Chapter 59: Unfilial

As soon as the words left his mouth, Li Chengqian also spoke at the right time, and it was a fatal blow, forcing Li Shimin to let Li Tai compile the books:

"I heard Donggao Zi fell ill as soon as he arrived in Chang'an. Does Uncle think Donggao Zi still has the energy to preside over the book compilation?"

"That is the 'Wude Encyclopedia', which will be offered before Grandfather's spirit tablet in the future. Can Zhinu guarantee that there won't be a single error in his first time compiling books?"

"Also, this person—if one is unfilial once, others will think it was a last resort. If one is unfilial twice, that is truly unfilial."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present looked at Li Chengqian in horror; they knew very well who the last sentence was said to.

*'Madman! Truly a madman! Is he afraid of living too long?'*

*'I shouldn't have come today. It's just the right to compile books; giving it to the Prince of Jin is fine. Why did Heaven let me hear this sentence?'*

*'...'*

Compared to the others' horror, Fang Xuanling showed a look of suspicion; he always felt today's matter was not simple.

Li Shimin felt heartache; his son had stabbed his heart twice, but he had to acknowledge what Li Chengqian said.

The name 'Wude Encyclopedia' could not be changed. If he handed the 'Wude Encyclopedia' to Li Zhi, who had no experience and no talents, what would the people of the world think?

After taking three deep breaths, Li Shimin looked at Li Tai with disappointment:

"Qingque, the book compilation matter is handed to you! Crown Prince, stay; everyone else disperse!"

"Yes!"

Before the people had gone far, Li Shimin's roar resounded through the sky:

"Someone, hang the Crown Prince under the rafters, and bring my horse whip."

The officials looked at each other, and without exception, they stretched their legs and ran away in small steps.

Li Tai turned and looked at Ganlu Hall, gratitude appearing in his eyes:

"Eldest Brother, you suffered! I will remember today's feelings!"

Li Shimin looked up at Li Chengqian hanging under the rafters:

"Are you satisfied? To protect the throne, you stabbed the knife into Father's heart again. Do you call this filial?"

"If this son were unfilial, I wouldn't be here today. I only need to act as if I know nothing, and then wait until I supervise the state to plan for myself."

"If I couldn't do anything else, couldn't I make Qingque and Zhinu kill each other?"

"At worst, I leave Chang'an after you launch the eastern expedition and prepare to break into Chang'an."

"Is it that in Father's mind, you already stripped this son, and this son still has to cooperate with you to be called filial?"

"Slap!"

"Still dare to quibble! Aren't you doing this for this position?"

"Slap, slap, slap!"

Li Chengqian gritted his teeth and spoke in a deep voice:

"This son's ambition will never die in this life. Grandfather and Father taught me the way of the Emperor since childhood; why blame me for staring at the throne now?"

"Why are you so impatient? Why destroy my plan?"

"Because you let Hou Junji collect the customs and feelings of other countries."

Li Shimin's eyes were full of coldness: "The last one to do this was Yang Guang. I don't want Great Tang to have another Yang Guang."

"Hehe! Hahahaha..."

Li Chengqian raised his head and laughed: "You don't trust me! I exposed all my actions to your eyes, and you actually don't trust me."

"You don't trust that I can protect Qingque and Zhinu; you don't trust that I have the ability to make Great Tang go a step further."

"That is why you want to use book compilation to protect Zhinu, and then throw me to Jiaozhi..."

Before he could finish, Li Chengqian paused, a look of disbelief appearing on his face:

"You, you still think I would kill my father and brother for the throne?"

Li Shimin's face showed sadness: "Gaoming, Father doesn't believe you would do this, but Father has to guard against it."

"Just as you said, the Xuanwu Gate succession system cannot be staged in Great Tang."

"Then why push Qingque to the top?"

Li Chengqian sighed long: "Forget it! Since you don't trust me, saying more is useless."

"I will stop protecting Zhinu!"

