I am Li Shen and Li Shimin, the free kings of the Tang Dynasty

Of course Li Yifu also knew that Prince Jin was right.

If we don't figure out why Zhangsun Wuji changed sides at the critical moment, then there will be no way for us to cooperate in the future.

If at the critical moment, Zhangsun Wuji betrays again, no one can bear the blow of such failure.

However, it was very difficult to investigate such a confidential matter, so Li Zhi had to go and ask in person.

"I will handle this matter personally in the future." Li Zhi nodded.

“Your Majesty, based on my thoughts over the past few days, I have discovered that the matter in Xizhou is not only being investigated by Prince Ji’s Mansion.

It seemed that several forces were involved in this matter at that time." Li Yifu suddenly thought of something and spoke.

"Oh? Have you found anything?" Li Zhi also became curious.

“Your Majesty, many things are very strange. We killed the tribal leader, but we did not kill the officials of Xizhou Prefecture.

Also, on the road leading to the pass, our people were ambushed by a group of mysterious people, causing heavy casualties, with only a few people surviving.

When we went to investigate later, we couldn't find this group of people.

Also, none of the Ji Wang Mansion tokens that we put down were found. I don’t know who secretly took them away.

Moreover, in Xizhou Prefecture, our people found several groups of people asking around."

After hearing what Li Yifu said, Li Zhi was also a little puzzled.

"How can there be so many forces? One for His Majesty, one for Prince Ji's Mansion, one for us, and maybe there are also some from noble families?"

"He is not from an aristocratic family, otherwise he would not have ruined our good deeds." Li Yifu shook his head.

"That's strange, who else could it be?" Li Zhi began to think.

In his opinion, there are only three forces, and with the aristocratic families at most, there are four forces under investigation.

But now things seem a little blurry.

"Yifu, given the current situation, what do you think of us seeking Ashina Helu as an ally?"

Thinking of his current situation, Li Zhi asked Li Yifu.

“Your Majesty, Ashina Helu is loyal to Your Majesty, and it is impossible for him to cooperate with us.

If things go wrong, they might even report us to His Majesty, which would be more trouble than good." Li Yifu shook his head. He was always cautious in doing things.

As far as he knew, all the surrendered generals of the Ashina tribe were loyal to His Majesty.

“That’s not necessarily true. We can tell him that His Majesty is beginning to doubt him because of Prince Ji’s words.

We know that he secretly recruited his old subordinates, and Your Majesty knows it too.

But Ashina Helu doesn't know that we know this, so we can still use it as a bargaining chip to talk to him slowly.

This is thanks to Li Shen, who has always been very concerned about the northern tribes. "Li Zhi finally smiled.

If Li Shen had not told His Majesty about Ashina Helu, he would not have been able to convince Ashina Helu.

If he could really convince Ashina Helu, Li Zhi would get a great boost. The Turkic soldiers were brave and good at fighting.

As long as I give them some weapons and equipment, their combat effectiveness will immediately be improved.

Moreover, Ashina Helu has thousands of accounts under his command.

"This plan is feasible. Your Majesty is indeed wise." Li Yifu immediately praised after hearing it.

“Okay, in that case, let’s send someone to contact Ashina Helu.

And you must be careful, I suspect Li Shen has been watching us.

Also investigate what’s happening in Xizhou to see who else is involved.

Where does the Tang Dynasty get so many forces? "Li Zhi gave the order.

"Yes, I'll do it right away." Li Yifu bowed and then walked out.

Li Zhi's smile disappeared and he murmured to himself:

"It's not the end yet, let's wait and see."

~~~~~~~~

The sun rises in the east, and little by little it reaches noon.

"Hurry up, hurry up, it's already so late, we won't have time to have lunch when we get to Cuiwei Mountain."

Li Shen stood at the door, constantly urging the servants.

"My dear, didn't we say we would have a dinner to celebrate? There's no need to be so anxious." Lu Dingniang comforted him.

"Madam, I'm hungry. I got up so early, but left so late." Li Shen replied somewhat unhappily.

Lu Dingniang was speechless.

It has been less than half an hour since Li Shen got up. After getting up, he took a shower and changed his clothes. After everything was done, he hurried to set off.

They could have set off directly, but he remembered that he forgot to bring this or that, and then he said that he got up early and others were wasting their time.

"Your Highness, everything is ready. We can set off." Shitou came over to report.

"What are you waiting for? Let's go!" With a wave of his hand, he pulled Lu Dingniang into the carriage.

The rest of the family got on another carriage.

Cuiwei Palace is located in the southwest of Chang'an City, in Taihe Valley of Zhongnan Mountain. It is said to be neither far nor near.

At normal speed it would probably take several hours, but because there was a cement road and Li Shen's carriage was better.

So the speed was relatively fast. Under the escort of a hundred personal guards, they arrived at Cuiwei Palace in an hour.

Li Shen and his companions got off the carriage at the outermost point, passed through many checkpoints, and finally got inside.

The scenery along the way is beautiful and full of vitality, which makes people feel relaxed and happy.

Li Shen thought to himself, no wonder his father came to this place, it was indeed different.

Then he began to think about whether he should also rent a mountain and build a large villa.

As Li Shen was thinking, someone shouted from the front:

"Hey, Your Highness Prince Ji, why did you come just now? His Majesty and the Queen have been waiting for a long time."

Li Shen knew without even looking that the man with the duck voice was Wang De, the old and ugly Wang De.

"Why are you in such a hurry? I'm here. It's a dinner party, and it won't waste any time."

Li Shen shouted loudly towards the front.

"Uh~~~~" Wang De heard that there was resentment in King Ji's tone.

"This old servant greets His Royal Highness Prince Ji and His Royal Highness the Princess." After a moment's pause, Wang De stepped forward and saluted Li Shen and Lu Dingniang.

"Yeah." Li Shen nodded calmly, without his usual enthusiasm.

"Why is Your Majesty so angry?" Wang De continued to ask with a smile.

"Of course I'm angry. I originally wanted to turn my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon only shines on the ditch." After Li Shen said this calmly, he pulled Lu Dingniang past Wang De and walked inside.

"I originally turned my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon shines on the ditch... The person who comes here has bad intentions."

Wang De carefully savored what Li Shen said and quickly understood the meaning of these two sentences.

I thought to myself, it seems I should tell His Majesty first that Prince Ji came here in anger, so I hope he doesn't cause any trouble later.

"Your Highness Prince Ji, I will lead the way for you." Wang De turned around and followed.

In Hanfeng Palace, Li Shimin was chatting with a group of concubines.

They had just finished lunch and were planning how to celebrate in the evening.

Wang De came in at this time, came to Li Shimin's side and whispered:

"Your Majesty, His Royal Highness Prince Ji has arrived with his family and is waiting outside the palace."

"Then let them in." Li Shimin said indifferently.

"Your Majesty, His Royal Highness Prince Ji seems a little unhappy. I'm afraid the person who came has bad intentions." Wang De reminded.

(Thank you for your concern, and please take care of yourself.

Don’t learn from me, my health is not very good.)