My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

Li Shimin and Xu Hui were talking in their bedchamber when a maid named He Lian rushed in from outside and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, a guard has come in a hurry and says he has something urgent to discuss with you."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin frowned and asked, "What is it?"

"Your Majesty, the guard just said that Fang Xuanling is leading a group of ministers in the Zichen Hall and has an urgent matter to report, requesting Your Majesty to come over."

"Why the rush? Can't you report it tomorrow?" Li Shimin was very disappointed.

"The guard said that Fang Xuanling and the ministers must see the Emperor now and cannot wait."

"Tell them to go back, and report back tomorrow," Li Shimin said irritably.

Upon hearing this, Xu Hui quickly advised from the side, "Since the Grand Secretary and so many other ministers want to see you, there must be something they need to discuss. You should go."

Li Shimin felt that Xu Hui's words made sense, and suppressed his anger: "Alright, you wait here, I will be back soon."

So Xu Hui helped Li Shimin put on his clothes.

Li Shimin and the guard rushed to the Zichen Palace.

Halfway there,

As Li Shimin walked, he inquired about the situation at the Zichen Palace.

Soon, Li Shimin arrived at the Zichen Palace.

He found the hall crowded with people, including Fang Xuanling, Cen Wenzi, Liu Ji, Chai Lingwu, and Wei Ting.

When Fang Xuanling and the other ministers saw Li Shimin arrive, they immediately knelt on the ground and shouted in unison, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Li Shimin glanced at the crowd, then waved his hand: "My esteemed ministers, please rise, no need for formalities!"

After Fang Xuanling and the other ministers stood up, they stood at their sides with their hands at their sides.

Li Shimin frowned and asked, "My dear ministers, what are you doing so late?"

Fang Xuanling straightened his back: "Your Majesty, there are some things they cannot say, so I will speak for them."

Li Shimin sat down in front of the document table: "Tell me, what exactly happened? Why the rush!"

"Your Highness, we implore Your Majesty to execute Li Chenggan immediately!"

As soon as Fang Xuanling finished speaking, the ministers kneeling behind him all said the same thing.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's heart skipped a beat.

Because he knew that Fang Xuanling was usually a very careful and cautious person.

Just yesterday, Li Chenggan was impeached, and it was demanded that he be exiled to Qianzhou.

Why is it that they are requesting an imperial decree to execute Li Chenggan again today?

Moreover, this time the situation is completely different from the last time.

The fact that so many ministers have come together this time is no small matter.

Li Shimin had no idea what serious mistake Li Chenggan had made that had provoked these ministers to unite and attack him.

"Minister Fang, what exactly do you mean by saying this?"

What illegal things did Li Chenggan do?

Why are you advising me to kill him?

"Don't you know he's the crown prince in line to the throne?"

"Your Majesty, we have no personal grudges against Li Chenggan."

We say these words out of utmost loyalty.

We, your humble servants, are considering the long-term development of the Tang Dynasty.

However, considering Li Chengqian's various actions, we unanimously believe that Li Chengqian is no longer suitable to be the crown prince.

"I implore Your Majesty to depose him and execute him immediately to prevent future troubles!"

Li Shimin gripped the dragon throne with both hands: "You've been talking for so long, you've confused me completely."

What exactly did Li Chenggan do?

"Just say it!"

"Your Majesty, last time, when Li Chengqian recruited soldiers in Gaochang and privately mobilized local troops, I requested Your Majesty to execute Li Chengqian."

His Majesty, mindful of the bond between father and son, could not bring himself to kill him, and instead imprisoned him in the Dali Temple jail.

Later, he was released and returned to the Eastern Palace to reflect on his mistakes.

but,

It now seems that Li Chengqian has shown no remorse whatsoever; on the contrary, he has become even more outrageous and his actions have become increasingly excessive.

do you know?

We have received reliable information.

He established his own army in the Wa (Japanese) country, which numbered as many as 20,000 to 30,000.

Please consider this, Your Majesty.

Li Chengan ordered Ashina She'er to lead 10,000 cavalry to garrison the border of Gaochang.

right now,

He also bribed the eldest brother of the mountain back, Wang.

He sowed discord between King Shanbei and King Shuming.

This exacerbated the conflict between them.

King Yamabe and King Shuming had a falling out and started fighting each other.

Currently, King Sanbee has led tens of thousands of naval troops to be stationed and trained on the border of Silla, ready to be dispatched by Yi Seung-gwan at any time.

Your Majesty, Li Chengqian, who commands a large army, has returned to Chang'an but has not mentioned it at all.

If he's not planning a rebellion, what is he planning to do?

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin also gasped in shock.

Because he never expected that Li Chenggan would establish his own army, an act that seriously violated the regulations of the imperial court.

"Is everything you're saying true?"

"Your Majesty, I would never dare to deceive you, even if it frightens me to death."

