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

"Princess Wencheng went to Tibet?" Li Chengqian raised his lips with an ambiguous smile.

The atmosphere in the hall froze instantly. Fang Xuanling and Ma Zhou looked at each other, and saw shock and worry in each other's eyes.

"I don't agree!" Li Chengqian's voice exploded like thunder in the silent hall.

Fang Xuanling and Ma Zhou's faces were instantly filled with horror. Ma Zhou stood up suddenly and walked quickly to the center of the hall.

He knelt on the ground with a plop and said anxiously, "Your Majesty! This is what the late emperor agreed to."

"Last year, our Tang Dynasty meticulously prepared for this marriage, conducting six trials for the marriage envoys. This matter has already spread widely and become a legendary story. If Your Majesty were to go back on your word now, how would the world view our Tang Dynasty?"

Fang Xuanling also knelt down immediately, with his head lowered and brows furrowed, hoping that this would make the emperor change his mind.

Li Chengqian sneered, "A good story? Humph, Songtsen Gampo is indeed a Tibetan leader of great talent and strategy."

"In the eighth year of the Zhenguan reign, he sent an envoy to the Tang Dynasty to propose marriage. The envoy brought with him a staggeringly generous gift, but my father did not agree at the time. But what happened next?"

Li Chengqian's voice gradually became louder, and anger flashed in his eyes.

"After Songtsen Gampo's marriage proposal was rejected, he used the excuse that Tuyuhun was obstructing him and brazenly sent troops to attack Tuyuhun."

"Tuyuhun was no match for the Tibetans. His army was quickly defeated by the powerful Tibetan offensive and retreated like a tide. The Tibetan army pursued the Tuyuhun army, and Tuyuhun was defeated without any chance to fight back. He was forced to retreat north of Qinghai Lake."

"I'd like to ask, is this Songtsen Gampo demonstrating to the Tang Dynasty? Does he think he can use this to threaten the Tang Dynasty? In his eyes, is the Tang Dynasty just a monkey that can be intimidated at will?"

There was a dead silence in the hall, and the four ministers fell silent. They were well aware of the seriousness of the matter, but they also knew that every word His Majesty said was true.

"After defeating Tuyuhun, Tibet expanded further eastward like a horse that had broken free from its reins. It was like a sharp blade hanging high on the western border of the Tang Dynasty, constantly threatening the security of the Tang Dynasty."

"They even carried out wanton military activities in the western border areas of the Tang Dynasty, burning, killing, looting, and committing all kinds of atrocities. Songzhou, which was originally the land of the Tang Dynasty, was plundered by the Tibetans."

"At that time, the Tang Dynasty was plagued by internal and external troubles, and was unable to resist their evil deeds."

"Tell me, can I marry Princess Wencheng to such a man? Do you want me to swallow my anger and send my Tang princess into the mouth of that tiger and wolf?"

Li Chengqian stood up suddenly and waved his robe, showing the majesty of an emperor.

"Zhang Xianhuai!"

Li Chengqian shouted loudly.

"The general is here!"

Zhang Xianhuai took a step forward and knelt on one knee.

"Go inform the Tibetan envoy, Lu Dongzan. If you want to propose marriage, let Songtsen Gampo come to Chang'an himself to propose marriage. I don't care about the six marriage trials. I am the emperor and I have my own decision."

"A new emperor chooses his own ministers. I will never recognize this marriage forced upon the Tang Dynasty!"

"If Tubo wants to fight, I will accept the challenge completely. If I don't defeat the Tubo Dynasty and destroy its people, I will commit suicide in the Taimiao to thank the world!"

Li Chengqian's words were so powerful that they echoed in the hall.

"According to the order!"

Zhang Xianhuai bowed slightly, with a determined light in his eyes. He knew that His Majesty had made up his mind.

Li Chengqian glanced at the ministers kneeling on the ground, his eyes sharp as a knife: "I just want to take this opportunity to give you a reminder today."

"I am not Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. I have been the crown prince for fifteen years."

"In water, out fire, on business in Xianyang, a tough guy who came from the common people in other provinces!"

"I have read all the books you have read, and I have also read all the books you have not read!"

"Back in Xianyang, I slaughtered those corrupt officials from aristocratic families who committed crimes for three days and three nights! Even though heads rolled down my face, I was never afraid."

"Would I still be afraid of Songtsen Gampo's threats?"

All four of them knelt on the ground, silent as a mouse. They felt His Majesty's anger and determination, which were like a volcanic eruption.

"You are all here today, so I will directly establish the spirit of the Tang Dynasty. Future rulers must follow it."

"Starting with me! In the Li Tang Dynasty, there will be no marriage alliances, no indemnities, no cession of territory, and no tribute. The Son of Heaven will guard the national borders, and the King will die for the country!"

Li Chengqian's words were like the sound of a huge bell, so deafening that the souls of the four people kneeling on the ground trembled.

"Long live your majesty!"

The four of them shouted in unison.

……

There was a gloomy atmosphere in the Jiangxia Palace.

Li Daozon stood outside his daughter's boudoir, his eyes full of sadness. He looked at his daughter who was being carefully dressed by her maid and was about to go to Tibet. He felt as if his heart was being cut by countless sharp knives, and the pain penetrated into his bones.

Li Xueyan sat in front of the dressing table with an expressionless face, allowing the maids to dress her up.

Her eyes were empty, as if she had lost her soul. Until her makeup was done, a face of stunning beauty and natural beauty came into Li Dao Zong's sight. The delicate eyebrows and bright red lips were so beautiful that it was breathtaking, but it also made Li Dao Zong's heart ache even more.

