Chapter 102: Tempestuous Waves

The counterattack from the aristocratic clans came swifter than anyone could have imagined.

That very night, the offices of the Three Departments and Six Ministries received no fewer than three hundred petitions for retirement, with over half coming from county magistrates alone.

The county magistrate was the backbone of the state, especially in feudal times. One magistrate governed all matters within a county. Without them, the vast county was like a rudderless ship caught in a tempest, adrift and uncertain, with restless hearts among the people.

Nearly one-third of the remaining officials—censors, inspectors, and imperial investigators—also submitted their resignations, and even several vice ministers and ministers did the same.

Such critical news jolted Emperor Taizong from his sleep. Furious, he nearly smashed the Ganlu Hall in his rage.

Naturally, Li Kong could not remain oblivious to the brewing storm. He immediately left his residence and hurried to the Taiji Palace.

At the Ganlu Hall, near dusk, Emperor Taizong faced him with a stern expression. “What do you intend to do next?”

Li Kong’s face was ashen. “First, we must find replacements for those who have resigned. Let’s put aside the censors and inspectors for now—our focus is the county magistrates. As long as we can stabilize the grassroots officials, I’m confident we can resolve the rest within two days.”

“Are you certain?”

“I stake my very life on it!”

“There’s no other choice. What do you need?”

“Ten thousand Xuan Armor troops, all assembled by dawn.”

“Very well. I’m entrusting the fate of the entire Tang Empire to you this time. Do not disappoint me!” Emperor Taizong’s weariness was palpable.

Feigning lightheartedness, Li Kong smiled wryly. “Your Majesty, I still hope to marry Lady Changle. Naturally, I won’t allow anyone to spoil that for me.”

The emperor’s mouth twitched involuntarily before he kicked him out with a sharp command. “Get out!”

Half an hour later.

At the Duke of Lu’s mansion, Li Kong forcefully threw open the gates, rousing the sleeping Cheng Yaojin. Mistaking the commotion for an attack on Chang’an, Cheng scrambled out of bed, hastily donned clothes, grabbed his weapons, and hurried to the main hall.

But upon seeing Li Kong, he froze.

Li Kong regarded the drowsy Cheng with a bitter shake of his head, then tossed a stack of petitions before him. “Uncle Cheng, this matter doesn’t concern you much. I came only to warn you not to get involved.”

Cheng’s face darkened as he grabbed the petitions. Opening the first one, he was stunned.

“County Magistrate Cui Chengxiu of Shanyang... resigns!”

“What are they trying to do?” Cheng’s anger flared. Though he was married into an aristocratic family and preferred that Emperor Taizong not act against the clans, these aristocrats were nothing before the Tang dynasty.

After all, it was Cheng Yaojin and his brothers-in-arms who had carved out the Tang Empire with sword and spear, not these aristocratic families. They were undermining the very foundation of the realm.

Cheng may have had his flaws, but in terms of loyalty to Tang, few could match his devotion. In the early days of the empire, aside from the aristocrats, officials’ allegiance was steadfast.

After a long pause, Cheng exhaled heavily, leaning back in his chair. “What do you plan to do?”

Li Kong pondered before replying, “I’m not fully sure yet... but in turbulent times, harsh measures are necessary. I cannot yet discern the exact role the Cui clan plays in this, but I promise you this: the Cui family is not my primary target. As for their fate, that will be their own choice.”

“You... very well. Go then.” Cheng closed his eyes, his spirit drained to nearly nothing, leaving only the barest trace of vitality.

Watching Cheng, Li Kong suddenly felt that this legendary demon lord of the past life was also a pitiable soul. Perhaps his madness was a way to escape the clan’s entanglements.

But who could say? Only Cheng himself knew the truth.

Meanwhile, in a well-lit villa on the outskirts of Chang’an, a silent crowd numbering nearly a thousand stood in the courtyard.

Inside, a dozen middle-aged men stood, with Wang Gui in the center quietly sipping tea. His eyes were sharp and fierce, yet tinged with a subtle, unhidden turmoil.

“Clan leader, all preparations are complete. What shall we do next? Please instruct us!” a middle-aged man demanded coldly.

“Yes, our clan leader has commanded us to follow Chief Wang’s orders completely. Let him give the command—we cannot allow the Li Tang dynasty to crush us at will!”

“Indeed, the dignity of the aristocratic clans cannot be violated!”

“This time, we must show Emperor Taizong how foolish his actions against the clans truly are!”

...

The dozen men hailed from various noble families across the Central Plains. To Wang Gui’s disappointment, the Zheng family was absent. Yet recalling old Zheng Xuandu’s temper, Wang Gui was not surprised. If the Zhengs wished to avoid this battle, Wang Gui would never let them do so easily.

Gazing down at the chaotic crowd below, Wang Gui took a deep breath and cleared his throat. “Quiet! Our actions this time will determine the fate of all aristocratic clans. If we succeed, we shall stand firm. If we fail, the clans will vanish like the Yuwen family once did, reduced to dust in history. Therefore, failure is not an option.

I will now divide you into groups to carry out a mission that will decide our victory or defeat.”

Wang Gui’s plans concluded swiftly, and the groups dispersed into Chang’an, heading straight toward the eastern market where officials gathered.

What Wang Gui and his cohorts did not know was that Li Kong, already prepared within the city, had received intelligence of their movements.

Li Kong scoffed at Wang Gui’s “plans.” Regardless of their chances of success, every official above the third rank in Chang’an had dozens of bodyguards, many seasoned veterans from the battlefield. Who gave Wang Gui such audacity?

“Young master, are we really going to ignore them? What if one of their squads succeeds?” Laifu asked anxiously.

Li Kong strode toward the capital’s garrison, disdain evident in his voice. “Those rabble? Hmph!”

At that moment, a swift horse galloped toward them. Within a hundred meters of Li Kong, the rider vaulted off, dropping to one knee and loudly announcing, “Captain Luo Tong of the Left Guard, ordered to assist the general in personnel inspections and to execute the operation!”