My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 326: Was Xuanwu Gate like this back then?

After Changsun Wuji arrived in Luoyang, everyone in the Changsun family in Luoyang City heard the news and hurried to greet him.

As soon as Changsun Wuji stepped into the mansion, he saw several elders and young people of the clan waiting anxiously.

The elder in the lead was Changsun Wuji's fourth uncle. He stepped forward eagerly and said, "Wuji, we've finally got you here! You must be exhausted after all the traveling."

Changsun Wuji nodded slightly, but his expression remained stern. He looked at everyone and asked, "How is your family these days?"

Fourth Uncle sighed, and the smile on his face disappeared instantly, replaced by a worried look: "Wuji, a big thing has happened at home, and we are worried."

"Your nephew Chang Sunming is still imprisoned by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. We know that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is trying him according to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, but he is the blood of our Chang Sun family after all. You must find a way to rescue him."

As soon as these words came out, the young men of the Changsun family around them immediately began to discuss in low voices, their faces full of anxiety and expectation.

To some extent, Changsun Ming is more like the future heir of the Changsun family.

There had always been a rift between Changsun Wuji and the Changsun family because of what happened back then.

Zhang Sun Wuji frowned, his eyes were expressionless, and he said coldly, "I have heard about Zhang Sunming's affairs. The crimes he committed are beyond the reach of justice. He seized people's land and raped their wives and daughters. He is just like a street scoundrel. Your Highness the Crown Prince has dealt with him according to the law, and there is nothing wrong with that."

Changsun Wuji knew about this matter from the beginning, but he had no intention of asking for mercy.

Even if he knew that if he spoke up, the prince might release the person for his sake.

Fourth uncle looked embarrassed and said, "Wuji, although he made a mistake, he is still our own child. Now he is locked up in prison, and his life or death is uncertain. Everyone in the family is as anxious as ants on a hot pot. You are now the most capable and prestigious person in the family, and you are related to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Please save him for the sake of the family."

An elder also stepped forward and said earnestly: "Wuji, you have been very smart since you were young. The family has watched you rise to prominence and has placed high hopes on you. Now that Changsun Ming has suffered such a disaster, how can you bear to stand by and watch? Our Changsun family has always been a family that prospers together and suffers together. You must not let the clan members down."

Chang Sun Wuji paced slowly in the hall, his voice cold: "For the sake of the family? When he did those shameful things, did he ever think about the family's reputation?"

"Have you ever thought about the ethics that you should have as a descendant of the Changsun family?"

"Now that the truth has been revealed, you want the family to come forward and cover the losses. How can such an easy thing happen?"

"The reason why our Changsun family can have the status we have today is because of our loyalty to the court and our respect and reverence for the law. If we throw all of this out the window because of him, how can we gain a firm foothold in the court in the future and face the eyes of the people of the world?"

Changsun Wuji had heard of his nephew a long time ago, but since he was in Luoyang, he didn't bother to care about it.

Now he is under the control of the prince, and the evidence is irrefutable.
At this time, a young man suddenly said loudly: "If it weren't for you ordering the Changsun family to join forces with other families to deal with the prince, Brother Ming would not have thought of playing a role in it, and finally made those mistakes and was arrested! How can you ignore him now?" As soon as these words came out, the whole audience was in an uproar. Everyone looked at each other, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

Zhang Sun Wuji's face suddenly changed. He stared at the young man with a sharp gaze like a blade. Then he slowly paced in the hall, speaking in a low but majestic voice: "Shut up! The reason why the Zhang Sun family joined forces with other families was based on the judgment of the court situation. It was an imperial decree from His Majesty, which was intended to maintain the family's status in the court and the stability of the Tang Dynasty, not to condone illegal activities."

"Chang Sunming's actions that hurt the world and morality are his own fault. How can you put the blame on the family's decision?"

"When he seized people's land and wives and daughters, did he ever think that his actions violated human ethics and the laws of the Tang Dynasty?"

The young man was intimidated by Changsun Wuji's aura. Although he was unwilling, he lowered his head and said nothing more.

Someone else said, "Uncle, Brother Ming is always very kind to us. He must have made a mistake because he was confused at the time. You can ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for mercy. Maybe His Royal Highness will give him a lighter sentence for your sake."

