That night.
In Taiji Palace, the lights above Lingyan Pavilion are brightly lit.
The list of heroes has been planned for a long time, but Lingyan Pavilion was just completed this year.
At the moment of completion, the portraits of the twenty-four heroes were immediately hung up to highlight their illustrious contributions.
Li Shimin stood on the roof of the building, leaning on the railing, silent and looking a little sad.
"His Majesty."
Changsun Wuji quietly walked up, cupped his hands and said,
"It has been found out that a coup has indeed occurred in Goguryeo."
"The powerful minister Quan Gaesumun designed to kill King Yeongryu of Goguryeo and hundreds of trusted ministers under King Yeongryu!"
"The current king of Goguryeo, Gaozang, is the nephew of King Yeongliu and a puppet supported by Gesuwen."
"Nowadays, all the power in Goguryeo is controlled by one person. It can be said that the power is overwhelming."
Li Shimin looked stern.
"Killing so many ministers in one go? This Quan Gaisuwen is quite a ruthless character."
He mused,
"I am very worried that Goguryeo is controlled by such a person..."
In the past two years, Li Shimin felt more and more lack of energy, so he put all his focus on cultivating Li Zhi and paving the way for him.
Neighboring countries will never allow wolves, tigers and leopards like Yinan Khan and Quan Gaisuwen!
"Yes, after Quan Gaesumun came to power, he repeatedly used troops against Silla and invaded more than fifty cities in Silla."
Changsun Wuji said in a deep voice,
"Silla complained endlessly and asked Datang for help several times."
"Your Majesty, Silla is our ally of the Tang Dynasty, and we can't seem to ignore it."
Li Shimin slowly closed his eyes.
After a moment, he suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes filled with determination!
"Auxiliary machine, I want to go crazy!"
He said,
"If I were to send troops to attack Goguryeo, would you support it?!"
Changsun Wuji was stunned, a little confused:
"This... is naturally supported."
"The Tang Dynasty has been recuperating for two years, and the conditions for using troops have become mature."
"If Your Majesty wants to send troops, I think there won't be much opposition from the government and the public. After all... the person who would oppose you the most is no longer here."
What he was talking about was naturally Wei Zheng.
A few months before Lingyan Pavilion was completed, Wei Zheng passed away due to serious illness at the age of sixty-four.
On the day of the burial, Li Shimin cried very sadly.
"Yes... Wei Zheng is gone, no one can stop me."
Li Shimin leaned on the railing and looked at it with emotion,
"A Lingyan Pavilion is built, but the heroes can't come together."
"This is my biggest regret..."
That was why he felt so sad just now.
Changsun Wuji also fell into silence.
At this time, any words of comfort are useless, it is best to just shut up.
"Actually, you don't understand what I mean."
Li Shimin suddenly looked at Changsun Wuji and said seriously,
"When I say sending troops, I mean that my imperial commander personally conducts the expedition!"
"If so, will you support me?"
Changsun Wuji: "!!!"
This sentence shocked him all over, and his legs went weak and he almost fell to his knees!
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty! Are you kidding me?"
He said in astonishment,
"Such a joke is not fun! There are so many military generals in the court, and Goguryeo is so small. Why does it need you to conquer it personally?"
"Stop making trouble, no one will agree to this! No civil and military officials in the dynasty will agree!"
"You must not have this intention!"
Changsun Wuji quickly poured ice water on him, trying to extinguish the spark in Li Shimin's heart.
"……Why."
Li Shimin sighed and looked a little melancholy.
At this moment, a voice suddenly sounded from downstairs:
"Tsk, who is this artist? He didn't even draw half of my charm!"
"What I want is that mysterious feeling of desolation with your back to all living beings. Just leave half of your face in profile! This is called hazy!"
"This painting looks like a fool..."
Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji looked at each other.
The two of them knew that it was the lazy uncle who was here.
In Lingyan Pavilion, Xu Fenglei had just arrived and was looking at the portrait.
"The auxiliary engine looks quite similar, not bad..."
"Xuanling's painting is also good. It can be said that the charm of the painting is shown. Xuanling, come over and take a look!"
"Jingde and Shubao can indeed be door gods! Hahahaha..."
"..."
At this time, many people had gathered in the attic, but they were all very quiet. Even when they communicated, they were whispering to each other, unlike Xu Fenglei who raised his voice.
"Master, congratulations."
Fang Xuanling cupped her hands and said with a smile,
"Master Lingyan, you are number one!"
After hearing this, all the elders came up to congratulate him.
No one would have any objection to Xu Fenglei being the number one hero.
