Chapter 34: Li Yuan: My Grandson is Unrivaled in the World

Just as Li Yuan and Li Chengqian reached a consensus, Li Shimin remained unaware that his own plans had been undermined.

He was currently in the Ganlu Palace, discussing the aftermath of reducing the power of the feudal princes with Zhangsun Wuji. He asked, "The decree to reduce the princes' power has been out for several days now. How have they responded?"

"Generally speaking, the princes here in Chang'an have not reacted strongly and have accepted the reality. What we should worry about now is whether those princes far from Chang'an will take any new actions," Zhangsun Wuji replied thoughtfully.

Li Shimin glanced at him and suddenly laughed. "You have been doing quite well as the Right Chancellor lately. Your sister was strongly opposed to it at the time."

"Uh..." Zhangsun Wuji’s mouth twitched, and he replied with a bitter smile, "My sister is a woman of great vision who understands the bigger picture. She was acting in the Emperor’s best interest and for the sake of the Great Tang..."

"Indeed. Although the inner palace is not as large as the imperial court, the matters there are no less significant. Your sister oversees everything down to the smallest detail and sets an example; you should not hold a grudge against her."

"I understand my sister and hold no grudge, but I also trust myself—I will never let the Emperor down."

"Heh..." Li Shimin chuckled and did not dwell on the topic, instead shifting the conversation. "I entrusted you with the funeral arrangements for Feng Deyi, yet you seem rather indifferent toward it."

"This..." Zhangsun Wuji looked hesitant.

Li Shimin continued, "Regardless of everything, you have succeeded him as Right Chancellor; you really should show some gesture of respect."

"My personality is known to you, Your Majesty. Back when we were struggling against the former Crown Prince, I grew to despise that group of old officials supporting the Retired Emperor. Naturally, I am not happy about being asked to handle Feng Deyi’s funeral..."

"Ha! I never realized you, Zhangsun Wuji, held such grudges!" Li Shimin pointed at him with a smile, then changed the subject again. "However, among those old officials from the Wude era still in the court, only Xiao Yu lacks malicious intent. As for Pei Ji, because he is close to the Retired Emperor, you can sometimes let him catch wind of certain things and leave it to him to report back to the Retired Emperor. As for Yuwen Shiji and Feng Deyi, they are both fence-sitters. When we were attacking Luoyang, the Retired Emperor deliberately placed them in the army to report back to Chang'an from time to time, which is why I never spoke carelessly in front of them back then."

"Oh, so that’s it! I was wondering why Your Majesty removed even Yuwen Shiji; it was a settling of old scores!" Zhangsun Wuji laughed, pretending to have just realized.

Li Shimin’s expression suddenly darkened. "You shouldn't be too clever."

"Uh..." Zhangsun Wuji’s laughter cut off abruptly. He awkwardly changed the subject: "When the reduction of the princes' power was first proposed, both Pei Ji and Feng Deyi were opposed. Later, for some reason, only Feng Deyi remained in opposition. Is there something suspicious about that?"

Hearing this, Li Shimin’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you saying the Retired Emperor has some new agenda?"

"If it is the Retired Emperor's intent, it means he truly supports your reduction of the princes' power. If it is not, then Pei Ji's true intentions may be quite deep!"

"Hmm, you make a valid point. We cannot touch Pei Ji for the time being. But your position as Right Chancellor is of critical importance, do you understand?"

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I understand..."

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Minister of War, Du Ruhui, requests an audience!"

Before Zhangsun Wuji could finish, a voice came from outside. Li Shimin frowned, sensing a vague, ominous feeling. He turned to Zhangsun Wuji and said, "Go and discuss what we just talked about with the Chief Secretariat, Fang Xuanling!"

"As you command." Zhangsun Wuji bowed and quickly retreated.

Shortly after he left, Li Shimin called Du Ruhui in.

"Your subject..."

"Speak, tell me directly!" Li Shimin interrupted before Du Ruhui could even salute.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has received new intelligence. There have been increasing troop movements by the Turks near Liangzhou. The Ministry requested a detailed report from the Liangzhou Governor's Office, but we have received no reply to date. I suspect that the situation in Liangzhou is unstable, so I have come to request your permission to send an envoy to investigate and clarify the situation."

Li Shimin frowned deeply. "This information is ten days old, is it not?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Beyond this, does the Ministry of War have any news regarding the Prince of Changle?"

Du Ruhui thought for a moment and said, "The Ministry does not, but the Ministry of Revenue has news of smuggling in Liangzhou."

