My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 344 The Crown Prince Dares Not to Leave Chang'an

"I knew those guys were unreliable. They actually let the prince bring in artillery."

Cheng Yaojin couldn't help but complain.

In the previous discussion between the court officials and the prince, the prince was allowed to bring one thousand soldiers into the city, but he was not allowed to bring any artillery.

The prince readily agreed.

But now, artillery was not only used to forcibly attack Qixia Gate, but there were also three cannons under the prince's dragon chariot.

The court officials also felt wronged.

Who knew that the prince didn't take them seriously at all.

Besides, this dragon chariot is the prince's carriage. After all, the prince is the regent. He entered the city nominally to be the regent. Who would dare to propose to check the prince's carriage?

Even if you have some guesses, you have to keep them to yourself.

This sudden change made Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Yaojin hesitant.

Three guns.

To be honest, if we fight by force, we still have a chance of winning, it's not that we can't win.

But the loss will be huge.

It will definitely be a pyrrhic victory.

Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Yaojin didn't want to fight to the death with the prince.

There are still orders from His Majesty.

Thinking of this, Yuchi Jingde said in a deep voice: "Please ask the prince to go to the other garden. All the ministers are waiting there."

Li Tai was somewhat disappointed and could not help but whisper, "General Yuchi, General Cheng, it has come to this, and you are just going to let the prince go?"

Li Zhi didn't say anything because he saw the situation clearly.

The prince set up the cannon and today's battle could not be fought.

After all, Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Yaojin both led the Tang Dynasty's troops, while the opponent was the prince.

Shopping is impossible.

This time, neither Yuchi Jingde nor Cheng Yaojin paid any attention to King Wei.

He waved his hand and said, "Retreat."

Seeing this, Li Tai was also helpless.

But he didn't dare to stay here, so he quickly followed.

Li Chengqian rode on his horse and watched the army in front leave.

at this time.

There was a noise from behind.

It was the eunuch Wen Zhong who came with cavalry to provide support.

Even if the artillery is not exposed, the same effect can be achieved with these three thousand cavalry.

Of course, this is in the city of Chang'an.

If all sixteen palace guards were deployed, the situation would be completely different.

The number of the central imperial guards of the Tang Dynasty at this time had not yet reached the hundreds of thousands in the middle and late periods, but there were still 60,000 to 70,000 imperial guards.

The central imperial guards do not include the palace soldiers. If the palace soldiers are included, the total strength of Chang'an is about 400,000, with a standing strength of 200,000.

"Your Highness, Your Highness."

When the eunuch Wen Zhong saw that the cannons in the dragon chariot had been taken out, he hurried over and shouted.

He was very worried that the prince might suffer any harm.

"never mind."

Li Chengqian waved his hand.

Wen Zhong took a closer look and saw that the Crown Prince had no injuries and was neatly dressed, so he breathed a sigh of relief.

Su Dingfang said from the side: "Your Highness, His Majesty has woken up."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "It seems that Father is taking this opportunity to lure me into the city."

When Wen Zhong heard that His Majesty had woken up, he said in a panic: "Your Highness, now that the Qixia Gate is in our hands, Your Highness should leave the city first."

Not only Wen Zhong, Su Dingfang also had this idea.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is their backbone. Chang'an City is too dangerous. If any accident happens, they will easily be trapped inside.

If he leaves the city and returns to Luoyang, he will still be able to control the overall situation.

Li Chengqian looked in the direction of Qixia Gate and said, "We can't go back. Let's go into the city."

This time, he was the one who missed the mark.

Although Li Shimin's awakening was indeed recorded, the course of history changed. This time Li Shimin woke up so early, instead of being paralyzed for half a year as recorded in history.

"Your Highness, but." Wen Zhong still wanted to persuade him.

After all, this is no different from a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth.

The prince's reliance is artillery.

If it were in Luoyang, it would be a head-on confrontation.

But in Chang'an, there are too many variables.

Su Dingfang frowned at first, then he pondered and said slowly: "What does your highness mean?"

Li Chengqian nodded: "That's right, my father may not have just woken up today, but has been awake for a long time."

"Perhaps, he has already awakened before we arrived in Chang'an."

"So, right now, there are already a large number of palace soldiers outside the city, and a large number of imperial guards are also ambushed inside the city."

"If you turn back, there will be no reservations."

Wen Zhong was horrified when he heard this.

But after thinking about it carefully, he wondered: "Then why did His Majesty..."

Li Chengqian said nothing more.

Because, after all, he is the prince.

Tiger poison does not eat children.

In history, even when Li Chengqian rebelled, Li Shimin still saved his life.

Especially now.

Then the team set off again.

Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Yaojin, who were secretly investigating outside, finally breathed a sigh of relief after receiving the news.

Just as Li Chengqian guessed.

