Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

The chapter details a critical meeting at the Wu De Hall involving five ministers, two princes, and the Grand General, discussing the fate of the Crown Prince, Li Jian Cheng, following an assassination attempt. Opinions are divided among the ministers regarding the legitimacy of Li Jian Cheng versus Li Yuanji as the rightful heir. Chen Shuda advocates for the Crown Prince, arguing against his removal due to the impending threat from the Zhou army and the potential chaos that could ensue. Pei Ji presents evidence linking the Crown Prince to a poisoning incident, while Chen Shuda counters by defending the Crown Prince’s innocence and questioning the reliability of the evidence. After much debate and pressure from the ministers, Emperor Li Yuan decides to demote Li Jian Cheng to heir apparent rather than fully depose him, placing him under house arrest in the Eastern Palace. This decision reflects a compromise, maintaining Li Jian Cheng's status as legal successor while stripping him of power and influence, effectively diminishing his role without complete removal. The Emperor also dismisses generals loyal to Li Jian Cheng, further consolidating his control over the military.

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