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

This is completely different in scale from the battles in Songzhou and Gaochang.

The former was just a minor skirmish.

The Xueyantuo's southward campaign was massive, with 200,000 iron cavalrymen. Even Li Shimin had to mobilize so many elite troops, and the central imperial guards were also deployed, demonstrating the importance they placed on it.

Li Yuanchang took this very seriously, even though he was just a transport officer.

First, this was a momentous event for the nation in terms of territorial expansion.

Second, the sooner the game is over, the sooner he can go home. If he really plays for more than four years, that's too long.

Lantian is a county town near Chang'an, and the entire journey is only about fifty li. Traveling light, it takes only half an hour to reach it by fast horse.

Located next to Chang'an, this is an extremely beautiful county town, rich and prosperous, like a delicate little town from an anime.

But as soon as the Tang Dynasty's war machine was set in motion, this place immediately became a place for raising troops.

When Li Yuanchang arrived, troops and equipment were being transported continuously, and a large number of soldiers were arriving, reporting, and assembling.

Moreover, there was absolutely no fear or resistance on the faces of either the soldiers or the civilians; all that could be seen was the soldiers' excitement and eagerness to try, and the civilians lining the streets to see them off, clapping and cheering.

Those elderly women, when they saw their sons and husbands off, their eyes were filled with pride.

This is the Tang Dynasty: martial, cohesive, and everyone has faith!

Regardless of how later generations evaluate Li Shimin, and regardless of whether he was ruthless or not, there is no doubt that Li Shimin absolutely deserves to be called one of the greatest emperors of all time.

Qin Shi Huang was powerful, but his people suffered.

Emperor Wu of Han was powerful, but his people suffered.

Only Li Shimin could balance power and efficiency, manage to keep grain prices at a mere coin, maintain domestic peace, and minimize taxes.

The fact that the people support it to this extent already makes the answer quite clear.

Li Yuanchang entered the Lantian County Granary Office.

This place is even busier than Zhechong Prefecture, with a large number of carriages and horses gathering and a large number of soldiers galloping around. Just as Li Chongzhen said, "An army marches on its stomach."

"The Commandant of the Granary, Prince Li Yuanchang of Han has arrived!!"

As a shout rang out, all eyes in the government office turned to look.

The terms "Cangcao Xiaowei" and "Han Wang" are not unusual, but putting them together feels a bit strange.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Li Yuanchang strode into the lobby with the air of a dragon and the gait of a tiger.

Everyone rose and bowed, saying, "We pay our respects to the King of Han!!"

Among them was Gong Yun, a military advisor in Lantian County.

Li Yuanchang performed a hand gesture: "Fellow colleagues, there is no need for such formalities. There is no Prince of Han here, only Colonel Li Yuanchang."

"Li Yuanchang reports for duty!"

All the escorting officers in charge of the granary looked strange and somewhat uncomfortable. Everyone knew the reputation of the Prince of Han; he had beaten the prince consorts and beheaded Tibetan ministers.

In Tuyuhun, two hundred chased after twenty thousand hammers.

How did I end up being assigned to them as a lowly security guard?

And now, when we bow to them, they seem a little hesitant to accept.

Everyone looked at each other, but no one dared to say a word.

Seeing the silence of everyone in the room, Li Yuanchang realized that his position might be affecting his work.

Without saying a word, he first took off his wide robe embroidered with royal crests, and then put on the captain's armor in front of everyone to show his stance.

"Fellow colleagues, I, Li Yuanchang, have come here on orders just like you all, to march north and fight the Xueyantuo."

"From today onwards, we are comrades-in-arms who will depend on each other for life and death. There is no need to care about my identity."

The grain officials and escorting officers immediately became extremely respectful.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"Your Highness, please take a seat." Gong Yun gestured and had a chair brought out for you.

But Li Yuanchang insisted on standing in the row of escort officers, not wanting to be treated specially.

Gong Yun couldn't force the issue.

