Daming Super Dimension Company, President Zhu Yuanzhang!

Xiao Ran's tone was somewhat teasing.

"Continue talking about Li Siyuan." Looking at him unhappily, Li Shimin urged.

"Two years later, in the first year of Changxing, Yang Yanwen took advantage of Li Congke's absence from the city to inspect the war horses and closed the city gates, not allowing Li Congke to enter the city and forcing him to return to Luoyang. Li Siyuan recalled Li Congke to the court and ordered people to lead the army to suppress Yang Yanwen. An Zhonghui instigated the prime minister to investigate Li Congke's crime of losing the city, but Li Siyuan rejected the proposal and only ordered Li Congke to stay at home. Not long after, the imperial army generals Li Xingde and Zhang Jian impeached An Zhonghui for privately recruiting soldiers and plotting against the law. Although Li Siyuan executed Li Xingde and Zhang Jian for false accusations, he also became suspicious and began to disperse An Zhonghui's power."

"In the second year of Changxing, An Zhonghui was sent out as the governor of Hezhong, and later retired as the prince's tutor. Li Siyuan suspected that An Zhonghui had ulterior motives, so he appointed Li Congzhang to supervise An Zhonghui and ordered Yao Yanchou to lead the army to Hezhong. Li Congzhang surrounded An Zhonghui's residence and killed An Zhonghui and his wife. Then Li Siyuan issued an edict to convict An Zhonghui."

"In the fourth year of Changxing, Li Siyuan wanted to annex Xiazhou Dingnan Army by exchanging towns, but was resisted by Li Yichao. Li Siyuan sent troops to attack Xiazhou, but failed to take it after a long siege, so he had no choice but to compromise and appointed Li Yichao as the governor of Dingnan. Because the court had not used troops for a long time, and the troops were sent out but returned without success, rumors spread in the army. Li Siyuan ordered rewards, and the soldiers became more arrogant."

Xiao Ran couldn't help complaining when he got to this point, "Li Siyuan is really a talent. As an emperor, loyal ministers were killed, and there were few people left after killing treacherous ministers. As a result, he couldn't even control the army. If he didn't have some skills, he might not be able to sit on the throne after Li Cunxu's death."

"You just praised him." Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Xiao Ran with some amusement.

Xiao Ran said embarrassedly: "It's not because he can plan to ascend to the throne, but he is capable anyway, but he is not very good at governing the country."

"But he didn't stay in office for too long, just seven years."

"When Li Siyuan ascended the throne, his eldest son Li Congjing had been killed by Yuan Xingqin, so he named his second son Li Congrong the King of Qin. Li Congrong was considered the eldest son at the time, in charge of the government affairs of the capital, and also held military power. All signs showed that Li Siyuan intended to make him his successor. But when the ministers wrote to request that he be made the crown prince, Li Siyuan was dissatisfied, and Li Congrong was only appointed as the Grand Marshal of the Army of the World."

"Unfortunately, not long after, Li Siyuan became seriously ill. Li Congrong went to the palace to visit him, and when he left the palace, he heard continuous crying in the palace. He mistakenly thought that Li Siyuan had died, and returned to the palace to conspire with his confidants to seize the throne. A few days later, Li Congrong was ready to enter Xingsheng Palace by force. The Privy Envoys Feng Yun, Zhu Hongzhao and Xuanhui Envoy Meng Hanqiong reported that he was plotting a rebellion, and ordered Li Chongji to lead the imperial guards to guard the palace gate. The commander of the imperial guards, Kang Yicheng, was originally Li Congrong's internal response, but was blocked in the palace and could not respond. Meng Hanqiong summoned the commander of the cavalry, Zhu Hongshi, to lead the cavalry to attack Li Congrong. Li Congrong fled back to his mansion but was caught up and killed. Upon hearing this, Li Siyuan was inexplicably sad and horrified, and his condition worsened. Before Li Siyuan died, he recalled Song Wang Li Conghou from Yedu. Li Conghou rushed back to mourn Li Siyuan and ascended the throne."

The emperors of the Later Tang Dynasty all had very short reigns.

Xiao Ran added, "Li Conghou was forced to flee Luoyang after only a few months in office."

"Who will ascend the throne next?" Li Shimin asked.

