Chapter 240 Return to the DPRK
Goguryeo was only destroyed during the war against the Turks. As the fuse that led to the downfall of the previous dynasty, destroying Goguryeo would bring great prestige.

After losing Liaodong City, Goguryeo had long been a piece of meat on Li Jiancheng's chopping board. If it weren't for this incident, he would have planned to eat it in a few years.

But now that there is a need, he naturally has to act resolutely. Not only did he order Zhang Huli and Luo Yi to march into Pyongyang, he also ordered envoys to Silla and Baekje to convey his order, ordering them to send troops to attack Goguryeo as well. If they did not obey his order, they would be destroyed together.

After the three men received the order and left, Li Jiancheng stood up and walked into the hall. He raised his head slightly and looked at the seat where he usually sat. It was still not high enough.

The ministers also sat during court sessions, which was originally thought to be a good thing. But now it seems that they will have to stand during court sessions. Standing becomes uncomfortable, and only then will they understand the difference in status between the monarch and his ministers.

However, reforming the official system requires great prestige, great courage and firm will. Li Jiancheng undoubtedly possesses the latter two, and now he has to make up for the only thing he lacks.

Li Wei walked in and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager invites you over."

"Who is talking too much? Didn't I order that no one is allowed to disturb the Empress Dowager's peace?"

Li Wei lowered his head and said, "We servants dare not stop the emperor."

Li Jiancheng massacred the court with blood, but he only cut Li Yuan's expenses a little, and did not even put him under house arrest. He just never went to see him.

If you really count it, the emperor's food and drink are still better than the emperor's, but now even the royal family doesn't dare to visit him, let alone the court officials.

"The Emperor is here too?"

"The Emperor is gone."

Li Jiancheng nodded and walked out. The little father-son relationship between him and Li Yuan had completely disappeared after this incident. He would not touch him for the time being simply because he was no longer a threat. At this critical moment, there was no point in giving those who were rebelling another reason.

Li Yuan is only in his fifties and has a lot of time left.

They soon arrived at Dou's bedroom. Li Jiancheng stood in front of the door, softened his expression, and then went in.

Dou had obviously cried, and when she saw Li Jiancheng coming, she couldn't stop her tears.

"Mother, it's okay, it's just a farce, don't worry."

"My son, your father is confused. Why didn't he die earlier?"

Dou spoke angrily with gritted teeth, not caring at all about the palace maids and eunuchs beside her.

These words warmed Li Jiancheng's heart. Over the past few days, even his confidants had been advising him, both openly and secretly, to treat the retired emperor well, otherwise right and wrong would be reversed.

"You all get out."

"promise."

After everyone left, Li Jiancheng sat down beside Dou's couch. He had been in this world for twenty years, and the only ones who truly loved him wholeheartedly were his grandmother Dugu and his mother Dou.

"Mom, it's okay."

Dou looked at her son's haggard face and said sadly, "My son, your mother doesn't have much time left, but your father is like this, how can I worry about you?"

Li Jiancheng tried to comfort her again and again, but his disgust for Li Yuan grew deeper. Everyone knew about Dou's situation, and even her daughters-in-law, who came with their grandchildren to accompany her every day, did not say a word.

But Li Yuan, who had done something wrong, still had the face to let his wife, who was in very poor health, worry about the struggle between her husband and son while she was lying on her sickbed. "You don't have to worry about your son. Those treacherous officials who stirred up trouble have been dealt with by me. No one dares to deceive you anymore."

Dou shook her head slightly. Although she had not been in bed for a long time, she was not an ignorant woman in the inner chamber. She knew very well that although her son had won, his situation must be very bad.

How could it be so easy to kill so many noble relatives and royal family members? If everything could be solved by killing, then the previous emperors were all fools.

"I want to see the ladies of the inner and outer courts. Someone must explain the injustice my son has suffered."

She and Li Yuan were the original couple, and they had children and stayed together all their lives, but this love could never compare to the mother-son relationship between her and her son.

Jiancheng is her eldest son, the most special one of her flesh and blood, who embodies all her expectations and fulfills all her hopes.

At this time, Wei Zheng had already led the King of Qi to the outside of Chang'an City, and both of them looked extremely ugly.

The news from Chang'an along the way continued to shock them. The political situation was completely turned upside down.

Li Yuanji was delighted that Pei Ji, who had impeached him, had died, but he was also terrified that several uncles from the royal family who had tried to protect him had died. Most importantly, it seemed that he could no longer be relied upon in his father.

However, he still held out some hope. So many people had died in the imperial court at once, and it was heard that the local areas were beginning to become unstable. His royal brother had even dragged out the useless third brother and given him a position. Maybe he would allow him to make amends for his crime.

Wei Zheng was extremely angry. The retired emperor and Pei Ji and others had ruined such a good situation. There was even a danger of the country being torn apart by internal and external troubles.

Just as they were entering the city, they discovered that Wang An, Shao Yin of Bingzhou, was also riding a horse towards them. His face was covered with gloom, and he no longer had that proud and free-spirited look. Instead, he only had deep fear.

There were seven or eight officials behind him, all of whom were familiar to Li Yuanji. For some reason, seeing this, he felt a lot more relieved.

It's better for everyone to be together than for him to face his brother alone.

Wang An came before Wei Zheng, dismounted and bowed, "I beg you to speak a few words for me in front of Your Majesty. I have no connection with Pei Ji, and I have no idea that he dared to force the palace to interfere in government affairs."

Li Yuanji sneered, "Who would believe that? Pei Ji just impeached me in the court, and you have already helped him collect evidence. In my opinion, you two are in the same gang!"

Wei Zheng ignored him and went straight into the city and ran towards the palace. Li Yuanji and Wang An had no choice but to follow him.

Soon, Li Jiancheng, who had just come out of the Empress Dowager's bedroom, got the news. He ordered them to wait in the Wude Hall and summoned all the ministers and clan members.

Originally, he wanted to use Li Yuanji to make an example of someone else, but who could have thought that Pei Ji and others would sacrifice themselves so much.

After all the ministers had arrived, the emperor slowly went up to the palace. Wei Zheng first reported back and gave a detailed report of what he had found out during this trip. There was also witnesses and physical evidence to prove that the King of Qi was committing crimes and taking people's lives in the local area.

Li Yuanji hurriedly explained: "This is a conspiracy between Pei Ji and Wang An to frame me. They are afraid that I am in charge of the troops in Bingzhou and will come to the king's defense upon hearing about the changes in the court. Your Majesty, please understand clearly."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the ministers and royal family members could not help but lower their heads. The King of Qi was also one of them who grew up under their care, so everyone knew what kind of person he was.

If he really becomes the emperor emeritus, he will probably be the first one to support him.

Li Jiancheng ignored him and his eyes fell on Wang An. He had talked with Wang An at the banquet when he defeated Wei Daoer and took control of Jinyang.

…………

(End of this chapter)