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

The vermilion walls of the Blood Tai Chi Hall are faintly visible in the morning mist. The copper bells on the eaves sway gently in the breeze, making tiny sounds, telling of the majesty of this palace.

The sunlight penetrated through layers of clouds and shone on the white marble steps in front of the hall, but it could not dispel the tension and depression in the air.

Civil and military officials had already stood in solemn order according to their ranks, and whispers rose and fell in the hall, like the low hum before a storm.

But all this stopped when King Wu Li Ke, wearing a black brocade robe, strode into the Taiji Hall.

The jade pendant on his waist made a crisp sound as he walked, echoing the cold aura emanating from him.

The stern face, sharp eyes, and the bloody smell that lingered from last night instantly froze the atmosphere of the entire Tai Chi Hall.

All the officials looked at each other, their eyes filled with astonishment and confusion.

They really didn't understand what was wrong with His Royal Highness the King of Wu to make such an earth-shattering move.

"Your Highness, Prince Wu, you are a prince of the Tang Dynasty. Those you slaughtered last night were all citizens of the Tang Dynasty!"

A young minister stepped forward, his voice filled with sorrowful reproach.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he saw the tragic scene of last night, where countless people lay in a pool of blood and their wails echoed in the streets of Chang'an.

"Your Highness, do you behave like a prince in this way? How will you explain this to His Majesty?"

Another official followed closely behind, his face filled with anxiety and anger, "This is not a prince, this is a butcher!"

His voice echoed in the hall, like a heavy hammer, striking everyone's heart.

Li Ke narrowed his eyes slightly, and his cold gaze swept over everyone, finally falling on the unfamiliar young official.

The official was only about thirty years old, but he already had a seat in the Taiji Hall. At this moment, his face flushed, and he stared at Li Ke with righteous words, without any fear.

"Oh? Who are you?"

Li Ke spoke with a forced smile, his voice carrying a hint of amusement, yet making people shudder.

The young official took a deep breath, stepped forward, and saluted, saying, "Your Highness, Prince Wu, I was a Jinshi in the 12th year of the Qianwu reign, and I am now serving as an official in the Ministry of Justice."

His words were clear and firm, and they were particularly loud in the silent hall.

"Ministry of Justice official?" Li Ke raised an eyebrow, his tone filled with disdain. "A mere fifth-rank official dares to contradict me? Since you are a Jinshi (Jinshi) from the twelfth year of Qianwu, I ask you, could the late emperor do you any favor?"

His eyes were as sharp as a hawk's as he stared at the young official.

The young official was stunned, and then a complicated look flashed in his eyes.

He looked at Li Ke and said in a deep voice, "The late emperor certainly did me a favor. If he hadn't abolished the aristocratic families and established the imperial examination system, how could a son of a commoner like me have the opportunity to become an official?"

His words were filled with gratitude to the late emperor, who had changed his destiny and given him a chance to realize his ambitions.

Li Ke sneered, his laughter filled with anger: "Since the late emperor has been kind to you, why did you all act like dumb and dare not speak out when those people colluded with those rebels to slander the late emperor?"

"Are you afraid that the new emperor will be upset? Will he make things difficult for you? Or do you want to go with the flow? Hahahahahaha."

His laughter echoed in the hall, filled with disappointment. "Every one of you scholars is ungrateful."

His voice gradually deepened, and a trace of pain flashed in his eyes: "You didn't die last night, not because I am kind, but because you didn't touch my bottom line."

"The late emperor was willing to give you people face, let you serve as officials, benefit the people, and implement the world for the public good."

"But, have you forgotten that if we don't implement the principle of serving the public, would the common people and you officials dare to disrespect our royal family like this?"

Li Ke took a few steps forward, his voice rising: "The late emperor was the Son of Heaven. How dare a bunch of vulgar people discuss the emperor and the sage monarch in the street? Could it be that I, the King of Wu, am a fake?"

"Can't I, the king, vent my anger on behalf of the late emperor?"

"This year, they dared to discuss the late emperor. Tomorrow, they will dare to rebel, overturn the Tang Dynasty, and trample on the face of my Li family."

He paused for a moment, looking around at the officials who lowered their heads, not daring to look him in the eye. His eyes were filled with disappointment. "Well, since the world belongs to all, and you are so lax, then in my opinion, there is no point in having the world belong to all."

Before he finished speaking, Li Ke suddenly drew out the Tang sword from his waist.

A cold light flashed, and the sound of the Tang sword being unsheathed was particularly harsh in the silent hall.

He stood under the Dragon Platform, holding a Tang sword, the blade pointing to the sky, his eyes filled with domineering power.

Seeing Li Ke drawing his sword in the Taiji Hall, all the officials were immediately panicked.

Some people cried out in surprise, some stepped back subconsciously, and the entire hall was in chaos.

At this time, Li Wei, a veteran minister of three dynasties, stood up and shouted, "Your Highness, Prince Wu, how dare you draw your sword in the Taiji Hall?"

As Li Chengqian's confidant, he was highly respected in the court, and at this moment he was shocked by Li Ke's audacity.

Li Ke looked at Li Wei and nodded slightly, finally giving the old minister some face: "The late emperor gave me a sword and shoes to enter the palace, why should I not dare?"

He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly with both hands and said in a loud voice, "Today, I will see who dares to say that my killing was wrong."

"I will not engage in any of your talk about the world being for all."

"This king wants all of you to open your eyes and see this."

"Look at Chang'an today, look at the Tang Dynasty today, who controls the world?"

His words echoed in the hall for a long time, stirring up a thousand waves.

The sunlight shone through the glazed tiles on the roof of the temple and onto his body, giving him a layer of golden light, but also making the Tang sword in his hand even colder and more dazzling.

Outside the Tai Chi Hall, the wind and clouds were surging.

The city of Chang'an in the distance seemed to still be immersed in the terror of last night. There were few pedestrians on the streets and most shops were closed.

At this moment, a senior imperial censor stepped forward, holding a tablet in his hand. Although his voice trembled slightly, he still tried to maintain his dignity: "Your Highness, King Wu, although your actions are out of loyalty to the late emperor, disregarding human life is ultimately a grave mistake."

"The laws of the Tang Dynasty are strict. How can such wanton behavior be tolerated?"

"If everyone follows your highness's example, wouldn't the world be in chaos?"

"I hope Your Highness will lay down his butcher knife, apologize to His Majesty, and give an explanation to the people of the world."

Li Ke glanced at him coldly, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes: "Law? Who are the laws used to constrain?"

"Where was the law when those rebels slandered the late emperor? You people usually talk about morality and law, but at the critical moment, you dare not even fart."

"Now you come to teach me a lesson?"

"Your Highness, you are making far-fetched arguments!"

Another counselor could not help but say, "The late emperor ruled the country with benevolence, so the people could live and work in peace and contentment."

"Your massacre will only breed resentment among the people and shake the foundation of the Tang Dynasty!"

"Hahahaha!" Li Ke laughed loudly, his laughter filled with disdain. "Foundation? Without the majesty of the royal family, this foundation is nothing but a pile of loose sand."

"I want to let those with evil intentions know the consequences of offending the royal family!"

Just as everyone was arguing, a burst of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall. A guard hurried into the hall and announced loudly: "Your Majesty has arrived!"

Instantly, the hall fell silent. Everyone held their breath, awaiting the emperor's decision.

Li Ke tightened his grip on the Tang sword, but still put the sword back into the scabbard.