My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 291 All things in the world are his, I give them to him.
Changan.

Miyagi.

"Why doesn't the prince come back?"

Li Shimin was really angry this time.

Zhang Sun Wuji bowed slightly and said carefully, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is busy in Luoyang right now and has many things to deal with. It is really inconvenient for him to come back for the time being."

He didn't dare to say directly that the prince would not come back, so he naturally had to find an excuse.

Li Shimin's eyes suddenly became as sharp as an eagle's, and he shouted angrily: "It's inconvenient to come back? This is clearly disobeying the order! He thinks that I can't do anything to him if he occupies Luoyang and has his own troops?"

The roar echoed in the empty palace.

Li Shimin indulged the crown prince again and again, and even thought about how to hold a grand banquet for him to celebrate his achievements after he returned.

After all, the entire Liaodong was conquered, which was of great significance to the Tang Dynasty.

Now, the news of the celebration banquet has been released. How far is Luoyang from Chang'an?
Horse riding only takes a day or two. No matter how busy you are, can you not make it back to join in?
Does this mean that now that the prince has returned, he can no longer go to Luoyang?

Zhang Sun Wuji's heart trembled, but he could only bite the bullet and continue to say: "Your Majesty, calm down. The Crown Prince did not intend to disobey the order. He was forced by the situation. I hope Your Majesty can be magnanimous and give the Crown Prince some time."

Changsun Wuji naturally didn't want to see father and son killing each other.

However, Li Shimin was already furious at this point. He paced back and forth in the hall, angrily saying, "Hasn't the time I gave him enough? I haven't even investigated his conspiracy, but now he dares to defy my order."

"I have made up my mind. I will send troops to Luoyang to depose the crown prince!"

The emperor's majesty cannot be challenged.

Even the prince.

This is no different from open rebellion.

The prince didn't even give the excuse of being sick.

Does Li Shimin still want to save his face?
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall froze instantly.

Upon hearing this, Wei Zheng, the subordinate, immediately stepped forward and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely not possible! The Tang Dynasty is now in its heyday. If a civil war is started because of the Crown Prince's affairs, it will surely cause great suffering to the people and shake the foundation of the country. Although the Crown Prince has made mistakes, we must not rashly raise an army."

Li Jing also stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has made great contributions in Liaodong, and his new policies for governing Liaodong have been quite effective, winning the hearts of the people. If we send troops at this time, I am afraid it will chill the hearts of the people and soldiers. Please think twice before acting."

Zhangsun Wuji also advised again: "Your Majesty, the prince is your eldest son after all, and the heir to the throne of the Tang Dynasty. If you can give him a chance and let him come back to admit his mistakes, there may be room for change. I hope Your Majesty will consider the relationship between father and son and put aside your anger for the time being."

Fang Xuanling also echoed: "Your Majesty, once the civil war breaks out, various forces will inevitably take advantage of the situation. By then, the Tang Dynasty will be in danger due to external and internal troubles. Your Majesty, please put the overall situation first."

At this time, Fang Xuanling could only stand up and advise.

Even if a war breaks out, the crown prince will be deposed.

But if he doesn't persuade, he is also a sinner.

However, Li Shimin's anger had blinded his reason, and he said angrily: "As an emperor, how can I tolerate such rebellious behavior? His disobedience is a challenge to me. If I don't punish him, how can I convince the world?"

"What does the prince want now? He is clearly planning a rebellion, a rebellion!!!"

Despite everyone's strong advice, Li Shimin still insisted on his own opinion and was determined to send troops to attack Luoyang.

Outside the palace city.

Li Zhi has already received the news.

Before entering the palace, Changsun Wuji asked his son Changsun Chong to find Li Zhi.

Li Zhi, who got the news, was immediately panicked.

If the crown prince is deposed, all his plans will be ruined.

The throne has nothing to do with him anymore.

At least, the crown prince cannot be deposed now, as this will only benefit the King of Wei.

Li Zhi, who was at a loss, went straight into the palace.

Without thinking too much, he made an appointment to meet Wu Zhao.

Wu Zetian also knew the seriousness of the matter and met with Li Zhi in secret.

By this time, she had already known the news of His Majesty's rage.

"Your Highness, there is only one person who can persuade His Majesty now, and that is the Grand Princess of Tong'an. His Majesty has always respected his elders, so perhaps His Majesty will listen to the Grand Princess' words."

Wu Zhao quickly came up with a solution.

In this world, the only one who can persuade Your Majesty to stay is Princess Tongan. Even if Gao Shilian is the father-in-law of the emperor, he is of no use to you.

