Crown Prince's Counterattack

Li Shimin returned to the office with a gloomy face. After entering the study, he ordered his servants not to disturb him, and locked himself in the room alone.

He really didn't expect that when the matter came to such a point, his father still trusted the prince so much, even if the assassin personally identified him, his father was still resolute. From his standpoint, it was a little shocking.

Originally, he thought that his father must have taken a fancy to him when he named him the King of Qin. After all, he is also a noble son. His father is old and his elder brother is in his prime. Feeling dissatisfied, what happened to Concubine Yin last time must have made the royal father jealous of the prince, as long as the royal father gave up his elder brother, then the greatest opportunity would belong to him.

It's just that his father valued his eldest brother, which he never expected. The fact is before his eyes, and his father still ignored it. Even though he was suspicious of his elder brother's assassination of his father, it was not as good as his father's blind favoritism.

Sitting in the study, Li Shimin became more and more worried. If his father's attitude remained unchanged, it would be impossible for him to inherit the throne in the least convincing way. Li Shimin was a little hesitant.However, the most urgent task at the moment is to thoroughly settle the case of the prince's assassination of the father. The evidence of the crime is conclusive, and even the father cannot stop the mouth of the world.

Li Shimin breathed a sigh of relief, and only waited for dawn before entering the palace to face the saint.

But there are always things that happen unexpectedly.

In the early morning of the next day, a decree was passed down from the palace to urgently summon the King of Qin to the palace to face the saint.

"Evil! Don't kneel down for me!"

As soon as Li Shimin entered the room, he saw Li Yuan standing in front of the desk with a face as heavy as water, and the crown prince Sima Yi was standing beside him. He was about to stand up when he was about to stand up when he was hit on the face by a stack of memorials. He couldn't react.

Hearing Li Yuan's scolding, Li Shimin subconsciously knelt down on the ground again, but he still didn't understand what happened.

Li Shimin raised his head and met Sima Yi's eyes. Sima Yi looked down at him with a cold look in his eyes. Li Shimin suddenly had a feeling that everything that happened now had something to do with his good brother.

"I really didn't expect that you, a good son, dared to send someone to assassinate me, and even wanted to blame your elder brother. You are really ambitious. You really disappointed me."

Li Yuan's tone was heavy, he covered his heart, his face flushed red, accompanied by heavy panting.

Sima Yi hurriedly supported him to sit down, smoothed his back, trying to calm him down.

"Father, don't be angry, the second brother was just confused for a while, please forgive him for the sake of the queen mother"

Sima Yi lowered his head, his tone was a bit disappointed, but at this moment he was trying to comfort Li Yuan, but it made people feel distressed for no reason.

"I've wronged you..."

Li Yuan sighed, even though Shimin made such a big mistake, for the sake of his dead wife and his third son who died young, he couldn't really do anything to this child.

However, what this child did really disappointed him. In order to fight for this position that does not belong to him, he really did all kinds of vicious things, which is really chilling.He didn't believe that this matter was done by his eldest son, because Jiancheng had a stable and gentle personality, and he had no reason to do such a thing. On the contrary, he still had some doubts about Shimin, but he didn't expect that this investigation was really like this. Disappointment is not even enough to describe his current mood, and the originally hesitant thoughts in his heart are firm at this moment.

Shimin has been fighting abroad for many years, and he has a great influence in the army. This is a good thing, but now it makes him a little worried, and he feels that his health is getting worse these years, so before this , he must help Jiancheng pave the road, so that he can feel at ease.

Li Shimin was almost stunned, but it was only one night, why did he feel that everything was out of control, he almost didn't know the world, wasn't the elder brother who sent someone to assassinate his father?What does it have to do with him! ! !

"Father, I have never done such a thing, you must be aware of it! Don't be fooled by some villains."

"Presumptuous, who are you referring to as a villain? Do you think that I am a foolish king? Things have come to this point, and you dare to speak hard. Take a good look at these things yourself!"

After speaking, Li Yuan threw a stack of things in front of Li Shimin.

Li Shimin quickly picked it up and looked at it carefully. The more he looked, the paler his face became. The people above are indeed his people, and even have many confidantes, but none of the confessions above are true. He didn't tell them at all. do these things...

This is obviously a conspiracy. In response to his conspiracy, Li Shimin raised his head to look at Sima Yi, and Sima Yi showed him a kind smile.

All of these are self-directed and self-acted shows!

Li Shimin deeply realized the essence of this matter.

Sima Yi smiled, what's the use of thinking about it now, everything is a foregone conclusion, and His Royal Highness Qin Wang has become a turtle in the urn.

