Chapter 929 Luo Su’s real plan!
The autumn rain was drizzling, and the dark wooden windows were wet by raindrops, revealing traces of smudges. The windows were not closed tightly, leaving a gap, and a cool breeze mixed with moist rain air blew in and fell on Li Chengqian's face.
He sat blankly in front of the window, not knowing what he was thinking. The rain that fell in made his prince's robe a little wet, sticking to his body, making him feel cold to the bone.
The maidservant in the East Palace tried her best to hide her body and remained silent.
"Thump, thump, thump."
There was a sound of footsteps coming from outside. Upon hearing the sound, the eyes of several maids suddenly lit up. The most likely person who dared to walk like this in the East Palace was - Prince Zhou Luo Juncheng.
Luo Juncheng walked into the inner hall and saw Li Chengqian sitting in front of the window in a daze. He sighed slightly and walked over, and saw a piece of paper thrown messily beside Li Chengqian.
He picked it up and saw that it was indeed His Majesty who had reprimanded him again. He rolled up his sleeves and closed the window that was letting in the wind. He then ordered, "Go get a set of clean, thick clothes for the prince to change into."
The maids quickly responded.
After changing his clothes, Luo Juncheng sat directly on the armchair, "Prince, it's just a little scolding. There is no father in this world who doesn't scold his son. Don't take it to heart."
Li Chengqian was silent for a long time, a trace of hatred flashed across his face, and he gritted his teeth and was about to speak. Seeing this, Luo Juncheng immediately knew that Li Chengqian was going to say something rebellious, or at least something that was extremely dissatisfied with the King of Wei. He interrupted him in a stern voice, "Prince, please be careful with your words!"
Li Chengqian was interrupted by the sudden harsh voice and looked at Luo Juncheng, who had his eyes wide open and a serious expression on his face. "Prince, don't let anger cloud your mind, don't say words that will hurt people's hearts, don't say words that will be exaggerated, and don't let things go to an unpredictable future.
Prince, I will always stand by your side. Now, put away those emotional words and speak your true thoughts. "
Li Chengqian opened his mouth and slowly shed tears, "Father...
King Wei...
No, there's nothing more to say.
There is nothing to say. ”
Li Chengqian didn't want to say anything anymore. He had gradually accepted his current fate. The anger in his heart had been suppressed by Luo Xuanye and his son. He knew that he could not take the step of rebellion. His future was bleak and he could not see any light.
"Jun Cheng, I really seem to have no future.
I implicated you."
Li Chengqian understood that if he lost power, Luo Juncheng's political future would basically be ruined.
There was no way she could stay in Chang'an. Basically, she had to do what Wu Zhao's father did, find a state south of the Yangtze River, serve as a governor or governor-general, and then move to another place every two or three years.
This is because the Luo family has a deep foundation and strong political power. If an ordinary minister encounters a mean and ungrateful king, he will basically be implicated in a political event and become a victim of political struggle.
Luo Juncheng didn't care. He lay there casually. "You don't have to say that, Crown Prince. In the Han Dynasty, Yingxian Xianhou was the most trusted minister of Emperor Gao of Han. Everyone thought that he would assist the young emperor and become a minister of state. But in the end, Yingxian Xianhou became the minister of state of Han King Liu Ruyi. Yingxian Xianhou didn't care.
It's the same for me. No matter what you do, I will hold the knife for you. As long as you don't betray our promise and friendship, I will do so forever.
It is like this today and every day. "
The sound of rain outside gradually became louder. Every autumn rain brings a chill. Even with the windows closed, the chill could still seep in.
Luo Juncheng asked for a blanket to cover him, and pointed at Li Chengqian and said, "Cover the prince as well, and serve two cups of hot tea."
Luo Juncheng had a good attitude, especially with Li Chengqian, the prince who was always angry and manic, he felt that it was no big deal.
Li Chengqian fell into a long silence again. He looked at Luo Juncheng's eyebrows and wanted to muster up some courage, but his body drooped again, "It's my incompetence that has implicated you."
People are smartest after the event. The so-called hindsight means that after opening the entire map from a God's perspective, their IQ will soar to an unimaginable level.
Li Chengqian would regret every time he thought about what he said afterwards, but when he really faced those things, he would still make mistakes. The fog covered his eyes, and he could only rely on his own wisdom to break the situation.
However, he lacks the ability to deal with power struggles and adapt to changes.
After drinking a cup of hot tea, Luo Juncheng suddenly said, "In the Zhou Dynasty, every prince could get a fiefdom and govern his own country. But now only the crown prince can get everything, and the rest of the princes serve as ministers to assist. If you, the crown prince, could rule the people, maybe things would not be like this now."
