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

In the early summer of the fourth year of the Yonghui reign, the setting sun shone like blood in the northwestern desert. A large army slowly set out on their homeward journey, their flags rustling in the wind and sand. The bloodstains on their armor had long since dried, yet a solemn and murderous aura still lingered.

The leading general was only in his thirties, but his eyes were filled with the coldness of someone who had experienced many vicissitudes of life.

When he was young, he had gone deep into the Japanese territory and slew the enemy with his sword. Those bloody memories planted the seeds of hatred in his heart.

Wu Tianyan looked at the land behind him and recalled the expedition.

Although the Japanese live in remote areas overseas, they are ambitious. To be merciful to these enemies is to be cruel to their own people.

"If we don't kill them all, they will become like weeds, growing up again every spring."

These words echoed in his mind countless times.

He firmly believed that only by completely destroying the enemy could the Tang Dynasty's border be left with lasting peace. Even if this would severely damage the Tang Dynasty's vitality, as long as the world could be completely controlled by the Tang Dynasty in the future, everything would be worth it.

Just as the army was returning, bad news came from the central region of the Tang Dynasty.

An extremely severe drought swept across the country, leaving thousands of miles of land barren, crops failing, and people displaced.

For a time, rumors spread among the people. Some people said that this was God's punishment for the Tang Dynasty's frequent wars, and that His Majesty had gone too far in waging war and angered the gods.

These rumors soon spread to the Chang'an Palace, and the atmosphere in the court became increasingly solemn.

Li Zhi sat on the dragon throne, his brow furrowed. The news of the drought had him deeply worried, and the rumors among the people were like a thorn in his heart.

The stability of a country depends on the support of the people, and if the current disaster is not dealt with in a timely manner, it is likely to trigger a greater crisis.

In such a difficult situation, he decided to change the reign title, hoping to pray for God's blessing and bring good weather to the Tang Dynasty as soon as possible.

Therefore, he changed the reign title to Xianheng, which was taken from the Xian and Kun hexagrams in the Book of Changes, implying the interaction between heaven and earth and the communication of all things, hoping to bring good luck to the Tang Dynasty.

In the summer of the first year of Xianheng, the city of Chang'an was in full bloom, but undercurrents were surging in the imperial palace.

With the help of Li Jingxuan, Li Zhi made an important decision - to dismiss Wu Meiniang from her post as envoy to the capital, summon her into the palace, and confer her the title of Zhaoyi.

As soon as the news came out, the court was in an uproar.

Officials from all over the country wrote letters of opposition. They believed that Wu Meiniang was of humble origin and had once been a concubine of the previous emperor. It was against ethics to have her enter the harem again.

However, Li Zhi had made up his mind and insisted on his own opinion despite the opposition of all officials.

In his opinion, Wu Meiniang was extremely intelligent, able to give him advice, and was his right-hand man in governing the country.

The officials did not dare to lose their temper with Li Zhi and could only vent all their resentment on Li Jingxuan.

For a time, memorials impeaching Li Jingxuan came in like snowflakes, and all kinds of criticisms and accusations were overwhelming.

Li Jingxuan was exhausted under such pressure.

He knew that he had become the target of public criticism, and staying in the court would only bring disaster to his family.

So, he resolutely decided to resign from his post and leave. He did not even dare to stay in the Xianyang sanatorium for long, but hurriedly set off for his hometown with his family overnight.

After Li Jingxuan resigned, Li Zhi, in order to appease the court, gave Pei Xingjian an official title and promoted him to the position of Duke.

Pei Xingjian was a famous general with outstanding military achievements and high prestige in the army.

Li Zhi's move was not only a recognition of Pei Xingjian's achievements, but also a hope to stabilize the morale of the army.

At the same time, in the harem, Queen Wang's situation became increasingly difficult.

She never gave birth to a child, and Li Zhi was already forty years old at this time.

In ancient times, the heir to the throne was related to the rise and fall and survival of the country. Compared with ethics, the heir to the Tang Empire was obviously more important.

After Wu Meiniang entered the palace, she quickly won the favor of Li Zhi.

Two months after Li Zhi married Wu Meiniang, good news came - Wu Meiniang was found to be pregnant.

This news made Li Zhi ecstatic, and also made all the officials in the court gradually shut up.

In their view, nothing could be more reassuring than the birth of a successor to the Tang Empire, and ethical issues seemed to become less important at this time.

Things didn't end there.

