"Fifth brother, as your younger brother, I have to advise you that although we are uncles, if you don't treat him as your uncle after you arrive in Gaochang, your life will be very difficult."
Prince of Jin Li Zhi was the most depressed one. He was the first to stand up, and the credit should have been his, but he didn't expect the emperor to send him back.
The other princes and grandchildren were also upset. How could they possibly accept that such a good job had been snatched away by you? If they didn't say a few words of insult to you, how could they possibly accept it? They exchanged words back and forth, and before even half an incense stick had passed, Prince Qi Li You's face was flushed red, and he looked like he was about to explode.
"Stop talking nonsense. I'm his uncle after all. I really don't believe it. Can he really give me a show of power? He should know the hierarchy of elders. Otherwise, when I return from Gaochang, I will report it directly to the emperor and make him drink a pot of tea."
When the King of Qi heard what the people around him said, he immediately brought the emperor out.
Some people nodded immediately. They believed that the King of Qi was an imperial envoy and went to the front line under the instructions of the emperor. Even if Li Xiang had his own ideas, he could not be dissatisfied with the imperial envoy.
But some people thought differently. They had all suffered at the hands of Li Xiang. Do you think an imperial envoy is any good? He was certainly useful in Chang'an, but in a Gobi Desert like Gaochang, men and weapons were paramount. How many men could the King of Qi bring with him? At best, a hundred or two hundred guards, what good would they do in such a place?
Besides, didn't everyone know this during the discussion just now? Gaochang State is practically bribed by Li Xiang. Even if he doesn't take action himself, wouldn't the Gaochang people still take action if he just hinted? Your survival would be a problem by then.
Li You originally thought that saying these words would bring him some sense of security, but he didn't expect that instead of a sense of security, he was looked down upon by everyone, which greatly hurt his self-esteem.
In fact, you can't blame everyone for this. You and Li Xiang are not on the same level at all. If you want to blame someone, you should blame the emperor. He pushed you out, and you thought it was a good thing. If you didn't have enough brains, you would be dead if you got into this kind of thing.
The brothers figured out these things and walked out happily, including Prince of Jin Li Zhi, who had just thought about getting this job, but thinking about Li Xiang's way of doing things, they decided to just stay in Chang'an City and live a quiet life. Although they might not have anything to do with that position, at least they would have no problem staying alive. As long as they don't commit any crimes, can the emperor still kill his brothers at will?
Take Li Shimin for example. Aside from Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanjie, aren't the other brothers also living well? After Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan, abdicated, he continued to give birth to younger brothers for Li Shimin. Now, these people have been granted the title of princes and are living happily in Chang'an City. As long as they find their own direction, it is effortless for an empire to support these princes.
The mother of the King of Qi was Concubine Yin, who was also famous for her sinister nature in the imperial palace.
After hearing about his son's situation, he quickly sent someone to call his son over. In the past, he was disgusted that Li Shimin did not arrange any work for his son. Now it is his only important task, but is this task so easy to do?
"You must follow me to find your father right now. Even if we have to kneel down for a long time, we must push this matter aside. Do you think this is a good thing? Do you still want to live?"
Empress Yin is not an ordinary person. She has lived in the palace for such a long time. She has seen clearly some people and things in the previous dynasty. Even close uncles like Li Tai and Li Zhi suffered losses. If you, an uncle who is not close to you, really offend him after arriving in Gaochang, you will die without knowing how.
"Mother, why are you so anxious? You've always said I wasn't ambitious and that my father wouldn't assign me any tasks. Now, he's finally arranged something like this. When we get to the Western Regions, I promise to stay in the tent and never go out looking for trouble. Isn't that enough?"
The King of Qi said with some reluctance that for an idle prince like him, it would be extremely happy to have a job, as it was a little hope for the future.
"You foolish son, don't you know your own temper? If you were locked up in the tent for three days, you might have burned it down. How could you possibly stay there after arriving in Gaochang? You'd better come with me to find your father. Even if we have to kneel all night, we have to get this over with."
Concubine Yin knew her son too well. Although she spoke nicely at the moment, if he really stayed in the tent for three days, this guy would drive himself crazy.
"No, I finally have this opportunity. If I don't even have the courage to do this, my father will look down on me even more in the future."
The Prince of Qi shook his head like a rattle. What he said was the truth. If there was another opportunity, Concubine Yin would also be willing to let him try. After all, they were all the emperor's sons. Why should others shine while his own son could only live a life of idleness and wait for death?
But now the matter is different from before. Now we are going to Li Xiang’s territory. This kind of person is not an ordinary person. If you really offend him, you don’t know how you will die in the future. Isn’t there enough princes in his hands?
The mother and son were at a stalemate. At this moment, the eunuch at the door shouted that the emperor was coming.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Greetings, Father."
Seeing the fifth brother here, there was no surprise on Li Shimin's face. The queen was not very popular with Li Shimin, so Li Shimin seldom came here. Besides, the queen Yin Fei was not young anymore, how could she compare with those young women?
"Everyone, get up! What did you just say? You and your son are going to kneel all night to get rid of this mission. Did I hear you correctly?"
The empress was so excited when she spoke just now that her voice was quite loud. Li Shimin heard it when he walked in from outside. Now when they heard Li Shimin repeat it, the mother and son lowered their heads and dared not speak.
“Your Majesty…”
Concubine Yin didn't know how to explain it. The emperor heard this sentence clearly. Even if you said it in a flowery way, it was just an attempt to turn down the emperor's mission. This was not being loyal to the emperor...