My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 336: Li Zhi also wants to go through Xuanwu Gate?

Growing up is a wonderful thing.

Especially the growth of men.

Maybe it's just a moment, maybe it's just a night.

After going through so many things, Li Zhi abruptly completed the transformation from boy to man.

He used to be timid and cowardly.

But now he is shrewd and acts decisively.

Li Zhi understood that at this point, no mistakes could be allowed.

There was no time for him to grow.

The moment Lu Tong was captured, he was stunned, but then he figured it out.

But he didn't make any excuses, as if he had admitted it.

"Don't you want to say anything to this king?"

Li Zhi became a little curious instead.

Lu Tong shook his head gently: "At this time, it is meaningless for me to say anything."

"If that's the case, why bother saying more?"

He guessed that it must be because of Du He's matter.

At this time, Lu Tong's mind suddenly became clear.

This is the prince's game, and he has become a pawn.

Why did Du He go to his house in person? Perhaps it was to express his importance, but a more important reason was that the prince deliberately wanted King Wei and King Jin to know that Du He had been to his house.

In fact, no matter what Du He said to him or what they talked about, it made no difference.

As long as Du He comes, the ending is already determined.

Perhaps from the very beginning, the prince had never thought that he would really use his military force.

Instead, they wanted to use him to attack King Jin.

Lu Tong has been in the You Jinwu Guard for many years. Because he has not been promoted, he is deeply rooted and has great appeal.

His decision will affect more troops.

Although the Prince of Jin struck a blow to the power of the Prince of Wei's party in the Right Jinwu Guard, the generals who were hastily replaced did not have much prestige, and the troops mobilized were very limited.

The prince's move was equivalent to cutting off the King of Jin's arm first.

"Does Prince Consort Du know?"

Lu Tong guessed in his heart that he would be sure of the idea by next year.

'Probably not.'

It is precisely because we don’t know that we say such heartfelt words.

The prince's plan can be said to be a two-pronged approach.

Li Zhi looked at Lu Tong's calm expression and his face suddenly turned gloomy.

He also figured out the key.

"What a plan."

Li Zhi had to admit that the prince's move was unsolvable.

Does he still dare to ask Lu Tong to help him win the throne?

Even if there was a 90% chance, Lu Tong did not betray him.

He didn't dare to gamble even if there was a one in ten chance.

"Take it down."

Li Zhi suddenly felt a little discouraged. He felt that his attitude towards the prince was very different.

I used to think it was just about force and military strength.

The prince's current strategy made him feel even more terrified.

Lu Tong only took a simple step. Who knows how many hidden tricks the prince had planned?
This made Li Zhi feel like he was surrounded by enemies on all sides.

"Prepare your horses and enter the palace. I want to see my father."

Li Zhi immediately issued an order.

Of course, his father was in a coma, so he couldn’t see him at this time.

But it was not to see the emperor, but to see Mei Niang.

At this critical moment, he could only seek solutions from Mei Niang.
-
Li Tai was not idle either.

After thinking for a long time, I decided that now is the most critical time.

Power seems to have little effect, the key is still military strength.

Where can I borrow troops from?

After much thought, I decided to go to the Five Surnames and Seven Families.

So Li Tai carefully arranged a private meeting, choosing the location in a quiet courtyard in the mansion.

In the courtyard, flowers bloomed and water gurgled, but the mood of everyone present was as if shrouded in dark clouds, depressed and solemn.

Soon, Cui Shengyu, the eldest son of the Cui family in Qinghe, Lu Zhijie, the eldest son of the Lu family in Fanyang, Wang Jinghui, the eldest son of the Wang family in Taiyuan, Zheng Yuxuan, the eldest son of the Zheng family in Xingyang, Li Ruiwen, the eldest son of the Li family in Longxi and others arrived one after another.

The eldest sons of Cui of Boling and Li of Zhaojun were not in Chang'an, so Li Tai did not invite them.

In matters like this, if he is not the eldest son, then some manager or representative is of no use.

Li Tai was all smiles, without putting on airs as the King of Wei. He greeted them personally and led them into the hall.

"My lords, we invite you all here today because the situation forces us to do so. It concerns our common interests."

Li Tai said straight to the point. Cui Shengyu frowned slightly, glanced at everyone, and spoke first: "King Wei, I wonder why you urgently summoned me this time? The situation in the court is turbulent now, and my Qinghe Cui family is also acting cautiously."

Li Tai said in a deep voice: "Master Cui must also know that Crown Prince Li Chengqian is now at the gates of the city, intending to enter the city and take control of the situation. If he succeeds, we will all face a huge crisis. This time, I would like to ask all the families to support me with military strength and help me deal with the crown prince."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was a lot of discussion in the hall.

