My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 403 What's wrong with giving the world to the Crown Prince?
The Altar of Agriculture.

The atmosphere became tense.

A tremendous roar echoed through the sky, leaving everyone momentarily stunned.

But then everyone realized what was happening.

That was the sound of gunpowder exploding.

The direction from which the sound came was northeast, and that was the Daming Palace.

The soldiers of the Right Golden Guard sharpened their eyes and placed their hands on the hilts of their swords.

The Imperial Guards immediately took a tense stance.

offstage.

Changsun Wuji withdrew his gaze from the distance, exchanged a glance with Fang Xuanling, and the two felt the shock in their hearts, and also made a judgment from each other's eyes.

The prince's gunpowder workshop exploded.

They didn't care what was going on, because what followed was a huge change that was about to happen.

On the stage.

Li Shimin turned his gaze back from the distance and slightly tilted his head to look at the Crown Prince.

"It's the Daming Palace."

Li Chengqian's eyes were calm, as if the blown-up gunpowder workshop had nothing to do with him.

"Was this done by Father?"

The question was very direct, without any beating around the bush.

Li Chengqian was not a god, so naturally he couldn't possibly calculate everything.

Judging from the current situation, the biggest beneficiary of the gunpowder workshop explosion was naturally Li Shimin.

Moreover, judging from today's arrangements, they are indeed inextricably linked to Li Shimin.

Gunpowder was Li Chengqian's greatest safeguard; it was because he had enough gunpowder that he was able to exert his deterrent power.

Therefore, it was only natural that Li Shimin would take this opportunity to arrange for someone to blow up the gunpowder workshop.

"It was not done by me."

Li Shimin shook his head slightly, directly denying it.

After speaking, he paused, then asked, "Is the Crown Prince trustworthy?"

Li Chengqian was also very direct: "I believe you."

This surprised Li Shimin, because even he himself didn't quite believe what he had just said.

He prepared all the sacrificial rites and memorial services, and he also arranged for the Imperial Guards and the Right Golden Guards to each prepare three thousand men.

At this point, the gunpowder workshop was bombed, and it seemed to be his doing no matter how you looked at it.

However, the crown prince said he believed it.

"If it was done by Father, I believe he would not deny it, and there is no need to hide it."

Faced with Li Shimin's doubts, Li Chengqian shared his thoughts.

At this point, what's the point of agonizing over right and wrong?

The situation has reached a critical point.

Li Shimin nodded slightly, and after a brief silence, said, "Isn't Chengqian curious about who did it?"

Li Chengqian chuckled: "Since it's not Father, then it must be Qingque Zhinu. Who else could it be?"

The struggles in Chang'an were a matter between their own family.

Besides them, who else can, and who dares?

These are all self-evident; you can figure them out even with your eyes closed.

Li Shimin didn't say anything more, but instead focused his gaze on the Prince of Wei and the Prince of Jin below the stage.

With just one glance, Li Shimin quickly made his judgment.

It was Zhinu who did this.

This was easy to judge, because the King of Wei looked somewhat bewildered, while the King of Jin was far too calm.

At this point, the Prince of Jin stopped pretending altogether.

Indeed, the prince's gunpowder workshop exploded, so there was no need to continue the charade.

Li Chengqian could see that too, and said with a smile, "I underestimated Zhinu a bit. He is much more decisive than Qingque."

"Judging from Qingque's condition, she has probably fallen for some other schemes of Zhinu."

Li Shimin sighed and said, "Indeed, the other day Qingque came to the palace to see me and said that you had secretly prepared troops to take advantage of this sacrificial ceremony to kill him and Zhinu."

Li Chengqian countered, "Father doesn't believe me?"

Li Shimin shook his head and said, "I don't believe it. If you were really so ruthless, you wouldn't have waited until today."

Li Chengqian said calmly, "Originally, I didn't intend for it to be like this, but after today, things will be different."

This is to tell Li Shimin that he has changed his mind because of what happened today.

The King of Wei and the King of Jin must die.

Li Shimin sighed deeply: "Why must brothers be forced to close walls like this?"

"If I beg you, may you spare their lives?"

