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

The late spring in Chang'an was filled with a gentle breeze, willow catkins were flying all over the sky like fine snow, and the sycamore leaves in the Weiyang Palace were rustling in the wind.

Muawiyah's shackled hands trembled slightly as the guards escorted him through the palace gates.

The bluestone slabs under his feet had been polished by time, but at this moment he felt a biting chill.

His eyes swept across the vermilion columns and gilded plaques. Every exquisite carving silently demonstrated the majesty of the Tang Dynasty.

This was completely different from the Arab Empire in his memory, and he felt mixed emotions.

Once upon a time, he was the powerful Caliph of the Arab Empire, leading brave and warlike warriors to sweep across the Middle East. No one dared to stop him wherever his iron hoofs went.

Now he has become a prisoner of the Tang Dynasty and was brought to the power center of this Eastern Empire. He could not help but sigh at the drastic change of fate.

After passing through the last palace gate, Muawiyah's breathing suddenly stopped.

Sitting upright on the dragon throne with carved dragons and painted phoenixes was Li Zhi, dressed in a gorgeous dragon robe.

Li Zhi's face was calm, but his eyes revealed the aura of an emperor who was majestic without anger. His deep eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts.

Muawiyah raised his head slightly and met Li Zhi's eyes. At that moment, an indescribable complex emotion surged in his heart, including unwillingness, awe, and a hint of uneasiness about an unknown fate.

"The Emperor...of the Tang Dynasty?"

Muawiyah's voice was filled with disbelief.

He had never imagined that he would face the Emperor of Tang in such a humiliating way. His former pride and dignity were shattered by reality at this moment.

Muawiyah would never have imagined that the person in front of him was the emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty actually came to see him in person.

He couldn't help but smile bitterly. The turn of fate was so dramatic.

Muawiyah smiled, a smile filled with bitterness and helplessness: "I never thought that the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty would actually meet with a prisoner like me."

The corners of his mouth rose slightly, but it could not hide the sadness in his eyes. That smile was like a clear spring in the desert that was about to dry up.

Li Zhi smiled, his gentle smile making people feel like spring breeze. "Nothing is unexpected. Even if you are a prisoner, I will still treat you with the courtesy of a prince of the Tang Dynasty."

He waved his hand gently, and the guards retreated in unison, leaving only two people sitting opposite each other in the palace.

For a moment, a subtle atmosphere filled the air, a mixture of tension and relaxation.

"I've had you escorted along the way, letting you see the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty."

Li Zhi's tone was calm, yet filled with pride, and he straightened his back slightly.

"Well, from what I've seen along the way, how does my Tang Dynasty compare to your Arabia?"

His words fully displayed the majesty of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

When Muawiyah heard Li Zhi's words, he immediately understood what Li Zhi meant.

His thoughts returned to what he had seen and heard along the way.

"Your Majesty, the Tang Dynasty is naturally far superior to Arabia. Not to mention Arabia, all the countries in the world combined are not as good as the Tang Dynasty."

Muawiyah said this sincerely, his tone full of admiration.

"Just look at what I saw in the Tang Dynasty. I could feel the Eastern civilization deeply. There wasn't even any debris on the streets. I've never seen such clean streets before."

"At least, I've never even seen people without clothes to cover their bodies. Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, I am convinced."

He lowered his head slightly, a hint of loss in his eyes, but also recognition of the strength of the Tang Dynasty.

Listening to Muawiyah's words, Li Zhi nodded, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes: "Then why do you want to rebel against the Tang Dynasty and against me?"

"In the past, when the countries surrounding the Tang Dynasty were not yet destroyed, their kings all wanted to integrate into our Tang Dynasty and become a part of it."

"Now, except for a few who plotted rebellion, most people have been incorporated into the Great Tang, including the people of Goguryeo, the people of the Western Regions, and the people of Tibet. Every one of them is now a citizen of the Great Tang."

"You've all lived lives we never could have imagined before. You know you can't stop the Tang army, so why are you still resisting?"

"Why not just surrender? I grant you titles and guarantee you a lifetime of wealth and prosperity. Why suffer so much murder?"

Li Zhi's words were filled with confusion, but also with a desire for peace.

After hearing Li Zhi's words, Muawiyah was silent for a long time.

His thoughts returned to the grasslands and deserts of the Arab Empire, where there were vast expanses of yellow sand, galloping horses, hospitable tribesmen, his people, and their dreams.

Remember that in that land, they chased the wind of freedom and fought for the glory of survival.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, everything you said is correct. We are indeed powerless to resist the Tang Dynasty."

Muawiyah said slowly.

"You have muskets and cannons. You can easily blow through the defenses built by millions of our civilians."

"The most elite troops of the Arab Empire, when they encountered the troops of your Tang Dynasty, collapsed in a matter of seconds."

His voice grew deeper and deeper, his heart filled with pain.

He raised his head and looked at Li Zhi with a firm gaze: "But Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Great Tang, I know that you Tang people have a saying, that those who are not of my race must have different hearts."

"From the bottom of your hearts, you look down on us barbarians."

"Even if your Majesty says so, I want to know, haven't there been enough cases of the Tang Dynasty being destroyed and annihilated?"

"Even if we really merge into the Tang Dynasty as Your Majesty has said, I believe Your Majesty will guarantee me a lifetime of wealth and prosperity."

"But what about my Arab people? What about my common people? After they are incorporated into the Tang Dynasty, they will be inferior to others and looked down upon everywhere. By then, we Arabs will not even have the power to resist."

Muawiyah paused and continued, "Your Majesty, we yearn for freedom. We can be invaded by the Tang Dynasty because we have also invaded others and destroyed many countries."

"But we also have what you Tang people call bones. We were once glorious too."

"Our Prophet Muhammad led us out of ignorance and established the powerful Arab Empire. Our caravans traveled all over Asia, Africa, and Europe, and our scholars achieved remarkable achievements in mathematics, medicine, astronomy, and other fields."

"Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, your soldiers can chop off our Arab heads, but you cannot break our Arab bones."

His chest rose and fell slightly, as if he had returned to that passionate era, and the pride and indomitable spirit in his heart was rekindled.

Li Zhi listened quietly, his expression gradually becoming solemn.

His brows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes revealed a hint of thought.

"I understand your concerns," Li Zhi slowly stood up and walked in front of Muawiyah, his eyes full of sincerity.

"But I can assure you that as long as you sincerely submit, the Tang Dynasty will welcome you with an open mind."

"I will allow your people to live and work in peace and contentment on the land of the Tang Dynasty, preserving your culture and beliefs. There will be no discrimination."

Muawiyah raised his head, his eyes full of doubt: "Your Majesty, can you really do it?"

"nature."

Li Zhi's eyes were firm.

"The prosperity of the Tang Dynasty was due to its tolerance and openness. Whether it was merchants from the Western Regions or monks from Tibet, they could all find their place in the Tang Dynasty."

"I hope that the people of Arabia can also become part of the Tang Dynasty and work together to create a more glorious future."

"Your Majesty, allow me to consider this."

Muawiyah clasped his hands and said, "This matter is of great importance. I need time to consider it."

Li Zhi nodded. "I'll give you time. But I hope you understand that peaceful development is the general trend of the world."