"Yan'er, you really look like your mother."

Li Dao Zong murmured involuntarily, his voice choked.

Li Xueyan forced a smile with great difficulty, but it was uglier than crying. "Father, I'm going to Tibet this time. I'm afraid I'll never see you again. I won't be able to serve you and take care of you in your old age!"

As she spoke, her eyes became red and tears welled up in them.

Li Daozong's tears streamed down his cheeks. With trembling hands, he held Li Xueyan's hands tightly. "Yan'er, it's Father who is useless. Father is the King of Jiangxia, but he can't even protect his own daughter!"

Li Xueyan fought back tears and trembled as she said, "Father, I don't blame you. This is His Majesty's wish. I know there's nothing you can do about it. Since Xueyan is a daughter of the Li Tang royal family, she has already enjoyed the privileges of the Li Tang royal family. Now, for the sake of stability on the border of the Great Tang, my daughter is willing to marry!"

"Daughter! My dear daughter! Father can't bear to leave you!"

Li Daozon could no longer hold back and cried helplessly, his cries filled with despair and reluctance.

"Father will personally send you to Tubo. If you regret it along the way, Father will take you away with him!"

Li Daozon's words revealed immense determination, as if he had grasped the last straw.

When Li Xueyan heard what Li Dao Zong said, tears welled up in her eyes: "Father..."

……

"Your Highness, the Tibetan envoy Lu Dongzan is already waiting at the gate of the palace."

A servant reported respectfully outside the door.

Li Dao Zong took a deep breath, tried to hold back his tears, and replied with forced composure, "I understand. Let him wait."

"Yes, Your Highness! But the Tibetan envoy told Your Highness to hurry so that we can continue our journey together!"

The attendant continued.

Hearing this, Li Daozon clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, and a flash of anger appeared in his eyes.

But he knew that he couldn't act impulsively at this moment and couldn't be the sinner who destroyed the friendship between the two countries.

His tightly clenched fists gradually loosened, and he chose to compromise, gritting his teeth and saying, "I understand!" For the stability of the Tang Dynasty, he could only swallow his anger.

"Come, my dear daughter, Aye will protect you as you go!"

Li Daozon turned around and spoke gently to Li Xueyan.

Li Xueyan nodded heavily, her eyes filled with emotion: "Thank you, father. With your company, I feel much more at ease!"

At the gate of the Jiangxia Palace, the wedding procession of the Tubo envoys lined up along the entire street.

The Tubo Prime Minister Lu Dongzan was riding on a tall horse, wearing a gorgeous hat and colorful Tubo clothing. He was at the front of the team, waiting for Princess Wencheng to arrive with a proud look on his face.

As Li Daozon and his daughter slowly walked out of the palace gate, the entire wedding procession immediately started beating gongs and drums. The sound of gongs and drums was deafening and extremely lively.

Looking at this grand wedding procession, the gloom in Li Daozon's eyes became a little less.

Lu Dongzan dismounted and respectfully walked towards Li Daozong and Princess Wencheng: "Prince Jiangxia, please escort Princess Wencheng into the sedan chair."

Li Daozon nodded unnaturally, his eyes always fixed on his daughter, full of reluctance.

He gently took his daughter's hand and walked her step by step into the sedan chair of the wedding procession.

Lu Dongzan nodded with satisfaction: "It's been a tiring journey, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble Your Highness."

Li Dao Zong did not reply, he just silently waved his hand. A team of a thousand elite soldiers from the palace quickly and orderly walked out of the palace. They were dressed in neat armor, holding weapons, and had extraordinary momentum.

"My Lord, what are you doing?"

Lu Dongzan frowned in confusion, with a hint of vigilance in his eyes.

Li Daozong glanced at Lu Dongzan and said coldly, "The journey is long and I'm afraid it's not safe."

Lu Dongzan narrowed his eyes, stared at Li Dao Zong, and said in a tough tone: "Your Highness, there are too many people, at most two hundred people, no room for negotiation!"

There was an unquestionable look in his eyes.

Looking at Lu Dongzan's eyes, Li Daozon felt furious. He wished he could order the soldiers to drive these Tibetans out right away.

But he couldn't, he couldn't allow himself to become the sinner who destroyed the peace between the two countries.

He loosened his clenched fists, took a deep breath, and chose to compromise: "Two hundred people is two hundred people."

Then he turned to the soldiers behind him and shouted, "Two hundred men will go with me, and the rest will return to the palace!"

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

The soldiers responded in unison.

The wedding procession set off again, heading towards the Chang'an city gate in a mighty manner.

Lu Dongzan was also a little nervous. He looked around from time to time, fearing that something unexpected might happen.

As long as they leave Chang'an City, no one will be able to stop their team.

Thinking of this, Lu Dongzan felt relieved. He thought, since Li Shimin agreed, the matter was already a done deal. The Tang Dynasty would not be so shameless as to stop the team.

He felt that he might be a little too suspicious, so he relaxed completely and rode his horse towards the city gate with his head held high.

For some reason, there have been noticeably more soldiers in Chang'an City recently. They patrol the streets, their eyes vigilantly watching everything around them.

The city of Chang'an was bustling with activity.

People flocked to the streets, wanting to catch a glimpse of Princess Wencheng.

Princess Wencheng was dressed in gorgeous clothes and had exquisite accessories on her head. She sat in a gorgeous carriage with a dignified demeanor.

The wedding procession stretched for miles and the scene was spectacular.