Therefore, we can infer that Li Chenggan's trip to the Wa (Japanese) Kingdom was originally a trap.

Because Li Chenggan already knew beforehand that Queen Seondeok had arrived at Naniwa-jin, therefore,

He was eager to get to the Japanese kingdom.

Their purpose was to win over Queen Seondeok and King Sanbae through this trip.

Your humble servant dares to guarantee that the Queen of Silla now obeys only the orders of Yi Seung-gan.

They are jointly training the navy with King Yamashiro.

So,

Your Majesty cannot help but ask, what exactly are they training their navy to do against Goguryeo, Wa (Japan), and Baekje?

Or are they trying to help Li Chenggan rebel?

"What did you say?"

"Your Majesty, last time you also gave Silla fifty warships."

It seems I've been working for someone else's benefit.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin could no longer sit still. He stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth in the hall.

He wondered if Li Chenggan was really planning a rebellion.

It seems I had overestimated Li Chenggan's abilities.

This kid has gone through his coming-of-age ceremony; he's grown up, and he's got his wings now.

They say one thing to your face and another behind your back; they've actually started playing dirty tricks.

Li Shimin could overlook other matters,

However, this matter is of utmost importance.

He knew that he had conquered the Tang Dynasty.

The military is of paramount importance.

Anyone who tries to take control of the army without authorization is not tolerated.

Fang Xuanling continued, "Your Majesty, I am not merely making an alarmist statement."

At the beginning,

Emperor Wu of Han and Crown Prince Liu Ju had a falling out.

Emperor Wu of Han was able to suppress Liu Ju because Liu Ju had no army.

If Liu Ju had tens of thousands of troops under his command, then it would be difficult to say who would win or lose.

So,

In the end, it might not be Liu Ju who dies.

Li Shimin was well-versed in the classics and history, and naturally knew a great deal about the witchcraft incident.

He also felt that Fang Xuanling's words made sense.

then,

The battle that took place in Chang'an was extremely fierce.

Liu Ju organized his household guards to fight against the regular army of the imperial court, but they were suppressed.

It's really hard to predict what the final outcome would have been if Liu Ju had held military power.

Cen Wenzi also said: "Your Majesty, Li Chengqian, as the Crown Prince, does not fulfill his duties as the Crown Prince, but secretly continues to accumulate power."

Before he knew it, he had already gained control of tens of thousands of troops.

At the beginning,

Modu Chanyu unified the grasslands with only ten thousand cavalry.

Now, Li Chenggan not only has cavalry, but also a navy.

With cavalry in the west and navy in the east, if we attack from both sides, Chang'an could collapse in an instant.

If Li Chengqian wanted to establish himself as emperor, wouldn't that be an easy thing to do?

All of this was decided in a single thought by Li Chengqian.

Then, how will Your Majesty conduct yourself?

His Majesty is kind and tolerant, and treats the retired emperor with great courtesy. But can Li Chenggan do the same?

What if he poisoned Emperor Wen of Sui like Yang Guang did?

"this--."

Li Shimin knew that after Yang Guang was made crown prince, he first killed Yang Yong, then Yang Jian, and then ascended the throne.

After he launched the Xuanwu Gate Incident,

Although he killed Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Prince Qi Li Yuanji

But he couldn't bring himself to do it to his own father.

Who can guarantee what Li Chenggan will do in the future?

of course,

In Li Shimin's heart, Li Chenggan was originally a very kind child.

but,

He spends all his time with those sorcerers like Chengxin and Wei Lingfu; it's hard to say what will happen in the long run.

Fang Xuanling said again: "Your Majesty, you were so insistent on opposing Chengxin's association with Wei Lingfu,

Anyone can see that His Majesty has put a lot of thought into this.

Because "one is influenced by one's company," meaning that you become like the people you associate with.

Your Majesty, I can tell you definitively,

Your Majesty, you should no longer harbor any illusions about Li Chenggan.

He never severed ties with Chengxin, Wei Lingfu, and the others.

Not only that,

He had Chengxin and Wei Lingfu establish a special organization called Lijingmen.

They are specifically responsible for tasks such as arresting, pursuing, interrogating, and assassinating.

Your Majesty, please consider this: would a normal crown prince do such things?

Should he focus his attention and energy on his studies?

Therefore,

On that occasion, His Majesty ordered me to go to the Eastern Palace to instruct the Crown Prince, but I did not go.

Because I already know that the Crown Prince is wicked and there is no way to change the situation.

As long as Li Chengqian is in power, our Great Tang Dynasty will never have a peaceful day.

Your Majesty, please make a firm decision and execute Li Chenggan.

The Tang Dynasty is very lucky, Your Majesty is very lucky! "

The ministers standing behind Fang Xuanling unanimously declared, "We implore Your Majesty to execute Li Chenggan!"

Veins bulged on Li Shimin's forehead, and his eyes turned bloodshot.