Li Chengqian looked at Li Shimin carefully and said, "Does Your Majesty already think we're going to lose before the game has even started?"

Li Shimin replied, "I only hope to leave them a way out."

"Does the Crown Prince really think he can definitely win?"

"Without enough gunpowder, Xuanwu Gate will not be so easy to attack."

Li Chengqian nodded: "Without gunpowder, it is indeed more troublesome, but does Your Majesty think that I have placed all my hopes on gunpowder?"

Li Shimin said calmly, "We'll only know after we try."

Seemingly unwilling to dwell on this matter further, Li Shimin said, "Today we must also offer sacrifices to your mother and keep your subordinates in check."

Li Chengqian nodded and waved to those below.

Upon receiving the instructions, the Right Jinwu Guard naturally lost any sense of tension.

Regardless of the circumstances, the matter of paying homage to Empress Zhangsun must not be altered.

In the eyes of Li Shimin and Li Chengqian, this was more important than the sacrificial ceremony.

The altar of the Temple of Agriculture stands solemnly in the twilight, with a three-tiered white marble base supporting a gray-blue sacrificial hall, and the bronze bells on the eaves making a soft tinkling sound in the breeze.

Empress Zhangsun's memorial tablet has been respectfully placed in the hall by eunuchs, with bright yellow curtains hanging down, reflecting the wisps of smoke rising from the three-legged cauldron in front.

The scent of sandalwood mixed with mugwort filled the air, temporarily overpowering the faint smell of burning coming from the direction of the Daming Palace in the distance.

Li Shimin and Li Chengqian walked at the front, the hem of their black sacrificial robes sweeping across the cold stone steps.

The soldiers of the Imperial Guard and the Right Golden Guard stood in formation, the soft rustling of their armor plates mingling with their deliberately quiet breathing, adding a touch of tension to the solemn atmosphere.

The officials below the stage stood with their heads bowed. Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling exchanged a glance, both seeing lingering fear in each other's eyes.

The explosion at the gunpowder workshop was like a boulder thrown into stagnant water, while the sacrificial ceremony was like the last ripple before the boulder fell—seemingly calm, but actually turbulent beneath the surface.

"Offer incense." The master of ceremonies' voice pierced the silence, carrying an ancient, drawn-out tone.

Li Shimin accepted the three sticks of sandalwood incense offered by the eunuch, the flames reflecting trembling bright spots in his eyes. He slowly walked to the memorial tablet, bowed, and inserted the incense into the incense burner, his movements steady to the point of being rigid.

The candlelight inside the hall flickered, casting his shadow on the curtains, sometimes bright and sometimes dim.

Li Chengqian followed behind, and as his fingertips touched the warm incense stick, he caught a glimpse of Prince Wei, Li Tai's, clenched fist and Li Zhi's lowered expression from the side of his eye.

Taking action on the day of the memorial service greatly diminished Li Zhi's standing with Li Shimin, but now was not the time to pursue these issues.

“Read the eulogy.”

The Hanlin Academy scholar unfurled the bright yellow scroll, and his voice rang out: "In the twentieth year of the Zhenguan era, I humbly offer this simple meal of fine wine to the spirit of Empress Wende, née Changsun..."

The eulogy details Empress Zhangsun's virtue and prudence, from "assisting me in my pre-imperial days, sharing hardships together" to "a model of virtue for the world, with boundless benevolence." Every word is like an old cocoon peeled from the sands of time, enveloping the shared memories of Li Shimin, his court officials, and the Crown Prince, Prince Wei, and Prince Jin.

After the eulogy was read, the Crown Prince was to step forward and offer libations, as was customary. Li Chengqian took the jade cup, the wine swirling slightly within, reflecting his composed face. He did not act immediately, but turned to Li Shimin and whispered, "If the Empress Dowager's spirit is watching from heaven, she will surely witness today's events."

Li Shimin did not respond, but stared at the inscription "Empress Wende" on the memorial tablet, a complex light flashing in his eyes. He knew Li Chengqian's unspoken meaning: after the memorial service, war would break out.

Then the King of Wei and the King of Jin offered incense.