There were still some stubborn ministers in the court who opposed Li Zhi's favor for Wu Meiniang on the grounds that the world was for the public good.

On this day, in Ganlu Palace, Li Zhi was furious. He angrily threw the memorial in his hand to the ground and said to Wu Meiniang, "Meiniang, these people are so audacious that they even dare to use the "World for the Public" to suppress me!"

"Don't they know who owns the world now?"

"If I'm happy, I'll tell them that the world belongs to all. If I'm unhappy, I'll tell them what the wrath of thunder is!"

Wu Meiniang looked at the angry Li Zhi, and a trace of worry flashed in her eyes.

She walked gently to Li Zhi, touched his head tenderly, and said softly: "Your Majesty, don't be angry."

"I know that many people are calling me a disaster for the country and the people behind my back. Sometimes, I really want to laugh."

"I am old now, and my beauty has faded. Your Majesty still took me in as a Zhaoyi. Aren't those young girls more beautiful than each other?"

"If you say that Your Majesty is lusting after beauty, I would be the first to disbelieve it. However, the most urgent task is to deal with the drought in our Great Tang."

"As for the world being for all, Your Majesty, you are wiser than anyone else. What I can think of, you can certainly think of as well."

"When I was young, I was more passionate than anyone else when I heard the late emperor say these four words. Now that I am older, I feel more and more how difficult these four words are."

"It's beyond human power. This world belongs to your Majesty. It was conquered by Emperor Taizong, Emperor Gaozong, and your Majesty with all their hard work. Shouldn't the Li family be high and mighty and enjoy the good life?"

"Emperor Gaozong has made a good life for these peasants, and now they dare to criticize His Majesty and the court."

As Li Zhi listened to Wu Meiniang's words, the anger on his face gradually dissipated and he showed a smile.

He looked at Wu Meiniang, his eyes full of admiration: "Meiniang, you are right. I have also thought about this matter for a long time."

"How about this? I'll give you the power to attend court. Go and tell those ministers your views. Tell them that it's impossible for the world to be run by the public. You know I can't say this, but you can."

Wu Meiniang was slightly stunned.

"Your Majesty, the harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs."

Li Zhi smiled and hugged Wu Meiniang.

"Mei Niang, what are you talking about? If I say you can, then you can."

Wu Meiniang was a little hesitant, but it was also an opportunity for her to make a name for herself in the court.

She nodded gently and said, "I will obey your command and will not let your majesty down."

A few days later, the atmosphere in the court became extremely tense.

Wu Meiniang, dressed in gorgeous clothes, slowly walked into the court.

All the officials looked at her with disdain in their eyes.

But Wu Meiniang was not afraid at all. She stood in the center of the court and said in a clear voice: "My Lords, I stand here today not as a Zhaoyi, but as a citizen of the Great Tang Dynasty, to discuss the affairs of the world with you."

"Your Majesty changed the reign title to Xianheng in the hope that our Tang Dynasty would enjoy good weather and prosperity, and that the people would live and work in peace and contentment."

"However, some people now accuse Your Majesty on the grounds that the world is for the public good, which makes me feel very sad."

"The world belongs to all. It is easy to say, but difficult to do. Since Emperor Taizong, our Tang Dynasty has achieved its current prosperity through the efforts of several generations of emperors."

"Your Majesty works day and night for this empire, exhausting all his energy. Isn't everything he does for the people of the Tang Dynasty?"

"Now, the drought is raging. Your Majesty is extremely anxious and trying every possible way to provide relief, yet you are here blaming Your Majesty. Is this what they call serving the public good?"

"Besides, this world belongs to the Li family."

"Emperor Taizong, Emperor Gaozong, and Your Majesty, they sacrificed their lives and shed their blood for this world, devoting countless efforts."

"Don't the descendants of the Li family deserve to enjoy the glory and wealth of this world?"

"Emperor Gaozong allowed the people to live a good life. This was his kindness and wisdom."

"But the people cannot forget their responsibilities and forget who gave them the life they have today."

"Now, I am pregnant with the dragon heir. This is the hope of the Tang Dynasty."

"I believe that Your Majesty will make this world more prosperous and allow the people of the Tang Dynasty to live a happier life."

"As ministers of the Tang Dynasty, you should assist His Majesty, not make groundless accusations and disrupt the government."

Wu Meiniang's words were so passionate that all the officials in the court fell silent.

They had to admit that although what Wu Meiniang said was a bit harsh, every word made sense.