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

The atmosphere in the room was solemn and depressing. A few faint rays of light struggled to pass through the gaps in the window and fell sparingly on Wei Zheng's bed.

In his sunken eye sockets, his eyes still shone with wisdom, but now the light had become much dimmer.

Li Shimin sat on a chair beside the bed, his posture as stiff as a wooden sculpture, his face full of tension.

His Adam's apple kept moving up and down, and the sound of him swallowing saliva seemed particularly clear and abrupt in this room where it was so silent that you could hear a pin drop.

Wei Zheng raised his eyelids with difficulty, and his gaze slowly moved to Li Shimin's face. Looking at his pretended calmness but full of flaws, he smiled with a bit of helplessness and tenderness.

"Your Majesty, you are still the same as before, always accustomed to deceiving yourself and others."

"This old minister, in his broken state, knows full well that his time is drawing to a close. I'm afraid he won't have much time left."

"This seemingly energetic moment is nothing more than a fleeting moment of life. Even if the miracle doctor were to return to the world, his elixir would be powerless to save him."

His voice was hoarse, and every word he uttered seemed to take all his strength.

When Li Shimin heard Wei Zheng's straightforward words, his body trembled violently, the muscles on his face tensed instantly, and a trace of panic flashed in his eyes.

After a moment of dead silence, he forced a smile from his stiff face that was uglier than crying. That smile was filled with endless sorrow, reluctance and helplessness. He tried desperately to suppress the torrent of sorrow that was about to burst from the depths of his heart.

"Xuancheng, you have devoted your entire life to the Tang Dynasty. If there is anything you haven't completed, or if you have anything you want to tell me, I will definitely remember it and will never let you down."

Wei Zheng shook his head gently, his eyes revealing peace.

"Your Majesty, I really don't have anything else to tell you."

"In this lifetime, I have had the honor of following Your Majesty and assisting you in building the great cause of the Tang Dynasty. I can also continue to perform my duties loyally by the side of the Retired Emperor and offer advice and suggestions for the Tang Dynasty. I truly have no regrets in this life, and I can die with peace of mind."

"My four sons have now grown up and embarked on their own paths in life. I am deeply relieved and no longer need to worry about them."

"And my lady, she is gentle, demure, kind and generous. She has been with me through the years, supporting me silently. Without her dedication over the years, I would have struggled to make it through."

"However, in my heart, I still can't let go. Perhaps it's because I'm too greedy. I'm greedy for the prosperity of this world, the prosperity and peace of the Tang Dynasty, and every moment and every memory I spent with the Emperor and my old friends."

At this point, Wei Zheng's eyes welled up with tears, and those tears flashed with his deep reluctance to let go of all this.

"Old minister, I can't bear to leave the Supreme Emperor!"

Wei Zheng's voice trembled slightly, and that deep emotion was like a warm yet slightly bitter current, slowly flowing into Li Shimin's heart.

Fang Xuanling's mouth trembled, and he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't open his mouth.

Li Shimin closed his eyes tightly, trying to stop the tears from pouring out, but the tears still slid uncontrollably from the corners of his eyes, slowly flowed down his cheeks, and dripped onto his clenched hands.

"Xuancheng, Xuancheng! I can't bear to leave you either!"

He said with sobs.

Wei Zheng was an irreplaceable rare treasure to her, and it was a heart-wrenching regret.

"Haha."

Wei Zheng smiled lightly, but his laughter was filled with unspeakable bitterness. Then, he couldn't help but cough violently twice, and his whole body began to tremble violently. His already thin body seemed even more fragile and helpless.

After taking a deep breath, Wei Zheng continued, "Your Majesty, throughout my life, I have often expressed my opinions and argued with you in the court."

"Back in Chang'an, it was out of a sincere public interest. As Your Majesty, the Retired Emperor, you shouldered the immense responsibility of protecting the country. As a minister, I, as your subject, had to do my utmost to point out the flaws and shortcomings in your governance, helping you achieve greatness and fame, ensuring the enduring strength of the Tang Dynasty, the peace and prosperity of the people, and the prosperity of the country."

"But after arriving in Xianyang, I, this old minister, have to admit that there was indeed some selfish motive at work."

"Your Majesty is young and promising, wise and courageous. You no longer need the nagging and admonitions of an old minister."

"And you, the Supreme Emperor, having experienced countless hardships, are more able to understand the painstaking efforts and loyalty of this old minister."

"Only by your side can I truly feel the value and significance of my existence. Only by giving you a few words of advice can I feel at ease and at peace."

"So, Your Majesty, I'm sorry for what I have done to you!"

At this moment, Wei Zheng seemed to have put down a huge stone that had been weighing on his heart for a long time. He spoke out the words that were buried deep in his heart without reservation, and his eyes revealed a sense of calmness after being relieved of a heavy burden.

Li Shimin kept shaking his head, his eyes full of sincerity.

"Xuancheng, what are you talking about? I am deeply grateful for your advice to me, whether it is out of public interest or private motives."

"If it weren't for your outspokenness and honest advice over the years, I don't know how many irreparable mistakes I would have made in governing the country."

"Every word of your advice helps me keep a clear mind and not get lost in this complex world."

"I can't express my gratitude to you in words."

Hearing Li Shimin's heartfelt words, Wei Zheng's tense nerves finally relaxed completely. He felt as if he had been freed from a heavy burden. He leaned lightly against the head of the bed with a relieved smile on his face.

"Just don't blame me, that's fine. Just don't blame me, that's fine!"

He panted slightly, "This old minister has passed away naturally due to old age. It is a natural thing that follows the will of heaven."

"Your Majesty, after this old minister leaves, don't hang white cloth, just hang red cloth. This is a happy occasion, a happy occasion worth celebrating!"

