I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 531 - 49: Liaodong Suian, Upheaval in the Imperial Court

Upon hearing this, Chai Lingwu also fell silent for a moment, letting out a soft sigh.

The current situation for their faction was indeed like walking on thin ice, fraught with danger.

However—

This was by no means a dead end!

As long as Li Shimin’s health remained stable and the future uncertain, there was still a slim chance for a turnaround!

Thinking of this, Chai Lingwu’s gaze suddenly became as sharp as a knife.

He adjusted his robe and sat upright on the Master’s Chair beside Li Tai, leaning slightly forward, and solemnly said, "Your Highness! Such thoughts of giving up must never occur again!"

"Does Your Highness not know, we have long followed Your Highness on this path, behind us—there is an abyss with no retreat possible!"

"The Crown Prince has been supervising the kingdom for a long time, his temperament and methods, does Your Highness still not see clearly?"

"Does Your Highness really believe..." Chai Lingwu’s voice lowered, carrying a kind of nearly cruel clarity, "that even if we surrender now, cut off our wings, the Crown Prince will spare us a path to survival once he ascends to the throne?"

"Will he tolerate a prince who once vied with him and who deeply enjoyed imperial favor?"

The answer was a bloody, self-evident one.

The nature of Li Chengqian, who among the court officials does not know?

His governance mirrors Li Shimin’s heroic strategy, yet his character is increasingly obstinate and vengeful. Should Li Chengqian inherit the throne one day, even if he could spare Li Tai, what about his followers?

Court intrigue and the struggle for succession have been like this since ancient times.

Once a step is taken, like an arrow leaving the bow, there is no turning back.

Whether for Li Tai himself or Chai Lingwu and his loyalists, they can only move forward.

On hearing this, Li Tai’s expression also changed suddenly, a trace of fear flickered in his eyes: "What do you mean by that?"

"Could it be that once the Crown Prince ascends, he will still kill this king?"

"But we are... brothers."

His voice grew weaker as he spoke.

Because he couldn’t help but ponder a question, whether he would spare Li Chengqian and his other brothers if he ascended the throne.

Evidently, he would not.

As for the other brothers, let’s leave those aside, but Li Chengqian must die no matter what.

That was certain.

In an instant, the color drained from his face, and his eyes revealed an unconcealable fear, his voice carried a faint tremble as he almost lost his composure, clutching Chai Lingwu’s sleeve in desperation:

"Then... then what should be done now?!"

"The Crown Prince governs and holds great power! Father is on a distant expedition to Liaodong, beyond reach!"

Li Tai spoke rapidly, as if trying to divulge the panic accumulating in his heart, "In the court, the ministers shy away from me like I’m a plague god!"

"Even if I don’t become despondent, what can I do?!"

The overwhelming sense of helplessness and fear of the future completely seized Li Tai, throwing him into chaos.

Clearly, Chai Lingwu had long had a plan.

With a resolute gaze, he suddenly stood up, leaned down to Li Tai’s ear, and began to whisper strategies in a low voice.

With Chai Lingwu’s whispers, Li Tai’s expression changed dramatically, from initial suspicion and doubt, through a struggle and deliberation, finally turning into a disbelief filled with dread.

"If... if we follow this plan..." Li Tai’s voice was extremely dry, his Adam’s apple bobbed, "those... those who go to advise... wouldn’t it be... a matter of life and death?!"

"Hmph!" Chai Lingwu snorted coldly, his face showed no emotion, only a near ruthless clarity, "Your Highness! Whether we advance or retreat, we are licking blood off the blade, danger at every step!"

"Sitting and waiting to die is certain death;"

"Executing this risky move, as long as His Majesty returns safely, we might carve out a narrow chance in a desperate situation!"

"Why not?!"

Li Tai’s brows were still tightly furrowed, his eyes still struggled, after a moment of silence, he hesitantly asked: "Doesn’t this plan make this king seem... too ruthless and unfeeling?"

Chai Lingwu’s strategy was quite simple.

It was to have Li Tai’s confidants continually advise against Li Chengqian.

He was gambling—

Gambling that Li Chengqian’s nature would get the better of him, leading to some drastic error.

As long as he did so, when Li Shimin returned to the court, he would surely be furious and might directly strip Li Chengqian of his position as Crown Prince.

