Chapter 57: Variable

Half a moment later, Zhangsun Wuji slowly raised his head:

"Since the Crown Prince disagrees, then forget it. There is also a chance to defeat the Prince of Wei with 'Lubu'; there is indeed no need to be in a hurry for a moment.

In your opinion, does the Crown Prince still have a chance to ascend the throne?"

Zhangsun Chong looked surprised: "Didn't Father say the Crown Prince has already lost the qualifications to ascend the throne?

The Crown Prince is close to military generals; this is something he admitted himself, even with His Majesty's reminders, he still doesn't change his heart.

His Majesty has already dissolved the Hongwen Hall, which is enough to show that His Majesty has completely given up on the Crown Prince."

"No matter which aspect you look at, the Crown Prince has lost his qualifications, but I always feel it's suspicious.

And the 'Lubu' proposed by the Crown Prince—I feel uneasy in my heart, as if as long as I go to do it, I will fall into a quagmire and be unable to struggle."

"Father has been too tired recently; perhaps it's an illusion. Rest first. If you still have this feeling after resting, then act carefully."

"Very well! Chu Suiliang hasn't sent back news yet; let's wait and see in a few days."

Zhangsun Wuji's feeling was not wrong. As long as he used Li Chengqian's strategy, he would fall into a quagmire; this was a trap Li Chengqian set for him and Li Zhi.

Li Chengqian always ruled by virtue; what others could get, he would also inevitably get some benefits.

Helping the enemy for pleasure was Li Chengqian's consistent proposition; as for how long the enemy could be happy, he couldn't guarantee.

Just like Li Tai, the bamboo paper was given to him, but he hadn't been happy for a few days before being poured with a basin of cold water by Li Shimin.

"Qingque, it's better to give the book compilation matter to Zhinu!"

Li Tai widened his eyes abruptly: "Why? Father, did I do something wrong recently?"

"Precisely because you didn't do anything wrong, Father cannot let you compile books. After Father launches the eastern expedition, you follow by your Eldest Brother's side and learn how to handle government affairs."

"Father! Zhinu has no bamboo paper, no scholars; how can he quickly finish compiling the books?"

Looking at Li Tai's aggrieved expression, Li Shimin hardened his heart and spoke coldly:

"I have already decided this matter; you don't need to say anymore. It's for your own good that I didn't let you compile. Do you really think bamboo paper fell from the sky?

You don't even think about who proposed the book compilation first, and whose person Li Chunfeng was originally."

Li Tai was shocked, his eyes full of horror:

"Eldest Brother? No, no, no—why would Eldest Brother do this?"

"No! I want to go ask him!"

Before he could finish speaking, Li Tai turned and rushed out of Ganlu Hall.

Li Shimin still valued Li Tai; he felt that with Jiaozhi Commandery, Li Chengqian's life and glory were no problem.

As long as Li Zhi went to compile books, it could also make Li Tai unable to take action against him. In this way, his governing philosophy could be passed down through Li Tai.

"Pass the word: today when the Crown Prince comes, there is no need to announce!"

"Yes!"

Li Tai didn't stop at all along the way, rushing straight to the Eastern Palace's Qingfeng Pavilion. The Eastern Palace guards didn't dare to stop him either.

"Huhu..."

Running to the Qingfeng Pavilion, Li Tai leaned on a pillar and gasped for breath, leaving Li Chengqian dumbfounded.

"Qingque, what happened? So urgent?"

"Huchi huchi!"

Li Tai pointed at Li Chengqian and spoke intermittently:

"Was the bamboo paper specifically given by you? Is Li Chunfeng your person?"

"What nonsense are you spouting? What bamboo paper? Why can't I understand a word?"

"Ah!"

Li Tai roared: "You're still lying to me! Father told me everything. You specifically let Li Chunfeng come to find me so I would snatch the right to compile books."

"Father?"

Li Chengqian gripped the fishing rod tightly, the veins on the back of his hands bulging, and angry emotions began to surge in his heart.

