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

When he said those words, his eyes were exceptionally firm, exceptionally powerful, and even revealed a hint of ruthlessness!

Over the years, Li Yuanchang hasn't been wasting his time.

Liangzhou also has 8,000 "special forces" soldiers, and Tuyuhun and the Northern Desert have a group of his "good friends". The Qin family's vast assets can also serve as a backing.

He can make whatever he wants anytime.

Let alone Changsun Wuji, even if Li Shimin really wanted to kill him, he would dare to strike with the "Heaven-Turning Seal"!

His consideration for the overall situation and his decision not to interfere in the struggle for the crown prince does not mean he lacks the ability.

If things really come to a head in the future, he's not afraid of Changsun Wuji!

Li Ke was stunned for a moment, staring straight into his eyes.

Li Yuanchang smiled and nodded at him.

At that moment, Li Ke suddenly realized that he had seriously underestimated his seventh uncle; the uncle understood everything!

He didn't say anything because he wasn't afraid!

"..."

With Li Yuanchang's comfort and encouragement, Li Ke finally emerged from his despondency, accepted the facts, and began to hone his skills.

The following day, Li Ke asked Li Zhi if he could return to his fiefdom.

Li Zhi, mindful of his brotherly bond, was unwilling to let Li Ke go far away and was about to refuse on the spot, but Changsun Wuji coughed lightly.

Li Zhi finally agreed with tears in his eyes.

This scene has essentially become a microcosm of the current imperial court.

Changsun Wuji wanted to protect Li Zhi, so he attacked all potential political enemies.

However, with Li Shimin above them, they dared not go too far in dealing with this.

Li Ke requested to leave, which was naturally the best thing for Changsun Wuji.

Li Yuanchang, who remained in Chang'an, was not so lucky. Due to their different stances and his protection of Li Ke, Changsun Wuji was deeply wary of him.

Li Zhi became crown prince and took charge of the country for only seven days. Not only were many of Li Yuanchang's political views rejected, but the reform of the Ministry of War was also delayed.

Most importantly, Changsun Wuji began to use his power to continuously transfer people around Li Yuanchang.

Cheng Chuliang and Yuchi Baoqi were successively transferred away from Lantian County, and their original positions were replaced by sons of powerful and wealthy families.

Although Li Yuanchang was still in charge, his trusted subordinates were basically disrupted, which meant restriction and disintegration!

Not only those two, but also Li Chongzhen and Li Yuanchang were affected to varying degrees and basically distanced themselves from Li Yuanchang.

In Liangzhou, because Jia Tong was one of Li Shimin's men, Changsun Wuji dared not transfer him, but suddenly more than a dozen mid-level officers from Chang'an District were parachuted into the eight thousand soldiers.

They call it a routine matter, but it's actually surveillance.

Enraged by this, Li Yuanchang bypassed Changsun Wuji and Li Zhi and went directly to Li Shimin, who was recuperating from an illness.

However, Li Shimin's attitude was surprisingly strange; he claimed to be recuperating from illness and refused to see anyone.

With one emperor nowhere to be seen, one crown prince unable to make decisions, and Changsun Wuji left, he was desperately trying to cause trouble!

Li Yuanchang left the palace in a rage, his face cold.

On the way, they encountered Fang Xuanling's attendant, who invited Li Yuanchang back to the Fang residence.

Here, he met Fang Xuanling, who was waiting for him.

"Fang Gong".

Fang Xuanling looked at Li Yuanchang, whose expression was not good, and couldn't help but smile wryly: "Your Highness, we have been waiting for you for a long time."

"Does Master Fang have something to say?" Li Yuanchang asked bluntly.

Fang Xuanling nodded, then waved for everyone to leave.

Only two people remained inside the hall.

Fang Xuanling asked, "Your Highness, have you gone to request an audience with His Majesty?"

Li Yuanchang nodded: "His Majesty is recuperating and not seeing anyone."

"To be more precise, it's that you don't want to see me."

He gave a cold laugh as he spoke.

Li Shimin couldn't possibly be unaware of what was happening in the court. His deliberate indulgence wasn't because he couldn't see it, but because he chose to.

Now that Li Zhi's position has been established and Changsun Wuji has become the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, the basic structure has been set.

Li Yuanchang, who was at odds with Changsun Wuji and whose interests clashed with those of the Guanlong Group, became the one who needed to be suppressed.

He could understand that a new emperor meant a new court, and this was inevitable after Li Zhi came to power.

But everything has its limits. What is he trying to do by transferring so many of his trusted confidants?

Fang Xuanling remained silent, clearly agreeing with this view.

He changed the subject: "Your Highness, there is something I am not sure if I should say."

"Master Fang, please speak freely."

Fang Xuanling's aged eyes were serious: "Your Highness, you have offended too many people, and no one wants you to stand out too much."

"This can't go on."

"Why don't I step in and act as a go-between for you and Lord Changsun?"

"I still have some face to save. As long as Your Highness stops implementing reforms in the Ministry of War and does not infringe upon the interests of the Guanlong Group, I can persuade Lord Changsun to set aside past grievances and cease certain actions."

The fact that Fang Xuanling could say such things shows how good he was to Li Yuanchang.

"Thank you, Master Fang!" Li Yuanchang bowed deeply and clasped his hands in thanks.

"But that probably won't work."

"Why?" Fang Xuanling frowned, somewhat worried.

Li Yuanchang could come up with many reasons, but even if he didn't implement reforms, the conflict would remain acute.

All those words ultimately boil down to one sentence: "Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together."

Fang Xuanling was taken aback, stood there stunned, and then gave a bitter smile.

"Then Your Highness shall endure it!"

"Endure?" Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, patience will eventually lead to a brighter future."

"Your Highness, please do not do anything out of line because of these trivial matters," Fang Xuanling said meaningfully.

Li Yuanchang seemed to see a different meaning in the other person's eyes.

"Does Lord Fang mean this is a test, and that I can't bear to fall for it?"

Fang Xuanling's serious expression was a tacit admission, but he did not give a direct answer.

Li Yuanchang was startled!

Did Li Shimin want to get rid of him?

Fang Xuanling's meaning was very clear: it was a test and a trap set by his superiors!

If that's the case, the situation will be completely different.

"Your Highness, times have changed. You can no longer act as recklessly as before," Fang Xuanling said earnestly once again.

You could see some fatigue on his face, clearly indicating that he realized the Zhenguan era had entered its most sensitive period.

Li Yuanchang looked up at the sky and took a deep breath!

Before he arrived, he was only thinking about the struggle with Changsun Wuji, but now he was more vigilant and cautious, thinking of the saying "when the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away."

I also thought of some historical events where young children were supported while meritorious officials were killed.

Li Shimin never did this in history, but Li Yuanchang is not a living person either, so everything is unknown.

"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Fang. I will certainly exercise restraint."

Fang Xuanling nodded with satisfaction, then hesitated, wanting to offer some further advice to Li Yuanchang.

But he eventually gave up.

If Li Yuanchang were the kind of person who could back down, things wouldn't have come to this point.