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

Chapter 371: The Crown Prince, Not the Emperor, Much Less the Heavenly Khan (Part )

In the Liangyi Hall.

Li Zhi walked into the hall with a solemn expression, glanced at the emperor sitting on the imperial couch, and then knelt on the ground without hesitation: "Your son, Prince Zhi of Jin, kowtows to your father. May your father live a long and healthy life."

On the imperial couch, the emperor, wearing a black Yishan crown and with completely white hair at the temples, looked at Li Zhi who was bowing on the ground, nodded with a loving expression, raised his hand and said, "Stand up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Zhi stood up and glanced at Li Chengqian, who was standing before Emperor Dan. Finally, he carefully bowed to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, have you been in good health over the past six months?"

"I'm in good health." Li Shimin looked at Li Zhi and said with a smile, "But you've grown taller and stronger in the past six months."

"After all, I am half a year older." Li Zhi bowed sincerely.

"Hmm!" The emperor nodded and said, "It's good to know that you have grown up. This year, you have been relatively steady in your actions in Jingzhou, which is not bad."

It's stable and not bad, but there hasn't been much progress.

The emperor did not scold him, but he still expressed some dissatisfaction in his words.

Li Zhi's progress in governing Jingzhou this year was not as great as last year.

Although there was heavy rain this year as well, another reason was that Li Zhi was away from Jingzhou for quite a long time.

Of course, Li Zhi thought his method was clever and the emperor didn't know about it.

"I am wrong. I acted hastily." Li Zhi quickly bowed and admitted his mistake.

The emperor calmly shook his head and said, "It's not your fault. Even I couldn't have imagined that there would be two consecutive years of heavy rain. It almost caused a flood. Next year, we need to pay more attention!"

"Yes!" Li Zhi nodded seriously.

The emperor waved his hand and said, "Alright, let's leave it like this for now. You're just back. Come have lunch with me, the prince, and me."

"Here!"

……

Li Zhi put down his wine jar, glanced at Li Chengqian, then turned to the emperor and said, "I heard that there has been another conflict in Kucha. Is the court planning to send a large army to suppress it?"

Li Shimin nodded, looked at Li Chengqian and said, "Prince, you speak!"

"Yes!" Li Chengqian put down his chopsticks and said after a moment's hesitation, "Kucha was originally a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty. The new king has ascended the throne, but he refuses tribute to the Tang Dynasty, sends no special envoys, and asks for an imperial title. He is disrespectful to a great power. A conquest is inevitable, but there are other reasons for mobilizing the army."

"Please give me some advice, my royal brother." Li Zhi bowed slightly.

Li Chengqian raised his head, sighed softly, and said, "Kucha is adjacent to the Anxi Protectorate, where Gaochang is located, and to the north is the Western Turkic Khanate. The Tang Dynasty has been campaigning in the Western Regions for many years. Gaochang was destroyed, and the Western Turkic Khanate surrendered. Even the new king of Kucha should be afraid of the Tang Dynasty's military strength."

Li Zhi raised his eyebrows and his breathing became heavier.

"So the court analyzed that behind this Kucha rebellion were the instigations of Shule, Khotan, Western Turks, and even Tubo. There was even the possibility of Eastern Turks, Uighurs, and Goguryeo being involved." Li Chengqian looked at Li Zhi and said solemnly, "Therefore, this time the court will mobilize troops, a large number of them, to deter all dissidents at once."

Li Zhi nodded slowly.

He understood that the turmoil in Kucha this time was caused by someone who knew that the emperor was in poor health and was trying to test the Tang Dynasty.

The emperor was in poor health, and the court did not hide this fact.

The Crown Prince is regent and does everything well.

However, the prince is still a prince after all, not the emperor, let alone the Khan.

He might be able to rely on his status as the emperor's son to calm the unrest in the court, but the barbarians in all directions did not have much respect for Prince Li Chengqian.

What they fear is the blade of the Sky Khan.

It is not the blade of the Tang Emperor.

It is not the blade of any random emperor.

Once the emperor dies and the prince ascends the throne, the turmoil he will have to face will be even greater than it is now.

"Perfect." Li Chengqian looked up at Li Zhi and said indifferently, "Next year will be the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Tang Dynasty. Father will offer sacrifices to heaven, earth, the state, and the ancestral temple. It would be a good idea to use the head of the King of Kucha as a sacrifice."

Li Zhi's eyelids suddenly twitched uncontrollably and he subconsciously lowered his head.

