Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 256 Let them see what a hot weapons war is! [Seeking monthly votes]

Since Li Shimin ascended the throne, there has never been a time when court sessions were suspended to wait for someone to come to court.

Therefore, in order to make himself and his ministers appear less embarrassed, Li Shimin directly ordered Wushe to prepare tea and snacks for the ministers, and he ran to Empress Zhangsun to complain.

There was no way. Now Li Chengqian only listened to Empress Changsun. Even the matter of the fat boy could be convinced by Empress Changsun. It was really unbelievable.

You know, when Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji poisoned Li Shimin in the Eastern Palace, Li Shimin continued this hatred until the day of Xuanwu Gate.

From this we can see that if the fat guy colluded with the five surnames and seven families to frame his elder brother, there would definitely be no end to it if it happened to him.

But the amazing thing is that Li Chengqian went to Empress Changsun and said, "Of course I forgive him," and there was really no further development on this matter.

Although there was a reason why the fat boy tactfully went back to the Zongzheng Temple and was put in solitary confinement, but looking at the issue from Li Shimin's perspective, isn't solitary confinement a form of protection?

After all, if Li Chengqian really wanted to hold the fat boy accountable, he could do so.

As for how to deal with the little fat boy, although it was not Li Chengqian's decision, Li Shimin had to give Li Chengqian an explanation.

But Li Chengqian had already personally assured Empress Changsun that he would not pursue the fat boy's guilt, so Li Shimin naturally would not take the initiative to deal with the matter.

Therefore, the final outcome of this matter can only be left unresolved.

Through this incident, Li Shimin also clearly realized a key point, that is, Empress Zhangsun's influence on Li Chengqian.

If the struggle for power made the affection between father and son increasingly weak, then the existence of Empress Changsun was undoubtedly the last chain of warmth between the father and son, a string that was always stretched tight and dared not be broken in the tense vortex of power.

Then Empress Changsun softly said, "Your Majesty, have you been angered by Cheng Qian again? Yesterday, Cheng Qian had Lai Fu deliver some of the latest Bamboo Leaf Green Tea to the palace, saying he wanted Your Majesty to try it. In my opinion, Cheng Qian does care about Your Majesty, but I don't know how to treat him."

Having said that, she smiled and picked up a cup of brewed Bamboo Leaf Green Tea, handed it to Li Shimin, and said, "I heard that the Turks are now training eagles, and they specifically select old eagles and take their chicks for test flights."

Li Shimin sneered, "What a young eagle trying to fly! He killed half of the court officials that night, and also killed tens of thousands of their families. Your son is so cruel!"

"Look at what Your Majesty said. Isn't my son your son?" Empress Zhangsun angrily said to Li Shimin, then knelt down beside him, soothing the wrinkled corners of his clothes, and sighed, "Chengqian's growth has truly exceeded our imagination. The arrogance of young people really needs to be tempered."

"but."

Then, she changed the subject and continued, "Your Majesty, have you ever thought about how Cheng Qian will face those aristocratic families a hundred years from now? Will he still be constrained by them like Your Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus did in the past?"

"I sometimes wonder if Cheng Qian foresaw this future, and that's why he had to rely on Your Majesty's power and his own methods to get rid of them and protect the Tang Dynasty's future for a hundred years!"

Li Shimin's expression eased slightly when he heard this. He then saw Empress Zhangsun take out a book with white characters on a blue background and said with a smile:
"This is the health-preserving sutra Cheng Qian gave me. When I had nothing better to do, I followed it. Unexpectedly, my condition has improved significantly, and my spirits are much stronger than before. If Your Majesty is interested, you can practice with me. Perhaps you can strengthen your body and become even better than before."

Having said that, her soft and boneless body unconsciously leaned towards Li Shimin's arms.

Li Shimin was slightly taken aback when he saw the health-preserving sutra in her hand: "You said that Cheng Qian gave you this health-preserving sutra to practice?"

"Yes, Cheng Qian has advised me many times to practice cultivation, saying that once I am healthy, he won't have to serve me anymore. Your Majesty, listen, he treats everyone like this, not just you."

