Chapter 1227: Wind and Clouds of Chang`an

Translator: Lordbluefire

Li Yingqi organized a very extravagant dinner banquet for the Great Tang diplomatic group. But because Li Xuan’s performance was lackluster and Han Cangshui didn’t take up any responsibility as the main commander, Li Yingqi publicly proclaimed his unhappiness during the banquet and harshly berated Li Xuan.

(All of you are trash that cost me the tax money of a city. If you guys work harder, I won’t have to give Sun Mo so much.)

Li Yingqi told Li Xuan to meditate in seclusion for a year. At the same time, he also praised Li Ziqi and Sun Mo and granted them a vast amount of wealth and also official positions.

However, what made people the most envious was that Li Yingqi bestowed the position of Jinling’s city lord to Sun Mo. In the future, as long as he didn’t rebel or commit any great crimes, he would be granted full amnesty. At the same time, he was eligible to obtain one-tenth of the taxes Jinling paid annually.

This was Jinling. Leaving aside the Great Tang, even in the entire Nine Provinces, it was considered a top-level city. It was rich, fashionable, and luxurious!

Being its city lord was a dream many people would have.

However, these high officials could sense a strange scent from this.

In the past, the owner of Jinling had been Prince Li Zixing. The taxes he kept would basically enter his own treasury. The empire had only received a pittance.

Li Yingqi had arranged Li Xiu’s feudal land to be Jinling because he wanted her to contend against Prince Li Zixing. Later on, the eldest princess had won and the amount of tax the empire received from Jinling also increased. However, Li Yingqi always felt that she had embezzled a portion of the tax.

Li Xiu was very talented and didn’t lose out to males. If she devoted herself to politics, she could definitely become a premier. Li Yingqi couldn’t rest at ease knowing that Li Xiu was based in an important place like Jinling.

Now that Li Xiu and Sun Mo were so close, in addition to their relationship with Li Ziqi, Li Yingqi was honestly somewhat nervous.

This power was enough to control his reign and threaten his position.

Li Yingqi was afraid of being forced to abdicate. This was why he thought of this idea of giving Jinling to Sun Mo.

By doing so, he could make it seem that he was more generous than the Qi Emperor and could also set Li Xiu and Sun Mo against each other.

“Sun Mo and Li Xiu will definitely fall out with each other to seize the power and authority of Jinling. Haha, I’m truly a genius!”

(A genius great teacher? A talented eldest princess? Sorry, you guys are both my chess pieces!)

After sending Sun Mo away, Li Yingqi started to enjoy his life of debauchery again.

“The enemy I hated the most has died, so I’m feeling as lonely as the snow now!”

Li Yingqi drank a mouthful of delicious wine and admired the song and dance.

These dancers were all chosen from unwedded girls below 16 from the entire empire. They were as mesmerizing as lotuses that hadn’t bloomed yet.

Compared to the Qi Emperor who loved older females, Li Yingqi loved young girls. He had read an ancient book before. If one slept with a young girl daily, it would grant that person boundless energy.

In the past, some officials had kept advising him repeatedly not to. But after Li Yingqi had put six people to death via beating, no one dared to say anything anymore.

“Haha, you girls have danced well. But it would be nicer if all of you remove your skirts!”

Li Yingqi finished his cup of wine in a single gulp and stood up, walking toward the stage. “Allow This Emperor to take off your clothes for all of you!”

The girls immediately feigned panic as though they were frightened rabbits as they dodged Li Yingqi.

The musicians were used to this scene. This was something that would always happen.

Li Yingqi chased after the girls like dancing butterflies in the air. He groped one and kissed another. But suddenly, he stumbled and fell onto the ground. His body started convulsing.

“Your Majesty!”

All the dancers and officials knelt immediately as their faces turned pale from fright. They then saw white froth bubbling from the emperor’s mouth and urine was flowing out, staining his dragon robes.

The news of the emperor suffering a stroke swiftly circulated through the entire royal palace. After that, this news got locked down and discussion about this was forbidden.

