The Great Tang Dynasty's Trans-Dimensional Conference: Little Rhinoceros Arrives

As darkness gradually fell, a faint sunset appeared on the horizon.

Seeing that it was getting late, Lin Fan suggested that they go to a nearby farmhouse for an authentic South China Sea farm meal that evening.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun also wanted to try something different, and the three little princesses certainly wouldn't refuse.

After dinner, the group returned to the hotel with a full load of goodies.

What Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun were unaware of was that a major event had occurred in the Tang Dynasty on the very day they left.

Let's turn back the clock to early morning.

With Li Shimin absent, all daily government affairs were handled by Li Chenggan, the Crown Prince, who served as regent.

After the accident, Li Chenggan's leg injury has mostly healed after modern medical surgery and exposure to new things. His temperament has also become more calm and insightful.

He handled daily state affairs in an orderly manner, which was seen by everyone in the court and among the people, who increasingly recognized this crown prince of the Tang Dynasty.

Chang'an had been peaceful for days, with no major events occurring in the court. Officials were performing their duties, and the city was in a state of tranquility.

But no one expected that an emergency would suddenly occur at the border.

Taking advantage of the temporary inactivity of the Tang Dynasty's main forces and the apparent relaxation of the court and the public, the Tuyuhun tribe, which was entrenched in the northwest, marched south to harass Taozhou, instantly escalating the situation on the border.

In the past, urgent reports from the border relied on relays of fast horses through post stations. The journey of thousands of miles would take at least several days to reach Chang'an, during which time the border situation would only continue to deteriorate, and the court's response would always be delayed, often resulting in a passive approach.

But things are completely different now. The new walkie-talkies that Lin Fan sent earlier have already been distributed by Li Shimin to major border towns. After the Taozhou garrison commander discovered the enemy's unusual movements, he immediately used the walkie-talkies to send a message.

In just one hour, the military situation at the border was clearly relayed back to the Ministry of War.

The message traveled swiftly, and within moments, an urgent report was delivered to the Eastern Palace.

Li Chengan was reviewing documents in the Eastern Palace when he heard the news of the Tuyuhun invasion, and his expression instantly turned solemn.

He was well aware of the importance of border defense, and he also knew that the Tuyuhun were cunning and difficult to deal with, who had been roaming the border for many years. If the response was slow, their sudden invasion would inevitably lead to endless troubles.

Without time to think too much, Li Chenggan made a decisive decision and immediately issued an imperial edict to summon the important officials of the three provinces and the key officials of the six ministries to the Taiji Hall for an impromptu court meeting to discuss countermeasures against the enemy.

Inside the Taiji Hall, Wushe read aloud the military report that had just been delivered.

"Tuyuhun Khan Murong Nuohebo personally led 30,000 cavalry in a surprise attack on Taozhou last night!"

These words sparked a lively discussion in the hall, more so than in a market.

Grand Chancellor Chu Suiliang nearly dropped his official tablet, his voice trembling slightly: "Taozhou is less than a thousand li from Chang'an. If the cavalry marches at full speed..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone present knew the consequences: within three days at most, the enemy's horses would be trampling on the banks of the Wei River.

Then, in the next second, someone immediately turned their attention to Li Chenggan above.

Imperial Censor Zhang Liang was the first to jump out, his voice so loud it could lift the roof off the palace, "Your Highness! His Majesty and the Empress suddenly left the palace yesterday, and it's been a whole day! Where have they gone? There's fighting at the border; you can't possibly keep this from us anymore, can you?"

Li Chengan felt a chill run down his spine from the question.

What can he say now?

Is it true that Li Shimin excitedly took Empress Zhangsun on a trip to the future yesterday? And that before leaving, Li Shimin issued an edict saying, "Chenggan, your father is taking your mother out for a couple of days. You'll have to handle the affairs of state for now."

If he actually said that, wouldn't Zhang Liang want to bang his head against a pillar on the spot?

He gripped the armrest of the golden stool so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Some of the ministers below were still arguing, one asking "Where is His Majesty?" and the other asking "Please enlighten me, Your Highness," making Li Chenggan's head buzz.

Hou Junji, then Minister of War, stepped forward first upon hearing this, his expression resolute and his tone firm:

"Your Highness! The Tuyuhun, relying on their distance, have repeatedly harassed the borders of our Great Tang. This time, their rash southward advance is a true provocation against our national prestige! I request that the border troops be immediately mobilized, mobilized, and deployed to meet the enemy head-on, deliver a crushing blow to the invading foe, and demonstrate the might of our Great Tang army!"

Hou Junji's attitude was firm, and as soon as he finished speaking, many military officers began to echo his sentiments.

"Your Highness! I, Old Cheng, have been itching for a fight for ages! If you send me this time, I'll make sure the Tuyuhun army never returns!"

"Your Highness, I request permission to fight!" Yuchi Gong also stepped forward.

Now all the generals know that the Tang Dynasty is currently at the height of its power, with well-equipped soldiers and armor. Faced with the invasion of border tribes, only by striking hard can they deter all sides.

However, at that moment, a dissenting voice emerged among the civil officials present.

Fang Xuanling stepped forward slowly, his expression cautious, and bowed, advising, "Your Highness, I believe we should not rashly launch a large-scale military campaign."

"Currently, the Tuyuhun army is only raiding and harassing, and has not yet ventured deep into our Tang territory. If we rashly launch a large-scale expedition, the losses may outweigh the gains. It would be better to first order the border garrisons to hold the cities and strictly guard the lines, thus delaying the situation, and then make a decision after Your Majesty returns to the palace."

Upon hearing this, the court was instantly divided into two factions: the military generals advocated for war, while the civil officials advocated for defense. Each held their own opinion and the two sides were locked in a stalemate.

Li Chengan listened quietly to the debate, his expression calm, already having made his decision.

Having experienced many things in later generations, his vision has long surpassed the old pattern of the imperial court, and he is no longer limited to the temporary offense and defense.

He knew that holding the line could only temporarily alleviate the crisis, not eradicate the hidden dangers. Although launching a large-scale expedition would indeed waste the country's resources, the Tang Dynasty was currently not short of money!

One word: "Strike! Strike hard!"

.............

The next morning, the weather in the South China Sea was exceptionally good. The sky was very blue and the wind was gentle, but it was even more humid than the day before.

After Lin Fan woke up, the three little princesses also got up one after another. After washing up, he led a group of people downstairs for breakfast.

Last night, Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun did not return to the Tang Dynasty. He felt that staying a couple more days would not cause any problems, after all, with so many ministers helping them, as long as Li Chengqian was not a fool, it would be difficult for any problems to arise.

Lin Fan had already booked rooms for them; it would be a waste if they didn't stay.

After breakfast, back in the room, the little princess lay down on the sofa, dangling her little feet, and asked, "Lin Fan, where are we going to play today?"

Lin Fan thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers. "How about we go out to sea and see what happens?"

These past two days have been spent strolling along the beach and visiting scenic spots, which hasn't been very interesting. He had previously reserved a small yacht, but now that Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun are also there, he thinks it might be more convenient to just buy a yacht directly.

"Go to sea? How do we go?" Li Shimin asked, looking completely bewildered.

"Of course we'll take a boat! But it might take a little longer." Lin Fan turned to look at Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun. "How about this, I'll have Sizi escort you back to the Tang Dynasty first, and then I'll come pick you up after things are settled here?"