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

Chapter 44: Ambition without ability leads to self-destruction [Seeking follow-up reading]

"Report to the Supreme Emperor, Prince Yi'an has already deployed his troops to the capital!"

As soon as Du Caigan got the news, he rushed to Da'an Palace to meet Li Yuan.

At this time, Li Yuan was calmly making tea and reading, as if nothing had happened.

Just half an hour ago, Empress Changsun came to pay her respects to him.

In fact, it was impossible for Empress Changsun to be unaware of such a big thing happening in the palace, but she still ran to Da'an Palace to pay her respects to him.

What does this mean?
This shows that this thoughtful daughter-in-law is a very good wife.

She was here to help Emperor Li II to find out the situation.

After all, if these rebellions involved the retired emperor, it would put Emperor Li II in a very difficult position.

She also didn't want Emperor Li II and Li Yuan to turn against each other again.

Of course, compared with Emperor Li II, Li Yuan had no resentment towards his daughter-in-law.

Even though her little thoughts could not be hidden from Li Yuan, he still sent her away politely.

Li Yuan asked without even looking up, "Any new moves on Erlang's part?"

Du Caigan half-knelt and lowered his voice, "Replying to the Emperor, Your Majesty said in Taiji Hall, in front of the entire court, including all the civil and military officials, and all the crowned princes, that Prince Yi'an's actions were not a purge of the court, but a rebellion!"

"Now, send a message to Duke Wu, telling him to hold a meeting with Prince Yi'an in the Taiji Hall. If Prince Yi'an dares to resist, he will be killed without mercy!"

"Ah!"

Li Yuan snorted and couldn't help but sigh, "Erlang is unmatched in warfare, but when it comes to governing a country, he's still a little behind."

Having said that, he stopped caring about Li Shimin and asked Li Chengqian, "Has my good grandson returned?"

"He's back, but it seems he brought someone with him!"

"who?"

“Former Secretary Lang, Cen Wenben!”

"Cen Wenben?"

Li Yuan was slightly taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "Is that Cen Wenben, the one who wrote the Lotus Ode, redressed his father's grievances, and persuaded Emperor Xiaogong to stop the looting?"

"Yes, it's him!"

Du Caigan nodded and said, "Last night, His Highness stayed overnight at his house!"

"This"

Li Yuan's eyes widened in disbelief. He was becoming increasingly confused about his good grandson. "How could this Cen Wenben be so highly regarded by Cheng Qian? Could it be that he has the talent to govern the country?"

Du Caigan thought for a moment and said, "If he had the talent to govern the country, Your Majesty would have appointed him long ago. Why is he only a seventh-rank secretary?"

"No, no, no, when it comes to judging people, I'm afraid Erlang and I are not as good as him. Otherwise, this rebellion would not have gone so smoothly."

"That"

"How's things going at the North Gate?"

"Liu Deyu and Yuan Hongshan have already taken control of Xuanwu Gate and Anli Gate, and have captured Qin Qiong and Chang He alive. I believe it won't be long before word of this reaches Your Majesty!"

"Oh?"

Li Yuan's eyes lit up, and he sat up straight. "So, those fire bombs played an important role?"

"Yes! If it weren't for those fire bombs, I'm afraid they wouldn't be able to take the north gate!"

"Hahaha! My grandson is really amazing!"

Li Yuan laughed happily.

Du Caigan was slightly surprised and couldn't help asking, "Is this matter related to the King of Zhongshan?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan suddenly stopped laughing and said solemnly, "Don't ask about things you shouldn't know. Just do your own thing!"

"Uh"

Du Caigan looked embarrassed, but he couldn't help but ask Li Yuan: "Since Liu Deyu and his men have taken the North Gate, why don't we take action?"

"Although it is a rare opportunity to take over the North Gate, it is not difficult for Erlang. Have you forgotten the imperial guards trained by Erlang?" "Ah? This..."

