My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 196: My Imperial Edict Orders the Crown Prince to Return to the City Immediately
There is no such thing as loyalty when it comes to politics.

For the aristocratic families, all they need to do is be loyal to the emperor.

This scope is relatively broad. The Crown Prince, the King of Wei, and Your Majesty are all one family. Loyalty to any of them is loyalty to the emperor.

As long as you have no problem choosing sides in the future, you will be a loyal minister.

The concept of a loyal minister is inherently vague.

The winner is the king and the loser is the traitor.

The prince has rebelled, can that be called betrayal? It should be called restoring order.

If following the prince is successful, it would be considered the achievement of following the dragon.

Cui Shengyu was struggling, but in fact, he was already leaning towards the prince.

Even from the perspective of the situation of raising an army, the prince had no advantage, but with the 5,000 cavalry he sent over.

With 10,000 cavalrymen, as long as they don't act recklessly, it shouldn't be a big problem for them to establish a separatist regime and protect themselves.

Your Majesty, must you kill the prince?

If you can hold on for two or three years, there really is a chance for a turnaround.

Thinking of this, Cui Shengyu made up his mind.

King Wei Li Tai naturally did not notice Cui Shengyu's thoughts, or he had never doubted Cui Shengyu.

After all, since Cui Shengyu came to Chang'an, he had only been forcibly abducted by the prince once, last time.

Who would have thought that Cui Shengyu would betray her after just one meeting.

If anyone betrays the prince the first time he meets him, then what is the point of King Wei's fight for the throne? He should just go to bed quietly.

Besides, everyone in Chang'an knew that the Qinghe Cui family was the biggest supporter of the Wei Wang Party.

No matter who you suspect, Cui Shengyu is the only one you would suspect.

"We must be well prepared and not give the prince any opportunity to take advantage of us." Li Tai warned again.

But he didn't dare to stay in the military camp. After staying there for a short time and explaining everything, he chose to leave.

Li Tai was cautious. Before leaving, he specially arranged scouts to explore the way.

I was afraid that the prince's men would take advantage of the opportunity to intercept him.

After all, the lesson my father taught us is still fresh in our minds.

Now, apart from the Crown Prince's rebellion, if both he and the Prince of Jin were killed by the Crown Prince, what would his father choose?

Isn't this just following the same path as our father?

The emperor has already walked this path, so why can’t the prince make it through again?

Will my father be like my grandfather?

Li Tai didn't know and didn't want to know.

When the emperor was thinking about this problem, it meant that he and Prince Jin had already lost their lives.

There is no point in considering these.

Li Tai didn't think the prince would show mercy to his men, as last year's assassination attempt was still fresh in his memory.

As long as the prince is given the opportunity, he will probably act without hesitation.

Thinking about it this way, Li Tai began to feel a little paranoid.

When he left, he asked Cui Shengyu to arrange three hundred cavalry guards.

"Please rest assured, King Wei. I will not let the Crown Prince succeed."

Cui Shengyu bowed and bid farewell to the King of Wei. However, seeing that the King of Wei was a little nervous and frightened, he knew that he was afraid that the prince would do something behind his back, and other thoughts began to arise in his mind.

Giving 5,000 cavalry to the prince is already a great achievement, but why not go a step further and give the King of Wei to the prince as well?

If the prince rebels and kills the King of Wei, only the King of Jin will be left.

If there is a chance to kill King Jin as well.

How could the prince lose?
Thinking of this, Cui Shengyu wrote a letter to the prince after returning to the camp.

Your Royal Highness:

Respectfully, I, Cui Shengyu, was summoned by Your Highness before. I know that Your Highness is a man of great talent and strategy, and is destined by heaven. Although I am temporarily a subordinate of the King of Wei, I have been loyal to Your Highness since I met His Highness.

If Your Highness raises an army, I will lead the King of Wei's troops to surrender.

I would like to ask for your help. If Your Highness is interested, I would like to do my best to help you and perhaps bring the King of Wei to your place.

I am willing to serve Your Highness like a dog and a horse, even if it means death.

Respectfully submitted by Cui Shengyu.

After writing, Cui Shengyu sealed it with sealing wax.

He called his trusted cousin and whispered:
"Hurry up and deliver this letter to the Prince's Zuo Nei Shu, Chen Yunchao, at Baqiao Posthouse."

When my cousin heard this, his face changed, but he didn't ask any more questions.

After taking the letter, he mounted his horse and left.

Cui Shengyu is very relieved about his cousin. Besides the fact that they grew up together, the most important thing is that his cousin is calm, loyal and reliable.

Cui Shengyu was not worried that his cousin would view the contents privately.

For aristocratic families, family comes first, then country. Aristocratic family members are loyal to their family first, then to the king.

Baqiao Posthouse.

Chen Yunchao is sending people to gather intelligence.

