After the court meeting ended today, Li Shimin summoned Li Ke into the harem and met alone.
Just after attending the ceremony, Li Shimin threw a booklet in front of Li Ke, "Tell me, what should I do?"
Li Ke lowered his head and took a look. There were two words "resignation" written on the fold, and he was slightly surprised. After unfolding it, I was stunned for a moment, "This... is really beyond Erchen's expectation!"
The father and son had already known each other tacitly, and they only waited for Qin Mubai to lead his army back to the court in triumph, which was the day when Li Ke was canonized as the prince. Although Changsun Wuji has not made a clear position yet, both father and son understand in their hearts that even if Changsun Wuji is stubborn, he still reserves his opinions. As long as there is strong support from the military, Li Ke will not face much resistance if he wants to become the prince.
Although civil servants are in charge of the mouthpiece of the court, in the final analysis, political power comes from the barrel of a gun. No matter how stupid and stubborn Changsun Wuji is, he will not be stupid enough to use his own strength to turn the tide. Besides, the King of Wei was dead, so Changsun Wuji couldn't bear his old face, and turned to support King Li Zhi of Jin. Without any of the princes to back him up, what else could he do besides acquiescing to Li Ke's entry into the East Palace
As for the clichéd issues of "bloodline" and "legacy" in the past, they are just ridiculous excuses in the face of absolute strength, and they are not enough to influence the overall situation.
But now, Qin Mubai suddenly handed in his resignation, and Li Ke wanted to take over, but he lacked this most powerful help. This change caught both Li Shimin and his son off guard.
At this moment, Li Ke was wondering, why did Mu Bai suddenly want to retire? I didn't hear any news about this matter beforehand. Judging from their past experiences together, Mu Bai has a tough character and high ambitions. Even the tragic news that his father died in battle never made him feel decadent. This time... what happened
Seeing Li Ke's silence, Li Shimin tapped the ground with his crutch, "Tell me your opinion?"
"Er Chen couldn't think of any solution for the moment." Li Ke shook his head in embarrassment, "Er Chen understands Mu Bai. He doesn't make decisions easily. But once decided, he won't change it easily."
Li Shimin frowned, "Do you know what Qin Mubai means to you, to the current court, and to the future of the Tang Dynasty?"
"My son knows..." Li Ke nodded and said to himself: As his father said, Qin Mubai's current identity and position are really important! I need his support to secure my position in the East Palace; the civil and military factions in the court need his strength to maintain balance; in the future, the military affairs of the Tang Dynasty will need him to preside over. Not to mention anything else, no one can guarantee that the Western Region alone will be able to contain it.
"Now that you know it, do you have any way to remedy it?" Li Shimin asked.
Li Ke's brows furrowed deeply and he was speechless for a long time. Thought: From what I know about Mu Bai, he is not the kind of person who is selfish and doesn't care about the overall situation. At such a juncture, he suddenly handed in his resignation. He must have had a serious reason, or he had been disappointed with the court... What was the reason that made him do this
Li Ke couldn't help but think of the emperor. Because, with Qin Mubai's current status and reputation, the only one who can make such a huge change in him is probably the emperor!
If Qin Mubai resigned because he lost confidence in the court and the emperor, then things would be really difficult!
Thinking of this, Li Ke said to Li Shimin: "I wonder what the 'remediation' my father refers to?"
Li Shimin said: "I'm asking you."
Li Ke bared his teeth in embarrassment and had no choice but to bite the bullet and reply: "At this moment, there are only two ways. One is to reject Qin Mubai's resignation, invite him to Chang'an, and persuade him to stay and continue to serve Datang. ; The second is... to find someone who can replace Qin Mubai. "
"Then try both methods." Li Shimin seemed to have expected Li Ke's answer, and said, "Didn't you mention earlier that you wanted to marry Qin Shuang'er, a girl from the Qin family and Qin Mubai's sister? ? Now I am sure. Tomorrow, I will send Chu Suiliang and the minister of Zongzheng Temple to Chang'an to solemnly appoint you, and I will officially appoint the Qin family's daughter as Princess Wu!"
Li Ke knelt down on the spot, "Thank you, Father!"
Today's Princess Wu will soon be the Crown Princess, and not long after that... she will probably be the Queen, the mother of a nation!
"This alone may not work!" Li Shimin sighed and said, "Even if you marry the Qin family's daughter as your concubine, Qin Mubai still refuses to return to the court, which is in vain. Therefore, you have to do your own thing. We need to send a lobbyist to Lanzhou to persuade Qin Mubai. Who do you think we should send?"
"This..." Li Ke hesitated for a moment, then bowed his hands and said, "Gaoyang's imperial sister is still in Chang'an. If she can be persuaded to lobby, it is probably feasible."
