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

The dusk was like blood, staining the dome of the Damascus palace.

Muawiyah I reclined on his throne inlaid with pearls and emeralds, the flickering light from the gilded candlesticks dancing on his angular face, casting shadows.

Susuriya stood at the bottom of the steps, her silver-embroidered robe swaying slightly in the breeze.

&34;The Caliph, they will help us.&34;

Susulia broke the long silence, her voice firm, "No matter what the relationship between Tianzhu and the Tang Dynasty is, no matter how much the European countries fear the Tang Dynasty, this time, they have no say."

Muawiyah raised his eyes, his eyes full of doubt: "Why do you think so?"

Susulia stepped forward and unfolded a yellowed sheepskin map, on which the spheres of influence of the Tang Dynasty and the Arab Empire were marked in red and blue.

"Your Majesty, look at this."

His fingertips slid across the vast desert and oasis west of the Pamir Mountains. "Now, according to the news from the Tang Dynasty, do you think that the newly ascended Emperor of the Tang Dynasty only wants to deal with us Arabs?"

Without waiting for Muawiyah to answer, he continued: "Caliph, you have not read the history of the Tang Dynasty."

"Before, they didn't occupy too much land because they thought our places were barren and unsuitable for human habitation."

"They have their own pride and stubbornness, and they look down on us Gentiles from the bottom of their hearts."

"Do you know? Even the humblest beggars in Chang'an disdain to accept our charity."

"But don't forget," Susulia's voice suddenly rose, "there is not a single emperor in China who did not want to expand his territory."

"It's just that in the past, their territory was already large enough that they didn't have the ability or the military budget to support a large-scale expedition."

"But everything changed after Emperor Qianwu came to power."

"In the past, our Arab Empire was not afraid of the Tang Dynasty. Even if their Heavenly Khan had any ideas about us, he would not advance westward."

"But the Tang Dynasty that the Emperor of the present day has inherited is powerful enough to destroy our Arab Empire."

"They don't even need to mobilize the entire nation, just the power of a few Daos."

Muawiyah sighed and rubbed his temples: "What should we do? Are we just going to give our country away like this?"

A cold light flashed in Susulia's eyes, and he said firmly: "No, Caliph."

"The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty is now mobilizing the entire nation's strength. What they want is definitely not just my Arabian land."

"They are heading west, to take everything they see!"

"So, no matter what, India and the European countries must help us."

"Without us, the Arab Empire, standing in their way, they will only be eaten away."

"Tell me, even if we all unite, can we withstand the Tang Dynasty's cavalry?"

Muawiyah looked at the approaching red area on the map, feeling uneasy.

"Caliph, you are a powerful ruler and should not be afraid. Even if you are truly afraid, you must not show it."

Susuriya's voice was sonorous and powerful. "The Tang army is indeed invincible, but twenty years ago, our Arab cavalry was also invincible."

"At that time, we swept across Khorasan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan in Asia, and trampled Libya in Africa. How could we ever meet an opponent?"

"Back then, did we ever think we would lose? Similarly, how could the Tang army today have imagined that they would one day fail?"

He paused, then continued: "Now, the situation is different, Caliph."

"We also have firearms. Although they are not as sophisticated as those of the Tang Dynasty, at least they won't be able to penetrate our country anymore."

"Look, we have built so many strong walls and fortified fortresses on the border."

"Even if the Tang Dynasty wants to break through, it will have to pay a heavy price."

&34;But this alone is not enough.&34;

Susulia's expression became serious, "Caliph, get ready. The Qianwu Emperor was right. We need the power of the people."

"The Tang Dynasty won't attack us so quickly, but before that happens, we must take the initiative to attack."

"Cut off the heads of those nobles and distribute their wealth among the people."

"What?" Muawiyah sat up suddenly, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "You mean, attack the nobles? Do you know what this means?"

"Those tribal elders command vast armies and wealth, and their scimitars are not blind."

&34;I know, Caliph.&34;

Susulia met Muawiya's gaze fearlessly, "But you also know that these nobles have enriched themselves and withheld military pay, and the people have long been complaining."

"Our soldiers are bleeding and sacrificing their lives on the front lines, while they are living a life of debauchery in the rear."

If we don't solve this problem, even if we have more walls and more firearms, we won't be able to truly unite our forces.&34;

He pulled out a roll of parchment from his sleeve, on which were densely written names and numbers: "You see, the Governor of Yemen embezzled one-third of the conscription money and used the gold to build himself an extravagant palace."

"The nobles of Basra monopolized the spice trade, but left the soldiers on the front lines starving."

"As long as you make this evidence public and distribute the confiscated wealth to the hungry, the people will definitely support you."

"Then we can truly unite and fight against the Tang Dynasty together."

Muawiyah was silent for a long time, his eyes scanning the parchment repeatedly. The crackling candlelight illuminated his troubled expression.

Finally, he raised his head, a look of determination flashed in his eyes: "Okay, I'll do as you say."

"However, we must do this in secret and not alert the enemy. We should start with a few weaker nobles and gradually disintegrate their power."

"No, Caliph, we must start with the strongest nobles!"

Muawiyah looked at Susulia and narrowed his eyes.

He raised his eyebrows.

"it is good!"

"Yes, Caliph."

Susuriya knelt on one knee, placed his right hand on his chest, and said, "At the same time, we must also speed up the development and production of firearms."

"I have summoned the best craftsmen in the country, and they are studying how to improve firearms to increase their range and power."

"In addition, I suggest that envoys be dispatched immediately to India and European countries."

"India has always been eager to control the trade in the Indian Ocean. We can open the port of Aden and allow their merchant ships to enter and exit freely."

"We can tell them the Tang Dynasty's ambitions. Once Arabia falls, India will become the Tang Dynasty's next target."

"As for the European countries, they have long coveted the wealth of the East."

"We can use spices, silk, and gold as bait, while emphasizing the principle that if one loses the other, the other will be cold."

Muawiyah nodded and said, "Okay, let's do it."

"You should start preparing immediately."

"Also, strengthen border defenses and keep a close eye on the movements of the Tang army."

"Yes, Caliph."

Susuriya stood up and walked away, the sound of his footsteps gradually disappearing in the long corridor.

Muawiyah sat alone on the throne, looking out the window at the darkening sky, his mind filled with thoughts.

A war that concerns the survival of the empire is about to come, and he, as the leader of the Arab Empire, must make the right choice.

"Tang, you won't succeed so easily."

"This desert will be your burial place."

In the days that followed, tension hung in the air in Damascus.

Craftsmen worked day and night to develop firearms, and the sounds of hammering and flames could be heard one after another.

The nobles sensed something was amiss and began to collude secretly.

On the streets, Arab people are discussing the coming changes.