Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

The next day.

Under the scorching sun, the scorching heat seems to melt the earth.

Tens of thousands of elite Tang troops lined up in the north, with flags covering the sky and spears standing in rows.

The Chu army in the south was also on high alert, and its momentum was no weaker than that of the Tang army.

A hundred feet of open space was left between the two armies, with a red sandalwood table covered with black brocade in the center.

Suddenly, we heard long horns and deafening drum beats from the Tang camp.

The camp gates opened one after another, and first a group of elite cavalrymen in black armor filed out. Their iron hooves stomped on the ground like thunder, scaring the war horses of the Chu army in the south so much that they neighed in anxiety.

The cavalry was divided into two groups on both sides, and the central army's large banner slowly came out. The banner was more than three feet high, with a red background and a gold border, and the word "Tang" was written on it like a dragon soaring into the sky.

The man under his command sat upright on horseback, his figure as straight as a pine tree. It was none other than the current emperor Li Shiming.

He did not wear military uniform today, but instead wore a crimson gauze robe with twelve chapter patterns embroidered with gold thread, a Yuanyou crown on his head, a jade hairpin across his body, and a Ding Tang sword hanging from a nine-ring gold and jade belt around his waist. There were nine dragons coiled on the scabbard, which corresponded to the number nine and five.

Although it is a scholar's attire, it is more majestic than armor.

This is the emperor's regular dress when attending court. Wearing it in front of the two armies clearly tells the State of Chu: I regard you as my court officials.

Only when you get closer can you see the holy face.

Li Shimin was only forty-five years old. His sword-like eyebrows slanted into his temples, his phoenix eyes were majestic, his pupils were as bright as lightning, his nose was like a hanging gall bladder, his lips were as thin as a blade, and the lines of his jaw were as firm as an axe.

He had a short beard, which was trimmed meticulously. His face was calm at the moment, but the domineering aura between his brows made the three armies hold their breath.

The white-hoofed black warhorse came to the table with steady steps.

Li Shiming controlled the reins with one hand and placed the other hand casually on the hilt of the sword.

"Where is the Crown Prince of Chu?"

Li Shiming's voice was not loud, but it was as loud as gold and jade falling to the ground, and it was clearly heard on both sides of the strait.

As soon as he finished speaking, a dull horn sounded from the Chu camp on the south bank.

I saw a group of red-armored cavalrymen slowly approaching with a bronze chariot.

The young man in the car was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, wearing a red dragon robe and a seven-tassel crown on his head. He had a handsome face and exuded vigor. It was Chu Ning, the crown prince of Chu.

The chariot stopped fifty paces away.

Chu Ning's eyes flickered as he looked Li Shiming up and down.

Li Shiming chuckled upon seeing this and raised his hand to signal.

The attendant immediately placed a Hu bed on each side of the table, covering the left side with yellow silk and the right side with red silk.

"Prince Chu is a guest from afar."

He dismounted, his scarlet cape billowing behind him. "Please."

This simple word made Chu Ning's face change slightly.

According to etiquette, the east is respected and the north is superior.

At this moment, the Tang army was lined up in the north, and Li Shiming naturally sat in the east.

If Chu Ning took a seat as requested, it would mean that he admitted that Chu was inferior to Tang.

Thinking of this, Chu Ning suddenly chuckled: "Sitting down in front of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty seems a bit arrogant."

Li Shiming laughed loudly: "It is said that the Crown Prince of Chu never suffers any loss. I never thought that after seeing him today, it is indeed as the rumors say."

"But if you don't sit down, do you want to talk to me while standing?"

"Why not?"

Chu Ning raised the corner of his mouth slightly and said calmly: "It's only a few words, it won't take long."

"Oh?"

Li Shiming narrowed his eyes, and a strange look flashed across his eyes: "In this case, I want to hear how the Crown Prince of Chu talks to me after he detains Jincheng!"

Li Shiming was still upset about Princess Jincheng being detained.

Before the negotiation, he naturally wanted to get Chu Ning's guarantee and explanation first.

Chu Ning was not surprised by this, and waved his right hand back: "Come here, bring Princess Jincheng up!"

At a command, the Chu army behind formed a formation and a purple carriage slowly moved forward.

The maid lifted the curtain, revealing Princess Jincheng's delicate face.

"Father..."

Princess Jincheng was so excited to see her father that she was about to get out of the car.

But Zhao Yu in front of him waved his spear and blocked Princess Jincheng: "Princess Jincheng, please respect yourself!"

"Without the order of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, you can't go anywhere!"

This scene made Li Shiming's face suddenly gloomy.

"Prince of Chu, what do you mean?" Li Shiming stared at Chu Ning, a cold look flashing in his eyes.

Chu Ning said calmly, "I just want to remind His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty that Princess Jincheng is in my hands now!"

"As long as she is obedient, I promise that she will be safe and sound."

"Okay, now we can talk about our business."

After he finished speaking, he waved his right hand, turned the carriage around, and took Princess Jincheng back to the Chu army camp.

This scene filled the Tang army with indignation, and many soldiers wanted to rush up and fight with the Chu army!

But Li Shiming raised his hand and shouted, "Stand still!"

"Your Majesty, but the princess..."

"Shut up, everyone, get out of here!"

Li Shiming's whole body burst into energy and he turned around and angrily scolded the Tang army.

Although the Tang army was furious, they did not take action due to Li Shiming's power and retreated back to their camps.

At this moment, Li Shiming took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down, then turned to look at Chu Ning:

"The Crown Prince of Chu is very cunning. He actually dared to threaten me with the Golden City!"

"Aren't you afraid that I might get angry and lead my troops to fight you?"

"Although your cavalry is quite capable, the number of my troops far exceeds yours. You have no chance of winning!"

But Chu Ning shrugged his shoulders and looked nonchalant: "Even if the Tang army can win, Princess Jincheng will definitely die!"

"The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty is a wise ruler. He should settle this account."

"Besides, I am not here today to fight with the Tang army."

This rogue look made it difficult for Li Shiming to take action.

He stared at Chu Ning, as if trying to see whether what he said was true or false!

After a long while, Li Shiming finally couldn't help it, raised his eyes, and said in a deep voice: "How can you let Jincheng go back?"

"Don't worry, Emperor Tang. I will talk to you about Princess Jincheng after I finish my business with you."

Chu Ning smiled and said, "There were nine dynasties in the world, but now only five are left. I believe the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty also has the ambition to unify the world!"

"How about this, you Great Tang conquers Wei, and I, Chu, will not interfere."

"And while you are sending troops to Wei, my Chu is willing to send troops to attack the Han Dynasty, making it impossible for Wei and Han to form an alliance."

"Wouldn't it be easier to get twice the result with half the effort after you and I have conquered the Han Dynasty and the Wei Kingdom respectively?"

This statement was beyond Li Shiming's expectations.

He guessed that Chu Ning wanted to join forces with him, but he didn't expect that Chu Ning would take action against the Han Dynasty.

Choose a powerful dynasty to start with?

Give up the relatively weaker Wei State?

What is Chu Ning up to?

Thinking of this, Li Shiming narrowed his eyes and a strange look flashed across his eyes:

"If I agree, will you immediately release me back to Jincheng?"

"Also, I want to know why you chose the Han Dynasty instead of Sima Yi of Wei?"

He was very puzzled. If he didn't ask clearly, he would not agree easily!