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

As they spoke, the allied forces in the distance came into view, holding up a totem.

"It's the city lord!"

"The city lord has arrived!" someone shouted from the scene.

City Lord?

Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow.

Soon, the hundred-man team arrived at the scene and was intercepted by Li Yuanchang's guards.

A tall, thin man with fair skin dismounted, wearing a crescent-colored robe and a tall hat unique to Goguryeo nobles, and stepped forward.

"Your subordinate, Li Daxun, Lord of Lugan City, pays respects to His Highness the Prince of Han!"

"It's you."

Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow, remembering this man. When they had just conquered Goguryeo, this man had come with some city lords to pay homage and submit.

Li Daxun's face lit up with excitement: "Your Highness still remembers me; I am deeply grateful!"

"I came here on a casual inspection tour. I happened to pass through this place and found that your city of Lugan has been carrying out orders quite well and has not withheld military pay."

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. Military pay is the foundation of the army. If you dare to withhold it, you are not far from death. I would never dare to do anything reckless."

Li Yuanchang nodded: "Get up."

Li Daxun stood up, and then, with a warm smile, invited, "Your Highness, now that we're here, why don't we go into the city and rest for a while?"

Li Yuanchang shook his head: "No, I have to go to the next stop."

Li Daxun earnestly urged, "Your Highness, it is likely to snow heavily tonight, which is not suitable for traveling."

"Moreover, the officials in the city all have the utmost respect for His Highness and are eager to catch a glimpse of his handsome appearance."

"I would be honored if Your Highness would allow me to stay overnight, so that I may report on official business."

Li Yuanchang glanced at the sky but had not yet spoken.

Li Daxun then knelt down: "I hope Your Highness, the Prince of Han, will do me the honor!"

"We hope Your Highness the Prince of Han will grace us with your presence!" His subordinates all repeated, making it seem as if Li Yuanchang would be unreasonable if he didn't go.

Li Yuanchang glanced at him.

It's not surprising that the city lord wanted to improve his relationship with him; this is the case in any officialdom, especially for an uncrowned king like Li Yuanchang.

But he found it strange that his visit was a last-minute decision, and he had not notified anyone; it was an undercover investigation.

How did Li Daxun know this?

It takes him quite a while to get out of the city, so it seems he must have known about it in advance.

Perhaps someone tipped them off, after all, someone had already been executed, Li Yuanchang thought to himself.

In addition, the sky was indeed heavy and gloomy, and it looked like the snowstorm that night would be quite strong.

"Alright, then I'll trouble you."

Li Daxun was overjoyed; his joy was an overwhelming excitement.

"yes!"

"Your Highness, I dare not say I am disturbing you."

"The entire Goguryeo kingdom belongs to Your Highness, and everyone follows Your Highness's lead. How dare Your Highness say it's an intrusion when you return to your own home?"

"Your Highness, this subordinate will lead your horse."

Li Daxun naturally took over Guo Chao's position, and his obsequious attitude made it hard for anyone to feel any ill will towards him.

Immediately afterwards, the grand procession headed towards Lugan City.

Li Yuanchang's guards numbered over a thousand and were absolutely elite. As soon as they arrived in Lugan City, they immediately attracted much attention and discussion among the people.

The officers and soldiers on duty dared not look them in the eye, as if they were under a kind of oppressive pressure from the depths of their souls.

This is a small city, at most a county town in the Tang Dynasty, and its population is even smaller. However, this city is the veritable birthplace of the Goguryeo nobility.

It is somewhat similar to Taiyuan in the Tang Dynasty, and produced many noble families.

As soon as Li Yuanchang arrived, he was given a grand welcome and received a throng of people from all walks of life vying to pay their respects.

However, Li Yuanchang was not there for sightseeing. He had no intention of making a big fuss and simply went about his business after a brief visit.

In the harsh winter of Goguryeo, night falls very early.

The cold wind and snow howled, withering the world.

Li Yuanchang's lodging was a small palace inside the city, surrounded inside and out by his trusted guards, with impenetrable defenses.

Li Daxun brought a large amount of meat and warm wine.

Even from a distance, Guo Chao and his guards could smell it; it was distilled spirits. Nowadays, distilled spirits have truly swept across Asia.

In such cold weather, the soldiers' frozen faces lit up with excitement at the smell of distilled liquor, and they swallowed hard.

"Brothers, it's freezing cold, come on, let's distribute this!" Someone enthusiastically distributed the food.

The soldiers were eager and craving food, but none of them made a move, remaining in their positions, unmoved.

Guo Chao stepped forward with his knife at his side: "Thank you, but leave the meat, take the wine. Soldiers are not allowed to drink alcohol."

"this……"

"General, it's freezing cold. Wouldn't it be good to have a couple of sips to warm up?"

"Don't worry, Lugan City is very safe."

Guo Chao shook his head to interrupt, his expression stern and impartial: "No need for further words, take it."

"..."

After a struggle outside the hall, the city lord's men returned empty-handed.

"How is it?"

"Lord City Lord, they won't drink. That guard commander is completely unyielding." Several soldiers looked grim.

"waste!"

"A bunch of useless trash! You can't even handle this simple task. What am I keeping you around for!" Li Daxun roared, his demeanor completely different from when he acted like a grandson in front of Li Yuanchang. He appeared quite furious.

"Lord of the city, we have done our best, but they are too cautious. They even test the food for poison."

"We absolutely do not want any alcohol, as it is forbidden to drink alcohol in the army."

"We're worried that continuing like this will arouse suspicion."

Li Daxun was still dissatisfied: "Useless trash, get out!"

"yes!"

The guards retreated, looking disheveled.

Under the lamplight, Li Daxun's face looked unwell, even somewhat anxious, lost in thought.

A strategist suddenly stepped forward: "Lord City Lord, I have a plan."

What plan?

The strategist covered his mouth with his hand and whispered something.

Li Daxun's eyes changed from unpleasant to hopeful.

"There's a chance!"

"Great idea!"

"Lord of the City, this is the only way. Opportunity knocks but once. The King of Han has too many troops around him. If we don't keep some distance, we'll have no chance."

"That's right, I'll go right now!" Li Daxun's eyes sharpened, and he immediately set off, leaving the mansion and disappearing into the snowy night.

"..."

Qingshun Hall.

Li Yuanchang had just finished dinner and was about to go to bed.

It's not too late yet, but the winter in Goguryeo is really too cold. It feels like your urine will freeze instantly when you urinate. It's a little better inside the bedding.

But shortly after he lay down, there was a knock on the door, and Guo Chao's voice rang out: "Your Highness, Li Daxun requests an audience, saying he has important matters to discuss."

Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow and sat up.

"Let him in."

"yes!"

Soon, Li Daxun was brought in by Guo Chao through numerous checkpoints, and even he had to undergo a body search.

The security detail surrounding Li Yuanchang today is quite intimidating.

After turning against Chang'an, this has always been the case; assassinations in ancient times were no less frequent than in later generations.