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

The rain was getting heavier, and the big raindrops hit the glazed tiles of the Tang Dynasty Palace, making a dense knocking sound.

Tang Dynasty Palace.

Inside the Purple Palace, seventy-two palace lanterns illuminated the entire hall as bright as day, but they could not dispel the oppressive and murderous atmosphere.

Li Shiming sat upright on the dragon throne, and the letter in his hand from the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, Chen Pin, had been read over and over again three times.

The ink on the parchment glowed coldly in the candlelight, and each word was like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath.

"My dear friends."

Li Shiming finally spoke, his voice was not loud but it made the whole hall quiet in an instant.

He raised his eyelids and scanned the ministers below with a sharp gaze: "I'm sure you all know the news that the Chu State's Emperor Chu Huai was assassinated."

In the ranks of civil servants, several ministers exchanged glances.

The Minister of Revenue could not help but step forward and said, "Your Majesty, this matter has spread throughout the world. It is said that Chu Huai died in a very tragic way, and the injuries on his body were caused by people in the martial arts world."

"I didn't ask you that."

Li Shiming interrupted coldly and handed the letter to the eunuch beside him: "Read it."

The eunuch's shrill voice echoed in the hall: "The Chu State's Emperor was assassinated. The Chu army's morale is low. We sincerely invite the Tang Dynasty to join us. We will attack from both the east and the west. If we capture a city, we will both take what we need!"

Before he had finished speaking, the Minister of War had already stepped forward excitedly, "Your Majesty! This is a heaven-sent opportunity! The State of Chu has been engaged in numerous campaigns over the past few years, making countless enemies. Now that the Emperor has died, the military will undoubtedly be in turmoil!"

"I second the proposal!"

"The last general is willing to be a pioneer!"

"This battle must be won!"

The court erupted in excitement. The Minister of Works waved his tablet and said, "The Chu army has completely occupied Wei territory. This land is rich in resources. If we can recapture it, the strength of our Tang Dynasty will be greatly enhanced!"

The Minister of Rites' beard trembled with excitement. "That little boy Chu Ning is only in his early twenties. How can he possibly withstand the combined forces of the Tang and Han armies? This battle must be resolved swiftly!"

Li Shiming looked at the excited ministers with an expressionless face, and his right hand unconsciously turned the jade ring on his left thumb.

It was a gift from the Fourth Prince Li Ge before his death, and it felt cold to the touch.

"Is it all over?"

Li Shiming suddenly spoke, his voice was not loud but it brought the noise to an abrupt end.

He slowly stood up, the golden threads on his dragon robe gleaming in the light. "Do you think I don't want to send troops?"

He walked down the stairs, his boots making a dull sound on the jade tiles. "But Chu Ning is as cunning as a fox. At the age of sixteen, he was able to force his father to abdicate. Would he not think of guarding against neighboring countries taking advantage of the mourning period to launch an attack?"

A flash of lightning struck outside the palace, illuminating the emperor's gloomy face.

Amidst the roar of thunder, Li Shiming's voice was particularly clear: "If he is well prepared, our army will not only fail to gain any advantage, but may even fall into a trap."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured on the heads of the ministers.

The Chief Censor hesitated and stepped forward: "Your Majesty's concerns are very true, but if we miss this opportunity..."

"Good opportunity?"

Li Shiming sneered: "A year ago, you also said that conquering Chu was a good opportunity, but what happened?"

His gaze was like a knife as he swept over the ministers who had advocated for war. "The Fourth Prince's body is still warm!"

The hall suddenly fell silent. The sound of rain suddenly became particularly clear, hammering at everyone's nerves.

At this moment, a tall figure moved at the front of the generals' team.

Li Jing, a famous general of the Tang Dynasty, stepped out steadily, his armor clanging with his steps.

"Your Majesty." Li Jing saluted with his fists clasped, his voice as steady as steel: "I believe that we should send troops."

Li Shiming narrowed his eyes: "Oh? Tell me the reason."