This is your Majesty's only aunt.

Li Zhi frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and said resolutely: "Okay, I will go to find Princess Tong'an right away. No matter what, I must stop my father."

Li Zhi had a good relationship with his great-aunt because of the Princess of Jin.

It would be best if he could say it.

Li Zhi hurried to the residence of Princess Tongan. After meeting the princess, he told her the whole story.

After hearing this, Princess Tongan said solemnly, "I didn't expect things to develop to this extent. Your Majesty has been blinded by anger. Once the civil war begins, the Tang Dynasty will be in danger."

Li Zhi said anxiously: "Grandma, please come to the palace and persuade my father."

Princess Tong'an looked solemn and nodded, "Okay, I will go to the palace to see Your Majesty right away."

Then the carriage was arranged to enter the palace.

Princess Tongan entered the palace in gorgeous clothes.

In the palace.

Li Shimin was still angry.

But when I saw my aunt, I couldn't help but restrain myself a little.

"How come my aunt is here?"

Li Shimin looked at the young slave behind his aunt and immediately understood.

He glared at Li Zhi fiercely.

Li Zhi quickly shrank his head and hid slightly behind Princess Tongan.

"Your Majesty, I came here today because I have something to say to you." Princess Tongan said slowly.

Li Shimin didn't want to continue the conversation, and frowned, saying, "Aunt, you are old, so you should take a good rest. You don't have to worry about the affairs of the court."

Princess Tong'an showed a gentle smile on her face and said softly, "Your Majesty, although I am old, I also know some truths. Regarding the matter of the Crown Prince, I think Your Majesty might as well calm down for a while and make a decision later."

"The Crown Prince was busy with affairs in Luoyang. Perhaps he really had a hard time and was unable to return to the court in time."

Li Shimin snorted coldly, and his tone became tougher: "Hardship? He is clearly disobeying my order! I have given him enough grace, but he is so ungrateful."

"Aunt, please stop trying to persuade me about this matter."

Princess Tong'an shook her head slightly, her eyes showing concern: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is after all your eldest son and the heir to the throne of the Tang Dynasty. He has also made great contributions in Liaodong and has been quite effective in governing the new policies. If Your Majesty can give him some more time and allow him to come back to explain because of his contributions, it would be fine."

Li Shimin stood up, paced back and forth in the hall, and said angrily: "Aunt, I will never forget the Crown Prince's contribution. But the Crown Prince disobeyed my order, which is a blatant provocation to me! As an emperor, if I don't punish him, how can I govern the world in the future?"

Princess Tongan's expression also became serious: "Your Majesty, you are the emperor, so you must maintain your authority. But the prince is also your flesh and blood. Why should the father and son be so decisive? Once the civil war starts, people will suffer and the foundation of the Tang Dynasty will be shaken. Is this what your majesty wants to see?" Li Shimin stopped and stared at Princess Tongan with a sharp gaze: "Aunt, don't use these big principles to pressure me. If he has no intention of rebellion, why is he so late to return? It is obvious that he is holding troops in Luoyang and trying to rebel!"

"All the things in the world are his because I gave them to him. He is trying to raise an army to rebel. How can such an unfaithful and unfilial person be the crown prince?"

Princess Tongan looked directly into Li Shimin's eyes without fear and said loudly, "Your Majesty, you have experienced so many ups and downs, why are you so impulsive about this matter? Think about it, when you first ascended the throne, didn't you also hope that the world would be peaceful and the people would live and work in peace? Now if a civil war breaks out because of the prince's affairs, where will your grand plan go?"

This is a subtle reminder of the time when the Xuanwu Gate Incident happened.

Li Shimin clenched his fists and shouted angrily, "Aunt, stop talking! I have made up my mind. If the prince disobeys my order, he will be sentenced to death! How can I tolerate his rebellious behavior?"

Princess Tongan also raised her voice and said tit for tat: "Your Majesty, have you forgotten Xuanwu Gate? You killed your elder brother and your younger brother, forced your father to abdicate, and now you want to raise an army to attack your eldest son."

"Okay, is this how the head of my Li family treats his relatives?"

"Will one day, even an old man like me will be imprisoned by you until I die?"

"You killed your brother, imprisoned your father, and exterminated your son. Your Majesty is truly an emperor of all ages."

"I guess the historians don't know how to write it."

When Li Shimin heard this, his expression changed instantly.

He cared most about his reputation in history books. Princess Tong'an's words were like a heavy hammer, hitting his heart hard.

All the ministers lowered their heads and dared not speak.

Only Princess Tong'an, your Majesty's aunt, would dare to say such a thing.