After all, his achievements and qualifications were there, and none of the elders present could compare with him.
"Hahaha, thank you very much, you're not bad either."
Xu Fenglei smiled and said,
"If you ask me, with your merits, you can be among the top three! You are Xiao He of the Tang Dynasty!"
"You're ranked sixth, so don't feel bad."
Fang Xuanling shook his head repeatedly.
"Of course not. Duke Zhao's achievements are far greater than mine. As for Ruhui and Xuancheng, they are both deceased, so they should be at the forefront."
He said sincerely,
"Even this sixth place feels a bit high to me."
Snap.
"Don't belittle yourself. No matter how capable you are, you deserve no matter how honored you are."
Xu Fenglei patted Fang Xuanling on the shoulder and said carelessly.
Fang Xuanling smiled bitterly.
All the elders also laughed along.
Ever since he came back from Jiufei Mountain, Xu Fenglei has had this kind of behavior and always speaks as he pleases. He can say whatever he wants without any "high emotional intelligence speech" at all.
Li Shimin has always acquiesced that he is so tolerant.
However, in summary, it is because he is strong without desire. He wants nothing and naturally has no scruples.
Click!
Taking a bite of the plump pear, Xu Fenglei pointed at Li Xiaogong in the portrait and said:
"Actually, Li Xiaogong shouldn't be ranked so high. Medicine Master, it's almost as good as switching positions with him."
Li Jing's expression suddenly changed: "!!!"
He waved his hands repeatedly and was about to paint when he saw Li Shimin walking over with a dark face.
"What are you yelling about? I can hear you yelling at me from upstairs!"
Li Er scolded.
When all the senators saw the emperor, they all bowed down and worshiped him.
"See Your Majesty."
"See Your Majesty." Xu Fenglei saluted with a smile.
Li Shimin rolled his eyes at Xu Fenglei and said:
"Is everyone here?"
"Let's all take a seat. Today is not a formal meeting. I am taking advantage of the completion of Lingyan Pavilion to get together and talk with my old brothers."
After hearing this, all the elders left the portrait exhibition room and sat in the hall.
In the hall, Prince Li Zhi was already holding a wine flask, standing obediently.
"Child slave, pour wine for your elders."
Li Shimin took the main seat and gave instructions.
"Yes, Father."
Li Zhi responded, walked down, and brought the wine bottle to Li Ji.
"Ouch, this can't be done!"
Li Ji waved his hands quickly, looking flattered.
"Make, make."
Li Zhi poured wine and said with a smile,
"You have made great contributions to the country and deserve this glass of wine. Please accept it with peace of mind."
When Li Ji heard this, he thanked him repeatedly and looked extremely respectful.
After pouring a glass of wine, Li Zhi turned to look at Tang Jian.
"Your Highness, I will do it myself, I will do it myself."
"How can I trouble you, Your Highness... Oh, thank you, Your Highness, thank you, Your Highness..."
"..."
Li Zhi poured the wine one by one, pouring more than a dozen glasses in a row, and there were endless thanksgivings at the table.
This is the prince pouring wine!
How many ministers have been treated like this throughout the ages?
Your Majesty really has nothing to say to them!
Just this pouring of wine made the elders feel warm in their hearts.
"Uncle, please."
Li Zhi poured a glass of wine for Changsun Wuji affectionately and showed a bright smile.
"Hey, okay, thank you, Your Highness."
Changsun Wuji touched Li Zhi's face and said with a smile,
"We haven't seen you for a few days. His Royal Highness has grown taller and looks more and more like His Majesty."
"In the future, I will be as wise and powerful as Your Majesty. My uncle's eyes are never wrong!"
Li Zhi smiled even brighter.
"Thank you for the compliment, uncle. You eat more vegetables. You work hard on state affairs and have lost a lot of weight."
His words were also full of concern.
Everyone looked at it with a little envy.
The relationship between this pair of uncle and nephew is so good!
In the future, Changsun Wuji will definitely have a high and powerful position in the new dynasty! Continue to stand at the top of the imperial court!
"well……"
Changsun Wuji smiled from ear to ear, pointed at Xu Fenglei and said,
"Go and pour a drink for your master!"
Li Zhi nodded and looked at Xu Fenglei, but his expression was a little reserved.
"Master, let me pour you some wine."
He picked up Xu Fenglei's wine glass and poured a glass gently.
The hand was very steady and not a drop was spilled.
When facing other elders, Li Zhi is more casual; when facing Changsun Wuji, Li Zhi is more approachable.
But when he finally faced Master Xu Fenglei, he was reserved and respectful, even a little cautious.
