Chapter 60: Cleaning Up the Eastern Palace

Li Chengqian looked down at the paper, circled the two characters 'Bingzhou' with a pen, a look of contemplation appearing in his eyes:

*'Using Zhinu to force Qingque to have to contact military generals? But doing so is forcing them to kill each other. *

*If I don't do this, how else can I prevent civil officials from controlling military officials? *

*No!'*

Li Chengqian suddenly thought of a possibility. He was a traveler from later generations and knew the drawbacks of civil officials controlling military officials in the Song dynasty, but Li Shimin didn't know.

Throughout history, there had never been a case where civil officials controlling military officials caused the entire country to collapse; at most, it became a puppet.

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian gave a self-deprecating smile. If he really had this thought, he wouldn't be Li Shimin, and he wouldn't have done the Xuanwu Gate incident.

*'None of them are simple. Compared to these people, I am still too naive.'*

Li Chengqian put down the brush in his hand and looked at Cui Zhiwen:

"There will be some movement in the Eastern Palace next. Tell Brother Su not to take it to heart; just do what he needs to do."

"This subordinate understands!"

Originally, Li Chengqian thought that as long as he showed it to Li Shimin generously, Li Shimin would wait.

Now it seems that his actions over these past few days have instead made him resolve his determination, and also let Li Shimin guess his plan.

Li Chengqian had a feeling that Li Shimin would use his thoughts to protect Li Zhi.

*'Wait and see. If Zhinu follows on the eastern expedition, the plan must change.'*

Not long after Cui Zhiwen left, Wang Qi led Yuwen Ding in:

"Pay respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"How are the guards in Guiyi Ward? Can they be used?"

"They can be used!"

Yuwen Ding was full of seriousness: "They know the way of loyalty and righteousness better than anyone. They wouldn't dare to try the consequences of betraying Your Highness even if they died."

"Very good!"

A flash of killing intent appeared in Li Chengqian's eyes: "Starting today, begin screening all eunuchs and maids in the Eastern Palace. All those who have had contact with the palace in the past six months are to be sent home."

"For those who haven't had contact with the palace, archive all their family members."

"Thoroughly investigate all officials above the 'Cao' rank in the Eastern Palace Six Rate Guards. For all those appointed by His Majesty, find a reason to dismiss them."

"Your Highness, what about the Medicine Treasury Bureau, Ceremonial Bureau, and other places?"

"The same! I will tell the Crown Princess; you all cooperate well with the Crown Princess."

"I only have one requirement: in the future, no news from the Eastern Palace can be spread out. Whoever spreads it dies!"

Speaking of this, Li Chengqian looked at Yuwen Ding:

"Go tell the Duke of Chen to transfer some soldiers from the army, those who are loyal to him, not to His Majesty."

"Yes!"

After finishing the instructions, Li Chengqian stood up and left the study. This alone was not enough. The officials of the Eastern Palace Six Rate Guards were appointed by Li Shimin, and most of them were loyal to Li Shimin.

He still needed his own soldiers to protect him. He could no longer believe that Li Shimin would care about father-son affection. In thousands of years of history, there was only one pair of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao.

Li Chengqian didn't blame Li Shimin, nor did he argue about who was right or wrong. The positions were different, and the thoughts were different.

Seeing Li Chengqian full of solemnity, Su Xi's heart skipped a beat:

"What happened?"

"You go into the palace tomorrow to see Yin Fei, and let the Yin family bring their private soldiers to Chang'an. The Eastern Palace Six Rate Guards can no longer be trusted."

Su Xi's eyes revealed horror: "Has it reached this point? Has His Majesty made up his mind?"

"Yes!"

Li Chengqian no longer had any concealment: "The current situation only has two paths: either make Father have to stabilize my position as Crown Prince."

"Or you and I prepare to start over and let Great Tang enter war again."

"Why must it be like this? Husband, there will be no commoners following you if you rebel now."

Li Chengqian walked to Su Xi's side and sat down, his gaze looking at the sunset on the horizon:

"They will! They will follow! The drawbacks of the Equal-Field System and Rent-Tax-Labor System will make them follow me."

"What do you need me to do?"

"First clean up those people in the Eastern Palace who eat inside and crawl outside. As for the rest, wait until after the eastern expedition."

"Good!"

