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

"boom!"

"Go away!"

Outside the prison, a burst of urgent noise entered the cell.

Hearing this noise, they were all immediately startled and tensed up again.

Just when Wei Zheng, along with the families of the Crown Prince and the King of Qi, all thought that some great calamity was about to befall them.

With a loud bang, the prison door was smashed open by two figures.

Those who rushed in were none other than Li Er's two fierce generals, Yuchi Gong and Cheng Yaojin.

"Why are you two generals in such a hurry? Are you worried that I will start a massacre here?"

Li Chengqian glanced at his cheap father, Li Er, who followed closely behind the two, and then Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Changsun Wuji, and several other core members of the Qin Prince's Mansion.

They all came.

When Li Er saw the faint bloodstains on the long sword in Li Chengqian's hand, his pupils contracted slightly.

However, seeing that there were no corpses at the scene, and that his nephews, nieces, brothers, sisters-in-law and cousins ​​were all safe and sound, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"Chengqian, what are you doing here?"

His voice, unusually, carried a hint of anger.

However, Li Chengqian casually sheathed his long sword and then, in front of everyone, kicked the trembling Prince of Hedong to the side.

He then gestured with his lip towards Wei Zheng, who was in the prison cell nearby, angry but unable to speak out.

"Well, isn't this your son helping you, Father, resolve your worries? Just now, our Lord Wei Zheng decided to take the initiative to help us appease the former officials of the Crown Prince, and promised that he would absolutely not make things difficult for you, Father."

Hear the words.

Everyone's eyes immediately fell on Wei Zheng at this moment.

Everyone present was very familiar with Wei Zheng, after all, as the former tutor of the Crown Prince, he was one of the most capable ministers besides Pei Ji and Wang Gui, who were close to the Crown Prince Li Jiancheng.

They caused quite a bit of trouble for the Prince of Qin's mansion back then.

Everyone present already knew what kind of person the other party was.

How did Your Highness manage to persuade such a stinking rock from a latrine to actually make the other party willingly submit to you?

And he's even willing to work for the current crown prince?

Now, even Li Shimin couldn't help but focus his attention on Wei Zheng, who was still in prison at the moment.

"Wei Zheng, is what Chengqian said true? I'd like to hear how you plan to help me stabilize the court."

Notice Li Chengqian's ambiguous smile.

Despite his inner rage and resentment, Wei Zheng was still able to disregard his infamy and turn his murderous blade against his cousin, Prince Li Chengqian of Zhongshan, when facing the Qi King who had killed his fourth uncle.

At this moment, all I could do was take a deep breath and forcefully suppress the anger in my heart.

"Your Highness, if Your Highness is willing to forgive and forget the past and not retaliate against these court officials because of the previous targeting by the former officials of the Eastern Palace, I am willing to go and act as the persuader."

Li Er nodded, a smile just appearing on his face, about to say something.

Li Chengqian, standing to the side, frowned deeply when he saw Wei Zheng suddenly fall silent again.

"Lord Wei, and then what?"

Li Chengqian's gaze was icy, and the hand that had just sheathed his sword gently placed once again on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

Wei Zheng gritted his teeth, bowed his head, and cupped his hands to Li Shimin once more.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to impeach the Crown Prince for violating the established order, secretly amassing a private army, and plotting a rebellion. I implore Your Majesty to expel the Crown Prince and his cronies, including Prince Qi's relatives and descendants, from the family genealogy and imprison them in the deep palace!"

"hiss!"

Several gasps of astonishment emanated from Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, who were standing behind Li Shimin.

If Wei Zheng had truly taken the initiative to do this, it would have greatly alleviated the pressure both inside and outside the court.

In particular, he, an official under the Crown Prince, had himself taken the blame upon himself.

This means that those ministers who wanted to prove their "loyalty" suddenly had a target to vent their frustrations on.

At the same time, when facing Li Shimin, who held military power, he was able to convince himself of his inner desire to submit.

Li Shimin couldn't help but take a deep look at his eldest son.

If that were possible, it would save a lot of trouble.

As for the matter of not eradicating the root of the problem, will it leave behind any future troubles?

This is a gross underestimation of Li Shimin, the Grand General of Heavenly Strategy, and his generals from the Prince of Qin's mansion.

Soon after, Li Shimin kindly ordered the release of Wei Zheng and several other officials of the Eastern Palace who were imprisoned there. Li Shimin, who was nominally the Crown Prince but had in fact basically seized the power of the emperor.

In the end, this matter was nothing more than a matter of a single word from him.

"In that case, Father, I have solved another major problem for you. It wouldn't be too much to give your son a reward, would it?"

I just ordered someone to take Wei Zheng and the others to rest.

Before Li Shimin could even rejoice, he heard his son's faint voice from behind him.

Turn around.

Then they saw Li Chengqian leaning wearily against the side of the prison gate.

He immediately frowned and let out an angry snort.

"Chengqian! You're getting bolder and bolder. Do you even respect your father anymore?"

Upon hearing this, the already faint smile on Li Chengqian's face slowly disappeared.

“Father, it is too disheartening for me to hear these words from your mouth.”

"Mother Consort certainly doesn't know that your eldest uncle and fourth uncle's concubines are being imprisoned here, and that their children are still alive, right?"

Li Shimin's expression changed slightly, but Li Chengqian showed no intention of indulging him.

"Father, I don't care what you plan to do with those concubines, but you're still keeping the sons of Li Chengdao and his uncles... Did all the swords of the Prince of Qin's mansion get dulled at Xuanwu Gate?"

"Or...?"

Li Chengqian took a small step forward, his cold eyes filled with undisguised anger.

"Father, you cherish your reputation just like Grandfather, so you specifically left it to me to solve this for you?"

