Volume Three: The Turmoil at Xuanwu Gate Chapter 109: Crown Prince Li Jiancheng

How could Crown Prince Li Jiancheng have come here? To understand, we must start from the beginning.

Pei Ju, the Crown Prince’s tutor in the Eastern Palace, saw that Li Yuanji paid no heed to advice and was determined to secretly harm Prince Qin, Li Shimin. Furious, he stomped his foot and quickly left the residence of Prince Qi, galloping back to report to the Crown Prince.

At that time, Crown Prince Li Jiancheng was practicing calligraphy. After hearing the entire account, he flew into a rage, stomping and shouting through clenched teeth, “You fourth brother! You Li Yuanji! Ignoring my words, what do you think you’re doing? A hopeless fool! Ruining my grand plan! An utter imbecile! A waste!”

After venting his anger, Li Jiancheng hurriedly ordered, “Quick! Prepare the carriage at once! We’re going to the Prince Qi’s residence!”

He set off from the Eastern Palace with his men at full speed. The coachman cracked his whip loudly, the horses galloped hard, but Li Jiancheng still found it too slow, urging, “Faster! Even faster!”

His anxiety was intense—not because he cared for Li Shimin’s life per se, for in his mind, whether Li Shimin or Li Yuanji, both were destined to die eventually.

But Li Shimin could not die just yet. If he were to perish mysteriously now, given his military prestige and popular reputation, the army might rebel instantly.

After a series of spectacular victories, creating a near-mythical record of the weak triumphing over the strong, Li Shimin had become a legendary figure in the eyes of Tang soldiers—a war god whose presence on the battlefield guaranteed victory.

Compared to Li Shimin’s decisive battle at Hulao Pass, where a thousand men defeated a hundred thousand, or his feats in relieving Luoyang from siege, both Li Yuanji’s and Li Jiancheng’s accomplishments paled in comparison.

The army’s support and the people’s admiration were the very foundation of Li Shimin’s confidence in vying for the throne.

Moreover, many minor noble families and fallen aristocrats under Li Shimin’s banner, though not individually powerful, formed a formidable united force under his leadership.

Li Jiancheng’s original plan to deal with Li Shimin was methodical: first regain control of the military, then eliminate his allies—divide some, suppress others, and co-opt the rest—before finally finding a justifiable legal charge to execute him. Only then could public and military morale be stabilized, allowing Li Jiancheng to solidify his position as Crown Prince and eventually as Emperor of Tang.

This was why Li Jiancheng suppressed Li Shimin for eight years but never dared to eliminate him outright.

At first, Li Shimin’s influence was limited, and he posed no real threat; a mild reprimand sufficed, and Li Jiancheng was happy to maintain a facade of brotherly harmony for all to see.

But after Li Shimin led troops twice as commander-in-chief, winning every battle and gaining increasing prestige, he became a force that could not be ignored.

Though Li Jiancheng had countless chances to strike, as Crown Prince and future heir, he had to consider the bigger picture. If he acted rashly like Li Yuanji, the newly stabilized Tang dynasty, barely peaceful for a few years, would fall into chaos—a scenario Li Jiancheng dreaded most.

The carriage rushed swiftly to the residence of Prince Qi. Li Jiancheng’s face was dark as he strode inside.

The guards, recognizing the Crown Prince, dared not block his path.

Li Jiancheng’s heart pounded with dread; he feared Li Yuanji had already succeeded and Li Shimin had been executed, which would plunge the realm into turmoil.

He stormed through the residence and encountered Hu Xi, the chief steward.

Grabbing Hu Xi by the collar, he demanded angrily, “Where is the fourth brother? What of Prince Qin?”

Li Yuanji had always been close to the Crown Prince, and Hu Xi, who had served him countless times, was used to the Crown Prince’s typically gentle demeanor. This was the first time he had seen him so furious.

Trembling, Hu Xi whispered, “My lord is currently hosting Prince Qin in the Chaolu Hall. As for the others… I do not know…”

“Lead the way!” Li Jiancheng released him, unwilling to waste words.

In his mind, he swiftly calculated: if the worst had happened and the fourth brother had acted, should he seize this chance to eliminate him? After all, it was not by his hand but Li Yuanji’s reckless act. If he killed Li Yuanji, avenging the second brother, it would be a clear message to his followers and the realm.

Passing through the courtyards, they arrived at Chaolu Hall. Li Jiancheng steadied himself and strode inside.

Hu Xi, loyal to Li Yuanji as his lord, dared not obstruct the Crown Prince but called out to warn his master: “The Crown Prince has arrived!”

Inside, the reactions varied.

Li Shimin’s expression was unreadable, his gaze uncertain, lost in thought.

Li Yuanji wore a pleased smile, believing the Crown Prince’s arrival meant reinforcements were coming.

Wei Chi Gong clenched his weapon tighter, veins bulging on his forehead, prepared to fight to the death.

Ming Yu was stunned, calculating silently: “Damn, Li Jiancheng is here too! What’s he come for? To support Li Yuanji? Damn it, maybe we should end both of them today and save the bloodshed of the Xuanwu Gate Incident.”

At that moment, the massive doors of Chaolu Hall parted, and a dignified middle-aged man entered.

Ming Yu scrutinized him: his features resembled Li Shimin’s but he was older, around thirty-five or thirty-six, with a commanding presence.

