My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 351 I’m Here

"Your Majesty, you must not do this."

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is in Laitingfang, where there are more than 10,000 Shenwu troops stationed."

"If your majesty goes here, what if..."

When the eunuch Zhang A'anan heard that His Majesty wanted to see the Crown Prince, he became completely panicked.

The prince has already captured Qixia Gate, and there are still so many Shenwu troops.

That’s tens of thousands of troops.

The several blocks near the Eastern Palace have become the prince's private areas, and are even more heavily guarded than the former Eastern Palace.

It naturally doesn't matter if the ministers go there. The fight between the Crown Prince and His Majesty cannot be said to involve the ministers.

Even Chu Suiliang, a staunch supporter of King Wei, didn't care at all about going to Lai Tingfang to attend the court meeting.

First of all, it is meaningless to take action against the ministers. If they really do, will the prince still have anyone to govern the Tang Dynasty in the future?

But Your Majesty is different.

What should we do if the Crown Prince puts Your Majesty under house arrest?

"Why, are you still worried that Cheng Qian will eat me?"

"Okay, that's it."

"I haven't seen Cheng Qian for several years."

Li Shimin's tone was somewhat sad.

The prince used to live in the East Palace and there was nothing special about it. But this time the prince has been away from Chang'an for several years.

Speaking of which, Li Shimin was really not used to it.

Now that the prince is back, he dares not come to see him.

But he wanted to see the prince.

Hearing that His Majesty was so determined, Zhang Ananda became very anxious and wanted to persuade him again.

However, Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "That's it."
-
Lai Ting Fang.

This is the main place where Li Chengqian stationed his troops.

However, not all of the 30,000 Shenwu troops are here.

The Shenwu Army was also stationed in Yongchang, Guangzhai and Yishanfang nearby.

If anything happens, we can get the news at the first time and quickly assemble troops.

Imperial palace and villa.

All officials reported on their affairs.

"Your Highness, the governor of Hedong Road reported that the Turks are ready to make a move, and the border guards are running low on food and fodder, so supplies need to be allocated urgently."

The Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War submitted a report.

The eunuch Wen Zhong stepped forward, took it and handed it to the prince.

After reading it, Li Chengqian frowned and said, "The issue of grain and grass is related to the safety of the border defense and cannot be delayed. Does the Ministry of Revenue have any surplus grain?"

The Minister of Revenue replied, "Your Highness, since the severe drought in Guanzhong last year, taxes in various places have dropped sharply, and the Ministry of Revenue has not much grain in stock. Previously, most of it has been allocated to comfort the victims. Now there is very little left, and I am afraid it will not be able to meet the needs of Hedong Road."

Chu Suiliang started to attack directly: "Your Highness, the defense of Hedong Road is of utmost importance. If the border is lost due to a shortage of food and grass, who will bear the responsibility? Now that the Crown Prince is in charge of the Shenwu Army, but he can't even handle such a small matter as the allocation of food and grass, how can he bear the responsibility of regent?"

It had become a common practice for ministers in the Tang Dynasty to go against the emperor.

So Chu Suiliang had no fear.

Even if the crown prince is the regent, so what? There is nothing I dare not say.

Li Chengqian stared at Chu Suiliang with a sharp gaze: "Doctor Chu, are you questioning this prince? The shortage of food and grass in Hedong Road is not something that happened overnight. As a minister of the court, didn't you find the problem and report it in advance?"

"You are also aware of the grain storage situation in the Ministry of Revenue. Are you deliberately trying to disturb people's hearts by making such irresponsible remarks in the court?"

Chu Suiliang was intimidated by Li Chengqian's momentum, and panicked, but he still managed to say: "Your Highness, please don't change the subject. I am just talking about the facts. The current situation is serious. If the food and grass problem is not solved as soon as possible, the consequences will be disastrous. Since the prince has taken over the government affairs, he should come up with practical solutions instead of blindly blaming others."

Li Chengqian said, "Of course there will be a way, but a good cook cannot cook without rice. Now the Ministry of Revenue has no grain, so we can only find another way. The harvests in the southern provinces are still good this year. We can allocate grain and grass from the south and transport them to the east of the river via the canal."

Wang Gui, the Minister of Rites, stood out in opposition. "Jiangnan is a land of fish and rice, and taxes have always been an important source of income for the court. If a large amount of grain and grass is allocated to Jiangnan, it will not only affect the livelihood of the local people, but may also cause public resentment. Moreover, the canal is a long waterway with many risks along the way. If the grain and grass are damaged or robbed by robbers, wouldn't it be a loss?"

Li Chengqian said: "The Hedong border is in danger. We can first ask the states in the south of the Yangtze River to prepare food and grass. At the same time, we can strengthen the protection forces along the canal to ensure the safety of food and grass transportation. As for the people in the south of the Yangtze River, we can appropriately reduce taxes to appease the people."

Upon hearing this, Wang Gui, the Minister of Rites, said no more.

At this time, Chu Suiliang made a memorial: "Since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince entered the city, the public security in Chang'an has been in chaos, with frequent thefts and fights. What's worse, some people are using the banner of the Crown Prince's Shenwu Army to oppress the people, causing public resentment."

