My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 360: Occupy Daming Palace

"Your Highness, although the Daming Palace has not been fully built, it was built by His Majesty for the Emperor Emeritus after all, and it is of great significance. If you move there rashly, His Majesty will definitely think that Your Highness is overstepping his authority, and I'm afraid he will be furious!"

Du He was a little worried.

The Daming Palace is of great significance, after all, it was once the residence built for the retired emperor.

Zhao Jie also frowned and said, "Brother Du is right. Not to mention the special significance of Daming Palace, just considering its unfinished status, the living conditions must be simple. Your Highness is of noble status, how can you live here?"

"What's more, this move will surely cause a stir in the court. Those ministers who oppose Your Highness will surely make a big fuss about it and impeach Your Highness for being disrespectful to his elders and having ill intentions!"

The two thought so, but Han Wang Li Yuanchang said: "That's because you have never been to Daming Palace."

"Now we are trapped in Laitingfang, like trapped beasts, and our actions are restricted in every way."

"The Daming Palace is located on a high and steep terrain, overlooking Chang'an. Once we move in, we can attack or defend. This will not only demonstrate your power as regent, but also deter those who have evil intentions!"

Du He looked at Li Yuanchang in astonishment: "King of Han, how could you support His Highness's risky move? His Majesty..."

Li Yuanchang interrupted Du He and laughed loudly: "Brother Du, you are too cautious! His Majesty let the prince govern the country, but he restricted him everywhere. He was not allowed to enter the East Palace, and now he doesn't even have a decent residence. If the prince keeps being so tolerant, when will he be able to show his strength? Moving to the Daming Palace is to declare to His Majesty and the people of the world that the prince will never be manipulated by others!"

After saying that, he turned to look at the Crown Prince, his eyes sparkling, "Your Highness, when the former Emperor Retired rose up against the Sui Dynasty, wasn't he also breaking the rules and establishing the foundation of the Tang Dynasty?"

"Now, if Your Highness can gain a foothold in Daming Palace, it will be a crucial step towards controlling the situation!"

Li Chengqian looked at Li Yuanchang approvingly and nodded slightly.

Then he said: "It is not a long-term solution for the Shenwu Army to stay in Chang'an City. It will disturb the people."

"Although the Daming Palace has not been built yet, the area is vast and can be used as a military camp first."

"It is precisely because the area is so vast that it can be better protected."

It is indeed not very convenient for the army to be stationed in the neighborhood, as there are already many civilians in the neighborhood.

This has caused great trouble to people's daily lives.

Moreover, as a prince, living in Chang'an City is indeed beneath his status.

After some discussion, the matter was settled.

The key now is how to get to Daming Palace and check in.

If we tell His Majesty, he probably won't agree.

Then let’s not talk about it.
-
Three quarters past the hour of Mao.

The sky was still immersed in ink, but the Daming Palace on Longshouyuan was brightly lit by torches.

The unfinished Danfeng Gate stood majestically, its five doorways like the bared fangs of a giant beast, and the gilded copper nails on the vermilion lacquered door panels glowed coldly in the firelight.

Between the battlements of the city wall, the figures of guards holding spears and swords were looming.

In front of the city gate, 30,000 Shenwu soldiers were deployed in a goose-shaped formation, with long spears like a forest and iron armor reflecting the moon. The siege equipment at the front of the formation was wrapped in black cloth, like a dormant beast in the night.

"Report!"

The scouts came running. "The guards of Daming Palace have closed the gates tightly, claiming that no one can be allowed to enter without the emperor's order!"

Han Wang Li Yuanchang could no longer hold back and suddenly drew his sword: "Your Highness, let me lead the vanguard battalion to break open the city gate! How dare these rats stop us!"

Li Chengqian raised his hand to stop them, his eyes sweeping across the swaying lanterns on the top of the city wall: "No need. Shenwu Army, listen to my orders, artillery formation!"

