My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 109 Aunt: His Majesty is so much like your father
Li Chengqian was very clear about Li Zhi, that it was impossible for him to seize the throne in his current state.

He also had no intention of competing for the throne.

The main reason is that he was born late. The nine-year age difference is not just an advantage in age.

It is also about the development of one's own power.

It was impossible for Li Shimin to have any idea of ​​making Li Zhi the crown prince at this time.

Even if there is, the court officials will suppress it by force.

During this period, Zhangsun Wuji would not support Li Zhi, but would be a defender of the Prince's Party.

After hearing the prince's guess, Li Yuanchang was stunned, and then asked: "Your Majesty, you left Zhinu in Chang'an?"

"What does he want to do?"

"He's crazy!"

Li Yuanchang spoke directly without any hesitation, pressing three buttons in a row.

Li Yuanchang is a reckless person and he doesn't restrain his words.

He was so frightened by the eldest grandson of the emperor next to him that he didn't dare to talk to him.

On the contrary, the eunuch Wen Zhong was relatively calm. After all, since they had been planning a rebellion, it was naturally nothing.

"Your Majesty is afraid that I will develop too fast." Li Chengqian sighed.

It is still somewhat unexpected that such a situation would arise.

Historically, Li Zhi was recalled to Chang'an only after he deposed the crown prince.

But if you think about it carefully, it is normal.

The course of history has changed. Because of his own connections, the power of the princelings is now rising rapidly.

Li Shimin sought new suppression and let Li Zhi stay in Chang'an, forming a three-way balance of power, which could indeed increase stability.

Li Yuanchang subconsciously asked, "Isn't he afraid of a repeat of the Xuanwu Gate Incident?"

As soon as he said this, Li Yuanchang regretted it.

These words cannot be said for the time being.

Li Xiang stood quietly beside him, as if he didn't hear anything.

Speaking of which, he is almost thirteen years old, only two years younger than Li Zhi.

Li Chengqian was not shy and said directly: "What are you afraid of? It's a good thing that we are all in Chang'an."

With just this one sentence, how could Li Yuanchang not understand what the prince meant?

Not to mention the eunuch Wen Zhong, even Li Xiang could hear it.

It was not easy to kill the King of Wei in the past, after all, he had a legitimate son living outside.

Now all three legitimate sons are together.

If there is another Xuanwu Gate Incident and the Crown Prince kills both the King of Wei and the King of Jin, what can Your Majesty do?
Li Xiang looked at his father in a daze.

Is this something I can listen to?

"Your Highness is right. If you think about it this way, it's actually a good thing."

Li Yuanchang chuckled.

Li Chengqian instructed the eunuch Wen Zhong: "Continue to inquire about the news of the King of Jin and pay attention to the situation in Taiji Palace."

"If I come forward, His Majesty might actually change his mind."

Princess Tongan is the most senior and honorable elder in the Tang royal family, so it is very likely that Li Shimin can be persuaded.

"Yes, Your Highness."
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Tai Chi Palace, Liang Yi Palace.

Today, Li Shimin is handling government affairs.

As the year draws to a close, more things are being reported from various places, and he also wants to take a look at the situation in various parts of the Tang Dynasty.

Therefore, the recreational activities of boating and enjoying the snow were temporarily suspended.

"Your Majesty, Princess Tong'an requests an audience."

After hearing Zhang Ananda's report, Li Shimin was slightly stunned.

"Aunt, why are you here?"

Zhang Ananda whispered, "The Grand Princess of Tong'an came with the Prince of Jin."

Li Shimin understood immediately.

He smiled and said, "Chinu is young, but his mind is quite flexible."

"Let them in."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Wait, let Zhinu wait in the side hall and prepare a brazier for him."

Li Shimin also knew that his aunt had a domineering personality.

If any conflict arises this time, it would be embarrassing to lose face in front of Zhinu.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

outside the temple.

After hearing Zhang Ananda's message, Zhinu also obediently went to the side hall.

He didn't want to go in the first place, as he always felt that something was going to go wrong.

Princess Tong'an, leaning on a cane, followed Zhang Ananda into the palace.

"How can I trouble you to come to my place in person on such a snowy day?"

"If there is anything, Auntie, just ask someone to pass it on. If we really need to talk in person, I will go to Auntie's place."

"Ananda, why are you still standing there? Go and get a chair."

Princess Tongan was very satisfied with Li Shimin's warm treatment.

Sitting on the chair, he said, "I have disturbed Your Majesty by entering the palace rashly."

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Aunt, what are you talking about? I am so happy that you are here, how can I say that I am disturbing you?"

"I just don't know what's wrong with my aunt."

Li Shimin pretended to be ignorant even though he knew the truth. Since he was with Prince Jin, the matter was very clear.

Princess Tong'an did not hide her feelings and said frankly, "I came here this time because Zhinu is here to pay his respects to me. I am worried that Your Majesty might want to keep him in Chang'an for a long time."

