My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 355 Li Shimin's Helplessness
Seize the throne.

It's not an easy thing.

Can you become emperor by imprisoning Li Shimin?

If things were that simple, there wouldn't have been so many princes forced to death since ancient times.

If that is the case, wouldn't it be possible to just find an excuse and take the emperor hostage, and then become the emperor directly?

Who would guard against his own son?

But things are not that simple.

After imprisonment.

Will all the ministers in the court listen to you?
They will only keep looking for opportunities to rescue their emperor.

What about patricide?
That's even more ridiculous.

The entire Tang Dynasty would be in chaos. Not to mention the King of Wei and the King of Jin, all the other illegitimate sons would rebel and become emperor, under the pretext of avenging their fathers.

By then, the entire Tang Dynasty will become like the late Eastern Han Dynasty.

Many heroes rose up and killed the traitor together.

Then why was Li Shimin able to succeed to the throne through Xuanwu Gate?

In fact, Li Shimin's smooth succession to the throne was largely due to Li Yuan's compromise, as well as Li Shimin's own team and merits, and many other factors, all of which were indispensable.

It seemed that Li Shimin had already taken control of the palace, but if Li Yuan did not agree, Li Shimin would not be able to sit firmly on the throne.

But Li Yuan had no choice for the sake of the Li family's Tang Dynasty.

After all, from Li Yuan's perspective at the time, his son was indeed an excellent successor, and he had a strong team under him, including the Eighteen Scholars in literature and Li Jing, Yuchi Jingde, Cheng Yaojin and others in military affairs.

Moreover, half of the Tang Dynasty was conquered by Li Shimin.

If Li Yuan was determined to avenge his two dead sons, who else could he choose except Li Shimin?

The most important thing is that Li Yuan himself is old.

And because of years of hard work, he also suffered from a lot of diseases.

If you don't support Li Shimin at this time, no one can support him.

Therefore, Li Shimin was made the crown prince. After serving as the crown prince for a few months, Li Yuan abdicated the throne and became the emperor emeritus to recuperate.

You know, Li Shimin's situation was not very good at the beginning. He only had 800 people in Chang'an City.

And in the palace, Li Yuan had tens of thousands of imperial guards.

Tens of thousands of imperial guards could not defeat eight hundred people?

It's just a compromise.

Even if Li Shimin forced the emperor to abdicate, would he dare to kill his father?

Li Chengqian is facing a similar situation now.

The biggest difficulty now is that Li Shimin is still too young.

At the age of over 40, it was extremely difficult to make Li Shimin willing to become the emperor.

the other side.

Li Shimin walked out safely.

"Greetings to Your Majesty."

Many ministers were relieved to see that His Majesty was safe and sound.

"Your Majesty, the prince didn't do anything to you, did he?"

Chu Suiliang asked with concern, but in fact he also wanted to sow discord.

In his opinion, there must have been a big quarrel between His Majesty and the Crown Prince, not to mention that the imperial guards are now attacking Lai Ting Fang.

Li Shimin glanced at Chu Suiliang coldly.

He knew what Chu Suiliang was thinking, but he didn't take it to heart. After all, the imperial court was like that. It needed balance and checks and balances, and no one could dominate.

If the emperor favors one side based on his own preferences, then when the power of the loyal ministers becomes too great, it will be difficult to get rid of them.

This is the emperor's mind.

"The prince and I are on good terms. Why, Doctor Chu, do you hope that the prince will become enemies with me?"

Facing the question from His Majesty, Chu Suiliang bowed hastily and said, "I dare not."

Li Shimin snorted coldly, and did not delve into it. Instead, he looked at the ministers and said, "Well, I came here just to take a look at the prince. Now that I am not fully recovered, I will return to the palace to rest."

After a pause, Li Shimin continued: "The Crown Prince is still the regent now."

The ministers bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

The so-called regent means handling the affairs of state.

Li Shimin was not worried that the crown prince's handling of state affairs would affect his own power.

Li Shimin got on the carriage and returned to the palace with his ministers bidding him farewell.

After returning to the palace, Li Shimin immediately issued an imperial edict.

"Order the King of Wei and the King of Jin to come to the palace to see me immediately."

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

No matter how you look at it, the manipulation of the King of Wei and the King of Jin was too obvious this time, and they went too far.

In fact, if you really talk about the ambush of the prince on Suzaku Street, it can be considered treason.

However, in this power struggle, especially within the royal family, many things are difficult to explain.

The laws of the Tang Dynasty do not apply to the royal family.

Tai Chi Hall.

Li Tai and Li Zhi knelt on the cold blue bricks, their robes already soaked with cold sweat, and even their breathing became cautious.

Li Shimin just looked at them coldly, with no intention of asking them to get up.

a long time.

Li Shimin asked: "You two, do you know your guilt?"

Li Zhi was trembling all over, unable to form a complete sentence: "Father, Zhinu was deceived into thinking that the prince was going to harm you."

