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墨書 Inktalez
Wei Zheng nodded. "Understood. Your Highness, how large should this secret chamber be? When do you need it?"
"It should be about the size of my study! As for the timing, it's not urgent, but the sooner, the better! It would be best to renovate an existing room. If there isn't one available, then we can build a new one," Li Jiancheng replied after some thought.
"Very well. I will take care of it right away!" Wei Zheng said, standing up to take his leave. It seemed that Wei Zheng was indeed decisive in his actions, a quality that the original owner appreciated greatly.
Of course, this Li Jiancheng also admired him, as Wei Zheng was quite renowned in history.
Although Wei Zheng did not know the specific purpose behind Li Jiancheng's desire for a secret chamber, he suspected it was likely aimed at dealing with Li Shimin. He had already noticed that Prince Qin clearly harbored ambitions for the throne.
Wei Zheng wanted to suggest to Li Jiancheng that he should take action to eliminate Prince Qin sooner rather than later. If the Crown Prince could turn this crisis into safety this time, what about next time? Therefore, Wei Zheng thought it best to wait until the secret chamber was completed before offering his advice on dealing with Prince Qin.
After Wei Zheng left, Li Jiancheng summoned Niu Fu and Ma Qiang into his study and dismissed the palace maid who had been waiting nearby.
Once the room was left with just the three of them, Li Jiancheng spoke softly, "Niu Fu, Ma Qiang, I called you here because there is a secret task I need you to undertake. This matter must remain known only to the three of us. Can you manage that?"
"Your Highness's orders are not something we would dare neglect," Niu Fu and Ma Qiang replied almost in unison.
Li Jiancheng nodded. "Good, I trust you both! But since this is a matter of great importance, I must emphasize it once more!"
After a brief pause, Li Jiancheng continued, "I have arranged for Lord Wei to prepare a secret chamber. In the future, such confidential tasks will be organized there. Since the chamber won't be ready immediately, I will discuss things with you here in my study for now. To avoid drawing attention, I need to keep my voice down. Come closer!"
Niu Fu and Ma Qiang quickly moved closer to Li Jiancheng.
Li Jiancheng took out a token and handed it to Niu Fu, lowering his voice as he said, "I am currently acting as regent on behalf of my father and possess certain privileges associated with this token. You two will use this token when you go out like this..."
After explaining everything, Li Jiancheng asked one last time, "Do you both understand?"
"Understood!" Niu Fu and Ma Qiang replied immediately.
Though they grasped Li Jiancheng's intentions, they were still quite shocked at being entrusted with such a task by the Crown Prince!
Considering the crisis that had recently befallen the Crown Prince made them understand his actions better.
"Then off you go! Act immediately!"
"Yes!" Niu Fu and Ma Qiang responded as they exited Li Jiancheng's study.
Before long, Niu Fu and Ma Qiang left the Eastern Palace and rode off on horseback without knowing their destination.
...
Ren Zhi Palace.
Prince Qin had just arrived here from Ningzhou and met with his father, Li Yuan. Li Shimin was initially excited, imagining that his father would surely praise him and announce him as the crown prince. However, Li Yuan did not seem pleased. Moreover, there were three other people in the room: Minister of Military Affairs Du Yan from his own household, Eastern Palace General Er Zhu Huan, and Captain Qiao Gong Shan.
It was not surprising that Er Zhu Huan and Qiao Gong Shan were present; after they reported Li Jiancheng, they remained at Ren Zhi Palace as the emperor had not allowed them to leave. They were originally meant to confront Yang Wengan, but now that Yang Wengan was dead, there was no need for that confrontation. The presence of Du Yan was puzzling! He was a military officer from Li Shimin's own household, and he hadn’t summoned him. Did the emperor call him here? It must be so. But what did it mean for the emperor to summon him?
Li Shimin could not figure it out at the moment, so he first paid his respects to Li Yuan: “Your humble son has returned from quelling the rebellion and greets you, Father!”
“Greetings, Prince Qin!” Du Yan, Er Zhu Huan, and Qiao Gong Shan quickly stood up to pay their respects to Li Shimin.
Li Yuan spoke up, “Everyone, please take a seat.”
Once everyone was seated, Li Yuan looked at Li Shimin and said, “Shiming, your swift action against Yang Wengan’s rebellion is commendable! Yang Wengan was indeed targeting you; it was most fitting for you to eliminate him!”
Li Shimin felt something was off. How could it be targeting him? He quickly replied, “Father, Yang Wengan’s rebellion was aimed at the court and you. Your humble son quelled the rebellion under your command to relieve the court’s troubles!”
This statement was quite a slap in Li Yuan's face! He had no choice but to acknowledge that he had indeed contradicted himself! Thus, he could not dwell on Li Shimin's words and said, “Shiming, I initially believed that Yang Wengan's rebellion targeted the court as well. However, today General Du came to me with information that made me realize my previous understanding was incorrect.”
“What did General Du say?” Li Shimin fixed his gaze on Du Yan, thinking he could do nothing about his father but perhaps confront him instead. My good fortune has been ruined by you!
Du Yan felt awkward under Li Shimin's stare but had no choice; the emperor was present and he had to comply with whatever was asked of him. Facing Li Shimin's questioning, Du Yan steeled himself and said, “Prince Qin, I informed His Majesty that General Er and General Qiao delivered weapons to Yang Wengan not under your orders but under the instigation of Eastern Palace advisor Wang Gui and Left Guard Commander Wei Ting.”
“What? Wang Gui and Wei Ting instigated you?” Li Shimin glared furiously at Er Zhu Huan and Qiao Gong Shan.
Er Zhu Huan and Qiao Gong Shan were helpless! The emperor forbade them from saying it was the crown prince’s orders; thus they could only respond stiffly: “Yes.”
Li Shimin was furious and about to question Er Zhu Huan and Qiao Gong Shan when Li Yuan interjected: “Shiming, did you hear? This matter has nothing to do with your elder brother; therefore I have already sent him back to Chang'an to continue overseeing the state.”
With this statement from Li Yuan, it seemed that Li Shimin understood. It appeared that his father still did not want to hold his elder brother accountable and had called these three men over merely to put on a show for him.
Realizing this, Li Shimin calmed down and quickly said, “Father is wise. Since my elder brother bears no responsibility, releasing him is indeed appropriate. However, this does not mean that Yang Wengan’s rebellion was solely aimed at me!”
“General Er, General Qiao, what do you think? Who was Yang Wengan’s rebellion targeting?” Instead of directly answering Li Shimin’s question, Li Yuan turned to Er Zhu Huan and Qiao Gong Shan.
Faced with the emperor's inquiry, what could Er Zhu Huan and Qiao Gong Shan say? They could only respond: “Yang Wengan’s rebellion targeted Prince Qin. This was agreed upon when we delivered weapons to him!”
Li Shimin knew full well that these two were coerced into answering this way but still pressed them: “Generals, why did you initially report that it was His Highness the Crown Prince who colluded with Yang Wengan in rebellion?”
“Shiming, it was General Du who required them to do so. Wasn’t General Du acting according to your wishes?” Li Yuan naturally understood that Er Zhu Huan and Qiao Gong Shan would struggle to answer and spoke on their behalf.
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