"Stop setting rules outside the temple, come in -"
Hearing the voice of Prince Li Chengqian outside the main hall, Tang Emperor Li Shimin shouted loudly.
Before seeing the person, he heard his voice first. After hearing his voice, Tang Emperor Li Shimin's eyes suddenly lit up.
Four people walked into the main hall one after another, two men and two women.
Luo Tong took two steps and entered the main hall first.
"Your Majesty, the general has been ordered to invite His Royal Highness to come here to return His Majesty's jade pendant——"
Every time he saw Luo Tong in front of him, Tang Emperor Li Shimin couldn't help but think of Luo Cheng, who had died long ago.
He was a martial arts warrior with a genius. If Luo Cheng could survive until now, he might have the strength to compete for the top master in the Tang Dynasty.
"Well, that's right. Just stand aside and be a 'general in charge of the palace'——"
Li Shimin waved his hand, and Zhang Anan, the internal affairs manager, came out from behind and stepped forward to take the jade pendant from Luo Tong.
Zhang Ananda is a bit old. He has been serving since Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty. Thirty years have passed since the Zhenguan Dynasty. He has gone through four dynasties and is now over a hundred years old.
It's a pity that his talent is limited and he still hasn't been able to complete the "foundation building". I'm afraid his achievements in this life will be like this.
"Si Zi, please find a place to sit down. Today we are not a member of the court, and this is your ninth brother's house. It's better to be more natural."
Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty glanced at the prince Li Chengqian who was walking behind him. The "three-tailed" demon fox that Li Zhi had just pointed out suddenly stood side by side with Li Chengqian.
If this scene had happened more than ten years ago, Tang Emperor Li Shimin would have been furious. But now that he sees such a scene again, he has no reaction? His heart is as calm as water.
"Yes..."
Li Mingda also understood that if something happened today, she originally wanted to come over and have a look. Since her father wanted to leave her alone, this was exactly what he wanted.
"Gao Ming, if you come in like this, how do you want me to arrange a seat for you?"
Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty and Prince Li Chengqian, one was sitting in the palace and the other was standing at the door. They looked at each other like this for half a quarter of an hour.
To be precise, the father and son have not seen each other for several years. The most recent time seemed to be at the 50th birthday party of Empress Changsun.
Tang Emperor Li Shimin's seemingly ordinary question excited everyone in the hall. How could Prince Li Chengqian not hear the hidden meaning behind his father's words?
"Can you arrange a seat?"
There is a desk in the position closest to the emperor and empress, which is where the "three-tailed" demon fox sat before.
Li Chengqian's seat should obviously be there, but Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty did not make any announcement to invite him.
"It doesn't matter. Since my father has said that today is not a meeting in the court, and Gao Ming is late again, I am willing to accompany you to the last seat. I will sit next to Master Li."
There is still a table closest to the entrance of the main hall, and further inside sits Pharmacist Li.
Li Jingna was the number one god of war in the Tang Dynasty, and he could be said to be the one who took the most credit. The Tang Emperor Li Shimin was always called "brother" regardless of whether he was in front of others or behind him.
He also restricted his children to call them "Master Li" whenever they met Li Jing. This honor was second to none in the entire Zhenguan Dynasty.
Prince Li Chengqian glanced around at the people in the palace, and he stayed on Li Zhi for the longest time.
We haven’t seen each other for more than ten years, and both of us have changed a lot, but Li Zhi has changed even more. It’s like he is a new person, with a big difference in height.
In this situation, it is naturally not convenient for the two brothers to say anything.
Li Zhi just bowed his hands to the prince, and Li Chengqian nodded slightly, and then took Cheng Xin with him and sat behind the desk at the end.
"Prince, you arrived late, and the representative just 'sent' doesn't seem to be able to completely make the decision for you, right?"
Emperor Tang picked up the tea bowl in front of him, took a sip, and was immediately shaken.
This was one of the "return gifts" sent by the eldest princess of the "Netherworld Blood Sea", "Ghost Cave Cinnamon". Unfortunately, it only weighed ten kilograms, but half of it was taken away by Li Shimin.
