Big Bright Palace, Violet Orchid Palace.

Today, Li Shimin invited the Tibetan surrender minister Qizong Nongzan and the others to a banquet. Together with the eldest Sun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Chu Suiliang, and a group of other important ministers, they all came out. Li Shimin chose Li Tai as the banquet prince.

Li Tai-shan is good at communication and social intercourse, so it is appropriate to attend such a public place.

Nowadays, King Jin Li Zhi, who performed mediocre during the imprisonment period and was “abandoned” by Changsun Wuji, appeared less and less in public and was almost frozen. Li Ke was far away in Tibet, and only Li Tai, who was always by the side of the emperor, entered the court meeting every day, but his figure was present on every occasion. Therefore, all the officials couldn’t help but guess in their hearts, was it because after Li Tai and Eldest Sun Wuji allied, his chances of entering the Eastern Palace had greatly increased?

However, no one could ignore Li Ke, who was far away in Tibet. The reason was very simple. The Tibetans who were friends now were all “invited” by Li Ke and Qin Mubai from the plateau. At the beginning of the founding of the Great Tang, there were only three people who had done such miraculous merits. They were Li Shimin, who had defeated half of Li Tang, Li Jing, who had defeated the Turks in Jiangnan and Beiping, and Li Ke and Qin Mubai.

Although everyone knew that the victory of this war had little to do with Li Ke, who told him that he was the supervisor sent by the Emperor? In terms of merit rewards, this prince of the Emperor’s expedition was the first to receive merit rewards.

Therefore, although Li Ke and Qin Mubai did not return to the dynasty, their prestige and influence in the people and court of the Great Tang Dynasty had soared day by day.

Although Li Ke still stayed in Luo City, Li Shimin sent a large number of civil servants to help him deal with the aftermath of Tibet. However, the meritorious generals who had returned to the dynasty, such as Li Daliang, Li Junxian, and Qin Mubai’s eldest brother, Qin Tong, were all rewarded greatly.

Li Daliang, the founding general who had just returned to the court for less than three to five days, was promoted to assistant minister of the Ministry of Military Affairs (second only to Minister of Military Affairs Li Ji, equivalent to Deputy Minister of Defense), and also served as the general of the Left Guard, Su Wei Imperial City. His title was also promoted from Wuyang County to Duke of the Martial Kingdom; Li Junxian, after returning to the dynasty, continued to take charge of the extremely important military yamen of the Baiji Superintendent. He also served as the general of the Left Superintendent’s Gate, Su Wei, and the harem of the Imperial Palace. Almost half of the imperial city’s imperial guards were under his command, and his title was also promoted from county prince to national prince. Qin Tong, on the other hand, had changed from a deputy envoy from Baiji to one of the sixteen great generals, the Great General of the Right Guard. At the same time, he was also a part-time supervisor in Baiji. Even the two Qin Family men, Qin Bin, who did not go out to battle, were blessed because of the tremendous contributions of his two brothers. Apart from the original post of Supervisor and Deputy Supervisor of Baiji, they were also transferred to Zhongshu Province as Zhongshu Residents, becoming one of the Emperor’s close attendant think tanks, and they were also given the title of Marquis.

Apart from that, these people also received countless rewards from fertile land, luxurious houses, food cities, and gold and silver.

Even these people have received such generous rewards, so what should Li Kemin do when Qin Mubai returns to court?

The officials all saw the ups and downs of the eunuch sea. They guessed that the day Guanxi Army Commander-in-Chief Qin Mubai returned to the court would be the day he entered the central region. Although he was still very young and not even thirty years old, the emperor was still in charge when he was sixteen years old, and he had ascended to the throne when he was twenty-eight years old. There had never been a lack of young heroes in the history of the Great Tang. Li Shimin had always liked to use young people boldly-if Qin Mubai entered the pavilion’s center and became one of the subordinates, he would undoubtedly have enough strength to contend against Eldest Sun Wuji!

As a result, there would be two distinct parties in the government and the public. One was the veteran faction led by Eldest Sun Wuji, the Civil Service Group; The second was represented by Qin Mubai, Li Ji, Li Daozong, and the other new forces and military groups joined by Fang Xuanling, a special figure.

The two groups now had their own banners, and the banner raised by the eldest grandson was undoubtedly King Wei, Li Tai. On the other hand, the military bloc seemed to have no other choice but to Li Ke.

