My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 397 Sending Troops to Daming Palace

The sacrificial ceremony caused quite a stir in Chang'an.

For the people of Chang'an, this was naturally a good thing, meaning that the auspicious omen of three harvests of rice mentioned in the official gazette was very likely true.

Many people are thinking that it would be wonderful if their farmland could yield three harvests a year in the future.

In the second month of spring in the twentieth year of Zhenguan, the dragon raised its head.

The price of brown rice in Chang'an West Market has increased by 30% since before the Lunar New Year.

As the grain shop owner shouted his wares, the frayed edges of his sleeves brushed against the soaring figures on the ledger.

Since the drought during last autumn's harvest, the Guanzhong granaries were already strained. A rumor in the official gazette about "three-crop rice seeds in Linyi" caused a stir in the streets and alleys of Chang'an, like oil droplets falling into boiling water.

"See that? Page 5, column 3!"

In the teahouse, Wang Sanlang, who sells sesame cakes, wiped his hands on his apron while kneading the dough, then grabbed a government gazette that a customer at the next table had left behind, and began to trace the ink characters with his rough fingers.

“‘His Highness the Crown Prince sent a fleet to bring back rice seeds from Linyi, which are said to yield three harvests a year. Fields have been prepared in the Jianghuai region for trial planting.’ These words are stamped with the vermilion seal of the Eastern Palace!”

The old scholar sitting next to me shook his head and said, "The Book of Han records that 'Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs and created the five grains.' Now that the Crown Prince has obtained three harvests of rice, isn't that continuing the virtue of Shennong? In the past, Emperor Wu of Han sought alfalfa seeds, which only fertilized a few acres of stables. How could that compare to the life-saving benefits of this rice seed for thousands of people?"

Before he could finish speaking, the teacup was snatched away by a canal boatman across from him, and the remaining tea at the bottom of the bowl splashed onto the official gazette, spreading out as a blot of ink.

"Save the people? Let's save the rice in our pot first!"

The sailor stroked his beard: "Last month, my wife went to Ci'en Temple to fulfill a vow, and she saw that the soup kitchen was only serving bran mixed with chaff. If there really were three harvests of rice, would grain prices have fallen back to the Kaihuang era?"

The news spread like wildfire, flying from the teahouses of the West Market to the taverns of Pingkang Lane, and then into the sounds of looms in Guangde Lane.

As evening fell, Ah Fu, an apprentice at the silk shop, was tiptoeing as he pasted the newly arrived price list for Shu brocade when he suddenly heard the butcher next door exclaim in surprise: "Have you heard? This morning, when Manager Chen of the grain shop in the West Market was closing up shop, he had someone carve 'Three harvests of rice, ten coins for coarse rice' on the door panel—he's betting that the prince's rice seeds will be successful!"

An old vegetable farmer passing by sighed, his load of chives covered in mud: "Whether it works or not, what does it have to do with us ordinary folks?"

"Back then, the curved plow was said to save effort, but how could our poor families have so much land to cultivate? We only got to see how well the landlords' fields were cultivated. If rice seeds were truly precious, they would probably have benefited the wealthy lords of Jianghuai first."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the woman selling steamed buns next to him chimed in, "Old man, you're wrong! The other day when I went to Buzhengfang to deliver buns, I saw the people from the Crown Prince's residence posting notices saying they were going to hold a 'rice seed training session' by Qujiang Pool. They also said that farmers who successfully planted the rice would be exempt from taxes for half a year per mu. Zhang Laowu from our neighborhood has already signed up. He said that even if it only lasts one season, it will be enough to save up for his daughter's dowry!"

Suddenly, a young man in a round-necked robe emerged from the crowd, with a counting pouch hanging from his waist belt. He was the accountant of the West Market store.

He lowered his voice and said, "Let me tell you a secret. This morning, my master received an urgent letter from a bank in the south. It says that several powerful families are pooling their money to block the transport of rice seeds from the Jianghuai region along the Grand Canal!"

The crowd gasped in surprise: "Why?"

