Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 368

Chapter 368 A Winner, Loser
Hearing this, Li Ji and Li Daozong’s faces tightened, but it was difficult to find any rebuttal.

The situation was reversed, and the main warring faction was at a disadvantage in an instant!

Fang Xuanling nodded helplessly and said, “Just follow Situ’s instructions. Everything is open to show fairness. Chu Suiliang and Qin Mubai, please count both sides in public.”

“Yes.” The two of them answered and walked into the hall. The official took out two boards and pasted them with white paper, letting Qin and Chu each hold a brush, and began to prepare to count. Many officials below the third rank either left the Hongwen Library Chamber of Deputies angrily or helplessly, and looked over from the outside.

At this moment, Eldest Sun Wuji suddenly called out, “Your Highness Prince Wei, His Majesty has granted you the right to participate in politics. As a First Grade Prince, you have quite the right to vote. Why do you want to leave?”

Li Tai’s sturdy body was slightly stunned. He turned around and cupped his hands and laughed, “This is good, this is good. Little Wang … just stay and vote!”

Changsun Wuji and Qin Mubai glanced at him in unison and snorted coldly with disdain in their noses at the same time.

“Alright, let’s begin now!” Eldest Sun Wuji stood up and walked out, saying, “I will start first. Those who oppose Lanzhou will stand in the left column. Those who support Lanzhou will stand in the right column. Gentlemen, please!”

The remaining thirty to forty people began to move about one after another. Apart from Li Ji, Li Daozong, Fang Xuanling, and a few others who stood firmly in the main line of battle, most of them, including many of the Sixteen Guards Great Generals, hesitated for a long time before they could move. Many officials from the three provinces and six tribes obediently stood behind Eldest Sun Wuji. Many of them lowered their heads, as if they had been caught cheating on the spot.

“What the hell? You voted again? Why didn’t anyone call me Old Black?-Old Demon Cheng, you still haven’t come in!” Yuchi Jingde roared as he pulled Cheng Zhijie in and stood behind Li Daozong. He glanced around and was instantly enraged, “What happened? Previously, it was half-to-half, but now there are only five of us left on the main side?”

Qin Mubai’s expression darkened as he held the brush and drew five strokes on the white paper.

A smile appeared on Changsun Wuji’s face as he said, “After all, it’s hard to go against the wishes of everyone! The absolute majority of the people in the center of the Great Tang Empire are opposed to going to war. It makes sense. Xuan Ling, His Highness, Mao Gong, don’t you have anything else to say now?”

Fang Xuanling gently nodded his head, “I’ve already said it before. My words only represent my opinion.”

Li Xuan smiled faintly and cupped his fists, “Looks like the overall situation is settled. Li Xuan bid farewell!”

“You win.” Dao Sect Li narrowed his eyes and glanced at Eldest Sun Wuji. He stroked his sleeve and left.

“Hey! What the hell is this? Old Black doesn’t agree! Hey … Your Highness, Duke Mao, don’t leave!” Yuchi Jingde shouted anxiously.

Qin Mubai took a deep breath and his hands turned cold. He slowly put down his pen and heaved a sigh of relief. He cupped his hands towards Eldest Sun Wuji and said, “Situ, I will obey His Majesty and the Imperial Court in all my humble duties. There is no need to say anything else. Goodbye!”

At this moment, the corner of Qin Mubai’s eyes caught a glimpse of Li Tai shrunk his neck and stood in the middle of the main faction, intentionally keeping the people in front and behind him close as if he wanted to conceal his fat body.

Qin Mubai raised her head and walked out with her chest propped up. When she passed Li Tai, she smiled lightly and said, “Has His Highness Prince Wei felt a chill? Is his body cold?”

“Uh, this … is a little, a little!” Li Tai laughed awkwardly, his eyes fluttering and his face flushed red and white.

“Then take care, Your Highness!” Qin Mubai smiled and cupped his hands at him before walking out.

Qin Mubai, Li Ji, and Li Daozong walked out almost side by side. They were stunned when they reached the door and their eyes widened.

“What are you doing? Waiting in line, buying rice or noodles? When did the Hongwen Museum open its workshop? Cough … Cough cough!”

This voice was extremely familiar to everyone present! !

“Your Majesty!! … Long live my emperor! Long live my emperor!!”

Outside the Hongwen Museum, he knelt down!

Li Shimin’s face was ashen and his eyes were sunken. He wore thick furs and crutches. He was supported by Princess Li Mingda of Jinyang on the right and Prince Li Zhi of Jinjiang on the left.

He stood there with an eagle-like gaze!

“I’m not dead yet!” Li Shimin shouted and swept his gaze across the heads of the officials who were kneeling in front of him. He paused for a moment and said, “The Central Pavilion Hegemon of the Imperial Court is making a fuss over a small matter.” Fighting, quarreling, cursing, and cursing. Why are you lining up and drawing circles? What are you doing? Are you kids playing around? Why don’t you bring in a few baskets of mud to enjoy yourself? “Cough … cough!”

Everyone was speechless.

“Your Majesty, please calm down. Take care of the dragon body! Your Majesty is worried about my incompetence. I deserve to die!” Zhang Sun Wuji said in a cowardly voice. “Your Majesty, please calm down. Take care of the dragon body! I deserve to die!”

“It’s none of your business. It’s already not easy for you.” Li Shimin said this indifferently. Left and right, Li Zhi and Li Mingda carried him inside. The walking stick paused on the ground and made a sound.

