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

Having witnessed the situation unfold, Changsun Shunde understood that Li Shimin was giving him a dignified opportunity out of consideration for his previous contributions.

If he doesn't know what's good for him, then he'll lose all his dignity.

So after leaving the East Palace, they rushed to the Ganlu Hall without stopping.

Time was running out, and Li Shimin's request for money was, in his view, a final ultimatum.

He paused for a moment outside the Ganlu Hall, then asked the eunuch at the gate to go and inform the others.

Before long, Li Shimin agreed to see him.

Changsun Shunde took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and slowly walked into the hall.

"Your subject, Changsun Shunde, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Changsun Shunde paid his respects.

At that moment, Li Shimin was processing memorials. When he saw him enter, he merely glanced at him and said indifferently, "Shunde, I heard that you went to the Empress's place and then came to see me."

"What? Are you here to urge me to repay the money?"

"I dare not." Changsun Shunde kowtowed without raising his head. "I have come here today to confess some things to Your Majesty and to plead guilty." Loading... Changsun Shunde opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

Li Shimin suppressed his emotions and exhaled a breath of stale air: "Is there anything else you want to say?"

"No." Changsun Shunde remained silent for a moment before uttering two words.

"Sigh~" Li Shimin sighed deeply, his gaze extremely complicated.

If possible, he truly wanted to share wealth and honor with these former officials and create a beautiful story of ruler and minister.

This was his deepest thought.

It is often said that merits overshadow the ruler, but throughout history, how many powerful ministers and highly respected military generals have had a good ending?

Li Shimin did not believe such words.

He crouched down and asked Changsun Shunde like an old friend, "Shunde, I've always had a question. Could you answer it for me?"

"Your Majesty, please ask."

"Did I give you too little? Or do you feel that I haven't shared wealth with you, causing you to do this kind of thing again and again?"

Li Shimin truly couldn't understand why Changsun Shunde would always do such things, since he had never mistreated these former officials of Xuanwu Gate. He had tolerated their previous embezzlement of some silk and hadn't pursued the matter further after giving them a lesson.

But this time, the other party really went too far.

Li Shimin couldn't understand whether he had really treated his old officials too badly.

Changsun Shunde was filled with shame: "Your Majesty has given me so much, so much that others envy me. I have been promoted and given titles, and I have received everything. It was my own folly that made me lose my mind, and it is I who have failed Your Majesty. It has nothing to do with Your Majesty."

"Is that so?" Li Shimin scoffed. "Then do you know what my intention was in demoting Gao Shilian from Chang'an before?"

"I understand, I understand completely," Changsun Shunde said bitterly. "Your Majesty is warning us, the old meritorious officials."

"Since I have treated you well, and you are aware of my warnings, why do you still dare to act this way?" Li Shimin narrowed his eyes and questioned:

"Is it because of Huai'an?"

"You think he didn't achieve any merit at Xuanwu Gate, yet his promotion speed was unheard of, and he quickly rose to the position of Duke, holding the positions of Minister of Revenue and Minister of Works, wielding immense power?"

"You have grievances about this?"

Changsun Shunde's breath hitched. Now he finally understood that the emperor in front of him knew everything.

The other party knows everything. "Silence means tacit agreement?" Li Shimin stood up, deeply saddened. "You're jealous of Huai'an, aren't you?"

"...Some time ago, that was indeed what I thought." Knowing that he was going to die, Changsun Shunde was surprisingly frank. "In my opinion, Chen Huai'an is just a lucky kid. He guessed our thoughts at Xuanwu Gate and came up with some strange and unusual things."

"What makes him so highly regarded by His Majesty?"

Li Shimin was not angry, and asked, "And now?"

"Now?" Changsun Shunde chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Now that I think about it, jealousy has completely distorted my image, causing me to overlook far too many things."

"Chen Huai'an is indeed capable. He can do things that I cannot. He deserves everything he has achieved today."

"Your Majesty, I have disappointed you."

Li Shimin paused for a moment: "Now, you do seem to have some semblance of composure, at least you know where you went wrong."

"I know that many of you are jealous of Chen Huai'an behind his back, thinking that he is too favored by me and has achieved his current status at such a young age."

"But have you ever considered that if he weren't capable, why would I value him?"

"Leaving aside his ability to help me govern the country and turn the tide in years of frequent natural disasters, even if all he does is flatter and fawn, that's still his skill, isn't it?"

Changsun Shunde paused, then smiled frankly: "That's true. Even if all he does is flattery, it's still his own skill." Li Shimin withdrew his gaze, turned away, and remained silent for a moment: "Is there anything else you'd like to say?"

"That's all." Changsun Shunde knew that what was coming would eventually come. Faced with this moment, he had nothing to say. "Her Majesty the Empress has already promised me some things, and I have no regrets."

Li Shimin nodded: "I will find a good match for your children; the rest is up to their own fate."

"My lord, thank you Your Majesty."

"Guards, bring...poisoned wine!"

"..."