In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

Li Yuanchang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I was slightly injured, but I'm healed."

"At the time, I was chasing after the rebel leader on horseback when I was knocked away by the out-of-control warhorse."

As he spoke, Li Yuanchang brushed his hair aside. He wasn't stupid; this was the time to perform and earn a bigger reward.

Li Shimin glanced at it twice, his eyes serious: "You've got some nerve, kid. You dared to charge at 50,000 rebel troops with just over 200 men."

"When you were a child, I took you horseback riding and archery. I knew you were good at riding and archery and had a lot of courage, but you were rough and lacked finesse. I never thought I was wrong. This time, the battle report has really shocked me and the Tang Dynasty."

Li Yuanchang chuckled: "Isn't this all thanks to His Majesty?"

"Without a valiant leader, how could I have been so brave?"

Li Shimin was amused.

"And it wasn't 50,000 troops, actually only 20,000 at most. When I discussed it with Murong Khan, he drew away half of the garrison while defending the city."

"Murong Khan also made great contributions in this battle, and when 50,000 troops besieged the city, they asked him to kill the Tang envoy to save his life, but he resolutely refused," Li Yuanchang said.

Li Shimin looked at Li Yuanchang with satisfaction, who was not greedy for credit.

"I know everything."

"I will also bestow rewards upon Murong Khan."

"However, you are still the main hero who turned the tide of this battle. Tell me, what do you want?"

Li Yuanchang was speechless. It was always the same thing. He wanted Li Tai's head, but he didn't dare to say it.

At that moment, he suddenly thought of something and changed the subject.

"Your Majesty, I am only doing my duty and do not wish to ask for anything in return. However, if Your Majesty is concerned, I do have one request for you."

"Oh? Feel free to speak, but please don't say it's that widow from that family again!" Li Shimin said irritably, his eyes filled with a sense of shame.

Li Yuanchang laughed heartily, then became serious.

"Your Majesty, have you read the confidential letter I sent you?"

"The group in Shanzhou delayed the rescue, and the rebels learned many secrets of the Tang Dynasty. It's obvious that someone leaked information."

"Taking both factors together, I believe someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes!"

"Your Majesty's request is that you thoroughly investigate this matter and bring justice to the fallen soldiers!" he said, bowing formally.

Upon hearing this, a hint of embarrassment immediately appeared on Li Shimin's heroic face.

"Seventh brother, please have a seat."

After hearing just five words, Li Yuanchang looked up at him suspiciously.

There was no direct response, which was unusual, but he patiently sat down.

Li Shimin said, "Seventh brother, I have read the secret letter and also had Changsun Wuji investigate it. The matter of attacking Gaochang is not a top secret. Many people know about it, and preparations have been underway for several months. It is not surprising that the Tuyuhun rebels know about it."

"As for the matter of Princess Honghua's identity, it was indeed leaked by someone. A palace eunuch was bribed, and I have ordered his execution."

"As for the governor of Shanzhou and his associates, I have also found out that they deliberately delayed the aid time in order to gain merit. I have executed some and exiled others."

"It's to give an explanation to the soldiers who died in battle."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanchang frowned.

He did not accept this ending. The leaker was a eunuch, and the group in Shanzhou delayed reinforcements to gain credit. Both of these points were too far-fetched.

"Your Majesty, how dare a mere eunuch leak secrets?"

Li Shimin rose, hands behind his back, facing away from Li Yuanchang: "A thousand-mile dike can be destroyed by an ant hole!"

"That eunuch was bribed by the rebel forces, but in any case, this incident almost cost you your life, Seventh Brother, and I bear responsibility for it."

"If it weren't for the problems on my side, there wouldn't have been so many unexpected events in this marriage alliance."

"Therefore, I intend to reward you handsomely."

As he spoke, he waved.

