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Chapter 37: The Emperor's Infamy

"Li Xiang, I called you here today so that you can speak freely, not to keep silent. Since your uncles don't have any effective opinions, do you have any?"

Li Shimin continued to create hatred for Li Xiang. A bunch of uncles were standing here, but you said they were useless and then dragged yourself out. Wouldn't this make them hate me?

Although Li Xiang has the support of the system, he cannot make enemies everywhere. Now Li Xiang has realized that this grandfather has bad intentions. He really wants to train him as his successor and create a bunch of enemies. He lets these people attack him at ordinary times so that he can watch from a high position.

Li Xiang looked up at his uncles, all of whom had disdain on their faces. Although they had just been scolded, they did not think that Li Xiang could solve this problem.

"Grandson is thinking, for now..."

Li Xiang didn't want to fall into this trap and offend all the uncles in this circle. He would have a hard time in the future.

"If you have no idea, just say so. You're so young and you're trying to do this. Do you think everyone here is stupid?"

As expected, King Li Tai of Wei was the first one to jump out. He had the most contact with Li Xiang and usually disliked Li Xiang. Now everyone has been scolded, and you are still thinking, can you think of a better way?

"Father, Xiang'er is still young, so it's normal that he has no solution. It's better to give him more time to think. Perhaps there is a plan to defeat the enemy. We uncles can answer immediately, but Xiang'er is a generation younger after all, so you can give him more time."

Prince Li Zhi of Jin looked at Li Xiang lovingly. The age difference between the two was not that big, but they were uncle and nephew. On the surface, this guy was pleading for Li Xiang, but in fact he was stating a fact, that is, all of our princes answered immediately and there was no so-called thinking time.

"Ninth brother, what do you mean? Do we have time to think? If you have an idea, say it now. If you don't have one, stop pretending. Do you think he'll figure it out later? I really don't believe it. Do you think he's a child prodigy?"

Before Li Xiang could say anything, King Li Tai of Wei was already unwilling to agree. This guy's brain was really not enough. He would argue about everything. If he were in the society of the 21st century, such a person might be called a nitpicker.

In fact, in Li Tai's heart, no matter whether you are a prince or a grandson of the emperor, you are all his enemies. When Li Chengqian was useless earlier, he regarded the position of the prince as his own, so now he wants to attack everyone here.

Li Xiang finally understood. No wonder this guy couldn't become the crown prince despite relying on Li Shimin's favor. With your temper, you can't tolerate anyone. How can you become the crown prince?

"Just tell me what's on your mind. If you can tell me well, I'll reward you handsomely."

Although Li Shimin and Li Xiang did not meet many times, judging from Li Xiang's performance in the past few days, Li Xiang should have something in mind. When it comes to matters concerning national affairs, Li Shimin always makes decisions after careful consideration.

Li Xiang looked at Li Shimin's smiling eyes, and the other princes also shut their mouths. Li Xiang knew that today he would have to stand on the crest of the storm again.

"Your Majesty, may I ask you if you dare leave me with a bad name?"

Li Xiang had to make this clear before he could come up with a solution.

"You are so insolent, how can you speak to the emperor?"

"That's too much. Father is a wise ruler throughout history. How could he possibly want to be cursed?"

As soon as Li Xiang finished speaking, the princes could no longer hold back, including Prince of Qi Li You, who had been silent just now. At this moment, he also pretended to curse a few times. However, Li Xiang knew that this guy was even more of a fool. Although Li Shimin was a hero, Li Xiang had met his sons. In terms of mentality, Prince of Wu Li Ke and Prince of Jin Li Zhi were probably their father's rivals.

After hearing what Li Xiang said, Li Shimin frowned so hard that he could kill a fly. Li Shimin always cherished his reputation. This kid suddenly said this. Did he want him to do something extremely rebellious?

The most rebellious thing Li Shimin did in his life was the Xuanwu Gate Incident, after which he forced his father to abdicate. Therefore, Li Shimin has been very concerned about his reputation since then, but what does this have to do with his strategy towards Goguryeo?

"Tell me now."

Li Shimin was a great ruler after all. If it were anyone else, Li Xiang would probably be punished for saying this, but Li Shimin was able to finish his words calmly. He was indeed not an ordinary emperor. No wonder he was described as a man of great talent and strategy in history textbooks.

"If Your Majesty is not afraid of being criticized by future generations, then my humble suggestion would only require a single surprise attack, and it would take Goguryeo five years to recover. If used properly, it might even take ten years to recover."

After Li Xiang said this, the people present were even more unconvinced.

"Could you please stop being so arrogant? I know the method you mentioned before requires sending troops to harass us every year. You're only saying it takes one year. That's simply nonsense. It's impossible."

King Li Tai of Wei didn't believe it at all. Although other people didn't believe it either, they were scheming and didn't say it out loud. Only this guy was stupid enough to offend others directly.

What Li Xiang said before is indeed a good idea, but it must be destroyed during the busy farming season for several consecutive years in order to have a certain effect. If it can be effective in just one year, it would be a bit of an exaggeration.

"Your Highness, please be careful with your words."

As Li Xiang's immediate superior, Li Jing had to stand up and say something when he saw so many people attacking Li Xiang.

Li Shimin was watching the performance of these people on the high platform and was still very satisfied in his heart. Li Shimin led Li Xiang to a high place step by step, in order to make all the princes and Li Xiang enemies, but at the same time he did not allow the ministers below to express their opinions. If Li Xiang accomplished this task, the ministers would be impressed by Li Xiang's personal charm.

This would not only allow other princes to serve as Li Xiang's whetstone, but also allow Li Xiang to win the hearts of all the capable people in the Tang Dynasty.

"You can say whatever you want. If it's for the sake of the eternal good of the Tang Dynasty, what does it matter if I leave behind a bad reputation?"

Just like that day in the court, Li Shimin seemed to have touched the threshold again, but he still didn't know what Li Xiang's plan was. But it was definitely a strategy that no one could have imagined.

Li Xiang once again attracted everyone's attention, including the officials of the Ministry of War. What exactly was the Emperor's eldest grandson's idea?

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