Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 160: Empress Changsun’s Broad Mind
When Li Ming knelt in the Taimiao, with his back to his brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts and facing all the ancestors of the Li family, he went through the lengthy "adoption" procedure.

He was still completely confused.

Li Shimin was very cunning in this matter. He calculated the distance between his children and Chang'an and the fastest time they could return, and sent letters to them at the right time.

The letter did not mention the word "adoption" at all, it only said that I miss you and ask you to come back soon.

When everyone thought that the emperor was dying and rushed back to the capital, it was already the end of April.

Everyone was surprised to find that no matter how far the journey was, everyone arrived at almost the same time, with only a day or two difference.

Just as they were settling down in the capital with full of doubts and had no time to find out what was going on, they were dragged to the Taimiao and saw Li Ming kneeling in front of the tablets of their ancestors.

He kept it secret to such an extent even from his own children, so one can imagine how secretive Li Shimin was from his foreign ministers.

When the court officials clocked in for work today, they suddenly discovered that their boss was missing.

After asking the eunuchs, they found out that the old emperor had shamelessly launched a sneak attack behind their backs and caused a big mess in the Taimiao.

They immediately made a sharp popping sound.

However, it was too late.

Regarding the adoption, Li Shimin only discussed it with Li Ming and Yang in advance.

And the words of these two people are absolutely trustworthy.

Even the Minister of Rites Li Shenfu, who presided over the ceremony (the Minister of Rites Li Daozon was still in the north trying to convince people with reason), was brought in at short notice and was stumbling as he read the lengthy sacrificial text.

"Li Er is actually playing for real, playing for real..." Li Ming's brain was completely empty, and he let the "zhihuzheya" recited by Li Shenfu go in one ear and out the other.

Ever since the night when he had dinner in Lide Hall, he learned from the Emperor that he was going to be adopted out "again".

Li Ming actually didn't really believe it.

Because this matter is too serious.

Li Shimin just briefly mentioned the topic, and there was no further news for more than half a month.

He thought this was just another story of a scumbag saying to his mistress, "I'll divorce you immediately and marry you."

Until early this morning.

He was still snuggling in sister A'sizi's arms and dozing off.

Suddenly, several palace maids rushed in, carried him all the way to the Taimiao, and pressed him in front of the ancestral tablets.

"Prince Ming, Prince Ming!" Li Shenfu reminded in a low voice.

"Huh? Oh oh oh~"

Li Ming, who had been daydreaming, suddenly came to his senses, slowly stood up from the mat, shook his legs that were numb from kneeling, and turned to face the relatives who had come to join in the fun.

The three legitimate princes still had polite smiles on their faces, and no signs of fluctuation could be seen.

As for the other rotten fish and shrimp... no, Li Ming's other seven illegitimate brothers, most of them were just like Li Ming, with confused faces:

Why was he adopted again? Why is it Li Ming again? Why do we need to say “again”?
Only the "victim" of adoption last time, Prince of Qi Li You, had a faint frown on his lips.

He is different from other scumbags. He thinks he knows inside information.

Because it was his uncle Yin Hongzhi who plotted to let Zhang Liang release the false news to harm Li Ming... No, it was his Highness the Prince of Qi who independently came up with the help of his uncle.

Although the imperial court's official report finally portrayed Li Ming as a hero, making it seem as if he even had a chance to compete for the throne.

However, the ministers who spread the rumors were unharmed.

Even Zhang Liang, who spread the rumors, did not receive any punishment in the end and continued to serve as an official in Hebei Province.

This gave Li You an illusion.

That is, Yin Hongzhi... No, my plan worked!
The emperor's trust in Li Ming was shaken deep in his heart, and he finally made up his mind to kick this kid out of the royal family!

Today, he can finally get back at least some of the grievances he endured half a year ago!

"Zhang Liang is really useful. I have to thank him for introducing me..."

Who does the emperor plan to adopt Li Ming to this time?
The hidden Crown Prince Li Jiancheng, or the King of Huai'an Li Shentong?
Please don't let it be Qi Wang Li Yuanji, otherwise Li Ming and I, Li You, will become brothers. I hate it...

Li You was laughing happily when his sleeve was gently pulled.

Li Yin, who was still confused about the situation, asked quietly:

"Fifth brother, do you know something?"

"Of course, Li..." Li You was about to brag when he suddenly remembered his uncle's repeated instructions before this trip.

He could only resist the urge to show off in front of others and blinked mysteriously:
"You'll know if you listen. It's a good thing anyway."

Li Yin scratched his head in confusion, inexplicably looking forward to what would happen next.

Ignorance... Li You snorted contemptuously and looked at the concubines at the back of the team.

My biological mother, Concubine Yin De, still has a sour face.

She has been having this sour face for almost a month, and she is particularly unhappy today.

