Chapter 19: Li Chengqian's Ingenious Scheme

"Brothers, anyone willing to stay in the Crown Prince’s residence from now on shall be considered my kin, my comrades. I treat you as brothers. But if any of you betray us, I’ll make sure you regret it," Zhao Hu stepped forward, his gaze stern as he addressed the guards outside the room.

The guards present were deeply moved. Many had relatives or acquaintances who served in the palace, but none had ever witnessed such a scene before. This moment unfolded clearly before their eyes, lifting their spirits to soaring heights—unexpected yet entirely reasonable.

Li Chengqian aspired to achieve great things; he needed allies, a devoted group willing to follow him, or else his ambitions would be mere empty talk.

These arrangements had all been carefully planned in advance. Despite the possibility of assassins lurking, none had struck since the last group was eliminated. The fact that another faction of assassins held back suggested something important.

This second group, unlike the assassins who had been slain, seemed to possess a greater sense of justice. They hesitated, observing the situation.

Thus, Li Chengqian decisively decided to play the emotional card, a strategy with dual benefits.

First, it would strengthen the loyalty of the Crown Prince’s guards, binding them to him wholeheartedly.

Second, it might touch the heart of the hidden assassin, showing him a different side of Li Chengqian—a prince who regarded his guards as brothers. Such a display would surely stir his conscience.

These two advantages would naturally serve the purpose of accomplishing the mission.

This was Li Chengqian’s ingenious plan, now being enacted through Zhao Hu.

As Zhao Hu finished speaking, every guard present was profoundly moved. They had been waiting for this moment—true sincerity from the Crown Prince. Naturally, they vowed to give their all, willing to face any danger for him.

"Crown Prince, rest assured. From this day forth, our lives belong to you. Whatever you command, we shall obey without question," Yang Jiguang nodded, raising his right hand to pledge his determination.

The guards erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable. They knelt down and shouted in unison:

"Resolutely support the Crown Prince!"

They raised their weapons high, declaring their unwavering loyalty.

All of this was witnessed by the assassin lurking in the shadows.

His heart skipped a beat. The Crown Prince was not the wretched man that Prince Wei, Li Tai, had described. Apart from a slight limp, he found no fault in him.

Zhao Hu, impersonating Li Chengqian, had flawlessly replicated even that limp.

"Could I have been mistaken? The Crown Prince looks more like a guardian of the nation and its people than a villain. As heir to the Tang Empire, he is undoubtedly qualified," the assassin, known as Gouhun, frowned thoughtfully amidst the guards.

"Brothers, please rise," Zhao Hu gestured. "I have prepared a feast. Today, everyone can eat freely. The Crown Prince’s residence will cover all expenses—you just need to enjoy yourselves."

"The Crown Prince’s wisdom shines!" the guards exclaimed, standing and applauding loudly.

The hall filled with exuberant applause that resonated like the rallying cries before battle, inspiring joy and vigor.

The guards were elated, shouting as if celebrating a hard-won victory.

"Arrange the banquet. It is ready in the main hall. Today, I shall dine with you all!" Zhao Hu declared, turning toward the main hall.

Yang Jiguang and the other guards hurried behind him, ready to protect at a moment’s notice.

Gouhun’s cold gaze fixed on them. This was his best opportunity to strike. If he attacked now, success would be assured.

His hand instinctively reached for the throwing knife at his waist, touching it repeatedly. Yet, each time before drawing it, a voice of conscience restrained him.

"How can you harm such a good Crown Prince? Are you more ruthless than a demon?" the voice whispered in his mind.

Though nagging, the words were truthful.

"No! An assassin’s mission is to complete the task. Since Prince Wei has entrusted me with the Crown Prince’s head, I must fulfill it," another thought flickered—his darker impulse gaining strength.

The two voices battled fiercely in Gouhun’s mind, overwhelming him.

He was deeply troubled. Similar inner conflicts had arisen during past assassinations.

But this time was different. The target was the Crown Prince himself, and through various channels and his own eyes, Gouhun was convinced that Li Chengqian was a worthy heir, undeserving of his judgment.

