The imperial court was in an uproar when this decree was issued.
Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin exchanged a look, a hint of fear flashing across their faces.
The two of them had never expected that Li Yuan would give Li Xuanlie such a heavy title in his extreme joy.
The Sixteen Prefectures of the Dark Cloud Region were important cities in the northern borders of the Great Tang. Their terrain was dangerous and they produced powerful soldiers and generals.
Ever since the Nanbei Dynasty, many dynasties had changed since You Yun changed hands.
Now, Li Yuan had actually entrusted the military and political power of the sixteen states to Li Xuanlie alone. He truly trusted him to the extreme.
Li Yuan even wielded the imperial sword, which could kill officials below the second rank.
It meant that, if Li Xuanlie wanted to, he could eliminate dissidents in the sixteen states of the Dark Cloud Continent and quickly place his trusted aides there. In a short period of time, the sixteen states would become his private territory.
" Father, the Sixteen Prefectures of the Dark Cloud Region are the most important cities in the northern border. How can they all be controlled by one person? If Third Brother has any disloyalty and raises an army to rebel, the consequences will be unimaginable. Please retract your order, Father!”
Li Jiancheng woke up and couldn't take it anymore. He immediately stood up to object.
In fact, he didn't hesitate to openly turn against Li Xuanlie, pointing out that his third brother had the possibility of rebellion.
"Royal brother's words are reasonable. Since the Nanbei Dynasty, there have been many examples of Youyun becoming independent.”
Li Shimin could no longer sit still and watch the tigers fight. He immediately stood up and responded to Li Jiancheng.
The two of them had no choice but to take the risk of falling out with Li Xuanlie to stand up and oppose.
There was nothing else but fear.
If Li Xuanlie was in Luoyang, even if his status was higher than the two of them, they would only be wary and not afraid.
After all, Li Xuanlie's foundation was in Persia and Rome, far from the Great Tang. His influence on the situation in Luoyang was beyond his reach.
They were confident that even if Li Xuanlie fell out with them, they would still have the confidence to suppress him in Luoyang.
But if Li Xuanlie obtained the Sixteen Prefectures of the Tranquil Cloud Prefecture and had such a powerful background in the Great Tang, their advantage would be gone.
If Li Xuanlie was determined to rebel and lead the army south from Youyun, no one in the world could stop him.
The situation was so dangerous that the two of them could only choose to stand out and publicly announce that Li Xuanlie had the possibility of rebellion.
"Bastard, Xuan Lie is my beloved son. How could he possibly raise an army to rebel? Have the two of you lost your minds? How dare you doubt your brother like this?”
Li Yuan flew into a rage and pointed at the two kings, scolding them harshly.
Li Jiancheng braced himself and said," Father, Third Brother is only an adopted son after all. He's not of the Li family's bloodline. Who can guarantee that he won't have a second thought and covet the Li family's country? He might do something treasonous."”
"Third Brother's fame and prestige are already unmatched by anyone in the world. If he were to destroy the Turkic Goguryeo, his prestige would be unrivaled throughout history. If he were to be afraid of shocking his master with his achievements and decide to take the risk, who in the world would be able to stop him?!" Li Shimin immediately added.”
The two kings tried to persuade him again.
In the court, the followers of the Qin and Jin kings all joined in and opposed Li Yuan's decree.
"King Qin, King Jin, you keep saying that King Reliance covets the throne and the country. If that's true, why doesn't King Reliance rule Persia and Rome? Why doesn't he lead an army and stand on his own?”
Finally, an indignant voice broke the quarrel.
Kou Zhun, the Scheeren of the Hall of Governmental Affairs from King Reliance's estate, sternly refuted Li Xuanlie's accusations against the two princes.
The ministers were speechless.
Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin were speechless.
"If King Reliance covets the throne, he can lead the armies of Persia and Rome to the east and charge back into the Great Tang. With King Reliance's god-like military prowess, who can stop him?”
Zhang Juzheng also stood up and sternly refuted the two princes 'suspicions.
The court was silent, and no one dared to make a sound.
At this moment, Li Xiu Ning, who had been silent all this while, stood up and cupped her hands towards Li Yuan.
"Imperial Father, your son thinks that the one who wants to rebel is not Third Prince, but the Qin and Jin Princes. They have the intention to rebel, but they are afraid that Third Prince will lead troops outside and become a hindrance to them.”
Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin's expressions changed.
Li Xiu Ning was indeed a princess. She either didn't open her mouth or hit the Second Prince's seventh inch the moment she opened her mouth.
Li Jiancheng hurriedly said," Your son is loyal to Imperial Father. If I have any thoughts of rebellion, I will be punished by the heavens. Imperial Father, don't listen to Imperial Sister's slander."”
Li Shimin also said anxiously," Father, I am of your blood. I only have loyalty and filial piety to you. How could I have such thoughts that would anger both men and gods? Sister, you are spouting nonsense."”
The two of them were in such a hurry to defend themselves and show their loyalty, but it seemed that they were being suspicious of the three hundred taels of silver here.
"Enough!"
Li Yuan slammed the table and stood up angrily. He pointed at his two sons and his face turned purple with anger.
"Although Xuan Lie is not my biological son, his filial piety to me is greater than his own blood!
On the contrary, although the two of you are my flesh and blood, you are blinded by power and are fighting with each other!
Now, your third brother has made a great contribution, but you still dare to suspect that he wants to raise troops to rebel. You really disappoint me!
Extremely disappointed!"
Li Yuan was truly enraged. He was so angry that he did not hesitate to reprimand the two princes in the imperial court for the first time, directly bringing their act of killing each other to the table.
Li Jiancheng and Li Shiming's bodies trembled, their faces turned pale, and they knelt down.
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