The black cloth was lifted, and hundreds of cannons were aimed at the gate of Daming Palace.

On the city wall, the guard commander tightly grasped the hilt of his sword and said in a trembling voice: "Your Highness! Trespassing into the royal palace is a serious crime! Please retreat immediately!"

Li Chengqian rode forward, his voice resounding through the night sky: "I am the Crown Prince Regent!"

"The Daming Palace is the royal palace, but it has been vacant for ten years! Now that I am in charge of the country, it is only natural for me to move here! If you continue to stop me, don't blame me for ruthlessly killing you!"

Before he finished speaking, countless torches suddenly lit up on the city wall, illuminating the entire city.

The guards drew their bows and arrows, but when they saw the artillery of the Shenwu Army, their arms trembled involuntarily.

Suddenly, a loud shout came from the tower: "Your Highness, calm down."

An official in a scarlet robe squeezed in front of the battlement and said, "Your Highness, please calm down! I am Xue Yuanchao, the supervisor of the Daming Palace. Although this palace is not yet completed, many of the beams and pillars inside have not been reinforced. It would be dangerous if you enter rashly!"

Li Chengqian sneered: "Supervisor Xue, are you worried about me going in, or are you worried about someone hiding in there?"

He turned around and gave the order: "Order the engineering battalion to go ahead with the survey map. Anyone who tries to stop us will be killed without mercy!"

With an order, a passage was opened in the Shenwu Army formation, and dozens of soldiers dressed as craftsmen carrying surveying equipment approached the city gate under the protection of the Shenwu Army.

Xue Yuanchao's face turned pale. After hesitating for a long time, he finally waved his hand.

The city gate slowly opened.

The moment he stepped into the Daming Palace, Li Chengqian was shocked by the scene before him.

The broad Danfengmen Street stretches straight ahead, with the rammed earth walls on both sides not yet covered with bricks, revealing the staggered rammed earth layers.

The base of the Hanyuan Hall in the distance has been completed, and the huge Dragon Tail Road winds up like a ladder to heaven. There are still chisel marks on the uncarved bluestone base.

"This place is indeed extraordinary."

Li Yuanchang looked up at the towering Hanyuan Hall and said, "If I hold a banquet here in the future, all the dignitaries in Chang'an will look up to me!"

Li Chengqian frowned, "Send the order down, have the soldiers disperse and patrol, focusing on the underground secret passages and the unfinished palace. Supervisor Xue, take me to see the layout of the palace city."

Xue Yuanchao wiped the sweat off his face and led everyone to the temporary supervision room, where he unfolded a huge blueprint. On the blueprint, the outline of the Daming Palace was clearly visible: the three main halls of the former dynasty, the Taiye Lake, the Linde Hall... The dense markings showed the progress of the project.

Li Chengqian's finger passed over the Xuanwu Gate location on the blueprint and suddenly asked, "Who is in charge of the Xuanwu Gate Guards here now?"

There are two Xuanwu Gates in Chang'an City, one in Taiji Palace and the other in Daming Palace.

The Xuanwu Gate of the Taiji Palace is the northern main gate of the palace city of Chang'an, and it is also the place where the Xuanwu Gate Incident took place.

The Xuanwu Gate of Daming Palace is the north gate of Daming Palace.

Although both are called Xuanwu Gate, they are located in different palace complexes.

In history, the Shenlong coup in Wu Zetian's later years took place at the Xuanwu Gate of the Daming Palace.

Therefore, the Xuanwu Gate inheritance system does not necessarily have to be the Xuanwu Gate in the Taiji Palace, the one in the Daming Palace can also be counted.

Unlike the Xuanwu Gate of Taiji Palace, the Xuanwu Gate of Daming Palace was used for the Shenlong coup, as well as the Jinglong coup and the Tanglong coup, all of which followed the same path as the Xuanwu Gate of Daming Palace.

This is the tradition of the Xuanwu Gate inheritance system of the Tang Dynasty.

