Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 164: Li Tai gradually despairs and suffocates (Part )

In the Liangyi Hall, the light and shadow are bright.

Li Shimin sat on the imperial couch, holding the record of the crown prince's words and deeds in his hand. He looked at Li Chengqian with a mixture of anger and amusement, and asked, "Prince, you rashly come here just because others give you a few words of advice. If you trust them so credulously, how can I entrust the country to you in the future?"

Ma Zhou was standing beside Li Chengqian, and his expression changed slightly when he heard this.

Li Chengqian bowed earnestly and said, "Father, the reason I came here in person is not because of the Secretary's persuasion, but because the Secretary's words really convinced me, so I came here willingly."

Li Chengqian did not say that the emperor wanted to check the national history, which would affect the legitimacy of the national history and all historical books compiled before the Tang Dynasty, because what the emperor said from beginning to end was only that he wanted to check Li Chengqian's prince's words and deeds record, as well as the records about Li Chengqian in the daily notes.

There was no need for him to say Ma Zhou's words of persuasion, because the last page of the record of the prince's words and deeds in Li Shimin's hand recorded all the words spoken by Ma Zhou and Li Chengqian in the Eastern Palace.

As long as the emperor wants to see it, he can see it.

"You are willing, you are really willing. Do you know that your coming here today has become a weapon for them to deal with me?" Li Shimin slammed the record of the prince's words and deeds in his hand on the table, his anger beyond words.

Li Chengqian immediately lifted up his clothes and knelt in the hall.

Ma Zhou on the side also knelt down.

"Everything I have was given by my father. My life, my position as crown prince, everything was given by my father. Without you, there would be no me. How could I become a weapon for others to attack you? Please take back what you just said." Li Chengqian kowtowed.

Ma Zhou, who was standing on the side, heard what Li Chengqian said and turned around to look at him in surprise.

Li Shimin sat on the imperial couch with a look of surprise, but gradually calmed down.

Li Shimin wanted to check the national history because he was worried that there might be words in it that were unfavorable to him. Others asked Li Chengqian to deliver the record of the prince's words and deeds. Others wanted to use him to tell the emperor that if the emperor could check and modify the national history today, then one day, after Li Chengqian ascended the throne, he would also be able to check and modify the national history.

What to modify? Of course, it is the matter of Xuanwu Gate.

However, Li Chengqian now told the emperor in person that he would not revise the national history, especially the Xuanwu Gate section.

Why? Because he was the crown prince, the emperor's son, Li Shimin's son.

Li Chengqian ascended the throne and inherited Li Shimin's throne.

The legitimacy of Li Shimin's throne is equivalent to the legitimacy of Li Chengqian's throne.

Therefore, after Li Chengqian ascends the throne in the future, he will not change these, but will try his best to beautify Li Shimin.

Because he is his father.

Therefore, there is no such thing as Li Chengqian becoming an obstacle for others to prevent Li Shimin from reviewing and rewriting the national history.

The emperor's expression visibly relaxed, and he nodded: "You are right. I was wrong. Please continue."

Li Chengqian bowed and said sincerely, "Father, the reason I personally delivered the Record of the Crown Prince's Words and Deeds to you today is because, although I haven't read it, the person who compiled it was carefully selected by the Crown Prince's Secretary, the Crown Prince's Junior Secretary, the Crown Prince's Senior Secretary, the Crown Prince's Groom, and others, and is a trustworthy person."

The emperor paused slightly and looked at Chu Suiliang in the corner.

"Yes, just like the Imperial Counselor, he is also the person most trusted by the Emperor." Li Chengqian looked up calmly and said, "Moreover, he is also the one carefully selected by my uncle, Prime Minister Fang, my uncle, my uncle-in-law, as well as Prime Minister Liu and Prime Minister Cen to record the Emperor's daily life. Over the years, they have followed the Emperor from Xuanwu Gate to this day, and have endured countless hardships. They have risen and fallen together. Don't their actions deserve the Emperor's trust?"

Li Shimin was now completely sober.

Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Gao Shilian, and Yang Shidao were all close confidants who had come all the way from Xuanwu Gate back then.

They will absolutely not allow anyone to slander the legitimacy of Xuanwu Gate, nor will they allow others to write about it at will.

Even Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Gao Shilian and others had the responsibility of compiling national history, so there was no need to worry about anything wrong.

Even if someone has their own opinions, they will correct them.

"As for future generations' opinions, I don't think there's anything to worry about." Li Chengqian excitedly cupped his hands and said, "Since ascending the throne, Father has annihilated the Eastern Turks, Gaochang, and Tuyuhun. He has conquered the north and south, and the east and west, remaining unrivaled. The people of the Tang Dynasty enjoy a stable life, and all industries are flourishing. The world is gradually showing signs of prosperity. The historical records will only praise Father and will not dwell on his flaws."

Li Shimin suddenly laughed with emotion and said, "I am not as clear-sighted as a child like you in all matters."

"Your Majesty, you are simply confused by the situation." Li Chengqian continued to bow and said, "I still remember how happy and cheerful Grandfather was when Jie Li danced in the hall. Even he raised his glass in admiration of your martial arts. Why should you worry about anything else?"

Ma Zhou knelt aside and heard the prince quietly change the way he addressed the emperor to "father" and Emperor Gaozu to "grandfather". With these words, the emperor immediately fell into memories.

