Datang: Rebirth of Li Chengqian, the beginning of the treason interrogation

Chapter 168: Abolition of the Crown Prince
The most important affairs of the world are sacrifices and wars.

However, offering sacrifices to the gods on Mount Tai is the highest honor for emperors of all dynasties, and not everyone can enjoy this honor.

In the long history of China, only six emperors have performed Fengshan in Mount Tai, but strictly speaking, there were only five.

According to Chinese records, the first person to offer sacrifices to the gods on Mount Tai was Qin Shi Huang, who unified the six kingdoms. He pioneered civil and military governance, and set an example for future generations to follow.

From then on, only emperors whose achievements were comparable to those of Qin Shihuang dared to embark on the journey to Fengshan on Mount Tai.

However, nothing is absolute in the world and exceptions always exist.

Emperor Zhenzong of Song, Zhao Heng, was a special case. He signed a humiliating treaty, not only paying compensation but also ceding territory, but he also thought that his achievements were comparable to those of Qin Shihuang, so he held a Fengshan ceremony with great fanfare. This move was undoubtedly a blasphemy against the sacred status of Mount Tai.

Just like the Weishui Alliance of the Sima family, it turned the original glory into shame.

When the time came to the grassroots emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, he expelled the Tartars and restored China, and his achievements were outstanding.

With his achievements, he was fully qualified to offer sacrifices to the gods on Mount Tai. However, due to the precedent set by Emperor Zhenzong of Song Dynasty, who lowered the standard of offering sacrifices to the gods on Mount Tai, Zhu Yuanzhang finally gave up the ceremony.

At this time, the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai was a concern for Li Shimin.

Because no matter how outstanding his achievements are, if he has never offered sacrifices to Mount Tai, he cannot be compared with those great heroes.

Before this, Qin Shihuang Ying Zheng, Emperor Wu of Han Liu Che, and Emperor Guangwu of Han Liu Xiu had all been given the title.

Therefore, Li Shimin has always had this obsession in his heart. Now that the conditions are ripe, he wants to offer sacrifices to the gods on Mount Tai again.

"Your Majesty has made great contributions and is indeed eligible for enthronement at Mount Tai. However, I think we should wait until the Crown Prince returns to the court before we can hold the enthronement ceremony."

It was not easy for Changsun Wuji to refute, so it was only natural for him to offer sacrifices to the gods on Mount Tai.

Moreover, in Changsun Wuji's view, Li Chengqian was too unstable. If the prince returned to the court and there was no unrest in the country, it would be fine to offer sacrifices to the gods at Mount Tai.

In fact, Li Shimin was indeed qualified to be enthroned on Mount Tai.

At least he is more qualified than Emperor Gaozong of Tang Li Zhi and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Li Longji who were both conferred the title.

However, because of the presence of ministers like Wei Zheng during the Zhenguan period, Li Shimin was ultimately unable to fulfill his wish of offering sacrifices to the gods on Mount Tai.

"That's fine. After the Crown Prince returns to the court, it would be best to offer sacrifices to the gods at Mount Tai."

Since no one of these ministers objected, Li Shimin was delighted. All he had to do was wait a little longer.

"Your Majesty, General Feng Li has returned from Goguryeo and is waiting outside the palace now!"

At this moment, the eunuch walked in from outside the palace gate and spoke in a low voice.

"Hurry up!"

Li Shimin stood up excitedly. It seemed that his order had already reached Li Chengqian.

And if Feng Li can come back safely, then all problems will be fine. The prince has made great contributions in destroying the country. At most, his merits and demerits will offset each other, and the aristocratic clans can do nothing about it.

However, this was just Li Shimin's wishful thinking.

"Pfft!"

Feng Li entered the hall and knelt down suddenly.

This scene made Li Shimin's heart suddenly twitch. It must be something bad.

"Feng Li, what happened? Has the prince not returned yet?"

Li Shimin still had some hope in his heart.

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I will not be able to fulfill your Majesty's will and bring back His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Feng Li's head hit the ground, making a thud.

"What happened? Why didn't the prince come? Have you explained my intentions clearly?"

Li Shimin asked seriously. At this point, the situation seemed to be completely out of his control.

"Your Majesty, I have explained everything clearly. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has rebellious intentions. He has imprisoned Duke Ying Li Ji and King Jiangxia Li Dao Zong. He has also used ruthless means to kill many generals and concentrate power in his own hands."

Feng Li did not dare to hide anything and told everything he had seen and heard. Li Shimin was struck by lightning and collapsed on the dragon throne.

The prince whom he was so proud of actually rebelled.

Li Shimin had anticipated this, but he still found it difficult to accept the current turn of events.

It can be said that he was the first one to know about Li Chengqian's rebellion. When Li Dejian sent the letter, he was already aware of Li Chengqian's plan.

However, in order to eliminate the power of the aristocratic families, this move was too risky. Moreover, Li Shimin was also worried that Li Chengqian would use the aristocratic families to paralyze himself.

Taking many factors into consideration, Li Shimin sent Feng Li, who was willing to use tough measures to bring Li Chengqian back, and disagreed with Li Chengqian's plan.

But obviously, it did not succeed.

No matter what Li Chengqian's purpose is, he is now standing in opposition to the entire empire.

Crusade is inevitable.

"Your Majesty, are you okay?"

Changsun Wuji walked forward quickly, his face full of worry, but he was actually very happy inside.

Li Chengqian's rebellion at this time was really helped by heaven.

For power, father and son fought against each other, and he and Li Chengqian were a generation apart.

"I'm fine. Now that things have come to this, what should the court do?"

Li Shimin's scattered gazes gathered together again.

Even if he still wanted to exonerate Li Chengqian now, it was already impossible.

Such a good heir, why could he be so depressed?
Too urgent!

Clan power is a great scourge, but Li Chengqian's radical approach made it difficult for Li Shimin to cooperate.

He couldn't cooperate either because he was the emperor.

"Your Majesty, it is not difficult to resolve this matter. After all, not everyone in the Eastern Expedition Army has a rebellious heart. As long as Your Majesty issues an order pointing out the Crown Prince's crimes, I think someone in the army will naturally capture the Crown Prince."

Changsun Wuji said that they did not know the extent of Li Chengqian's control over the army.

"What Changsun Pushe said is absolutely right. I believe that many soldiers in the army are loyal to Your Majesty. In addition, Your Majesty needs to issue an order to abolish the Crown Prince's current position in the army and appoint Li Ji or Li Daozon as the commander-in-chief of the army. Then the Crown Prince's rebellion will be self-defeating."

After thinking about it, Chu Suiliang also made a suggestion.

He and Changsun Wuji are now birds of a feather, echoing each other and advancing and retreating together.

"Your Majesty, what Zhangsun Pushe and Doctor Chu said is correct. This way, the rebellion can be controlled to the smallest scope."

Ma Zhou also agreed very much.

"That's all, let's just leave it at that!"

Li Shimin also nodded. With his prestige in the army, Li Chengqian's rebellion was like playing house. It would be quelled with a decree.

What is worrying Li Shimin now is how to deal with the aftermath and how to save Li Chengqian's life.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is plotting a rebellion. Should the government affairs he has been carrying out so far be stopped?"

Changsun Wuji asked tentatively.

"Your Majesty, this is indeed the way it should be. After all, the impact is not good!"

Chu Suiliang made another assist.

Many of the political policies implemented by Li Chengqian harmed the interests of the major clans.

There was a flash of struggle in Li Shimin's eyes. This was damaging the interests of the royal family.

Many of Li Chengqian's previous actions were for the sake of imperial power. To deny it now would be like shooting himself in the foot.

(End of this chapter)