Transmigrated into Li Chengqian, he effortlessly ascended the throne and became emperor.

The golden cup in Li Shimin's hand remained steadily suspended in mid-air, not a drop of wine spilled.

His deep gaze passed over the group of Turkic chieftains who were already half-drunk and had unfocused eyes, and landed on the distant war chariot.

"Granted."

Li Shimin parted his thin lips slightly, tilted his head back and drank the remaining wine in the cup in one gulp, then casually threw the priceless gold cup to the ground with a crisp "clang".

"Since Jieli has realized his mistake, I will give him this opportunity to reform himself."

Li Shimin stood up, waved his hand, and pointed to the rows of unopened chests and boxes behind him.

"By my decree, the various Turkic tribes have come from afar, though their purpose was war. Now that they have turned hostility into friendship, I cannot let them leave empty-handed. The Great Tang is rich beyond measure; I can afford to offer them this small token of our respect!"

Fang Xuanling understood immediately and ordered his soldiers to step forward, line up dozens of large boxes, and suddenly lift the lids.

In an instant, a dazzling golden light shone brightly in the dim twilight.

Those were ingots of pure gold, bolts of smooth Shu brocade, and countless silverware and jewels.

"hiss--"

Even the Turkic chieftains present couldn't help but gasp, their eyes instantly filled with greed that overshadowed their previous fear.

This is the so-called "Alliance of the Wei River".

In the eyes of later historians, this was a humiliating compromise, a trade of money for peace.

But Li Shimin, who was in the midst of the situation, knew better than anyone that this was the only way to break the deadlock.

These chests of gold and silver weren't buying Jieli's face, but rather time for the Tang Dynasty to recuperate and for Li Shimin to have the opportunity to rectify the court.

As long as people live and the city exists, they will eventually have to return all the money they gave away, with interest.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty!"

The envoy, kneeling on the ground, almost trembled as he uttered those words.

What followed was a negotiation that, though without the clash of swords, was still thrilling.

Fang Xuanling and Gao Shilian, representing the Tang Dynasty, quickly finalized the details with the Turkic nobles.

It was less a negotiation and more a unilateral act of charity by the Tang Dynasty.

Because the initiative was entirely in Li Shimin's hands.

The Turks were terrified by the "empty city ploy" they had just witnessed, and with the real temptation of gold and silver before them, they dared not ask for more.

Jieli didn't dare to bring up the demands he originally wanted for people, artisans, or even the cession of land.

Although the final figure was enormous, it was far below Tang Ting's original bottom line.

They swore an oath by riding a white horse and drinking blood.

Li Shimin watched expressionlessly as the crimson horse blood dripped into the wine bowl, then raised his cup indifferently to Jieli from afar.

"From today onwards, both armies shall withdraw and cease hostilities."

After saying this, Li Shimin didn't even glance at the opposite bank. He turned directly to the group of Turkic officials who were still scrambling for rewards and laughed loudly, "Gentlemen, please continue drinking! I have other matters to attend to in the palace, so I won't accompany you to watch the sunset over the Wei River! There will be plenty of wine and meat. Anyone who is polite will be disrespecting me!"

"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"

Amidst a chorus of greetings in a mix of foreign languages ​​and Chinese, Li Shimin mounted his horse.

At this moment, the setting sun, like a blazing fire, hangs above the eaves of Chang'an City.

"Return to the palace!"

At a single command, thousands of imperial guards, like a surging tide, escorted the bright yellow canopy as they sped toward the majestic city of Chang'an.

The wind whistled in his ears, and the smile on Li Shimin's face gradually faded.

Sooner or later, he will take all of this back!

……

Taiji Palace, Chengtian Gate.

Before it was completely dark, palace lanterns had already been lit on both sides of the palace road, casting a dim yellow glow that made the entire palace appear somewhat hazy.

Li Shimin dismounted and threw his riding whip to the guard beside him.

He strode inside, his steps steady yet revealing an undisguised eagerness.

This day felt incredibly long.

"His Majesty has returned to the palace—"

Just as the eunuch's shrill voice rang out, a small figure rushed out from the imperial path ahead.

"Ah!!"

"Jade slave?"

Li Shimin was stunned. Before he could react, his leg suddenly felt heavy.

The eldest son, who was usually the most polite and well-mannered, and who always walked with measured steps, suddenly threw himself at him without any decorum, hugged his leg tightly, and buried his face in his cold armor.

"Why did Father leave without saying a word? Yu Nu wanted to go with Father!"

Li Chengqian raised his head, two lines of clear tears hanging on his face, his red nose twitching, looking extremely pitiful and extremely cute.

"Father is wicked! He left Yunu alone in the palace... Yunu heard that the Turks are coming, and Yunu is afraid... not of death, but of never seeing Father again..."

Seeing this, Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and others felt that the Crown Prince's behavior was somewhat improper, but considering that the Crown Prince was only seven years old and that the father and son had a deep bond, they all showed kind smiles and turned their heads to pretend to look at the scenery.

Li Shimin disregarded the fact that his cold armor might hurt the child and picked Li Chengqian up in his arms.

"It's Father's fault, it's Father's fault."

"Isn't Father back? The Turks have been driven away by Father, everything is alright, everything is alright."

Li Chengqian, however, persisted, wrapping his small arms tightly around Li Shimin's neck and pressing his face against his cool neck brace, nuzzling him affectionately: "Father lied, it was so dangerous... Next time we go fight bad guys, you must take Yunu with you. Although Yunu is weak, she can grind ink for Father, and bring Father water... If the Turks dare to bully Father, Yunu will... will bite them to death!"

As he spoke, he actually revealed his two bright white little tiger teeth, making a fierce expression.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Li Shimin couldn't help but burst into laughter, holding Chengqian as if he were a rare treasure, and strode towards the Ganlu Hall.

"Alright! Next time, Father will definitely bring our Jade Girl along. Together, we'll beat those bad guys who dare to bully the Tang Dynasty to a pulp!"

Before Li Chengqian finished his act, he hugged Li Shimin's neck even tighter and whispered in Li Shimin's ear, "Father, you're so cold. Yunu will warm you up."

Li Shimin paused, his eyes slightly warm.

What in this world could be more precious than this?

Li Shimin ascended to the supreme position while bearing the infamy of the entire world, and even had to bow down and pay tribute to the barbarians. What was he after?

Isn't it all for the sake of protecting the lights of every home and the child in his arms who depends on him wholeheartedly?

"Okay, let's go back to the palace, Nuannuan."

Li Shimin's voice was somewhat hoarse, but exceptionally firm.

Changsun Wuji, who was following behind, watched this scene with a complex light flashing in his eyes.

Although His Highness the Crown Prince is young, he seems to possess a strange magic that can easily soothe all the anger on His Majesty's body.

This may be a blessing for the Tang Dynasty.

At this moment, the lights in Ganlu Hall were already on.

Empress Zhangsun was standing at the palace gate, her elegant palace dress fluttering gently in the wind.

She watched her husband return carrying their son, and a gentle, relieved smile appeared on her face.

"Mother! Father's back!"

Li Chengqian peeked out from Li Shimin's arms and called out in a clear voice.

The sound was like the first ray of dawn piercing through the darkness, illuminating the entire Taiji Palace.