My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 157 The Tang Dynasty does not allow such a powerful existence
Tai Chi Palace, Liang Yi Palace.

Memorials impeaching the crown prince were continuously sent to Li Shimin, one after another.

Cui Shengyu did not hold any official position, but the reputation of the Qinghe Cui family was real and 100% valuable.

It's not just the 500,000 nobles of the Cui family, but also the five surnames and seven families who help each other.

There is also a huge network of marriage connections.

All officials in the Tang Dynasty were proud to marry women from the five surnames.

Therefore, even if he failed to marry a girl from the five surnames, he would like to curry favor with the Cui family of Qinghe at this time.

Women from the five surnames are also divided into different levels. Women from the Cui family in Qinghe are naturally more popular.

Marrying her into the family will bring more honor.

For example, Cheng Yaojin standing in front of Li Shimin.

"There are so many people here, why are you still making trouble?"

Looking at the impeachment memorials piled on the desk, Li Shimin was speechless, and at the same time, there was a hint of anger deep in his eyes.

Li Shimin already knew what had happened.

When Cui Shengyu was taken away by Han King Li Yuanchang, he reported to Taiji Palace at a very fast speed.

In Li Shimin's view, the prince did nothing wrong in taking Cui Shengyu away for interrogation.

After all, Furong Garden had always been entrusted to Cui Wensheng by the King of Wei.

Among the previous Goryeo royal family, Cui Wensheng was already suspected of colluding with Goryeo.

The assassin this time was also a Goryeo warrior who had been lurking in Chang'an for a long time.

Cui Shengyu is the eldest son of the Qinghe Cui family. How can you say that there is no relationship at all?

He had indeed been in Chang'an for only a short time, but who said that in order to control these things, one had to be in Chang'an.

Even if Cui Shengyu was not involved, it would be normal for the prince to question him and inquire about the situation of the Cui family. Why was he impeached?

Li Shimin read the impeachment memorial and did not accuse the crown prince too directly. His main targets were King of Han Li Yuanchang and General Su Dingfang of the Left Jinwu Guard.

The purpose of impeaching Li Yuanchang was to kill people directly.

The purpose of impeachment against Su Dingfang was to mobilize troops without permission.

Li Shimin didn't know about this, so how could he study the Tang Law Commentary? Just on this matter, he was able to accuse Li Yuanchang and Su Dingfang of dozens of crimes.

If the description of these crimes is true, Li Yuanchang and Su Dingfang have already become unforgivable criminals who are endangering the safety of the Tang Dynasty.

It seemed that if these two people were not killed, dismissed from their posts, or demoted to commoners, the Tang Dynasty would be destroyed by them.

The pen of a writer can kill without shedding blood.

"Your Majesty, there is nothing I can do about this."

"You don't know my wife. I was out drinking and she came straight to me."

"And then they forced me to come to you, Your Majesty, and ask the Crown Prince to release Cui Shengyu."

Cheng Yaojin had two wives.

The first one was Sun, the daughter of the county magistrate in his hometown. Sun had always followed Cheng Yaojin and suffered a lot. After the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, Cheng Yaojin was conferred the title of Duke of Suguo and Sun was conferred the title of Lady of Suguo, but she died at the age of 31.

After Sun died, Cheng Yaojin married the daughter of Cui from Qinghe.

Cui was already 37 years old at the time, which was considered old and ugly in the Tang Dynasty. She was also a widow and a second marriage.

But even so, thanks to the influence of Qinghe Cui family, they have always been very popular in the marriage market.

In order to marry her, Cheng Yaojin spent a large amount of "dowry money".

Even so, Cheng Yaojin, who had been conferred the title of Duke of Su, still had to go through many twists and turns before he could successfully marry the legitimate daughter of the Cui family.

With this comparison, we can see how outrageous it was in the eyes of the world that Wu Ziqing could marry Cui Fengzhu.

It was almost the same as turning the Tian Gang upside down, and it dealt a heavy blow to the reputation of the Cui family in Qinghe.

"Then how do you want me to tell the prince?"

"You just think about your own business. The prince was in Hibiscus Garden and was almost killed by Goryeo warriors."

"Also my sons, almost all of my adult sons, are here."

"Did Cui Shengyu really have nothing to do with it? Did he really know nothing about the assassination?"

"Even if he had nothing to do with it and didn't know about it, what's wrong with the prince asking him to go to the East Palace for questioning?"

"Could it be that my eldest son, the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, is not even qualified to be questioned by the eldest son of the Cui family of Qinghe?"

"Whose Tang Dynasty is this? Could it be the Tang Dynasty of the Cui family of Qinghe?"

"Ok?"

Li Shimin's anger was aroused at once.

When he was creating the clan records, he was full of disgust towards the Qinghe Cui clan, who were actually ranked higher than the Li clan of him, the emperor.

In recent years, any promotion of officials with the surname Cui, as long as they were of the sixth rank and above, would be suppressed by him.

