Chapter 4916 Between Brothers

Chapter 4916 Between Brothers
Zhaoling Mausoleum is located on the south side of Jiuyi Mountain. The wind coming from the north is blocked and scattered by the majestic mountains. The mausoleum is covered with heavy snow. The mountains are steep and majestic. Even though the emperor is sleeping underground, he still looks down on China with his unparalleled achievements.

It snows heavily and silently.

Prince Li Tai of Wei knelt on the futon. Li Chengqian walked into the hall and looked up at the statues of Emperor Taizong and Empress Wende enshrined above. His thoughts drifted away like the dancing snowflakes outside the hall. He remembered that Emperor Taizong launched a mutiny at Xuanwu Gate and stormed into Taiji Palace to "rebel and usurp the throne". His mother took him and his brothers to the Qin Palace without knowing it, until the whole Chang'an City was covered in blood. Xue Wanche led his elite troops and clamored to slaughter the Qin Palace to avenge Crown Prince Li Jiancheng...

From then on, this branch of the Qin King ascended the throne, and the supreme power was passed down from generation to generation, and they became extremely wealthy.

But at the same time, the struggle for imperial power ignited like a flame from the moment he was named the Crown Prince, and it was in full swing.

Fortunately, he did not succumb to his father's dislike and his brothers' attacks, and he inherited the throne as he wished.

Successful people should be more generous. All past grudges can be blown away like passing clouds by the wind and snow. As a king, he should show his magnanimity and benevolence.

Even though Zhinu rebelled and almost overthrew him from the throne, he could be forgiven. What did Qingque's actions matter to him?

……

"Get up, go sit in the side hall. It's rare for us brothers to have time to talk together."

Li Chengqian walked into the side hall with his hands behind his back.

The Offering Hall is the center of the entire imperial mausoleum's ground buildings. It is used for the main sacrifice during sacrifices. It has five doors and dozens of rooms. Usually, there are elderly eunuchs who take care of and maintain it, and naturally there is also a place for people to live.

Li Tai got up from the ground, rubbed his sore knees, and followed Li Chengqian.

In the side hall, the eunuch tidied up briefly, laid a carpet near the window, lit a fire, boiled water, made a pot of hot tea and placed it on a coffee table, then left out the door, leaving the two brothers sitting opposite each other.

Li Tai held the pot and poured tea.

Li Chengqian took a sip from the teacup and exhaled, "Why do you do this?"

Li Tai held the teacup, and his almost frozen hands slowly warmed up. Hearing this, he smiled bitterly and said, "Many times, the development of things does not depend on what I think, but on whether I am useful. I am also forced to do this."

Li Chengqian was silent, looked at Li Tai, and asked, "What do you think about the throne?"

Li Tai hesitated for a moment, thinking that he should show his sincerity: "To be honest, I don't even believe that I have no desire for the throne. After all, it is the supreme position in the world, who can remain indifferent? However, if my father had given me this position, I would have accepted it with ease and with joy. Now you want me to snatch it from your majesty, and then kill my brothers and sisters to prevent future troubles. I will not do it, and I cannot do it."

This was indeed his heartfelt words, and was also the important reason why Fang Jun was able to persuade him to give up the fight for the throne.

The crown prince is Li Chengqian. If Li Tai comes to the throne, Li Chengqian will certainly die. He may even have to kill all his descendants just like his father did to the hidden crown prince Li Jiancheng to prevent future troubles.

He ascended the throne as the second legitimate son, not the successor. So could Zhinu also follow suit?

So Zhinu also had to be killed.

Although Li Ke was far away in Silla, he was the blood of two dynasties and was of supreme importance. If he led his army back to the Tang Dynasty and raised the banner of revenge for Li Chengqian, he would surely attract many followers. He would be a real threat and must be killed.

King Li Yin of Shu and Li Ke are brothers from the same mother. Regardless of whether they have the intention to avenge their brother, they must be killed...

He had a bitter face and sighed, "If I am not the heir, then I am not legitimate and I don't want to sit on the throne securely and eliminate future troubles, I must keep killing people... But I am not as decisive as my father. I can't do it, and I am afraid that I will be criticized in history books and be infamous for thousands of years."

It is said that Emperor Li II was cruel and ruthless. Not only did he kill his brother, he also slaughtered all of Li Chengqian's descendants. In fact, this has nothing to do with whether Emperor Li II was cruel and ruthless. Many times, when things develop to that point, the situation will push you to do those things.

Even if you don't do it, someone will do it for you.

The throne belongs to Majesty Li II alone, but the interests do not. All those who followed Majesty Li II in the Xuanwu Gate uprising were swept up in huge interests. No one would allow Majesty Li II to threaten everyone's interests by leaving behind troubles because of a momentary weakness.

Even if you become emperor.

So Li Tai knew that even if he succeeded in usurping the throne, he would have to kill all his brothers one by one...

Of course, the most crucial reason is that he did not think he could successfully usurp the throne.

Li Chengqian nodded, agreeing with Li Tai's words.

