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

Cui Jingming is indeed a man who has experienced many ups and downs. Although his heart is like a raging storm, he quickly forced himself to be calm on the surface and tried to calm himself down a little.

He raised his head slightly, his eyes fixed on Li Chengqian. With a hint of reluctance and doubt, he was the first to break the silence: "Are there any of your Jinyiwei among my confidants?"

When this question was asked, not only was Cui Jingming himself deeply shaken, but Zhang Xianhuai and Qin Biwu beside him were so shocked that their eyes widened and they stood there in shock.

As the commander-in-chief and deputy commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they are well aware of the construction and infiltration of intelligence networks.

Cui Jingming's sphere of influence was like a fortress, impenetrable. They had tried many times in the past to plant spies, but all failed.

It is a place where water cannot be poured in and needle cannot be inserted.

Qin Biwu had been in the court for many years and was well aware of the interests involved in power struggles.

At this moment, he didn't dare to think too deeply about the reason. He just felt a chill rising from his spine and cold sweat on his back.

He tiptoed to Li Chengqian's side, lowered his voice to the lowest possible level, and cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, should we dismiss the attendants first?"

Li Chengqian acted as if he didn't hear his concerns. He simply waved his hand casually, his expression nonchalant, and said calmly, "No need. Let everyone listen together. This will also help them to have a sword hanging over their hearts and be on guard any time they have thoughts of oppressing the people in the future."

Li Chengqian's words were like a heavy hammer, hitting the hearts of everyone present. After hearing them, many people showed shame on their faces and slowly lowered their heads.

Li Chengqian's eyes locked onto Cui Jingming, and he continued slowly, "Cui Jingming, Li Tong was the first confidant to follow you, right?"

Cui Jingming's body shook violently as if he had received an electric shock. His eyes widened as he shouted in disbelief, "Impossible! How could Li Tong be your man? There's absolutely no way!"

His voice trembled slightly with excitement, his eyes were full of resistance and shock at the news, and the veins on his forehead were faintly visible.

Li Chengqian looked at Cui Jingming's loss of composure, glanced at him with a hint of pity, and said slowly, "In the third year of Zhenguan, I met Li Tong by chance."

"At that time, he was in dire straits, having to sell himself to bury his mother. I felt sorry for him and bought him."

"I have met many people who have had the same experience as him over the years. I won't tell you the exact number one by one."

"From then on, I called them Shadows."

"They are like my shadows, silently but closely following those I care about, like a shadow, never leaving."

"They regularly report to me on their targets' every move, every six months, without a single slack."

"Of course, I was also surprised and delighted to see someone like Li Tong complete the task so well."

"His sister is in Xianyang City and has been carefully cared for by me."

"Li Tong's original name was Jiang Tong. I personally bestowed the surname Li upon him to show my appreciation and trust in him."

"It was not until the eighth year of Zhenguan that I officially established the Jinyiwei and made it public."

Therefore, everyone is on high alert against my Imperial Guards, but they don't know that my shadow has already quietly infiltrated them in secret."

When Li Chengqian said this, the generals on both sides felt the hairs on their backs stand up uncontrollably, as if their every move was under the surveillance of that invisible "shadow", and an inexplicable chill surged into their hearts.

Have I ever been spied on by His Majesty's hidden power?

Li Chengqian paused for a moment, then slowly walked up to Cui Jingming and pressed him, "Do you think you can compare to me? Do you think the original intention of establishing aristocratic families is good and to serve the people?"

"All you have to do is change the family and restore them to their original state. It's just a change of name."

Li Chengqian's lips curled up into a helpless smile.

"The emergence of aristocratic families was initially just to serve the emperor."

"Indeed, even today, no matter what kind of natural disaster or flood we encounter, the decentralization of imperial power requires the assistance of the local nobles."

"But if there were no aristocratic families, I wouldn't be able to rule the world, right?"

"I want to tell you that I don't need a noble family to govern the world well."

Cui Jingming was stunned at first when he heard Li Chengqian's bold words, but then he couldn't help laughing: "Your Majesty, you can say this now only because the people support you."

"You only eradicated the aristocratic family, but you didn't eradicate the family's foundation."

As he spoke, he pointed at Qin Ruzhao, then at Zhang Xianhuai and Mr. Qi.

"Look at these people you promoted. They are so young, yet they already hold high positions of power. You destroyed our aristocratic families, and they will become the new aristocratic families in the future."

"It's just a change of name."

"Your Majesty, if you want to govern the world, you will have to rely on these forces, even if Your Majesty does not rely on them."

"Will the rulers of later generations also not rely on you?"

Li Chengqian looked at Cui Jingming quietly without saying a word, his deep eyes seemed to be able to see through every fluctuation in his heart.

Cui Jingming gritted his teeth and looked Li Chengqian in the eye, but as time went on, he felt more and more flustered. There seemed to be an invisible pressure in Li Chengqian's eyes.

The most important thing is the extraordinary pride and self-confidence.

Finally, he was defeated, slowly closed his mouth, and uttered: "I have never seen anyone like you!"

"I, Cui Jingming, am convinced."

"Your Majesty's courage and insight far surpass those of your predecessors. Unfortunately, I can no longer see the world you envision in your heart."

After saying this, he bowed to show his respect and recognition for Li Chengqian.

He was convinced by the call of "Your Majesty" several times.