Lu Zhijie coughed lightly and said, "King Wei, this matter is of great importance. Although my Fanyang Lu family has some industries in various places, we don't have any ready-made troops in Chang'an City to deploy. It is really difficult to help in a hurry."

Wang Jinghui nodded quickly and agreed, "Mr. Lu is right. Most of the people in Chang'an from the Wang family of Taiyuan are servants and guards in the palace. They cannot go to the battlefield and are really unable to help the King of Wei solve his problems."

After all, at this time, many people have realized that King Wei has little chance of winning.

Especially when after so many years of efforts, the King of Wei still failed to gain an advantage.

It's not a matter of giving up, but it's not worth it to help the King of Wei fight to the death with the Crown Prince.

Li Tai was anxious in his heart, but he remained calm on the surface, saying: "My lords, I also know that you have limited open military forces in Chang'an City. But I have heard that the Five Surnames and Seven Families have always had a deep foundation, and each family has the habit of training death warriors. If you can lend these death warriors to me, they will definitely help me turn the tide."

Li Tai calculated in his mind that if even a few families lent him three or four hundred people, that would be around two thousand.

Combined with his own troops, the troops on the Prince of Jin's side will definitely have an absolute advantage over the Prince's 1,000 troops.

As long as the crown prince steps down, won’t the crown prince position be easy to seize?

Zheng Yuxuan's face straightened, and he refuted firmly: "Your Highness, Prince of Wei, where do you get this from? Our Xingyang Zheng family has always been law-abiding and strictly followed the court's orders. How could we do something illegal like training assassins?"

"If the King of Wei needs money and food, we can still try our best to raise it. But this talk of a dead soldier is really nonsense. The King of Wei should not believe it easily."

Li Ruiwen also expressed his opinion with a serious look: "Mr. Zheng is right. My Longxi Li family is also a famous family. We have been loyal for generations. Our family heritage relies on virtue and knowledge. How could we raise assassins in private? However, in terms of money and food, my family is willing to do our best to support the King of Wei. But as for the assassins, I'm sorry that we are really powerless."

Cui Shengyu shook his head slightly, looking helpless: "The King of Wei may have been misled by false words."

"My Qinghe Cui family has always been known for its benevolence and filial piety. How could there be such a thing that goes against the moral code?"

"Training assassins is a heinous act, and my Cui family will never participate. But if it comes to financial assistance, as long as the King of Wei needs it, my Cui family will definitely support it."

Seeing that everyone denied that there were assassins, Li Tai was annoyed, but he still patiently advised: "Everyone, the situation in the court is critical now. Once the prince enters the city, he will definitely suppress dissidents vigorously."

"You are all one with me, how can the prince let you go easily? The dead soldiers can play a miraculous role at the critical moment and help me turn the situation around. Even if you are worried about being exposed, I can guarantee that I will never leak a single word."

"Besides, although money and food are important, what I lack most at the moment is the military force that can compete with the crown prince. If you don't help me, once the crown prince has gained a firm foothold, I'm afraid your families will never have peace again."

Lu Zhijie looked embarrassed and said, "We also want to share the worries of King Wei, but our family really doesn't have any loyal soldiers."

Li Tai's eyebrows were twisted into the shape of a "川" character, and his tone was filled with anxiety and resentment: "My fellow princes, I am in a desperate situation now. Without troops, how can I fight against the prince with money and food alone? If you don't help me, when the prince gains power, I will be the first to suffer, and next, it will be your turn!"

"The matter of the dead soldiers is a matter of life and death. I hope you will consider it carefully."

Wang Jinghui sighed and said, "We understand the difficulties of the King of Wei, but the matter of the death squad is indeed groundless. I don't know where this rumor came from."

No matter what Li Tai said, several people insisted on dying and there was absolutely no death squad.

Li Tai was extremely disappointed. His smile froze for a moment. A hint of anger flashed in his eyes, but he soon regained his composure. He forced a smile and said, "Since that's the case, I won't force you. I just hope you can reconsider this matter. After all, it concerns our survival."

"If the dead warriors can help me, I will remember your great kindness."

The gentlemen again declined, saying that there was absolutely no such thing as a dead man, and then they said goodbye and left.

Li Tai was left alone in the yard, furious.
-
The palace, a certain courtyard.

"Prince Jin, are you worried about the Crown Prince entering the city tomorrow?"

Wu Meiniang snuggled in Li Zhi's arms and asked softly.

Li Zhi nodded and said, "The Crown Prince will enter the city tomorrow. However, at this time, the Crown Prince still has such a plan. It really makes me a little worried."

