Chapter 4: Requesting the Emperor to Depose the Crown Prince

Li Shimin had originally harbored some reservations about naming his eldest son as the Crown Prince. It was not that he did not love Li Chengqian; on the contrary, his affection for Chengqian surpassed that of all his other children. At least until the death of Empress Zhangsun, no one could rival the favor Chengqian received.

His hesitation stemmed from Chengqian’s young age; he felt it was far too early to establish an heir. Furthermore, having personally suffered the consequences of the "primogeniture" principle, he feared that if he encountered a more capable son later, he might repeat the same mistake Li Yuan had made, effectively triggering the "Xuanwu Gate Succession Law." However, Chengqian’s bold intervention earlier, where he pointed out his father's error, had impressed Li Shimin and dispelled those lingering concerns. As Zhangsun Wuji had remarked, with Li Shimin’s own capabilities, he would surely rule for a hundred years; whether the Crown Prince was virtuous or not seemed less critical. If Chengqian proved unfit, there was always Li Tai or his other sons. This pragmatic approach was evident in his later actions: after Chengqian became lame, he initially favored Li Tai, then appointed Li Zhi, and later even considered Li Ke, attempting to depose Li Zhi—all of which proved that deep down, he believed in "appointing the virtuous."

"Heh..." Seeing Chengqian step forward, Li Shimin could not help but chuckle. "Is my boy here to offer another righteous remonstrance?"

"Heh, heh, heh..." The gathered officials laughed along. Some had seen Chengqian before and knew him to be exceptionally clever, while others, seeing the eight-year-old newly appointed Crown Prince for the first time, cast curious glances his way.

Chengqian blinked his large, dark eyes and performed a formal salute. "Father, may I ask you a question?"

"Didn't you just act with such reckless audacity to offer your 'righteous' words? Why the sudden change in demeanor? Have you grown sensible now that you are Crown Prince?" Li Shimin teased with a barrage of soul-searching questions.

"Heh, heh, heh..." The officials erupted into laughter once more.

Chengqian scratched his head in slight embarrassment before getting straight to the point: "May I ask, Father, I am now the Crown Prince of the Great Tang, am I not?"

"A ruler’s word is final!" Li Shimin found the question amusing, but his expression suddenly turned stern. "Now that you are the Crown Prince, you must no longer behave with such disregard for decorum. Do you understand?"

"I understand," Chengqian replied cautiously. He then turned to the officials, standing tall. "My lords, Chengqian is now the legitimate Crown Prince, correct?"

"Er..." The ministers exchanged looks, thinking, *You’ve only just been named Crown Prince, must you be so provocative?*

But Zhangsun Wuji understood the implication and bowed with a smile. "This subject pays respects to the Crown Prince!"

"We pay our respects to the Crown Prince!" Led by Zhangsun Wuji, the rest of the ministers followed suit, despite their inner reluctance.

"Enough!" Seeing Chengqian becoming increasingly unruly, Li Shimin began to regret his decision and issued a warning: "Although I have named you Crown Prince, you have not yet been crowned. I shall grant you the coronation only when I am satisfied with your conduct!"

"Ah? This..." Chengqian was stunned, as if he hadn't fully grasped the meaning.

Zhangsun Wuji stepped forward again, smiling. "Even without the coronation, you are still the legitimate Crown Prince. Chengqian, you must work hard to earn your father’s approval and secure your coronation soon!"

"Oh, that gave me a fright. I thought I wasn't legitimate without the coronation..." Chengqian patted his small chest and let out a long breath of relief.

Zhangsun Wuji’s mouth twitched, wondering what had come over the boy to make him act like a different person. Meanwhile, Li Shimin’s face turned livid, and he began scanning the area around him. His attendant, Wushe, asked timidly, "Your Majesty, what are you looking for? Shall I help you find it?"

"What business is this of yours?!" Li Shimin glared at Wushe, intending to chase Chengqian out of the court before he could continue to embarrass himself.

But then, Chengqian’s voice rang out once more: "Father, I request that you depose me from the position of Crown Prince!"

"What!?"

The hall fell into stunned silence. *Boom!* As if to punctuate the atmosphere, a clap of thunder erupted from a clear sky outside, leaving everyone reeling as if struck by lightning. A surge of indescribable fury welled up in Li Shimin’s heart. His hands trembled as he recalled the bloody struggle for the throne and the incident at Xuanwu Gate. *Could this boy have developed some misunderstanding about me because of that incident? Why didn't I think of that? He fell ill right after hearing his mother recount the events of Xuanwu Gate—he must have a deep, distorted view of me! Is he doing this to spite me?*

Li Shimin felt a wave of dizziness, and the officials below began to look like apparitions. He could almost see the ghosts of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji mocking him in the shadows: *You killed your brothers to seize the throne, and now your own son disdains it—how hilarious! If there is such a thing as karmic retribution, this is it!*

"You scoundrel! Impudent! Ungrateful son!" Li Shimin roared, his rage boiling over.

Fang Xuanling stepped forward, looking distressed. "Your Highness, do you realize what you are saying?"

Even though Chengqian had publicly requested to be deposed, his status as Crown Prince had been acknowledged by the entire court. As Zhangsun Wuji had said, he was already the legal heir. Thus, Fang Xuanling still addressed him as "Your Highness."

Not everyone was as tactful as Fang Xuanling, however. Yuchi Gong bellowed angrily, "What is the matter with you, boy? You’ve just been named Crown Prince, and now you ask to be deposed? Do you think the position of Crown Prince of the Great Tang is a child’s game?"

"Indeed, Chengqian, has someone threatened you? If so, blink your eyes!"

"To request to be deposed the moment one is named Crown Prince—this is the greatest farce in the world!"

"Crown Prince, you are being foolish!"

As Yuchi Gong finished, a cacophony of voices filled the hall—some indignant, some pleading, others heartbroken. Most of them were former members of the Prince of Qin’s faction. They had killed the former Crown Prince, Li Jiancheng, to help Li Shimin seize power. Chengqian’s public request to abdicate was a slap in their faces—and a slap in Li Shimin’s as well.

Li Shimin suppressed his rage and said, word by word, "Are you certain you want me to revoke your title as Crown Prince?"

"Yes, Father, I am certain!" Chengqian replied, bowing with a solemn expression.

"Very well!" Li Shimin laughed in his fury. "If you cannot provide a reason for this today, I will show you no mercy!"

"Hoo..." Chengqian took a deep breath. He knew that since he had chosen this path, he had to see it through. He looked Li Shimin straight in the eye and asked, "Father, tell me the truth: do you truly believe I am capable of fulfilling this role?"

"You..." Li Shimin’s eyes widened, shocked by the question. He snapped, "I am asking you for the reason for your request to be deposed!"

"That *is* my reason!" Chengqian held his head high. "If I am not firmly chosen by you, Father, then I do not want this position at all!"

*Bang!* Li Shimin kicked his desk over, his fury reaching its peak.