Chapter 489 The Xuanwu Gate Incident (Part 1)

He's a playboy, always speaking his mind.

However, Li Chengqian believed that as the number one playboy in the Tang Dynasty, it would be too beneath him to take the initiative to speak up.

So he won't tell unless someone asks.

This means that he will definitely answer any question asked by someone.

It's a pity that no one asked. Li Chengqian sighed regretfully. Did no one care what he and his grandfather were talking about?

The throne! That's the throne!

Just ask anyone!

Li Chengqian shook his head regretfully. Indeed, opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared.

When Li Yuan saw that Li Shimin had no reaction, he assumed that his beloved grandson was deliberately keeping it a secret. He was deeply moved and sent another batch of rewards to the Prince of Qin's residence. Everyone was used to it.

"Does Grandpa think I'm right?"

Li Chengqian played with the pearl that had been presented to him, lost in thought.

Li Tai, who was picking through the treasures, looked up and, without caring about the background, shouted, "Big brother is right, that's definitely what Grandpa thinks!"

Li Chengqian nodded, saying, "That's right, how could he be wrong? His grandfather must have persuaded him clearly."

Li Chengqian stuffed the bead into Li Tai's arms and encouraged him, "Qingque, study hard and don't be like your fourth uncle. As the younger brother of your older brother, you'll have high expectations."

After all, his father has ascended to the throne, and he is definitely the crown prince. He doesn't want a subordinate like Li Yuanji.

Li Tai, who didn't understand anything, nodded repeatedly, "Big brother, don't worry, I won't let you down. I'll go to school now!"

After seeing off his younger brother, who was full of energy, Li Chengqian strolled to the front yard and, in a good mood, instructed Li Shimin, "Father, you should get ready."

"Prepare what?" Li Shimin asked, looking bewildered.

Li Chengqian smiled but remained silent, with an inscrutable expression, then turned and left arrogantly, leaving Li Shimin both amused and exasperated.

The court situation, which had initially been at a disadvantage due to the reprimand of the King of Qin, suddenly changed after July.

In July, the Turks invaded Yuanzhou. Li Yuan appointed Prince Qin, Li Shimin, as the commander-in-chief to lead the generals to resist the Turks, and Li Shimin regained military power.

Before setting off, Li Shimin gave his beloved son a big hug, deeply moved: "Thank you, Chengqian, for speaking up for your father. Your father will definitely return victorious."

Li Chengqian didn't say anything, just patted his back and let him do as he pleased.

Li Chengqian sighed as he watched Li Shimin lead his army away.

"Chengqian, what's wrong?"

Empress Zhangsun bent down to ask.

Li Chengqian shook his head. "It's nothing."

It's a bit of a pity, though, that Grandpa is still so stubborn. He still thinks he's about to move into the palace, but he's still habitually trying to smooth things over.

Tsk tsk tsk, just wait and see, even cement won't help, Aye will definitely become emperor!

Wait, what is cement?

“Mother,” Li Chengqian looked up at Empress Zhangsun, “if Qingque plays in the mud, will you hit him?”

Empress Changsun frowned slightly. "Did he play in the mud?"

Li Chengqian remained silent. Seeing this, Empress Zhangsun, who mistakenly thought he wanted to protect his younger brother, gently patted his head and said, "I know you are protecting your younger brother, but this is a one-time exception, and it will not be allowed to happen again."

"Okay." Li Chengqian nodded obediently. His mother had agreed, and Qingque could help with the mud.

He can make a piece of cement in one go! That's the confidence of the number one playboy in the Tang Dynasty!

The next day, Li Tai, who had just finished playing in the mud for the first time and was praised by his older brother, was caught and beaten by his mother: "..."

What do you mean by "incorrigible"? This was clearly his first time doing this! And his older brother said it was for serious business!

Damn it, he's going to tell his older brother! Sure enough, his older brother is the best to him!

...

In August of the seventh year of the Wude era, the Crown Prince of Qin presented a strange substance called "cement." It was made by firing and grinding limestone, clay, and other materials. When it came into contact with water, it solidified and became as hard as a rock. It was suitable for building roads and city walls and was extremely effective in defending the borders and repelling enemies.

The Crown Prince then submitted a memorial to the emperor, detailing the wonder of the formula, its application, and its benefits for border defense.

Upon reading the memorial, the Emperor was greatly pleased and praised, "My grandson is intelligent and diligent, with his heart set on the nation. This strategy will secure the territory of our Great Tang; his achievement is immeasurable!" He then bestowed upon him generous rewards, granting him a thousand acres of fertile land and countless amounts of gold and silk. He further ordered the Ministry of Works to test the technology and promote its application in all prefectures. From then on, cement technology flourished, border fortresses gradually became impregnable, banditry decreased sharply, and the people enjoyed peace.

...

In the eighth year of the Wude era, the Turks frequently invaded.

In an effort to weaken Li Shimin's military power, Li Jiancheng suggested to Li Yuan that Li Yuanji replace Li Shimin in the campaign against the Turks, but Li Yuan immediately rejected the idea.

In August, the Turkic Khaganate led an army of 150,000 into Shuozhou, and then invaded Bingzhou, plundering Fenzhou, Luzhou and other prefectures. Li Shimin was appointed as the marshal of the Tang army and led a large army to resist them.

With the defense of newly built cement walls, they successfully held onto cities in various places, displaying brilliant military skills and inflicting a major defeat on the Turkic army.

However, there are also rumors that on the battlefield, a fire phoenix suddenly spread its wings and soared in mid-air, throwing the Turkic army into chaos, which led to their easy capture by the Tang army.

From then on, the Turks were severely weakened and submitted to the Tang Dynasty.

...

"Bang!"

Li Yuanji kicked the chair over, his chest heaving violently, veins bulging, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "What exactly does Li Shimin want? Isn't winning against the Turks enough? Fire Phoenix! How could he come up with such a thing? He's shameless enough to create momentum!"

Li Jiancheng sat in the grand chair, still dressed in his finest clothes, but his brows were furrowed with weariness.

He stared at the unfinished memorials on the table, his voice hoarse: "Build momentum? Does he even need to? The Turks have submitted, and Li Shimin's momentum is already established, not to mention he has a son with extraordinary talent."

Li Yuanji's throat bobbed, and he was momentarily speechless. He slumped into a chair in despair, his fingers gripping the hem of his clothes tightly until his knuckles turned white.

After a long silence, he raised his head, his eyes filled with unease and anticipation, and asked through gritted teeth, "Then what do we do now? Li Shimin is coming back soon. When he returns, will Father...?"

The words stopped abruptly, but the unspoken meaning lingered in the air.

Li Jiancheng forced a self-deprecating laugh, his voice full of bitterness: "Depose the crown prince? Even if Father doesn't depose him, when Li Shimin returns, won't I be a mere figurehead as crown prince? His achievements overshadow the emperor's. Li Shimin's accomplishments have surpassed Father's. Why would he be afraid of a mere crown prince like me?"

"Brother, are you really going to admit defeat like this?" Li Yuanji slammed his hand on the table, stood up abruptly, his eyes burning with resentful anger, and swept the bamboo slips off the table with his sleeves. "We have painstakingly built up our power over the years, how can we let Li Shimin succeed so easily!"

"Then what do you want to do?" A shadow crossed Li Jiancheng's eyes.

Li Yuanji turned to meet his gaze, his eyes filled with a sinister glint. "Brother, it's best to strike first. Li Shimin hasn't returned yet; this is the perfect opportunity..."