His heart was torn.

One voice urged obedience to Prince Wei’s order; the other condemned him: "If you cannot distinguish justice from evil, how can you call yourself an assassin? You pride yourself as a champion of justice, a protector of the people and the Tang Empire—how can your actions betray them?"

These voices swirled endlessly in Gouhun’s ears like a revolving lantern.

Unconsciously, he cradled his head in his hands, anguished.

But he quickly masked his pain—for any sign of weakness here would be noticed and punished.

As a seasoned veteran in the martial world and a master assassin, Gouhun understood this well. When his large dagger slipped, he pretended to retrieve it calmly, feigning nonchalance.

Yang Jiguang’s well-placed agents had already detected this subtlety.

Soon, Yang Jiguang received word of the situation.

"Zhao Hu, there might be a problem. That guard seems to be an assassin," Yang lowered his voice.

"How do you know?" Zhao Hu whispered, wary of being overheard.

"I had someone secretly watch the guards. He first held his head, looking pained, then pretended his dagger fell, bending to pick it up. That detail was captured," Yang said confidently, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Does the Crown Prince mean to arrest him now?" Zhao Hu’s expression sharpened.

"No, we haven’t said that yet. Let’s continue the act and keep watching," Yang recalled that the Crown Prince had only suggested this assassin might have a sense of justice, unlike the previous reckless group.

Hence, the approach was to persuade rather than arrest or kill rashly.

"Send word quietly to the Crown Prince and let him decide," Zhao Hu sighed, lowering his voice.

"That’s best. I’ll arrange it immediately," Yang nodded, understanding the gravity.

Yang soon dispatched a guard to inform the Crown Prince.

"Crown Prince, please," Yang gestured hastily, inviting Zhao Hu to take the lead.

"Let everyone come in, Commander Yang," Zhao Hu said calmly after seating himself.

"Yes, Crown Prince," Yang responded quickly, signaling a guard who promptly called out, "The Crown Prince commands all to enter."

"Thank you, Crown Prince," the guards replied, slowly entering the main hall.

Palace maids busied themselves, bringing an array of delicacies.

Many guards were so overwhelmed by the food that they barely moved, quickly settling into the festive mood.

Gouhun, blending among them, was closely monitored, though most guards were unaware of his identity. Only a few trusted by Yang knew.

"Brothers, a toast!" Zhao Hu raised his cup high.

The guards were deeply moved—what an honor to dine with the Crown Prince himself!

Of course, they did not know this ‘Crown Prince’ was an impersonation.

Except for Yang Jiguang, no one else was aware.

"To the Crown Prince!" the guards rose, raising their cups.

The atmosphere warmed instantly, the ‘Crown Prince’ mingling freely with his guards.

Who could resist such a leader, especially one who shared their hardships and dined alongside them?

Many guards relaxed, realizing their time had come. If they remained loyal to the Crown Prince, their fortunes would rise when he ascended the throne.

They brimmed with confidence, believing their glory was imminent.

Meanwhile, the assassins within the Prince’s residence had been nearly wiped out. Any remaining stragglers posed little threat.

At that moment, in a small room beside the hall, a stone slab was quietly moved aside.

Through the opening, Li Chengqian himself watched every detail inside the hall, concealed.

"Send word to Yang Jiguang—tell him to go down and toast the guards, ensuring he passes by the assassin naturally. We must not be obvious. I trust this assassin’s conscience still exists," Li Chengqian whispered to Lu Liangping.

"Yes, Your Highness, understood," Lu Liangping replied, sending a note discreetly to Yang Jiguang through a close aide.

The revelry continued, oblivious to these subtle maneuvers.

Yang Jiguang received and quietly read the note, instantly understanding. Seizing an opportunity, he murmured instructions into Zhao Hu’s ear.

"I understand," Zhao Hu nodded, lowering his voice.

"Brothers, I am pleased today. Recently, we have eliminated several assassins in the Crown Prince’s residence. From now on, the residence returns to its former peace. You may live happily once more," Zhao Hu said, descending from his seat. "I wish to toast you all, but there are many of you, so I will toast ten at a time."

