Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Among the officials serving in the Eastern Palace today, only a few such as Ma Zhou, Liu Li and Pei Xingjian truly and wholeheartedly support his ascension to the throne.

As for other officials, both big and small, they basically maintained a neutral attitude. To them, it didn't matter who the prince was.

When my father was still young and strong, these officials only obeyed his orders.

Now that his father has transferred Ma Zhou and Liu Li away, his power in the Eastern Palace has been completely weakened. This attitude, which is like guarding against thieves, makes Li Chengqian feel very uncomfortable.

Fortunately, most of his supporters, such as Du He, Hou Junji, Su Dingfang, Xue Rengui and Xi Junmai, did not hold posts in the Eastern Palace.

When Li Shimin saw that Li Chengqian agreed, a smile appeared on his majestic face.

"Since the prince agrees, let's settle this matter!"

Then Li Shimin thought for more than ten breaths, then turned to look at Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu, and gave them appointments.

"Yu Zhining, you have been serving as the Crown Prince's Secretary since the 14th year of Zhenguan. This time you will officially serve as the Crown Prince's Secretary!"

"As for Zhang Xuansu, you will still serve as the Crown Prince's Left Assistant as before!"

Upon hearing Li Shimin's appointment, Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu's eyes turned red with excitement, and one could even see tears upon closer inspection.

They also didn't expect that even though His Majesty had failed to teach the Crown Prince and the King of Wei well, he still had full trust in them.

At this moment, the two of them felt that a man would die for his friend.

Facing Li Shimin's smiling face, the two of them hurriedly bowed and received the order.

"The minister obeys the order!"

The matter was settled. Li Shimin, Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu were all in good mood. The only one who felt aggrieved was Li Chengqian.

Although Li Chengqian's face remained silent, his heart was filled with turbulent waves and was extremely restless.

The mentality he had adjusted with great difficulty was disrupted by his father's appointment.

Li Shimin glanced at Li Chengqian who was keeping his head down and silent, a thoughtful look on his face, then waved to Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu and said.

"You should go to the Secretariat and the Ministry of Personnel first to take up your posts. I have something to say to the Crown Prince."

Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu's faces froze, and they saluted Li Shimin together with their fists clasped.

"I will take my leave first!"

After they completed the ceremony, they left the Liangyi Hall quickly without any hesitation.

After they walked away, Li Shimin waved to the eunuchs guarding on both sides.

After bowing, the eunuchs quickly walked out and gently closed the door of Liangyi Hall.

Li Shimin looked at his eldest son who looked more and more like him, and a look of relief appeared on his face.

There was silence for a moment.

Li Shimin said quietly: "Cheng Qian, do you think I am suppressing you?"

When Li Chengqian heard his father's question, he was shocked and a layer of cold sweat broke out on his back.

He quickly stood up, supported by the table, and replied respectfully.

"Father, I don't have such thoughts."

Even though his father said this in a heartfelt tone, if he spoke out his true thoughts, his father's attitude towards him would probably change immediately.

It is said that no one knows a son better than his father. Li Shimin also knew that he had not told the truth to his eldest son.

He shook his head and said, "Cheng Qian, when you were born in Cheng Qian Hall of Taiji Palace, the Emperor gave you the name Cheng Qian."

"And my father's expectation for you now is that you can inherit the imperial career and lead the world in the future!"

After hearing what his father said, Li Chengqian showed an expression of astonishment on his face, and most of the anger in his heart disappeared.

Inheriting the throne is not only his father's expectation of him, but also his long-cherished pursuit.

When Li Shimin saw that Li Chengqian's expression had softened, he nodded secretly.

In order to completely eliminate Li Chengqian's worries, Li Shimin continued.

"Cheng Qian, I think I can distinguish right from wrong, but in the long imperial career, I am bound to make mistakes."

"In the fifth year of Zhenguan, I listened to Quan Wanji's slander and wrongly killed Zhang Yungu, the deputy minister of the Dali Temple!"

"That is why I want to use Wei Zheng, Wang Gui, Li Baiyao and other remonstrators, hoping that they can point out my mistakes in time when I make mistakes."

"I know you don't like Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu, but I still put them by your side so that they can point out your mistakes in time."

After hearing his father's heartfelt words, Li Chengqian fell into silence.

There is nothing wrong with thinking about the problem from your father's perspective, but your father has forgotten that he was almost driven crazy by these so-called loyal ministers in the past few years.

If Du He hadn't helped him turn over, perhaps the father and son would have been separated by now.

However, after Li Chengqian calmed down, he understood his father's true intentions.

My father's action was not to suppress me, but to prevent me from making the same mistake again and becoming the rebellious person I used to be.

Li Chengqian moved his mouth several times, but ultimately did not say what was in his heart. He bowed respectfully.

"I understand your father's good intentions. I will be open-minded and accept advice in the future. I will also be a wise and enlightened ruler like you!"

"From now on, I will treat the two Zuo Shuzi with the same attitude as I treat my teachers."

His mind was in a mess right now, and he could only pick out some nice things to say.

When he returns to the East Palace later, he will have to call Du He over to ask him about it before he can feel at ease.

"Yeah." Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction.

He believed that his heartfelt words had touched Li Chengqian's soul.

Li Shimin changed the subject and said, "Cheng Qian, the Grand Historian Yuan Tiangang has divined and has chosen the best time for the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai next year."

Li Chengqian asked curiously: "Father, what day should we choose?"

Of the three emperors who went to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, there is no record of the specific time when Emperor Qin Shihuang went there to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, but Emperor Wu of Han and Emperor Guang of Han both offered sacrifices to heaven and earth in February and March.

Going to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods at this time will not affect the busy farming season.

Li Shimin smiled and said, "The Fengshan ceremony is scheduled for March 15th of next year. I will set out a month in advance!"

In fact, the time for the Fengshan ceremony chosen by Yuan Tiangang in his first divination was October. Li Shimin was worried that if the time was delayed too long, many unexpected things would occur.

So he asked Yuan Tiangang to re-divine and set the date as March 15th.

Li Chengqian sincerely congratulated him, "Father's achievements in civil and military affairs have created a prosperous era, and he has conquered a vast territory that the Han people have never seen before. Going to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods is what everyone expects!"

"Father, the emperor ascended Mount Dongyue to offer sacrifices to the gods. Not only will the ministers offer their congratulations, but the people of the whole country will also be overjoyed."

"Your son congratulates you in advance, father!"

As he spoke, Li Chengqian, regardless of the fact that his foot had not yet healed, stood up straight and bowed deeply to his revered father.