Before Qixia Gate was captured, Li Shimin had already arranged a large number of palace soldiers to deploy defenses.

In Chang'an City, 40,000 imperial guards were secretly mobilized.

Not only Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling, but even Li Jing was completely unaware of this matter.

Oh no.

Li Jing knows now.

According to the countermeasures discussed in the court, Li Jing came to mobilize part of the imperial guards.

When they arrived, they found that these imperial guards had already been dispatched to ambush in accordance with His Majesty's decree.

Moreover, after Li Jing arrived, he himself was restricted and could not leave without the emperor's decree.

This is also the reason why Li Jing was late at Zhuque Street and it was because Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Yaojin showed up.

How did Li Shimin secretly arrange all this in his bedroom?

This brings us to the royal chamberlain Zhang Ananda.

All the imperial edicts in the bedroom were issued through Zhang Ananda. As a eunuch and the Right General of the Imperial Guard, it was not difficult for him to secretly convey the emperor's edicts.

Moreover, as an emperor who had founded his own empire, Li Shimin had, in addition to a number of ministers who left their names in history, a large number of loyal subordinates.

It's not that difficult to pass the message around everyone.

And as long as the prince's troops want to leave the city, the palace guards and the soldiers outside the city will immediately attack the prince's army.

Thirty thousand Shenwu troops are a lot, they are very strong, and they have cannons.

But at this time, even if it meant heavy losses and a bloody battle, Li Shimin wanted to keep Li Chengqian in Chang'an.

He didn't dare let the prince go again.

What happened in Tongguan must not be allowed to happen again.

The Li family’s reputation is about to be completely lost.

In fact, Su Dingfang still couldn't figure it out.

Since Your Majesty has made such a thorough plan, why not take action and instead let the Crown Prince move into Chang'an?

The Imperial Palace.

Taiji Hall, inside the sleeping palace.

"Cheng Qian, he is my eldest son after all."

Li Shimin sighed and said.

With his current physical condition, Li Shimin didn't know if he could survive. And the Tang Dynasty, the Li family.

We need an excellent successor.

Whether in the past or now, in Li Shimin's heart, the prince has always been the best heir.

But he made the same mistake as all the princes in history.

Too hasty.

He is already the crown prince, and the Tang Dynasty will be his sooner or later.

Why, why are you in such a hurry?

They even went so far as to launch a rebellion.

Li Shimin actually thought differently.

After all, he had never been a prince.

So I can’t empathize.

Oh, I did work for the prince for a few months.

But when he was the crown prince, what was the difference between that and being the emperor? It was just a formality.

Because I have never done it, I cannot understand the torment of being a prince.

But this illness made Li Shimin a little worried.

Therefore, as long as the crown prince was stable, Li Shimin still wanted him to continue to be the crown prince.

After all, Li Shimin still has deep feelings for Li Chengqian.

This is Guanyinbi's eldest son, and he is the source of Guanyinbi's hope.

Back then, before Guanyin died, she was talking about her child.

It is said that Li Shimin favored Prince Wei, but in fact, in Li Shimin's heart, he had always loved Li Chengqian.

"Your Highness, there is news that the Crown Prince is heading to the villa outside the palace."

A guard outside reported the news, and Zhang Ananda, who received the news, hurried to tell His Majesty.

Li Shimin also breathed a sigh of relief.

He was really worried that the prince would retreat from Chang'an at this time.

"Your Majesty, does the prince know about this?"

In fact, in Zhang Ananda's opinion, the prince should leave at this time and should not continue to stay in Chang'an.

As soon as Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Yaojin arrived, the prince knew that the emperor had woken up.

I would never risk staying in Chang'an.

However, even though he knew that His Majesty had already woken up, the prince still stayed in Chang'an.

Zhang Ananda believed that the prince was definitely unaware of the deployment of the palace soldiers and the imperial guards outside the city.

Even the ministers in the court were unaware of it, and they were all transferred temporarily, so it was impossible for the prince to get the news.

When Li Shimin heard this, he smiled.

"Cheng Qian must have guessed my plan."

At this moment, Li Shimin suddenly hurriedly thought about himself and his son, feeling that they were in sync with each other.

Because I guessed it, I don't want to fight him to death.

"Your Majesty, what's next?"

Zhang Ananda was a little confused.

The prince entered the city, and then what happened?

Li Shimin said: "Next, it will naturally be the Crown Prince who will govern the country."
-
Palace garden.

Li Chengqian finally arrived.

The courtyard here is quite large and is close to the imperial city. It is in the large square near the East Palace Gate.

The square next to it is the former Chang'an Military Academy.

This villa can be regarded as Li Shimin's temporary palace.

So in terms of construction, it is quite luxurious.

"Congratulations, Your Royal Highness."

Hundreds of officials paid homage.

After all, Li Chengqian is now the regent, which is equivalent to a saint.

