Chapter 5: Life’s Ups and Downs Happen Too Fast [New Book, Please Add to Favorites]

"Chengqian!"

Li Shimin kicked over the desk, roaring in fury.

Li Chengqian truly wanted to retort, "Please address me as the Crown Prince, Your Majesty." But seeing the desk tumbling across the floor, he subconsciously swallowed his saliva, deciding it was best not to provoke Emperor Li Er any further. After all, when Emperor Li Er turned ruthless, he even killed his own brothers and nephews; if he were pushed too far, he might just complete the set.

"Well..." Li Chengqian offered a sheepish smile to ease the tension. "Father, please calm your anger and hear your son out!"

"You brat, what exactly is your game?" Li Shimin narrowed his eyes, a wave of imperial pressure sweeping across the great hall. Although the officials were confused as to why such a scene was unfolding, no one dared to intervene in the private affairs of this father and son.

Li Chengqian sighed. "It seems, Father, you still do not understand what it truly means to be a crown prince who has been firmly and unequivocally chosen."

"Stop playing these mysterious games with me! If you have something to say, say it clearly!"

"Very well! Since you command me to speak, I shall!" Li Chengqian declared. "Might I ask, Father, has the Xuanwu Gate Incident truly passed into history?"

*Hiss!*

The officials gasped, thinking to themselves, *How could he be so bold?* Did he not know that this event was a taboo for Emperor Li Er?

As expected, Li Shimin's face turned black at the question. Yet, this time, he did not fly into a rage. He felt that regardless of the misunderstandings Li Chengqian might have, he must let him finish, or the rift would never be mended.

Li Shimin asked expressionlessly, "Do you think I was wrong in the Xuanwu Gate Incident?"

"No," Li Chengqian shook his head. "I merely wish to remind you, Father, that since the Prince of Xi and the Prince of Hailing have been granted their titles and posthumous names, shouldn't the Xuanwu Gate Incident itself also reach a final verdict?"

"What kind of verdict?"

"Has Father never considered this?" Li Chengqian asked, feigning surprise. "Because of the Xuanwu Gate Incident, you have suffered much slander. Some call you disloyal and unfilial; others call you heartless and unjust. In short, this event has become a stain upon your name. Even if you govern the Great Tang into the greatest golden age in history, the history books will never record you as a legitimate successor!"

"Therefore, I believe that for the sake of both legal legitimacy and your reputation, this matter should be settled once and for all!"

Hearing this, Li Shimin pondered for a moment before saying, "In the past, the Duke of Zhou executed Guan and Cai, and the Zhou dynasty became peaceful. Ji You poisoned Shu Ya, and the State of Lu became tranquil. My actions were merely to secure the nation and benefit the people."

*Pfft—*

Li Chengqian chuckled.

Li Shimin’s expression darkened. "What are you laughing at?"

"That is a claim you believe yourself, Father, but you cannot make the world believe it!"

"Why?"

"When the Duke of Zhou executed Guan and Cai, and when Ji You poisoned Shu Ya, it was only because the monarch had either died or was on the verge of death that these events took place. May I ask, Father, how is my Imperial Grandfather faring now?"

"This..." Li Shimin was rendered speechless.

The execution of Guan and Cai occurred after King Wu of Zhou had died, when the two brothers conspired to rebel. Ji You’s poisoning of Shu Ya occurred after Duke Zhuang of Lu fell ill, when Shu Ya conspired to install Qingfu as the monarch. While both were famous instances of fratricide in history, they differed from Emperor Li Er's situation. Li Yuan had neither passed away nor fallen gravely ill; in fact, he had sired another son for Li Shimin just the year before. Thus, Li Shimin was left speechless by Li Chengqian’s logic.

"Then, in your opinion, how should the Xuanwu Gate Incident be judged?"

"Before I answer, I have three more questions for you, Father!"

"What questions?" Li Shimin frowned.

Li Chengqian blinked. "If you were an ordinary man, Father, and you saw someone fall into a well, where saving them would mean your own death, would you save them or not?"

"This..." Li Shimin paused, clearly not expecting such a question, and turned to look at the officials in the hall. They looked at each other, but not one dared to provide an answer.

Li Shimin frowned and scoffed, "I would not save them!"

"Heh!"

"And what are you laughing at now!"

"Nothing. I am just laughing because you are a true gentleman!"

"A gentleman?"

