Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 557
Chapter 557 Release
After the court meeting ended today, Li Shimin summoned Li Ke into the harem and met him alone.
Just then, Li Shimin threw a folding book in front of Li Ke and said, “What do you think we should do?”
Li Ke lowered his head to take a look, and the two words “resignation” written on the folding book shocked him. He opened his eyes and was dumbfounded, “This … is truly beyond my expectations!”
The father and son had already tacitly waited for Qin Mubai to lead the army back to the court, which was the day when Li Ke was crowned the Crown Prince. Although the eldest Sun Wuji hadn’t made his position clear, both father and son knew that even if he was stubborn, he still had reservations. As long as he had the strong support of the military, there wouldn’t be much resistance for Li Ke to become the crown prince.
Although the civil servants were in charge of the mouthpiece of the Imperial Court, in the end, no matter how stupid and stubborn Eldest Sun Wuji was, he would not be so stupid as to use his own strength to turn the tide. Besides, King Wei was already dead, so Eldest Sun Wuji could not tear off his old face and turned to support King Jin, Li Zhi. Without any prince in his hands to be confident, what else could he do other than acquiesce to Li Ke’s entry into the Eastern Palace?
As for the “bloodline” and “descendant status” that used to be the norm, they were just absurd excuses in front of absolute strength, and they weren’t enough to influence the overall situation.
But now, Qin Mubai suddenly handed over his resignation. Li Ke wanted to ascend the throne, but he lacked the most powerful help. This variable caught Li Shimin and his son off guard.
At this moment, Li Ke was wondering why Mubai would suddenly retreat. I didn’t hear the slightest bit of wind about this matter beforehand. Judging from his past experiences, Mubai’s character was tough and lofty, and the tragic news of his father’s death in battle had not caused him to feel the slightest bit dejected. What was wrong with this time?
Seeing that Li Ke was silent, Li Shimin knocked on the ground with his walking stick, “What do you think?”
“Your son can’t think of any way for a while.” Li Ke shook his head awkwardly. “This son understands Mubai. He can’t make any decisions easily. However, once he decides something, he won’t change it easily.”
Li Shimin knitted his brows. “Do you know what Qin Mubai means to you, to the Imperial Court, to the future of the Great Tang?”
“Your son knows” Li Ke nodded and thought, “Just as Father Emperor said, Qin Mubai’s current status and position is too important!” I need his support to sit firmly in the Eastern Palace; The civil and military factions in the Imperial Court needed his strength to maintain a balance; In the future, he would be needed to preside over the military and national affairs of the Great Tang. Not to mention anything else, just that large piece of the Western Regions, no one would dare to guarantee that they would be able to suppress it.
“Since you know, do you have a way to remedy it?” Li Shimin said.
Li Ke frowned deeply and was speechless for a long time. He thought that he was not the kind of person who was selfish and ignorant of the overall situation, because of my understanding of Mubai. At such a critical juncture, he suddenly handed over his resignation, presumably because he had important reasons, or because he was already disappointed with the Imperial Court … What was the reason for this?
Li Ke couldn’t help but think of the emperor. Because with Qin Mubai’s current status and fame, the only person who could make such a huge change was probably the Emperor!
If Qin Mubai resigned because he lost confidence in the Imperial Court and the Emperor, then things would be really difficult!
Thinking of this, Li Ke said to Li Shimin, “I wonder what kind of’remedy ‘Father Emperor is referring to?”
“I’m asking you,” Li Shimin said.
Li Ke gritted his teeth in embarrassment, so he could only forcefully answer, “At this moment, there are only two ways. One is to reject Qin Mubai’s resignation and invite him to Chang’an to persuade him to stay and continue to work for the Great Tang; the other is to find a substitute for Qin Mubai.”
“Then let’s try both methods.” Li Shimin seemed to have expected that Li Ke would reply like this, and said, “Didn’t you mention earlier that you wanted to marry Qin Shuang’er, the daughter of Qin Mubai? Now I approve. Tomorrow, I will send Chu Suiliang to Chang’an with Zong Zheng Temple’s Qing to solemnly recruit you. I will grant you a marriage and officially make the Qin family’s daughter Princess Wu!”
Li Ke knelt on the spot and thanked Father Emperor for his help!
Today’s Princess Wu will not be the Crown Princess for long, and soon … she will probably be the Empress of the Mother of a Country!
“Just like this, it might not work!” Li Shimin sighed and said, “Even if you married the Qin family’s daughter, it would be futile for Qin Mubai to refuse to return to the court. Therefore, you have to send a lobbyist to Lanzhou to convince Qin Mubai. Ke’er, who do you think is better?”
