Chapter 208: Three Consecutive Strategies

It had been four years since Li Qing’an entered the Tang Dynasty. He never imagined he would become involved in the struggle for the imperial throne, nor did he expect to face such a perilous situation. Now, he was just one step away from death. This was the reality of political struggles—when the nest collapses, no egg remains unharmed. As a supporter of the crown prince, if the crown prince fell, how could he stay safe? It had always been the case.

Li Qing’an sighed and said, “Then please explain these three strategies.”

“Let’s start with the worst option: you immediately raise an army in rebellion. But there’s no reason to do so—after all, you support the crown prince, who has only been confined to the Eastern Palace and not deposed. If you rebel now, you’ll lose everyone’s support and end up in disgrace. So I don’t approve of this option.”

Li Qing’an nodded silently. He agreed—it would mean death for him and his family if he rebelled now. Yan Zhuang continued, “Next is the middle option: find an excuse not to return to Chang’an, such as instability in Suiye. Excuses are easy to find, but the emperor won’t buy it. Your excuse will only strengthen his resolve to get rid of you. If he orders you to return to the capital as a general in half a year, should you go? Going means certain death; not going also means certain death. The best outcome at that point would be to flee to the west with your family under a new name. I doubt you’d choose this strategy either.”

Li Qing’an smiled bitterly. “Then please suggest the best strategy.”

“The best strategy is for you to find a way to convince the emperor that your loyalty to him far exceeds that to the crown prince, and that you would never rebel even if the crown prince were deposed. You need to take a risky step backward—then the world opens up before you.”

“Do you have any specific strategies?”

“Yes!” Yan Zhuang stroked his beard and smiled. “I have three consecutive strategies that can ensure your safety through this crisis.”

……

Chang’an: In recent days, the situation in Chang’an has become extremely tense. This was due to Emperor Li Longji suddenly issuing an order to advance the curfew by one hour—meaning the city gates would close as soon as it darkened. Additionally, all the guards in the Eastern Palace were replaced with the Yulin Army, and security was tightened. Emperor Li Longji also returned temporarily from Xingqing Palace to Daming Palace, reinstated the morning court sessions, and attended government meetings. Once these three news items spread, panic ensued throughout Chang’an. Many realized that the crown prince’s position was in danger.

In the Zichen Hall of the Daming Palace, Li Longji returned to his imperial study, which he had not been in for over two years. The study was now tidy, clean, spacious, and bright. Over these two months, Li Longji had been busy with state affairs, indulged less in wine and women, and gone to bed early and risen early, making him much more energetic than before. Yet this only made him more convinced that his previous listlessness was due to witchcraft.

Sitting behind his desk, Li Longji read over and over again a memorial submitted by Li Qing’an, the governor of Beiting. In it, Li Qing’an stated that he had been severely injured in the Suiye Campaign and hoped to temporarily resign from his position to recover in the Central Plains. This request surprised Li Longji greatly. He certainly understood Li Qing’an’s implied intention—to relinquish military power. Had Li Qing’an seen through his strategies already?

A few days earlier, he had received news that Li Qing’an had crossed the Hexi Corridor and entered Longyou, bringing only three hundred bodyguards. It was not until he received a secret report from Geshu Han that troops had been sent to cut off Li Qing’an’s retreat, thus controlling the greatest threat to the crown prince faction. Only then did Li Longji rush to implement his plan to depose the crown prince. Unexpectedly, Li Qing’an voluntarily relinquished his military power. Judging from where the memorial was sent, it came from Beiting, likely sent simultaneously as Li Qing’an headed to the capital to report. In other words, Li Qing’an decided to resign from his military post while on his way to the capital. Li Qing’an’s decision left Li Longji momentarily hesitant.

He paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back. Although he had been furious at the time of the witchcraft incident in the Eastern Palace, once he calmed down, he quickly noticed some inconsistencies. First, the same witch was found involved in witchcraft incidents at both the Guangping Prince’s mansion and the Eastern Palace, yet there was no connection between the two cases—this seemed too coincidental. Second, when the Guangping Prince’s mansion discovered the sorcerer, the crown prince was present. Logically, he should have immediately returned to his study to destroy the sorcerer, but he didn’t do so, which was also unreasonable. Moreover, with many details still unclear, the witch suddenly committed suicide by poisoning herself.

