Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 62 This child must not leave Chang'an
Looking at his good son below the steps, Li Yuan thought several times about following Li Shimin's advice and actually bestowing the title of crown prince upon another son.

But he can't.

This is his only legitimate son. If he is not the crown prince today, he will probably die of illness tomorrow.

Emperor Wen of Sui died suddenly, and even today, no one can say how he died.

He reminded himself of this countless times.

Today, he relinquished the Taiji Palace for the sake of the stability of the Tang Dynasty.

We must not allow this newly established empire to follow the same path as the former Sui Dynasty.

"My son, there is no need to refuse. You have contributed greatly to the establishment of the Tang Dynasty. I should have made you the crown prince long ago. Now that I am old, I feel tired every day. My son, you should do your best."

Li Yuan's voice trembled, as if his words were truly true; he was now physically and mentally exhausted.

But everyone present understood why.

Today's apparent establishment of an heir apparent is, in fact, a prelude to the Tang Dynasty's impending change of leadership.

What followed was a matter of course. Li Shimin refused twice more, but on the last occasion, he stepped forward and kowtowed to Li Yuan, "forced" to accept the position of Crown Prince.

Standing outside in the sun, Wen He was already drowsy.

Suddenly, a gong sounded from ahead, followed by someone coming out to read out an imperial edict.

The distance was too great, and Wen He couldn't even hear what the eunuch was saying, only vaguely hearing the last few sentences.

"...His merits were outstanding, his virtue surpassed that of the two southern regions, and he served as the chief administrator, where his achievements were truly remarkable."

His duties encompass both internal and external affairs, are recorded in ancient texts, attract attention from near and far, and are admired by both the court and the people. He is suited to lead a great enterprise and is worthy of being entrusted with its responsibilities.

He can be made crown prince.

The relevant officials prepared the necessary rituals and issued the decree in due course.

No sooner had this imperial edict been read than the eunuch produced another one.

The previous document was about establishing an heir apparent, but this one is the key.

Wen He remembered seeing it in the library before; it was numbered "Imperial Edict Ordering the Crown Prince to Decide on State Affairs".

The reading of this imperial edict meant that Li Shimin had officially become the ruler of the Tang Dynasty.

After the two imperial edicts were read aloud, the court meeting adjourned.

He stood there, unsure of where to go.

He was brought by a eunuch who arranged their positions and then disappeared.

He looked in the direction the officials had left, and was about to follow them when he saw Huang Chun's hurried figure on the other side.

Needless to say, they must have come looking for him.

"Young Master Wen, please wait! The Emperor summons you."

"What does Your Highness want with me?" The surroundings were noisy, and Wen He didn't hear what he said clearly, thinking that Li Shimin wanted to see her.

"It is not His Highness the Crown Prince, but the Sage."

"Sage? Li..." The word Li Yuan was about to slip out when he suddenly shut his mouth, letting out a long sigh of relief, thinking how close he had come to disaster.

If those two words were to be uttered, he would be confined for the rest of his life.

"We should go immediately."

Wen He chuckled dryly, inwardly admiring his own quick thinking.

Huang Chun didn't notice anything unusual, but he felt that Wen He's reaction was a bit strange. However, he didn't think much of it and simply made a gesture of invitation.

Inside the Tai Chi Hall.

Inside the spacious hall, only Li Yuan and his son Li Shimin remained.

Li Shimin, who had just become the crown prince, knelt solemnly below the imperial steps.

Meanwhile, the Tang emperor, who was about to retire to the second line, lay lazily on his side on the Hu bed with his eyes closed.

Only when Huang Chun's voice came from outside the hall did the father and son open their eyes at the same time.

When Wen He entered, she could clearly feel the oppressive atmosphere inside the hall.

The cold sensation emanating from the gold bricks beneath his feet made his scalp tingle.

He hadn't forgotten that Li Yuan had chased him with a knife back in the Xianchi Palace.

Judging from today's situation, will they do it again?

"Your humble servant pays respects to His Majesty and Your Highness the Crown Prince." Wen He approached and bowed deeply with his hands clasped.

He had barely finished speaking when he heard a sneer from above.

