diymy Chapter 12 Li Chengqian: Chang He, did I let you stand up?
Chapter 12 Li Chengqian: Chang He, did I let you stand up?
Li Chengqian laughed heartily: "Doesn't your butt hurt anymore?"
"What's the big deal about a mere superficial injury?"
"Serving the Crown Prince, even if I get a beating, or even if my legs are broken, I'll crawl if I have to," Du Zhenglun said.
Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian nodded: "Hmm, it seems your awareness has improved considerably; you've made progress!"
"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. I have written a memorial here. Please take a look when you have time." Du Zhenglun said, taking out a memorial from his pocket and handing it to Li Chengqian.
Li Chengqian took the memorial and glanced at it: "Good, I will definitely read it when I have time."
Li Tai bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have come uninvited."
Facing Li Tai again, Li Chengqian felt very uncomfortable.
Li Chengqian wanted to ask him, "What have I done to wrong you? Why do you want to kill me?"
However, he swallowed his words and forced a smile: "Alright, I am very grateful that you could take time out of your busy schedule to help."
"Why are we talking about these things between brothers?"
Li Chengqian nodded in agreement: "You're right."
At this moment, Li Chengqian noticed a person standing behind Li Tai, expressionless, whom he had never seen before.
"who is he?"
"Your Majesty, this is a new servant I have recruited named Qin Yong. On the one hand, he is quite obedient;
On the other hand, recently, I've been experiencing a dull headache that even the imperial physicians can't cure, but he has a solution. Whenever I have a headache, only he can relieve my pain, so I take him with me wherever I go." Li Tai's expression seemed a little unnatural as he said this.
Li Chengqian finally understood that his Li family had a hereditary disease called "wind disease".
"I see. Then let him come in."
The group followed Li Chengqian to the back garden.
This back garden is really huge, covering hundreds of acres, you can plant whatever you want.
Li Chengqian had previously instructed Yunjuan and Xiaoyue to prepare some materials such as wood, shovels, picks, and ropes.
So everyone got to work in a flurry of activity and enthusiasm.
Some people used shovels and picks to dig holes, some planted trees, and others tied horizontal and vertical trees together to form a "well" shaped frame.
Of course, among these people, apart from a few with ulterior motives, most of the others were just there to stir up trouble, and very few were actually capable of doing anything.
The grape trellis was crooked and looked as if it would fall over with a gust of wind, so Li Chengqian had to adjust it one by one.
Adjusting this is more difficult than digging it all over again.
Su Wan is a pampered young lady from a wealthy family. At home, she is waited on hand and foot and does nothing.
Seeing that Li Chengqian's forehead was covered in sweat, Su Wan took out a handkerchief from her bosom and wiped his sweat: "Your Highness, is your body so weak?"
Is that sweat or water on your face?
"Uh—," Li Chengqian glanced at her and said irritably, "Look at the way you've built this grape trellis, it's all crooked and messy."
I have to straighten them all out one by one, and for some I even have to dig new holes for.
Su Wan smiled and said, "Building a grape trellis is not like building a house, why are you taking it so seriously?"
"A little crooked is good, a little crooked is even better!"
"I don't approve of your attitude. When I do something, I either don't do it at all, or I do it well."
"If the holes for the grape trellis aren't dug deep enough, the wood will easily collapse after a heavy rain, requiring rework, which would be even more troublesome."
Su Wan listened and felt that what he said made sense: "Alright, you're the Crown Prince, you're right about everything, I won't argue with you, okay?"
"If you feel tired, go and rest over there."
"Not tired at all, this is just the beginning."
Just then, the servant named Qin Yong covered his stomach with both hands and said that his stomach hurt, meaning he needed to go to the toilet.
Li Tai cursed, "You're such a lazy bum, always pulling the millstone! The toilet's over there, hurry up and come back!"
"Hey!" Qin Yong clutched his stomach and ran towards the toilet.
Li Chengqian saw this and thought to himself, "You bastard Li Tai, you've only been here a short while and you're already trying to trip me up. Let's see what tricks you're up to today."
Li Tai glanced at Li Chengqian and saw that he looked completely at ease, seemingly unaware of anything, and was still reinforcing the grape trellis.
By evening, everyone had left, and at least ten or so frames had been erected.
night.