He wore a bright yellow robe embroidered with golden dragons and silver clouds, a jade belt at his waist, and a gilded crown adorned with twin dragons playing with a pearl, the centerpiece a large radiant jewel, giving him an aura of majestic grandeur and imperial dignity.

This was none other than Crown Prince Li Jiancheng himself.

Seeing Li Shimin still unharmed, Li Jiancheng felt a measure of relief—his fourth brother had not yet succeeded.

Although reluctant, as the eldest brother and highest-ranking member, Li Jiancheng maintained proper decorum. Li Shimin’s outward humility, his deferential posture, masked the deadly rivalry between them.

Li Yuanji’s attitude was far more casual; he greeted with a broad salute, unable to conceal his joy. In his heart, with the Crown Prince’s arrival, the matter was settled—Li Shimin would die today.

Li Jiancheng snorted coldly, growing more irritated by Li Yuanji’s demeanor, silently cursing him as a good-for-nothing fool, planning to settle accounts with him later.

Waving his hand to waive formalities, he addressed Li Shimin, “Second brother, you may leave now. Fourth brother and I have matters to discuss.”

Li Shimin showed no discomfort, bowed again to Li Jiancheng, and prepared to leave with Wei Chi Gong and Ming Yu.

Li Yuanji suddenly stiffened, his face hardening. What was the Crown Prince playing at? This golden opportunity stood before them—how could they let it slip?

He shouted, “Wait… stop him!”

Outside, loyal guards of Prince Qi quickly blocked the way with spears.

Ming Yu was puzzled; Li Jiancheng’s actions defied his expectations—he had come to save Li Shimin. Though wary of his true intentions, the moment was too precious to miss.

He followed Li Shimin but was halted at the door by the guards. Raising his hand toward his sword, he awaited Li Shimin’s order to strike and spill blood in Prince Qi’s residence.

Li Shimin waved him off, knowing that since the Crown Prince had spoken, there was no need for violence.

Turning, he gave Li Jiancheng a half-amused glance, as if mocking that the Crown Prince’s words carried less weight than those of Prince Qi.

Li Jiancheng, proud and vain, felt his anger flare at the look. His displeasure with Li Yuanji deepened.

“Release them!” Li Jiancheng’s brows furrowed, his eyes flashing icy light as he stared down the guards.

The guards dared not defy the Crown Prince, lowering their weapons and stepping aside.

Li Jiancheng coldly said, “Not leaving yet? Must I personally see you out?”

“Big brother!” Li Yuanji rushed forward to stop him.

“Slap!” Li Jiancheng struck him sharply across the face, furious. “Can’t you understand what I’m saying? Do you even see me as your eldest brother?”

Li Yuanji’s eyes darkened with resentment, his face twisted with defiance, but he deflated like a punctured balloon.

Before the Crown Prince, he lacked the courage to confront him. Unlike Li Shimin, Li Yuanji, as the youngest, had always lived under his eldest brother’s shadow.

His bond with the second and third brothers was distant, almost estranged, but he had far more contact with the Crown Prince.

From childhood, he had followed closely behind Li Jiancheng, watching him assist their father in state affairs, manage family matters, ally with the Guanzhong aristocracy to rebel against the Sui, capture Chang’an, resist the Turks, and build the Tang dynasty.

No matter how complex or difficult, Li Jiancheng handled everything meticulously, without error.

After the Tang dynasty was established, Li Jiancheng naturally became Crown Prince, his power and influence multiplying. Nearly all imperial affairs were decided by his word.

To Li Yuanji, Li Jiancheng was like a towering mountain, always looming over him, suffocating him.

Though ambitious and eager to replace him, Li Yuanji shrank under that oppressive gaze and could only plot in secret.

Helpless, he waved his hand, “Since big brother has spoken, let them go.”

Once the others were gone, with only the Crown Prince, Li Yuanji, and an unconscious Yuwen Bao in the room, Li Yuanji voiced his concern.

“Big brother, letting them go today is like releasing a tiger back into the wild! Why didn’t you listen to me and strike now to end all trouble?”

Li Jiancheng cast him a sidelong glance and asked, “And then? Will the men under the second brother simply stand down? Do you think the various factions enjoying wealth and power under him will comply? Eight or nine out of ten skilled generals and warriors come from his camp. Do you think they won’t seek revenge?”

Li Yuanji growled, “What’s there to fear? I don’t think anyone would dare! If they rebel, I’ll personally lead troops to quell the unrest! If a hundred refuse me, I’ll execute a hundred; if ten thousand resist, I’ll kill ten thousand! I’ll wipe them out one by one! Let’s see who dares speak then!”

“Hmph! Still so immature!” Li Jiancheng sneered. “You think killing heads is satisfying? What about the Tang dynasty? Do you think the realm is truly peaceful now? Don’t forget, the Turks still eye us hungrily beyond the frontier. Your actions would be like cutting off an arm, destroying the order our father painstakingly established. The Tang would collapse at once.”

“That… cannot be! I only want what’s best for you, big brother!” Li Yuanji’s mind cleared somewhat under the Crown Prince’s words.

Li Jiancheng laughed bitterly, furious, “For me? You talk a good game! If you truly cared for me, why act rashly and ruin my grand plan?”

Li Yuanji remained resentful. “But all I do is for you, big brother! Hoping to help you clear obstacles sooner. What does this have to do with me fighting you? It’s a shameful role I play!”