Afterwards, although Li Yuan found an unimportant person to replace the crime, and did not seem to have done much to punish Li Shimin, his love and trust for him were not as good as before, and he even secretly suppressed his power. The old fritters who have been around for many years, seeing the development of things like this, sensitively sensed that their Highness Qin Wang might have lost his sacred heart, so their choice after that is self-evident.

"Your Highness, how did things turn out like this!"

"How does this king know!!!"

Li Shimin's mood was also very depressed. The situation that was originally good suddenly turned around, and the rapid development of things really made it hard for him to accept.

Li Yuan's eccentricity was the most difficult for him to accept. The assassin accused him on the spot that he didn't believe it, but he immediately gave up on himself because of a bunch of inexplicable evidence.

"Your Highness, it's better for you to plan ahead for the current situation. If you wait until the crown prince ascends the throne..."

Behind the reluctance to speak is deep panic. During these days, the family has been considered neglected. His Majesty values ​​the crown prince, and even the highnesses who have a good relationship with the crown prince are somewhat disheartened towards His Highness King Qin , if this goes on, not to mention planning for wealth, even if you want to hold on to your life, it will not be easy.

Everyone's mood seemed a little depressed, and many people even secretly planned their own way out, and everyone's face was a bit dazed and apprehensive.

"Since that's the case, you can't blame me for being cruel!"

Li Shimin's face was a bit ferocious, he clenched his fists tightly, his eyes showed determination, he had to be thankful for the prestige he had accumulated in the army for many years, even Li Yuan would not easily deprive him of his natural status because of scruples , It also gave him more confidence at this critical juncture.

Everyone was startled at first, but after being relieved, the feelings in their hearts were really complicated. They were both apprehensive and full of ambition, and they were even more excited when they were panicked...

"Wuji, what do you think?"

Li Shimin immediately looked at Changsun Wuji. As a friend for many years, his wife-in-law, and his trusted adviser, he is unique in Li Shimin's heart. At this time, he especially hopes to get his support.

"Your Highness has made a decision, and I will definitely assist you with all my strength."

Changsun Wuji stood up and saluted, expressing his determination. He knew his brother-in-law's temperament best after years of getting along with him. Now that he had already made a decision, it would be useless to say anything else. Besides, given the current situation, it might not be a good choice. As for how it is recorded in the history books, there are only four words: winners and losers!

Li Shimin smiled, looking in the direction of the imperial city, his eyes flashed the light of what he must win.

□□Continuous friction with Donggong.In the ninth year of Wude, Sima Yi entered the palace and advised Li Yuan to expel Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, and strictly prohibited them from seeing each other. □□Many civil and military officials were dismissed and released, leaving only Changsun Wuji, Gao Shilian, Yu Chigong and Zhang Gongjin in the mansion.Everyone felt panic all day long, so they advised Li Shimin to take action as soon as possible to kill Li Jiancheng and force Li Yuan to abdicate.

In the early morning of June [-]th, Li Shimin led Qin Qiong, Yu Chigong, Cheng Zhijie, Hou Junji and others to set up an ambush at Xuanwu Gate. Prince Li Jiancheng and Qi Wang Li Yuanji were summoned to enter the palace. When they arrived at the Linhu Palace, Sima Yi suddenly called out Li Yuanji.

"Fourth brother, something is wrong. The guards' eyes look full of murderous intent. Let's leave quickly."

After speaking, Sima Yi pulled Li Yuanji to leave.

Li Shimin had been planning for so long, so of course he refused to let go of this opportunity, so he had no choice but to show up and lead a group of soldiers to chase after him.

Sima Yi's troops were somewhat outnumbered, so they could only protect the two Highnesses and retreat until it was impossible to retreat.

"Second brother, you dare to bring soldiers and horses to force the palace to rebel. The emperor will definitely punish you severely. If you disarm and surrender at this moment, and personally plead guilty to the emperor, for the sake of the brotherhood of many years, I am willing to go to the father for you. The emperor begged for mercy, so don't be obsessed with it!"

Sima Yi stood in front of the formation and shouted loudly.

"Brother's kindness, I appreciate the kindness of the second brother, but when I take control of the palace, who else can punish me? On the contrary, the elder brother might as well surrender to me, for the sake of my mother and compatriots, when I become the emperor , I will definitely not treat my elder brother badly, what do you think?"

"Li Shimin, you really are an ambitious wolf!"

Li Yuanji, who was standing on the side, couldn't see it anymore, so he rushed up and pointed at Li Shimin and cursed.

"It turns out to be the fourth brother. Sure enough, we have a deep brotherhood with the eldest brother. It's hard to protect ourselves, but he still wants to stand up for him. It's really unpleasant to see!"

