My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 295 Your Highness, the weather is getting cold, it's time to put on more clothes
There are no more than three things.

Li Chengqian knew that Li Shimin would not allow anyone to persuade him again.

This attitude is already very clear.

The answer this time will shatter all of Li Shimin's fantasies. The only way is to go to war.

There is no other way.

Li Chengqian had to fight even if he didn't want to, because some things can only be truly taken seriously after fighting once.

At this time, although Li Chengqian himself was very confident, in fact, no one thought that the prince would really agree to His Majesty after he started the rebellion.

Liaodong's unparalleled military achievements did have a great impact.

But compared to Li Shimin's conquest of half of the Tang Dynasty, it is nothing.

"Your Highness, it's getting a little cold."

Wen Zhong looked at the prince who was lost in thought and spoke.

Li Chengqian was stunned and asked, "Do you want to buy me some more clothes?"

Wen Zhong obviously didn't understand this joke.

He nodded naturally and said, "Yes, Your Highness."

Hearing this, Li Chengqian suddenly burst into laughter.

Wen Zhong was confused.

I don't know what I said wrong.

After laughing for a long time, Li Chengqian finally said with a smile: "Yes, the weather is getting cold."

"I should also put on more clothes."
-
The news that Changsun Wuji's persuasion was fruitless spread quickly in Chang'an City like a gust of wind.

At this time, everyone knew that Crown Prince Li Chengqian was stubborn and determined to rebel.

In the Prince of Wei's palace, the lights were just coming on, illuminating the dim shadows of the flowers and trees in the courtyard.

Prince Li Tai of Wei was wearing a black brocade robe. Upon hearing the news, he couldn't help but show joy on his face. He drank three large cups of wine in a row. The wine flowed down the corners of his mouth and soaked his front.

Seeing Li Tai like this, Chai Lingwu and Fang Yiai looked at each other and understood a little. Chai Lingwu spoke first, clasping his hands and saying, "Your Highness, the Prince of Wei is so stubborn and wants to do something so treasonous. This is a good opportunity from heaven."

"The crown prince has rebelled. Your Majesty will never tolerate him again and will definitely depose him. At that time, considering your virtue and your majesty's favor, who else will take the throne of the East Palace?"

Li Tai raised his eyes, unable to hide the smugness in his eyes, but still pretended to be deep and said in a deep voice: "That being said, the position of the crown prince is related to the foundation of the country, and Your Majesty must be extremely cautious. Moreover, the crown prince has his own troops and is very powerful in Luoyang. If he succeeds by chance, won't we be in danger?"

Chai Lingwu smiled and replied, "King Wei has no need to worry. Although the Crown Prince has military power, his rebellious behavior is against moral principles and is neither just nor legitimate. People all over the world will despise him."

"Your Majesty is a wise ruler, with loyal followers from all over the world. You have many brave generals and wise counselors under your command. How could you be defeated by the crown prince?"

"Besides, the King of Wei has a good reputation and is deeply loved by Your Majesty. The King of Wei is the most suitable candidate for the crown prince."

"Now the prince is seeking his own death. This is the heaven helping the King of Wei."

Li Tai nodded slightly, with a barely perceptible light flashing in his eyes, but he sighed again: "That being said, people in the court have different opinions. If I can't grasp the opportunity and win over the ministers in the court, even if the crown prince falls, the position of heir may not fall into my hands."

Chai Lingwu cupped his hands and said, "I think at this point, Fang Gong and Lord Chu will definitely support the King of Wei."

Only at this point did Li Tai nod in satisfaction.
-
On the other hand, Li Zhi had a completely opposite attitude.

His plan was not to have the Crown Prince rebel now.

At this time, the crown prince was deposed, and the position of the Eastern Palace would never be his.

After hearing the news, Li Zhi was at a loss and didn't care about too much.

Go directly to the palace and request to meet your father.

Li Shimin was convening a meeting of the emperor and his ministers at the moment and had no time to meet him, which just happened to be what Li Zhi wanted.

After all, he entered the palace not to see his father, but to see Wu Zetian.

A courtyard in the palace.

Li Zhi came hurriedly.

As soon as he saw Mei Niang, he eagerly grabbed her hand and said.

"Mei Niang, something terrible has happened!"

"The crown prince is determined to rebel. Once Your Majesty deposes the crown prince, the throne of the Eastern Palace will probably fall into the hands of the King of Wei. According to the law of inheritance, it will not be my turn. What should I do?"

Wu Zhao gently patted Li Zhi's hand, motioning him to sit down, with a barely perceptible gleam of calculation in her beautiful eyes.

Naturally, she got the news of such a big thing.

Moreover, Wu Zhao had already thought about it. His Majesty did not stop the spread of this news, but deliberately allowed it to develop. I'm afraid he has already made up his mind.

