Chapter 1: Establishing a Leader or a Virtuous Man? [New Book—Please Support]
“How is Chengqian?”
No sooner had Li Shimin taken the throne he had long dreamed of than he heard that his eldest son, Li Chengqian, had fallen ill. Without hesitation, he rushed back.
At that moment, Li Chengqian lay unconscious on a soft couch.
Empress Zhangsun wiped her tears while reproaching herself before Li Shimin.
After hearing her account, Li Shimin realized she had informed Li Chengqian about the Xuanwu Gate Incident. He sighed deeply, rendered speechless.
As a father, he ought to appear tall and mighty before his child, yet in Li Shimin’s case, it was quite the opposite.
The Xuanwu Gate Incident was fraught with complexities far beyond the comprehension of an eight-year-old boy.
In a society that held loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness as the highest virtues, what act could be more heinous and unforgivable than fratricide, patricide, and forcing one’s father to abdicate? What moral and societal pressure could be more unbearable?
Not just young Li Chengqian, even Li Shimin himself found it hard to bear.
Perhaps for this reason, years later, Li Shimin did not wish for Li Chengqian or Li Tai to inherit the legacy of the Xuanwu Gate Incident.
“Your Majesty need not worry. With the blessings of the ancestors of the Li Tang dynasty, Chengqian will surely overcome adversity and become a worthy heir...” Seeing Li Shimin silent, Empress Zhangsun comforted him reassuringly.
Yet, upon hearing the word “heir,” Li Shimin glanced at Empress Zhangsun in surprise, then at Li Chengqian lying on the couch, furrowing his brow. “Consort Guanyin, have you been pondering that matter?”
“You are His Majesty; that matter should be your concern...” Empress Zhangsun blinked, speaking with tacit understanding.
Li Shimin sighed. “You know best that the Xuanwu Gate Incident was about choosing a crown prince based on merit or birthright. At first, the Retired Emperor promised me the crown prince position for my military achievements—that was choosing by merit...”
“Chengqian is our eldest son, only eight this year, while Qingque is just six. How can one discern merit from such young children?” Empress Zhangsun said somewhat displeased.
Li Shimin hesitated. “It’s not that I haven’t thought about it. I mean, when they grow older, study more, perhaps then we can roughly tell. What do you think?”
History shows that Li Shimin eventually chose the eldest, yet it was a compromise.
Having just endured the Xuanwu Gate Incident, his reluctance to appoint a crown prince was understandable.
But Empress Zhangsun had her own views:
“If the criterion is merit, then Your Majesty is the finest example. Under your governance, the Tang dynasty will soon enter an era of peace. Appointing the eldest son as crown prince carries the greatest prestige and least controversy. The whole realm knows that the Tang dynasty is now complete and sound.”
Li Shimin remained hesitant. “But you also know how deeply I was affected by the crown prince struggle. Thankfully, your care helped me through that time.”
At these words, as if recalling something, he bowed deeply. “Consort Guanyin, I pay you my respects!”
“Your Majesty!” Empress Zhangsun bowed as well, and unexpectedly, the couple’s heads bumped.
“Hehe...”
They instinctively touched each other’s heads and laughed.
After a moment, Empress Zhangsun leaned against Li Shimin’s chest and said softly, “Speaking of the Xuanwu Gate Incident... the late Princess Yang of Qi secretly informed Your Majesty at a critical moment. How do you intend to reward her? She remains here in the palace...”
Hearing this, Li Shimin stiffened, uncertain how to respond.
After all, he had indeed done some reckless things that night.
But Empress Zhangsun seemed unfazed. “Actually, I can tell she harbors feelings for Your Majesty...”
“Ah...” Li Shimin’s face turned red with embarrassment.
Empress Zhangsun smiled gently. “Hero worship is common throughout history; I am no exception. In my opinion, why not take her as a Noble Consort?”
“Ah?”
Li Shimin was surprised but quickly understood Empress Zhangsun’s magnanimity was encouraging him to compromise.
Moreover, she must be aware that Lady Yang is pregnant.
After a pause, Li Shimin glanced at Li Chengqian lying on the couch and smiled. “Since Consort Guanyin favors our eldest, I will follow your advice and appoint our eldest. I promise to make Chengqian crown prince!”
Empress Zhangsun was overjoyed and promptly straightened herself to bow. “Your Majesty! Please accept my bow!”
“But...” Li Shimin’s tone shifted to solemn. “Do not crown him just yet. Whoever inherits Tang must be chosen with utmost caution.”
“Understood.” Empress Zhangsun acknowledged quietly, saying no more.
She knew some things required moderation.
But she believed her eldest son would surely be crowned.
Soon after, Li Shimin left the Eastern Palace.
After watching him go, Empress Zhangsun’s gaze darkened with an indescribable sadness. She sighed helplessly before turning to Li Chengqian, gently wiping the cold sweat from his forehead and murmuring, “Chengqian, no matter what kind of woman your father fancies, the crown prince must be you. I hope you won’t disappoint your mother... Be a good crown prince and care for your younger siblings...”
“No! Don’t—!”
Suddenly, the boy who had been unconscious on the couch awoke with a start.
His eyes were wide with terror, as if he had endured some dreadful ordeal, and he sat up trembling.
Empress Zhangsun hurried to comfort him. “Chengqian, don’t be afraid. Mother is here. Mother is here to protect you!”
She pulled him into her arms as tears fell onto his forehead.
Li Chengqian’s face was blank, and three questions surged through his mind:
Who am I?
Where am I?
What am I supposed to do?
Wait!
Wasn’t I hit by a dump truck? How am I still alive?
Who is this woman...?
Just as Li Chengqian was bewildered, a pounding headache overwhelmed him like a tidal wave.
At the same time, a strange memory flooded his mind.
The memory belonged to the eldest son of Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty—Li Shimin himself.
No way!
Li Chengqian was stunned, unable to fathom how he could possess such a memory.
Was this transmigration?
Rebirth?
Had he died once before?
He couldn’t make sense of it and felt it all absurd.
“Chengqian, are you all right? Do you feel any discomfort?”
Empress Zhangsun looked at him with deep concern and joy.
“I—I’m fine...” Li Chengqian replied cautiously, studying the unfamiliar yet familiar palace-attired woman before him.
The memories grew clearer, and it seemed he was indeed the tragic crown prince from history.
Suddenly, a translucent panel appeared in his mind, confirming the truth of those memories.
[You were crown prince for eighteen years but failed to prove you were qualified to your father. You were troubled, you rebelled and failed, and you were deposed.]
[Counterattack system activated. Host, return to the position of crown prince. Reward: the Supreme Xuan Health Scripture, capable of curing a lame leg.]
In Empress Zhangsun’s embrace, Li Chengqian stared blankly at the lines of text in his mind, utterly bewildered.