Chang Sun Wuji scolded: "Confused! Can his confusion be an excuse to escape legal punishment? If everyone uses confusion as an excuse, what dignity will the laws of the Tang Dynasty have?"

"How can we talk about national order? If I interfere with the fair trial of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince because of your pleas, then what is the difference between me, Changsun Wuji, and those treacherous villains who bring disaster to the country and the people?"

Fourth uncle quickly tried to smooth things over: "Wuji, don't be angry, the children are ignorant. But is there really no hope for Chang Sunming? If he loses his life in prison, our family's reputation will be ruined."

Changsun Wuji snorted coldly: "Reputation? When he did those evil things, he had already trampled the Changsun family's reputation to the point of being worthless."

"Now he is being punished by the law, and it is his own fault. As an important official of the court, I must set an example and uphold the dignity of the law. If I wantonly trample on judicial justice because of family affection, how is it different from those who bend the law for personal gain? If you bring this up again, you will put me in a desperate situation of being disloyal and unjust."

After hearing this, everyone fell silent for a moment, and the atmosphere was so depressing that it was suffocating.

After a long while, an older disciple whispered, "Uncle, we know that Mingge did something wrong, but he is still a member of our family. How about we pool some money together to comfort the people he has hurt, and then let him write a profound letter of repentance in prison, maybe His Royal Highness will soften his heart and give him a lighter sentence?"

Changsun Wuji's eyes softened a little, and he said, "It's good that you have this intention, but this is not the key point. If Changsun Ming is truly repentant, he should be careful with his words and actions in his daily life, instead of waiting until he makes a huge mistake before thinking about making amends."

"Besides, even if you do this, it may not change the decision of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has always enforced the law strictly and will not be easily swayed by these superficial efforts."

Fourth uncle said worriedly: "Wuji, everyone in the family is eagerly waiting for you to come forward to save Chang Sunming, you should think about it again. If he dies like this, his parents will not be able to rest in peace in their graves."

Zhang Sun Wuji's face was gloomy, and he said, "No need to think about it. I came to Luoyang this time with a mission entrusted by His Majesty. The negotiation with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince concerns the safety of the Tang Dynasty. How can I save a criminal who has violated the law for my own personal feelings? If you force me again, you will push our family into an abyss of no return. I cannot delay national affairs because of personal feelings, nor can I let the Zhang Sun family suffer a catastrophic disaster because of this matter."

Seeing Changsun Wuji's firm attitude, everyone dared not say anything.

At this time, an old woman who had been standing in the corner suddenly burst into tears: "Wuji, please save Ming'er for the sake of my old bones. I have watched him grow up since he was a child. Although he made a mistake, I really can't bear to see him die in prison."

Zhang Sun Wuji's heart softened slightly, but he quickly regained his firmness: "Aunt, I understand your feelings, but the law is ruthless. Zhang Sunming must bear the consequences of his sins. If I break the law to save him, not only will I fail to save him, but I will also implicate the entire family. You don't want to see the Zhang Sun family fall apart because of this, right?"

The old woman cried and said, "I know, I know, but I just can't bear it."

Changsun Wuji walked up to the old woman and comforted her softly, "Aunt, please be patient. If Changsun Ming can truly repent and behave well in prison, he may still have a chance of survival. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is kind and will not take his life easily. But all we can do now is wait and urge him to mend his ways."

The old woman wiped her tears and nodded.

The next morning, someone from the Luoyang Palace came with a message, summoning Zhangsun Wuji to the emperor for an audience.

Persuaded the prince for the third time.

Zhang Sun Wuji actually felt that he had no hope. The conflict between the Crown Prince and His Majesty was difficult to reconcile.

Fortunately, this time it should be relatively easy to discuss.

Inside the Luoyang Palace.

"I have met His Highness the Crown Prince."

Changsun Wuji sighed a little.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "When did uncle become so distant?"

Hearing this, Changsun Wuji felt much more relieved.

After all, they are related by blood, and the prince obviously does not have much hostility towards him.

"Why don't you give Changsun Situ a seat?"

Li Chengqian turned to Wen Zhong and gave instructions.

Wen Zhong quickly responded and moved a chair over for Changsun Wuji.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

After Zhangsun Wuji took his seat, Li Chengqian said, "Uncle, you have worked hard on the journey. I wonder why you came here this time."

