Chapter 399 - The Scheme of the White Deer Sect (3) (2/2)

It would be like killing two birds with one stone.

After Li Ye thought for a while, Li Xian continued, “Apart from the Immortal Court, is it possible for Confucianists and Militarists to help Li Maozhen? Of course, it’s possible. Right now, you’re powerful enough, and they can’t deal with you directly, but they could not tolerate the fact that you want to revive the Tang Empire. So, they took a different approach. They assisted Li Maozhen to get authority, and then let him remove the emperor. In this way, the Tang Empire would come to a quick demise, and Li Maozhen could also become influential. He could immediately expand his territory, and he will be able to fight against you in a short time.”

After all, Li Xian had been in the Central Government for a long time. So, only a few people could match him, when it came to opinions on state affairs.

Li Ye’s horizon was gradually widened. He sighed softly, “It’s true. According to the information received from the Black Office in the afternoon, Qin Zongquan had defeated Zhou Ji, the Xuanwu commissioner, and occupied Xuzhou. Huainan Gao Pian and Sichuan Wang Jian were also recruiting followers and forcibly occupying nearby states and counties. It seems that they are preparing to set up their organizations! ”

“Besides, the outlaws of all states and counties have risen. Too many outlaws assassinated the Inspector General and took up government offices! I captured Taiyuan, which seemed to have helped the court remove a scourge. However, the scourges of the world have increased. Now, the world is indeed in great disorder.”

Li Xian nodded and said, “When you go out to battle in Hedong, you will give heroes of the world a chance to stage an uprising. In their opinions, the fight between Pinglu and Hedong is a ding-dong fight, and it may last for a long time. If they don’t rise in insurrection by taking this chance, when will they do it? Among the hundred officials of the Tang Empire, only you have the power and ability to check and balance the vassal states.”

Hearing this, Li Ye suddenly felt that something wrong.

Li Xian said this in a severe tone, without any hatred. If he insisted on reviving the Tang Empire, he should be sad, in the face of such a situation in the world.

Without waiting for Li Ye to ask, Li Xian suddenly asked again, “Can’t the White Deer Sect help Li Maozhen?”

Li Ye was shocked.

The White Deer Sect might do so.

He did not know what to say for a moment.

Li Xian stood up, came to the door with his hands clasped behind his back, watching the storm in the courtyard silently.

He looked thin, amidst the stormy night.

He said, “You all say that you will co-exist with the nation. Although this statement is absurd, it also expresses some true meaning. I’ll ask you a question now.”

Li Ye stood up and said, “Father, please.”

“Would you like to be Emperor Guangwu?” Li Xian turned and looked at Li Ye, his eyes stern.

He had been lonely and melancholy since he emerged from the Battle of Bagong Mountain. He had never been so serious, even when he was talking about the collapse of the nation.

Emperor Guangwu of Han Dynasty defeated Wang Mang, who usurped the throne, and re-established the Han Empire. He continued the Han Dynasty, which was known as Eastern Han Dynasty.

Li Xian asked Li Ye whether he would continue to give the dynasty the “Tang” title, after his success.

Even if he knew that the world was in chaos and that the Tang Empire was about to perish, he would still hold on to that.

For ordinary people, it was a big question. Any hero who established an empire wanted to have his national title. Only in this way could he be known as the founder, who made his name in history, with his remarkable achievement.

Li Ye obviously did not have this problem.

He solemnly said, “If I pacify the world, it will still be the Tang Dynasty!”

Li Xian felt relieved.

“If so, I will start tomorrow,” Li Xian said.

Li Ye was stunned. “Father, where are you going?”

“Hexi.” Li Xian looked again at the night sky, blocked by the wind and rain. He said in a slow and powerful tone, as if the whole country was stuck in his throat, “I can see you conquering the whole country, but I can’t be a courtier to destroy the Tang Empire. I can’t follow you in abandoning the emperor and creating a great cause. So, I’ll go there and resist the invading Tubo and Uighur armies, for the people of the Tang Empire there. Thus, I’m a courtier who is serving the country. I remain true to my original aspiration.”

Li Ye looked at Li Xian’s back, and remained speechless for a long time.

Li Xian suddenly smiled, “I have walked many places, met many people, and done many things in my life. I only admire two people. Xuanzong is unquestionable. The other one is the Guiyi Army commissioner, Zhang Yichao, who seized back 11 counties of Hexi Corridor from Tubo, including Sha county and Gua county, and reincorporated it into the territory of the Tang Empire.

“When Zhang Yichao returned to the court, I once sang, while drinking with him. We had a long talk through the night. We regretted that we did not meet sooner, and became bosom friends. Now, he has already passed away. Uighur attacked Hexi Corridor again. The 11 counties are in danger of losing. There’s not much I can do now. I won’t let him down, if I can keep the battlefield for my old friend while I’m alive.”

Li Ye opened his mouth and once again wondered what to say.

Even if he lived twice and had a profound cultivation, he was moved.

Some people and things did not need to be evaluated. Some people did something without requiring praise.

They were facing their own souls and that was their own business.

Li Ye came to Li Xian, and the two stood side by side, at the door. They remained silent for a long time, listening to the patter of the rain.

Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled in the night sky.

No matter how chaotic the world was, things still needed to be done.

“You don’t need to send me tomorrow.” Li Xian waved his hand and turned into the house. He was ready to have a rest.

Li Ye nodded.

Li Xian took two steps and suddenly stopped.

He did not look back. He paused for a moment before he said quietly, “I’m old. I can’t drop my opinionated mind, and I have no courage to face some things. You are young and can do much more than me. You can make a lot of changes, both to yourself and to this world. I’m assured about you.”

He paused again. There was something that one could not explain clearly and make people understand. He said in a heavy tone, with a touch of gentleness. “This country is full of domestic strife and foreign aggression. I’ll go to Hexi … to guard the country for you. You need to deal with the domestic strife.”

For a time, Li Ye had a lump in his throat.

He could only bow to his father’s retreating back and saluted, “Yes, father.”