Chapter 5: Setting the Board, Stepping In, and Shaping the Game.

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Wen Ruchu stepped out of the Crown Prince’s palace in Xianyang with trembling steps, as if each footfall landed on cotton. His clothes behind were soaked with cold sweat, clinging tightly to his back, sending a chill through him.

He gave a helpless, bitter smile, his heart filled with a complex mix of emotions.

The world believed that this Crown Prince was irresponsible, neglecting state affairs, indulging in daily revelries, and engaging in baffling antics unbefitting a wise ruler.

Yet only those living within Xianyang truly knew how many stratagems were hidden deep within the prince’s heart.

In just five short years, Xianyang had undergone earth-shaking changes.

The once arrogant and domineering nobles and prestigious families who had run rampant through the streets, trampling on the dignity of commoners and seizing their possessions, turning the city into a haze of chaos, were now all brought to justice.

One by one, those once untouchable figures lost their heads.

The bloody yet satisfying spectacle was witnessed by officials and citizens alike throughout the city.

Recalling that scene still sent chills down Wen Ruchu’s spine, but it also deepened his reverence for Li Chengqian.

“Lord Zhangsun, forgive me; the Crown Prince is truly the one destined by Heaven!” Wen Ruchu silently vowed.

With that thought, his formerly wavering steps grew firm and resolute with each stride.

He had made up his mind to serve the wise ruler he believed in.

...

“Sir, a secret report from Xianyang! It was swiftly delivered by Wen Ruchu, the Governor of Xianyang!” The family servant rushed into Lord Zhangsun Wuji’s study, clutching a confidential letter, his expression tense.

“Understood!” Zhangsun Wuji nodded, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes as he reached out to receive the secret dispatch.

Li Tai sat nearby, his expression inscrutable, eyes shimmering with a complex blend of anxiety, hope, and barely concealed unease.

Only after the servant had left did Li Tai speak.

“Uncle, time waits for no one. Father’s coffin has rested for two days; on the third day, the burial preparations will begin.

There has been no morning court session for two full days, and the civil and military officials are restless. The news of His Majesty’s passing has surely begun to spread!”

Li Tai rose and paced the room.

“Please, Uncle, make your plans quickly! I have already prepared everything here. All that remains is for you to present the edict deposing the Crown Prince before the assembled officials, and then the situation will be settled!”

He drew a royal edict from his bosom—an exquisitely embroidered golden silk scroll indistinguishable from the genuine article—and was about to hand it to Zhangsun Wuji.

Unexpectedly, Zhangsun Wuji glanced at him without taking the edict, instead handing over the secret report he had just received.

“Your Highness, read this. It’s the secret dispatch from Xianyang,” Zhangsun Wuji said in a low, calm voice.

Li Tai took the report eagerly and, after a quick glance, his face registered shock and confusion.

“Uncle, is this report genuine? Li Chengqian is dying? How reliable is this?” His tone carried doubt.

Zhangsun Wuji cast him a disapproving glance, laced with reproach. “Wen Ruchu, Governor of Xianyang, was promoted by me personally. I have good relations with all officials in Xianyang. Would he send me false intelligence?”

Seeing Zhangsun Wuji’s look, Li Tai knew he had misspoken and felt regret.

But upon hearing Zhangsun’s assurance, joy instantly lit up his face as if he had glimpsed the dawn of victory.

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“It seems Li Chengqian is truly doomed! Uncle, you must act decisively!” Li Tai said excitedly, once again pressing the edict into Zhangsun Wuji’s hands, his eyes filled with urgency.

Zhangsun Wuji glanced briefly at the edict, sighed softly, and then accepted it.

“I will take it. Tomorrow’s morning court will announce the deposition edict. Your Highness, prepare yourself well,” he declared with undeniable authority.

Li Tai was overjoyed, his face flushed with excitement. “Uncle, rest assured, when I ascend the throne, I will never neglect your merits!

You will be the greatest contributor to our Tang dynasty!”

His gaze shone with eagerness for the throne and a desire to curry favor with Zhangsun Wuji.

Zhangsun Wuji smiled, though the smile held a subtle, inscrutable meaning seldom noticed by others.

“Your Highness, go and prepare carefully. Make sure the noble families are also ready. Tomorrow, assist me in this endeavor.”

“Very well!” Li Tai replied enthusiastically.

“Uncle, I will return to prepare immediately!” With that, he hastened away.

After Li Tai left, Zhangsun Wuji’s smile vanished like a mask.

He disdainfully set the forged edict aside, a trace of contempt flashing in his eyes.

“Wang Er, summon all the heads of the noble families to the reception hall,” he ordered.

“Yes, my lord!” came the servant’s distant reply.