Li Zhi had just told Wu Zetian about Lu Tong's matter.

Wu Zhao comforted him, "No matter how calculating the prince is, he only has a thousand soldiers. If that were not the case, why would he bother to alienate Lu Tong?"

After hearing this, Li Zhi suddenly felt a lot more relieved.

Wu Zhao continued, "Prince Jin, this is indeed a critical moment. You and the King of Wei have joined forces to deal with the Crown Prince. It seems that you have the upper hand, but in fact, there is a hidden danger."

Li Zhi looked at Wu Mei Niang in confusion and asked, "Mei Niang, I have joined forces with the King of Wei. Our military strength is enough to suppress the prince's 1,000 troops entering the city. What danger can there be?"

Wu Meiniang's eyes flashed with determination. She took a step forward and said in a low voice, "Prince Jin, the Prince of Wei is very ambitious, far more ambitious than the Crown Prince. You have joined hands with him to take down the Crown Prince. Have you ever thought about the consequences? How could he be willing to be inferior to you? Once the Crown Prince falls, the Prince of Wei will definitely turn his target to you. By then, you will face an even more difficult situation."

Li Zhi's heart trembled, and he said slowly: "Mei Niang, it's not that I haven't thought about these things. But if I don't get rid of the crown prince first, I will never be able to make a name for myself. As for the King of Wei, I will be prepared after I get rid of the crown prince."

Wu Meiniang stared at Li Zhi with a hint of urgency and expectation in her eyes, and persuaded him: "Prince Jin, the opportunity is rare and will never come back. Since we are going to take action tomorrow, why don't you take down the King of Wei as well? Think about it, if the crown prince and Li Tai are eliminated, the throne will fall firmly into your hands. Who else in the court can compete with you?"

Li Zhi's face changed instantly, and he waved his hands and said, "Mei Niang, you must not do that! The King of Wei has joined forces with me now. Regardless of whether this move is too cruel, if we act rashly on him, the court will be in a state of panic and it will be difficult to succeed. Moreover, the King of Wei has many guards around him. If we fail, the consequences will be disastrous."

Wu Meiniang said anxiously: "Prince Jin, if you are in the middle of this royal struggle, your kingdom will not be stable unless you are ruthless. Your alliance with the King of Wei is just a temporary measure. Now that you have this good opportunity, if you don't act decisively, it will become a big problem in the future. When you act, you can secretly arrange your confidants to find an opportunity to attack the King of Wei. As long as you plan carefully, it will not be difficult to stabilize his subordinates first and then take him down in one fell swoop."

Li Zhi frowned and paced back and forth, struggling in pain inside.

After a long while, he stopped and said, "Mei Niang, I understand what you mean, but this is after all a royal family killing each other. I really can't do such a bloody thing. Not to mention what people in the world think, even my own heart can't bear it."

Wu Zhao bit her lip and said, "If the King of Jin doesn't take this crucial step, he will never be able to truly control the world. Now there is such a good opportunity. If he misses it, it will be difficult for him to ascend the throne in the future. Moreover, as long as he succeeds, with the King of Jin's kindness and kindness, he will treat the people well after ascending the throne. People in the world will see the King of Jin's wisdom, so how can they criticize him too much for what he did today?"

Li Zhi shook his head helplessly and said, "Mei Niang, this matter is too dangerous. I really can't make up my mind."

Wu Zhao patiently persuaded him, "Prince Jin, if the Crown Prince and the King of Wei are both eliminated, even if Your Majesty wakes up, there will be no other choice, and the throne will be firmly in your hands."

"When your majesty was facing the relentless pressure from Crown Prince Yin and the King of Qi during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, you acted decisively even though you only had 800 men."

"At that time, the court was in chaos, and various forces had ulterior motives. As the eldest son, Crown Prince Yin had the support of many aristocratic families, and the King of Qi was brave and good at fighting. The two of them joined forces and posed a great threat to Your Majesty."

"If your majesty hesitates for even a moment, not only will the throne fall to someone else, but your life and the lives of your closest associates will also be in jeopardy."

"Eight hundred people, the first to strike is the strongest, this is how the Tang Dynasty came to be today."

"If Your Majesty had been as indecisive as the King of Jin, how could you have created this prosperous era, allowing the people to live and work in peace and happiness, and attracting people from all over the country to pay tribute to you?"

Li Zhi couldn't help but feel moved when he heard this.

His father is his role model, so does he want to follow the path his father once took?

"It's just that, Father..."

Wu Zetian sensed Li Zhi's hesitation and said immediately: "Although His Majesty may blame you, he will certainly not blame you too much."

"At that time, Prince Jin was the only legitimate son of His Majesty."

(End of this chapter)