The first ray of light from the rising sun illuminated the meeting hall.
The white marble floor of this place, which was the apex of the Tang Empire's power, emitted a holy light under the sunlight.
The civil and military officials in purple robes stood on either side with serious expressions.
Li Shi Min, who was wearing a majestic dragon robe, sat on the dragon throne on the high platform with a domineering aura.
His solemn expression did not reveal his emotions.
However, when the ministers were going through the process of paying their respects, his eyes still lingered on Lu Bei's face for a few breaths.
His eyes were filled with scrutiny and anticipation, like a father handing his child to a doctor.
Lu Bei's imposing face was filled with determination as he nodded gently.
"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"
Du Ruhui, who was in charge of throwing out the question, interrupted the eye contact between the monarch and his subjects with his voice.
"Why is Minister Du reporting?"
Li Shi Min's solemn voice came from the throne.
"Your Majesty, the prince of the Turkic Khaganate, Dieluo Zhi, yesterday proposed a marriage alliance with Princess Changle as a condition for the truce. Your Majesty, please make a decision!"
Du Ruhui bowed and said.
"What do you think, dear ministers?"
Li Shi Min looked at the ministers with a serious face and asked.
"Your Majesty, our Great Tang's treasury is empty and temporarily unable to fight. This subject believes that we should make a marriage alliance and wait until the treasury is full before making plans.”
Zhangsun Wuji, who sat on the head of the civil officials, stepped out expressionlessly and cupped his hands.
Li Shi Min narrowed his eyes.
"I agree. For the sake of the country, please agree!”
Zhangsun Shunde also stood out.
"I, second the motion!"
"I also agree!"
Gao Shilian and Hou Junji, two Duke level figures, also stepped forward.
A large number of assistant ministers and remonstrants followed them and kowtowed.
The officials of the corporation were locked up to take sides.
Those who weren't from the Guanlong Group really felt that they should marry.
After all, it was a fact that the Great Tang could no longer afford to fight. Zhangsun Wuji's words were not wrong.
Half of the people in the court agreed.
The other half looked at each other.
The opinions of the ministers seemed to be one-sided.
Li Shiming looked at Lu Bei again.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the marriage alliance is just Lord Zhangsun's wishful thinking!”
Lu Bei stood up and said in a deep voice.
"Hiss…"
Gasps immediately sounded in the imperial court.
Even the wily old foxes of the royal court, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, did not dare to confront Zhangsun Wuji like this.
Lu Bei, a new talent in politics, actually wanted to fight with Zhangsun Wuji the moment he came out!
"This Lu Bei actually dares to provoke the Guan Long Corporation?”
"Newborn calves are not afraid of tigers.”
"Nonsense, he isn't afraid of death. Otherwise, why would he make such a crazy move?”
The ministers discussed animatedly.
Shua!
A cold gaze instantly locked onto Lu Bei, who had stepped out of the line.
Shockingly, it was Zhangsun Wuji.
"Chang 'an Marquis, I wish to hear the details of your wishful thinking.”
Zhangsun Wuji said coldly.
"Although the Turks have less than half the population of our Great Tang, they have no shortage of soldiers and will recover from the Battle of the Wei River faster than we will. What was the use of sending hostages?”
Lu Bei faced Zhangsun Wuji and asked,"That Turkic has broken his promise countless times. How can Lord Zhangsun guarantee that they will keep their promise after the marriage?”
Zhangsun Wuji looked at Lu Bei coldly and said word by word,"I don't know if the Turks can keep their promise. I only know that if we fight now, we will lose without a doubt.”
The officials 'eyes turned cold.
"That's right. The reinforcements from all over the world have already been withdrawn. If we send out another one, we might run out of rations before we even fight.”
"There's no other way. This is a dead end. Let's wait until the marriage is over!”
"Sigh, my pitiful Great Tang has a million soldiers, but because of a lack of rations, it has suffered such humiliation!”
The buzzing sounds of discussion resounded throughout the hall.
No one was optimistic about the current situation.
Li Shi Min looked at the ministers in the hall expressionlessly, then looked at Lu Bei, a trace of anticipation flashing across his eyes.
"Everyone, the reason why you can stand in this court is because of your own abilities. Now that the country is in danger and needs our advice, are you going to avoid fighting for the country? A marriage alliance now was equivalent to handing over their heads to the Turks. When the Turks recovered, they would definitely attack the Great Tang again. This time, they could hand over a woman to survive, but what about next time? What else can we hand over?"
Lu Bei's words were clear.
This caused the eyes of all the officials in the court to turn cold!
That's right, they could hand over a woman this time, but next time, it would be the Turks asking for it!
They betrayed Princess Chang Le, but they couldn't get back peace. They would be a joke for generations to come!
In an instant, many officials who had originally supported the marriage alliance wavered.
Once they wavered, the number of people supporting the marriage would drop to one-third.
The situation was about to reverse!
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