Chapter Twenty: The Morning Assembly (Part One)

After days of swirling, heavy snow finally ceased amid the grievances of the entire imperial court, yet the disaster had not abated.

For the third consecutive day, His Majesty Emperor Li II convened the ministers in the Tai Chi Palace to discuss disaster relief efforts.

The calamity in Guanzhong was already dire; each day, hundreds of commoners perished from cold and starvation.

However, due to transportation difficulties, the funds and provisions sent from Jiangnan could not reach Chang’an in time, leaving all the ministers overwhelmed and anxious.

“The Wei River is frozen, the Yellow River blocked with ice; at present, overland is the only route to transport funds and grain. Though heavy snow seals the roads, I beseech Your Majesty to issue an edict urging all regional governments and prefectures to brave hardships and deliver relief supplies to Guanzhong at the earliest… *cough cough*… At the same time, dispatch imperial inspectors to supervise. Should anyone shirk their duty or delay aid, let them face severe punishment without leniency!”

Chancellor Fang Xuanling stepped forward to speak.

The venerable prime minister had been working tirelessly for days, his strength long depleted. Coupled with the bitter cold and his deep worry over the disaster, he had been ill for some time but refused to rest, insisting on overseeing relief matters.

Emperor Li II quickly responded, “Your words are well reasoned, Xuanling. I shall issue the order immediately. But is your health greatly troubled? Afterwards, have the imperial physicians examine you. We cannot afford delay.” Then he called out to the palace guards, “Bring a chair for Chancellor Fang.”

Fang Xuanling felt a surge of gratitude and bowed deeply. “Many thanks, Your Majesty…”

Watching the frail figure of Fang Xuanling, the emperor’s heart was filled with genuine concern.

Among those stalwart pillars who had stood by him through thick and thin in the Qin Wang Mansion’s inner circle, Fang was the most physically fragile still serving at court; even Chancellor Zhangsun Wuji was in better health.

With Du Ruhui having passed early, the only true “mainstays” were Fang Xuanling and Zhangsun Wuji.

Li II was a magnanimous and loyal man. His sworn brothers had abandoned homes, livelihoods, and even lives to help him seize the realm. Would he, like the first Han emperor, turn cold and sever ties upon ascending the throne, fearing their rebellion?

Li II neither expected these old comrades to rebel nor feared them if they did.

He believed in sharing both hardship and prosperity.

Hence, when Hou Junji rebelled and by law should have his entire clan executed, Li II only executed Hou himself and exiled his son to Lingnan.

His treatment of blood brothers was as cold and ruthless as winter, cutting them off without mercy; yet to his subordinates, he was as gentle as spring, protective and forgiving.

The ministers in the hall could sense Fang Xuanling’s gratitude and the emperor’s care, their hearts stirred deeply.

With such a benevolent sovereign, how could they not devote themselves wholeheartedly?

At that moment, a minister stepped forward and reported, “Chancellor Fang’s words are most true. Yet the situation is such that even with urging, the relief funds and provisions cannot reach Guanzhong soon. The most urgent matter now is to swiftly pacify the growing unrest among the people of Guanzhong. Otherwise, if the public’s discontent festers, the realm itself will be imperiled…”

Li II looked up; it was Liu Lei, the supervisory censor in charge of records.

Liu Ji had once served under Xiao Xian as Yellow Gate Attendant Director, later leading forces south to capture over fifty cities beyond the Ling region. In the fourth year of Wude (621), Xiao Xian was defeated. Liu Ji then submitted to the Tang from Lingnan and was appointed Chief Historian of Nankang Prefecture. By the seventh year of Zhenguan (633), he became a censor and was ennobled as a county lord.

In the eleventh year of Zhenguan (637), just last year, Liu Ji took office as supervisory censor in charge of records.

He had criticized the backlog in the Secretariat and, citing the diligence of Wei Zheng and Dai Zhou during the early Zhenguan years, suggested the emperor carefully appoint controllers and directors to improve administrative efficiency. Tang Taizong appointed him Right Controller of the Secretariat in recognition.

He was one of the ministers Li II valued most.

Li II said, “Minister Liu, do you have any wise counsel? Pray, share it.”

