The Great Tang Dynasty's Trans-Dimensional Conference: Little Rhinoceros Arrives

"Your Majesty, there is something I have been pondering for a long time. Could you please enlighten me today?"

Seeing that Li Shimin had no intention of killing him, Songtsen Gampo became much bolder.

Li Shimin raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with a smile, and said, "You probably want to ask me why I suddenly decided to send troops to Tibet, right?"

Songtsen Gampo nodded hurriedly, "Yes, although there have been occasional frictions between Tibet and the Tang Dynasty in the past, it should never have warranted such a large-scale war. Is Your Majesty's sudden launch of a war of annihilation really because I want to marry a princess from the Tang Dynasty?"

From the moment he learned that the Tang army had entered Tibet, to now being a prisoner living with Jieli, this question had been lingering in Songtsen Gampo's mind.

"Yes, that can be considered one of the causes." Li Shimin didn't mince words at all. "Of course, even without the marriage alliance, Tibet's fate would have been the same, only the timing might have been slightly different. I'm sure you understand that."

Li Shimin's current mindset is that with the truth in his hands, he has the world at his command.

Now that the Tang Dynasty possesses weapons far superior to those of this era, if he doesn't make use of them, then he wouldn't be Li Shimin, the great emperor of all time.

Although Li Shimin did not explicitly state his meaning, Songtsen Gampo knew that he was referring to a weapon of immense power.

After a moment's hesitation, he pressed on, "Even so, Tibet is a remote and inaccessible land. For Your Majesty, conquering Tibet wouldn't actually be very meaningful, would it?"

In Songtsen Gampo's view, although the Tang Dynasty was powerful, it would still have a great impact on the army's long march and the supplies needed along the way.

Moreover, Li Shimin could have chosen to directly display his muscles.

After all, the Tibetans weren't fools. Knowing how powerful the Tang Dynasty was, they wouldn't risk making trouble for themselves.

What's the difference between this and hitting a rock with an egg?

"You're right." Li Shimin nodded, acknowledging Songtsen Gampo's statement, and then shared his own thoughts.

"But you have overlooked one thing. Tibet is connected to the territory of the Tang Dynasty. Although the border disturbances are small, they have been going on for years. What I am doing is actually to give an explanation to the people of both sides."

"In this way, the people of Tibet will not only no longer suffer oppression, but will also enjoy the same treatment as the people of our Great Tang. In the future, they may even be proud to be citizens of the Great Tang. What do you think?"

Lin Fan, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but applaud Li Shimin in his heart.

Those who are emperors are different; they have a whole set of grand principles to follow.

This not only upheld the greater good of the nation but also spared the people of both sides from the suffering of war.

Faced with Li Shimin's question, Songtsen Gampo was momentarily speechless.

After thinking for a moment, he stood up and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Li Shimin. "I am the ruler of a fallen kingdom, and I should not have any other desires. I only hope that Your Majesty will treat the people of Tibet well in the future."

"Of course! They are now also subjects of my Great Tang Dynasty."

After receiving Li Shimin's affirmative reply, Songtsen Gampo completely extinguished some of his thoughts.

"Young man, Jieli doesn't look like someone who's about to die. Could the history books be wrong?" Li Shimin said impatiently as soon as he stepped out of the courtyard.

Lin Fan shrugged. "You're asking me this question? Who am I supposed to ask? I didn't write the history books."

He actually had a word in mind, but he didn't say it aloud: the butterfly effect.

In the original history, Tibet was not destroyed, and Songtsen Gampo was not captured and taken to the Tang Dynasty.

So the biggest reason is probably that his appearance caused changes to the original historical process.

"Fine, I'm too lazy to think about it anymore."

After walking several dozen steps forward, Lin Fan looked back at the courtyard he had just left and tentatively asked:

"Father, Songtsen Gampo is quite capable. Don't you intend to use him?"

Given Li Shimin's magnanimity and skill, Lin Fan didn't believe he hadn't had this thought in his mind.

Li Shimin turned and glanced at Lin Fan. "You little brat, are you some kind of mind reader?"

He smiled and continued, "This person will definitely be used, but not now. First, he is still young; second, he must be full of resentment towards the Tang Dynasty and me right now."

"Tch, isn't that obvious?" Lin Fan couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Your country got destroyed, and you won't even let people complain about you?"

Li Shimin ignored Lin Fan's sarcasm and continued speaking to himself:

"I plan to imprison him for a few years to temper his arrogance. When the time is right, it wouldn't be a bad idea to give him an official position."

"Sigh, he was a great ruler after all, it's just that these people were really unlucky to have met you, Father."

"Who are these people?"

"Weren't there two in that courtyard just now? Let's not talk about recent ones, like Wang Shicong, Dou Jiande, Li Jiancheng, Li Yuanji..."

"If you can't speak properly, then shut up."

The last two names Lin Fan mentioned immediately broke Li Shimin's guard.

He still felt somewhat guilty towards the Crown Prince Li Jiancheng, but when he thought of Li Yuanji, he felt that both of them deserved it.

"Father, we can talk and joke around, but why are you in such a hurry?" Lin Fan had no intention of letting Li Shimin off the hook.

"Who's in a hurry? Can't we talk about something else? Why do you keep bringing up these old stories?" Li Shimin quickened his pace.

"Okay, let's not talk about that then." Lin Fan sped up and continued to press, "Father, there's actually a question I've always wanted to ask you personally."

Li Shimin didn't even turn his head. "What's the problem?"

"Haven't people in later generations always said you altered history books? Is that true or false?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin froze on the spot.

After thinking for a moment, he waved to the guards around him, and the next second everyone turned their backs in tacit agreement.

"What exactly are you trying to say, kid?" Li Shimin asked in a low voice.

Seeing this, Lin Fan's heart raced instantly. He wanted to ask, but hesitated to speak.

Li Shimin frowned slightly. "What? Is there something you're afraid to say?"

Swallowing hard, Lin Fan forced a fawning smile, while lowering his voice, "Um, didn't the history books say that you were suppressed by your elder brother and younger brother, and then you launched that... you know what? Is that true or not?"

Li Shimin remained silent.

Lin Fan ignored Li Shimin's expression and continued, "I specifically read records about you before. Back then, you were appointed as the Grand General of the Twelve Guards, essentially the head of all military officers. Did they really have the guts to force you?"