My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

It was the second watch of the night.

Fang Xuanling's residence.

A bright moon hung in the sky, illuminating the entire city of Chang'an as if it were draped in a layer of silver, making it appear even more solemn and dignified.

In the courtyard stands a tall cedar tree; no one knows how many years that cedar tree has lived.

An owl perched atop a cedar tree, occasionally emitting a "meow" that sent chills down one's spine.

In the hall, Li Tai and Fang Xuanling took their seats as host and guest, while Fang Yizhi stood by their side.

Fang Yizhi and Fang Yi'ai were brothers, but their personalities were quite different.

Fang Yizhi was kind and honest, loyal to the court, not greedy, and very respectful and filial to his father.

Prior to this, he had heard that Princess Gaoyang intended for Fang Yi'ai to fight for the inheritance.

He offered to give all his titles, stipends, and official positions to Fang Yi'ai, but Li Shimin did not approve of this offer.

Li Shimin understood that doing so would break the rules, and this precedent could not be set arbitrarily.

Li Tai took out a white handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. His expression was complicated, as if he were happy but also worried.

He cleared his throat: "Your Excellency, you are truly a visionary! The thousand elite soldiers we sent out took the enemy by surprise, attacking them while they were still asleep, and stormed into their camp, succeeding successfully."

The army brought by Fuyu Fengzhang was routed by us and fled in disarray.

"Seven out of ten were killed, while our army suffered virtually no casualties. We framed Li Chenggan for this."

Fang Xuanling stroked his beard and asked, "Last time you went to the armory to select weapons, did anyone know about this?"

Li Tai scratched his head: "At the time, Xiao Wang didn't pay attention either. It seemed like there was a little eunuch outside the armory."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanling looked worried: "The chief eunuch Wang De has his henchmen all over the court. If that little eunuch knows, it means that Wang De knows."

Wang De and Li Chengqian had a good relationship and often visited each other.

Why didn't you kill that little eunuch?

"Kill them to silence them and prevent future trouble."

"Little Wang didn't think that much," Li Tai slapped his thigh. "This shouldn't be that serious, right?"

Whether it's that bad or not, you'll find out soon enough.

In the future, we must pay attention to details when doing things. Often, a meticulously planned project can be ruined by neglecting a few details!

"Your Excellency is right, I've taken note," Li Tai said, pausing before praising, "Your calculations are incredibly accurate. How did you know that Father would definitely spare Fuyu Fengzhang and his army?"

Fang Xuanling smiled slightly: "Isn't this matter simple?"

If your father wanted to kill Buyeo Pungjang and the Baekje army, he would have issued the decree long ago.

The reason he hesitated to issue the decree was because he had concerns. He knew that Buyeo Phongzhang was a virtuous man, unlike Buyeo Long.

Therefore, Your Majesty cannot bear to kill him, especially since Buyeo Pungjang has already promised Your Majesty to persuade his father to sever ties with Goguryeo.

If that's the case, then Li Chenggan has performed another great service. Therefore, our plan to eliminate the Baekje army and frame Li Chenggan is a two-birds-with-one-stone strategy: both eliminating Li Chenggan's supporters and making him unable to escape blame.

Li Tai gripped the table, frowning. "The problem now is that because of the rebellion of Xue Hu's tribe in Lingzhou, Father Emperor transferred Li Daozong to Lingzhou to quell the rebellion and handed over Luoyang to Li Chenggan."

This means Li Chenggan now has his own territory and army, which is probably not a good thing for us.

"How many troops did your father leave him?"

"It is said that he was left with 5,000 Turkic troops."

"Five thousand men is not a large number; he can't cause much trouble. Besides, I have already reported to the court and appointed Fang Yi'ai as the military supervisor in Luoyang."

In this way, on the surface it appears to be helping Li Chenggan defend the city, but in reality it's monitoring his every move. If there's any disturbance in Luoyang, Fang Yi'ai will immediately send a message to me by carrier pigeon. Therefore, Your Majesty need not worry too much.”

"Is Fang Yi'ai competent as Li Chengqian's military supervisor?" Li Tai couldn't help but ask.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, he will protect you even at the cost of his life."

Hearing Fang Xuanling's words, Li Tai felt much relieved: "Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, which is also the day of the martial arts examination."

We need to plan this more carefully and thoroughly, just in case.

Fang Xuanling looked at Li Tai and asked, "Your Majesty, before this, I asked you to find someone who is both exceptionally skilled in martial arts and extremely loyal to you. Have you found such a person?"

Li Tai smiled smugly: "I've found someone."

"Oh, who is that person?"

I wonder how skilled he is in martial arts?

Li Tai said confidently, "Let me tell you this, that person's martial arts skills are unprecedented and unparalleled; he can be called 'a match for ten thousand men'!"

"Oh, who is that person?"

"His name is Qibi Heli, and he was originally a famous general of the Tiele tribe."

Xiao Wang bribed him with a large sum of money.

He once swore an oath to serve the young king to the death. Li Tai said this with a hint of pride.

Fang Xuanling's expression changed slightly: "Can people who are bought with a lot of money be trusted?"

