Chapter Thirty-Three: Shocking! Prince Qi Li You Rebels!

Within the great hall, the court was struck by a wave of shock. From the guard’s expression and tone, everyone present immediately grasped the gravity of the situation. It had to be a matter of extreme urgency, or he would not have been in such a frantic state.

"Speak, what is it?" Li Shimin feigned composure, waving his hand dismissively. In truth, he was internally panicked; to be confronted with such dire news so suddenly was a burden for anyone to bear.

"Reporting to the Sage, this is an urgent dispatch. Please, have a look." The guard, sharp-witted, quickly lifted his head and presented the document. He understood that, above all else, the Emperor needed to be informed immediately.

"Bring it here." Li Shimin’s eyes widened slightly. A eunuch stepped forward, snatched the urgent dispatch from the guard’s hands, and presented it with both hands to the Emperor.

Despite his inner turmoil, Li Shimin maintained a facade of indifference as he slowly unfolded the document. However, within moments, he froze. It was impossible—the news was simply too absurd to believe. Prince Li You of Qi had launched a rebellion.

"Minister Zhangsun, take a look," Li Shimin said, helplessly placing the dispatch on the table.

"Your Majesty, what has happened?" Zhangsun Wuji had already sensed something amiss from the Emperor’s complexion. Nonetheless, he obeyed, approaching with trepidation to take the dispatch and read it carefully.

"Your Majesty, this is impossible. The Prince of Qi... how could he dare?" Zhangsun Wuji was so astonished he could barely speak.

Li Chengqian, hearing this, understood the situation clearly. It was the rebellion of Li You. According to the original trajectory of events, this should have happened much sooner, but because he had personally eliminated Ge Gan-chengji—the mole—the rebellion had been delayed. Ultimately, however, what was destined to happen had come to pass; the death of a single pawn had not altered the course of history.

"Read it aloud to the ministers so that they all know the contents," Li Shimin commanded. His face was ashen, but he forced himself to remain calm, closing his eyes briefly before opening them again.

"This... let the ministers know?" Zhangsun Wuji’s face was etched with shock.

"Yes, read it all. If he is capable of doing such a thing, why should I care about saving face?" Li Shimin sighed. Despite his reluctance, he had no choice. The situation had reached such a point that even as the Son of Heaven, he could not conceal it.

"As you command, Your Majesty," Zhangsun Wuji replied helplessly. He picked up the dispatch and began to read: "Reporting to Your Majesty: The Prince of Qi, Li You, has rebelled and has already seized several prefectures. I request that Your Majesty immediately send reinforcements!"

The message was brief, yet every word struck the heart of everyone in the court. A clamor erupted among the officials. This was a matter of the highest order; even a prince could not be permitted to rebel. Especially during the prosperous Zhenguan era, such an act was tantamount to throwing one’s life away—a suicidal move with almost no chance of success.

Li Chengqian, however, remained calm; this was well within his expectations. For a prince stationed so far from the capital to rebel during the height of the Zhenguan era, while the Emperor was in his prime—it was either the act of a madman or a fool.

"Your Majesty, I request that we immediately dispatch troops to quell the rebellion of the Prince of Qi," Chu Suiliang stepped forward, his expression righteous.

"I second this! This Prince of Qi is utterly lawless; we must send a great army to suppress him at once," Cheng Yaojin added, patting his protruding belly with a solemn face.

"I second the motion..." "I also concur..."

The court was unanimous in its support for suppressing the rebellion. Li Shimin’s expression grew restless, bordering on fierce. He struggled internally—he had treated his son so well, yet the boy had committed such an act of treason. He had dared to commit the unthinkable. Was he not the Heavenly Khan? How could his own son openly betray him? Had he done something wrong?

Before he could dwell on it, the voices of his ministers pulled him back. Regardless of how noble the Prince of Qi’s status was, rebellion was a capital offense that required a heavy hand.

"Li Ji, what is your opinion?" Li Shimin suddenly looked toward Li Ji.

Li Ji, known for his steady demeanor, understood that the Emperor was testing him. Li You was, after all, the Emperor’s own flesh and blood. Ultimately, he had to follow the Emperor’s will. "Your Majesty, I have only one thing to say: I shall follow your command entirely," Li Ji replied solemnly.

"My ministers, what do you think?" Li Shimin asked, looking toward the assembly.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to think. Just send the troops to suppress him. Rebellion is a great crime in any dynasty," Cheng Yaojin replied, bowing.

"The Duke of Lu is correct; it aligns with my own thoughts," Li Shimin nodded, exhaling deeply.

"We all support dispatching the army. It brooks no delay," the ministers advised in unison, including Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and Li Zhi. Li Tai, in particular, felt a flicker of hope. If more princes rebelled and destroyed each other, perhaps the position of Crown Prince might still return to him. He clung to this delusion, wishing for chaos, as only through chaos could he find an opportunity.

"Very well. My mind is made up. Li Ji, take twenty thousand troops and depart in three days to quell the rebellion of the Prince of Qi," Li Shimin declared, rising to his feet in a fury.

"As you command, Your Majesty," Li Ji bowed.

"Minister Li, go and prepare. I await your good news," Li Shimin said, his voice weary.

Li Shimin’s face was haggard. He signaled his eunuch, who immediately understood and shouted, "If there are no further memorials, the court is dismissed!"

The ministers remained silent, knowing that the rebellion was the only matter of importance. Li Shimin waved his sleeve and turned to leave. "Court dismissed!" the eunuch cried.

"We humbly bid farewell to the Sage. Long live the Emperor!" The ministers knelt in unison.

***

Li Shimin returned to his study and sat down. The dragon chair, once so comfortable, now felt like a bed of needles—not because the chair had changed, but because his heart was heavy with oppression. His heart was bleeding. That such a rebellion could happen during his own reign, and by the hand of the son he had trusted, was the ultimate irony.

Li Shimin was the Emperor of the Great Tang, but he was also a father. How could a father not suffer when his son raised arms against him?

His personal eunuch brought a cup of tea. "Your Majesty, please, have some tea."

Li Shimin erupted in anger, snatched the cup, and smashed it to the floor. It shattered into pieces. "Tea? Do I have the mood for tea?"

"Your Majesty, this servant deserves to die!" the eunuch knelt in a panic.

Li Shimin breathed deeply, adjusting his thoughts until his face became calm. "It is not your fault. Summon Li Chengqian to the study at once."

"As you command, Your Majesty," the eunuch scrambled away, terrified to remain in the room for a second longer. He knew the Emperor’s temper all too well.

Soon, Li Chengqian arrived. "Your son, Li Chengqian, pays his respects to his father." He addressed him as "Father" rather than "Your Majesty." He understood that while formal titles were necessary in court, "Father" bridged the gap in private, allowing Li Shimin to view him not just as a subordinate, but as a son, and perhaps helping to ease his troubled mind.

"Rise, Chengqian," Li Shimin waved his hand, glaring at the eunuch. "Bring the Crown Prince a seat."

"As you command, Your Majesty." The eunuch hurried to place a chair for Li Chengqian.

"I thank my father," Li Chengqian said, sitting down. He knew his father sought his counsel on Li You’s rebellion. Having performed well in court earlier that day, he had clearly captured the Emperor’s attention.

"Chengqian," Li Shimin said, his expression cold and complex. "What is your view on your brother Li You’s rebellion?"