Time swiftly passed.

This matter caused a great impact throughout the court.

It wasn’t merely due to the Turkic invasion, nor because Gu Yu could repel the Turkic attack.

As the current Patriarch of the Gu Clan.

Gu Yu’s ability to fend off the Turkic assault wouldn’t cause much shock.

The true surprise to the ministers was still the death of Gu Quan.

Gu Quan was no longer an obscure figure; his identity as part of the Gu Clan, along with the merits he earned in several major battles, had long established him as second only to Li Shimin in the army.

How could the ministers not care about the passing of such a person?

As for other speculations...

Some would naturally wonder about the identity of the masked general, yet no one dared to speak it out loud.

After all, Gu Quan had followed Gu Yu away in front of Li Yuan and the ministers.

And furthermore, no one believed...

That someone would pay such a price to support another.

This matter, under such a mysterious atmosphere, gradually faded within the court.

...

Li Shimin was eventually persuaded.

He did not prepare the army but instead, as Regent, sent envoys to the Turkic once more to renegotiate the alliance.

The words in Gu Yu’s memorial deeply resonated with him.

For a person in power.

The true difficulty lies in tolerance and maintaining one’s original intent.

Li Shimin constantly reminded himself, warning that it’s not about winning temporary advantages but about creating an unprecedented golden age.

He would indeed seek revenge.

To let Jie Li Khan know the cost of repeatedly breaking the alliance and attacking the Great Tang.

But not now.

What he needed to do now was stabilize the court and ascend to that position, to completely restore the world from years of chaos.

Upon realizing this, Li Shimin immediately began his plans.

He began to reduce taxes across the empire.

Not under Li Yuan’s name, but under the title of "Crown Prince Li Shimin," continually gaining the people’s support throughout the empire.

Furthermore——

He also made certain modifications to the imperial examination system.

Restoring the Imperial College, establishing the Imperial College.

Preparing a series of measures for his future governance.

Everyone could feel that the sky over the Great Tang was about to change completely.

Li Yuan had completely become a mere figurehead.

And Li Yuan understood this as well, seeing how everything under Li Shimin’s governance was so orderly.

Finally, on the third day of August.

Li Yuan seemed to have made a decision at last.

He summoned Pei Ji, expressing his intentions.

"If I abdicate, what would it mean to take on the honored title of Emperor Emeritus?"

——Abdicate!

Although Pei Ji had already anticipated this day, when he truly heard the news, he still felt a sense of unwillingness.

Who would willingly accept such a thing?

He was loyal to Li Yuan.

Since Li Yuan began his undertaking, he had always been a trusted confidant.

To finally unify the world and become unparalleled in the court, only for everything to vanish into thin air.

How could he willingly accept it?

Even though he was gradually being sidelined, at least his official position remained.

Such is human nature.

As Li Shimin gradually sheathed his sword, the threat of death faded, and Pei Ji began to desire more.

If Li Shimin ascended the throne.

Let alone power, he feared even his current position would be lost.

"Your Majesty must absolutely not do this!" Pei Ji immediately knelt down, earnestly persuading Li Yuan.

But Li Yuan was evidently resolved.

Such was his nature, often indecisive, but once determined, it was difficult for others to sway his decision.

No matter how unwilling Pei Ji was, he had to accept this reality.

And the news from within the Taiji Palace soon spread.

The very next day, rumors of Li Yuan’s intention to abdicate had already circulated within the court.

This matter stirred up a monstrous wave!

——Emperor Emeritus!

The ministers could only think of the time when Han Gaozu Liu Bang, after unifying the world, honored his father Liu Taigong as Emperor Emeritus.

But what was that situation?

The Great Han’s empire was won by Liu Bang himself.

In contrast, his father Liu Taigong did little to assist and merely enjoyed the benefits of being Emperor Emeritus because of his father’s status, which was reasonable!

But Li Yuan was ultimately different.

Li Shimin’s achievements were indeed considerable, but who could erase Li Yuan’s contributions?

Simply put——

This world of the Great Tang, Li Yuan was the strategic executor in the background, while Li Shimin was the enactor.

The achievements of these two cannot be ranked.

How could he accept being Emperor Emeritus?

Yet no matter how much the ministers debated, they couldn’t overcome the prevailing trend.

From the powerful officials within the court;

To the common people across the land;

Who would not want Li Shimin to ascend the throne?

Who could change it?

Eastern Palace.

Hearing this news, Li Shimin was naturally overjoyed.

He had completely transformed.

Becoming Emperor was the first step to creating a golden age!

He initially thought he would have to wait a bit longer.

Now that Li Yuan wanted to directly abdicate, he was, of course, elated.

But he also understood clearly that he had to undergo the so-called "three refusals and three acceptances."

Sometimes, ritual and propriety are the shield of imperial power.

Li Shimin was confident in himself; he might not need it, but he also needed to consider future generations.