My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 332 It’s Time to Stand in Line

night.

Li Mansion in Luoyang.

Li Dejian was sitting in his study.

Since being imprisoned, his mentality has become more and more stable.

At this time, footsteps were heard outside the door.

Li Dejian didn't think much about it, and without raising his head, he frowned and asked, "What's the matter?"

However, the visitor did not answer, but just walked over.

Li Dejian subconsciously looked at the visitor, then quickly stood up and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

He didn't expect that the prince would come in person.

Li Chengqian smiled and sat beside him, asking, "Have you been living comfortably these days?"

Li Dejian replied hesitantly, "I feel quite good about your care for me."

Li Dejian naturally had no resentment towards being imprisoned.

"You've heard about the incident in Chang'an, right?"

Li Chengqian asked.

Li Dejian nodded: "Your Majesty is seriously ill, and the King of Wei and the King of Jin are fighting openly and secretly."

Li Chengqian then said, "The situation in the Tang Dynasty is extremely critical now. My father is in a coma. Li Tai and Li Zhi are fighting for the position of regent in the court. The court is in chaos. I want to return to Chang'an and stabilize the situation in the name of the crown prince. This is related to the rise and fall of the Tang Dynasty. And to accomplish this, I cannot do without your help."

Li Dejian naturally understood what the prince meant, but he said uncertainly: "Your Highness knows my father's character and position. He has always been upright and loyal to Your Majesty. It may not be easy for him to support Your Highness now."

Li Chengqian sighed: "Of course I know your father's character. But now the Tang Dynasty is on the verge of collapse, and the people are in dire straits. How can I bear to stand by and watch?"

"Your father commands a large army and has a very high prestige in the court. His attitude is crucial to whether I can successfully return to Chang'an and control the court."

"As his eldest son, you are closest to him and know him best. Only you can convince him to support me and help me quell this chaos in the court."

Li Dejian said slowly, "Your Highness, my father has always been a firm believer in principles and has always acted according to his own judgment. He may have been dissatisfied with Your Highness because of my incident before, and it will not be easy to persuade him to change his position now."

Li Chengqian replied: "It is because your father is loyal to the emperor and loves the country, and only cares about the country of the Tang Dynasty, that I see hope."

"The court is now in chaos, with various factions fighting endlessly. Only I can get the Tang Dynasty back on track and bring peace to the people."

"You explain to him the current interests."

"With your father's broad mind and insight, he will definitely make the right choice for the future of the Tang Dynasty."

Li Dejian pondered for a moment, and finally replied: "Okay, I am willing to go to Chang'an to persuade my father for the prince."
-
The next day.

Li Chengqian, along with Li Dejian, Zhao Jie and Han Wang Li Yuanchang, rode at full speed to Tongguan.

At this time, on the city wall of Tongguan, Su Dingfang, Pei Xingjian and Xue Rengui were commanding soldiers to strengthen the city defense. When they saw the dust rising in the distance, they realized that Li Chengqian and others had arrived, and hurried down to the city to greet them.

When Li Shimin fainted for the first time, Li Chengqian had already arranged for Su Dingfang to arrive at Tongguan first to make preparations.

Inside Tongguan City.

Li Chengqian sat high up.

The one on the lower left is Su Dingfang, and the one on the lower right is King of Han Li Yuanchang.

In terms of status and position, King of Han Li Yuanchang was second only to the Crown Prince.

"Everyone, we only have 35,000 soldiers and horses right now. Chang'an City has high walls and thick walls. Even with artillery, it will be difficult to break the city in a short time under a strong attack, and it will also cause heavy casualties. As a matter of urgency, we must find another strategy."

Su Dingfang replied: "Your Highness is right. In my opinion, the only way to have a chance of success is to rely on the support of the people inside the city."

Zhao Jie volunteered: "I am willing to go into the city first to persuade my mother and father."

Unlike Li Dejian, Zhao Jie's position has always been firm.

Li Dejian also agreed at this time: "I am also willing to enter the city first and persuade my father to support Your Highness."

Li Chengqian nodded: "Okay."

Han Wang Li Yuanchang said at this moment: "Your Highness, what about me?"

Li Chengqian thought for a moment and said, "Why don't you go talk to Changsun Situ?"

Li Yuanchang hesitated, but still replied: "Okay, I'll go talk to him and ask him to support His Highness."

In fact, Li Yuanchang's relationship with Zhangsun Wuji was not very good, but it was not bad either.

Although they are of the same generation, Li Yuanchang is the youngest son of Li Yuan and was raised by Changsun Wuji. He was often scolded because of his mischief.

But given the current situation, no one is more suitable than Li Yuanchang.