"There are two main issues today. One is that I am in ill health, so I have to abdicate in favor of someone better, so that I can take care of myself in peace."
"One is the candidate for the successor. The ministers think it should be tested, and the 'Northern Xinjiang Situation' is the test question unanimously recommended by everyone."
Now that the matter has come to an end, Tang Emperor Li Shimin no longer hides it, and directly explains to Prince Li Chengqian the conclusion that everyone has just reached.
The hall became quiet again. Someone gently picked up the tea bowl, covering up the fluctuations in his heart, but unconsciously turned his eyes to Li Chengqian sitting at the door.
To be honest, Li Chengqian really had mixed feelings in his heart at the moment. This scene happened so suddenly, even though he had imagined that such a day would come countless times.
However, when he heard his father say such words, Li Chengqian still felt a little heartbroken.
In fact, when he met Zhongxin, the two of them practiced together and brought him huge gains. Li Chengqian was already a little indifferent to that position.
However, it is one thing to be unwilling to fight, but it is another thing to be taken away abruptly by others.
Are the words of Tang Emperor Li Shimin really appropriate in front of a current Crown Prince like him, Li Chengqian?
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of a country is still alive, what kind of "succession issue" are you discussing?
"Father, I wonder if my son has made a big mistake?——"
Li Chengqian calmed down his mood a little, and tried his best to squeeze out a smile.
"You have done nothing wrong. Even in recent years, your temperament has become a little more withdrawn and your behavior in the East Palace has been a little out of line. But overall, you will do nothing wrong and you can be worthy of being the crown prince of a country."
Wearing Turkic clothes, speaking Turkic language, and even having some Turkic tents built in the East Palace, Li Shimin knew all these things.
As for how many palace maids died tragically after the woman named Cheng Xin entered the East Palace, it was not without someone informing Li Shimin.
As the saying goes, the reserve position of the country should not be touched lightly.
"Since my son has done nothing wrong, he is the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty. Now that my father intends to abdicate, it is reasonable for my son to consciously inherit the country's rule. I wonder why my father still has the idea of a 'chosen one'?" Frankly speaking, the Li Chengqian in front of us is not like another time and space.
As a result, he became lame, and his heart became much darker. He was even more dissolute in his daily life, and was even encouraged to rebel against his father.
The final outcome can be imagined. His father was a rebel and had been in the army for many years. Can a prince who grew up in the palace succeed?
The Li Chengqian in front of me is different. He has been skilled in both civil and military skills since he was a child, and he was secretly taught different skills.
Among the princes, apart from Li Chengqian's status as prince, in terms of true strength, he also has to outdo others.
"Sizi, these three here are all your brothers. If you choose a new king of the Tang Dynasty from among them, how would you choose?"
Emperor Tang Li Shimin did not answer Li Chengqian's words, but turned to ask Princess Li Mingda of Jinyang next to him.
It is true that Li Mingda was a woman, but she was the most beloved little princess of Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty. Her cultivation was as good as that of the Tang Dynasty.
This kind of strength will naturally make Li Shimin even more impressed. Maybe he just left Li Mingda here, it was more like a premeditated plan?
"Father, I shouldn't have to interfere in this kind of matter, but Ninth Brother once said, 'Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of a country.'"
"My son is also from the Tang Dynasty, and he is also the princess of the Tang Dynasty. I think that if the Tang Dynasty chooses a new king, his ability will be the first priority."
"My ministers have also heard that the 'Northern Xinjiang Situation' has become corrupted. In the Tang Dynasty, the blood of countless men was spilled on the border and their souls were buried outside the wall."
"If my father truly abdicates, the new emperor will be able to turn the tide, silence Northern Xinjiang, and frighten Xiao Xiao."
"With all due respect, I am afraid that Brother Wei Wang cannot do this. As for the Prince's brother, even if he can barely do it, how can my new king of the Tang Dynasty be a descendant of a demon clan?"
Over the years, Princess Jinyang has not performed well in other aspects except for her outstanding achievements in spiritual practice. In the minds of many people, she is probably still the frail and sickly little Sizi.
Seeing Li Mingda who was now calm and talking, everyone in the hall suddenly had a daydream. If this Princess Jinyang was a man, she seemed to be a suitable candidate for the crown prince?
