Li Xiu invited Changsun Wuji to a banquet and spread the cards directly, persuading him to retreat from the court, otherwise it would only cause a disaster to the Changsun family in the future. However, Changsun Wuji was still unresolved. After all, he is now in a high position and power, and it is unlikely that Li Xiu's few words would make him give up his current power.

"Brother Changsun, this is all that said. If you still can't bear to give up, then I have only one last way!" Li Xiu looked at Changsun Wuji's hesitant expression and finally sighed again.

"Oh? Brother Li, what are your plans?" Changsun Wuji couldn't help but be stunned again when he heard Li Xiu's words.

"It's not that I have any plans. You and the late emperor have grown up together since childhood. You should know his character very well. When he passed away, he told us to assist His Majesty together. You should understand the profound meaning of Your Majesty's move." Li Xiu stared at Changsun Wuji and said again.

"Brother Li, what do you mean?" Changsun Wuji's face darkened when he heard Li Xiu's words.

"It's not that I have any meaning, but when the late emperor passed away, you and me appointed you and me to assist His Majesty, mainly because you and me have special identities. To be honest, as long as we are here, no one can shake His Majesty's throne. But in addition, His Majesty has another meaning, that is, let you and me restrain each other, so as not to have strange intentions and threaten His Majesty. You won't be unable to see this, Brother Changsun?" Seeing that Changsun Wuji did not accept his words, Li Xiu simply made the words clear.

Li Shimin had no other achievements in civil and military affairs, so when he was alive, no one dared to have any unfair intentions in his ministers, but it was different after his death. Although he trusted Li Xiu and Changsun Wuji very much, he also knew that human hearts were the most unreliable thing. Of course, he could not do anything like Zhu Yuanzhang's slaughter of meritorious officials. So when he was entrusting his orphans, he appointed Li Xiu and Changsun Wuji to assist Li Zhi together, which actually allowed them to restrain each other. After all, the possibility of two people rebelling is much smaller than that of one person rebelling.

When Li Xiu heard that he said this, Changsun Wuji's face was not very good-looking, but Li Xiu ignored him and said to himself again: "I'm a little sorry for the Emperor. Since his death, I have not entered the court as he hoped. Brother Changsun, you are the only one in the court, which aroused the suspicion of Your Majesty. So after all, I will finally count it on me. Since that's the case, I will give up the next ten years to enter the court again so that Your Majesty can balance the power in the court!"

"You..." Although Changsun Wuji had already guessed, he couldn't help but feel angry when he heard Li Xiu tell his plans in a blunt manner. Li Xiu's plan was very simple, that was, he wanted to enter the court to compete with Changsun Wuji for power.

Speaking of which, although Li Xiu did not ask about political affairs for many years, his reputation in the court has increased day by day, especially since he taught his new studies in the academy over the years. Many young officials in the court have listened to his classes, and are considered half of his student.

In addition, Li Xiu also has a very high reputation in the army. Not to mention anything else, Li Xiu's son Li Jin is in charge of the navy alone, and Su Dingfang, Wang Fangyi and others are in the army. These people can be regarded as the potential forces behind Li Xiu. That is, because Li Xiu did not enter the court before, these talents were not united, but if Li Xiu was determined to enter the court and compete for power with him, I am afraid Changsun Wuji would not be able to compete for him.

Of course, these above are just external forces. What really makes Changsun Wuji afraid of is Li Xiu's own ability. He watched Li Xiu step by step from a concubine's son to become the Duke of the Tang Dynasty. This is all due to Li Xiu's own ability. Even if he has known Li Xiu for so many years, Changsun Wuji still can't see through him, which also makes him very afraid of Li Xiu.

"Brother Changsun, you also understand my character. Power does not mean much to me. But first, I can't bear to see the turmoil caused by you and Your Majesty, and second, I can't bear to see you, a friend who has been wrong for many years, so I have to make this decision. I hope you can understand my painstaking efforts!" Li Xiu persuaded again at this time.

Hearing Li Xiu's words, the expression on Changsun Wuji's face was also shady and sunny. Not to mention Li Xiu's ability and the potential behind it, he also had a greater reliance, that is, Li Zhi's attitude towards them. Although Changsun Wuji is Li Zhi's uncle, Li Xiu is also Li Zhi's uncle and his teacher. In addition, Li Zhi has become increasingly dissatisfied with Changsun Wuji over the years, but he is getting closer to Li Xiu.

It is precisely because of this kind of difference between closeness and alienation that if Li Xiu really enters the court, he will probably get Li Zhi's trust immediately. When the two of them join forces, Changsun Wuji will probably be squeezed out. At that time, Changsun Wuji will probably become very embarrassed, and even the reputation he had accumulated before will be wasted.

"Forget it!" Changsun Wuji sat there for a while, and finally shook his head with a shrunk, "It seems that you are determined to let me quit the court, and even don't hesitate to tear me off. Since that's the case, I will fulfill your wish. Anyway, I am not young anymore, and it is indeed not worth losing you as a friend for the last few years!"

"Hahaha~, Brother Changsun did not disappoint me, I'll give you a drink!" Li Xiu saw that Changsun Wuji was finally convinced by him, and couldn't help laughing and pouring wine for the other party himself. In fact, he was also afraid that Changsun Wuji would do his own thing. If he really wanted to enter the court, the two of them would break up in the end.

"I'm afraid of you too. After all, you and I are so old. If you fight in the court because of these things again, you will probably be ridiculed by future generations!" Changsun Wuji also smiled at this time. At this time, the expression on his face became much more relaxed. He is also a very decisive person. As long as he makes a decision, he will not regret it anymore.

Li Xiu also knew Changsun Wuji's nature well. Since he had agreed, there was no need to worry that he would regret it again. Moreover, after the matter was over, the big stone that had been pressing on him for several years finally disappeared. This made him feel relaxed. He broke the precept of not drinking and couldn't help but raise his glasses to toast Changsun Wuji. In the end, both of them were drunk a little. At this time, the snow particles outside the window also turned into snowflakes. In a short while, the mountains and rivers outside were covered with a layer of white.

Half a month later, Changsun Wuji wrote a letter to resign, and Li Zhi repeatedly tried to keep him, but Changsun Wuji's intention to leave was decided. In the end, Li Zhi had no choice but to agree. As Changsun Wuji withdrew from the court, the influence left over from the Li Shimin era finally completely receded.
Chapter completed!