"Prince Jin, calm down first. It's useless to worry about what has happened. Prince Wei Li Tai has always been ambitious. If he really ascends to the position of crown prince, the situation of the Prince Jin will definitely be difficult in the future."

Li Zhi rubbed his hands anxiously, his face full of worry: "Mei Niang, you are very intelligent, you must have a way, right?"

He felt unwilling to accept the fact that he had been so cautious for so many years, but might end up losing miserably in this battle for the throne.

Li Zhi was full of expectations for Mei Niang and felt that she was the only one who could help him turn the tide.

Wu Zhao nodded slightly, secretly thinking about her own plan in her heart, but her face was still gentle. After thinking for a moment, she said: "Prince Jin, the key to the succession of the crown prince now still depends on your majesty's mind. And the only ones who can influence your majesty's decision are the important officials in the court. In my opinion, the prince of Jin can try to communicate with Changsun Situ through the eldest son of the eldest grandson."

On the surface, he appeared calm and gently comforted Li Zhi, but in fact he was thinking quickly about how to use this opportunity to make Li Zhi the crown prince and thus achieve his goal of taking power.

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi showed a puzzled look on his face, frowned, and said, "Mei Niang, my uncle is on the side of the Crown Prince. Now the Crown Prince is about to start a rebellion. What's the point of me going to him at this time? How can he help me?"

Wu Zhao smiled gently, her eyes revealing confidence and determination. She slowly approached Li Zhi, stretched out her hand to gently smooth the wrinkles between his brows, and said, "Prince Jin, things are not as simple as you think. Although Changsun Situ appears to be a supporter of the prince, the interests involved are far from that."

Li Zhi was slightly startled, a trace of thought flashed in his eyes, and he said: "Mei Niang, I don't understand, what is the mystery behind this?"

Wu Zhao patiently explained, "Prince Jin, the Crown Prince has now started a rebellion, which is a heinous act. As an important official in the court and a member of the glorious family, how could Changsun Situ be so foolish as to rebel with the Crown Prince and bring the Changsun family into an irreparable situation?"

"Chang Sun Situ knew in his heart that if he chose the wrong side, the consequences would be disastrous. Moreover, supporting the crown prince in the rebellion was meaningless to him. It would not bring any benefits to him and his family, but would instead cost him everything."

Li Zhi nodded slightly, as if he understood something, but he still had doubts: "That being said, if the crown prince falls, the King of Wei is very likely to become the crown prince. The King of Wei does not have a direct feud with the Changsun family, so why can't the Changsun Situ support the King of Wei?" Wu Zhao gently took Li Zhi's arm and said, "Prince Jin, the King of Wei is ambitious and has long been tied to the Five Surnames and Seven Families."

"If Changsun Situ supports the King of Wei now, after the King of Wei ascends the throne of the Crown Prince or even the Emperor, he will definitely vigorously support the Five Surnames and Seven Families and suppress the power of the Changsun family. In this way, not only will Changsun Situ not get the affection and status he deserves, but the power of the Changsun family will gradually decline."

"How could Changsun Situ, who has been working for the family all his life, just watch something like this happen? The King of Jin is kindhearted, and he has a nephew-uncle relationship with the Changsun family."

"If you can become the crown prince and ascend the throne in the future, you will definitely take care of the Changsun family out of consideration for family affection. Changsun Situ is a shrewd man, and he will understand this."

Li Zhi's eyes flashed with realization, and he said, "So that's what I mean. Mei Niang is saying that I am the best choice for Changsun Situ?"

Li Zhi's mind suddenly became clear, and he deeply admired Wu Zhao's analysis. At the same time, he also saw a glimmer of hope and had new expectations for the future situation.

Wu Zhao nodded and continued, "That's right. And King Jin, you should know that if we succeed, I can also give you advice in this palace and help you consolidate your position. Although I am a woman, I also have ambitions and am willing to help you solve your problems. Besides, you have always had a good relationship with Master Changsun, so this is a good starting point. You can come forward and use your friendship to ask him to pass on a message to Master Changsun for you, which will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Wu Zetian did not go into detail on this aspect. In fact, the relationship between Li Zhi and Changsun Chong would not have been so close without Changsun Wuji's tacit approval.

In fact, Zhangsun Wuji had already placed an egg in the basket of Prince of Jin, but Li Zhi himself did not realize it and naively thought that it was really because of the eldest princess that this happened.

Li Zhi frowned slightly, thought for a moment and said, "Mei Niang, although this is true, I am still worried that my uncle will not believe me."

