The Prince of Wei's palace was hundreds of meters away from the Taiji Palace, but he went to great lengths to deliver messages using carrier pigeons. This kind of favor was probably unprecedented.
As a client, he was happy. Li Shimin had so many children, but he was the only one to enjoy such an honor. What an honor it was.
In Tai Chi Palace, Li Shimin got Li Tai's reply and his clothes were wet with tears.
On a piece of white paper towel, he wrote vigorously: "I am lucky to be your son in this life."
He wiped away his tears, handed the letter to the two ministers and said, "Look, Lian is right, this little guy is indeed a good messenger."
"Your Majesty, King Wei is becoming more and more eloquent."
"Your Majesty, King Wei's calligraphy is getting better and better."
Li Shimin sighed: "What a pity."
Fang Xuanling asked in confusion: "What does the emperor mean by this? Isn't it just a letter? Why do you express such emotion?"
"Two of you, as the founding ministers of the Tang Dynasty, do you think it is scientific to decide whether to establish a direct descendant rather than a younger son when it comes to selecting the crown prince? I really don't dare to compliment you."
Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji looked at each other and said in unison: "Establishing a prince is the foundation of the country. Your Majesty must never think of replacing the prince."
Li Shimin sighed: "You two are too preoccupied. I'm just expressing my feelings. You should resign. We are exhausted."
Regarding Li Tai's initiative to conquer the Luojia Kingdom, although he was very pleased, he was wavering. How could he be willing to let his beloved son suffer the pain of the conquest? Furthermore, there were so many generals in the court that it was not his turn to be a child.
If they come forward, Luo Jia will think that they have no one in the court?
Furthermore, he is worried that history will repeat itself? The lessons learned from the past are like yesterday. If it were not for Prince Li Jiancheng to supervise the country, it would not have been his turn to make great military exploits.
Why not take this opportunity to test the two legitimate sons and see what their attitude is towards foreign defense?
Thinking of this, he said to Li Yanmian, his personal eunuch: "Quickly tell the prince that we have something important to discuss."
Li Yanmian agreed and went.
Li Shimin took off his dragon robe, put on ordinary clothes, messed up his hair, and looked sick, just waiting for his eldest son to come.
After waiting for half an hour, Li Yanmian came to report: "Your Majesty, the prince will come to see you immediately."
Li Shimin frowned and asked, "How long has it been? Li Yanmian, what is the prince busy with in the East Palace? He doesn't see anyone every day."
Li Yanjin lowered his head and sighed: "The prince said that he has something important to do, so he will be delayed for a while."
Li Shimin snorted and said angrily: "I'm wrong to accept Qian."
At this time, Li Chengqian had already arrived in front of him. He was disheveled and looked lazy. Li Shimin was disgusted and asked: "What is your highness busy with? You don't even have time to come to see Lian?"
Li Chengqian turned pale with fright and said: "Returning to my father, I read until late at night last night. I am not in good spirits today, so I have been delayed for some time. Please forgive me, my father."
"Do I forgive him? Now that the border is uneasy, Luo Jia's country is raising its flag and intending to conquer the Tang Dynasty. Do I forgive him?"
Li Chengqian had seen him speak in such a tone. He knelt down and said, "I didn't mean it. I don't dare to neglect my father even if I have the guts to do so."
Li Shimin just softened his expression and said: "Get up, let's forget this matter. As the prince, what do you think about Luo Jia's invasion of our border?"
"Father, my son is still young, so I'm afraid that I won't be able to speak well."
"How old are you and still young? Are you the age where you can lie down in your mother's arms and suck milk? You are not young anymore. Can you use your brain more to govern the country well? Look at King Wei.
When you were still young, you began to worry about the country and its people."
Li Chengqian saw that he had a bad look on his face. He was already timid, but after being scolded by him, he was at a loss.
"Get up? Sit down and talk."
Li Shimin pulled him and put away his serious expression. He couldn't help but feel a little unbearable. After all, he gave birth to his own child.
Li Chengqian stood up and said, "Father, the Luojia Kingdom just wants some food, so just give them some."
Li Shimin couldn't bear it anymore and lectured: "This is your idea? Li Chengqian, if you are asked to be the emperor, are you going to do this?"
"Father, this is what I think. It depends on what you want to do."
When Li Chengqian saw that Li Shimin was angry, he dared to sit there and was disobedient.
"Oh, it's a pity that I think so highly of you, but you act like this. I really disappoint Lian. Go ahead and learn more about the governance of the country."
Li Chengqian agreed with relief: "My son, I obey the order."
"Your Majesty, what are you doing? Are you going to scare the prince?"
A woman's voice floated over like spring breeze and rain. Li Shimin turned around, and Changsun Wuyou walked out from behind the screen.
"Wouyou, when did you come?"
Empress Changsun replied with a worried look on her face: "I have been here for a while, and I saw you and your son talking about something, so I didn't dare to disturb you. Your Majesty, you can't do this. The prince is young and needs your guidance, not accusations."
.”
"Do you think I am happy? Wuyou, you said they are both born to the same mother. Why is there such a big difference? The younger brother has great ambitions and a sincere heart, but what about him? He is the future helmsman of the country, the Tang Dynasty.
Such hope!"
Empress Changsun gently stroked the back of Li Shimin's hand and said comfortingly: "You are too impatient. Hundreds of people have different natures. How can you ask them to be the same? Your Majesty, I have thought about letting Tai'er go on an expedition for a long time, and I think it is definitely not possible."
"Why not? Boys need to be trained since childhood. How can you see a rainbow without going through wind and rain? I had the same opinion as you just now, but now I have changed my mind and let him lead the expedition."
Empress Changsun's face changed drastically and she retorted: "Absolutely not. He has only read some classical collections, which are nothing more than words on paper. If he makes a mistake, he will regret it."
Li Shimin smiled and said, "You are worrying too much. I asked him to lead the expedition just to show them. There is no need to mobilize troops to deal with them. I, Li Shimin's son, can make them bow their heads."
"But he doesn't know anything? Are you just showing off your bravery?"
"Wuyou, you are a woman, how can you know this? Don't worry, Feng Li and Xie Shufang, the generals under the prince's command, have not been on an expedition since they joined me. If I let them serve as deputy commanders, nothing will happen to them.
.”
Changsun Wuyou breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's very good. Your Majesty, I have one more thing to remind you."
Li Shimin smiled softly and said: "It's enough to have one Wei Zheng, but another female Wei Zheng? Then I simply don't want to sit in this position."
Changsun Wuyou said seriously: "Your Majesty, your loyal words are hard on your ears. Now that you are high up, all you hear are complimentary words. You are lucky to hear words that are different. You should be happy."