That night, Yuwen Ding and Wang Qi led the Brocade Guard to start processing the eunuchs and maids.

Looking at the large group of eunuchs and maids kneeling in the courtyard, Yuwen Ding read coldly according to the list:

"Liu Cui, Ying Jiu, Wang San... you revealed the whereabouts of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to the outside—death penalty!"

As the voice fell, a group of Brocade Guards directly carried the people away. Before long, a series of pleas for mercy and screams sounded.

"Ah..."

"This humble one won't dare again! Your Highness the Crown Prince, forgive me!"

The other eunuchs and maids who heard the sound trembled all over, and some even had a fishy smell coming from their lower bodies.

Yuwen Ding continued to speak with an expressionless face:

"Li San, Zhang Si... selling Eastern Palace medicinal materials and clothing—send them back to their hometowns starting today."

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, forgive me!"

"Your Highness the Crown Prince..."

Yuwen Ding waved his hand, and a group of guards covered the mouths of these people, then dragged them out.

Of the original one hundred people, only ten or so remained. Yuwen Ding revealed a smile at this moment:

"Congratulations, everyone. Seeing that you are all so loyal, the Crown Prince has decided to send some money and grain to your relatives as a reward."

"Many thanks, Your Highness the Crown Prince! Many thanks, Your Highness the Crown Princess!"

The movement in the Eastern Palace soon reached Li Shimin's ears. He knew that things were already irreversible; Li Chengqian would never trust him again.

*'Gaoming, let me see how much ability you have. *

*Father has already made a mistake once; this time I won't give you and Zhinu any

'Father has already been wrong once; this time, he will not give you or Zhinu any chance.'

Compared to Li Shimin, the news received by Zhangsun Wuji and the others arrived a bit later.

The next day, Zhangsun Wuji quietly arrived at the mansion of the Duke of England, Li Shiji.

"Duke of England, have you heard about what happened in the Eastern Palace?"

Li Shiji spoke indifferently: "The corpses are being hauled out cart by cart, and outside the Taiji Palace, eunuchs and palace maids are all pleading for mercy; I fear the entire city of Chang'an knows by now."

"I always feel it has to do with the matter of the Prince of Wei compiling the book. Originally, the Crown Prince had always supported the Prince of Jin in obtaining the right to compile the book, but during the day, he acted contrary to his usual behavior.

In order to help the Prince of Wei, he did not hesitate to bring up the Xuanwu Gate incident again, which makes me feel vaguely uneasy."

"Bringing up Xuanwu Gate again?"

Li Shiji widened his eyes: "Is he crazy? Last time, it was understandable because he had a blade at his throat, but what is this for this time?"

"I don't know!"

Zhangsun Wuji's face was full of gravity: "I have a feeling that while it looks like a struggle between the Prince of Wei and the Prince of Jin in the imperial court, it is very likely a struggle between the Crown Prince and the Emperor.

In the current situation, the Emperor cannot depose the Crown Prince, nor does he want the Crown Prince to ascend the throne.

And the Crown Prince also understands this point; it seems he has given up on the throne and is focused solely on preserving his life."

"Has the Prince of Jin said anything?"

Zhangsun Wuji shook his head: "No! The Prince of Jin is still too young and has not been exposed to government affairs; there are many things he cannot see.

Logically speaking, the Emperor is willing to give the right to compile the book to the Prince of Jin, which shows that the Emperor still values the Prince of Jin and is willing to give him a chance.

But I always feel uneasy, especially after such a major incident occurred in the Eastern Palace."

Li Shiji frowned tightly: "Even when the Crown Prince plotted rebellion, the Eastern Palace was not purged, yet yesterday, because of the book compilation, he made such a big fuss; this does not conform to common sense."

As soon as his voice fell, a voice came from outside the door:

"Master, some officials of the Eastern Palace Six Rate Guards have also appeared in front of the Imperial City. The Emperor has already ordered the original Six Rate Guard officials to be transferred to the Forbidden Army or the Prince of Wei's mansion."

"Understood! No one is allowed to approach within fifteen paces."

"Yes!"

Li Shiji could not hide the look of shock on his face: "Even the Six Rate Guards are being purged; the Crown Prince completely distrusts the Emperor and fears the Emperor will take action against him in the future.

What on earth has happened? Why would such a big change occur?"