Chapter 39: Shouldn't you thank me?

Although Li Chengqian took the initiative to make a mistake, Li Tai couldn't easily get the task of compiling books. He forgot that there was still someone eyeing it covetously.

After hearing the rumors in Chang'an City, Zhangsun Wuji came to see the Prince of Jin, Li Zhi, for the first time.

After listening to Zhangsun Wuji's account, Li Zhi spoke softly:

"Does Uncle mean that we should snatch the book compilation?"

"Yes!"

Zhangsun Wuji looked solemn: "The Prince of Wei's reputation now exceeds that of the Crown Prince. If he succeeds in compiling this book, all the scholars in the world will support him.

By then, it won't be easy to defeat him. Therefore, we must snatch it. Even if we can't snatch it, we can't let him succeed."

"What should I do? Please teach me, Uncle."

"The Wang clan of Qixian, Taiyuan!"

A sharp light flashed in Zhangsun Wuji's eyes: "The Taiyuan Wang clan's Wang Ji generation produced three great talents: Wang Tong, Wang Ning, and Wang Ji!

One compiled the History of Sui, one was the Scholar of Wine, and another proposed that the three teachings can be one—Wenzhongzi Wang Tong, whom even Wei Zheng praised greatly.

As long as you invite Wang Ji, you will get a large group of Wang Tong's disciples and the support of the Taiyuan Wang clan.

In the Literature Pavilion, although Su Xu's reputation is great, it still cannot compare to the Scholar of Wine and Wenzhongzi."

Li Zhi nodded solemnly: "I will go find the Imperial Concubine immediately. Wang Ji is her grand-uncle. With her coming forward, I believe Wang Ji will be invited soon."

"Don't rush, Your Highness!"

Zhangsun Wuji stopped Li Zhi, who was about to get up:

"Isn't Doctor Chu gathering the hearts of Buddhism? It just so happens that the book compilation also compiles Buddhist classics. Let Doctor Chu use this to gain the support of Buddhism. This way, persuading His Majesty will also be more certain.

At the latest tomorrow, His Majesty will rebuke the Crown Prince. By then, Your Highness should be the first to propose this matter in front of the court officials; don't let the Prince of Wei snatch it first."

"Why?"

Li Zhi understood why he had to do this in his heart; he just pretended to be someone who didn't understand anything.

Zhangsun Wuji was obviously very satisfied with Li Zhi's attitude and said with a smile:

"Your Highness is still young and has always been benevolent and filial. It is normal to want to contribute to the country.

As an older brother, if the Prince of Wei snatches the opportunity for his younger brother to contribute to the country, that would be disregarding brotherly affection for the sake of the Crown Prince position."

"Thank you for your guidance, Uncle! Without your help, Zhinu would have been defeated by the Fourth Brother long ago.

No wonder Father put you at the top of the Lingyan Pavilion. Besides you, no one dares to occupy this position."

"Your Highness is too kind; it is all because His Majesty values me."

"Not too kind!"

Li Zhi said casually, then changed the subject:

"Father often talks to me about Sister Changle recently. It's been half a year since we met; he must miss her.

If possible, Uncle, after you go back, have Sister Changle bring Yan'er into the palace for a visit."

"It has indeed been a long time since she entered the palace. Yan'er is weak and sickly. This time she rested for half a year and only just got better recently; it's time to come out and walk around."

"Why doesn't Uncle go ask Sun Yaowang to take a look?"

Zhangsun Wuji gave a wry smile: "Can't find him!"

It would be strange if he could find him. The people Zhangsun Wuji sent were all looking in various counties, while Sun Simiao, for the sake of medical skills and saving people, often entered and exited the mountains to collect herbs.

The people Li Chengqian sent were shuttling through various villages to inquire. He believed that as long as someone had been treated by Sun Simiao, Sun Simiao wouldn't be able to run away.

Most importantly, Du He's people had already set out. They would go deep into the villages, and even waiting for a rabbit would allow them to wait for Sun Simiao.

Just as Zhangsun Wuji thought, early the next morning, Li Shimin called Li Chengqian over for a three-hall trial.

This time, not only were the important officials of the imperial court and Li Tai there, but Li Zhi also appeared in the court rarely.

Li Chengqian scanned the circle and saw the figure of the Prince of Bohai, and immediately cursed loudly:

"Good for you, Prince of Bohai. Calling you 'Uncle' is giving you face.

