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

Hou Junji frowned, then nodded. He showed considerable respect for Li Yuanchang, firstly because they both had impressive achievements, and secondly because he knew Li Yuanchang had definitely helped him.

"Chief Steward Hou, you were indeed wrong about the Gaochang matter."

Hou Junji immediately chimed in, "I may have made mistakes, but what do they matter? I only took a few treasures!"

"That's not how a general leads troops. I just happened to be impeached."

"I have rendered such great service, yet His Majesty has imprisoned me in the Dali Temple, making me, Hou Junji, unable to hold my head high and turning me into a laughingstock!"

He harbored a great deal of resentment.

Li Yuanchang frowned: "Steward Hou, you must understand that this is not a trivial matter. If it were just you personally confiscating some wealth, it would be harmless."

"But the fact is that the entire army is following your example, which has escalated to allowing soldiers to plunder, and this has already had an extremely negative impact."

"To put it bluntly, Gaochang is to be established as a prefecture and county, and to be incorporated into the territory. By doing this, aren't you forcing the people there to rebel against the Tang Dynasty?"

"Furthermore, you concealed information and privately labeled innocent people as guilty in order to profit from the number of people involved. This is deceiving the emperor."

"Do you think His Majesty wouldn't be angry?"

Hou Junji was somewhat displeased: "Your Highness, are you here to reprimand me on behalf of His Majesty?"

"I have already been punished, and now the entire government and the public are laughing at me!"

Li Yuanchang took a deep breath. Hou Junji wasn't like this before. His military achievements had made him successful, but they had also blinded him.

Too many people don't die at the bottom, but fall to the top.

The military genius Li Jing had a keen eye for strategy. Although he was ordered to teach military tactics, he held back some of his knowledge.

"Chief Steward Hou, I have no other intentions. Your military talent can be said to be half of the Tang Dynasty's strength."

"But you should understand that His Majesty's punishment of you means that he still values ​​you."

"His Majesty's trust and high regard for you are evident to all. You must take this as a lesson and not harbor any resentment."

"And don't... go astray!"

"If this had happened to anyone else, it would have been completely over, but His Majesty gave you a chance."

Hou Junji cupped his hands in a deep voice, his face stiff: "Your Majesty, I thank you for the opportunity!"

Li Yuanchang was speechless for a moment. Even a fool could see that Hou Junji was outwardly compliant but inwardly resentful.

This guy is completely unaware of his own problem; he only feels that things are being treated unfairly.

"Chief Steward Hou, what I have said comes from the bottom of my heart. You have kindly reminded me more than once before, and I am doing so today as well."

"Not only you, but also I, Duke Lu, and others have all been severely punished by His Majesty at different times. It's nothing serious."

"Contentment is the way to long-term success."

He spoke earnestly and said everything he could; whether Hou Junji listened or not was up to him.

Hou Junji took a deep breath: "Thank you, Your Highness."

"I will remember this favor."

"Please go back and tell His Majesty that I, Hou Junji, confess my guilt and will not dare to do it again."

Looking at him, Li Yuanchang felt only resentment.

He knew he was probably a damned devil who couldn't be reasoned with.

He was a genius-level general. Those more capable than him were not as young as him, and those younger than him never rose to prominence; their power and prestige were far inferior to his.

It's a pity, his personality and magnanimity are lacking.

If his magnanimity and character were improved, Li Yuanchang felt that this person could at least be as famous as Su Dingfang at his peak.

Hou Junji's military talent was undeniable, a fact even Li Jing acknowledged, and he was ordered to pass on his military strategies.

Not long after, Li Yuanchang left.

Hou Junji was also released and returned home.

The Imperial Study.

Li Shimin was still handling official business with many trusted ministers.

"How was Hou Junji's performance?" Li Shimin asked directly.

Li Yuanchang naturally couldn't say that Hou Junji harbored resentment, because if he did, Hou Junji would probably be arrested immediately, and he would offend Hou Junji terribly.

"Your Majesty, although Chief Steward Hou felt wronged, he ultimately asked me to convey that he knew he was wrong and would not dare to do it again."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin raised an eyebrow: "Did he really say that?"

"His grievances are probably directed at his dissatisfaction with me, aren't they?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not spread rumors. I did say it," Li Yuanchang said, but avoided the topic of his dissatisfaction.

No matter how you look at it, Hou Junji was indeed dissatisfied.

Li Shimin chuckled: "I hope this Hou Junji can live up to his words and deeds and understand my good intentions."

"Let's just leave it at that."

"The Emperor's grace is boundless!" Everyone present bowed in unison.

Li Shimin waved his hand: "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's continue with the matter of Tibet."

"I have made a decision. In accordance with the general trend, I will agree to the Tibetan king's request to carry out a marriage alliance in order to resolve the grievances and protect the people on the border."

"Yes, Your Majesty is wise!" All the ministers bowed in unison.

Li Yuanchang stood in the imperial study, feeling helpless; he had already guessed this outcome.

Although he did not approve of it, in the context of the present era, this was indeed the choice that the Tang Dynasty should make.

When later generations look at the events of the Tang Dynasty, they can only view the marriage alliances from the perspective of modern civilization. They do not understand the ancient background, limitations, and difficulties.

So it's not a matter of right or wrong, just a matter of different perspectives.

Li Yuanchang had tried his best, but he couldn't control the situation.

At this moment, Li Shimin's gaze fell on Li Yuanchang.

"However, what you said is also true, Prince Han. There should still be some restrictions. I will adjust the dowry specifications and the things that Tibet wants accordingly."

Li Yuanchang cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

Li Shimin then said, "Regarding this marriage alliance, the ministers all agree that you should go."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanchang's face fell immediately. "Here we go again?"

So that's why I stayed in Chang'an!

He immediately declined, saying, "Your Majesty, I have been away from home for several months. My wives and concubines are pregnant, and my eldest son is crying for milk. Furthermore, my old injuries have not yet healed. You see..."

Li Shimin stepped down, his gaze filled with apology: "Seventh Brother, I know you want to go home."

"However, Gaochang has just been destroyed, and there are many affairs in various places. The Tang Dynasty is in need of manpower at this time. I would not feel at ease if someone else were sent to escort them."

"But rest assured, I promise you today in front of all my ministers that this leak will never happen again."

"This time, I will allocate three thousand Imperial Guards to you, and this time I will no longer conceal your identity as a member of the Imperial Clan."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanchang remained silent once again.

Li Shimin still wanted to use a woman from the imperial clan for a marriage alliance. He couldn't bear to part with his own daughter, so he sent someone else instead, saying, "Better to die for a friend than for myself."

"Yes, Your Highness, looking at the entire court, only His Highness the Prince of Han is capable of shouldering this great responsibility."

"You're the only one with experience; didn't you do a fantastic job on your last trip to Tuyuhun?"

"This marriage alliance with Tibet is aimed at resolving the conflicts between the two regions, and it has special significance. If it is successful, the people of the Tang Dynasty will be able to live and work in peace and contentment. If something unexpected happens, the two countries will be plunged into constant friction and war."

"This is a grand plan for the Tang Dynasty's future, a matter of great importance to the people's well-being. We should not shirk our responsibility!"

Chu Suiliang and others all chimed in, trying every trick in the book to coax Li Yuanchang to go, even elevating the issue to the level of national peace.