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

These small details are also why most of the ministers in the Zhenguan era were friendly to him.

"Your Highness, the marriage alliance has failed and even resulted in such a major conflict. This is now a conflict between nations, and the Tibetan king has sent a secret envoy to demand an explanation."

"If His Highness is allowed to travel freely during the investigation, wouldn't that give others cause for gossip?"

"Furthermore, if Your Highness were under house arrest, would you still be able to live so comfortably?" Fang Xuanling said with a smile.

Li Yuanchang did not deny it.

"So, what are His Majesty's instructions in sending you here now?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanling's expression became noticeably more serious.

"The court has almost finished its investigation into Princess Wencheng's matter. Princess Wencheng's death is not Your Highness's fault."

Hearing this, Li Yuanchang felt a little relieved. The investigation was completed in just a few days, which meant that the higher-ups had no suspicion that Li Su had faked his death. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to travel back and forth to Shanzhou to check the body so quickly.

"As for the changes in route and the progress of the procession, His Majesty has said that he understands."

"but……"

Li Yuanchang knew there was a turning point!

"But Your Highness acted too impulsively regarding the execution of the Tibetan minister," Fang Xuanling frowned.

"I only cut off his hand; I didn't kill him at the time," Li Yuanchang denied.

"Your Highness, the Tibetan envoy is insisting that the man has been killed. What can Your Majesty do?"

"The two sides were originally allies, but you went and stabbed them. The Tang Dynasty is in the wrong, and Your Majesty can only treat it as if the other side is dead."

"These past few days, His Majesty has been extremely stressed trying to stabilize the situation in Tibet," Fang Xuanling said.

Li Yuanchang remained silent.

Fang Xuanling glanced at him and said, "Of course, His Majesty knows you have been wronged. His Highness has made great efforts in both of your marriage alliances."

"But this matter cannot be offset by merits and demerits. If it is only the ministers in the court who impeach you, His Majesty has also said that it is not a problem for him to protect his brother."

"But it involves the entire Tibetan Empire, and they are putting constant pressure on them, which puts His Majesty in a difficult position."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanchang couldn't help but smile. Was it Fang Xuanling who spoke more eloquently, or Li Shimin?

Why didn't you protect Tuyuhun last time? Just listen to that.

But in this matter, he is not a victim at all; rather, he is the instigator.

"Lord Fang, there's no need for further words. I have already executed someone, and I will admit it." He also gave Li Shimin a way out, as politics is the art of compromise.

Fang Xuanling revealed a smile that suggested he was a promising student, and stroked his goatee.

Then he probed, "Your Highness, I'm afraid this is not enough."

"What does Your Majesty want me to do?" Li Yuanchang asked directly.

Fang Xuanling said, "His Majesty said that although you have been wronged, it is true that you made a mistake and that you did kill someone. Your Highness must go to the Liangyi Hall in front of the civil and military officials to admit your mistakes, confess your guilt and accept punishment."

"At the same time, we must apologize to the Tibetan envoy."

Li Yuanchang frowned. The first point was nothing to worry about; they could each give each other a way out, after all, Li Shimin also had to save face.

But the second one is a bit too much to ask.

"You want me to apologize to those Tibetan barbarians?"

"King Han, please calm down."

"As the saying goes, a true gentleman admits his mistakes and corrects them. It's merely an apology. The Tibetan envoy has no right to do anything to Your Highness," Fang Xuanling reassured him.

"Master Fang, whose idea was this?"

"You should know that after this incident, it is I who should apologize, and it is the Tang Dynasty that is disgraced. Even if I have made many mistakes, there is no need for me to apologize to the Tibetan envoy, is there?"

"Also, what crime is it to confess and be punished, and what is the punishment?" Li Yuanchang asked warily, afraid that he would be tricked by Li Shimin.

Fang Xuanling sighed.

"Your Highness, you may not know this yet?"

"The Xueyantuo have gone south!" he exclaimed, making a startling statement.

Li Yuanchang was startled, his eyes widening!

Xue Yantuo?

That's right, how could he forget this? The total outbreak of conflict between the Tang Dynasty and the emerging grassland overlord in the fifteenth year of Zhenguan!

Where are they?

Fang Xuanling solemnly stated: "The Xueyantuo have mobilized 200,000 troops to march south and have already attacked Li Simo, an ally of the Tang Dynasty, in the southern Mongolian buffer zone. This is the Eastern Turkic descendant force that Your Majesty personally supported."

"Li Simo is no match for them and has already sought help from Chang'an."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanchang was deeply disturbed, as he was aware of the matter.

After the Tang Dynasty destroyed the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, it adopted the political strategy of using barbarians to limit barbarians, established a buffer zone in southern Mongolia, and supported Li Simo, a descendant of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, to maintain stability in the north.

The Xueyantuo were the largest successors to power after the destruction of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. Li Simo's existence made the Xueyantuo extremely dissatisfied, as they believed that the Tang Dynasty was restricting their southward expansion.

Furthermore, as the Xueyantuo family grew increasingly wealthy, they naturally became unwilling to remain confined to the north. In ancient times, the Central Plains of the Han people were highly coveted, and everyone wanted a piece of the pie.

The Zhenguan era was actually filled with constant wars, which would have been turbulent in any era. It was only because Li Shimin was so powerful that he could eliminate every enemy that came, and almost no one could invade, which led to the prosperous era.

"Your Highness, now you know why His Majesty did this, don't you?"

"His Majesty has it tough too. He has cancelled the plan to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai and is currently mobilizing troops and raising supplies, intending to pacify the north in one fell swoop and ensure peace for at least fifty years."

"But the military generals unanimously believed that if at this time, Tibet was dissatisfied with the Han King's killing and took the opportunity to send troops, then the western side of the Tang Dynasty would be under tremendous strategic pressure."

"If the two sides form an alliance and launch a two-pronged attack, it will be even more troublesome!"

"This is not what His Majesty wants to see."

"Therefore, Your Highness must stabilize Tibet."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanchang no longer hesitated.

This is no small matter. Historically, the southward invasion of the Xueyantuo was quelled, but if the Tibetan Empire were to send troops because of him, no one knows how the situation would develop.

Putting aside everything else, the common people in the west are in dire straits. Tuyuhun is in dire need of reconstruction, and this buffer zone is simply no match for the Tubo.

He couldn't sacrifice himself for Li Shimin's sake, but he absolutely couldn't be a traitor to the nation!

"it is good."

"I will do as Your Majesty says, and apologize. I will go!"

Fang Xuanling was overjoyed to see him so decisive.

Li Yuanchang gave off a very stubborn impression. His behavior at the Liangyi Hall a few days ago made him afraid that if Li Yuanchang was stubborn and refused to apologize to Tibet even at the cost of his life, then things would be troublesome.

Not only was he worried, but even Li Shimin was unsure, so he sent someone to gently persuade him.

Fortunately, Li Yuanchang was a sensible person who was decisive on important matters and had the world at heart.

"Your Highness's magnanimity is as vast as the Luo River; this old minister admires it greatly!"

Li Yuanchang stood up abruptly.

"Your Highness, where are we going?"

"Find the Tibetan envoys. They just want to vent their anger, right? I'll go." Li Yuanchang said.

Fang Xuanling was both amused and exasperated, and got up as well.

"Your Highness, please wait."

"You can't go like that."