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

December 21st.

It's freezing cold.

The Tang army, advancing rapidly and triumphantly, swept through several battles against the Xueyantuo and reclaimed the lands and pastures lost by Li Simo.

However, due to weather conditions, the Tang army was forced to abandon its three-pronged pincer attack and instead engage in a stalemate, marking the first standoff in the Xueyantuo's southward campaign.

Li Yuanchang had a dream, a very long dream.

He fell into the icy lake and struggled to drown, while Situ Lan and the others cried out in anguish on the shore.

He tried hard to climb up, but his whole body ached and he couldn't muster any strength.

Just as he was about to be overwhelmed, the dream shattered!

"No!!"

He roared and sprang up as if he had risen from the dead.

The area was clean and quiet, filled with the scent of sandalwood, and sunlight streamed in from outside the tent, which was surrounded by people.

Li Yuanchang was covered in cold sweat, breathing rapidly, and remained stunned for several seconds before regaining his senses.

"Your Highness, Your Highness."

A man with slightly graying hair, a thin face, but a vigorous spirit and eyes like swords called out softly.

Li Yuanchang swallowed hard. He knew he had been rescued. He looked around and realized he didn't recognize anyone.

"Who are you?"

"Your Highness, I am Li Ji."

Li Yuanchang was startled: "Li Ji?"

A man of equal renown to Li Jing!

The man smiled and nodded, his expression revealing nothing of his true feelings: "It's wonderful that Your Highness has woken up. We couldn't believe you were still alive."

"If His Majesty knew, he would be overjoyed!"

"Yeah yeah!"

"Your Highness's survival after such a calamity must be a blessing from Heaven!"

The large group of Tang generals spoke up one after another, their faces beaming with smiles.

Li Yuanchang suddenly remembered something and subconsciously got out of bed: "Grand Steward, where are my men?"

Li Ji said, "Your Highness, rest assured, he is also fine. Although you were discovered by the garrison troops on the western front and there were many twists and turns, you were eventually rescued."

"You are all too weak and need to rest."

"I have already sent an urgent report to His Majesty."

"During your absence, the Tang Dynasty was in great turmoil. His Majesty fell ill upon hearing the tragic news and ordered the suspension of state affairs for seven days, during which the entire nation observed a period of silence."

"We also blame ourselves."

Li Yuanchang finally felt relieved, exhaled a long breath, and then slowly lay down.

His injuries had mostly healed, but he was still malnourished and too weak from traveling in the wind and snow.

"Thank you, Grand Steward! Thank you, Generals!"

"I owe my survival to you all; otherwise, I wouldn't have made it back." He cupped his hands in gratitude.

The generals at the western front headquarters bowed and said they dared not accept such praise, their eyes filled with admiration for Li Yuanchang.

They didn't die, and they even came back to fight.

"Your Highness, you flatter us."

"The Shatuo army besieged the Cangcao Prefecture troops of Lantian County, and our headquarters failed to provide timely reinforcements, allowing the enemy's forces to arrive first. We are truly ashamed." Li Ji frowned, feeling deeply guilty, as he had almost caused a major disaster.

"However, Your Highness, rest assured, I have already ordered a thorough investigation into this matter. Wang Mai and others are suspected of delaying military operations and failing to report information. They have now been detained."

Li Yuanchang said, "I knew it. Given the speed of the Tang army, it's impossible for reinforcements to be so slow."

"Oh, right!"

He suddenly remembered something: "How are my troops?"

"Were they rescued?"

He only remembered Guo Chao, who had accompanied him, but forgot about the more than sixty guards who hadn't been forced down the waterfall, as well as Cheng Chuliang and the others.

"Your Highness, rest assured, we have saved everyone we could."

"In the Battle of Dingyuan Mountain, the remnants of the Lantian County troops broke through in four directions, while the other three routes suffered little damage. Cheng Chuliang and others all received reinforcements."

"Only His Highness's force was pursued for hundreds of miles, but reinforcements arrived in time. Forty-three men survived, seven of whom were crippled; the rest perished in battle."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanchang frowned, feeling a pang of heartache. When they left Lantian County, there were over a thousand people, but now only about a hundred remained.

Of the 100 guards of the Prince of Han's palace, only 50 or so remained. It was a tragic loss.

But no matter what, they were rescued at least. It's already quite remarkable that so many of them survived, as they weren't completely wiped out.

Where are they now?

"Your Highness, after news of your death spread, they were forcibly transferred to Youzhou for recuperation."

Li Yuanchang sat up: "Forced??"

Li Ji said helplessly, "Those two lads from the Cheng and Yuchi families led the trouble, saying that His Highness was wronged. They not only attacked the reinforcements who came to their rescue, but also threatened to kill Wang Mai and others to avenge His Highness."

"I was worried that things would get out of hand, so I forcibly sent them back to Youzhou to keep them under control."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanchang suddenly realized what was going on, then smiled wryly, and was somewhat worried.

How painful it must be for those who care about you to learn that you are dead, especially...

"Grand Steward, could you please send a message to Liangzhou immediately?"

Li Ji said, "Your Highness, rest assured. The moment I found you, I sent a messenger on an urgent mission. When the news of your death reached His Majesty, he could not find your body and wept bitterly. He ordered a cenotaph to be erected and sent the news of your death to Liangzhou."

"Later, an imperial edict was issued, ordering the return of all the family members of the Prince of Han's residence, and ordering the eldest son, Li Zhaoye, to inherit the title and be placed in Chang'an to be personally cared for and raised by His Majesty."

"We don't know the exact situation over there, but His Majesty has been very kind to him, even posthumously granting him the title of Grand Tutor. I suppose the family of the Prince of Han will be alright."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanchang breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you very much, Chief Steward!"

He clasped his hands in a fist salute again.

Li Ji smiled. This historical figure, one of the Ten Sages of the Martial Temple, showed no airs at all, but rather seemed relieved.

It seems that the more powerful a person is, the more approachable they are, and Li Jing was no exception.

Those of slightly lesser caliber, like Hou Junji, were different; their killing intent was palpable and directly emanated outwards.

"Your Highness, please don't do this."

"It was my poor military management that led to the series of events that followed. If it weren't for Your Highness's good fortune and ability to turn the tide, my military career would have been tarnished."

"That's right. His Majesty severely reprimanded me in his reply, saying that I should take responsibility for His Highness's death."

As he spoke, his face was full of bitterness.

The generals behind him all looked embarrassed.

He was clearly held accountable by Li Shimin.

After all, in a battle between two armies, the death of an important prince meant that accountability was inevitable. What were they doing at the front lines, leaving such a huge logistical mess?

And they were clearly helpless as well.

According to the normal script, reinforcements should not be a problem, but the key issue is that some people deliberately delayed the news and did not report it in the first place.

Li Yuanchang was well aware that Wang Mai's involvement was crucial to this, and although he certainly sent reinforcements, they were undoubtedly ineffective.

Generally speaking, such a major incident would definitely be reported immediately, and reinforcements from elite troops would be sought, but he did not.

"call!"

"Grand Steward, and all of you, rest assured, I will write to His Majesty to explain this matter clearly."