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

Chapter 5: Life's ups and downs are really too fast [New book, please collect it]

"Chengqian!"

Li Shimin kicked over the table and roared angrily.

Li Chengqian really wanted to reply, "Your Majesty, please call me Crown Prince."

But when he saw the table rolling on the ground, he subconsciously swallowed his saliva and decided not to provoke Emperor Li II too much.

After all, when Emperor Li II became cruel, he would even kill his brothers and nephews. If you angered him, you might really end up with a big loss.

"that."

Li Chengqian smiled awkwardly to ease the atmosphere and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Please listen to what I have to say!"

"You kid, why on earth!"

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes slightly, and an imperial aura of oppression swept across the entire hall.

Although the ministers did not know why this happened, no one dared to interfere in the affairs of this father and son.

Li Chengqian sighed and said, "It seems that Father still doesn't understand what it means to be a firmly chosen Crown Prince."

"Stop playing tricks on me. If you have something to say, just say it!"

"Okay! Since my father asked me to speak, then I will speak!"

Li Chengqian asked, "May I ask Father, is the Xuanwu Gate Incident truly over?"

hiss!
Upon hearing this, the ministers couldn't help but gasp and wondered how dare he!

Doesn't he know that this matter is a taboo for Emperor Li II?
Sure enough, when Li Shimin heard Li Chengqian's question, his face turned dark.

But this time, he didn't get angry.

Because he felt that no matter what misunderstanding Li Chengqian had about him, he had to let him finish what he was saying, otherwise it would be difficult to eliminate the misunderstanding.

But Li Shimin asked expressionlessly: "Do you think I was wrong in the Xuanwu Gate Incident?"

"No."

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "I just want to remind my father that Prince Xi and Prince Hailing have both been given their titles and posthumous names. Shouldn't the Xuanwu Gate Incident also be resolved?"

"What conclusion?"

"Hasn't Father ever thought about this?"

Li Chengqian was surprised and said, "After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, my father was subjected to many insults. Some said he was disloyal and unfilial, while others said he was heartless and ungrateful. In short, this incident became a stain on my father. Even if my father governed the Tang Dynasty into the most prosperous era in history, the history books would not record that he was the heir to the throne!"

"Therefore, I feel that whether for the sake of legality or reputation, this matter should be resolved!"

Hearing this, Li Shimin thought for a moment and said, "In the past, Duke Zhou executed Guan and Cai, and the Zhou Dynasty was at peace. Ji Youjiu Shuya and the Lu State were at peace. The reason I strive to ensure the safety of the country and benefit the people is because of this."

"puff--"

Li Chengqian chuckled.

Li Shimin's face darkened: "What are you laughing at?"

"Only Father himself is convinced by this, not everyone in the world!"

"Why?"

"Duke Zhou executed Guan Cai, and Ji Youjiu Shuya. Either the monarch was dead, or the monarch was dying, which led to these two events. May I ask, Father, how is my royal grandfather now?"

"This"

Li Shimin was speechless for a moment.

Duke Zhou killed Guan and Cai because after the death of King Wu of Zhou, the two brothers Guan and Cai conspired to rebel and were defeated and killed by Duke Zhou.

Ji Youjiu Shuya was the one who poisoned his brother Shuya after Duke Zhuang of Lu fell ill. Shuya plotted to enthrone Qingfu as king, and Duke Zhuang ordered Ji Youjiu Shuya to poison him.

Although these two incidents are both famous cases of fratricide in history, they are slightly different from the case of Emperor Li II.

Because Li Yuan was neither dead nor seriously ill, he even gave Li Shimin a younger brother two years ago.

Therefore, Li Shimin was left speechless by Li Chengqian's rebuttal.

"Then, in your opinion, how should we conclude the Xuanwu Gate Incident?"

"Before answering your Majesty, I would like to ask you three more questions!"

"What's the problem?" Li Shimin frowned.

Li Chengqian blinked and said, "I would like to ask you, Father. If you were an ordinary person and saw someone fall into a well, and you could die trying to save them, would you save them or not?"

"This"

Li Shimin was stunned for a moment, as if he did not expect Li Chengqian to ask such a question. He turned his head and looked at the ministers in the hall.

The ministers looked at each other, but no one dared to give Li Shimin an answer.

Li Shimin frowned and snorted coldly: "No help!"

"hehe!"

"Why are you laughing again!"

"Nothing, I just laugh at my father being a gentleman!"

"Gentleman?"

"Right! A gentleman won't save anyone!"

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "When encountering misfortune, one should first have compassion, but a gentleman is not a pedantic person. He can save others, but he will never put himself in danger."

