The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

The next day, the rising sun shone as usual.

For the people of Chang'an, today is probably just an ordinary day.

After all, the grand family gathering at Xuanwu Gate was ultimately an internal matter for the royal family and did not affect the lives of ordinary people.

But for Li Shimin, today is a bit special.

Because today, Li Shimin has finally become the crown prince he has always longed for.

Emperor Li Yuan's power was almost completely usurped, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, the new crown prince Li Shimin would soon ascend the throne.

Immediately after the power transition was completed, Li Shimin summoned all his confidants, including Wei Zheng and Chen Huai'an, whom he had recruited the day before.

They were ordered to go to the Eastern Palace immediately.

Without hesitation, Chen Huai'an headed to the East Palace with practiced ease.

When he arrived, almost everyone was there; Wei Zheng had arrived before him.

To Chen Huai'an's surprise, Wei Zheng did not seem to be ostracized or anything. On the contrary, he chatted well with Changsun Wuji, Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling and others.

"Gentlemen, we meet again."

Chen Huai'an smiled and cupped his hands to Changsun Wuji and the others.

"Yes, Mr. Chen, we meet again." Du Ruhui was very friendly to Chen Huai'an and took two steps forward to talk to him.

The others listened to their conversation; some looked puzzled, some were shocked, and some questioned it.

Yuchi Gong muttered to himself, "Is he Chen Huai'an, who foresaw every step of our plan? How can he be so young? He looks like just a twenty-year-old lad. Does he really have such great abilities?"

Qin Qiong, standing to the side, shook his head: "You can't judge a book by its cover. The facts are right in front of us. He really does have the ability. There's nothing more to say."

"Your Highness was younger than him back then, yet he had already led an army to conquer the world. Being older only indicates greater experience, not necessarily greater ability."

"That's true." Yuchi Gong agreed wholeheartedly when Qin Qiong spoke of Li Shimin back then.

"Everyone, now that everyone is here, please take your seats."

Li Shimin strode over with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, without any hesitation, and sat in the first seat.

Everyone took their seats.

Li Shimin inquired, "Everyone knows the current situation. I am now the Crown Prince, and my father has issued an edict that from now on, all military and state affairs, regardless of size, will be handled and decided by me."

"However, at this time, the court and the country were in turmoil. Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji had been operating in the court for many years as the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi, respectively, and their power inside and outside the court was enormous. Many officials were not convinced by me, and neutral officials were also watching and waiting."

"More importantly... after Li Jiancheng's remaining followers, Xue Wanche and others, fled to Zhongnan Mountain with their troops after their defeat at Xuanwu Gate."

"Do you have any good suggestions?"

Changsun Wuji immediately spoke up: "We cannot hesitate now. The timing is too delicate. We must either eliminate Li Jiancheng's forces with overwhelming force, or issue a general amnesty, no longer holding anyone accountable. All grudges and grievances will end with Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji!"

"As for Xue Wanche and the others... I agree with the above."

"Either send troops to encircle and annihilate them immediately, or pardon their crimes, appease them, and recruit them into our service."

Du Ruhui said in a deep voice, "A tough approach is not advisable. At this time, not only the court and the public are in a state of panic, but even the common people are filled with anxiety. If we take a tough approach and implicate others, it may lead to chaos throughout the country."

Li Shimin nodded slightly; he thought so too.

Even Yuchi Gong, a martial artist, spoke up: "Your Highness, I also think that we should focus on winning these people over by persuading them to surrender and subdue them. The current situation cannot withstand any more turmoil."

"Although we won, we cannot let our guard down. Every step we take must be flawless, otherwise, one wrong move and all our previous efforts will be in vain!"

"Good!" Seeing that everyone agreed, Li Shimin immediately made the decision, "Then issue a general amnesty decree. The core content is that 'the crimes of rebellion will stop at Jiancheng and Yuanji, and the rest of their associates will be left unpunished.' Keming will be in charge of compiling it, and I want to see the results by this afternoon."

Du Ruhui immediately stood up: "Your subject obeys!"

Just as Li Shimin was about to speak again, Wei Zheng suddenly frowned and said, "Your Highness, I suggest that we should not issue just one general amnesty decree. It would be best to prepare multiple decrees, with the intervals between them depending on the situation. We must stabilize the court situation as soon as possible!"

"Multiple decrees?" Fang Xuanling pondered. "Indeed, multiple pardons can be issued, since these are mainly for the people of the world to see, and for Xue Wanche and others who have fled."

"If we send out more than one, the effect will indeed be much better, and it will also make Xue Wanche realize that we are not just putting on a show."

"But...you seem a little anxious?"

As he spoke, Fang Xuanling looked at Wei Zheng with a puzzled expression.

Li Shimin pondered for a moment; he had the same feeling.

Wei Zheng's tone was somewhat urgent.

"With internal troubles unresolved, how can we quell external threats?" Wei Zheng dared not forget Chen Huai'an's words from yesterday and said bluntly, "Don't forget, the most critical issue now, besides the unstable change of regime, is the Turks who are eyeing our Great Tang with covetous intent."

"At this time, Your Majesty... the Tang Dynasty has just undergone a great upheaval, with political turmoil and a depleted military force. If the Turks launch a major attack now, how can we defend ourselves?"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent for a moment.

The issue of the Turkic attack has always been on the surface, but recently, everyone's attention has been focused on the Xuanwu Gate, so the Turkic attack has been overlooked.

Now, Wei Zheng has pointed out the problem.

Changsun Wuji hesitated and said, "Probably not? Although the Turkic attacks outside are indeed happening, His Majesty has already sent Li Jing to lead the main force of the Tang army to guard Lingzhou, and Li Shiji is guarding Bingzhou in the north."

"This doesn't even include Luo Yi and the others from Wucheng..."

"In addition, Chai Shao was also dispatched to Qinzhou and other places at the end of May. With such a defensive line, the Turks will not be able to break through it so easily."

"Once Your Highness has complete control over the court and the external armies, the Turks will no longer pose a significant threat..."

"No, your idea is too idealistic," Wei Zheng disagreed, insisting, "It is good that Li Jing and Li Shiji are each guarding Lingzhou and Bingzhou, but the two places are far apart, and the gap in the defense line is too large."

"The matter at Xuanwu Gate cannot be kept secret. If the Turkic Khan receives the news, he will definitely launch a strong attack through the gaps in the defense line. General Li and others may not be able to stop him in time."

"And then there's Luo Yi..." Wei Zheng sighed, "I understand Luo Yi better than you do. He's Li Jiancheng's most steadfast supporter, his most important confidant, and more importantly..."

At this point, Wei Zheng suddenly stopped, his gaze lingering on Li Shimin for a moment before he did not continue.

But everyone understood what he meant.

Luo Yi was extremely hostile to Li Shimin, and the two had a deep conflict and a terrible relationship.

Li Shimin even sent someone to make overtures, but was instead beaten by Luo Yi for no reason.

Even in times of war, envoys are not to be killed.

Because the envoy represents the country behind him.

Luo Yi may have only attacked one person sent by Li Shimin, but in reality, he was slapping Li Shimin in the face.

"..."