"Chengqian, how could you think of your father like that?!"

Changsun Wuji was shocked and hurriedly tried to make amends.

however.

Li Chengqian snorted coldly.

"Because I still acknowledge him as my father, I haven't made a sound about this matter to my mother!"

Li Shimin was so angry at Li Chengqian's words that he trembled all over.

However, faced with Li Chengqian's undisguised questioning gaze, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

Li Chengqian was right!

After the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi's children were taken into custody, Yuchi Gong and his group inquired about how to handle the situation.

The inner hesitation and the concerns that Li Chengqian had mentioned ultimately allowed Prince Anlu and the other Crown Prince and Prince Qi's heirs to survive.

Seeing that Li Shimin remained silent, Li Chengqian snorted coldly again.

"So, I've solved such a big problem for you, Father, it's not unreasonable for me to ask for a reward, is it?"

Li Shimin's face turned ashen.

"what do you want?"

"Xue Wanche, who attacked Xuanwu Gate that day, Jing Junhong, the Cloud Banner General of Xuanwu Gate, Lü Shiheng, and the less than two hundred soldiers of Xuanwu Gate."

"This will form the foundation for the future Six Guards of my Eastern Palace!"

Li Shimin's expression grew even more grim.

"I have only just been granted the title of Crown Prince, and you're already eyeing this position? Let alone when your grandfather will abdicate... what makes you think you're destined to be the Crown Prince?"

Li Chengqian: "Because Father, you had no choice!"

“Our whole family rebelled. You killed my eldest uncle, and I killed my fourth uncle.”

“You and I, father and son, have been traitors to the nation for all eternity since the day of Xuanwu Gate. You won’t choose me? Does Father intend to kill me?”

"Will killing me wash away the blood on your hands, Father?"

The old men of the Qin Prince's mansion, including Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong, had already kept their distance while the father and son were arguing.

Only Changsun Wuji, who was still a member of the imperial family, was left standing aside, looking anxious and panicked.

But they didn't know how to say anything to ease the situation.

"..."

Heavy breathing sounds came from the noses of Li Shimin and his son Li Chengqian.

At this moment, the two, one tall and one short, stood facing each other, their eyes fixed on one another without yielding an inch.

I do not know how long it has been.

"You want troops? Are you planning to wait until you're tired of sitting on the throne as crown prince, and then stage a coup at Xuanwu Gate for me?"

"thump!"

Changsun Wuji was so frightened that he immediately knelt on the ground.

"Your Highness, Chengqian would never have such thoughts! You watched him grow up, he..."

However, neither Li Shimin nor Li Chengqian seemed to be able to see Changsun Wuji at this moment.

"That depends on whether Father is willing to believe me. That day at Xuanwu Gate, I, like you, risked my life. If Father only wants me to accompany you on the road to the Yellow Springs, but does not allow me to hold power with you..."

Li Chengqian shook his head slightly, but his voice was resolute.

"Father, you should know that I am not one to wait for my death!"

"Just like my grandfather did back then, Father, the decision is now in your hands!"

Another silence fell between father and son.

At this moment, Changsun Wuji, who was kneeling on the ground, was almost fainting.

Such rebellious words, which disregard the principles of the monarch and father, are unprecedented in all dynasties.

however.

It was precisely in this Tang Dynasty that it truly appeared.

At this moment, Changsun Wuji's clothes were soaked with sweat, and beads of sweat the size of soybeans were constantly dripping from his forehead.

However, he didn't dare to say a single word.

At this moment, even breathing is forced to be held.

After an unknown amount of time, Li Shimin, his face grim, finally let out a cold snort.

He turned around and walked directly towards the East Palace.

"I hope you truly care about your mother and won't do anything to hurt her..."

That night.

Li Chengqian returned to the Prince of Qin's residence with a happy smile on his face.

This smile, brimming with youthful vigor and a touch of naivety, reassured Princess Changsun and also pleased Li Tai and his other younger siblings in the Qin Prince's Mansion.

They all cast curious glances their way.

However, Li Chengqian did not make a fuss about the soldiers, after all, such matters could potentially affect the prestige of his adoptive father.

Or perhaps we should wait until after a while, when my father actually ascends the throne and I become the crown prince.

It's not too late to deal with it later.

"Hmph, historically, it was roughly a month after the Second Empress ascended the throne that the Eastern Turks suddenly launched an attack, forcing her to sign the humiliating Treaty of the Wei River..."

Li Chengqian lay on his bed, but his eyes shone with an alarming intensity.

Now, whether it's him or his own father, Erfeng.

His reputation among the aristocratic families was definitely ruined, and he wanted to truly secure his position in the country.

Popular support, a strong military, and a wealthy treasury.

That's what we really need to grasp.

"That old bastard Jieli, deep down, fears the Tang Dynasty and the Second Emperor. If he had prepared earlier, perhaps the Alliance of the Wei River would never have happened, and perhaps the Tang Dynasty could have dealt a heavy blow to or even destroyed the Eastern Turks sooner..."

[Ding! You have completed your first civilization simulation for a century and are rewarded with three chances to win civilization-related prizes.]

An abrupt prompt suddenly rang in Li Chengqian's mind.

When Li Chengqian's consciousness re-entered that simulated civilization space.

As soon as I opened my eyes and saw the scene below the clouds, I couldn't help but gasp.

"Wow! A hundred years have passed, and this place has actually become such a magnificent pass?!"

What was once a vast forest with two towering mountains had transformed into a massive and formidable fortress.

Thick plumes of smoke rose from the chimneys, accompanied by the comings and goings of numerous horse-drawn carriages and soldiers in elite armor, all moving about inside...

【Do you want to draw now? 】