Chapter 1041

Once upon the East Sea, the Japanese pirates who had been so rampant and overbearing had also vanished without a trace.

Going to the Japanese islands at a time like this—isn't that just the same as being exiled?

"Minister Fang, I beg you, speak to the Emperor for me. Is it possible to change to another place?

The Japanese islands are truly no place for a human to stay."

Fang Xuanling shook his head with a smile.

In truth, the Emperor had given absolutely no instructions regarding where Li Tai should go.

It was entirely a spur-of-the-moment idea of Fang Xuanling's to point Li Tai toward that destination.

If Li Tai went to the Japanese islands, Zhangsun Wuji and the four great clans would be unable to contact him.

In the future, when the Emperor wanted to deal with the four great clans, it would be difficult for them even to rebel.

"Prince of Wei, although the Japanese islands are poor, there are still several million islanders there.

If you become a savior god in the eyes of the Japanese people, it would be equivalent to reigning as a king in one region."

Fang Xuanling stopped at the right moment and said no more.

However, upon hearing the words "reigning as a king in one region," Li Tai immediately became interested.

Although he currently held the title of Prince of Wei, he possessed no real power.

If he went to the Japanese nation and could grasp some real power, even if it were just ruling over several million Japanese people, it wouldn't feel too bad.

Most importantly, the mountains there were high and the Emperor was far away; no one would be able to control him anymore.

Wasn't that exactly what he had dreamed of?

"Minister Fang, would the King of Japan be willing to hand over power to this prince?"

Li Tai's interest had been piqued by this matter, and he looked at Fang Xuanling with eager eyes, hoping to receive a satisfactory answer.

Fang Xuanling nodded slowly.

"The Japanese Empress Suiko is a woman; she hopes to find a husband from the Great Tang to help her push through reforms and govern the Japanese nation.

After you go there, whether or not you can seize power will depend entirely on yourself.

In any case, this opportunity has been placed right before you!"

"I have to be the man of a queen?"

Li Tai's fat face twitched.

However, thinking about it, it was quite reasonable.

There was no reason for someone to just hand over the throne; it must be something one had to strive for oneself.

This was indeed a good opportunity!

A Japanese woman—wouldn't she be easy to handle?

Li Tai felt that this might be his only chance to change his current predicament.

He hardened his heart and said to Fang Xuanling:

"Minister Fang, I am willing to go!

I am willing to sacrifice myself to open up overseas territories for the Great Tang!"

The words sounded high-minded and honorable, but unfortunately, everyone here was clear about the little schemes hidden in his belly.

Zhangsun Wuji and the three great clans were all somewhat dissatisfied with this decision of Li Tai's.

If Li Tai left, the situation would be somewhat disadvantageous for them.

However, they dared not say anything to Fang Xuanling's face.

They had only just managed to improve their relationship with the Emperor; they couldn't ruin it again with a single sentence.

They could only watch helplessly.

Fang Xuanling chuckled.

"With such a heart to serve the country, I will certainly convey this to His Majesty!

Here, I wish the Prince of Wei success in conquering Empress Suiko in advance!"

Having said that, he leaned close to Li Tai's ear and whispered:

"That Empress Suiko is less than five feet tall and has never seen a man as burly as the Prince of Wei.

If the Prince of Wei goes, you will surely be able to bring her to heel!"

Li Tai laughed.

He seemed to already see a beautiful future beckoning to him.

The major matter was settled.

Even if Zhangsun Wuji and the three great clans wanted to stop it, it was already too late.

Among these people, the happiest one, besides Li Tai, was Fang Xuanling.

This trip to handle official business had almost completely fulfilled the tasks the Emperor had entrusted to him.

This was a good thing for the Great Tang.

In the future, with the people of the three great clans scattered across the corners of the earth, it would be much easier for the imperial court to deal with them.

"Lord Zhangsun, I won't go to see the prisoners of war.

I have completed the mission of this imperial envoy, so I will return early to report to His Majesty.

I will leave the matter of transporting the prisoners of war to Lord Zhangsun."

After speaking, Fang Xuanling signaled for Li Tai to return with him.

Li Tai was busy dreaming of his bright future and followed Fang Xuanling away without even looking back...

He had completely forgotten his previous worries.

Zhangsun Wuji stood behind, watching their group depart, his teeth itching with hatred.

The old man Cui could not sit still and asked:

"Lord Zhangsun, just letting Li Tai go like this—haven't we lost another card in our hand?"

Zhangsun Wuji was also feeling depressed.

Being asked this by the old man Cui, he replied with irritation:

"If he leaves, let him leave; a piece of trash can't be propped up against a wall!

We will just find another backup candidate!"

The old man Lu asked:

"Does Lord Zhangsun already have a backup candidate in mind?"

Zhangsun Wuji gave a sinister smile.

"I've had a backup candidate for a long time, but I haven't had much contact with him, and he isn't obedient enough yet.

He needs us to give him a good beating into shape."

The old man Fan stroked his beard, looked at Zhangsun Wuji's sinister smile, and speculated:

"Is the person Lord Zhangsun is talking about the Prince of Qi?"

"Exactly! Hahahaha..."

Zhangsun Wuji had always been calculating and would think through many things before acting.

He believed the old man Fan had already seen some clues regarding this backup plan of his.

Zhangsun Wuji explained:

"Li You, the Prince of Qi, was born to Consort Yin. His maternal grandfather's entire family was killed by the Retired Emperor!

Moreover, he is a concubine's son and originally had no hope of inheriting the throne.

As long as we persuade him a little, I believe he will agree to rebel."

Once this was said, the old men Fan, Lu, and Cui all understood.

He had previously been in contact with the Chief Clerk of the Prince of Qi's mansion.

This Chief Clerk of the Prince of Qi's mansion was the younger brother of the Prince of Qi's mother, the younger brother of Consort Yin, Yin Hongzhi. Yin Hongzhi had always harbored deep resentment toward the Great Tang.

The incident where an assassination of Li Er was planned earlier was carried out by Yin Hongzhi.

With him influencing the Prince of Qi, I fear the Prince of Qi has long harbored thoughts of rebellion.

"What kind of 'beating into shape' does Lord Zhangsun intend to start with?"

Zhangsun Wuji had long thought about this, but because Li Tai was there before, he hadn't bothered with Li You.

Now that he needed him, it was just right to use him.

"This fellow Yin Hongzhi is a bit crazy and doesn't listen to orders.

We must get rid of this fellow first!"