Chapter 119 The embers have dissipated, and a new dynasty is beginning to take shape.
The aftershocks of the Xuanwu Gate Incident, like the last bleak autumn wind and rain, swept swiftly and fiercely across Chang'an and even the entire world.
The trial and punishment of the ringleaders of the treason proceeded with astonishing efficiency under the strong leadership of Emperor Li Shimin and Crown Prince Li Chengqian. The evidence was irrefutable. Considering the past merits of Changsun Wuji, Cheng Zhijie, Hou Junji, and others, as well as their intricate connections with the imperial family (Changsun Wuji was even the emperor's brother-in-law), the court ultimately granted them a final act of dignity as nobles—a death sentence, rather than a public execution. They were given three options: poison, a white silk ribbon, or a dagger, to end their lives in their respective residences or designated cells.
On the eve of his execution, Li Shimin, despite his illness, secretly visited Cheng Zhijie, accompanied by a few trusted eunuchs. This valiant general, who had followed him in numerous battles and achieved great feats in his early years, now stood tall in the dimly lit cell, his hair disheveled and dressed in prison clothes. However, the arrogance and resentment in his eyes had turned into a deathly ashes.
"Zhijie," Li Shimin's voice was hoarse, filled with deep weariness and confusion, "I have treated you well. Why... did you have to take this step?"
Cheng Zhijie raised his head, looking at the king before him who had once been willing to die for him but was now old and frail. His lips moved a few times, but finally turned into a long sigh: "Your Majesty... I have failed your grace. But I... have no other choice."
"No other choice?" Li Shimin frowned.
"The Crown Prince... is becoming increasingly wary of military generals and veteran officials. Those of us who followed His Majesty in conquering the empire in his early years may already be stumbling blocks in his eyes." Cheng Zhijie's voice lowered. "Lord Changsun said that the Crown Prince intends to concentrate power in his own hands, and in the future, we may have no place to stand. He also said... that the Prince of Jin is benevolent, and if the Prince of Jin succeeds to the throne, we can still... preserve our lives and reputation, and benefit our descendants."
He paused, a hint of regret and confusion flashing in his eyes: "Your Majesty... I was confused. I only thought of my family and descendants, of my past merits, but I forgot... I am first and foremost Your Majesty's subject, a general of the Tang Dynasty. Your Majesty, I... I am sorry!"
Looking at the tears welling in the old general's eyes, Li Shimin felt a mix of emotions. There was anger, sorrow, and a deep sense of helplessness. The corruption of power, the fear of what would happen after his death, and the planning for the future of his family—could actually lead such a valiant and unyielding general down the path of rebellion.
"Go in peace." After a long silence, Li Shimin slowly said, "Your family... I will deal with them appropriately, without implicating the innocent."
Cheng Zhijie kowtowed repeatedly, sobbing uncontrollably.
On the same night, in the heavily guarded prison cell of the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian also met Changsun Wuji.
Compared to Cheng Zhijie's unyielding nature, Changsun Wuji appeared much calmer. He had changed into a neat, plain-colored robe, and his hair was meticulously combed, as if he were merely preparing for an ordinary meeting rather than heading to the underworld. His usual agarwood incense was even lit in the prison cell.
“Uncle.” Li Chengqian’s voice was hoarse. Looking at this elder who had given him countless teachings and support, but who had ultimately become his greatest enemy, he felt a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.
Changsun Wuji looked up at him, his gaze calm, even carrying a hint of the gentleness of an elder looking at a junior: "Your Highness the Crown Prince has arrived. Please sit down."
Li Chengqian sat down opposite him, with a simple wooden table between them.
"Do you hate me, Chengqian?" Changsun Wuji suddenly asked.
Li Chengqian was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "At first, I hated you, hated you for using the young slave, hated you for trying to kill me. But now... I'm more confused. Uncle, you hold the highest position in the government, sharing the fate of the country, why would you take such a risky move? Just to... ensure that the Changsun family will remain rich and powerful forever?"
Changsun Wuji smiled softly, a smile filled with endless vicissitudes and a hint of self-mockery: "Eternal wealth and honor? Nothing in this world lasts forever. In my life, I have devoted myself to the Changsun family, to the Empress, to His Majesty, and to this Tang Dynasty. I have seen more than you. Aristocratic families have been passed down for thousands of years, not because of the emperor's favor, but because of land, population, knowledge, and... enough of their own people in the court."
His gaze deepened: "Your father was a man of great talent and ambition, capable of suppressing the powerful clans, but he also needed to rely on them. And you? Chengqian, you are too hasty, and your methods are too ruthless. What you want is a court that completely obeys you, a Tang Dynasty with supreme imperial power and no further constraints. This is not wrong, perhaps even... right. But this path will touch upon the fundamental interests of too many people, including my Changsun family. I can take a step back, two steps back, but can you guarantee that in the future you won't also see the Changsun family as an obstacle that needs to be eliminated?"
He looked directly at Li Chengqian: "I am not afraid of death. But I am afraid that the Changsun family's century-old foundation will be destroyed in my hands, and in your hands. Supporting Zhinu is not only for the continuation of the family, but also because I believe that Zhinu's path is more in line with the benevolent way since the Zhenguan era, and can put everyone at ease. Unfortunately... Zhinu is more opinionated than I imagined, and more... like his father and brother."
