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

This was no secret in the Goguryeo region. After the falling out, there was a voice within the Han Prince's Palace that directly supported Li Yuanchang's independence and his challenge to Chang'an.

In fact, Li Yuanchang really did have that ability.

Money, provisions, and manpower were all readily available.

With its favorable weather and advantageous terrain, it was enough to bridge the huge gap in numbers with the imperial army; all it needed to do was hold its ground.

They even had powerful weapons like gunpowder, and the seeds, tools, craftsmen, and skilled workers brought by the Qin family could ensure the long-term survival of the Goguryeo region.

After all, the Goguryeo of Yeon Gaesomun was able to force Li Shimin to retreat, let alone the current uncrowned king Li Yuanchang.

In the war of annihilation, Goguryeo was not actually severely weakened; it was rather decapitated by Li Yuanchang's surgical precision.

The Goguryeo legacy, combined with the power of the Han Prince's Mansion—that was Li Yuanchang's initial plan!

But faced with the overwhelming petitions from his subordinates and the military and civilians, Li Yuanchang did not choose to declare independence, nor did he openly rebel.

As long as he doesn't become independent, he will always be forced to protect himself.

Once they establish themselves as independent and their rebellion is confirmed, they will inevitably suffer a backlash.

This may seem like a difference in reputation, but it is actually quite significant. Cao Cao had all the conditions to become emperor, but he never did.

It's not that I don't want to, it's not that I dare not, it's not that I don't need to, but that I'm wary!

After nightfall.

The various government offices in the central prefecture were still operating at full speed, with more than ten million catties of supplies being stored away.

The endless stream of carriages and torches illuminated the city, turning it into a city that never sleeps.

Li Yuanchang was not idle either; he locked himself up and began writing and formulating various "new laws".

The old rules of Goguryeo were simply unusable. Although the old rules of Liangzhou were good, they were, after all, only one prefecture and did not match the actual situation in the Goguryeo region.

Therefore, he wanted to draft new laws to govern the entire Goguryeo, which involved not only military matters but also people's livelihood, corvée labor, taxes, trade, and many other issues.

Goguryeo, in dire need of rebuilding, was like a young girl waiting to be dressed up and made up. But time was running out; the new year was almost over, and war was about to break out as soon as spring arrived!

At five quarters past noon, which was already very late in ancient times, Li Yuanchang still showed no sign of resting and wrote with increasing enthusiasm.

Without the interference and obstruction of the imperial court, he was able to act decisively and with greater ease.

"Your Highness!"

"Hmm?" Li Yuanchang did not look up.

Guo Chao approached and handed over a letter with both hands: "A letter from Liaoshui, sent by Li Ji."

Li Yuanchang was taken aback; his first thought was of a letter urging surrender.

He took it, reading the letter with his left hand and drinking tea with his right.

But the moment I saw the content, bang!

The teacup in his hand fell uncontrollably and shattered, but he didn't react at all, as if he were completely dazed, staring at the letter.

Some were incredulous, while others were at a loss.

"Your Highness, what's wrong?" Guo Chao asked in surprise.

Li Yuanchang gripped the letter tightly, slowly regaining his senses. His brows furrowed tightly, and a trace of sorrow appeared in his eyes.

He said hoarsely, "Master Fang, let's go."

"Huh?" Guo Chao was shocked.

Although Li Yuanchang was prepared and knew that Fang Xuanling's time was coming to an end, he still felt grief, emptiness, and even a trace of guilt.

The two sides were locked in a standoff on the Liao River. If it weren't for his strong intervention, they probably would have already started fighting.

No matter how the court treated him, Fang Xuanling was always the most clear-headed person who most wanted the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty and had no selfish motives.

A renowned prime minister has passed away.

Why wasn't it the eldest grandson who died!

"call!"

He looked up and exhaled a puff of white mist, his heart heavy.

If this were in Chang'an, he would have gone to pay his respects and carry the coffin immediately, but now, it would be impossible for him to even see the coffin one last time.

"Prepare some paper money and candles. I will go outside to offer sacrifices to the Lord of the House."

"Yes!" Guo Chao replied gravely.

"etc."

As he spoke, Li Yuanchang picked up his pen and ink, intending to write a reply, but as soon as he put the pen down, he couldn't continue writing.

He had intended to write a letter of condolence to comfort Gao Yang and others.

But now our identities are completely different, and no matter what the purpose of writing the letter is, it will inevitably bring unnecessary trouble to the other party.

"Never mind, it's fine, you can go."

"Yes!" Guo Chao clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Li Yuanchang took a deep breath, slowly pushed open the window, felt the cold wind blowing, and stared blankly in the direction of the Central Plains, unable to let go of his thoughts for a long time.

"Fang Gong, you can go in peace."

"No matter what, I will make the Tang Dynasty even more glorious!"

"If I have the chance again in this life, I will definitely come to pay my respects at your grave!"

He muttered to himself, "We may have different positions and different camps, but our core beliefs are always the same."

He didn't know how much time had passed. The cold wind had stiffened his face. He was as if in a trance, unresponsive, until a cloak was placed over his back, and only then did he come back to his senses.

It was Consort Yin De. She was also taken to Goguryeo. The massive rescue operation a few months ago was aimed at everyone. The Black Ice Guard used all its resources and took away everyone related to Li Yuanchang, fearing that Li Shimin would vent his anger and kill indiscriminately.

Even though Cheng Chuliang and his ilk had their fathers protecting them, they were still implicated and forced to resign or stay at home in retirement.

"Why are you here?"

"Your Highness is too busy to come see me, so I thought I'd come and see you." Consort Yin smiled gently, like an older sister.

"Complaining?" Li Yuanchang joked, holding out a hand.

Consort Yin looked around and, instead of refusing, even took the initiative to hug Li Yuanchang.

She was detached from worldly desires and often spent her time with Buddhist monks. Even if she had that kind of relationship with Li Yuanchang, it was passive; it was rare for her to take the initiative.

"You look much more tired than before, and you seem to be in a bad mood." Her breath was sweet and her voice gentle, as if she could see into one's heart, instantly putting Li Yuanchang at ease.

He held her tightly, enjoying the softness of her body and her fragrance.

Nothing tastes better than dumplings, and nothing's more fun than your sister-in-law. This saying may be crude, but it's true.

"A little, there's just too much going on."

"Master Fang has passed away." Li Yuanchang frowned.

Consort Yin was taken aback: "Fang Xuanling..."

"Ugh."

She sighed softly, "The fall of a great prime minister is a loss for the Tang Dynasty."

"Fang Mou and Du Du made their decisions, and now both of them have passed away one after another. Perhaps the end of an era has truly begun."

"However, though life is short, Your Highness, please accept my condolences."

"So many people still follow you."

Li Yuanchang's lips brushed against her ear, extremely intimately: "And what about you?"

Yin Yao smiled, glancing at him with the allure of a mature woman.

"I will also follow Your Highness."

Wow!

Li Yuanchang simply picked the person up and carried them in his arms.

Consort Yin swayed and had to support herself on Li Yuanchang's shoulders with both hands. A hint of panic quickly appeared in her beautiful eyes, and her heartbeat gradually accelerated.

She thought she would never fall for any man in her life, but she could still clearly feel her heart beating every time she faced Li Yuanchang.

She even has physiological liking and reactions.

"Kiss me!" she cried, throwing all Buddhist teachings and social conventions to the wind, and went wild with Li Yuanchang.

"..."