Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 108 King Qi, Surprised or Not

Whether the rumors about Li Ming's achievements are true or not is not the point at all.

Even if he really made great contributions and enjoyed great favors from the emperor.

So what?

According to etiquette and law, he will no longer be your Majesty's son.

Excluding this unstable factor from the sequence of princes and making him an ordinary prince of the royal family, this is the focus of today's event!
The other princes also thought of this and felt inexplicably relieved.

Fortunately, this little monster is not on the same track as me.

As a prince, Li Ming would not only siphon the limited imperial grace, but also highlight their incompetence.

But if Li Ming became a royal minister, it would be different.

By distinguishing between the inside and the outside, the threat to their status will naturally be eliminated.

The princes could even say sarcastically: It is a blessing for the Tang Dynasty to have talents like the Liaodong Jiedushi to protect the royal family.

"Tsk, does it matter whether it's true or not? Anyway, that kid is going to be given to someone else as a son."

Li You glared at Li Yin fiercely, which frightened Lao Liu so much that he withdrew his questioning gaze and obediently looked down at the tip of his shoe.

"Hmm..." Li Ke frowned.

He thinks more than these two simple-minded brothers.

But the more he thought about it, the more confused his thoughts became.

It's like a ball of tangled wool, the more you pull it, the more tangled it becomes.

It is true that Brother Li Ming has made great contributions in Jiucheng Palace, and it is also true that he is deeply favored by His Majesty beyond measure.

However, it was true that after the Jiucheng Palace incident, my father hurriedly announced the continuation of the incense line for my eldest uncle and fourth uncle.

Several facts contradict each other, just like the sun rising in the east and setting in the east at the same time.

It was so strange that he couldn't see the true situation at all.

Which one is real?

Is it that the emperor is acting out "fatherly love and filial piety" in public, but in fact he has no feelings for Li Ming?
Or is it that "the emperor is the most ruthless", and the father sent his beloved son away with great reluctance for the sake of political interests?

Or is there some other unknown reason?

He couldn't tell the difference, he really couldn't tell the difference!
"Is the situation in the palace already so complicated..."

Chang'an's tricks were too complicated, and Li Ke just wanted to return to his fiefdom immediately.

"Xiao Ming, stop running around and stay here for a while! Otherwise, I'll tell Ah Sizi!"

Li Zhi brought Li Ming to his side.

Li Chengqian and Li Tai were standing aside. When they saw the younger brother coming, they nodded to him in a friendly manner.

The calmness of the older generation of artists.

"Hello, two brothers~" Li Ming also showed a very friendly business smile.

"Shh, stop talking!" Li Zhi took out the dates that A Sizi had prepared in advance and stuffed them into Li Ming's mouth.

Finally, this naughty little guy calmed down.
The four brothers looked very friendly and respectful to each other.

Li Ming stood among the smiling brothers, lowered his head obediently and sighed silently.

His expression was solemn, not even a hint of the mischievous look he had just shown.

He was completely unaware of the controversy he had caused between the princes and concubines.

It doesn't matter even if you know.

He had no interest in playing house with those scumbags and competing for favor.

He wants to carve out space for his own survival.

"Damn it, I didn't even get to eat the blood-stained buns of my own people..."

Li Ming lowered his head and complained bitterly in a low voice.

He risked his pride, acted coquettishly and cutely in front of everyone, and even brought out the "farewell gift" between father and son.

Li Shimin still refused to give up the personnel power in Liaodong.

On the surface, it is a dispute over personnel rights, but in essence it is a dispute over actual control of Liaodong.

The emperor is indeed a political animal, with rationality completely overriding emotion.

It is impossible to lose two states just because of a personal relationship.

"You two, father and son, are trying to push me into a dead end..." Li Ming secretly glared at Li Chengqian.

The prince continued to do as he pleased, wearing the Central Plains armor with dragon patterns, but with rough Turkic-style shoulder guards, and with disheveled hair, looking neither Chinese nor Hu.

Noticing Li Ming's gaze, he nodded to his younger brother kindly.

The corner of Li Ming's mouth twitched.

I was completely suppressed by the prince...

The Jiucheng Palace Incident was originally extremely unfavorable to the prince.

Unexpectedly, he linked this incident to the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

Induce the father to finally define the Xuanwu Gate Incident as a coup d'état, and then restore the reputation of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji and continue the incense...

With a set of smooth combos, the prince actually turned defeat into victory.

Taking advantage of the Jiucheng Palace incident, on the one hand, the status of the crown prince was strengthened, and on the other hand, Li Ming was excluded from the ranks of the princes.

