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

Chen Huai'an was truly shocked.

Li Baiyao's meaning... is that as long as he nods, the Zhao County Li Clan will immediately launch an attack?

This is... so interesting!

Chen Huai'an was genuinely surprised: "Minister Li is truly a man of great courage!"

"You flatter me, Duke Anguo," Li Baiyao said calmly. "We don't want to be eaten, and neither do the Lu family and the Cui family of Qinghe."

"Therefore, someone always has to make a sacrifice to preserve the overall situation."

Chen Huai'an could only laugh when he heard this.

Sacrifice the individual to save the greater good, right?

But why did you sacrifice someone else?

After thinking about it, Chen Huai'an began to understand the thoughts of the Li family of Zhao County.

History is indeed the most brutal elimination round.

Many once-glorious families have perished in history, and some have not even had their surnames passed down.

The Li family and the Wang family were plotting the same thing.

When he was with Li Shimin, he fully cooperated, making sacrifices where necessary and seizing opportunities where appropriate.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime change for both sides.

Prosperity or decline is all in a single thought.

What does sacrificing one member of the Zheng family matter?

It's not like we're going to be wiped out.

It's just a matter of striking.

The Zheng family's foundation is still there; their land and other resources remain intact.

The Cui clans of Boling and Qinghe both come from the same lineage and are descendants of Jiang Ziya. When the Cui clan of Boling betrayed the Cui clan of Qinghe, did they hesitate?

If the opportunity is good enough and the profit is big enough, there's nothing you can't do!

Chen Huai'an clicked his tongue: "Aren't you afraid things won't go as planned?"

A smile reappeared on Li Baiyao's face: "It is now February of the second year of Zhenguan. More than three months have passed since Xue Wanche and others led troops to attack Liang Shidu."

"I think the good news will soon reach Chang'an. Isn't this the best opportunity?"

"Amazing!" Chen Huai'an was taken aback, then exclaimed in amazement.

Li Baiyao's meaning was quite clear: he wanted to take advantage of the completion of the unification and Xue Wanche's imminent return to the capital to attack the Zheng family.

This is truly the best opportunity.

After the unification was completed, Li Shimin controlled the army of the whole country, and Xue Wanche returned to the capital in triumph. Who would dare to cause trouble?

That's incredibly intimidating.

"What does the Duke of Anguo mean?" Li Baiyao asked.

Chen Huai'an shook his head and said, "I can't make this decision on my own, but the cooperation can be finalized now."

"The Li family of Zhao County will receive what they are entitled to; this is my promise."

Then he said, "However, regarding the book collection..."

Li Baiyao smirked: "Please rest assured, Duke Anguo, not a single book will be missing. I will arrange this matter as soon as I return."

"That's good." Chen Huai'an was relieved. No one would complain about having too many books.

If the Li family is willing to give it, then we'll accept it.

Chen Huai'an pondered, "As I just said, the matter raised by Vice Minister Li depends on His Majesty's opinion. I can't make the decision. Vice Minister Li probably isn't in a hurry in the next couple of days, is he?"

"If you're not in a rush, just wait for my message; it won't be long!"

"No problem!" Li Baiyao accepted the result instantly.

He never expected Chen Huai'an to agree immediately; this was no small matter, and even a fool could understand the immense risks involved.

If Chen Huai'an readily agreed, then he would really have his doubts.

"Then I shall take my leave. If the Duke of Anguo makes a decision, please send me a message immediately."

Li Baiyao got up to leave, and Chen Huai'an personally saw him to the door.

Watching his departing figure, Chen Huai'an felt for the first time that powerful families were far more terrifying than he had imagined.

Back at the mansion, Chen Huai'an sat alone in the hall, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, remaining silent for a long time.

At this moment, Chen Sujin walked in carrying several flatbreads and three bowls of mutton soup, and placed them in front of him.

"Xiao An, have something to eat first."

"Okay." Chen Huai'an smiled, picked up a flatbread, dipped it in mutton soup, and ate it.

"Slow down, slow down, no one's going to take it from you." Chen Sujin said helplessly, "You're a Duke now, how come you're still the same as before, with no manners whatsoever?"

"Sister, you said it yourself, I'm already a Duke. If I still care about other people's opinions, then what's the point of being a Duke?" Chen Huai'an said indifferently.

Chen Sujin sighed helplessly, "Fine, fine, you've certainly not wasted your time studying. You always have your twisted logic."

I can't argue with you.

Chen Huai'an smiled but remained silent, offering no response.

He unconsciously began to think about what Li Baiyao had told him, and the various possibilities contained within it.

Seeing this, Chen Sujin hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "Xiao An, are you having some trouble?"

"There are some," Chen Huai'an sighed slightly, "not only difficult, but also quite unexpected."

These five surnames and seven prominent families have been passed down for hundreds of years; which one of them is easy to deal with?

The ruthlessness of the Li family of Zhao County far exceeded his expectations.

What Li Baiyao said to him today was actually partly meant for Li Shimin.

And what makes him seem so confident?

The Zheng family is no pushover.

unless......

Chen Huai'an narrowed his eyes.

Unless the Li family of Zhao County had already contacted the other families beforehand?

Or perhaps they are confident that they can keep the risks within a certain range?

wrong.

What Li Baiyao said today sounded like he had everything under control, but upon closer examination, it seemed like he was testing him.

To test his attitude, to test his bottom line, and even... to test His Majesty's intentions.

Chen Huai'an suddenly laughed.

This is interesting, it's getting more and more interesting.

"Xiao An, since you find it difficult, why not pass the problem on to someone else?" Chen Sujin reminded her, "You're the one who taught me this principle."

"When we can't solve a problem, we either make a big deal out of it or find a way to pass it on to someone else."

The reason Chen Sujin was able to live peacefully for so many years while wandering outside with her daughter is because of the principles Chen Huai'an taught her.

Just like when the three Huang brothers first spotted her in the refugee crowd.

If you make a big fuss about the problem, people will naturally help you solve it.

Chen Huai'an chuckled: "That makes sense, sis, you've really hit the nail on the head."

"Since we can't solve it, let the people who should solve it solve it."

"Nothing is more important than eating!"

"Eat up, eat up. If you're still hungry, I'll make you more." Chen Sujin's eyes were gentle.

She didn't understand the intricacies of court politics. To her, nothing was more important than ensuring Xiao He and Chen Huai'an were well-fed and clothed.

"Hmm..." Chen Huai'an responded, having already made up his mind that Li Shimin would still have to suffer.

Since Li Shimin can handle it, let him handle it.

He'd better not get involved in this mess.

Anyway, whatever choice Li Shimin makes, it will all be blamed on him. All he needs to do is relay what happened today.

"..."

Meanwhile, inside the East Palace, Li Shimin, who was enjoying a rare moment of leisure and contemplating killing Li Yuanji while eating, suddenly sneezed several times in a row.

"Strange... I have a feeling someone is talking about me."

"..."