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

The entire mountain tribe had followed him through thick and thin, and were already his brothers. Now, with a baseless accusation, more than a hundred people are to be exiled. On what grounds?

Li Shimin turned his head and glanced back; that one look probably made Sima Yi's "eagle-eyed wolf-like gaze" pale in comparison.

"What did you say?" His voice was like a divine whisper.

Li Yuanchang truly felt a murderous intent, and the entire Lizheng Hall suddenly plunged into an ice cave.

Although Li Shimin suspected him and punished him more than once.

But never before has it felt so real, so deadly!

Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; this is no exaggeration.

Perhaps, just as Consort Yin said, emperors have no feelings, no sentiments, and the transfer of power means a purge.

And I am the first one!

Perhaps Li Shimin is only suppressing him at this moment. As long as he admits it and behaves honestly, there will be no problem, just like Li Ji in history.

They were also unjustly demoted; accept your fate or be killed.

This is the cruelest test ever used by emperors!

But Li Yuanchang also knew that if he didn't protect them, Huang Tu and the others would be finished.

They were 108 men who swore to follow him to the death, shielding him from swords and guns. Over the years, some were injured, some were disabled, and even their families worked as servants in the Prince of Han's mansion.

To them, Li Yuanchang was an incarnation of a god, even more important than the clan chief.

To Li Yuanchang, they were family.

If Li Yuanchang backs down now, would he still be human?

Instead of impeaching others, they impeached the mountain tribes because they saw that the tribes had no power base, unlike Cheng Chuliang and his group who had a meritorious father backing them up.

In just a few breaths, the world changed, and all the good times were gone.

Li Yuanchang said in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, if exile is the only option, please take my entire family with you!"

Li Shimin made no attempt to conceal his murderous intent; his gaze swept downwards, his pupils shimmering with the tension of life and death.

Are you threatening me?

"No, I dare not."

"I simply feel that my mission is complete, and I am no longer of any use, so please allow me to leave."

Li Shimin sneered: "Is that so?"

"Li Yuanchang, you're too arrogant!"

"I've already told you, those people from the mountain tribes, I absolutely must demote them!"

He hissed, flicking his sleeve: "Where are the Imperial Guards?!"

A loud shout, followed by hurried footsteps.

Li Yuanchang's expression changed, realizing that Li Shimin had completely disregarded everything: "Your Majesty!"

"Your humble servant is here!"

At this time, a large number of Imperial Guards had also entered, and they even recognized the leading general, Li Yuanchang.

"Go to the Han Prince's residence immediately and arrest all the Hu guards on this list!"

"Take him with you!" Li Shimin shouted, flicking his sleeves.

"..."

The enormous sound echoed through the magnificent palace, carrying an extreme chill.

Li Yuanchang's resistance angered Li Shimin, who wanted Li Yuanchang to personally witness his people being arrested and exiled as a warning and a form of suppression.

Li Yuanchang had always considered Changsun Wuji to be his greatest enemy.

But in the end, it was Li Shimin who was right.

From the moment he was dragged away, his feelings towards Li Shimin were no longer disappointment, but absolute disillusionment and antagonism!

Soon, the Prince of Han's residence was surrounded, and the Imperial Guards arrested people directly, almost causing a conflict to break out.

The entire government resisted; they only listened to Li Yuanchang.

At the critical moment, Li Yuanchang timely shouted a warning to restrain all the staff in the tent, thus averting a conflict.

Li Yuanchang stepped forward from the throng of people.

"Huangtu, take the tribe and go with them first." His voice was hoarse, and his face was solemn.

He knew that resistance was pointless.

Once a conflict breaks out, it won't just be exile, but immediate execution. He himself would be instantly purged by Li Shimin. This is the terrifying nature of politics.

"Your Highness!"

"They..." Huang Tu and the others were uneasy, and Guo Chao and the others were also worried, not knowing what had happened.

"Do you believe me?" Li Yuanchang scanned the eyes of each of his men.

"believe!"

"believe!"

Huang Tu and everyone else spoke in succession.

"Go with them first. Whatever the situation, either they have it or they don't. Give me some time," Li Yuanchang solemnly instructed.

He could not disobey the imperial decree, but that did not mean he accepted it.

Upon hearing this, everyone inside and outside the Prince of Han's residence probably understood that something had happened.

"Yes!" Huang Tu gritted his teeth, almost without any hesitation or asking for a reason, simply trusting her unconditionally, even at the cost of his life.

Immediately afterwards, Huang Tu took off his armor and discarded his sword, becoming the first to approach the Imperial Guards.

The people of the other tribes all followed suit.

Watching his subordinates being taken away one by one, bound with ropes, and even the families of the entire mountain tribe, women and children, all lined up to leave.

The eyes of each of them looking at Li Yuanchang were filled with fear, confusion, and a plea for help.

The child's crying made the whole scene extremely somber.

Li Yuanchang was powerless to do anything about it and could only watch helplessly. His heart was breaking, and a surge of rage was brewing in his chest!

Crack!

His fists were clenched so tightly they cracked, and there was disgust in his eyes.

In the past, he was willing to suffer some grievances for the sake of the greater good.

But now, their reach has extended to his relatives.

Moreover, there was no reason given; it was just suppression and purge.

At this moment, a certain thought deep in Li Yuanchang's heart finally came to fruition.

After all the people of the Gaoshan tribe were taken away, Li Yuanchang sent a message to Cheng Yaojin and others, hoping they could help at least prevent the people of the Gaoshan tribe from being tortured.

Immediately afterward, facing the interrogation from everyone in the mansion, Li Yuanchang didn't say a word. He simply locked himself in his room and wouldn't let anyone in, not even Situ Lan!

That night was extremely oppressive for the entire Han Prince's Mansion.

More than a hundred people were arrested without cause, and no one was happy about it; in fact, everyone felt insecure.

The lights in the room where Li Yuanchang was were on all night.

No one knew what he was doing, nor did anyone know why the usually favored Prince Li Yuanchang of Han was being treated this way!

The next morning, the news spread, causing an uproar throughout the government and the public!

The arrest and exile of over a hundred guards from the Prince of Han's residence instantly sent countless signals to the outside world.

Under normal circumstances, Li Yuanchang should avoid suspicion and keep a low profile.

Strangely, Li Yuanchang went to court as usual early in the morning, completely ignoring the gossiping looks from others.

He waited until after the court session before requesting an audience with Li Shimin.

Li Shimin assumed Li Yuanchang was pleading for mercy and refused to see him.

However, Li Yuanchang did not plead for leniency; he simply had the eunuch Chang relay a message.

Li Shimin, who had been absent, quickly summoned Li Yuanchang, as fast as turning the pages of a book.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"

Li Yuanchang's voice was calm and still, almost devoid of emotion.