Tang Dynasty: Father, if you don't rebel, I will!

"Knock knock knock..."

Li Shimin calmly tapped the table with his fingers.

He showed no surprise at all when he heard his two trusted advisors simultaneously tell him to kill his brother-in-law.

Both of them are intelligent people.

Changsun Wuji's current crime of causing a riot involving 100,000 convicts and nearly leading to a major disaster in Bingzhou, where the new policies were being implemented, would have been a capital offense in any dynasty.

However, he was, after all, the Empress's own brother, a meritorious official who helped Li Shimin rise to power, and the maternal uncle of Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Killing is definitely not an option.

Now, Changsun Wuji has already gone to his post, holding the titles of Prefect of Zhenbei Road bestowed by Li Shimin and Governor-General of Yellow River Water Conservancy bestowed by Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

There's no problem in saying that they are now completely subordinate officials of the Crown Prince's Palace.

Then the problem is coming.

Now that Changsun Wuji is the Duke of Zhao, if he really completes the Yellow River water conservancy project in the future, how will the court bestow this title upon him as a relative of the emperor?

In all dynasties, this question was usually only considered when an emperor was about to abdicate or sensed that his days were numbered.

However, given the current momentum of Crown Prince Li Chengqian's development and growth...

Li Shimin, along with the ministers in the court, also had to consider this issue.

“Alas, Fu Ji has followed me for many years and is also your colleague. It would not be an exaggeration to say that we are as close as brothers. Although he made a grave mistake, fortunately, he did not cause a major disaster in the end and saved the day in time... I cannot bear to kill him like this.”

Li Shimin let out a sigh, feigning sadness.

Suddenly, he gently shook his head.

"Let's strip him of his dukedom first, and see what the Crown Prince thinks about keeping him in office. I think he wouldn't want his own uncle to lose his life over something like this."

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui exchanged a glance before softly agreeing.

At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a little envious of Changsun Wuji. Although he had been stripped of his title of Duke, he was still by the side of the Crown Prince and had the Empress's influence.

Once the Yellow River water conservancy project is completed, the title of Duke will be returned in no time.

Even more so than the so-called Duke of Zhao, this would undoubtedly bring greater glory to his ancestors, and more importantly, he wouldn't have to worry about being suspected by the future emperor...

"Your Majesty, let's set aside the matter of stripping him of his title for now. However, we need to investigate the details of the incident in Hequ County as soon as possible. Otherwise, I fear that those treacherous officials will destroy all the evidence, and the situation will become even more complicated."

Li Shimin nodded slightly, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"Xuanling, Keming, who do you think is behind this?"

Li Shimin looked at the people present, but the glint in his eyes clearly told them that he already had a general idea.

Several people looked at each other.

Du Ruhui pondered for a moment, then lowered his voice and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, if it were in the past, we would naturally have suspected those aristocratic families in Hedong Province immediately. However, their foundations have been completely destroyed. Even if some of their former supporters remain in the country, given the current situation of the Cui family of Qinghe, these people would certainly not dare to join their cause..."

"Therefore, this old minister believes..."

Du Ruhui paused for a moment, and Li Shimin waved his hand: "Speak freely, there's only a few of you here."

Du Ruhui cupped his hands in greeting.

"I believe that the person behind this is likely connected to the royal family..."

Li Shimin: "......"

Beside them, Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde, two carefree men, were now standing obediently to the side.

Silently becoming a clay sculptor.

"Knock knock knock..."

Li Shimin's tapping rhythm on the table quickened.

He waved to Li Junxian behind him.

"Who has the Emperor Emeritus been in contact with recently?"

Li Junxian lowered his head.

"Your Majesty, these past few days, the Duke of Wei, Pei Ji, the Duke of Song, Xiao Yu, and also Wei Ting of the Jingzhao Wei clan, whom Your Majesty summoned back from Yuexi County some time ago, have been playing cards with the Retired Emperor for several days..."

Li Shimin nodded slightly, pondering to himself.