Li Longji realized that the case in the Eastern Palace was not that simple and might well be a setup. But he didn’t want to change anything. He needed this excuse to replace the crown prince. The crown prince’s growing influence and his recent behavior posed a threat to Li Longji’s throne. The crown prince had to be removed, and not only that—he also needed to purge the crown prince faction. There were twenty-three key members in this faction: Pei Kuan, Lu Huan, Dugu Haoran, Li Qing’an, Wei Huan, Wei Tao, Wang Zhongsi…

The two who caught his attention the most were Wang Zhongsì, who enjoyed great prestige in the army. Last year, he wasn’t killed so that Geshu Han could smoothly take control of the military power. Now it was time for him to die—this man had already been eliminated over a month ago and posed no longer a threat. Instead, Li Qing’an, the governor of Beiting, posed a real challenge to Li Longji. Li Longji knew that Li Qing’an was different from the aristocratic families and imperial relatives; he was a soldier from humble origins and had only recently joined the crown prince’s faction, after the Yangzhou salt scandal the year before last. Such a person would unlikely become a loyal confidant of the crown prince. Moreover, he was quite young and talented, so killing him would indeed be a pity.

As the saying goes, attitude determines stance. Li Qing’an’s letter of resignation made Li Longji’s resolve to kill him waver. After much deliberation, he changed the decision in the list of those to be dealt with—replacing execution with investigation.

…

By this time, Li Qing’an and his party had arrived at the post station in Xianyang County. He had already heard news of the tense situation in Chang’an. Li Qing’an couldn’t help but admire Yan Zhuang’s sharp insight—he had seen through Li Longji’s strategy of suppressing but not eliminating the crown prince, which was actually aimed at dealing with someone like himself who held military power. As soon as he arrived in Longyou, Li Longji took action, leaving him little time. Sitting at the table, Li Qing’an wrote rapidly. He was implementing the second step of Yan Zhuang’s three-part plan: seeking support. He knew that the deposal of the crown prince was a major shake to the nation’s structure, and none of the crown prince’s supporters could escape punishment, especially high-ranking officials like himself, who would most likely be killed to eliminate future threats.

Li Qing’an quickly wrote a short message and said to his bodyguards, “Bring Miss Mingzhu here.”

A moment later, Mingzhu hurried into the room. “Brother Li, did you call for me?”

“Mingzhu, do you remember I asked you if you could get in touch with the Imperial Concubine?”

Mingzhu nodded. “The Imperial Concubine summoned me several times to sing in the lyre garden. I should be able to see her.”

“That’s good. I have a letter here. Please deliver it to her immediately on my behalf. It concerns my life and death. You must find a way to give it to her.”

Mingzhu was shocked. “Brother Li, what happened?”

“Don’t worry about it. Just give her the letter as soon as possible!”

As soon as he finished speaking, a bodyguard rushed over to report, “Sir, we’ve spotted a large army approaching this way.”

Li Qing’an’s expression changed. He shoved the letter into Mingzhu’s hands. “Go through the back door! Hurry!”

“Brother Li!”

Mingzhu turned pale with fear. Li Qing’an stamped his foot and ordered the bodyguards, “Take her away quickly!”

