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

Chapter 24 He's dead, I said
The night sky is quiet and deep like the sea.

In Ganlu Palace, Li Shimin, dressed in a black robe with a golden dragon pattern, sat behind the desk with a frown on his face.

On the table, there was a blue-covered memorial book with the words: I, Yu Zhining, am reporting on the vacancies of the Crown Prince's servants in the Eastern Palace.

Li Shimin knocked lightly on the table, and his eyes gradually relaxed.

The memorial clearly explained the vacancy of the Prince's servant and the injury of the Prince's servant Lu Hu.

Li Shimin understood Yu Zhining's meaning. The prince was not in the East Palace yesterday, so the incident of the prince's servant Lu Hu had nothing to do with the prince.

But is it really irrelevant?
Li Shimin frowned. If Lu Hu's incident was related to the prince, then it meant that at least the prince believed that his left leg was injured by Lu Hu.

So, is it true?
Was it really Lu Hu who caused the prince’s broken leg?

Li Shimin shook his head slightly. If the prince had evidence, given his personality, he would have rushed to Ganlu Palace to find him directly.

So, did the prince just blame Lu Hu based on his guesswork and lost his temper?
Li Shimin shook his head again. Given the prince's personality, if he really identified the murderer, he would kill him directly.

If he was just taking revenge, he wouldn't have used so many cover-up methods.

Now looking closely, Cheng Qian seems to be making plans, waiting for someone to step into this trap.

In other words, the prince at least had some idea of ​​what was going on, and then he began to plan his plan step by step.

……

Li Shimin's breathing suddenly became heavy. He knew very well what this meant.

This means that someone, in order to obtain the position of crown prince, even resorted to means such as crippling one of the crown prince's legs.

Is such a thing possible?
It's so possible.

When Li Shimin was the King of Qin, his younger brother Li Yuanji once made a bet with him about horse training.

Take a crazy horse and train him like a wild horse.

Li Shimin almost fell off the horse several times, but finally, he tamed the horse.

Afterwards, Li Shimin sneered and said to Li Yuanji, life and death are predestined, and there is nothing to be afraid of a mad horse.

But then Li Yuanji sued Emperor Gaozu, saying that he, Li Shimin, believed that he had the mandate of heaven and was afraid of nothing.

This sentence directly angered Emperor Gaozu, who called Li Shimin over and scolded him severely.

The distant memories were stinging Li Shimin, and the incident before him seemed to be a continuation of that incident.

Who could have murdered the prince and broken his leg?

The bluebird can only be a bluebird.

Li Shimin couldn't help but stand up, walked down from the imperial couch, walked quickly to the inner hall corridor column on one side, and pulled down the black sheathed long sword hanging on it.

With a "Cang Cang" sound, the long sword was unsheathed.

The cold sword light reflected his stern face and the endless murderous intent in his eyes.

He wants to kill people.

He wants to kill people.

But, who to kill?

Li Shimin's eyes were solemn, and then he slowly put the long sword in his hand back into the scabbard, then turned lightly, holding the sword and walked back to the imperial bed.

The long sword was placed flat on the table, side by side with the memorial.

Li Shimin's breathing gradually stabilized.

Although Qingque has the intention, he definitely does not have the ability.

The Eastern Palace is so strict that even if Qingque tries to win over people, he does not have the ability to make others risk having their property confiscated and their families exterminated to harm the prince.

So who is it?
No, not any of his sons, because none of them had the ability.

And there are only a few people who have this ability.

Those absolutely important ministers under him.

……

Li Shimin picked up the sword again with a heavy expression, and this time, his hand was much heavier.

Several figures flashed through Li Shimin's mind: Duke of Liang Fang Xuanling, Duke of Zhao Zhangsun Wuji, Duke of Shen Gao Shilian...

Each of them followed him from the founding of the Tang Dynasty to the Xuanwu Gate, and then to the important officials who govern the Tang Dynasty today.

In fact, each of them is his son or daughter and his relative.

In an instant, Li Shimin's heart became much heavier.

He didn't understand why. Was there something disrespectful about the prince, or was there something about the prince that made them feel he couldn't become the next emperor?

But these things can be said openly!

Li Shimin thought about it carefully and realized that there was no such thing. Although Cheng Qian was a little naughty when he was young, he grew up to be mature and steady. He handled government affairs in a fair and steady manner and even made outstanding achievements. Why would he allow others to be so cruel as to cripple his legs?

The problem is not with Li Chengqian, so could it be with Li Shimin?

There was something wrong with his body...

Li Shimin frowned slightly. He did have some problems, but they were just old injuries over the years, so it wasn't his problem. It was that person's own problem.

Family, descendants, future?

The only thing Li Shimin could think of was that the prince was not very close to them and the families behind them, and their descendants were not particularly outstanding. Therefore, although the family would not decline in the future, it would be difficult for it to continue to stand at the top.

"After all, it's all for themselves." Li Shimin gently pulled out the sword in his hand, inch by inch. Looking at the bright blade, Li Shimin's expression gradually calmed down.

Since 'he' has already taken action against the Eastern Palace, it will not be so easy for him to stop easily.

"Come here." Li Shimin looked up and spoke calmly.

"Your Majesty!" The eunuch Zhang Ananda stood up with his hands clasped.