It is true to say that when selecting a heir, he should have direct descendants. The key is that the current environment has changed.
Although they are a human race, this place is no longer simply a country of mortals. Who in this hall is not a cultivator?
As soon as he entered the main hall, Li Mingda communicated with Li Zhi through his spiritual consciousness. He asked his Ninth Brother for help for the doubts he brought back from the East Palace.
What she cares most about is Prince Li Chengqian. Why can't her "Golden Eyes of Destruction" fail to see through his cultivation?
Why, the prince's brother has obviously been lame for more than 20 years, how come he has fully recovered now?
Regarding Ninth Brother Li Zhi, Xiao Sizi has developed the problem of "blind trust" since he was a child. His own cultivation was just taught casually by Ninth Brother, and he was already able to compete for supremacy in the Tang Dynasty.
Li Zhi's reply to her was very simple, the prince brother was not lame at all.
This truth was determined by Li Zhi when he first met Prince Li Chengqian after the assassination incident in the suburbs of Chang'an.
However, since his brother, the prince, wants to pretend to be "lame" to the end, it is natural that he, Li Zhi, cannot expose the other party's tricks.
As for the level of cultivation of Prince Li Chengqian, Li Mingda couldn't see it clearly, but it was not difficult for him, Li Zhi.
You know, Li Zhi's "Golden Eyes of Destruction of Illusion" has been cultivated to the "blue" level, which is one level short of achieving perfection.
In the middle stage of "True Immortal", Li Chengqian's cultivation is actually in the middle stage of "True Immortal"?
On the surface, before Li Zhi and others came back, should Li Chengqian be the strongest master in the entire Chang'an City, and even the entire Tang Dynasty?
However, just as Li Mingda said just now, the skills practiced by Li Chengqian were inherited from the demon clan. Naturally, she couldn't tell. Isn't Li Zhi guiding him next to the key?
"Prince, do you have any objection to what Sizi said?"
Strictly speaking, is this a big problem?
Of course, if you really say you have a problem, why do you do it for the sake of the purity of the royal bloodline or for the sake of the human race? It is not unreasonable.
But, can’t the descendants of the demon race be kings in the human race? Even the human race was created by “Nuwa Empress”.
Is the Nuwa Empress a human race?
Among the human race, the one with the highest status is undoubtedly the "Three Emperors". So among them, Emperor Fuxi, is he a human race?
"Haha, okay, the little Sizi back then has grown up now! So, neither Gu nor Qingque can inherit the throne. It seems that the position of the new king must be Pheasant Nu."
It's rare for Li Chengqian to laugh in public. He laughs happily in public. It seems that he has never tried it after being a prince for more than 30 years?
"Brother Prince, are you willing to give up to Lao Jiu?"
Li Chengqian's laughter didn't mean he was disappointed at all. Even his words were not mocking or questioning, but more like an objective narration as a bystander?
Sitting in the middle is King Li Tai of Wei. Ever since he entered the "Prince Jin's Mansion", he has been attracted by everything here.
Why is there so much aura here?
Why is the tea here so magical?
If this "Prince Jin's Mansion" belongs to me, Li Tai, then my cultivation will not only advance by leaps and bounds?——
At first, he was curious and envious.
When Tang Emperor Li Shimin raised the topic of "abdicating", Wei King Li Tai found that his opportunity had come again!
It's a pity that after many discussions and even catching a monster in the middle, the final trend seems to be towards Lao Jiu inheriting the throne?
What should I do?
Li Tai was determined to fight for himself, but when he saw the people in the entire hall, none of them seemed to support him.
This discovery made our King Wei feel a strong sense of loss.
You must know that King Li Tai of Wei was called the "Wise King" by the world many years ago. He not only "courtesy the virtuous" but also "recruited the virtuous", just like the "Mengchang Jun" of the Tang Dynasty.
Now we are faced with a situation similar to that of a public recommendation. These people in the hall are all important ministers of the Tang Dynasty, but no one comes to support Li Tai?
Seeing that Prince Li Chengqian seemed to be "accepting his fate", Li Tai quickly interjected.
