Chapter 9: The Crown Prince Enters Chang'an

"Your Majesty, was I not correct? The city gates have opened after all."

Mr. Qi’s lips curled into a slight smile, his eyes sparkling with a pride he made no effort to conceal. Outside the gate, the wind howled, whipping his robes about with a rhythmic flapping, yet it could not disperse the mirth upon his face. He slowly raised a hand—bony, yet imbued with strength—to stroke his long-cultivated beard.

"Your Majesty," he said, his heart overflowing with joy, "I have waited too long for this day. My years of plotting have finally borne fruit. I am a man obsessed with officialdom, yet I had never found a monarch worth serving until I met you—that was no easy feat! When the time comes, Your Majesty must grant me a grand title. After all, I have earned the merit of a king-maker."

As he spoke, Mr. Qi narrowed his eyes, his mind already conjuring images of himself adorned in magnificent official robes, receiving the homage of the court. His smile grew ever more radiant, his anticipation practically brimming over. Beside him, the military banners snapped in the gale, the patterns upon them appearing to come alive, dancing in the wind as if cheering for the impending glory.

*I, Qi, have drifted my whole life,* he thought, his heart blooming with delight. *Now, I am finally on the path to prosperity. I will let the whole world know of my talents.*

Li Chengqian looked at Mr. Qi and could not help but chuckle. A meaningful arc formed at the corner of his mouth. "Are you not afraid, Mr. Qi, that once the birds are gone, the bow will be put away; once the rabbits are caught, the hounds will be cooked?"

His voice was low and resonant, drifting slowly through the air. Li Chengqian felt a sense of helplessness toward this man, yet he understood his character well.

Mr. Qi shook his head vigorously, his expression turning solemn. His gaze seemed to pierce through the heavy mist, looking straight into the depths of Li Chengqian’s heart. "If it were anyone else, I would have left long ago. Why would I have stayed in Xianyang to assist them? You are different, Your Majesty. In my half-life of wandering through the Great Tang, you are the most unique person I have ever encountered—so unique, you seem as if you do not belong to this era."

A trace of abstraction flickered in his eyes, as if he were lost in memories of the past. Around them, the soldiers stood in neat formation, their armor gleaming with cold light in the sun. Mr. Qi was filled with admiration for Li Chengqian, reflecting on their time together. *His Majesty holds the world in his heart; all his thoughts are for the people. He is entirely different from those emperors who only know how to vie for power and profit. I must help him achieve greatness.*

"Those whimsical ideas of yours, those policies for the people—it is not that the emperors of history could not think of them," Mr. Qi said, his tone turning cold, though a flash of anger crossed his eyes. "But they were emperors. They sat upon high dragon thrones, blinded by power and desire, with only their own dynasties in mind. How could they truly care for the life and death of the common folk? 'The people are precious, the ruler is light' is a phrase they display for the public—a mere facade to whitewash peace and pacify the masses. In private, when they truly weigh the pros and cons, the lives of the people are no more than grass or mustard in their eyes, worthless."

He paused, his expression softening. "But you are different, Your Majesty. You only want the people to be well. You hold all living beings in your heart—what a magnificent spirit that is. This is a quality I have never seen in anyone else. If the world could be governed by someone like you, the people would surely live in peace and contentment. I must help you protect this innocent, sincere heart."

Li Chengqian ignored the disrespect; he had long grown accustomed to Mr. Qi’s blunt and uninhibited way of speaking. Often, Mr. Qi acted with such spontaneity and disregard for convention, like a free wind unbound by worldly rituals.

When Li Chengqian first met Mr. Qi, it was in a quiet corner of Xianyang. He was standing among a group of children, dressed in a faded scholar’s robe, wearing a square cap, and holding a book—a standard teacher’s attire. The surroundings were humble, the walls scarred by the passage of time, yet the laughter of the children filled the place with vitality. When Li Chengqian asked his name, he kept his lips tightly shut. No matter how Li Chengqian pressed, he would not say, only smiling mysteriously, leaving one baffled. Those who knew him simply called him Mr. Qi or Master Qi.