"No, you said this health-preserving sutra is really useful?"

Empress Zhangsun hesitated for a moment, then smiled and shook her head, saying, "I don't know if it's the health-preserving sutra that's working, or the medicine the imperial physician prescribed, but I've gotten much better in the past two days. If it were in the past, I'm afraid it wouldn't have happened so quickly."

"Then I."

Li Shimin was just about to take the Health Preservation Sutra from Empress Zhangsun's hand to examine it when he saw a eunuch walk in from outside and said, "Your Majesty, something has happened in the palace. Please make a decision!"

"Let the Queen decide what happens in the palace. What do I have to decide?"

Li Shimin said with some displeasure.

Generally speaking, he still gave face to Empress Changsun in front of outsiders.

But the eunuch looked at Empress Zhangsun with some embarrassment and said cautiously, "This is a matter concerning Your Majesty. I'm afraid the Empress cannot make the final decision."

"Bastard!"

Li Shimin was furious and was about to order the punishment of the eunuchs, but he heard Empress Zhangsun beside him hurriedly comforting him: "Your Majesty, calm down and listen to what is going on before you make a decision!"

"Humph!"

Li Shimin snorted coldly, then waved his hand solemnly and said, "Tell me! What happened?"

"Your Majesty, the Qingzhui horse you ordered the palace servants to raise some time ago has suddenly died without any illness."

"How can this be possible!?"

Before the eunuchs could finish their report, Li Shimin stood up angrily and shouted, "The Qingzhui horse that I told you to raise so well is dead?!"

"Your Majesty, it's not that the servants didn't take good care of them, but..."

"Shut up! Trash! You're all trash! Come, drag him out and execute him along with the palace servant who tended the horses!"

"Ah? Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty!"

When the eunuch heard Li Shimin's order, he was so frightened that he immediately knelt down and begged for mercy.

But Li Shimin ignored him until Empress Zhangsun stepped forward again and said, "Your Majesty, calm down and listen to what I have to say!"

"What else does the Queen have to say? What's the point of me keeping such a waste? Do you know how much I paid for that Qingzhui horse?" Li Shimin said with a cold face.

Empress Changsun looked at the eunuch helplessly, then looked at Li Shimin.

She naturally knew that Li Shimin loved the Qingzhui horse, but killing someone for a mere horse really damaged Li Shimin's image as a wise ruler.

But she smiled and said, "Your Majesty, have you heard the story of Duke Jing of Qi?"

Li Shimin frowned, and then said with some displeasure: "Why is the Queen imitating that country bumpkin Wei Zheng?"

"hehe."

Empress Changsun smiled noncommittally and continued, "During the Spring and Autumn Period, when the horse that Duke Jing of Qi loved died, he wanted to execute the horse breeder. At that time, Yan Zi, a veteran minister of three dynasties, immediately stood up and angrily scolded the horse breeder: 'Do you know that you have committed three crimes?'

The horse breeder looked bewildered, and Yan Zi said, "Your first crime is that you killed a good horse. Your second crime is that you caused our king to kill someone for a horse. If the people hear about this, they will definitely call our king unkind. Your third crime is that if the princes of the four directions know about this, they will definitely look down on our country."

"Uh,"

Before Empress Changsun finished telling the story from the Spring and Autumn Period, Li Shimin blushed with embarrassment and didn't know what to say.

At this time, Empress Zhangsun saw that Li Shimin's mood had gradually stabilized. She playfully approached him and said with a wink, "Your Majesty, you have studied history books with the ministers at the Hongwen Academy. You must have heard this story, right?"

"Well, of course."

Li Shimin stiffened his neck awkwardly, then coughed twice, then turned to the eunuch and said, "I'll forgive you this time, but if you do it again, I'll punish you severely!"

"Yes, yes, thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace, and thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

When the eunuch heard Li Shimin's words of pardon, he kowtowed like a chicken pecking at rice.

"Okay, you go down first!"

Li Shimin waved his hand impatiently.

Soon, the eunuch crawled away.

Empress Zhangsun, who had watched the eunuch leave, smiled and handed Li Shimin a bowl of hot tea, saying with a smile: "Your Majesty, I am guilty."

