Tang Dynasty: Taking the Empress Dowager to a brothel, Father Emperor, what a coincidence!

Li Chengqian didn't want to use Changsun Wuji either, but he really had no one else at his disposal.

With Qin Qiong and Du Ruhui stationed in Liaodong, the only person he can trust now is Xiao Shunzi.

The Shadow Guards and the Listening Wind Pavilion are both intelligence agencies, and they are completely incapable of helping him manage these affairs of the court.

As for Cheng Chumo and other second-generation rich kids?

It's not that Li Chengqian underestimates them, but at this stage, even if Xiao Shunzi were to be given a surrogate mother, Li Chengqian would think they would be better than them.

Changsun Wuji pointed to his heart:

"Your Highness, I can't beat you in this game of court politics. Not only can I not beat you, but I can't beat those bastards from the aristocratic families either."

You just said you spared the life of my Changsun family, and that's not untrue. But do you know who's keeping my few remaining members of the Changsun family alive?

Changsun Wuji gave a bitter smile.

"Your mother is my younger sister."

Your mother ordered Tang Jian to raid the Duke of Qi's mansion, but in reality, she was saving the life of my useless elder brother.

Your Highness, in this battle I have lost everything I could lose in the first half of my life.

The only thing left is a little bit of hope from your mother.

Do you think I'd risk my old life to serve a powerful family?

Upon hearing Changsun Wuji's words, Li Chengqian did not immediately say anything, but instead looked at him quietly.

Li Chengqian is now unsure whether or not to appoint Changsun Wuji.

In the end, Li Chengqian decided to give it a try.

After all, in his view, as long as Changsun Wuji was not allowed to return to the court, this old fox posed no threat to him.

"OK.

I kept this book of river transport records for myself.

Starting at dawn tomorrow, the main accounts behind the scenes of the West City Mayor's Bureau Chief will all be handled from here.

What I want is for all four main shipping routes from Luoyang to Guanzhong to have Liaodong iron goods listed for unloading within three days.

After saying this, Li Chengqian got up and left.

Changsun Wuji has placed his final bet on Li Chengqian.

At this critical juncture, Li Chengqian could not possibly trust anyone else.

But as for this uncle...

Lizheng Hall.

When Li Chengqian arrived, there were only a few female officials guarding the entrance.

Li Chengqian walked in on his own.

Empress Dowager Changsun Wugou was currently using an ivory pick to lift the silver charcoal in the warm basin.

"Is Mother still not resting?"

Li Chengqian walked to Changsun Wugou's side and handed her the list that Changsun Wuji had given him.

Empress Zhangsun took it, glanced at it, and then looked up at Li Chengqian and asked:

"Did your uncle give it to you?"

Li Chengqian nodded:

"The powerful families of Guandong have cut off the trade routes in Luoyang."

My uncle handed over the manifest for the private cabins on the Guannei River.

The people on this route can bypass the Cui family and quietly transport goods from Liaodong into Guanzhong.

Empress Zhangsun put down the teapot, picked up the teacup, and took a sip:

"You came to see your mother because you wanted to ask her what she meant?"

Now that he's pulled out all the stops to save his life, what are your thoughts on this?

"Your subject wishes to use it."

Li Chengqian squatted down beside Empress Zhangsun.

"The powerful families are now determined to fight me to the death in Liaodong. But I really have no one else to rely on."

As long as I can maintain control, my uncle will just be a knife in my hand, unable to cause any trouble.

After listening, Empress Zhangsun looked at the charcoal fire but did not speak immediately.

Then he sighed:

"Brilliant! There is no knife that is forever tamed. Your uncle is a wise man."

This time, he's betting on you, gambling on the last glimmer of hope for the Changsun family.

You can use him, but you absolutely must not rely on him extensively.

Li Chengqian watched as his mother listened quietly without interrupting.

As Empress Zhangsun spoke, a ruthless glint flashed in her eyes.

"He has had too much of the taste of power in his hands, and he can't shake it off."

"If you later discover that he is using the power of the Crown Prince to form cliques for personal gain, or harbors any improper schemes against your position as Crown Prince..."

Empress Zhangsun stopped.

She looked at Li Chengqian, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Mother..."

Li Chengqian's heart sank, and he hurriedly got up to pour tea for his mother.

"Just kill them."

Empress Zhangsun uttered these four words, one by one.

For the sake of her son's future, even though it was her own elder brother, Empress Zhangsun made a decision without hesitation.

Her few tears were a way of sending Changsun Wuji off to his death prematurely.

"Your subject understands."

Li Chengqian stood up, poured a cup of tea for Empress Zhangsun, and handed it to her.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I know what I'm doing."

This list will only be used as a covert tool for the shops in the West Market. Your Majesty, I will absolutely not allow him to have any further involvement in military or political affairs at court.

