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

Wen Ruchu walked out of the Prince's Palace in Xianyang trembling with fear. His steps were unsteady, as if every step was on cotton.

He felt like he had just walked through the gates of hell. The clothes on his back were already soaked with cold sweat and stuck tightly to his back, making him feel cold.

Wen Ruchu gave a helpless, bitter laugh, a mixture of emotions welling up in his heart. Everyone said that the Crown Prince was not dedicated to his duties, not concerned with state affairs, spending his days in debauchery and engaging in unbelievable things. He truly didn't seem like a wise ruler.

But only those who live in Xianyang City know how many strategies are hidden in the heart of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

In just five years, Xianyang City has undergone earth-shaking changes.

The scenes of those arrogant and domineering officials and children of wealthy families running rampant in the streets of Xianyang City in the past seem to have happened just yesterday. They trampled on the dignity of the people, robbed the people's property, and made the entire Xianyang city a mess.

And now, those people who were once so arrogant are losing their heads one by one. The bloody yet satisfying scene is watched by officials and people all over the city.

Thinking of the scene at that time, Wen Ruchu still felt a little scared, and at the same time he was full of awe for Li Chengqian.

"Master Changsun, I'm sorry, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the one who is destined to succeed!"

Wen Ruchu said silently in his heart.

Thinking of this, his originally hurried steps became firm, and each step was carried out with a sense of determination, as if he had made up his mind to serve the wise leader in his heart.

……

"Sir, this secret report from Xianyang was delivered by Xianyang Governor Wen Ruchu on a fast horse!"

The servant hurried into Changsun Wuji's study, holding a secret letter in his hand and looking nervous.

"I understand!" Changsun Wuji nodded, a hint of expectation flashed in his eyes, and he reached out to take the secret report from the servant.

Li Tai sat aside with an inexplicable expression. His eyes flickered with complex lights, including anxiety, expectation, and a hint of imperceptible uneasiness.

Li Tai didn't speak until the servant left.

"Uncle, time is of the essence. Father's coffin has been lying in state for two days. On the third day, it will be ready for burial.

There have been no morning court sessions for two whole days, and all the civil and military officials are getting restless. The news of His Majesty's death has probably spread by now!"

Li Tai stood up and paced back and forth in the room.

"Uncle, please make plans early! I have already prepared everything. All you need to do is present the imperial edict deposing the Crown Prince in front of all the civil and military officials, and the outcome will be settled!"

As he spoke, he took out the imperial edict from his arms. The edict looked exactly like the real one, with gorgeous patterns embroidered on the golden satin. He was just about to hand it to Changsun Wuji.

Unexpectedly, Changsun Wuji glanced at him and did not take the imperial edict. Instead, he handed the secret report he had just received to Li Tai.

"Your Highness, take a look at the secret report sent from Xianyang." Changsun Wuji's voice was low and calm.

Li Tai could only take the secret report from Changsun Wuji. He couldn't wait to open it. After just two glances, an expression of surprise appeared on his face, and he was a little confused.

"Uncle, is this secret report true? Li Chengqian is going to die? Is it credible?" There was a hint of doubt in his voice.

Hearing Li Tai's words, Changsun Wuji glanced at him with dissatisfaction, his eyes brimming with reproach. "I personally promoted Xianyang Governor Wen Ruchu. I've been indebted to all the officials in Xianyang, big and small. How could they have passed on false information to me?"

When Li Tai saw Changsun Wuji's eyes, he knew that he had said the wrong thing and felt a little regretful.

But when he heard Changsun Wuji's reply, his face was suddenly filled with joy, as if he saw the dawn of victory.

"It seems Li Chengqian is really dying! Uncle, please make a decision immediately!"

Li Tai spoke excitedly and handed the imperial edict to Changsun Wuji again, his eyes full of eagerness.

Changsun Wuji took a look at the imperial edict, sighed slightly, and then took the imperial edict handed to him by Li Tai.

"This old minister has accepted the order. The deposed Crown Prince's will will be read out at tomorrow morning's court session. Your Highness, please return and make good preparations."

There was an unquestionable authority in his tone.

Li Tai was immediately overjoyed, his face flushed with excitement: "Uncle, don't worry, when I ascend to the throne, I will never treat you unfairly! Uncle, you are the most meritorious official of the Tang Dynasty!"

His eyes were full of desire for the throne and flattery of Changsun Wuji.

Zhang Sun Wuji smiled, but there was a hint of deep meaning in that smile that was difficult for others to detect. "Your Highness, please go and make good preparations. Have those noble families get ready as well. They will help me tomorrow!"

"Okay!" Li Tai responded excitedly, "Uncle, I'll go back and prepare it now!" After that, he left in a hurry.

After Li Tai left the house, Changsun Wuji immediately put away the smile on his face, and the smile disappeared in an instant like a mask.