I saved your life, and you don't thank me, but instead come to complain.

What? Do you think I'm easy to bully?"

"Saved me?"

Li Fengci laughed out of extreme anger, pointing at the bruise on his own face as he spoke:

"Is this the Crown Prince's saving me? You used that 'De Book' to chase and beat me yesterday, have you forgotten?"

"What's in your brain? Dog shit? If I didn't beat you, would you have left?"

Li Chengqian walked to his seat and sat down: "Too lazy to explain to you. With your brain, you're only suitable for playing with Li Jue."

"Too bullying! Too bullying!"

Li Fengci's face flushed red, as if he were about to spit out a mouthful of blood at any moment:

"Your Majesty! Please make the decision for your subject! My father and Gaozu were own brothers!"

Li Shimin had a bit of a headache; although he did not think much of Li Fengci, he was a cousin after all, and represented the face of the Imperial family.

Being beaten up on the street by the Crown Prince, if he didn't punish him, it would really be unjustifiable:

"Crown Prince, have you forgotten all the etiquette taught to you since childhood? Hurry up and apologize to the Prince of Bohai!"

"Apologize?"

Li Chengqian's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief:

"Father, are you senile? I saved the Prince of Bohai's life, and you still want me to apologize to him?"

"What do you mean?"

Li Chengqian scanned the circle and saw that everyone, including Li Tai, had a look of confusion, so he also showed a look of confusion:

"No, you all don't know?"

"Big Brother, know what? If you don't say it, Father will really punish you!"

"Sigh!"

Li Chengqian sighed softly, then asked Li Fengci:

"Prince of Bohai, did you go to the Prince of Wei's mansion to have the Prince of Wei catch the murderer as soon as possible?"

"Yes, killing my people on my territory is hitting me in the face. I won't be able to vent the hatred in my heart without tearing the murderer into pieces."

"What 'your territory'? That is the land of Great Tang. You set up a gambling game privately, and that's fine. As long as nothing happens, everyone just turns a blind eye.

Now that something happened in your casino, you don't think about rushing into the palace to plead guilty, but instead go to command Qingque to do things.

What kind of behavior is this? Participating in the government affairs of Yongzhou. Does the Yongzhou Shepherd need you to teach him how to handle government affairs? How will the people of the world see it? How will the officials of the imperial court see it?"

Speaking of this, Li Chengqian paused, his eyes filled with pity as he looked at Li Fengci:

"Liu Hu raised dozens of thugs in Pingkang Fang, and swords, armor, and helmets were also found in his house.

Prince of Bohai, you tell me if Liu Hu has anything to do with you. Do you still want to go to the Prince of Wei's mansion? I beat you up, do you want to thank me?"

Upon hearing about participating in state affairs, Li Fengci could barely hold on; after the two armored guards appeared, he knelt directly on the ground, his forehead covered in sweat:

"Your Majesty, your subject really didn't know that Liu Hu privately hid swords, armor, and helmets, and didn't want to participate in government affairs.

No, no, no, your subject doesn't know Liu Hu. It was your subject who falsely accused the Crown Prince. The injuries on my face were all from falling down myself.

Your Majesty, please spare your subject this time!"

"Prince of Bohai, the people of Chang'an City all saw the Crown Prince beating you!"

"They were all spreading rumors. Your subject and the Crown Prince were just playing around. We are all one family, how could we fight?"

Li Shimin shook his head secretly. What swords, armor, and helmets? They were just children's toys, all made of wood, just coated with a layer of mercury on the outside, looking real from a distance.

He now strongly suspected that this was specially placed in Liu Hu's house by Li Chengqian.

The Prince of Bohai was a playboy, and Li Shimin didn't believe he would rebel, nor did he want to pursue it too much:

"Get up! This matter ends here. Don't open a casino after you go back. Isn't Fengyue Lou enough for you to make money?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Your subject will never touch a casino again and will definitely study hard in the future!

Your subject takes his leave!"

After these words, Li Fengci stood up and hurried backward; just as he reached the doorway, a single sentence from Li Chengqian made him nod repeatedly:

"Uncle, there's no need for big gifts! Sending a few tens of millions of guan will be about enough."

"Crown Prince, please rest assured. I will keep today's favor in mind and will definitely do my best if needed in the future." ===== CHAPTER 40 =====