After today's court meeting was dispersed, Li Shimin summoned Li Ke to the harem for a separate meeting.

Just after attending the ceremony, Li Shimin threw a book of folds in front of Li Ke, "You say, what should I do?" ”

Li Ke glanced down, and there were two words "resignation" on the fold, and he was slightly taken aback at the moment. Unfolded it, my mind was confused for a moment, "This...... It's really unexpected! ”

The father and son had already tacitly agreed that when Qin Mubai led the army to return to the dynasty in triumph, it was the day when Li Ke was canonized as the crown prince. Although the eldest grandson Wuji has not yet made a clear statement, both father and son understand in their hearts that even if the eldest grandson Wuji is stubborn, he still has reservations, as long as he has the strong support of the military, Li Ke will not have much resistance to becoming the crown prince.

Although the civil officials are in charge of the mouthpiece of the imperial court, in the final analysis, the power comes out of the gun, and no matter how stupid and stubborn the eldest grandson Wuji is, he will not be stupid enough to hit the stone with an egg and turn the tide with his own strength. Besides, the king of Wei is dead, and the eldest grandson Wuji can't tear off that old face, and turns his head to support Li Zhi, the king of Jin. In his hands, there is no prince to make the confidence, except to acquiesce to Li Ke's entry into the East Palace, what else can he do?

As for the old-fashioned issue of "bloodline" and "descendants", it is just an absurd and nonsensical excuse in the face of absolute strength, and it is not enough to use it to influence the overall situation.

But now, Qin Mubai suddenly handed in his resignation, and Li Ke was about to take the position, lacking this most powerful help. This variable caught Li Shimin's father and son off guard.

At this moment, Li Ke was wondering, why did Mu Bai suddenly want to retire? I hadn't heard anything about it beforehand. Judging from the experience of getting along with each other in the past, Mu Bai has a tenacious personality and lofty ambitions, and the bad news like his father's death in the war has never made him a little decadent, this time...... What's wrong?

Seeing that Li Ke was silent, Li Shimin knocked on the ground with his cane, "Tell me your opinion?" ”

"For a while, I can't think of any way." Li Ke shook his head in embarrassment, "Erchen understands Mu Bai. He didn't make any decisions easily. However, once a decision is made, it is easy not to change. ”

Li Shimin wrinkled his brows, "Do you know what Qin Mubai means to you, to the current court, and to the future of the Tang Dynasty?" ”

"Erchen knows......" Li Ke nodded, and said in his heart: As my father said, Qin Mubai's current identity and position are too important! I need his support to sit firmly in the East Palace; The civil and military factions in the court needed his power to keep the balance; In the future, he will need to preside over the military affairs of the Tang Dynasty. Not to mention anything else, just that large piece of the Western Regions, no one dares to guarantee that it will be able to hold it.

"Now that you know, do you have a way to remedy it?" Li Shimin said.

Li Ke's brows furrowed deeply, and he was speechless for a long time. Xindao: I thought that what I knew about Mu Bai was that he was not the kind of person who was selfish and didn't care about the overall situation. At such a juncture, he suddenly handed in his resignation, presumably for a major reason, or he was already disappointed in the court...... What is the reason for him to be like this?

Li Ke couldn't help but think of the emperor. Because, with Qin Mubai's status and fame today, it is estimated that the only one who can make him make such a huge change is the emperor!

If Qin Mubai resigned because he had lost confidence in the court and the emperor, then things would be really difficult!

Thinking of this, Li Ke said to Li Shimin: "I don't know what my father means by 'remedy'? ”

Li Shimin said: "It's me asking you." ”

Li Ke grinned in embarrassment, so he had to stubbornly answer: "For this time, there are only two ways. The first was to reject Qin Mubai's resignation, invite him to Chang'an, and persuade him to stay and continue to work for Datang; The second is ...... Find someone who can replace Qin Mubai. ”

"Then try both." Li Shimin seemed to have expected Li Ke to answer like this, and said, "Didn't you mention earlier that you want to marry Qin Shuang'er, the girl of the Qin family and Qin Mubai's sister-in-law, as his wife?" Now I'm right. Tomorrow, I will send Chu Suiliang and Zongzheng Siqing to Chang'an to make a grand appointment, I will give you a marriage, and officially canonize the daughter of the Qin family as Princess Wu! ”

Li Ke knelt down on the spot, "Thank you for your father!" ”

Today's Princess Wu will not be the crown princess for long, and it won't take long...... It is estimated that she is the queen of the mother of a country!

