My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 354: Still Have to Go Through Xuanwu Gate

"How dare you! Who told them to do that?"

Li Jing shouted angrily.

The deputy general hurriedly said, "Duke Wei, they said that the crown prince has held your majesty hostage, and we need to go and rescue him."

Hearing this, Li Jing calmed down immediately.

Because the fact that Your Majesty entered Lai Ting Fang was not made public and was not told to the outside world.

Naturally, there was nothing to say about Li Jing mobilizing the imperial guards.

How did the commander of the imperial guards know that His Majesty was being held hostage?

"Which commander of the Imperial Guards mobilized the troops without authorization?"

The deputy general swallowed his saliva and lowered his voice and said, "My Lord, it is General Yang Chongye of the Right Guard."

"Hongnong Yang family."

Li Jing frowned, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.

Yang Chongye was born into a branch of the Hongnong Yang family. His grandfather Yang Xuangan once rebelled against the Sui Dynasty at the end of the Sui Dynasty. Although he failed, he made the Yang family famous among the Guanlong gentry.

By marrying into the Qinghe Cui family, Yang Chongye's father Yang Yuanli not only preserved the family foundation, but also allowed Yang Chongye to study at the Imperial Academy at a young age.

Yang Chongye himself married Lu Qingyi, the legitimate daughter of Fanyang Lu family. Relying on the marriage relationship of the five surnames and seven noble families, he was promoted all the way from Zhechou Duwei to Youwei General in just ten years, and commanded the elite imperial guards on the southwest defense line of Chang'an City.

Li Jing was furious: "How dare Yang Chongye falsely convey the emperor's will!"

"Your Majesty's whereabouts are top secret, but he attacked in the name of rescuing you. It's clear that he wants to force the prince to rebel!"

The deputy general said cautiously: "Duke Wei, Yang Chongye commands a battalion of 3,000 flying cavalry."

Li Jing said coldly: "Pass the order, Yang Chongye will be dismissed on the spot if he disobeys the transfer order."

Li Jing actually did not have the power to directly dismiss a general of the imperial guards, but he could dismiss him temporarily and then go through the procedures of the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of War.

"Yes, Lord Wei."

The deputy general hurried over to pass on the order.

Lai Tingfang East Gate.

Yang Chongye was ordering his men to attack fiercely, but he originally thought that they could take the city easily. However, the prince's Shenwu Army exceeded his imagination.

"How can these barbarians be so strong?"

Yang Chongye was a little anxious. He originally thought that without artillery, the prince's Shenwu Army would not be able to defeat the elite troops of the Tang Dynasty.

How could his soldiers be compared to those patrolling the streets of the Jinwu Guards?

Now it seems that he underestimated it.

However, he has more troops, so if he spends some time, he will definitely be able to win.

However, at this time, a eunuch appeared on the opposite side.

Yang Chongye recognized him at a glance. He was Zhang Ananda, the General of the Right Guard and the Emperor's eunuch.

This made Yang Chongye's pupils shrink.

"Your Majesty's decree!!!"

The long voice was recalled, a little harsh.

After hearing the eunuch's voice, the soldiers on both sides temporarily stopped fighting.

The soldiers of Youwei Guard subconsciously looked at Yang Chongye.

Yang Chongye naturally did not dare to disobey the imperial edict, and immediately bowed.

Zhang Ananda said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty has issued an edict ordering the imperial guards to return to the palace immediately and not to cause any trouble."

Yang Chongye's scalp tingled.

This is different from what we agreed upon before. Why would Your Majesty issue an imperial edict?

Yang Chongye suppressed his shock, bowed and said loudly: "May I ask, Eunuch Zhang, how is His Majesty's safety now? I heard that the Crown Prince is plotting a rebellion and holding the emperor hostage. How can we..."

Zhang Ananda snorted coldly: "General Yang, are you questioning the safety of your majesty?"

"Your Majesty is currently discussing matters with the Crown Prince in Laitingfang, but the general is leading the troops. Whose wishes is he following? Is he here to protect the emperor or does he have other plans?"

Yang Chongye raised his head suddenly: "I have to report that the prince has bad intentions!"

Zhang Ananda asked, "Where did the secret report come from?"

Yang Chongye's scalp tingled and he didn't know what to do.

After a while, he said with a sullen face, "This must be the imperial edict that the crown prince held hostage to Your Majesty."

"I will not stop fighting until I see your majesty."

Zhang Ananda snorted coldly: "This is not up to you."

After saying that, he looked at the Right Guards who were following Yang Chongye and shouted, "You guys also want to rebel with Yang Chongye?"

The emperor's eunuch, the Right General of the Imperial Guard, has a great reputation.

It can be said that among the many generals of the imperial guards, Zhang Ananda is more valuable. After all, he is the emperor's eunuch and accompanies His Majesty every day.

"Don't dare."

"I don't dare."

"I will obey your command."

These soldiers of the Imperial Guard are not new recruits who know nothing. On the contrary, they are veterans with many years of experience.

They obeyed Yang Chongye's orders because of their positions.