"Huh?" Li Shimin was startled. "What crime has the Queen committed?"

"I shouldn't interfere in government affairs. Your Majesty, please punish me."

"This isn't a political matter!"

"I don't care. I will wait for His Majesty to punish me tonight."

"No, Guanyinbi, you have just recovered from your illness, I'm afraid it's not appropriate for you to work hard."

"Alas, second brother may be tired, that's why he is so cold to me. Thinking back to the beginning, you said you were willing to be with me."

"Alright, alright, I'll come to Lizheng Palace tonight!"

I don’t know where Empress Changsun learned this accent recently, but every time she spoke in this tone, Li Shimin couldn’t stand it and could only agree to her helplessly.

However, when Li Shimin thought about how Empress Changsun was still so playful after giving birth, he still felt itchy in his heart. After all, who doesn't want his wife to be different in front of others and behind their backs?

And just as Li Shimin agreed to Empress Zhangsun, Wushe walked in from outside again.

"Your Majesty, the official sent to summon the Crown Prince has returned."

"Well, now that you're back, let's continue attending court!"

Li Shimin nodded seriously and prepared to leave with Wushe.

But Wushe said with embarrassment, "But the prince didn't come back with us!"

"What did you say?!"

Li Shimin paused, then asked with a sullen face, "Why didn't the prince come back?"

"This"

Wushe glanced at Empress Changsun hesitantly, then said cautiously, "How about your Majesty, let's talk for a moment."

"Why do you need to take a step back to talk? Let's talk right here!"

"But the Queen..."

After hearing this, Li Shimin finally realized that Wushe was worried that Empress Zhangsun would be further provoked, so he made a prompt decision and said, "Then let me have a moment to talk!"

"Need not!"

Empress Changsun said quickly: "If you have anything to say, just say it directly. I am fine. No tongue."

"This"

Wushe looked hesitant again.

But Li Shimin said impatiently: "The Queen asked you to speak, so just speak!"

"Yes!" Wushe responded helplessly, no longer daring to hide it. He immediately told Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun word for word about what Li Chengqian had brought back.

Hearing this, Empress Zhangsun opened her red lips slightly, her face full of disbelief: "How could Cheng Qian say such a thing?"

"This rebellious son!!"

Li Shimin was so angry that his face turned pale. He looked around and shouted angrily, "Where is my sword?!"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, calm down! Let me handle this! Cheng Qian will probably listen to me!"

"Guanyin! You still want to help him at this time! What did you hear him say? He said he is the emperor now! Then what am I?! Huh? I ask you, what am I!?"

Li Shimin was furious, and even Empress Zhangsun was unable to dissuade him: "He doesn't even have me in his eyes! What's the point of me keeping him around?!"

After saying this, he immediately gave an order to Wushe: "Wushe, pass on my order. Have the Left Marquis General Yuchi Gong, the Right Guard General Cheng Zhijie, the Left Guard General Qin Qiong, and the Left Guard General Hou Junji to immediately mobilize their troops and follow me out of the city to capture the rebellious son!"

"Your Majesty, you can't!"

When Empress Zhangsun heard that Li Shimin was going to lead troops to capture Li Chengqian, she immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty! How can a father and son start a war without authorization? What are you going to do?"

"What?!"

Li Shimin angrily shouted, "I've tolerated him time and time again, and I've retreated again and again. Look how daring he is now! If I don't punish him today, what do you want me, the emperor, to do?!"

"But Your Majesty, Cheng Qian is the Crown Prince."

"Enough! If it weren't for me, would he be able to become a prince?! It's because I indulged him too much that he was unscrupulous and did whatever he wanted."

After saying this, Li Shimin no longer paid attention to Empress Changsun's pleadings, and walked straight past Empress Changsun who was kneeling on the ground, preparing to lead the troops out of the city himself.

However, just as he was about to rush out of the room, Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling hurried over.

But then Changsun Wuji was the first to speak: "Your Majesty! Tuyuhun has sent troops to our Tang Dynasty!"

"Ok?"