Monitor what might happen.

After all, if there is any movement in Chang'an, Baqiao Station will be the first to get the news.

The communication of news from Chang'an was also carried out through Baqiao Posthouse.

Soon, Chen Yunchao learned that King Wei had gone to the military camp and had left.

"The King of Wei went to the military camp at this time. Could it be that he was on guard?"

Thinking this in his mind, Chen Yunchao decided to report the matter to the prince.

It would be best to secretly investigate the King of Wei’s camp.

According to the plan, after the prince raised his army, he would first launch an attack on the King of Wei’s military camp, capture 5,000 cavalrymen, and strengthen his strength.

Just as he was about to send someone to deliver the message, a man came to report.

"General, there is someone who wants to see you and says there is something important."

I don’t know who Chen Yunchao is, but there’s no problem meeting him.

"Let him in."

The Cui clan member carrying the letter entered the room and bowed: "I have important news to report. Please ask the general to dismiss his attendants."

Chen Yunchao frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then waved.

All the soldiers in the house left the room.

"Tell me, what news do you want to report?"

The Cui clan member bowed and said, "I am entrusted by my brother Cui Shengyu to deliver this letter to the prince."

"General, please pass it to the prince as soon as possible."

After saying that, he took out the letter from his arms.

When Chen Yunchao heard that Cui Shengyu wrote a letter to the prince, he raised his eyebrows.

He did not know about the cooperative relationship between the Crown Prince and Cui Shengyu, but he knew that after Cui Shengyu came to the East Palace that time, he seemed to have a good conversation with the Crown Prince.

What does it mean that Cui Shengyu sent a letter at this time?
He is the protector general of King Wei’s military camp.

The entire 5,000 cavalrymen of the King of Wei are from aristocratic families.

Thinking of this, Chen Yunchao took a deep breath.

After taking the letter, he said in a deep voice: "Okay, I understand."

After delivering the letter, the Cui family members left.

Chen Yunchao knew that the situation was urgent, so he didn't care too much at the moment. He found a fast horse and told his subordinates to keep an eye on the situation.

He took more than ten Ti cavalrymen with him and immediately went to the military camp.

When Chen Yunchao arrived at the military camp, it was almost sunset.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the military camp, casting a light golden hue.

Li Chengqian is checking the gunpowder.

This is his biggest trump card now.

With 20,000 kilograms of gunpowder, any city in front of him would be like a naked girl, completely defenseless.

Li Chengqian was very satisfied that the eunuch Wen Zhong was sent here together with Xiang Ke.

Xiang Ke also made him very satisfied.

The wooden barrel used by Wu Lei Tang to mix gunpowder was also brought over.

In order to keep it secret better, Li Chengqian destroyed the wooden barrel immediately.

This is the best ratio of black gunpowder that only he knows. Even if other people develop black gunpowder in a short period of time, they will never be able to achieve the power of the gunpowder he is using now.

"Your Highness, General Chen is back and is asking to see Your Highness."

After hearing the report from the guards, Li Chengqian nodded and headed to the military tent. Inside the big tent, Chen Yunchao was waiting anxiously.

Because he knew the meaning of the letter, he paced back and forth anxiously before he saw the prince.

When Li Chengqian arrived, he saw this scene.

"Something has made you impatient."

Li Chengqian asked with a smile, but he was also a little nervous inside.

Chen Yunchao felt as if something big had happened.

Could it be that something unexpected has finally happened in Chang'an City?

"Your Highness, it's Cui Shengyu, the eldest son of the Qinghe Cui family. He sent a letter over."

Li Chengqian's expression remained unchanged, but he felt relieved in his heart.

Gentlely said: "Show it to me."

Chen Yunchao quickly took out the letter, Li Chengqian took it, tore open the envelope and started reading.

After just a quick glance, he folded the letter and put it into his sleeve.

"Your Highness, what is he doing?" Chen Yunchao asked hesitantly.

Li Chengqian laughed: "He is a lonely man."

Chen Yunchao was overjoyed when he heard this, because it meant that once the army was launched, the 5,000 cavalry in the King of Wei’s camp would be in his pocket.

"Okay, don't get too excited. Cui Shengyu is a talent for being able to see the situation clearly at this time."

"But for now, this matter needs to be kept secret. You don't need to tell anyone else except me."

Hearing the prince's instructions, Chen Yunchao bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness."

Li Chengqian was somewhat happy about this. After all, if he started a rebellion, whether Cui Shengyu would follow him was a big choice.

Li Chengqian had not contacted Cui Shengyu before, but he had actually prepared himself for the worst.

But now it seems that Cui Shengyu still has a good eye.

And from this letter, it seems that the King of Wei should have some guesses about the situation on his side.

This was a preparation. Perhaps he had even guessed that his army would attack the camp first.