"If it were merely smuggling, we wouldn't need to handle it right now. Let us set that aside for later. The real concern is..." Li Shimin pondered for a moment before continuing, "The Prince of Changping died under Turkish arrows in the fourth year of Wude. Last year, the Prince of Changle also contributed in the defense against the Turks. Would he really collude with the Turks to rebel?"

"This..." Du Ruhui opened his mouth but hesitated. It was not his place as Minister of War to discuss royal family matters.

"If one were to trace the lineage, the Prince of Changle is my own grandfather's generation..." Li Shimin continued to himself. "I remember he was demoted to Liangzhou because someone stole his horse and he killed the horse thief. The Retired Emperor was very displeased and rebuked him, saying that even as a prince, he had no right to kill. He was resentful, and that is why he was sent to Liangzhou."

"Indeed, the Prince of Changle is hot-tempered. Since Liangzhou is on the front lines against the Turks, he has been granted discretionary powers there, and he has completely disregarded the Ministry of War. That is where the difficulty lies!"

"Heh..." Hearing Du Ruhui’s complaints, Li Shimin smiled. "Are you blaming the Retired Emperor, Minister?"

"Ah?" Du Ruhui was startled and quickly bowed. "I would not dare."

"It is of no consequence." Li Shimin waved his hand consolingly, then said solemnly, "In my view, we must send someone to investigate. If he is truly rebelling, he will surely make a move. If he is not, the court can simply inquire about the smuggling situation."

"Your Majesty is wise." Du Ruhui offered a compliment, adding happily, "Advancing or retreating, responding to constant change with constancy—Your Majesty’s approach is truly brilliant!"

Li Shimin smiled and remarked with a sigh, "There will likely be many more such matters in the future. After all, once the power of the princes is reduced, many things will be different."

"I understand, Your Majesty. I will ensure the Ministry of War keeps a close eye on changes in every prefecture!"

"Very well, you may go."

Soon, Du Ruhui left. Li Shimin then asked about Empress Zhangsun.

"Wushe, how is the Empress?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Empress went to Da'an Palace this morning with the Prince of Zhongshan to pay her respects to the Retired Emperor," Wushe replied, bowing.

Li Shimin frowned. "Why is that rebellious son visiting Da'an Palace again? Is he plotting something with the Retired Emperor?"

"This servant does not know, but the Retired Emperor does speak with the Prince of Zhongshan alone for a while each time."

"Has that rebellious son shown anything unusual lately?"

Wushe thought for a moment and said, with a strange expression, "He goes to the Hongwen Academy every day to study with the Prince of Wei. Does that count as unusual?"

"Studying?" Li Shimin was stunned. "Doesn't he hate studying? Why the sudden interest?"

"It is said that he promised Empress Zhangsun he would rank first in his studies..."

"Ha!" Emperor Li Shimin laughed. "It seems only the Empress can handle that rebellious son!"

As he spoke, he remembered something and his smile faded. "Keep people watching Da'an Palace at all times. Do not slacken."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wushe was about to leave when Li Shimin called out, "Wait, go and bring Xiao Yu here. I have something to ask him."

"As you command."

...

Elsewhere, Zhangsun Anye, having been scolded by Li Yuan, arrived at Consort Zhang’s room.

"The matter with Li Yi has been avoided without incident, but the Prince of Yi'an and the Prince of Changle are unlikely to let it drop so easily," Zhangsun Anye whispered to Consort Zhang.

Consort Zhang glanced at him, then at her own reflection in the mirror, and replied coolly while applying makeup, "I think you should be careful. The arrows at Xuanwu Gate almost reached the Ganlu Palace, you know."

"Heh, don't worry, Auntie. I will be careful. Besides, we have the support of the Retired Emperor; there should be no problems..."

"Oh?" Consort Zhang raised an eyebrow, stopped applying her makeup, and turned in surprise. "You say you have the support of the Retired Emperor?"

"Yes, the Retired Emperor has hinted to me several times that he is not reconciled to his fate!" Zhangsun Anye chuckled, leaned closer to Consort Zhang, and lowered his voice: "Do you know whose people are currently on duty at Xuanwu Gate? They are the Retired Emperor's. Do you know whose people are the deputy commanders of the Imperial Guard? They are also the Retired Emperor's. And Yuan Hongshan, Du Caigan—they are all the Retired Emperor's people! Guess what the Retired Emperor told me to do? He told me to go drink and chat with them whenever I have the chance! Isn't the implication obvious?"