*'Calm! Calm! There is still a chance to make up for it! There is still a chance! Qingque is a gentleman, easy to fool!'*

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian gently put down the fishing rod and smiled at Li Tai:

"Since you know everything, Eldest Brother won't hide it from you. From the moment I said the words about compiling books, it was to let you snatch the right to compile books."

"Why? If you wanted me to compile books, why didn't you just tell me directly? Why make it so troublesome? Or do you have some conspiracy?"

"Sigh!"

Li Chengqian sighed long: "Qingque! Do you still remember Grandfather? The 'Wude Encyclopedia' is to let future generations remember Grandfather.

I also wanted to let you compile it directly, but you always misunderstand me, always feeling I have conspiracies and tricks. This was a last resort."

"You say, what conspiracy could there be in compiling books? How could I harm you? Could it be that if you can't finish compiling, someone will say you are not?"

"That's true!"

Li Tai nodded subconsciously, then shook his head quickly:

"No, Grandfather was the founding emperor; who in future generations doesn't know? Even without history books, it would be passed down generation after generation that everyone knows who founded Great Tang."

"Is that so?"

Li Chengqian looked at Li Tai with a smile that wasn't a smile: "Then tell me, what things did Grandfather do?"

"Starting the army in Jinyang, then, then..."

"Forgotten, right? The world is saying that Father and Aunt Zhaoyang conquered the world of Great Tang. Who still remembers Grandfather?

The Xuanwu Gate incident, and Father governing Great Tang in an orderly way all these years—how many people still remember Grandfather?

Qingque, remember one sentence: those who are good at fighting have no illustrious achievements."

Speaking of this, Li Chengqian's voice began to choke:

"You also know that Eldest Brother often went to Daming Palace when he was young; my feelings for Grandfather were even better than for Father.

Thinking that Grandfather did so many things, yet no one remembers him, Eldest Brother feels sad.

Equal-Field System, Rent-Tax-Labor System, Fubing System, Buddhist System, etc. —these were all created or improved by Father.

If there were no such systems, how could Father govern Great Tang so easily?"

"Plop!"

A tear slid down Li Chengqian's face and dripped onto the ground. Seeing this scene, Li Tai's face changed greatly, and he completely believed what Li Chengqian said.

"Eldest Brother! Eldest Brother! Qingque believes you, but Father already won't let me compile books.

I truly don't understand why Father won't let me compile. Obviously, I have experience and paper."

*'Silly brother, Father is pushing you to the throne.'*

Li Chengqian raised his head, trying his best not to let his tears fall:

"Qingque, don't blame Father. You also know Zhinu is now participating in the struggle for the heir apparent.

Father is afraid that after he launches the eastern expedition, the court situation will be unstable because you two are fighting.

If Zhinu has the right to compile books, he will honestly compile books and won't take action against you for the time being.

And you are now helping in the Ministry of Revenue, needing to deal with the logistics of the eastern expedition, so you have no time to care about other things."

Hearing this, Li Tai understood everything instantly, but he was unwilling:

"Eldest Brother, do you still have a way? As long as Eldest Brother helps me get the right to compile books, I promise Eldest Brother that this book will be called 'Wude Encyclopedia'."

Li Chengqian lowered his head, pretending to be in deep thought. After a quarter of an hour, he raised his head, looking at Li Tai with firm eyes:

"Remember what you said today! Even if I don't want this Crown Prince position, I will help you get the right to compile books.

You go back first; I will go into the palace to find Father right now!"

"Many thanks, Eldest Brother!"

Even without Li Tai's request, Li Chengqian would have gone to see Li Shimin to ask why he went back on his word.

He calculated everything, but he didn't expect the one stabbing him in the back to be Li Shimin, this Erfeng who had to choose Li Zhi to protect Li Tai and Li Chengqian's lives.

Carrying anger and various questions, Li Chengqian rushed into Ganlu Hall without obstruction.

Li Shimin knew what Li Chengqian came for. The moment he saw Li Chengqian, he spoke:

"Destroyed your plan?" ===== CHAPTER 58 =====