Every day, he would teach the children of commoners to read and write in some corner of Xianyang. He taught with diligence, and the children learned with focus; the clear sound of their reading intermingled with the bustling noise of the marketplace, creating a unique tapestry of human life. Li Chengqian had felt then that this man was no simple person, though he had not paid it much mind. After all, carrying the knowledge of a later age, Li Chengqian held an inherent sense of superiority when facing the scholars of this era.

However, as time passed, Li Chengqian was astonished to discover that Mr. Qi was like a treasury of knowledge, knowing everything. Whether it was complex and profound economic theory, strategies regarding the rise and fall of nations, or the obscure classics and histories—if it was written in a book, he had studied it, and in every field, he held deep and unique insights. When he lectured, he cited sources extensively, his words flowing like a river, often leaving Li Chengqian in awe and feeling inferior.

And now, for Mr. Qi, the greatest attraction was the science that Li Chengqian had tinkered with! Those novel theories and miraculous inventions were like a giant magnet, firmly drawing Mr. Qi in. It was from that moment on that Li Chengqian completely shed his superiority; he held Mr. Qi in high esteem, regarding him as both a mentor and a friend.

"Let’s go. We are entering Chang'an," Li Chengqian said, a slight frown creasing his brow as a flash of regret crossed his eyes. He looked toward the direction of Chang'an, where the tall city walls appeared even more majestic in the sunlight, yet they lacked the tragic heroism of the smoke and fire he had anticipated. The moat outside the walls shimmered, reflecting the sky and the city, like a giant mirror recording the changes of the ages. "Hidden for so long, I did not expect this throne to be within such easy reach. It feels like a disservice to our previous efforts."

"The journey has been too smooth, I wonder if it is a blessing or a curse?"

"Your Majesty need not be disappointed. There will be plenty of battles in the future," Mr. Qi comforted him. "It is precisely because we have been accumulating strength for so long that we can open the gates of Chang'an without shedding blood. The result is the same, only the process differs. This does not mean our efforts were in vain; on the contrary, it is a testament to our capability."

"Mr. Qi is right. I mainly wanted to drill the troops." Li Chengqian’s lips curled into a confident smile.

He felt a sudden spark of interest and turned to the person beside him. "Xianhuai, let’s race! Let’s see who is faster!"

With that, he dug his heels into the horse’s flanks. The steed let out a long neigh and bolted like an arrow released from a bow, its hooves kicking up clouds of dust that filled the air.

"Your Majesty, slow down!" Zhang Xianhuai, clad in black armor, called out helplessly. As the one responsible for guarding and managing the household, he had no choice but to spur his horse to follow, his eyes fixed nervously on Li Chengqian’s retreating figure, filled with worry that something might happen to him.

***

"Your Majesty, I hear the Crown Prince has entered Chang'an with his troops. Tell me, should we kneel when we see him later?" Fang Xuanling’s brows were locked in a deep furrow, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead. He whispered in a voice filled with anxiety, his eyes wide with distress. "What are we to do? If we kneel, what becomes of your imperial dignity? If we do not, how can we face the two sovereigns of the Tang?"

Li Tang, the Emperor, wore an awkward expression, his lips twitching slightly. His brow was creased into a deep "river" shape, his eyes reflecting his inner turmoil. "Xuanling, I am the Emperor. How can an Emperor kneel, especially to his own son?" he whispered back.

"But the people of Chang'an have already taken the initiative to come out and kneel on both sides of the street, waiting for the new Emperor to enter the palace!" Fang Xuanling stomped his feet in silent desperation. He wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve, casting a panicked look at the group of civil and military officials following them. Fortunately, no one had noticed. They were all looking at each other, their eyes filled with hesitation and unease.

Li Tang’s brow tightened further. His gaze darted about, indecisive, as he muttered to himself, "Xuanling, shall I go hide in your mansion?" His voice was very low, tinged with a desperate, self-deceptive hope. *My life’s reputation—is it to be ruined today?* Hiding was not a solution, but it was better than being caught in this helpless state.