Liu Lei raised his hand holding a wooden tablet and said, “I have heard that the Son of Heaven is revered for virtue, and all people respect him. Your Majesty is the supreme sovereign; you cannot stand beneath a crumbling wall. Why not send a prince as your emissary to tour the counties of Guanzhong, inspect the people’s conditions, and rectify corruption and greed? This would manifest the emperor’s virtue and soothe the hearts of the people.”

At these words, the hall fell silent. All eyes swiftly fixed on Emperor Li II’s face.

Liu Lei was known as a staunch supporter of Prince Wei, often petitioning for his cause in the struggle for power. His proposal to have a prince inspect Guanzhong was a calculated move.

His intention was not truly the inspection but to win the hearts of the people!

The Crown Prince had been losing favor with the emperor—an undeniable fact. If one day the Crown Prince were deposed, which prince would be named heir?

Undoubtedly, it would be Prince Wei, Li Tai, the emperor’s son by Empress Wen and the Crown Prince’s full brother, gifted and favored by the emperor.

Compared to the Crown Prince, Prince Wei lacked neither the emperor’s trust and affection, nor the support of ministers, nor the resources to govern. The only thing missing was prestige among the common people.

No matter what title a prince held, the people only recognized the Crown Prince as the future emperor.

This was a move to proclaim Prince Wei’s claim before all under heaven, to contest for prestige!

All present understood that the emperor had long considered changing the heir. Now it depended on his decision.

If he refused, the situation remained uncertain; if he agreed, it would signal his resolve, and the day of succession change would be near!

At such a pivotal moment that might determine the future throne, who dared speak freely?

Liu Lei’s boldness was remarkable. Privately supporting a faction was common knowledge and tolerated; but bringing it openly to the Tai Chi Hall was staking one’s career and life.

If Prince Wei succeeded, it would be a glorious achievement; but if he failed, how could the Crown Prince not regard him as a thorn to be removed?

All listened in tense silence, astonished by Liu Lei’s audacity to champion Prince Wei so openly.

Emperor Li II’s face darkened; no one could read his thoughts.

The hall was so still that even a pin drop could be heard.

After a long pause, Li II finally spoke, “According to your counsel, which prince should represent me to inspect Guanzhong?”

At these words, the ministers all gasped inwardly.

Could it be… the emperor had truly resolved to change the heir?

Fang Xuanling grew desperate, ignoring his weak legs, and knelt loudly in the hall. “Your Majesty, please reconsider. This action is too rash and may stir unrest in the court and disorder the realm…”

Since ancient times, changing the heir had always been fraught with turmoil, unsettling the hearts of men. At this critical political juncture amid the Guanzhong disaster, such rumors would cause great distress. If exploited by those with ill intent to incite the people, chaos would surely ensue.

Zhangsun Wuji also stepped forward, urging, “Your Majesty, please think twice…”

Immediately, several others followed, pleading for caution.

But Li II’s expression remained impassive. “Ministers, calm yourselves. I have my own considerations.”

The turmoil in the hall quieted somewhat.

Seeing the opportunity, Liu Lei raised his voice, “Prince Wei possesses both virtue and talent, enjoys favorable reputation among the people, and is the Crown Prince’s own brother. He can represent the emperor’s benevolence and the Crown Prince’s kindness. I believe Prince Wei is the best choice.”

Fang Xuanling retorted loudly, “The Crown Prince is the heir to the realm. Such matters of inspecting the realm should be undertaken by the Crown Prince himself. If, as you say, Prince Wei escorts the Crown Prince, would that not invite public suspicion? Liu Lei, what are your true intentions to propose such a scheme that disrupts the realm?”

Fang Xuanling was not necessarily a staunch supporter of Li Chengqian, nor did he particularly dislike Li Tai; he simply stood naturally with the Crown Prince. Whoever was the heir, he supported that prince.

Leaving the Crown Prince aside, allowing Prince Wei to tour the realm on behalf of the emperor was tantamount to announcing to all that the emperor intended to change the heir.

Such a move would inevitably stir disorder!

Li II sat atop the throne, gazing down at the quarrelsome ministers, his face as dark as still water, silent as if detached.

No one could discern his true thoughts.

At that moment, a calm and handsome minister with three strands of long beard stepped forward and spoke, “I have a word, to present before Your Majesty.”

The hall quieted further. It was Cen Wenben, the Secretary-General of the Secretariat…