Li Shimin paused, about to speak, when he heard Fang Xuanling hurriedly say, "Your Majesty, there is one more thing. The Tubo envoy suddenly came to visit and asked to marry my Tang princess!"

"This"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin was stunned where he stood.

Although he had long expected Tuyuhun to send troops to attack the Tang Dynasty, the sudden visit of the Tubo envoy and his request to marry a Tang Dynasty princess was a bit strange.

Could it be that the Tubo envoy already knew what happened on the night of the Double Ninth Festival banquet?
Thinking of this, Li Shimin's brows furrowed slightly, and then he calmed down, gathered his thoughts, and asked solemnly, "What do you two think about this matter?"

"Your Majesty, in my opinion, this matter should be discussed with the Crown Prince."

"enough!"

Before Fang Xuanling could finish his words, Li Shimin angrily interrupted him, "Is it true that without the Crown Prince, our Tang Dynasty is helpless? What use do I have for you?!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down. It's not that we rely on the prince's strategy, but Tuyuhun demands that the prince give them an explanation. In addition, the Tubo envoy also said that he wants to see the prince." Fang Xuanling explained hurriedly.

Changsun Wuji, standing nearby, echoed, "Furthermore, I suspect Tuyuhun and Tubo are well-prepared. Perhaps they've already colluded. With the current capabilities of the Tang Dynasty, I'm afraid we can't deal with them all at once. Your Majesty, please prioritize national affairs."

"Yes, Your Majesty, we must handle this matter with caution. After all, our Tang Dynasty has only just stabilized the grasslands. If Tuyuhun and Tubo declare war on our Tang Dynasty at the same time, our Tang Dynasty may face a multi-front war, which is extremely detrimental to national stability!"

"This"

Li Shimin heard Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling exhorting him, and he realized the seriousness of the problem. He said thoughtfully, "Can consulting the Crown Prince really solve the current crisis?"

"Your Majesty, since the Crown Prince was able to make those three demands to the twenty-nine countries, it means that he already had a plan in mind. If half of the twenty-nine countries agree to sign a military alliance treaty with our Tang Dynasty, then the situation in our Tang Dynasty may have a new turning point!" Changsun Wuji pondered.

Li Shimin frowned and looked at him, then looked at Fang Xuanling, then thought for a moment, and looked back at Empress Zhangsun: "Guanyin, do you really have a way to persuade Cheng Qian to come back?"

"what?"

Empress Zhangsun, who had been kneeling on the ground crying like a tearful person, suddenly heard Li Shimin's words and immediately got up from the ground and said firmly: "I am willing to go and persuade Cheng Qian in person!"

"Well then! You go with my order. If that rebellious son doesn't return, I will lead my troops to find him immediately!"

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I will definitely bring Cheng Qian back!"

After saying this, Empress Zhangsun immediately said to Wushe, "Wushe, prepare the carriage. I want to leave the city!"

"promise!"

Wushe agreed and soon left with Empress Changsun.

.........

At the same time, outside Chang'an.

Li Chengqian also received news of the Tubo envoys coming to the Tang Dynasty to propose marriage, as well as the news of Tuyuhun sending troops to the Tang Dynasty. He couldn't help but say with some amusement, "What was supposed to come has finally come!"

"From what the prince said, it seems that he knew they were coming a long time ago?" Yan Liben couldn't help but ask.

Li Chengqian smiled at him, then looked at Su Dingfang who was reporting the news and said, "Dingfang, how is the Jinyiwei matter going?"

"This"

Upon hearing this, Su Dingfang subconsciously glanced at Yang Nannan and said, "With the help of Advisor Yang, we have basically understood what's going on in the martial arts world. However, we're still a little short on manpower. In addition, I'd like to recommend someone to the Crown Prince. Perhaps he can help us understand what's going on in the court!"

"Who?"

"Pei Xingjian, a student at the Hongwen Academy!"

"Pei Xingjian?"

Li Chengqian was stunned for a moment, then asked curiously, "How can he, a mere student at the Hongwen Academy, help us understand the affairs of the imperial court?"