Li Yingqi’s parents had passed away long ago, so he was the highest authority in this palace. But now that he suffered a stroke, everyone had to listen to the person with the next highest authority, and it was none other than Li Xiu.

The current queen wasn’t Li Xuan’s blood mother and wasn’t good in palace schemes. She was very into Buddhism, so she didn’t have much power.

When Li Xuan who was grounded in the crown prince palace heard this news, he firstly felt surprised and then dread. He didn’t dare to wait a single moment and directly rushed to the emperor palace.

Li Xuan asked the imperial doctors in detail about Li Yingqi’s condition. After that, he knelt for a few minutes before the bed before he got called out by Han Cangshui.

“Xuan`er, what do you plan to do?”

Han Cangshui asked as his gaze paid attention to the surroundings.

“I’ll do my filial duty and pray for my royal father!

Li Xuan’s answer was average and naturally caused Han Cangshui to feel even more disappointed.

“Fool!”

Han Cangshui grew angry. “Are you still a royal prince? Have you not learned how to be an emperor before? The throne only has space for one person!”

“Ah?”

Li Xuan felt his heart trembling as he listened.

“Whether his majesty could wake up or not, or if he would have sequelae after waking up, they are both aspects that are worthy of consideration. Moreover, even if he woke up fine, what about it?”

Han Cangshui looked at Li Xuan. “A country cannot survive a day without an emperor. Can’t you step up and take the role?”

“…”

Putong! Putong!

Li Xuan’s heartbeat was very fast, and sweat appeared on his forehead. He wanted the throne but after considering it for a few minutes, he still chose to shake his head.

What if he failed?

“Trash!”

Han Cangshui couldn’t bear to listen anymore. “You might be benevolent and don’t want to usurp the throne. But what about your younger sister? Don’t forget that your performance in the Five Empires War Discussion was extremely terrible, while Li Ziqi was shining with radiance. In addition to Li Xiu’s support, do you think you still can ascend and become the emperor?

“T…that can’t be, right?”

Li Xuan gulped down a mouthful of saliva. “Even if I want to ascend to the throne, those high officials probably wouldn’t agree!”

“Are you stupid? Is your crown prince faction a fake one? Quickly get those high officials that support you to act. As for the neutral officials, you should immediately pay them a visit and hint that there would be benefits if they assist you.”

Han Cangshui was speechless.

“W…wouldn’t this act be a little too lowly and despicable?”

Li Xuan didn’t want to continue thinking in this vein. He felt that he was the crown prince and there was no need for him to lower his status.

Pak!

Han Cangshui couldn’t take it anymore and directly slapped Li Xuan.

“As long as you become the emperor in the future, all of them have to kneel before you. Whether they die or live will be decided by you. In addition, this is known as ‘respect for the wise’, do you understand?”

Han Cangshui roared in a low voice, “Go quickly. If something happens, I’ll tank it for you.”

Li Xuan gritted his teeth and decided to go all out.

He could also sense that his aunt and Ziqi had a very close relationship. If they allied to seize the throne, he would truly not be their match.

The crown prince faction got into action, and Li Xuan continuously paid visits to the various high officials.

Li Yingqi had suffered a stroke suddenly, but no one suspected it as something that was deliberately caused by someone. Firstly, the highly-skilled imperial physicians had done a check. Although Li Yingqi wasn’t a muddle-headed emperor, he was very lustful and loved playing with women. After he had ascended to the throne, he would select a bevy of beauties from the commoners to join his harem every year.

Li Yingqi had many sons, but the vast majority of them were mediocre and even inferior to Li Xuan. Fortunately, Li Xuan had been the crown prince for over a decade, so he naturally had some foundations. After he went around paying visits, quite a lot of officials decided to support him.

Li Xuan felt that the current situation was becoming better, and he was getting closer and closer to the throne. His ego started to swell and sometimes in private, he even used the word ‘This emperor’ to refer to himself when speaking to others.

However, his advantage only lasted until Li Xiu and Li Ziqi returned to Chang`an. After that, his influence rapidly dwindled.

“Why would things be like this?”