Although Li Chengqian has many shortcomings, he is not without advantages, otherwise Luo Xuanye would not have helped him all the time. He is a generous and sincere person, and the classic habit of some of the Guanlong noble children who did not value human life was also corrected.
The reason why Li Chengqian has reached this point step by step is because of his strengths. It is not in the position of heir. In this position, he does not need to govern the country or have military talents, but requires a stable character, the ability to please the monarch and father, and quick wit to deal with challenges.
Li Chengqian did not have these three most important abilities. He was a little anxious and did not have any talents that Li Shimin liked. Once provoked, he fell into the trap set by Li Tai and ended up where he is now.
Hearing what Luo Juncheng said, Li Chengqian's eyes lit up for a moment, and then went out again. That era has passed. Not to mention him as the crown prince, among his younger brothers, only the Prince of Yan could truly rule the people, and the price was that he could never return to Chang'an.
Huh?
Thinking of Li Ke, Li Chengqian suddenly became a little excited, "Jun Cheng, do you think I can be like the King of Yan?"
Luo Juncheng's pupils shrank, and he stared at Li Chengqian and said, "Prince, do you know what you are saying?"
Li Chengqian said directly: "Among all the brothers, I envy the King of Yan the most. He doesn't need to stay in Chang'an and fight with the King of Wei and others. He doesn't need to please his father. He can drink and eat meat every day, and he can actually do things and hold power. He is not like me now, trapped here, listening to those people scolding every day.
Do they think I don’t know that even ordinary people outside are saying that I am a cripple?
Even if they don't say it on the surface, they must be laughing at me in their hearts. It's a joke for someone like me to ascend the throne of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. When the envoys of various countries come to pay homage to him, they will see that the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty is a cripple, which will completely destroy his dignity. My father must have thought about this problem. Even if he doesn't say it, I know it. "
The atmosphere in the palace was somewhat stagnant. Li Chengqian had exposed something that was lurking beneath the surface. Luo Juncheng did not respond, but stood up, walked to the palace door, looked around, and closed the door with a creaking sound. "Prince, the road to becoming the King of Yan is not easy.
He narrowly escaped death in Mobei. There are wolves outside. If you are not careful, you will die. At least Chang'an is safe, and the position of the crown prince..."
Li Chengqian held Luo Juncheng's hand, his eyes sparkling and full of determination, "Chang'an is a dead end for me. Father said a few days ago that he would never depose me as the crown prince, but this did not comfort me at all. Instead, I felt that the noose around my neck had tightened even more.
If he really didn't want to make the King of Wei the crown prince, then he wouldn't have to say all these words. He just needed to enfeoff the King of Wei to a different place like he did the King of Yan. Now he is doing this and still doting on the King of Wei. Isn't he giving the King of Wei time to build up his power?
Father really wants to make the King of Wei the crown prince. Jun Cheng, I can't deceive myself anymore, and you shouldn't deceive yourself anymore. This is the reality, and my position as crown prince is really over. "
Luo Juncheng pulled Li Chengqian and whispered, "That's enough, Prince. That's enough. Stop talking. I know. I know everything. But what do you want to do? Put away those thoughts and remember what my father said. If you are a good son, His Majesty will be a good father."
"Uncle."
Li Chengqian slowly loosened his grip on Luo Juncheng's hand. Luo Juncheng shook it off and said softly, "Prince, go see the Imperial Master. Perhaps he can give us some advice."
National teacher.
Li Chengqian nodded hurriedly. He still remembered that the Imperial Master had given him special advice several times. Perhaps to the Imperial Master, he was also very different.
"Jun Cheng, come with me to see the Imperial Master. I feel more at ease with you around."
…
In Lingtian Pavilion, sandalwood is burning, and large feng shui maps are either hung on the curtains in the hall or spread directly on the ground. They are magnificent, and one feels that the mountains, rivers, and the country are all in the hall.
Li Chengqian knelt in front of Luo Su nervously. After he arrived at Lingtian Pavilion, he suddenly realized what he was doing and what he was talking about when he came to see the National Master.
Could you please protect my position as Crown Prince, Imperial Master?
That's really a joke. The Imperial Master never pays attention to these things. He doesn't even take a look at most of the affairs of the Tang Dynasty. He will only appear in the imperial meetings in the Council of State and the grand court assembly when it comes to major events concerning the dynasty and empire.
In other words, before he became the emperor, he, the prince, was just a small shrimp to the imperial teacher.