Just then, footsteps came from outside the door, interrupting the mother and son's conversation.

"Mother! Mother, save me!"

A figure rushed in from outside the hall.

Empress Zhangsun quickly turned her head away and pressed a handkerchief to the corner of her eye.

Li Chengqian turned around and saw Princess Chang Le, Li Lizhi, stumbling in.

She buried her face in Empress Zhangsun's arms, and as she looked up to say something, she saw Empress Zhangsun's red eyes.

Chang Le was stunned for a moment, then immediately turned her head and glared angrily at Li Chengqian.

"Brother! Did you upset Mother again? You've been causing trouble ever since you came back from the war, not only getting into trouble every day, but now you've even made Mother cry. I'm going to the Ganlu Palace to complain about you."

Li Chengqian was amused by Chang Le's words.

He reached out and pressed his hand on Chang Le's head, forcefully ruffling her hair.

"What nonsense are you talking about? How could my elder brother dare to anger Mother?"

Looking at Chang Le, Li Chengqian felt a surge of tenderness in his heart.

In her previous life, Chang Le married Changsun Chong and died in despair.

In this life, he has already brought the Changsun family down from their pedestals, and Changsun Chong is firmly in his grasp. His sister's tragic fate is bound to change.

When Li Chengqian was reborn, he secretly made a vow in front of Chang Le.

Even if his younger sister were to spend her entire life keeping male concubines in the princess's mansion, he would never let her suffer any more grievances.

"Stop rubbing it, your hair is all messed up."

Chang Le slapped Li Chengqian's hand away and looked at Changsun Wugou with a pitiful expression.

"Mother, please do something about my eldest brother!"

After the siblings' antics, Empress Zhangsun's worries dissipated considerably.

She patted Chang Le on the back.

"How old are you? Still so impulsive. Weren't you practicing calligraphy at Lizheng Hall? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"

Upon hearing her mother's question, Chang Le's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

She clutched Empress Zhangsun's sleeve and cried:

"Mother, Father is preparing to marry me off."

Li Chengqian had just picked up his teacup and taken a sip of water when he heard this, and he immediately spat it out.

What the hell?

Changsun Chong is already under my control, why does she still want to marry him off?

Empress Zhangsun was also stunned, then frowned and asked:

"Whom does your father intend to betroth you to? How come I have no idea?"

Chang Le continued, looking aggrieved:

"I wanted to go to the Ganlu Palace tonight to see my father and ask for the white tiger skin that Goguryeo presented as tribute yesterday. But that old eunuch Wang De blocked me from entering, saying that my father was discussing matters with the Chancellor and the others."

I went around to the back window to eavesdrop. Inside, my father was slamming his fist on the table, saying that the military generals and nobles in the court were too arrogant, and the Crown Prince was even more out of control.

In order to appease the former officials, the only option was to use the emperor's favor to make amends.

"My father said the Changsun family has suffered a severe blow this time. Changsun Wuji has been demoted to a commoner, and the Guanlong aristocratic families have lost their leader. In order to prevent outsiders from saying that the royal family is heartless, and also to stabilize the Guanlong aristocratic families, he is preparing to issue an edict to marry me to Gao Lixing."

Li Chengqian's mind went blank instantly.

High fulfillment?

Old Deng actually wants to marry Chang Le to that good-for-nothing Gao Lixing?

He can't bear not pushing his own daughter into a fire pit, can he?

Empress Zhangsun stood up abruptly.

"He dares!"

Empress Zhangsun trembled with anger.

You just dealt with Changsun Wuji, and now Li Shimin is trying to win over Gao Shilian?

You're not only trading your daughter's lifelong happiness for the stability of the court, but you're also slapping yourself, the empress, in the face.

"Mother, please calm your anger. I will handle this matter."

Li Chengqian quickly spoke up to persuade him.

"Gao Ming, don't do anything reckless."

Empress Zhangsun knew her son all too well.

Although he rarely caused trouble growing up, whenever he did, it was never a small matter.

"How could I possibly act recklessly?"

Li Chengqian reached out and flicked Chang Le's nose.

"Go wash your face clean. Your elder brother promised you that no one in this Tang Dynasty would dare to use your happiness as a bargaining chip."

Even my father, the emperor, cannot do it.

After saying that, Li Chengqian turned around and walked out.

"Your Highness, shall we return to the East Palace?"

Xiao Shunzi saw Li Chengqian at the door and hurriedly asked.

"Go to Ganlu Palace."

After Li Chengqian finished speaking, he casually drew a horizontal sword from the waist of a nearby imperial guard.

"Xiao Shunzi, take my token and summon the Eastern Palace Guard to me."

"I want to see which fearless person dares to accept this imperial decree to sell their daughter."