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

A single sentence from Princess Zhangsun made Li Shimin sigh.

The man, who had been somewhat worried about his eldest son Li Chengqian's reaction today, suddenly seemed to understand.

Honestly, if I were Chengqian, and I saw my father being poisoned by my eldest and fourth uncles at a banquet, causing him to vomit blood, I would probably have to prepare for the worst.

Suddenly, Li Chengqian's words from earlier that day began to echo in my mind.

"Father, I don't want to die!"

The moonlight shone on Li Shimin's face, as if a layer of frost had been sprinkled on it.

"Brother, you forced me into this situation. Today, I am no longer alone in the Qin Prince's mansion. I still have a wife and children..."

The killing intent was already roaring and surging in Li Shimin's heart in the silent night.

The next day, it was just getting light.

The court assembly of the Tang Dynasty's Wude era has begun.

Li Shimin did not sleep all night and dressed early in the morning with the help of Princess Zhangsun.

Just as he was about to set off for the palace, a series of noises came from the small courtyard next to his residence.

When he stepped to the door.

What came into view was his eldest son, Li Chengqian, dressed in chainmail, holding two stone weights in his hands, exercising his strength. His face was flushed and his clothes were soaked with sweat.

Li Shimin's lips twitched slightly.

He grabbed a eunuch who was guarding outside the courtyard wall.

"Why has the young master started exercising?"

"Your Highness, the Prince has just recovered from a serious illness five days ago. Since then, he has been putting on his armor and practicing martial arts every morning. Apart from taking a short break to read after noon, he spends most of his time training."

Li Shimin frowned.

Although he arranged for someone to teach his son martial arts, it was more of a way to improve his health.

Li Chengqian's sudden high-intensity training, even if it doesn't improve his martial arts skills, will at least ruin his health.

Just as he was about to speak to the other party to stop, he saw his eldest son, who was gritting his teeth and raising the stone lock in his hand again with a fierce look, and the scene from last night appeared in his mind once again.

"Father, I don't want to die!"

Li Shimin had trouble sleeping that night. When he closed his eyes, all he could see was the unwilling and angry look in his eldest son Li Chengqian's eyes when he said those words.

Li Shimin's hand, hidden beneath his sleeve, clenched slightly.

As he silently made his way to the palace, he had just entered the Taiji Hall when he saw Crown Prince Li Jiancheng, who had arrived early, and Prince Qi, Li Yuanji.

After seeing Li Shimin, the two men merely glanced at him indifferently, without making any attempt to greet him.

Li Shimin silently walked to the spot where he had stood during court sessions.

"Seeing that the Prince of Qin is still in good health, I, as his younger brother, am relieved. My father is still investigating the assassin from that day, and he will surely find out the truth. How dare they plot against my Crown Prince and Prince of Tang! Their entire family should be exterminated!"

Li Yuanji spoke these words in a low voice, but his expression did not show much brotherly concern.

For some reason, Chengqian's voice seemed to carry a hint of sorrow and despair in his mind at this moment.

"Father, I don't want to die! I don't want to die!"

Li Shimin: "......"

Looking at the King of Qi, whose eyes were clearly filled with provocation, he forcefully suppressed the urge to draw his sword and rip off the king's head on the spot.

"Haha, that's as it should be."

Li Shimin's forced smile and cold voice caused a flicker of surprise to flash in the eyes of Prince Qi, Li Yuanji.

For some reason, the King of Qin today gave him a strange sense of dread.

The surrounding ministers witnessed this scene, but none of them stepped forward to speak.

A short while later, a eunuch announced in a loud voice.

When Emperor Li Yuan arrived, after dealing with several reports on court affairs, he pondered for a moment.

"Today I have something to announce."

"I intend to have the Prince of Qin lead his Prince of Qin residence and the Tiance Mansion to Luoyang, the eastern capital, and bestow upon him imperial banners. Furthermore, the area east of Shanzhou will be placed under the Prince of Qin's control. Thus..."

Before Li Yuan could finish speaking, an anxious exclamation suddenly rang out in the hall.

"Your Majesty! Absolutely not!!!"

As an imperial censor hurriedly stepped forward, the assembled ministers, realizing what was happening, also hastily proclaimed their intentions.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely forbidden! How is this any different from granting fiefdoms and land to the emperor? Your Majesty, please be extremely cautious!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, such actions are outrageous throughout history. This is a treacherous and dangerous scheme that will ruin the country. Anyone who proposes this plan to Your Majesty should be executed!"

Li Jiancheng never expected his father to be so bold.

His expression turned ashen, but his gaze involuntarily drifted toward his younger brother Li Shimin, who was now on equal footing with him.

"King Qin! Do you intend to divide up my Great Tang and establish its own territory?"

"Your father has granted you the title of General of the Heavenly Strategy, bestowed upon you the authority to establish your own government and military command, and given you great military power. Are you still not satisfied? Do you really want your father to give you the entire throne before you will stop?!"

King Qi looked indignant, his voice echoing throughout the Taiji Hall.

Instantly, all the ministers focused their attention on Li Shimin.

The latter was taken aback, but then quickly looked at his father.

"Alright, don't take your anger out on the King of Qin. This wasn't something the King of Qin asked me to do; it was my own decision," Li Yuan said calmly.

However, upon hearing this, the crowd's cries of caution grew even more intense.

The entire Taiji Hall became as noisy as a vegetable market in no time.

Despite opposition from the court officials, the matter remained unresolved until the end of the court session.

However, Li Shimin had already anticipated this.

We walked out of the Taiji Hall.

"Brother, are you really unwilling to let me go to Luoyang?"

With no one around, Li Shimin spoke calmly.

Upon hearing this address, Li Jiancheng paused for a moment, then shook his head with feigned regret.

"Second brother, it's not that I don't want you to leave, but... all the officials are reacting this way, and besides, Father is getting old. As his sons, wouldn't it be more reassuring for him to stay in Chang'an?"

"This way, I can better fulfill my filial duty."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin nodded slightly, having already made a complete decision in his heart at that moment.

He wasn't allowed to leave Chang'an, but they were also gradually sending capable ministers from the Prince of Qin's court, such as Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, away to weaken his influence...

Brother, you chose this path yourself, you can't blame your younger brother...

That evening, Li Shimin summoned all the generals of the Prince of Qin's residence once again.

"Gentlemen, we need to find our own way to survive!"