Chapter 41: Li Chengqian: I'll Add Fuel to the Emperor's Fire

"No, no, no, this old minister meant no such thing!"

Seeing the murderous intent in Li Shimin's eyes, Pei Ji immediately backed down and waved his hands, but he still couldn't help offering his opinion: "This old minister means that reducing the fiefs of the vassal princes will not only displease the Prince of Yi'an and the Prince of Changleqie, but other vassal princes as well, who share the same resentment.

"Now, the Prince of Yi'an and the Prince of Changleqie have raised the slogan 'Clear the emperor's side and execute Zhangsun Wuji,' which gives these disgruntled vassal princes the perfect pretext!"

"If Zhangsun Wuji is demoted..."

At this point, sensing the increasingly hostile gazes fixed upon him, Pei Ji quickly reiterated, "Of course, I am not in favor of executing Zhangsun Wuji!"

"Humph!"

Zhangsun Wuji let out a cold snort, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot.

However, Pei Ji cared not a whit for his feelings.

Seeing that Li Shimin remained silent, Pei Ji sighed and continued, "However, if matters reach a point where execution becomes unavoidable, it would be better to demote him now so that the overall situation can still be controlled..."

"Hmph!"

Li Shimin nodded with neither joy nor anger, asking, "Have you finished?"

"I..."

Pei Ji was stunned for a moment, then urged earnestly, "I am only doing what is urgent for the imperial court!"

"Indeed! Minister Pei is acting out of urgency for the court, but has Minister Pei ever considered that if His Majesty makes concessions to these vassal princes, how will His Majesty's decrees be enforced in the future? Does it mean that whenever something is not to their liking, they can raise an army in rebellion?" Fang Xuanling finally could not help but speak out in rebuttal.

"But reducing the fiefs really doesn't need to be rushed at this exact moment! Can't we take it slow? Must we drive them to rebellion?" Pei Ji said helplessly.

Du Ruhui sneered and said, "Reducing the fiefs is national policy. Even if there are objections, people can debate, submit memorials, or discuss it further. But raising an army in rebellion, distributing pamphlets, and agitating public opinion—what is that? That shows a total disregard for His Majesty!"

"Quite right! There must be no retreat on this matter! Otherwise, the calamity will be endless!" Fang Xuanling chimed in.

"This, this, this..."

Pei Ji looked around and found that not a single person stood on his side, leaving him instantly at a loss for words.

Li Shimin cast a cold glance at him, speaking with calm and majestic authority:

"Reducing the fiefs is the resolution of the imperial court. The matter has already been announced, and I have no desire to say more. Now that someone has raised the banner of rebellion, I must give everyone an account!"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, officials of the fifth rank and above in the capital, along with the vassal princes, have all arrived at the Taiji Hall!"

Just as Li Shimin's voice fell, W舌's voice echoed from outside the hall with the report.

Li Shimin frowned slightly and asked in a deep voice, "All of them?"

"Aside from the Imperial Princes, only two commandery princes under the age of five are absent..."

Hearing this, Li Shimin's heart stirred slightly. What he cared about was not those two young commandery princes, but the Imperial Princes who were absent.

Normally, this incident was the affair of the commandery princes. Yet for some reason, the moment Li Shimin heard the words "Imperial Prince," his mind immediately turned to Li Chengqian.

What was that rebellious son doing lately?

Ever since he suggested letting Li Tai compile the *Zhenguan Grand Canon*, there seemed to have been no new movements from him. Could it be that he was truly heeding the Empress's words, studying diligently to strive for the top rank?

With this thought, Li Shimin abruptly turned to Zhangsun Wuji and asked, "Fuji, has Chengqian sought you out?"

"Ah?"

Zhangsun Wuji, who had been brooding in sullen anger, was startled by Li Shimin's words and hurriedly replied, "Your minister is an external official and has always abided by the palace rules. I have not made unauthorized contact with anyone inside the palace!"

"Ha!"

Li Shimin laughed. "I merely wanted to ask you about Chengqian. Why are you so nervous?"

"Your minister... your minister has had little contact with Chengqian and knows nothing of his affairs."

Then, his tone shifted.

