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

After the first report was completed and Li Shimin agreed, the Ministry of War issued an edict.

More than a dozen imperial edicts flew together to Shannan West Circuit, and the generals of more than a dozen prefectures and counties would be dispatched one after another to meet at Tongguan.

Among them, the eight thousand soldiers of Liangzhou are about to be mobilized in full force, making their first appearance in the world.

To avoid arousing suspicion in Chang'an, he even set the meeting point at Tongguan.

Xue Rengui was the first to report to Li Yuanchang!

He arrived in Chang'an immediately after receiving the transfer order, having only spent two days there. At that time, he didn't know what he was going to do next; he was simply following orders to report for duty.

He came with great respect and a pilgrimage mentality to Li Yuanchang, whom he had never met before but was renowned for capturing the Khan in a single battle, but he was not received by Li Yuanchang.

This greatly disappointed him, as he thought that he had fallen from grace and was once again looked down upon.

He was forced to stay at the post station, waiting for further instructions from the Ministry of War.

About five days later.

Finally, the guards of the Prince of Han's mansion arrived at the post station, found Xue Rengui, and brought him directly back to the Prince of Han's mansion.

He appeared slightly nervous upon entering the Prince of Han's residence.

Li Yuanchang spotted a young general in silver robes from afar inside the hall, and his eyes lit up.

At that time, Xue Rengui was actually 31 years old, but in the traditional view of ancient times, Xue Rengui was a young general and a rising star.

Unlike other famous generals who achieved fame at a young age, Xue Rengui actually started his career very late, joining the army around the age of thirty at the urging of his wife.

Before this, they were from a poor, declining family who made a living by hunting and were extremely poor.

By 21st-century standards, he was a late bloomer.

Upon seeing yet another figure from historical legends, Li Yuanchang instinctively stood up. Looking at Xue Rengui, with his square face, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and unsmiling, even somewhat wooden demeanor, he couldn't help but think to himself.

Is this Xue Rengui?

Xue Rengui, the man who pacified the Tianshan Mountains with three arrows, repelled ten thousand enemies by removing his hat, was invincible in every attack and battle, yet suffered a major setback in his later years?

At the same time, Xue Rengui's gaze also fell upon him, and he was equally shocked.

Is this the King of Han? The one who marched a thousand miles and utterly defeated the Xueyantuo? So young! So incredibly powerful!

"This humble servant greets Your Highness, the Prince of Han, Minister of War!" He clasped his hands in a resounding gesture.

Li Yuanchang smiled and said, "Brother Xue, please rise."

Xue Rengui was flattered and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

He gives the impression of being a man of few words, seemingly unaccustomed to the bureaucratic environment.

"How long have you been in the army?" Li Yuanchang asked.

"Your Highness, it has been exactly one year, but I have been in Chang'an for less than a month," Xue Rengui said in detail. He was a burly man with calloused hands and thick knuckles.

I can't imagine how exaggerated the grip strength of those hands is.

"No wonder," Li Yuanchang said, then chuckled, "You've been away from home for so long, you must be homesick, right?"

Xue Rengui was flattered and surprised, not expecting Li Yuanchang to show concern for him as soon as they met.

"Your Highness, I have indeed thought about it."

"I had originally planned to go back to visit my family, but I suddenly received orders and can only go back later."

"However, Your Highness, please rest assured, official duties are paramount. Please feel free to give your instructions at any time."

Li Yuanchang smiled and said, "No rush."

"Look who I've brought to you."

Xue Rengui paused for a moment, then turned around.

A group of people walked from the corridor to the main hall. It was Situ Lan herself, holding the hand of a village woman and leading two boys, chatting and laughing as they walked.

The scene is somewhat of a contrast.

Xue Rengui was startled, his pupils shrinking: "Madam!"

The woman he called "Madam" seemed unaware that her husband was there. As he approached, she trembled and burst into tears.

"Xue Lang!"

boom!

The two embraced, and the two boys also stepped forward to hug Xue Rengui and cry, calling him "Father".

Li Yuanchang did not disturb them and gestured for the bystanders to leave.

His gaze slowly settled on a slightly older boy.

Is this Xue Rengui's eldest son? This is quite remarkable! A top-tier second-generation heir, breaking the curse of a tiger father and a dog son, vindicating his father, and being granted a title and commanding troops.

"How did you get here?" Xue Rengui asked, shocked, puzzled, and excited.

This man, who could defeat ten thousand men, was also a good man who did not despise his wife who had shared his hardships, and a good father.

"Brother Xue, it was the Prince of Han who sent people to pick us up. When we arrived, the Princess Consort of Han specially welcomed us, gave us clothes and food, and arranged a small courtyard for us to live in with the Prince of Han's family," said Madam Liu.

Upon hearing this, Xue Rengui looked at Li Yuanchang and the other man with gratitude on his face, and knelt down to pay his respects.

"This humble servant is deeply grateful for the King and Queen of Han's immense kindness and virtue!"

"Haha, it's nothing, it's nothing. We'll be going to the battlefield together from now on, so let's not talk about this. Get up." Li Yuanchang personally helped the man up.

"Battlefield?" Xue Rengui looked up in astonishment; he knew nothing about it yet.

At this moment, Situ Lan stepped forward with a smile on her face, exuding the air of a first wife.

"Your Highness, General Xue, please have a chat."

"I will first take Lady Liu and the two young men of the Xue family downstairs for their meal."

Li Yuanchang nodded: "Okay."

Situ Lan nodded, then stepped forward, took Liu's hand, and led the two promising young men of the Xue family away.

She showed no arrogance, only high emotional intelligence in dealing with people, providing perfect support for Li Yuanchang.

Both Liu and her son were flattered and deeply grateful.

In ancient times, before the advent of transportation and communication, without the help of the Prince of Han's mansion, they don't know how long it would have taken to meet them, let alone receive such preferential treatment along the way.

Xue Rengui saw it all and kept it in mind.

Sometimes, this is how suicide squads come about.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" He clasped his hands in thanks again.

Li Yuanchang patted his shoulder, which was as hard as a rock. Although it wasn't as exaggerated as Huang Tu's humanoid beast, the power contained within its body was absolutely terrifying.

Historically, this person wielded a halberd!

The halberd is a top-tier weapon, standard equipment for military generals. But Xue Rengui possessed more than just martial prowess; he also had exceptional command abilities, making him a once-in-a-century talent.

Immediately afterwards, the two sat down, and steam rose from the hot tea.

"May I ask, Your Highness, what do you mean by going to the battlefield together?" Xue Rengui couldn't help but ask.

"This matter has not been made public yet, and will not be made public; it is classified."

Upon hearing this, Xue Rengui was startled and dared not ask any further questions.

"But I have a connection with Brother Xue, so I'm informing you in advance so you can be prepared, but don't tell anyone else."

With that, Li Yuanchang said solemnly, "I will lead my troops back to Goguryeo for a second time to launch a surprise attack."

boom!

What?

Xue Rengui was shocked, his pupils widening.

Didn't you just get back?

Li Yuanchang nodded: "Yes, you heard right, we are going to return to Goguryeo a second time."

"But this time it will not be a large-scale campaign, but a limited surprise attack, led by myself."

"Having learned of your bravery in the battle of Anshi City, I have made a special effort to recruit you into my ranks despite the objections of others."