"Your Majesty, please give me a definite answer. Do you really want to keep Zhinu in Chang'an?"

Li Shimin did not expect that Princess Tong'an would be so direct, and even had a questioning tone.

After a brief pause, he said vaguely, "I never said that I wanted him to stay in Chang'an for a long time. It's just that I miss him so much that I told Zhinu yesterday to let him stay in Chang'an for a while and not to rush back."

Princess Tongan put her hands on her crutches and looked at Li Shimin deeply.

She knew that His Majesty was trying to fool her.

"Your Majesty, please give me a definite answer. Is it one month or several months?"

Li Shimin frowned slightly and said, "How can I explain this clearly? I just want Zhinu to stay with me for a while longer."

Princess Tongan heard Li Shimin was still hesitating, so she snorted coldly and said, "Your Majesty, you don't miss Zhinu at all, you clearly want to harm Zhinu."

Li Shimin was a little angry and said in a deep voice: "Aunt, there are some things you can't say casually."

"Zhi Nu is my child, and also Guanyin's child. How could I harm him? Even a tiger won't eat its own cubs."

Princess Tong'an sneered, "Yes, even a tiger won't eat its own cubs, but Your Majesty has let his son enter this dangerous place."

"How old is he? He is not even fifteen after the Chinese New Year. How could Your Majesty have the heart to do this?"

Li Shimin's voice turned cold: "Aunt, what do you mean by this? How did Chang'an become the dragon's den and tiger's lair that you mentioned?"

Princess Tong'an said without hesitation, "Your Majesty, do you really want me to speak out?"

"You favor Qingque, causing the Crown Prince to become suspicious. Now in Chang'an City, the two are fighting each other to what extent. Your Majesty has no idea?"

"Or is it that your Majesty's eyes are blinder than mine and he can't see these things clearly?"

"Your Majesty, if you leave Zhinu in Chang'an, what will the King of Wei think? What will the Crown Prince think? Will they let Zhinu be the one to pick peaches?"

"He is only fourteen years old. He doesn't even have the ability to protect himself. How can he protect himself in this conflict?"

"Does Your Majesty want his sons to repeat what he has experienced before?"

Li Shimin was furious: "Enough!"

The last sentence of Princess Tongan really hurt Li Shimin, like a sharp knife stabbing into his chest. "Don't you know the most about what happened?"

"As long as I am still alive, such a thing will never happen again in the Tang Dynasty."

Faced with Li Shimin's overwhelming rage, Princess Tong'an looked him in the eye without any avoidance.

He said calmly, "You really look like your father."

"Back then, he was as confident as you are now, and felt that everything was under his control."

"But what about the result?"

"It has only been a short time since your father's previous experience. Has Your Majesty already forgotten it?"

"You plan to make the same mistake again. Is this what you want to do?"

Li Shimin was already a little hysterical when he heard these words:

"I'm not the father, I'm different from him!"

"I conquered most of the Tang Dynasty."

"Everything in Chang'an City is under my control. It is as solid as a rock and there won't be any disturbances."

"No accidents will happen. Zhinu will not be in any danger even if she stays in Chang'an."

Princess Tong'an also responded sharply, not giving any face at all.

"Since Your Majesty is so confident, why did you let Qingque compete with the Crown Prince?"

"Since Your Majesty is so confident, why do you still let Zhinu stay in Chang'an to stabilize the situation?"

"I am old, but not to the point of being blind. Your Majesty's intentions are obvious. Do you really think that others can't see it?"

Having said that, Princess Tongan looked at Li Shimin's furious face and suddenly sighed heavily.

His tone was somewhat dull: "I am old, so old that I can hardly walk anymore, and I don't want to argue with Your Majesty anymore."

"If your majesty still has feelings for me, your aunt, then please let Zhinu go back."

"He is really too young. When Your Majesty came to Yanmen to rescue him, he was already sixteen years old, but this slave will only be fifteen next year."

I heard Princess Tongan's tone soften and saw her old face.

Li Shimin's anger also dissipated.

"Aunt, this matter is not as exaggerated as you think."

"I will not let things develop to that extent, nor will I keep Zhinu in Chang'an forever."

"Next year we will conquer Goryeo. By then, the Crown Prince and Qingque will lead the troops to the battle. When they come back, I will naturally let Zhinu return to Jinzhou."

"I know about the fight between the Crown Prince and the King of Wei, but it has not yet reached the point of a life-and-death battle."

"Besides, it's a good thing for Zhinu to stay in Chang'an. It will allow the Crown Prince and Qingque to control their words and actions. There are always some concerns, right?"

"Auntie, you should know that Qingque is now concentrating on training the palace soldiers and building the sea vessels."

"The prince's mind is also completely focused on the Military Academy, where he is training all day long."