"Everyone is safe."

Li Chengqian was not unfamiliar with this. After all, this was not the first time that the crown prince served as regent.

Li Shimin liked hunting and often went out for more than half a month or even several months, and the crown prince was the regent.

The ministers are also familiar with it.

It's just that the venue is different.

"Do you know what kind of rebellious thing happened on Suzaku Street today?"

Li Chengqian started to attack right away.

From the perspective of the Tang Dynasty, no matter what, the attack by the King of Wei and the King of Jin constituted the crime of treason.

Putting aside the rebellion in Luoyang, this attack was treason.

After all, Li Shimin restored his position as crown prince.

Li Chengqian's voice was as cold as iron. His eyes swept through the crowd, lingering on Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling. "Prince of Wei Li Tai and Prince of Jin Li Zhi gathered several thousand people and set up an ambush on the main road of the imperial city to kill the crown prince. What crime should be punished for such behavior?"

Fang Xuanling frowned slightly. He didn't expect that the prince would directly question the King of Wei and the King of Jin as soon as he arrived.

Everyone knows it, but some things cannot be said openly.

"Your Highness, the King of Wei and the King of Jin are not here. This matter has not yet been concluded. You should be careful with your words..."

Faced with Li Chengqian's aggressive gaze, Fang Xuanling could only turn a blind eye for the time being.

Anyway, no matter what, the matter between the King of Wei and the King of Jin can only be left to Your Majesty to decide.

At this moment, they have received news that His Majesty has already awakened and has made many arrangements in secret.

"Cautious?" Li Chengqian sneered.

"The corpses on Suzaku Street are still warm, and the flags of the Wei and Jin dynasties seized by General Su Dingfang are still there. Do you think we have to wait until they lead their troops into the palace before you will believe it?"

"The blood of the Xuanwu Gate Incident in the ninth year of Wude has not yet dried. Do you want me to repeat the mistakes of Prince Yin?"

Fang Xuanling bowed and said, "Your Highness, please calm down. The law requires solid evidence. If we rashly convict the King of Wei and the King of Jin at this time..."

"Evidence?" Li Chengqian drew out his sword suddenly, pointing the tip of the sword outside the hall, "Where is Su Dingfang!"

The sound of armor colliding came from far away. Su Dingfang stepped into the hall holding a blood-stained flag. The words "Wei" and "Jin" on the flag glowed dark red under the candlelight: "Your Highness, this is a general's flag captured from the enemy."

Chu Suiliang said directly: "Since the prince already has evidence, why doesn't he report it directly to His Majesty?"

This confirms that the prince does not dare to see His Majesty.

Now that your majesty has awakened, how dare the prince enter the palace?
Once you go in, you can’t get out.

Chu Suiliang understood that the prince wanted to convict the King of Wei and the King of Jin first, but Chu Suiliang naturally would not agree to such a thing.

Li Chengqian looked at Chu Suiliang coldly and said, "When the emperor wakes up, I will report it to him. But now, do you think that for such a serious matter, the crime should be convicted first?"

These words left Chu Suiliang speechless.

Now everyone knows that His Majesty has woken up, but this cannot be said.

What do you mean? Your Majesty pretended to be unconscious and tricked the prince into entering the city?

This is tantamount to damaging Your Majesty's reputation.

The prince used this point to convict the King of Wei and the King of Jin.

This involves the court regulations.

The court of the Tang Dynasty was not a one-man show by the emperor. Laws and regulations had their own order.

The emperor's orders could all be rejected by the Menxia Province.

If the King of Wei and the King of Jin are convicted in this court, then even if Your Majesty comes in person, the subsequent procedures will still have to be followed.

Obviously, Li Chengqian was stuck here with the regulations.

Chu Suiliang said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, when His Majesty wakes up, he will definitely deal with it impartially. If the Crown Prince arbitrarily executes the person at this moment, I am afraid that he will be criticized by the world!"

No matter what the prince said, Chu Suiliang would not agree.

You said that His Majesty has not woken up, so I said wait for His Majesty to wake up.

Li Chengqian said calmly: "I never said I would execute the person on my own!"

"But before the emperor arrives, I want you to make a decision here. Prince of Wei Li Tai and Prince of Jin Li Zhi have committed the crime of treason. All of their close associates in the palace will be detained. The decision will be made after the emperor wakes up!"

"Also, Jin Wang Li Zhi privately mobilized the Jinwu Guards. Jin Wang Li Zhi is temporarily dismissed from his post as the Grand General of the Jinwu Guards."

"Everyone, what do you think?"

Changsun Wuji remained silent upon hearing this.

If His Majesty had not woken up, he would naturally support it, but if His Majesty had woken up, it would be completely different.

Wei Zheng, on the other hand, stood up and said, "I think what the Crown Prince said makes sense."

(End of this chapter)