Chapter 15: Paying Homage to Father at Daming Palace!

After the morning court session, the elderly ministers were all brimming with irrepressible joy. This delight, like flowers blooming in spring, radiated across their weathered faces. They crowded around Master Qi, clutching his sleeves tightly as if fearful that he might suddenly vanish. "Master Qi," they called out one after another, their voices overlapping as they inquired about the details of the subsidies, their eyes filled with anticipation and curiosity.

Even the generals, who were typically boisterous and concerned only with swords and spears, could not resist. They racked their brains to summon the last vestiges of their literary knowledge, their faces flushed as they scrambled for every flattering word they could muster, all to extract a bit more information from Master Qi.

As for Master Qi, he remained all smiles, patiently and tirelessly explaining the subsidy issues to the inquiring ministers. His voice was gentle and steady, each word like the warm winter sun, soothing the hearts of those around him.

Fang Xuanling had originally felt a similar fervor. His curiosity burned like a raging fire, and he longed to step forward and ask for details. But the moment he remembered that the Emperor was currently hiding in his home, he felt as though a basin of cold water had been poured over him. He could only suppress his inner curiosity and walk toward his house with heavy steps. As he walked, watching Li Ji, Cheng Yaojin, and Yuchi Jingde basking in the glow of Master Qi’s attention, he could not help but sigh inwardly.

Upon returning home, Fang Xuanling looked about cautiously, his eyes scanning like a hawk to ensure his wife was not around. Once he confirmed she had gone to the market, he breathed a sigh of relief, tiptoed toward the kitchen, and softly ordered the servants to prepare some food. Once the meal was ready, he clutched the food box and snuck into the side chamber.

"Your Majesty, I apologize for the delay. Please, eat." Fang Xuanling whispered, closing the door behind him with lightning speed before handing the box to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin had not eaten all day and was famished; he had been counting on this meal from Fang Xuanling. The moment he received the box, he opened it impatiently, ignoring the flavor and devouring the food like a starving wolf, completely shedding his usual imperial dignity. Watching the Emperor in such a state, Fang Xuanling felt a pang of heartache, his eyes reddening.

"I am guilty, Your Majesty. You have suffered because of me," he said, his voice laced with remorse.

Li Shimin waved a hand dismissively as he ate the millet. "What are you saying, Fang? In all my years of campaigning and warfare, what hardship have I not endured? This is nothing. Compared to the common people, I am living quite well." His tone was bold, as if those hardships were merely fleeting clouds in his eyes. "How was the morning session? My rebellious son is surely up to some new tricks. For my sake, I ask you to bear with him."

Fang Xuanling hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back. "Your Majesty, there was much to attend to in this morning's court. I fear I will be tied up with official business for some time and cannot visit you as frequently." He paused, a look of apology flickering in his eyes. "Since the Divine Doctor Sun has gone traveling, I have gathered the savings I accumulated over the years; they are all here for Your Majesty. You might consider staying at the estates of General Yuchi, Li Ji, or Cheng Zhijie for a while. They are generals and have fewer demands on their time than I do. I am at fault for not being able to better attend to Your Majesty."

Hearing this, Li Shimin looked puzzled. "If you are busy with official business, then go. It matters not to me; I can go anywhere in Chang'an."

"Fang, tell me about this morning's session. I want to hear about the official business and see how my son handles his new authority."

"As you wish, Your Majesty." Fang Xuanling bowed slightly and began his report.

After Fang Xuanling recounted all the events of the day, Li Shimin fell into deep thought. His brows were furrowed, his gaze profound as he contemplated his son’s actions. That his son could act like a brilliant chess player, swiftly and accurately filling the vacancies in Chang'an's bureaucracy in a single day, was indeed a testament to his ability.

Yet, Li Shimin was worried. He did not know the true capabilities of these newly appointed officials. What truly startled him, however, was the magnitude of his son's ambitions. Such bold strides reminded him of Emperor Yang of Sui; similar scenes flickered through his mind, filling him with anxiety. But upon closer reflection, it seemed different. His son appeared incredibly wealthy, with resources seemingly endless, far outstripping the national treasury. Perhaps it was this that gave his son such confidence—maybe these seemingly absurd decrees could actually be implemented.