I rub!

As soon as these words were spoken, there was shock in the hall.

The former ministers of the Qin Palace, the old subordinates of Prince Xi and Prince Hailing, Li Yuan's old ministers, including Li Shimin himself, were all shocked by Li Chengqian's remarks.

Good guy!
A gentleman will not save you!

Is this going to blatantly cross the moral bottom line?
How dare he!
"Hahaha--"

Just as all the ministers were stunned, Li Shimin suddenly raised his head and laughed: "Good!"

good boy!
I like this bold statement!
It was obvious that he had understood the meaning of Li Chengqian's question, and also understood why Li Chengqian wanted to make a conclusion on the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

If you watch someone die and don't help, would you still save him if that person was yourself?
Similarly, what would happen if I was the one who died in the Xuanwu Gate Incident?

There is only one truth in this world: either you die or I live.

If you want to survive, you can't put yourself in danger.

Therefore, killing each other was not their intention, it was just to survive!
Thinking of this, Li Shimin's mood suddenly became clear.

excitement!
Shock!

It's more of a touching feeling.

Li Chengqian's question struck the heart of Emperor Li II, alleviating his guilt considerably.

But Li Chengqian's question did not end there. He only heard him continue, "May I ask Father, if I use the wrong method to pursue a correct result, is that right or wrong?"

This time, Li Shimin did not look at the ministers in the hall, but said directly: "Yes!"

"Why?"

“Even if it’s a wrong method, how can you know it’s wrong if you don’t achieve the result?”

"Father is right!"

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "A gentleman judges deeds, not hearts. Judging by the heart, no one in the world is perfect!"

"Humph, although I am the emperor, I am not a perfect man."

Li Shimin frankly admitted his shortcomings and then reminded him: "You have one last question, ask it!"

"it is good!"

Li Chengqian nodded seriously and continued, "May I ask Father, if killing one innocent person could save ten others, would you kill him?"

Li Shimin answered without hesitation: "No killing!"

"What if we can save a thousand or ten thousand people?"

"This"

Li Shimin hesitated a little, because given his personality, he would probably kill him.

But he knew that if he answered like that, he would definitely fall into Li Chengqian's trap, so he asked Li Chengqian: "If it were you, would you save him or not?" Li Chengqian threw his head back and laughed: "Even if I could save everyone in the world, I would not kill that person!"

"Why?"

"Because I was worried about myself, I was the one who was killed!"

"This"

When Li Shimin heard this, his scalp instantly went numb.

The ministers were also stunned and understood each other's thoughts.

Li Chengqian's three questions were actually to draw a conclusion on the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

He analyzed the entire incident from three aspects: human nature, moral choices, and personal values, guiding people to correctly understand the entire incident instead of directly telling people whether the entire incident was right or wrong.

Although this method is very common in later arguments.

but.

This is the Tang Dynasty.

This round of questions and answers directly elevated the emperor and his ministers of the Tang Dynasty to a higher level.

Because this series of questions and answers is not only an inner torture for the protagonists of Xuanwu Gate, but also an inspiration to the entire society's values ​​and morals.

They can't help but ask themselves this question?
Is this really something that an 8-year-old child can say?

Unbelievable!
So shocking!

"call"

Taking a deep breath, Li Shimin calmed his emotions and steady his mind. Then he looked at Li Chengqian with a complicated expression: "Who taught you these three questions?"

Li Chengqian answered casually: "No one taught me, I just figured it out on my own!"

"what?!"

All the ministers were shocked by Li Chengqian's talent. He could think of such a problem without anyone teaching him. What a talent!

"Uh"

Li Shimin was about to ask Li Chengqian what he thought about those three questions, but seeing the expressions of his ministers, he swallowed his words and changed the subject, "What does this have to do with your request to depose the crown prince?"

"No, Father, don't you understand yet? I am the eldest son and I am also the one who has done nothing wrong!"

"You mean you're worried about your brothers?"

"Correct!"

Li Chengqian said sincerely, "As the saying goes, a gentleman does not stand on the mast! If your Majesty does not firmly choose me as the Crown Prince, it will bring hidden dangers to me. Therefore, I cannot accept the position of Crown Prince!"

"Hidden danger? What hidden danger?"

"Father, think carefully. You made me Crown Prince, but didn't crown me. What am I? A half-baked Crown Prince! Although legal, it also leaves opportunities for my brothers!"

"As long as I'm not crowned, they think they can compete for the position of crown prince. If anything happens to me, they will be the next crown prince!"

"In this case, do you think the tragedy of the Xuanwu Gate Incident will not happen again?"

"How can this be?"