For some reason, he had a feeling that the prince's words also had meaning for him.

How come after just half a year, the prince had become a completely different person, inexplicably giving him a fear as if he were facing the emperor?

"Okay!" The emperor's voice came from above. Li Zhi immediately restrained his expression and turned to look at the emperor.

Li Shimin looked at Li Zhi gently and said, "Zhi Nu, now that you have returned to Chang'an, you should spend more time with the Princess of Jin. She is already seven months pregnant. Take good care of her... and occasionally let your sisters-in-law and your sisters go and visit her, so that she won't be lonely."

"Yes!" Li Zhi bowed, then turned to look at Li Chengqian and said, "I haven't thanked my royal brother and his wife yet. I've been very grateful for your care during this period."

"It's your sister-in-law's business. They have a good relationship." Li Chengqian smiled and raised his glass. He looked at Li Zhi and said, "Zhi Nu, your royal brother wishes you a son soon to carry on the bloodline."

"Thank you, my royal brother." Li Zhi quickly raised his glass.

The emperor sat above and couldn't help laughing as he watched.

……

The carriage swayed along the palace road towards the Suzaku Gate, and outside was Chang'an City.

Li Zhi leaned back in the carriage, his eyes gently sweeping outside the carriage. The official road leading to the Eastern Palace had completely disappeared from his sight.

Li Zhi lowered his head slightly.

He didn't know why, but he felt very uncomfortable.

It seemed as if both the emperor and the prince were looking down at him from a superior position.

Although they were all father, son and brothers, the atmosphere today made Li Zhi feel that there was a great distance between him and them.

This cannot be done. Li Zhi even felt as if he had been completely exposed.

Although no one said anything today, Li Zhi felt light-headed, as if all his plans had been seen through.

He shook his head sharply.

No, that was his illusion.

The emperor must have noticed something, and the prince also...

No, the prince is more targeting the Western Regions...

No, the prince also noticed something.

Li Zhi began to understand that the root cause of the unrest in the Western Regions was the emperor's poor health.

No, it wasn't just that the emperor was in poor health; they suspected he was almost dead.

That's why the emperor and the prince became alert.

This is the case outside, and there are also hidden dangers inside.

Who is the person that worries them the most in the Tang Dynasty?

Li Zhi.

Li Zhi couldn't help but laugh.

He understood that his actions had indeed made the emperor and the prince notice something was wrong, but they knew much more about him.

Yes, I don’t know.

Just be vigilant.

Li Zhi's smile suddenly faded, but this was enough, wasn't it?

During this time, they would keep a closer eye on him, and even the emperor's sister-in-law and sister would come in and out of the Prince of Jin's Mansion. It would be even harder for Li Zhi to do something in secret. Li Zhi shook his head slightly. Even if that was the case, what would it matter? He had already started and there was no way to stop.

Moreover, he didn't want to stop.

Li Zhi gritted his teeth.

Why, why do they get to decide everything for others from such a high position?

They even used it to exploit and plot things like rebellion and conspiracy.

The figure of Li Tai appeared in Li Zhi's mind.

Luo Binwang had explained it to him in detail: the crown prince was instigating Li Tai to rebel, and the emperor watched coldly and condoned Li Tai's rebellion. The final result was that Li Tai was demoted to a commoner for his rebellion.

Li Zhi was unwilling to give in.

He believed that both the emperor and the prince knew that he was unwilling to give in.

After all, he is also the emperor's legitimate son. Why can the prince rule the world while he can only control Jingzhou, and even his future life and death are in the control of the prince?

Why? Just because he was born a few years earlier?

Li Zhi lowered his head slightly. He wanted to calm down, calm down.

The emperor and the crown prince were wary of him, so there was no need for him to force anything at this time. Moreover, his original plan was to keep quiet for the next two months.

Now is the perfect time to calm down as planned.

What he really needs to worry about is the Lishan Hot Spring Palace at the end of the year. The manpower and supplies have already been arranged.

If there is no opportunity by the end of the year, then he must withdraw.

No, we can't retreat.

Who says there is no chance?

Li Zhi's mind suddenly became clear.

A flexible approach is needed that can evacuate people at the lowest cost while being able to mobilize all forces when necessary.

Li Zhi's eyes suddenly turned indifferent.

What can I do?

There is only one way.

kill.

Li Zhi laughed, and laughed very freely.

Indeed, he had to be careful when he returned to Beijing this time, but he was not alone. He also had Luo Binwang, Chu Suiliang, Wu Meiniang, and...

He can do a lot.