The core contradictions of the Imperial Court finally surfaced, and that was the Eastern Palace Dispute had been officially laid on the table. Originally, Li Zhi, who had emerged as an exceptional figure, quietly withdrew from the stage of competition. Li Tai and Li Ke stood at the forefront once again.

This time, Li Ke already had a lot of capital in his hands, enough for him to challenge Li Tai!

However, Li Ke is still in Tibet and has not returned yet. Whether Li Tai can get the moon first or not, he may be executed during this period of time when Li Ke still has not returned to the dynasty.

Therefore, Li Tai was quite active recently. He was probably aware of the crisis and the urgency of the time, so he had to take down the position of Eastern Palace Crown Prince before Li Ke was called back to Chang’an by his father.

Li Tai was determined to obtain it, so he had no other choice. Li Ke was still wholeheartedly dealing with the plateau affairs at hand, and Qin Mubai, his most powerful arm, did not do anything unusual.

The two princes moved quietly, forming a sharp contrast. The smoke of gunpowder still hadn’t dissipated from the Tibetan Plateau, but another battle in the Great Tang court had already begun.

At the banquet of the Violet Orchid Palace, Li Tai led the way to persuade the wine merchants to drink. The atmosphere was quite harmonious. Li Shimin allowed Qizong Longzan and the others to keep their original clothes and hair crown, and respect their diet and language habits, all of these details were done in place. Although Qizong Nongzan and the others couldn’t help but feel indignant and worried about their country’s subjugation, there was nothing they could say when they received such kind treatment and courtesy.

Halfway through the banquet, Li Shimin stood up and changed his clothes. When they arrived at the back hall, they met Li Chunfeng, the Grand Historian.

The Taishi Bureau was responsible for compiling calendars, observing astronomy, surveying geography, and regularly reporting to the Imperial Court on the occurrence and treatment of disasters such as climate prediction and earthquakes and tsunamis. However, Li Chunfeng was not an ordinary Taishi, and Li Shimin had always treated him differently. Today, he had been waiting outside the Violet Orchid Palace to wait for the rack, so he probably had something important to report. Therefore, Li Shimin purposely went forward to ask him what was going on.

Li Chunfeng said to Li Shimin, “This minister has been staring at me recently and discovered that there is something different about Nishiino.”

Li Shimin asked, “What’s wrong?”

“The astrology shows that Feng Xiang is in Xi Ye, and there will be a female master who will prosper.” Li Chunfeng said.

“Feng Xiang Xi Ye, female lead Bi Chang?” Li Shimin pondered for a while and smiled, “I have just subdued Tibet, and the Four Seas Jingqing Western Region is stable. Could there be another woman who dares to rebel in the West?”

“It’s not the western border of the Nine Provinces of the Great Tang. It’s the farther west beyond the Nine Provinces.” Li Chunfeng’s eyebrows darkened slightly and he said directly, “It should be the Western Regions.”

“Western Region? Female Leader?” Li Shimin was even more puzzled, “Who could it be?”

“This lowly official is not allowed to know all about the mysteries of the starry sky.” Li Chunfeng said, “Actually, I have observed such a strange astrology together with my Senior Brother Yuan a few years ago. I remember that after Senior Brother Yuan calculated, I once warned His Majesty that there would be a female head of the Wu clan who would replace Li Tang in a few years. This is a number of days and cannot be reversed. However, when the Demon Star appeared, the astrology changed drastically. This female head …”

“I know!” Li Shimin smiled indifferently. “You mean Wu Meiniang, right?-Actually, I don’t believe in you. However, I don’t want to disturb myself anymore. However, you deliberately mentioned this to me at this time. Could it be that Wu Meiniang will become the king of the Western Regions once she goes to the Western Regions?”

“I don’t dare to say anything.” Li Chunfeng said seriously, “However, the Heavenly Fate is the Heavenly Fate, and even if the Heavenly Fate returns, there is no escape!” Although Demon Star had changed the fate of the Great Tang, it was unable to change everyone’s fate! “Although Wu Meiniang won’t have the chance to replace Li Tang and become an emperor, her imperial fate will never be shaken off-if I’m not wrong, as long as she goes to the Western Regions, she will definitely become an emperor!”

