Chapter 59: Li Shimin: A Coup? Let Me Teach You!

Chapter 59: Li Shimin: A Coup? Let Me Teach You!

Knowing that time was precious and every second counted, Li Chongjun accepted the advice and immediately led his troops toward the palace.

After all, this great-grandfather before him had some experience in matters of coups.

Before leaving, he didn’t forget to leave five soldiers behind—both to help control Wu Sansi and to ensure Wu Sansi wouldn’t escape.

Li Shimin was not offended by his great-grandson’s distrust; on the contrary, he felt quite gratified. One must be vigilant and cautious, or else be betrayed and still help count the traitor’s gains.

In high spirits, he cut a piece of wood and handed it to Li Zhi.

“Zinu, go serve your eldest nephew his meal.”

“All right!” Li Zhi responded joyfully. When it came to dealing with vermin that destroyed the Li Tang dynasty, he showed no mercy.

Don’t be mistaken to think Li Zhi was truly timid. The word “timid” here only meant lacking in courage to take responsibility—not that his personality was weak.

In fact, Li Zhi’s ruthlessness and cruelty fully met the standards of an emperor, as could be seen from how he dealt with his own maternal uncle.

Meanwhile, as Wu Sansi was being served his meal, a sudden system prompt startled Li Qing.

Well, well, it turned out that the Prince of Liang of the Great Zhou could also provide emotional value?

“Hey, don’t play him to death,” Li Qing said immediately. From his pocket, he took out a pill and stuffed it into Wu Sansi’s mouth. “Just keep him half alive; he still has some use. Let him atone for his crimes.”

“Uncle is right. If we just kill him outright, that would be too easy on him,” Li Zhi said, weighing the piece of wood in his hand. “But Uncle, you know I’m kind-hearted and can’t bear to see Wu Sansi grow fat on broken promises. Look at this…”

“Hey, keep feeding him,” Li Qing said, pointing at the half-cut desk. “Just stuff the whole thing down his throat. I guarantee he won’t die!”

“All right!” Li Zhi was just waiting to hear that and immediately sprang into action.

Li Shimin flipped through the ledgers seized from Wu Sansi’s house, cursing as he read.

“This villain is truly worse than a beast!” Li Shimin cursed bitterly. “Just the other day, he forced a family to death just to buy that patch of land outside the city. He even threw them into the valley to be devoured by wild beasts…”

“He’s done plenty more…” Li Qing said, then suddenly brightened. “Hey, Li Bro, I have an idea that will let you vent your anger and also please the common people.”

“What is it?” Li Shimin was intrigued.

“Let’s hold a public trial right here in the palace city, to try Wu Sansi openly!” Li Qing said enthusiastically. “Not just Wu Sansi, but also Empress Wei, Princess Anle, and the like—none of them can be spared! Oh, and that treacherous Zhou Lizhen—we’ll put them all on trial!”

“What’s a public trial?” Li Shimin didn’t quite understand.

“It means calling upon the people of Chang’an to witness the public judgment of these heinous criminals!” Li Qing explained brightly. “For those who have been oppressed, it gives them a chance to voice their grievances.”

“Good! That’s a fine idea!” Li Shimin agreed without hesitation. As for whether publicly trying the empress and princess would sully the royal dignity? Ha! What matters more is making my wise younger brother happy!

Besides, it was Empress Wei and Princess Anle who shamelessly brought disgrace upon themselves. If they didn’t want dignity, then they wouldn’t have it!

After forcing Wu Sansi to swallow the entire desk, he not only ate his fill but also contributed over four thousand emotional points to Li Qing.

Li Qing was very satisfied; no one would think so many emotional points were too burdensome. Besides, the damage was done to the feelings of this ruthless traitor, not to an innocent soul.

Pointing at Wu Sansi, he said to the five Imperial Guard soldiers,

“You five, follow us and take him to the palace.”

...

Inside the palace, Li Chongjun led his troops, shouting “Execute Shangguan Wan’er!” as they searched each room one by one.

Shangguan Wan’er, who was asleep, was terrified by the shouting. Pale as death, she didn’t even bother with makeup and scrambled in disarray toward Li Xian’s direction.

“What’s happening?” Li Xian was shocked to see her rushing in, disheveled.

“The Crown Prince… the Crown Prince is rebelling!” Though flustered, Shangguan Wan’er kept her composure. “The Crown Prince plans to kill me first, then Princess Anle, then the Empress, and finally His Majesty!”

“What? The Crown Prince would rebel?” Li Xian, who had just stood, suddenly felt weak in the legs and sat back down.

It wasn’t disbelief but sheer surprise that the usually meek Crown Prince would dare to take such a dangerous and treasonous step.

“The Crown Prince already led the troops here!” Shangguan Wan’er said again. “Your Majesty, if you don’t leave now, it will be too late…”

After a moment of panic, Li Xian forced himself to calm down. Though trembling, he stood and began issuing orders.

“Wan’er, you go with Yang Sixu to deploy troops. The rest of you, come with me to Xuanwu Gate!”

In the rush, Li Xian could only gather a little over a hundred guards. When he arrived at Xuanwu Gate, Crown Prince Li Chongjun’s forces had just arrived as well.

“Crown Prince! How dare you!” Li Xian’s immediate reaction was to point at him and accuse.

“Father, Wu Sansi and his son have already been executed by me. Please hand over Empress Wei, Princess Anle, and Shangguan Wan’er, these three she-devils!” Li Chongjun shouted loudly. “I come only to rid the kingdom of traitors and restore the bright heavens of the Great Tang!”

Hearing the news of Wu Chongxun’s death, Princess Anle screamed and fainted.

“What?!” Li Xian was enraged upon hearing of Wu Sansi’s death. “How dare this upstart harm my trusted aide!”

He still considered Wu Sansi his most trusted confidant.

Truly, no fool was as foolish as him.

“Your Majesty! The Crown Prince sent me to tell you that if you hand over these three she-devils, you will remain Emperor of the Great Tang. He only seeks to eliminate the main culprits and does not target Your Majesty!” Li Duozuo shouted loudly.

But Li Xian continued to curse, accusing Li Duozuo of ingratitude.

Thus, the two sides faced off at Xuanwu Gate, with Li Chongjun reluctant to harm Li Xian, and Li Xian unwilling to act first due to lack of troops.

In short, it was a standoff—neither side wanted to make the first move.

According to history, it was Li Chongjun’s hesitation that led to the coup’s failure, and all who joined him were ultimately executed.

At that moment, a voice rang out.

“What are you standing there for? The Emperor is held hostage by the treacherous Empress Wei. You, as the Imperial Guards, should be rescuing the Emperor now! What are you waiting for?”

Li Chongjun turned to look. The speaker was none other than his great-grandfather, Li Shimin.

“Charge with me! Rescue the Emperor! Glory and merit will be made today!”

Li Duozuo was no fool. Hearing the call, he drew his sword and charged toward the city tower.

(End of Chapter)