Chang'an City, Daming Palace.

When the morning light first broke, the first ray of sunlight penetrated the mist and gently brushed through the layers of glazed tiles. The golden light danced on the palace wall, as if it were the gentlest brushstrokes of nature, providing a blessing for the emperor who had slept all night.

The city added a touch of vitality.

In the Xuanzheng Hall, Emperor Taizong sat on the dragon throne, looking at his highness' ministers with eyes like torches.

This is the heart of the Tang Dynasty. Every decision is related to the fate and future of the country. Whenever important state affairs need to be discussed, it will become the busiest and most tense place in the entire Tang Dynasty.

Today is destined to be an extraordinary day.

In the early morning, all the civil and military officials, noble officials and ministers gathered together, all with solemn expressions.

Li Daoyu, a doctor from the Yu tribe, took the lead and said:

"Your Majesty, King Wentai of Gaochang has repeatedly prevented the countries in the Western Regions from paying tribute to the Tang Dynasty! He also colluded with the Western Turks and showed disobedience!"

As soon as this statement came out, the atmosphere in the court suddenly turned cold, and the civil and military officials had mixed reactions.

Some civil servants frowned, while the military generals looked excited and eager to try.

Li Shimin slowly stood up from the throne, with cold eyes, looking down at the court officials, his resolute face carrying an indescribable majesty.

"Qiang~"

He picked up the Emperor's Sword beside the dragon chair and pulled out a section. The sharp cold light poured out, and the strong killing aura shocked people's hearts.

"My lords, why can't we kill all the barbarians around the Tang Dynasty?"

Hearing these words full of iron-blooded killing, all the ministers were frightened, knowing that His Majesty was angry. The palace maids holding sunflower fans on both sides of the dragon chair turned pale with fright and almost knelt down.

When the emperor is angry, he lays down millions of corpses and bleeds in the oars. This is no joke.

The Tang Dynasty was founded by force, and it was at its peak in the Spring and Autumn Period. Once it decided to use force against the barbarians, it would inevitably lead to bloodshed.

Qin Qiong stepped out from the crowd, added fuel to the fire, and said:

"Your Majesty, Gaochang has not paid tribute to our Tang Dynasty Empire in the past few years, and has not followed the etiquette of a vassal. The official titles set up are the same as those of our Tang Dynasty. He is digging cities and trenches, preparing for attacks, and is ambitious.

A few days ago, my envoy from the Tang Dynasty came there to question, and Wen Tai also uttered wild words, saying that eagles fly in the sky, chickens nest in the grass, cats play in the halls, and mice chew in their holes. Everyone has his own place. Can't he be allowed to develop on his own?

?

This beast refuses to obey the king's rule and is so arrogant that he should be punished!"

Li Chunfeng also immediately stepped forward, holding an ancient scroll in his hand and said:

"Your Majesty, I was lucky enough to get a map a few days ago. From the countries in the Western Regions to Tianzhu and even Lingshan, all transportation hubs and important mountains and rivers are recorded."

As soon as he finished speaking, he spread out the map of the Western Region.

The Taoist scrolls woven with silk and gold threads shine brightly, and countless light and shadow pictures emerge, including mountains, rivers, land, rivers, lakes and seas. The vast territory outside Kyushu is intuitively presented in front of the civil and military officials.

Li Shimin's eyes lit up, his face was filled with joy, he patted the armrest of the dragon chair and said:

"Okay, with this map, why worry about not succeeding in the Western Expedition? Prepare your army for war immediately!"

"Your Majesty, where will we hit this time?" asked Hou Junji, the general manager of the Jiaohe Marching Army and the Minister of Civil Affairs.

It was common for the Tang Dynasty to conquer the surrounding barbarians. The question was how to attack and how many people to send out.

"The land of the Tang Dynasty has no borders!" Emperor Taizong said with sharp eyes and domineering side.

The generals were overjoyed when they heard this, and they were all gearing up to prepare for a big fight.

However, Prime Minister Xiao Yu looked worried and came out to report:

"Your Majesty, it is natural to conquer Gaochang in the west and expel the Turks, but it is best not to cross the southern border. Xiniu Hezhou over there is within the control of Buddhism. The world of Lingshan is inhabited by Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and great saints. We want to invade rashly.

, for fear of causing disaster."

Qin Qiong glanced at him and said with disdain:

"Who said Xiniu Hezhou is the territory of Buddhism? Buddha has the land deeds of various countries in the Western Regions?"

"you--"

"What are you doing?" Qin Qiong glared at him and said forcefully, "Prime Minister Xiao, Jiuzhou has always been the orthodoxy of the human race. In the whole world, is it the land of the king? On the shore of the land, is it the ministers of the king! My army of the Tang Dynasty reached the foot of Lingshan Mountain.

, so why not?”

"..."

Prime Minister Xiao Yuan's beard trembled wildly and his body trembled.

He had always believed in Buddhism and was quite pious, and did not want the Tang army to go deep into the Western Regions and cause conflicts with the Tianzhu countries.

"Brother Qin is right. Immortals and Buddhas have their own blessed land to live in. This human territory, including the Western Region, should be controlled by our human race, the Central Plains Dynasty!"