Because Yang was also officially promoted to Defei today, and she will be on equal footing with her.

It seems that mother doesn’t know anything. You will be proud of yourself soon... Li You thought excitedly.

Seeing that others were kept in the dark, he had a feeling that he was secretly controlling everything. He felt secretly happy, but also a little uncomfortable.

Everything just waits for Li Shenfu’s official announcement.

He couldn't wait to see Li Ming's desperate look, and stared upwards intently.

Li Shenfu unfolded the bamboo slips and continued to read haltingly. As he read, his expression became strange.

Because the content of the article suddenly changed the topic and began to reminisce about Empress Changsun.

It talked about how Empress Changsun was a model mother of the country, how she treated the prince as her own son, how she loved to hug him whenever she had nothing to do, and how she never forgot about him even when she was seriously ill.

The royal relatives below were whispering to each other, wondering if they had picked up the wrong textbook, and looked at the Emperor who was on the throne.

However, Li Shimin remained calm and composed, and it was obvious that all this was at his instruction.

When he read to the end, Li Shenfu's hands were shaking slightly.

To the effect:
One day, Empress Wende appeared in her dream, expressing regret that she left early and was unable to witness the growth of Prince Ming.

His Majesty decided to adopt Prince Ming as the Queen so that he could personally pay tribute to his mother and comfort her soul in the afterlife.

The prince Ming was adopted by Empress Wende, and the Empress...

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole room fell silent.

Countless exclamation marks and question marks appeared in everyone's head at the same time.

Adoption is not about changing the father, but changing the mother?
Well, it’s not impossible. There is precedent for this.

But it’s not like the Queen is without children, and it’s not like the Empire is without a crown prince!
Her three grown sons were still standing beside her, jumping and dancing!

Just when everyone was still in a fog.

Li Ming's mouth corners twitched as well.

Although he knew in advance that he would be adopted by Empress Changsun.

But the reason for this adoption is nonsense from beginning to end.

It's not just about the dream part.

Even the fact that Changsun loved Li Ming very much was false.

Because Li Ming and Empress Changsun had no connection at all.

After Li Ming was born, the queen's health was already very poor. She had only seen him a few times, let alone held him in her arms.

Li Ming himself remembers this incident very clearly.

Because he was born with memories.

But he had no impression at all of Empress Wende's broad-mindedness.

How many years has it been?

If he had really rubbed against Empress Wende's big ribs, how could he not remember it?
Even if it turns to ashes, I will remember it clearly!

"Alas..." Li Chengqian sighed with a smile.

Ever since Li Ming went to Liaodong, his father's attitude towards him has taken a sharp turn for the worse.

This made him extremely sensitive.

When he was suddenly notified to go to the ancestral temple early this morning, he had some vague guesses.

However, when the dust finally settled, he still couldn't help but sigh out loud.

In order to legitimately adopt Li Ming to the Changsun family and the Queen, she tried every possible means to improve the child's status.

My father didn't even hesitate to lie in front of the ancestors in the ancestral temple...

"He really can do it, he really can do it..."

Li Chengqian sighed softly and looked away.

Li Tai's reaction was much more dramatic than his. His face turned visibly paler and the smile on his lips could barely hold up.

Li Zhi's smile was even more profound, his fists were clenched, and his eyes were shining with hope.

"Even you want to compete?"

Li Chengqian was slightly startled, then shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"Silly boy, what are you fighting for? The four brothers are just pawns."

Gradually, the royal relatives present also gradually realized the political significance of this operation.

Li Ming was adopted by the Queen, so does that mean...

Li Ming naturally became the legitimate son, and his status was equal to that of Li Zhi and Li Tai?

The answer is, no.

In response to the bold ideas of later emperors, Duke Zhou had a mature set of etiquette and laws.

If the queen has no heir, then the adopted son can indeed be called the legitimate son and enjoy the right of inheritance.

For example, King Zhuangxiang of Qin is such an example.

However, Empress Changsun had a successor.

Moreover, his mind and limbs are generally healthy, and his eldest and second brothers have already started fighting for the right of inheritance.

It would be inappropriate and unreasonable for you to insert another person at this time.

So in this case, Li Ming cannot automatically obtain the position of legitimate son.

Unless, well, you drive a dump truck and kill the other three guys.

So, in theory.

The adoption organized by Li Shimin was essentially a performance art.

However, the performance art of ordinary people is behavior, while the performance art of emperors is art.

In the past, Li Ming was an indisputable bastard.

Now, the imperial court can hold several special "grand ceremony discussions" regarding his status as a legitimate or illegitimate child.

Muddying the waters is in itself a huge leap.

What's more, at the same time Li Ming was promoted.

His biological mother, Yang, is also making efforts at the same time.

Moreover, she took an unusual path and was promoted twice to become Defei.

