My house's electrical wiring dates back to the Tang Dynasty.

Lotus removed the black masks from the robbers one by one.

Looking at the weapons the other party was using, he walked over to Li Mingbo and said, "These people are not simple. They look like soldiers. The weapons they are carrying are standard-issue swords."

The term "Tang sword" used by modern people is a general term that includes ceremonial swords used by guards, horizontal swords used by soldiers, and long-handled swords used for cutting down horses.

The swords used by these people came from military equipment.

"A soldier?" Upon hearing this, Li Mingbo realized that he had no conflict with the military officers, so why would they want his life?

This is the garrison of the Southern Army.

The military camps in Chang'an were divided into the Southern Office and the Northern Office based on their geographical location.

The Northern Guard was stationed north of the Imperial City and mainly served as the personal guards of the imperial emperor.

The Southern Army refers to the central imperial guards stationed south of the imperial city of Chang'an and outside the palace city. It was mainly composed of the "Twelve Guards", including: Left and Right Guards, Left and Right Valiant Guards, Left and Right Martial Guards, Left and Right Majestic Guards, Left and Right Leading Army Guards, and Left and Right Martial Marquis Guards.

The Southern Army was mainly based on the Fubing system, with soldiers farming in their hometowns during peacetime and only coming to the Chang'an barracks for guard duty when on duty.

Do you know which part it is?

"My lord, I do not know, but I should find out soon," Lotus said, looking at the group of people walking out of Wubenfang.

That's the Wuhou Guard.

The Wuhou Guard was the "main force for maintaining order" in the Southern Army.

"Let's go, my lord." Upon seeing the newcomer, Lianhua warily distanced herself from Li Mingbo and helped him into the carriage. "Don't worry about these people; someone will report back to His Majesty."

After saying that, he turned and left without looking back.

Damn it, you can't even trust soldiers anymore.

Li Mingbo had a strange feeling in his heart.

After thinking about it, I realized this wasn't modern times; it was the Tang Dynasty, so it didn't really matter.

Looking back, Li Mingbo saw that Qin Shubao's four retainers were still closely following on both sides of the carriage.

His right hand gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist tightly.

"My idol really understands me." Li Mingbo felt a little more at ease.

These four people look extraordinary.

The aura emanating from his eyes was like that of a fierce tiger.

Qin Shubao's retainers must have been extraordinary people.

"If I asked the door god for these four people, he should agree, right?" After learning that servants could be bought and sold in the Tang Dynasty, an idea popped into Li Mingbo's mind.

If you have four guards at home, you should feel more at ease sleeping at night.

They finally made it back to their residence.

"Please come in, everyone, don't be shy," Li Mingbo said, gesturing for Lianhua to stop the car and sticking his head out to speak to the four guards of Qin Shubao.

The four people did not answer but stood at the door.

Li Mingbo had no choice but to come out and say to them, "Come in. The Duke asked you to protect me, right? Standing outside won't do. This wall is only three meters high; one jump and you're over it. It won't stop you."

"How can you protect me if you don't come in?"

After much persuasion from Li Mingbo, the four guards finally agreed to follow closely behind him.

Li Mingbo returned to the carriage, opened the gold coin box, grabbed a handful of gold coins (the amount was unclear), and handed them to one of the older-looking men, saying, "This is a small token of my appreciation. Brothers, take it and split it equally. It's too hot today, buy some water. Just tell the Duke it's from me, and he'll agree."

"Thank you, Mr. Li," the four replied, bowing with their hands clasped.

Despite his fame as Duke Yi, Qin Shubao did not actually live a very wealthy life.

Qin Shubao was a military general, born to be one.

They don't know how to do business.

Most of the others had their own shops outside, but Qin Shubao had been recuperating at home for years, relying on the rewards and salary he had received in his early years.

The rewards were mainly bestowed by Li Yuan during the Wude era.