Li Shimin realized that many of these policies coincided with his own ideas, such as road construction. He had long dreamed of building roads, seeing them as the veins of the nation, essential for the prosperity of the Great Tang. Yet, the treasury's funds were always needed elsewhere, and the project had been delayed time and again.

Seeing Li Shimin’s silence, Fang Xuanling interrupted, "Your Majesty, I believe the Crown Prince is a ruler of great vision." His eyes shone with firm conviction.

Li Shimin smiled at Fang Xuanling, a hint of mockery in his expression. "How so, Fang? Because my son increased the officials' salaries, he is now a ruler of great vision?" He felt both amused and exasperated.

Fang Xuanling shook his head seriously. "Not at all. The scourge of the aristocratic clans has been a chronic illness for every dynasty, impossible to eradicate, like a rot deep in the bones that erodes the foundation of the state. If the Crown Prince has such ambition and the means to act, and if he can truly root out this evil, history will record his achievements."

"The chaos has not yet begun, so there is no need to worry. If it does arise, we shall see the Prince's methods. If he uses decisive, thunderous force to resolve it, perhaps the scourge of the clans will indeed end in his reign. If the new officials are truly capable and do not hail from these clans, the court will not be paralyzed, and the clans will no longer be so troublesome."

Hearing this, a gleam of light appeared in Li Shimin’s eyes, as if he could see the glorious future of the Tang. "If the clan problem is truly solved, a little chaos is a small price to pay. Li Chengqian was right—an emperor is not chosen by officials. The one with the strongest army is the true emperor. I agree with his view. As long as the court does not collapse, some turbulence is to be expected. If the clans dare to rebel, then I shall simply have to act as the Prince's General of the Heavenly Strategy once more. Xuanling, summon them tonight to discuss matters."

"As you command, Your Majesty!" Fang Xuanling departed.

***

In the Daming Palace, the atmosphere was solemn and heavy with sorrow. The coffin of Li Shimin rested quietly, as if time had frozen in that very moment. Li Chengqian dismissed all the eunuchs and palace maids, leaving himself alone in the vast, empty hall. He slowly pulled up a chair, the faint sound of friction echoing clearly in the silence. He sat there, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Father, it has been a long time." His words echoed through the hall, his voice trembling as if crossing the veil of time, carrying his deep longing. Sadness washed over him like a tide, submerging his heart. No matter what, the man in the coffin was his father in this life, a figure who had once seemed as tall and divine as a god.

"Father, Chengqian has become Emperor. I didn't kill Qingque or Zhangsun Wuji; I’ve given you enough respect, haven't I?" A bitter smile touched his lips, his eyes showing a trace of helplessness. "Perhaps it is the butterfly effect of my arrival, but you passed away so early in this life—eight years earlier than in history. I know you didn't mean it; you were simply blinded by your love for Qingque, with no other ill intentions."

His voice was low, as if whispering secrets to his father. "Qingque is not bad by nature; he was just easily led astray. Father, you don't know this, but in my previous life, when I rebelled, you didn't kill me either; you only demoted me to a commoner. That is why I, as his big brother, will not kill him. And Zhangsun Wuji was your best brother. The Great Tang could not have been built without his contributions, so I am willing to let him live out his final years in peace. It is truly hard to imagine that my father was Li Shimin."

Tears welled up in Li Chengqian's eyes. Memories flooded back—the small moments of his father and mother’s love for him, shining like brilliant stars in his mind. "I will handle your funeral arrangements, but everything will be kept simple. No extravagance or waste; the country needs to develop, and I hope you understand. I have also prepared your posthumous title. It will be the same as before: 'Wen'. Your temple name shall be Tang Taizong. Emperor Wen of Tang, Li Shimin."

"I personally think 'Emperor Wu' sounds more imposing than 'Emperor Wen', but who is to say that 'Wen' is not better? This is all I can do for you."

Li Chengqian’s voice choked up, and he fought back his tears to keep his tone steady. When he finished, he rose slowly and turned to leave. His steps were heavy, each one landing on his heart. As he reached the entrance of the Daming Palace, he stopped. He looked up at the sky, his eyes filled with firm resolve.

"I will surely far surpass all the emperors of the past!"

With that, he straightened his back, filled with ambition, and walked out of the Daming Palace.