Li Shimin said angrily: "Deceived? Do you think I am a three-year-old child? Let me ask you, I have already dismissed you from the post of General of the Right Jinwu Guard, how did you mobilize the Jinwu Guard?"

"Who gave you the courage to mobilize troops privately?"

"You know, this is a serious crime of treason!"

Li Zhi was so frightened that he trembled and kowtowed repeatedly: "I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong, please don't get angry and hurt yourself."

Seeing Zhinu's appearance, Li Shimin felt a little soft-hearted.

"Okay, stop knocking."

"Thank you, Father."

Li Zhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. From the tone of his voice, it seemed that his father did not blame him too much.

That’s right. My eldest brother has already started a rebellion. In comparison, I am just privately mobilizing troops. How big of a deal can it be?

Seeing this, Li Tai followed suit and kowtowed, his forehead instantly turning purple: "It's all Qingque's fault for not disciplining me! I beg the emperor to punish me and let Zhinu go!"

Li Shimin sneered: "What right do I have to punish you? You are much more capable than me."

"You can even command my imperial guards. Is there anything you dare not do?"

Li Tai quickly explained: "Father, you are wrong. Qingque has never mobilized the imperial guards. I have always been in the palace."

Li Shimin interrupted, "That's enough. You still dare to deceive me?"

"How dare you say that what General Yang Chongye of the Right Guard did has nothing to do with you and you knew nothing about it?" Upon hearing this, Li Tai did not dare to say anything more.

My father even called out the name, so it is obvious that he has received accurate information.

After some hesitation, Li Tai said, "Qingque does not know General Yang Chongye of the Right Guard. Please understand, Father. Qingque has never contacted him."

Li Shimin looked at Li Tai deeply and said slowly: "I know that you are not familiar with General Yang Chongye of the Right Guard, so do you think that this has nothing to do with you?"

"Or do you want me to make my words more clearly?"

Qingque's heart skipped a beat, knowing that these words really made his father angry, and he kowtowed again.

"Father, Qingque knows he was wrong. Please punish me."

It's no use trying to argue at this point, so you might as well tell the truth.

However, Li Shimin had no intention of listening to Li Tai's explanation.

He knew the situation and tricks here very well.

He had gone through the same things in the past, with brothers fighting each other and plotting conspiracies and scheming. How could he not know about it?

"Everyone, get up."

Li Shimin suddenly regained his composure, walked to the dragon throne and sat down.

"From now on, the expenses of the Prince of Wei's Palace will be reduced by 50% as a punishment."

Li Tai was stunned, and could hardly believe his ears. He thought he would be severely punished, but he didn't expect it would just be a reduction in expenses?

He kowtowed immediately: "Thank you, father, for your mercy!"

The Prince of Wei's Palace did not rely on the salaries given by the court.

Even if all of them were cut, there would not be much impact.

Li Shimin looked at Li Zhi again, his eyes filled with a bit of disappointment: "Zhi Nu, you mobilized troops without authorization, which is a serious crime. But I will consider your heart of 'protecting the emperor'."

"I will punish you to go to the Hongwen Hall and copy the Zhenguan Zhengyao a hundred times so that you can understand the way to govern a country. If you can't finish copying, you are not allowed to step out of the Hongwen Hall."

Li Zhi raised his head, his eyes full of surprise and gratitude: "Yes, Father, I will copy it carefully and reflect deeply!"

"Do you know why I gave you such a lenient sentence?"

Li Shimin suddenly stood up and slowly walked down the steps, his old voice carrying a hint of fatigue.

"You are my own flesh and blood, and have grown up under my nose. Qingque is smart, and Zhinu is kind, how could I not know? This time, you were just being used by someone with ulterior motives."

Li Shimin walked up to Li Tai and gently brushed away the messy hair on his forehead. His movements were so gentle that it seemed as if he had returned to his childhood. "Qingque, I am happy that you compiled the Comprehensive Geography. But remember, knowledge is used to govern the country and maintain peace, not a tool for forming cliques and pursuing personal interests."

Then he turned to Li Zhi and patted him on the shoulder: "Zhi Nu, you are still young. You should use your brain more when you encounter things in the future, and don't act impulsively."

Li Tai and Li Zhi's eyes were red, and they choked up in unison: "Remember my father's teachings!"

"Get up."

Li Shimin sighed, "The Crown Prince is the regent and has many things to do. Qingque, go to the Council of State twice more often and help the Crown Prince with his advice."

"Zhi Nu, after you finish copying, go and help the Crown Prince with the paperwork. Only when you brothers work together can you govern the Tang Dynasty well."

Li Tai and Li Zhi both suspected that they had heard wrongly.

Now they can also assist the prince in governing the country.

This is a decrease in appearance but an increase in reality.

It is equivalent to having the qualifications to listen to and discuss political affairs.

Li Shimin said in a deep voice: "Remember, you are brothers, even if your bones are broken, your tendons are still connected."