...

“Your Highness, there’s news from Chang’an!” Zhang Xianhuai hurried to the front courtyard.

“Nian!” Li Chengqian was in the courtyard, repeatedly doing push-ups, his strong arms rising and falling with power and determination.

Sweat dripped from his hair, wetting the ground, yet his gaze remained unwaveringly resolute.

“At the first quarter of the hour of Si (9–11 a.m.) today, Li Tai had a secret meeting with Zhangsun Wuji at Zhangsun’s residence. The content of the negotiation is unknown. Meanwhile, Zhangsun Wuji received a secret letter from Wen Ruchu.”

The guard read aloud.

“Fifteen minutes later, Li Tai left wearing a joyful expression.”

“At the first quarter of the hour of Wu (11 a.m.–1 p.m.), Zhangsun Wuji held a secret meeting with representatives of the noble families. The content remains ominous, but it seems some agreement was reached, with all parties leaving happily.”

“All representatives of the noble families remained at Zhangsun’s residence for three hours—behavior deemed suspicious.”

“There is minor unrest in Chang’an, caused by two days without court sessions. Zhangsun Wuji can no longer contain the spread of news about His Majesty’s demise.”

“The news is slowly spreading, and Wei Zheng has reacted most strongly, unable to enter the palace and now locked in a standoff with the imperial guards at the palace gates.”

...

“I see. It seems my foolish younger brother has fallen into his uncle’s trap,” Li Chengqian said as he rose from the ground, shaking the sweat from his head, the droplets sparkling in the sunlight.

Two guards immediately stepped forward, expertly massaging his muscles.

“By the way, the Jinyiwei needs to expand,” Li Chengqian said while enjoying the massage.

“Xianhuai, handle this. Our personnel are still too few. Issue orders immediately: establish an intelligence department from today.”

“The Jinyiwei will be a subordinate agency under intelligence. My goal is to oversee all officials across the realm. We have already secured Xianyang city.”

His eyes grew deep, as if piercing through all conspiracies.

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“But regarding Chang’an, we still have too few intelligence agents. Apart from Zhangsun Wuji and those planted within the palace, no other officials’ households have Jinyiwei agents.”

“If I don’t know their movements, I won’t be able to sleep.”

“Even if we cannot infiltrate now, we must recruit personnel first—prioritize recruiting from respectable families in Xianyang city.”

“Have you all understood?”

Li Chengqian’s gaze swept over those around him, stern and commanding.

“We understand, Your Highness,” Zhang Xianhuai replied respectfully.

“Good. Accelerate the preparations today. Don’t wait until I take control of Chang’an. If we can’t even muster enough Jinyiwei to monitor the city’s officials then, call General Qin.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Zhang Xianhuai acknowledged and withdrew.

Shortly thereafter, the thunderous sound of galloping hooves echoed loudly in the quiet air outside the mansion.

A man clad entirely in light armor hurried inside.

Upon seeing Li Chengqian, he immediately knelt, cupping his hands respectfully. “Your servant has come at the command of His Highness the Crown Prince to pay respects!”

“Qin Ruzhao, rise. How does this new armor fit?” Li Chengqian stepped forward, gently patting the light armor on Qin’s body and then pulling him up by the arm, concern shining in his eyes.

“Your Highness, it’s not heavy! This is just light armor—the heavy armor is much heavier! Having such fine armor makes me truly happy!” Qin Ruzhao grinned broadly, revealing a set of white teeth.

“Good. Ruzhao, come, take this military token.”

Li Chengqian produced a military token from his bosom.

Qin Ruzhao looked up to see a token carved with a hammer and sickle handed to him.

He accepted it solemnly, his expression turning grave.

“Ruzhao, from this moment forward, my safety rests entirely in your hands. Tonight, prepare the three main camps, gather provisions, and assemble the troops.”

Li Chengqian’s gaze was unyieldingly serious as he fixed Qin Ruzhao with a measured gaze, speaking each word deliberately.

“I am preparing to ascend the throne—do you understand?”

Qin Ruzhao immediately knelt again, striking a resounding kowtow.

His forehead struck the ground with a muffled thud. “Your servant pledges to risk his life to see His Majesty take the throne in Chang’an and achieve great unification!”

His eyes burned with fervent loyalty.

“No one but His Majesty dares lay claim to this position. If anyone opposes the Emperor, your servant will lead the army to execute them all!”

He shouted loudly, his voice echoing through the courtyard.

“Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty forever!”

Qin Ruzhao shouted again.

Hearing this, Li Chengqian smiled involuntarily, his expression filled with comfort and trust. “Very well, go prepare quickly.

Based on your performance, you will be my great general of the Tang dynasty!”