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

Li Shimin stood before the stone wall, staring intently at the words on it, not missing a single one.

He was accompanied by civil and military officials who were also observing.

When the line "Life and death are determined by fate, what can man do? Obsession with greed is like a mirage" was read, the entire audience fell silent!

Li Shimin stood frozen in place, his majestic yet aged eyes revealing a multitude of emotions in that instant.

There was confusion, helplessness, resentment, regret, and a sudden realization that it was all for naught.

In the end, he actually laughed out loud.

"What a beautiful illusion, what a beautiful illusion!" He laughed loudly, looking up at the sky.

The courtiers looked at each other, not daring to speak, unsure whether Li Shimin was angry or truly happy.

This day was bound to come sooner or later. Letting Xu Fu's autobiography answer the question is better than Li Yuanchang saying it himself.

He steeled himself and stepped forward, then took out Xu Fu's identification mark, the golden seal.

Li Shimin slowly reached out and took it.

The existence of the gold seal, coupled with the weathered stone wall that is clearly impossible to fake, almost confirms the matter.

He gave a bitter smile: "The legendary figure who disappeared hundreds of years ago actually existed."

"Ying Zheng, oh Ying Zheng, how have I become just like you!"

"Birth, old age, sickness, and death, spring goes and autumn comes—this has been the way since ancient times. How could I be so foolish? How could I be so foolish!" He gripped the golden seal tightly and shouted twice in succession.

There may be resentment, but more than that, there is an awakening.

Immediately afterwards, he abruptly turned away.

"Someone come here!!"

"This stone wall was placed before the palace gate to remind the emperors of the Li Tang dynasty that the pursuit of immortality is illusory and only the desire of fools!"

"We, the descendants of the Li family, must not harbor such absurd plans!"

"Yes!!" The Imperial Guards clasped their hands in a fist salute.

At that moment, Li Yuanchang breathed a sigh of relief.

It wasn't that I was glad I wasn't punished, but rather that I was glad Li Shimin didn't act recklessly.

If an emperor stubbornly pursues immortality, his later years will inevitably be a disaster.

"Court adjourned!"

Li Shimin flicked his sleeve and strode away from the Liangyi Hall.

But he hadn't gone far when he stumbled and fell to the ground with a thud.

"His Majesty!"

The entire Liangyi Hall was instantly terrified, and everyone rushed forward.

Fortunately, Li Shimin only suffered from a headache, and the problem was not serious. He was helped up and returned to normal.

"..."

In the dead of night, the magnificent palace resembled a vast graveyard, maintaining absolute silence, and no one was allowed to move about at will.

Deep within a palace, hundreds of lights shone, illuminating the area as if it were daytime.

Li Shimin lay on an expensive wooden couch, a towel covering his forehead.

"Your Majesty, Lord Changsun has arrived."

Li Shimin waved his hand weakly, and immediately all the imperial physicians, guards, palace maids, and eunuchs who were guarding the place withdrew.

As Changsun Wuji entered, he knew that Li Shimin had something important to discuss with him.

"Your Majesty, I have arrived."

Changsun Wuji walked closer and bent over.

Li Shimin patted the wooden couch.

Changsun Wuji understood and sat down directly on the footboard under the wooden couch.

Over the years, the emperor and his minister have often had such private conversations.

"Wuji, my health is deteriorating day by day," Li Shimin said quietly.

"Your Majesty, what do you mean? You've just had a relapse of an old ailment; you'll recover soon," Changsun Wuji reassured him, a hint of pity in his eyes.

Li Shimin said, "I know my own body well. You in Chang'an are unaware of this. I collapsed three times in Liaodong."

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji's eyes widened: "This..."

Li Shimin nodded and forced a smile.

"No wonder, no wonder His Majesty suddenly withdrew his troops."

Li Shimin shook his head: "No, the withdrawal was not due to physical reasons, but because the terrain made it impossible to conquer the city after a long siege, the weather caused non-combat casualties, and the logistical burden was too great."

"This time, I did act impulsively; I shouldn't have gone."

Changsun Wuji smiled wryly: "It's a done deal, Your Majesty doesn't need to worry too much. The Tang Dynasty is still invincible. Just learn from this lesson."

Li Shimin looked at the roof beam, let out a long sigh, and said, "Yes, what's done is done and cannot be changed, so there's no need to think about it too much."

"But what about the future?"

"The future?" Changsun Wuji asked in surprise.

Li Shimin sighed, "This expedition made me realize that time flies and never returns; you and I are both over fifty years old now."

"As the ancients pass away one after another, new talents emerge in endless succession. Flowers bloom and fade; it is time for us to take our final bow."

When Li Shimin said these words, he already had a feeling of being an old horse still eager to gallop in its stall. The vicissitudes of life are a natural process that is hard to reverse.

Changsun Wuji originally thought that Li Shimin intended to retire to the second line.

To everyone's surprise, he said the next second, "I am old and my days are numbered. Tell me, is the Crown Prince capable of shouldering such a great responsibility?"

Changsun Wuji was shocked; his heart was almost shaken.

Why is Li Shimin still asking this? Could it be that he still doesn't trust the Crown Prince?

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has been established, and the country is at peace. If there is any further wavering now, it could destabilize the very foundation of the nation!"

"Absolutely not."

Li Shimin frowned and ultimately said no more.

Instead, he asked, "Do you think the Prince of Han can become a pillar of strength for the younger generation, a bulwark of the nation, assist the Crown Prince, and stabilize the army?"

If Li Yuanchang were here, he would feel a bit emotional.

Li Shimin was preparing for the transfer of power after his death. Historically, Changsun Wuji was the head of all officials, the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and a regent.

But besides him, there was another military figure, Li Ji!

He deliberately demoted Li Ji out of Chang'an, stripping him of all his power, and then, after Li Zhi ascended the throne, he made Li Ji recall him himself, so that Li Ji would be grateful.

This is a kind of imperial strategy.

Changsun Wuji's deep eyes suddenly turned serious.

"Your Majesty, I dare not comment on this matter. Why don't you summon Fang Xuanling and ask him?"

"Why don't you dare to discuss it? We've been through thick and thin together for decades, how can you not dare?" Li Shimin was somewhat displeased, coughed several times, and then touched his forehead, as if it hurt a lot.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

"Your Majesty, I simply feel that my political views differ from those of His Highness the Prince of Han. If Your Majesty allows me to express my opinion, it will only invite gossip," said Changsun Wuji, bowing respectfully.

"It's alright, just say what I tell you, I believe you!" Li Shimin said without looking at the person.

Changsun Wuji hesitated slightly: "Yes!"

"In response to Your Majesty's question, I believe that the Prince of Han is certainly capable of undertaking this great responsibility!"

Li Shimin was quite surprised to hear this.

"The King of Han's identity and resume make him almost the perfect candidate."

"He is a member of the imperial family, while I am a relative of the empress; this can also serve as a check and balance." Changsun Wuji's words were so straightforward that even Li Shimin was somewhat impressed by them; his words were very pertinent.

He fully agreed in his heart. He searched the entire court and found that even Li Ji paled in comparison in this matter, and Li Yuanchang was more suitable.

"He not only has potential, but he has even more potential than us old ministers. After all, he's only twenty-six!" he said, his eyes filled with envy.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin frowned slightly.

The tone shifted dramatically when he said he was only twenty-six!