"Confused." Li Shimin frowned, "This girl is an outgoing girl. She only has her lover and no parents in her heart. Sending her to persuade Qin Mubai is no different from beating a dog with a meat bun."
Li Ke couldn't help but laugh, and then said: "Father, my son has actually thought of this before. But... if even Gao Yang can't convince him, how can he convince Qin Mubai?"
Li Shimin frowned and pondered for a moment, then nodded, "It makes sense. But this girl doesn't listen to me anymore. You have to convince her first. I think you are the only one who can come forward in person."
"My son, I accept the decree." Li Ke accepted the promise.
Li Shimin sighed, picked up another folded book from his side and handed it to Li Ke, saying: "Things are unpredictable. If Qin Mubai insists on refusing to come back, then we can't kidnap him, right? As you said, we You have to be prepared. Take a look at this first.”
Li Ke took it and took a look, raised his eyebrows and said in surprise: "Goguryeo was in civil strife. Moli Zhiquan Gaisu Wen killed the king?"
"Yes! This ambitious man, Quan Gaesumun, has always wanted to conquer Baekje and Silla, and then compete with the Tang Dynasty." Li Shimin said, "The melee between the Three Kingdoms on the Goryeo Peninsula a few years ago was his Goguryeo ambition. It was planned by the powerful minister. That time, I sent you to mediate. Fortunately, you fulfilled your mission and calmed down the war between the three kingdoms. Now, Quan Gaisuwen finally couldn't hold it anymore, and he killed King Yeongliu of Goguryeo. The bodies were dismembered and abandoned without even a funeral. At the same time, he slaughtered more than a hundred ministers in both the government and the public. Then, he appointed Gao Zang, the nephew of King Rongliu, as the puppet king and called himself "Da Mo Li Zhi". Now that he has taken charge of all military and political power in Goryeo, I believe it won’t be long before he launches an army to invade Silla and realize his long-standing ambition.”
"Such unfaithful, unfilial, benevolent and unjust people must be wiped out!" Li Ke said angrily, "If we sit back and watch him annex Silla and Baekje and develop and grow, he will definitely be a thorn in my side in the Tang Dynasty in the future!"
"Therefore, the Tang Dynasty must make preparations early to conquer Goguryeo." Li Shimin narrowed his eyes, and there was a glimmer of light in his eyes. "I had planned to conquer Goguryeo in person many years ago, so as to eliminate this trouble for future generations. Later, Because of the frequent wars in the west, it is time to send troops to Korea. Unfortunately, my health is not good anymore, so I am going to let you take command!"
Li Ke was shocked and accepted the promise with great enthusiasm, "My son is willing to lead the troops to go to war. If we win, we will not return!"
"Of course this battle only allows for victory and not defeat, but at the same time..." Li Shimin's voice was a little helpless, "If Qin Mubai insists on refusing to return to the court, you have to use this war to find someone who can replace Qin Mubai. People. Or you can do it yourself - instead of Qin Mubai!"
Li Ke was stunned and nodded silently, thinking: Father is still far-sighted. No matter what he does, he is always thinking about the overall situation in his mind. In fact, at the moment, Datang is not suitable for launching another war. However, for the sake of the stability of the court and the balance of the political situation, this policy had to be taken. It seems that my father has no other options. If Qin Mubai is willing to come back, the political situation will stabilize and there will be no need to be so hasty in conquering Goryeo. Moreover, the 300,000 Kansai Iron Army commanded by Qin Mubai are invincible in every battle, so why worry about the injustice of little Goguryeo? ... But these three hundred thousand troops may not be so effective in the hands of others or me!
"Xue Yantuo has been calmed down, and the situation in Mobei has gradually returned to stability. I am going to issue an order to recruit Li Ji to return to the court." Li Shimin said, "Ke'er, do you know what to do?"
"My son understands..."
"I do all this for you and for the future of the Tang Dynasty." Li Shimin frowned and said leisurely, "Everything has gains and losses, and there is no way to have the best of both worlds. If anyone has any misunderstanding about me, Or prejudice, I... I just have to admit it!"
Li Ke nodded, and a suspicion in his heart was confirmed: It seems that there is really a big gap between Mu Bai and my father...
"Let's go and persuade your imperial sister." Li Shimin said, "It's better for you to come forward than for me to come forward. This girl... I have nothing to do with her now!"
"Yes, my son, go right away."
Soon after, Li Ke went to the harem to find Princess Gaoyang. Before he could say anything, Princess Gaoyang said preemptively: "Are you here to be a lobbyist for your father?"
Li Ke was startled for a moment, then smiled, "It seems you know everything?"