Li Tai stood beside the Crown Prince, looking rather timid.

Li Zhi, however, held his head high and stood tall.

After the memorial service.

Li Shimin glanced at the crown prince, seemed to want to say something, but ultimately remained silent and left without saying anything.

They didn't see the King of Wei or the King of Jin in their eyes.

Li Chengqian watched Li Shimin's departing figure with a calm expression.

Seeing their father leave, the Prince of Wei and the Prince of Jin also hurriedly slipped away, not daring to linger.

Who knows if the Crown Prince will take the opportunity to kill them?

That night.

The Taiji Palace at night is far more somber than the Temple of Agriculture.

Inside the Ganlu Hall, gilded animal-head incense burners held camphor incense, and wisps of blue smoke curled around the dragon carvings on the pillars in the hall.

Li Shimin leaned back on the throne covered with black fox fur, a roll of unopened military report between his fingers. The candlelight flickered in the lines etched at the corners of his eyes, making his eyes, which had once swept across the world, now appear only as unfathomably weary.

Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling stood with their hands at their sides beneath the steps, the jade belt hooks of their court robes gleaming coldly in the candlelight. Since returning from the sacrificial ceremony at the Altar of the God of Agriculture, the atmosphere in the palace had been as tense as a taut bowstring.

The Imperial Guards had changed shifts overnight, and triple sentry posts had been added to all the passageways from Xuanwu Gate to Taiji Palace. The tips of the armored soldiers' spears gleamed coldly under the palace lanterns, and even the footsteps of the patrolling eunuchs were deliberately kept quiet, lest they disturb the calm before the storm.

Changsun Wuji broke the silence first, his voice very low: "It was Li Ji who made the move. He summoned his former subordinates and his trusted men from the Left Jinwu Guard, and gathered five thousand cavalry to launch a surprise attack on the Crown Prince's gunpowder workshop."

Li Shimin said calmly, "Zhi Nu does have some ability; he can even persuade Li Ji."

It's hard to tell whether those words were a compliment or a sarcastic remark.

"His Majesty!"

Changsun Wuji stepped forward, his tone urgent: "Without gunpowder, the Crown Prince will surely launch a full-scale attack on Xuanwu Gate."

"Although the gunpowder workshop was blown up, the Crown Prince must still have a lot of gunpowder left over, so we must be on guard."

Li Shimin nodded, but did not discuss the matter at Xuanwu Gate further.

Previously, a meticulous plan had been made to target the Crown Prince, and the Xuanwu Gate had been reinforced multiple times.

The remaining gunpowder in the Crown Prince's possession was probably not enough to directly destroy the Xuanwu Gate.

If the Xuanwu Gate cannot be breached, the Crown Prince will be trapped like a turtle in a jar.

In terms of the situation, Li Shimin had a great advantage, while the crown prince was forced to make the first move.

However, attacking a city is not such a simple matter.

The walls of Xuanwu Gate are not so easy to breach.

The time left for the Crown Prince is only two or three days.

If the city cannot be breached within two or three days, the garrison troops outside Chang'an will flood in, and the Crown Prince will be surrounded and killed.

“Xuanling”.

Li Shimin suddenly asked, "Do you remember the fourth day of the sixth month of the ninth year of Wude?"

Fang Xuanling trembled and bowed his head, saying, "Your subject dares not forget."

That year, he accompanied Li Shimin to set up an ambush at Xuanwu Gate and personally drafted the edict to execute Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji.

The revisiting of this old matter made him instantly understand His Majesty's intentions.

"Back then, I had no choice but to issue it."

Li Shimin's voice was low and hoarse: "But Chengqian... he didn't have to go this far."

The daytime memorial service for Guanyinbi filled Li Shimin, who was already a sentimental man, with mixed feelings.

The vortex of power eventually devoured the son, just as it had devoured his brother years before.

Fang Xuanling said in a low voice, "Your Majesty is benevolent, but since the Crown Prince has already taken this risky step, we can only do our utmost to protect Your Majesty."

He paused, then added, "I have already instructed General Yuchi to take control of all the gates of the Imperial City. If Xuanwu Gate is lost, Your Majesty can be assured to evacuate the inner palace first."

