tiger Guard's Sixth Regiment, totaling 7,245 men, has all arrived!"
Li Chengqian nodded slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"Dispatch my orders!"
"The First Regiment, to the mansion of the Duke of Kui!"
"The Second Regiment, to the mansion of the Duke of Teng!"
"The Third Regiment, to the mansion of the Duke of Xue!"
"Arrest all these traitors!"
"Wh-what, what?" Duan Zhixuan was somewhat stunned.
Of these three men, only Duke of Teng, Du Gu Xiude, had an unremarkable record. The other two had earned significant achievements!
The Duke of Kui, Liu Hongji, had campaigned in all directions with Li Shimin, conquering Xue Ju, the Overlord of Western Qin, defeating Song Jin gang, and pacifying Liu Hei'ta.
The Duke of Xue, Changsun Shunde, was the paternal cousin of Empress Changsun and Li Chengqian's maternal grandfather! He had pacified Huoyi, breached Linfen, captured the renowned general Qu Tutong, and stabilized Shan County.
Duan Zhixuan had never imagined that he would be ordered to act against them!
Yet, Li Chengqian merely smiled faintly, "Already surprised?"
"The Fourth Regiment, to the mansion of the Prince of Huai'an!"
"The Fifth Regiment, to the mansion of the Prince of Longxi!"
"The Sixth Regiment, to accompany me to the mansion of the Prince of Rencheng, to have a word with our esteemed Prince!"
"Boom!"
Duan Zhixuan was utterly bewildered!
The Prince of Huai'an, Li Shentong, was Li Shimin's paternal uncle!
The Prince of Longxi, Li Boxi, was Li Shimin's paternal cousin!
The Prince of Rencheng, Li Daozong, was Li Shimin's paternal cousin!
These three were either Li Chengqian's grandfather or his uncles.
To arrest them?
After speaking, Li Chengqian walked towards the exit with Fang Er. Seeing that he hadn't followed for some time, he turned back and urged him,
"Old Duan, stop gawking, let's go?"
Fang Er was impressed with Li Shimin!
This man, wanting to abdicate and elevate his son.
Although imperial power was to recede, this was not something that could happen overnight!
At least, before the reforms were accepted by everyone and the constitution was promulgated, great authority would still reside with the Li family!
Therefore, before his abdication, he had to help Li Chengqian establish his authority!
Heh, these people!
Unable to defeat them openly, they caused trouble everywhere, hoping to destabilize the Great Tang from its roots.
But paper could not contain fire forever!
The Tiger Guards moved out in all directions, acting according to orders.
Besides surrounding mansions and confiscating property, they were also dispatched to arrest people.
For instance, Du Gu Xiude, as the Prefect of Tongzhou, did not reside in Chang'an.
Liu Hongji, as the Prefect of Langzhou, also did not reside in Chang'an.
There were already people assigned to carry out these tasks, so Li Chengqian did not need to worry about them.
At the Prince of Rencheng's mansion, three regiments of Tiger Guards, totaling over 3,600 men, encircled the entire estate tightly.
The common people passing by saw the impressive display and quickly retreated to a safe distance.
The servants in the Duke's mansion, seeing the Tiger Guards arrive, tried to inquire about the reason for their visit, but were immediately subdued by the Tiger Guards.
"Blast the gate!"
Li Chengqian shouted.
Over a dozen robust men stepped forward, inserted grenades into the gaps of the gate, pulled the pins, and retreated far away.
"Boom!"
After a few moments, with a loud explosion, the mansion's main gate instantly shattered into pieces.
As the dust settled, Li Chengqian, carrying an AK, charged in first.
"Protect the Crown Prince!"
Duan Zhixuan, seeing this, quickly led his men to follow, shielding him.
"No need! I want to see if Li Daozong dares to lay a hand on me!"
Li Chengqian pushed aside the soldiers blocking his path and continued forward.
They entered the Chuihua Gate, and the servants of the mansion rushed forward.
"Stop! Who dares to be so presumptuous here!"
"Bang!"
