I have already established my power and prestige, so how did Li Shimin come back to life?

Changsun Wuji was filled with sorrow and was too lazy to resist.

"Lord Changsun, I'm sorry, but I will die rather than you. Your sins cannot be washed away, but we are different. Not only are we innocent, but we have also done a great service and caught you, the mastermind."

Cui Sheng's face was beaming with joy, his smug smile radiating from his eyes, which gleamed with greed and selfishness.

He spoke arrogantly to Changsun Wuji, every word filled with sarcasm and disdain.

He tilted his head slightly, as if he had already become the victor in this game of power.

Although Cui Sheng did not hold a high official position in the Tang Dynasty, he belonged to the main branch of the Cui family and held a very high position and great influence within the family.

Even Cui Chan, who held the position of Minister, did not carry as much weight in his words as he did.

Standing in the bright sunlight, he appeared exceptionally tall, while Changsun Wuji lay in the shadows, looking utterly disheveled. Cui Sheng felt extremely smug.

"Changsun Wuji, you've finally met your match. This time, I'll make sure to perform well and secure more benefits for the family."

"This time, the credit is distributed highest among the Cui family! Don't forget, everyone, we are all from the same family and have a close relationship. Don't be dissatisfied."

Cui Sheng looked around and spoke loudly, his voice high-pitched and sharp, echoing in the air.

"The Wang family, who contributed the least, will be compensated later."

As Cui Sheng spoke, he was mentally calculating how to appease the Wang family at the lowest possible cost while maximizing his own interests.

A sly glint flashed in his eyes as he scanned the surrounding aristocratic officials, making sure they had all heard him.

"The only thing we need to do now is to keep Li Chengqian calm."

Choi Seung reiterated that he was well aware that the new emperor's attitude would determine their interests in this matter.

"that's right!"

……

Everyone echoed the sentiment, each harboring their own ulterior motives. On the surface, there was harmony, but in reality, everyone was thinking of their own family's interests. Their glances met with probing and calculation.

Changsun Wuji watched expressionlessly as the group of aristocratic officials lavishly claimed credit for his achievements, his heart churning with turmoil.

He knew he had become a pawn, and the ruthless betrayal of his former allies filled him with both anger and helplessness.

But he said nothing, his lips trembling slightly, and ultimately chose to remain silent.

Because he understood that speaking out would be useless. The scions of powerful families were a natural get-out-of-jail-free card; they colluded with each other and wielded immense power.

Even the emperor couldn't do anything about them.

If you dare to kill one person, everyone else will go on strike for that one person, paralyzing the entire court.

This is a problem that has troubled emperors throughout history, as they are interdependent yet mutually restraining.

Throughout history, emperors have employed a strategy of promoting some and suppressing others, maintaining a balance between powerful families that competed with each other.

This was true even during Li Shimin's reign. Changsun Wuji recalled the past with a bitter feeling in his heart.

It seems that in this political war, only I will perish. If even one member of a powerful family dies, the five clans and seven noble families will unite, and that will be the most troublesome time for the emperor.

Even if these people joined him in rebellion, the emperor could only grit his teeth and acknowledge their achievements.

He sighed inwardly, awaiting his unknown fate.

When Li Chengqian's army entered Chang'an, the sound of horses' hooves echoed through the streets, like the beating of war drums signaling the change of power.

The entire army broke into smaller units and moved in an orderly manner. Under Qun Ruzhao's command, small, well-organized detachments surged toward Chang'an City.

Sunlight shone on the soldiers, illuminating their resolute faces. At every street, every alleyway, and in front of every government office, soldiers from the three battalions appeared, their eyes scanning their surroundings warily, their weapons gripped tightly, as if silently proclaiming the new emperor's authority.