Maybe it was Fang Xuanling who told him, or maybe it was guessed by his advisers.

None of this matters.

This world has never lacked smart people or people with vision.

It is normal for others to speculate about your movements.

After all, for Li Chengqian, the Prince of Wei’s military camp is like meat at his fingertips.

Li Chengqian sighed. Now it all depends on what decision His Majesty will make.

In fact, if Li Chengqian had not been forced to do so, he would not have wanted to rebel at this time, or he had not planned to rebel before.

Once the army is launched, it will be equivalent to a complete break with Erfeng.

Amid the internal strife, the entire Tang Dynasty was in turmoil.

Aren’t the Anshi Rebellion and the Battle of Xiangji Temple in later generations somewhat similar to the current situation?

Almost all of the elite troops of the Tang Dynasty were killed.

Now that he had taken over the King of Wei's five thousand cavalry, he had the capital to compete with Er Feng.

If a war breaks out, many elite soldiers of the Tang Dynasty will die in this internal strife.

Li Chengqian refused to admit defeat, but would Erfeng admit defeat?

No matter who wins in the end, today's prosperous era will inevitably be burned to ashes.

It was like returning to liberation overnight.

The entire Tang Dynasty had to recuperate and start over again.

And if it continues for a long time, will Goryeo, Turks, and even Tubo, the Western Regions and other countries take the opportunity to invade the Central Plains?
When a general succeeds, thousands of soldiers die.

The battle for the throne is even more brutal than that for the generals.

In Tai Chi Palace.

Li Shimin did not have so many worries and thoughts.

He is now praising and rewarding Jin Wang Li Zhi.

Li Zhi was a sensible man, and Li Shimin had actually neglected him a little over the years.

She doted on the King of Wei too much and almost forgot about her youngest son.

Li Zhi is also his child with Empress Changsun.

The eldest prince, the King of Wei who was adopted, and the King of Jin seemed to have been very quiet.

"Well done. I didn't expect that the Jinwu Guard could achieve such results under your management."

"In a few days, your eldest brother and your fourth brother will go to the East to attack Goryeo."

"I will leave the security of Chang'an City in your hands."

"During this period of time, you should also take up the post of General of the Left Jinwu Guard and put the entire Chang'an in good order."

Since the General of the Left Jinwu Guard will follow the army to fight against Goryeo, this position will be temporarily vacant.

Li Shimin was very satisfied with Li Zhi's current achievements, so he let him manage together.

"Thank you, Father."

"I will definitely not disappoint my father."

Li Zhi replied somewhat happily.

He commanded the left and right guards of the Jinwu Army, which was equivalent to the military power of the entire Chang'an City, all of which were under his control.

Even the Crown Prince and the King of Wei had never had such power.

Of course, the reason why Li Shimin did this was not to use the Prince of Jin to compete with the Crown Prince and the Prince of Wei.

But after the crown prince and the King of Wei left, Li Zhi became the only legitimate son around him.

So it is inevitable to pamper her a little more.

After leaving Liangyi Hall, Li Zhi did not leave the palace directly.

Instead, he walked into a secluded courtyard as if he was familiar with the place.

"Guard the door." After Li Zhi gave the instruction, he hurried in.

The one waiting in the courtyard was Wu Zhao.

The two of them had met in secret more than once or twice and were very familiar with each other.

But for now, we are still observing etiquette and have not taken any actions that would overstep our boundaries.

What attracted Li Zhi to Wu Zhao was not only her beauty, but communication.

This kind of spiritual connection made Li Zhi very fascinated.

In terms of views on many things, the two have almost the same thoughts and ideas.

It was this feeling of meeting a soulmate that made Li Zhi infatuated.

Although he knew that such frequent meetings were not good, Li Zhi was reluctant to break up.

"Prince Jin should leave now."

After an unknown amount of time, Wu Zhao spoke.

"I want to stay a little longer."

Li Zhi felt a little reluctant.

"Please respect yourself, King Jin."

Wu Zhao shook her head slightly.

Li Zhi sighed and walked out.

This feeling of wanting more than enough made Li Zhi feel deeply regretful.

Apparently, playing hard to get was almost a natural skill for Wu Zhao.

She also wanted to communicate more with Li Zhi, but she knew that if Prince Jin stayed in the palace for too long, it would definitely arouse suspicion from others.

It's just right like this now.

The next day.

In Tai Chi Palace.

Li Shimin asked in confusion: "Is the prince still in the military camp?"

The sacrifice will be held tomorrow, and the prince should return to the East Palace today to prepare for it.

Although the ceremony is simple, it should not be underestimated.

"The prince has not returned yet." Zhang Ananda replied.

Li Shimin frowned slightly and said, "Pass on my imperial edict, ordering the prince to return immediately."

ps: There may be only one update today. I am too tired after driving all day.

(End of this chapter)