"Gentlemen, I have received an imperial edict from the Ministry of War. The Ministry of War requires us to set off within six hours to escort the ten-day rations, as well as the troops and equipment, of the three thousand soldiers of Lantian County. We will eventually arrive in Youzhou to join forces and await further orders."

These words caused an uproar in the room.

"Six hours?"

"So tight?"

"We haven't even gathered everyone yet, how can we possibly finish?"

"Yes, it takes time to get troops and equipment out of storage!"

Li Yuanchang was the only one who wasn't shocked. He knew the inside story of the high-level officials: Li Simo was being thoroughly humiliated by the Xueyantuo in the north.

Once Li Simo's forces are completely defeated, 200,000 iron hooves will directly crush into the Tang Dynasty's homeland, and the pro-Tang forces that Li Shimin has personally supported will also be wiped out.

In this situation, the Ministry of War is also under great pressure and must immediately send people to put out the fire!

"Alright, stop arguing!"

"They said six hours, and that's it. Instead of complaining, let's get moving! Military orders are absolute; anyone who slacks off will be court-martialed!"

The escort officers all looked grim, but they had no choice but to grit their teeth and go ahead.

"I am now issuing the order!"

"Grain officials of the four granaries, open the granaries immediately and count the goods; not a single pound or ounce can be wrong!"

"yes!"

"He Shu, Zhang Huang, you two will each lead two hundred soldiers and eight hundred laborers to be responsible for loading and escorting the grain and fodder."

"Gong Zi, you will lead two hundred soldiers and four hundred laborers to be in charge of supplies and equipment."

"Cao Zhen, you will lead two hundred soldiers and four hundred laborers to be in charge of the warhorses."

As he spoke, he looked at Li Yuanchang.

"Your Highness, you will lead three hundred soldiers, without the need for laborers, to handle medicine and miscellaneous supplies, and proceed ahead to clear the way."

"I will cover the rear and coordinate the entire department."

"yes!"

Several captains and related grain officials all clasped their hands in a fist salute.

"Wait a minute."

Li Yuanchang stood up. He had clearly been given the easiest task, which was a special favor.

"Sir, my unit has the largest number of men, so why don't you let me escort the grain supplies?"

"Your Highness," Gongyun said, trying to persuade him.

"I beg you, sir, to grant my request," Li Yuanchang insisted.

Seeing this, Gong Yun had no choice but to agree: "Alright, then I will assign Your Highness another hundred men, making a total of four hundred, to lead eight hundred laborers to be in charge of provisions."

"Yes!" Li Yuanchang bowed.

"Gentlemen, time is of the essence, and the task is urgent. Let's prepare immediately!"

"yes!!"

With a loud shout, all the escort officers dared not linger for even a moment and rushed to prepare.

Throughout history, logistical escort has always been a critical matter.

"Your Highness!"

Gong Yun suddenly chased after Li Yuanchang and called out to him.

This is a veteran soldier who is almost fifty years old. He has a square face and a dignified appearance. His face and hands are covered with calluses, and you can tell that he has worked his way up step by step through hard work, rather than relying on nepotism.

"My lord."

Gong Yun cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, I have no other intention. Although you are renowned and have once defeated tens of thousands with only two hundred men, escorting goods and fighting are two different things."

"Escorting goods depends on the weather; it's a delicate job. You need to be prepared for the worst."

"If there is a problem with the food supplies, the Lantian garrison will be late, and the entire Cao will be severely punished."

"You must be careful. Don't worry about anything else except arriving on time, especially the laborers, especially when you get to the battlefield."

Gong Yun implied that it was all based on experience.

In ancient times, failing to properly escort grain supplies was the same as failing to properly protect the banner; without asking any questions, one would be executed directly.

Escorting grain has always been a high-risk job, with too many uncertainties. Being too compassionate will only lead to trouble.

Li Yuanchang understood the implication and had a good impression of Gong Yun. He had been worried that his superiors might deliberately make things difficult for him because of their factionalism.

"Thank you, sir. I understand."

The two exchanged a handshake, then separated and went their separate ways.