"Haha, Qingque, you have done well in learning since you were a child. As for other things, whether it is dealing with people, managing relationships, or grasping people's hearts, you are far behind."
"Not only are you inferior to Pheasant Slave, but even Lao San who is far away in Bashu is much better than you."
"And you think that your cultivation is different from ordinary people. Do you know that you have not even completed the 'Foundation Building' yet, but you have already reached the middle stage of 'True Immortal'. Judging from the momentum of the ninth brother, I am afraid that you have already reached the 'Xuan Immortal' stage"
', even higher?"
"Qingque, if it were you, you would just study in the mansion honestly. If you like to make friends, you would just hang out with a bunch of literati, have a drink, and write poems. Wouldn't that be great?"
Wei King Li Tai didn't expect that he would be "scolded" by Prince Li Chengqian for just saying that?
As for what the other party said, it seemed that he, Li Tai, was really unable to refute.
In the middle stage of "True Immortal", is it real or fake?
Didn't it say that the strongest people in the Tang Dynasty were all in the "Prince Jin's Mansion"?
Is Lao Jiu even stronger? Is this... is all this true?
King Li Tai of Wei suddenly felt the same feeling of powerlessness that Li Ke, who was far away in Bashu, felt half a month ago.
It's a pity that the two brothers haven't met yet and can't exchange their experiences face to face.
"Qingque, you have always been an obedient child. If my mother thinks you... you should quit."
Empress Changsun, who was sitting in the seat, couldn't bear to see the scene in front of her. However, she was not only the mother of these children, but also the empress of the Tang Dynasty.
It is her responsibility to stabilize the harem and be a mother to the world. Now at the critical moment of determining the new king, she knows that she cannot have too many "selfish intentions".
However, after all, these children are just pieces of flesh that fell off of their own bodies, right?——
"You... you? Haha, okay, I quit, I quit, write my poems, drink my wine..."
Hearing even his always kind mother say this, Li Tai stood up from behind the desk with difficulty, his eyes scanning everyone's faces.
It's a pity that apart from indifference, disregard, and even sympathy, he can't see even one person's retention and support.
He turned around staggeringly, muttering something in his mouth, and walked out in despair.
"Qingque——"
"Guanyin Maid, you'd better let him go. Qingque's temperament is not suitable for discussing today's topic."
Tang Emperor Li Shimin stopped Empress Changsun in time. He himself was a little confused. Why did he choose Li Tai as the candidate to check and balance the crown prince Li Chengqian?
……
"Pheasant slave, everyone has expressed their opinions, how about you?"
The departure of King Wei Li Tai probably did not affect the mood of anyone in the entire hall except Queen Changsun.
Following Tang Emperor Li Shimin's questions, everyone focused their attention on Li Zhi.
What kind of feeling is that?
What is the aspiration of the people? What is the hope of the public?
Li Chengqian unconsciously picked up the tea bowl on the table.
"Good tea——"
"Father, everyone, the Tang Dynasty today is no longer the Tang Dynasty a few decades ago, and our human race will also face greater challenges and opportunities."
"I wonder when the boundary between immortals and mortals has been broken? In the future, Datang's opponents will no longer be just humans, or they will be monsters, or even..."
Li Zhi glanced at Pharmacist Li next to him from the corner of his eye.
"You are all our loyal ministers of the Tang Dynasty. In the next decades or even longer, we will need you to work together to protect our Datang."
"Li Zhi is not talented. As the Jin King of the Tang Dynasty and the son of his father, he has the responsibility and obligation to defend the Tang Dynasty."
"If it were in a stable and peaceful period, Li Zhi would never covet the throne. As the prince brother said just now, I, Li Zhi, am now at the peak of the 'Golden Immortal'."
"As cultivators, we are most afraid of the fetters of wealth and honor in the world. Just like my father, with his talent, if he hadn't become the emperor, he would have reached an extraordinary level long ago."
"The 'Northern Xinjiang situation', Li Zhi feels that it may be just a small beginning, and the real big test has not yet come."
"Brother Prince, are you willing to work with the pheasant slaves to protect our Tang Dynasty?"
