My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 67: The eldest grandson of the emperor complains

Li Chengqian didn't know whether Helan Chushi had destroyed all the letters.

But the matter can definitely be settled, and there is no need to worry about Hou Junji and Helan Chushi confronting each other.

It would be more proactive to talk about this matter now.

Killing Helan Chushi would bring more benefits than disadvantages to Li Chengqian.

Helan Chushi's political status was given by Hou Junji, and he was able to serve as a Qianniu in the Eastern Palace because of Hou Junji's relationship.

Helan Chushi doesn't have any particularly outstanding abilities, and he's not a fool, but he's not a good guy either.

From the fact that he kept the evidence of the correspondence between the prince and Hou Junji, we know that this man has a rebellious mind and did not devote himself wholeheartedly to the prince's rebellion.

In history, when Li Chengqian plotted a rebellion, Hegan Chengji reported the incident to the Crown Prince in order to protect himself. Although he was the Crown Prince's confidant, he could not be completely convicted based on his one-sided statement.

After Hou Junji was imprisoned, he firmly stated that he had not committed treason.

The key turning point was Helan Chushi. After the matter was exposed, he was worried that he would be implicated, so he ran to the palace with a letter to report it.

With both witnesses and physical evidence, the proof of treason was irrefutable, and Hou Junji had nothing to say. Only then was it completely confirmed that the prince was plotting a rebellion.

"Your Highness, what you said is true."

Hou Junji asked with a gloomy expression.

This matter is of great importance, and he still has trust in Helan Chushi in his heart.

"I have destroyed the letters I found myself. As for whether Helan Chushi has hidden them somewhere else, I don't know."

"That's why I specially met with Minister Hou today. After all, he is Minister Hou's son-in-law, so it would be most appropriate for Minister Hou to ask him personally."

Li Chengqian said calmly.

Hou Junji thought for a moment and said in a deep voice: "I want to go to the Dali Temple to meet him and ask him in person."

Li Chengqian shook his head slightly: "Now is not the time."

"If Minister Hou confronts him about this matter right now, there's no guarantee that he won't become desperate and do something unwise."

"Let's wait for the case to be settled. Win or lose, I will protect him. After the dust settles, I will hand him over to Minister Hou for disposal."

Li Chengqian had already killed his confidant once, so it was not convenient for him to kill Helan Chushi again.

It would be most convenient to deal with Helan Chushi through Hou Junji.

"Your Highness is right. If this fellow really has such evil intentions, I can only change my son-in-law."

Hou Junji said with a somewhat cold expression.

If a crime like treason fails, the penalty is certain death.

Helan Chushi's behavior was clearly a betrayal of them and a joke on everyone's lives.

After hearing Hou Junji's words, Li Chengqian knew that no matter what the outcome of the current case was, Helan Chushi was dead.

After talking about Helan Chushi, Li Chengqian continued to talk with Hou Junji about sending troops to Goryeo.

In this regard, Hou Junji naturally supported the prince leading the troops to war.

Although Hou Junji is also a big shot in the military, there are too many big shots in the military of the Tang Dynasty today, so Hou Junji can only represent his own faction to support the prince.

"In fact, there is another person. If Your Highness can get his support, the chances of success will be much greater." Hou Junji made a suggestion.

"What did Minister Hou say?"

"Your Highness's great uncle, Duke Shen."

Gao Shilian, the uncle of Empress Changsun, was the Supreme Pillar of the Tang Dynasty, Duke of Shen, and the Right Prime Minister. He was also granted the title of Kaifu Yitong Sansi.

At the same time, he served as the Prince's Junior Tutor, in charge of selecting officials for the Eastern Palace.

Since the death of Li Yuan, Gao Shilian has become the most prestigious person in the Tang Dynasty.

If the prince could really gain Gao Shilian's support, then his hope of leading the troops to war would greatly increase.

However, although Gao Shilian still holds an official position, he is already 66 years old and his health is not as good as before. He no longer handles the court affairs.

Li Shimin exempted Gao Shilian from the pain of attending court early in the morning, so most of the time, Gao Shilian recuperated at home, and his official position was almost a figurehead.