Now that His Majesty's imperial edict has arrived, don't worry about whether it is true or false, just listen to it.

Besides, His Majesty’s eunuchs have come in person, so how could this be false?

Even if Your Majesty was held hostage by the Crown Prince, that was still an imperial decree.

Yang Chongye's face looked pale.

Zhang Ananda pointed at Yang Chongye and ordered, "Capture him."

The Youwei Guard, who had originally obeyed Yang Chongye's orders, suddenly turned against him and pressed Yang Chongye to the ground.

A farce ended here.

At this time, Li Jing's men came over.

the other side.

Li Zhi also got the news.

My back was instantly soaked.

"Yi Fu! How could His Majesty's edict be issued suddenly?" Li Zhi's voice trembled. He turned around and looked at Li Yi Fu behind him, his eyes full of fear.

"Didn't they say it was foolproof? W-Where on earth could this go wrong?!"

Li Yifu's face was also as pale as paper, with beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. He forced himself to remain calm and said in a low voice, "Don't panic, Prince Jin! The news must have leaked out and the Crown Prince must have noticed it."

Li Zhi shook his head: "No, I'm afraid that the emperor and the prince are not what we think in Lai Tingfang."

Li Yifu said: "Prince Jin, things have come to this point, we can only take a gamble."

"If Your Majesty leaves Laitingfang safely, the King of Jin will say that he was deceived and that someone tricked him into sending troops to rescue him. The King of Jin was loyal but was used by the treacherous people."

Li Zhi raised his head, his eyes full of doubt: "But will the emperor believe it?"

Li Yifu affirmed: "Prince Jin is your Majesty's legitimate son, your Majesty will naturally believe it."

Li Zhi smiled bitterly: "Father can tolerate even the crown prince's rebellion, but he may not be able to tolerate a son like me who plots behind the scenes. The crown prince has the Shenwu Army and artillery, and father wants to spare his life, but I am just an unarmed prince."

Prince Wei's Mansion.

"What's going on? Why did the imperial guards suddenly withdraw?" Li Tai roared.

This was completely different from what he had planned.

Wasn't it agreed that Li Chengqian would take the opportunity to force the emperor to abdicate? What on earth is that idiot Yang Chongye doing? "

Li Tai knew about Yang Chongye. In his opinion, since the Right Guards had already attacked Lai Tingfang, the Crown Prince would naturally imprison his father.

Chai Lingwu said with difficulty: "Not only did the prince not imprison Your Majesty, it seems that Your Majesty is in Laitingfang and there seems to be nothing unusual."

Li Tai murmured, "Impossible!"

"Li Chengqian has the Shenwu Army and artillery in his hands. How could he let go of such a great opportunity?"

Li Tai couldn't understand this at all.

As long as the prince imprisoned the emperor, wouldn't he be able to seize the throne just like his father did in the past?

They have clearly rebelled, and the emperor is right in front of them.

Can the prince still bear it?
Li Tai didn't believe it. If it were him, he would never miss such an opportunity.

No one would miss such an opportunity.

But why did the emperor issue an imperial edict?

Chai Lingwu analyzed: "Your Majesty and the Crown Prince seem to have reached some kind of consensus."

Li Tai sneered: "Is Father crazy?"

"Li Chengqian has his own army and has already reached the point of rebellion. How could he possibly reach a consensus with my father? Doesn't he know that if he misses this opportunity, it will be extremely difficult for him to turn things around in the future?"

Then he asked, "Is there no other news about Yang Chongye? Wasn't he carefully arranged by the Five Surnames and Seven Families? How could he be taken down so easily?"

Chai Lingwu sighed, "King Wei doesn't know that although Yang Chongye has a large army, the eunuch Zhang Ananda appeared in person with the emperor's edict, so the soldiers naturally dare not disobey."

"Your Majesty's control over the Imperial Guards is already very strict. Those soldiers usually receive Your Majesty's grace, so how could they really follow Yang Chongye in rebellion?"

"In the final analysis, Yang Chongye is just a scapegoat pushed out by the Five Surnames and Seven Families."

Li Tai's eyes flashed with panic: "What about Cui Shengyu? He won't just sit there and do nothing, right? He contributed a lot to our previous plan and promised to give his full support."

Chai Lingwu lowered his voice and said, "I'm afraid Cui Shengyu is no longer in Chang'an City at this moment."

People from the five surnames and seven families are the best at running away.

Li Tai fell into a chair, his expression dazed: "It's over, it's all over... I thought this was a perfect plan that would make Li Chengqian lose power completely, but I didn't expect..."

Li Tai's eyes were filled with reluctance: "No, I can't just sit there and wait for death. Chai Lingwu, you have to find a way for me, you must come up with a countermeasure!"

Chai Lingwu pondered for a moment and said, "King Wei, the only option now is to take the initiative to plead guilty."

"Early tomorrow morning, the King of Wei will go to see Your Majesty and cry bitterly in front of Your Majesty, putting all the blame on the Five Surnames and Seven Families, saying that he was deceived by them and had no idea about Yang Chongye's actions."