He also did not think that Li Tai could emulate the Xuanwu Gate Incident and "revolt and usurp the throne". His father had made great contributions, the "Tian Ce Palace" was full of talented people, and he had more than 100,000 soldiers under his command, which was why he was able to succeed. But Li Tai has nothing now. What's the use of just relying on the title of "Emperor Taizong's legitimate son"?

If the emperor had deposed me and appointed Li Tai as the crown prince, then Li Tai could have successfully inherited the throne after his father's death, because there would be too many civil and military officials loyal to his father who would support Li Tai, who had the right to succeed him. But since his father failed to depose him as the crown prince, Li Tai naturally had no hope.

After taking a sip of tea, Li Chengqian said, "Just now, the ministers in the hall discussed to demote you. After all, you made too much trouble this time, so I had to follow their advice. But you will retain all your assignments. Stay here for a few days and then set off for Luoyang. Don't participate in the heaven and ancestor sacrifices, so as to avoid the noise of those civil officials."

Li Tai nodded.

Li Chengqian added: "Don't worry. After this crisis is over, I will definitely find a way to re-confer your title of king. How can the son of Emperor Taizong and Empress Wende be just a prince?"

Li Tai was moved and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The side hall was a little cold, but the atmosphere was warm. Li Chengqian smiled and said, "I am very pleased that you are willing to tarnish your reputation and violate etiquette to make it clear that you have no intention of coveting the throne. Compared with Zhinu, you have indeed done more and better. Therefore, it should be Zhinu who kneels here to my father and mother."

Everything is afraid of comparison. Although he knew that Li Tai's original intention of doing so was to escape from the vortex of the throne, it was an indisputable fact that he, Li Chengqian, benefited from it.

On the other hand, what did Zhinu do?

He actually joined forces with the Guandong samurai clan to invade Guanzhong and usurp the throne, which was tantamount to indirectly killing all his brothers and sisters...

Li Tai quickly advised, "Zhi Nu is young and can be easily deceived by those around him and do wrong things, but he still respects us brothers in his heart. Fortunately, he did not make a big mistake. Brother, please let him off the hook and he will surely be influenced. Throughout history, brothers have fought against each other for the throne and killed each other. This is a test of human nature. Father has taught us to be friendly and respectful to each other since we were young, and I will definitely not let you down."

After Emperor Li II ascended the throne, he may not have much regret about "killing his brothers" and "massacring the entire family". However, he must have been tortured by the world's perception, public opinion, and even the evaluation recorded in history, as well as his own conscience.

Therefore, he paid great attention to the education of his sons, teaching them to be "friendly to each other and respectful to each other", to be "sincere and loving to each other", and to know how to be "humble"... Although the effect was not good and the means might not be right, this was indeed the original intention.

"Chi Nu..." Li Chengqian sighed, "He has been married for quite some time, but now he has nothing to do in the mansion. He is busy all day with women on his left and right, but none of his concubines, including Wang, have any children. I don't know what's going on."

Li Tai was shocked. "No heir" was a serious matter. "Should we send an imperial physician to diagnose?"

Li Chengqian glared at him and said dissatisfiedly, "You don't suspect me of any tricks, do you? I can't do such a thing as exterminating a family! Several groups of imperial doctors from the palace went there, but they all said that there was nothing wrong with Zhinu's body. They just said that there was a chance of pregnancy and that she just had to wait... I wanted to find Taoist Sun to take a look, but the academy said that Taoist Sun took a few students to Tianshan Mountain to pick a few Tianshan snow lotuses for experiments to verify whether the miraculous effects mentioned in the medical skills were true. He won't be back for a while."

"Your Majesty, Chi Nu must be treated no matter what!"

Li Tai was very nervous. In his opinion, even if Li Zhi lost his life for treason, it would not be as serious as not being able to have children and thus having no descendants...

"I'll keep this in mind."

Li Chengqian put down his teacup, looked up at the sky outside, and said gently: "You stay here for a few days, and then set off for Luoyang. Do your job well, and as long as you don't make any mistakes, I will find a chance to return the title to you."

"Here."

Li Tai agreed, but hesitated to speak.

Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows: "Why should we be shy between brothers? Just say whatever you want to say."

Li Tai then said, "Li Shenfu is a perverse and scheming person. He has already revealed his rebellious intentions. I dare not criticize your majesty's thoughts, but I still want to remind you that your majesty is responsible for the Li Tang dynasty and the well-being of billions of people in the world. You must not be careless!"

The Tang Dynasty was now thriving and powerful, dominating the world, its national might unrivaled in the four seas and conquering the eight wildernesses. It was the critical moment to lay a solid foundation for eternity. He hardly dared to think about what kind of internal and external troubles would arise once the throne was replaced and the regime was handed over.

"Don't worry. I'm not the kind of person who takes risks. Once the situation gets out of my control, I will take immediate action. However, everything is under control right now. I can take this opportunity to lure out those rebellious people and put an end to them once and for all."

"Your Majesty is wise, I am the one who worries too much."

Li Tai said no more.

A brother is a brother and an emperor is an emperor. When a brother becomes an emperor, he is no longer just a brother. Some things should just be said in moderation. If you keep nagging, it will be counterproductive.

(End of this chapter)