This signal is very unusual.

If Yang continued to be promoted to a noble concubine.

Even further, she was honored as the master of the harem and was canonized as the queen...

Then Li Ming is the undisputed legitimate son, and the eldest legitimate son!

His Majesty the Emperor would rather hide it from all the civil and military officials in the court and the royal family than not help Li Ming, and he also carefully considered adding a layer of insurance.

Could it be said, could it be said that...

An absurd idea came into the mind of everyone present.

That prince, “that” annoying prince… could possibly become the “Majesty” of the world? !

"Is this the good news that Fifth Brother was talking about? I didn't know that you and Brother Ming had such a close relationship." Li Yin pulled Li You's sleeve.

Li You's face turned pale, his chest heaving violently, and he pulled back his sleeves roughly.

You are so excited, you two must have a really good relationship... A question mark flashed across Li Yan's mind.

"Everyone has a stern face. It seems that they are very unhappy about this matter."

Li Ming scanned the expressions of his relatives on the stage.

Everyone was shocked, and their faces gradually turned sour. It was obvious that they were quite dissatisfied with Li Ming's sudden "promotion".

Well, except for the five sisters including Yang and Li Ling.

Especially Yang, her eyes were shining and she was almost crying with excitement.

Although formally, the emperor took away her only son and gave him to another woman.

However, Yang didn't care about it.

She is a person who can plan the grand pattern of the Hebei gentry and will not be influenced by dogma at all.

As long as my son can live a good life, it is more important than anything else.

Moreover, Li Ming's adoption would not have any impact on their mother-son relationship, either in substance or in form.

Because according to etiquette, all princes - including Li Ming - were originally the queen's sons.

In formal occasions before the adoption, Li Ming had to call Yang "aunt" and Changsun Wuji "uncle".

It is still called this after adoption, there is no difference.

"How is it? Is this reward enough to recognize your achievements in Liaodong?"

Li Shimin asked in a low voice.

Li Ming gathered his scattered thoughts and sighed:

"In fact, I would be satisfied if you only gave me Pingzhou and Yingzhou..."

Half of the legitimate son claimed to have a quarter of the throne.

This is much more practical and more difficult than the titles he had been thinking of, such as "Minister of the Chancellery" or "Commander-in-Chief of the Military Affairs at Home and Abroad".

"Oh, do you think I don't know what you are thinking?" Li Shimin laughed:
"'Every inch of Liaodong was conquered by me personally. What does my status as the emperor have to do with it?'"

Li Ming also laughed.

"You don't deny it?" Li Shimin raised his eyebrows playfully.

"Your Majesty's words are as strict as the law. How dare a minister deny it?" Li Ming answered with a hint of sarcasm.

Li Shimin knocked him on the head and said in a muffled voice:

"Pack up and get ready to go."

Li Ming scratched his head blankly:
"Where else are you going?"

"This is the Changsun family's ancestral hall. You are considered half a member of the Changsun family, so you have to go over and say hello."

"Oh. Hiss..."

Li Ming quickly calculated in his mind.

Now I am the son of Empress Changsun, and Changsun Yan is the great-nephew of Empress Changsun.

Wouldn’t that make me Chang Sunyan’s cousin?

Li Ming, who was greatly promoted in generation, finally felt a little bit like the queen's son and left the ancestral temple with brisk steps.

He turned around and bumped into Li Chengqian.

Enemy road is narrow.

"Hello, brother." Li Ming just greeted him.

Li Chengqian was quite free and easy:

"Don't be so reserved. From today on, you and I are brothers."

"Yeah, okay." Li Ming responded.

A brother like Li Tai?

Li Chengqian looked down at this little brother who was pretending to be stupid, smiled slightly, then leaned down and whispered in Li Ming's ear:

"You don't have to be so wary of me, my brother. I know that everything is the will of our father and cannot be changed by you, my brother."

Brother Cheng Qian's hair fell on Li Ming's neck, tickling him.

"I don't know what my royal brother is talking about." Li Ming subconsciously stood further away and scratched his neck.

"Then I might as well explain it more clearly." Li Chengqian smiled:

"I don't want to kill you, it's not me who wants to kill you."

"What did you say?!" Li Ming was shocked.

Li Chengqian has left gracefully.

What do you mean?
Could it be that the Crown Prince has also discovered that the Emperor's grace is limited, and that if I receive more of it, then Prince of Wei Li Tai will receive less, which would make it easier for him to defeat them one by one?

Or is the prince just paralyzing me? He has been thinking about how to kill me?
The enthusiasm for "upgrade" gradually cooled down, and Li Ming's mind calmed down.

To be fair, this adoption is a double-edged sword.

It made him like a beacon.

It can not only attract court officials to submit to him, but also allow him to quickly build up his own power in the court and make up for his biggest shortcoming.