A few bodyguards escorted Mingzhu toward the back door. As she ran, she kept looking back at Li Qingan reluctantly, gradually disappearing into the distance. Li Qingan put on his helmet properly and waited calmly for the army to arrive. Soon, the sound of horse hooves broke the silence of the night. A voice shouted, “Is Li Qingan, the governor of Beiting, here?” Li Qingan recognized it as Changsun Quanxu’s voice. The postmaster replied, “Yes! Governor Li is inside the post station.” “Surround the post station! Anyone who resists shall be killed without mercy.” Changsun Quanxu’s voice was particularly loud, serving as a reminder to Li Qingan. Li Qingan immediately ordered, “Pass my command: no one is allowed to resist.” He stood up and slowly walked outside the post station. Outside, flames were blazing, and torches illuminated the area like daylight. A large number of Yulin Army soldiers, about three thousand in total, surrounded the post station, tense and ready for action. Changsun Quanxu, the new commander of the Left Yulin Army, led the way, holding a long spear. By his side stood the eunuch Yu Chaoen, holding a scroll of imperial edict. Behind the army were Zhang Yi, the vice minister of the Ministry of Punishments, Ji Wen, the head of the Judicial Bureau, and Song Hun, the chief censor. At that moment, Li Qingan slowly stepped out of the post station. Seeing the high-ranking officials from the Judicial Bureau, the Ministry of Punishments, and the Censorate present, he smiled. It seemed a grand trial by the Three Ministries was about to take place. What crime would Li Longji impose on him? Changsun Quanxu stared at Li Qingan with a complex expression. Suddenly, he ordered, “Li Qingan, I am here by the emperor’s command. I hope you won’t resist needlessly.” Li Qingan nodded. “This matter has nothing to do with my bodyguards. Can they be released?” “Yes! But they are not allowed to enter the capital.” Li Qingan immediately turned around and ordered, “Disperse on your own. Do not enter the capital.” Then, Yu Chaen stepped forward and raised the edict, saying, “Here is the imperial edict. Li Qingan, receive it.” Li Qingan knelt down. “Your servant, Li Qingan, receives the edict.” Yu Chaen quickly unrolled the edict and read aloud, “Li Qingan, governor of Beiting, without the permission of the emperor and the Ministry of War, launched an attack against the Geluo people on his way back. As confirmed by the military supervisors, this is indeed the case. He shall be held accountable. He is temporarily removed from his positions as governor of Beiting, commander of Beiting, and guest of the crown prince. He will be tried by the Three Ministries to determine his crime. So it is decreed!” Li Qingan smiled bitterly. This was how they wanted to frame him—there would always be reasons. Border governors often attacked the barbarians whenever they wished, and they would even receive rewards afterward. But for him, it turned into a crime. Since it wasn’t a formal battle, why did he need Li Longji’s approval? It seemed he had good intentions in arranging for Mingyue to marry into the royal family. “Your servant receives the edict!”

At that moment, Zhang Yi, the vice minister of the Ministry of Punishments, stepped forward and said, “Lord Li, please come with us!”
He sighed secretly. Li Qing’an’s arrest meant that the purge of the Crown Prince’s faction had officially begun. As a member of that faction himself, he wondered if he could escape this disaster.
Li Qing’an stood up. “Let’s go!”
He mounted his horse and, under the strict surveillance of 3,000 armored soldiers from the Imperial Guard, headed toward Chang’an City.
…
Three hours after Li Qing’an was arrested, just as dawn was breaking, Pei Kuan knelt before the imperial throne in the Dragon Tail Avenue of Dafeng Square in Daming Palace, receiving an imperial edict from Li Longji.
“Pei Kuan, the minister of rites, is old and weak, unable to handle the heavy burdens of government affairs. He is hereby granted permission to retire. Effective immediately, he is relieved of his positions as minister of rites and co-chancellor of the Central Secretariat. He is also granted the title of Special Envoy. So be it!”
“I, Pei Kuan, accept the edict!”
In the Eastern Palace, Lu Huan, who had just been promoted to chief advisor to the crown prince, also received an edict. Song Hun, the chief censor, accused him of accepting bribes from Du Boseng in the salt scandal the year before last. He was removed from his positions as chief advisor to the crown prince and co-chancellor of the Central Secretariat and imprisoned for interrogation.
Song Hun’s list of accusers also included Du Guohan, the left vice minister. He had served as the governor of Yangzhou at the time of the salt scandal and could not be spared blame. His positions as left vice minister and co-chancellor were suspended, and he was ordered to stay at home pending further investigation.
Within just four hours, Li Qing’an, the governor of Beiting, Pei Kuan, the minister of rites, Lu Huan, the chief advisor to the crown prince, and Du Guohan, the left vice minister, were all arrested or removed from their positions. Chang’an City was in an uproar. The supporters of Prince Qing and the Yang faction rejoiced, while the members of the Crown Prince’s faction remained silent, and the supporters of the prime minister stayed quiet as well.
Emperor Li Longji’s intentions were now very clear. With all the key figures in the Crown Prince’s faction eliminated, his next target was the crown prince himself.
Since Li Longji had only moved halfway—Yang Yuhuan was still in Xingqing Palace and had not returned to Daming Palace—Gao Lishi had been busy moving things around in Xingqing Palace. Upon hearing some news, he rushed to Daming Palace. These days, he had been extremely stressed; Li Longji’s sudden turn of events caught him off guard. Given Li Longji’s meticulous planning, it seemed he had long prepared everything, without Gao Lishi knowing anything about it.
Gao Lishi could only admire Li Longji’s patience and decisive actions. He had served Li Longji for over forty years with unwavering loyalty, yet Li Longji had secretly planned to depose the crown prince without his knowledge.

