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

"Duke Chen, please forgive me if my words have offended you in any way."

"I'll drink a toast first."

Li Yuanchang drank a cup by himself first, while Hou Junji waited.

"Duke Chen, you hold the title of Duke and are one of the twenty-four ministers of the Lingyan Pavilion, truly a pivotal figure in the Tang Dynasty."

"Although I was punished for making a mistake, these punishments are really nothing in the end."

"I remember saying something similar to you last time, but it seems you didn't listen."

Hou Junji instantly became somewhat resistant: "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Li Yuanchang frowned: "Duke Chen, those who are frustrated and unsuccessful are not necessarily happy, and those who wield great power are not necessarily blessed. Only those who are content can have a smooth life."

"His Majesty still has expectations of you."

"You must never give up on yourself or go astray."

If the last time was a hint, then this time Li Yuanchang has basically made it explicit.

Hou Junji sneered, "King of Han, you haven't walked the path I've walked, so how could you know how I feel?"

"Don't worry, I'm currently unemployed at home, what can I possibly do?"

"If Your Majesty wants to use me, then use me; if you don't want to see me, then I'll stay here obediently. If anyone in the court says that I, Hou Junji, have treasonous intentions, then I'll be waiting for the three-foot-long white silk ribbon to hang myself."

Li Yuanchang remained silent.

He suddenly realized that it is easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature; once a person's character is formed, it is difficult to reverse.

He had spoken from the bottom of his heart; if it weren't for their past relationship, he wouldn't have needed to remind him repeatedly.

Hou Junji's behavior clearly showed his dissatisfaction with Li Shimin.

He couldn't feel that Li Shimin was showing him any leniency; all he saw was injustice and resentment.

What a pity, such a military genius.

Li Yuanchang offered no further advice, only saying, "Duke Chen, please take good care of yourself."

"I hope that next time we meet, we won't be enemies!"

Hou Junji squinted: "King Han, what do you mean?"

Li Yuanchang had already stood up, his expression calm: "It means exactly what it says."

"That's all I have to say."

"Right and wrong, success and failure, are determined in a single thought."

"I take my leave." He bowed with his hands clasped in a gesture of respect.

If Hou Junji still chooses to take that path in these last less than a year, then he is indeed an enemy.

As the Minister of War, he could not stand idly by.

Li Chengqian was not suited to be emperor, and Hou Junji was not suited to hold military power; this combination was wrong from the start.

These words are hurtful, but they are true. If Hou Junji were to gain military power, it would be a disaster for many people, including Li Yuanchang.

Li Chengqian had no chance of suppressing Hou Junji.

Li Yuanchang had already seen far ahead; he wasn't just trying to protect himself.

"King Han!"

Hou Junji also stood up at this moment.

Li Yuanchang paused, turning around to look.

The atmosphere between the two began to shift from friendly to strange.

"Since the King of Han has reminded me of so many things, why don't I also remind the King of Han of something?" Hou Junji said.

"I would like to hear the details," Li Yuanchang said calmly.

Hou Junji smiled. His stubble and wrinkles outlined his eventful life, while the unruly spirit in his eyes left him with a distinct personal style.

"King of Han, you are still young."

"Many things are far more complicated than you think."

"The darkness of human nature is far beyond your imagination."

"Perhaps someone has misjudged me, Hou Junji, today, and someone will misjudge you, Li Yuanchang, in the future."

"You think I'm dangerous, but aren't you, Your Highness, just as dangerous?"

"When a ship changes course, someone has to get off."

As he spoke, he gave a strange smile.

Li Yuanchang squinted and gave him a deep look.

At this moment, Hou Junji seemed to have a very clear mind.

For a fleeting moment, he couldn't even tell who was right and who was wrong.

What was he trying to say in his last sentence?

Li Yuanchang's lips moved, as if he wanted to ask further, but he ultimately gave up. Some answers are better left unknown.

"Thank you, Duke Chen." He cupped his hands in thanks.

Hou Junji smiled and clasped his hands in return.

Li Yuanchang then left.

Hou Junji watched him go until he had completely disappeared.

"Lord Hou, why don't you try to persuade the Prince of Han to stay?" A trusted aide approached.

Hou Junji shook his head: "He is not one of us. If it were possible to win him over, the Crown Prince would have done so long ago."

"Has the Prince of Han come in place of His Majesty?"

Hou Junji shook his head and said, "No, not exactly."

"He only represents himself."

As he spoke, he sighed softly, "What a good person. What a pity, what a pity."

"Lord Hou, what's the pity?"

Hou Junji narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp like that of a fierce general: "Don't you think the Prince of Han and His Majesty are quite similar back then?"

"hiss!"

"It seems that it really is true. At only twenty-two years old, Wang has become the Minister of War, a general, the governor of Liangzhou, and the Grand Commander, wielding real power."

"His Majesty trusts him implicitly." The man gasped, increasingly horrified by the thought.

Hou Junji sneered: "Trust?"

"Historical records are vast and numerous; although they differ, they almost always rhyme."

"He already possesses that ability."

"He died in the northern desert and was posthumously awarded the title of Grand Tutor, which was actually the best ending for him, and it was also the scene that everyone wanted to see."

But he came back.

"Lord Hou, wasn't the King of Han just appointed? His repeated resignations show that he is imitating the Duke of Wei."

Hou Junji said calmly, "Who can completely distinguish between truth and falsehood?"

"Whether I resign or feign illness, it doesn't matter."

"When the time comes, you have to get off the ship."

"Everyone in the court knows that Duke Wei is wise to protect himself, but in fact, Duke Wei is far safer than the King of Han."

"oh?"

Hou Junji turned around and sneered, "Don't forget how His Majesty got up here."

"In the end, Duke Wei was just a subject. No matter how great his abilities were, he was always a subject."

"Anyone with ability has no opportunity."

"But the Prince of Han is different. He is a descendant of Emperor Gaozu, and he is only twenty-two years old!"

"The blood of Xuanwu Gate has never dried!"

The aide was shocked, realizing something, and dared not ask any further questions.

……

The next day.

News spread that a large number of officials under the Crown Prince's command had been arrested, and that musical instruments and props had been burned.

Rumors of the deposed crown prince have resurfaced, causing instability in the court and among the people.

Two days later, Li Shimin ordered Wei Zheng to be officially appointed as "Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince" to teach the Crown Prince and quell the controversy in the court and among the people.

On the other hand, Fang Yi'ai, Chai Lingwu, and other sons of meritorious officials, along with a large number of civil officials, seized the opportunity to plead for Li Tai and try to bring him back.

However, this matter was directly sealed away by Li Yuanchang and Changsun Wuji!

Anyone can come back, but Li Tai can't!

For Li Yuanchang, Li Tai was a mortal enemy!

For Changsun Wuji, Li Tai was an unacceptable figure. Although they were both his maternal uncles, he initially supported the Crown Prince, and if Li Tai were to ascend to the throne, he would also be purged.

Just like that, Li Tai, who had just seen a chance to jump around, was pushed back down again.