"Long live the Crown Prince! We thank you," they responded eagerly, raising their cups in anticipation.

Soon, Zhao Hu began, toasting ten guards at a time. There were about sixty people total, so six rounds of toasts.

The first two rounds passed without incident; no one noticed Gouhun.

Everyone’s spirits soared, unaware of any danger.

But at the third round, Zhao Hu deliberately approached Gouhun, raising his cup before him.

"Brothers, I toast to you. It is thanks to your tireless effort, working together, that we have swiftly eradicated these assassins. I thank you," Zhao Hu declared, downing his cup in one.

He stood close enough to Gouhun that any sudden move would be fatal—no second chance.

Gouhun’s throwing knife was deadly accurate, but no one had ever seen it in action.

The reason was simple: all who witnessed it had long since passed to the afterlife.

Only Gouhun himself survived such encounters.

Now, he struggled within—this was a godsend opportunity. If he struck, the Crown Prince would not survive.

Yet, recalling the Crown Prince’s deeds, his heart softened.

Not to mention the recent gestures that had genuinely warmed the guards’ hearts—an exchange of true sincerity. Such a prince was unprecedented in Tang history, perhaps in all history.

At this thought, Gouhun hesitated, caught in turmoil.

Others eagerly finished their drinks, but Gouhun’s hands trembled as his thoughts wandered, lost and indecisive.

Yang Jiguang and several guards noticed and wondered why this guard dared to defy the Crown Prince’s toast.

Zhao Hu caught sight of this and quickly approached Gouhun with a warm smile, cup raised.

"Brother, why do you not drink?" Zhao Hu’s voice was steady, friendly.

For a Crown Prince, smiling so openly to a guard was rare indeed.

"Crown Prince... I..." Gouhun faltered, his hand instinctively reaching for his dagger but then lowering it. Trembling, he raised his cup.

"No need to be so formal. I am no tiger. I know how hard you all work. Today, I break tradition to dine and celebrate with you—that is my duty as Crown Prince. Ha ha..." Zhao Hu laughed heartily, watching Gouhun closely.

Gouhun’s guard slowly eased. He had never seen such a congenial Crown Prince, nor heard of one.

The Tang Empire would be fortunate indeed to have such an heir.

He resolved not to be a traitor, not to destroy the great wall he had sworn to protect.

With this resolve, Gouhun drank deeply, set down his cup, stood quickly, and bowed respectfully to Zhao Hu.

"Thank you, Crown Prince. I was discourteous just now."

"Sit, no need for ceremony," Zhao Hu patted his shoulder, smiling. He motioned to a stool, inviting him to sit.

At that moment, Yang Jiguang and the others exhaled in relief.

This assassin was undoubtedly different—no ordinary killer.

Watching from the shadows, Li Chengqian felt a surge of complex emotions.

This was an era of heroes. He needed a skilled bodyguard close at hand. If this assassin truly wished to change his ways, he would be the perfect protector on his path.

"Lu Liangping, you will..." Li Chengqian suddenly grasped Lu’s arm and whispered instructions.

"Crown Prince, isn’t this too risky? If the assassin has ill intent, the Prince could be harmed," Lu Liangping exclaimed, alarmed.

"It is fine. Follow my orders. I have it under control," Li Chengqian smiled calmly.

"Yes, Your Highness," Lu replied, calling a guard to relay the message.

"Yes, Deputy Commander Lu. I obey," the guard answered and left.

After these arrangements, Lu’s palms were sweaty; standing beside Li Chengqian, he was uneasy.

Li Chengqian noticed and gently patted his shoulder.

"Crown Prince, do you have any more instructions?" Lu stammered nervously, almost revealing their secret.

"Shh," Li Chengqian hushed him quickly. "You seem tense. How about a wager?"

"Crown Prince, I dare not wager with you," Lu replied, still anxious.

The plan was fraught with risk—it involved Zhao Hu, Yang Jiguang, and even the Crown Prince himself.

If the assassin was cornered, the consequences would be unimaginable.