"They all want to show off in the war against Goryeo. They are busy trying to win over Zhinu, so how could they harm him?"

Li Shimin's decision to keep Zhinu in Chang'an was also a well-thought-out one.

At least for the current situation, Zhinu's presence will only stabilize the situation, not make it worse.

The most important thing is that Zhinu has a gentle temperament and has no intention of seizing the throne.

A prince who cannot seize the throne will naturally not pose a danger to the crown prince.

The prince is now very powerful, even stronger than before, which ensures that he always maintains the advantage in the fight.

All Li Shimin had to do was to slightly reduce the prince's advantage.

From some recent events, such as the rebellion of Prince of Qi Li You, Li Shimin felt that the prince cared about brotherhood, which made him feel a lot more at ease.

As for whether the same Xuanwu Gate Incident would happen as happened in his own case.

Li Shimin thought it was impossible.

The reason why the Xuanwu Gate Incident happened was because he was the one who conquered most of the Tang Dynasty, and his elder brother just sat back and reaped the benefits.

Besides, it was his elder brother Li Jiancheng who took the initiative to attack, not himself.

He was simply forced to fight back.

At that time, my father could no longer control my elder brother and myself.

It's completely different from the current situation.

Now that he has his own suppression, the fight between the Crown Prince and the King of Wei will be controlled within a limited range.

When Princess Tongan heard this, she realized that no matter how she tried to persuade Li Shimin, she could not do anything.

He was determined to keep Zhinu in Chang'an.

As for those excuses, didn’t Li Yuan try to find a way to stabilize their brotherly relationship at the beginning?

Sighing, Princess Tong'an said, "Since Your Majesty has made up his mind, I won't say more."

"But Zhinu has no roots in Chang'an, so Your Majesty should give him some power to protect himself."

Li Shimin nodded: "Of course, I will appoint Zhinu as the General of the Right Jinwu Guard and command the entire Wannian County."

"In this case, aunt, what else do you have to worry about?"

After hearing this, Princess Tongan had nothing more to say.

The total strength of the Sixteen Guards of the Tang Dynasty was over 300,000, and each guard had different strengths depending on the situation.

For example, the Left and Right Gate Guards and the Left and Right Thousand Oxen Guards were mainly responsible for the access control of the imperial palace and the emperor's attendants and ceremonial guards. They had relatively small numbers of troops, with each guard having about a thousand people.

The other twelve guards manage a large number of palace soldiers and have sufficient manpower.

The Jinwu Guard, also known as the Wuhou Guard, controlled the entire Chang'an City.

Under the Right Jinwu Guard, there are more than ten Zhechoufu with a total force of about 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers.

Some of them are on duty as palace soldiers, but the number of fixed imperial guards is also around 15,000.

These troops are enough to protect Zhinu's safety.

From this perspective, it seems that the number of imperial guards that Zhinu can mobilize now exceeds the total number of the King of Wei and the Crown Prince by several times.

Of course, it sounds exaggerated, but this is just paper strength.

In fact, when Li Zhi served as the General of the Right Jinwu Guard, the only troops he could directly mobilize were those from his General's Mansion, which consisted of 1,200 soldiers from the Mansion. If he wanted to mobilize troops on a large scale, he had to get an imperial decree from His Majesty.

Whether the people below obey the transfer order is another matter.

The prince nominally had only two thousand guards of the Eastern Palace, but in reality Su Dingfang and Lu Tong were both his men, and they could mobilize several thousand soldiers at a time.

Although the King of Wei seemed to be short of troops, he had three hundred Ti cavalrymen in his mansion.

The Wei Wang party members are spread throughout the court and the country, and with the support of the Five Surnames and Seven Aristocrats, the invisible military force may be even greater, but they dare not expose it.

But at least for the Prince of Jin, as the General of the Right Jinwu Guard, protecting himself is not a problem.

"Your Majesty, do you still want to see Zhinu?"

Princess Tongan stood up with the help of her crutches and asked.

Now that things have come to this, there is no need for me to stay here and argue with His Majesty any longer.

Li Shimin said: "Let Zhinu take Auntie back home."

Princess Tongan didn't say much.

He turned around and walked out with his crutches.

He had said before that he missed Zhinu and stayed in Chang'an to accompany her.

Now that everyone is here, they are too lazy to even see each other.

Ah.

Outside the palace, Li Zhi, who heard the news in the side hall, hurried out and supported the aunt.

Seeing that the aunt looked calm, he asked apprehensively:

"Aunt, my father has agreed to let me leave Chang'an."

Princess Tong'an turned her head and glanced at the palace. She snorted coldly and said, "Your father is determined to keep you in Chang'an. I, your aunt, can't persuade him."

Hearing this, Li Zhi immediately became dejected.

Princess Tong'an continued, "But my aunt has asked for a position for you, the Right Jinwu Guard General, which will ensure that you are safe."

(End of this chapter)