“This” Li Ke hesitated for a moment and bowed. “Gaoyang’s royal sister is still in Chang’an. If we can persuade her to lobby, it will be possible.”
“Foolish.” Li Shimin knitted his brows. “This girl is extroverted. She only has a 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, I’ve actually thought of this level before. But … if even Gaoyang can’t convince me, how can I convince Qin Mubai?”
Li Shimin knitted his eyebrows and pondered for a moment before nodding his head, “That makes sense. But this girl has already disobeyed me. I have to convince her first. I think you are the only one who will personally appear.”
“Your son has received the decree.” Li Ke promised.
Li Shimin sighed, picked up another folding book from his side and handed it to Li Ke, saying, “The world is hard to predict. If Qin Mubai insists on not coming back, then we can’t tie him up, right? Like you said, we need to make two preparations. Take a look at this first.”
Li Ke took a look and raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Goguryeon is in civil strife. Did Mo Li’s branch spring Gai Su Wen kill the king?”
“That’s right! Quan Gai Su Wen, an ambitious maniac, has always wanted to conquer Baekchi and Silla and fight back against my Great Tang.” “A few years ago, the chaotic battle between the three kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula was planned by Koguryo’s ambitious official,” Li Shimin said. That time, I sent you to mediate. Fortunately, you did not disgrace your mission and settled the war between the three kingdoms. Now, Quan Ge Su Wen finally couldn’t hold back any longer. He killed King Rong Liu of Goguryeo and dismembered his corpse without even holding a funeral. At the same time, he also killed more than a hundred ministers in bloodbath. Then, he made King Rongliu’s nephew, Gao Zang, the puppet king, and called himself ‘Big Moli Zhi’. Now that he is in charge of all military and political power in Korea, I believe that he will soon arise to invade Silla and achieve his ambitions of many years. ”
“Such unfaithful, unfilial, and unrighteous disciples must be exterminated!” Li Ke said angrily, “If we allow him to absorb Xin Luo and Bai Ji, we will definitely suffer in the heart of the Great Tang in the future!”
“Therefore, the Great Tang must make early preparations to conquer Koguryo.” Li Shimin narrowed his eyes, his eyes shining brightly, “I have long since wanted to personally conquer Korea, eliminating this problem of trusted aides and armpits for future generations. Later, it was delayed because of frequent wars in the west. Now that the west has decided, it is time to send troops to Korea. Unfortunately, my body is no longer able to do so. So, I am prepared to let you-lead the army!”
Li Ke’s entire body trembled as he acknowledged, “This son is willing to lead the troops, and will not return without victory!”
Li Shimin said helplessly, “Of course, you can only promise to win this battle, but at the same time … If Qin Mubai insists on not returning to the court, you have to use this war to find a substitute for Qin Mubai. Or, you can do it yourself-replace Qin Mubai!”
Li Ke was stunned and silently nodded his head. He thought to himself, “Father Emperor is still far-sighted.” No matter what he did, he was always thinking about the overall situation in his heart. In fact, the Great Tang was no longer suitable for war. However, for the sake of the stability of the Imperial Court and the balance of the political situation, he had no choice but to make this decision. Looks like Father Emperor has no other choice. If Qin Mubai was willing to return, the political situation would stabilize and there was no need to rush to conquer Korea. Moreover, the 300,000 Kansai Iron Army under Qin Mubai was invincible and invincible, so there was no need to worry about little Goguryeo being unjust. However, this 300,000 strong army might not have such a miraculous effect if it were in the hands of someone else or me!
“Xue Yantuo has calmed down, and the situation in Mobei has gradually stabilized. I am prepared to send an order for Li Ji to return to court.” Li Shimin said, “Ke’er, do you know what to do?”
“Your son understands …”
“I did all this for you, for the future of the Great Tang.” Li Shimin’s eyebrows furrowed and he said leisurely, “There are always gains and losses in everything. There is no such thing as a perfect method. If anyone has any misunderstandings or prejudices towards me, I … can only admit it!”
Li Ke nodded and confirmed a conjecture in his heart. It seems that there really is a big gap between Mubai and my Royal Father …
“Let’s go and persuade your royal sister.” Li Shimin said, “It’s better for you to come forward than me. This girl … I can’t do anything to her now!”
“Yes, I will go now.”
Shortly after, Li Ke went to the harem to find Princess Gaoyang. Before he could speak, Princess Gaoyang said in a pioneering voice, “Are you here to be a lobbyist for Father Emperor?”
Li Ke was stunned for a moment, then laughed, “Looks like you already know?”
“What do I not know?” Princess Gaoyang twitched her lips, “Father told me last night that he wanted me to think of a way to persuade him to return to Mubai, but I didn’t agree!”
