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

Chapter 98 Li Tai: Father, He Will Die After All (Part )
The night is cool and the green willows are swaying gently.

Yankangfang, the backyard of Prince Wei's Palace.

A suppressed roar rang out from the study in the backyard: "Regent, Regent, Father actually ordered the Crown Prince to be Regent, and yet let me go to Luoyang with him. Father...Does Father trust the Crown Prince that much?"

"Of course not." Wei Wang Sima Suxu calmly shook his head. Looking at the furious Li Tai, he said calmly, "Although Your Majesty has appointed the Crown Prince as Regent and given him considerable power, the one who truly controls everything in Chang'an is Prime Minister Wei."

"But Prime Minister Wei has always supported my brother."

"That's because the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince. According to court rules, Prime Minister Wei will naturally support the Crown Prince. However, Prime Minister Wei has a bad temper. Even if it were to Your Majesty in person, he would still say what he would say. Moreover..." Su Xu's voice dropped, and he shook his head. "Also, this time the Crown Prince's regent is different from before. Your Majesty has delegated power and is also watching. What mistakes will the Crown Prince make at this time?"

"That's right, Prime Minister Wei is loyal to our father. If my brother makes a mistake, Prime Minister Wei will never cover it up for him." Li Tai, who was dressed in a black robe, finally relaxed.

Wearing a black jade hat, Li Tai was dressed in an ordinary black round-necked robe, without even any python pattern on it. It did not look like the attire of a prince at all.

Su Xu felt a little unfamiliar with Li Tai, but also a little relieved.

"Although the Crown Prince has served as regent in the past, to be honest, he has too little experience in real government affairs." After Su Xu finished speaking, Li Tai couldn't help but look at him in surprise, wondering what real government affairs were.

"An official document consists of only a few dozen words. A slight change of one or two words can make a huge difference in meaning. Although those people in the Eastern Palace have handled many political affairs, to be honest, they are just corrupt scholars. Even the emperor needs to be cautious when dealing with the complicated and turbulent affairs of the court, let alone the prince." Su Xu sneered.

"But Prime Minister Wei is here." Li Tai looked at Su Xu in surprise.

"How much can Prime Minister Wei take care of?" Su Xu shook his head and sighed, "Besides, Prime Minister Wei's health has not been very good in recent years. Many things have been handled by those in the three provinces and six ministries."

"Hou Junji!" Li Tai couldn't help but read out Hou Junji's name, and then his face was full of gritted teeth.

In his opinion, although the emperor was well aware of his actions at the end of the year, if Hou Junji and others had not exposed everything, Li Tai would definitely not have ended up like that.

"Yes, after Your Majesty's eastern tour, the one who truly assisted the Crown Prince was Duke Chen." Su Xu smiled calmly and said, "But Your Highness, have you forgotten that although Duke Chen is a master in military operations, he has many shortcomings in handling political affairs?"

"That's right, it was my royal brother who pointed this out." Li Tai couldn't help but show joy on his face.

"So, just wait patiently." Su Xu raised his head, looking towards the East Palace, and sneered slightly, "After we return from Luoyang, we will point out the Crown Prince's mistakes in government one by one. I don't believe he won't make any mistakes. If he makes even one mistake, everything will be negated."

"Uncle, you are absolutely right." Li Tai narrowed his eyes.

……

Li Tai picked up the tea bowl and took a sip.

After relaxing a bit, Li Tai looked up and asked, "Uncle, was Qingque wrong about Cen Changqian's situation? Why does Qingque always feel like it was Qingque who allowed my cousin to get in touch with Cen Changqian, which ultimately led to him missing out on the top spot in the imperial examination?"

Su Xu shook his head and said, "I have seen the imperial examination papers that the Ministry of Personnel just released. Wei Xuantong's papers are better than Cen Changqian's. This is the fundamental reason. As for the rest, Cen Wen is the Minister of the Central Secretariat and a minister trusted by the Emperor. It is normal for Your Majesty to ask the Ministry of Personnel to avoid suspicion."

Although Hou Junji was the Minister of Personnel, the people who were actually responsible for the imperial examinations were the Langzhong of the Ministry of Personnel's Examination and Reward Department and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. By the time Hou Junji came to power, the results had basically been announced.

