There was no loyalty or righteousness in the Sui and Tang, and no sons of humble families rose to greatness.
These were no mere words. Every last person who entered the Tang Dynasty's court came from an aristocratic family or great clan, without a single exception from a humble background.
What Li Shimin was about to do would tear out the roots of those aristocratic families and great clans, naturally offending the entire court.
Their earlier assassination attempt had failed. To kill Prince Xiaoyao once and for all, they could only resort to struggles at court. This was the prelude to their offensive, the aristocratic families and great clans' first probing attack against the Li Tang Imperial House.
"Hmph!"
Li Shimin snorted, then spoke disdainfully. "Li Haoran has rendered great service to our Tang Dynasty. The technologies he previously devised have multiplied our prosperity many times over and completely resolved the refugee problem that most threatened our stability. He has saved countless lives, becoming a living Buddha to ten thousand households."
"That alone makes him worthy of being a prince!"
"If you truly wish to resign over this, then resign. I grant every last request!"
As he spoke, a cold gleam flashed deep within Li Shimin's eyes.
Since he had already decided to tear away all pretense of civility with these people, he had naturally made every preparation.
A few resignations could hardly frighten him.
The reasoning was simple. To put it bluntly, if he could not withstand even this little difficulty, he had no business wrestling with these aristocratic families and great clans.
After all, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot had not spent these past years eating their fill and doing nothing.
Even as they expanded at a furious pace, Li Shimin had secretly arranged for