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

In Chang'an City, the flying eaves and brackets of Dai Mansion outline a solemn outline under the sunlight.

The vermilion gate was tightly closed, and the pair of stone lions in front of it looked majestic, yet also stained with the marks of time.

Li Yifu, dressed in an official robe and holding a beautifully wrapped gift in his hand, was wandering anxiously in front of Dai's house.

His steps were unsteady, and he looked up at the closed door from time to time, his brows furrowed, and a hint of uneasiness in his eyes.

In the inner room of Dai's mansion, Dai Zhou was lying on a nanmu bed.

The light in the house was dim, with only a few rays of sunlight shining through the gaps in the window and onto the ground, forming golden light and shadows.

Next to the bed, there is a small Huanghuali wooden table, on which are clutteredly piled a few old books and some unfinished calligraphy and paintings, telling of the owner's former high spirits.

Today, Dai Zhou's back has been bent by the years, and his health is deteriorating. Even a simple action like standing up requires a lot of effort.

His face was pale, his skin was sagging, and his eyes, deep in his eye sockets, were cloudy and dim, revealing endless fatigue.

"Master, Lord Li Yifu is outside asking to see you."

The old servant's voice rang out in the silent house, breaking the momentary peace.

Dai Zhou's originally dull eyes suddenly flashed with light. He moved his lips slightly and said in a hoarse voice, "Quick, help me up and help me put on my clothes."

The old servant hurried forward, carefully helped Dai Zhou up, took a navy blue robe from the hanger beside him, and gently put it on him.

Then, the old servant picked up the comb and carefully combed Dai Zhou's sparse white hair with gentle movements.

After getting dressed, Dai Zhou, supported by the old servant, walked slowly towards the reception room with staggering steps.

The reception room of the Dai Mansion is spacious and bright. The surrounding walls are covered with calligraphy and paintings by famous artists. Each painting in ink and color depicts the beauty of mountains and rivers, or shows the charm of people, demonstrating the owner's profound cultural heritage.

There was a set of heavy mahogany tables and chairs in the hall, and on the table, wisps of steam were rising from the freshly brewed hot tea.

When Li Yifu saw Dai Zhou being helped in, he immediately stepped forward, clasped his hands together, and said respectfully, "Teacher, I, Li Yifu, have come to see you. I am truly sorry for disturbing your rest."

Dai Zhou nodded slightly, a kind smile on his face, and said, "You're here, I'm glad you're here."

He paused and looked at Li Yifu, "You are here to decide which side to take."

Upon hearing this, Li Yifu was slightly startled, surprise flashing in his eyes. He then quickly bowed and said, "Teacher, nothing can be hidden from you. Although you haven't attended court for a long time, you are well aware of court affairs. I am truly in awe of you."

Dai Zhou heard this and shook his head slightly, then smiled bitterly and said, "Wencai, you are wrong. I am old, my hearing is poor, and my eyesight is blurry. I only know this because someone from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince brought me a gift."

After saying this, he slowly took out the stack of banknotes from his pocket, his movements slow.

At first, Li Yifu just glanced at it casually, but when he saw the number on the banknote clearly, he seemed to be frozen in place. He stood up suddenly, his eyes wide open, and exclaimed in surprise: "Ten thousand taels?"

His eyes were fixed on the thick stack of banknotes, each of which had a face value of ten thousand taels.

During his years as an official, he had seen quite a few banknotes, but this was the first time he had seen such a huge amount.

And at this moment, there is a thick stack in front of me.

"Wencai, look at this! It's a full three hundred thousand taels of silver. This is the first time in my life that I've seen so much silver. It seems that our Crown Prince has a way of making money."

There was an elusive meaning in Dai Zhou's words, and it was unclear whether it was praise or sarcasm.

There was a hint of loss in his turbid old eyes, as if he was lamenting that people in this world have changed.

Li Yifu's face immediately showed a humble expression. He lowered his head slightly, looked at Dai Zhou and said, "Teacher, the current situation in the court is very complicated, and the forces of various parties are intertwined. I am really confused. I hope you can teach me and point me in the right direction."

Dai Zhou looked at Li Yifu's serious expression and couldn't help but smile. His eyes were full of kindness as he said, "Wencai, don't worry, don't worry for now. I want to ask you, do you really want to be an official and reach the highest position?"

Li Yifu was puzzled, not understanding why his teacher suddenly asked this question, but he nodded solemnly, his eyes firm, and his voice resolute, "Teacher, I only hope to stand high up there, appreciate the unique scenery, and overlook the world. That's all."

Dai Zhou sighed deeply and said earnestly, "Wencai, you are the only student I have ever had in my life. I have watched you grow up step by step."

"You have to understand that the higher you climb in the officialdom, the more likely you are to fall and be shattered to pieces, with no hope of recovery."

"Sometimes, being an official isn't always a good thing, so I made an agreement with the Dai family's descendants long ago: after I die, they will all return to their hometown. As long as they have enough money, they will be honest and live a stable life as wealthy men."

"So, you still insist on going up?"

"The situation is different now. There will definitely be fierce fighting next. If you are not careful, you may lose your life."

Dai Zhou's words struck Li Yifu's heart again and again.

But there was no hesitation in his eyes. He simply bowed again and said firmly, "Teacher, I will never regret it. A true man born into this world should move forward courageously, even if it means death!"

Dai Zhou looked at his student who had made up his mind, knowing that no amount of words could change his mind, so he said nothing more, but just silently picked up the teacup and took a sip.

"Since you have made up your mind, I will not try to persuade you. If you want to leave, then go ahead. I will lend you a helping hand."

"As for the current situation..."

Speaking of this, Dai Zhou smiled.

"Isn't this something that's out in the open? How much money did Xu Yuan give you?"

Li Yifu did not dare to hide it and took out the banknotes from his pocket.

"Teacher, it's all here, ten thousand taels."

Dai Zhou looked at the ten thousand taels of silver notes that Li Yifu placed on the table.

"It seems that our Crown Prince still treats people differently. In his eyes, you are only worth 10,000 taels of silver, and I am worth 300,000 taels of silver. I wonder who among all the civil and military officials in this court gets the most?"

Dai Zhou said with some amusement.

Li Yifu also sighed.

"Teacher, do you think this money should be accepted by students?"

Hearing Li Yifu's words, Dai Zhou looked at him.

"Yes, why not? You don't want so much money for free? Didn't you see that I accepted it too?"