Chapter 54: Conviction

Observing Li Shimin’s expression, Li Chengqian understood that tomorrow’s court assembly would surely stir up a tempest.

However, Li Chengqian was even more aware that at this moment, he must not show too much joy; otherwise, it would yield the opposite result and arouse Li Shimin’s suspicion.

Especially at a juncture as critical as this, every minute error could cause his standing in Li Shimin’s heart to plummet, thereby raising doubts in the mind of his indulgent royal father, Li Shimin.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Chengqian formed a plan, realizing that his moment of glory was approaching.

The closer one gets to success, the more one must maintain composure.

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian calmed himself, looking at Li Shimin with a calm and solemn expression.

"Yes, Father Emperor, this son obeys your decree," Li Chengqian said, lifting his head slightly with a serene demeanor.

Seeing this, Li Shimin nodded inwardly. Chengqian had truly grown up, becoming much more mature than before. He had learned to handle matters with calm and unruffled composure, which was the most important thing of all.

Only with such a temperament could one turn the tide and accomplish great things.

Especially recalling Li Chengqian's recent actions, Li Shimin already had his answer in mind. Were he not afraid of making Li Chengqian arrogant, Li Shimin would have blurted out those very words: "Chengqian is truly a fine steed of the Li family!"

In any dynasty, there is a need for both a discerning judge of talent and a fine steed. The current prosperous era of the Great Tang Empire was no exception; not only must the present affairs be properly handled, but one must also strive wholeheartedly for the future of the Great Tang Empire.

Li Chengqian's recent actions entirely matched Li Shimin's expectations, and he had even completed the tasks to perfection.

Such a crown prince, such an imperial son—which emperor would not love him? Especially an ancient sovereign like Li Shimin, who cherished him beyond measure.

For Li Shimin, who had always valued talent, to possess a crown prince like Li Chengqian was a stroke of immense fortune.

"Good. Chengqian, you should rest for now, and have someone guard this model well. I will need it in the court assembly tomorrow," Li Shimin said, turning to leave.

"Yes, Father Emperor. This son respectfully sees Father Emperor off," Li Chengqian hurriedly bowed in salute, watching Li Shimin depart.

By this time, Li Chengqian had roughly guessed that tomorrow's court would be a gathering of unpredictable winds and clouds. Barring any accidents, many ministers would oppose his train project—among them, naturally, imperial princes like Li Tai.

However, this was merely his current conjecture, and the final decision and ultimate authority still rested with Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, which is to say, his own indulgent royal father.

After Li Shimin left, Li Chengqian instructed Yang Jianguang and the others to continue inspecting the small train. Since tomorrow's task was exceptionally arduous, not even the slightest error could be tolerated, or the consequences would be unimaginable and the negative impact fatal.

For Li Chengqian, the stakes were extraordinarily high. He had to firmly seize control of this court session, turning decay into wonder and passivity into initiative.

He needed to make this group of court ministers understand that he was the unshakable Crown Prince of the Great Tang Empire, and no one was permitted to shake his position as heir.

Having considered these matters, Li Chengqian began his intensive preparations.

The next day marked the court assembly of the Great Tang Empire. According to Li Shimin’s wishes, this assembly was of paramount importance, and thus on a grand scale.

Basically, all the prominent and influential ministers hurried over, along with several imperial princes. Nearly all who were able to attend successively entered the Taiji Palace.

"We ministers pay our respects to the Sage Sovereign! May you live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

The civil and military officials knelt together, kowtowing to Li Shimin.

This was a mandatory routine for every court assembly, something these ministers understood very well.

"My beloved ministers, rise!" Li Shimin waved his hand with practiced ease, executing the movement smoothly and seamlessly without a single superfluous gesture.

Ever since the days when he was the Prince of Qin, Li Shimin had witnessed his own father, Emperor Gaozu of Tang, preside over the court. Through prolonged exposure, he had known it by heart long ago, and after serving as emperor for so many years, he was exceedingly familiar with every single detail.

Thus, Li Shimin understood this entire protocol—he understood it intimately.

"Thank you, Sage Sovereign," everyone bowed in unison and then stood on either side.

Li Shimin lifted his gaze. The figures standing below were familiar faces, the ones who accompanied him to every daily assembly.

The Great Tang Empire relied primarily on these individuals; without them, the empire could not have developed at such a rapid pace.

Ever since Li Shimin ascended the throne, the prosperous era of Zhenguan had commenced. Without the tacit cooperation between these men and Li Shimin, the Zhenguan prosperity would certainly have been compromised.

"Submit memorials if you have any; otherwise, retire from court," Wang Dexing, Li Shimin's personal eunuch, began his performance.

The ministers looked at each other, whispering in low discussions, none daring to speak up lightly.

The nail that sticks out gets hammered down; this principle applied equally in the Great Tang Empire.

Especially after Wei Zheng passed away, the faction of remonstrating ministers that used to check Li Shimin had all but vanished.

The lively scenes once common in the court no longer existed, having dissipated into thin air with Wei Zheng's departure.

Within the court, not a single minister dared to offer blunt remonstrance the way Wei Zheng did. Instead, everyone began pondering self-preservation strategies, tucking their tails between their legs.

Most people had become much more honest. They were also afraid of Emperor Taizong of Tang; as for blunt remonstrance, aside from Wei Zheng, who could execute it flawlessly, no one else could replicate that legend.