Li Shimin was not angry either, his mind was particularly clear at this moment.

"There is a disparity in the strength of the army. It is better for the eldest brother to put down his sword and not let the situation get out of hand. After all, I have been a brother for many years, so I don't want to be too cruel."

"It seems that Shimin, you are really obsessed with ghosts. I am a dignified prince, and I will never surrender to you and other traitors."

"Since this is the case, don't blame me for being cruel, come here, let the arrows go"

Seeing that Sima Yi remained unmoved, Li Shimin's expression changed, and he gave orders to the soldiers behind him ruthlessly.

"How? Did you find it?"

"Back to the prince, only a few charred corpses were found"

"Are you sure it's them?"

"I'm sure, they found a jade ring that symbolizes their identity. Although it is a little damaged, it does not hinder identification."

"Since that's the case, let's bury him properly. After all, he was once the prince of a country."

Li Shimin's face was silent, and the people around him didn't dare to speak up, they stood quietly behind him.

Li Shimin could have been captured alive, but Li Shimin didn't expect that his elder brother would rather commit suicide than surrender, and he could only watch all this happen, but maybe this is not a bad thing, and he would avoid the end of being humiliated.

"Let's go, it's time to meet our Emperor His Majesty"

After dispelling the inexplicable feeling in his heart, Li Shimin tidied up and went straight to Li Yuan's bedroom.

***********

Li Shimin stood at the entrance of the hall with a complicated expression, and the guards surrounded the entire hall.

He took a deep breath and pushed open the door forcefully.

"You came……"

Li Yuan's eyes were red, his voice was tired, he looked like he had aged ten years overnight, and he looked very weak.

Li Shimin opened his mouth, then swallowed it back, but looked at Li Yuan with deep eyes.

"What did you do to your brother?"

"Even at this moment, what you care most about is elder brother..."

Li Shimin's tone was very melancholy, with an indescribable feeling in his heart, or perhaps a sigh of relief.

"He's dead, bum-bone-young-ash"

Li Shimin stared at him firmly, and told Li Yuan word by word, seeing his gradually pale face, felt indescribably happy.

"Snapped!"

Li Shimin stood there stiffly, with blood dripping from his forehead, and a broken porcelain cup lay on the ground.

Li Yuan gasped continuously, staring at Li Shimin fiercely.

Li Shimin laughed suddenly, and his laughter kept echoing in the hall, and then the smile gradually faded, and his eyes became colder and colder.

He touched his forehead, and rubbed his hand with the bright red blood.

"Father looks very angry, but what to do, he is dead, dead completely."

Li Shimin said indifferently.

"Nie Zhan, he is your big brother!"

Li Yuan yelled at Li Shimin at the top of his lungs, tears poured down his face, how sad it is to have a white-haired man send a black-haired man to a whole-year-old man.

Li Shimin watched indifferently, even such a scene could not move him at all.

"No way, who made him always want to block my way, and I don't want to be like this. It's your fault. If you were fairer, then this thing might not have happened."

Li Shimin looked at Li Yuan with hatred on his face, why is he the first prince, but he will always be inferior to others, how can he not compare to the eldest brother, why everyone can't see his existence, so don't blame him for being cruel .

Li Yuan looked at Li Shimin in shock. He didn't know why this kid turned black and white like this, but seeing Li Shimin's righteous face, he sighed helplessly and looked sad.

"You're right, it's my fault"

Li Shimin's face was happy, but after listening to Li Yuan's next words, his face suddenly became extremely ugly.

"You shouldn't have been born at all, so nothing will happen"

Li Yuan even blamed himself secretly. If it wasn't for his selfishness, perhaps these things would not have happened between the two brothers. He sent the people of the world to fief the land early, and perhaps he could have avoided today's dispute...

"Father, I have prepared an imperial decree for you, please seal it"

Li Shimin took a deep breath, took out the sacred decree of the Zen seat that he had prepared a long time ago, and handed it to Li Yuan.

"You are dreaming, even if I die, I will not agree to you. Give up, you rebellious son, get out of here!"

Li Yuan pointed at Li Shimin and cursed, his face was very ugly.

"Where did my father say that? How could I let you die? I have already prepared a palace for you to live in your life. As long as you stamp the seal, I will send you there."

"It doesn't matter if you don't cover it. Although the eldest brother is dead, I still have so many younger brothers. Father also hopes that they can grow up well—"

"You—you threatened me?!!!"

"Father is serious. How can this be a threat? It's just a well-intentioned advice. Father should think about it carefully."

Li Shimin had a smile on his face, how dare he come to see him if he is not very sure.

