Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 320 Mother, I hope you will support me in the same way three years from now! [Requesting monthly votes]

"Your Majesty, the Empress has issued an imperial decree summoning the Crown Prince!"

Li Shimin was studying the war report on the Sui Dynasty's attack on Goguryeo in his study in the Ganlu Hall when Yun Duan cautiously entered and bowed to report to him.

Without looking up, he replied, "Yes, I understand."

But as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized something was wrong, so he frowned and looked up, asking, "What did you say?"

"Your Majesty, the Empress has just issued an imperial decree urgently summoning the Crown Prince to the palace!"

"Why?"

Li Shimin asked with some doubt, "Could something have happened to the Empress?"

"This subject is unaware of such matters; affairs of the inner palace are not within the scope of my duties!" Yun Duan said very sincerely.

Li Shimin glanced at him, then at Wu She beside him, and said coldly, "Wu She, what's the situation with the Empress?"

"Your Majesty, as far as I know, the Empress has been busy with the Royal Manufacturing Bureau recently. I've heard that the Academy of Sciences is researching a textile machine that has more spindles than the Royal Manufacturing Bureau's machines and is extremely efficient. The Empress plans to import this spinning machine and open a new textile factory!"

Wu She answered respectfully, glanced at Yun Duan, and continued, "As for the Empress's urgent summons of the Crown Prince, this servant is not aware of it either, because nothing major has happened in the palace. Perhaps the Empress encountered some urgent matter, hence the urgent summons of the Crown Prince to resolve it!"

"Strange!"

Li Shimin said with some displeasure, "I have only been to the Empress's place for a short time. Why does she have to go to that rebellious son instead of me for something urgent?"

"This one……"

Wu She and Yun Duan exchanged a glance, then Wu She chuckled and said, "Perhaps the Empress knows that His Majesty is about to lead the expedition in person and has many things to attend to, so she doesn't want to bother His Majesty any further!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, the Empress summoned the Crown Prince. Although it was a rather grand occasion, it shouldn't be anything serious. Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone to see Your Majesty first!" Yun Duan echoed with a smile.

Although they all knew that Empress Zhangsun's actions were somewhat irregular, since it was Li Shimin who issued the decree that Li Chengqian should not enter the palace without summons, the affection between Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun was undeniable, so even an imperial decree was just as powerful as a royal edict.

But Li Shimin said thoughtfully, "Since it's nothing serious, then we don't need to worry about it. I trust the Empress."

After saying this, he glanced at the battle report on the table, narrowed his eyes, and said, "Bring me Changsun Wuji, Li Jing, Hou Junji, and Fang Xuanling. I have already figured out how to fight Goguryeo!"

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Yun Duan immediately accepted the order and withdrew.

A moment later, another palace attendant came to Wu She's side and whispered a few words in his ear. Wu She's expression changed instantly, and he quickly turned to look at Li Shimin.

But Li Shimin's attention has now turned to the Sui Dynasty's roadmap for attacking Goguryeo.

He firmly believed that the achievements that the Sui Dynasty had failed to accomplish despite its four expeditions and the utmost efforts of the nation would be completed in his hands.

.........

Meanwhile, on the other side, at Lizheng Hall.

As soon as Li Chengqian arrived at Lizheng Hall, he witnessed an unbelievable scene and asked, full of doubt:
"Mother, why is Grandfather here too?"

"Oh, Chengqian is here! Please have a seat!"

Empress Zhangsun did not answer Li Chengqian immediately, but instead smiled and invited him to sit down.

As for Li Yuan, he didn't even glance at him once throughout the entire process.

This puzzled him greatly, and he secretly wondered, "Could it be that Old Li knew I would come here, so he came here to intercept me beforehand?"

Is he angry with me? Is he upset that I didn't go to him first?

Although Li Yuan and Empress Zhangsun summoned Li Chengqian almost at the same time, Li Yuan always had people around Li Chengqian. If something really important happened, someone would probably come to inform him before Li Yuan even had a chance to summon him.

That's why he chose to come to the main hall first.

But to his utter surprise, Li Yuan was waiting for him at the Lizheng Palace.

This is a bit embarrassing.