Li Chengqian said coldly: "The Shenwu Army is led by me personally, and the military discipline is always strict. How could they do such a thing? Can the Ministry of Justice find out the truth?"

Minister of Justice Zhang Liang bowed and said, "Your Highness, these people are very cunning and disappeared without a trace after committing the crime. After multiple investigations, it is initially suspected that some ruffians took advantage of the situation and tried to frame the Shenwu Army. However, many people still believed it and have complaints against Your Highness the Crown Prince and the Shenwu Army."

Chu Suiliang sarcastically said, "Your Highness, if you can't discipline your army, how can you govern the country? If you can't even discipline your own army, how can you convince the people? Now the people in Chang'an are in panic. If this continues, I'm afraid it will shake the foundation of the Tang Dynasty."

Chu Suiliang was really determined to go against the prince in everything.

Since we have no advantage in military strength, we will look for trouble somewhere else.

Li Chengqian said calmly: "According to Doctor Chu's opinion, this is what should be done."

Chu Suiliang bowed and said, "Your Highness, ever since the Prince of Jin was dismissed from his post as the Right Jinwu Guard General, the Jinwu Guard in Chang'an City has been leaderless, causing bandits to run rampant."

"Back then, when the Prince of Jin governed the Jinwu Guard, his orders were strictly enforced and no one in Chang'an could lock their doors at night. Now, although the Shenwu Army under your Highness's command is brave, it is difficult to hide the signs of a breakdown in public security. In my opinion, it would be better to reinstate the Prince of Jin. First, this would stabilize the situation in Chang'an and second, it would demonstrate your Highness's broad-mindedness."

Chu Suiliang was a member of the King of Wei's party, and the reason he helped the King of Jin was also for the King of Wei.

The King of Wei had no military power, but the King of Jin did.

As long as the Prince of Jin restored the position of General of the Right Jinwu Guard, he would be able to mobilize enough troops to counter the Crown Prince, which was also the result that the King of Wei wanted.

Li Chengqian sneered, "Doctor Chu, what you said is interesting. According to you, I am incompetent and worse than the King of Jin? The root cause of the chaos in the Jinwu Guard lies in the loopholes in the system, not the lack of someone in charge."

"But you, Doctor Chu, have you switched to King Jin's army?"

Chu Suiliang's face flushed instantly: "Prince, please don't spit blood at me. I am only loyal to Your Majesty and the Tang Dynasty. How can I be the King of Wei or the King of Jin?"

"The people of Chang'an are suffering now, but Your Highness is busy suppressing dissidents instead of thinking of a solution. How can you convince the people with such behavior?"

Li Chengqian sneered, "What a loyal man to His Majesty and the Tang Dynasty! Doctor Chu, you said the people of Chang'an are suffering. Where are they suffering?"

"Which family has no food to eat, or which family has no clothes to wear?"

"You said bandits are rampant and there are files. I want to see which bandits are rampant."

"Doctor Chu's empty words made it seem as if the people of Chang'an were already living in misery. If you didn't know, you would think it was a year of great disaster."

"Oh, I understand. You want to restore the King of Jin's status as the General of the Right Jinwu Guard. Do you want the King of Jin to attack me again and commit treason?"

"So, Doctor Chu is the mastermind behind this conspiracy."

Chu Suiliang argued with a red face: "Your Highness, this is a trumped-up charge! The Prince of Jin is very capable, and restoring his position is for the sake of the people of Chang'an. It has nothing to do with the Prince of Wei!"

Li Chengqian said coldly: "I want to see if we can still get things done without the Right Golden Guard of Prince Jin."

"Pass on the order from the Crown Prince to temporarily appoint Pei Xingjian as the acting general of the Right Jinwu Guard, responsible for maintaining public order in Chang'an City."

The prince's tough attitude is completely different from before.

In the past, when the crown prince was regent, he would mostly listen to advice and criticism rather than being so direct.

Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng remained silent, each with their own thoughts in their minds.

the other side.

In front of the Yanxi Gate, Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Yaojin were both stunned.

"Am I seeing things?"

Cheng Yaojin asked subconsciously.

Yuchi Jingde hesitated a little: "It should be correct, it can't be that both of us are dazzled."

Cheng Yaojin asked, "But Your Majesty, why are you here?"

Neither of them could believe that they would see His Majesty coming over on the dragon chariot.

Of course, after a brief pause, I immediately greeted him.

"I respectfully welcome your Majesty."

"No gift."

Cheng Yaojin took a closer look and said excitedly: "I have been tossing and turning these days and can't sleep, fearing that..."

Having said this, Cheng Yaojin suddenly stopped talking and hurriedly raised his hand to wipe his face.

Yuchi Jingde said excitedly: "God bless the Tang Dynasty! We pray for your majesty every day in Xuande Temple, and now we finally hope that your holy body will recover!"

"Your Majesty did not fall down even when he was hit by a stray arrow in Luoyang. You will definitely get through this safely as well."

Li Shimin nodded. He trusted Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Yaojin the most.

"Okay, open the palace gate."