"Send an order to the Palace Supervisor Yuwen Shiji to conduct a thorough investigation of the six bureaus and twenty-four departments of the Imperial Food, Imperial Pharmacy, Imperial Clothing, Imperial Vehicles, Imperial Residences, and Imperial Chariots." Li Shimin's expression gradually became stern.

"Yes!" Zhang Ananda immediately bowed.

"Also, in the palace, we need to clean up what needs to be cleaned up according to the rules." Li Shimin clenched his fists lightly.

"Yes!" Zhang Ananda's expression became more and more solemn.

"Send the message to General Chang He of the Left Thousand Oxen Guard to see you." Li Shimin's expression had turned completely cold.

"Yes!" When Zhang Ananda heard that the emperor had no other instructions, he immediately bowed and left. He was so perceptive that he had already smelled the smell of wind, rain and blood.

Li Shimin's expression gradually calmed down and his eyes fell on the memorial in front of him.

Prince's servant, Prince's servant secretary.

The prince is also planning something, so can he stop?

If not...

Li Shimin's eyes turned slightly cold, and he raised his head and said, "Come here, pass on the order..."

……

The night turns, and it is 2:15 AM.

The lights in Lizheng Hall are bright.

Li Chengqian, dressed in a bright yellow round-necked robe with nine pythons and nine emblems, sat calmly on the couch. A purple memorial book was placed on the table in front of him.

Looking at this memorial, Li Chengqian was pondering it carefully in his mind.

At this moment, Li Anyan knocked gently on the door and said softly, "Your Highness, it's time to go to court."

Li Chengqian stood up calmly and said, "Come in."

"Yes!" Li Anyan entered quickly, then walked to Li Chengqian's side and quickly helped him put on the Nine-Beam Crown. At the same time, he whispered, "In a quarter of an hour, all the officials will arrive outside Chengtian Gate."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded. After putting on the Nine-Beam Crown, he picked up the purple memorial from the table, took a deep breath, and said, "Let's go."

"Yes!" Li Anyan immediately stepped aside with a solemn expression. He knew that today's court meeting was not that simple.

Since the Crown Prince came to court, many things have happened in the East Palace, and it is very likely that someone will stir up a storm today.

Standing beside the sedan chair, Li Anyan nodded slightly.

The sedan chair left and headed towards Chongjiao Gate.

In front of Chongde Hall, Helan Chushi caught up with the sedan chair.

When they left Jiafu Gate, Changsun Xiang followed.

……

The first day of November is the first day of the lunar month.

All the ninth-rank officials in Chang'an City attended the court.

Prime ministers headed by Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Gao Shilian, Wei Zheng, Yang Shidao, and Li Jing, as well as royal family members such as Wei Wang Li Tai and Teng Wang Li Yuanying, and civil and military officials headed by military generals crossed the Suzaku Gate and went straight to the Chengtian Gate.

At this time, everyone discovered that Crown Prince Li Chengqian, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, was waiting there calmly with several officials from the Eastern Palace.

This is really strange, why did the prince arrive first?
"Your Highness the Crown Prince is honored to see you." Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Li Tai and others all bowed in greeting.

"Gentlemen, please stand." Li Chengqian raised his hand gently, glanced at Chengtian Gate, and then looked at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "Uncle, the reason I came early today is because I have something I want you and the other kings and prime ministers to take a look at to see if there is any problem."

As he spoke, Li Chengqian took out the purple memorial from his sleeve and handed it to Changsun Wuji.

Zhang Sun Wuji took a look, his eyes flickering slightly, and then he nodded gently and said, "The Crown Prince is very cautious in his actions, and Mr. Kong's writing style is becoming more and more exquisite."

As he spoke, Changsun Wuji handed Li Chengqian's memorial to Fang Xuanling. Fang Xuanling opened it with surprise, took a look at it, and handed it to Gao Shilian. At the same time, he looked at Li Chengqian and said, "Everything will be carried out according to the orders of the Crown Prince."

Li Chengqian nodded gratefully, then looked at Gao Shilian.

Gao Shilian handed the memorial back and said, "Yes."

"Thank you, Dukes." Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief, stuffed the memorial back into his sleeve, and then said, "There's one more thing I need to trouble you elders with. The Eastern Palace has been very busy lately. Ever since Prince Changsun's servant was transferred to the position of Prince's Night Watch Commander, the position of Prince's Servant has been vacant. And two days ago, the Prince's Servant Secretary unfortunately met with an accident. The Eastern Palace is still looking to recruit. Do you elders have any recommendations for candidates?"

Zhangsun Wuji was slightly startled, his eyes gently sweeping over Gao Shilian and Fang Xuanling before he looked at Li Chengqian and said, "Crown Prince, the matter of the Crown Prince's servant should be recommended by the Ministry of Personnel, reviewed by the Ministry of Shangshu, and then recommended to Your Majesty by the Council of State. Then, Your Majesty will make the final decision. This matter cannot be rushed."

"That's what my uncle taught me!" Li Chengqian bowed gently, then raised his head, glanced at Fang Xuanling and said, "Loyalty, courage, integrity, and honesty. I just hope that the officials sent to the Eastern Palace by the court this time will prioritize these eight characters, so I am a little picky."

At Chengtian Gate, the ministers' breathing was slightly choked.

Who is the prince talking about?
(End of this chapter)