Li Shimin’s Remorse
After Li Shimin finished speaking, he strode toward the door. He wanted to check on his son, to see how he was faring. Li Zhi was still very young, and Li Shimin worried that he might be terribly frightened. His steps were long and urgent, forcing Zhang Anan and Li Daozong to jog behind him to keep up.
As he walked, Li Shimin asked Li Daozong, “Has the identity of the assassin been confirmed? How many were involved in the attack?” Li Daozong hesitated, replying, “The information from Chief Li is limited… I… I arrived in some haste, so I am not yet clear.” Li Shimin frowned and pressed further, “Where is Li Zhe now? Have the streets been sealed off?” Li Daozong answered, “The arrangements have already been made.”
As they spoke, the trio quickly exited the imperial palace. Li Shimin was about to instruct Li Daozong to summon Li Zhe to the Prince of Jin’s residence when he saw that Li Zhe was already waiting outside the palace gates.
Li Shimin gave a cold grunt and asked, “Are there any clues in the case?” Li Zhe was startled by the emperor’s icy tone. He understood that although His Majesty had said nothing more, such a sound revealed his dissatisfaction. But he had no time to dwell on it now; he had to report everything he knew.
Li Zhe began, “Your Majesty, at the scene there were five corpses, all dressed as monks. I suspect the matter may be connected to a temple.” Hearing this, Li Shimin’s expression grew even darker. If the temple was truly involved, the implications could be far-reaching.
Li Zhe’s report also reminded him of something crucial: Li Zhi’s earlier suggestion had likely offended many people, yet he had neglected to strengthen Li Zhi’s protection. Regret washed over Li Shimin’s face, and he resolved in his heart to pursue the matter to the end.
Li Zhe hurried alongside Li Shimin and added, “According to His Highness’s guards, the Prince of Jin captured two assailants alive.” Li Shimin made a surprised sound. “Is that so?” As he walked, he pondered: When did Li Zhi’s guards become so capable? Seven assassins confronted, and they managed not only to defend but to capture two alive?
The party pressed on and soon arrived at the Prince of Jin’s residence. Li Shimin strode toward the main hall, asking the servants, “Where is His Highness? Has he been frightened?” One servant replied, “His Highness is in the medical chamber treating the wounded guards, along with the physician Sun Simiao and Lord Sun Huipu.”
Li Shimin had no time to wonder what a “medical chamber” was. He said, “Take me there at once.” At the entrance, he found two guards standing watch. One bore obvious traces of blood, clearly fresh from battle. Li Shimin sensed a dangerous aura about him—a skill honed from years on the battlefield. This discovery caused him to look more closely, but the man was a stranger. The source of the danger was Duan Shizi, whom Li Zhi had stationed at the door to prevent any interruptions during surgery.
Since Duan Shizi didn’t recognize Li Shimin, the other guard quickly spoke first, “Greetings, Your Majesty.” Prompted, Duan Shizi saluted as well. Li Shimin asked, “How are things inside? Is the Prince unharmed?” The guard replied, “Your Majesty, His Highness is safe and tending to the wounded.”
Hearing that Li Zhi was safe, Li Shimin finally relaxed. He wanted to go in, but seeing the door firmly shut, he restrained himself. The wounded inside had suffered for Li Zhi’s sake; he would not risk disturbing their treatment. Fortunately, Li Zhi finished the final stitches just then. Hearing his father’s voice, he handed the last bandaging to Sun Simiao and Sun Huipu, who had already finished their work.
When Li Zhi finally appeared before Li Shimin, the emperor—recently hailed as “Heavenly Khan” by neighboring nations—almost wept openly. He was wracked with guilt, angry with himself for not foreseeing the danger Li Zhi’s suggestion would bring. Previously, Li Shimin had been only proud of his son’s brilliance.
He had completely forgotten that Li Zhi was still a child, incapable of self-defense. He pulled Li Zhi close, examining him with unprecedented care. When he saw the distinct mark on Li Zhi’s neck, his guilt deepened. He embraced his son tightly and said in a low voice, “It was my fault—I failed to safeguard you.”
Li Zhi clung to his father’s neck and replied, “This was not your fault, Father. It was those wicked criminals who were too cunning.” Li Shimin said, “Rest assured, my son. I will find every one of them and make them pay dearly.”
Li Zhi said, “Father, I captured two assassins. They are locked in the woodshed.” Li Shimin set Li Zhi down and turned to Li Daozong, instructing, “Take the prisoners to the Ministry of Justice. Notify the Censorate and the Court of Judicial Review to jointly investigate this case.” Li Daozong obeyed at once, organizing his men to act.
After giving his orders, Li Shimin told Li Zhi, “I will personally oversee this case. You must rest here in the residence.” With that, he left immediately.
News of the attempt on Li Zhi’s life soon shook the upper echelons of Chang’an. Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji, and Li Jing all hurried to the Prince of Jin’s residence as soon as they heard. They had long been close to Li Zhi, bonded by deep ties of teacher and student, and a rare affinity of kindred spirits. Li Zhi’s intelligence and erudition played a part, as did the advanced ideas he brought from his previous life.
Once they confirmed Li Zhi was truly unharmed, they all breathed a sigh of relief. Fang Xuanling spoke first, “Do you truly believe this assassination was instigated by the Buddhist order?” Li Zhi shook his head, “I have not come to such a conclusion.” Zhangsun Wuji followed, “On what grounds do you judge?” Li Zhi replied, “My movements today were all spontaneous, yet the assailants knew them precisely. It must be that someone was aware that today is my mother’s birthday and prepared in advance.”
At this moment, Li Zhi’s analysis was clear and incisive, as if he had already reflected deeply on the matter. Meanwhile, those who had orchestrated the attack remained wholly oblivious.