On his way to Daming Palace, Gao Lishi kept hearing news: Li Qingan had been arrested in Xianyang, Pei Kuan had been dismissed from office, Lu Huan had been captured, and Du Gu Hao Ran had been suspended. Each of these incidents was enough to cause a stir in the court, yet now they were all happening simultaneously—a situation that had only occurred during the palace coup 37 years earlier. It was that coup that allowed the young Li Longji to lead his troops to suppress the Taiping Princess’s faction and ascend to the throne of the Tang Dynasty.

Today was the 10th day of the fourth month in the ninth year of Tianbao, and another serious incident akin to a palace coup had broken out—this time, it was the Eastern Palace coup.

Gao Lishi was extremely anxious. He rushed into Daming Palace, heading straight for the Zichen Hall. The guards and eunuchs dared not stop him and instead led the way for him.

Upon reaching the door of the imperial study, Gao Lishi suddenly heard Li Longji’s angry shout: “You are the right prime minister of the court, the head of all officials. Now that all three prime ministers have fallen and been dismissed, don’t you bear any responsibility for such a serious matter? Do you expect me to take on your responsibilities instead?”

“I dare not. I failed to supervise my subordinates properly and am willing to take responsibility.”

It was Li Linfu’s voice. Gao Lishi couldn’t help but shake his head in secret—now even Li Linfu was implicated.

“Very well! Considering your busy duties and lack of time to oversee the officials, I won’t punish you further. This time, it was the Ministry of Personnel’s negligence that led to my mistake in promoting prime ministers. The Ministry of Personnel must bear primary responsibility. You are dismissed from your position as Minister of Personnel, and Da Xi Xun, the vice minister, is also removed from office. He is demoted to a military advisor in Henan, while Wei Jiansu from the Ministry of Revenue takes over as vice minister.”

Standing outside the door, Gao Lishi heard the last sentence. He suddenly realized something—it seemed Wei Jiansu was also part of Yang’s faction.

Inside the imperial study, Li Linfu felt disheartened. He had not participated in this sudden purge at all. After fighting against Crown Prince Li Heng for so many years, it was Yang Guozhong, who had only been in office for four years, who finally overthrew Li Heng. What merits or abilities did Yang Guozhong have? He was just another obedient dog. At that moment, Li Linfu suddenly remembered an old saying: “When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked.”

Although the cunning rabbit hadn’t died entirely, he, the dog, was old. It was obvious to him that the position of Minister of Personnel would now belong to Yang Zhao.

He sighed and bowed, saying, “Your Majesty, I acknowledge my fault and am willing to accept your punishment.”

Li Longji also knew he couldn’t fight multiple battles at once, especially when dealing with the deposal of the crown prince. He needed to maintain political stability as much as possible. In terms of maintaining stability, Yang Guozhong lacked both experience and qualifications, far inferior to Li Linfu. It would be appropriate to keep Li Linfu in office for another two years. Removing him from his position as Minister of Personnel was sufficient.