The accountant sneered: "Why? If the triple rice harvest is successful, the grain from Jianghuai will surpass the wheat and millet from Guanzhong. Those aristocratic families who make their fortunes by hoarding grain will be green with envy."

As dusk deepened, the red lanterns of Pingkang Ward lit up one after another, while at the acrobatic stalls near the Imperial City, a storyteller struck his gavel and began to tell a new story: "Speaking of this triple-harvest rice, the stalks are as thick as hemp, the ears as large as brooms, and each grain is as long as a finger joint! On the day His Highness the Crown Prince brought back the rice seeds, auspicious clouds circled three times over Chang'an City, and the Directorate of Astronomy immediately submitted a memorial, saying that this was an auspicious sign of 'Heaven praising the Great Tang, a year of abundant harvests'!"

One onlooker, clinging to the table, pressed, "When will this news reach our Guanzhong region?"

The storyteller tapped his gavel and laughed, "What's the rush! The Crown Prince's residence has issued a notice that Qiuyue will send rice seeds to Guanzhong. He also said that he will open an experimental field next to the Longshou Canal so that the people can all see it! When the time comes, whether it's planting by people or plowing by oxen, everyone can learn from it!"

A murmur arose from the crowd, and Wang Sanlang, the seller of sesame cakes, suddenly shouted, "I believe in the Crown Prince! He invented the curved plow back then, and now which landlord doesn't use it? If this rice seedlings succeed, even a poor boy like me can have rice and oil every day!"

This statement only heightened everyone's anticipation.

Prince Wei's Mansion.

Despite the commotion outside, Li Tai's expression was not good.

"Where did this news come from? From the Crown Prince's side? Or have they lost their minds, daring to touch something like this? Didn't they hear that Father Emperor was going to appeal to the sacrificial rites?"

Rumors circulating in the streets say that a powerful clan is planning to take action against the three-crop rice program, and there are detailed and seemingly specific details to these rumors.

Although the prominent families here are not explicitly referred to as the Five Surnames and Seven Clans, anyone who hears it would think it is.

In the eyes of most people, the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families were tied to King Wei, which was surely King Wei's intention.

Li Tai was somewhat annoyed because he didn't want to attract too much attention at this time. He didn't have much of an opinion on the three-crop rice, but he felt that the Crown Prince's influence was about to rise again.

But the problem is, he's gotten himself into trouble. What will his father think?
He has been trying to regain his father's favor lately, and it would be a great injustice if his father misunderstood.

Chai Lingwu frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "I've asked them over there, and they're investigating too. They didn't do it, and they wouldn't do it. Too many people are watching."

"I heard that the news didn't initially come from Wannian County, but from our Chang'an County."

Li Tai thought for a moment and said, "Is this a scheme by the Crown Prince to cover up the truth? To mix the real with the fake, making the real seem real?"

"After all, this kind of thing only benefits the Crown Prince the most. Perhaps he wants to use this as an excuse to strike at them."

It doesn't matter who did the thing; what matters is who benefits.

If the three-crop rice harvest were truly intercepted, the Crown Prince would naturally suffer a loss. However, news of the interception is now widespread, so who would dare to defy the odds and proceed?

Looking back, the one who benefits is the Crown Prince. He can use this as a pretext to take action against the Five Clans and Seven Powerful Families.

Li Tai, on the other hand, was relatively relaxed. The Crown Prince's plan to eliminate the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families was actually not of much concern to him.

They even hoped the Crown Prince would act more ruthlessly, because only when the five clans and seven powerful families were in pain would they better support him in fighting against the Crown Prince.

Chai Lingwu, however, felt that this was not the case.

“The Crown Prince should not make a move against the aristocratic families at this time. The sacrificial ceremony is imminent, and His Majesty and the Crown Prince will have another confrontation. There is no need for the Crown Prince to provoke them.”

After hesitating for a few moments, Chai Lingwu still voiced his guess: "I think this matter is very likely the work of the Prince of Jin."

Upon hearing the name of the Prince of Jin, Li Tai frowned: "Zhi Nu? Why would he do such a thing?"