"Yes! A gentleman does not save them!" Li Chengqian nodded. "When encountering a tragedy, one first feels compassion, but a gentleman is not a pedantic fool. He may save others, but he will never allow himself to be cast into a death trap."

*Good grief!*

The hall was stunned. The former officials of the Prince of Qin’s mansion, the old subordinates of the Prince of Xi and the Prince of Hailing, the veterans of Li Yuan’s court, and even Li Shimin himself were shocked by this assertion.

*Good heavens!* A gentleman does not save them! Was he openly breaking through the bottom line of morality? How dared he!

"Hahaha—"

Just as the officials were reeling in shock, Li Shimin suddenly threw his head back and laughed. "Well said!"

*Good lad!* This bold declaration—he liked it! Clearly, he understood the meaning behind Li Chengqian’s questioning and why he wanted a verdict on the Xuanwu Gate Incident. If you stand by and watch someone die, and that someone happens to be yourself, would you still save them? Likewise, if the person who would have died at Xuanwu Gate was himself, what then?

There is only one truth in this world: either you die, or I live. To survive, one must not place oneself in peril. Therefore, the fratricide was not his original intent; it was merely a necessity for survival!

Thinking of this, Li Shimin’s heart felt suddenly clear. He felt excitement, shock, and, more than anything, a sense of being moved. Li Chengqian’s questions struck at the very heart of Emperor Li Er, alleviating much of his guilt.

But Li Chengqian was not done. "May I ask, Father, if one uses an incorrect method to pursue a correct outcome, is it right or wrong?"

This time, Li Shimin did not look at the officials. He answered directly: "It is right!"

"Why?"

"Even if the method is wrong, if one does not pursue the outcome, how would one even know it was wrong?"

"You are right, Father!" Li Chengqian nodded. "A gentleman is judged by his deeds, not his intentions; if judged by intentions, there would be no perfect person in this world!"

"Hmph, though I am the Emperor, I am no perfect man either." Li Shimin frankly admitted his shortcomings and reminded him, "You have one final question. Ask it!"

"Very well!" Li Chengqian nodded earnestly. "May I ask, Father, if killing one innocent person could save ten others, would you do it?"

Li Shimin answered without hesitation: "I would not!"

"Then what if it could save a thousand, or ten thousand people?"

"This..." Li Shimin hesitated; he knew that given his nature, he likely would. But he realized that if he answered that way, he would fall into Li Chengqian's trap. He countered, "If it were you, would you save them or not?"

Li Chengqian laughed out loud. "Even if I could save the entire world, I would still not kill that person!"

"Why?"

"Because I fear that I might be the person being killed!"

"This..." Li Shimin felt his scalp tingle. The officials were equally dumbfounded, their minds reeling.

Li Chengqian’s three questions were, in fact, laying the groundwork for a verdict on the Xuanwu Gate Incident. He dissected the event from the perspectives of human nature, moral choice, and individual values, guiding people to understand the event correctly rather than simply dictating right from wrong. Though this approach was common in later eras, this was the Great Tang.

This exchange elevated the entire court. It was not only an interrogation of the souls of those involved in the Xuanwu Gate Incident, but also an inspiration for the values and morals of the entire society. They could not help but wonder: *Is this truly something an eight-year-old child could say?* It was unbelievable! It was staggering!

"Phew..." Taking a deep breath, Li Shimin steadied his emotions and looked at Li Chengqian with a complex expression. "Who taught you these three questions?"

Li Chengqian replied casually, "No one taught me. I thought of them myself!"

"What?!" The officials were shocked by Li Chengqian’s talent. If he could come up with such questions without a teacher, this child was a genius!

"Er..." Li Shimin had intended to press him on how he conceived those questions, but seeing the expressions of the officials, he swallowed his words and changed the subject. "What does this have to do with you asking to be deposed as Crown Prince?"

"No, Father, do you still not understand? I am the eldest son, and I am an innocent person!"

"Do you mean you are worried about your younger brothers?"

"Exactly!" Li Chengqian said with complete sincerity. "As the saying goes, a gentleman does not stand under a tottering wall! If you do not firmly choose me as the Crown Prince, it will create hidden dangers for me. Therefore, I cannot hold this position!"

"Hidden dangers? What dangers?"

"Think about it, Father. You named me Crown Prince, but you haven't held the coronation. What is this? A 'semi-finished' Crown Prince! Although legal, it leaves an opportunity for my younger brothers! As long as I am not crowned, they will believe they have a chance to contest the throne. As long as something happens to me, they become candidates for the next Crown Prince! In this way, do you think the tragedy of the Xuanwu Gate will not repeat itself?"

