Chapter 131

Within a few short months.

Great Tang has raised troops three times!

Although the damage is not much, the consumption of troops, horses, money, and grain is huge.

The family fortune that Great Tang has accumulated over the past few years has been almost exhausted in these few wars.

If we raise troops to conquer Qin again, we really can't hold on.

"Hmph! I have already made a promise in front of the people of the world; as the saying goes, a monarch's words are not a joke, how can I play around? Besides, Qin Mu has indeed insulted Great Tang too much. If I swallow my pride, what will the people of the world think of me?"

Although the words were spoken in a high-sounding manner, Li Er was annoyed in his heart.

Annoyed to death!

He wanted war to break out less than anyone else!

Especially at the critical moment of reform, the most taboo thing is turmoil and unrest.

But there's no way!

Some people just want to make Great Tang chaotic!

One moment it's Qin Mu, one moment it's Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji, and one moment it's the obstruction of the aristocratic families!

Reform is simply as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Now he has been forced by Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji to make a promise to lead the expedition personally.

If he doesn't keep his promise, wouldn't he be a laughingstock to the people of the world?

The secret behind Li Er's ascension to the throne!

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Li Er couldn't afford to lose face!

Of course!

Just as Qin Mu said.

Li Er would not be led by the nose by Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji.

Since it must be fought, it's better to find a way to minimize the losses.

Still the old method!

Openly repair the plank road, secretly cross the Chencang.

On the surface, go to war with Great Qin, but in reality, remain still.

Sigh!

There's no other way!

"For this expedition, let the Crown Prince supervise the country, and the Duke of Zhao, Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji, assist in the government. Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, you two will accompany me on the expedition." After arranging the affairs, Li Er went to rest.

At night, everything was silent.

North of Changancheng, there was a dilapidated City God Temple.

At this time, the temple was pitch black.

Through the light, one could vaguely see a few figures.

One of them was Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji!

Besides him, there were five other people around.

However, they were all wearing cloaks and wide black hats, covering their entire faces tightly, making it impossible to see who they were.

"Duke of Zhao, have you decided?"

One of the black-robed men asked in a hoarse voice.

"I have decided! This time the Emperor is going on an expedition, taking Fang Fang Xuanling and Du Du Ruhui with him. In this way, there will be no one in Changancheng who is my opponent."

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji nodded slightly.

"Good! Since that's the case, let's do it!"

Another black-robed man said in a low voice.

"Hmph! The Emperor is already old and confused, actually wanting to carry out some reform in Great Tang? And sharing 100,000 books with the scholars of the world! Isn't this cutting off our path to survival? In the future, won't our descendants have to serve as officials with those lowly people?"

Another black-robed man said in a muffled voice.

"Since he won't let us live, we will just go all the way and directly push the Crown Prince to ascend the throne and become Emperor! We were able to support the Emperor to ascend the throne back then, and today we can also support the Crown Prince."

"Well said!"

"This world is just a game for our aristocratic families! Since we can no longer control the characters in the game, let's just change them!"

These black-robed men spoke very calmly, but their tone was terrifyingly arrogant.

Not only did they say that Li Er ascended the throne with their help, but they even compared the Great Tang empire to a chessboard of a game!

And Li Er was just a pawn in their hands!

A pawn to rule the world!

Truly shocking remarks!

If an ordinary person heard these remarks, they might be scared to the point of fainting.

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji listened to these people's conversation with a smile, seemingly not surprised, nor having any doubt.

It seemed that the power of these five people was enough to overturn the entire Great Tang empire!

"Coo coo coo coo!"

Just at this moment, a cuckoo's call suddenly came from outside the City God Temple.

Subsequently.

Another figure walked in.

It was Crown Prince Li Li Chengqian!

"Uncle, what kind of place is this? Why did you bring me here in the middle of the night?"

Li Li Chengqian looked around, seeing black-robed men whose faces he couldn't see, the temple was dead silent, eerie and terrifying, making him get goosebumps.

"Crown Prince, three days later, the Emperor will lead the expedition personally and take away the two great strategists, Fang Fang Xuanling and Du Du Ruhui. In this way, let me assist you in governing the country in the capital; this is a perfect opportunity that will never come again!"

"Gulp!"

"Uncle, are you saying you want to rebel?"

Li Li Chengqian swallowed, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

"Hmph!"

A black-robed man couldn't help but sneer when he saw this.

What a useless person!

"That's right! I have been planning for a long time, and the opportunity has finally arrived! Crown Prince, this time we must burn our bridges! If we succeed, the Crown Prince will be able to rule the world!" Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji said with a sharp aura.

"Uncle, who are they?"

Looking at these black-robed men, Li Li Chengqian felt extremely uncomfortable in his heart.

It felt as if he was being spied on all over his body.

"Don't worry, they are all our allies. Your father ascended the throne and became Emperor after launching the Xuanwu Gate Incident under their planning and help."

"Not just your father, even the two emperors of the Sui Dynasty were able to unify the empire with the help of their families."

"Later, Emperor Yang of Sui opened the imperial examination privately and carried out large-scale reforms, wanting to completely erase their families from history, and as a result, he ended up dead and his country destroyed." Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji explained indifferently.

"What did you say!? My father's ascension to the throne was their credit? The establishment and destruction of the Great Sui Dynasty were also their doing?"

Li Li Chengqian widened his eyes, looking at the black-robed men in front of him in disbelief.

This is simply too unbelievable!

Is this world a toy in their hands?

They give it to whoever they want!

Who exactly are they?

How could they have such terrifying power?

Li Li Chengqian's worldview had somewhat collapsed!

The existence of these people was beyond his understanding!

"Crown Prince, don't be so panicked. There are many secrets and darkness in this world that far exceed your imagination."

"Don't worry! Since we could help your father ascend the throne back then, we can also help you ascend the throne today."

"For you, the son of a peasant woman, to be able to become the Emperor of Great Tang, it can be considered that your ancestral graves are smoking."

"Hehehe!"