Datang: Rebirth of Li Chengqian, the beginning of the treason interrogation

Chapter 25: Goguryeo's Violence against Heaven
"Your Majesty, I am innocent. I am truly innocent."

King Li Tai of Wei suddenly knelt on his knees. There was a loud thud, and he was really kneeling.

Once he was driven out of Chang'an, he would have no chance of becoming emperor. Although he did not participate in Li Chengqian's rebellion, he had the intention of seizing the throne and was the main cause of the rebellion.

"King Wei means that I am plotting a rebellion."

Li Chengqian turned his head and glanced at the fat otaku who had forced the original owner into a dead end.

Being fat ruins everything.

I really can't say anything flattering about Li Tai's appearance. He is just a pile of flesh balls, which makes people feel sick just by looking at him.

"No, that's not what I meant." Li Tai knew clearly that Li Chengqian must be doing something to frame him.

"That's it. You don't really think that a crown prince would rebel against himself, do you?" Li Chengqian asked back.

"You..." Li Tai's fat was shaking and he was trembling with anger. He knew it was Li Chengqian's doing, but he had no evidence.

"Silence! What is the court? Is it a place for you to make noise?"

Li Shimin shouted loudly and glanced at his ministers coldly.

Li Tai felt very disappointed at this moment. Why didn't any of the ministers before plead for him?

His gaze inevitably fell on Fang Xuanling. This Zuo Pushe had told him before that he would support him, so why was he still standing still at this critical moment?
"This case has been accepted by the Dali Temple. If you continue to make trouble, don't blame me..." Li Shimin said sternly.

King Wei Li Tai's anger suddenly deflated. Facing Li Shimin's sharp gaze, Li Tai lowered his head unconsciously.

Alas, Cheng Qian still has the qualities of an emperor.

Li Shimin sighed in his heart. How could Li Tai rule the world when he couldn't even respond to his gaze?
Li Chengqian was the one who dared to confront him openly, and in the end, he was defeated.

In terms of courage alone, in Li Shimin's mind, Li Tai was completely defeated. Without the spirit of an emperor, how could he become emperor?

"Do you have anything else to report?" Li Shimin shifted his gaze and looked at the ministers.

"I have something to report!" Changsun Wuji walked out of the queue with a court tablet in his hand and bowed, and said to Li Shimin.

"What do you have to report?" Li Shimin frowned. Normally, when they wanted to report important state affairs, they would communicate with Li Shimin in advance, otherwise the emperor would be caught off guard.

Of course, there are exceptions, namely urgent military affairs.

"Your Majesty, I just received a military report from Liaodong this morning. Baekje and Goguryeo have joined forces to attack Silla, a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty. Silla has requested assistance from the Tang Dynasty."

Changsun Wuji said in a deep voice that this was a big deal, after all, it was related to sending troops, and going to war was related to the foundation of the country. Before the troops moved, the food and grass had to be sent first, and the whole country had to fight together.

Li Chengqian looked at Li Shimin with a stern look. This should be Li Shimin's last expedition.

The Tang Dynasty won this battle. After all, at that time, the Tang Dynasty had many powerful generals, Li Ji was still alive, and General Tian Ce was personally commanding the army. How could they not win?
However, the victory did not achieve the desired results for the Tang Dynasty, and a lot of national strength was damaged. Although it was a victory, it was still a defeat, after all, the country was not conquered.

"What do you think, ministers?" Li Shimin asked in a deep voice with no expression on his face, making it impossible for the ministers to guess his thoughts.

"Your Majesty, Goguryeo has invaded our vassal state. If the Tang Dynasty does not send troops, it will damage the prestige of the Tang Dynasty. We should send troops to fight them to enhance the prestige of the Tang Dynasty."

Li Ji also walked out of the ranks and advised Li Shimin that there was more military merit to be gained, as the military generals of the Tang Dynasty were worried about the lack of wars.

"Your Majesty, whoever invades our Tang territory must be punished, no matter how far away they are. Silla has asked for help, and if our Tang Dynasty does not send troops, how can we win the support of the people and make the four barbarians submit?" Yuchi Jingde also stood up with a court tablet in his hand, agreeing to go to war.

"In the upper war, we make plans; in the middle war, we attack the soldiers; in the lower war, we attack the cities. With the might of our Great Tang, we can send an envoy to Goguryeo and ask them to stop the war, using courtesy before force." Fang Xuanling also spoke out. He had his own thoughts, and a single move could affect the whole body.

"Your Majesty, what Zuo Pushe said is not without reason. Under your Majesty's wisdom and bravery, our Tang Dynasty has entered a prosperous era and our national strength has increased significantly. However, launching a large-scale war now will definitely reduce our national strength. In my opinion, it is best to negotiate. If not, then we can go to war again."

Gao Shilian walked out of the queue with his body bent.

……

The ministers below were arguing fiercely, each one saying that he was right and the other saying that she was right.

"quiet!"

Li Shimin was confused. He thought that such a discussion in the court would not lead to any result.

"What do you think, Prince?"

Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian. From beginning to end, Li Chengqian just stood there without saying a word.

Li Shimin also wanted to hear what insights Mr. Chu of the Tang Dynasty had. This was also a test.

Li Chengqian raised his head, took a step forward with neither arrogance nor servility, looked at Li Shimin on the throne and said:

"The Tang Dynasty was founded on military power, and its current prestige was also earned through fighting. I believe that one strike is better than a hundred. The Tang Dynasty is surrounded by many countries. If the Tang Dynasty shows weakness this time, how can it deter the countries on the border?"

Li Shimin's eyes lit up and he nodded in agreement. As an emperor, one should consider the overall situation. This is not just a simple battle, but a display of national strength and must be fought.

Hit a punch to avoid a hundred punches.

All the ministers were shocked, and the previous voices opposing the war disappeared, because Li Chengqian's words had already made clear the necessity of going to war.

At this time, the ministers had to re-examine the prince.

"I think all the ministers should have heard what the Crown Prince said. This war must be fought. This is also my intention. I hope all the departments will prepare in advance."

Li Shimin's voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone. He glanced at the ministers below, with a determined light in his eyes.

With the rebellion cases of Li You and Crown Prince Li Chengqian, Li Shimin's reputation and prestige declined, and he needed to fight a war to restore his reputation. This war was not only related to the safety of the country, but also to his personal reputation and status.

"I will obey your orders!"

All the ministers answered in unison. They knew that sending troops would involve many people. For a moment, the entire Tang Empire was like a huge machine, and began to operate in an orderly manner.

"Crown Prince, the left and right prime ministers, and several dukes will stay to discuss the specific arrangements for sending troops, and the rest of you can withdraw." Li Shimin stood up, held his head high, and spoke loudly.

"Your Majesty, Holy Ann!"

The ministers shouted again in unison, then bowed and retreated. They knew that the next court meeting would determine the direction and strategy of the war.

Li Tai, the Prince of Wei, looked at Li Shimin with dissatisfaction and anger in his heart. However, he had no choice but to slowly leave the Taiji Hall with anger in his heart.

(End of this chapter)