Inexplicably, he felt a sense of discomfort in his heart, and his hand that was playing with the Buddha beads froze. Li Zhaowen elaborated on the grand situation, saying: "If the Wolf King becomes powerful, our family might face great calamity, and Your Majesty’s grand plan would be hard to implement. Rather than letting him rise, it’s better for us to support this great city." "Let this great city gain dominance in the Western Regions to counterbalance the Wolf King, thereby buying time for Your Majesty to conquer the world." Li Jianwen said: "Sister, have you not considered, what if this person takes over the Dangxiang?" "Are you not afraid that while removing a Wolf King, you might invite a tiger?" Li Zhaowen frowned and said: "Elder Brother, how short-sighted you are!" "If this person were to gain the Dangxiang, he would not attack our Ying Country as the Wolf King would. The first reason is that the Wolf King has a blood feud with our Daying; secondly, the Wolf King is of the Chen royal family, and once he gains power while His Majesty attacks Chen fierily." "With a rallying call from the Wolf King, Chen’s army and people would surely gather under his banner." "This natural principle indicates that once the Wolf King gains power, it represents the chance of a second revival for Chen Country, a death without finality—this Western Regions and Dangxiang can be in anyone’s hands, be they Westerners or outsiders, but must never fall into the hands of Chen Fubi." "Elder Brother, do not forget!" Li Zhaowen spoke word by word: "The son of Chen Fubi, Chen Wenmian, was the Crown Prince of the Great Chen for more than ten years. He once had the Eastern Palace, with his own followers, and those people are still alive." "He used to assist Yan Daiqing’s father, who is now the Huangmen Vice Minister in Chen Country." "Have you not noticed?" "Chen Wenmian might be absent, but his old followers and friends are still holding positions throughout the Chen court." "Although there’s resistance in the Chen court and among the people against Chen Fubi, resistance against Chen Wenmian is a bit stronger." "With the current sharp edge displayed by Chen Dingye." "Once the Regent King seizes the Western Regions, and if Chen Dingye rises further to resist our Daying and re-establishes Chen Wenmian as Crown Prince, it would mean the Western Regions and Central Plains merge. Though this possibility is slim, it’s not impossible." She paused, speaking softly: "Chen Wenmian’s experiences are too unique." "He has righteousness, bloodline, and legitimacy." "I even suspect Chen Dingye might have reached some tacit understanding with Chen Fubi." Li Jianwen was rendered speechless. The Duke, slightly intrigued, said: "If so, it is also good..." Li Zhaowen again had the door closed, dismissing everyone, and then said: "Father, Elder Brother, that was the first reason, there’s also a second reason. Although His Majesty is formidable in his conquest of the world, after all, His Majesty is advanced in age." "Should the Crown Prince ascend the throne, stability is ensured." "But if the Second Prince becomes Emperor, the world might undergo changes—if we have allies in the Western Regions, we have no worries behind us. If everything remains peaceful, we have the Duke’s stability to retreat to, but if the Central Plains changes, we can advance and contend in the Central Plains." "A friend of mine once said, ’Are kings and ministers born with noble blood?’" Li Jianwen’s complexion changed drastically, shocked and angry, and even a bit fearful. This fear was about the matter itself. But he soon realized that more than the matter, it was the awe he felt towards his sister, who had shown such commanding presence since childhood, that compelled him to step forward and rebuke, using his authority as the elder brother to suppress her: "Sister, what are you saying?!" Li Zhaowen, neither humble nor arrogant, said: "Just speaking about the world." The Duke’s face froze, a searing heat flashed in his heart, drying his mouth, but he heavily slammed the table, ’Great anger’ saying: "Enough! Zhaowen, do not speak of such disloyal and unrighteous things anymore!" Li Zhaowen said: "Father, there is no outsider here." "Our family guards the frontier, possessing army, power, and fame, and we are even close kin to the Emperor. Our ancestors once married into the Red Emperor’s lineage. Although the world is not yet stable, His Majesty needs us to guard this place." "But in a world at peace, which prominent family with military power ever ends well?" Li Jianwen retorted: "Ending well, what you’re talking about is just speculation." "Moreover, even if we want to support powers in the Western Regions, employing the strategy of rid the wolf to lure the tiger is too early now." Li Zhaowen said: "It is not about driving the tiger to swallow the wolf, but rather, the vast world is populated with heroes of great ambition." "Only by treating others sincerely can we have lasting relationships." "The human heart is like water, attempting to control it will only capsize the boat and drown the people!" "Besides, offering help in times of need creates true bonds; how can it be compared to those who join only when the situation is favorable?" Li Jianwen said: "You are indeed skilled in utilizing people’s hearts and the grand trends." Li Zhaowen replied: "This is not about interests, but friendships." Li Jianwen’s impatience grew, as he swept his robe and said directly: "Fine, fine, speaking of friendship with the barbaric Westerners. You are becoming more insightful and extraordinary in your righteousness." "Retreating a step, even if we form an alliance with that Western city, how can we guarantee they won’t turn against us one day?" "Human nature is unpredictable, historically resolved with marriage alliances?!" "Who can be trusted!" Li Zhaowen said: "If there’s such a grand opportunity in the world, if no one else steps forward, and if he does not mind, then I would personally marry!" "Although I am of slender and sparse beauty, it should suffice!" "I will go if need be!" These words struck back, greatly infuriating her brother, Li Jianwen, whose face turned red on the spot, and his hand began to tremble: "You, you, you!" "If this is so, I will consider you no longer my sister!" Li Zhaowen said: "Clearly, Elder Brother mentioned it first." The Duke, filled with anger, heavily smashed his hand down onto the table, shattering the rosewood table, along with the white jade paperweight and inkstone, causing teacups and inkstands to fall and smash to the ground, stunning the two siblings, saying: "Enough!"