He cast his eyes on Luo Juncheng, who understood and gave him a reassuring look, then bowed down to Luo Su, "Grandfather, the prince has some questions. He feels that as a prince, he always sits in Chang'an City, which is not beneficial to the country. He wants to follow the example of Prince Yan and defend the north, and make some substantial contributions and achievements for the Tang Dynasty. I wonder if it is feasible. Your wisdom is so profound that I believe you can give him some enlightenment."
Luo Su said calmly: "No, the crown prince is the heir to the throne, and the most important thing is safety and stability. If the crown prince is away and there is a change in the palace, what should we do if someone forges the imperial edict? What if there are treacherous ministers like Zhao Gao and Li Si who support people like Hu Hai to take the throne? What should we do?
If the prince stays in Chang'an, he will be isolated from the outside world. It is absolutely impossible for him to go out. I told Your Majesty that the Prince of Yan should guard the north because he cannot inherit the throne. It is better to let him go early and give full play to his abilities. "
Luo Su rejected the prince's idea without hesitation, causing Li Chengqian to become depressed. However, Luo Juncheng asked again, "Grandfather, is there really no other way?"
Luo Su narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "The prince is not okay, but other identities are okay."
boom!
This sentence was like a thunder, bombarding Li Chengqian's ears directly. He was not stupid, he certainly knew what Luo Su was talking about. He felt dizzy, he opened his mouth but couldn't count the words.
The Imperial Master wants him to give up his position as Crown Prince!
Li Chengqian's mind was in a mess, but the decisive talent that came from the Li bloodline suddenly jumped into his head, "Master, if I really want to give up the position of Crown Prince, can you really let me leave Chang'an?"
For Li Chengqian, what he gave up was something that would no longer belong to him, and he thought it was worth it to exchange it for a bright future.
At least, I don’t have to think about how to save myself!
He clenched his fists tightly, then slowly loosened them. Giving up the right to inherit an empire was a difficult decision for anyone to make, but Li Chengqian had actually thought about it many, many times.
He had previously told Luo Juncheng that he envied King Yan. He really envied him. That was his dream, to gallop across the vast grasslands instead of staying here, looking at the sword above his head, chopping off his head bit by bit, and implicate everyone around him.
In Lingtian Pavilion, the sound of candlelight crackled, Li Chengqian's heavy breathing was heard, Luo Juncheng was silent, Luo Su looked at him with interest, and smiled for a long time, "You go back first."
Li Chengqian's heart skipped a beat. He didn't understand what the Imperial Master meant by this, but he still got up and left obediently.
…
After the two of them left, a woman came out from behind the screen. It was Luo Junwei. As soon as she came out, she asked in shock: "Grandfather, did I hear correctly just now?"
This piece of news is simply too shocking. The crown prince actually took the initiative to go to a fiefdom and even gave up the position of crown prince. Since ancient times, such things have almost never happened.
"Li Chengqian still has a nose for danger, or maybe someone around him told him about it. He had a premonition that he was in real danger, and it was impossible for him to use the Xuanwu Gate method when facing Li Shimin, so he thought of the principle of living outside, dying inside, and being at peace outside. He still knew it."
Luo Junwei was even more shocked. "Grandfather, do you also think that the emperor wants to depose the crown prince? The emperor shouldn't be that far off. The last time I saw the emperor, he was..."
As Li Shimin's most beloved princess, Luo Junwei could still see Li Shimin often. She personally felt that Li Chengqian's position as crown prince was not that unstable.
Luo Su stood up, the hem of his wide robe dragging on the ground, "We need to look at the problem from a dynamic perspective. The relationship between the Emperor and the Crown Prince is sliding towards the abyss over time, and those who could change this situation are all dead.
That future is predetermined.
I think the emperor is in good health and can live for many years, but the prince can't hold on that long.
Have you been to see her?"
This "she" is naturally Wu Zhao. If Luo Junwei has the chance, she will go to the palace to visit her.
Luo Junwei stopped thinking about the prince's question. When she heard Luo Su's question, she nodded and sighed, "You look a little haggard compared to the last time I saw you. The palace is really not a good place to raise people."
Luo Su stepped forward with his hands behind his back and said slowly: “People are like flowers. No matter how delicate a flower is, it will wither when it is in the dark and hope for a ray of light to save itself. If someone fills this position, it will exist in my heart forever.
You will take over your aunt's position as the palace historian, so that you will have more time to meet Wu Zetian."
Huh?
Luo Junwei's eyes lit up with a sparkling light, "Grandfather, is this really possible?"