"That's not the case, it may not work!" Li Shimin sighed and said, "Even if you marry the daughter of the Qin family as a concubine, but Qin Mubai still refuses to return to the dynasty, it will be in vain." Therefore, he had to send a lobbyist to Lanzhou to persuade Qin Mubai. Ke'er, who do you say is better? ”

"This ......" Li Ke hesitated for a moment, and bowed his hand, "Imperial Sister Gaoyang is still in Chang'an." If you can persuade her to lobby, it is probably possible. ”

"Confused." Li Shimin wrinkled his brows, "This girl, a girl is outgoing, and she has only a lover and no parents in her heart." Sending her to lobby Qin Mubai is no different from beating a dog with meat buns. ”

Li Ke couldn't help laughing, and then said, "Father, in fact, the sons have also thought of this. But...... If even Gao Yang can't be convinced, how can he convince Qin Mubai? ”

Li Shimin wrinkled his eyebrows and pondered for a moment, then nodded, "It makes sense." But this girl doesn't listen to me now, you have to convince her first, I think only you will come forward. ”

"Son's command." Li Ke led the promise.

Li Shimin sighed, picked up another folded book from his side and handed it to Li Ke, and said, "The world is unpredictable, if Qin Mubai insists on refusing to come back, then he can't be tied up, right?" As you said, we have to prepare for both. You take a look at this first. ”

Li Ke took it and took a look, and raised his eyebrows and said in surprise: "Goguryeo is in civil strife, Mo Lizhiquan Gai Suwen killed the king?" ”

"Yes! Quangae Suwen, an ambitious fanatic, has always wanted to conquer Baekje and Silla, and then fight against my Tang Dynasty. Li Shimin said, "A few years ago, the chaos between the three kingdoms on the Goryeo Peninsula was planned by him, an ambitious minister of Goguryeo. On that occasion, I sent you to mediate, but fortunately you lived up to your mission and quelled the war between the Three Kingdoms. Now, Quangae Suwen finally couldn't hold it anymore, and he killed King Yeolyu of Goguryeo and dismembered his body into the wilderness, and even the funeral was not held. At the same time, he also killed more than 100 ministers in blood. Then, he made King Rongliu's nephew, Gao Zang, a puppet king, and called himself 'Da Mo Lizhi'. Now that he is in charge of all the military and political power of Goryeo, it is believed that it will not be long before he will raise an army to invade Silla and fulfill his long-standing ambitions. ”

"Such disloyal, unfilial, unkind, and unrighteous people must be exterminated!" Li Ke said angrily, "If you sit back and watch him annex Silla and Baekje to grow and develop, in the future, it will be a trouble for my Tang henchmen!" ”

"Therefore, the Tang Dynasty must prepare early to conquer Goguryeo." Li Shimin's eyes narrowed, and a gleam bloomed in his eyes, "I, as early as many years ago, I had a heart to conquer Goryeo to get rid of this trouble for future generations, but later it was delayed because of frequent wars in the west. Now that the West has decided, it is time to use troops in Goryeo. It's a pity that my body is no longer good. So, I'm ready for you to go on a battle! ”

Li Ke was shocked, and accepted the promise angrily, "Erchen is willing to lead the troops to the battle, and he will not return!" ”

"Of course, this battle is only allowed to be won and not defeated, but at the same time, ......" Li Shimin's voice was a little helpless, "If Qin Mubai insists on refusing to return to the court, you have to use this war to find someone who can replace Qin Mubai." Or, you can do it yourself - instead of Qin Mubai! ”

Li Ke was stunned, nodded silently, and said in his heart: It's still my father's foresight. No matter what he does, he always thinks about the big picture. In fact, at the moment, Datang is not suitable for starting a war again. However, for the sake of the stability of the court and the balance of the political situation, this decision had to be made. It seems that the father has no choice. If Qin Mubaiken comes back, the political situation can be stabilized, and there is no need to be so hasty and anxious to conquer Goryeo. Moreover, the 300,000 Kansai Iron Army under the command of Qin Mubai was invincible and invincible, so why worry about the injustice of the little Goguryeo? …… But when these 300,000 troops come into the hands of others or me, they may not have such a miraculous effect!

"Xue Yantuo has been calmed, and the situation in Mobei has gradually stabilized. I'm ready to issue an order to requisition Li Tao to return to the court. Li Shimin said, "Ke'er, do you know what to do?" ”

"Erchen understands ......"

"I do all this for you and for the future of Datang." Li Shimin frowned and said leisurely, "There are gains and losses in everything, and there is no way to perfect both worlds." If anyone has any misunderstandings or prejudices about me, I ...... There is only one way to admit it! ”

Li Ke nodded, and a conjecture in his heart was confirmed: It seems that there is really a big gap between Mu Bai and my father......

"Let's go, go and persuade your imperial sister." Li Shimin said, "It's better for you to come forward than for me to come forward." This girl...... I can't do anything about her now! ”

"Yes, Erchen will go."

Not long after, Li Ke went to the harem to find Princess Gaoyang, and before he could open his mouth, Princess Gaoyang took the lead: "You are here to be a lobbyist for your father, right?" ”

Li Ke was stunned for a moment, and then smiled, "It seems that you know everything?" ”

"What do I not know!" Princess Gao Yang pursed her lips, "My father told me last night, let me find a way to persuade Mu Bai back." But I didn't say yes! ”

Li Ke was puzzled: "Why didn't you agree?" ”

"Because ......" Princess Gao Yang's eyes rolled, but she didn't spit out any other words in her mouth for a long time.