Cheng bit the golden urn and said angrily.

The civil servants were a little hesitant.

Wei Zheng, Li Chunfeng, Yuan Tiangang and other terrestrial immortals with advanced cultivation all had reservations.

There is no problem with the Western Expedition, but the territory of the Central Plains Dynasty has never been expanded to Xiniu Hezhou, Tianzhu or even the foot of Lingshan Mountain. It is too radical.

Jixia Academy, the masters of hundreds of schools of thought, and the sages and saint-kings of Huoyun Cave may not support this.

"First destroy Gaochang, Western Turks and other barbarians, and completely open up the Silk Road in the Western Regions. We will discuss the rest later."

Tang Taizong also had some doubts about this, and for the sake of conservatism, the first step was not too radical.

As a human king with great talent and strategy, to be honest, he really wanted to go all the way to Tianzhu along the Silk Road, annex the countries in the Western Regions, unify the two continents, and establish an unprecedented empire.

Striving for hegemony at home and fighting abroad are completely different.

In the internal struggle for hegemony, due to the suppression of the Kyushu barrier, there will generally not be too much high-end force. Immortals and Buddhas will not appear, and gods and demons will be hard to find.

To the outside world, anything can happen, but if you encounter powerful demons and ghosts, you can ask senior experts from various schools of thought to subdue them, or you can offer sacrifices to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, and ask Huoyundong to send troops.

Unfortunately, as the ruling body of the Three Realms and Six Paths, Heaven also has many restrictions on the human race. Although the human race is strong, it is currently divided. Some ethnic groups are almost completely divided. They do not believe in the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, do not worship their ancestors, and only worship the Hu God.

Not to mention the unification of the two major continents, even the Nanzhan continent still had many places that were not included in the territory of the Tang Dynasty.

In this regard, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty was also more than willing but unable to do anything.

Those high-ranking immortal and Buddhist bosses will not allow a unified human dynasty to emerge in the earthly immortal world. In that case, the power of humanity may overwhelm the divine way, and there is the possibility of subverting the heavenly system...

After retreating from the court, the civil and military officials left one after another.

Li Shimin was a little worried, so he retreated and came to Zichen Hall alone.

This is the place where he handles daily government affairs and rests. It is more private and quiet. The furnishings in the palace are simple yet elegant. Antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and every artifact reveal the royal nobility and taste.

The palaces and courtyards are lined with green trees, fragrant flowers, well-proportioned pavilions and pavilions, small bridges and flowing water, the sun is shining brightly, and begonias are sleeping in spring, forming exquisite garden paintings.

Li Shimin wanted to be alone in Changting and relax, but he found that there were several uninvited guests in this small courtyard that did not allow outsiders to enter.

They were three men, all wearing luxurious imperial robes. They were tall, with heroic faces, eyes like torches, and extraordinary aura. They were surrounded by wisps of golden imperial dragon aura. They were supreme and noble, as if they were roaring with dragons, shocking the whole world!

The man on the left has a tall head and is wearing a black dragon robe from the pre-Qin era. He is extremely majestic. He holds the Tai'a Sword in his hand and says:

"General Tiance, titled King of Qin, Li Er, you are quite courageous."

Li Shimin raised his eyebrows, his eyes were a little surprised, he strode over, cupped his hands and said:

"It turns out to be the Immortal Qin Zulong, disrespectful and disrespectful."

He did not act very respectful, but was calm and unhurried, neither humble nor overbearing.

We are all the kings of Kyushu. We carry one head on two shoulders. Who is afraid of whom?

Unless Emperor Fuxiwa and Emperors Yan and Huang were here, he would follow the ancient laws, perform great rituals, and respect his ancestors. Qin Shihuang did not have such seniority and status.

"good."

On the other side, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was wearing a red dragon robe and a crown, with a red body and a majestic look. He looked at Li Shimin for a while and nodded.

Although Li Er was not the founding ancestor of the Tang Dynasty, he basically conquered Li Tang's empire, so he, the "second generation of emperors", was deeply popular and had more prestige than his father Li Yuan.

Qin is the best fiefdom. Li Yuan named Li Shimin "King of Qin" in recognition of his contribution, because Li Shimin made great contributions in the founding of the Tang Dynasty. However, because he was not the eldest son, he could not inherit the throne and could only pass a coup.

Upper position.

Killing brother and brother is not a special black history, because if he didn't do it, he would be the one who died.

Li Shimin glanced at Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and said nothing. He came behind the man in the middle with his back to him, bowed slightly, saluted respectfully, and said:

"This junior has met Emperor Yao Tian."

Ren, who was admiring the view of peonies in the flower garden, turned around, sat at the stone table in the pavilion, and said calmly:

"sit."

Emperor Qin and Emperor Wu of Han were seated on the left and right, and placed the wine, nectar, peaches and red fruits on the table.

Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty sat a little reservedly opposite the Human Celestial Emperor, full of doubts.

Didn't we agree that there are rules in Huoyun Cave and that the sages and saint-kings faked their own death and disappeared from the world, so why did so many people come this time?

He doesn't seem to have done anything against his ancestors, right?

With a calm look on his face, Ren took out a chessboard and placed it on the table.
To be continued...