Luo Su smiled and said, "What's wrong with that? The emperor will probably be relieved to have you record the affairs of the harem, as you are his most beloved niece."
Luo Junwei's brows lit up, and her whole body suddenly became lively. As a member of the Luo family, she had a sacred feeling about history books. The person she admired most was her aunt Luo Xuanjing, who was able to preside over the compilation of history books. Now, she also had such an opportunity.
Luo Junwei left in a hurry. Luo Su thought about what Li Chengqian had said just now, reorganized his plan in his mind, and suddenly sneered, "It's really interesting, it's true, only because a man does not fight, no one in the world can fight with him, Wu Zhao, your marriage is here."
…
Li Shimin was half-lying in Lingtian Pavilion, very relaxed.
Luo Su was also half lying down.
The palace was very quiet, with only the sound of bowls and plates colliding as the palace maids brewed tea, which sounded like a piece of music.
When the steam rose, Li Shimin took a sip from the teacup and breathed a sigh of relief, "This winter is really cold. I wonder if the charcoal I asked the Ministry of Revenue to send to the people of Chang'an has been delivered. I hope people won't freeze to death after the snow."
The 13th year of Zhenguan has gradually passed, and it is another year of fruitful governance. "Auspicious snow indicates a good harvest. Next year will definitely be another year of great harvest. I hope it will be like this every year, and the people of the world can live a good life."
Li Shimin was looking at his kingdom from afar. The more he thought about it, the happier he felt. "Master, what do you think of my governance over the years?"
Luo Su laughed out loud, "How well the emperor governs, the people of the world have already told you, in all these years of Zhenguan, there has not been a civil uprising with more than a thousand people, which is already very telling. If you hold on for a few more years, your prosperous era will surpass those in history and become a new benchmark."
Li Shimin was overjoyed when he heard this. "That old guy Wei Zheng, sometimes I want to brag about it, but he always insists on talking too much. I wanted to go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods, but he wouldn't allow it, saying it would be a waste of money and manpower."
"In the end, the emperor still didn't go."
Li Shimin sighed and said, "What Wei Zheng said is not wrong. From Chang'an to Mount Tai, it is a journey of 2,000 miles. I don't know how many officials will be needed to receive us. It is really a waste of money and effort. I have to accumulate food for several years to fight a war, so as not to let the people go to war without surplus food. This is useless and is just a way to boast about my achievements. Forget it.
There is no need to go to Mount Tai to report my achievements. With the revelation of King Su, King Su will give me the most fair evaluation. Forget it, forget it. Why should I bother with a country bumpkin?
Come, Imperial Master, let’s drink this cup together with tea instead of wine.”
In this world today, only Li Shimin can speak to Luo Su on an equal footing.
After Luo Su drank the hot tea, Li Shimin poured more for the two of them, and then he heard Luo Su say leisurely: "The emperor wants to change the crown prince?"
"Puff! Cough cough cough!"
Li Shimin spat out all the tea and started coughing violently. Apart from the two of them, there was no one else in the hall.
Li Shimin stared at Luo Su, "What are you talking about, Imperial Master? I don't have such thoughts."
Luo Su looked at Li Shimin for a few seconds and said, "It seems like she is really pregnant."
Li Shimin was a little annoyed, "Master, don't make such a joke. The prince is the heir to the throne. I..."
Luo Su said calmly, "Your Majesty, please do not say anything against your will. To me, truth and falsehood cannot escape my eyes."
Li Shimin was silent for a moment. "Sometimes I have such thoughts, but I know it is wrong, so I have never thought of putting it into practice. Therefore, I really have no intention of changing the crown prince."
Luo Su once again used the words that would seal the deal, "Ten years ago, you were full of joy and hope that Li Chengqian would inherit your empire in the future.
Five years ago, in order to express your determination, you appointed Qingyang as the Prince's Grand Tutor and the Prince's Grand Guardian.
Three years ago, you still wanted Li Chengqian to inherit your position.
Last year, you regarded Wei Wang Li Tai as a talented son.
And now, the idea of deposing the crown prince and making the King of Wei the heir apparent occasionally arises in your mind.
Time is such a great existence."
A true sword to the throat!
Luo Su simply listed the changes in Li Shimin's attitude in different timelines, which directly broke down Li Shimin's defense.
Only such a strong contrast could make Li Shimin feel his own subtle changes.
Li Shimin's defense was really broken.
He almost wanted to spit fire from his nostrils, but since the person in front of him was Luo Su, he could only hold it back, "Imperial Master means that I will hate the Crown Prince even more in the future and then abolish his position as Crown Prince?