Li Xuan panicked because when he went to look for some other high officials, they either pretended to be sick and refused to meet him, or they didn’t give him any concrete promises.

This was a bad omen.

Because Li Ziqi was a princess, she had no qualifications to be the emperor. But now, there were high officials supporting her.

…

Han Cangshui went to the crown prince palace. When he arrived, he discovered that this fellow had been drinking and was already drunk.

“What are you doing?”

Han Cangshui was very angry. (At such crucial times, you actually want to get drunk?)

“My aunt persuaded me to think for the sake of the Great Tang and beseeched me to take the initiative to give up the throne.”

Li Xuan sobbed. He respected Li Xiu very much but today, Li Xiu had hurt his heart.

“Have you agreed?”

Han Cangshui narrowed his eyes.

“Is it useful even if I disagree? Right now, my aunt has a very great influence and power in court!”

Li Xuan felt that he couldn’t win.

“If you don’t even dare to fight for it, you have already lost!”

Han Cangshui encouraged him.

“Your Highness, Zheng Qingfang is requesting an audience.”

A court eunuch knocked on the door as he reported.

“Grandpa Zheng is here?”

Li Xuan had a look of joy on his face. “Teacher, I’m going to meet with Grandpa Zheng first. If he supports me, I won’t have to be afraid of my aunt!”

As a doyen that had served the imperial court for three generations, Zheng Qingfang still had great influence although he had retired.

Upon seeing Zheng Qingfang in the guest hall, Li Xuan hurriedly headed over and didn’t give him any chance to bow. “Grandpa Zheng, my royal father is heavily ill. Could you come back to court and take charge of the general situation? Without you, the Great Tang cannot make it!”

Li Xuan was still knowledgeable enough to say such pleasant words. He directly gave Zheng Qingfang a tall hat to wear first.

Zheng Qingfang didn’t let his mind fly around in joy after hearing the praises. He persisted in executing the bow. After that, he earnestly spoke, “Your Highness, for the sake of our empire’s future, please give the throne to Princess Ziqi!”

“What?”

Li Xuan was stunned. His heart instantly sank deep into an icy cellar. If even Zheng Qingfang supported Li Ziqi, how the hell would he be able to win?

“Grandpa Zheng, but why?”

Li Xuan was anxious now. “Are there any aspects of me that you are unhappy about? I can change!”

“…”

Zheng Qingfang bitterly smiled. If Li Ziqi wasn’t there as a comparison example, Li Xuan was actually passable.

Honestly speaking, Zheng Qingfang who favored boys over girls didn’t really want to support Li Ziqi’s ascension. After all, there had never been a female emperor in the history of Great Tang. But Li Ziqi was just too outstanding. Moreover, she also had Sun Mo as her personal teacher.

Before he came to meet with the crown prince, Li Xiu had met him and publicly expressed her desire to support Li Ziqi to take the throne.

What did this mean?

It meant that even if Li Xuan ascended to the throne, it would still be useless. Li Xiu could still launch a coup d’état. In addition to Sun Mo’s influence in the great teacher world, even if they couldn’t overthrow Li Xuan, they could still heavily ‘damage’ the Great Tang.

“Your Highness, why don’t you let Ziqi have a try first? If she cannot do it well, can you take over?”

Zheng Qingfang suggested.

“Can the emperor position have a trial session?”

Li Xuan ridiculed. Whoever was on the throne naturally wouldn’t be willing to give it up.

After a bit, the two of them ended their chat and departed with unhappiness.

When Han Cangshui saw the depressed look on Li Xuan’s face, he knew that nothing good must have come out of the meeting.

“Teacher, that old ghost Zheng Qingfang is also inclined to support Li Ziqi!”

Li Xuan felt very miserable. “Our probability of winning is too low.”

“You want to give up?” Han Cangshui questioned.

“What should I do?”

Li Xuan was very helpless. In Great Tang, the two people with the most influence, Li Xiu and Zheng Qingfang, were both standing on Li Ziqi’s side.

“We can only strike first to gain the upper hand!”