Chapter Thirty-Five: Li Er Summons Li Chengqian Once More

Within the Taiji Palace, Li Shimin sat in a state of deep agitation.

On one side was the rebellion of his own son, Li You; on the other was the stability of his empire. These two conflicting burdens were realities he was forced to confront. He felt a profound sense of gloom; his own child was attempting to repeat the very history he himself had once written.

Li Shimin believed that he alone should be the grand master of the Xuanwu Gate incident. Furthermore, he harbored a private resolve: after his reign, there should never be another Xuanwu Gate. The soil of the Great Tang Empire would not tolerate such a tragedy again.

It had been less than ten hours since he left the morning court, yet his lips were already covered in fever blisters. He was tormented, consumed by worry. He had already written a letter to Li You, urging him to turn back from his misguided path. Although he knew it would likely be in vain, he clung to a shred of hope. After all, a rebellion was a disgrace to him and a stain upon the honor of the entire Imperial House.

This was, for Li Shimin, far from good news; it was a disaster. He grabbed a water cup from the table and smashed it, startling the eunuchs nearby so much that they dared not even breathe. They had served him for years, but this was the first time they had seen him in such a towering rage. Li Shimin even drew his sword and hacked a corner off his desk.

At that moment, Li Chengqian arrived at the Taiji Palace.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is here," his personal eunuch whispered cautiously.

"Send him in. All of you, leave. Guard the exterior of the hall, and let no one enter, or they shall be executed without mercy." Li Shimin’s lips twitched as he spoke each word with chilling severity.

"As you command, Your Majesty," the eunuch replied, rushing to usher Li Chengqian inside before closing the doors tightly.

Inside the hall, only Li Chengqian and Li Shimin remained.

"Your son, Li Chengqian, pays his respects to his father," Li Chengqian said, bowing low.

"Rise quickly, Chengqian," Li Shimin said, gesturing toward a stool. "Sit. I have something to ask you."

"Thank you, Father." Li Chengqian thanked him with a bow and sat down, his heart filled with trepidation.

"Chengqian, have I committed some grave wrong, that the heavens would treat me in such a way?" The weariness of age instantly clouded Li Shimin's face. The once high-spirited Heavenly Khan now found himself sinking into despair.

Li Shimin was truly depressed. He could not comprehend how, after treating Li You with such kindness and enduring his faults time and again, he was met with open rebellion. Li You had been decisive, executing the high-ranking official Quan Wanji before declaring his treason and sending manifestos to various prefectures, ordering them to rise in his support.

This blow hurt Li Shimin more than a blade; a blade would only cause physical pain, but Li You’s betrayal had pierced his very heart. The agony was soul-wrenching, and for a moment, Li Shimin found it difficult to catch his breath.

He began to wonder if this was a punishment from the heavens.

"Father, since you ascended the throne, you have led the Tang Empire from crisis to stability, and with your own hands, you have built a prosperous and flourishing era. What wrong could you have committed?" Li Chengqian looked up, gazing at Li Shimin with sincere eyes.

"If I have done no wrong, why does this undutiful son rebel against me? I can forgive him any other mistake, but not this one. The other princes and all the civil and military officials are watching. If I do not handle this properly, the consequences..." Li Shimin closed his eyes slowly.

He wanted to escape this question. To him, it was cruel—an insult that left his mind in chaos. Yet, the inevitable had arrived. Had it been a general who rebelled, he might have understood; those headstrong, battle-hardened men were often difficult to manage. But for his own son to rebel was the ultimate negation of his character and a profound insult to the glory of the Zhenguan era.

Li Shimin knew that with Li You's limited talent, he could never succeed. But the act itself, while low in threat, was high in humiliation. For a man as competitive as Li Shimin, this was a disgrace he could not tolerate. His patience had reached its limit, and his disappointment in Li You was absolute.

"Father, you have done no wrong. It is Li You who has failed you," Li Chengqian comforted him. He knew well that Li You had always been arrogant and headstrong, a habit that could not be changed in a day.