Empress Zhangsun seemed to see through her son's embarrassment, so she took the initiative to explain, "Actually, the Emperor Emeritus is here; I invited him!"

"Oh?"

Li Chengqian raised an eyebrow, seemingly not expecting this situation, and then sat up straight and asked, "May I ask, Mother, has something serious happened?"

After saying this, he glanced at Li Yuan, who was casually drinking tea, and looked around at the people around him.

It seemed that apart from the three of them, the surroundings were empty, and even Xiangling, who always served Empress Zhangsun, was not there.

What does this mean?
This shows that what Empress Zhangsun talked about was definitely not simple!
Empress Zhangsun smiled faintly and said, "It's nothing serious. I just heard that your father is going to war against Goguryeo. I wanted to ask if you know about this?"

"This one……"

Li Chengqian hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "To be honest, Mother, I know about this."

"Oh, so what are your thoughts or opinions on this matter?"

I don't have any opinion!

Li Chengqian spread his hands and said, "This is Father Emperor's matter, I cannot make the decision!"

"But your father told me that it was you who suggested he go to war against Goguryeo..."

As Empress Zhangsun spoke, the smile on her face gradually disappeared, and her expression became very serious as she asked, "Is this true?"

"This……"

Li Chengqian was slightly taken aback, then turned his gaze to Li Yuan again. He saw that Li Yuan seemed not to have heard anything or cared about anything, and was drinking tea by himself. So Li Chengqian also put away his relaxed expression and said seriously, "It is indeed true!"

"Can you tell Mother why you did this?"

What does "Empress Dowager" refer to?

"You're encouraging your father to launch a campaign against Goguryeo!"

Empress Zhangsun looked at Li Chengqian with an unusually cold expression.

Li Chengqian nodded slightly as if he suddenly understood, and then said leisurely, "So Mother summoned me to the palace in such a hurry because of Father's expedition against Goguryeo."

Empress Zhangsun said noncommittally, "Since ancient times, it has always been sons who advise their fathers to avoid dangerous situations, but never sons who put their fathers in danger. Chengqian, in the past, I rarely said anything to you, and even often supported you, but this time, I really can't understand it."

In fact, from the day Li Chengqian rose to power, she had a premonition that Li Chengqian and Li Shimin would embark on a path of confrontation.

Because both father and son became the kind of people who refused to be inferior to others.

Although Empress Zhangsun doted on Li Chengqian, she hoped to see her son resemble Li Shimin.

But she never imagined that the conflict between the father and son would escalate to this point.

It should be understood that in her heart, Li Shimin had his reasons for launching the Xuanwu Gate Incident, killing his brothers, and forcing his father to abdicate.

However, in her view, Li Chengqian's schemes against Li Shimin were completely unreasonable.

Because Li Shimin did not treat Li Yuan the way he treated him, nor did he treat his other sons like Li Yuan treated Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji.

But Li Chengqian said with a hint of amusement, "So, Mother Empress thinks that my suggestion to Father Emperor to go to war against Goguryeo was a way of harming Father Emperor?"

"It's not that I harmed him, it's that I shouldn't have advised him to personally lead the expedition against Goguryeo!"

Empress Zhangsun asked sternly, "Do you know about Emperor Yang of Sui's three campaigns against Goguryeo?"

"know."

"Then do you know how the Sui Dynasty fell?"

"know."

"Then why did you still advise your father to personally lead the army?"

"Because I believe that Father Emperor will win if he personally leads the army!"

Li Chengqian also asked seriously, "Is Mother doubting Father's abilities?"

"Or does Mother think Father is inferior to Emperor Yang of Sui?"

"you……"

Empress Zhangsun was shocked and speechless, not expecting Li Chengqian to ask her such a question.

Li Chengqian continued unhurriedly, "Throughout history, it is indeed rare for a son to put his father in danger, but throughout history, there have been countless fathers who have put their sons in danger..."

As he spoke, Li Chengqian turned his gaze to Li Yuan again and said, "Then, shouldn't we reflect on why this situation has arisen?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan, who had been silent all along, slowly raised his head and looked at Li Chengqian with a complicated expression.

Although the grandfather and grandson did not say a word, Li Chengqian already understood Li Yuan's thoughts.