This was the legend of Emperor Taizong of Tang, and also the legend of Wei Zheng. They had achieved greatness together; without Emperor Taizong's tolerance, a hundred Wei Zhengs would have lost their heads long ago.

Conversely, without Wei Zheng's daring remonstrance, the Zhenguan prosperity of Li Shimin would not have been so yearningly admired.

Through their seamless cooperation, both had worn themselves out for the prosperity and strength of the Great Tang Empire.

Had Li Shimin encountered capitulators like Qin Hui or bootlicking sycophants like Jia Sidao, how could the Great Tang Empire have ever spoken of development?

And had Wei Zheng encountered a decisive monarch wielding the sword like the old Emperor Zhu, let alone daring to remonstrate, even harboring the slightest independent thought would have cost him his life.

It was the perfect cooperation of Wei Zheng and Li Shimin that forged the prosperity of the Great Tang Empire.

Li Chengqian was thoroughly familiar with these scenes, knowing them by heart, and had seen through their inner workings at a single glance.

A court lacking Wei Zheng was far less lively than before.

Seeing the ministers within the court fall silent, Li Shimin felt somewhat displeased. He let out a cold hum, glanced coldly at the ministers, and slowly spoke: "This is the imperial court; everyone may speak freely. My court is not a place for my word alone, but a place for you to deliberate on great matters alongside me."

As Li Shimin spoke, he raised his head, his gaze sharp and piercing.

Only then did the ministers belatedly step forward one by one.

It was not that they were unwilling to offer counsel to Li Shimin, but the current situation was highly complex. They were all well aware that the major matter discussed today was bound to be tied to Li You—an extremely thorny issue to which any answer might ultimately prove wrong.

Seeing that everyone was reluctant to speak, Chu Suiliang hurriedly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Sage Sovereign, this minister has a memorial to submit."

"Minister Chu, there is no need to be restrained. Let me hear what you have to say." Seeing Chu Suiliang step forward, Li Shimin was quite pleased, and his tone softened considerably.

"Yes, Sage Sovereign, this humble minister obeys," Chu Suiliang hastily assented and began to voice the thoughts in his heart: "Sage Sovereign, I recently heard that the Prince of Qi has been escorted under guard to the capital. Shouldn't a crime be charged against him? Treason is a grave offense indeed."

Even Chu Suiliang himself could hardly believe that he had ultimately uttered these words.

In truth, from the moment Chu Suiliang stepped forward, Li Shimin already knew what he wanted to say.

However, this was an issue Li Shimin could not evade. Since it had to be discussed, then discuss it they would, and Li Shimin had already thought of countermeasures.

More importantly, managing the current court was far smoother for Li Er than it had been previously.

Back when Wei Zheng was around, Li Shimin still held reservations; whether speaking or making decisions, he had to consult Wei Zheng's opinion.

Now everything had completely changed. Essentially, Li Shimin could make the final decision right there in court, and it would almost always pass.

"Oh, as for this matter, I am aware of it and have instructed Changsun Wuji to investigate," Li Shimin looked toward Changsun Wuji and inquired, "By the way, Minister Changsun, how is the investigation proceeding?"

Changsun Wuji was greatly alarmed. Wasn't this handing him a difficult problem? The thorniness of this matter surpassed even the Xuanwu Gate incident. After the previous Xuanwu Gate coup, Li Shimin had already seized absolute initiative, and everything had fallen into place naturally; all Changsun Wuji had to do was go with the flow.

Now, with Li You's rebellion, Li Shimin—the creator of the Xuanwu Gate method—was still the emperor of the Great Tang Empire. Regarding such a matter, Li Shimin was undoubtedly furious.

Yet words could not be spoken too harshly either, because Li You was, after all, Li Shimin's child. There was no father who did not love his children; at this moment, Li Shimin certainly loved his child. Therefore, from the perspective of the state and imperial power, Li You deserved to die beyond a doubt; but from the perspective of Li Shimin as a father, he certainly did not want Li You to die.

Thinking of this, Changsun Wuji wore a troubled expression, yet he still raised his head and looked at Li Shimin: "Reporting to the Sage Sovereign, according to the Great Tang Code, treason is a capital offense. However, the Sage Sovereign, as the Emperor of the Tang, may grant a special pardon."

Hoo—

These words were simply spoken too brilliantly, full of reason and evidence, while also accommodating human affection and sentiment.

It considered both the perspective of the Great Tang Empire and the private perspective of Li Shimin.

As emperor, as the Sage Sovereign of the Great Tang Empire, he had to execute Li You in accordance with the Great Tang Code; even though he reigned as emperor, he could not easily alter the code.

Traditionally, even an imperial prince who broke the law was punished the same as a commoner, let alone the grave crime of treason.

Yet, to highlight the emperor's authority and display the majestic prestige of the Sage Sovereign of the Great Tang Empire, there remained the loophole of a special pardon.

Just as Chu Suiliang's voice faded, a steady and resolute voice suddenly rang out.

"Reporting to the Sage Sovereign, this humble minister believes this must not be. The Great Tang Code was formulated by Emperor Gaozu and perfected by the Sage Sovereign; it cannot be casually pardoned—not even the Prince of Qi can be granted a special pardon."

Li Shimin had originally harbored a small, blissful thought, which instantly plummeted to freezing point. When he looked up, his heart grew even colder by half. It turned out to be him who had stepped forward.