Facing Li Chengqian's knowing question, Changsun Wuji got straight to the point: "Your Highness, Your Majesty, considering the relationship between father and son and the interests of the Tang Dynasty, hopes that Your Highness can withdraw the troops immediately and hand over Tongguan."

"His Majesty promised that he would not investigate your past for the time being, and would restore your title of Crown Prince. He would also grant Liaodong to your Highness, and would allocate several counties in the south of the Yangtze River as your fiefdom. At the same time, he would establish a position of Regent and Counselor for your Highness in the court, which would be above all other kings, and he would be able to participate in the core decision-making of the court."

This is just throwing out all the requirements and conditions at once.

It’s not that Changsun Wuji doesn’t know negotiation skills, but the matter between father and son has been made too complicated, which will cause more trouble. It would be better to just say it directly.

After hearing this, Li Chengqian's smile remained, but a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes: "Uncle, the conditions offered by the emperor may seem generous, but if you think about it carefully, it is just to imprison me. Liaodong is a remote fiefdom, and although several counties in the south of the Yangtze River are rich, they are also under the eyes of the court. The position of the regent and the councilor has no actual military power and is just an empty title. How many of the ministers in the court will truly listen to my orders?"

Zhang Sun Wuji patiently explained, "Your Highness, His Majesty has already made a huge concession. The current situation is turbulent. If we continue to fight, people will suffer. This is what His Majesty does not want to see, and it is also what Your Highness does not want to see. If Your Highness accepts these conditions and returns to the court, with your talent and prestige, you can slowly accumulate power, and you may not be unable to realize your ambitions in the future."

Li Chengqian sneered, "Uncle, you are talking lightly. If I withdraw my troops now, those ministers who have impeached me and those forces that support the King of Wei will not let me go easily. They will definitely slander me in front of my father and try every means to put me to death. If I hand over Tongguan, it will be equivalent to giving up my martial arts and letting others slaughter me."

Zhang Sun Wuji said sincerely, "Your Highness, His Majesty has clearly stated that he will not hold you accountable for the past. He is the ruler of a country, and his words are golden. I, an old minister, will also unite with the ministers who support Your Highness to check and balance those opposing forces and keep Your Highness safe."

Li Chengqian shook his head slightly: "Uncle, the situation in the court changes rapidly and people's hearts are hard to predict. Although you are in a high position and have great power, it is difficult for you to take care of everything. I have the soldiers and the natural barrier of Tongguan, so I have the confidence to negotiate. Without these, I will be a fish on the chopping board."

Seeing Li Chengqian's firm attitude, Changsun Wuji decided to change his perspective: "If Your Highness insists on not accepting the conditions and continues to march, even if he enters Chang'an and ascends the throne, what will happen?"

"How will the people of the world view you? Will the troops loyal to Your Majesty surrender easily? By then, with internal and external troubles, the Tang Dynasty will be in an irreparable situation."

Hearing this, Li Chengqian laughed instead of getting angry.

"How the world sees my father is how the world sees me."

"I feel that what I have done is still a little worse than what my father has done."

"Uncle, what do you think?"

This directly points out Li Shimin's Xuanwu Gate Incident.

To be honest, Li Shimin also had his own troops in Luoyang at the beginning. The whole Luoyang was considered Li Shimin's base.

However, Li Shimin did not have artillery at that time, so when his military power was taken away, he could only obey orders obediently.

Looking at it now, Li Chengqian's choice was completely to imitate Li Shimin and follow the path that Li Shimin had taken.

In this way, Changsun Wuji's righteousness would be meaningless.

After all, Li Shimin's example is there.

From now on, won’t the world still be peaceful and prosperous?

Changsun Wuji paused and didn't know what to say.

Li Chengqian was not in a hurry and waited quietly.

After a long while, Changsun Wuji sighed and said, "Your Highness, Tongguan is His Majesty's bottom line. If Your Highness refuses to hand it over, how can His Majesty feel at ease?"

Li Chengqian nodded slightly: "Yes, my father is naturally worried."

"But why should I let Father feel at ease?"

"I'm just one step away from success. Do you want me to back off?"

At this point, Li Chengqian paused for a moment, then asked, "When my uncle and father and others gathered outside Xuanwu Gate, was there anyone who persuaded my father to turn back?"

"Did Uncle persuade Father like he did today?"

(End of this chapter)