……
Three days later, an edict came from the "Daming Palace" in Chang'an, announcing to the world that Tang Emperor Li Shimin had decided to abdicate, and that the Zhenguan reign would end in the 30th year of Zhenguan!
The strange thing is that there is no candidate for the new king?
Li Chengqian is still supervising the country as the prince, and Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji and Wei Zheng are still the assistant ministers, but after the three of them, there is another name, Li Jing and Li Yaoshi.
Li Jing was appointed as the auxiliary minister. It was specifically proposed by King Li Zhi of Jin Dynasty, and Li Zhi personally came to pay his respects.
The two men talked at Li Jing's house for more than two hours, and no one knew what they said.
Only on the second day after Li Zhi left "Li Mansion", Li Jing unexpectedly broke through to the realm of "True Immortal". He reached the peak of "True Immortal" from the very beginning and once again became the number one combat force of the Tang Dynasty.
At the same time, Li Jing, who had become the pinnacle of "True Immortal", also accepted the appointment of Assistant Minister and even brought out three apprentices who were still in their second training.
Qin Qiong led his team to Northern Xinjiang, and now the defense of Chang'an City has been handed over to Li Jing. Li Jing casually handed it over to the thoughtful Pei Xingjian.
"Prince Jin's Mansion" has returned to its former peace, but the enthusiasm for cultivation in the mansion has only increased.
Li Zhi came up with his exclusive skills "Physical Technique" and "Heart Way".
This time, not only Li Mingda, Luo Tong, Yuan Tiangang and other elders from the "Prince Jin's Mansion" were awarded, but even the princes Li Chengqian and Li Zhi gave him complete "Ti Jue" and "Heart Dao".
The "Three Holy Mothers" Yang Chan and Bai Suzhen, after discussion, jointly occupied the last courtyard of the "Prince Jin's Mansion". Who made Yang Chan and Li Zhi not married yet?
As for the empty courtyard in the middle, the "old men" of "Prince Jin's Mansion" all know that it was reserved for the girl back then, but they were separated for many years and there was no news.
……
"Pheasant slave, if they stay in Chang'an City, there won't be any danger, right?"
Heading north from Chang'an City, after crossing the Wei River, we turned west and the crowds gradually became sparse.
Three people and three horses, just like when Li Zhi went from Chang'an to Luoyang.
However, of the three people back then, only Li Zhi is here now, and the other two... qqxδnew
Now these three people do not respect Li Zhi, they are just like followers, serving a handsome uncle who is about fifty years old.
"Dad, please feel at ease when my daughter-in-law is here to take charge! Besides, my apprentice is not a mediocre person either. It is estimated that next time we meet, she will have reached the realm of 'mysterious immortal'.
”
"Although today's 'Prince Jin's Mansion' is almost all women, they are not easily provoked by any force."
Who are the three people in this group?
First of all, there was Li Zhi. The one he called "Dad" was naturally the former Tang Emperor Li Shimin, and the last one was Luo Tong, who had to follow him life or death.
Li Shimin can't remember how many years he has not had such "conformity". Even when he was on a private visit incognito, there were many guards in front of him and behind him, covertly and covertly.
This time, it was really just the three of them traveling, not even Zhang Anan, the eunuch chief who had been inseparable for decades.
Li Mingda also wanted to come with him, but was persuaded by Li Zhi to go back. The "price" he paid was that he left the blessed land he had just acquired in the "Prince Jin's Mansion".
In "Xunkan Ju", Li Zhi directly demolished a side hall and placed it in the "Prince Jin's Mansion" as a place for daily practice for the three daughters.
"Pheasant slave, are you so sure that the Turks are behind the incident in Northern Xinjiang?"
These three people left Chang'an not to visit the mountains and rivers, but to rush to Northern Xinjiang. In other words, they will be the last wave of reinforcements sent by the Tang Dynasty.
"Haha, how about we make a bet between father and son? Turks? I even doubt whether his Turkic 'Khan' is a real Turk?"
If something goes wrong, there must be a monster. Before Li Zhi arrived in Northern Xinjiang, he didn't want to draw a conclusion on the matter.
However, when he came out with Li Shimin, he wanted to find a place to deal with Li Shimin's "celestial being" thunder tribulation first.