"Does he still dare to go against the Crown Prince?"

Without the Right Jinwu Guard, Li Zhi was like a toothless tiger in Li Tai's eyes. However, he should not be underestimated, since Li Ji, the General of the Left Jinwu Guard, was still on Li Zhi's side.

Li Zhiren had already arrived at Li Ji's Puning Ward.

Of course, having support and having military power are two different things.

"This is just my feeling."

Chai Lingwu couldn't give a reason either, since Li Zhi had absolutely no need to get involved now.

But his intuition told him that Li Zhi was the most likely candidate.

Li Tai waved his hand: "Let's not talk about that anymore. Let's see how the priests do it."

"Father and the Crown Prince each have three thousand soldiers, what about us?"

"I wonder if Father will take this opportunity to harm the Crown Prince."

After saying that, Li Tai continued to say to himself, "It shouldn't be the case. I heard that Father Emperor is going to hold a memorial service for Mother Emperor this time."

Speaking of his mother, Li Tai's eyes dimmed slightly. Whether it was Li Shimin or the three brothers, it was all the same.

Their feelings for Empress Zhangsun were all roughly the same.

When their mother was alive, the three brothers loved each other and were a loving and filial family.

However, from another perspective, the brothers were all young, and the crown prince had not yet assumed the reins of government. There was no struggle for power, so their relationships were naturally different.

Li Tai did not believe that his father would target the crown prince while mourning his mother.

Although it was said that the Empress Dowager loved them both, Li Tai knew in reality that he still favored his eldest brother more.

Or perhaps in the Empress Dowager's heart, her eldest brother, being the legitimate eldest son, should be the future emperor.

Li Tai did not resent his mother; the proper order of seniority was simply how it was.

That being said, if his mother had been alive, the Crown Prince would not have become so despondent, and he himself would not have harbored any thoughts of seizing the throne.

But later his father gave him hope, and the crown prince was so disappointing.

By the time the Crown Prince regrouped and demonstrated his excellence, it was too late for Li Tai to turn back.

Even if Li Tai were to step down now, would the Crown Prince still give him a way out?

It seemed unlikely, and Li Tai didn't dare to gamble. His subordinates wouldn't agree either, so he could only go down a dead-end road.

After a moment's hesitation, Chai Lingwu finally spoke up: "King Wei, this is actually an opportunity."

There was a hint of struggle on Li Tai's face; he knew it was an opportunity.

It was precisely because His Majesty and the Crown Prince were mutually wary of each other, and because of his mother, that an opportunity arose.

But in the end, Li Tai shook his head and said, "Never mind."

Ultimately, he couldn't get over his own conscience. Li Tai wasn't ready to use his mother's name to seize the throne.

Seeing this, Chai Lingwu didn't say anything.

But Li Tai doesn't think that way, while others do.

Puningfang.

Prince Jin, who had just returned from the palace, had a very gloomy face.

The words that Meiniang had said to him kept replaying in his mind.

That's right, he arranged for people to spread the rumors in the streets, in order to make the situation even more chaotic.

Today, Meiniang told him that the sacrificial ceremony was an opportunity.

It wasn't during the sacrificial ceremony that he attacked his father and the crown prince.

Instead, they took advantage of the Crown Prince's absence from the Daming Palace to launch a strong attack on the palace, where the gunpowder was located.

"Prince Jin, the Crown Prince's greatest asset is the cannons of the Daming Palace."

'This is also why His Majesty has always been wary of the Crown Prince.'

'Without artillery, would His Majesty still care about the Crown Prince's troops? No matter how strong the elite troops of Liaodong are, can they be stronger than the elite troops of Chang'an?'

'The sacrificial ceremony is the perfect opportunity. The Crown Prince will surely bring all his trusted confidants. He fears that if His Majesty takes action, other matters will be neglected while his attention is focused on the ceremony.'

"The Prince of Jin can persuade General Li Ji to launch a full-scale attack on the Daming Palace. Even if they don't obtain the cannons, they should at least destroy most of it."