Wu Zhao smiled slightly, gently leaned on Li Zhi's shoulder, and said: "Prince Jin, your friendship with Master Changsun is the basis of trust. Let Master Changsun speak well of you in front of Master Changsun, and if you personally express your feelings to Master Changsun and promise him benefits, he will surely be tempted."

Li Zhi gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, Mei Niang, I'll listen to you."

Wu Zhao smiled and said, "Prince Jin, there is no need to be nervous. Your relationship with Prince Changsun is obvious. If you appeal to his feelings and lure him with benefits, he will do you a favor."

Li Zhi nodded and said, "Okay, I will arrange a meeting with Brother Changsun right away. But Mei Niang, if uncle agrees to support me, what should we do next?"

It is not easy to come to the palace. As the battle for the throne becomes more intense, Li Zhi is actually vaguely worried that his affair with Mei Niang will be exposed.

Once the news that the son was having an affair with his father's woman spreads, he will have no chance of winning the position in the Eastern Palace.

Wu Zhao gently stroked the back of Li Zhi's hand and said, "Prince Jin, there is no wall that is impenetrable in this world."

"In order to fight for the position of crown prince, the King of Wei will definitely do something shameful."

"We can send someone to investigate secretly, starting with his confidants, and look for clues. Moreover, now that the prince is rebelling, the situation is chaotic, which is a good opportunity for us to fish in troubled waters. I also have some spies in the palace, who will definitely be able to help you."

At this point in time, if the Prince of Wei caused any trouble that disgusted Your Majesty, the Prince of Jin's hope of becoming the crown prince would greatly increase.

Li Zhi nodded and said, "Mei Niang, with your help, I have confidence."

"Thanks to you."

After saying that, Li Zhi stood up and gently embraced Mei Niang in his arms.

Li Zhi was completely dependent on Mei Niang. In this crisis-ridden court struggle, Mei Niang became his spiritual pillar, making him feel at ease and confident.

Wu Zhao gently hugged Li Zhi back and said softly, "Prince Jin, we will succeed."

"There is no time to lose. Prince Jin should go see Master Changsun as soon as possible."

Li Zhi nodded and left without even bothering to stay.

But he didn't notice it this time.

There is no incense.

After leaving the palace, Li Zhi went directly to Changsun Chong's mansion.

Upon hearing that Prince Jin was coming, Chang Sun Chong hurried to greet him.

Inside the mansion.

Seeing that Prince Jin had a serious expression, Chang Sun Chong immediately dismissed his attendants.

Li Zhi looked at Changsun Chong and said sincerely, "Brother Changsun, the prince is rebelling and the situation is turbulent. I am really worried."

"I know that my uncle has been working hard for the Tang Dynasty, and the Changsun family has been extremely glorious. Now that the position of crown prince is vacant, I am worried that if it falls into the hands of King Wei, the status of the Changsun family may be affected."

This straightforward statement actually scared Chang Sun Chong.

Is Prince Jin so brave now? He even dares to speak openly about his plan to win the throne?

After a slight pause, Chang Sun Chong thought to himself, but his face remained calm and he said, "Prince Jin, the position of crown prince will be decided by His Majesty. As subjects, we just need to be loyal to our duties."

Li Zhi sighed and said, "Brother Changsun, we have always had a good relationship. I will not hide it from you. I have my own ideas about the position of the Crown Prince. If I can become the Crown Prince and ascend to the throne in the future, I will definitely not forget Brother Changsun. I hope Brother Changsun can say a few good words for me in front of my uncle."

Chang Sun Chong frowned and said, "Prince Jin, this matter is of great importance. Father has always been cautious and will not make a decision easily. Moreover, father and the crown prince have had a lot of friendship. Although the crown prince is now rebellious, father must be quite conflicted."

Unlike Li Zhi, Chang Sun Chong felt that Prince Jin was a little anxious now.

Although there were rumors in Chang'an that the Crown Prince was raising his own army and was planning a rebellion, His Majesty had not made any statement, so no one knew what would happen in the end.

No matter what, we have to wait until His Majesty issues the edict to depose the Crown Prince.

But Li Zhi is different.

He is not the King of Wei, and his disadvantage is too obvious in the fight for the throne.

There is an order of seniority. If my father deposed the eldest brother, the King of Wei would come first according to the order.

What's more, my father has always been partial to the King of Wei, and he even surpassed the Crown Prince in terms of titles and rewards.

In this situation, if we don’t take action in advance.

Fearing that the crown prince would be deposed, he directly made the King of Wei the crown prince.

By that time, everything will be too late.

"Brother Changsun, please help me for my sister's sake."

Li Zhi lowered his head slightly and carried the eldest princess out.

Hearing this, Chang Sun Chong sighed and said, "Okay, I'll go talk to my father."

Li Zhi bowed and said, "Thank you, Brother Changsun."

(End of this chapter)