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

Li Shimin seemed to vaguely sense Li Yuanchang's meaning, and without speaking, he simply nodded.

Shortly afterward, Li Yuanchang left the palace.

After I came out, my back was completely soaked!

He looked up at the sky and for the first time felt that the Tang Dynasty was so elusive and mysterious in the heavens.

Li Shimin eventually gave in to that idea. Was the fate of the Tang Dynasty ultimately going to be handed over to the third son who didn't fight or compete?

The future transfer of power in the Tang Dynasty also determined his personal fate.

He was wondering whether he should place a large bet in advance.

There's nothing shameful about it. Knowing the development of the script itself is an advantage. There shouldn't be anyone on Li Zhi's side yet.

Of those three legitimate sons, it seemed that only he could be chosen.

"..."

After leaving the palace, Li Yuanchang did not go directly back to the Prince of Han's residence, nor did he go to the Ministry of War's official residence.

He now has a large group of people under his command in the Ministry of War. All he needs to do is make the final decision. However, he cannot completely unite with this group of people. This group is not like Wang Hongzhi and Song Yu.

"Your Highness, we have arrived."

Li Yuanchang came to his senses and looked up. The four large characters "Chen Guogong Fu" on the plaque were written in a vigorous and elegant style, and the entire mansion was quite impressive.

However, it's worth noting that the place is very deserted, with the doors tightly closed, as if it were turning away guests.

"Ugh."

Li Yuanchang couldn't help but sigh.

The Duke of Chen was Hou Junji.

In his view, it was far better to let the people in the Eastern Palace keep quiet than to let Li Shimin forgive Li Chengqian; they would never die if they didn't rebel.

A major factor in Li Chengqian's rebellion was Hou Junji.

Hou Junji is a high-ranking military figure with both prestige and military capabilities.

From a public perspective, he did not want such a thing to happen in the Tang Dynasty, as it would cause future emperors to be wary of him, Li Yuanchang.

Personally speaking, although Hou Junji's character was not very good, he helped Li Yuanchang twice, to some extent.

Li Yuanchang was a man who would avenge any wrong done to him, but he also remembered any kindness shown to him.

Bang bang bang!

He stepped forward, knocked on the door himself, and told his guards to stand outside.

After a long while, footsteps came from inside the door.

creak...

The grand gate was pulled open, and an elderly man with white hair, accompanied by two young men, asked in confusion, "And who is this young man?"

"The King of Han has come to visit the Duke of Chen," Li Yuanchang said.

The old man was startled, his eyes widening.

How many more Han kings can there be in Chang'an?

Before long, Li Yuanchang was led into the garden of the Duke of Chen's mansion. It was more like a martial arts training ground than a garden, with weapons and armor displayed all around.

Hou Junji, covered in sweat, was resting.

Li Yuanchang walked over and saw that the wooden stakes on the ground had been chopped into pieces, and many shields had been broken.

They were all military men, and it was obvious at a glance that the person who drew the knife was venting his anger. He wouldn't even kill someone like that, let alone practice martial arts.

It's physically demanding and can hurt your wrist.

He frowned slightly, cupped his hands, and said, "Duke of Chen."

Hou Junji waved his hand: "Your Highness, there are no outsiders here. We are all soldiers, so let's be casual."

"Come over and have a couple of drinks with me."

As he spoke, he tossed a wine jug into the air.

boom!

Li Yuanchang caught it steadily and then stepped forward to sit down.

"I thought that apart from the Crown Prince sending someone, no one else would come here. I didn't expect the Prince of Han to come."

"Aren't you afraid His Majesty will be displeased if he finds out?" Hou Junji said with a smile, his face showing no sign of displeasure.

Li Yuanchang countered, "Would the Duke of Chen be unhappy with me?"

Hou Junji shook his head, his square face revealing disdain.

"The King of Han underestimates me. I, Hou Junji, have spent half my life on the battlefield, crawling out of piles of corpses. How could I be so petty?"

"My dismissal and your appointment as Minister of War are two different things."

"This position of Minister of War will be filled sooner or later. I, Hou Junji, wouldn't even consider anyone else. But you, Prince of Han, are qualified!"

As he spoke, he picked up his wine glass.

Li Yuanchang smiled and raised his cup, then said, "If that's the case, then I was overthinking it."

"Conversely, Duke Chen, wasn't your question just now perhaps an overreaction?"

Hou Junji was taken aback. After going around in circles, this was what Li Yuanchang had originally wanted to say.

But when he thought of Li Shimin, a strong sense of resistance flashed deep in his eyes. Without saying a word, he simply tilted his head back and drank it down.

The spicy taste was as sharp as a knife, sliding down his throat and filling his resolute face with the effects of alcohol.

Li Yuanchang also downed a drink.

At this moment, servants brought in a large number of dishes, and the two remained silent for a short while.

Only after Hou Junji and the others had left did he ask, "Your Highness, did His Majesty send you?"

Li Yuanchang shook his head: "It was my own idea to come."

"Why didn't you want to come before, but now of all times?" Hou Junji asked again.

Although they were familiar with each other, his question was clearly tinged with a hint of wariness.

Li Yuanchang wasn't surprised, since most people believed he was on Li Shimin's side.

This point can be seen by intelligent people in the confrontation with the Five Surnames and Seven Clans.

Li Yuanchang hesitated for a moment.

"Something has happened at the Crown Prince's Palace."

Hou Junji's expression changed slightly, and even his eyes darkened.

His relationship with Li Chengqian has almost reached its peak; otherwise, why would they rebel together?

If the Crown Prince gets into trouble, it's the same as if Hou Junji gets into trouble.

"What's wrong with the Crown Prince?"

Li Yuanchang shook his head: "Duke Chen, there are some things that I cannot say."

"But as you know, the Crown Prince has some unethical conduct in private."

Hou Junji frowned, as if he wanted to ask something.

But Li Yuanchang said in advance, "Duke Chen, you don't need to ask any further questions. The Crown Prince is fine for now."

Upon hearing this, Hou Junji showed no sign of relief; on the contrary, he appeared quite anxious.

Upon seeing that urgent look on his face, though it was fleeting, Li Yuanchang's heart skipped a beat; something bad was about to happen!

Two people driven to desperation, one a crown prince and the other a military leader, seemed destined to rebel.

But Li Yuanchang knew better than anyone that rebelling against Li Shimin was like the Black Mountain Demon trying to defeat the Monkey King.

Historically, this rebellion was ruthlessly suppressed before it even began!

"Duke of Chen, do you believe me?" He pondered for a moment, then suddenly became serious.

Hou Junji frowned, hesitated, and then nodded.

"I watched the King of Han rise to power, and I have seen firsthand what kind of person he is."

"I admire your achievements in the northern desert. There aren't many people in the entire court whom I respect, and you are one of them."

"If the King of Han has anything to say, he may speak frankly. I, Hou Junji, guarantee that no third person will know."

Li Yuanchang was instantly left speechless, both amused and exasperated.

During the Zhenguan era, there were very few people he looked up to. How arrogant must this guy be!

But thinking about it, it's understandable. Those who are more capable than him are not as young as him, and those who are younger than him are not as capable, except for Li Yuanchang.

Even Su Dingfang is probably AFK somewhere right now, he can't compare to Hou Junji at all.

He wasn't going to rebel; he was being groomed as a leader!