'When the Crown Prince is without cannons, His Majesty will surely take action. Even if His Majesty doesn't, the Crown Prince will be forced to act. This is the best opportunity.'

The residence of the Left Jinwu Guard General.

Li Ji slammed the military map he was holding onto the table with a "thud," the bronze paperweight making a cold, hard sound as it struck.

His knuckles, worn from a lifetime of military service, traced the outline of the Daming Palace on the map, while his gaze swept across Prince Li Zhi of Jin, like that of a hawk.

The young man had removed his court robes today, wearing only a moon-white everyday dress, but the collar was slightly open due to his eagerness, and his temples were still covered with night dew.

"Prince Jin."

Li Ji's voice was as deep and hoarse as an old pine tree: "The matter of cannons is a tacit taboo between His Majesty and the Crown Prince. You're saying you want to take advantage of the sacrificial ceremony to launch a strong attack on the gunpowder workshop of the Daming Palace?"

He suddenly grabbed a teacup from the table, only to find it had gone cold. He simply pushed it aside. “Although the Left Jinwu Guard is under my command, the Daming Palace is the Crown Prince’s foundation. This move is tantamount to purging the court of corrupt officials. We should attack… the gunpowder workshop that the Crown Prince values ​​most.”

Li Zhi leaned forward, his sleeve sweeping across the inkstone, leaving a deep stain of ink on the Xuan paper.

"teacher."

He deliberately softened his tone, but couldn't hide the fire in his eyes: "Do you know that grain prices in the West Market have risen by 30% again today? Everyone in the market is saying that the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families are going to block the canal transport of rice for the three harvests. But who spread this rumor?"

He suddenly lowered his voice, "I had someone spread the word."

Li Ji's pupils shrank sharply: "It's you?"

Li Zhi suddenly stood up, his robe sweeping over the embroidered stool: "I'm going to disrupt this whole situation!"

"The Crown Prince has the elite troops of Liaodong and the cannons of the Daming Palace. Now he is using the triple harvest of rice to win over the hearts of the people. When the Emperor performs the sacrifice, he brings three thousand soldiers, and the Crown Prince also brings three thousand soldiers. This is not a sacrifice; it is clearly a standoff with a knife to one's throat!"

He walked to the window, pushed open the wooden window halfway, and raindrops mixed with the smell of earth rushed in: "Teacher, do you still remember the ninth year of Wude? During the Xuanwu Gate Incident, if Father hadn't had those eight hundred Xuanjia soldiers..."

Li Ji suddenly stood up, his aged chest heaving violently, his throat bobbing, but in the end he said nothing.

Li Zhi continued, “If the Crown Prince loses the cannons, Your Majesty will surely remove him from his military power. If Your Majesty takes action against the Crown Prince, the Prince of Wei will surely seize the opportunity to rise up. Only by winning in the chaos can we reap the benefits.”

Upon hearing this, Li Ji frowned.

He knew this was indeed an opportunity for the Prince of Jin.

Li Ji's voice suddenly softened, carrying a hint of barely perceptible melancholy: "Prince Jin, have you heard that His Majesty will be offering sacrifices to Empress Zhangsun this time?"

"Back when Her Majesty the Empress was alive, the three princes were so harmonious. Now..."

Li Zhi's eyes narrowed, and his voice became low and hoarse: "It is precisely because the Empress Dowager is watching from heaven that we cannot allow the Tang Dynasty to repeat the mistakes of Xuanwu Gate!"

"Teacher, you have followed Father Emperor for half your life. Do you know what Father Emperor fears most? He fears brothers killing each other and the instability of the empire! If the Crown Prince loses his cannons, Father Emperor will definitely use the sacrificial ceremony as an opportunity to strip him of his military power and make him a wealthy prince. But what about the Prince of Wei? If he takes the opportunity to unite with the five clans and seven noble families to force the emperor to abdicate, who will protect him? Only me, only the Left Golden Guard in Teacher's hands!"

Li Ji looked at Li Zhi's somewhat young and immature face and felt a sense of unfamiliarity.

Is this what they call a power struggle within the imperial court?

(End of this chapter)