The weather is fine, and under the warm sun, the garden of the East Palace is full of flowers.

There was a group of palace maids and eunuchs standing in the garden, and a few boys were playing on the grass in the middle, and when they saw Li Chengqian and Li You coming in, they hurried over to salute.

These children are Li Chengqian's sons, namely the 9-year-old eldest son Li Xiang, the 6-year-old second son Li Yi, and the 5-year-old third son Li Ju. They lined up in a stepped shape according to their size, and saluted and said, "The sons have seen their fathers and the fifth uncle." ”

Li Chengqian suffered greatly from the disunity of his brothers, and especially demanded that his sons should be united and friendly, so the three sons have always played together and had a very harmonious relationship.

Li Chengqian lovingly reached out and stroked the heads of several children, and said, "Let's go play." The children saluted Li Chengqian and Li You again, and then ran away happily.

Li Chengqian stood in place, looking at the children for a while, as if reminiscing about his childhood.

Li You was able to understand his feelings. When he was a child, he was also an unpopular bear child, and he was even inferior to Li Chengqian's situation, and he sympathized with each other, which was also one of the main reasons why the two brothers were able to get close.

After a while, Li Chengqian said, "Let's go." ”

The two continued to walk towards the study.

In the study, Li Chengqian chatted with Li You for a while, and it was time for lunch. He instructed Gao Lian to let people bring the wine and food to the study, and he and Li You chatted while eating.

After a few glasses of wine, Li Chengqian's conversation box opened, and he poured out his troubles.

In the past, Li Chengqian talked to Li You more than once. The distress he spoke of this time was how he felt after he became a prisoner.

Since Li Shimin personally drove the expedition and Li Chengqian served as the supervisor of the state, he felt a lot of pressure. He trembled and walked on thin ice all day long, for fear of doing something to make Li Shimin feel dissatisfied.

Li Chengqian has made great progress in the past two years, becoming responsible and resolute in his actions. However, the fear of Li Shimin, which he had developed for a long time in the process of growing up, could not be completely eliminated in a short period of time.

When Li You was in Chang'an, he relied on it in his heart and felt very down-to-earth. When Li You left Chang'an, Li Chengqian's pressure became very great.

The eldest grandson Wuji and Zhang Quansu did their best to help Li Chengqian, but the pressure they brought to Li Chengqian was also very great. Relying on their status as elders and teachers, coupled with the psychological superiority they had formed over a long period of time over Li Chengqian, they frequently blamed Li Chengqian, which greatly aroused Li Chengqian's rebellious mentality.

The eldest grandson Wuji is extremely powerful in the court and in the locality, he has served as the secretary of the ministry for more than ten years, and the grassroots officials he promoted have gradually grown up over time, forming a huge strength in the court and the locality.

Don't look at Li Chengqian's response now, in fact, he knows in his heart that it is not he, Li Chengqian, who responds to every call, but the eldest grandson Wuji.

If Li Chengqian and the eldest grandson Wuji reach an agreement on the things they proposed, things will go very smoothly. But if he doesn't get the support of the eldest grandson Wuji, his edict will be issued. It is very difficult to implement.

The other important ministers of the court mainly acted based on Li Shimin's face. If the things that Li Chengqian has arranged are within Li Shimin's established policy, those ministers will also conscientiously carry them out. However, if they disagree with them, they will reserve their opinions and delay time in order to fight for Li Shimin's opinion.

Li You deeply sympathized with Li Chengqian's situation.

As the crown prince, Li Chengqian can be said to have been born at an untimely time. He has an overly strong father, and there is a group of extremely powerful ministers under him. In this case, he, the crown prince, is just an ornament.

Even Hou Junji and other relatives who have the same interests as him are all very strong, and they don't take Li Chengqian too seriously.

In the final analysis, Li Chengqian does not have his own real lineage. If there is, it is Li You.

Out of trust in Li You, Li Chengqian poured out his inner depression. He talked a lot, and he talked for a long time, until he was emaciated.

Li You sympathized with his situation, but at the same time was happy that he was able to come to his senses. Li Chengqian has realized that if this trend continues, even if he can take over the throne, he will definitely become a puppet of the eldest grandson Wuji and others.

Li Shimin is 45 years old this year, and according to his historical life expectancy of 51 years, it is not a few years before the change of power. If Li Chengqian's current situation continues, even if he ascends the throne, he will become a nominal emperor like Li Zhi of Tang Gaozong in history.

The eldest grandson Wuji and Chu Suiliang and others are all careerists, and they will control the politics of the court, and they will definitely be suspicious of Li Ke and Li You and others as in history, and it is difficult for Li You to be a safe foodie.

In history, Li Ke was framed to death by Changsun Wuji and others, and a bull fork like Li You has long posed a threat to the authority of Changsun Wuji and others, and they will definitely do everything possible to kill Li You.

This is also the purpose of Li You's desperate efforts to develop his own power, and he must be able to protect himself in the face of such a situation.

Li You has always supported Li Chengqian, hoping that he can become strong. However, given Li Chengqian's trust in Changsun Wuji and others, if he took the initiative to ask Li Chengqian to guard against Changsun Wuji and others, it would certainly arouse Li Chengqian's disgust and even suspicion.

Therefore, Li You has been secretly anxious about this matter, but there is no way.

Now, Li Chengqian has finally come to his senses.

Now that there is still some time before the handover of imperial power, Li You can calmly help Li Chengqian lay a solid foundation.

After listening to Li Chengqian's confession and seeing his sad face, Li You couldn't help laughing. He said, "Big brother, congratulations! If you are able to recognize this, it means that you have truly matured. ”

Li Chengqian felt a little dazed when he saw Li You's appearance. He trusted Li You and knew that he was not laughing at himself. But he still didn't understand why Li You was happy, and he congratulated himself.

He said: "Fifth brother, the eldest brother is really confused. Can you help me figure out a solution? ”

Li You carefully analyzed the situation in the court for Li Chengqian, let him know it in his heart, and he made a few suggestions to Li Chengqian.

First, it is necessary to safeguard Li Shimin's authority everywhere and win Li Shimin's support.

Second, continue to safeguard the interests of Changsun Wuji and others, and strive for their continued support.

Third, on this basis, we should adopt the method of encroachment, take the initiative on a small scale, and give play to our own role.

When Li You said this, Li Chengqian asked: "The first and second articles are easy to understand, you can give me an example of the third one." ”

Li You said: "Big brother, let's put it this way, when you do things, 9 out of 10 things are consistent with them. Then choose something that you are sure of and stick to your opinion so that they can accept it.

Slowly, 8 out of 10 things became consistent with them, and 2 things insisted on their own opinions. They'll get used to it, too.

Then you have to inch in, stick to the things you stand for more and more, and slowly establish your authority. ”

"Understood." Li Chengqian said.

Li You continued: "Don't move, minister of the DPRK and China, and don't meddle in the affairs of the army, these two things are taboo things.

What you have to do is to promote grassroots officials, such as those below the sixth grade, even if they are minor officials with the highest grade. These people have accepted your gift and will treat you as their true master.

Don't underestimate these grassroots officials, they will gradually grow up over time and will become your talent pool.

For such a trivial matter as promoting grassroots officials, the father and the main ministers, they will not care too much. In this way, what is not obvious will cultivate real strength for you. ”

Li Chengqian nodded and said: "I understand, but I don't really have much contact with specific things, and the officials I can promote are limited, how can I promote a large number of officials?" ”

Li You said: "This is not difficult, the younger brother has the following suggestions. ”