Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 568 Establishing a Crown Prince
Chang'an, Dai's residence, is both lively and deserted.

Liveliness lies in the number of people, while quietness lies in the atmosphere.

Since the Pei Yan and Li Jingxuan incidents, most of the former Eastern Palace prince's gangs were purged, and the remaining dozen or so people gathered here.

Faced with the sudden turmoil over the succession, Dai Zhide had no choice but to gather together all the close ministers who were lingering in the court to discuss the most troublesome issue at the moment.

"Everyone! What do you think about the affairs of the temple?"

Dai Zhide broke the deadlock.

"A seductress, a vicious woman, so vicious, rarely seen in the history."

Xu Taixuan, who had been feeling depressed for a long time, cursed Empress Wu in front of Dai Zhide using the few swear words he could.

The reason they were in the current predicament, apart from the regent Chen Qingsi, was Li Hong's health. If Li Hong had a normal life span, they, the close ministers in the palace, could have lay low and waited for the opportunity to overthrow Chen Qingsi. But because of Empress Wu, Li Hong's life span was greatly reduced, and they, the close ministers in the palace, were like a small boat in the wind and waves, and could capsize at any time.

Xu Taixuan then brought the topic to Empress Wu, and all kinds of insults were leveled at her.

Dai Zhide frowned, he had actually heard a little about what Empress Wu had done.

Although Li Zhi suppressed what Empress Wu did for the sake of the stability of the court and the reputation of the Tang Dynasty, the whole thing involved too much. The Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Censorate jointly arrested Li Yifu, plus the fact that Li Hong was poisoned by a poisonous insect, and the sudden decline of the prosperous Wu family, all of which were shocking events. Even if Li Zhi wanted to block the news, he couldn't stop everyone from talking.

However, before his death, Li Zhi had sufficient control over the government, and no one dared to speak or discuss it when he was alive.

Now that Li Zhi has been dead for a long time, the new emperor Li Hong is bedridden and has no heir. It is the time to determine the fate of the crown prince, and the news naturally cannot be concealed.

Dai Zhide was extremely angry about what Empress Wu did, but he was even more worried about the future of the Tang Dynasty.

With a mother like this, Prince Pei Li Xian was indeed not qualified to inherit the throne.

Li Zhi had few descendants. Apart from Empress Wu's four sons, there were only Li Shangjin and Li Sujie. Li Shangjin was extremely mediocre and had no special talents. On the contrary, Li Sujie was diligent and studious, and was known as a virtuous man. He was named King of Yong and had high hopes. In terms of establishing a virtuous person, he was the best choice. But if Li Sujie was really the crown prince, Chen Qingsi and the Lanling Xiao family would form an even more terrifying and huge force.

That time will be more difficult to deal with...

Even now, the power controlled by Chen Qingsi is difficult to contain. If he were to unite with the Lanling Xiao family and connect with the Guandong gentry through the Xiao family, it would be even more troublesome.

In order to let the world know that the government is not controlled by one person, I must do something.

Thinking of this, Dai Zhide stopped the noisy crowd and said, "It is useless to ask about the past. The current issue is how to make Prince Pei the crown prince under the current circumstances."

Li Shangjin is definitely no match for Li Sujie. The only way for him to have a chance now is to continue supporting King Pei.

But?

Dai Zhide couldn't think of any other solution at this point. He could only brainstorm and look down for help.

The atmosphere, which had been livened up by Empress Wu, became cold and silent again.
-
The bedroom in the backyard of the imperial palace.

Li Xian wrapped his hands around his knees, huddled in the corner of the bed, and sobbed, but he did not dare to make a sound, for fear that his crying would disturb his brother.

Li Zhi and Empress Wu died one after another. Even Li Hong was not even fifteen years old, let alone Li Xian, Li Xian and Li Dan?
After Li Hong ascended the throne, he took the three of them to his own palace to take care of them, as his elder brother was like his father. Li Xian and Li Dan were young and inexperienced, and were not involved in any turmoil, so there was nothing unusual.

Because Li Xian was too smart and was the person involved in the vortex, he naturally felt the tremendous malice.

Thinking about the evil things his mother had done, thinking about his brother's illness, thinking about the confused and unknown future. Thinking about how he could protect his two younger brothers, Li Xian and Li Dan, if he could not inherit the throne, based on what his mother had done?
Confused, helpless, frightened, and uneasy.

A candle suddenly appeared in the darkness. "Liu Lang!"

Li Xian was the sixth son of Li Zhi, and the only emperor Li Hong could call him that.

Under the firelight, Li Hong's face was a little pale, and his steps were a little unsteady. Looking at the curled up Li Xian, his eyes were full of heartache, and more of it was self-blame and guilt. As the Son of Heaven, he could not protect his fellow brother, which was really cowardly.

"Brother Emperor!"

Li Xian raised his head from his knees, tears still hanging on his handsome face. He was stunned for a moment, then wiped away the tears and asked anxiously, "Why are you here?"

He quickly went over to support him, paused and said, "Liu Lang misses his father."

Li Hong sat on the bed and touched Li Xian's head. He thought his younger brother was so smart. He understood everything and knew how to comfort people.

"It's my brother's incompetence that has caused trouble for Liu Lang."

As a party involved, Li Hong knew the details of the inside story. He knew that he did not have the prestige of Li Zhi and could not suppress the news. He wanted to confirm Li Xian's status as the crown prince before the matter was exposed, but he did not expect that just by planning this, the news had spread far and wide.

At this point, Li Hong is completely out of ideas.

He had intended to entrust Chen Qingsi with the case, but now that Empress Wu's evil deeds had been exposed, her hostility towards Chen Qingsi and how Li Yifu had targeted Chen Qingsi were also included. In addition, given Chen Qingsi's relationship with the Xiao family, Li Hong did not dare to expect him to be Li Xian's shield again.

If a mother is immoral, her descendants will suffer misfortune.

"Don't worry too much. Mr. Chen is kind and can live a peaceful life as an idle prince."

Li Hong could only comfort her in this way.

The court meeting on the first day of the lunar month.

Li Hong usually did not attend court due to health reasons, and Chen Qingsi handled all matters on his behalf. However, Li Hong still had to preside over the grand court meetings on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month.

Li Hong wanted to make his younger brother the Crown Prince. The incident involving Empress Wu recurred, and discussions about who should be the crown prince became very popular.

This day was the first time Li Hong faced his ministers since the news spread.

The civil and military officials in the court also had their own thoughts. Li Hong's physical condition was well known to everyone, and the future crown prince also affected their future.

Li Hong took in the expressions of the officials below him, and a feeling of helplessness filled his heart.

Until one person stood up.

Chen Qingsi!
"Your Majesty, I heard some rumors today. The source is still because the country has no crown prince, which has led to the instability of the people. To stop the gossip of the world, we should start from the root. Your Majesty said that day that you have high hopes for Prince Pei. I request that Prince Pei be made the crown prince to calm the unrest in all quarters."

There was surprise in Li Hong's eyes at first, then ecstasy.

The officials in the temple were all shocked, some were incredulous, some were confused, and some were angry, but no one objected.

"Okay, okay!"

Li Hong was still a child after all. He was so excited that he didn't even care about his manners. He said "yes" three times and immediately couldn't wait to draft an edict to make this matter final.

What gave Li Hong and Dai Zhide a headache was just a matter of a word for Chen Qingsi.

(End of this chapter)