Du Caigan said in doubt, "The Emperor is saying that Your Majesty has already taken precautions?"

Li Yuan said expressionlessly, "He succeeded at Xuanwu Gate, how could he not have taken precautions? This matter is not over yet. We have to wait and see what happens with Li Xiaochang."

As he spoke, he suddenly seemed to remember something and asked, "Where is Changsun Anye now?"

"Ever since the flyer incident, he returned to the palace overnight and should be with Concubine Zhang now!" Du Caigan answered truthfully.

Li Yuan's face darkened. "What a scheming man!"

Du Caigan smiled noncommittally and said, "Changsun Anye and Concubine Zhang and the others have always been very close. I'm afraid Concubine Zhang and the others have also put a lot of thought into this rebellion."

"It's good to have ambition, but if you don't have the ability, you will only bring about your own destruction!"

Li Yuan sneered and waved Du Caigan away. "Don't bother me until Li Xiaochang enters the Taiji Hall. There are too many people here."

"Yes!"

Du Caigan nodded in response, without saying much, he stood up and left.

The reason why he could enter and exit Da'an Palace at any time without being suspected by Li Shimin was because he knew how to adapt to the times.

Originally, during the reign of Li Yuan, he had already become the governor of Beizhou.

But with Li Yuan's abdication, he resolutely gave up such a high-ranking position and was willing to serve as the Right General of the Imperial Guard in the palace.

For Li Shimin, this was a manifestation of his awareness of the times.

After all, he was very worried about someone as loyal to Li Yuan as Du Caigan serving in the local government.

Only under his nose can he feel at ease.

In fact, it is not surprising that Li Shimin was so wary of Du Caigan. The main reason was that people like Du Caigan were so loyal that they were a little too hot-blooded.

When he followed Li Mi, Bing Yuanzhen rebelled, which led to Li Mi's defeat at the hands of Wang Shichong. Later, in order to avenge Li Mi, Du Caigan tried every means to kill Bing Yuanzhen and defected to the Tang Dynasty.

Li Yuan admired loyal and righteous people like Du Caigan very much, and promoted him to the second-rank title of Duke of Pingyu.

From this we can see that Li Yuan treated Du Caigan as the second Li Mi, and Li Shimin was unable to make use of him.

Therefore, in order to prevent himself from becoming the second Bing Yuanzhen, Li Shimin could only place him next to Li Yuan.

At the same time Du Caigan left Li Yuan, Changsun Anye was discussing the next plan with Concubine Zhang.

But then Concubine Zhang sighed, "The reduction in the number of kings forced the rebellion of the Prince of Changle and the Prince of Yi'an. Erlang isn't afraid. Are all the kings rebelling?"

Upon hearing this, Chang Sun Anye smiled and said, "Of course he's not afraid of one or two kings who can't achieve anything!"

"So, Li Xiaochang won't succeed either?"

"If it were the previous plan, I don't think the chances of success would be great, because the kings in Chang'an are all livestock kept by Li Shimin. They've long been frightened by him, so how could they dare to support Li Xiaochang?"

"but."

Then, Chang Sun Anye changed the subject: "Now that I have that plan, everything has changed!"

"Do you trust that plan so much?"

Concubine Zhang frowned and said, "Don't blame me for not warning you. Erlang is not easy to deal with. You'd better be careful. I'm scared."

"Don't worry, Auntie. The plan is just for reference. I have my own plans!"

"Humph!"

Concubine Zhang snorted and was about to ask about Changsun Anye's plan.

But then Concubine Yin De, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke:

"The Emperor washed his hands of this matter before. I'm worried that if we fail, he might abandon us!"

"Oh! Once things are done, it's not certain who will be abandoned!"

Changsun Anye smiled coldly, then glanced at the sky outside and said, "I should go out now, otherwise if Prince Yi'an takes the wrong road, it will be troublesome."

After saying that, he said goodbye and left without any further ado.

(End of this chapter)