Control your ancestors and create an immortal family starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty

Chapter 175 A Sudden Awakening, Father and Son (Part 2)

The father and son locked eyes, and the atmosphere in the entire Taiji Hall instantly plummeted to freezing point.

— Li Chengqian's gaze was inexplicably firm.

Despite his fear of his father, the emperor, he remained steadfast in his beliefs.

What did he do wrong?

It was precisely because he knew all too well what his father, the emperor, wanted.

He has always remained steadfast in his chosen path.

In terms of national policy, although it was much more radical than Li Shimin's, that was all.

As for killing those two people, that's all.

How could a king's hands be without blood?

What wrong did he do?
Li Shimin's gaze shifted slightly as he looked at Li Chengqian before him. He found it hard to believe that Li Chengqian was still unwilling to back down even now.

Scenes from the past flashed rapidly before Li Shimin's eyes.

The scene before him was so similar to the one between him and Li Yuan back then!
Although their experiences and burdens differ,

But how similar are these confrontations between father and son!

In an instant, Li Shimin's body trembled slightly, unable to suppress it. He glared at Li Chengqian and shouted angrily, "You're not wrong?!"

"Extravagant spending and the indiscriminate killing of ministers!"

"how?"

"Do you perhaps want to become the next Yang Guang?!"

Li Shimin was trembling all over, clearly enraged.

There was no way around it; the feeling Li Chengqian gave him was very similar to that of the autocratic Yang Guang.

Although nothing has been revealed yet.

But wasn't Yang Guang the same?

That's just how people are; supreme imperial power can change so much.

"The hardest thing is to stay true to your original aspirations."

This is not just a casual remark.

Even Li Shimin himself has changed over the years, let alone Li Chengqian.
As an emperor, Li Shimin could not gamble, nor did he dare to gamble.

Because of the slightest unexpected event, the situation he has worked so hard to build throughout his life could collapse.

"Yang Guang?"

Li Chengqian was utterly shocked that his father would compare him to a tyrant. He was stunned, his face turning deathly pale. He stared blankly at Li Shimin on the throne, his voice trembling with disbelief: "Father...you actually use such a ruler who brought about the downfall of his country to describe your son?"

"Could it be that in Father's heart, I will one day become such a foolish and incompetent ruler?"

Li Shimin's gaze was piercing, and he refused to back down, shouting sternly, "Extravagance and debauchery, arbitrary and autocratic behavior! Isn't this a sign of Yang Guang?!"

—A clash of titans.

That's how things are between this father and son now.

The fate of the Tang Dynasty was far too heavy.

Li Shimin was extremely resistant to the idea that his descendants would destroy all of this, which naturally led to the current state of affairs.

silence;

Dead!

Li Chengqian stared intently at Li Shimin, his body trembling uncontrollably.

The image of Yang Guang—

This is absolutely the most insulting assessment a crown prince could receive in this day and age.

And these words came from Li Shimin himself!

Li Chengqian was well aware that when Li Shimin uttered those words, his status as crown prince had come to an end.

Because it has already been shown that Li Shimin had this idea.

Even if he calms down later, he is unlikely to gamble on what will happen in the future.

Countless thoughts rushed into my mind in an instant.

Recalling everything he had experienced over the years, his eyes instantly welled up with tears.

Li Chengqian looked at Li Shimin, a faint smile playing on his lips, his voice as calm as a still pond: "Father has said that I have the countenance of Yang Guang."

"But... do you intend to depose the crown prince?"

In the empty hall, these few words were like metal and stone falling to the ground, each word distinct and echoing endlessly.

His tone was chillingly calm.

Only a pair of bloodshot eyes betrayed the surging grief and indignation.

Li Shimin simply looked at his son without saying a word, but this silence spoke volumes.

"Ha! Haha! Hahaha—"

Seeing his father remain silent, Li Chengqian suddenly burst into a long laugh, as if he had been completely liberated, and tears streamed down his bloodshot eyes.

"Twenty-one years! A full twenty-one years!!"

"Your subject... Your subject has held the title of Crown Prince for twenty-one years!!!"

He stared intently at his father on the throne, and years of pent-up grievances and resentment poured out like a flood: "Since the passing of my mother, and the time my son was crippled by a foot ailment..."

"Father, have you ever even glanced at your son?!"

"If it weren't for the Grand General's strong remonstrance and protection back then, how could my nominal position as Crown Prince have been preserved until today?!"

"Your favoritism towards the Prince of Wei has caused a power struggle between the Crown Prince and the Wei family, creating uproar throughout the court and the country!"