"If that is so, tell me, how should I handle this? I have already sent a letter to Li You, hoping he might leave himself a way out." Li Shimin sighed, his mood at its lowest. He knew clearly that while he was a highly successful emperor, he had failed as a father. A disagreement between father and son was one thing, but when it involved the dignity of the throne and the honor of the Empire, Li You had crossed a line—a line that was unforgivable.

Since learning the news, Li Shimin felt he had aged significantly; the youthful vigor he once possessed seemed a lifetime away.

"Father, a letter may be of no use. Once a rebellion begins, Li You knows the consequences. From the moment he issued his manifesto, he knew the path he was taking," Li Chengqian said, choosing to be honest rather than offering false comfort.

Li Shimin felt a wave of dizziness. The realization that Li You was determined to walk this path to its dead end cut him to the core. Li You’s actions were like a sharp knife, repeatedly stabbing his heart without a thought for his feelings. This visceral pain made Li Shimin realize that even as the most powerful man in the Great Tang, there were many things beyond his control.

Li Shimin sighed and looked at Li Chengqian. "Chengqian, you said the rebellion would be quelled quickly. Is that true?"

Li Shimin watched him intently. How he wished time could flow backward. If he had another chance, he would keep Li You in the capital, even if it meant keeping him like a caged bird. But there was no medicine for regret in this world—none then, none now, and none in the future.

"Father, rest assured. Within twenty days, news will arrive, and in at most a month, Li You will be brought to the capital," Li Chengqian replied firmly and calmly.

"Good. If that is so, I will trust you this once. However, I cannot let Li Ji take only one thousand men. I intend to give him ten thousand, to join with the forces of the surrounding prefectures to quell the rebellion in Qingzhou."

A spark of life returned to Li Shimin's eyes. This was his future and his hope. Although he knew Li Chengqian’s recent words and actions were different from before, he dared not gamble when it came to matters of such great importance. The fate of the Tang Empire hung in the balance; a failure could lead to a catastrophic disaster. As the helmsman of the Empire, he could not afford a reckless decision.

"Yes, Father. Your decision is the most prudent way to ensure safety," Li Chengqian replied, choosing not to argue. He knew that now, his role was to advise, not to decide—that was the Emperor's prerogative. As the Crown Prince, appearing too involved would make the Emperor suspect his ambition, while appearing too detached would make him seem incapable. He was caught in the delicate, awkward trap that every Crown Prince faces: too excellent, and the Emperor fears you; too weak, and the Emperor despises you.

"I called you here to discuss this specifically," Li Shimin said.

"Father, rest assured. If there is any way I can assist, please let me know. I will give my all to help you quell this rebellion as quickly as possible."

"Good! There is one more thing I wish to ask you." Li Shimin’s gaze tightened. It was clear that he was struggling internally. This question touched upon the succession and the future after his own death. Recent events—Li You’s rebellion, the assassination attempt on Li Chengqian by Li Tai, and Li Chengqian’s own recent performance—had given him much to think about. He still held high hopes for Li Chengqian, pinning his future on the steam engine project his son had championed.

Li Chengqian sensed that his father’s attitude toward him had shifted. Having been a disappointment due to his leg injury and rebellious nature, he was determined to turn over a new leaf and let his father see him in a new light.

"Father, please speak. I am ready to listen to your instruction," Li Chengqian said with a respectful bow.

"Chengqian, answer me this: if you were to ascend the throne, how would you treat Li Tai and Li Zhi?"

Li Shimin stared at him coldly, as if trying to see through to his very soul. The recent turmoil had pained him deeply, and he was desperate to prevent his sons from slaughtering one another. As the eldest son and the long-established Crown Prince, Li Shimin needed to know his heart.

Li Chengqian felt his head spin. It was a question that seemed simple, yet if his answer failed to satisfy his father, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He fell into deep contemplation.