"How could that be?" Li Shimin said dismissively. "Do you think I would allow such a tragedy to happen to you?"

Li Chengqian found it amusing. *You didn't just allow such a tragedy to happen to us. Because of such tragedies, almost none of your sons lived well!* It is said that even the greatest emperors of all time could not raise a smoothly succeeding crown prince. Few know how difficult it is to be the son of such an emperor. From a young age, one is burdened with high expectations and molded in the father's image, yet no matter how one is raised, it is impossible to become another version of him. That is why the heirs of the four greatest emperors were all tragedies.

Li Chengqian persisted, "Father, it is not that I do not trust you; it is that I do not trust myself. Please, just depose me! I beg you!"

"You rebellious son!" Li Shimin was about to explode with frustration when Zhangsun Wuji hurriedly stepped forward to mediate. "Your Majesty, I believe Chengqian has only just recovered from his illness and his mind is not yet clear, which is why he harbors these worries. Perhaps you should let him go back and rest..."

"No, Uncle!" Li Chengqian urged. "Father must depose me first so I can rest properly, otherwise, I won't be able to eat or sleep!"

"Er..." The officials looked at each other, wondering how the position of Crown Prince could be viewed by Li Chengqian as if it were a venomous snake. Could it be that being the Crown Prince was truly a curse?

Seeing this, Pei Ji, who had remained silent, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, in my opinion, it is best to grant the Crown Prince’s wish. After all, this matter should not be rushed."

Zhangsun Wuji looked back at Pei Ji with displeasure. "What do you mean, Minister Pei? The Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation; how can he be deposed so easily?!"

"No, no, no, Uncle is wrong! The foundation of the nation is not the Crown Prince; it is my Father! As they say, the Emperor is like iron, while the Crown Prince is like flowing water..."

"Hahaha!" As soon as Li Chengqian finished, the officials burst into laughter.

Even though Li Chengqian avoided the position like the plague, his intelligence, courage, and ability to express himself had won over many ministers. However, it remained to be seen if Emperor Li Er's attitude had changed.

"Chengqian, tell me honestly, is there something you are hiding?" Li Shimin stared at Li Chengqian with a grave expression, as if trying to look right through him. He had noticed Li Chengqian’s unusual behavior for some time but had brushed it off, thinking it was just the aftermath of his illness. Now, however, he realized it might not be that simple.

Li Chengqian denied it directly. "No, I have nothing to hide!"

"However," he pivoted, smiling sheepishly, "if you insist on me being the Crown Prince, could you depose me and then re-appoint me? That way, I would be the Crown Prince that you have firmly and unequivocally chosen!"

"You!" Li Shimin pointed at Li Chengqian, so angry he couldn't speak. *What does he mean by 'depose me and then re-appoint me'? Does he think appointing a Crown Prince is child's play?*

"Since you do not wish to be Crown Prince, I will not force you!" Li Shimin was an emperor with a temper. Since Li Chengqian had pushed it this far, if he didn't depose him, it would look like he was begging his son to stay. Therefore, regardless of how earnestly Zhangsun Wuji pleaded, he issued the decree with finality.

"By my decree: The Crown Prince, Li Chengqian, lacks judgment, does not respect the Emperor, and has openly disrupted the court. His virtue is not suited to his position. Therefore, I hereby depose him..."

With the issuance of Li Shimin's decree, the absurd and bizarre event of deposing the Crown Prince came to an end. Li Chengqian was promptly shooed out of the court. Standing outside the Xian-de Hall, watching the sunset, he felt a mix of wanting to cry and laugh.

"Sigh! Life's ups and downs really are too fast..."

He sighed and called out in his mind: "System!"

[I am here!] A mechanical voice responded.

"Who am I?"

[The deposed Crown Prince, Li Chengqian.]

Li Chengqian’s mouth twitched. He wanted to curse the useless system, but he couldn't help but ask, "If I am appointed as Crown Prince again, does it count as returning to the position?"

[It does.]

Hearing this, tears nearly welled up in Li Chengqian's eyes.

Just then, a cautious voice called out from the side: "Imperial Brother!"

"Hmm?" Li Chengqian turned to see a chubby, sly-looking boy waving at him. He frowned.

Li Tai!

Li Shimin’s second son, and Li Chengqian’s lifelong rival!