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

the end of April.

The Tang army completed its integration and the initial handling of the Xueyantuo.

After inventory, the Tang army seized more than 50,000 sets of armor and supplies, nearly 30,000 livestock, and countless people, grain, warhorses, and so on.

This number is far greater than that of the historical Battle of Nuozhenshui, because the Xueyantuo's headquarters were completely wiped out.

"Your Highness, a letter has arrived from Chang'an."

"His Majesty demands that Zhenzhu Khan and Dadu be brought back to Chang'an for trial as soon as possible, and that His Majesty personally watch the two kneel before him."

On a hillside, Li Ji and Li Yuanchang walked side by side, followed by a large group of military generals, but they were all kept at a considerable distance from each other.

Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

"His Majesty's intention is for you to lead the Lantian County garrison to escort the goods back to Chang'an ahead of time."

"After that, Xue Wanche was in charge of escorting the second batch of grain, livestock, and a large amount of spoils of war."

"And what about you, Grand Steward?" Li Yuanchang asked, secretly pleased that Li Shimin was so sensible as to bring him back first.

He hasn't seen his family for over a year.

"Although the war has stopped, to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the chaos to rise up, I will remain here for a while to await the central government in Chang'an to make new appointments and plans for the southern and northern deserts," Li Ji said.

Li Yuanchang nodded: "I see. Then I will return to Chang'an first. Once the Grand Steward is back in Chang'an, I will definitely pay him a visit to express my gratitude for his assistance in this expedition."

Li Ji stroked his beard and laughed.

"Your Highness is too kind."

"This is all I should do, and it's not really a matter of promoting you; it was Your Highness who helped me."

Li Yuanchang cupped his hands in apology: "I dare not, I dare not."

Li Ji glanced at him sideways. The two were quite different in age, one was almost fifty and the other was only in his early twenties, but they seemed like friends who appreciated each other.

He hesitated for a moment, but finally said it.

"Your Highness, your profile looks remarkably like that of the King of Qin back in the day."

Li Yuanchang was taken aback. The Prince of Qin was Li Shimin, who had not yet ascended the throne. This was originally a compliment, but he sensed something different about it.

"Chief Steward, please speak frankly."

Li Ji's eyes softened: "Your Highness, you are a person with a soul."

"Your Highness has already achieved a great feat with the Tuyuhun last time. This time with the Xueyantuo, your military achievements are already immense. Of course, the higher-ups are not intolerant of people, but Your Highness is too young."

"Perhaps it would be more worthwhile to let it settle."

His words were direct, yet also subtle.

Li Yuanchang understood, his eyes remaining calm; it was simply a matter of someone whose achievements threatened the master.

He used the example of the King of Qin to describe himself, wanting to tell himself that being too awesome will attract jealousy and fear, and even if the higher-ups are tolerant, there is still a limit.

It seems that during the Zhenguan era, the emperor restrained himself, and the ministers were also very tactful.

However, he knew very well that Li Jing was still alive, and if the sky fell, someone else would take the fall; his contribution was not enough for Li Shimin to be shameless.

But he still bowed gratefully and said, "Thank you, Grand Steward. I understand the reasoning."

"What I pursue has always been very simple."

This statement also reveals his ambition: he does not pursue overwhelming power.

Upon hearing this, Li Ji nodded repeatedly. He felt that Li Yuanchang was aggressive in battle, but very mature in officialdom.

"Your Highness's achievements will surpass those of this commander."

"Hahaha, Grand Steward, you flatter me too much."

"I have too many flaws. I've been lucky enough to be able to do something for the Tang Dynasty. Take this surprise attack on Duluo River, for example. It was essentially thanks to the Grand Steward."

"Without the Grand Steward exerting immense pressure from the front and drawing the attention of the entire Xueyantuo, my sneak attack would have been tantamount to suicide," Li Yuanchang said earnestly. He truly believed this, and it wasn't just modesty.

Li Ji smiled calmly.

"A skilled strategist must assess the situation and act accordingly."

"Your Highness's ability to choose such an opportunity demonstrates your foresight."

"Besides, if it were someone else, who would dare to follow His Highness's example and make such a desperate gamble, launching a long-distance raid without any reinforcements?"

Li Yuanchang smiled in response.

The reason he dared to do this was largely because he was a time traveler and knew that Nuozhenshui would eventually dry up and Xueyantuo would inevitably be defeated.

Otherwise, he wouldn't dare to go. Once the enemy's army returned to reinforce, even if Li Ji were one of the Ten Sages of the Martial Temple, he wouldn't have time to save himself.

"By the way, Chief Steward."

"There's one more thing!"

Li Ji raised an eyebrow: "Your Highness, which allied force are you referring to?"

Li Yuanchang nodded: "As expected, nothing can be hidden from the Grand Steward."

"What will become of them when I return to Chang'an?"

Li Ji frowned: "His Majesty didn't mention this in the letter; I guess they've forgotten about it too."

"But since they have rendered meritorious service to our Great Tang, they should not be treated unfairly."

"Your Highness, please return to Chang'an first and hand the person over to me. I will make proper arrangements for him."

"As for the enfeoffment and rewards, that depends on His Majesty's decision."

He gestured for Li Yuanchang to go to Chang'an himself to request a reward.

Li Yuanchang nodded: "Understood."

"Then Your Majesty shall depart tomorrow."

"Anyway, there's nothing much to do here. Let's escort those two guys to Chang'an as soon as possible, so His Majesty can be pleased."

Li Ji nodded: "Alright, Your Highness, have a safe journey."

"..."

That very night, Li Yuanchang, impatient to wait, issued an order to return to the capital and escort the prisoners.

The entire army in Lantian County was in high spirits and overjoyed.

The commotion caused by the overnight cleanup made the allied forces extremely envious.

Before leaving, Li Yuanchang made a special trip to meet with people from twenty-one tribes, firstly to appease them, and secondly to hand over the remaining matters.

The people of the twenty-one tribes seemed bewildered, trusting only Li Yuanchang, and were somewhat uneasy about his departure.

Li Yuanchang made repeated promises and reassurances before the twenty-one small tribes were finally put at ease.

It is worth mentioning that the mountain tribe is the only exception among the twenty-one tribes.

Their following of Li Yuanchang was almost entirely devoid of self-interest; they revered him as a deity, a devotion that surpassed any affection they might have shown to their clan leader.

Huang Tu even stated privately that they were not following the Tang Dynasty, but Li Yuanchang himself.

In the end, after much deliberation, Li Yuanchang decided to bring all 108 generals of the Gaoshan tribe back with him.

The next day at dawn.

Before dawn, the first batch of soldiers returning to Chang'an set off.

The grand procession, like a long dragon, departed from the banks of the Dulu River. Among them, the most conspicuous were the two prison carts, one carrying Zhenzhu Khan and the other carrying Dadu She!

The two most powerful men of the Xueyantuo in the past are now really going to Chang'an to perform dances for Li Shimin.

This time, it took a full month to complete.

The journey was over a thousand miles long, and with wounded soldiers and prisoners, the speed was not fast.

Li Yuanchang calculated the remaining distance day by day until he entered Chang'an!

May 3rd.

Beneath the walls of Chang'an, a sea of ​​people gathered as the imperial court's procession to welcome the triumphant returnees was enormous and exceptionally lively.

Li Yuanchang escorted Zhenzhu Khan and Dadu She back like a hero, and the people lined the streets to welcome him. His prestige was unparalleled for a time.