Capital city.
Li Shimin looked at the memorial in front of him with a strange expression. He had previously agreed to Lu Dongzan's marriage proposal, but now it was invalidated. Li Shimin felt a little uneasy. Of course, what he cared about was not Changsun Pingting's affairs, but his own face.
The king of a country has already allowed this matter, but you little bastard actually canceled it. Where can I put my face?
What's more, Li Shimin did not order the cancellation of this matter. This was probably Li Xiang's own decision, which made Li Shimin feel a little out of control. Although Li Xiang did a good job this time and plunged the entire Tubo Kingdom into chaos, but then again, this also made Li Shimin feel uncomfortable.
Li Shimin was busy some time ago, and the Five Surnames and Seven Families fell into various declines. If Li Shimin did not move forward at this time, there might not be such an opportunity in the future, so he handed over the affairs of Tubo to Li Xiang. Now when he saw these memorials, Li Shimin felt that he should take care of it. Now Li Xiang is a little too successful and it is a threat to the emperor.
"Xuanling, I'm sure you understand what's happening on the plateau. If someone else were to take over, how likely do you think it would be to remain the same?"
Changsun Wuji has already withdrawn from the circle of three people, and now Li Shimin has also seen it. Although Changsun Wuji is still on his side, he will also consider Li Xiang. If Changsun Wuji continues to stay here, it will be difficult for him, so the core circle of three people now becomes Li Shimin and Fang Xuanling.
Fang Xuanling was a smart man. Li Shimin would never speak without a purpose. Now that he said this, it was obvious that he wanted to take action against Li Xiang. Of course, this was also a very normal thing. Li Xiang did too well on the plateau, which had already put pressure on Emperor Taizong. If Li Xiang took down Tubo again, there would be no more titles to be given to him.
If Li Shimin was already in his sixties or seventies and felt overwhelmed by the government affairs, then there would be nothing wrong with Li Xiang's behavior, and he would need a successor. However, Li Shimin was in his prime, and his children and grandchildren did not need to take care of so many things, and he was also unwilling to give up these powers. So what Li Xiang did was somewhat unacceptable.
Fang Xuanling was considering how to answer. The emperor had some little thoughts in his mind again, but then again, if he followed the emperor's words, if something happened on the plateau, Li Xiang would have to go back to clean up the mess. This kid was not an ordinary person. He would not do whatever you asked him to do. If he threw a tantrum, it would be extremely detrimental to the entire Tang Dynasty.
According to Fang Xuanling's real idea, Li Xiang should be allowed to continue to stay in Tubo. Now he has only made initial progress. If he wants to continue to weaken Tubo, no one is more suitable than Li Xiang. If he replaces him with someone else, in case he does not understand Li Xiang's action steps, then a good thing will turn into a bad thing, and there will be no benefit except adding an enemy.
"Your Majesty, I believe it would be difficult for anyone other than His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to take over the affairs of Tubo."
After thinking for a long time, Fang Xuanling still didn't know how to say it. Seeing Li Shimin's inquiring eyes, Fang Xuanling simply stopped hiding it. The monarch and his ministers had known each other for many years. As long as you have any ulterior motives, Li Shimin will be able to see it. It is better to say it directly so that everyone can save themselves the trouble.
Li Shimin naturally knew his trusted ministers very well. Fang Xuanling had solved countless problems for him over the years. His current answer was basically the final one. In fact, Li Shimin was also afraid that things would not be done well if he replaced him. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Li Shimin has always wanted to understand Tubo, and the most important thing is to weaken Tubo. How can he allow others to sleep soundly beside his bed? Li Shimin also understands this truth. There are Turks in the north and Tubo in the south. These are Li Shimin's biggest worries. Now the Turks have been destroyed, and Tubo still exists. If Li Xiang can continue to weaken them, Li Shimin will be happy to see it, but Li Xiang's majesty is getting higher and higher. If he imitates himself and forces the emperor to abdicate, will I also become the emperor?
"In that case, let that brat stay there."
Li Shimin moved his mouth but didn't say anything else. Fang Xuanling also breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. After all, it was for the sake of the entire empire. If it was just for the little thing in your heart, the Tang Dynasty might have lost this opportunity.
Li Shimin thought of some other children and grandchildren in his mind, but finally shook his head helplessly. If there was any useful one, he could train you all. You could serve as a whetstone for Li Xiang and distract Li Xiang's energy so as not to expand his strength indefinitely. Unfortunately, none of them are of much use. Originally, he thought that King Wei Li Tai was useful, but now this guy has learned his lesson and is enjoying himself at home with the door closed.
"Go and convey the order to have Prince Li Tai of Wei inspect Tuyuhun."
Fang Xuanling was reading other memorials when Li Shimin suddenly said this. Wang De next to him hurried down to convey the order. Although he didn't know what Li Shimin meant, the emperor's order had to be implemented immediately, otherwise the matter would be in trouble.
Prince Li Tai of Wei has been quiet for a long time. Perhaps he knows that he and Li Xiang are not on the same level, so he does not stand up for many things. The emperor is forcibly cultivating an opponent for Li Xiang!
Li Shimin also felt that what he was doing was a bit shady, so he pretended that he was not feeling well and hurried to the harem to rest, leaving Fang Xuanling alone here to handle official business. Fang Xuanling was a capable man and naturally would not criticize this matter. After all, it was the emperor's family affair.
Besides, even if Li Tai went to Tuyuhun, he wouldn't have caused much trouble. What happened when Li Zhi and Li Xiang went on a joint expedition? Li Zhi was completely subdued, and in the end, he didn't even get a chance to claim credit. If Li Tai had been smart, he would have honestly wandered around the Tuyuhun grasslands, collected all the tributes he deserved, kept quiet about everything he should and shouldn't have, and then returned to Chang'an in peace.
Of course, this is what Fang Xuanling was thinking. As for what Li Tai would do, that probably depended on his not-so-flexible brain...