One positive and one negative, a win-win situation.

"If I cannot completely control the two states of Liaodong and lose the title of prince, I will be in a very passive position..."

Li Ming's mind began to race.

“I was in Jiucheng Palace, so at least I indirectly saved the prince’s life.

"Now the theoretical possibility of winning the throne has been completely lost, and it poses no threat to him.

"Will he just let me go like this..."

He shook his head, thinking it was a fantasy.

Politics is not a dating simulator. There are no numerical “favorability” points.

All decisions made by political machines are based on, and only on, practical interests.

Something like "life-saving grace" is heavier than Mount Tai in terms of morality, but lighter than a feather in terms of benefits.

Because after completing the action of "saving someone", the rescuer loses his or her usefulness.

Whether or not to return the favor depends entirely on the conscience of the party being rescued.

Obviously, it is somewhat funny to entrust one's life to Li Chengqian's so-called "conscience".

Only a few days had passed since the Jiucheng Palace Incident, and Li Chengqian launched an attack on him without delay.

Once he completely loses the strength to resist, will this madman stop?
It’s better to believe that I am Qin Shi Huang.

Li Ming felt a bitter taste in his mouth and quietly stepped back, carefully observing his biggest opponent for the first time.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian, wearing a mix of Han and Hu armor, looks feminine, but wants to dress up as a rude Turk. He has difficulty walking, but rides a horse like a fish in water.

Like his appearance, his personality is full of contradictory inconsistencies.

He is overly cautious and always worries that his position as crown prince will be taken away. I'm afraid he suffers from persecution delusions no less than Li Ming.

However, he behaves in a crazy manner, constantly challenging the bottom line of the world, as if he is afraid that he will be destroyed.

He is simply a madman made up of rationality.

The heavy pressure of imperial power has made everyone unable to raise their heads...

"Everyone who loves me is safe."

At His Majesty's command, everyone present was finally able to raise their heads and stretch their sore necks.

Li Shimin sat high on the ceremonial platform, dressed in military uniform, looking extremely majestic.

"The weather has been nice and clear lately, and the birds and animals are plump and healthy. It is the perfect season for autumn hunting.

"I can't help but think of when I was young, the Emperor took me and several of my brothers and led Huang Qingcang through the mountains and forests. It was so joyful.

"Alas... things are different now, and I am also old.

"People tend to feel sentimental when they get older. I miss you guys.

"But many of you are out of town. I can only count on my fingers how many times can I see you again?"

The words were so sincere and heartfelt that all the princes shed tears.

Li Ming was also speechless.

Because he was the main reason for summoning the princes to reunite and hunt together in autumn. It was for this dish of vinegar that Li Shimin made this dumpling.

"I would like to take this opportunity to announce to you all an important event concerning the royal family while you are all gathered in the Forbidden Garden."

After the opening polite remarks, Li Shimin went straight to the point.

Basically, fourteen years ago, he suddenly started the uprising at Xuanwu Gate because he was forced by Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji and had no choice.

However, this incident did objectively destroy the inheritance of the emperor and the crown prince.

In order to maintain the orthodoxy of etiquette and the crown prince's status as heir apparent, he decided -

He formally acknowledged his coup and posthumously named Li Jiancheng the crown prince with the posthumous title of "Yin". Li Yuanji was named the King of Chao with the posthumous title of "La".

This confession is quite thorough.

Everyone present was moved and the sound of crying could be heard everywhere.

Among them, the one who cried the loudest was Concubine Wei.

Because she realized that she could no longer be the queen.

In order to consolidate Li Chengqian's position, Your Majesty did not hesitate to defile himself.

How could he possibly establish a new queen and allow Concubine Wei's son Li Shen to pose a new challenge to Li Chengqian?

Li Shimin let his emotions settle for a while, and continued to speak word by word:

"Although Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji have many faults, I am still brothers with them after all.

"They have no descendants, and I am deeply worried.

“According to etiquette, I have decided to adopt the two princes to them so that the incense of the two families will not be cut off.

"Li Dao Zong, accept the order."

The Minister of Rites Li Daozon played the role of master of ceremonies.

Next, he read out this imperial edict which was of vital importance to the royal family.

Li Daozon took a deep breath, bowed respectfully to the throne, and then walked towards the platform with ease.

Everyone immediately quieted down and listened carefully.

The main event is coming!
Li Chengqian lowered his head, a barely perceptible smile on the corner of his mouth.

Li Tai looked at his brother, the Emperor, then at his younger brother Li Ming, and frowned thoughtfully.

Li Zhi said nothing and patted Li Ming's shoulder gently.