It was naturally impossible for Li Chengqian to go to Chang'an and directly arrive at the city with his troops.

It's impossible to go alone.

Planning ahead is the key.

If we can get Li Jing's support, entering the city will be easy.

But it might be a little difficult to convince Li Jing.

Zhao Jie's mother, Princess Changguang, and stepfather Yang Shidao were also powerful forces in the court.

If everyone supports the prince, entering Chang'an will not be difficult.
-
The night was as dark as ink, shrouding the city of Chang'an, and an unsettling atmosphere of tension permeated the silence.

Zhao Jie was dressed like an ordinary citizen, wearing a coarse cloth robe and a tattered straw hat, and he hurried to the door of Princess Changguang's mansion.

He raised his hand with a slight tremor and knocked on the door.

The doorman opened the door a crack and his vigilant eyes instantly shot towards Zhao Jie.

When he saw Zhao Jie's face, his face turned pale as paper, his eyes were full of astonishment, and he opened the door in a panic, almost knocking over the lantern beside him.

"Eldest son."

"Go and inform mother immediately." "Yes, young master."

Princess Changguang was quietly sipping tea in the inner room. Just as she raised the cup to her lips, she heard a flustered and hurried footsteps outside. Before she could react, the door was suddenly pushed open with a creaky sound. The doorman looked panicked and almost crawled in, stammering, "Princess... Princess, the eldest son... he..."

Princess Chang'an asked quickly, "What happened to Jie'er?"

The concierge hurriedly said, "The eldest master is back."

The teacup in Princess Changguang's hand fell to the ground with a clang, and the tea splashed everywhere, wetting her gorgeous skirt, but she was completely unaware of it. She widened her eyes, her face full of disbelief: "What did you say? Jie'er is here? This... How is this possible!"

Before she could finish her words, she stood up suddenly, swung her skirt, and walked quickly towards the door.

The moment she saw Zhao Jie, Princess Changguang stood there in a daze, her eyes full of shock and disbelief, as if the person standing in front of her was an apparition that shouldn't be there.

Her lips trembled slightly, and she was speechless for a long time. After a long while, she said in a trembling voice: "Jie'er, is it really you? Why are you here? The situation outside is so chaotic and dangerous everywhere. How dare you come back rashly!"

As he spoke, he quickly walked forward, held Zhao Jie's arms tightly with both hands, and looked him up and down, as if to confirm whether the person in front of him really existed.

Zhao Jie knelt down and saluted, then stood up and said solemnly: "Mother, I am here for a very important matter. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince intends to return to Chang'an to stabilize the chaotic court and save the Tang Dynasty from disaster. I will follow His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and return to Chang'an in secret, and I beg you for help."

When Princess Changguang heard this, the shock on her face was instantly replaced by panic. She staggered back a step, her voice trembling a little: "Jie'er, you...what did you say?"

Zhao Jie stepped forward and said anxiously, "Mother, listen to me. His Majesty is seriously ill. Li Tai and Li Zhi are fighting for the position of regent. The court is in chaos and the people are suffering. The Tang Dynasty is on the verge of collapse. Only His Royal Highness the Crown Prince cares about the world and is dedicated to the welfare of the people."

"My mother has a wide network of contacts. She will definitely be able to gather a strong force for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to help him stabilize the court and bring peace back to the Tang Dynasty."

Princess Changguang frowned and paced back and forth in the room, her expression full of struggle: "Jie'er, I understand what you mean, and I also know that the court is in chaos now. But it is too risky for the prince to return to Chang'an. Your stepfather Yang Shidao has always acted cautiously and has contacts with all parties in the court. If you rashly get involved in this matter, he may find it difficult to accept it, and it may cause a disaster."

Zhao Jie hurriedly said, "Mother, now is a critical moment of life and death. If you hesitate any longer, the Tang Dynasty will be in danger. I am willing to go with you to persuade my stepfather. As a minister of the Tang Dynasty, he has been deeply favored by your majesty. How can he watch the country fall into danger and remain indifferent? I believe that as long as I explain the pros and cons to my stepfather, he will definitely put the Tang Dynasty first."

Princess Changguang stopped and looked at Zhao Jie, her eyes full of worry and reluctance: "Jie'er, do you know how dangerous this is? If you fail, you will..."

Zhao Jin's face was firm and he said, "Mother, I know the dangers of this. Your Highness is a man of great strategy and has many capable people around him to help him. This operation will surely succeed. Mother, please help me."

Princess Changguang pondered for a long time, and finally nodded slightly: "Okay, Jie'er, I will ask someone to prepare a car, and we will go to see your stepfather together. But you must be careful and cautious about this matter, and don't let any news leak out."

