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

It's no wonder that after Li Chengqian was deposed, Li Shimin considered making Li Ke his successor.

If it were Li Yuanchang, he would probably think the same way.

Among all the princes, Li Ke is undoubtedly the best, both in appearance and character.

Unfortunately, his fate was sealed.

The position of emperor is not solely determined by ability.

When Li Yuanchang, with his God-like perspective, looks at these people and events, he often can't help but feel moved and sigh.

The waves have washed away the heroes' bones; how many times have the flowers bloomed red?

The competition has ended.

Li Ke suffered a regrettable defeat.

Li Yuanchang was the one who won.

After the competition, Li Shimin went to his camp to rest. He sent Li Ke to deliver the sword of the King of Gaochang and the Ferghana horse to Li Yuanchang.

"Seventh Uncle, this is a prize bestowed upon you by the Emperor."

"My father specifically instructed that all of us royal family members should learn from my seventh uncle." Li Ke spoke like a refined gentleman, his words devoid of both flattery and ulterior motives.

It gives people a feeling of warmth and comfort, making it hard not to feel good about them.

Li Yuanchang accepted it with a wry smile.

"King Wu, we are able to receive these rewards entirely thanks to you."

"That arrow wasn't your full strength."

Wu Ke smiled gently, not responding directly: "Seventh Uncle, victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. Even if I executed this arrow well, so what?"

"Competing in archery is like talking about war on paper. Compared to Uncle Seven's skillful maneuvering in Tuyuhun and Xueyantuo, it's really not worth mentioning."

"If one day I could be like my seventh uncle, skilled in both literature and martial arts, able to bring peace to the country and sweep away thousands of troops, then I, Ke, would have no regrets in this life!"

His eloquence and emotional intelligence once again put Li Yuanchang to shame.

If this kid is born to Empress Zhangsun, he'll most likely become the head of the Tang Dynasty. He doesn't believe Li Shimin couldn't see his son's abilities.

"There will be an opportunity." He smiled, though it was a lie.

Li Ke then said, "Seventh Uncle, actually, the reason I came here this time is to ask Father Emperor if I can study with you."

"Father has given his permission."

"Study, study what?" Li Yuanchang asked.

Li Ke smiled and said, "Leading troops and managing affairs."

Li Yuanchang thought to himself, "Holy crap!"

You can't just point fingers like that. If you add the label of "teacher" or "student," it's seen as taking sides.

This was the first thing that came to his mind.

Li Ke seemed to have considered this point and immediately said, "Seventh Uncle, Father Emperor only verbally agreed to let Ke come and help His Highness with some affairs, and also to learn something."

"If this is inconvenient, I will take my leave now."

He was relaxed and didn't force anyone, which could be considered a strategic retreat, completely different from Li Chengqian's attempt to win him over.

Li Yuanchang took a deep breath. He didn't care verbally, as long as he wasn't ordered to bring Li Ke with him, it wouldn't be a big problem.

Because that would inevitably draw them into a power struggle for the throne.

"It's alright. Since His Majesty has given the order, let's go. It's not about learning, let's work together."

"Anyway, we'll be together for all three days of the hunt."

Li Ke immediately smiled broadly, bowed, and said, "Thank you, Seventh Uncle."

Li Yuanchang had Guo Chao accept the beloved knife and horse, and then said, "Tonight His Majesty will be staying at Wangchuan. The camp is guarded by the Imperial Guards, but the outer perimeter still needs to be kept vigilant."

"I will be inspecting the hunting grounds soon and making preparations for tomorrow's autumn hunt."

"If the King of Wu does not mind, we may travel together."

"Okay." Li Ke clasped his hands in a fist salute, decisive and efficient.

Before long, the two left the camp and began to patrol the hunting grounds with a large number of soldiers.

Li Yuanchang traveled from east to west, traversing continuous mountain ranges.

Because it was a royal hunting ground, there were almost no roads, and the trees and flowers grew wildly, with all kinds of birds of prey appearing in abundance.

The inspection was very difficult, and Li Yuanchang relied on binoculars throughout the entire process.

This peculiar "iron pipe" caught Li Ke's attention.

"Seventh Uncle, this thing is quite peculiar. Why has Ke never seen it before?"

Li Yuanchang laughed and said, "This was presented to me by a skilled craftsman. It has some unique effects. King Wu, give it a try."

As he spoke, he generously handed it over.

Li Ke took it, and then imitated Li Yuanchang by sticking his eyeballs in.

Then Li Ke abruptly put down, his usually calm and handsome face showing shock: "This!!"

"Hahaha!" Li Yuanchang laughed loudly.

Li Ke looked again, and with the aid of the telescope, his vision was able to see clearly things seven or eight hundred meters away, every blade of grass and every tree, including a snake flicking its tongue.

Even further away, in places invisible to the naked eye, one can vaguely discern their location.

Suddenly, a storm raged in his heart.

"What...what is this thing? It's so magical!"

"If this were placed on the battlefield, wouldn't it allow one to detect the enemy before they are even seen? It would be like having eyes that can see a thousand miles away!" he exclaimed repeatedly.

Li Yuanchang nodded to himself, for Li Ke had immediately realized the purpose of the telescope.

In fact, Li Shimin already knew of its existence.

Moreover, Li Shimin had privately asked him about equipping the Tang army, but Li Yuanchang did not hand over the manufacturing method, saying that the Tang Dynasty was invincible and did not need these things.

He wanted to ensure that the Han Prince's Palace would have a significant equipment advantage, so he only gave away five weapons.

It is said to have been a gift from a skilled craftsman who traveled far and wide; the quantity was limited and could not be cloned.

Li Shimin was extremely disappointed by this, but he couldn't very well take Li Yuanchang's treasure. He simply ordered people to make a replica.

However, lacking knowledge from later generations, they found it difficult to replicate or focus on the subject.

The matter was then shelved and never followed up.

"Pretty much. When I was in Xueyantuo, I escaped with my life thanks to it. Otherwise, I probably would have had a hard time escaping the pursuers."

Wu Ke was amazed, as if he had discovered a new world.

"Good stuff, really good stuff!"

Seeing how pleased the other person was, Li Yuanchang thought that since the other person had given him the favor, he should consider it repaying the favor.

"If the King of Wu likes it, this one is yours."

Upon hearing this, Wu Ke looked up abruptly, initially surprised, but then quickly regained his composure and handed it back.

"Thank you, Seventh Uncle, but this is a divine artifact. It will be more useful if it stays with you than with me, the King of Wu."

"Ke also doesn't want to take away what others love."

Li Yuanchang laughed and said, "It's alright, I still have a few more here."

"Just take it and use it."

Li Ke hesitated, but seeing Li Yuanchang's extremely calm appearance, he knew that if he refused again, he would be disrespecting him.

"Then thank you very much, Seventh Uncle!"

He clasped his hands in a deep fist salute.

The more I learn about Li Ke, the King of Wu, the more I feel that he has personal charm. Just the fact that he immediately returns something he loves is a quality that most people don't have.

"Let's go." Li Yuanchang rode ahead on horseback.

Li Ke and others followed closely behind.

During the two-hour inspection, Li Ke was extremely humble and eager to learn, constantly asking Li Yuanchang for advice on leading troops and deploying troops.

Li Yuanchang was not stingy; since Li Shimin had summoned him, he explained in detail what cross-posting was, what three-shift work was, how to lead troops, and how to establish a defensive line.