Xue Yuanchao bowed and said, "There are only a few guards here, and no commander."

After all, it is just a semi-finished product, so naturally there are not many troops stationed there.

Li Chengqian nodded with satisfaction.

Now the Daming Palace belongs to him.

At this time, the sky in the east was already turning pale. In the morning mist of Daming Palace, the flags of the Shenwu Army fluttered among the unfinished buildings.

Li Chengqian climbed onto the platform of Hanyuan Hall and overlooked the future imperial palace.

The city of Chang'an beneath my feet gradually awakens——
Taiji Palace, Taiji Hall.

apse.

The king and his ministers discuss matters.

Since he became seriously ill, Li Shimin has not convened a meeting of the emperor and his ministers for a long time.

But this time it was different, he was really angry.

"Everyone, take a look!"

"I asked the crown prince to be regent, but he led 30,000 troops to seize the Daming Palace! What is he trying to do? Force the emperor to abdicate and kill his father?"

Li Shimin couldn't help but be angry. The location of Daming Palace posed a great threat to Taiji Palace.

The terrain is high and overlooks the view, and one can directly reach the Xuanwu Gate of Taiji Palace.

Chu Suiliang said loudly: "Your Majesty, please understand! The prince's actions are tantamount to treason and openly trample on the royal etiquette!"

"Your Majesty was so careful when he built the Daming Palace for the Emperor. Now the Crown Prince has entered without permission, which clearly shows that he does not take your Majesty's authority seriously!"

"I request that Your Majesty immediately issue an edict to remove the Crown Prince's power as regent and rectify the state law!"

Zhang Sun Wuji's eyes were uncertain: "Your Majesty, although what Doctor Chu said makes sense, if we deal with it rashly at this time, something unexpected may happen. The Crown Prince has the Shenwu Army and artillery in his hands."

"Using military force might lead to unexpected events. Although Daming Palace is not yet completed, the battlements of the city walls are already built. A violent attack will inevitably damage the dignity of the royal family..."

Cannon is the prince’s biggest trump card.

Until now, Li Shimin has not been able to find a way to fight back.

It was like a sword hanging over Li Shimin's head, which was very uncomfortable.

Decent?

Li Shimin's eyebrows twitched.

To this day, what respectability does the Li family still have?

Seeing that His Majesty looked gloomy, Chu Suiliang took another step forward and said indignantly: "Your Majesty! The Crown Prince's actions are Sima Zhao's intentions, and everyone knows it!"

"He has seized Daming Palace and, relying on the terrain, threatened Taiji Palace from above. He also has heavy troops and artillery at his disposal. If we don't stop him in time, he will become a serious threat one day!"

"Your Majesty, please issue an edict as soon as possible to mobilize the imperial guards to suppress the rebellion with lightning speed, take back the Daming Palace, and regain control of the situation!"

Fang Xuanling shook his head slightly: "Don't be so reckless."

"The Divine Martial Army under the Crown Prince is well-trained and equipped with artillery. If our army attacks rashly, the outcome will be unpredictable. Once the war begins, the city of Chang'an will be flooded with blood and the people will suffer. This is absolutely not what Your Majesty wants, and it will also shake the foundation of our Tang Dynasty."

Zhang Sun Wuji agreed, "Mr. Fang is right. Although Your Majesty controls the world's troops, distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. The troops around Chang'an are limited, and the prince's Shenwu Army is in the city and occupies a strategic position."

"More importantly, the secret of the artillery has not yet been cracked. If our army confronts the crown prince head-on, we will not be able to gain any advantage with firearms, but may suffer heavy losses instead."

Li Shimin was very unhappy: "Are we just going to let the prince do this?"

"The prince is challenging my authority and coveting my throne!"

Seeing this, Zhongshu Ling Yang Shidao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, calm down. In my opinion, the prince's occupation of Daming Palace this time may not be entirely for rebellion. Since he became regent, he has implemented the reform of the imperial examination system, which has touched the interests of many aristocratic families, making it difficult for them to move forward in the court."