……

East Palace, Cheng'en Gate.

Li Chengqian walked in with a calm expression, and the guards on both sides bowed slightly.

Li Chengqian looked towards the entrance of Cheng'en Palace and saw several of the Crown Princess's personal maids standing in front of the palace door.

When they saw Li Chengqian from afar, they immediately bowed to him.

Li Chengqian thought about it, then walked up the stairs and entered Cheng'en Hall. Sure enough, he saw Su Shu sitting on a short couch and dozing off.

Li Chengqian smiled, walked over, and without caring about waking her up, he carried her to the bed.

Li Chengqian put Su Shu down and lay down beside her.

Looking down, Su Shu was already lying on Li Chengqian's chest, looking up at him.

"What's wrong?" Li Chengqian gently hugged Su Shu and looked into her eyes.

"I heard that the Prince of Jin has returned to Chang'an." Su Shu blinked and looked at Li Chengqian, saying, "I was a little worried at first, but seeing how His Highness looks now, I know I was just overthinking it."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "It's true that Zhinu's return to the capital is a threat, but it's just a threat. As long as you and I don't leave the palace, then there will be no problem at all."

"Your Highness, what you said is not a nice thing to say about not leaving the palace!" Su Shu looked at Li Chengqian in surprise.

There are countless guards in the palace, so they naturally have nothing to worry about, but what Li Chengqian meant was that once they leave the palace, they are likely to be in danger.

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Father's health is only going to last a year or two. Even the people in the Western Regions are restless, let alone Zhinu. If he doesn't do something, he might not have any chance. And he's been away from home all year round. So, when the imperial physician told him that Father was in poor health, the only recourse was to take desperate measures."

"Why would the imperial physician tell His Majesty the Prince of Jin that he was not in good health?" Su Shu looked at Li Chengqian in surprise.

"How would I know?" Li Chengqian shook his head calmly and said, "However, since Zhinu already knows that my father is in poor health, then the only channel is the imperial physician."

"Really?" Su Shu looked at Li Chengqian uncertainly.

Li Chengqian smiled and didn't explain anything.

……

"Since you know that Prince Jin will do something desperate, then why did father let him come back?" Su Shu couldn't help but complain.

"He must come back, and he should." Li Chengqian placed an arm behind his head and looked at Su Shu and said, "Father's health is not good. If he can make it through this year, then everything will be fine. Even if I have countless tricks, it will be in vain. But if Father's health cannot make it through this year, then I should stay in Chang'an."

"Father... wants to take a look at Zhinu." Su Shu swallowed the middle part of the sentence.

"No, it's to prevent any accidents." Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "Father has only two princes who can succeed him now, me and Zhinu. If something happens to me, Father will not choose Xiang'er, he will only choose Zhinu."

"Your Highness, what are you talking about?" Su Shu was stunned.

"There are countless princes in history who died before they succeeded to the throne. This is not surprising." Li Chengqian looked upward and said softly, "It could be an accident or poisoning. In any case, an emperor should consider this... As for why Xiang'er was not chosen, if I died accidentally and the murderer was not Zhinu, then there must be another ambitious person.

The elephant is too small to be held down."

"Another ambitious person?"

"My beloved concubine, you don't think that Zhinu is the only one who is really moving in Chang'an at this time." Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "No, besides Zhinu, there are many others who are trying to take advantage of the situation."

"Then Your Highness, please take care of yourself." Su Shu looked at Li Chengqian with some concern.

"I've already given instructions. My cousin will watch over the outside world, and as for the inner courtyard, it's up to my beloved concubine." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian pinched Su Shu's chin and whispered, "When everything is over, my beloved concubine and I will have another son, right?"

Su Shu frowned and looked at Li Chengqian: "Aren't three sons enough?"

"Not enough." Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "Look at me, Qingque, and Zhinu. We three brothers almost died for the throne. To prevent Xiang'er and the others from suffering the same fate in the future, let's have another child... With four of us, the fighting won't be so intense."

"Is that so?"

"Of course!" Li Chengqian smiled lightly. There was one last reason why the emperor transferred Li Zhi back.

He wanted to save Li Zhi's life.

But can he keep it?

……

Li Zhi was in the backyard, accompanying Zhao. At this moment, a burst of hurried footsteps sounded from outside.

Ji Jiafu walked in quickly, then walked to Li Zhi's side and whispered a few words in his ear.

"Bian Ji?" Li Zhi said this subconsciously, and Zhao looked at him in surprise.

(End of this chapter)