Li Shimin faked his death? Then I will be powerful enough to conquer the world!

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's troops have now completely taken over Chang'an City. I'm afraid our military tokens are now useless in Chang'an."

Yuchi Jingde's brows were tightly furrowed. He lowered his voice deliberately, but his nervousness could not be concealed in his voice.

Li Shimin nodded slightly, his expression as calm as an ancient well.

"It's okay. It's just that Chang'an is temporarily out of control. Once I leave Chang'an, I will still be the emperor. Let's see what this kid Cheng Qian wants to do."

He looked into the distance, as if he wanted to penetrate the layers of palace walls.

Thoughts surged in his deep eyes, and he said thoughtfully, "This kid has been able to quietly develop such a large-scale army over the years. I don't know where he got so much fine iron from. He's really well hidden."

His words showed both surprise at Li Chengqian's methods and a certain degree of relief.

"My son is so capable! I wish Guanyin could see this."

He murmured to himself, his eyes revealing a hint of tenderness and longing.

……

Within half a day, Li Chengqian had actually taken control of the entire Chang'an City.

Surrounded by soldiers and horses as dense as a forest, he dressed in gorgeous clothes and moved into the Taiji Hall with a dignified demeanor.

Stepping into the hall, he looked calm and slowly sat on the dragon throne that symbolized supreme power, exuding awe-inspiring majesty.

"Long live your majesty!"

All the officials paid homage, and the sound was like thunder, echoing in the hall for a long time.

Officials of all ranks came from all directions, filling the entire hall. It was crowded and solemn, and the air was filled with tension and solemnity.

Changsun Wuji's hands and feet were tied tightly and firmly with hemp ropes. The ropes were deeply embedded in his skin, leaving red marks.

He knelt in the center of the hall, his body trembling slightly, looking extremely embarrassed.

A group of officials from aristocratic families knelt tremblingly behind Changsun Wuji. They lowered their heads, but their bodies couldn't help shaking slightly, but they couldn't hide the joy in their eyes.

This will definitely be a great achievement!

Fang Xuanling stood at the head of the civil officials. His eyes were as gentle as water as he looked at the child sitting on the dragon throne with some satisfaction. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly as he sighed in his heart, "He has really grown up."

Li Chengqian sat on the dragon throne, looking down from above with a sharp gaze. He slowly looked around at the civil and military officials on both sides of the hall, feeling a myriad of emotions in his heart.

The people standing below are the backbone of the Tang Dynasty and the all-star lineup of the Tang Dynasty!

The God of War Li Jing stood at the head of the military officers, his posture as straight as a mountain, his face as calm as a rock. He was like a towering mountain, silently guarding the Tang Dynasty. This is what later generations said, "A good warrior has no glorious achievements."

He just stood there quietly, but he had an invisible aura that made people feel awe.

There are three people closest to the dragon throne, and everyone knows that these three people, who are unknown now, will become the most prominent figures in the Tang Dynasty in the future.

Military advisor Mr. Qi has a face as thin as a bamboo and eyes as deep as the abyss, shining with wisdom, as if all the changes in the world are within his calculations, and his eyes seem to be able to see through people's hearts.

General Qin Ruzhao is as burly as a bear and as heroic as a sword. That is the domineering nature honed through countless battles. Every move he makes is fierce on the battlefield.

The guard Zhang Xianhuai has a sharp gaze like lightning. He is always vigilant and pays attention to the movements around him. He is like a cheetah ready to pounce, guarding Li Chengqian's safety.

Li Chengqian’s ability to accumulate such a huge family fortune is inseparable from the full support of these three people. They are like Li Chengqian’s left and right arms and his solid backing.

"Come here, untie Lord Changsun."

Li Chengqian gave an order in a loud and majestic voice.

Two soldiers from the third battalion stepped forward quickly. They were agile and moved like the wind, and they deftly untied the hemp rope on Changsun Wuji.

After being untied, Changsun Wuji knelt on the ground and slowly raised his head. His face was covered with tear marks and his turbid old eyes were full of regret.

Looking at his nephew sitting on the dragon throne, he finally couldn't hold it in any longer. Two lines of turbid old tears flowed down his face. The tears were like a river bursting its banks. His voice was choked with sobs: "Your Majesty, this old minister is foolish! This old minister fabricated the imperial edict and deserves death. I have no face to see the late emperor!"

As he spoke, he slammed his head against the ground, knocking it hard, over and over again, each time filled with endless regret, as if he wanted to pay for all his sins through this kowtow, and blood soon seeped out of his forehead.

Li Tai gritted his teeth, biting his lips until they bled. He stepped out of the crowd, walked heavily to Changsun Wuji's side, and knelt down with a thud. The sound was particularly loud in the silent hall.

"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, colluded with Zhangsun Wuji to fabricate the imperial edict. I am guilty of the death penalty!"

Both of them buried their heads deep in the ground, waiting for Li Chengqian's decision.

None of their confidants spoke out to persuade them at this moment. The whole hall suddenly became so quiet that only the sound of everyone's breathing could be heard. The breathing was rapid and heavy, and the atmosphere was so solemn that it seemed to be solidified, and the air seemed to become sticky.

Li Chengqian, sitting on the dragon throne, closed his eyes and frowned slightly, not knowing what he was waiting for.

Fang Xuanling sighed, his sigh filled with helplessness. He walked out with a solemn expression, holding the jade sceptre in his hand, each step slow and heavy.

"Your Majesty, although the Prince of Wei and Lord Changsun have committed serious offenses, considering the Prince of Wei's contributions to the Tang Dynasty and Lord Changsun Wuji's dedication to the Tang Dynasty, please spare their lives! Let them make amends for their crimes!"