"The prince may want to occupy the Daming Palace to highlight his status and strengthen his confidence in competing with various forces."

Chu Suiliang sneered: "Humph! Just an excuse."

"No matter what reason the Crown Prince has, trespassing into the royal palace and mobilizing the army is treason! If Your Majesty does not punish him, how can you convince the people in the future?"

Zhang Sun Wuji glanced at Chu Suiliang and said slowly, "Doctor Chu, now is not the time to act on impulse. The prince has not only the Shenwu Army and artillery behind him, but also those poor scholars who supported him because of the reform of the imperial examination system."

"If Your Majesty breaks with the Crown Prince at this time, the outside forces will definitely take advantage of the situation to stir up trouble and try to profit from it. By then, the situation will be even more difficult to deal with."

Li Shimin was silent for a long time, then he stood up and paced back and forth in the hall. The corner of his robe swept across the ground, making a rustling sound.

Everyone in the hall held their breath, not daring to make a sound, and could only hear the heavy footsteps of His Majesty.

After a long time, Li Shimin stopped and said in a deep voice: "Then according to your opinion, how should I deal with it?"

Fang Xuanling thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I think we can put this matter aside for now and send someone to the Daming Palace to reason with him and appeal to his emotions to test the prince's true intentions."

"At the same time, Your Majesty can secretly order people to step up research on the secrets of artillery, crack its key points, and strengthen our army's strength. When the time is right, we can slowly take action."

Zhang Sun Wuji nodded in agreement: "Mr. Fang is right. Your Majesty can also issue an order to send officials from the Ministry of Works to the Daming Palace under the pretext of repairing it, but in fact they are secretly investigating the prince's every move in the palace and keeping track of his movements. In this way, we can avoid direct conflict with the prince and gradually gain control of the situation."

Yang Shidao added: "Your Majesty, I suggest that you give some support to the prince's measures to reform the imperial examination system to ease the relationship between father and son."

"If the prince feels the trust of His Majesty, he may be more reserved and less confrontational."

Li Shimin frowned, pondered for a long time, and finally sighed: "Forget it, forget it, I will do as you say. Let's put this matter aside for now, but the prince must understand that I am the emperor of the Tang Dynasty. If he acts presumptuously again, I will never forgive him easily!"

He turned to Zhang Ananda and said, "Go to Daming Palace tomorrow and negotiate with the prince. Tell him to let the prince take care of himself."
-
a few days later.

Inside the Daming Palace.

Li Chengqian has a lot to do.

The first thing he did was to order people to bring back the Crown Princess and Xiao Li Jue.

Oh, and there is also Princess Theodosius and Princess Kim Seung-man of Silla.

In addition, money needs to be mobilized from Liaodong.

The construction of the entire Daming Palace was obviously a huge project, and Li Chengqian had many ideas during this construction.

The morning light penetrates the Hanyuan Hall.

Du He hurried in holding a roll of documents.

"Your Highness, the craftsmen have completed the re-surveying of the palace's foundations."

"But the wood needed for this construction, just the top-quality nanmu, will require 3,000 pieces. I'm afraid the forest farms in Guanzhong area won't be enough."

Li Chengqian's pen tip crossed the canal mark on the drawing: "No need to stick to Guanzhong."

"Order people to go down the Yellow River and transfer timber from Jiangnan. Tell those merchants that anyone who transports timber to Beijing can trade with Liaodong."

Zhao Jie held the budget sent by the Ministry of Works, looking a little hesitant: "Your Highness, such a large-scale construction will cost a lot. Not to mention the money and food, the manpower alone is huge."

Li Chengqian said calmly: "Let the Ministry of Justice send all the prisoners who have committed exile here. If they can complete the work on time, their sentences can be deducted."

"Send a notice to recruit craftsmen to build Daming Palace. The wages will be doubled."

(End of this chapter)