Chapter 44: High Ambition, Zero Capability, A Recipe for Self-Destruction

“Your Majesty Emeritus, Prince Yi'an has already deployed troops to the capital!”

The moment Du Caigan received the news, he hurried to the Great Peace Palace to meet Li Yuan.

At that time, Li Yuan was calmly brewing tea and reading, as if nothing had happened.

Just half an hour ago, Empress Zhangsun had come to pay her respects to him.

In truth, such a major event in the palace could not have escaped her notice, yet she still came to the Great Peace Palace to greet him.

What does this signify?

It shows that this clever daughter-in-law is a truly capable and supportive wife.

She was secretly gathering intelligence for His Majesty the Second Emperor.

After all, if the rebellion implicated the retired emperor, it would put the Second Emperor in a difficult position.

She did not want a rift to grow between the Second Emperor and Li Yuan again.

Of course, compared to the Second Emperor, Li Yuan bore no grudge against this daughter-in-law.

Even though he saw through her little schemes, Li Yuan still courteously sent her away.

Without lifting his head, Li Yuan asked, “Any new developments from Erlang’s side?”

Du Caigan crouched slightly, lowering his voice. “Your Majesty Emeritus, His Majesty is currently at the Taiji Hall. Before all the court officials and princes, he declared that Prince Yi'an’s actions are not a matter of purging corrupt ministers but outright rebellion!”

“Right now, orders have been sent to Lord Wu to arrest Prince Yi'an and bring him to the Taiji Hall for discussion. Should Prince Yi'an resist, he shall be executed without mercy!”

“Ha!”

Li Yuan chuckled, unable to help but comment, “Erlang is unmatched in warfare, but when it comes to governance, he still falls short...”

He then stopped discussing Li Shimin’s affairs and turned to Li Chengqian. “Has my good grandson returned?”

“He has, but it seems he brought someone with him!”

“Who?”

“The former Secretary Lang, Cen Wenben!”

“Cen Wenben?”

Li Yuan was momentarily taken aback. “Is he the one who wrote the ‘Lotus Rhapsody,’ avenged his father, and advised Xiaogong to forbid plundering?”

“Yes, that’s him!”

Du Caigan nodded. “Last night, His Highness stayed overnight at his residence!”

“This...”

Li Yuan widened his eyes in disbelief. He was growing increasingly puzzled by his good grandson. “If Cen Wenben is so highly regarded by Chengqian, could he possess talent for statecraft?”

Du Caigan pondered. “If he truly had talent for statecraft, His Majesty would have appointed him long ago. Why would he still be a mere seventh-rank secretary?”

“No, no, no. When it comes to judging people, I fear both Erlang and I are no match for him. Otherwise, this rebellion would not have proceeded so smoothly.”

“Then... what about the north gate?”

“Liu Deyu and Yuan Hongshan have already taken control of Xuanwu Gate and Anli Gate, capturing Qin Qiong and Chang He alive. It shouldn’t be long before Your Majesty learns of this!”

“Oh?”

Li Yuan’s eyes brightened as he sat upright. “So those fire thunder devices played a crucial role?”

“Yes! Without those fire thunder devices, they probably wouldn’t have taken the north gate!”

“Ha ha ha! My grandson is truly remarkable!”

Li Yuan laughed heartily.

Du Caigan was somewhat surprised and asked, “Is this matter related to Prince Zhongshan?”

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan suddenly stopped laughing and spoke gravely, “Don’t ask about what you shouldn’t know. Just focus on your own duties!”

“Uh...”

Du Caigan felt awkward but couldn’t help pressing further, “Since Liu Deyu and the others have taken the north gate, why don’t we make a move?”

“Taking the north gate is a rare opportunity, but Erlang can handle it easily. Have you forgotten the imperial guards he trained?”

“Ah? This...”

Du Caigan was uncertain. “Your Majesty Emeritus, do you mean His Majesty was well prepared?”

Li Yuan’s expression was cold and emotionless. “He succeeded at Xuanwu Gate precisely because he was prepared. This matter isn’t over yet; we must await Li Xiaochang’s outcome...”

Suddenly recalling something, he inquired, “Where is Zhangsun Anye now?”

“After the incident with the leaflets, he hurried back to the palace overnight. He should be with Consort Zhang now,” Du Caigan answered truthfully.

Li Yuan’s face darkened. “Quite cunning indeed!”

Du Caigan smiled ambiguously. “Zhangsun Anye has always been close to Consort Zhang and the others. This rebellion likely involved much scheming on her part as well...”

“Ambition is good, but lacking the ability only leads to self-destruction!”

Li Yuan sneered and waved Du Caigan away. “Don’t disturb me until Li Xiaochang has entered the Taiji Hall. There are too many eyes and ears here...”

“Yes!”

Du Caigan nodded in acknowledgment and left without further words.

The reason he could come and go from the Great Peace Palace without arousing Li Shimin’s suspicion was because he knew how to read the situation.

Originally, he had been the governor of Beizhou under Li Yuan.

However, when Li Yuan abdicated, he decisively gave up such a high official post and was content to serve in the palace as the Right Gate Commandant.

This was a sign of political savvy in Li Shimin’s eyes.

After all, someone as loyal to Li Yuan as Du Caigan was not fully trusted by Li Shimin to hold power in the provinces.

Only under Li Shimin’s direct watch could he rest assured.

This caution was understandable, for Du Caigan’s loyalty sometimes verged on zealotry.

When he followed Li Mi, after Bing Yuanzhen’s rebellion led to Li Mi’s crushing defeat by Wang Shichong, Du Caigan sought revenge and killed Bing Yuanzhen, then pledged allegiance to the Tang.

Li Yuan greatly admired such loyal and righteous men, promoting Du Caigan to the rank of Duke of Pingyu and a second-rank official.

It was clear that, to Li Yuan, Du Caigan was like a second Li Mi—someone Li Shimin could not fully utilize.

Thus, to avoid becoming the next Bing Yuanzhen, Li Shimin kept Du Caigan close to Li Yuan.

Meanwhile, as Du Caigan left Li Yuan, Zhangsun Anye was consulting with Consort Zhang about their next move.

Consort Zhang sighed, “Reducing the number of princes has driven one Prince of Changle and one Prince of Yi'an to rebel. Isn’t Erlang afraid that all the princes will rise against him?”

Zhangsun Anye smiled, “One or two princes can’t form a serious force; of course, he’s not afraid.”

“So, Li Xiaochang won’t succeed either?”

“If it were the original plan, I’d say the chance of success was slim. The princes in Chang’an are like domesticated beasts raised by Li Shimin; they’re already too frightened to support Li Xiaochang.”

“But...”

Zhangsun Anye shifted tone. “Now that I have that plan, everything has changed!”

“Do you really trust that plan so much?”

Consort Zhang frowned. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Erlang isn’t easy to deal with. You’d better be careful—I’m worried.”

“Aunt Consort, rest assured. The plan is only a reference. I have my own strategy!”

“Hmph!”

Consort Zhang snorted, about to ask more about Zhangsun Anye’s plan.

Suddenly, the usually silent Imperial Concubine Yin spoke up, “The retired emperor distanced himself from this matter completely. I fear if we fail, he might discard us as pawns.”

“Ha! Once this succeeds, who will be the pawn is anyone’s guess!”

Zhangsun Anye smiled coldly, then glanced at the sky outside. “I must leave now; if Prince Yi'an goes astray, that will be troublesome.”

With that, he took his leave without hesitation.