"As a last resort, the Duke of Zheng was appointed concurrently as the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, in an attempt to silence public opinion."

"But—father, have you ever considered this!"

"How harshly those ministers of the Crown Prince's Palace and officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices have treated me?!"

"They readily use terms like 'morally deficient' or 'improperly behaved' to judge others!"

"Twenty-one years! A full twenty-one years!"

"Could it be that this is still insufficient to prove my virtue and that it does not hinder my ability to govern the country?!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin suddenly spoke, his voice like thunder: "This is precisely what I fear!"

"Father's worries are unwarranted!"

Li Chengqian retorted sharply almost the instant Li Shimin finished speaking.

As he spoke, he even stood up and silently gazed at Li Shimin: "A ruler should prioritize the service of the state, not empty fame and virtue!"

"Throughout history, were all those who were destined to be wise rulers saints?"

Li Chengqian paused slightly, raised his hand to wipe away the remaining tears from the corner of his eyes, and a strange sense of relief appeared on his face.

He gazed silently at the throne, his voice choked with barely suppressed sobs: "Father...why do you love Prince Wei so much?"

At that moment, Li Shimin dared not meet his son's gaze and subconsciously turned his face away.

He was speechless.

In the past, I could still deceive myself, but in this situation, how can I avoid it?

Over the years, his favoritism towards the King of Wei has been far too great and too severe!
This is an indisputable fact, and no one can refute it.

A bitter smile appeared on Li Chengqian's lips as he slowly shook his head.

The huge stone that had been weighing on my heart for years was suddenly lifted, and I felt an unprecedented sense of relief. Those words that had been buried deep in my heart and tormented me day and night could finally be spoken today.

"Between you and me, father and son; between me and my brother, the King of Wei."

"Having come to this point..."

"Is it my fault, or the King of Wei's fault?"

"Or perhaps... the one who is wrong is Father Emperor?!"

He looked directly at the throne and posed this final question.

Having said that, without further hesitation or bowing, Li Chengqian resolutely turned around and limped toward the palace gate.

"Chengqian—!! Don't force me!!"

Li Shimin's eyes were bloodshot as he stared intently at his son's receding figure, letting out a hoarse roar, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly.

"Forcing you?"

Li Chengqian abruptly stopped, slowly turning halfway to the side, a chillingly mocking smile playing on his lips: "Is it your son... who is forcing Father Emperor?!"

"The father does not know the son, and the son does not know the father..."

Li Chengqian repeated this fatalistic pronouncement in a low voice, his voice suddenly rising, filled with utter weariness and relief: "I'm tired!!"

"I've had enough of this drama in the Eastern Palace!!!" "I'll return to the Eastern Palace now and await Your Majesty's decision—whether it's a three-foot-long white silk ribbon, a cup of poison, or exile for thousands of miles, I... await Your Majesty's judgment!"

“The Eastern Palace has only a few dozen people,” he suddenly pointed towards the Eastern Palace outside the hall, his gaze burning with intensity: “Father, you can open your eyes and see clearly—”

"Look at this prince you call morally corrupt, how he treats those around him!"

It was as if he wanted to unleash all the pent-up emotions of the past twenty-one years.

Having said this, Li Chengqian seemed to have completely gone all out. He suddenly turned around, pointed to the dragon throne that represented supreme power, and spoke with words as sharp as knives, each one resounding with conviction:
"As for this position—Father Emperor!"

"You must sit tight and hold on tight! Whatever you do... don't leave it to someone as despicable as your son!!!"

Say it.

Li Chengqian turned back without hesitation and resolutely walked out of the palace.

The hall was deathly silent.

Watching his son's receding figure, Li Shimin's tears fell silently. His body trembled violently, unable to control himself, but he could only force himself to stand up.

He sat alone in the hall for a long time before he could catch his breath. He then ordered someone to summon Li Tai.

A heavy silence enveloped the entire palace. Li Tai followed the eunuch into the main hall, and upon entering, he immediately knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling and choked with sobs:

"Father! I know I was wrong!"

—The two are worlds apart.

In the past, Li Shimin would have considered this as obedience, but now it all seems so unbearable.

"you"

He remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, "Where did you get the guts?"

"Father, I know my mistake."

Li Tai buried his head deep in the ground and cried, "Your Majesty, I was bewitched! It was those ministers who advised me to do this!"

"They say that the son has received such favor from the Emperor."

"When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will certainly not spare your son."

"Your subject has been bewitched by them!"

His body trembled uncontrollably.

Li Tai had absolutely no desire to confront his father, who possessed such extraordinary achievements.

He was afraid of losing everything he currently had.