"Last time you saw me, you brat shouted 'Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!' And today you can only pay your respects?"

His voice was somewhat cold, as if he were mocking Wen He for being opportunistic.

Wen He felt a little embarrassed. Last time, he didn't know the proper etiquette for meeting the emperor, so he imitated what he saw in those TV dramas from later generations. But Li Yuan is crazy, isn't he? If you've been wronged, go find your son, why are you taking your anger out on me?

It's not good to praise you, but it's not good to remain silent either.

Could this old scoundrel be upset and deliberately sent me here to vent his anger?
Wen He inwardly grumbled, but dared not show it. He chuckled dryly and replied, "Your Majesty is in excellent health and can live not only ten thousand years, but a million years. If I were to say ten thousand years, wouldn't that be cursing Your Majesty to have your lifespan shortened?"

"Hmph, flattery and sophistry." Li Yuan snorted, then looked at Li Shimin and asked meaningfully, "If I were truly to live ten thousand years, would you be worried?"

"Of course, I wish for Father to live long," Li Shimin said with a stern face.

Wen He watched from afar, clicking his tongue in disbelief. He couldn't figure out what Li Shimin was thinking.

These scheming people are indeed all very deep and calculating.

"Hmph, like ruler, like ministers!"

Watching Li Shimin and Wen He sing in unison, Li Yuan couldn't help but recall the time in Xianchi Palace, and also the reason why he wanted to see Wen He today.

Although he was still somewhat skeptical about Wen He's claim of coming from the future.

But there was one question he had wanted to ask Wen He ever since he found out last night.

"Since you say you come from the future, then I ask you, how long will the Tang Dynasty last?"

"what?"

Wen He was surprised.

I just want to ask this question.

Aren't you curious about what the future world will be like?
"What, is this difficult to answer?"

Li Yuan frowned, his face full of displeasure.

"Are you trying to deceive me, or have you already deceived me? What will become of the Tang Dynasty under Erlang's rule?"

He slammed his hand on the table and shouted.

Wen He looked at Li Shimin with some difficulty.

The latter nodded helplessly at him, meaning he should tell the truth.

Wen He raised an eyebrow, thinking to herself, "You're the ones who told me to say that."

He then repeated what he had said to Li Er at the Prince of Qin's residence.

"boom!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a loud crash came from above, and Li Yuan overturned the table in front of him.

"Your Majesty, please do not be angry. In fact, compared to the former Sui and Northern Zhou, the Tang Dynasty has been long-lived."

"You brat, get out!"

Li Yuan's eyes were red, as if he had gone mad.

Wen He paused for a moment, glanced at Li Shimin again, and then pointed outside.

This means asking Li Shimin whether he wants to go out.

Only after the latter nodded did Wen He secretly breathe a sigh of relief, bow to Li Yuan, and was about to bow and leave.

Just then, Li Yuan roared, "This boy must not leave Chang'an!"

Wen He, who was about to leave the main hall, curled her lip indifferently.

If you won't leave, then you won't leave.

Anyway, there's nothing wrong with him staying in Chang'an.

After the Wei River Treaty was resolved, Chang'an City enjoyed at least several decades of peace.

"Your Majesty, I thank you."

Wen He bowed with his hands clasped in a gesture of nonchalance, which made Li Yuan feel a tightness in his chest, and he almost couldn't catch his breath.

Upon seeing this, Li Shimin hurriedly stepped forward to comfort him, but was pushed away.

Only after watching Wen He's figure leave the main hall did Li Yuan, panting heavily, glare at Li Shimin.

"The Tang Dynasty perished in your bloodline, and you must shoulder this responsibility. Since Heaven has sent a person from a later generation to your side, you must make good use of him!"

“This brat must not be allowed to marry into an outsider. If you have a suitable one in your family, find one to marry him. If not, find one from among your sisters.”

"Furthermore, his sister may also marry into the imperial family, but she must never be your legitimate son."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin looked up at Li Yuan in surprise, his eyes already reddening.

It wasn't that he couldn't think of what Li Yuan said.

Rather, he couldn't believe that his father would consider these things for him.

He immediately burst into tears, knelt down and bowed deeply, shouting, "Father!"

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(End of this chapter)