If I remember correctly, that was how the three assassins were back then.

Weren't you also bought off with a lot of money?

However, Li Chengqian was much more generous, offering double the price you paid. Now, people are switching sides to deal with you.

This serves as a warning from the past; we must heed it!

"Don't worry, Qibi Heli is different from the three great assassins; he is absolutely loyal to the young king."

"Why are you so sure?" Fang Xuanling asked in return.

"Because he was in a desperate situation during the battle with Gaochang, it was Xiao Wang who saved him."

Therefore, he will swear allegiance to the young king.

Fang Xuanling nodded: "I see. Where is he?"

May he come to see me?

"Of course, he's waiting for you outside."

"Very well, brave warrior has arrived! Your humble servant shall personally greet you!"

Li Tai, Fang Xuanling, and Fang Yizhi stepped into the courtyard. Fang Xuanling noticed a large man standing there, motionless.

Fang Xuanling carefully examined the burly man by the moonlight.

He was over ten feet tall, like half an iron tower, with a robust and strong physique, his chest muscles bulging like two inverted bowls.

He was dressed in Hu clothing, with two large earrings hanging from his ears, a silk sash around his waist, and hemp shoes on his feet. His hair and beard were very thick and slightly curly, his temples were bulging, and his eyes were bright and piercing.

Upon seeing Li Tai and Fang Xuanling emerge, the man quickly knelt on the ground: "This humble man, Qibi Heli, pays his respects to Your Majesty and Your Excellency."

Li Tai pretended to walk over and pulled him up with his hand: "No need for formalities, we're all on the same side."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After Qibi Heli stood up, he stood respectfully to the side with his hands at his sides.

Fang Xuanling nodded slightly: "Your name is Qibi Heli?"

"Yes."

"Are you a famous general of the Tiele tribe?"

"I dare not call myself a famous general, but I have participated in many battles," said Qibi Heli.

Fang Xuanling walked back and forth in the courtyard with his hands behind his back: "If I remember correctly, when Emperor Yang of Sui was conquering Tuyuhun, he received strong support from the Tiele tribe."

At that time, Pei Ju governed the Western Regions, and he deeply understood the principle of using barbarians to control barbarians.

Emperor Yang of Sui dispatched Yuwen Shu and Yang Xiong to lead the Sui army to attack from the east, while ordering the Tiele tribe to launch a pincer attack on Tuyuhun from the northwest. Fuyun Khan was caught in a pincer movement, and Tuyuhun was defeated.

Fuyun Khan fled to the Dangxiang.

Back then, the Tiele tribe was also quite remarkable, enjoying a great reputation in the Western Regions.

Upon hearing Fang Xuanling's words, Qibi Heli blushed and said, "Your Excellency, you are right."

Back then, the Tiele tribe was a force to be reckoned with in the Western Regions, but I was a worthless person.

While fighting against the army of Gaochang, I was surrounded and almost suffered total annihilation.

Fortunately, the King of Yue arrived in time to save us.

I will never forget this friendship.

Fang Xuanling nodded slightly: "It seems you are a person who values ​​loyalty and righteousness."

"Thank you, Sir Shofu, for the compliment!"

"This martial arts examination will last for three days, and masters from all over the country will gather here."

I heard you're also planning to attend this event?

"Yes."

"Your courage to participate in this martial arts examination is admirable."

However, the examination room is a battlefield.

We either don't go up, or if we do, we have to try our best to get a ranking.

So, what special skills do you have?

Could you show us what you've got right now?

Qibi Heli understood that Fang Xuanling wanted to test him and see if he had the ability.

At this moment, Qibi Heli's eyes were fixed on the cedar tree in the courtyard.

That cedar tree was so tall it took three people to encircle it, and it soared into the clouds.

Qibi Heli shook the cedar tree with his hand, and the owl meowed and flapped its wings and flew away.

Qibi Heli took off his outer garment, which he had grown into, and set it aside.

Then, he clenched his right fist and gathered all his strength.

Fang Xuanling noticed that his right arm had suddenly become three times thicker, with bulging veins on his arm.

No one knew what he was going to do.

Qibi Heli then threw a punch at the cedar tree.

He used too much force and punched through the cedar tree, his fist protruding from the other side.

Everyone present was horrified.

Li Tai had met many highly skilled people and also people with great strength.

However, this is the first time that someone like Qibi Heli has been able to pierce through such a thick cedar tree with a single punch.

Fang Xuanling exclaimed, "Qibi Heli, you truly possess divine strength!"

Li Tai grew even more excited: "Tomorrow, once you're in the arena, don't hold back against Li Chenggan's men. Fight them if you can, kill them if you can. Don't show any mercy, especially Qin Ying, Su Gui, Hegan Chengji, Ashina Jieshe, and Zhang Shizheng—beat them to death!"

"Yes, sir!"

Fang Yizhi stood to the side, without saying a word.

Upon hearing this, he quickly stopped him: "King Yue, I think this is inappropriate."

This martial arts competition was to select talents for the imperial court in case of unforeseen circumstances. For example, Yanqi, Goguryeo, Baekje, and Wa (Japan) were all eager to make moves against the Tang Dynasty and were eyeing it covetously.