He nodded and said, “I also know you are utterly loyal, so I don’t want to punish you too harshly. You are a veteran minister and the head of all officials. With the court in chaos these days, please help me stabilize it, understand?”
Li Linfu understood Li Longji’s words, and his worries turned into joy once again. He bowed and said, “I am willing to serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly until my death.”
Li Longji smiled slightly and waved his hand. “Go! I’m quite tired.”
“I retire!”
Li Linfu slowly left the imperial study, only to see Gao Lishi. He wanted to say something but didn’t know what, so he just sighed and left in a hurry.
Gao Lishi entered the imperial study. Li Longji, tired, was lying on the throne with his eyes closed, resting. Despite Gao Lishi’s careful movements, he still woke Li Longji.
“General, how did you come here? How is the Imperial Concubine?”
“Your Majesty, the Concubine is fine. She is asking if You Majesty will return tonight.”
“Never mind. I’ll stay at Daming Palace tonight, with Wu Xianyi. Running around is exhausting. Go tell my beloved concubine that I’ll return tomorrow.”
“I shall obey!”
Gao Lishi agreed but didn’t move. Li Longji glanced at him and asked, “Is there anything else, General?”
“Your Majesty, are you really… determined to depose the Crown Prince?”
Li Longji’s expression darkened, and he said unhappily, “Are you trying to speak on his behalf again?”
Gao Lishi quickly knelt down and said, “I dare not. There are many doubts regarding the witchcraft incident in the Eastern Palace. I think further investigation is needed…”
“What more needs to be investigated?”
Li Longji angrily interrupted him. “He arranged for his trusted eunuchs to set up contacts in the Eastern Market and secretly meet with high-ranking officials. The evidence is conclusive. With that alone, I can depose him. There’s also the witchcraft matter—I found those villains in his study. He not only cursed the emperor of the Tang Dynasty but also his own father. How can I entrust the realm to such an unfilial and disloyal son?”
“Your Majesty, calm down. The Crown Prince has been the heir for over a decade—known for his loyalty, kindness, and integrity. I believe he couldn’t have done this witchcraft thing. Your Majesty, don’t depose him hastily!”
“Hmph! Loyalty and kindness? I thought so too, but is he truly loyal? He secretly made connections with officials behind my back. I already gave him a chance with the Wei Jian case. Just a few years later, he started again. Beneath his pretense of loyalty and kindness lies a cunning and treacherous heart. Stop advising me. I’ve made up my mind this time.”
“Your Majesty! Please reconsider!”

Gao Lishi’s head thudded loudly as blood appeared on his forehead. With tears streaming down his face, he said, “Your Majesty is already sixty-six this year. It’s rare for anyone to live to seventy. Abolishing the crown prince now will pose a great danger to the Tang Dynasty. It will lead to brothers fighting against each other and fathers turning against their sons. How unbearable will Your Majesty’s sorrow be then?”
Gao Lishi’s words struck a nerve with Li Longji, who flew into a rage and hurled the inkstone at him with force. “Bang!” The inkstone hit Gao Lishi’s forehead, causing blood to flow profusely. Gao Lishi staggered, nearly fainting, but he endured the intense pain and pleaded for Li Heng once again: “Your Majesty strictly forbids the crown prince from having private relationships with ministers, yet encourages other princes to associate with talented people. How is this fair to the crown prince? Moreover, the crown prince has been accused of using witchcraft, but he refuses to admit it, showing that there must be injustice involved. How is it possible to find a villain in the Guangping Prince’s mansion and then another one in the Eastern Palace four hours later? This makes no sense. How can Your Majesty turn a blind eye? Your Majesty, the crown prince is also Your Majesty’s son. Why rush to harm a father-son relationship?”
“Shut up!”
Li Longji roared loudly. Pointing at Gao Lishi, he ordered his attendants viciously, “Drag this scoundrel away from me! Take him away!”
Several eunuchs forced Gao Lishi to go, coaxing him along, “Elder Gao, go now! Don’t provoke Your Majesty any further.”
Gao Lishi was old, his face covered in blood, and he could barely hold on. Finally, he shouted, “Your Majesty, I’m not acting for the crown prince—I’m doing this for Your Majesty’s sake!”
Then he fainted. Li Longji slumped weakly on the dragon throne, unable to speak for a long time. Finally, he sighed and said, “Elder Gao is old. Send him back to his mansion to live out his days.”