His footsteps stopped in front of King Wei.

“Tai’er, I just heard that you have a chill. Since your body is unwell, go back and rest early! Don’t miss your illness.” Li Shimin said calmly.

Li Tai was shocked and his fat body trembled. He raised his head in surprise and looked at Li Shimin, but he was greeted by a pair of gloomy eyes.

Li Tai’s heart slowly sank, his hands and feet stiff.

“Didn’t you hear what I said, or was it too sick to wait for someone to help you?” Li Shimin said calmly.

“Your son … will go now.” Li Tai struggled to get up and moved out step by step. When he was about to leave, he slowly turned around and saw Li Shimin’s mysterious figure, but his eyes revealed a hint of despair.

At this moment, many people couldn’t help but think, “Is there any possibility for Li Tai to step into the Hongwen Pavilion again?” !

“All of you, stand up! … Childish slave, please help me sit down.” Li Shimin said.

When he sat down, the officials still stood up. Li Shimin called out to the officials standing outside the door. Zuo Wen and Youwu were lined up in two rows, just like the previous dynasty.

Li Zhi lowered his head and stood quietly beside Li Shimin, his gaze fixed on the atmosphere and he didn’t dare to leave. The young Li Mingda snuggled up beside Li Shimin’s shoulder and gently pounded his shoulder. His pair of young yet wise eyes shone with vivid spiritual energy. Her gaze unconsciously landed on Qin Mubai. The corner of her mouth immediately revealed a pair of little tiger teeth, and she smiled sweetly.

This small action of hers fell into the eyes of many people. Immediately, many people guessed in their hearts: Could it be that King Jin and Princess Jin Yang ran over to the Emperor and invited him over?

“I’ve been thinking about the war in Lanzhou for a long time. It’s not just one or two days.” Li Shimin said, “To be honest, I don’t blame you.” It was normal for differences to arise between the government and the public over this matter. If there were no differences, then that would be abnormal. I myself have some hesitation. Regardless of whether it was judged from the short term or from the long term, there were benefits and reasons for fighting. However, this matter cannot be delayed any longer. The situation is urgent, and the situation on the frontlines is constantly changing. Our discussions in the Imperial Court are far inferior to the changes in the situation on the frontlines. Therefore, no matter how we discuss it, it is very difficult for us to come up with a definite result. Therefore, I have no choice but to dictate the universe today–my will is to take two steps at the same time. First, send envoys to the front lines of Lanzhou to discuss the marriage with the Tibetan generals. But the prerequisite is that Tibet must give up the truncated Great Tang Silk Road and completely withdraw its troops from our Great Tang Territory. If successful, then discuss in detail; If not, we can also buy time to prepare for war. Second, Lanzhou must not slack off at all. It must prepare for the worst, prepare for a decisive battle with Tibet, and do not rule out using force to clear the Silk Road to pacify Gao Chang. “Qing, what do you think?”

“My Emperor is holy!”

Who could say such an opinion?

Li Shimin nodded and said, “Xuan Ling, I know that you are seriously ill, but at this critical moment, the arrangements for military and national affairs cannot be made without you! I order you to dispatch troops to Lanzhou.”

“This lowly official obeys the decree!” Fang Xuanling knelt down and leaned his head against the ground. His voice was trembling with excitement as he said, “This official, your brain and liver are dying!”

“Xuan Ling, why bother to say die? I would rather die myself than lose a loyal and good official like you in the Great Tang!” Li Shimin said sincerely.

Fang Xuanling immediately burst into tears, unable to control himself.

“Auxiliary.” Li Shimin called out.

“I’m here.” Changsun Wuji stood out.

“The envoy to Lanzhou to Tibet will be arranged by you. In addition, to show your sincerity, the dowry that should be prepared for Princess Wencheng should also be arranged. The sooner the better, the better. Follow the envoy to Lanzhou.” Li Shimin said, “You are in charge of this matter.”

“This lowly official has issued a decree.”

Li Shimin paused for a moment before turning to the back of the group. He narrowed his eyes and called out, “Qin Mubai.”

“I’m here!” Qin Mubai stood up and clasped his fists. Because of his excitement, his hands couldn’t help but tremble slightly.

“Let’s go to Lanzhou!” Li Shimin stood up and picked up his walking stick. Li Zhi and Li Mingda helped him forward and walked to Qin Mubai.

“This lowly official–obey the decree!” Qin Mubai replied loudly.

“Because of the place, the time, and the situation, we should do whatever we want. Let’s not talk about anything else, Lanzhou should not be thrown into chaos, and our previous efforts should not be crippled.” Li Shimin looked at Qin Mubai and sighed. He didn’t know if he was sighing or letting out a sigh of relief. Then, he said, “Remember, I owe you a wedding.”

“Your Majesty” Qin Mubai was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say.

Li Shimin gently patted Qin Mubai’s shoulder in front of the officials and smiled. “Tell your father that he didn’t disappoint me. He has worked hard. When he returns to court, I will personally get him drunk and throw him on the streets to make fun of everyone in Changan. It’s the same as when we beat Luoyang.”

“Wei Chen, remember.” Qin Mubai lowered his head, cupped his hands, and replied softly.

“All of you, don’t disappoint me … Cough, cough …”

“Send my emperor respectfully … Long live, long live, long live!”

Li Shimin’s cough gradually faded away.

The dust settled in a life-and-death war without the smoke of gunpowder.

Who is the winner and who is the loser? … it was still unclear.

Perhaps, another war has just begun …