“That old man Pei Ji has his own son by Chengqian’s side, and he holds an important position now. He doesn’t need to worry about the Pei family having no successor in the future. The Crown Prince won’t target them for no reason. It shouldn’t be him.”

"Xiao Yu..."

Li Shimin shook his head.

Xiao Yu was even less likely to allow it. Putting aside the issue of the bloodline of the previous dynasty, he would not let them have their way.

Everyone can see how well the Crown Prince treats his two younger brothers who have blood from the previous dynasty. In addition, Xiao Rui, the eldest son of the Xiao family, is also in Bingzhou, holding an important position.

Li Shimin took a deep breath and muttered to himself, finally focusing his suspicions on Wei Ting.

"The Wei family of Jingzhao..."

Currently, there is still a concubine in his harem who comes from the Wei clan of Jingzhao. Consort Wei has always been well-educated and reasonable. Although she is a second-time bride, she has a very good relationship with Li Shimin.

Fang Xuanling spoke slowly.

“Your Majesty, Wei Ting was highly valued by the Crown Prince back then, and the Wei family of Jingzhao had intricate connections with the Crown Prince. Although you are merciful and have transferred him back to the capital from Yuexi County where he was demoted... I am afraid that people's hearts are unpredictable.”

Li Shimin was still somewhat hesitant, but Du Ruhui coughed lightly twice.

"Ahem, Your Majesty, I have heard that the old lady of the Wei family of Jingzhao has close ties with Buddhism. On the day of the persecution of Buddhism in Chang'an, if Wei Ting had not been demoted, the Wei family of Jingzhao would have had no way to respond in Chang'an, and they would probably have secretly helped Buddhism."

"Furthermore, when Wei Ting was in Yuexi County, he frequently visited local Buddhist temples to pay homage..."

"boom!"

One sentence immediately turned Li Shimin's face cold.

He slammed his hand on the table.

"How brave!"

"Li Junxian!"

Li Shimin gave a low shout, and Li Junxian behind him hurriedly knelt down.

"Immediately mobilize the Hundred Cavalry Division and investigate the Wei family of Jingzhao as quickly as possible. If any other families in Chang'an are involved, investigate them thoroughly as well!"

"Whether they are interested in my position or are trying to covet Chengqian's throne, this time... I will not let them get away with it!"

A secret meeting known only to a few people in the Ganlu Hall did not affect the normal operation of the Tang Dynasty's high-ranking officials in Chang'an.

Besides the Hundred Riders Division, they were also tasked with quickly investigating the matter as ordered.

Even now, Chang'an is unaware that a riot has broken out in Bingzhou.

Taiyuan Prefecture, Yangcheng Palace, a pavilion built beside an artificial lake.

Li Chengqian lifted his fishing rod again, but it was empty...

Despite the morning having passed, there was still no fish caught in the fish basket beside him.

In contrast, Prince Lu, Li Yuanchang, standing beside him, was trembling in the hand holding the fishing rod, even though the fishing line clearly showed signs of a bite.

Li Yuanchang, however, dared not move an inch.

His clothes were completely soaked by now.

Sitting next to Li Chengqian, I could only feel a cold breeze running down the back of my neck.

Qian Yingying, with one hand resting on the hilt of the sword at her waist, stood prominently behind him.

"Seventh Imperial Uncle, a fish has taken the bait..."

Li Chengqian's calm reminder startled Li Yuanchang, whose face was covered in sweat, causing him to tremble involuntarily.

"Ah! Ah?! Yes, is there?"

Li Yuanchang pretended to hurriedly lift the rod, but his hand was shaking violently, and the fish that had taken the bait had already broken free and escaped.

"Heh, heh heh, at least it got away..."

Li Yuanchang forced a smile.

However, this smile, which was already forced, slowly disappeared from his face after meeting Li Chengqian's calm eyes, which seemed devoid of any human warmth.

"Seventh Imperial Uncle, what are you afraid of? Is fishing with me that scary?"