Even after getting married, the princesses of the Tang Dynasty had their own separate residences.

You can choose to live in your husband's house or in your own home.

Most of the time, Tang Dynasty princesses lived in their own princess palaces.

At the same time, Li Dejian arrived outside Li Jing's mansion.

The doorman naturally didn't dare to stop him and quickly reported it.

Seeing Li Dejian coming in, he put down his book and looked at him calmly: "Dejian, what are you doing here?"

Li Jing was not surprised at his son's arrival.

Li Dejian knelt down and saluted, then stood up and said, "Father, the situation in the Tang Dynasty is extremely critical now. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants to return to Chang'an to stabilize the court. He cares about the country and the people of the Tang Dynasty. This plan is well-thought-out and will definitely get the Tang Dynasty back on track. I beg you to support His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Jing frowned slightly, stood up and paced: "Dejian, the affairs of the court are not as simple as you think."

Li Dejian said, "Father, the whole country is in chaos right now. Your Majesty is seriously ill and bedridden. Chang'an is in turmoil. The King of Wei and the King of Jin are fighting for power, and the court is in chaos. The people are suffering in dire straits, and the situation on the border is also precarious due to the turmoil in the court. At this time, only His Royal Highness the Crown Prince can turn the tide."

Li Jing's face darkened, and his voice was a little stern: "Don't be deceived by the one-sided words of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince! Raising an army to fight against Your Majesty is a great rebellion, and no matter what the reason is, it is difficult for the world to forgive. Although the court is in chaos now, this is not an excuse for Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince to raise an army. Your Majesty is wise and brave, and even if he is seriously ill, he must have a backup plan. How can Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince easily shake him?"

Li Dejian said anxiously: "Father, I am not following blindly."

"Father, don't you see that the King of Wei and the King of Jin are fighting for power, and the border wars are also affected by the chaos in the rear. The people are longing for peace, and the Tang Dynasty is in urgent need of a man of courage and responsibility to stabilize the situation. Your Highness the Crown Prince has gone through hardships and has grown up. If he can regain power, he will definitely get the Tang Dynasty back on track. Isn't it for the long-term stability of the Tang Dynasty and the people's peace and prosperity that father has fought all his life? Supporting Your Highness the Crown Prince at this time is to realize your long-cherished wish!"

Li Jing stopped and stared at Li Dejian with a sharp gaze: "Humph, that's easy to say! What His Royal Highness did before brought shame to His Majesty and the court. Now he wants to enter Chang'an under the banner of saving the Tang Dynasty. Who knows if he has other intentions behind it? As a father, I have been cautious all my life. I can't rashly take sides just because of a few words from you."

Li Dejian said, "Father, apart from the crown prince, who else can stabilize the court?"

"Isn't it legitimate for the Crown Prince to inherit the throne?"

"Or does father want to choose between the King of Wei and the King of Jin?"

Li Jing snorted coldly: "Your Majesty is only temporarily seriously ill, but it is not as serious as you said."

Li Dejian advised, "Father, no matter what, Your Majesty must choose one from the Crown Prince, the Prince of Wei, and the Prince of Jin."

Li Jing said: "Your Majesty has his own considerations, so we can't worry about them."

Li Dejian did not expect that his father would be so stubborn.

Li Jing looked at his son seriously, and finally sighed: "You are still too impatient."

"It's not time yet."

"My father holds a large army and is feared by the people. If I support the prince at this time, what do you think, Your Majesty? Is it a disaster rather than a blessing?"

"Besides, in Chang'an City, the prince can't enter the city just because his father supports him."

"But this matter is too serious. If there is any mistake, it will be a disaster for the whole family. You go back first and let your father think about it carefully."

Li Jing's military power was not in the city of Chang'an. The imperial guards were all under the direct control of Li Shimin.

Of course, if Li Jing stands on the side of the prince, the impact will still be great.

However, Li Jing had served through three dynasties and was very cautious.

It is clear that taking sides now is not a good thing.

Besides, even if he doesn't take sides, no matter who wins, it will not involve Li Jing.

His achievements alone are enough to make people fear him.

Even if the prince entered the city and inherited the throne, that would be it.

Besides, his health is getting worse and worse, and these struggles for power and profit are no longer meaningful to him.

Li Dejian was helpless, knowing that he could not convince his father for the time being.

On the other side, King of Han Li Yuanchang came to the outside of Changsun Wuji's mansion.

Zhang Sun Wuji was admiring the flowers in the courtyard. When he saw Li Yuanchang coming, he was slightly startled, then smiled and said, "King of Han, how come you have time to come to my place today?"

(End of this chapter)