"Minister Hou is right. I should go visit my great uncle."

Li Chengqian's eyes lit up. Hou Junji's proposal really pointed out a clear way for him.

Empress Changsun and Changsun Wuji's father, Changsun Sheng, died early, and both of them were raised by Gao Shilian.

Although he is called my grandfather, he is actually almost the same as my father.

As the eldest son of Empress Changsun and the one she loved the most, Li Chengqian was naturally favored by Gao Shilian.

It's just that in recent years, Li Chengqian's temperament has changed drastically, and he has been locked up in the Eastern Palace, so they have ceased to have any contact.
-
After returning to the East Palace, Du He came and they talked about the arrangements for the recent rumors in Chang'an.

Now Li Chengqian has put Du He in charge of this area.

"Your Majesty went to Yankangfang to visit the King of Wei."

Du He was the Shangcheng Fengyu, in charge of the carriages in the palace, so he naturally knew about Your Majesty's travels.

It was from Du He that Li Chengqian learned that the King of Wei was so angry that he vomited blood that night.

"Why didn't you just piss him off to death?"

Li Chengqian felt a little bit sorry.

He couldn't kill the King of Wei directly, otherwise Li Zhi would be the one who benefited.

"Your Majesty has been particularly kind to the King of Wei these days."

Du He reminded.

Li Chengqian naturally understood this logic, and it was obvious that he was using the King of Wei to suppress him.

Then Li Chengqian expressed his desire to meet Gao Shilian.

Du He thought it was a good idea. After all, His Majesty also had to consider what Duke Shen said.

"Your Highness may take the Emperor's eldest grandson with you."

Li Chengqian nodded.

After confirming it, Li Chengqian asked someone to call Li Xiang and prepared some gifts.

Go directly to Changlefang where Gao Shilian is.

Changlefang is located in the east of the imperial city, and those who can live in this area are basically high-ranking officials and nobles.

Gao Shilian's mansion was very large and covered a vast area.

Li Chengqian and Li Xiang came in a carriage.

Upon hearing that the prince was coming, Gao Shilian happily came out to greet him.

This is an old man with white hair and a kind face.

Seeing Li Chengqian and Li Xiang, he was smiling and very happy.

"Uncle."

"Great uncle."

Gao Shilian smiled and said, "Your Highness, there is no need to be so polite."

Then he looked at Li Xiang and said, "This is the elephant, it's already this big."

"Come with me into the house. I have asked someone to prepare your favorite cakes."

When people get older, what they like most is to see the younger generation coming and making things lively.

Seeing the prince limping along, Gao Shilian felt heartbroken again.

After entering the house, Gao Shilian asked, "Your Majesty, have you not found a suitable doctor to treat the prince?"

Li Chengqian replied: "I heard that Tianzhu may have a solution, and my father is arranging an envoy to Tianzhu."

Gao Shilian sighed and said, "It's hard for you."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Nothing, I'm used to it."

Gao Shilian looked at Li Xiang and said, "When Xiang'er was first conceived, I reprimanded the prince for experiencing sexual relations too early. Now it seems that this is a good thing."

Afterwards, Gao Shilian tested Li Xiang on some of his knowledge. Li Xiang was a serious student and answered the questions one by one without any hindrance, which made Gao Shilian even more satisfied.

Li Xiang is the eldest grandson of the emperor, and also his great-grandson from his uncle's side. That means Li Chengqian's son was born early, so he could grow this big.

"You seem a little depressed, but what's on your mind?"

After the examination, Gao Shilian asked Li Xiang.

Li Xiang replied: "Grandfather Emperor favored my fourth uncle, so...

"Nonsense."

Li Chengqian interrupted Li Xiang and scolded him, "How can a kid like you be involved in these things?"

Gao Shilian glared at Li Chengqian, then said to Li Xiang in a gentle voice, "Just say it, it's okay."

Li Xiang carefully glanced at his father Li Chengqian and continued, "A few nights ago, my fourth uncle brought three hundred imperial guards and surrounded my father."

(End of this chapter)