"Brother-in-law's cousin! You have given me a difficult problem. "Li Chengqian said irritably.
After learning the evidence of Zhangsun Chong's crime, Li Chengqian was in a dilemma. Zhangsun Chong was both his cousin and his brother-in-law. If he dealt with him impartially, he couldn't explain it to his uncle, mother, and sister. In terms of relationship, the Zhangsun family was the number one family in Chang 'an and the most hardcore supporter of the East Palace. If he dealt with Zhangsun Chong severely, he was afraid that his followers would be bitterly disappointed.
What made him even more annoyed was that the compromise plan proposed by Zhangsun Chong, who was an armchair strategist, had such a big flaw. Whether it was the Tang dynasty directly sending troops or supporting the Turks to fight a proxy war, the Tang dynasty would be in an invincible position. However, he believed in Zhangsun Chong, which led to the heavy losses of the Firearm Army.
According to Hexan Chengji's intelligence, at least a thousand people in the Firearm Army died and five hundred were injured, almost half of the casualties. The Firearm Army was now the face of the Tang dynasty. This was almost a slap in the face of the Tang dynasty. It also made him, the person who made the decision, lose face. Once his father returned, he was afraid that he would not be able to escape the responsibility.
"Your Royal Highness, don't panic. The Minister has a plan that will definitely solve Your Royal Highness's problem." Hexan Chengji suddenly said in a clear voice.
"Quickly say it." Li Chengqian said happily in his heart.
"The reason why Zhangsun Chong is so arrogant is nothing more than the power of the Zhangsun family. Now that Your Royal Highness is in a dilemma, it is better to throw the problem to the Zhangsun family. Once Lord Zhangsun knows about this, with his means, he will definitely deal with it properly for Zhangsun Chong. At the same time, he can also cover up Your Royal Highness's mistakes in decision-making. Isn't it the best of both worlds and everyone is happy?" Hexan Chengji suggested.
Li Chengqian couldn't help but be moved. This was a good idea. Once Zhangsun Wuji took action, with his plan, he would definitely be able to deal with it properly. Moreover, he could take advantage of the opportunity to show goodwill to his uncle. Zhangsun Wuji was Li Chengqian's most important supporter as the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness Crown Prince, you can't!" Suddenly, a sharp voice came and stopped Li Chengqian.
Hexan Chengji nodded and saw a servant walk out from behind Li Chengqian. Although it was a servant, this person had a delicate face and an extraordinary bearing.
"Why is that so?" Li Chengqian was puzzled.
"Your Highness Crown Prince, do you think Zhangsun Chong will be convicted of a serious crime due to his greed for merit?" The servant named Cheng Xin asked.
Li Chengqian pondered for a moment and then shook his head. With Zhangsun Chong's status, he would at most be reprimanded for his greed and recklessness. It would not hurt him at all.
"What if they abandon the army and flee?" Cheng Xin asked again.
"At most, I'll take away the position of General of the Firearm Army."
Li Chengqian sighed. Zhangsun Chong had abandoned the army and fled. Nominally, he was going to ask for reinforcements. In addition to Zhangsun Wuji's power, he could get through this with just a little help.
"What if we add in the sale of military merits?" Cheng Xin asked again.
Li Chengqian sighed and said, "Not being sentenced to prison is already the best outcome."
Cheng Xin continued to ask, "The reason why Zhangsun Chong ended up like this is because he thought he was smart and made mistakes again and again. With Zhangsun Chong's example, why does Your Highness Crown Prince still want to make mistakes again and again?"
"Uh, uh!" Li Chengqian suddenly paused and suddenly realized that he was not in the situation where Zhangsun Chong made the first mistake. At most, he made a mistake in his decision. Moreover, the grassland had a great victory, so this mistake was almost insignificant. However, if he chose to protect Zhangsun Chong, if it was exposed one day, then he would probably be punished the same as Zhangsun Chong.
"Your Highness Crown Prince is the Crown Prince. You can make mistakes, but you can't be guilty. Once Your Highness Crown Prince hides this matter, then you will be guilty of shielding. You should know that the Firearm Army was once under Merton. Zhangsun Chong caused the Firearm Army to suffer heavy losses. Does Your Highness think that you will hide it flawlessly?" Cheng Xin advised.
"But if I don't inform Uncle and watch Cousin be punished, I will offend Uncle greatly." Li Chengqian sighed and said.
Cheng Xin said with a determined expression, "The Emperor is heartless! Your Highness Crown Prince is the Crown Prince. Now, you are even responsible for the position of Regent, acting on behalf of the Emperor. Your Highness, think about it. If His Majesty knew about this, would he ignore the military law for the sake of family? "
Li Chengqian shook his head. A person like Zhangsun Chong would be a hidden danger in the military. This time, the grassland battle had been averted. Next time, it might lead to a defeat.
Just like the ballad Mo Jiazi sang when he was making horseshoes, "One less Martin, one country will die." Zhangsun Chong was not just one less Martin, but one less horseshoe!
"Moreover, even if His Majesty forgives Zhangsun Chong, Your Highness Crown Prince cannot do so. Because Your Highness Crown Prince is the Crown Prince. Before Your Highness Crown Prince ascends to the throne, you cannot make mistakes. Your Highness Crown Prince, will you choose to offend Sir Zhangsun Chong or disappoint His Majesty? "Cheng Xin's words were fierce and went straight to the point.
"Cheng Xin is indeed my right-hand man." Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said. Cheng Xin was a servant of his Eastern Palace and also his confidant. During the battle on the grassland, it was Cheng Xin who suggested that Li Chengqian go to the Mo Manor to ask for advice. Before that, many things that were inconvenient for him to discuss with the officials were discussed with Li Chengqian. Cheng Xin would always give pertinent suggestions. This time was the same. If it were not for Cheng Xin's reminder, he would have made a big mistake.
Cheng Xin was right. Zhangsun Chong was only his cousin. Of course, he would not risk his position as crown prince for the sake of Zhangsun Chong. Right now, he only needed to satisfy one person. That was his imperial father, not his own uncle.
A smile appeared on Cheng Xin's face and he said, "Moreover, Your Highness Crown Prince does not need to offend Sir Zhangsun Chong. Now that the grassland army has returned in triumph, His Majesty should have returned from Mount Tai. At that time, Your Highness Crown Prince only needs to find an imperial censor to expose this matter. Naturally, you will be able to extricate yourself from this matter."
Li Chengqian nodded slightly. He turned to Hexan Chengji and said, "During this period of time, stay in the Eastern Palace temporarily. You are not allowed to go out."
Li Chengqian was quite thorough in his work. He first controlled Hexan Chengji in the Eastern Palace. This way, he would have the initiative.
"I obey!"
Hexan Chengji lowered his head and his expression was uncertain. This idea was thought up by him and Li Zhi. It was a trap specially dug for Li Chengqian. However, he did not expect that it would be seen through by Cheng Xin. If he wanted to stir up trouble in the Eastern Palace in the future, Cheng Xin would be his biggest obstacle.
"However, Your Highness Crown Prince, you have thought of this, but you have not thought of the second layer. Once you give up Zhangsun Chong, it means that you have offended the Zhangsun family. Once the Zhangsun family turns to support Prince Jin, Li Zhi, the internal strife of the Tang dynasty will begin." Hexan Chengji's heart was happy.
Once the internal strife of the Tang dynasty, it would definitely fall into chaos. At that time, the opportunity for the Turks to revive would come. For the revival of the Turks, he would not hesitate to sacrifice himself.
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