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

By the time the Imperial Guards reacted and came to Fang Xuanling's aid, it was too late.

The plan was meticulously crafted, and the Han Prince's forces in the shadows successfully met up with Li Yuanchang and had already gone far away.

In the following days, a massive manhunt broke out throughout the northeastern part of the Tang Dynasty, involving troops from more than a dozen prefectures.

News of the Han King's escape spread like wildfire throughout Liaodong.

By mid-August, the news had reached Chang'an.

Chang'an was shaken, and the emperor was furious!

The government and the public were in an uproar.

Li Shimin went completely berserk and ordered the arrest and execution of all of Li Yuanchang's confidants. A large number of imperial guards rushed to Liangzhou with swords in hand.

Since there was no one left in the Prince of Han's mansion, they couldn't kill anyone even if they wanted to. They couldn't very well kill Fang Xuanling, Cheng Yaojin, and the others.

Wang Hongzhi and his cronies in Liangzhou naturally became the targets of punishment.

However, the imperial court's actions were always a step behind Li Yuanchang's. By the time they arrived, Wang Hongzhi and other confidants of Li Yuanchang had already received word and fled, their whereabouts unknown.

They seemed to have vanished into thin air; no one knew how they disappeared, and no matter how the authorities searched and investigated, they couldn't find them.

Even... a large number of warehouses belonging to the Nanqin Chamber of Commerce had already been emptied, and only a very small portion could be confiscated during the raid.

Furious at being repeatedly thwarted and unable to find anyone, Li Shimin officially ordered troops to quell the rebellion!

In an instant, Chang'an was in an uproar, and public opinion was in an uproar.

Public opinion is divided.

Some believe that Li Yuanchang was a rebel who betrayed the Tang Dynasty.

Some people believe that Li Yuanchang was forced into it.

Some people were happy for Li Yuanchang, saying that it was a good thing that he had escaped, like a cunning rabbit being killed and a hunting dog being cooked.

end of September.

Goguryeo, with its capital at Chang'an.

Unlike the dramatic changes, upheavals, and military buildup in Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, this place appeared calm, as if it had escaped the conflict.

In just over a month, almost all the various groups of people had retreated here.

"Your Highness!!"

Situ Lan lifted her skirt, jumped off the carriage, and rushed over like lightning.

boom!

Li Yuanchang caught it steadily.

The couple remained silent, only Situ Lan's choked sobs and trembling body conveying the deep worry and fear she had endured over the past two years.

Immediately after, Qin Keyu, Cui Wanqing, Qi Senluge, and Li Su all rushed forward and surrounded Li Yuanchang.

The eldest son, Zhaoye, is already six years old and taller than most children. He stands obediently in place, holding the hands of his younger siblings.

This scene, which Li Yuanchang had been dreaming of day and night, has finally come true.

After the family was reunited, under Li Yuanchang's arrangement, all the former members of the Han Prince's Mansion moved into the former "Qiong Prince's Mansion".

His choice to live here, rather than in a larger palace, was more about sending a message to the court that he did not intend to rebel and establish his own rule.

He was even willing to stay in Goguryeo for his entire life, guarding the border for the Tang Dynasty and managing this vast seaport and its large population.

They paid taxes annually according to Tang law and obeyed orders from Chang'an, maintaining a perpetual relationship of ruler and subject.

But clearly, Li Shimin, who represented imperial power, wouldn't listen.

In his view, Li Yuanchang had to obey and confess his crimes and accept punishment.

Li Yuanchang, who rescued the Han Prince's family and completely withdrew from the Central Plains, and who possesses the ability to rebel, has been placed on the kill list.

Less than three days after the reunion, before Wang Hongzhi and the last group of people had even entered the city, Li Yuanchang received a proclamation from the imperial court to punish the traitors!

Upon receiving the news, the Goguryeo region instantly fell into a state of tension and unease.

It was at this time that Li Shimin realized that Goguryeo was not conquered for the Tang Dynasty at all, but rather a place for Li Yuanchang to settle down for himself!

Li Yuanchang was forced to react and ordered the evacuation of border residents, not only those from the Tang Dynasty but also those from Goguryeo.

At the same time, the lords of various cities in Goguryeo were summoned to Goguryeo to discuss military matters.

Ten days later, on October 9th.

The weather in Liaodong was gloomy and cold.

The capital city was densely packed with troops and people. Almost all the forces that had retreated from the Central Plains had come here, and there were also many Japanese troops.

If Chang'an were to witness this scene, they would surely be shocked; Li Yuanchang's strength far exceeded their expectations.

"Your Highness, it's confirmed. His Majesty has ordered an army of 200,000, with Li Ji as commander-in-chief, Xue Wanche as deputy commander-in-chief, and Ashina She'er as vanguard, to attack us!"

Upon hearing this, the Han Prince's staff, who had just gathered in the hall, erupted in uproar.

But after such a long tug-of-war, everyone was prepared and had no worries, so they weren't panicked.

"Li Ji, Xue Wanche, Ashina She'er, three of the core generals have come, all old acquaintances. Your Majesty really thinks highly of me!" Li Yuanchang sighed, finally reaching this point.

Former colleagues became adversaries, and the conflict between the government troops and the rebels was no less intense than the An Lushan Rebellion.

The arriving army believed they were there to quell a rebellion.

The rebelling army considered itself the victim.

"Hmph, His Majesty is heartless, giving us no way to survive, so don't blame us!"

"That's right, we have no intention of rebelling, but His Majesty is intolerant of meritorious officials and is being aggressive. Then let's fight to the end!"

"Come and launch a surprise attack if you dare!"

"beat!!"

"Only if we win will the imperial court allow us to settle here!"

The horde of generals roared in unison, their emotions running high, and they were exceptionally confident and excited.

Gunpowder, along with Goguryeo's natural advantages, made them completely unafraid of the so-called 200,000-strong army of the imperial court.

If it were anyone else, they would have been trembling with fear and considering surrendering.

Li Yuanchang took a deep breath and decisively said, "Let's do it!"

Four words instantly boosted morale.

"yes!!"

Li Yuanchang's aura rose steadily: "The imperial army has 200,000 men, and with logistics, it may reach 500,000. Its troops are bloated, so it is impossible for them to march too fast."

"I estimate we'll arrive at the Liao River at least in December."

"We still have plenty of time to prepare."

"Effective immediately, I intend to divide the war zones."

"Dividing the war zones?" The generals and soldiers were taken aback by the novel term. In ancient times, there was no such concept. The general idea was to defeat the enemy's main force and carry out large-scale battles. Even when defending, it was to defend a certain point.

"right!"

"When it comes to the Central Plains troops, considering the weather, terrain, and logistics, there is only one route to attack, and that is the road to Anshi City."

"Everyone is familiar with this road; this will be the main battle zone."

"Besides, there is another route to the north, but it is not suitable for a large-scale army advance. I intend to designate it as a secondary war zone, solely for support purposes."

"Furthermore, the southeast of the capital is a logistical hub for our army and a strategic retreat route. The terrain is also relatively flat, and nearly 70% of Goguryeo's fertile land is located here. I intend to designate it as a demilitarized zone and relocate the people there to cultivate the land, in preparation for a protracted war."

"..."