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

"Li Chenggan doesn't want the people to be caught in the flames of war, why can't you understand that?"

Do you think he was very afraid of you and had no power to fight against the imperial court, which is why he chose to leave?

Also, Li Chenggan didn't choose to commit suicide, did he?

When Liu Ju committed suicide, it caused Emperor Wu of Han great distress. Emperor Wu of Han suffered so much in his later years. Was it not related to Liu Ju's death?

If Liu Ju were still alive, Emperor Wu of Han might have lived to be a hundred years old.

During the witchcraft saga, Liu Ju died, and Emperor Wu of Han was heartbroken.

By the time Emperor Wu of Han realized his mistake, the tragedy had already occurred. What could be done?

He could only build a platform for remembering his son, but what good was that? Could Liu Ju still come back to life?

The pain of losing a child is probably unbearable for most people.

Li Chenggan did not choose to commit suicide, but instead avoided it. Isn't this a sign of his filial piety?

The bond between father and son is the most intimate and irreplaceable emotion in the world.

I hope Your Majesty will cherish the father-son bond between you and Li Chengqian, and not be swayed by external factors.

"Fame, fortune, power, and status—these are all fleeting things," Xuanzang earnestly advised.

Li Shimin, with his hands behind his back, paced back and forth in the hall, slowly saying, "I certainly wouldn't hold a grudge against Li Chengqian for ordinary matters. After all, he is my own son."

However, Li Chenggan's mistakes were too great to be forgiven.

He disobeyed imperial orders twice. Was it you who led him to escape from the Great Wall on one of those occasions?

"Amitabha Buddha, this humble monk said nothing, but simply gave him a set of monk's robes and shoes."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin was furious. He thought to himself, "Oh, you gave those things to Li Chenggan, which is tantamount to letting him escape disguised as a monk. What else do you want to say?"

That's already a very good explanation, what more could I possibly say?

It seems this monk isn't so honest after all.

"Li Chenggan used opportunities such as his campaigns in the Western Regions and his mission to the Japanese Empire to build factions and cultivate his own cronies."

He was adept at manipulating power and winning people's hearts. Somehow, people like Songtsen Gampo, Murong Shun, Tuoba Chici, Ashina Simo, the Great King of Shanbei, and Jindeman all obeyed him.

Even I can't command those people anymore. If this isn't rebellion, what is it?

"Amitabha, Your Majesty, in this humble monk's opinion, you need to examine your own conduct. Why are others willing to listen to the Crown Prince but not to you?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin thought to himself, "Oh, so after all this commotion, the blame has fallen on me." He continued, "Furthermore, I have warned Li Chengqian many times not to associate with Chengxin, Wei Lingfu, and those people. They are all sorcerers. Look at that Chengxin, neither man nor woman, where is there any masculinity?"

Wei Lingfu is spreading heresy and misleading the public. As the saying goes, "One who stays near vermilion gets stained red, and one who stays near ink gets stained black." If Li Chengqian spends all his time with these people, how can he expect a good end?

"Your Majesty has a point. Indeed, it is very important to choose what kind of friends one associates with."

If you are with positive and optimistic people, you will definitely become as optimistic and cheerful as them.

If you associate with those who are ignorant and incompetent, you will gradually become decadent.

"That's exactly the point, but I've explained it to Li Chengqian many times, and he still doesn't take it to heart. How can I not be angry?"

"Your Majesty, you don't need to be so angry."

Perhaps Chengxin and Weilingfu are not what you think; perhaps they also have their own extraordinary qualities.

As the saying goes, heroes come from all walks of life. This humble monk believes that judging a person solely by their profession is a rather one-sided view.

Chengxin was a musician, and Wei Lingfu was a Taoist priest; this is nothing special.

As far as this humble monk knows, wasn't Wei Zheng also a Taoist priest back then?

"That's right, that old Taoist priest with the bull's nose is indeed a Taoist."

Since we are all Taoist priests, why does Your Majesty judge us by appearances?

"This—," Li Shimin was speechless for a moment, then waved his hand, "No matter what, you don't need to say anything more. I will kill Li Chenggan no matter what, even if he escapes to the ends of the earth, I will never forgive him."

"Amitabha Buddha, Mencius advocated governing the world with benevolence. Your Majesty, you should be less violent."

Li Shimin wouldn't listen: "Also, you'll stay at Hongfu Temple for now, and you still need to find a way to capture those four monks."

