The strongest emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

Chapter 603 Father and Son Are Fighting ([-]rd)

Li Tai opened his mouth and said to Li Shimin: "Father, the battle of the Three Rivers and Tiger City is over now, but there are still many cities in the hands of the enemy."

"If you want to completely pacify this place, it will take a period of conquest to solve it. It is more appropriate to return the golden seal of the head-turning lion to Marshal Xue."

"Now the kings of the Liaodong countries have all become my captives. Then my imperial conquest will be considered a successful conclusion."

"As for the golden seal of the head-turning lion, it will naturally be handed over to my virtuous minister Ying Meng. He will continue to be in charge of the three armies for me."

"But what about the remaining battles? I don't plan to intervene anymore. Now the sixteen prefectures of Yanyun, plus the territories of the Liaodong countries, are already your King Yan's Shu Kingdom."

"Whether your country is stable or not has nothing to do with me. Therefore, I have decided that I will return to the court immediately." Li Shimin said to Li Tai with a smile.

Li Tai never expected that Li Shimin would drop the pick at this time.So he said with a sad expression: "Father, you can't cheat your son like this."

"Although the kings of the Liaodong countries have become captives of the father, there are at least hundreds of thousands of soldiers entrenched in various cities."

"You let my son rely on the [-] Imperial Guards in your hands. How can you wipe them out one by one. Isn't the father creating a problem for the son?"

No one in the room could tell that the two of them were fighting secretly.So absolutely no one will stand up at this time, because no matter who they support, they will not please themselves in the end.

Seeing that everyone kept silent, everyone was concerned about their noses and mouths, as if they had nothing to do with themselves.Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction.

Then he said to Li Tai: "You are my own son, how can I disregard your life or death. So I will leave 20 troops for you to help you wipe out the remnants of the Liaodong kingdoms."

"Forget it, it's safer to sweep the snow in front of my house by myself. I appreciate your father's kindness." Li Tai waved his hand and said to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin didn't expect that Li Tai would reject the 20 troops he gave him.That was quite a force. If Li Tai held an army of 20, he would definitely become the dominant prince.

But Li Tai chose to give up, which not only made Li Shimin unexpected.Even the civil servants and military generals present did not expect Li Tai to do this.

But only Xu Maogong had a smile on his face.Because he understood what Li Tai's intention was.He even secretly praised Li Tai in his heart.

Now that Li Tai has a huge territory, he has become the most powerful existence among all the princes of Li Shimin.

If Li Tai had more soldiers in his hands, people would feel uneasy about him.And judging from Li Tai's always cautious character, he will never let anyone feel that he is a threat to others.

"Your Majesty, since His Royal Highness King Yan feels that he does not need the help of the Emperor, then there must be his way, so the Emperor does not need to worry." Xu Maogong said to Li Shimin.

Hearing Xu Maogong's words, Li Shimin naturally understood Li Tai's intentions.So he shook his head helplessly and said: "Since that's the case, then I won't force you."

"Thank you, father, but now my son's country of Yan is in disrepair and needs to spend money everywhere. So father should see if it is appropriate to reduce or exempt Yan's taxes appropriately." Li Tai said to Li Shimin with a smile.

"I knew that you boy would not do business at a loss. But what you said is true, so I will exempt you from taxes in Yan Kingdom for three years. I don't know what you want." Li Shimin said helplessly to Li Tai.

In fact, Li Shimin's heart at this time was very satisfied with Li Tai's actions.Because Li Tai was talking about taxes, not paying tribute to Li Shimin.

There is an essential difference between the two. One is the gift of the King of the Tang Dynasty to the Suzerain of the Tang Dynasty.One is the territory of the Tang Dynasty, which should be handed in taxes.

Therefore, Li Tai's words did not really want Li Shimin to reduce his taxes.Instead, he wants Li Shimin to know that his country of Yan will always belong to Datang.

"There, I would like to thank my father for being considerate of the people of Yan. Three years later, my son will definitely pay taxes in accordance with the laws of the Tang Dynasty. I will pay my father no less." Li Tai said to Li Shimin with a happy face.

……

Now that the matter has been settled, Li Shimin is no longer in the uneasy mood of the past.At this time, Li Shimin was in a very comfortable mood.

He set up a banquet in the palace of King Gao Jianzhuang.The guests at the banquet were Duke Xu Mao of the United Kingdom, Duke Qin Qiong of the Protectorate, Duke Chi Gong of the State of E, and Duke Cheng Yaojin of the State of Lu.

A table of sumptuous food and wine was steamingly placed in front of everyone.But everyone knew in their hearts that Li Shimin's sip of wine was not so delicious.

Li Shimin held up his wine glass and said to the four of them: "Today we have won the cross-sea expedition to the East, and this glass of wine is toast to the four princes."

The four of Xu Maogong hurriedly raised their wine glasses, and returned the salute to Li Shimin.Drink the wine in the glass in one gulp.

After filling the glass with wine again, Xu Maogong raised the wine glass and said to Li Shimin, "Your Majesty, we are in Yin'an Hall today. His Royal Highness King Yan has made it clear."

"The Kingdom of Yan will always be the territory of the Great Tang, not a vassal state of the Great Tang. I don't know if the emperor thinks that His Royal Highness King Yan will reassure some people by doing this?"

Of course Li Shimin knew who some of the people Xu Maogong was talking about were.That is Li Chengqian, the prince of the current dynasty, but it is really hard for Li Shimin to say whether it will make Li Chengqian feel at ease with Li Tai.

After all, his eldest son looks very well-behaved.But it is an extremely deep existence in the city.He and Li Tai are definitely two opposite kinds of people.

"As the saying goes, there are no two days in the sky, and there are no two kings in the country. As long as I survive, the brothers will definitely live in peace."

"And I have already made up my mind that I will personally hand over the throne to someone who suits him in my later years." Li Shimin said to Xu Maogong after drinking the wine in his glass.

In fact, Li Shimin's idea is very simple, that is, in his own lifetime.Watching his son ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor.Then the Xuanwumen incident will not happen again.

"In fact, the emperor has another way to solve this matter. That is to call Yan Wang Li Tai back to Chang'an City and let him stay by the emperor's side." Xu Maogong said to Li Shimin.

In fact, Li Shimin invited Xu Maogong and others to a banquet today.The purpose is to see in their hearts whether Li Tai is the most important thing or the world is the most important thing.

It's no wonder that Li Shimin had this idea, because this time he crossed the sea to conquer the east.The lives of all the old princes in Wagangshan were all saved by Li Tai.

This is very likely to make them feel grateful to Li Tai, and even turn to support him with all their strength.In that way, Li Tai's strength will reach a peak.

Not to mention Prince Li Chengqian, even himself, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, probably doesn't have the ability to compete with Li Taiyi.

(End of this chapter)