Chapter 178

Yang Yi nodded in agreement. “Your Majesty is absolutely right... Therefore, I have prepared three strategies for Li Chengqian...”

Wu Zhao’s eyelids twitched. Three strategies? She knew her trusted minister only too well. One sinister plot was enough to make anyone break out in a cold sweat, and now he had prepared three for Li Chengqian? Was he planning to ruin Li Tai completely? She took a deep breath.

“What are the three strategies?”

Yang Yi smiled warmly. “The first strategy is the simplest... Li Shimin enjoys hunting. Now that spring has arrived, he will undoubtedly take the prince on a hunting trip and eventually rest at a certain palace.”

“Crown Prince Li Chengqian has regained some of Li Shimin’s favor and has been entrusted with a degree of military authority. Mobilizing one or two thousand soldiers would not be an issue for him. Though not a large force, it would be enough to accomplish certain things.”

Wu Zhao’s eyes flashed as she inhaled sharply, staring at Yang Yi in astonishment. “You want him to lead troops to surround Li Shimin’s palace and force him to abdicate?”

Shangguan Wan’er’s eyes widened. Was Prime Minister Yang planning to have Li Chengqian kill his own father? That was too cruel.

Yang Yi shook his head, still smiling. “How could that be? Li Shimin is an exceptional man. Would a mere one or two thousand soldiers be enough to force him?”

Wu Zhao hesitated for a moment before realizing the flaw in her assumption. That was true. Li Shimin was not like Li Yuan back then—he was a true emperor forged in battle, a ruler who had seized the throne with his own hands.

His court was filled with loyal officials who had fought by his side. Even if Li Chengqian staged a coup, what would be the point?

She pursed her lips, her dark eyes flashing with curiosity.

“Then what do you mean?”

Yang Yi’s smile deepened. “Li Chengqian can forge his own military orders and have someone deliver them to the commander of the Eastern Palace, instructing him to lead troops into Li Shimin’s resting palace, creating the illusion of a coup attempt.

“The palace is heavily guarded—there is no way these soldiers would be able to reach Li Shimin. By then, Li Shimin would be furious...”

Wu Zhao and Shangguan Wan’er exchanged bewildered glances. What was Yang Yi talking about? They were a bit lost.

Wu Zhao frowned. “Let him forge his own orders? And attempt a coup? I don’t understand...”

Yang Yi chuckled, his lips curling up. “That’s right. The orders must be forged, and the handwriting must closely resemble Li Chengqian’s—ninety percent identical. As for the remaining ten percent, it must resemble Li Tai’s.”

Wu Zhao instantly understood. She felt a chill run down her spine as she stared at Yang Yi, her usually composed gaze filled with shock.

“You want Li Chengqian to deliberately incriminate himself, but leave an intentional flaw in the handwriting so the blame shifts to Li Tai? This way, Li Shimin will suspect that Li Tai orchestrated the plot to frame Li Chengqian for treason, causing Li Tai to panic.”

Wu Zhao’s expression darkened. What a devious scheme. Who would ever think of framing themselves?

Yang Yi nodded before shaking his head slightly.

“Your Majesty is only half correct. Li Shimin will indeed grow wary of Li Tai, but that alone is not enough to make him truly cautious. At most, it will make Li Shimin realize that Li Tai, for the sake of power, has no true brotherly affection. This first strategy is merely a setup for the second.”

Wu Zhao and Shangguan Wan’er were left speechless. This was just the setup?

Yang Yi remained calm. “Li Tai will have committed a grave crime. Li Shimin will surely imprison him. When that happens, Li Tai’s faction will be thrown into disarray. Once Li Tai loses power, Li Chengqian will be the undisputed heir to the throne.”

“At that point, Li Tai’s followers will have no future, so they will desperately seek ways to rescue him. No matter the excuse—whether they claim there are inconsistencies in the case or that the prince was young and impulsive—they will try to persuade Li Shimin to release him.”

Wu Zhao frowned. “Li Chengqian petitioning Li Shimin to spare Li Tai would earn him a reputation for virtue, I understand that. But why would he go so far as to use his own network for Li Tai’s sake? Wouldn’t it be better if Li Tai remained imprisoned? What if Li Shimin is truly swayed and releases him?”

Yang Yi’s smile turned cold. Instead of answering directly, he asked, “Li Tai is widely regarded as a wise prince, with many friends in the court. Your Majesty, if Li Tai were imprisoned and his claim to the throne jeopardized, how many of his followers—those who secretly supported him—would be willing to step forward?”

Wu Zhao fell into deep thought. “Li Tai has a vast network within the court, even more so after Li Chengqian’s power waned. If Li Tai were imprisoned, at least half of the court officials would petition for his release...”

Yang Yi’s smile deepened. “And if we add Li Chengqian’s allies to that number?”

Wu Zhao’s frown deepened. “Excluding the neutral officials, the remaining ministers are either in Li Tai’s camp or Li Chengqian’s. If both sides petition together, nearly seventy to eighty percent of the court will be pleading for Li Tai’s release...”

Yang Yi leaned back, his tone casual. “Your Majesty, Li Chengqian’s allies will petition alongside Li Tai’s followers. Li Shimin will not be able to distinguish between the two groups—he will assume all of them are supporting Li Tai.”

Wu Zhao’s expression stiffened.

“As both a father and an emperor, what will Li Shimin think when he realizes that nearly seventy to eighty percent of his court stands behind Li Tai?”