Otherwise, I will still settle accounts with your Great Ci'en Temple.

"Why are you seeking revenge against the Great Ci'en Temple? Do you have any evidence to prove that those four monks were from the Great Ci'en Temple?"

"No for now, but I think there's a problem with your temple."

"Human life is at stake, and this requires evidence. Relying on feelings alone is unlikely to convince people."

Li Shimin snorted coldly: "Out of consideration for you, I released all the monks of the Great Ci'en Temple. If it weren't for you, I would have imprisoned them all in the Dali Temple."

"Amitabha Buddha, thank you Your Majesty for giving this humble monk face."

This humble monk is deeply grateful.

When I return to the temple, I will instruct my disciples to fast, bathe, burn incense, and pray, remembering His Majesty's kindness. I will have them chant scriptures, praying for peace and prosperity for the Tang Dynasty, and for favorable weather.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin sensed that Xuanzang was also very shrewd, adept at feigning ignorance and playing coy, and that nothing could be gotten out of him.

The two chatted for a while longer before Xuanzang left the Zichen Hall and returned to Hongfu Temple.

Li Shimin watched Xuanzang's departing figure, his heart filled with unease for a long time.

Sometimes, he envied Xuanzang, seeing how carefree Xuanzang was, unburdened by worldly affairs and without so many worries.

Although he was the emperor, he had far too many worries.

Li Shimin had court attendants and scribes who recorded his every word and action.

Whatever Li Shimin said or did, whether right or wrong, was recorded verbatim without any embellishment.

Recently, the Imperial Diarist fell ill, leaving Li Shimin without one by his side.

There was a rule in the court that the emperor himself was not allowed to view the "Daily Records of the Emperor's Activities".

The "Daily Records of the Emperor" is the most original first-hand record of the emperor's daily life.

Sometimes, Li Shimin really wanted to cut off the heads of those despicable court attendants and attendants to vent his hatred.

However, some ministers advised that we should be truthful and that since we were recording the emperor's words and deeds, we should record them accurately.

Li Shimin returned to his desk and continued reviewing memorials.

There weren't many more memorials left, and he was thinking that he had to finish reviewing them before going to find Xu Hui.

At this moment, a large, stout man walked in from outside and knelt on the ground.

Li Shimin looked down and saw that it was Li Tai.

Li Tai's cheeks were swollen so much they looked like steamed buns.

Li Shimin put down his pen: "Get up!"

"Father, please do justice for your son! I have been bullied so badly!" Li Tai cried.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin frowned, thinking to himself, "You are a prince, after all. How can you keep snotting your nose like this?"

"What happened to your face? Who hit you?"

Li Tai pointed to the door: "Besides Su Wan, who else?"

"What? Su Wan hit you? You're someone who's learned martial arts, how could you not be a match for Su Wan?"

"How did you get hit by her?" Li Shimin was also discouraged after hearing this.

"Oh dear, Father, last time I went to the Lizheng Hall to pay my respects to Mother, I happened to find Su Wan there as well."

For some reason, she has become very fierce. Without saying three words, she unexpectedly slapped me twice across the face.

"Look how badly she beat me; she almost knocked out my molars," Li Tai said, covering his cheek.

"Oh, is that so? You must have offended her, otherwise, why would she treat you like that?"

Get up! Look at your manners!

After huffing and puffing for a while, Li Tai finally got up from the ground and stood by with his hands at his sides.

He mustered his courage and said, "Since the court has already issued an edict to depose Li Chengqian, then I believe that Su Wan's status as Crown Princess should also be revoked."

Li Shimin thought Li Tai's words made sense and nodded.

"Furthermore, Su Wan is truly despicable. She secretly colluded with the Blue Brahma woman of Yanqi to resell wine in Chang'an."

The amount of money they earned was countless.

They embezzled all the money and didn't hand over a single tael of silver to the national treasury. According to the laws of our Great Tang Dynasty, Su Wan should be sentenced to death.

Moreover, she was Li Chengqian's crown princess, so she should also be implicated.

Li Shimin stood up, paced back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back, and slowly asked, "Regarding the wine, how much did Su Wan and her group actually sell?"

"Reliable sources say that the Blue Bharadvaja originally intended to sell 100,000 jars of wine to the Wa people at a price of ten taels of silver per jar when she went on her mission to the Wa people."

Li Chenggan saw the potential in this deal and tried every means to prevent the transaction between Yanqi and the Wa (Japanese) Kingdom.