The 18th volume of the Biographies in the Old Book of Tang records, "On the fourth day of the sixth month, he participated in the execution of Jiancheng and Yuanji. After the matter was settled, he was appointed General of the Left Martial Guard and given a fief of seven hundred households."

Even Yuchi Gong, a defeated general, was granted a fief of 1,300 households.

In addition to the expenses of buying medicine and managing the household, Qin Shubao's life was not as good as others.

Based on his observations, Li Mingbo's life at the Qin residence was not very affluent.

A hero grows old.

I felt a little sad, and I can't imagine how upset and frustrated Qin Shubao must have felt.

As his retainers, their lives weren't much better.

I'm in a bad mood.

Li Mingbo was very unhappy.

We returned to the main hall.

Looking at Lotus, he said, "Shouldn't you have something to say to me?"

They were really good at pretending; even I was fooled.

What a frail woman! She's actually a martial arts master.

No wonder, I am so important to Li Shimin, it concerns the life of his wife, how could Li Shimin not care about my life or death.

It turns out that a martial arts master had been arranged to protect me long ago.

Damn it.

Thinking back to how I did that to that person, I can't help but feel a chill of fear.

If she were to squeeze him casually, he would die.

Lianhua had never seen Li Mingbo so angry. Remembering her status, she knelt down and said, "My lord, I did not mean to hide anything. It was the Empress's order for me to protect you closely and not to act unless it was absolutely necessary. At that time, it was only because you really wanted to go out that I had no choice but to go out and kill them first."

They're stuck all the way to the bed; this is truly "close-fitting" protection.

Li Mingbo was terrified just thinking about it.

How could I not be afraid?

The other party was a martial arts master, and I had done that to him. If it weren't for the Empress's instructions, I would probably be dead by now.

"What else is there to hide? Tell me all at once. I don't like being lied to," Li Mingbo said.

"That's all," Lotus said.

"Get up," Li Mingbo helped Lianhua up. "You're so skilled, when did you learn kung fu?"

"I learned from my master since I was a child. Later, my master sent me to protect the empress. Later, the empress sent me to be my husband's personal maid."

Upon hearing this, Li Mingbo simply said "Oh".

It's estimated that Li Shimin made a deal with a certain sect.

The Empress understands me best.

They sent their own bodyguards to protect me closely.

There's a saying that goes something like this: "Having mastered both literary and martial arts, one can then serve the emperor."

Despite being a martial arts master, Lianhua's social status is actually not high.

Such martial arts masters are being sold back and forth.

"By the way, back when we were doing that, did you ever think about killing me?" Li Mingbo asked.

At the time, I didn't even know that the other person was a martial arts master.

The other party was very cooperative at the time, gentle and kind, and you couldn't tell at all that the other party was a martial arts master.

No wonder she has such a great figure.

If I were to wear black stockings...

Looking at his girlfriend, a martial arts master, Li Mingbo's imagination ran wild.

"No, my lord is good to me. This is the blessing I have accumulated over ten lifetimes. Also, the Empress's illness needs my lord's treatment. No matter what the reason, I will not have the slightest intention to kill my lord," Lotus said.

"Alright, I forgive you. Don't worry, from now on you will be the mistress of the Li family. When I come back, I will marry you in a grand and glorious ceremony." Li Mingbo said.

Young and beautiful, and also a martial arts master—where can you find a wife like that?

My wife is a pro.

Li Mingbo also knew that Lianhua's presence might be a way of monitoring him.

This is no big deal.

He himself was not prepared to rebel against Li Shimin and become emperor.

A person with a straight body has nothing to fear from a crooked shadow.

Ganlu Temple.

Li Shimin was in his bedchamber, reviewing memorials at his desk.

The sun was blazing outside.

Inside the room, a water-cooled fan whirred behind Li Shimin, blowing out bursts of water mist.

On the table was a clear glass containing iced cola, along with a few ice cubes that had just been taken out of the freezer.

Li Shimin picked up the glass with water droplets clinging to it, took a sip, and exhaled a long breath.