Tang Dynasty: Consort Wu? Your Majesty, please address her as the Crown Prince's Consort.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, the expected excitement did not materialize; instead, he saw everyone looking conflicted.

Changsun Wuji looked at Li Shimin with a hesitant expression and said:

"Your Majesty! I believe that since he still wants it, we should just give it to him. It'll be his sooner or later anyway!"

"Yes! Yes! What's wrong with the child? He just wants to be emperor, isn't that a good thing? It's not like he's incapable!"

"Absolutely! Absolutely! I've wanted to retire for a long time. Years of fighting have left me with old wounds that ache all over my body. Doctor Sun said I need to rest and recuperate properly!"

……

Seeing everyone's listless attitude, Li Shimin was completely dumbfounded!

He immediately became enraged and said:

"Shut up, all of you! Even if this rebellious son really wants to steal it, he needs to show me he has the ability. Giving in like this will only make him arrogant and will harm him!"

Upon hearing this, everyone fell into deep thought.

It must be said that Li Shimin's words this time really struck a chord with them.

They did love Li Chengqian, but that doesn't mean they supported him unconditionally.

The Tang Dynasty was established under their leadership, and naturally they hoped that the Tang Dynasty would become better and better.

Therefore, they still valued the monarch's ability and character.

Now that their own emperor has said these words, they realize that this is no longer a simple struggle for imperial power.

This is a test. His Highness the Crown Prince needs to demonstrate his abilities and methods. Only by winning the respect of these old fogies can His Highness ascend to that position.

Upon realizing this, everyone's expressions changed.

Cheng Yaojin couldn't help but burst into laughter:

"Hahaha! Very well! Let me see if His Highness the Crown Prince is capable of ascending to this position!"

"Haha! That's right! With the King of Qin drawing his bow and Yuchi Jingde wielding his spear, who in the world could stand against them?!"

"Your Highness is skilled at using military force to intimidate others, but I wonder if you can still be invincible against my military strategies?"

"Since we're going to fight, let's fight to the bitter end! Who says civil officials are only good at classical Chinese?"

Seeing that everyone was finally getting excited, Li Shimin couldn't help but breathe a slight sigh of relief.

Fortunately, these old guys still have some conscience.

He was genuinely afraid that these guys would just surrender, and then he'd be in deep trouble!

……

Inside Taiyuan City.

The Wang Family Mansion in Taiyuan!

"Master! It's terrible, Master! A large number of cavalry have arrived and surrounded us!!"

The patriarch of the Wang clan in Taiyuan was startled by the noise.

"What's going on? Where did these cavalry come from? Don't they know this is the territory of the Wang family of Taiyuan? How dare they come here?!"

boom!

Just then, the gate of the Taiyuan Wang family was kicked open, and Ashina Duer rode in on horseback.

The members of the Wang clan in Taiyuan were all startled by this sight.

"Who are you? This is the residence of the Wang family of Taiyuan! Do you want to die?"

"Insolence! Where did you soldiers come from? Trespassing on the Wang family's ancestral home, are you plotting a rebellion?!"

……

Looking at these arrogant members of the Wang clan in front of him, Duer couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth slightly.

"The Wang family of Taiyuan? They're gone after today!"

Upon hearing this, everyone present couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

The patriarch of the Wang clan of Taiyuan couldn't help but speak, his voice trembling:

"What do you mean by this? Do you intend to wipe out the Wang clan of Taiyuan?"

Upon hearing the words of the Wang clan chief, Duer couldn't help but show a look of surprise.

"As expected of the patriarch of the Wang clan of Taiyuan, his guess was spot on."

As he spoke, he pulled out a bright yellow imperial edict from his robes.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has decreed that the Wang family of Taiyuan is plotting to murder the Crown Prince, colluding with foreign tribes, oppressing the people, and forming cliques for personal gain."

According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, nine generations of a family should be executed, but His Highness the Crown Prince was merciful and only executed the main branch of the Wang family and those who had committed crimes.

"The collateral branches will not be killed, the married-out daughters will not be killed, and the retainers from other surnames will not be killed! Fifty percent of the Wang family's property will be confiscated, and the remainder will belong to the collateral branches!"

Upon hearing this order, the members of the Wang family of Taiyuan couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

Especially those offspring from the collateral branches who had never done anything wrong couldn't help but look at the main branch members.

They were originally planning to fight to the death, but it seems... it's none of their business anymore.

Is only the main vein alive or dead?

Haha! What's it to them!

Even though they both came from the Wang clan of Taiyuan, there were still differences between them.

The main branch of the Wang family enjoys the vast majority of the resources of the Taiyuan Wang clan, while the collateral branches can only eat what is left over.

Moreover, these high-ranking members of the main clan often bullied them.

Thinking of this, those members of the collateral branches who had not committed any offenses all subconsciously stepped back to the side.

Upon witnessing this scene, the faces of the main branch of the Wang family in Taiyuan turned green.

The Wang clan patriarch was alarmed upon seeing this.

What does Your Highness mean?

Killing only the main branch members is an attempt to completely divide the Taiyuan Wang clan!

It should be noted that the main branch controlled most of the resources of the Taiyuan Wang clan. If the main branch were to perish, these resources would fall into the hands of the collateral branches.

One whale fall brings forth a myriad of life. These collateral branches will not only not hold a grudge against the crown prince, but will probably be grateful to him!

Even if it's only half, it's still a huge benefit for the branch!

Didn't you notice how their gazes towards the main branch changed?

Upon seeing this, Duer couldn't help but purse his lips.

"These foolish members of noble families are truly as the master said: a disorganized mess, their relationships as thin as paper!"

Seeing that it was almost time, he immediately gave the order.

"Take them all down!"

"Yes, General!!"

……

On the other hand, the Zheng family of Xingyang was in a similar situation.

Li You stared expressionlessly at the terrified members of the Zheng clan before him.

"Li You! How dare you? Are you going to make enemies of all the powerful families in the world?!"

Looking at the Zheng clan chief's face full of resentment, Li You couldn't help but sneer.

"Hehe! Clan Chief Zheng, you really know how to flatter yourself. The Zheng clan's main branch is not representative of all the noble families in the world."

Moreover, the Wang clan of Taiyuan and the Zheng clan of Xingyang are undeniably guilty of treason. If His Highness the Crown Prince pardons these two collateral branches, they will only be grateful and praise His Highness's benevolence!

He was no fool to become the patriarch of the Zheng clan of Xingyang.

How could he not see Li Chengqian's intentions?

Distributing half of the resources of the Zheng family of Xingyang to their collateral branches would be a huge benefit for those branches.

Having gained such enormous benefits, how could they possibly resent Li Chengqian for a main branch that had no feelings for them and even oppressed them?

Li You, too lazy to waste any more words with them, immediately gave the order.

"Capture them all for me, and hurry, we need to get to Chang'an!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

……

In addition to the members of the Wang clan of Taiyuan and the Zheng clan of Xingyang, members of both clans who were outside their ancestral homes were also captured by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

This is what Yao Guangxiao instructed: "If you don't cut the weeds at the root, they will grow back in the spring breeze!"

Since His Majesty is about to ascend the throne, it would be best to get rid of some people who shouldn't be in the court.

This humble monk is indeed too considerate! Hehehe!