"However, if Your Majesty permits, this minister would actually like to go and see Chengqian now..."

"Why would you go see him?"

Li Shimin's face sank. "Do you think he can help you resolve this matter?"

"Uh, hard to say..."

"You!"

Infuriated, Li Shimin raised a finger as if about to erupt, but Fang Xuanling hurriedly intervened, "Your Majesty, dawn is approaching. Let us proceed to the Taiji Hall first!"

"Humph!"

Li Shimin let out a cold snort, clearly deeply displeased by Zhangsun Wuji's high regard for Li Chengqian.

Yet this was not the time to argue with Zhangsun Wuji.

Without another word, he flicked his sleeves and strode out of the Liangyi Hall.

The remaining officials looked at each other in dismay.

Particularly Fang Xuanling and Zhangsun Wuji, who exchanged a knowing, understanding smile.

Given Li Chengqian's strategic brilliance, it was indeed hard to say what he might accomplish.

***

Meanwhile, at the residence of Cen Wenben.

For reasons beyond his comprehension, Li Chengqian had spent the night lodged at Cen Wenben's estate, leaving his host feeling rather embarrassed.

Cen Wenben, however, was overjoyed. Abandoning all thought of his wife and children for the night, he sat by candlelight with Li Chengqian, discussing many things that should not have been said and touching upon matters that should not have been touched.

Especially concerning Li Chengqian's position as Crown Prince, which had the top strategist racking his brains in deep concern.

"Your Highness, in this minister's view, your reinstatement as Crown Prince is merely a matter of time. The crucial point is how to firmly consolidate your position after you are reinstated!" Cen Wenben said with utmost solemnity.

Li Chengqian glanced at him with an amused smile and asked, "I wonder what brilliant insights Mr. Cen might have?"

"Although this minister is not entirely clear about the concerns Your Highness raised during the court debate, I believe Your Highness's initiative to request the abolition of your own position as Crown Prince was a brilliant stroke!"

"Wherein lies its brilliance?"

"First, it thoroughly cuts off any thoughts His Majesty might have of passing over you for someone deemed 'virtuous.' Second, it turns passivity into initiative, allowing you to seize a dominant role in deciding the appointments of the Eastern Palace officials."

Li Chengqian's eyes lit up. "You mean the Crown Prince can determine the officials of the Eastern Palace?"

"According to normal procedures, whether it is the Crown Prince or the Emperor himself, all officials must undergo review by the Menxia Department, receive approval from the Emperor, and be appointed by the Ministry of Personnel.

"However,"

Cen Wenben's tone shifted as he continued, "The Retired Emperor long ago issued an edict stating that 'as for the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, aside from major military and state affairs, all matters are delegated to his full discretion.' In other words, as long as the Crown Prince maintains the initiative before His Majesty, procedural details become insignificant."

"Put that way, it is indeed brilliant..."

Li Chengqian smiled. This was akin to adding fuel to Emperor Li Er's fire!

Yet Cen Wenben went on to say, "Although having your own Eastern Palace officials can consolidate your status, Your Highness's personal influence remains too limited. To thoroughly secure your position as Crown Prince, you must expand your influence—for instance, by making your name known throughout the realm."

"How does one make their name known throughout the realm?"

Li Chengqian's interest was instantly piqued.

Cen Wenben smiled and said, "Though this minister lacks great talent, I enjoy a certain reputation throughout the Jiangnan region. If Your Highness trusts this minister, I can plan this matter for you. To say the least, the scholars of Jiangnan will be more than sufficient to serve Your Highness!"

"Hahaha!"

Li Chengqian threw back his head and laughed heartily, thinking to himself that this was precisely the phrase he had been waiting for.

Yet, after his laughter subsided, he asked with mild curiosity, "Why are you so certain that my reinstatement as Crown Prince is merely a matter of time?"

"With this minister assisting you, if Your Highness cannot be reinstated as Crown Prince, it would simply prove my incompetence," Cen Wenben replied calmly and with absolute confidence.

Li Chengqian cast him an astonished look, then smiled knowingly. "In that case, let us return to the palace together!"

"Return to the palace together?"

"Yes! Let us return to the palace to be the Crown Prince!"