"After returning from the eastern expedition, if you still haven't changed your mind and are determined to push Qingque to the top, I will head to Jiaozhi."

"By then, I will no longer care about Qingque and Zhinu's safety."

Li Chengqian's eyes were full of disappointment, both for Li Shimin and for himself. He actually believed that an Emperor would really let go and not care.

*'Any emperor wants to control everything; too naive! How can I achieve my goal like this.'*

"Someone! Send the Crown Prince back to the Eastern Palace!"

After Li Chengqian said he would no longer care about Li Tai and Li Zhi, Li Shimin knew the rift between father and son could no longer be eliminated, and this beating was meaningless.

Watching Li Chengqian's departing back as he was carried away, sadness welled up in Li Shimin's heart:

*'Guanyinbi, will you blame me? Chengqian is too clever; I am truly afraid, afraid that he will be clever but be misled by his cleverness.'*

Compared to Li Shimin still grieving, Li Chengqian hid in the study as soon as he returned to the Eastern Palace:

"Wang Qi, bring a few rolls of white paper, and send someone to find Yuwen Ding."

"Yes!"

Li Shimin's action now meant that Li Shimin had already made up his mind, and it was very likely he had guessed his plan.

Li Shimin wanted to push Li Tai to the top, so he must have a way to keep the Shandong aristocratic clans from growing big, and also a way to keep Zhangsun Wuji from fighting to the death.

And Li Zhi—not having the right to compile books but still wanting to push Li Tai to the top was enough to prove he already had a way to let Li Zhi retreat unscathed.

Before long, Wang Qi walked in holding a few rolls of white paper:

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Cui Zhiwen requests an audience outside the door!"

"Spread out the paper!"

Li Chengqian glanced at Wang Qi, then spoke indifferently:

"I remember your eldest brother's family lives in Wannian County. Send a message to have them move to Guiyi Ward to cook for Yuwen Ding and the others. All financial expenses will be covered by the Eastern Palace."

"Bang!"

Wang Qi knelt down abruptly, cold sweat dripping from his forehead, his face turning extremely pale:

"This, this humble one knows what to do! Please rest assured, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"It's good that you know what to do. This person must know his position. Jumping back and forth will only harm others and himself."

"Go and invite Siyi Lang Cui in. After Yuwen Ding comes, you all come in together."

"Yes!"

Before long, Cui Zhiwen walked in with a face full of sorrow:

"Pay respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"No need for formalities! What's wrong with you, looking so sorrowful?"

"This subordinate heard that Your Highness the Crown Prince was punished by His Majesty?"

"Nothing major!"

Li Chengqian smiled slightly: "Father wanted to push Qingque to the top, but I blocked it, and he beat me to vent his anger in a fit of shame."

Cui Zhiwen's expression froze. How can your heart be so big? Your life is almost gone, and you're still in the mood to joke?

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, His Majesty has already made up his mind. Do you still have the confidence to ascend the throne?"

Li Chengqian waved his hand, full of relaxation: "No matter. The Crown Prince position is not like others; it can be changed with a casual word."

"You don't need to worry about these, and don't get involved. Your most important task now is to grow quickly."

"When I supervise the state, I will arrange you in the Ministry of Rites first. Once in the Ministry of Rites, it's the same: watch more, listen more, and speak less."

"Father still has some friends. If Your Highness doesn't mind, this subordinate can invite them to Chang'an."

Li Chengqian shook his head slowly: "No hurry! In the current situation, the Eastern Palace personnel need to be streamlined. Let's talk after I supervise the state."

"Help me think: if you were the Emperor, how would you stop civil officials from occupying the entire court?"

"The simplest way is to promote military generals to balance civil and military!"

"If the Emperor doesn't like military generals, and you are the Prime Minister, what should you do?"

Cui Zhiwen lowered his head, his voice without a hint of temperature:

"War! Force the Emperor to have to promote military generals." ===== CHAPTER 60 =====