His voice echoed in the hall, with a hint of pleading.

As Fang Xuanling finished speaking, Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde also stood up. They were tall and strong, with extraordinary aura. They said in unison: "Your Majesty, please spare their lives!"

Wei Zheng walked out with an expressionless face. His eyes were as sharp as a knife as he looked at everyone, as if he wanted to see through everyone's thoughts.

"The Prince of Wei colluded with Zhangsun Wuji to fabricate the imperial edict, distorting the emperor's will. They even intended to mobilize troops to resist Your Majesty's entry into the city, intent on supporting the Prince of Jin's ascension to the throne. They dared to secretly suppress the news of the late emperor's death, isolating Your Majesty from Chang'an, and even falsely reported that Your Majesty was critically ill and incurable. These two men's crimes are too numerous to list. I beg Your Majesty to execute them, just punishment! Otherwise, there will be endless trouble in the future. Treason is a grave crime and cannot be forgiven!"

Wei Zheng's words were decisive and resounding, and every word was like a bombshell, causing everyone in the court to gasp.

Fang Xuanling's expression was even more complicated, his brows were furrowed, he secretly groaned in his heart, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Before he came, His Majesty specifically instructed that the lives of these two people must be saved at all costs.

He knew very well that if Li Chengqian insisted on having his own way, Li Shimin would have no choice but to reveal his identity and risk his reputation to save the two men. The scene would be unimaginable.

Li Chengqian slowly opened his eyes, and his gaze swept across the people below like lightning, his eyes revealing majesty and determination.

"Prince Li Tai of Wei is my younger brother. Although he committed a grave offense, it was ultimately due to his being bewitched. From this day forward, all salaries will be reduced and you will reside in the Wude Hall. You may not leave without my permission. Reflect on your actions!"

When Li Tai heard this, he suddenly raised his head, his eyes full of gratitude, which seemed to be overflowing from his eyes.

Although he was placed under house arrest, he at least retained his position as prince and saved his life.

"I thank you very much for your mercy, my royal brother." His voice trembled slightly, and he was relieved to have survived the disaster.

"As for you, Changsun Wuji, you are my uncle and the late emperor's right-hand man. How could you be so foolish as to be used as a pawn?"

There was a hint of reproach in Li Chengqian's tone, and a trace of regret flashed in his eyes.

"From this day forward, Changsun Wuji will be stripped of all official positions, demoted to a commoner, and required to surrender 90% of his property. He is also prohibited from leaving the country without the emperor's permission."

Hearing Li Chengqian's words, Changsun Wuji suddenly raised his head, his eyes full of disbelief, and his eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe what he heard.

"Your Majesty? I am so foolish, why don't you kill me according to the law?" His voice was filled with tears and his face was full of astonishment.

Li Chengqian glanced at Changsun Wuji, his expression softened a little, and there was a hint of tenderness in his eyes.

"You are the late emperor's most trusted person, his right-hand man. Even if you have committed such a crime, I will not kill you. Go back and reflect on your actions."

"Thank you!"

Changsun Wuji was in tears and kept knocking his head on the ground of the Golden Palace. Each knock was filled with complex emotions, including regret, gratitude, and self-blame.

Upon hearing Li Chengqian's verdict, Wei Zheng couldn't help but speak out, "Your Majesty! This verdict is far too frivolous and detrimental to the moral education of the people. If anyone follows suit, the Tang Dynasty will be plunged into endless civil strife! Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

His tone was urgent and his eyes were full of worry.

Li Chengqian glanced at Wei Zheng and said firmly, "Wei Zheng, I still want to call you Teacher. But this is my intention. I have made up my mind. I am not the late emperor. Withdraw."

There was unquestionable majesty in his eyes.

Wei Zheng's expression changed, his lips trembled slightly, and a trace of struggle flashed in his eyes, but in the end he did not confront Li Chengqian head-on.

As he said, Li Chengqian was not the previous emperor and had not yet officially ascended the throne, so he needed authority.

No matter what, Wei Zheng would not damage Li Chengqian's reputation now, as he was well aware of the interests involved.

Li Chengqian's decision gave many people a sense of luck.

Good people are easily bullied, and so seems the same for good emperors. The King of Wei and Zhangsun Wuji committed such a big mistake, but Your Majesty picked it up high and put it down lightly.

If it is my turn in the future, I am afraid that Your Majesty will be soft-hearted and make a big thing small, or a small thing nothing.

For a time, the entire court was filled with flattering voices. Those voices were noisy and flattering. Everyone felt that the matter was over, and the tense atmosphere seemed to dissipate a lot in an instant.

Unexpectedly, Li Chengqian changed the subject and his eyes suddenly became sharp, like a hawk staring at its prey.

"I just said that my brother and uncle were simply deceived. Now I want to eliminate the main culprit. Come, arrest all the officials from the aristocratic families, headed by Minister Cui. The remaining officials from the Five Surnames and Seven Prestigious Names in the court must all step out so that I can take a good look at you!"

His voice exploded like thunder.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes widened with expressions of horror, as if the end of the world had come.

Besides the three people standing under the throne, even the known tough Wei Zheng's face changed drastically, and he said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely not allowed!"

His voice was a little out of tune.

Cui Chan, Cui Sheng, Wang Yanfu, Lu Xiangjun and other officials from aristocratic families thought for a moment that they had misheard. They looked at each other with astonishment in their eyes.

However, the soldiers of the three camps did not care whether they were from aristocratic families or not, they only obeyed Li Chengqian's orders.

The aristocratic families of Xianyang, big and small, had long been cleared out by His Majesty. Now that they were taking action against these families, they felt it was only natural and walked towards the officials of those families without hesitation, with coldness and determination in their eyes.