Li Shimin couldn't help but recall the time when he defeated the Eastern Turks, captured Jie Li alive, and made him dance in the Liangyi Hall.

It's right here, in this palace.

At that time, his father was so happy that he even raised his glass and said, "Erlang, I am not as good as you in being an emperor!"

That night was also the happiest day for Li Shimin.

Yes, with his father's approval, why should he care about those little things that happened before?

Li Shimin took a deep breath and waved his hand, saying, "Okay, you're right, get up."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian kowtowed again and stood up.

"Okay, let's end today's business here. Prince, please return to the East Palace first." Li Shimin raised his head slightly.

"Yes!" Li Chengqian bowed and said, "I will take my leave."

When Li Chengqian's figure completely disappeared from his sight, the excitement on Li Shimin's face subsided, but his face still showed admiration.

Turning around, Li Shimin looked at Ma Zhou and asked, "Ma Qing, how is the Crown Prince?"

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is wise, kind, filial, brotherly and polite. I admire him deeply." Ma Zhou bowed immediately. Even he was shocked by Li Chengqian's well-organized words just now.

"Haha!" Li Shimin smiled, then glanced at the record of the prince's words and deeds on the table. His expression calmed down, and he looked at Ma Zhou and asked, "Ma Qing, I ask you, if I ask you to persuade the prince, can you do it?"

Ma Zhou was slightly stunned, then he bowed and said, "Your Highness is wise. As long as you can clearly see the pros and cons of worldly affairs, it will not be difficult to persuade them as long as you explain it clearly."

"Very good, then you can go to the East Palace and take the position of Prince Zuo Zanshan Doctor." The emperor raised his hand slightly.

"Yes!" Ma Zhou bowed, "I thank your Majesty."

"Alright, go to the government hall and call all the ministers over." Li Shimin waved his hand slightly, and Ma Zhou immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "Yes!"

Li Shimin watched Ma Zhou walk out of the Liangyi Hall, then slowly stood up.

Before reaching the palace gate, Li Shimin glanced sideways at Chu Suiliang and said calmly, "Remember, the Crown Prince is filial and respectful. The Secretary of the Central Secretariat, Ma Zhou, was awarded the title of the Crown Prince's Left Praise Doctor for his ability to advise the Crown Prince."

Chu Suiliang was slightly stunned, then immediately raised his hand and picked up the pen.

Li Shimin stood in front of the palace gate, looking over the numerous city gates at the distant Chang'an City.

On top of the bell towers, guards stood solemnly, watching the entire Chang'an city vigilantly.

His Chang'an City.

……

That night, the emperor hosted a grand banquet for all the ministers in the Liangyi Hall.

Singing and dancing continued all night long.

……

Prince Wei's Mansion, pavilions and corridors in the backyard.

Li Tai stood in front of the pavilion and looked at the lake in front of him.

Spring arrives and the water ripples.

On the distant shore, green grass has begun to sprout.

Li Tai lowered his head, picked up the secret book in his hand, and looked straight at the contents on it.

Ma Zhou, the secretary of the Central Secretariat, was awarded the title of Zuo Zanshan Dafu for his ability to advise the crown prince.

Ma Zhou.

Ma Zhou, a good friend of the Left Thousand Oxen Guard Chang He, served as the Director of the Ministry of Personnel, the Censor-in-Chief, the Chief Censor, and the Secretary of the Secretariat.

Ma Zhou's talents were visible to all officials in the court, and the emperor's high regard for him was unquestionable.

Last year, he also sent Princess Wencheng to Tubo on behalf of the emperor.

All the officials in the court knew that if nothing unexpected happened, within a few years, Ma Zhou would be appointed as the Secretary of the Central Secretariat or the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and after a few years, he would become the Minister of State Affairs and become the Prime Minister.

Now that she has become the Prince's Left Minister, she has made up for the last bit of missing experience in her resume.

In fact, it was customary for important officials in the court to serve alongside the kings, or to marry into the kings' clan.

For example, the Minister of War Li Ji still serves as the Prince's Left Guard, the Minister of Works Zhang Liang serves as the Prince's Right Guard, the Minister of the Left Fang Xuanling serves as the Prince's Junior Tutor, and the Minister of the Right Gao Shilian serves as the Prince's Junior Preceptor. Wei Zheng, who has retired, still holds the position of the Prince's Grand Tutor.

Ma Zhou's concurrent appointment as the Crown Prince indicated, on the one hand, that Ma Zhou's official career continued to advance in great strides; on the other hand, the emperor was also using Ma Zhou's concurrent appointment as the Crown Prince to tell his ministers that he trusted the prince.

The more the emperor trusts the prince, the smaller Li Tai's chances are.

Standing by the lake, Li Tai clenched his fists tightly.

He is unwilling and will not withdraw from the fight for the throne just like that.

Taking a deep breath, Li Tai closed the secret book again.

The owner of this secret book was not in a position to help him openly and could only provide some information from the court quietly.

But this is enough.

A burst of hurried footsteps came from the backyard door. Li Tai looked up and happened to see Su Xu, Chai Lingwu, and several other soldiers of King Wei walking towards him with solemn expressions.

Li Tai's eyes narrowed slightly.

(End of this chapter)