"Hmm, if that is the case, the Retired Emperor is indeed not reconciled..." Consort Zhang nodded thoughtfully, then said with delight, "If the Retired Emperor were not just a 'Retired Emperor,' could I not be crowned Empress?"

"Heh..." Zhangsun Anye smiled, but before he could respond, a voice announced from outside: "Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"

Consort Zhang and Zhangsun Anye’s expressions changed simultaneously, and they quickly distanced themselves.

"Oh, why has the Empress come?" Consort Zhang quickly regained her composure and teased with a smile.

Empress Zhangsun looked at Zhangsun Anye and said with a smile, "I heard Auntie say she likes scented soap, so I brought some over."

"Uh..." Consort Zhang’s mouth twitched, her face turning awkward. She had previously spent a fortune to supply all the maids in Da'an Palace with scented soap, intending to teach Empress Zhangsun a lesson on how an Empress should act. But after visiting the Lizheng Palace, she found that even the Empress’s dog was using the soap, leaving her feeling as if she had been slapped in the face. Now, Empress Zhangsun was personally bringing her soap, as if rubbing salt into the wound.

"What is the matter? Does Auntie no longer like scented soap?" Empress Zhangsun asked, feigning confusion.

"Things like scented soap are nothing rare. We have plenty in Da'an Palace, so there is no need for the Empress to trouble herself," Consort Zhang replied, frowning.

Empress Zhangsun nodded in realization, then looked at Zhangsun Anye. "I heard from the Retired Emperor that Anye is most skilled at finding rare items. What have you brought for Auntie this time?"

"I, this..." Zhangsun Anye opened his mouth but hesitated.

Consort Zhang’s brow furrowed even deeper. "Anye is, after all, your older brother..."

"Auntie, I have matters to attend to, I shall leave you two to talk!" Before Consort Zhang could finish, Zhangsun Anye stood up decisively and took his leave.

In truth, given the history of Zhangsun Anye driving Empress Zhangsun and Zhangsun Wuji out of their home, he should never have been appointed as the Left General of the Gate Guards. Yet, Emperor Li Shimin had appointed him anyway. Why? It was merely to repay evil with virtue. In this era, people were like that: you could be heartless to me, but I could not be ungrateful to you. Thus, although the Empress and Zhangsun Wuji did not acknowledge this brother, they had not completely burned bridges.

However, Empress Zhangsun did not want to see Zhangsun Anye colluding with Consort Zhang. That was why she had left Li Yuan and Li Chengqian early to come here. After all, Zhangsun Anye did not just represent himself; he represented the Emperor’s face.

"Very well, everyone is gone. State your purpose!" Consort Zhang looked coldly at the Empress.

Empress Zhangsun gave a quiet laugh and shook her head. "Auntie is overthinking it. I have no ulterior motive; I just came to inform you that the expenses for the consorts in Da'an Palace will be reduced further!"

"On what grounds!?" Consort Zhang stood up abruptly.

Empress Zhangsun glanced at her indifferently, turned slowly, and said, "Because I am the Empress!"

"You!" Consort Zhang was so angry she was speechless.

Empress Zhangsun left her room at a leisurely pace.

...

Meanwhile, Li Chengqian had just finished discussing the details of the plan with Li Yuan.

"Grandfather, I have buried the items in my courtyard. Remember to have your people collect them. I have written the detailed plan and instructions for using the fire-thunder on paper. Remember to warn your people not to reveal their identities!" Li Chengqian urged repeatedly.

"Writing it all on paper—won't that reveal our identities?"

"Grandfather, are you underestimating me? The characters on that paper are a collection of many different handwriting styles, almost pieced together. How could that reveal anything?"

"Hahaha!" Li Yuan threw his head back and laughed, then remarked with a sigh, "My grandson’s mind is so meticulous, no one can compare!"

"Then, regarding this matter?"

"Rest assured, Grandfather will handle it well for you."

Li Yuan nodded with a smile, then suddenly changed his tone: "However, that fire-thunder must never be leaked. It is a divine weapon for our Great Tang!"

"Who would leak it? I'm not an idiot," Li Chengqian muttered. He looked at the sky outside and said, "I must leave now. My mother will be returning soon..."

"Go then!" Li Yuan waved his hand and watched as Li Chengqian left the inner hall.

Shortly after Li Chengqian departed, he summoned a warrior in black, gave him brief instructions, and the warrior slipped away as well.