Chapter 788: Li Er investigates whether there are signs of a coup in Jin Ling City

Jin Ling City.

Li Er and Fang Xuanling went directly to Cheng Yaojin's house.

To find this guy who was rough on the outside but meticulous on the inside to solve the problem.

"Yaojin, during the time I was away, was there anything unusual in Jin Ling?"

Cheng Yaojin's blank, large face was full of shock.

It seemed he had not expected that after the Emperor returned to Jin Ling, he wouldn't even return to the Imperial Palace, but instead came directly to him.

"There was one thing quite unusual: Zhangsun Wuji suddenly proposed to hold the imperial examinations early. The strange thing is, most of the ministers in the court supported it. The few of us who opposed it were of no avail."

Zhangsun Wuji?

Li Er only felt as if there was a fog in front of him; no matter what, he couldn't see through the things behind it.

"Why did Zhangsun Wuji want to hold the imperial examinations early? Did he state any reason?"

Cheng Yaojin was truly frightened this time, staring with a pair of large eyes at Li Er.

"Your Majesty, you don't know about this yet? We all thought the memorial had already been sent to Chang'an by fast horse.

Oh... right, the reason Zhangsun Wuji gave was that Your Majesty is not in Jin Ling, and the hearts of the court are unstable. It is necessary to hold the imperial examinations early to stabilize the hearts of the people inside and outside the court."

Li Er began to ponder.

He had indeed not said when he would return when he went to Chang'an.

But he didn't know if Zhangsun Wuji doing this was purely for the sake of the Imperial Court, or if he had other ulterior motives?

Let's put this matter aside for now; there is another very important matter.

"Yaojin, during this period, have you discovered any news about Yin Hongzhi?" Cheng Yaojin tilted his head and thought for a moment.

"I heard before that he was in Gannan; there has been no news of him recently." Li Er recalled the assassination attempt on the road and was so angry his face turned livid. With a bang, he smashed his fist onto the desk.

The teacup jumped with a clatter.

Cheng Yaojin was startled, not knowing what fire this Emperor was venting again.

Li Er said through gritted teeth.

"That lowly spawn Yin Hongzhi actually arranged for assassins to ambush and assassinate me on the road!"

"Ah...?!"

Cheng Yaojin was so shocked he jumped up.

This was a crime of treason!

No wonder the Emperor was so not himself as soon as he returned, not daring to return to the Imperial Palace, and even sneaking to his house to find out news.

No, one cannot use "sneaking" for the Emperor; it is "the hidden dragon moving in secret"!

"This Yin Hongzhi has such great audacity! I will order men to Gannan right now to capture him and bring him to justice!"

Yin Hongzhi still held an official position; he was the Chief Clerk of the Prince of Qi's mansion.

Ever since Jiangbei had completely fallen to Great Qin, the Prince of Qi's mansion had also moved to Gannan.

Li Er originally wanted to stop him.

Yin Hongzhi must have already fled upon learning that the matter had been exposed.

Going to capture him now, he feared they would catch nothing.

But upon second thought, had his son, the Prince of Qi Li You, also participated? It would be better to capture him and ask clearly.

Fang Xuanling spoke at this time.

"Your Majesty, it seems there is no movement in Jin Ling City. The Duke of Lu felt almost nothing."

Li Er nodded.

Cheng Yaojin was actually a very meticulous person; if even he didn't feel anything, then it was most likely that no coup had truly occurred.

At the very least, they could return to the Imperial Palace.

Zhangsun Prefecture

Zhangsun Wuji had already received a secret report at this time, learning that the assassination of the Emperor had failed.

According to his understanding of the Emperor's personality, he had most likely already sneaked back to Jin Ling and begun investigating in secret.

Yin Hongzhi was truly an idiot; he had clearly already taken action, yet he hadn't succeeded!

They were only a hair's breadth away from success!

At this time, Zhangsun Wuji did not have much time to regret.

The matter had failed; now he could only quickly think of ways to remedy it.

He had already sent people to call Li Tai over.

Li Tai did not know the situation yet.

When he arrived and saw Zhangsun Wuji, he was still full of excitement.

"Uncle, why did you call me? I am busy."

Zhangsun Wuji had a headache seeing his heartless appearance.

"What are you busy with?"

Speaking of this, Li Tai began to get excited, his mouth unable to close from smiling.

"Isn't today the day the list is posted and the Top Graduate parades? Several of those who passed the new imperial examinations have all gone to my mansion, wanting to join my faction."

Li Tai was not stupid; he was just too frivolous and easily blinded by immediate benefits.

Zhangsun Wuji sighed.

"The Emperor has already returned to the capital; you must restrain yourself!"

"Ah? Returned to the capital!"

Li Tai was suddenly a bit panicked.

During this period, he had lived too comfortably, to the point that he had forgotten there was still an Emperor father outside.

Zhangsun Wuji had a headache seeing his good-for-nothing appearance.

He had only participated in imperial examination fraud, and he was scared into this bird-like state!

Sure enough, it was correct not to tell him about the assassination of the Emperor.

"Li Tai, stay calm! Just do as I taught you before regarding the imperial examination. Rest assured, Uncle will definitely support you!"

Zhangsun Wuji addressed Li Tai by his name, intentionally downplaying his noble title.

As for Li Tai, Zhangsun Wuji would naturally control him, but he wouldn't threaten him directly like he did with Li Chengqian before.

After all, Li Tai was a true Imperial Prince, and the most favored one at that.

He needed to make him psychologically dependent on Zhangsun Wuji.

This imperial examination was a small crisis intentionally manufactured by Zhangsun Wuji for Li Tai.

The goal was to make him understand that only by listening to Zhangsun Wuji could he grasp the Emperor's mood and realize the goal of succession step by step.

Li Tai nodded, the fat on his body still trembling with nervousness.

"Uncle, just say that Father Emperor left and rumors were flying in the capital. In order to stabilize the hearts of the court and the people, we had no choice but to hold the imperial examinations." Zhangsun Wuji patted Li Tai's head.

"Just remember this explanation; as for the rest, Uncle will handle it."

Zhangsun Wuji knew that this explanation alone certainly wouldn't make the Emperor believe.

And as for Li Tai, knowing this much was enough. The more unknown, the more fearful, and the more he would become dependent on his uncle.

Li Tai seemed desperate for this, hurriedly bowing to Zhangsun Wuji and retreating.

Zhangsun Wuji sneered.

"Li Er was considered a hero back in the day, but unfortunately, his sons are all good-for-nothings!"

He called Li Tai over to drop everything, and it seemed he hadn't said anything. But in reality, his goal had already been achieved.

At tomorrow's morning court, if the Emperor began to investigate this matter, today's move could come in handy.

Prince Wei went to the Zhangsun Prefecture; what did this mean?

It meant Prince Wei had no intention of rebelling!

In the heart of the Emperor Li Er, the thing he worried about most was someone laying hands on imperial power.

This time, the one presiding over the palace examination on behalf of the Emperor was precisely Li Tai.

Li Er would think that if Li Tai wanted to rebel, he would certainly have been sitting in the main seat. Others should have been the ones going to pay respects to him. ===== CHAPTER 790 =====