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

The setting sun was like blood, splashing on the wild grass on Mawei Slope.

The armor of the imperial guards glowed with a cold and hard light, the spears in their hands pointed diagonally at the ground, and the anger in their eyes was like a taut bowstring, ready to break at the command.

Chen Xuanli pulled the reins, and the warhorse under him seemed to sense the hostility around him, paddling its hooves restlessly, and the dust raised by it mixed with the smell of blood swirled in the wind.

He glanced sideways and saw several old soldiers outside the temporary tent not far away, clutching half a dry wheat cake, their eyes fixed on the bright yellow spot inside the tent - that was the residence of Li Longji, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, whom they had sworn to defend with their lives.

But at this moment, there was no awe in that look, only resentment suppressed to the extreme.

Chen Xuanli's heart sank, and his knuckles turned white from gripping the reins. He knew too well the source of the resentment, and he knew even more clearly that what he was carrying on his shoulders was the last dignity of the Tang Dynasty and the forty years of friendship between him and His Majesty.

Forty years ago, when Prince Linzi Li Longji was still a teenager, he first met Chen Xuanli on the parade ground of Luzhou Prefecture.

At that time, Chen Xuanli was still a young man who had just joined the palace army. When he danced with the sword, he was so fierce that he didn't care about his life. The wind from his sword swept through and actually cut the willow branch in front of Li Longji.

Others were so frightened that they knelt down and begged for mercy, but Chen Xuanli stiffened his neck and said, "How can there be any obstacle blocking your view?"

It was this integrity that made Li Longji keep him by his side and promote him all the way from personal guard to commander of the imperial guards.

"Xuan Li, look at the lotus flowers in Qujiang Pond. They are blooming more brilliantly this year than in previous years."

"Your Majesty, the railings around the pool are loose. I have had them reinforced. Please watch your step."

"With you here, I always feel at ease."

The words of harmony between the emperor and his subjects in the past still echoed in his ears, but now, the news of the fall of Chang'an spread to the army through the fleeing crowd, and the anger of the soldiers had reached their eyes.

Three days ago, when the first batch of deserters were caught, they were still shouting, "The saint has destroyed my family and killed me."

Last night, more than a dozen captains surrounded his tent, and the sound of scabbards hitting the ground kept him awake all night.

He knew that he had to do something to divert the soldiers' anger. At the very least, he needed a scapegoat.

"General!" Captain Wang, a man with a full beard, burst through the crowd, his steel knife gleaming blindingly in the setting sun. "Brothers, we can't stand this any longer! My nephew is with the Chang'an garrison. This morning, we received news that when the city fell, he was hacked seven times by the rebels while trying to protect the civilians!"

"This is all due to that traitor Yang Guozhong! But what about the Saint? He's still protecting his sister, not even saying a single harsh word. If you don't kill the Yang brothers and sisters today, we'll take up our swords and go to see our relatives in Chang'an!"

"Kill Yang Guozhong!" "Kill Yang Guifei!" "Punish the saint!" Shouts rang out one after another. The soldiers gripped their weapons tightly and moved slowly towards the camp.

Chen Xuanli's pupils suddenly shrank. He dismounted and suddenly drew his sword. The blade slashed through the air with a sharp whistling sound. "Stop it!"

The soldiers paused, and Captain Wang stiffened his neck and shouted, "General! Don't stop us! Have you forgotten? Your son is also in the Chang'an Imperial Guard! Don't you want to seek justice for him?"

These words hit Chen Xuanli's heart like a heavy hammer. His son Chen Jin had just joined the Chang'an Imperial Guard last year, and there was no news of him since the city was broken.

But he couldn't panic. He took a deep breath and plunged his sword into the soil, the tassel rustling in the wind. "My son's life is life, my brothers' lives are lives, your Majesty's life is also the life of the Tang Dynasty! Are you rushing in today to let An Lushan laugh and watch the Tang Dynasty slaughter each other?"

The crowd was silent for a moment, and then someone shouted, "But we can't let Yang Guozhong die!"

"I know Yang Guozhong's crimes better than you do."

Chen Xuanli's voice was hoarse, but his eyes were more determined. "But to kill him, we need a legitimate reason. It needs to be the emperor's order, not just a mutiny of the soldiers."

"Otherwise, what's the difference between us and traitors?" He knew that forcing the situation would only backfire, and he had to stabilize people's hearts first and then look for a turning point.

At this moment, the curtain was suddenly lifted and Li Longji walked out in casual clothes.

His hair was slightly disheveled and his face was pale. Most of his former imperial majesty had disappeared, leaving only fatigue in his eyes.

With just one glance, the king and his subject, who had known each other for forty years, understood each other's meaning.

Seeing the tense scene outside the tent, he staggered, but still forced himself to walk in front of Chen Xuanli, his voice trembling: "Xuanli, what's going on?"

Upon seeing this, Chen Xuanli quickly knelt and kowtowed, "Your Majesty! The soldiers were overwhelmed by the fall of Chang'an and the uncertainty of their families' safety. I was trying to comfort them, but I disturbed Your Majesty. I deserve death!"

Li Longji reached out to support him, and when his fingers touched Chen Xuanli's arm, he discovered that his shoulder under the armor was trembling slightly.