In the end, Yanqi only sold 20,000 jars of wine to the Wa people.

The remaining 80,000 jars were all sold to Li Chengan at a price of one tael of silver per jar.

Then, they sold them in Chang'an City for twenty taels of silver per jar.

If you calculate it that way, they should have made over a million taels of silver.

Are there really that many?

"Yes, it really exists."

"So much money, that's a huge sum of money." Li Shimin was somewhat surprised.

Because at that time, the total annual tax revenue of the entire Tang Dynasty was not much.

"This is absolutely true. You say they embezzled so much money, shouldn't we cut off their heads?"

Furthermore, I believe that not only should Su Wan be punished, but her father, Su Dan, should also be punished.

"Remove Su Gui from his post, and then imprison the entire Su family, young and old, in the Dali Temple jail."

Li Shimin was calculating in his mind, because he knew that Su Dan was extremely loyal to the court, always cautious in his official conduct, and had very good relationships with officials throughout the court.

He could not possibly rebel.

However, what Li Tai said wasn't entirely without merit.

"I already know everything you've said."

Li Tai took another step forward and asked in a low voice, "Father, the matter of establishing a crown prince is of utmost urgency. I wonder if Father has made up his mind yet? Can you issue the decree to establish me as the crown prince?"

Li Tai's words were rather smug.

He thought he had it in the bag.

Li Shimin looked at him and said, "The crown prince is the foundation of the country, and this matter is of great importance."

Putting aside other factors, Li Chenggan's performance on the Western Regions battlefield was quite outstanding.

I always send you to lead troops into battle, and every time you suffer a crushing defeat.

This time, I have appointed you to lead an army of 15 to fight against the armies of Goguryeo and Baekje. You must achieve a resounding victory.

Otherwise, how am I supposed to explain this to those ministers?

Open your history and take a look. What else is there besides shame?

Upon hearing this, Li Tai blushed and immediately replied, "This time, please rest assured, Father, your son will definitely defeat Goguryeo and Baekje and show the might of our Tang army."

Li Shimin cautioned, "Don't underestimate your enemy. Take Yeon Gaesomun for example."

He was the most valiant general in Goguryeo, and possessed extensive combat experience, having fought on numerous battlefields and once defeated hundreds of thousands of Sui troops.

Li Tai, however, disagreed: "Father, those are all outdated ideas. A true hero doesn't dwell on past glories. The past is the past, and the present is the present."

His playing style is outdated.

Upon hearing Li Tai's words, Li Shimin frowned.

Li Shimin paced back and forth in the hall, and slowly said: "Back then, the King of Zhao wanted to promote Zhao Kuo to general,

Zhao Kuo's mother went to see King Zhao and said, "My son is not fit for important positions. His father, Zhao She, once said that he is only good at theoretical discussions and has no real talent or ability."

If Your Majesty insists on using him, it may hinder important national affairs in the future.

If we lose the battle, don't blame me for not warning you; you can't drag me down with you.

At the time, the King of Zhao did not take the matter to heart and insisted on employing Zhao Kuo.

In the Battle of Changping, Zhao Kuo replaced Lian Po from the front lines.

Lian Po fought against the Qin army but failed to advance them an inch.

However, once Zhao Kuo arrived on the battlefield, he completely changed Lian Po's battle strategy, switching from defense to offense.

Little did they know that this was exactly what the Qin army wanted.

King Zhaoxiang of Qin was also ruthless; he secretly replaced the general Bai Qi with him and ordered that the news not be leaked.

Anyone who leaks the information will be executed.

Zhao Kuo was no match for Bai Qi. He was besieged for 46 days, his food supplies were exhausted, and he was driven to the point of cannibalism.

Zhao Kuo attempted to break through the encirclement several times, but failed.

In the end, they were utterly defeated by Bai Qi.

All 45 Zhao soldiers were massacred.

From then on, the State of Zhao lost its strength to contend for hegemony.

That was a brilliant annihilation battle in history.

This battle is of paramount importance to us; we must win, we cannot afford to lose.

If this time, we completely defeat Goguryeo and Baekje,

Our Tang Dynasty's status in the Western Regions and Eastern countries will grow day by day, and no country will dare to disobey us again.

Otherwise, other countries would become restless and try to take advantage of our Great Tang.

Upon hearing this, Li Tai asked in confusion, "What other countries could possibly want to cause trouble? Haven't they all already submitted?"