"I remember that during the New Year, you took the initiative to come to Bingzhou with me. You said you wanted to do business and become rich. I had someone give you some places in the Imperial University's School of Architecture and Engineering. The recent reconstruction of residences in Taiyuan City should have made you quite a bit of money, right?"

"I've treated your nephew quite well, haven't I?"

Li Chengqian's calm eyes stared at Li Yuanchang with eyes as sharp as knives.

"Does this kind of loneliness frighten you?"

"crash"

In his panic, Li Yuanchang dropped the fishing rod into the lake.

Li Yuanchang, as if he had been pulled from a lake, had sweat streaming down his neck, but he knelt down beside Li Chengqian with a thud.

"Your Highness, I... I really didn't do anything! This has nothing to do with me, I..."

Li Chengqian ignored him and rebaited the fishing hook.

Li Yuanchang felt the murderous intent emanating from Qian Yingying behind him, which seemed to almost materialize, and his whole body trembled more violently.

"I...I...I had no such intention at all, Your Highness. You must believe me! I really just wanted to be a carefree prince, living a life of wealth and luxury, that's enough for me...I..."

"Look how well Bingzhou is under Your Highness's rule now. In this world, besides Your Highness, who else is qualified to hold that position? Your Highness, even if someone puts a knife to my throat, I wouldn't dare to rebel!"

"Your Highness, my nephew, you must believe me, believe in your royal uncle..."

It looked like Li Yuanchang was about to burst into tears from fright.

Li Chengqian sighed softly.

"What a pity, my idle prince. I originally hoped that my seventh uncle could help me build up this Tang Dynasty. My seventh uncle, you have disappointed me greatly."

Li Yuanchang: "......"

He stood there with his mouth agape, completely at a loss for words.

My mind went blank, and I just knelt on the ground trembling, my whole body soaked in sweat.

"Alright, get up. Forget about being a lazy prince, you should at least help me out in some way. In the future, I will need your help, Seventh Imperial Uncle, to improve the housing of the people of the Tang Dynasty and to build the Zhenbei Road."

"Among the merchants of this world, there are bound to be some heartless scoundrels who try to exploit the common people by selling houses. Seventh Imperial Uncle, as a member of the royal family, you should set an example for all merchants..."

Li Yuanchang glanced nervously at Qian Yingying behind him, and seeing that she seemed unaffected, picked up a plate of fruit and brought it to Li Chengqian's side.

He then slowly stood up, trembling.

"Tsk, Seventh Imperial Uncle, your fishing rod fell into the lake! Someone, come here and retrieve it for me..."

"thump....."

Water splashed everywhere. Li Chengqian looked on in astonishment as Li Yuanchang jumped into the lake to retrieve his fishing rod.

"Seventh Imperial Uncle, what are you doing? You can have the servants do this. Don't catch a cold."

"Heh, heh heh, it's nothing, Your Highness, please don't be offended. These are trivial matters; I can handle them myself, I can handle them myself..."

Looking at Li Yuanchang, who was soaking wet and being pulled ashore.

Li Chengqian gently shook his head and had someone arrange for him to go downstairs and change his clothes.

"Seventh Imperial Uncle, go and rest quickly. Drink some medicine and be careful not to catch a cold. I have something to ask you to do in a few days."

Watching Li Yuanchang bow repeatedly as he left.

Li Chengqian finally dropped his hypocritical act and glanced at the fish basket at his feet, where fish were now thrashing about.

He curled his lips.

"Send it to Chu Dahai's place, I'm craving fish today."

Qian Yingying bowed and left with the fish basket.

The next day.

The imperial physician reported that Prince Lu had caught a cold and was bedridden.

Li Chengqian ordered the other party to use every means possible to save the other party.

A letter sent from the residence of the Prince of Lu in Taiyuan was also being transported by fast horse to Chang'an.

Chang'an, Wude Hall.

Li Yuan looked at the letter in his hand from his seventh son, Prince Lu, Li Yuanchang, and instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

"What?! There's actually such a thing?!"

