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

Li Shimin stared at him for a long time, then turned to the court officials and said, "Do you see that? Not vying for credit, not arrogant—that's the true King of Han!"

"From now on, if anyone goesssips again, don't blame me for being ruthless!" he said sternly.

The ministers stiffened and shouted in unison, "Yes!!"

Li Yuanchang lowered his head, his eyes suddenly changing. What did this mean? Had someone snitched on him again?

At this moment, Li Shimin grabbed his hand, along with the military tally, and lifted them up together.

"Why are meritorious generals suppressed instead of rewarded?"

"Does the King of Han think of me as someone who would be jealous of meritorious officials?" he asked directly.

Li Yuanchang was startled and quickly shook his head: "No, Your Majesty, I dare not."

"I have no great ambitions and only want to take care of my wife and children. As for going to war and not returning home for one or two years, I simply cannot continue like that."

"Those who command troops must prioritize the nation's interests."

What he said was actually true; sending troops into battle so often was not what he wanted.

Li Shimin said, "You have gone to Tuyuhun, Tubo, and Xueyantuo to carry out three missions in succession. You have been away from home for a long time, so it is only natural that you miss home."

"I am not a cold-blooded and heartless person."

"Now that you're back, I won't let you run around anymore."

"However, restoring him to his original post is far too lenient and does not match my brother's achievements in sweeping across the northern deserts."

"How about this?"

"You will be reinstated to your original position in Liangzhou, but you will no longer hold the post in person; instead, you will hold it remotely."

"Come back to me and help me."

Upon hearing this, the Liangyi Hall trembled, and all the officials looked up in unison.

return?

Was he granted a title but not given a fiefdom, instead serving in Chang'an?

"Your Majesty!" Wei Zheng and his ilk jumped out immediately.

This is against etiquette and is also unsafe.

In the early Tang Dynasty, princes were required to go to their ancestral homes. It was not until the reign of Emperor Xuanzong (Li Longji) that princes were placed under house arrest in Chang'an in order to restrict their status.

Seeing that this was about to provoke fierce opposition, Li Shimin stopped him directly, saying, "My mind is made up, you all need not say any more."

"The King of Han is exceptionally capable and must remain in Chang'an to assist in governing the country."

"Liangzhou has already proven this point. If you disagree, then come and find a solution for me!"

He has placed an enormous burden on us.

Upon hearing this, Wei Zheng and other remonstrating officials were silenced.

Everyone knows the situation in Liangzhou; it's clear that Li Yuanchang is incredibly capable, and no one else could have done it.

"But..." Wei Zheng wanted to say something more.

Li Shimin glared at him directly.

Someone pulled Wei Zheng back down.

Seeing that Wei Zheng and others didn't want to risk trouble, there was even less reason for the other ministers to speak.

Standing at the very front was Changsun Wuji, his expression complex, his eyes deep, as if he were lost in thought.

Seeing the silence below, Li Shimin was very satisfied: "I have decided. I hereby appoint Prince Li Yuanchang of Han as Minister of War and leave him to guard Chang'an. The rest of the rewards will be as per the imperial edict."

"Yes!!" Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, and other familiar faces immediately smiled and cupped their hands in greeting.

The other ministers could only follow suit.

But just as everyone was congratulating Li Yuanchang on his rise to the top of the court and his formal entry into the Hall of State Affairs, Li Yuanchang suddenly said something.

"Um...that..."

"Your Majesty, how could I refuse?"

Upon hearing this, the Liangyi Hall fell into a deathly silence.

All eyes turned to Li Yuanchang, thinking they had misheard.

"What can't we do?" Li Shimin asked, puzzled.

"Ahem, it's this Minister of War, how could I refuse?" Li Yuanchang repeated weakly, seeing that Wei Zheng's side was no longer exerting its influence, he was forced to jump in.

boom!

The Liangyi Hall trembled, and an uproar erupted!

He won't even take the position of Minister of War?

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong were so anxious they almost jumped up and down, practically cursing him for being an idiot!

Li Shimin's forehead immediately showed dark lines, and he looked a little embarrassed.

"Nonsense!"

He murmured.

Li Yuanchang bowed and clasped his hands, his attitude firm: "Your Majesty, I am not being foolish, I just want to relax."

"Isn't it true that merit should be rewarded? This time, I have performed meritorious service to atone for my crimes and to return to Liangzhou. This is the greatest reward for me."

"If Your Majesty feels this is too lenient, it would be good to reward me with some beautiful women and gold and silver treasures."

"But the position of Minister of War is too high. I am still young and there are many things I cannot handle well. Would it be better to choose another capable person?"

"But Your Majesty, please rest assured, if Your Majesty requires it, I will do my utmost!"

"I beg Your Majesty not to arbitrarily change the system, but instead allow your younger brother to go to his fiefdom."

He tried his best to persuade her, appealing to her emotions and reasoning with her, saying everything he could, but she just wanted to get away and genuinely wanted to leave.

Liangzhou was where he had established his business, where he knew his people and the locals; it felt more like home.

Although Chang'an was prosperous and offered greater power, it held no appeal for Li Yuanchang and even posed a danger.

It will soon be the seventeenth year of the Zhenguan era, the year of his death in history. In this year, the political vortex of the Tang Dynasty will be completely stirred up.

As long as he stays in Liangzhou and develops for a while, he can almost completely protect himself.

But staying on as Minister of War would be like digging a hole for himself.

But Li Shimin did not soften his stance; instead, his stern eyes blazed with anger, as if this incident reminded him of many other unpleasant things.

"How dare you!!"

boom!

He slammed his hand on the desk, the sound echoing loudly.

The entire Liangyi Hall trembled. No one expected that the welcoming banquet and rewards would turn into this situation. Everyone lowered their heads and dared not speak.

Li Yuanchang was also startled. Why was Li Shimin so angry?

Getting angry like this in this situation is not the composure of Li Shimin, and he wasn't angry because he was rejected, was he?

"Your Majesty, I shall be punished by death."

At this moment, Li Shimin seemed to realize that he was losing control. He quickly took a deep breath to suppress his anger, but the irritability and dissatisfaction in his eyes could not be hidden.

That's all for today.

"Go back and visit your family first."

"Court adjourned!"

He flicked his sleeve, and without saying a word, left the court officials behind with a stern face.

"We respectfully see Your Majesty off!"

The courtiers shouted and only dared to raise their heads completely after Li Shimin had completely gone far away.

Immediately afterwards, the Liangyi Hall erupted in commotion, with officials whispering amongst themselves.

Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong waved and gave Li Yuanchang frantic winks, signaling for someone to speak outside.

Li Yuanchang walked out quickly.

Outside the hall, Cheng Chuliang and Yuchi Gong, hands tucked in their sleeves, were eager to steal a moment. As soon as Li Yuanchang came out, they immediately flanked him from the left and right.

"Your Highness, were you out of your mind just now?"

"His Majesty is under immense pressure to promote you to the position of Minister of War, and you actually refused in public!"

"Well, this has angered His Majesty."

"Yes, Your Highness, what are you thinking about?"

"Being able to return to Chang'an is such a wonderful thing! It's a rare opportunity that so many people would kill for. The last person to be granted this privilege was the King of Wei!"