"Some things should not be taken too far. If something like this happens again, don't blame me for not warning you."

"Okay, everyone, please step aside."

Li Tai bowed to Li Zhi and said, "I will follow my father's instructions."

After Li Tai and Li Zhi left, Zhang Ananda asked softly, "Your Majesty, isn't such a light punishment too easy? The Crown Prince might have objections. Now..."

“Ananda.”

Li Shimin waved his hand, "They are my sons after all. Severe punishment will only deepen the rift between brothers. A little punishment and some sweet treats will make them understand my painstaking efforts."

"The prince has made up his mind now, and it may be difficult for him to turn back."

Bringing the King of Wei and the King of Jin over to take charge of government affairs would cause trouble for the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince should focus his energy on dealing with the King of Wei and the King of Jin, so that the situation can be balanced.

If it weren't for the King of Wei and the King of Jin, Li Shimin would have faced the Crown Prince directly, and there would have been no room for turning back.
-
That night.

Changsun Mansion.

Changsun Wuji is also very conflicted now.

"Father, there is more news. His Majesty summoned the King of Wei and the King of Jin to the Taiji Palace to reprimand them."

"Now the crown prince is still entrusted with the important task of supervising the country, and the punishments of the kings of Wei and Jin have been turned into empty responsibilities."

"What does your majesty think?"

Changsun Wuji waved his hand and said, "Shut up."

"In the court, it is taboo to speculate on the emperor's intentions! His Majesty punished the King of Wei to reduce his expenses, ordered the King of Jin to copy books, and asked them to assist the crown prince. This chess move of 'using both kindness and power, and checks and balances between brothers', how could you see through it?"

Chang Sun Chong was intimidated by his father's momentum, but he still couldn't help arguing: "But the prince controls the Shenwu Army, and after returning from Liaodong, he recruited generals from humble backgrounds. If he really has the intention of being disloyal, he will make trouble once."

Zhang Sun Wuji stood up: "That's why we need to stabilize the situation!"

"Your Majesty relied on the support of eight hundred soldiers and court officials during the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Although the Crown Prince has military power now, without the support of the Guanlong nobles and Shandong heroes, he is just a lonely man."

"Why do you think His Majesty gave King Wei and King Jin such lenient sentences? It was because he wanted to keep these two chess pieces so that they could check and balance the Crown Prince!"

"This is to shift the Crown Prince's mind from fighting for military power to seizing power in the court."

Chang Sun Chong seemed to be thinking: "Father, are you saying that Your Majesty deliberately let the brothers fight each other so that he can reap the benefits?"

"It's more than just sitting back and reaping the benefits!"

"The King of Wei has won over the Shandong nobles, Zhinu also has many supporters behind him, and the Crown Prince controls the Shenwu Army.

"The more fiercely the three forces fight, the more stable your Majesty's throne will be."

"Our Changsun family is caught in the middle. If we are not careful, we will be doomed."

Chang Sun Chong was a little confused: "What about us? Why don't we choose one from the King of Jin and the Crown Prince?"

"After all, it's impossible to just watch the King of Wei ascend to the throne."

"What does father plan to do, the Prince of Jin or the Crown Prince?"

Zhang Sun Wuji said in a deep voice: "We in the Zhang Sun family are only loyal to Your Majesty."

At this point, Changsun Wuji's thoughts wandered a little: "Nine years of Wude."

"At that time, your majesty and Crown Prince Jiancheng were at loggerheads. Fang Xuanling and I were secretly negotiating with them. The slightest mistake would have resulted in the extermination of our clan. The situation back then was ten times more dangerous than it is today."

"The Crown Prince has been the regent for many years and is very experienced in government affairs. In addition, he was previously canonized as the Crown Prince of Nongze Shengrui, which has benefited the world and he enjoys a great reputation. If he is rashly deposed, the world will be in chaos. But if we allow him to become so powerful..."

Changsun Wuji did not continue speaking, but said: "If your majesty has an order, we will do our best to execute it; if the prince can behave himself, we will keep his position as the crown prince. But remember, no matter how the situation changes, the foundation of the Changsun family must not be shaken."

Chang Sun Chong bowed solemnly: "I understand! But if the Crown Prince is aware of your Majesty's checks and balances, I'm afraid he will speed up his plans for change."

Zhang Sun Wuji looked at the dancing flames, with an unpredictable smile on his face: "It doesn't matter whether he notices it or not."

"As long as the King of Wei and the King of Jin are still in Chang'an, and as long as the civil and military officials in the court have their own thoughts, the world will not be in turmoil. Go and have a rest. There will be a good show to watch in the morning court tomorrow."

After Chang Sun Chong left, the study returned to silence.

Zhang Sun Wuji sat alone in front of the desk, muttering to himself: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, although I can understand the emperor's mind, I don't know if I can handle this increasingly large situation."

"The prince may not necessarily follow your wishes."

(End of this chapter)