He put the fake imperial edict aside with disdain, a trace of contempt flashing in his eyes.

"Wang Er, go to the reception room and invite all the family heads here."

He shouted out the door.

"Yes, sir!" The servant's voice came from a distance.

……

"Your Highness, there is news from Chang'an!" Zhang Xianhuai hurried to the front yard.

"Read!"

Li Chengqian was doing push-ups in the front yard. His arms lifted and lowered vigorously, and each movement was full of power.

Drops of sweat flowed down his hair, wetting the ground, but his eyes were extremely firm.

"Today at 1:00 PM, Li Tai had a secret meeting with Changsun Wuji at Changsun Mansion. The content of the negotiation is unknown. At the same time, Changsun Wuji received a secret letter from Wen Ruchu."

The guard read aloud.

"A quarter of an hour later, Li Tai left with a happy look on his face."

"At one o'clock in the afternoon, Zhangsun Wuji held a secret meeting with representatives from various aristocratic families. The content of the meeting was ominous, but it seemed they had reached some kind of agreement, and everyone left happily."

"Representatives from all the major families have been staying in Changsun Mansion for a full three hours. Their behavior is suspicious."

"There's been some minor unrest in Chang'an. The cause is that after two days of absence from court, Changsun Wuji can no longer suppress the news of His Majesty's passing. Word is slowly spreading, and Wei Zheng's reaction is the most extreme. Unable to enter the palace, he can only sit at the gate and confront the Qianniu Guards."

……

"I see. It seems my stupid brother has fallen into his uncle's trap."

Li Chengqian stood up from the ground and shook the sweat from his head, the beads of sweat gleaming in the sunlight. Seeing this, two guards immediately stepped forward and expertly relaxed Li Chengqian's muscles.

"By the way, the Jinyiwei still needs to expand." Li Chengqian said while enjoying the massage from the guard.

"Xian Huai, you go and do it. We're still too short-staffed. Give the order to establish an Intelligence Department effective immediately. The Imperial Guard will be a subordinate department of the Intelligence Department. What I want is to monitor all officials in the world. Now we have control of Xianyang City."

His eyes became deeper, as if he could see through all the conspiracies.

"But we still have too few intelligence personnel in Chang'an. Apart from Zhangsun Wuji and those stationed in the palace, there are no Jinyiwei stationed in the homes of other officials. I can't sleep if I don't understand their movements."

"Even if we don't place them there, we have to recruit people first, and give priority to looking for them from good families in Xianyang City. Do you remember everything?" Li Chengqian looked at the people around him with a serious look.

"Remember this, Your Highness." Zhang Xianhuai said respectfully.

"Okay, you should speed up the process today. Don't wait until I take control of Chang'an. By then, there won't even be enough Jinyiwei to monitor the officials in Chang'an City. Call General Qin." Li Chengqian ordered.

"Yes, Your Highness." Zhang Xianhuai accepted the order and withdrew.

After a while, the neighing of horse hooves was heard outside the mansion, and the sound was particularly loud in the quiet air.

A man dressed in light black armor hurried in from outside, each step he took carried the calmness typical of a soldier.

The moment he saw Li Chengqian, he knelt on one knee, placed his right fist on his left chest, and gave a standard military salute: "I, the humble general, have come to see you at the order of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Ru Zhao, get up. This armor is very heavy, isn't it?"

Li Chengqian walked forward, gently patted the heavy armor on Qin Ruzhao's body, then took his arm and helped him up, with concern in his eyes.

"Your Highness, it's not heavy! This is just light armor. Heavy armor is heavy! I am so happy to have such good armor!" Qin Ruzhao grinned, revealing a row of white teeth.

"Okay, as summoned, come and take the military token." Li Chengqian said, taking out a military token from his arms.

Qin Ruzhao looked up and saw a military token engraved with a hammer and sickle being handed to him.

Qin Ruzhao took the military order with both hands, and his expression became solemn.

"Ruzhao, from this moment on, my safety is in your hands. Tonight, prepare the three camps, gather food and supplies, and assemble the troops."

Li Chengqian's eyes became extremely serious. He looked at Qin Ruzhao and said word by word, "I am about to ascend the throne. Do you understand?"

Qin Ruzhao immediately knelt on his knees and kowtowed heavily, his forehead hitting the ground with a dull thud. "I will fight to the death to ensure that Your Majesty can enter Chang'an and establish the great unification!"

His eyes burned with a fervent loyalty.

"Except for Your Majesty, whoever dares to lay his hands on this position, I will lead the army to kill all those who disobey Your Majesty!" He shouted loudly, and his voice echoed in the yard.

"Long live His Majesty!" Qin Ruzhao shouted again.

Hearing Qin Ruzhao's words, Li Chengqian couldn't help but smile, that smile full of relief and trust: "Alright, go back and prepare. I'll see how you perform. By then, you'll be the general of my Great Tang!"