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

Wei Zheng's flattery was as powerful as a complete tonic soup.

For several days in a row, Li Shimin held court with his back straighter than usual, looking at everyone as if they were his little brothers, his eyes exuding an aura of domineering power that said, "I have already seen through everything."

Inside the Imperial Study.

Instead of reviewing the memorials, Li Shimin stood before the enormous map, holding a horsewhip, pointing out the landscape with great confidence and arrogance.

"Auxiliary machine, Xuanling, come and take a look."

He pointed to the vast Guanzhong Plain on the map, his voice booming.

"Potatoes have been planted all over Guanzhong. I heard that the first batch of winter potatoes is growing even better than the autumn harvest. That old miser Dai Zhou now smiles like a chrysanthemum whenever he sees me, and he no longer complains about being poor."

He then pointed to Chang'an City.

"The city that never sleeps is already taking shape. Last night, I visited it incognito, and the Zhuque Street was brightly lit and bustling with people, even more lively than during the day. Foreign merchants are scrambling to buy a shop in Chang'an, while in my Liulichang, a single bead can be exchanged for a cartload of their goods."

Finally, his whip slammed down on the area marked in red to the north.

"Turks".

In Li Shimin's eyes, a flame called "ambition" flickered.

Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of helplessness in each other's eyes.

They knew that His Majesty was... getting carried away.

With the national treasury full, the people having enough food, and the court officials loyal, even the most troublesome rebellious crown prince has quieted down recently, spending his days hiding in the Eastern Palace studying some kind of "Dou Dizhu" (a card game), and it is said that he has even turned Prince Wei, Li Tai, into an internet addict.

Life has been too smooth for me.

The smooth sailing made Li Shimin, an emperor who had spent half his life on the battlefield, feel like his bones were rusting.

"His Majesty……"

Fang Xuanling spoke cautiously, trying to pull his emperor back to reality from his reverie, "The Tang Dynasty is currently in dire need of reconstruction. Cement roads need to be built, academies need to be constructed, and the navy's ships... are still only on the drawing board. At this time, we should prioritize recuperation and development."

"Rest and recuperate?"

Li Shimin waved his hand, and the whip drew a sharp arc in the air.

"My Great Tang Dynasty is now strong and well-equipped, with ample supplies. What need is there for rest and recuperation?"

"You didn't see what it was like when my Xuanjia Army put on those new-style swords!"

Li Shimin still felt his blood boil when he recalled the scene of testing his sword at the training ground a few days ago.

"With a single stroke, man and horse were cleaved in two! That was swift and clean!"

"With this equipment, I am confident that I can lead three thousand Xuanjia soldiers and tear through the Turkic royal court!"

Changsun Wuji's eyelids twitched, and he quickly stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, while that is true, war is a matter of vital importance to the state and cannot be ignored. Moreover... what about His Highness the Crown Prince..."

When Li Chengqian was mentioned, Li Shimin's expression instantly became somewhat strange.

He snorted, put his hands behind his back, and spoke in a sarcastic tone.

"Don't mention that rebellious son to me."

"Last time on the Wei River, he did indeed seize the initiative and gain the upper hand."

"But what kind of skill is that? It's just relying on numbers and better weapons."

"If it were a real battle of troop deployment and commanding thousands of troops, what would an eight-year-old child know?"

Li Shimin became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke, as if he were convincing himself.

"My title of Supreme General was earned through countless battles, fought amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood! How can I allow a mere child to surpass it?"

"No! I must get my revenge!"

Li Shimin turned around abruptly and slammed his whip heavily on the map, striking the location of Jieli Khan's golden tent.

"I have made my decision!"

"When spring arrives next year, and the grass grows lush and the birds sing, I will personally lead the army!"

"I will personally rip off Jieli's head and hang it on the city wall of Chang'an!"

"I want the whole world to know who the most powerful man in the Tang Dynasty is!"

"I will... seal the wolf's lair!"

Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji looked at their emperor's excited expression, which seemed to say, "I think I'm good again," and felt utterly overwhelmed.

My Majesty!

You've only had a few days of peace and quiet!

Why are you thinking of going out and having fun again?

Were the Turks made of clay? Could they be wiped out so easily?

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

The two men knelt down in unison, saying, "This matter requires further consideration!"

"What kind of planning is this!"

Li Shimin was completely enraged at this point and wouldn't listen to anyone. "My mind is made up! Anyone who dares to try to dissuade me again will be sent to guard the city gates!"

Just when the emperor and his ministers were deadlocked and the atmosphere was extremely awkward.

"Report—!!!"

A shrill, hoarse roar, tinged with the stench of blood, exploded out of the Imperial Study like a thunderclap from a clear sky, without any warning.

Immediately afterward, a messenger with three red feathers stuck in his back and covered in blood rushed in, tumbling and crawling, without even waiting for the eunuch to announce his arrival.

"Eight...eight hundred li urgent!"

The messenger collapsed to his knees with a thud. Due to excessive blood loss, his vision blurred, but he still used his last bit of strength to pull out a blood-soaked bamboo tube from his bosom and hold it high above his head.

"Urgent report from the North...the Northern Frontier!"

The fervent smile on Li Shimin's face froze instantly.

Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji's hearts sank.

At this time of year, an urgent message from the North is definitely not good news!

Wang De scrambled down the stairs, grabbed the bamboo tube, and presented it to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin's hands trembled slightly.

He slowly pulled out the letter inside. The letter was already blurred by blood, and only a few shocking words could be barely made out.

"Khalil...revenge..."

"The allied forces... 300,000..."

"Youzhou...is in grave danger..."

boom--!

Li Shimin felt dizzy and his head was buzzing.

I was just thinking of going out of my way to pick a fight, but they actually came knocking on my door?

And it's an army of 300,000?!

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

Wang De was terrified when he saw Li Shimin's deathly pale face.

"Quickly...quickly summon the imperial physician!"

"No."

Li Shimin took a deep breath and suddenly stood up straight.

In that instant, the somewhat conceited nouveau riche emperor vanished.

Instead, the one who once defeated 100,000 with only 3,000 at Hulao Pass was replaced by General Tian Ce!

His eyes no longer held fanaticism, only cold ruthlessness and decisiveness.

"Issue my decree!"

Li Shimin's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

"I order Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, and Cheng Yaojin to immediately muster the Xuanjia Army and accompany me on this expedition!"

"Is it appointed that Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji remain in the capital to assist the Crown Prince in overseeing the state!"

"in addition……"

Li Shimin paused, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

"Go tell that rebellious son in the Crown Prince's palace."

"His father is going to fight in the war."

"Tell him to...take good care of the house."