This was the road paved with the blood of countless emperors over Great Tang's three hundred years.
A chill flashed through Emperor Kuntai's heart, but his expression remained calm as he said, "Your proposal for cooperation is acceptable to me."
"Li Qinglian wants to restore the nation. Relying solely on himself and the Military School behind him will likely be very difficult."
"Your assistance is crucial to him."
"Let us discuss our respective obligations and rights in detail."
"For the next half year, I will become a tyrant, lavishing extreme favor upon eunuchs and treacherous officials."
"I will stir the realm into such turmoil that the people cannot live in peace."
"Li Qinglian will be the first to issue a proclamation calling for the purge of traitors at the emperor's side."
"He will gather the feudal lords of the realm and march on the capital!"
"Li Qinglian will earn a reputation known throughout the realm."
"And begin his road to supremacy."
"As for my death, when the feudal lords enter the capital—"
"I will leave behind a final edict and hang myself."
"Emperor Kuntai favored traitorous sycophants, forsook virtue and benevolence, and plunged the realm into war and chaos. I have failed my ancestral forebears and failed the people of the realm."
"Tang has lost its deer; all under heaven may hunt it together. Those with virtue may claim it and return peace to the realm!"
"Tell me, would this edict not better suit their wishes? Since they want it, I will give them the most legitimate orthodoxy."
Li Qing silently watched Emperor Kuntai. From beginning to end, the other man's expression had remained utterly calm.
His own death and the Dao Lineage's plans seemed incapable of moving him in the slightest.
He had even helped the Dao Lineage perfect