"What don't I know?" Princess Gao Yang pouted, "Father told me last night and asked me to find a way to persuade Mubai to return. But I didn't agree!"
Li Ke asked doubtfully: "Why don't you agree?"
"Because..." Princess Gao Yang's eyes rolled, but no other words came out of her mouth for a long time.
Li Ke smiled and said: "Forget it, Gao Yang. You don't have to be petty in front of me. In fact, I am here today to be a lobbyist, but in fact, I want to let you go back and reunite with Mu Bai!"
"Really?" Princess Gao Yang's eyes lit up with surprise, and she hugged Li Ke, "I knew you would always be my best third brother! All these years, I have loved you in vain!"
"Why are you talking!" Li Ke was really angry and funny, and pushed Princess Gao Yang away, "You are now a grownup and a mother, but you are still as ridiculous and nonsensical as before!"
"Hehe! No matter how old I am, I will always be a little girl in front of you!" Princess Gao Yang laughed so much that she burst into tears and whispered, "Third brother, are you really planning to do this?"
"Hey..." Li Ke sighed helplessly and said with a wry smile, "Don't I understand Mu Bai's character? Since it was decided by him, there will never be any changes. Instead of doing this, I might as well follow my own path. At least the friendship between me and him can be preserved.”
"Third brother is still so wise..." Princess Gao Yang nodded slightly and sighed, "Actually, why don't I want Mu Bai to return to Chang'an and reunite our family? This will not only fulfill the righteousness of the monarch and his ministers, but also It can fulfill the love of husband and wife and the friendship between you. But... I really have no confidence that I can convince him of what he has decided. And based on my understanding of him, he has never been that kind of ungrateful and selfish person. Since he has made his decision, he must have his reasons... I can only support him!"
Li Ke stared at Princess Gao Yang, nodded, and said, "Gao Yang, you are actually the smartest person."
"Really?" Princess Gao Yang said with a smile, "Am I as smart as you and my father?"
"Yes." Li Ke smiled slightly, "You have always insisted on trusting Mu Bai despite all the odds. This is how wise you are."
Princess Gao Yang suddenly became angry, "You mean - I still look stupid?!"
Li Ke laughed loudly, "Brother Yu used the wrong word! - Gao Yang, there are very few people in the world who can consistently achieve the word 'persistence'. You will definitely be happy in the future, just by your love for Mu Bai Always trusting!”
A proud and gratified smile appeared on Princess Gao Yang's face, and she nodded, "Thank you, third brother!"
Li Ke breathed a sigh of relief and held Princess Gaoyang's hand. "I will report back to my father and say that you have agreed to go to Lanzhou to be a lobbyist. You can prepare yourself and set off at any time!"
"Third brother, you are bullying the emperor for your own selfishness..."
"It's okay, just leave. I will take care of other things."
Princess Gao Yang held Li Ke's hand tightly, her eye circles a little red, and said softly: "Third brother, will we meet again in the future?"
Li Ke smiled and said, "I'm afraid only that guy knows the answer to this question."
"Actually, third brother, you also want to persuade Mubai to return, right?" Princess Gao Yang said, "But you are using the 'play hard to get' method?"
Li Ke smiled frankly and said: "I admit that I have such thoughts. However, if Mu Bai insists on not returning, I will really be 'indulging'."
"Are you really... willing to do this?" Princess Gao Yang asked cautiously.
Li Ke sighed softly and said: "Mubai has done enough for me; he has done enough for Datang. If he is really tired and wants to rest, I can't be selfish and force him to make things difficult. Gao Yang, Please send me a message to Mu Bai, just say - no matter what happens in the future, Qin Mubai and Li Ke will always be the best friends! "
"What if one day you become a prince or even an emperor?" Princess Gaoyang asked deliberately.
Li Ke smiled, "Forever, don't you understand?"
"Forever, how far is it?"
Li Ke was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer.
Princess Gaoyang wiped the tears hanging down her eyelids and said softly: "Third brother, I will tell Mu Bai what I want to say. But I think that if you really become the prince and the emperor one day, you will I regret saying such words.”
"Do you think I can?..."
Princess Gaoyang looked at Li Ke with crescent eyes, smiling without saying a word.
The brother and sister's eyes met, but they knew each other tacitly.
At this moment, Princess Gaoyang was thinking in her heart: We were all born in an emperor's family, how can we still not understand that emperors are not worthy of having too many personal feelings? Why didn't Mu Bai resign and retire? Because he doesn't want to end his relationship with you, third brother, one day, leaving only a cold relationship between the two of them! Third brother, you are also wise. I know that the reason why you are willing to let me go today is because you know that you cannot persuade Mubai to return, and you do not want to persuade Mubai to return. So you settle for the next best thing and just want to give the friendship between the two of you a chance to survive!