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

When news of the triumphant return reached Chang'an, it was already November of the nineteenth year of the Zhenguan era.

The whole of Chang'an was in an uproar, and preparations were immediately made to welcome the victorious army back.

The Tang Dynasty's own narrative was that they returned victorious, having won consecutive battles, and knew when to stop.

The atmosphere in Chang'an was one of victory; scholars, poets, and brothels alike were all talking about how the Tang army and the Heavenly Khan had swept through the city with unstoppable momentum.

But Li Yuanchang knew that this battle was actually a loss!

Li Shimin's core objective in launching the military campaign was to destroy Goguryeo, an objective that was clearly not achieved.

In terms of actual gains, although the Tang army took away a large amount of spoils, people, cattle, and sheep with them when they retreated, they returned all the territory they had conquered.

The enormous military expenditures and the consumption of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians have squandered all the savings accumulated in the previous years.

When you do the math, the difference is far from small.

Laymen see only the surface, experts see the details.

In fact, wise people like Fang Xuanling, the top leaders of the Tang Dynasty, also knew that the Tang Dynasty had lost, not to Goguryeo, but to its own grand ambitions.

But no one dared to say it.

Speaking out would shake the foundations of the nation, the hearts of the people, and their beliefs.

Li Shimin himself could say that he should have apologized for the Tang invasion, but his subordinates were the first to speak out, which was tantamount to stripping Li Shimin of his underwear.

"Your Highness, what's wrong?"

Li Yuanchang snapped out of his daze and laughed, "It's alright. I just received news that the war with Goguryeo is over and the Tang army has retreated."

Inside Changhong Temple.

This was Li Yuanchang's third visit in several months. He didn't come very often, but he maintained a good relationship with Consort Yin.

Yin Yao specially prepared a vegetarian meal for this occasion.

They retreated?

These three words are enough to show that the war was not going smoothly as before.

Yin Yao didn't press Li Shimin for details, nor did she inquire whether the front lines had been defeated or how significant the losses were. Instead, she asked, "Will this affect Your Highness?"

Li Yuanchang shook his head: "I have done my best."

"The logistical issues accounted for a small part of the forced withdrawal; the main problem was the unsuccessful offensive at the front, which increased the logistical burden and triggered a chain reaction."

"To minimize losses, the higher-ups wisely chose to retreat."

"It's not a loss, at least not a military defeat, but it's not a victory either, because we actually lost money."

Yin Yao frowned.

"Amitabha."

She uttered a Buddhist chant. Her long-term companionship with the ancient Buddha and the lamp, her chanting of scriptures and prayers, had imbued her with a compassionate and merciful aura.

At this moment, the chanting of Buddhist prayers seems to be for the soldiers who died in battle in Liaodong.

Li Yuanchang was eating vegetarian food, which was very plain, but tasted excellent.

Yin Yao, however, seemed preoccupied and refused to touch her chopsticks.

"Is something on your mind?"

Yin Yao took a deep breath, her chest heaving beneath her simple Zen robes. Though she was fully covered, she was clearly no ordinary woman!

"I just inexplicably feel that many things are different from before. Du Ruhui is gone, Wei Zheng is gone, many people are gone. Perhaps if they were here, this battle in Liaodong would not have been fought, and so many people would not have died."

Why must there be war?

"I witnessed firsthand the tragic scene of the Sui Dynasty's collapse and the loss of its king and its empire. I was young then, but I knew it was a tragedy."

Li Yuanchang put down his chopsticks, pondered for a moment, and frowned, saying, "It's unavoidable. To be honest, I don't believe that compassion can save people."

"The progress of the times requires the continuous sacrifice of some people."

"That's true in the big picture, but it sounds a bit cruel and cold-blooded."

Yin Yao did not refute it. She knew that their positions were different, and she also knew that the enemies in Liaodong would not stop looting just because of the scriptures.

She simply said with considerable concern, "I feel like a generation has come to an end."

"The end of one generation means the beginning of another. I've seen many royal changes and power transitions, and I'm a little worried about you."

She spoke very bluntly.

Li Yuanchang remained silent.

Although Consort Yin was a vegetarian and a Buddhist, and did not concern herself with worldly affairs, her premonition was accurate; an era was indeed coming to an end.

As the veteran officials of the Zhenguan era passed away one after another, the most dazzling figure in the Battle of Liaodong was not a famous general like Li Ji, but a newcomer, Xue Rengui!

The death of the old man and the emergence of the new elite undoubtedly ushered in the final glory of the Zhenguan era.

The stark reality is that periods of power transition between old and new leaders are often turbulent, and purges are inevitable.

Li Yuanchang also knew what Yin Yao meant.

"Don't worry, I can keep things under control."

Yin Yao hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

"Just say what you have to say," Li Yuanchang said with a smile.

The two were very familiar with each other, so familiar that they only saw each other a few times, and could be trusted confidants.

"Your Highness, I know that I am of lowly status and have no right to tell you what to do. It's just that I have experienced and seen too much in my life, and many things are nothing but illusions and vanities."

In the end, perhaps the simple and ordinary is the true essence of life.

Li Yuanchang looked at her with considerable admiration. She understood a truth that countless people never grasp in their entire lives at the age of thirty-three.

Experience can truly give a person a layer of mature radiance.

"Are you trying to persuade me to retire gracefully and protect myself?"

Yin Yao nodded.

In her view, as long as a person sets foot on this temple, no matter how powerful they are, it is all limited in time.

Li Yuanchang laughed and said, "If you want to retreat, I can retreat too."

"And I am not obsessed with power."

"But do you know why I don't want to abdicate now?"

"Why?" Yin Yao asked curiously. She trusted Li Yuanchang and believed that he had no lust for power because he still had humanity.

Everything that happened after Li You's death shows that Li Yuanchang was an outcast in the entire royal family.

Li Yuanchang said sternly, "Because any promises made by others are invalid; only promises made by me, the King, are valid!"

"I will not hand myself over to others to decide."

"Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Upon hearing this, Yin Yao's quiet and beautiful eyes revealed a hint of indescribable turmoil.

What a great saying: only what you can decide for yourself counts.

She didn't know what else to say, so she just nodded to show her understanding and support.

"Your Highness, it's rare for you to come here. After your meal, shall I wash your hair for you?"

Li Yuanchang was somewhat flattered and laughed, "Why are you suddenly bringing this up? It's as if you're seeing me off."

Yin Yao was both amused and exasperated, repeatedly chanting "Amitabha."

"Your Highness, please don't say such unlucky things."

"I just want to do something for Your Highness, is that alright?"

Li Yuanchang had a feeling that Consort Yin was treating him as Yin Hongzhi, or rather, Prince Qi, to make up for him and to take care of him.

This is like a form of compensation by borrowing space.

"it is good."

"If you're willing, why wouldn't I?" he joked, making Yin Yao smile.