Yuchi Jingde hesitated: "Where are you going, Your Majesty?"

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Of course I will go to the court and listen to government affairs from behind the curtain."

"I want to see how the Crown Prince is governing the country and how the government affairs are going."

Cheng Yaojin was horrified: "Your Majesty! Most of the prince's Shenwu Army is in Laitingfang, and Your Majesty only brought such a small number of people?"

Li Shimin had only three to five hundred guards around him.

Yuchi Jingde was even more anxious: "Your Majesty, what are you going to do? The prince..."

Li Shimin interrupted, "Jingde, when you followed me to pacify Liu Wuzhou, did you ever fear the enemy's strength? Yaojin, when we faced Dou Jiande's 100,000-man army at Hulao Pass, did you ever advise me to avoid their attack?"

Yuchi Jingde asked anxiously, "How can it be the same?"

"Back then, we fought on the battlefield, soldiers against soldiers, generals against generals! But now the prince wants to force me to abdicate."

Cheng Yaojin advised: "Your Majesty! I know you are thinking of the father-son relationship, but the prince has an army of 30,000 tigers and wolves! If he can build a cannon that can knock down the city wall, he can..."

Li Shimin suddenly sneered: "Can you kill your father and usurp the throne?"

The two of them were afraid to speak.

Li Shimin ordered: "Open the palace gate."

The two were helpless: "Yes, Your Majesty."

After the palace gate was opened, Li Shimin moved forward in his dragon sedan chair.

Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Yaojin followed closely in front.

If the prince really wants to make trouble, they must protect His Majesty and fight their way out.

Lai Ting Fang.

The commander of the Shenwu Army was Su Dingfang.

When Su Dingfang heard the news that His Majesty was coming, he was also stunned.

At this time, Your Majesty came out of the palace and came to Laitingfang?
My first reaction was that Su Dingfang was not good enough.

However, more news soon came, and Su Dingfang had no choice but to accept it.

Su Dingfang hurriedly took people to greet them.

The Shenwu Army was lined up like a forest. Su Dingfang, wearing black armor and a Mo Dao hanging from his waist, walked quickly towards the main gate of Lai Tingfang.

The morning light penetrated through the layers of spears and swords, making the gilded dragon on Li Shimin's dragon chariot shine brightly.

Su Dingfang knelt on one knee, the sound of armor colliding was crisp and clear: "I am Su Dingfang, the last general, respectfully welcome Your Majesty!"

"Get up."

Li Shimin glanced at Su Dingfang and felt a little emotional.

This is the minister that the prince relies on most.

"I heard that you conquered twelve cities of Goguryeo in Liaodong."

"It's not bad to follow the prince."

"Do you still feel aggrieved about what happened back then?"

Li Shimin was talking about the Eastern Turks.

In fact, people were very optimistic about Su Dingfang. The reason why he was not reused was, first, to polish him, and second, there were too many famous generals in the Tang Dynasty.

Su Dingfang replied: "I dare not."

"I am honored to be trusted by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and to be entrusted with the important task of being a pioneer. It is my honor to be able to expand the territory for the Tang Dynasty."

"Expanding the territory for the Tang Dynasty?" Li Shimin sneered suddenly, and his sleeve swept across the Mo Dao on Su Dingfang's waist. "Then the troops stationed in Chang'an now are also for the Tang Dynasty? Thirty thousand Shenwu troops are stationed in the town, and even the bricks of the Qixia Gate have been replaced three times by you. General Su, is this gate guarding the foreign enemy, or me!"

The tone of his words suddenly became so sharp that the air around them seemed to freeze.

Su Dingfang said in a deep voice: "I dare not."

Li Shimin did not continue, but said calmly: "Lead the way."

Su Dingfang led the way, and the dragon chariot slowly rolled over the bluestone road in the courtyard. The armor of the Shenwu Army soldiers on the street reflected the morning light, but the long spears like a forest were all lowered.

This is both a warning and a courtesy to the emperor.

Inside the palace of the villa.

"Your Majesty is here!"

The sharp announcement exploded in the hall like thunder.

Chu Suiliang, who was in the middle of a heated argument, froze where he was.

Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Wei Zheng were all stunned.

Li Chengqian stood up suddenly and looked out of the hall in disbelief, with a storm in his heart. He never thought that Li Shimin would come in person under such circumstances.

Li Shimin, dressed in a dark yellow dragon robe, walked slowly into the hall under the morning light. His steps were steady, but he could not hide his slightly hunched figure, and every step seemed to step on everyone's heart.

"Your son... respectfully welcomes the Emperor!"

Li Chengqian was the first to react and bowed.

All the civil and military officials in the court finally woke up as if from a dream and bowed to the ground one after another. "We welcome Your Majesty!" The voices were uneven, revealing a strong sense of uneasiness and surprise.

Li Shimin's eyes slowly swept across the people in the hall, finally landing on Li Chengqian, and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, get up."

Li Chengqian's mind went blank.

He could never have imagined that Li Shimin would come.

How dare you come.

Li Shimin felt so happy when he saw Li Chengqian's expression.

(End of this chapter)