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

The hall was deathly silent.

Li Shimin stood there, stunned, his whole body frozen, his lips moving but unable to utter a sound.

After a long while, he laughed and cried at the same time: "Haha...hahahaha, he finally called me Brother Li, he finally called me Brother Li, Guanyinbi."

Li Shimin recalled many things.

At the end of the first year of the Zhenguan era, they went on an incognito visit to a notorious slum in Chang'an to see the people there.

Li Shimin told Chen Huai'an not to call him "Your Majesty" because they were of the same generation, so he told Chen Huai'an to call him "Brother Li".

Chen Huai'an was unwilling, saying that calling him Brother Li was inappropriate, and instead called him Li Er.

At that time, Li Shimin even scolded him.

Now, he has finally heard the word "Brother Li" again, but the two are now separated by death.

"puff--"

Li Shimin suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, which splattered on the ground, a shocking sight.

"His Majesty!"

"Jiro!"

"Ah!"

Everyone in the hall turned pale with fright. Empress Zhangsun rushed over to support him, terrified.

"I'm fine...I'm fine..." Li Shimin waved his hand, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, and smiled bitterly, "I still have to avenge Huai'an, I'm fine."

"Second Prince...you must take care of your health." Empress Zhangsun knew she couldn't persuade Li Shimin, so she could only say this.

Li Shimin didn't reply, but instead carefully traced the familiar handwriting on the letter with his fingers.

The handwriting on the letter was unrestrained and free, just like the person's personality—fearless and undaunted, as if nothing in the world could hold him back.

But this very person is gone.

"Wang Bai," Li Shimin suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse.

"This servant is here." Wang Bai, who had been kneeling on the ground with her head bowed, immediately kowtowed upon hearing this.

"How are Huai'an's funeral arrangements going?"

Wang Bai was on the verge of tears. If he could still live before, he now felt that Chen Huai'an was no longer able to save him.

"Your Majesty... the Master instructed that everything should be kept simple, without extravagance, and that... too many people should not see his appearance."

Li Shimin was silent for a moment, then nodded: "That's fine. He's a man who loves cleanliness and dignity the most."

"Issue my decree—"

"Duke Anguo, Chen Huai'an, having just read his last letter, wept blood for every word; his heart was devoted to the court, and he did not stop until his death. Such loyalty is rarely seen throughout history; such profound wisdom truly did not fail me."

"Therefore, court was suspended for three days, the whole country mourned, and he was posthumously awarded the title of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and Grand General of Yangzhou, and was also granted the posthumous name... Wenzhen!"

When the final posthumous title was announced, Wang Bai, Zhang Anan, and Empress Zhangsun were all deeply moved.

Wenzhen...

This posthumous title was the highest that a civil official could receive during the Zhenguan era.

However, none of them had any objections.

Because Chen Huai'an is worth it.

Although the other party's tenure was short, their contributions were undeniable.

"Bestow..."

Li Shimin actually wanted to bestow additional titles upon Chen Huai'an's descendants, but when he opened his mouth, he discovered that Chen Huai'an had no descendants at all, not even a nephew.

The only relative she has is her niece.

Thinking of this, Li Shimin felt an overwhelming sadness.

If you had to describe his current mood in one word, it would be four.

Utterly insane!

"..."

That day, an even more ferocious bloodbath was unleashed.

More importantly, as time went on, the words Wei Zheng spoke at the execution ground gradually spread.

Public opinion was in uproar; the people simply could not accept that the young, handsome, and easy-going Minister had been poisoned by a villain.

The Lu and Zheng families' numerous properties and residences were smashed to pieces by angry citizens, and some even threw excrement into the two families' residences.

The reputations of both companies were ruined overnight.

Li Shimin was ruthless in his actions, confiscating property, exterminating entire families, and investigating hidden lands. With the support of numerous powerful forces, his efficiency was astonishing.

Wei Zheng found Chang Gui and Ouyang Shu.

The two were still standing blankly in the Ministry of Works, at a loss for what to do.

Wei Zheng bluntly stated, "Mr. Chen should have already prepared everything needed for the court gazette, right? I'll just ask you one question: can we publish one page now?"

Chang Gui remained silent, still immersed in the news of Chen Huai'an's death.

Ouyang Shu opened his mouth, looking somewhat dejected, and said, "Reporting to Lord Wei, the Minister did indeed begin instructing us to prepare for the publication of the court gazette a long time ago. We have no shortage of paper, but the movable type... may still take some time to be engraved."

"How long will it take?" Wei Zheng asked again, unsurprised.

Ouyang Shu gritted his teeth: "Three days, Lord Wei. Give us three days. After three days, the Ministry of Works will definitely produce the movable type needed to publish the first edition of the court gazette."

"Good!" Wei Zheng gave him a deep look. "If you can do it in three days, I will personally petition His Majesty for your commendation."

"If you can't do that..."

"If I cannot do this, I will commit suicide at home," Ouyang Shu declared threateningly.

Wei Zheng raised his eyes and said, "You should know what I'm going to do. The first edition of the court gazette is very important now."

"I hope I can recommend you for good, rather than hear the news of your suicide."

"I understand." Ouyang Shu nodded, though he also felt resentment in his heart.

He might only encounter a boss like Chen Huai'an once in his life.

If possible, Ouyang Shu would naturally want revenge.

Chen Huai'an had told them about the function of the morning gazette, and they understood how powerful it was.

If released now, it will be enough to ruin the reputations of both families, and it will also be the best way to deter other families.

"Lord Wei, please rest assured, the lord has already made arrangements. Three days is not just something I made up. More than two hundred craftsmen from the Ministry of Works are carving day and night. Three days... is more than enough!"

"Alright!" Wei Zheng acted swiftly and decisively, and after receiving a definite answer, he immediately turned and left.

"Sigh~"

After Wei Zheng left, Ouyang Shu let out a long sigh.

Chang Gui asked, somewhat bewildered, "Brother Ouyang, the Minister has passed away. What should we do now?"

Ouyang Shu said bitterly, "Brother Chang, you're asking me? But who am I supposed to ask?"

"The Minister's departure was so sudden, I don't know what to do, let alone where to go from here."

Chang Gui said in a hoarse voice, "How could this happen? Clearly... clearly the Minister was with us yesterday, telling us to be sure to keep it a secret."

"The Minister also said that he would transfer you to another place to serve as an official for a period of time to gain experience, and then see if there is an opportunity to advance further."

"Now...now..."

As he spoke, Chang Gui became speechless.

A pang of bitterness rose in Ouyang Shu's heart: "What's the point of saying all this? If I could, I would rather never advance in my career and just return to the position of Minister."

"A person like the Minister is one in a lifetime; he is far more important than any of us..."

The two men exchanged a glance, sighed, and then bowed deeply towards the spot where Chen Huai'an had sat: "Minister, may you rest in peace!"

"..."