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In the increasingly tense atmosphere of the court, the mood within Prince Qin's mansion was heavy, like the stillness before a storm. Li Shimin understood that relying solely on Zhangsun Wuji to gather evidence from outside was far from sufficient; he needed to prepare comprehensively for the worst-case scenario that might arise. He summoned Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Zhangsun Wuji, and other strategists and confidants for an urgent and confidential discussion in a secret chamber.
The flickering candlelight cast shadows on the serious faces of those present. Li Shimin scanned the room with a determined gaze and broke the silence first: “I find myself in a dire predicament, with Li Jiancheng pressing in on all sides. We have no way out. Everyone must set aside their concerns and speak freely about how we should respond next.”
Fang Xuanling furrowed his brow, pondering for a moment before speaking: “Your Highness, we are currently in a position of visibility while Li Jiancheng operates from the shadows. He is using his power to suppress us relentlessly. On one hand, we must continue to seek evidence to prove your innocence; on the other hand, we must bolster our defenses to guard against unforeseen circumstances.”
Du Ruhui nodded in agreement and added, “Exactly. We cannot afford to be merely defensive. We should secretly reach out to various factions that support us to build our strength. If the situation becomes critical, we will need the capability to fight back.”
Zhangsun Wuji then said, “In my investigations, I have uncovered some suspicious elements, but finding conclusive evidence will take time. In the meantime, we must ensure the security of Prince Qin's mansion and prevent Li Jiancheng from finding any opportunities.”
As they exchanged ideas, they gradually formulated a detailed response plan. First, they decided to strengthen the defenses of Prince Qin's mansion. They arranged for a large number of elite guards to patrol day and night, set up tight sentry posts around the mansion walls, and placed hidden traps at critical locations to guard against surprise attacks. Additionally, they implemented strict controls over personnel entering and exiting Prince Qin's mansion; only those whose identities had been verified could enter, ensuring that no spies from Li Jiancheng infiltrated their ranks.
Next, Li Shimin secretly contacted factions within the court that supported him. He dispatched trusted individuals to discreetly connect with military leaders who held power, explaining the current situation in hopes of securing their support. Most of these generals had fought alongside Li Shimin and were fiercely loyal; they expressed their willingness to stand by him when it mattered most. However, they were also acutely aware of the sensitivity of this matter and did not dare to make overt statements but promised to keep a close watch on developments and await their opportunity.
While reaching out to external forces, preparations for war within Prince Qin's mansion also began in earnest. Li Shimin selected a group of highly skilled and loyal soldiers to form a secret guard unit. These soldiers were personally trained by Wei Chi Gong and practiced various tactics and combat skills day and night, ready to respond to any potential conflict.
Moreover, Li Shimin ordered the excavation of a secret tunnel beneath Prince Qin's mansion. This tunnel led outside the city; if Prince Qin's mansion were besieged, they could escape through it or use it for covert transport of personnel and supplies. The excavation work was conducted with utmost secrecy, involving only carefully selected and trusted soldiers to ensure that no information leaked.
To prepare sufficient supplies, Li Shimin tapped into his years of accumulated wealth to purchase large quantities of weapons, food supplies, and armor. These materials were stored secretly for emergencies. He also assigned dedicated personnel to manage these supplies, ensuring their safety and adequacy.
Amidst these intense preparations for war, Li Shimin did not abandon his search for evidence proving his innocence. He increased his support for Zhangsun Wuji’s investigative efforts by providing more manpower and resources. Zhangsun Wuji lived up to expectations; after arduous investigation and tracking, he finally discovered some crucial leads.
It turned out that during Zhang Liang’s recruitment of assassins incident, a man named Wang Fu played an important role. On the surface, Wang Fu appeared to be an ordinary figure from the martial world; however, he was actually a confidant of Li Jiancheng. Under Li Jiancheng’s orders, he infiltrated Zhang Liang’s recruitment team to deliberately create an illusion of rebellion against Zhang Liang. Through a series of clues, Zhangsun Wuji finally located Wang Fu’s hideout and captured him secretly.
When Wang Fu was brought before Li Shimin, he trembled in fear. Li Shimin looked at him with icy eyes: “Wang Fu, if you truthfully disclose Li Jiancheng’s conspiracy, I can spare your life. Otherwise, you will meet a fate worse than death!”
Wang Fu understood his precarious situation; desperate to save himself, he recounted in detail how Li Jiancheng had instructed him to frame Li Shimin. It turned out that Li Jiancheng had long harbored fears about Li Shimin’s influence and had been seeking opportunities to bring him down. Upon learning about Zhang Liang’s actions in Luoyang, Li Jiancheng sent Wang Fu to infiltrate them and fabricate evidence of rebellion against Zhang Liang in an attempt to eliminate Li Shimin.
Upon receiving this crucial testimony from Wang Fu, Li Shimin felt elated; he knew this was an important bargaining chip in turning the tide of events. However, he also realized that Wang Fu’s testimony alone would not suffice; more evidence was needed for support. Thus, he continued to arrange for Zhangsun Wuji to conduct further investigations with the aim of thoroughly exposing Li Jiancheng’s conspiracy.
At this time, preparations within Prince Qin's mansion were proceeding methodically. The training of the secret guard unit had begun yielding results; the soldiers’ combat effectiveness had significantly improved. The tunnel was nearing completion while supplies were ample. Observing the busy yet orderly scene within Prince Qin's mansion gave Li Shimin growing confidence. He knew that although dangers lay ahead on this path, as long as he and his subordinates stood united, they would surely overcome difficulties and defeat Li Jiancheng.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Palace, Li Jiancheng remained vigilant as well. He sensed that Li Shimin was making moves behind the scenes but lacked clarity on specific details. He intensified surveillance over Prince Qin's mansion in an attempt to uncover any flaws in Li Shimin’s plans. At the same time, he conferred with Li Yuanji and supportive ministers about their next steps in preparation for delivering a fatal blow before Li Shimin could react.
The situation at court remained tense as both sides quietly amassed strength; a greater storm was imminent. The power struggle between Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng would determine who would ultimately prevail—an outcome still shrouded in uncertainty. Regardless of the result, this conflict would undoubtedly have profound implications for the future of the Tang Dynasty.
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