strictlysupreme Chapter 2694 Li Shimin was very moved
Chapter 2694 Li Shimin was very moved
As soon as Li Shen finished speaking, Li Shimin's voice rang out, and then the entire carriage fell silent.
Aside from the sound of panting, there was only the sound of a carriage moving outside.
Li Chengqian stared at Li Shen in disbelief. He hadn't expected Li Shen to be so ruthless, putting himself in the game just to eliminate the powerful families.
But if that's the case, then his charge of treason will be confirmed, which is not as simple as just being disgraced.
If things go wrong, the whole family could be executed, and their bodies could be separated from their heads.
Is it really worth it to deal with powerful families and nobles?
This is a case of killing a thousand enemies while losing fifteen thousand of your own.
Li Shimin glared angrily at Li Shen, who was leaning against the carriage door. He had just used a provocation tactic to see what other tricks Li Shen had up his sleeve.
Unexpectedly, Li Shen came up with such a ruthless plan.
This move gave the emperor a very strong excuse. No matter how the emperor tried to justify it, the money had indeed gone into Li Shen's pocket.
If Li Shen rebels, the emperor can use this opportunity to eliminate powerful families. If the situation is stabilized, at least two major clans can be eliminated.
They could also strip some of their titles, reclaim their land, and confiscate their property.
However, the consequence of doing so was the sacrifice of Li Shen.
Treason has always been a grave crime, and stripping Li Shen of his title and exiling him was the lightest punishment Li Shimin could give him. This would also eliminate so many powerful clans.
It is highly likely that Li Shen will be severely punished.
What was this guy thinking? What kind of hatred could drive him to choose mutual destruction?
"Hehe, um... Father, don't look at me like that. I'm just suggesting a solution."
If that time truly comes, I am willing to die for the sake of the Li family's empire.
Li Shen leaned against the door and chuckled, a smile on his face, but his tone was full of determination and sincerity.
This deeply moved Li Shimin.
"Come here," Li Shimin said calmly, sitting up.
"I do not."
Li Shen immediately shook his head. "If I were crazy, I would have gone over there. That kick just now almost sent me flying out of the carriage."
Although Li Shen enjoys battling with his father, he is not a masochist who likes to be beaten.
"Hmm?" Li Shimin frowned and his eyes widened.
Li Shen immediately gave in and carefully crawled over.
Li Shimin personally poured a cup of tea and pushed it in front of Li Shen, his tone becoming more gentle:
"Tenth Prince, I am very pleased that you have this idea, but my Li family has not yet reached the point where we have to exchange the lives of our descendants for the country."
You're the tenth child, with so many older brothers ahead of you; it's not your turn to go and die.
Besides, I am still alive. I will handle all things for all generations. You must not act recklessly.
If I were to pass away, your elder brother would still be in charge. All I need to do is for you to diligently assist him, and I will be content.
Li Shimin was indeed moved by Li Shen. Although this son was unreliable and untrustworthy, at least he was sincere and willing to do something for the Li family dynasty.
If all the descendants of the Li family thought this way, how could the Li family's empire not last for thousands of generations?
"Father, rest assured, your son will definitely protect the Li family's empire," Li Chengqian quickly assured him.
"Thank you for your care, Father." Li Shen also expressed his gratitude.
"Tenth Prince, I read the invitation you sent to the palace yesterday. Are you sure you wrote it?"
Li Shimin picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked, "I suddenly received an invitation from the Prince Ji's residence yesterday."
It was just a piece of paper, neither a memorial to the throne nor a letter.
The above text is Li Shen's speech from yesterday, written in Wang Xuance's handwriting. Li Shimin was quite surprised after reading it.
Unexpectedly, Li Shen actually had a day of self-reflection, and even belittled himself, saying that his virtue and talent were inferior to those of the sages, and his temperament was inferior to that of his father and brothers.
He also said that he had wasted his time on eating, drinking, and having fun all these years.
In particular, Li Shimin was deeply moved by his statement that his father was getting old and he had not achieved much.
Finally, I want to try my best to accomplish something.
Unexpectedly, Li Shen pulled a ruthless move today, using himself as bait to sabotage the grand scheme of the aristocratic families.
"A letter? What letter?" Li Chengqian was taken aback. He didn't know that Li Shen had sent a letter to the palace.
Li Shen was also taken aback, but he quickly remembered the invitation sent to the palace.
"Replying to Father, that post was indeed written from the heart, and it was later recorded by Chief Secretary Wang Xuance. I never expected it to be shown to Father. I am truly ashamed."
Li Shen, with a blush on his face, described the incident as an accident, which was reported by the chief clerk without authorization.
"Hehe, is that so?" However, Li Shimin was somewhat skeptical. The chief secretary of the Prince Ji's residence was not sent by him, but was requested by Li Shen himself.
Unlike the Prince of Jin and Prince of Wei, Li Shen only established his own residence but did not set up an office; he only held the official position of the Prince of Ji's residence.
Normally, the chief secretary of a prince is sent by the emperor, such as Li Yifu of the Prince of Jin's mansion and Du Chuke of the Prince of Wei's mansion.
Only Wang Xuance of the Prince Ji's residence was not like that; Wang Xuance was loyal to the Prince Ji.
How could his remarks be sent to the palace without authorization?
"Father, may I take a look?" Li Chengqian's curiosity was at its peak. What exactly did this post say that even his father approved of?
Under Li Shen's incredulous gaze, Li Shimin actually took a piece of paper from a drawer in the carriage and handed it to Li Chengqian.
Li Shen was dumbfounded. You're carrying this around when you're out and about?
Li Chengqian took it and examined it carefully, reading it quickly, since it was written by Wang Xuance and the handwriting was neat.
Unlike Li Shen's cursive script, which resembles a spider crawling and is difficult to decipher.
"Tenth Brother, did you really write this?" Li Chengqian asked in surprise, looking up.
"Of course I didn't write this. Do you think this is my handwriting? I never show my calligraphy to others easily."
Li Shen immediately shook his head; he no longer held Li Chengqian in the same high regard.
"No, what I'm asking is whether the content here is from you," Li Chengqian changed his tune.
"That's natural. I'm a prodigal son who has turned back from the wrong path. I've found the shore and become a Buddha on the spot."
Li Shen even performed a Buddhist salute with great reverence.
"Turning back is the shore...Turning back is the shore!" Li Chengqian muttered twice, then suddenly stared wide-eyed at Li Shen.
Several years ago, a highly accomplished monk at Huichang Temple hanged himself in his meditation room, leaving behind eight words: "The sea of suffering is boundless, but turning back is the shore."
The government handled the matter very quickly, and many people suspected that there was something fishy going on. At that time, some people also told me that they hoped I could investigate the matter thoroughly.
This would have increased my prestige among the people. However, I ignored it.
Could it be... that this matter is related to you?
Li Chengqian asked in a low voice.
That incident indeed caused a sensation in Chang'an, and many devout men and women paid close attention to it.
(My cold is almost gone.)