Moreover, although Hou Junji often went to the Ministry of Personnel since last year, in fact, he was mostly responsible for the affairs of Yongzhou.

The person who actually reported the imperial examination results directly to the emperor was Tang Jiao, the Minister of Personnel.

"No matter what, after this incident, Minister Cen will probably become estranged from us." Li Tai shook his head solemnly.

But it is just solemn, nothing else.

The emperor told him clearly that night that as long as he did not cross the line, the emperor would not pay much attention to him.

It is not uncommon for royal brothers to clash with each other.

As long as you don't overdo it, anything is fine.

However, through this incident, Li Tai also felt the emperor's wariness of him.

But inexplicably, Li Tai could also feel that the emperor was also wary of the prince.

"By the way, uncle, why is there no news about the East Palace's book revision?" Li Tai suddenly raised his head, looked at Su Xu and said, "My royal brother said he would compile the Book of the Later Han. He wouldn't really give up because of Su Liangsi's few words of advice, right?"

The fundamental reason why Li Tai tried his best to win over Cen Changqian and more young scholars was to prevent these people from being used by Li Chengqian.

Editing the "Book of the Later Han" did help Li Chengqian win the hearts of the people.

Su Xu did not answer directly. Although he just said that he did not agree with what Li Tai said, that the emperor lost the first place in the imperial examination because of the contact between the Prince of Wei's Mansion and Cen Changqian, he actually agreed with this in his heart.

At the beginning of the year, it was the prince himself who said that he wanted to compile the "Book of the Later Han Dynasty". It was the prince himself who cared about the scholars. This allowed the Prince of Wei's Mansion to secretly use Su Jun to win over the scholars and indirectly prevent the prince from compiling the "Book of the Later Han Dynasty".

But later on, the rumors about the East Palace gradually faded away.

Originally, Su Xu thought that the prince was more focused on Tuyuhun affairs, but now it seems that the prince deliberately withdrew.

In this way, the actions of the Prince of Wei's Mansion were completely exposed to the emperor, leading to the current result.

"Perhaps the prince was really afraid of the possible implications of the Book of the Later Han, so he suspended its editing?" Su Xu was somewhat unsure about this matter.

"Prince Cao." Li Tai shook his head and said, "This matter may indeed affect Prince Cao, but if we raise this matter openly and let our father directly say that the so-called establishment of Yang as empress is just a rumor, then there will be no obstacles to this matter."

Su Xu was slightly stunned, frowning and thinking for a long time. He then looked at Li Tai carefully and said, "Your Highness, if you do this, it is very likely that His Majesty will be angered."

"No, my father is magnanimous and would never do that." Li Tai smiled with inexplicable confidence and said, "I will bring it up first. If my father disagrees, then he intends to establish a queen. Then I will bring Zhinu along, or even my uncle."

Li Tai did not mention Li Chengqian because he planned to do this matter after arriving in Luoyang.

"If that's the case," Su Xu suddenly pondered cautiously. Finally, he looked up at Li Tai and said, "Then it would be best to go to Luoyang first, build a Buddhist shrine at the Longmen Grottoes, pray for Empress Wende's well-being, and then ask Your Majesty for help." Li Tai suddenly understood and nodded, saying, "What my uncle said is the right way."

Su Xu shook his head and said, "In fact, according to my opinion, Your Highness should concentrate on compiling books in Luoyang and taking care of the Longmen Grottoes. The Tang Dynasty was founded on filial piety after all. Your Highness's filial piety to Empress Wende is filial piety to Your Majesty. Moreover, Your Highness is by Your Majesty's side, quietly serving you. His position in Your Majesty's heart may even surpass that of the Crown Prince."

Li Tai lowered his head. What Su Xu said actually made a lot of sense.

If it was before New Year's Eve, Li Tai might have really listened to it, but now, Li Tai no longer believed it at all.

The Tang Dynasty ruled the world with filial piety, haha!

To surpass the crown prince, unless my brother commits suicide, my father has never thought of making him Li Tai the crown prince.

He only exists as a training ground for the prince.

And even with such an identity, there was still Li Ke competing with him.

"My uncle is right. Being by my father's side will indeed make it easier for me to surpass my brother in his heart. However, my brother's position as the crown prince seems to be very stable now. My father will not change his mind easily on such a matter. So, as Qingque thinks, I should win over my uncle." Li Tai lowered his head slightly, a cold look flashing in his eyes.

