A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

No one paid any attention to Li Yuanji, who was now extremely angry. Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin exchanged a smile, as if they had returned to the time when they were studying in Yanzhou.

"Competing for the position of Crown Prince is not my desire. You know my dream, Second Brother, but I have no choice but to fight for it for the sake of my men."

After drinking another cup of wine, Li Jiancheng sighed and said quietly.

Li Shimin also sighed, his tone filled with unspeakable melancholy.

How could he not know what Li Jiancheng was saying?

At this point, he could feel the pushing force behind him, and he couldn't just stop whenever he wanted.

There was a large group of people waiting for him to rise to power and gain official rank and titles. Wasn't that what they followed him to fight to the death for?

They can't stop now.

But, must we really have to face each other to the death?

Neither Li Jiancheng nor Li Shimin could bring themselves to do it now.

Hearing this, Li Yuanji's jealousy rose infinitely. This is the position of Crown Prince, what are you two being so hypocritical about?

What do you mean you don't want it? It's all because of the people behind you pushing you.

Nobody would believe that!

What a hypocritical scoundrel!

"Regardless of who wins or loses, the loss will be to the strength of the Tang Dynasty. Although the Tang Dynasty is now basically unified, there are still the Western Regions that have not been recovered, and the Xia Dynasty has millions of troops stationed on the border, watching us with covetous eyes."

"We cannot allow the strength of the Tang Dynasty to be damaged because of our own selfish interests. If the Great Xia were to invade because of this, we would both be sinners against the Tang Dynasty."

"I recently received news that the Great Xia seems to be eyeing Guanzhong with covetousness."

"I suspect their target is Chang'an!"

Li Jiancheng squinted. He held a high position in the Mohist and Gongshu families and had a wealth of information. Chang'an, as the capital of the Central Plains Empire for hundreds of years, was extremely difficult to conquer, and naturally, the help of the Mohist and Gongshu families would be indispensable.

Once the Mohists and Gongshu School received the news, someone would naturally pass it on to Li Jiancheng.

This is why Li Jiancheng summoned Li Shimin for a frank and open discussion.

"When did this happen?"

Li Shimin's expression changed.

"I just received the message yesterday."

Li Jiancheng handed Li Shimin a piece of paper, saying, "The Great Xia has not actually concealed any information. The preparations needed to attack Chang'an are not something that can be done simply."

"The commotion was too big to hide. I only got the news a few days in advance."

Li Shimin glanced at the contents of the note with a livid expression, then looked up with a troubled expression. As the saying goes, "When you're in the martial world, you're not in control of your own destiny."

"Unlike those dynasties of the past, we are different; we have other choices."

"I plan to lead them out to attack the Great Xia and take its place."

Li Jiancheng ultimately chose to leave the Tang Dynasty to Li Shimin, saying, "If any of my subordinates don't want to follow me, they can stay with you. If any of your subordinates also want to expand the territory and become kings, they can also follow me."

"Big brother!"

Li Shimin looked at his elder brother with emotion, he never expected that Li Jiancheng would make such a choice.

Li Yuanji looked at Li Shimin with jealousy. Why, why did it have to be Li Shimin?

Why was Li Jiancheng able to leave the Tang Dynasty to Li Shimin? Why couldn't Li Shimin leave the Tang Dynasty to me and lead his people to conquer other places?

"Second brother, my mind is made up, there's no need to persuade me any further."

"If I can lead my troops to conquer the Great Xia and double the territory of the Great Tang, your status in the history books may not be as high as mine in the future."

Li Jiancheng comforted him with a smile.

"Me too!"

Li Yuanji suddenly spoke up.

"?"

"Fourth brother, what do you want?"

Li Jiancheng asked in confusion.

"I also want soldiers, I want generals, I also want to conquer, I also want to carve out my own territory and become a king, I also want to occupy the Great Xia, I also want to occupy the Empire, I also want to be recorded in history!"

Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin: ...

"Fourth brother, after we leave Liangzhou to the west, there's a vast desert stretching for thousands of miles, utterly uninhabited. Can you endure it?"

"Beyond the desert, the Great Xia has a large army and many generals. In the Western Regions alone, there are 200 million elite troops stationed there. At present, the entire Tang Dynasty has less than 200 million troops. It will be very difficult to fight them."

Li Jiancheng said tactfully.

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanji shrank back. If there were 200 million elite troops stationed in the Western Regions alone, how many troops would there be in the Northern Lands?

Forget about the bird, let's leave it for the eldest to eat.

"Second brother, can you leave the Tang Dynasty to me? You can also lead troops to fight your way out."

"You're such a good fighter, you'll definitely succeed."

"There are four of us brothers. My third brother passed away early. You and my eldest brother are both skilled in battle and capable of expanding our territory. Only I, the younger brother, am not. Therefore, I am the most suitable to inherit the Tang Dynasty."

"Anyway, with your abilities, you're sure to be able to break out of the Western Regions and destroy the Great Xia, right?!"

"If that's the case, why are you still staying in the country to compete with me for this position? Once you conquer Great Xia and re-establish your nation, won't you be able to appoint your subordinates however you like?"

Li Yuanji said expectantly.

Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin both looked at each other with unspeakable expressions. "Li Yuanji, you have such a big face. You think you can take away the entire Tang Dynasty with just a sip of your lower lip?"

This Tang Dynasty was built by those two brothers and Princess Pingyang. What does it have to do with you, Li Yuanji?

If it weren't for you, Li Yuanji, the Tang Dynasty might have unified the world in an even shorter time.

How dare you demand the right to inherit the entire Tang Dynasty?

How can someone be so shameless and lack self-awareness?

"If your fourth brother is feeling unwell, I can introduce you to a doctor who specializes in treating brain diseases."

Li Jiancheng said calmly.

"Don't worry, Fourth Brother, all your medical expenses will be covered by your Second Brother."

Li Shimin also made a sarcastic remark.

Even if Li Yuanji was slow-witted, he could still hear the sarcasm in Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin's words. He gave an awkward smile and shrank back.

In his heart, he was cursing, "Why are you two being so loving and respectful to each other, but you can't give way to me, the younger brother?"

He even felt a surge of murderous intent; if he killed the two of them, no one would be able to challenge him for the throne.

Who told you not to give it to me?

It's all your fault, not mine!

And the old man, why didn't he just make him the crown prince?

When the time comes to kill the eldest and second eldest sons, we can also take care of the old man, so he won't have to wait for the old man to die while he's still in the position of crown prince.

Li Yuan is not yet 60 years old and is still in good health. If Li Yuan can live for another 30 years, how can there be a crown prince for 30 years?

We should go all the way and kill the eldest brother, the second brother, and the old man all at once!

We need to quickly gather some trustworthy people, then ambush them at Xuanwu Gate, kill Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin first, then force the emperor to abdicate, and after ascending the throne, kill the emperor, and the whole world will fall into his hands!

Li Yuanji thought viciously.

Even Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin did not expect that Li Yuanji would want to kill them because of this, and even their father Li Yuan wanted to kill them.