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

Watching Zheng Yuanzhu's departing figure, Chen Huai'an coldly withdrew his gaze.

The imperial court is so cruel; one wrong step can lead to an abyss, and even powerful families are no exception.

If something can be replaced, it can be overthrown.

It's good that the Lu and Zheng families have fallen. It serves as a wake-up call for everyone, and I believe it will be enough for them to recognize reality. We can have peace for a long time to come.

As for Zheng Yuanzhu begging him... Chen Huai'an was lucky he didn't burst out laughing.

They came over and threatened his family. Do they really think he's a saint?

Shaking his head, Chen Huai'an went home on his own.

Things that he hadn't initially paid attention to gradually spread.

The events of today quickly reached the desks of many people.

Li Shimin looked at the intelligence report in his hand and remained silent.

Zhang Anan, who was serving nearby, swallowed and whispered, "Your Majesty... Mr. Chen's words have had a very good effect. I heard that many people have already started to kill the locusts."

"As the news spreads, it is believed that this court report will break the people's preconceived notions. At the very least, the people should no longer stubbornly believe that locusts are celestial insects and watch helplessly as locusts devour their crops."

"Heh..." Li Shimin chuckled softly, his attention not on that point at all. His fingers traced a line of text on the intelligence report, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Therefore, my ambition is not merely the ambition of Chen Huai'an alone..."

"Heaven pities you, earth does not favor you, and people do not grant you anything... I, Chen Huai'an, will help you..."

"What a grand vision!"

Li Shimin sighed inexplicably.

Ever since Chen Huai'an started frequently quoting historical records, Li Shimin began to read them often in his spare time.

It is said that reading a book a hundred times will reveal its meaning. He had not felt this saying deeply before, but the more history books he read, the deeper his understanding of this saying became.

I have gained new perspectives on many historical events.

Li Shimin discovered a very interesting phenomenon: from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to the present day, countless heroes and geniuses have emerged, each seemingly carrying a certain mission, descending upon a particular era.

For example, Qin Shi Huang, who unified the six kingdoms and promoted the standardization of writing, cart axles, and weights and measures, was so powerful that even Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, had to say that a true man should be like him.

However, his appearance seemed solely to fulfill his own mission, engraving the concept of unification into the very bones of everyone on this land.

Even today, regardless of the dynasty, things are still operating within the system he established.

Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, was still watching dogs fight when he was over forty years old, and he became emperor when he was over fifty. In just the small county of Pei, a group of extraordinary figures who have left their mark on history emerged.

The Xiongnu were rampant and repeatedly invaded the Central Plains. Emperor Wu of Han emerged out of nowhere, and Wei Qing and Huo Qubing emerged in response. They defeated the Xiongnu and made them dare not act recklessly again. From then on, the roles of offense and defense changed.

Wang Mang usurped the Han throne, plunging the world into chaos. Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, rose from humble beginnings to rebuild the Han dynasty.

The heroes of the Three Kingdoms era have exhausted their spirits, and even the Sima family finds them repulsive.

Yang Jian established the Sui Dynasty, created the imperial examination system, and established the Three Departments and Six Ministries system. Yang Guang, based on Yang Jian's work, improved the imperial examination system, dug the Grand Canal, expanded the frontier, reopened the Silk Road, and built the eastern capital, Luoyang.

His attempt to establish lasting merit through his lifetime led to widespread suffering among the people.

And at this moment, Li Shimin appeared.

Starting from Jinyang, they marched west to Chang'an, pacified Xue Ju and Xue Rengao of Western Qin, defeated Liu Wuzhou and Song Jingang, and recovered Hedong.

He captured two kings at the Battle of Hulao Pass, pacified the Central Plains, defeated Liu Heita again, stabilized Hebei, commanded the overall situation, and laid the foundation for unification!

When the chaos ended and the world needed time to recuperate, Chen Huai'an, that wicked fellow, escaped from the prison and came right in front of him.

So, does the era create heroes, or do heroes create the era?

Was it conceived out of the needs of the times, or was the times created because of its gestation?

"..."

Zhang Anan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, these four sentences alone are enough to convey Mr. Chen's spirit and ideals: to establish a heart for Heaven and Earth, to establish a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of the past sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations."

"How could one say such a thing without sufficient courage and ability?"

"Perhaps." Li Shimin remained noncommittal. He stood up, hands behind his back. "So much has happened these past two years."

"They fought to the death with the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families, unified the classics, reformed the imperial examination system, opened up the canal transport between the Central Plains and Lingnan, prepared for war against the Eastern Turks, and built the Yellow River dikes."

"I... am so busy with my ministers that I wish I had twelve more hours a day to handle government affairs."

"But this kid is the one who caused all the trouble, yet he's the most carefree one, spending his days like a street urchin, going out to eat."

"Even a single memorial to the throne was written by someone below."

"Tell me, shouldn't I find a way to make things difficult for him?"

Zhang Anan: "..."

Li Shimin's expression was very serious; he didn't seem to be joking.

This wasn't the first time he'd had this idea. Ever since Chen Huai'an started trying to make things difficult for him, he'd always wanted to make things difficult for Chen Huai'an.

However, he never found any opportunities.

He used to be able to bring up marriage, but now that he's engaged and about to get married, he doesn't even have that reason anymore.

Try to get him to do more work?

Li Shimin really couldn't find a reason; hadn't the other party made enough contributions?

Haven't we done enough practical things?

Should we punish him with a board?

Stop it.

Cheng Yaojin, with his physique, would have been bedridden for a while after receiving twenty strokes of the cane, but Chen Huai'an only received fifty strokes, patted his buttocks, and left without a scratch.

The key is that it is immune to all poisons and is completely unaffected by stress.

Should his title be stripped?

They'd love to be thrashed.

Li Shimin was truly at his wit's end.

Zhang Anan sighed inwardly and hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "Your Majesty... perhaps we should just let it go."

"Under normal circumstances, Mr. Chen should not suffer. There is a reason why people from the five surnames and seven clans say he is strange."

"Furthermore... Mr. Chen is a very vengeful person. Zheng only made a slight threat to his family, and he immediately turned hostile..."

Li Shimin's lips twitched. He wasn't stupid; he understood perfectly well what Zhang Anan was trying to say.

You want to frame Chen Huai'an? Let's not even talk about whether it will work. Even if it does, aren't you afraid of being retaliated against later?

The key is that when they retaliate, you can't find any fault with them; they always have a way to control Li Shimin.

So Zhang Anan said: Let it go.

Li Shimin glanced at Zhang Anan indifferently, without getting angry: "Won't he suffer?"

"I don't think so."

"..."