Stand in the main hall.
Li Shimin was having tea and chatting with Empress Zhangsun.
Li Shimin praised, "Tai'er contributed to Chengqian's coming-of-age ceremony this time."
As the master of ceremonies, he spoke at length, saying that based on Tai'er's performance at the coming-of-age ceremony, he felt that although Tai'er was still young, he had matured considerably and possessed a regal bearing.
Empress Zhangsun said, "You always exaggerate when you talk about Tai'er."
Did he say anything?
All they said were a few technical terms and clichés; they didn't say a single thing that was truly their own or constructive. What's there to be proud of?
Your Majesty, I find the speeches of Master Kong and Minister of Rites Chen Shuda to be quite profound.
Li Tai is still young and needs more training.
"You're right."
"So what did you think of Chengqian's performance at his coming-of-age ceremony?"
Li Shimin took a sip of tea and said calmly, "It's alright, nothing particularly good or bad."
Empress Zhangsun looked at Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, don't you think what you're saying is unfair?"
There's a saying: "It's easy to talk when you're not the one suffering."
Chengqian had a ailment in his left leg, which made him different from a normal person. Even a normal person would find it difficult to stand for several hours in that situation, but Chengqian persevered.
In addition, I heard that Master Kong often rebuked him to his face and frequently submitted memorials to impeach the Crown Prince.
However, Chengqian was able to bow and pay his respects to his teacher on that occasion.
This fully demonstrates that Chengqian is a broad-minded person who respects his teachers and knows how to be grateful; he can be considered a role model for the princes.
After hearing this, Li Shimin had to admire Empress Zhangsun's observation and analytical abilities: "So, Chengqian is indeed a strong and tolerant person."
"Exactly."
Just then, a guard entered from outside, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, someone has reported that a wooden figurine was found in the Eastern Palace, and that the Crown Prince is cursing Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Empress Zhangsun was struck dumb, her body trembled three times, and she almost fainted.
Li Shimin's expression also changed drastically. Although he did not believe in witchcraft as deeply as Emperor Wu of Han, he was still very disgusted by it.
He was also eager to find out the truth, so he said to the guard, "Immediately issue an edict ordering Chang He to mobilize a thousand imperial guards to surround the Eastern Palace. Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we must dig out that wooden figure for me!"
"promise!"
The guard agreed and turned to leave.
"Your Majesty, you can't do this," Empress Zhangsun advised. "If you do this, it will seriously affect the Crown Prince's position in court. I dare to guarantee with my own integrity that the Crown Prince is definitely not that kind of person."
However, Li Shimin did not heed Empress Zhangsun's advice this time, and angrily said: "Before the imperial power, there are not only no brothers, but also no fathers and sons, there are only rulers and subjects."
Li Chengqian was busy working during the day and had no time to read the memorials. At this moment, he was working overtime to review the memorials.
He also took out the memorial that Du Zhenglun had given him, unfolded it and read it. The gist of it was that Du Zhenglun, based on his previous toast to the King of Yue, believed that the King of Yue was a person who was ambitious, narrow-minded, arrogant, hypocritical, and ruthless, and that the Crown Prince should be wary of him.
At this moment, a message popped up on the screen of the strategy simulator: [Does the host wish to open it?]
Before Li Chengqian could even click the open button, the message opened automatically: [Urgent situation! The Emperor is furious and has dispatched a thousand Imperial Guards to surround the Eastern Palace. Should we flee?]
Li Chengqian's heart sank suddenly, as if he had stepped off a towering building and lost his footing.
Li Chengqian never expected that his father would listen to slander so easily. He wondered who had said a few unfounded things to him, and why he would treat him like this. Were the words he said when he performed the coming-of-age ceremony for him a few days ago all lies?
At this moment, he finally understood the feeling of Crown Prince Liu Ju, who was unable to defend himself, and realized why he had rebelled.
The bond between father and son is the closest of human relationships, but it is worthless in the face of imperial power. This is not surprising, as Li Shimin forced Emperor Gaozu of Tang to abdicate in the same way, and Li Yuan became the only founding emperor in history to be forced to abdicate.
Having learned from past mistakes, Li Shimin certainly didn't want to become a second Li Yuan, so he preferred to believe it was true rather than not.
run away?