"In 934 AD, Li Congke rebelled in the name of clearing the emperor's court. He persuaded his former subordinates, Yang Siquan, the commander of the Imperial Guards, and Yin Hui, the commander-in-chief, to surrender. He then invaded Luoyang, proclaimed himself emperor, and changed the era name to Qingtai."

"In 936 AD, Li Congke was transferred to Shi Jingtang with the intention of reducing his military power. Shi Jingtang rebelled. In order to deal with the Later Tang, he ceded land to the Khitan and became a vassal. He received support to defeat the Later Tang army that came to attack him, and then he sent troops to Luoyang. Li Congke climbed the Xuanwu Tower and burned himself to death. Thus, the Later Tang was destroyed."

Zhu Yuanzhang cursed, "Stupid! Seeking the skin of a tiger is a death-seeking act!"

The wars between Later Liang and Later Tang were all internal conflicts, and Li Shimin and Zhu Yuanzhang could not tolerate the Khitan's vassalage.

Xiao Ran also thought that Shi Jingtang was a bit stupid.

"Did the Khitan later take advantage of the opportunity to seize the world?" Li Shimin asked coldly.

Before Xiao Ran could answer, a report came from outside the house.

"King, King Qi wants to see you."

"Bring him here."

Not long after, a figure dressed in gorgeous clothes came slowly over, followed by two guards, looking very dignified.

Li Shimin was displeased and could see at a glance that this man had great ambitions.

Li Jiancheng and Li Siyuan also returned at this time.

Li Jiancheng was slightly stunned and asked in a deep voice, "Who is this?"

"Prince Qi Li Maozhen." Li Maozhen bowed and said to Li Yu, "I pay my respects to your majesty."

Xiao Ran raised an eyebrow, "King Qi is planning to become emperor?"

"Who are you?" Without refutation immediately, the smile on King Qi Li Maozhen's face faded and he looked at Xiao Ran coldly.

Li Shimin and Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes instantly turned cold.

"Prince Qi, this is Emperor Taizong, his Majesty Emperor Taizong's brother and Mr. Xiao." When he arrived at Zhu Yuanzhang, Li Keyong was stunned.

Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly, "I am Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty."

After the words fell, Li Maozhen's expression did not change, and he looked at Li Yu, "Your Majesty, please do not let the traitor deceive you. It is better for you to stay in my house."

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became cold. Li Shimin gave a look and the standing guards drew their weapons and pointed them at Li Maozhen.

Li Maozhen was startled, but he put on a smile again, "Don't be angry, I'm just worried about your majesty's safety."

"Since Your Majesty is unwilling, I will not bother you anymore. I will take my leave now."

Having said that, Li Maozhen turned around and was about to leave.

Zheng!
Li Shimin's personal soldiers blocked their way.

"You can't leave just because you want to in front of me." Li Shimin said slowly.

The blade was already against his throat. Li Maozhen finally lost his composure. He asked with a dark face, "What are you going to do?"

Xiao Ran said, "King Qi has established a government and appointed hundreds of officials. He has made his own residence a palace, and his wife is called the empress. He has all the same ceremonials as the emperor. If he doesn't want to be emperor, what does he want to do?"

"So what? I have left elite soldiers outside the city. If I cannot leave Taiyuan today, they will rush into Taiyuan City immediately!" At this time, Li Maozhen was quite confident. He was sure that Li Keyong had no one to use.

He also believed that Xiao Ran and others would be afraid.

Unfortunately, Li Shimin did not give him this opportunity and calmly ordered, "Li Cunxu, Li Siyuan, take the man away and behead him in public tomorrow."

"You dare!" Li Maozhen shouted angrily.

Li Jiancheng took the weapons from his personal soldiers and directly cut off one of Li Maozhen's arms.

"Why don't you dare."

"Take it down!"

Li Siyuan and Li Cunxu solemnly took Li Maozhen to the dungeon.

"Brother, what do you think of Taiyuan City?" Li Shimin asked with a smile.

Li Jiancheng sighed, "It's OK, but I'm afraid there aren't enough troops in the city."

"That's not difficult, Lao Li. If you are willing to spend double the gold, we can sell it to you." Zhu Yuanzhang replied with a smile. (End of this chapter)