"Letting everyone have a good meal is the last thing I, an old minister, can do for everyone."

"But remember not to waste money. Every penny of the Tang Dynasty's wealth is hard-earned and must be used wisely to benefit the people and make their lives more prosperous."

At this moment, a loud noise suddenly came from outside, breaking the suffocating silence in the house.

Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Jingde, Li Ji, and Li Jing in a wheelchair hurried in.

They all had worried expressions on their faces and their steps were hurried.

Pei Lingxuan stood quietly aside with red eyes, looking at Wei Zheng who was chatting with the emperor, and said softly: "Husband, they are all here."

Wei Zheng nodded slightly, his eyes revealing gratitude to his wife.

"Thank you for your hard work, ma'am!"

His voice was as weak as the buzzing of a mosquito or fly, but it was full of deep affection.

In these final moments, his love for his wife became even stronger and deeper.

Looking at this room full of old friends, Wei Zheng's lips trembled slightly. He stretched out his hand with trembling hands and touched his beard which had become gray and sparse. Nostalgia flashed in his eyes as he recalled the glorious years he had spent with them and the times when they had been in charge of the court together.

"Live on, everyone must live well!"

His voice was not loud, but it was firm.

"My Tang Dynasty is getting better and better now, but it's a pity that I won't be able to see that even more glorious day."

"You all must live well and witness the arrival of that day with your own eyes. When that day comes, don't forget to tell this old minister!"

Everyone gathered around Wei Zheng's bed, with reluctance in their eyes and tears welling up in their eyes.

Cheng Yaojin's eyes were filled with tears, and his usually fearless voice became low and full of reluctance.

"Old Wei, you can't just leave like this! I, Old Cheng, am waiting for you to drink with me! We agreed to drink all the finest wines in the world together, how can you break your promise?"

Wei Zheng smiled and said his final goodbye.

"Zhijie, I'm afraid I won't have the chance to drink and chat with you in the future. With your personality, you should listen more to the words of the Emperor and Xuanling, and don't act impulsively."

"The Tang Dynasty still needs loyal ministers like you to continue protecting it."

Cheng Yaojin nodded vigorously, his throat seemed to be choked by something. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Tears just kept flowing like beads with broken strings, wetting the front of his shirt.

Pei Lingxuan stood quietly by, watching her husband and old friends give their instructions one by one, tears streaming down her face.

She was extremely sad, but also felt comforted that her husband had such loyal friends.

Wei Zheng's voice became softer and softer, and his breath became shallower and shallower, as if a slight breeze could blow it away.

"I can't bear to leave. I really can't bear to leave. I really want to see the future of the Tang Dynasty!"

His eyes revealed yearning, which was a beautiful vision of the future and a deep attachment to this land. At the last moment of his life, he was still concerned about the rise and fall, honor and disgrace of the Tang Dynasty.

Wei Zheng's hands began to adjust his collar, his movements slow and weak.

Then, he gently touched the edge of the quilt on the bed, looking ahead with empty eyes, as if he was lost in some deep memories, or as if he was saying his final goodbye to the world.

Li Shimin looked at Wei Zheng's sudden action, and his heart suddenly tightened. He called him softly from the side: "Xuancheng, Xuancheng! What are you doing?"

There was uneasiness in his voice. He was afraid that Wei Zheng would suddenly leave him and disappear in this vast world.

Wei Zheng remained unmoved, his eyes fixed blankly ahead. After touching the quilt, his hands waved in front of him continuously, as if he were sorting out a ball of invisible silk threads.

Seeing this scene, everyone's eyes turned red involuntarily, tears flowed freely, but they all tried hard not to cry out loud, for fear of disturbing Wei Zheng's final peace.

They looked at Wei Zheng quietly, and no one wanted to break this final tranquility. Time stopped at this moment, and the whole world was left with only Wei Zheng's slightly trembling hands and his gradually weakening breathing.

In this way, everyone watched Wei Zheng calmly for a minute. That minute seemed extremely long, but also seemed like just a moment, like the final countdown of life, and every second seemed so precious.

"Madam, Madam!" Wei Zheng's voice suddenly rang out, and the faint call woke everyone up.

Pei Lingxuan hurried forward and sat next to Wei Zheng.

Wei Zheng used his last bit of strength to lean into Pei Lingxuan's arms. Smelling the familiar and warm scent of his wife, he felt full of security, as if he had returned to those warm years.

Like a child, he slowly closed his eyes, a peaceful smile on his face. At this moment, he finally let go of all his worries and calmly faced the end of his life.

In his mind, his life experiences unfolded slowly like a series of colorful paintings.

From his lofty ambitions and high spirits in his youth to his uprightness and courage to speak out after becoming an official.

From the heated debates in the court to the hearty drinks and happy conversations with old friends.

From the hardships at the beginning of the Tang Dynasty to the current prosperity and peace.

Every picture is so clear, so precious, embedded in the depths of his memory like a shining star.

The last scene was the prosperous Tang Dynasty that he had imagined in his mind. It was an ideal country full of hope, prosperity, people living and working in peace and contentment, and people from all over the world came to pay tribute. He knew that His Majesty could definitely achieve it, but he would never see it again.

In the early summer of the sixth year of Qianwu, Wei Zheng, a great minister of remonstration, died peacefully in the arms of his wife Pei Lingxuan.

At that moment, the entire Tang Dynasty was in silence mourning the departure of this minister of remonstration.

His departure is like the falling of a star, but his spirit and achievements will be forever engraved in the long history of the Tang Dynasty and become a story passed down to future generations.

Wei Zheng of the Tang Dynasty, farewell.