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

"Forget it."

Li Shimin's expression softened. Looking at the people around him, he smiled and said, "You've finally come out for a while, so relax a bit."

"Let's not talk about politics today."

Upon hearing this, the ministers, who had been tense, gradually relaxed.

Du Ruhui jokingly said, "Once the Eastern Turks are pacified and we get through these years of natural disasters, when the weather is favorable and the four barbarians submit, the five grains are plentiful, the world is at peace, and with Your Majesty's wisdom, the prosperous era will begin to appear."

"Furthermore, Master Kong also said that Master Chen has the potential to become a new sage. If he really does become one, the era of Zhenguan will probably be one that can never be surpassed."

"It is truly an honor for us to live in such an era, to work alongside Mr. Chen, and to assist His Majesty."

"Haha." Li Shimin was delighted upon hearing this. He actually quite liked flattery, but it had to be done properly.

Du Ruhui's words resonated deeply with him.

With abundant harvests, submission from all barbarians, and peace throughout the land, we await the grand ceremony at Mount Tai, when Chen Huai'an will ascend to sainthood.

Such a prosperous era, who can surpass it?

His name, Li Shimin, is destined to become an eternal radiant sun!

Even Wei Zheng, who usually liked to spoil the mood at times like this, didn't say anything.

Fang Xuanling laughed and said, "Speaking of which, not only Confucius, but also Yan Shujian and other great Confucian scholars believe that Mr. Chen has the potential to become a sage."

"To establish a moral compass for Heaven and Earth, to secure a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of past sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations..."

"The mind is principle; extend innate knowledge; unite knowledge and action..."

"No matter how many times I hear these two sentences, they still give me the creeps."

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Huai'an, everyone is praising you, why don't you say anything?"

"What's there to say?" Chen Huai'an said nonchalantly, "Becoming a saint is not something we can decide; it's up to countless future generations."

Confucius was not a saint when he was alive; it was only through generations of his descendants that he became a saint.

"Let's not even talk about how little chance I have. Even if I'm destined to become a saint, how many years would that be?"

"One hundred years? Two hundred years? Or three hundred years?"

Fang Xuanling was speechless for a moment.

Having the opportunity to become a saint is already an immense blessing.

Do you expect to become a saint on the spot?

How is that possible!

Everyone is working themselves to the bone now, holding so much power, yet they dare not take a single penny, always putting national affairs first. What is the purpose of all this?

Isn't that enough to make a name for oneself in history?

Who cares if he becomes a saint hundreds of years later? As long as he can become one, that's all that matters.

Wei Zheng couldn't help but say, "Aren't you happy? The saints that Confucius and the others spoke of were not half-saints or false saints, but true saints like Confucius."

Chen Huai'an said irritably, "Give me a break! Look at me, what about me looks like a saint?"

"Have you ever seen a saint who, because he was starving, escaped from prison to dine and dash? Have you ever seen a saint who valued extraordinary skills and the ways of commerce above all else? Have you ever seen a saint who drove countless grain merchants to suicide and ruined two powerful families? Have you ever seen a saint who, in the dead of winter, made snowballs and chased after a group of ministers?"

As he spoke, Chen Huai paused, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead: "Also, have you ever seen a saint this handsome?"

Everyone: "..."

Everything was fine until they heard that last sentence, and everyone was speechless.

Such a shameless person is certainly not a saint.

Li Shimin smiled helplessly and, for the first time ever, spoke up for Chen Huai'an: "Xuancheng, you're too attached to appearances, and you think of the sage as too sacred."

"What makes a sage a sage is that he never thinks about becoming a sage."

"Confucius was like this in the past, and perhaps... Huai'an is like this today?"

Wei Zheng was stunned for a while, then deeply agreed: "Your Majesty's words are reasonable, Xuancheng has learned a lot."

Li Shimin raised an eyebrow; this was the second time he had heard Wei Zheng say such a thing.

The first time they met was after the Xuanwu Gate Incident, when they met again.

This immediately improved Li Shimin's mood considerably.

Du Ruhui nodded and said, "That's right, it's precisely because Confucius didn't want to become a sage that he became one."

"Mr. Chen must feel the same way."

Chen Huai'an remained noncommittal.

He had absolutely no interest in the so-called saint.

He may have achieved physical sainthood over several hundred years.

At that time, his fists will be the ultimate truth. Why would he need to be a literary sage or preach the philosophy of mind?

"There's a rabbit!"

Changsun Wuji suddenly shouted, which immediately attracted the interest of many people.

Following his gaze, sure enough, everyone saw a rabbit happily grazing on the opposite bank of the river.

"Bring me my bow!"

Li Shimin became interested and stared intently at the rabbit, giving the order.

Zhang Anan quickly retrieved Li Shimin's bow and arrows.

The next moment, Li Shimin drew his bow without hesitation and aimed the arrow straight at the rabbit on the other side of the river.

The bowstring vibrated, and the arrow, once released, tore through the air and pierced the rabbit's neck.

"Excellent arrow!" Chen Huai'an exclaimed loudly, "Your Majesty truly possesses excellent archery skills!"

Li Shimin: "..."

Li Shimin, who was initially pleased to have shot the rabbit, froze for a moment, wondering why these words sounded so strange to him.

But I can't figure out what's strange about it.

"Get lost."

Li Shimin cursed irritably. Anyway, if he felt that Chen Huai'an was talking strangely, he would just curse him. He was sure he wouldn't be wrong.

This kid always speaks in strange ways, and he can come up with a few odd words every now and then.

Chen Huai'an was all smiles, not taking it to heart at all.

Soon, Zhang Anan returned with the rabbit that Li Shimin had shot. Li Shimin immediately ordered that it be cleaned and roasted over a fire.

"Your Majesty, the fish is served! The fish is served!"

At this moment, Zhang Anan suddenly exclaimed excitedly.

Li Shimin's spirits lifted, and he immediately pulled the fishing rod.

"Wow, not small at all!" Li Shimin felt the strength in his hand and laughed heartily. "You guys wait, one rabbit isn't enough, I'll add a fish for you too."

Chen Huai'an looked at the fishing rod in his hand, then at Li Shimin's happy expression, and was puzzled.

Why is it that Li Shimin can catch fish while I can't?

Soon, thanks to Li Shimin's efforts, the fish that had been caught finally surfaced, and everyone looked up, somewhat disappointed.

"Why is it a carp...?"

Because the Chinese character for carp (鲤) sounds like the word for Emperor Taizong (李), Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) decreed that carp should not be eaten.

So if you catch a carp, no matter how big it is, you definitely can't eat it.

Especially in front of Li Shimin.

Unexpectedly, Li Shimin said with a stern face, "What carp? Are your big eyes just for being used as a concubine?"

"That's clearly a grass carp!"

"Hurry up and answer it, we're having grilled fish and grilled rabbit today."

"..."