Deposed? I couldn't be happier! I wouldn't even be a dog to the crown prince.

"The Beiting Protectorate!"

These five words, like a thunderclap, exploded in the Taiji Hall, making everyone's blood boil and their scalp tingle.

The national title was abolished, and a Protectorate was established.

This means that from today onwards, the Turks, the steppe overlords who have been entangled with the Central Plains dynasties for hundreds of years, will completely become dust of history.

And for the first time, the vast and boundless southern grasslands, once regarded as a barbarian land, will be truly incorporated into the territory of the Tang Dynasty!

What an achievement this is!

This is an unparalleled achievement that would make even the Qin Emperor and Emperor Wu of Han take notice!

"Your Majesty is wise! Long live the Emperor!"

Fang Xuanling was the first to react, and he knelt down on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

"May the Tang Dynasty last ten thousand years! May the nation prosper forever!"

All the civil and military officials in the court knelt down in sincere worship. The roar was so powerful it almost lifted the roof off the Taiji Hall.

Li Shimin stood on the high platform, his hand on the Emperor's sword, looking down at the officials who had submitted to him, and listening to the fervent cheers around him. He felt that the heroic ambition in his heart had reached its peak at this moment.

Cool!

This is the best I've ever felt!

The humiliation of the Wei River Alliance and the humiliation of being trapped at Longmen Mountain vanished in an instant.

History will only remember that Li Shimin was the first emperor of the Central Plains to truly conquer the grasslands!

"All of you, rise!"

Li Shimin waved his hand and spoke in a loud, clear voice.

"This great victory is not solely due to my efforts, but the result of the bravery of the soldiers and the unity of all officials!"

"On Merit and Deeds"

reward!"

With his command, the imperial edicts of reward that had been prepared in advance were read aloud one by one.

Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, Qin Qiong, and other veteran generals who accompanied the emperor on the expedition were promoted one rank and rewarded with a thousand taels of gold.

The prime ministers who remained in the capital, such as Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji, were also rewarded.

But everyone knows that they are not the real protagonists today.

"Announce—"

The eunuch drew out his words, and the entire hall fell silent instantly.

"The generals who quelled the rebellion, Bai Qi, Yue Fei, Huo Qubing, and Chen Zhibao, shall ascend the throne to receive their titles!"

Four figures, resembling gods and demons, walked heavily into the main hall.

The lingering aura of bloodlust emanating from them caused the surrounding civil officials to instinctively take a half-step back.

Looking at these four formidable men who could be described as "human weapons," Li Shimin's eyes were filled with a mixture of affection and... apprehension.

"Bai Qi, having slain 100,000 enemies, rendered meritorious service to the state, is hereby granted the title of Lord Wu'an!"

"Yue Fei, who defeated the enemy head-on, was the bravest among the three..."

"Jun, be granted the title of Duke of E!"

Huo Qu-

"The disease, a thousand-mile raid, straight to the heart of the enemy, will be crowned champion!"

"Chen Zhibao, having slain the enemy chieftain in battle and secured the western frontier, is hereby conferred the title... White-Clad King!"

Duke! Marquis! Lord! King!

A series of earth-shattering rewards rained down, leaving the entire court of civil and military officials dazed and confused.

This is an unprecedented honor since the founding of the nation!

Especially that "Lord Wu'an," that was the title given to Bai Qi, the God of Slaughter, back then!

His Majesty has... completely acknowledged their achievements!

However, faced with this overwhelming wealth...

The four people reacted in a surprisingly unanimous manner.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."

They simply clasped their hands in a gesture of respect, their faces devoid of any excitement, as if the ones being honored were not themselves, but four unrelated passersby.

Looking at their composed demeanor, Li Shimin felt both admiration and a sense of unease.

He paused, then finally couldn't help but ask the question that concerned him most.

"My four beloved ministers have rendered great service. I intend to transfer you to the Sixteen Guards to command the Imperial Guards. I wonder..."

He hadn't finished speaking.

The four of them turned around in unison, their gazes falling on the Crown Prince, who had been intently gnawing on a chicken leg in the corner since the beginning.

The meaning is quite clear:

We listen to him.

Li Shimin: "..."

He felt as if his heart had been stabbed again.

So all that time I spent bestowing official titles, only to find out I'm still working for that rebellious son?

Li Chengqian finally swallowed the last bite of chicken and slowly wiped his mouth.

He stood up unsteadily, let out a burp, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Li Shimin.

"Father, you don't understand."

"They are all people of my Eastern Palace. They eat my food, drink my water, live as my soul, and die as my ghosts."

"If you transfer them away, who will watch over my house? Who will play cards with me? Who will barbecue for me?"

"We'll see."

Li Chengqian curled his lip. "What kind of scoundrels are your Sixteen Guards? Sending them to lead them would only lower their standards, wouldn't it?"

These words nearly enraged the generals of the Sixteen Guards so much that they drew their swords on the spot.

Li Shimin was also speechless and was about to lash out.

Li Chengqian, however, did not give him a chance at all.

"Father, gentlemen, please continue."

"We've had our fill of wine, meat, rewards, and excitement."

He stretched out a big yawn, looking very sleepy.

"Your subject... needs to go back and catch up on sleep."

"The Northern Expedition was such a physically demanding job, it was exhausting. I felt like my body was completely drained."

After saying that, he ignored Li Shimin's face, which had turned as black as the bottom of a pot, and the astonished looks of the court officials.

And so, under the watchful eyes of everyone, humming an unknown tune, he swaggered away.

That back view was as dashing as could be, and as infuriating as could be.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Li Shimin looked at the empty seat and felt a lump of blood stuck in his throat, neither rising nor falling.

What's the point of holding this victory celebration banquet?

The main characters have all run away!

……

The Eastern Palace, Lizheng Hall.

Li Chengqian buried his head in the familiar, soft bed and let out a satisfied sigh.

There's no place like home.

He closed his eyes, ready to sleep for three days and three nights to make up for all the sleep he had missed over the past two weeks.

The problem of being trapped in Longmen Mountain has been resolved.

The Turkic revenge was also resolved.

The territory of the Tang Dynasty also doubled in size.

It can be said that he has perfectly resolved all the crises in the third volume in an extremely "violent" way.

"Finally... a few days of peace and quiet."

Li Chengqian muttered to himself as his consciousness gradually sank into darkness.

Just as he was about to drift off to sleep.

"bite--!"

That damned, unromantic system notification sounded in his mind again, right on time.

[Respectfully...]

...Host, you've exceeded expectations for the main quest of Volume 3—"King of the North"!

[Task reward settlement in progress...]

[Congratulations, host, you have obtained...]

"Shut up!"

Li Chengqian mentally roared in frustration, "Leave the reward there, I'll talk about it after I wake up! Nobody's going to disturb my sleep! I said it! Not even Jesus could stop him!"

【…】

The system seemed stunned by the host's morning grumpiness and remained silent for a moment.

【All right. 】

Well... sweet dreams.

[Friendly reminder: The next check-in location has been updated. Coordinates: Gaochang Kingdom, Western Regions. Please handle this as soon as you wake up.]

"Okay, okay, I know, this is so annoying."

Li Cheng-

Qian turned over, covered his head with the blanket, and completely shut himself out from the outside world.

Outside the window, the autumn wind was bleak.

Inside the window, snoring was deafening.

After wielding immense power and dominating the world, the first thing His Highness the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty did was not to think about how to govern the country, nor to plan his next grand ambition.

But...

Take a long nap.

Sleep a good, deep, and dark sleep.

As for that Gaochang Kingdom...

Let's talk about it after I wake up.