His hands were clenched into two fists, trembling incessantly.

He shouted towards the door, "Someone come here!"

At this moment, a guard entered from outside, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, please give your orders!"

"Summon Chang He to me immediately!"

"promise!"

The guard agreed and turned to leave.

Not long,

Chang He jogged to the Zichen Palace and found so many ministers there, which made him feel that something was amiss.

Li Shimin's expression was also very unpleasant.

Chang He's heart was pounding.

He quickly knelt on the ground: "This humble general greets Your Majesty!"

Li Shimin looked down at him, but didn't tell him to get up. He asked, "Have Chengxin and Wei Lingfu been captured?"

Chang He was already afraid that Li Shimin would ask him about this matter, but what he feared most came to pass.

"Your Majesty, we have not yet captured them," Chang He replied, forcing himself to speak.

"Useless idiot! Useless!"

I ask you again, what happened outside Xuanwu Gate that night?

did you know?

someone said,

"Did you send Fang Yi'ai to take over Xuanwu Gate?"

"This humble general does not know."

"What are you good for, Commander of the Imperial Guards?"

"All you do all day is sleep with Bai Mudan, isn't that right?" Li Shimin was so angry that he blurted out such words.

Chang He rarely saw Li Shimin lose his temper like this.

"This humble general..."

"Stop explaining, I don't want to hear it," Li Shimin waved his hand to interrupt him. "Bring Li Chenggan to me right now, I want to question him in person."

"Yes, sir! I'll take care of it right away!" Chang He replied with great respect.

The Eastern Palace.

Li Chengan stood in front of the weapon rack, playing with the long Japanese sword.

The knife gleamed, exuding a chilling aura, and was extremely sharp.

Li Chengan was thinking to himself, "This long sword is indeed more practical than the broadsword."

The broadsword was too heavy and cumbersome; ordinary soldiers simply couldn't wield it.

In other words, even if the enemy soldiers stood there motionless, you couldn't cut them down much even if you tried to kill them.

Either the knife is chipped, or they're exhausted.

The weapons in the armory of the eldest brother of the Yamashiro clan are all of very high quality. It seems that we should learn from his strengths.

Li Chengan then remembered that the main weapon used by the Xiongnu army was the straight sword.

The straight sword is also very powerful in terms of slashing ability.

This is why the Xiongnu cavalry were able to roam the grasslands, eventually unifying them and becoming the dominant force on the steppes.

Li Chengan pondered how to combine the straight swords of the Xiongnu with the long swords of the Japanese to design a new weapon for equipping Ashina She'er's cavalry.

This greatly enhanced the combat effectiveness of the cavalry.

Li Chengan put down the knife and sat down at his desk to begin designing a new weapon.

Just then, Yun Juan walked in from outside: "Your Highness, Yan Wan says she wants to see you."

"Yan Wan?"

"She is the future Queen Consort of Yue."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan put down his pen.

"Please let her in!"

Yunjuan agreed and turned to leave.

After a while, Yan Wan walked in from outside.

Piao Piao bows: "Greetings, Your Highness!"

Li Chenggan stood up: "It's so late, what brings you to see me?"

"Ever since the completion of Jiucheng Palace, Li Tai has had stomach problems and hasn't recovered yet."

"I would like to ask Your Highness for help in curing Li Tai's dysentery."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan felt a bit troubled.

Because he knew about this, Su Wan refused to provide the antidote, and Sun Simiao refused to provide treatment.

"It's not that I don't want to help you, but shouldn't you go to the imperial physicians at the Imperial Hospital for this?"

"We've looked everywhere we could, but none of the doctors willing to treat Li Tai can cure him."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan sensed a hidden meaning in his words: "Are you saying that there are still people in the Imperial Hospital who are unwilling to treat Qingque?"

"Yes."

"Who are you talking about?"

"He is Zhang Baozang."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan nodded slightly: "That is the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, why is he unwilling to treat Qingque?"

Yan Wan shook her head anxiously: "I'm not quite sure about that."

I heard you have a good relationship with Zhang Baozang, so I've come to ask you to put in a good word for me.

"As you know, I cannot leave the Eastern Palace."

How can I invite him?

When Yan Wan saw that Li Chengan was unwilling to help, she became anxious and started crying again.

Li Chengan was also moved by her crying: "Miss, please stop crying. Let me think of a way."

Yan Wan then stopped crying.

Li Chengan pondered for a moment, then called Yun Juan in: "Go to the Imperial Hospital and find Zhang Baozang. Tell him I have a headache and ask him to come and take a look at me."

"Your Highness, you seem to be in good spirits, so why does your head hurt again?"

Li Chengan glared at her: "Just go when I tell you to. Why all the nonsense?"

"promise!"

Yun Juan pouted and left the East Palace, muttering to herself, "She's clearly not sick, but she insists she is. What a weirdo!"