He probably also felt that his suggestion for Li Shimin to personally lead the expedition was a scheme to harm Li Shimin and then smoothly seize the throne. Although Li Yuan still hated Li Shimin, he didn't think it would be a good thing for Li Chengqian to plot Li Shimin's death on the Liaodong battlefield.

If Li Chengqian did this, even if he successfully seized the throne, he would be subjected to countless condemnations.

But then Li Chengqian suddenly turned to Empress Zhangsun and said, "Mother, I want to ask you something. Can you tell me?"

Empress Zhangsun was taken aback for a moment, then frowned and asked, "What is it?"

Li Chengqian thought for a moment, then straightened his posture and said, "If one day I break my leg and become disabled for life, how do you think my father would treat me?"

"This……"

Empress Zhangsun was taken aback and instinctively looked at Li Yuan.

Li Yuan looked at Li Chengqian's legs with a surprised expression and asked with doubt, "Chengqian, are you injured?"

"No, I just wanted to ask my mother, based on her understanding of my father, how he would treat me if I broke my leg and became disabled for life!"

Li Chengqian shook his head, then looked at Empress Zhangsun with a solemn expression and asked, "Will he depose me from my position as crown prince?"

"This……"

Empress Zhangsun hesitated for a moment, then fell silent.

Based on her understanding of Li Shimin, if Li Chengqian had truly become crippled, Li Shimin probably wouldn't have deposed him from his position as crown prince.

However, given Li Shimin's perfectionist nature, he must have harbored resentment towards a crown prince who was crippled for life.

After all, no prince who was crippled for life has ever ascended the throne.

Even during the chaotic Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties, nothing like this happened.

Therefore, after a moment's consideration, she shook her head and said, "Although a crown prince who is crippled for life is indeed detrimental to the dignity of the country, your mother believes in your father!"

"Even if your father has such thoughts, your mother will do her best to persuade him and will never let him easily depose the crown prince!"

"What if my mother passes away after I become disabled? Will she still believe in my father?"

Li Chengqian pressed on, "Without you, who could have stopped him from deposing the crown prince?"

"This……"

Empress Zhangsun was once again taken aback by Li Chengqian's words, and she and Li Yuan exchanged bewildered glances.

But Li Yuan couldn't help but ask again, "Chengqian, why would you think that? Aren't you perfectly fine now? Why are you worried about being deposed?"

Although Li Chengqian had been deposed by Li Shimin once, it was Li Chengqian's own doing and could not be considered a voluntary deposition by Li Shimin.

As for Li Chengqian now, even if he becomes disabled for life, it probably won't be easy for Li Shimin to depose him.

Because Li Chengqian had already gained considerable power, unless he did something that would anger the heavens and the people, something treasonous, Li Shimin would absolutely not be able to depose him from his position as crown prince.

But Li Chengqian didn't think so.

But he said calmly and indifferently, "Grandpa, as the saying goes, life is unpredictable. Just because things are fine now doesn't mean they will be fine in the future. When you founded the Tang Dynasty, did you ever imagine that my father would launch the Xuanwu Gate Incident?"

"This……"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan was speechless.

But then Empress Zhangsun frowned and said, "So everything you've done these past five years was to prepare for the future?"

"That's it!"

Li Chengqian replied vaguely, "I'm not sure if the future will be as I imagine it to be. I just don't want to lose everything I have now."

"Since you don't want to lose everything you have now, why not be more careful and avoid getting hurt?"

Empress Zhangsun still asked, somewhat puzzled.

But Li Chengqian chuckled and said, "If people could truly avoid misfortune and seek good fortune, they wouldn't be human; they would be gods! Unfortunately, your son is not a god, but merely a mortal!"

"No, Mother still doesn't understand what you're trying to say or do!"

"Ugh!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian sighed helplessly, then raised his hand to his forehead and said, "Mother, Grandfather, I'll tell you the truth. In my opinion, even if I become crippled, my father will not personally depose me from the position of Crown Prince. However, he will force me to make a mistake in another way!"