Immediately afterwards, a high-ranking old eunuch entered and loudly proclaimed: "Imperial Edict: The Prince of Han has rendered meritorious service in escorting the marriage alliance and in suppressing the rebellion in Tuyuhun. These two merits shall be combined and he shall be rewarded accordingly."

"He was granted the Nine Bestowments, and was permitted to ride a horse in Chang'an and travel by sedan chair within the palace."

"He shall be granted an additional thousand households of fiefdom, be rewarded with a hundred beautiful maids, a thousand bolts of brocade, and a thousand fine horses, and shall be given control of the spring water and salt estate in the western part of the mountain."

"He is hereby appointed concurrently as General of the Cavalry!"

"So be it!"

From privileges to actual benefits, and then to the highest honorary title of military officer, especially the Nine Bestowments, it was already the highest level.

Aside from not granting him real power, he was given almost everything he could. After all, Li Yuanchang was not only a prefect but also held real power over 8,000 soldiers, which was more than enough to warrant further titles.

But Li Yuanchang showed no joy; instead, his expression became somewhat stiff.

These rewards seem like a form of compensation, and Li Shimin himself was unwilling to discuss the leak, as if he wanted to put an end to it.

But this is so unfair to Li Yuanchang!

More than seventy people died in the battle at the Prince of Han's mansion, and he himself was pushed to the edge of a cliff. He was told that the matter was over by saying that a eunuch had leaked information. Li Shimin did not act in a fair way!

I still went to do things for him.

"Your Majesty, I believe we should continue the investigation?"

Upon hearing this, the old eunuch who was reading the imperial edict changed his expression. Refusing to accept the edict was a taboo!

But Li Shimin was not angry at this moment; on the contrary, his attitude was surprisingly gentle.

"Seventh Brother, I have investigated everything that needed to be investigated, and I have executed quite a few people."

"In addition to the personal rewards bestowed upon you, I will also order posthumous honors and compensation for those who died in battle at your Han Prince's residence. You can rest assured."

Li Yuanchang's heart sank.

Li Shimin's attitude was already very clear; this was the only possible outcome.

But if that is the truth, he didn't need to be so gentle or bestow such a reward.

He understood that Li Shimin wanted to settle things peacefully.

This confirmed his suspicion that the person behind this was probably no ordinary person, and there was likely more than one, and they were probably after him.

Li Shimin sought to maintain a balance, choosing to turn a blind eye to some things, while Li Yuanchang was forced to swallow his grievances and injustices.

The goodwill I had just built up vanished in an instant.

What talk of brotherhood, kindness, and justice? It's all just a game of power.

I do things for him, but when something goes wrong, he expects me to suffer in silence.

Li Yuanchang felt a chill in his heart, realizing once again what the imperial court and politics truly meant, and that anyone could be a victim.

Even meritorious officials may not be protected.

"Your subject obeys the decree."

Li Yuanchang didn't say another word, but simply accepted the imperial decree and expressed his gratitude, his politeness tinged with distance.

There's no point in asking any further questions.

Li Shimin seemed to sense Li Yuanchang's estrangement. He frowned slightly, put a hand on Li Yuanchang's shoulder, and comforted him.

"Seventh brother, you are still young. I see that you have great talent to assist the country. Do a good job and I will give you an important position."

The phrase "assisting the state" carries great weight.

While feeding these cakes to others might be acceptable, Li Yuanchang was clearly not complacent about it. Once he saw through the true nature of power, he made certain decisive decisions at that moment.

There can only be cooperation with Li Shimin; feelings are absolutely out of the question. The emperor has no feelings whatsoever!

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."

Li Shimin said, "Someone, please ask the Prince of Han to go down and take a bath and change his clothes so that we can prepare a family banquet later."

"yes!"

Li Yuanchang left as arranged, appearing very compliant.

Li Shimin has finally stepped down from his post, and the matter can be considered closed.

He watched Li Yuanchang leave, murmuring softly, "Seventh brother, it's not that you're disloyal, nor that I'm blind, it's just..."