He just didn't believe that the Qinghe Cui family could be more powerful than him, the emperor.

In fact, Li Shimin also had a grudge against the Cui family of Qinghe.

Back then, Jie Li Khan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate took only twenty days to lead two hundred thousand cavalrymen to the banks of the Wei River.

The territory they passed by was Jizhou, the area controlled by the Cui family of Qinghe.

In the entire Hebei Province, the Qinghe Cui family has the greatest influence. If they don't want Jie Li Khan to pass through, how could Jie Li Khan possibly kill them in such a short time.

This was to show his power to the new emperor.

Later, after Jie Li Khan was captured alive, Li Shimin actually interrogated him.

Jie Li Khan had no intention of hiding anything and told everything he knew.

However, these aristocratic families acted very secretly and there was no solid evidence.

In fact, it is not that difficult to find evidence, and you may not even need evidence.

But Li Shimin knew that he could not turn against the Qinghe Cui family.

The Li family itself is also a noble family, and he knows the tricks within this noble family best. If he completely turns against them, he will be the one who suffers in the end.

For such a family, the safest method is to divide it, expel it from the political center, and slowly weaken it like boiling a frog in warm water.

At least for now, Li Shimin has achieved certain results.

But more than ten years is still a little short.

Cheng Yaojin was scolded by Li Shimin and just kept obeying him.

But he stood in the Liangyi Palace and refused to go out.

I just plan to waste time with Li Shimin like this and get an answer.

It could only be him. If it were anyone else, Li Shimin would have driven him out long ago.

Cheng Yaojin understood that if he didn't get any response from the emperor, he would definitely be scolded by his wife when he returned.

As the eldest daughter of the Cui family, she has been spoiled since childhood, has a bad temper, and is a complete tigress.

Li Shimin felt a headache as he watched Cheng Yaojin refusing to leave the Liangyi Hall.

If you don't give me some explanation, I'm afraid I'll just have to wait for it.

Li Shimin was most familiar with Cheng Yaojin's temperament. Even if he was driven out of the palace, he would still stay outside the palace.

"Okay, it's not a big deal."

"I will send a message to the Crown Prince, asking him to let Cui Shengyu go back after he has finished his inquiries."

"Just asking a question, it won't take long."

Hearing this, Cheng Yaojin smiled brightly and immediately bowed and saluted: "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty."

"Then I will take my leave first?"

Li Shimin shouted, "Get out! Get out now!"

Cheng Yaojin walked out of the palace with a grin on his face.

His Majesty has spoken, and he has given his wife an explanation.

Seeing Cheng Yaojin leaving, Li Shimin's eyes gradually turned cold. Not towards Cheng Yaojin, but towards Qinghe Cui.

Too rampant, too arrogant.

The Tang Dynasty does not allow such a powerful existence.

"Your Majesty, do you need me to inform the Crown Prince?"

Zhang Ananda asked cautiously.

Li Shimin turned his head and stared at Zhang Ananda, asking, "Do you also think that the Crown Prince should release Cui Shengyu as soon as possible?"

Zhang Ananda was stunned, knowing that he had asked the wrong question, and quickly made amends: "Your Majesty, please calm down. I have no such intention. The Crown Prince was assassinated, and it is only right to investigate the matter thoroughly. Even if Cui Shengyu is innocent, it is reasonable for him to be questioned by the Crown Prince."

"I wonder if I need to convey your Majesty's intention to the Crown Prince as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings."

"If Cui Shengyu, who is young and hot-tempered, offends the crown prince in person, it will be a big trouble."

Li Shimin snorted coldly.

Know Zhang Ananda’s worries.

The power of the aristocratic families is intertwined, and the prince has a bad temper. If Cui Shengyu is beaten and killed, it will cause an even bigger turmoil.

Li Shimin was just about to ask Zhang Ananda to inform the prince.

The words came to his lips, but then stopped.

After a slight hesitation, Li Shimin said, "No need, the prince has his own plans."

Zhang Ananda paused, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Yes, Your Majesty."
-
Side hall of the East Palace.

The charcoal fire drives away the chill.

It was different from what others imagined, Cui Shengyu was being humiliated.

At this moment, he was sitting leisurely opposite the prince.

The two men were playing war chess.

Cui Shengyu was knowledgeable in military strategy, and Li Chengqian had previously kept it from the King of Wei.

But Li Tai had played sand table chess before. When Li Shimin found out later, he gave his sand table to Li Tai and took another one from the East Palace.

After Cui Shengyu was brought over, Li Chengqian did not ask any other questions, but invited Cui Shengyu to play a game of war chess first.

"I heard that there were some misunderstandings when the King of Han invited you in the past. I hope Master Cui will not take it to heart."

Li Chengqian naturally knew what happened over there.

Cui Shengyu felt extremely aggrieved when he heard this.

He originally thought that it was the prince who asked Li Yuanchang to do this, but it turned out that Li Yuanchang did it privately.