***

At the gates of Chang'an, Li Chengqian arrived with his grand army, the sound of hoofbeats causing the very earth to tremble. Seeing Prince Wei, Li Tai, kneeling honestly at the gate, Li Chengqian’s lips curled slightly. A complex emotion flashed through his eyes—gratification, reflection, and a sliver of imperceptible pity.

"So, you have come to your senses?" Li Chengqian’s voice was calm and steady, yet possessed an intangible majesty. It carried clearly through the noisy environment to everyone’s ears, causing Li Tai’s body to tremble slightly. The surrounding soldiers consciously made way for Li Chengqian, their eyes filled with awe, their weapons neatly arranged at their sides.

Li Chengqian looked at Li Tai and said calmly, "Strife between brothers is the most tragic of all. I hope today’s events will bring you to a sudden realization."

Li Tai knelt on the ground, head bowed, his face as pale as paper. Crystal tears overflowed from his eyes, wetting the ground before him. He covered his face and said, "Imperial Brother, I was wrong. I should not have been swayed by others, causing us to turn against each other. I was incredibly foolish, used by others, and nearly caused a great disaster. Now, I only hope that you will spare my life."

"Get up. We are brothers, after all. Follow behind the main army," Li Chengqian said calmly. There was not a trace of reproach in his eyes—only the tolerance and magnanimity of an elder brother. The surrounding commoners witnessed this scene and began to whisper, their eyes filled with reverence for the new Emperor and moved by this display of brotherly love. Hatred between brothers could no longer be allowed to continue; only then could the Tang be truly stable.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Tai felt as if he had been granted a reprieve. He scrambled to his feet and stood respectfully to the side, his body still trembling, the terror in his eyes not yet fully faded. He looked at Li Chengqian with profound gratitude. *I shall serve His Majesty with absolute loyalty from now on and never do such a foolish thing again,* Li Tai swore to himself.

With that, Li Chengqian led his massive army into Chang'an. The troops were like a surging, unending torrent of steel, the soldiers spirited and armored in bright, sharp gear. Along the streets, shops lined the way. The owners stood at their doorways, watching the army with nervous eyes—some filled with fear, others with curiosity. The stone-paved streets thundered under the soldiers' boots.

Li Chengqian looked at the streets, both familiar and strange, his heart surging with pride. *This city of Chang'an is finally under my control. I will ensure it becomes even more prosperous.*

Zhangsun Wuji looked at the officials from the noble clans, who exchanged glances, their eyes filled with terror and despair. A tense atmosphere permeated the city wall. The officials looked at one another, a silent understanding passing between them, before they swarmed forward and bound Zhangsun Wuji tightly.

Zhangsun Wuji’s heart was filled with bleakness; he did not bother to resist.

"Lord Zhangsun, my apologies. 'Better the friend dies than the companion.' Your crimes cannot be washed away, but we are different. Not only are we innocent, but we have performed a great service by capturing you, the mastermind," Cui Sheng said, his face beaming with a triumphant smile, his eyes flashing with greed and selfishness. Though Cui Sheng’s official rank in the Tang was not high, he belonged to the main branch of the Cui family and held immense influence. Even Cui Chan, who held the rank of Minister, did not carry as much weight in his words.

Cui Sheng stood in the bright sunlight, his silhouette appearing exceptionally tall, while Zhangsun Wuji remained in the shadows, looking utterly wretched. Cui Sheng felt immensely pleased. *Zhangsun Wuji, so you have met your match today. This time, I must perform well to secure more benefits for my family.*

"This time, our Cui family has the highest share of the credit! Do not forget, we 'Five Families and Seven Surnames' are of one breath and branch; do not let dissatisfaction grow among you," Cui Sheng announced to the crowd, his voice high and sharp. "The Wang family, having the least credit, shall be compensated later." As he spoke, he calculated how to placate the Wang family at the lowest possible cost while maximizing his own interests. A flash of cunning crossed his eyes as he scanned the surrounding noble officials, ensuring they had all heard him.

"Now, the only thing we must do is stabilize Li Chengqian," Cui Sheng emphasized, knowing that the attitude of the new Emperor would decide their interests.