Li Yuan was silent, he didn't want to let him go easily, but now that his weakness has been caught, he has no choice but to let go...

"Second brother is really scheming—"

Both Li Yuan and Li Shimin turned their heads in shock.

"How could it be you?! You're not—"

—was it burned?

"Second brother looks very disappointed to see that I am still alive..."

Li Shimin's face was ugly, he really didn't want to admit that he had fallen into Sima Yi's trick again.

Taking advantage of the time when Li Yuan and Li Shimin were confronting each other in the hall, Sima Yi took all the soldiers and horses he had ambushed a long time ago, and took down all the rebels in one fell swoop, and sent people to surround the city and took down Li Shimin's family members.

"It's done, you'll be fine"

Li Yuan was pleased to see Sima Yi standing in front of him safe and sound, full of surprises.

Not to mention the safe return of his valued eldest son, but to say that Sima Yi came in generously, which means that the situation outside has been brought under control, and this catastrophe can be eliminated as soon as possible. up.

"Let the emperor worry"

Sima Yi comforted Li Yuan before looking at Li Shimin who was on the side.

"Big brother is a good man"

Li Shimin had a strange look on his face.

"It seems that you have been aware of it for a long time. When it comes to hypocrisy, I am not as good as you."

"Second brother, let's capture it without a fight, your men and horses have all been taken down"

"Build—"

Li Yuan, who was watching from the side, couldn't help but speak, with a bit of urgency in his eyes.

"Father, don't worry, the second brother is not benevolent, but I can't be unrighteous, come here, and put the king of Qin and the others in the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice."

Before being taken away, Li Shimin turned his head to look at Sima Yi, and said a meaningful sentence.

"Brother, I won't give up easily"

Sima Yi was stunned. Could it be that he still has a second hand, his eyebrows frowned slightly.

After experiencing a bloody turmoil, the atmosphere in the entire palace was very depressed. They kept talking about His Highness Qin's rebellion, even the early court was cancelled, and there was even a faint smell of blood in the air.

Sima Yi accompanied Li Yuan in Li Yuan's bedroom, and hurriedly summoned the imperial physician. After this incident, it was a huge blow to Li Yuan, and his poor health got worse. Sima Yi blocked the news and stayed with him on the bed By the way, deal with some backlog of political affairs.

Li Yuanji led soldiers and horses to sweep up and down Chang'an City, arresting rebel soldiers. The shops on the street were closed all day long, and the road was very depressed.

The concubines of all the palaces stayed quietly in the bedroom, and no one dared to go out to find fault at this time.

Three days later, Li Yuan finally woke up from the coma, and the atmosphere in the whole palace was relaxed.

But what no one expected was that as soon as Li Yuan woke up, he ordered all the ministers to discuss the Zen position.

"Why is the father so sudden, this matter needs careful consideration"

It's not that Sima Yi didn't want to take that position earlier, but he was afraid that this would be Li Yuan's temptation again, not to mention that with Li Yuan's current physical condition, there was only a difference between one year earlier and one year later.

"I know my body well. The old injuries from earlier years have recurred, but I have survived for a few more days. However, after this incident, my body may not be able to take it anymore. Why don't you give up your position as soon as possible and take care of yourself for the rest of your life?" of"

"You are the crown prince cultivated by my own hands. Father believes that you will be able to continue my Li family from generation to generation, right?"

Seeing the sincerity of worry in Sima Yi's eyes, Li Yuan's depressed heart was quickly healed.

"Father, don't worry"

"Then I will be at ease"

Hearing Sima Yi's promise, Li Yuan finally closed his eyes with peace of mind. He just finished drinking the medicine, and he felt a little sleepy. After letting go of his worries for many years, he felt much more relaxed, but he seemed to have forgotten to remind him not to Shimin killed them, after all, they are brothers of their own countrymen.Jiancheng is not Shimin, he thinks Jiancheng will do it.

The establishment of a new monarch is also a happy event for the palace, and the haze of the past few days seems to have dissipated a lot. Sima Yi was acquainted once, and won the praise of many people for his unhurried manner.

On the day of the enthronement ceremony, another accident happened.

"Your Majesty, it's not good. Someone robbed the prison. A group of people suddenly rushed into the cell and rescued His Royal Highness King Qin who was detained in the sky prison."

He rushed into the hall in a hurry, and the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment hurriedly pleaded guilty.

Sima Yi was wearing a heavy crown suit, his expression changed immediately after hearing these words, and he suddenly remembered the last words Li Shimin said.

He even wondered if this guy deliberately chose to escape on the day of his enthronement, as if he had a grudge in his previous life.