Li Shimin said disapprovingly: "Do you think I would let such a tragedy happen to you?"

Li Chengqian felt a little amused. You not only let such a tragedy happen to us. Because of this tragedy, almost none of your sons survived!

It is said that even four emperors could not produce a crown prince who could inherit the throne. In fact, how many people know how difficult it is to be the crown prince of an emperor who can inherit the throne?

I have been given high hopes since I was young and was brought up according to my own template. However, no matter how I was brought up, it was impossible to create another me.

Therefore, the four princes who became emperors of all ages all ended up in tragedy.

But Li Chengqian said earnestly, "Father, it's not that I don't trust you, it's that I don't trust myself. Please depose me from my position as Crown Prince! I beg you!"

"Rebel!"

Li Shimin was about to lose his temper again, but Changsun Wuji quickly stepped forward to console him, saying, "Your Majesty, I think Cheng Qian must have just recovered from a serious illness and his mind is not clear, which is why he is so worried. Why don't you let him go back and have a good rest first?"

"No, uncle!" Li Chengqian said anxiously, "I need Father to dethrone me first so I can go back and have a good rest. Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep or eat well!"

"Uh"

The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment, wondering why Li Chengqian was so timid about the position of crown prince?

Could it be that being the crown prince was really a tragedy?
Thinking of this, Pei Ji, who had been silent all this time, stood up and said, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, you should just follow the Crown Prince's wishes. After all, this matter shouldn't be rushed!"

Zhang Sun Wuji looked back at Pei Ji with some displeasure: "What do you mean by that, Pei Sikong? The Crown Prince is the foundation of the country, how can he be easily deposed and enthroned?!"

"No, no, no, uncle is wrong! The Crown Prince is not the Crown Prince, but my father! As the saying goes, the Emperor is permanent, but the Crown Prince is transient."

"Hahaha!"

As soon as Li Chengqian finished speaking, the ministers burst into laughter.

Although Li Chengqian avoided the position of crown prince, his intelligence, courage, and ability to express himself still conquered many ministers.

However, I don’t know whether Emperor Li II’s attitude has changed.

"Chengqian, tell me honestly, do you have any secrets?" Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian solemnly, as if he wanted to see through him.

In fact, he had noticed Li Chengqian's abnormality a long time ago, but he had never taken it seriously.

Because he felt that Li Chengqian had just recovered from a serious illness, so it was nothing to be a little abnormal.

But now, he suddenly realized that this matter did not seem that simple.

However, Li Chengqian directly denied it, "No, I don't have any unspeakable secrets!"

"but."

He then changed the subject and said with a wry smile, "If the Emperor insists on appointing me as the Crown Prince, can you depose me and then appoint me a new one? That way, I will be the Crown Prince firmly chosen by the Emperor!"

"you!"

Li Shimin raised his finger and pointed at Li Chengqian, so angry that he couldn't speak.

What do you mean by deposing and then reinstating him? You really think appointing a crown prince is a joke!

"Since you don't want to be the crown prince, I won't force you!"

Li Shimin was also an emperor with a very bad temper.

Li Chengqian has said so much, if he doesn't depose Li Chengqian, it would be like flattering his son.

Therefore, no matter how earnestly Changsun Wuji pleaded with him, he resolutely issued the decree.

"I hereby declare that Crown Prince Li Chengqian has lost all sense of propriety, shown disrespect to the Emperor, and openly disrupted the court. His virtue is unworthy of his position. Therefore, I depose him from his position as Crown Prince."

With the delivery of Li Shimin's edict, the absurd and bizarre event of deposing and enthroning the crown prince came to an end.

After Li Shimin's edict was conveyed, Li Chengqian was expelled from the court by Li Shimin.

At this moment, he stood outside Xiande Hall, looking at the afterglow of the setting sun, and couldn't help feeling like crying but unable to.

“Ah! Life’s ups and downs are so fast.”

Sighing, Li Chengqian called out in his mind again: "System!"

[Here! ]

A mechanical voice sounded.

"who am I?"

[Deposed Crown Prince, Li Chengqian]

Li Chengqian's mouth twitched, and he really wanted to curse this pitiful system. However, he couldn't help but ask, "If I am appointed Crown Prince again, will it count as returning to the position of Crown Prince?"

【Calculate. 】

Upon hearing this answer, Li Chengqian burst into tears.

At this moment, a cautious voice came from the side: "Royal brother!"

"Ok?"

Li Chengqian looked in the direction of the voice and saw a sneaky little fat man smiling and greeting him. He couldn't help but frown.

Li Tai!

Li Shimin's second son and Li Chengqian's lifelong enemy!
(End of this chapter)