"Agreed!" the others chimed in. Each of them was pregnant with their own schemes, appearing harmonious on the surface while secretly plotting for their own family’s gain. In their exchanged glances, there was testing and calculation.

Zhangsun Wuji watched expressionless as these noble officials divided the credit for his capture. His heart was a churning sea. He had become a discarded pawn, and these former allies were so heartless and cruel, leaving him both furious and helpless. Yet, he said nothing; his lips trembled, and in the end, he chose silence. He understood that speaking was useless.

Children of noble families were born with an immunity to death; they colluded, and their power was vast. Even the Emperor could do nothing against them. If you dared to execute one, the others would strike, paralyzing the entire court. This was a problem that had plagued emperors throughout history—they were interdependent yet mutually restraining. The methods used by emperors of all dynasties were to promote some and suppress others, maintaining a state of balance where the noble families vied with each other but remained relatively level. Even in the era of Li Shimin, this had been the case.

Zhangsun Wuji remembered the past, his heart filled with bitterness. *It seems in this political war, I am the only one to die.* If even one noble child were to die, the "Five Families and Seven Surnames" would unite, and that would be the moment the Emperor would find most troublesome. Even if these people had followed him in rebellion, the Emperor would have to hold his nose and acknowledge their merits. He sighed deeply in his heart, awaiting his unknown fate.

When Li Chengqian’s army entered Chang'an, the entire force broke into smaller, orderly units. Under the command of Qin Ruzhao, they surged into the city in established platoons. Sunlight fell upon the soldiers, revealing their determined faces. In every street, every alley, and before every government office, soldiers of the Three Great Camps appeared. Their eyes scanned the surroundings with vigilance, their weapons held tight, as if silently proclaiming the authority of the new Emperor.

Finally, the original Tang soldiers laid down their weapons. Though they felt unwilling, they knew the tide had turned and could only wait helplessly for the new Emperor’s decree. The entire city of Chang'an, from top to bottom, had fallen completely into Li Chengqian’s hands. The commoners watched this, some showing worry, others expectation, not knowing what changes the new Emperor would bring to Chang'an.

At the Fang residence, Fang Xuanling and Yuchi Jingde were about to send Li Shimin inside to rest before they went to greet the new Emperor. All the way, Fang Xuanling’s brows were furrowed, his heart filled with unease; he did not know what kind of situation they would face next. Li Shimin was calm, saying nothing, his heart full of confusion regarding Li Chengqian. *How did my son, the Crown Prince, change so much in the blink of an eye?*

Unexpectedly, just as they reached the end of the street, they saw aggressive soldiers running toward them. Their footsteps were heavy and hurried. One squad stopped at the gate of the Fang residence, quickly forming a line, guarding the entrance tightly and forbidding anyone from entering or leaving.

Seeing this, everyone was stunned. Fang Xuanling’s eyes widened in disbelief; his heart rate spiked, and a sense of foreboding washed over him. Li Shimin was even more speechless.

"What is Chengqian trying to do?"

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince might be taking control of Chang'an to prevent anyone from assassinating you, and then conducting a cleanup later. Didn't you do the same back then? Putting Chang'an under martial law?" Yuchi Jingde whispered.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin was momentarily silenced. This "General of the Heavenly Strategy" was a military man, and though he was somewhat displeased, he could not take his eyes off the equipment of the soldiers from the Three Great Camps. He secretly marveled at the fine gear and speculated on where Chengqian had obtained it and what his plans were.

"Jingde, help me look—is the light armor on those soldiers made of refined iron? I cannot see it clearly." Li Shimin had actually seen it, but he found it hard to believe. His heart was full of astonishment; in his understanding, equipping common soldiers with refined iron armor was an extreme luxury. This meant that the quality of Li Chengqian’s equipment far exceeded his imagination, giving him a new perspective on Li Chengqian’s power.

Yuchi Jingde took a look and quickly replied, "Your Majesty, it is indeed refined iron." His voice carried a trace of surprise, and he felt a great deal of admiration for Li Chengqian. He knew that the situation in Chang'an was now entirely under Li Chengqian’s control.