Chapter 41: Li Shimin: Fainted from Rage at His Scoundrel Grandson

Li Shimin’s flushed face was not caused by Empress Xiao—the woman who had served six emperors—but rather by the temple name "Zhongzong" bestowed upon Li Xian.

"That spineless wretch! By what merit does he deserve the title of 'Zhongzong'?" Li Shimin asked, grinding his teeth in fury.

Temple names are a sophisticated matter. Founders of dynasties are honored as "Tai," those with immense achievements as "Gao," those who lead a restoration as "Zhong," and those whose ancestral sacrifices continue unbroken as "Shi." Whether a ruler is designated as a "Zu" (Progenitor) or a "Zong" (Ancestor) is determined by the standard that "Zu represents merit, while Zong represents virtue."

Take, for example, Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang; Emperor Taizong of Han, Liu Heng; Emperor Shizong of Han, Liu Che; or Emperor Zhongzong of Han, Liu Xun. These were all figures of monumental achievement. Li Shimin could not fathom how a weakling like Li Xian could ever be mentioned in the same breath as Emperor Xuan of Han.

He felt embarrassed on Li Xian’s behalf. A hundred years later, Liu Xun would surely point a finger at Li Xian in the afterlife and curse, "To think that I, Liu Xun, a man of such stature, am ranked alongside a coward like you under the title of Zhongzong..."

Historical records have their standards. Who are the others with the title Zhongzong? Taiwu, Liu Xun—every one of them was a restorer of the realm. Who are these people you are bestowing titles upon? Does Li Xian really deserve to be called Zhongzong? He is nowhere near worthy! He accomplished nothing while on the throne, couldn't even control his own wife or daughter, and yet you expect me to accept this? It is absolutely shameless!

"How can you speak of your 'virtuous' grandson like that, Brother Li? ...Come to think of it, he was quite lucky; the temple name 'Zhongzong' was practically handed to him on a platter," Li Qing said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Back then, Wu Zetian—oh, that was the name she gave herself after declaring herself Empress—favored her male favorites, Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi. Those two, relying on her favor, even dared to meddle in state affairs."

"It just so happened that Wu Zetian’s health was failing, so five ministers, including Zhang Jianzhi and Jing Hui, plotted a coup. They executed the two Zhangs and forced Wu Zetian to return power to Li Xian, restoring the Li-Tang dynasty."

"Good!" Li Shimin cheered, his eyes shining with spirit. "It seems my Great Tang was not lacking in loyal and righteous men!"

"On the twenty-second day of the first lunar month of the first year of Shenlong, Zhang Jianzhi, Cui Xuanwei, Huan Yanfan, and the General of the Left Wei Guard, Xue Sixing, led over five hundred imperial guards to the Xuanwu Gate. They sent Li Duozuo, Li Zhan, and the Palace Attendant and Commander of the Imperial Guard, Wang Tongjiao, to the Eastern Palace to fetch Li Xian," Li Qing said, letting out a sigh. "Even when things had reached this point, Li Xian was still wavering, too terrified to come out."

"Wang Tongjiao pleaded with him, recounting all the injustices Li Xian had suffered and emphasizing that he was the leader the people longed for, urging him to step out and take control. Yet, Li Xian remained unmoved, insisting that they should just kill the villains and not disturb his 'Imperial Mother,' saying that the matter of his ascension could be discussed later."

"Yes, he actually stood them up."

Even for an ancestor like Li Shimin, hearing this made Li Qing want to throw a punch.

You say these men risked their lives and everything they had for your throne, and yet you, out of sheer cowardice, refused to budge?

Li Shimin’s hair bristled with rage. He suddenly lunged up, drew the sword from his desk, and hacked it into the table in a fit of fury. "Damn his mother! That useless waste! Why didn't they just kill him then and there!"

Still unsatisfied even after hacking the table, he grabbed Li Qing and shouted, "Brother! Take me back there! If I don't beat this dog of a creature to death, I am not a man!"

"The blood-pressure-raising part is still to come, Brother Li," Li Qing said, patting Li Shimin’s arm sympathetically to calm him down before continuing the glorious history of the 'virtuous' grandson. "Li Zhan told your grandson that the soldiers were risking extermination by the clans to fix things for him, and if he didn't come out now, they wouldn't be able to hold the line. It was practically a plea on their knees before he reluctantly agreed to go and take a look..."

"I reckon they got tired of his dawdling, so they forced him onto a horse and galloped all the way to the Changsheng Palace. I suspect even that is the sanitized version; given your grandson's character, he most likely didn't want to go and was dragged there by force."

"A coward! A mere coward!" Li Shimin looked up to the heavens and sighed. "I once mocked Liu Xuande for having a tiger father and a dog son, but who would have thought that I would become the butt of the joke myself!"

"Hey, Brother Li, don't rush," Li Qing thought to himself, *this is only the beginning; your grandson has plenty more ways to disgrace you later.*

He offered a half-second of silence for Li Shimin and continued: "Wu Zetian had no choice but to announce the Crown Prince as regent, and soon after, she abdicated in favor of Li Xian."

"After Li Xian ascended the throne, he granted princely titles to the five heroes of the coup. Zhang Jianzhi was made Prince of Hanyang, Jing Hui was made Prince of Pingyang, Huan Yanfan was made Prince of Fuyang, Yuan Suji was made Prince of Nanyang, and Cui Xuanwei was made Prince of Boling."

"Logically speaking, the heroes of the coup were like the second founders of the Li-Tang dynasty. Treating them well and granting them titles was certainly not excessive."

"It was not excessive at all. These were the heroes who restored my Great Tang," Li Shimin said firmly, affirming the five princes. "Even I would have granted them titles. Even if I didn't trust them and kept them away from the center of power, I would never have skimped on their honors."

"But your grandson was ungrateful. Two of the five were exiled and died of grief and illness, and the other three were executed by him..." Li Qing spread his hands, helpless. "Honestly, Brother Li, he was so ungrateful that I don't even know what to say anymore..."

He was such a vermin. How could one govern the Great Tang alongside such a creature?

Li Shimin took a deep breath. He pressed his hand to his forehead, while his other hand gripped Li Qing’s arm. "Brother, say no more, please say no more..."

He was truly pushed to his limit. Li Shimin was so furious he could barely speak; his face was flushed, turning from red to purple.

He really is Brother Li. In such a short time, he not only replenished the emotional energy spent earlier but even gained a significant amount more.

Li Qing had originally been angry himself, but seeing the surge in emotional points in the system, he immediately cast that unnecessary anger to the back of his mind.

Why get angry? What is there to be angry about? That is a matter for the Li-Tang royal family; what does it have to do with an outsider like me? Besides, I am not his ancestor; it is not my turn to be cursed.

But then again, Brother Li really is my dearest, most beloved brother!

"Brother, I have rarely asked for favors in my life..." Li Shimin gripped Li Qing’s wrist tightly. "Can you take me to find that son-of-a-bitch Li Xian? I... I must beat this beast to death with my own hands!"

But he never expected that Li Qing would show a look of genuine surprise.

"We aren't even halfway there yet, Brother Li. You can't take it already? I’ve only told you half of your grandson's glorious history!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin’s vision went dark, and he collapsed face-first onto the table.