hsntnovel Chapter 2741 A Bold Guess.
Chapter 2741 A Bold Guess.
Du Chuke spoke solemnly:
"Your Highness, I suspect that this pirate crew is likely being supported by a powerful figure from our Great Tang Dynasty."
Moreover, this person has a high social status and considerable strength.
Otherwise, how could such a powerful naval force have been built?
"You suspect Li Shen?"
Upon hearing Du Chuke's words, Li Tai suddenly stood up, his face filled with astonishment.
With strength and high status, isn't that exactly describing Li Shen?
Thinking of this, Li Tai felt a pang of regret. Why hadn't he thought of Li Shen back then? Li Shen's Prince Ji's mansion certainly had the power to do so.
"Your Highness, I dare not make a hasty conclusion. Prince Ji is just one of the suspects. There are many people in Chang'an with such power."
Those powerful nobles, aristocratic families, gentry, and regional princes, even... His Highness Prince Jin could be among them.
"Or perhaps it's related to the imperial court." Du Chuke quickly explained, as he didn't only suspect Prince Ji.
In the Tang Dynasty, there were many ships that could be assembled. In the early stages, all that was needed was to build ships. Over the years, countless ships had been intercepted at sea, making it entirely self-sufficient.
“Zhi Nu?” Li Tai murmured Li Zhi’s name, then slowly sat down.
If it were Li Zhi, Li Tai would indeed think it was possible, since this wasn't the first time Li Zhi had done something like this.
If it were said that he had formed the pirate crew, Li Tai wouldn't be surprised at all. A pirate crew is not only a force, but can also provide him with wealth.
"Wait, what do you mean by 'the imperial court'? Do you think the pirate crew was formed by the imperial court?"
No, that's impossible.
Suddenly, Li Tai looked up at Du Chuke and denied his guess.
Upon seeing this, Du Chuke quickly explained:
"Your Highness, this is also my guess. According to my investigation, this pirate group first appeared when we were fighting against Goguryeo."
Pirate crews roamed the East Blue, specifically intercepting merchant ships bound for Goguryeo, most of which were grain ships.
Especially the ships belonging to aristocratic families and gentry disappeared without a trace, leaving no trace of the people or the ships, not even a corpse.
"This also does not prove any connection with the imperial court. You should know that the imperial court harbors bandits to maintain its own power. If this gets out, what a huge impact it would have?"
Li Tai countered, expressing his complete disbelief that the imperial court would be involved with pirates; the consequences of such an affair would be far too severe.
"Your Highness is right. I am only guessing. Pirates have been around for many years, always in the coastal waters, causing havoc in the area."
But the court has remained unmoved, which is why I think this way.
Du Chuke spoke up again to explain.
"Didn't the imperial court send troops to suppress them before? At that time, His Majesty personally issued an edict to dispatch the navy of Dengzhou Prefecture to suppress the pirates."
"I heard that the pirates killed were scattered and fled in all directions, and many bandits were also killed," Li Tai said.
This was no secret; at the time, the pirate crew had robbed many ships, causing widespread fear and prompting a complaint to the imperial court.
Li Shimin personally ordered the navy to besiege the enemy, which resulted in a great victory and boosted morale.
"I am aware of this matter as well. If it is not the imperial court, then who could it be? This person is very secretive and has ulterior motives."
Du Chuke nodded.
“Send people to investigate. We must find out. Some say they are from Silla, while others say they are from Japan.”
However, now that you've mentioned it, it's quite possible that it might be one of the forces within our Great Tang Dynasty.
Having someone keep an eye on the port is crucial, as the pirate crew can't stay away from the shore forever; they also need to eat and resupply.
My biggest worry is that this pirate crew is one of the Tenth Prince's men; if that happens, things will be very bad.
Li Tai said slowly, his eyes serious.
If the pirate crew really belongs to Li Shen, then this matter is not simple. He needs to re-evaluate Li Shen and reassess his strength.
Pirate crews are wreaking havoc in the South China Sea, robbing passing ships. Li Shen has set up such a grand scheme, what exactly does he want to achieve?
"Your Highness, I don't think it might be someone from Prince Ji's side. Prince Ji's merchant ships have also been robbed many times."
Prince Ji also took the initiative to request the imperial court to suppress the pirate group.
Moreover, given Prince Ji's intelligence, he should know that if the matter were exposed, he would inevitably incur the Emperor's suspicion.
So Prince Ji wouldn't do something so foolish, would he?
Du Chuke said somewhat uncertainly, "Prince Ji is at the height of his power, and he has such a close relationship with His Majesty and the Crown Prince."
If nothing unexpected happens, Prince Ji should have enjoyed endless wealth and honor for the rest of his life, so why would he do such a foolish thing?
Judging from all indications, Prince Ji had no interest in the throne and would not commit treason.
Li Tai pondered again. Du Chuke's words made some sense, but Li Shen had no interest in the throne, so there was no need for him to cause trouble for himself.
Who else could it be but Li Shen? Could it be from a prominent family? Li Zhi could also be one.
Li Tai pondered for a long time before speaking:
"We need to find out who it is. I think it's not just us who want to investigate the pirate crew; others are doing it too."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey. As for the invitation from the aristocratic families..."
Du Chuke pointed to the invitation.
Li Tai shook his head and laughed:
"I will not participate. Just send someone to refuse, saying that I am unwell and unable to go out."
If they want to discuss the spices, let them discuss it themselves.
I also know that perhaps my fate clashes with theirs, as I always suffer losses when cooperating with them. I must go to the Imperial Observatory to have my fortune told.
After saying that, Li Tai laughed at himself, never expecting that he was just as neurotic as Li Shen.
Li Shen was still young, while he was almost thirty, eight years older than that scourge.
"But wouldn't the powerful families be unhappy about this? After all, we still have dealings with them."
"I'm afraid it will affect future cooperation," Du Chuke quickly advised. His Du family was also a prominent clan in Guanzhong.
Li Tai waved his hand dismissively:
"It's alright, I'm not afraid of them. Shanbin, try not to clash with the tenth prince, unless you can crush him in one go."
Otherwise, it's better to be tolerant if possible, and it would be even better if you could establish a relationship with them.
In recent years, powerful families have gradually declined, all focusing on recuperation and rebuilding. But look at the Wei family, the Guanlong Li family, and the Zhaojun Li family...
They initially fought against the Tenth Prince and suffered considerable losses, but they eventually yielded.
Back then, the Li family didn't even acknowledge my Li family, but now they've lowered their heads and begged my father to mediate and establish a good relationship with the Prince Ji's mansion.
The Wei family also changed their attitude and, by leveraging the influence of Consort Wei, is now thriving.
Your Du family is also a gentry family in Guanzhong, and in the past you were even above the Wei family, but what about now?
Of the six prominent families in Guanzhong, only the Wei family retains its former strength; the other five families are no longer what they once were.
Li Tai spoke calmly, simply stating a fact, and his words struck Du Chuke deeply.
Since the death of his elder brother Du Ruhui, the Du family has indeed declined.
(In fact, the more advanced a person's soul is, the more they live like a child.)