Li Ke smiled and said, "Forget it, Gao Yang." You don't have to be careful in front of me. In fact, I am here to be a lobbyist today, but in fact, I want to let you go back to reunite with Mu Bai! ”

"Really?" Princess Gaoyang's eyes lit up in surprise, and she hugged Li Ke, "I knew that you would always be my good third brother!" Over the years, I haven't hurt you in vain! ”

"How to speak!" Li Ke was really angry and funny, and pushed Princess Gaoyang away, "You are also a big boss, and you are also a mother, and you are still as absurd and nonsense as before!" ”

"Hey, hey! No matter how old I am, I will always be a little sister in front of you! Princess Gao Yang burst into tears of laughter and whispered, "Third brother, are you really going to do this?" ”

"Hey......" Li Ke sighed helplessly, and said with a wry smile, "Mu Bai's personality, don't I know yet?" Since it was something he had decided, nothing changed. Instead of that, I might as well go privately, at least to preserve my friendship with him. ”

"The third brother is still so wise...... Princess Gao Yang nodded lightly and sighed, and said, "Actually, why don't I want Mu Bai to return to Chang'an and reunite our family?" In this way, it will not only fulfill the righteousness of the monarch and the minister, but also fulfill the love of husband and wife and the friendship between you. But...... What he decided, I really didn't have the slightest confidence that I could convince. And from what I know of him, he has never been the kind of person who is ungrateful and selfish. Since he has decided so, there must be a reason for him. I...... Only support him! ”

Li Ke stared at Princess Gao Yang, nodded, and said, "Gao Yang, in fact, you are the smartest person. ”

"Is there one?" Princess Gao Yang smiled, "Am I as smart as you and my father?" ”

"Yes." Li Ke smiled slightly, "You have always insisted on trusting Mu Bai without turning back, this is great wisdom and foolishness." ”

Princess Gao Yang suddenly became annoyed, "What do you mean- I still look stupid?!" ”

Li Ke laughed, "It's the foolish brother who used the wrong words!" ——Gao Yang, there are very few people in the world who can consistently achieve the word 'persistence'. You will definitely be happy in the future, just by virtue of your consistent trust in Mu Bai! ”

Princess Gao Yang's face spread with a proud and relieved smile, and she nodded, "Thank you, third brother!" ”

Li Ke breathed a sigh of relief and held Princess Gaoyang's hand, "I will report back to my father and say that you have promised to go to Lanzhou as a lobbyist." Prepare yourself and go! ”

"Third brother, you are a selfish bully......"

"It's okay, you just have to go. I'll take care of the rest. ”

Princess Gao Yang held Li Ke's hand tightly, her eyes were a little red, and she said softly: "Third brother, will we meet again in the future?" ”

Li Ke smiled, "I'm afraid only that guy knows the answer to this question." ”

"Actually, third brother, you also want to persuade Mu Bai back, right?" Princess Gao Yang said, "It's just that you used the method of 'wanting to capture and indulge'? ”

Li Ke smiled calmly: "I admit that I have such thoughts. However, if Mu Bai insists on not returning, I will really be 'indulgent'. ”

"You really ...... Would you rather do that? Princess Gao Yang asked cautiously.

Li Ke sighed lightly and said, "Mu Bai has done enough for me; I have done enough for Datang. If he is really tired and wants to rest, I can't be selfish and strong. Gao Yang, you can help me give a message to Mu Bai, just say - no matter what happens in the future, Qin Mubai and Li Ke will always be best friends! ”

"What if one day, you become a prince, or even an emperor?" Princess Gao Yang asked deliberately.

Li Ke smiled, "Never, didn't you understand?" ”

"Forever, how far away?"

Li Ke was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer.

Princess Gao Yang wiped the tears that drooped from her eyelids, and said softly, "Third brother, I will tell Mu Bai what to say." But I think that if you really become a prince and an emperor one day, you will regret saying such things. ”

"Do you think I will? ……”

Princess Gaoyang looked at Li Ke with crooked eyes, smiling without saying a word.

The brother and sister looked at each other, but in fact, they knew it.

At this moment, Princess Gaoyang was thinking in her heart: We were all born in the emperor's family, can we still not understand, in fact, the emperor is not worthy of too many personal feelings? Mu Bai resigned and retired, why is there no such reason? Because he doesn't want to break off his relationship with the third brother one day, so there is only a cold relationship between the two of them! Third brother, you are also wise. I know that the reason why you are willing to let me go today is because you know that you can't persuade Mu Bai back, and you don't want to persuade Mu Bai back. So you retreat and want to give the two of you friendship...... Let it go!