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

Li Chengqian's lips curled up into a helpless smile.

"The emergence of aristocratic families was initially just to serve the emperor."

"Indeed, even today, no matter what kind of natural disaster or flood we encounter, the decentralization of imperial power requires the assistance of the local nobles."

"But if there were no aristocratic families, I wouldn't be able to rule the world, right?"

"I want to tell you that I don't need a noble family to govern the world well."

Cui Jingming was stunned at first when he heard Li Chengqian's bold words, but then he couldn't help laughing: "Your Majesty, you can say this now only because the people support you."

"You only eradicated the aristocratic family, but you didn't eradicate the family's foundation."

As he spoke, he pointed at Qin Ruzhao, then at Zhang Xianhuai and Mr. Qi.

"Look at these people you promoted. They are so young, yet they already hold high positions of power. You destroyed our aristocratic families, and they will become the new aristocratic families in the future."

"It's just a change of name."

"Your Majesty, if you want to govern the world, you will have to rely on these forces, even if Your Majesty does not rely on them."

"Will the rulers of later generations also not rely on you?"

Li Chengqian looked at Cui Jingming quietly without saying a word, his deep eyes seemed to be able to see through every fluctuation in his heart.

Cui Jingming gritted his teeth and looked Li Chengqian in the eye, but as time went on, he felt more and more flustered. There seemed to be an invisible pressure in Li Chengqian's eyes.

The most important thing is the extraordinary pride and self-confidence.

Finally, he was defeated, slowly closed his mouth, and uttered: "I have never seen anyone like you!"

"I, Cui Jingming, am convinced."

"Your Majesty's courage and insight far surpass those of your predecessors. Unfortunately, I can no longer see the world you envision in your heart."

After saying this, he bowed to show his respect and recognition for Li Chengqian.

He was convinced by the call of "Your Majesty" several times.

Seeing this, Li Chengqian stepped forward and gently patted Cui Jingming on the shoulder, his tone carrying a rare hint of appreciation: "You are not bad, a good person, and your ideas are also good. If you can live longer, you may achieve something earth-shattering."

After saying that, he turned to Zhang Xianhuai and ordered, "Xianhuai, go call Li Tong over."

"It's your Majesty!"

Zhang Xianhuai took the order and left.

Soon, Li Tong was brought back.

He lowered his head, his eyes evasive, not daring to look directly into Cui Jingming's eyes, as if he was hiding endless guilt in his heart.

His lips trembled slightly, and he uttered with difficulty: "Master."

Cui Jingming felt mixed emotions. He didn't know how to face this former confidant, so he simply pretended not to hear and looked away.

Li Chengqian broke the awkward silence: "Cui Jingming, no matter what the plan is, it is all empty talk. Before the plan is made, no one knows what the process and result will be."

"But the feelings we've shared along this journey are genuine. Li Tong, I've granted you the promise you made me make half a year ago."

"You are allowed to go with Cui Jingming. I will take good care of your sister."

"You stay with him and go on your journey with peace of mind!"

When Li Tong heard this, a relieved smile finally appeared on his face, with a hint of relief and satisfaction in that smile.

He glanced gratefully at Li Chengqian, then at Cui Jingming: "Thank you, Your Majesty! I have completed my mission. Please take good care of my sister, Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian nodded slightly to show his agreement.

Cui Jingming couldn't help but tremble slightly when he heard Li Chengqian's words. He turned to look at Li Tong, his eyes filled with confusion and heartache: "Why? Why do you want to die with me?"

"You have made great contributions. His Majesty will reward you and bring honor to your family!"

"Li Tong! Why are you doing this?! I don't blame you! It's my fault for not being able to accomplish my goal! I made a mistake in the game of chess. I, Cui Jingming, will admit defeat. There's nothing to be ashamed of. But you don't have to do this!"

Seeing Cui Jingming finally speaking to him, Li Tong's tense heart finally relaxed. He said sincerely, "Mr. Cui treated me with the courtesy of a great man, but I have failed him. I am truly ashamed to live in this world."

"Mr. Cui, your kindness to me is as great as a mountain. Even though I, Li Tong, am a nobody, I know how to repay your kindness."

"Now that my mission is complete, I feel relieved and at peace. I can now face Mr. Cui sincerely."

"I thought I would never have this opportunity again."

"I thank your majesty for your grace."

After saying this, he burst into tears and looked at Li Chengqian again.

Li Chengqian looked at Cui Jingming and said, "Cui Jingming, you have tuberculosis, but you have never coughed in front of others. To be honest, I admire you."

"You've endured it all your life, so I'll let you cough it out!"

Li Tong hurried forward and held Cui Jingming's arm.

Cui Jingming slowly turned around and faced Li Chengqian. His voice was hoarse but full of gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. I have one last wish, and I hope Your Majesty will fulfill it."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Speak."

"Your Majesty, please do not bear a grudge against those soldiers. They will not cause you any trouble. If you are worried, you can allow them to expand the territory and give them a chance to atone for their sins."

"Your Majesty should also know that my trusted advisors, while loyal to me, are all well-educated men. They care about the people and have advised me to reform the aristocratic families more than once."

"I know that now that Your Majesty has eliminated the aristocratic families, there are many vacancies for local officials. If Your Majesty doesn't mind, you can use them."

"If Your Majesty feels uncomfortable, please let them go home!"

Li Chengqian looked at Cui Jingming and said after a moment, "I know them and will use them. They are indeed capable of handling local affairs."

"I don't care who they are loyal to, whether it's you or me, as long as they have the people in their hearts, I will use them. Go with peace of mind!"

Hearing Li Chengqian's agreement, Cui Jingming no longer had any regrets in his heart. He bowed to show his gratitude.

"Excellent, Your Majesty! I will pray for your success from Heaven!"

After saying this, the tuberculosis that had been suppressed by him for a long time was no longer restrained.

With the first light cough, the itching in his lungs surged like a tide, and he began to cough violently and uncontrollably.

Each cry was louder than the last, and blood gushed out of his mouth like a fountain, staining his clothes and the ground beneath his feet red.

Li Tong supported him silently, his eyes filled with grief and reluctance.

Half an hour later, Cui Jingming's cough gradually became weaker, and finally he was unable to hold on any longer and collapsed in Li Tong's arms.

Li Tong burst into tears and shouted hoarsely: "Mr. Cui!..."

Cui Jingming used up his last bit of strength, revealed a relieved smile, and murmured the last two words of his life: "Comfortable..."

He then died of suffocation.

Li Tong gently put Cui Jingming's body down and kowtowed respectfully to Li Chengqian: "Your Majesty, I will go with Lord Cui. Your Majesty, take care!"

Li Chengqian nodded silently.

Zhang Xianhuai handed a dagger to Li Tong. Li Tong did not hesitate at all and held Cui Jingming's body in his arms again.

"Mr. Cui! Li Tong is going on the journey with you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand and stabbed the dagger into his heart, and followed Cui Jingming to the underworld.

Li Chengqian slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and after a long while, he finally uttered, "Give him a proper burial."

There was a hint of loneliness in that voice.