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince may not know this, but Pei Xingjian is a naturally free-spirited man who loves making friends. During his years in Chang'an, he's befriended many dignitaries and even commoners. He says that if the Jinyiwei want to advance rapidly, they should recruit from among the sons of dignitaries, the city's beggars, and the shop assistants. That way, they can gain a glimpse into the world!"

"Oh?"

Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows and thought to himself that Pei Xingjian was quite knowledgeable!
The Jinyiwei of the Ming Dynasty were selected from hereditary military households, and later from civilian households and artisan households. Even royal relatives and children of meritorious officials were absorbed into the Jinyiwei, covering all aspects of the Ming Dynasty.

This is how the Jinyiwei came into being, which was able to intimidate all officials and was omnipresent.

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian said again: "Since you recommended Pei Xingjian, and I remember he helped you that night, then you can arrange for him to join the Jinyiwei!"

"Thank you, Prince!"

Su Dingfang happily bowed to Li Chengqian and continued, "Your Highness, there is one more thing I have investigated. There is indeed something fishy about Zhang Xuansu!"

"Oh?" Li Chengqian narrowed his eyes and was about to ask Su Dingfang when he heard another report from not far away: "Your Highness, the Queen is here!"

Li Chengqian was slightly stunned, then immediately stood up and looked in the direction of the sound with surprise. Sure enough, he saw Empress Changsun walking up from the foot of the mountain.

"Why are you here, mother?"

When Li Chengqian saw Empress Changsun, he hurriedly trotted to greet her.

But Empress Zhangsun said with a stern face: "Chengqian, do you know your mistake?"

"Ah? I haven't done anything wrong."

Li Chengqian looked at Empress Changsun with a confused look on his face.

"You still dare to say you didn't do anything wrong? Are you going to piss off your mother to death?"

Empress Zhangsun poked Li Chengqian's forehead in annoyance, then glanced at the ministers behind him and said solemnly, "My Great Tang is in trouble. Do you know?"

"Uh, this."

"Alright, mother doesn't want to hear your excuses anymore. Come back with me now! The civil and military officials and your father are waiting for you!"

"Wait! Mother, wait a moment!"

Seeing Empress Zhangsun pulling him away, Li Chengqian quickly stopped her and said, "Mother, I want to ask you, why did Grandpa Huang and my father end up at Xuanwu Gate?"

"Ok?"

Empress Zhangsun frowned slightly, and then couldn't help but ask, "What do you want to say?"

"Mother, what I want to say is that the reason Grandpa Huang and my father had come to this point at Xuanwu Gate was because Grandpa Huang had no idea that the cup of poisoned wine in the East Palace had burned through my father's heart!"

"Even the historians would only say that the King of Qin murdered his brother and imprisoned his father!"

"There are many truths in this world that are hidden, but it is precisely because of these hidden truths that people believe what they see, that the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty can ascend to the throne by killing his brothers!!"

At this point, Li Chengqian's expression turned serious. "It's true that I want power, but mother, have you ever thought that by doing so much, I'm burning the hearts and minds of those with ulterior motives? I want the Tang Dynasty to re-establish the Crown Prince's authority! I don't want Qingque, or even my other brothers, to repeat the same path as my father and his brothers.

Therefore, this time, I, your son, am openly competing with your father for power, in order to tell everyone in the world that the authority of the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty is such that no one is allowed to have any improper thoughts!

"Otherwise, even if I kill all the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Houses, it will only frighten them temporarily, not forever. Do you understand, mother?"

"This"

After hearing Li Chengqian's heartfelt words, Empress Changsun was stunned and didn't know what to say.

At this time, Wushe said cautiously, "Your Highness, His Majesty once said that if the Queen cannot persuade you to return, he will personally lead the troops. Look here."

"Then let him come!"

Li Chengqian interrupted Wushe with a domineering wave of his hand, then turned to Su Dingfang and ordered: "Commander Su, notify Pei Xuan, Xue Rengui, and Yu Gushe to prepare for military exercises immediately!"

"Let them see what a war with hot weapons is!"

"A mere barbarian wants to threaten the Tang Dynasty to marry a princess? This is a joke!"

"promise!"

Su Dingfang agreed and left without saying a word.

(End of this chapter)