In the past two years, he often came to ask for advice. Originally, the relationship between the two parties was relatively harmonious, but when he frequently showed interest in Wu Erya, Xu Fenglei became very cold towards him.
So much so that Li Zhi now doesn’t dare to go to the Duke’s Mansion of Jin all the time...
"Um."
Xu Fenglei said lightly,
"Thank you, Prince. I'll go pour some wine for your father."
"Yes, Master." Li Zhi bowed, then turned around and walked to Li Shimin's side, pouring a glass for his father.
Seeing this scene, all the elders were secretly frightened.
Xu Gong's attitude towards Li Zhi was far worse than his original treatment of Li Chengqian!
If he does this, won't he worry that the new prince will be dissatisfied and will give him small shoes after he ascends the throne?
"good."
Li Shimin naturally had a panoramic view of Xu Fenglei's expression, but at this moment he had no time to think deeply, so he picked up the wine glass and said,
"Everyone, please raise your glass."
Swish.
All the elders stood up and held up their wine glasses.
Yu Chigong and Cheng Yaojin, who were both disheveled, sniffed the wine and praised it.
"This wine tastes so good!"
"Hehe, you can get him drunk today and then you'll be done with it!"
They waited for Li Shimin's order and drank the glass of wine in one gulp.
But at this moment, Li Shimin said in a deep voice:
"This first glass of wine is for the old brothers who can't come."
"My Lingyan Pavilion has twenty-four portraits of heroes. Each of them has made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty and me."
"I really want everyone to get together and drink this glass of wine... Unfortunately, I can't do it."
"Li Xiaogong, Du Ruhui, Wei Zheng, Yu Shinan, Changsun Shunde, Qin Qiong..."
"Their vivid figures are still in front of me; their voices, faces, and smiles are all in my heart... It's sad, it's lamentable... Woohoo!"
When it came to the emotional part, Li Shimin's eyes were filled with tears and he even shed tears!
All the elders were infected by his emotions and their eyes turned red.
yes!
They are all old brothers! We have been through life and death, and we have made great achievements together!
But now... I am sitting here, and they are buried in the ground.
Maybe in two years, I will be buried in the ground.
Nothing could make the weather-beaten, battle-hardened old man cry, unless it was the thought of his former comrades-in-arms.
"Come!"
Li Shimin sniffed, raised his glass and said,
"I feel that they have always been there! They are just protecting us secretly!"
"I'll give this cup to them first!"
Wow!
Blah blah blah!
The wine poured down and soaked the carpet.
The aroma of wine filled the air, but the atmosphere at the table was sad and melancholy.
"Okay, okay, okay."
Li Shimin said,
"Prince, pour more wine!"
"Let's drink this second cup ourselves!"
"Old brothers, we are all getting older, and gatherings like this are getting fewer and fewer people every time. Maybe in a few years, you will be gone, or maybe... I will be gone."
"So... if you have wine now, you will get drunk now! Just like what we did in Tiance Mansion, drink him Lingding and get drunk, drink him until he is drunk!"
"If anyone can come out of here standing today, he is a coward!"
"Come on, drink! Open your stomach and drink!"
I gave a toast to an old friend to relieve my sorrow.
Everything after that is just to shed sorrow and have fun according to orders!
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Come on, drink! I'll drink this cup for my brother!"
"I'll also have a drink for Ruhui..."
"Okay, done!"
No matter the civil servants or military generals, they all let themselves go at this moment, leaving everything behind and just drinking!
Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling were a little bit better, they were quite polite even if they drank heavily, but Yu Chigong, Cheng Yaojin and the others were different, they were so anxious that they wanted to jump directly into the wine vat!
As the only waiter in the room, Li Zhi was almost overwhelmed!
Of all the people present, only Old God Xu Fenglei was there. He did not join them to let themselves go, but just drank by himself.
When someone offered a toast, he would join in a glass.
No one was toasting, so he just ate some side dishes.
Like an outsider...
"Listen Ming, why don't you go crazy with them?"
At this time, Li Shimin had drank several drinks, his face turned red, he looked at Xu Fenglei, and said with some dissatisfaction,
"Drink!"
"I told you, you can be as wild as you want today! You can be drunk and crazy!"
"Such a gathering is rare, rare..."
Li Er was also a little drunk. Li Zhi hurriedly stepped forward, gave him a cup of sobering tea, and said with concern:
"Father, drink less, you are weak..."
"Don't just drink, eat more food, and I'll keep this tea ready for you... you can tell me anytime after you finish it..."
(End of chapter)