He is my son, how could I do that? The fate of a deposed prince has never been good since ancient times. I will not..."
Luo Su, however, acted as if he had done nothing. "You are an excellent king, as excellent as Emperor Xiaowen of the Han Dynasty."
Emperor Xiaowen of Han.
The extremely famous incident of the deposed crown prince, King Li of Jiujiang of Han, and Emperor Wu of Han, happened to Emperor Xiaowen of Han.
Li Shimin asked himself, if he were in the position of Emperor Xiaowen of Han, he would do the same, then the current crown prince...
"Master, you are probably right."
Li Shimin thought about it for a long time and had to admit it painfully. If the prince continued to be so absurd, he would have no choice but to harden his heart and depose him.
"It seems that the Imperial Master came here today just for this matter. Although I don't know why the Imperial Master would get involved in the matter of establishing a crown prince, just speak up if you have anything to say."
Li Shimin suddenly felt a little depressed. He was like this whenever it came to his sons.
It's too difficult.
It is more difficult than fighting a war and handling state affairs.
"Remember what I said before? There is one thing you cannot accept but have to accept, one thing you find difficult to decide, and that is this."
Li Shimin suddenly recalled that Luo Su had said this to him a long time ago, and he had been guessing all along. Now that he thought about it, it turned out that the Imperial Master had already predicted this day. "Can the Imperial Master predict the future?"
Luo Su shook his head, "It's not about predicting the future, but a reasonable guess. When the river channel is cut here, the direction of the water flow is determined. The same is true for people. If you, the emperor, don't change your character, and the prince doesn't change either, then the result is determined.
I am telling you this today, and not someday in the past, and you probably know why.”
Li Shimin said bitterly: "Because of my current attitude towards the crown prince, I will agree with what you said today, Imperial Master. If it were in the past, I would not agree. This is what the Imperial Master said about the right time."
Luo Su didn't say anything, but just poured a cup of tea and pushed it to Li Shimin, which was his tacit agreement with Li Shimin's words.
A thing can only be successful if it happens at the right time.
Li Shimin was an outstanding emperor after all. Although he was deeply hurt by Luo Su's direct revelation of his inner thoughts, he still managed to say, "I knew that the Imperial Master would not participate in the matter of establishing a crown prince. I believe that the Imperial Master has something more important to tell me. It is better to say it now than to wait for a better day.
Hopefully it’s good news.”
Li Shimin now has a better understanding of Luo Su. Why can he tell Luo Su his true feelings so easily? Because Luo Su really doesn't care.
"Son of Heaven, what do you think of Li Jing?"
Li Shimin pondered and said, "This is the sharpest knife in the Tang Dynasty. It is so sharp that I feel like I have a thorn in my back.
I am not afraid of what he might do, but if I am not in good health, it would be best if Li Jing could accompany me to the underworld to conquer the world."
What he actually meant was that Li Jing should be taken away. Li Jing was older, but in good health, which made Li Shimin find it unbelievable, after all, the other generals were in average health.
If Li Jing did not die of illness on his own, Li Shimin thought to himself that he must take Li Jing away before he died and let him "die of illness" in a dignified manner.
This can be considered a relationship between a king and his subject, and it was the last bit of dignity given to Li Jing.
At this point in time, Li Shimin was still able to do this, which was really quite fair to Li Jing, that is, Li Shimin. If it were any other king, Li Jing would surely die.
"Li Jing is not only a weapon for the Tang Dynasty, but also a weapon for all the Chinese people. It's a pity that he was killed by his own people."
Um?
Li Shimin looked at Luo Su with some doubt. Even if Li Jing was capable, why would the imperial master care about a person's life or death?
What’s more, Li Jing cannot be used. This was what the national master himself said at the beginning. What does this mean now?
"Li Jing is now the crown prince's junior guard, and many people have forgotten his identity. He stays indoors, which is a waste of his military ability that ranks among the top ten in history.
If Your Majesty really wants to depose the Crown Prince, how will you deal with Li Jing, the Crown Prince's Guardian?
It would be better to pack them both up and take them away.”
Luo Su stood up and said, "Your Majesty, please follow me."
Li Shimin stood up with a puzzled look on his face and followed Luo Su into a side hall of Lingtian Pavilion.
As soon as he entered the hall, he saw countless feng shui maps hanging there, most of which he had never seen before.
"Is this the Kangguo or other places further west in the Western Regions? I seem to have seen similar geomancy maps."
Li Shimin asked, pointing to a feng shui map.
(End of this chapter)
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