Li Shimin was really hard to lose. Even if the Xuanwu Gate was breached, couldn't he leave the inner palace?

With over 100,000 imperial guards at that time, what will the crown prince use to pursue them?

"withdraw?"

Li Shimin sneered, his imperial majesty rekindling in his eyes: "I started my rebellion in Taiyuan and have fought countless battles. When have I ever been afraid of a battle with my back to the river?"

"If the retired emperor had taken refuge during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, would I be a carefree prince in Luzhou now, or a headless ghost on the execution ground?"

When the Xuanwu Gate was breached, couldn't Li Yuan have escaped instead of obediently abdicating?

It's important to know that Chang'an back then belonged to Li Yuan.

Li Shimin was only able to muster eight hundred soldiers.

Although the number of imperial guards in Chang'an was not as large as it is now, it was not a big deal to mobilize tens of thousands of them.

If Li Yuan hadn't been willing, how could Li Shimin have become the crown prince?

There are rumors that Li Yuan was controlled by Li Shimin and had no choice but to abdicate.

This statement is actually quite ridiculous.

At that time, Li Shimin had lost most of his military power and only had eight hundred men under his command.

It was also because of Li Jiancheng's carelessness that he thought he was sure to win, despite having all the advantages.

If Li Yuan hadn't been able to kill Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji on the spot, he might not have relinquished the throne.

"Your Majesty, times have changed!"

Changsun Wuji's temples throbbed with anxiety. "In the ninth year of Wude, His Majesty had the upper hand, but now the Crown Prince has lost the gunpowder and is fighting like a cornered beast. But if he breaks through Xuanwu Gate, the inner court's military strength will be depleted, and what if..."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin waved his hand, interrupting Changsun Wuji.

"What if he breaks through the Xuanwu Gate!"

Li Shimin's voice was as light as incense ash floating in mid-air: "Then what harm is there in me abdicating the throne to him?"

The hall fell silent instantly, so quiet that the rustling of armor plates worn by soldiers on night patrol could be heard.

Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling never expected that His Majesty would say such a thing.

Changsun Wuji knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty is a wise ruler who created the prosperous Zhenguan era. How can you compare yourself to... to what happened back then? The Crown Prince committed the heinous crime of treason, while Your Majesty was defending the country!"

Li Shimin looked down at the kneeling imperial brother-in-law, his eyes suddenly welling up with tears: "Treason?"

“Back then, when I killed my brother and forced my father to abdicate, wasn’t that also treason? It’s just that I won; if I had lost, I would have been a ‘traitorous minister’.”

After a pause, Li Shimin sighed, "If Chengqian truly has the ability to break through the Xuanwu Gate and storm into this palace to see me, then it is his destiny to possess this empire. Just like back then, it was my destiny to possess it."

Li Shimin got up and walked to the window, pushed open the carved window frame, and the night wind scattered the white hair at his temples.

In the distance, the outline of Xuanwu Gate resembled a crouching beast in the night, with lanterns on the gate tower flickering on and off.

"You all always say you want to protect me!"

With his back to the two men, his voice was broken by the wind: "But have you ever thought about it? If I can't even control my own son, what's the point of sitting on this dragon throne?"

“If my father had been able to keep me in check back then, why would he have abdicated? If I avoid this today, it would be telling the whole world that Li Shimin is afraid of his son.”

Fang Xuanling stepped forward and said softly, "His Majesty is not afraid, but rather considers the bond between father and son."

Li Shimin did not answer, but walked to the throne and slowly sat down.

"Go back."

Li Shimin closed his eyes and waved his hand: "Let me have some peace and quiet."

The people inside filed out of the hall, leaving Li Shimin alone sitting in the empty hall.

The candlelight flickered, casting his shadow onto the "Twenty-Four Meritorious Officials of Lingyan Pavilion" behind him. The outline of the shadow overlapped and separated from the figures in the portrait, as if the iron-blooded emperor of yesteryear and the weary father of today were tearing each other apart in the light and shadow.

(End of this chapter)