"If the prince wants to summon me, he can just send someone to inform me. Why go to so much trouble?"

Cui Shengyu spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, with a hint of resentment in his voice.

Li Chengqian explained: "I asked the King of Han to take the guards of the Eastern Palace with me because I didn't want to embarrass you."

"After all, you are close to the King of Wei, and you are the Protector General trained by the King of Wei, and you train the palace soldiers for him."

"If I am too polite, wouldn't that be sowing discord and making the King of Wei more suspicious?"

"After all, Master Cui is different from Cui Wensheng. He has not been in contact with the King of Wei for a long time, so misunderstandings are inevitable."

Cui Shengyu felt even more aggrieved when he heard this.

Just because you said you didn't want to arouse the King of Wei's suspicion, you killed more than ten loyal guards of my Cui family.

But at this point, Cui Shengyu couldn't help but bow his head and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is right. I will never bear a grudge against the King of Han."

People have to bow their heads under the roof.

Cui Shengyu actually knew better that even if he wanted to deal with the King of Han, it would be a very troublesome matter.

Perhaps the King of Wei would file a complaint, but the sage has always been wary of the Cui family of Qinghe.

When the news reaches the saint's ears, it will only make him happy, instead of blaming the King of Han.

Cui Shengyu was very clear about this.

Now that the prince had given him a step, he just went down the steps.

It's a pity that a dozen trusted guards lost their lives.

"Mr. Cui, how do you think I compare to the King of Wei?"

Li Chengqian suddenly asked.

Cui Shengyu was somewhat surprised and doubtful, and replied: "How can the King of Wei compare with the Crown Prince in making bamboo paper and creating bamboo writing?"

"He is good at writing, such as Qingyu'an Yuanxi, a famous poem passed down through the ages; and he is good at shooting arrows to shock the crowd and turn the tide."

"He also designed the curved plow, an agricultural tool that benefits the country and the people."

"To be honest with you, Your Highness, I have admired you for a long time."

This sentence is half true.

Half is admiration, the other half is fear.

As the eldest son of the Cui family and the future head of the Qinghe Cui family, Cui Shengyu is very aware of the impact of court politics on the aristocratic family.

Over the years, due to the suppression of the saints, the development of the Qinghe Cui family has been greatly hindered.

Although it seems to be flourishing everywhere, it has actually been unable to enter the political power center of the Tang Dynasty, and has been constantly weakened in all aspects.

The Qinghe Cui family rose to power by relying on their outstanding political talents and cultural literacy, and occupied an important position in various political regimes.

Simply put, it is development under the protection of politics.

The Qinghe Cui family, which has lost power, is now in a situation where a big tree attracts the wind, causing the royal family to be wary.

This is also why the Qinghe Cui family is so keen on seizing the throne.

"Since Master Cui feels that the King of Wei is far inferior to me."

"Then why did Master Cui choose to help the King of Wei and oppose me instead of cooperating with me for a win-win situation?"

Li Chengqian had a faint smile on his face.

Hearing this, Cui Shengyu was shocked.

He didn't expect that the prince would actually say that he wanted to cooperate with the Qinghe Cui family.

What does it mean?
Is it true? Is it false?
Cui Shengyu asked tentatively, "What do you mean by that, Prince?"

Li Chengqian said bluntly: "It means exactly what it says. Don't you think that cooperating with me is more convenient than cooperating with the King of Wei?"

"Or does Master Cui think that he is confident enough to help the King of Wei win the throne?"

"That's right. Aristocratic families never care about the gains and losses of a dynasty. But Master Cui, don't you want to be the one who makes the family prosperous?"

"In my opinion, the Qinghe Cui family is very powerful. If Master Cui can cooperate with me sincerely, then the whole Tang Dynasty will be under my control."

"Moreover, Master Cui and I can also achieve a beautiful story like my father and Wei Zheng did. Isn't this the best of both worlds?"

Li Chengqian looked at Cui Shengyu with a smile in his eyes, full of sincerity.

Does he really think so?

of course not.

Li Chengqian knew very well that it was meaningless to suppress the Qinghe Cui family through the power struggle in the court, but it would take too long to destroy their foundation.

Even if Li Chengqian lived to be a hundred years old, it might not be achieved.

After all, the Qinghe Cui family now controls almost the entire Jizhou and even the Hebei Province.

The good education system allows the descendants of Qinghe Cui family to enjoy the highest educational resources of this era from birth.

The vast land can provide them with the most favorable learning environment, without having to bow down for a bowl of rice or work hard for a few coins.

Under such circumstances, trying to eradicate the threat posed by the Qinghe Cui family to imperial power is almost as difficult as flying into the sky.

The best way is to eliminate it on the physical level.

But before that, Li Chengqian didn't mind telling a little white lie.

He tried to alienate the King of Wei from the Cui family of Qinghe, and took advance payment on some of the wealth that should have belonged to the Tang Dynasty from the Cui family of Qinghe.

(End of this chapter)