Seeing this, Li Chengqian stepped forward and gently patted Cui Jingming on the shoulder, his tone carrying a rare hint of appreciation: "You are not bad, a good person, and your ideas are also good. If you can live longer, you may achieve something earth-shattering."

After saying that, he turned to Zhang Xianhuai and ordered, "Xianhuai, go call Li Tong over."

"It's your Majesty!"

Zhang Xianhuai took the order and left.

Soon, Li Tong was brought back.

He lowered his head, his eyes evasive, not daring to look directly into Cui Jingming's eyes, as if he was hiding endless guilt in his heart.

His lips trembled slightly, and he uttered with difficulty: "Master."

Cui Jingming felt mixed emotions. He didn't know how to face this former confidant, so he simply pretended not to hear and looked away.

Li Chengqian broke the awkward silence: "Cui Jingming, no matter what the plan is, it is all empty talk. Before the plan is made, no one knows what the process and result will be."

"But the feelings we've shared along this journey are genuine. Li Tong, I've granted you the promise you made me make half a year ago."

"You are allowed to go with Cui Jingming. I will take good care of your sister."

"You stay with him and go on your journey with peace of mind!"

When Li Tong heard this, a relieved smile finally appeared on his face, with a hint of relief and satisfaction in that smile.

He glanced gratefully at Li Chengqian, then at Cui Jingming: "Thank you, Your Majesty! I have completed my mission. Please take good care of my sister, Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian nodded slightly to show his agreement.

Cui Jingming couldn't help but tremble slightly when he heard Li Chengqian's words. He turned to look at Li Tong, his eyes filled with confusion and heartache: "Why? Why do you want to die with me?"

"You have made great contributions. His Majesty will reward you and bring honor to your family!"

"Li Tong! Why are you doing this?! I don't blame you! It's my fault for not being able to accomplish my goal! I made a mistake in the game of chess. I, Cui Jingming, will admit defeat. There's nothing to be ashamed of. But you don't have to do this!"

Seeing Cui Jingming finally speaking to him, Li Tong's tense heart finally relaxed. He said sincerely, "Mr. Cui treated me with the courtesy of a great man, but I have failed him. I am truly ashamed to live in this world."

"Mr. Cui, your kindness to me is as great as a mountain. Even though I, Li Tong, am a nobody, I know how to repay your kindness."

"Now that my mission is complete, I feel relieved and at peace. I can now face Mr. Cui sincerely."

"I thought I would never have this opportunity again."

"I thank your majesty for your grace."

After saying this, he burst into tears and looked at Li Chengqian again.

Li Chengqian looked at Cui Jingming and said, "Cui Jingming, you have tuberculosis, but you have never coughed in front of others. To be honest, I admire you."

"You've endured it all your life, so I'll let you cough it out!"

Li Tong hurried forward and held Cui Jingming's arm.

Cui Jingming slowly turned around and faced Li Chengqian. His voice was hoarse but full of gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. I have one last wish, and I hope Your Majesty will fulfill it."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Speak."

"Your Majesty, please do not bear a grudge against those soldiers. They will not cause you any trouble. If you are worried, you can allow them to expand the territory and give them a chance to atone for their sins."

"Your Majesty should also know that my trusted advisors, while loyal to me, are all well-educated men. They care about the people and have advised me to reform the aristocratic families more than once."

"I know that now that Your Majesty has eliminated the aristocratic families, there are many vacancies for local officials. If Your Majesty doesn't mind, you can use them."

"If Your Majesty feels uncomfortable, please let them go home!"

Li Chengqian looked at Cui Jingming and said after a moment, "I know them and will use them. They are indeed capable of handling local affairs."

"I don't care who they are loyal to, whether it's you or me, as long as they have the people in their hearts, I will use them. Go with peace of mind!"

Hearing Li Chengqian's agreement, Cui Jingming no longer had any regrets in his heart. He bowed to show his gratitude.

"Excellent, Your Majesty! I will pray for your success from Heaven!"

After saying this, the tuberculosis that had been suppressed by him for a long time was no longer restrained.

With the first light cough, the itching in his lungs surged like a tide, and he began to cough violently and uncontrollably.

Each cry was louder than the last, and blood gushed out of his mouth like a fountain, staining his clothes and the ground beneath his feet red.

Li Tong supported him silently, his eyes filled with grief and reluctance.

Half an hour later, Cui Jingming's cough gradually became weaker, and finally he was unable to hold on any longer and collapsed in Li Tong's arms.

Li Tong burst into tears and shouted hoarsely: "Mr. Cui!..."

Cui Jingming used up his last bit of strength, revealed a relieved smile, and murmured the last two words of his life: "Comfortable..."

He then died of suffocation.

Li Tong gently put Cui Jingming's body down and kowtowed respectfully to Li Chengqian: "Your Majesty, I will go with Lord Cui. Your Majesty, take care!"

Li Chengqian nodded silently.

Zhang Xianhuai handed a dagger to Li Tong. Li Tong did not hesitate at all and held Cui Jingming's body in his arms again.

"Mr. Cui! Li Tong is going on the journey with you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand and stabbed the dagger into his heart, and followed Cui Jingming to the underworld.

Li Chengqian slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and after a long while, he finally uttered, "Give him a proper burial."

There was a hint of loneliness in that voice.