The imperial court held this martial arts competition to select generals, vanguards, and deputy vanguards to fight on the battlefield in the future.

How could someone resort to poison in the arena?

If the Emperor finds out about this, how can he not blame me?

Upon hearing this, Li Tai looked displeased: "The arena is the battlefield. If someone is injured or killed, it's only because they are not skilled enough. Who else can be blamed?"

That's how martial arts competitions are; either you hurt someone, or someone hurts you. Even if someone is killed, that's considered an accident.

"I don't think this is appropriate."

The imperial court's original intention was to select talent through martial arts competitions, not to turn the arena into a slaughterhouse.

"No poison, no ruthlessness, no manliness; if someone dies, I'll take responsibility!"

Although Fang Yizhi disapproved of Li Tai's actions,

However, given his low official rank and limited influence, and the fact that Li Tai insisted on refusing to listen, there was nothing he could do.

The four people returned to the room and took their seats as host and guest.

Of course, with Fang Xuanling present, there was no seat for Fang Yizhi.

Fang Yizhi served tea.

Fang Xuanling sighed: "We have always underestimated Li Chenggan. Ever since he recovered from his illness, he seems like a completely different person."

He's not scary; what's scary is his way of thinking. It's as if he's from a different era than us. His ideas are far ahead of their time. It's as if he can predict the future, crush everyone, and that everything is under his control.

He's not simple anymore; he's not the same Li Chenggan he used to be.

Recently, he has been traveling around, recruiting talent from various places.

Do the math, how many people does he have under his command now?

There were countless civil and military officials, and this time, three assassins also joined Li Chengqian's camp.

What we once considered an advantage is no longer so obvious.

Upon hearing this, Li Tai's face trembled with rage. "He Gan Chengji, Zhang Shizheng, and Ashina Jieshe—these three men took my money, did nothing for me, and instead turned against me! I will settle this score with them!"

Moreover, I demand that they return double the amount of money.

"Why is it double the refund?"

"Because they must have received money from Li Chengqian, that money should also belong to us."

Fang Xuanling was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this.

Li Tai turned to Qibi Heli and said, "Tomorrow, if you encounter the three great assassins in the arena, give them a good beating!"

Qibi Heli stood tall and proud: "I have long heard of the great names of Hegan Chengji, Zhang Shizheng and Ashina Jieshe, and I have long wanted to see their martial arts skills. This time, I finally have the opportunity, and I am very happy!"

Your Majesty, rest assured, they were lucky that they didn't encounter me in the arena.

If they encounter me, as I just said, I could punch them right through the chest!

"That's wonderful! Beat them to death!"

Fang Xuanling tapped the table lightly with his right index finger: "Your Majesty, you are still too naive."

Li Chenggan was extremely shrewd and calculating.

Under the guise of protecting the imperial court, he secretly cultivated his own faction.

Whether he was fighting in the Western Regions or serving as an envoy to the Wa (Japanese) kingdom, he never forgot to win people over and gain their hearts.

You see,

Songtsen Gampo of Tibet, Murong Shun of Tuyuhun, Tuoba Chici of Dangxiang, King Sanbe of Japan, and Buyeo Pungjang of Baekje were all willing to risk their lives for Li Chenggan.

Last time, the Emperor issued an order to arrest Li Chenggan, but the news spread like wildfire, and the whole world knew about it.

The five-nation coalition actually surrounded Chang'an. The emperor himself went up to the Xuanwu Gate tower and demanded that they withdraw their troops, but they dared not to.

How is this any different from rebellion?

Fang Yizhi bowed and stepped forward: "Father, I think what you said was a bit extreme."

The emperor issued an edict to arrest the crown prince, but there was something wrong with the edict itself.

Li Chenggan and Songtsen Gampo, among others, traveled to the Wa (Japanese) Kingdom and made many contributions. Logically, given Li Chenggan's numerous achievements, the imperial court should have bestowed rewards upon him.

However, you led a group of ministers to the Zichen Palace.

It is said that Li Chenggan cultivated his own followers, and that he recruited the army of the eldest brother of the mountain bandits, intending to establish a separate faction.

That's why the emperor issued the decree before figuring out the truth of the matter. How could people accept that?

How can we blame the five-nation coalition for rushing to Chang'an?

Because justice resides in the hearts of the people.

Moreover, in my opinion, that wasn't a siege. After they arrived in Chang'an, the Emperor ascended the Xuanwu Gate tower, and they all knelt on the ground. They didn't lose any manners at all.

They were advising the emperor against making a wrong decision.

"You insolent fool, are you lecturing your father?" Fang Xuanling's face darkened. "If they were truly sincere in advising the Emperor, they would have sent one or two envoys. Is bringing troops here considered admonishment?"

That's called a mutiny, a coup!

This reflects, from one perspective, that they did not support the Tang Dynasty, nor the emperor.

They support Li Chenggan.

In other words, if Li Chengqian were to raise the banner of rebellion at this moment, wouldn't they just join him in revolt?