At the same time, it will attract evil spirits and make opponents' attacks on him more frenzied.

His Majesty Li Er has laid all the contradictions out on the table...

Well, contradictions cannot be hidden by covering them up.

It is better for everyone to fight fairly and openly than to scheme and steal...

Li Ming was thinking when he found his feet were off the ground.

Being held in a soft embrace.

"Xiao Ming, why are you still standing there? Let's go."

Sister Li Mingda picked him up and walked out.

Although they slept together every night, Li Ming couldn't help but ask:

"You...are you getting bigger again?"

Refers to strength.

Because he knew that Li Mingda in history died young.

So when he set off for Liaodong half a year ago, he specially formulated a healthy diet and exercise schedule for Li Mingda.

As a result, it was probably the dormant bloodline of Admiral Tian Ce that awakened in her body, with outstanding effects.

This is too outstanding... Li Ming rested his head on his open mind, thinking wildly.

I was worrying too much. She was so healthy, how could she die so young...

…………

Under the puzzled gazes of Gao Shilian and all the Changsun family, Li Ming kowtowed to the ancestors of the Changsun family again.

Logically speaking, when a prince is adopted, there is no need to give such great face to the maternal relatives' family.

However, in the spirit of doing a complete show, Li Shimin still asked Li Ming to perform the performance art again in the Changsun Ancestral Hall.

It is also to comfort the wife's family.

This series of moves gave the court officials plenty of topics to talk about, allowing them to argue over the "etiquette" issue for hundreds of rounds.

From the dispute over whether Li Ming was a legitimate or illegitimate child to the dispute over whether the Changsun clan should recognize Li Ming, it was enough to fill several court meetings.

In this way, the court officials' attention can be diverted and the emperor's real focus can be ignored:
Balance the power of the four princes.

However, when the emperor visited the clan ancestral hall, the head of the Changsun family, Grand Marshal Changsun Wuji, claimed to be ill and could not go out.

The dissatisfaction is written all over his face.

"Your Majesty, this..." Changsun Wuji's uncle Gao Shilian was very embarrassed and in a dilemma.

Li Shimin was quite carefree:

"No problem, let the auxiliary machine rest well."

Changsun Wuji's attitude was not surprising at all.

And Li Shimin had no intention of asking for punishment.

Since it is about "balance", we cannot blindly elevate Li Ming.

Other forces should not be suppressed excessively either.

The so-called imperial power strategy is the art of balancing the waters.

…………

"Your Majesty is confused, Your Majesty is confused!"

Changsun Wuji lay on the bed, feeling so angry that his stomach ached.

He actually adopted the most annoying and feared prince Li Ming to his sister and to the Changsun family!

After being adopted, did Li Ming really become the legitimate son, a member of Changsun's family, and his nephew?
Could it be that their life-and-death feud was written off?
Shit!

What changed is just a name!
The title can be very important, allowing Li Ming to officially qualify to compete for the throne.

The title may not matter, Li Ming can still take revenge on Changsun Wuji without any psychological pressure.

"If, if this boy really wins the championship..."

Changsun Wuji didn’t dare to think about what would happen.

Because he knew best what he had done to Li Ming.

Li Ming is not a fool and he knows this too.

“Will he let me go… No, it’s impossible.

"Look at what he did in Liaodong. He killed the nobles and the barbarians. He was extremely ruthless and definitely not a soft-hearted person!"

Chang Sun Wuji held his head in distress and muttered another name:
"Li Chengqian, ah Li Chengqian, you have misled me, and you have misled the entire Changsun family!"

If the Crown Prince of the Changsun family did not look like a king, how could he have been taken advantage of by ambitious people, leading to the current situation of four sons vying for the throne?

The prosperous situation of my Changsun family was wasted by Li Chengqian!

"Or I should retreat bravely and save my life...

"Your Majesty, can I resign? I want to retire, I want to leave my post, I want to quit!"

Just as Changsun Wuji was having wild thoughts and frantically looking for a way out for himself.

The servant knocked at the door:
"Sir, we have a visitor."

"not see!"

"My lord, it's His Royal Highness Prince Jin."

Prince of Jin...Li Zhi?
Changsun Wuji remembered the honest and well-behaved gentle child who was always with Li Mingda.

He was his sister's youngest son and also the most beloved youngest son by His Majesty - before Li Ming came into the world.

Well, my sister’s son, the eldest grandson’s…

Zhang Sun Wuji's brain was working rapidly, and he immediately sat up from the bed:
"Please come quickly!"

Outside the reception hall, Li Zhi timidly poked his head in.

Seeing that Changsun Wuji was in good health, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief from the bottom of his heart, and with a tone that was just right between "affectionate" and "respectful", he called out:
"uncle."

The word "uncle" almost melted Changsun Wuji's heart.

(End of this chapter)