"As you all know, my father's favorite son is Qingque. If I were to become crippled, he would pour all his love into Qingque. Given Qingque's ambition, he would definitely compete with me for the throne. In this way, although he didn't explicitly say he wanted to depose me, everything he did was telling me that it was time to abdicate and pass the throne to a more worthy successor!"

"Tell me, what will happen to me? I'll definitely be unwilling to accept it. I'll be driven crazy, and one wrong step will lead to another, ultimately leading me down the path of rebellion to protect myself!"

"And the result? It's obvious, no one can successfully rebel against the Heavenly Khan!"

"So, I failed, I was deposed, will Qingque become the crown prince?"

"No, because if Qingque succeeds, it would be tantamount to telling the descendants of the Li Tang dynasty that the position of crown prince can be obtained through manipulation. Within a hundred years, the Li Tang dynasty will surely be in chaos!"

"Therefore, the court officials will definitely oppose Qingque's ascension to the throne. And Father Emperor will certainly compromise in the face of the prevailing trend!"

"So, think about it, who will become the crown prince after me?"

"This……"

Empress Zhangsun and Li Yuan looked at each other, and then both fell silent.

Because they didn't need to think to know that it was probably Prince Li Zhi of Jin, who had just turned two years old.

But these were all Li Chengqian's speculations, and they still couldn't completely convince them.

Empress Zhangsun frowned again and said, "Why can't you think of the bright side? Why do you have to think so extremely?"

"Mother, it's not that I'm thinking in an extreme way, but rather it's about taking precautions!"

Li Chengqian shook his head, then stared intently at Empress Zhangsun and said, "You should know my father's character better than I do. Do you think he wouldn't do all of this?"

"This……"

Empress Zhangsun fell silent upon hearing this.

Based on her understanding of Li Shimin, if things really developed as Li Chengqian described, Li Shimin might actually do it.

But will things really develop as Li Chengqian predicted?

Empress Zhangsun began to struggle internally. On one side was her beloved husband, and on the other was the son to whom she had placed her hopes. She didn't want anything to happen to either of them.

After struggling with her decision several times, she finally turned her attention to Li Yuan.

Because Li Yuan had been through similar experiences, she believed he should have a solution.

Li Yuan seemed to have already guessed Empress Zhangsun's thoughts. When she turned her gaze to him, he said with a smile, "I think Erlang is definitely capable of doing such a thing. Therefore, I have never opposed Chengqian doing what he wants to do. Even if the day comes when father and son really go to war, I will support Chengqian!"

"I am not here today to stop Chengqian, but to prevent him from making the same mistake as Erlang. If he is to seize the throne, he should do so honorably and let Erlang be the retired emperor!"

"Father!"

Empress Zhangsun's expression changed drastically, seemingly not expecting Li Yuan to say such a thing.

However, Li Chengqian was not at all surprised that Li Yuan would say such a thing.

He looked solemnly at Empress Zhangsun and said in a deep voice, "Mother, do you remember what I told you back then? I don't want what others give me. I want to prove through my own efforts that that position can only belong to your son!"

"You don't need to worry. My suggestion that Father personally lead the expedition is not to harm him. Rather, it is from a strategic perspective that I believe he should lead the expedition in person."

"Please also believe that my father and I are not like Emperor Yang of Sui and his son. Their repeated defeats in Goguryeo do not mean that my father and I will also fail!"

"I plan to spend three years annihilating all the powerful enemies surrounding the Tang Dynasty. After three years, I will firmly grasp my own destiny!"

After saying this, he turned to look at Li Yuan, then at Empress Zhangsun, and solemnly said, "I hope that three years from now, Mother will continue to support me as always!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he stood up from his seat and strode out of the hall.

"Chengqian—!"

Seeing Li Chengqian leave so abruptly, Empress Zhangsun suddenly seemed to remember something and hurriedly asked, "Was it that dream? Did you see the future in your dream?!"

"Your leg is crippled, your mother is dead, and your father has deposed you! Isn't that right? My poor son! Waaah..."

"Boom!"

When Li Chengqian heard Empress Zhangsun crying, his heart tightened and he froze in place.

But he did not respond to Empress Zhangsun. He remained silent for a moment, then took another step, resolutely leaving Empress Zhangsun with his back turned.

The silence speaks.

(End of this chapter)