Unless the prince commits suicide, the emperor will not change his mind. So if Li Tai wants to ascend the throne, he must find a way from other places.

Where, Changsun Wuji, his uncle.

Of course, it’s not just Changsun Wuji, there are many others.

The emperor said that as long as the royal family’s training is not excessive, it will be fine. In this case, what is Li Tai worried about?

He wanted to put more pressure on the prince and force him to make mistakes, so that his father would change his mind.

Even if... even if this cannot destroy the position of crown prince, Li Tai can still prepare for the future.

After all, the emperor will grow old and die. When the prince ascends the throne in the future, Li Tai will inevitably be driven out.

If this is really the case, it is not impossible to use the local areas as the foundation, revert to the center, and rebuild the world.

This was Li Tai’s last thought. Before that, he would be filial to his father.

……

Su Xu didn't know what other thoughts Li Tai had in mind, but it was a good deal to win over Zhangsun Wuji by praying for Empress Wende's afterlife.

Getting the emperor to completely give up on making Concubine Yang the queen also scored points in Zhangsun Wuji's eyes.

"Your Highness's words are feasible. If we can get Duke Zhao to support us in compiling the Book of the Later Han, then your reputation in the literary world, and in the entire royal family, will be unmatched." After a brief pause, Su Xu thought seriously and said, "That being said, we can't rush the compilation of the Book of the Later Han. It would be best to..."

Seeing Su Xu pondering, Li Tai became nervous for some reason.

"August," Su Xu said, looking up. "If nothing unexpected happens, Your Majesty will return to Chang'an from Luoyang at the end of August. In June, Your Highness mentioned the revision of the book, and in July I came to mobilize personnel. In August, some people will be available for the Comprehensive Geography. This will also provide time to communicate with Duke Zhao."

Su Xu was the real person in charge of "Guo Di Zhi". Without him, "Guo Di Zhi" would never have been possible.

He had a clear idea of ​​how far the "Guo Di Zhi" would go.

Of course, compiling the "Book of the Later Han" and the "Guodi Zhi" at the same time would definitely have an impact. The only difference was that the "Guodi Zhi" would be completed later than expected.

However, these costs are acceptable. After all, compared with compiling the "Book of the Later Han", the "Guodi Zhi" is nothing.

"Okay, that's it." Li Tai couldn't help but nodded. Just as he was about to say something, he was interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps.

Li Tai frowned and looked up, then saw the eunuch chief hurried in from outside: "Your Highness, there is a letter from the palace. His Majesty has appointed Princess Baling's consort Chai Lingwu to serve as a military officer in the Prince of Wei's palace."

"Who?" Li Tai's face was full of disbelief.

"The son-in-law Chai Lingwu is the son of Chai Shao, the Duke of Huo." Su Xu was also surprised.

Chai Shao was the son-in-law of Princess Pingyang, the only legitimate daughter of Emperor Gaozu.

Chai Lingwu, the son of Chai Shao, Duke Huo, and Princess Pingyang, married Princess Baling, the seventh daughter of Emperor Taizong.

"Hahaha..." Li Tai suddenly burst into laughter, unable to control himself. At the same time, he said intermittently, "I knew it... I knew it... Father wouldn't let the Crown Prince govern the country so easily. As expected... As expected!"

Su Xu breathed a sigh of relief, a smile on his face.

……

East Palace, Chongjiao Hall.

"Chai Lingwu has been transferred to join the army of King Wei." Li Chengqian looked at the chapter before him, then raised his head to look at the nervous Li Anyan. He shook his head and said with a smile, "Don't be nervous. I was a little worried about him becoming the regent, but now that father has said this, I feel much more relaxed."

"Yes!" Li Anyan bowed in surprise.

At this moment, Yu Zhining hurried in from outside, holding a scroll in his hands, and said with a serious expression, "Your Highness, the Ministry of Personnel has an official document to transfer the Crown Prince's Right Guard Commander Dai Zhide to the position of Chief Justice of the Dali Temple."

Li Chengqian's expression instantly became serious.

　Thanks to book friend 20210301106475098726 for the reward of 10000 Qidian coins. I am sincere and infinitely grateful. I wish you good health, happiness and wealth every day, and may you be happy every day.

　　Heart! Heart!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)