"To accomplish great things, one cannot be constrained by minor matters!" Chai Lingwu declared decisively, bowing deeply towards Li Tai, his words were unwavering, "Your Highness only needs to make a solemn vow to ensure their families’ wealth and stability, and it would be a great favor!"

"As for us—we will pledge our lives for Your Highness, facing a thousand deaths without regret!"

The study was as silent as death.

Li Tai’s gaze was fixed on Chai Lingwu’s face, which was filled with determination and loyalty, time seemed to freeze.

He remained silent for a long time, and ultimately nodded slowly.

...

Time flew by swiftly.

The urgent war report was finally delivered back.

When it was heard that the royal army had breached Pyongyang and Li Shimin was in good health, returning soon.

—The entire court of the Great Tang was in a great uproar!

The tense atmosphere dissipated instantly, and Li Chengqian was overjoyed, immediately ordering the news of the Tang Army’s great victory to be spread far and wide.

He then planned to hold a grand ceremony, allowing the people of the realm to celebrate together.

This is the current Great Tang.

Its national power had reached a remarkably extravagant level, holding a ceremony was naturally no challenge.

Although this action seemed somewhat overstepping, Li Chengqian held the authority of regency, so it was also justifiable.

But, thus without any surprise.

No sooner had Li Chengqian spoken of this matter, he was immediately met with a group of ministers’ "advice".

Their reasons were still based on Li Chengqian’s status as Crown Prince being incongruent with holding a grand public ceremony, coupled with Li Shimin’s advocacy for frugality.

While this matter seemed normal, given the political climate of Great Tang.

The ministers also quickly perceived something amiss.

Because those giving advice were almost all followers of Prince Wei, Li Tai.

Chai Lingwu was right, these ministers had no other choice either.

Because Li Chengqian was too indifferent towards them.

This was the greatest difference between Li Chengqian and Li Shimin, after the Xuanwu Gate incident, Li Shimin would recruit talented individuals from under Li Jiancheng.

But Li Chengqian would not.

Ever since he started governing as regent, he had been deliberately sidelining them, using a series of tactics to weaken their authority.

Such actions predetermined that these people would not align with him.

To preserve their power, they could only support Prince Wei, Li Tai, to the end.

Invisible struggles instantly surged within the Great Tang.

The court was in an uproar.

Ministers began discussing the matter, some supported Li Chengqian’s actions, others did not.

Moreover, this was not the end.

Ever since that day, whenever Li Chengqian attempted anything, the court would immediately be filled with ministerial remonstrations, irrespective of its significance.

Even though Li Chengqian did not overtly breach ceremonial rites, those advised endlessly criticized his "conduct," persevering relentlessly.

Among these criticisms, his extravagance became the most vulnerable flaw in his character, easily attacked and hard to defend.

Within the Eastern Palace, the furnishings grew increasingly luxurious, the utensils more and more exquisite.

Since Li Shimin had been on campaign for a long time, Li Chengqian’s lifestyle visibly swelled.

Even the ministers couldn’t defend him on this matter.

The court was in turmoil.

The ministers all understood what this represented.

Precisely because of this, the majority of non-partisan ministers became increasingly cautious, not daring to take sides.

Although Li Chengqian always exercised restraint.

But as these incidents became more frequent, he grew increasingly irritable and volatile, only Gu Lei could slowly calm his mood.

And then, half a month later, the fuse was finally ignited.

When Li Chengqian intended to hold an unprecedentedly costly and grand mourning ceremony for his late mother, Empress Changsun, those familiar, deeply detested voices of remonstration surged once more!

The repressed volcano, erupted with a roar!

Returning to the Eastern Palace, an utterly repressed Li Chengqian behaved as if possessed.

His eyes were bloodshot, veins bulging, he charged before the imperial desk, violently sweeping his arms—

"Crash—!!!"

The desk, piled high with memorials, brushes, inkstones, paperweights... were fiercely swept to the ground by him.

"Kill... Kill them..."

Li Chengqian’s chest heaved violently, his voice twisted and low, filled with murderous intent in his eyes.

"I must kill them!!"

Thinking of the faces of those advising against him, the rage in his heart surged higher, his voice ever louder:

"I must kill them!!!".....

...

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