It wasn't just Li Shimin's favoritism, but also his own status.

A scholar is, after all, a scholar.

Li Tai embodies the typical characteristics of a scholar.

Facing Li Shimin, he could not be as frank and open as Li Chengqian, and could not express all the grievances in his heart.

Li Shimin just looked at Li Tai like that.

At this moment, he no longer even had the will to ask any further questions.

But thinking about everything his son had done in the past, he remained silent for a long time before finally asking, "If you were the crown prince, how would you govern the country, and how would you treat your brothers?"

Upon hearing this, Li Tai was instantly stunned.

I never expected Li Shimin to say such a thing.

Although we don't know exactly what happened.

But looking into Li Shimin's unfathomable eyes, he hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Ruoruo'er will be the crown prince."

"We should emulate our father's methods of governing the country."

"He implemented benevolent governance, reduced taxes and levies, allowing the people to recuperate and thrive; he broadened channels for public opinion, readily accepting advice, emulating the magnanimity of his father;"

"."

Li Tai, as always, answered in a way that flattered Li Shimin, "As for the future..."

"Before I die, I will kill my own son and pass the throne to Zhinu."

He did indeed understand Li Shimin well, and was very clear that the "Xuanwu Gate Incident" was a source of great anxiety for Li Shimin, who longed to see his descendants live in harmony.

Such words, in the past...

Li Shimin would definitely be impressed by Li Tai's filial piety.

But things are completely different now.

—Kill your son to pass the mantle to your brother!
Li Shimin's brows furrowed almost instantly.

Regardless of how much this violates human ethics, given Li Tai's actions this time, Li Shimin simply could not believe these words.

In an instant, his eyes dimmed even more.

Think about Li Chengqian just now, and then think about Li Tai now.

A sense of regret arose in his heart.

I regret what I've done over the years.

But what's the use of regretting it now?
Li Chengqian's personality is now fully formed, and Li Tai has reached this point; it's too late for regrets.

Should Li Chengqian continue to be the crown prince?
Regardless of whether he could become a wise ruler, Li Tai was certain to die.

Given Li Chengqian's personality, even he would never be able to protect Li Tai.

And the Tang Dynasty in later generations would eventually be influenced by it.

The struggle between brothers will never end.

Everything begins with him!

This thought exploded in Li Shimin's mind like a thunderbolt, instantly stirring up a myriad of thoughts, and his expression became increasingly complex and unreadable.

"Father?"

Seeing Li Shimin remain silent, a sudden fervor flashed in Li Tai's eyes.

He actually thought that this problem was an indication of establishing an heir apparent.

"Go down!"

Without uttering a single word, Li Shimin waved his hand, his voice resolute.

“Father…” Li Tai was struck dumb, frozen in place, completely bewildered.

But when he met Li Shimin's suddenly sharp and icy gaze, his heart trembled, and he dared not speak again. He hurriedly kowtowed and retreated in a sorry state.

Inside the main hall, there was a deathly silence, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

Li Shimin sat upright on the dragon throne, tears silently streaming down his face, one after another.

Someone come! "

After an unknown amount of time, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice: "Summon the Grand Tutor immediately—"

Before he could finish speaking, he abruptly stopped.

As if he had thought of something, he shook his head again and muttered to himself, "Never mind."

As he spoke, Li Shimin slowly rose, his steps deliberate, and walked straight toward the Lingyan Pavilion.

What good would it do to summon Gu Jing?

Gu Jing was not Gu Quan after all.

Gu Jing would never be involved in any matters concerning the foundation of the nation.

He was a pillar that Li Shimin left for future rulers, and Li Shimin did not want to involve him in this matter.

Lingyan Pavilion.

In that solemn hall, Li Shimin slowly walked into the deepest part and finally stopped in front of Gu Quan's portrait. Then, just like in the past, he casually sat down on the ground.

"Ziyuan—"

"If you were still here, would everything have come to this?"

He looked at Gu Quan's portrait and murmured to himself.

Gu Quan was willing to do anything to calm him down.

If he had been able to calm down, things might not have turned out this way.

But this is just wishful thinking.

Gu Quan had said many times that he was too harsh on the Crown Prince, but Li Shimin had never paid attention to it before.

No one can completely change the relationship between this father and son.

From the moment Empress Zhangsun passed away and Li Chengqian became lame, everything was already destined.

Before everything had fully unfolded, a proud and confident person like Li Shimin would never have thought he was wrong.

Just like it is now!
(P.S.: I'm begging for monthly votes and recommendations! I'd be incredibly grateful for your support.)
(End of this chapter)