“She’s the king? Are you kidding me?” Li Shimin smiled and said, “Right now, she is just a merchant girl, the wife of my Great Tang general. How can she call her king?-Why would she call her king, fight against me, fight against the Great Tang?”

Li Chunfeng’s expression changed slightly. The latter half of the Emperor’s words were what he really wanted to say, and he also expressed his true thoughts. After pondering for a while, he said, “This lowly official is unable to see through the heavens and can only observe its general situation. The astrology shows that Feng Xiang Xi Ye is an auspicious gospel to my Great Tang, and there is no omen of disaster. Therefore …”

Li Shimin laughed and waved his hand, “Forget it, there’s no need to say anything.” The world is too big for me to control. I wanted to conquer the Western Regions, but I mainly wanted to ensure the smooth passage of the Silk Road and the stability of our neighbors. I did not have the idea of unifying it into the territory of the Great Tang. There were many different civilizations in the various countries, and their historical origins and racial distinctions were incomparably complicated. I have ambitions to conquer Tibet, but in my lifetime, I will not dream of being able to completely conquer dozens of countries in the Western Regions. If someone can unify the Western Regions and divide it into one country, it might not be a bad thing for our Great Tang. I don’t mind having a friendly neighbor in Great Tang. It’s better than having dozens of neighbors living next door and making noise all day long. Even if this big country becomes enemies with our Great Tang in the future, it will be easy-since I can defeat Tibet, I will be able to defeat it once and for all. As for who is going to establish this unified Western Region country, I don’t care anymore! ”

Hearing these words, Li Chunfeng was stunned for a long time.

The Emperor’s thoughts and mind were indeed different from those of ordinary people.

“Do you have anything else to do?” Li Shimin asked with a relaxed smile.

“I have another matter, Your Majesty.”

“Tell me. Why are you hesitating today?”

“This lowly official’s senior brother, Yuan Tiangang … had already ascended to the Immortal realm more than half a year ago. This lowly official only recently learned of this news.”

Hearing this news, Li Shimin was stunned for a moment. He nodded slightly and didn’t say anything else. He only said, “I know.”

“I’m leaving.”

After Li Chunfeng left, Li Shimin walked alone and pondered for a moment. A smile gradually appeared on his face. After letting out a long sigh, he said to himself, “I, it’s time for me to be satisfied!”

Back at the banquet, Li Shimin continued to exchange glasses with Qizong Nongzan, Chenggong, and the others. Inadvertently, he asked Chu Suiliang if the Lanzhou memorial had been delivered recently?

Chu Suiliang replied no. Only half a month ago, he had received a memorial from Qin Mubai, telling him about the transfer of generals and officials under the Lanzhou Governor-General’s Mansion.

“Why don’t you go to Lanzhou and take a look?” Li Shimin seemed to have inadvertently said, “If there is nothing important there, you can ask Gao Yang and Prince Consort Qin to return to Chang’an. Tell them that I miss them.”

Chu Suiliang’s hand, which was holding the wine cup, trembled. He hurriedly put down the cup and said, “This lowly subject obeys the decree!”

“Eh, this is not an imperial edict.” Li Shimin smiled and said, “I just want you to take a look. If Qin Mubai says that he still has important things to do there, you don’t have to say it. Understood?”

“Yes, I understand” Although Chu Suiliang was confused and didn’t “understand” anything, he could only answer like this.

The Emperor had never given such a foolish order.

What do you mean “there’s something to do”, what do you mean “there’s nothing important”? –Chu Suiliang was quite big-headed. If he went to Lanzhou, what would he tell Qin Mubai?

Li Shimin seemed to have seen through Chu Suiliang’s thoughts. He chuckled and said, “Don’t think too much. It’s just that Concubine De missed Gao Yang very much recently. In addition, since Gao Yang gave birth to Lin’er, neither I nor Concubine De have seen him. Therefore, I want them to return to the capital for a few days. But of course, the prerequisite is that national affairs and military affairs are of paramount importance, right?”

“This lowly official knows” Chu Suiliang answered carefully. The more the Emperor said this, the more he showed that he had ulterior motives in summoning Qin Mubai back. Moreover, he was summoned back to the capital in such a private and informal manner!

“At such a critical juncture, what does Qin Mubai’s return to the capital mean?”