Li Chengqian remained silent. He had to admit that Changsun Wuji saw things very clearly. He indeed could not tolerate the long-term existence of a powerful maternal family that could potentially threaten imperial power. Even without the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he would inevitably weaken the Changsun family in the future.
"So, Uncle chose the path you believe is right for the sake of the family," Li Chengqian said in a low voice, "even if this path comes at the cost of my life and the turmoil of the court?"
"Yes." Changsun Wuji readily admitted, "In my heart, the continuation of the family and the future of my descendants are just as important as the 'correct' path of this country. In fact... even more personal. Your Majesty may be able to consider the well-being of the people and restrain your selfish desires. But for us ordinary mortals, what we see first is the people around us, our own bloodline."
These words were cold and true. Li Chengqian suddenly thought of Li Tai, and Li Tai's final, frenzied revenge. Perhaps, to some extent, Li Tai and Changsun Wuji were both driven by the same deep fear and obsession with their own and their families' future, only they went to different extremes.
"Uncle, may you rest in peace." Li Chengqian finally stood up, saying nothing more. Their paths diverged, and they could not work together. Now, the outcome was decided, life and death were determined; further words would be futile.
Changsun Wuji watched his departing figure until the cell door closed again, then slowly closed his eyes, his face returning to stillness. He chose the cup of poison that had been prepared beforehand and drank it all in one gulp.
With the execution of key figures such as Changsun Wuji, Cheng Zhijie, and Hou Junji, their cronies were swiftly purged. Several prominent families that led the rebellion (such as the Zheng family of Xingyang and the Wang family of Taiyuan) suffered devastating blows. Their heads were executed, their main land holdings were confiscated, and their family power was eradicated. The rest were either exiled or never recovered.
The imperial court underwent a complete reshuffle. A large number of officials from humble backgrounds, promoted or approved by the crown prince, filled the vacancies and firmly controlled key departments. The remaining aristocratic families, having witnessed the tragic end of their leaders, were terrified and dared not make any open moves. They all adopted a more submissive and cooperative stance, even actively complying with the court's decrees in order to protect themselves.
This battle weakened the influence of powerful clans on the court to an unprecedented low. Imperial power, especially the authority of the crown prince, soared to unprecedented heights.
Prince Li Zhi of Jin, who played a key role in this storm, found himself in a rather delicate situation.
He received no public or prestigious rewards. The emperor merely issued an edict praising him for his "loyalty, filial piety, intelligence, and dedication to the nation," increasing his fiefdom slightly, and allowing him to continue participating in the Hongwen Academy's political discussions (still as an auditor). But discerning observers could see that this was more of a consolation and a formal designation—acknowledging his contributions but positioning him as a "wise prince" or "assistant," rather than a prince with independent political power.
Li Chengqian's attitude towards Li Zhi went through a series of stages: initial shock and suspicion, followed by complex and unspeakable feelings, and finally, a scrutinizing yet tentative acceptance. Li Zhi's behavior on the night of Xuanwu Gate, and his subsequent actions of voluntarily returning all the secret letters exchanged with Changsun Wuji and reiterating his willingness to wholeheartedly assist his elder brother, finally began to slowly melt the frozen corner in Li Chengqian's heart caused by Li Tai.
He no longer viewed Li Zhi as a potential threat, or at least not the primary one. He began to try delegating some relatively minor but experience-building administrative tasks to Li Zhi, observing his abilities and temperament. Although the communication between the two brothers was still separated by the gap in their social status and the shadow of the past, it was at least no longer filled with hostility and suspicion. Li Chengqian would even seek Li Zhi's opinion on certain policies—although he might not necessarily adopt them entirely.
Li Zhi, as always, remained respectful, low-key, and pragmatic. He diligently completed the tasks assigned by his elder brother, and when offering suggestions, he always proceeded from reality, avoiding empty talk about ideals and factionalism. He placed himself entirely in the position of "brother" and "assistant," striking the perfect balance between them.
Time has passed, and the bloodstains of Xuanwu Gate have long been washed away. Chang'an City seems to have regained its former prosperity and order. But everyone knows that an old era is quietly coming to an end, and a new era, led by Crown Prince Li Chengqian, which is more centralized and more ambitious, has proudly begun after this baptism of blood and fire.
Emperor Li Shimin's health deteriorated, but in the last few years of his life, he seemed to finally see the beginnings of his ideal of "stable imperial power," "smooth implementation of government orders," and "submission of powerful clans." Although this situation was achieved in such a tragic way and may not have fully met his original intention of "benevolence," at least his chosen successor had the ability and determination to control this vast empire and seemed to be leading it in an even stronger direction.
The fading glow of the Zhenguan era is about to dissipate. But the new sun is already rising on the horizon. The era belonging to Li Chengqian, having cleared away the last obstacles, both internal and external, is slowly unfolding, laden with a complex legacy and new hopes. And Prince Li Zhi of Jin, who chose the right path at a crucial moment and paid an invisible price for it, will leave his own unique and intriguing mark on the canvas of the new dynasty.
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