Duan Zhixuan kicked the speaker to the ground, his Yun II bolt-action rifle pressed against the man's forehead, and asked coldly.
"Where is Li Daozong!"
The cold muzzle of the gun made the man's face turn ashen. He stammered,
"Th-the, the back... courtyard..."
As he spoke, a pale yellow liquid seeped from beneath him.
"Watch him, no one is allowed to escape!"
Li Chengqian glanced at him, waved his hand, and walked towards the back courtyard.
After he issued that string of commands in the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, he seemed like a changed person.
Gone was the past timidity and inferiority complex, yet it was more restrained than the arrogance of the previous day.
In Fang Er's opinion, this was just right.
He followed behind, watching Li Chengqian's actions.
With a smile that hinted at maternal affection, he smiled without speaking.
The matters across the Great Tang had been investigated by the Eastern Depot over the past month. Though not exhaustively detailed, the mastermind behind it had been found.
It was the imperial clan!
"Hahaha, I was just saying this morning that the magpies have been chirping non-stop outside the study. So, esteemed guests have arrived."
Suddenly, a hearty laugh echoed from ahead, and Li Daozong's figure appeared in their sight.
He walked with a powerful stride, accompanied by his steward and servants, his expression calm and composed, showing no trace of alarm.
"Magpies? I think they are more like crows!"
Li Chengqian stopped, his eyes radiating a chilling killing intent, and met his gaze without backing down.
"Hahaha, Crown Prince, you must be joking with me. Come, come, let us talk inside."
"It has been a long time since I have been so intimate with the Crown Prince. Recently, the servants bought some dancers from the Western Regions. How about we enjoy a dance and some wine together?"
Li Daozong said with a smile, walking forward step by step.
Just as he reached a distance of more than ten paces from them, Li Chengqian suddenly shouted,
"Take him down!"
Duan Zhixuan led the Tiger Guards in a surge.
Seeing this, Li Daozong's smile froze instantly.
"Crown Prince, why is this?"
"Why? You know yourself what you have done!"
"I am wronged! I have been indisposed and recuperating at home for several months. I have done nothing!"
Seeing him refuse to admit it and attempting to quibble and excuse himself, Li Chengqian's anger flared. He took the wooden chest from the Tiger Guards and slammed it to the ground.
He pointed at the scrolls scattered on the floor and questioned him sternly.
"Done nothing?"
"Although you have not left your residence, you colluded with Li Shentong, Li Boxi, and others to plot the ruin of the Great Tang, intending to halt the reforms!"
"For this, you did not hesitate to secretly instigate the noble families to commit evil, disregarding the lives of the common people. Your intentions are punishable!"
"Each and every one of these deeds is documented!"
"You still dare to claim you are wronged?"
"If even you are wronged, then to whom should the innocent civilians who died miserably over the past month appeal for justice?!"
Having said that, he looked at Duan Zhixuan beside him.
"What are you waiting for? Take him down quickly! Anyone who dares to resist will be killed without mercy!"
Li Daozong grinned.
"Hahahaha! Arrest me?!"
"Boy, do not forget, I am of the imperial clan!"
"Even if I were innocent, it is not your place to act!"
"The affairs of the imperial clan are not managed by the court; they must be judged by the宗正 (Zongzheng)!"
"The Zongzheng is not in court. Even if you arrest me and take me to the Zongzheng Temple, I will be well-fed and well-served!"
Duan Zhixuan's hand reached out and then retracted.
All members of the Li family, regardless of their status or their blood relation to the current emperor, fell under the jurisdiction of the Zongzheng.
This was the law. Whether right or wrong, this was how it was currently established!
Li Chengqian laughed in anger, "Imperial clan? Others may care, but I do not!"
Saying this, he made a move as if to personally arrest Li Daozong.
But at this moment, Fang Er's voice came from behind.
"Don't rush, don't panic..."
"Stay calm when facing matters..."
"Here, catch!"
Li Chengqian turned his head and saw him cheerfully toss something over.
The Zongzheng Order!