"Given the status of the King of Wei in your Majesty's heart, your Majesty may not delve into it further."

Li Tai frowned: "Please forgive me?"

"Father is so wise, how could he believe it so easily?"

"Besides, I have done so many things, how could Father not notice it?"

Chai Lingwu said: "Your Majesty knows a lot of things. Since he didn't say anything, it means he agreed. He will not blame the King of Wei too much."

In fact, most people can see that Li Shimin just pushed the King of Wei out to compete with the Crown Prince.

Li Tai was silent for a long time, then slowly said: "Even if the emperor forgives me this time, my position in his heart will plummet in the future, and I will never be able to recover."

Chai Lingwu whispered, "The prince will not remain silent like this."

"There will be a chance, King Wei."

Lai Ting Fang.

Li Shimin listened to Zhang Ananda's report with a gloomy face.

Li Jing mobilized the imperial guards with the permission of Fang Xuanling and Zhangsun Wuji, which is understandable. It was also for his own safety and showed his loyalty.

But attacking Lai Ting Fang without authorization and claiming that he was being held hostage by the prince was totally wrong.

"The Jinwu Guards are also involved. Didn't I dismiss Zhinu from his position as the Right Jinwu Guards General? How can he still mobilize the Jinwu Guards?"

Li Shimin was a little confused. Did Zhinu have such a high prestige in the You Jinwu Guard?
Zhang Ananda explained, "Your Majesty, it was the Prince of Jin who sent the Jinwu Guards out in the name of saving you."

Li Shimin asked, "Chinu said to save the emperor?"

"Without the military seal, how can the Jinwu Guards obey orders?"

"Go check it out."

Zhang Ananda bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Beside him, Li Chengqian was very quiet.

Li Shimin asked, "Prince, are you not surprised?"

Li Chengqian replied: "They all think that I will not miss this great opportunity to hold my father hostage."

Li Shimin said: "You can bear it."

Li Chengqian replied: "I have been the crown prince for twenty years, so a few days won't make a difference."

These words made Li Shimin very angry.

However, now that the imperial guards were in such a big mess, Li Shimin was in no mood to argue with the prince anymore.

"Okay, think about it yourself."

"What's the point of going on like this?"

Li Chengqian said unwillingly, "Father, please think carefully about what is the point of keeping the Prince of Wei and the Prince of Jin."

Li Shimin snorted coldly, stood up and left.

Li Chengqian also stood up and bowed: "Farewell, Father."

Li Shimin's dragon robe brought up a gust of cold wind as it passed over the threshold. Li Chengqian looked at Li Shimin's somewhat hunched back and suddenly remembered the bloody morning of the ninth year of Wude.

At that time, Li Yuan also staggered out of the Taiji Hall in the same way, while the young King of Qin, Li Shimin, stepped on his brother's blood to the supreme position.

Li Chengqian smiled bitterly. The wheel of fate turned in a similar way, but this time, it was his turn to stand in the center of the vortex.

"Your Highness, the Shenwu Army has redeployed its defenses."

Su Dingfang's voice came from outside the hall, and the sound of armor colliding awakened Li Chengqian's thoughts.

Li Chengqian was silent for a moment, then said, "General Su, you go ahead."

"What would happen if I imprisoned Your Majesty today?"

Su Dingfang was slightly startled, and then said: "Your Highness is a powerful man. If he had acted decisively, he would have been in control of Chang'an by now. But..."

"But your majesty's prestige is very high. Even if you control the imperial city, there may be changes."

Li Chengqian sneered: "From the day I started the uprising in Luoyang, I became a variable."

"You said, Your Majesty really doesn't know about the conspiracy of the Five Surnames and Seven Families? He really doesn't know about the calculations of Qingque and Zhinu? He is just playing the game of balance, watching us brothers kill each other, in order to consolidate his imperial power!"

"If he had sent Qingque Zhinu to a remote fiefdom, how could such a thing happen?"

Li Chengqian sincerely felt that if it weren't for the Prince of Wei and the Prince of Jin, he wouldn't be in such a hurry to become emperor.

Being a prince is not bad.

But the current situation is that the circumstances can only force him to keep moving forward, like rowing against the current, if he does not move forward he will retreat.

I have no choice anymore.

But if Erfeng is willing to give up King Wei, the situation will be completely different.

Su Dingfang was silent for a moment, and said: "No matter what your majesty plans, your highness has the Shenwu Army and artillery. As long as we conserve our energy."

Li Chengqian stared at Su Dingfang for a long time before he slowly said, "You know what? Looking at my father's back as he left, I suddenly remembered what he did at Xuanwu Gate. History always repeats itself in a surprising way, but this time, I don't want to be a lamb to be slaughtered."

Li Chengqian walked to the map and pressed his finger heavily on the location of Xuanwu Gate.

"This is my fate after all, which I cannot escape."

"Your Highness."

Su Dingfang walked up to him and said, "The incident at Xuanwu Gate made your majesty's hegemony possible. Although the situation is dangerous now, with your strategy and the power in our hands, we may be able to restore our glory. But... we still need to be patient for some time."

(End of this chapter)