Li Ke asked doubtfully, “Why don’t you agree?”
“Because” Princess Gaoyang rolled her eyes, but she didn’t spit out another word for a long time.
Li Ke smiled and said, “Forget it, Gaoyang. You don’t have to be so narrow-minded in front of me. Actually, I’m here today as a lobbyist. In fact, I want to let you go back and reunite with Mubai!”
“Really?” Princess Gaoyang’s surprised eyes lit up and she hugged Li Ke, “I knew you would always be my good third brother! All these years, I didn’t love you in vain!”
“How did you speak!” Li Ke was so angry and funny that he pushed Princess Gaoyang away. “You’re not young anymore. You’re also a mother. You’re still as ridiculous as before!”
“Hehe! No matter how old I am, I will always be a little sister in front of you!” Princess Gaoyang burst into tears with laughter and whispered, “Third Brother, are you really going to do this?”
Li Ke sighed helplessly and smiled bitterly, “Don’t I know Mubai’s character? Since he has decided on this matter, there is absolutely no change. Rather than doing so, I might as well take a personal approach and at least preserve the friendship between me and him.”
“Third Brother is still so wise” Princess Gaoyang nodded and sighed softly. “Actually, I don’t want Mubai to return to Chang’an and reunite with our family.” This will not only fulfill the righteousness of the monarchs and subjects, but also fulfill the relationship between husband and wife and the friendship between you. But … I really don’t have the slightest confidence that I can convince him of what he has decided. And with my knowledge of him, he was never the kind of ungrateful selfish person. Since he had made such a decision, there must be a reason for it. I … can only support him! ”
Li Ke stared at Princess Gaoyang, nodded and said, “Gaoyang, you are actually the smartest person.”
“Is there?” Princess Gaoyang smiled and said, “Am I smarter than you and Royal Father?”
“Yes.” Li Ke faintly smiled, “You always insist on trusting in Mubai, this is wise and foolish.”
Princess Gaoyang was instantly enraged. “Does that mean-I still look stupid?!”
Li Ke laughed heartily, “It’s because you misuse the words!-Gaoyang, there are very few people in the world who can consistently do the word’persevere ‘. You will definitely be happy in the future, based on your consistent trust in Mubai!”
Princess Gaoyang smiled proudly and comfortably. She nodded and said, “Thank you, Third Brother!”
Li Ke heaved a sigh of relief and held Princess Gaoyang’s hand. “I will report to Father Emperor that you have promised to go to Lanzhou as a lobbyist. Prepare yourself and leave at any time!”
“Third Brother, you’re bullying me …”
“It’s fine. Just leave. I’ll take care of everything else.”
Princess Gaoyang held Li Ke’s hand tightly and her eyes turned a little red. She whispered, “Third Brother, will we meet again in the future?”
Li Ke smiled and said, “I’m afraid only that fellow knows the answer to this question.”
“Actually, Third Brother, you also want to persuade me to return to Mubai, right?” Princess Gaoyang said, “But you’re using the’hard to get ‘method?”
Li Ke smiled frankly and said, “I admit that I have such thoughts. But if Mubai insists on not returning, I will really’indulge ‘.”
“Are you really … willing to do this?” Princess Gaoyang asked carefully.
Li Ke sighed softly and said, “Mubai has done enough for me, and he has done enough for the Great Tang. If he is really tired and wants to rest, I can’t impose myself selfishly. Gaoyang, help me send a message to Mubai and say-no matter what happens in the future, Qin Mubai and Li Ke will always be best friends!”
“What if one day you become the Crown Prince or even the Emperor?” Princess Gaoyang deliberately asked.
Li Ke smiled, “Forever, don’t you understand?”
“Forever, how far is it?”
Li Ke was stunned and didn’t know how to answer.
Princess Gaoyang wiped the drooping tears off her lids and whispered, “Third Brother, I will tell Mubai. But I think that if you really become the Crown Prince and become Emperor one day, you will regret saying such words.”
“Do you think I will?”
Princess Gaoyang’s apricot eyes curved as she looked at Li Ke, smiling without saying a word.
The two brothers and sisters met with each other in all four eyes, but in fact, they were tacit.
At this moment, Princess Gaoyang was thinking in her heart, “We were all born in the Emperor’s family. Can we not understand that an Emperor is not worthy of having too many personal feelings?” How could there not be such a reason for Mubai’s resignation? Because he doesn’t want to end up with a day when his relationship with Third Brother will end, and the only thing left between the two of them is a cold relationship between a monarch and a subject! 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 will not be able to persuade me to return to Mubai, nor do you want to persuade me to return to Mubai. So you took a step back and wanted to give the two of you a chance to live!