Li Chengqian thought to himself that this suggestion was utterly ridiculous!
Where can I escape to?
This world belongs to the Tang Dynasty. No matter how far I run, can I escape my father's sphere of influence?
No matter how powerful Sun Wukong is, can he escape the palm of the Buddha?
Thinking of this, Li Chengqian let out a long sigh: "I'm not going anywhere, I'll just sit here and wait for them."
[Wrong answer! Extremely serious consequences! You have a versatile wheelchair, and you can run faster than a thoroughbred horse; you can easily escape!]
Li Chengqian thought to himself that if he ran away now, it would be tantamount to confirming the false accusation and showing that he had something to hide. If he had nothing to hide, why would he run away?
"No, I will never run away!"
The footsteps grew closer, and suddenly there was a loud bang as Chang He kicked open the gate to the East Palace.
Who is Chang He?
He played a crucial role in the Xuanwu Gate Incident, specifically by allowing Li Shimin's army to enter.
Without his help, Li Shimin would not have been able to achieve victory in the Xuanwu Gate Incident.
Now, in his eyes there is only the emperor. No one else, no matter how high your rank or how great your official position, is of no concern to him.
He led dozens of imperial guards and barged in from outside.
Although Li Chengqian was nervous inside, it was not obvious on the surface.
He put down the memorial in his hand and slowly said, "Chang He, what brings you to my Eastern Palace in the dead of night with the Imperial Guards? Are you here to arrest me?"
Chang He thought to himself that His Majesty had only sent him to search, not to arrest the Crown Prince.
Thinking of this, he said, "Someone reported that the Crown Prince buried a wooden figure in the Eastern Palace to curse His Majesty!"
Therefore, His Majesty sent me to search!
"I see. Until the truth is clear, I am still the Crown Prince, am I?"
"yes!"
No one can deny that Li Chengqian is the current crown prince of the Tang Dynasty.
"So, this is how you treat me? Where is the proper etiquette between ruler and subject?" Li Chengqian's gaze was intense.
Chang He saw the Crown Prince sitting there as steady as Mount Tai, unhurried and calm, as if he had everything under control.
He pondered that what the Crown Prince said wasn't without reason. After all, he and the Emperor were father and son. Whether the wooden man actually existed or not was still uncertain. Furthermore, even if he did exist, the Emperor might not necessarily depose the Crown Prince. What he was doing seemed a bit inappropriate.
After thinking for a moment, he stepped forward, knelt on the ground, and said, "This humble general greets Your Highness!"
When the soldiers saw Chang He kneel down, they all knelt down as well.
Li Chengqian nodded slightly: "It's normal that someone has falsely accused me!"
Because too many people want to bring me down.
You may search, but I must remind you that you will have to pay for any damaged items. After you have searched, you must return all items to their original locations.
Although Chang He was brave and skilled, he also sensed that the Crown Prince was no ordinary person, and his words carried an irresistible power.
"promise!"
Chang He agreed, stood up, and was about to order his men to begin the search.
With a loud "smack," Li Chengqian slammed the document down: "Chang He, did I tell you to stand up?"
Li Chengqian stared sharply at Chang He, his gaze filled with authority that made it impossible for anyone to look him in the eye.
Having no other choice, Chang He knelt down again and bowed once more: "Your Highness, this humble general has come to search on the Emperor's orders. I humbly request Your Highness's permission."
Li Chengqian looked at him and remained silent for a long time. The air was heavy, and no one dared to make a sound.
Finally, Li Chengqian broke the silence: "Yes, all of you, get up. We can begin the search."
Although it was just a simple action of kneeling down and getting up, it made everyone feel uneasy.
When Li Shimin launched the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Chengqian was only eight years old. However, after these years of growth and tempering, Chang He felt that the Crown Prince was no longer the little boy he once was. When he stood up again, a little cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
The guards, upon seeing their leader bow down and submit, were no longer as arrogant and domineering as before.
They searched carefully, afraid of damaging a single item, because they couldn't afford to pay for it if anything was broken.
After searching for about an hour, each group came to report to Chang He that they had not found the Tongmu Man.
Chang He began to have doubts. Wasn't it said that the Tongmu Man was hiding in the toilet of the East Palace?
So, after determining the location of the toilet, he decided to search it himself.
His footsteps slowly drew closer...