Chapter 819

Emperors of all generations have been very wary of keeping private soldiers. Once this opening is made, it will leave endless trouble!

Li Er also didn't want to be the one to make this opening first.

If he did, how would his children and grandchildren rule the country in the future? Sooner or later, the imperial power would be hollowed out by the aristocratic families!

Zhangsun Wuji clearly supported private soldiers, but he didn't dare to say it directly to Li Er like that.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Great Qin spies have already infiltrated Jin Ling city, and it has become unsafe. In the imperial court, everyone is in a panic."

"If some measures are not taken, I fear it will be difficult to convince the masses."

After going in a big circle, in his words, he still approved of aristocratic clans keeping private soldiers.

He even elevated this matter to a topic regarding safety.

Li Er frowned and remained silent.

If he didn't agree to the aristocratic families keeping private soldiers, then he would have to give the civil and military officials an explanation regarding safety.

The imperial court has many soldiers, but one cannot let these soldiers go and guard the homes of aristocratic clans, right?

Using public resources for private gain is a greater hidden danger than keeping private soldiers.

Li Er was at his wit's end.

He waved his hand and said to Zhangsun Wuji.

"I know. Let's wait and see. Wuji, you must absolutely not get mixed up with those aristocratic clans on this matter."

Zhangsun Wuji didn't want to pay heed to the Emperor's warning.

Because he also wanted to keep private soldiers; this matter was also beneficial to him.

"Your Majesty, then I shall take my leave."

As soon as Zhangsun Wuji left the palace, he immediately had someone send word to the four major aristocratic families. He wanted them to enter the palace immediately to pressure the Emperor.

If they don't pressure Li Er to agree at this time, the matter of keeping private soldiers will never be settled in the future.

As for how much trouble it would cause Li Er, he didn't care.

Inside the imperial palace.

Li Er was troubled alone.

Before he had been troubled for long, the people from the four major aristocratic families all requested an audience together.

Almost exactly the same as Zhangsun Wuji, they recounted the story of encountering ghosts last night again.

With tears and sobs, they told it in a way that made Li Er's back feel cold.

Finally, they put forward the same request.

"Your Majesty, aristocratic clans must keep private soldiers, otherwise these vengeful souls will never rest in peace! Even a ritual cannot save them!"

If one or two people said it, it would be fine.

But these aristocratic families adopted a wheel-warfare tactic; Li Er spent the whole day listening to them talk about these ghost stories.

He listened until his scalp went numb and couldn't help but believe it seven or eight parts.

Night fell.

Li Er began to feel that something was wrong; it seemed there were always gusts of cold wind behind his back.

Before his eyes, some phantom images of headless and severed limbs kept flickering.

That night, Li Er slept in a daze. He was half-dreaming and half-awake all night; as soon as he closed his eyes, he started having nightmares.

Li Er's screams in the middle of the night made the entire palace restless all night long.

Everyone was infected by this fearful emotion, causing people to be in a state of panic.

From that night until dawn, Li Er indeed fell ill with a high fever.

Even when the imperial physician came to diagnose his illness, he was still babbling nonsense, constantly saying he saw ghosts.

This caused even the imperial physician to be at his wit's end.

Li Er was somewhat delirious, and the ministers in the court were all panicked.

Zhangsun Wuji, however, saw an opportunity and had the four major aristocratic families continue to request the Emperor to permit the families to keep private soldiers.

At this moment, Li Er's mental defenses were at their weakest.

Li Er was sick and muddled, and he indeed agreed to the request of the four major aristocratic families.

The matter of private soldiers was accomplished!

The military generals were also worried about the Emperor's state; in his current condition, how could he fight Great Qin?

If Li Er collapsed, the Great Tang empire would be finished.

Yuchi Gong and Qin Qiong took the initiative to stand guard for Li Er at night, avoiding his constant terror from thinking he saw evil ghosts.

This matter is magical to say; ever since these two tiger generals came to stand guard, Li Er indeed stopped having nightmares.

Slowly, he recovered from the fearful emotion.

When Li Er recovered and recalled the past, it seemed he had already agreed to the aristocratic clans keeping private soldiers.

A long sigh.

This opening, after all, was still made!