Li Zhi was also frightened.

I didn't expect Princess Tongan to be so powerful.

The anger suddenly became tense.

Princess Tongan sighed.

"Your Majesty, I know you are angry. The prince was indeed wrong to disobey the order. But he was also confused at the moment and was forced by the situation. If Your Majesty can put aside your anger and give the prince a chance to come back and admit his mistakes, it will not only demonstrate Your Majesty's magnanimity, but also prevent the Tang Dynasty from falling into the abyss of civil war."

This was to give Li Shimin a way out.

No matter how angry Li Shimin was, he didn't dare to do anything to his elderly aunt.

He could only nod with a gloomy face and said, "I will put this matter aside for now and give the prince another chance."

Princess Tong'an nodded slightly and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I believe that the Crown Prince will come back to the right path and admit his mistakes to Your Majesty."

After saying this, Princess Tongan bowed to Li Shimin and turned to leave.

Li Shimin looked at the departing back of Princess Tongan with mixed feelings.

Although Li Shimin temporarily gave up his plan to send troops, his dissatisfaction with the prince had not been eliminated.

The next day.

The king and his ministers discuss matters.

Li Shimin once again summoned ministers including Zhangsun Wuji, Wei Zheng, Li Jing, and Fang Xuanling to discuss how to deal with the issue of the crown prince.

"My dear ministers, although the Crown Prince's matter has been put on hold for the time being, it still needs to be resolved. I would like to hear your opinions."

Li Shimin was much calmer today.

Wei Zheng stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I think we can first send someone to Luoyang to convey your Majesty's order and ask the prince to come back and admit his mistakes. If the prince can obey your order, that would be the best. If the prince still disobeys your order, it won't be too late to make plans."

Li Jing also said: "Your Majesty, I agree with Lord Wei's opinion. It is not appropriate to resort to force rashly now. We can try to solve the problem peacefully first."

Zhang Sun Wuji frowned slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I am worried that the prince still has concerns in his heart and is unwilling to come back easily. But no matter what, we should try it first."

Fang Xuanling also nodded and said, "Your Majesty, perhaps you can give the prince some promises to reassure him. For example, you can promise not to pursue his previous mistakes and continue to let him serve as the crown prince."

This matter is very embarrassing, after all, it is an internal affair of the royal family.

It was impossible for Li Shimin to issue an edict to pardon the prince for any crime.

To the people of the world, the prince is not guilty now.

Li Shimin nodded slightly and said, "Okay, then I'll do as you say. I'll send Zhangsun Wuji to Luoyang again to convey my will. If the crown prince can come back and admit his mistakes, I can forgive him and let him continue to be the crown prince."

This is the truth.

Li Shimin really didn't want to go to war with the prince.

After all, he is still my own son.

From another perspective, Li Shimin was actually also worried about the heavy casualties.

The prince has the Thunderbolt Fire, and Luoyang is an important city, so it is not an easy task to attack it.

Luoyang is more troublesome than Goryeo's Liaodong City.

Of course, Li Shimin never thought he would lose.

Even if Luoyang is in the center of the world, once an imperial edict is issued, Luoyang will become an isolated island.

Cut off all land and water routes to Luoyang.

How long can the prince hold on?

However, external factors also need to be considered. Even if a war is to begin, Li Shimin still has to make other preparations.

Once a civil war breaks out, various forces may take advantage of the opportunity. External hostile forces will take advantage of the domestic chaos in the Tang Dynasty to launch a war and threaten the border security of the Tang Dynasty.

If Luoyang cannot be taken in a short period of time, the situation at the end of the Sui Dynasty may occur again.

Rumors spread, heroes emerged, and the Li family's throne might be handed over to someone else.

The possibility of this happening is small, but it is not impossible.

Zhang Sun Wuji was startled and said, "Your Majesty, I will obey your order. But I also hope that Your Majesty can give the prince some time to think carefully."

This was helpless, because Changsun Wuji knew that the prince had no intention of returning.

I'm even ready to go to war with Your Majesty.

At this time, we can only delay it. At least with more time, we can think of more solutions.

It's not like we'll just start fighting right away.

Maybe there will be some turning point.

Having said that, if the moment really came when they had to fight, both Changsun Wuji and the other ministers had done their best.

Li Shimin frowned slightly and said, "Okay, I can give him a month."

"Within a month, the prince will return and everything will be back to normal."

"If the prince doesn't come back after a month, I will not be polite."

This is the final ultimatum.

No matter what, Li Shimin would never allow the prince to occupy Luoyang forever.

(End of this chapter)