Upon reading the letter's description of the immense impact the uprising of 100,000 Buddhist convicts, which succeeded in occupying Hequ County and even Yanmen Prefecture, would have on the present-day Bingzhou Province, one would realize the profound consequences.

The Crown Prince's reputation will be damaged, and the burgeoning businesses will suffer a severe blow.

What might lead to the emergence of separatist forces, etc.

Li Yuan, who had been an emperor, immediately thought of more.

"Damn it! Who is it?! Who wants to kill me?!"

Li Yuan had already understood why his son Li Shimin, who had previously been trying to ease tensions with him, had suddenly stopped coming to the Wude Hall.

The plaque that originally allowed Pei Ji and his group to come to the Wude Hall was also taken back.

Thinking of his own son and the temperament of that imperial grandson, and then thinking of that imperial grandson who, although now stripped of his wealth, was secretly raised in the imperial estate, he felt a pang of envy.

Li Yuan couldn't sit still for even a second, so he immediately set up his carriage and hurriedly headed towards the Taiji Hall.

Today's court meeting.

Changsun Wuji, the Duke of Zhao, was urgently summoned back to Chang'an.

However, on Li Shimin's side, after a furious rebuke followed by a show of sighs and grief, he issued an edict to strip Changsun Wuji of his official rank.

The newly appointed personal eunuch, Fan Qi, strode over.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Emperor Emeritus has arrived and says he has important matters to discuss with you..."

Hearing the whispered words in his ear, Li Shimin narrowed his eyes and nodded slightly.

Then, led by several people, Li Yuan entered from a side hall.

"Father, what brings you here today...?"

"Second Prince, don't interrupt me. I just have a few words to say, and I'll leave after that!"

Li Yuan, his face contorted with rage, disregarded Li Shimin's attitude and suddenly turned to glare at the assembled officials, especially when his gaze fell upon former officials of the late Crown Prince and the Wude era, such as Wei Zheng, Wei Ting, Pei Ji, and Xiao Yu.

He was especially angry.

"My grandson, Crown Prince Chengqian, has managed everything in Bingzhou with remarkable efficiency. Throughout history, has there ever been a crown prince as wise and virtuous as my grandson? No!"

“However, among you present, there are those who dare to harbor ill intentions, secretly instigating the Buddhist community and even colluding with local forces to cause trouble for my grandson! I hereby declare this!”

"No matter who it is, and no matter which member of the royal family you support, there is one thing!"

"If you want your chosen one to rise to power and replace my grandson Chengqian, you'll only succeed if I die!!!"

Li Shimin was taken aback, but then turned his gaze to the assembled officials.

At the scene, many former officials of the Crown Prince looked at each other in bewilderment. After noticing the two emperors of the Tang Dynasty, they all lowered their heads, cupped their hands, and shouted that they dared not.

Li Yuan's anger had not subsided, and he looked at his second son, Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty, Chengqian is my most outstanding grandson and your most outstanding son. You shall handle this matter. If you find out who is behind this, do not consider their past relationship with this old man. Investigate and punish them all!"

Li Shimin nodded, watching Li Yuan leave in a huff.

After the court session ended, some ministers who had only heard about the matter at the meeting that day gathered together in twos and threes.

As they walked out of the palace, they discussed who was so audacious as to aim for that position in the present-day Tang Dynasty...

Wei Ting walked towards the palace gate somewhat absentmindedly.

Despite his long-standing experience as an official, none of his colleagues noticed anything amiss.

However, when the group arrived at the palace gate...

Upon seeing the dozen or so figures standing outside the palace, everyone's expression changed slightly.

Changsun Wuji wore a sinister smile.

He waved to the Imperial Guards behind him.

"Someone, please invite our Right Vice Minister Wei to the Imperial Prison for a visit!"

at the same time.

The Chang'an residence of the Wei family of Jingzhao.

"boom!"

With a loud crash, the door was kicked open.

A group of fierce-looking Imperial Guards rushed in first.

"By order of His Highness the Crown Prince! Arrest Lady Wei of Jingzhao and bring her to the Imperial Prison for trial!"