Li Ming felt that he could still be saved.

He suddenly understood that the King was possessed, and when Li Dao Zong passed by him, he shouted to him:

“If my name is called, replace it with someone else!
"You are the Minister of Rites. You have the final say on matters of etiquette and law!"

Li Daozon's mouth twitched and he pretended not to hear.

He walked to the bottom of the platform and took the decree, which determined the political fate of many people, from his attendant with utmost respect.

It is a scroll of antique bamboo slips.

Because it concerns the prince, it is particularly formal.

Li Daozon took another deep breath and unfolded the "imperial edict" - known as the imperial edict in the Tang Dynasty.

The ink on it was still very fresh, obviously it was submitted immediately after the Ministry of Personnel had just signed it.

He calmed down.
He read it word for word from beginning to end.

"Menxia: The imperial edict is as follows, please obey it and be careful..."

The whole place was in complete silence, and everyone waited with bated breath.

Once it's set in stone, there's no going back on it.

"Alas, the world is unpredictable."

Li Chengqian did not hide his smile.

"When I meet my brother tomorrow, he will no longer be my brother."

"Your Majesty, what you said is wrong. Brother Ming will always be our brother Ming." Li Tai sighed, with some sincere regret in his voice.

Without the hammer to check and balance the prince, he is also a loser.

Li Zhi patted Li Ming's shoulder and whispered:

"I'm afraid it will be difficult to see you again in the future"

He had mixed feelings in his heart.

Is it regret or secret joy?

"What do you mean? Oh... I see."

After being reminded by Li Zhi, Li Ming realized belatedly that being expelled from the team of princes would not only mean the loss of power, but would also add many inconveniences to his life.

Firstly, as the prince's son, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to continue staying in Taiji Palace, right?
From now on, you have to report to enter the palace, and going to the harem and Lizheng Palace is even more of a luxury.

It will be difficult to see my mother again.

And that nosy sister A-Si-Zi...

"Oh, do I have to find a new place to live in Chang'an..." Li Ming grinned.

At this point, everyone else held their breath.

Li Daozon also read the most crucial part of the imperial edict.

"…The thirteenth son, Prince Zhao Li Fu, was adopted by the hidden crown prince Li Jiancheng to be the crown prince."

Giving the second-to-last child to the eldest child is in accordance with etiquette and is in line with everyone's expectations.

Everyone nodded silently in their hearts.

Even Li Fu himself felt that he was Li Jufu and accepted it.

In the past six months, he has been the green leaf that sets off the red flowers many times, and he has become numb to it.

It’s better to be the crown prince than to stay in Taiji Palace all day and be stepped on by your only younger brother.

As for the next one, it is naturally the youngest son Li Ming, who accompanies the fourth son Li Yuanji.

The crowd was like the vendors at the East and West markets every night, waiting with their ears perked up for the closing drumbeats.

We all know that it is bound to happen, but we can't help but feel nervous and expectant.

Li Chengqian's eyes flashed with brilliance, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart:
Grand Tutor Wei Zheng is truly a genius, and his conspiracy of adoption is totally unsolvable.

The fifth brother, Li You, also glanced to the left with ill intent.

The annoying boy who made him look so useless was finally going to say goodbye from the next moment.

Concubine Yin De felt very proud and glanced at Yang provocatively.

However, Yang still listened attentively, without showing any disappointment or frustration.

It was as if what was about to be discussed was other people's business.

"Humph, just pretend. Let's see how long you can pretend."

Concubine Yin De snorted coldly in her heart, staring at Li Daozon below the high platform with burning eyes, listening expectantly as he continued to read the imperial edict.

Li Daozon, who was used to sandstorms in the northwest, swallowed nervously at this moment.

It was as if the life of the Tang Dynasty depended on the tip of his tongue.

He unfolded the bamboo slips a little and glanced at the contents behind them.

Suddenly his whole body froze and his eyes widened.

Everyone listened attentively.

But he didn't hear Li Daozon's next sentence, and couldn't help but look up.

But Li Daozon kept spreading out the bamboo slips, with his mouth slightly open, standing there like a sculpture.

"What's wrong, what happened?"

The people below began to whisper.

Li Daozon turned a deaf ear and turned to look at His Majesty on the stage.

Like confirming the contents.

Li Shimin did not delve into the impolite behavior of the Minister of Rites, but just nodded slightly.

Li Dao Zong suddenly felt confident, took a deep breath, and spoke in a loud and sonorous voice:
"The fifth son, Prince of Qi Li You, will be adopted by Prince of Chaola Li Yuanji, and he will be the crown prince of Chaola."

(End of this chapter)