His heart ached as he recalled the time when they were hunting in Mount Li. Chen Xuanli had fought off a blind bear to protect him and his shoulder was scratched. He was also trembling slightly, but still smiled and said, "I'm fine, as long as Your Majesty is okay."

"Get up."

Li Longji sighed, "I know they are coming for Yang Guozhong."

He turned to the soldiers and wanted to say something, but when the words reached his lips, they turned into a heavy sigh.

Chen Xuanli stood up, quietly tugged at Li Longji's sleeve, and whispered, "Your Majesty, the wind is strong here. I have something to say to you alone."

Li Longji understood and turned back to the tent, followed closely by Chen Xuanli.

The candlelight in the tent flickered, making the two figures appear bright and dim.

"Xuan Li, tell me honestly, is it absolutely necessary to kill Yang Guozhong?"

Li Longji sat at the desk, supporting his forehead with both hands, his tone containing a barely perceptible pleading.

Chen Xuanli knelt on the ground, unable to get up, feeling a little dazed.

When did the saint become so foolish?

"Your Majesty, I dare not lie to you. The soldiers are now enraged. If an explanation is not given, there is a risk of a mutiny. If a mutiny occurs, not only will Yang Guozhong's survival be lost, but Your Majesty's safety will also be threatened, and the foundation of the Tang Dynasty will be completely shaken!"

"But..." Li Longji was interrupted by Chen Xuanli before he could finish his words.

"Your Majesty, I have followed you for forty years, from Luzhou Prefecture to Chang'an City, from Prince of Linzi to Emperor Kaiyuan. I have witnessed you create a prosperous era, and I have also watched you gradually neglect state affairs due to your favoritism towards the Yang family."

Chen Xuanli's voice was choked with sobs, but every word was sincere. "I know you are reluctant to part with your concubine, but now, the Tang Dynasty is in danger. If the anger of the soldiers is not extinguished, the consequences will be disastrous. You are the emperor of the Tang Dynasty. You can't just think about love, you must also think about the people of the world!"

Li Longji was startled. He looked at Chen Xuanli, the old minister who had followed him for half his life. He was now kneeling on the ground, his back still straight, his eyes full of anxiety.

He suddenly remembered that when Princess Taiping rebelled, it was Chen Xuanli who led three hundred personal guards to protect him.

When An Lushan first showed signs of rebellion, Chen Xuanli reminded him many times to be on guard, but he ignored these words because of Yang Guozhong's slander.

"Xuanli," Li Longji said in a trembling voice, "Tell me, am I wrong?"

"Your Majesty is not wrong, but you are blinded by love."

Chen Xuanli raised his head, his eyes determined. "I have a plan that will calm the anger of the soldiers and save your majesty's reputation."

Li Longji asked quickly, "What's the plan? Tell me!"

"Yang Guozhong has brought disaster to the country and the people, and deserves death. However, his execution requires an order from Your Majesty, charging him with 'collaboration with the enemy and treason'. This is both reasonable and demonstrates Your Majesty's justice."

Chen Xuanli paused and continued, "As for the Imperial Concubine... I beg Your Majesty to grant her a white silk scarf and allow her to die for her country."

"In this way, the soldiers will think that Your Majesty is putting justice above personal interests, and their anger will naturally subside."

"Secondly, it can also preserve the reputation of the imperial concubine and prevent her from being humiliated by the soldiers."

"Grant death to...Yuhuan..." Li Longji's face turned pale, his body swayed, and he almost fell down.

Chen Xuanli quickly stepped forward to support him, his tone pleading, "Your Majesty, I know you are heartbroken, but this is the only way! Otherwise, not only will your life and the Imperial Concubine's life be in jeopardy, but the entire Tang Dynasty will be destroyed!"

"Think about the prosperous Kaiyuan era and the people who trusted you. You can't let the Tang Dynasty be destroyed in your hands!"

Li Longji leaned on Chen Xuanli, tears streaming down his cheeks.

He remembered the oath he made with Yang Guifei in the Changsheng Palace and the way she looked when she danced the Colorful Skirt and Feathered Dress Dance, and his heart ached like a knife.

But he also knew that what Chen Xuanli said was right. He was the emperor of the Tang Dynasty and could not ignore the people of the world just for his own love.

"Good... what a great way to sacrifice one's own family for the sake of justice..." Li Longji's voice was hoarse, "Xuanli, I will do as you say. But... you must ensure that Yuhuan passes away peacefully and not let her suffer any injustice."

"I obey your order!" Chen Xuanli knelt down and kowtowed, his forehead hitting the ground, leaving a red mark.

He knew how difficult this decision was for Li Longji, but he had no choice. It was the only way to preserve the Tang Dynasty and His Majesty.

By the time they left the tent, the setting sun had already set and night was falling. Chen Xuanli took a deep breath and unsheathed his sword, which had been stuck in the dirt. The blade gleamed coldly in the moonlight. He stepped before the soldiers and declared, "Men, the Emperor has decreed that Yang Guozhong, a traitor, must be executed immediately! Yang Guifei, for her role in disrupting the imperial order, must be granted a white silk scarf to be sacrificed for her country!"

The soldiers were stunned for a moment, then erupted in cheers. Captain Wang stepped forward, clasped his fists toward Chen Xuanli, and said, "General, we were reckless! Thank you for standing up for us, my brothers!"

Chen Xuanli shook his head and looked towards the tent, his eyes full of complicated emotions.