Li Jing stood up straight, his eyes sharp as a knife: "First, Chu Huai's death will surely cause the morale of the Chu army to be low. During the period of national mourning, the soldiers will miss home, and their fighting power will be reduced by half."

He took a step forward, his armor clattering. "Secondly, our army and the Han army are attacking from the east and west. The Chu army is scattered and it is difficult to protect both ends. Even if Chu Ning is prepared, it will be difficult to deal with two fronts at the same time."

Li Jing said this, a fierce look flashed in his eyes: "Third..."

His voice suddenly deepened, but every word struck everyone's heart with a heavy blow: "The Fourth Prince's revenge must be avenged!"

These words were like a sharp blade, piercing directly into the softest part of Li Shiming's heart.

Li Shiming clenched his hands suddenly, and the ring dug deep into his flesh.

In the disastrous defeat a year ago, his most beloved fourth son Li Ge was besieged by the Chu army and was eventually defeated and killed.

When the body was brought back, the pair of eyes that refused to close were staring at him!

"General Li, be careful with your words!"

Zhangsun Wuji hurried out, fearing that the emperor would be swayed by his emotions: "State affairs should be weighed based on the pros and cons, how can we let our emotions get the better of us?"

"Shut up!"

Li Shiming suddenly shouted, veins popping out on his forehead. He stared at Li Jing intently, anger and rationality intertwined in his eyes:

"How sure are you?"

Li Jing didn't flinch: "Seventy percent."

After a pause, he added, "If the Han army attacks as planned, it can be increased to 90%."

The sound of rain is getting heavier.

Li Shiming turned around and walked back to the dragon throne, each step seeming to weigh a thousand pounds.

When he sat down again, his expression had regained the composure of an emperor: "Who is the commander of the Chu army's eastern border?"

"Your Majesty, it's Han Xing."

Li Jing immediately replied, "But according to spies, Han Xing was transferred to the western border half a month ago, and the eastern border is now guarded by Chu Kuang."

"Chu Kuang?" Li Shiming frowned. "That martial arts madman?"

"Exactly."

A sneer appeared on Li Jing's lips. "This man is brave but lacks strategy. If he were to face Han Xing, I would only have a 50% chance of success. But against Chu Kuang..."

He didn't finish, but the meaning was clear.

The hall erupted in commotion once again. Several generals, unable to contain themselves, began to challenge for battle.

The Minister of War shouted, "Your Majesty, this opportunity cannot be missed!"

Li Shiming was silent for a long time, and finally nodded slowly: "Pass it on."

All the ministers immediately knelt on the ground.

"Prime Minister Changsun Wuji will immediately reply to the Han Dynasty. I will grant his request."

Li Shiming said in a steady and powerful voice: "Order General Li Ji to quickly contact the Protector of the Han Army, Huo Quji, to arrange a time for the troops to be dispatched."

"Your Majesty is wise!" the ministers shouted in unison.

Li Shiming raised his hand to stop the cheering, his eyes sharp as an eagle: "Remember, this battle must be fought and resolved quickly. If Chu Ning comes to fight in person..."

He paused, his voice icy cold: "Retreat immediately, no lingering battle!"

Li Jing frowned, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he clasped his fists and accepted the order: "I obey your command!"

Amidst the rain, orders came out from the Purple Palace: mobilize food and fodder, reorganize armaments, and send envoys.

The entire Tang Dynasty was like a lion awakening and began to show its fangs.

In the corridor outside the palace, Changsun Wuji stopped Li Jing who was about to leave and said, "General, why do you mention the Fourth Prince? Your Majesty has been..."

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister."

Li Jing interrupted him, rain running down his armor: "Some hatreds must be washed away with blood."

After saying that, he strode into the rain, his back as sharp as a knife.

Inside the Zichen Palace, Li Shiming stood alone in front of the window, looking at the dark rainy night.

The jade ring in his hand had cracks on it at some point.

He whispered to himself: "Chu Ning, can you still have the last laugh this time?"

A flash of lightning streaked across the sky, instantly illuminating the burning fighting spirit in the emperor's eyes.

Thunder roared, as if God was beating the drums for the upcoming war.