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

After Li Yuanchang received the imperial edict, Chu Yanbu bowed and said, "King of Han, no, King of Goguryeo."

"Do you still have any grievances regarding His Majesty's decision?"

Li Yuanchang smiled and said, "Your Majesty's restoration of order is extremely wise. Although it is a little late, it has finally arrived."

"I and my troops have not suffered any injustice."

Chu Yanbu nodded: "That's good."

"Your Majesty has always been worried that the soldiers and officers of the three armies felt aggrieved, which would damage the friendship between the border troops and the central government. Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, that's good."

Jin Minda and the others secretly curled their lip.

The war just ended a few months ago, and so many people died. Now they're changing their tune and saying it was a misunderstanding. Typical civil official.

After a few pleasantries, the atmosphere cooled down again, and the conversation stopped.

At this moment, Chu Yanbu glanced at the large crowd in the hall and said softly, "Your Highness, besides the edict to restore order and the historical records, His Majesty has some other instructions."

"but……"

He drew out his voice and glanced around.

Li Yuanchang understood, and it was estimated that they would now get down to business.

The edict was unconditional, merely an appointment and dismissal, a gesture of peace that both sides understood was just an appetizer.

He glanced back and saw that everyone except Su Gui had retreated outside the hall.

Similarly, Chu Yanbu's side also mostly withdrew, leaving only him, Cheng Chuliang, Li Chongzhen, and two other court officials.

The lobby suddenly felt rather empty.

"Lord Chu, if you have anything to convey, please speak frankly," Li Yuanchang said first.

Chu Yanbu smiled and said, "Yes, Your Highness."

When he raised his head again, his expression turned serious: "His Majesty intends to summon Your Highness back to Chang'an to take charge of the central government and assist him in governing the country, while continuing to control the Ministry of War and the existing military forces."

"What is Your Highness's opinion?"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Chuliang and his companion immediately tensed up.

The two accompanying the team were clearly just individuals; Chu Yanbu conducted all the negotiations.

But since they were officials of the imperial court, they couldn't speak freely and could only look at Li Yuanchang with tense expressions.

Li Yuanchang smiled and said, "Chu Liang and Chong Zhen already told me about this yesterday, and they also earnestly requested that I return to Chang'an."

"Oh?" Chu Yanbu asked in surprise.

Cheng Chuliang was bewildered, but Li Chongzhen, quick-witted, immediately realized that Li Yuanchang was helping them: "Yes, Your Highness, His Majesty has now set things right, and the past is the past."

"His Majesty governs the country with filial piety in mind, and he will certainly not seek revenge later."

"Only if Your Highness agrees to return will there be true unity between ruler and subject, and everyone will be happy. You can't stay in this harsh land forever, can you?"

Upon hearing Li Chongzhen's offer of help, Chu Yanbu immediately replied, "Yes, yes."

Li Yuanchang shook his head.

"No."

Chu Yanbu's face immediately showed disappointment.

Cheng Chuliang and his companion felt a great sense of relief.

"Goguryeo has too many military affairs and opposition forces are emerging one after another. If I leave now, internal strife will break out here immediately and bring disaster to the Central Plains."

"So I appreciate your kindness, but I really cannot go back," Li Yuanchang said, offering a plausible reason.

Even if Li Chongzhen hadn't reminded him, he wouldn't have gone back.

Once back in Chang'an, it won't be so easy to get out again. With the army and trusted confidants not around, it's up to Changsun Wuji to do whatever he wants.

No matter how much Li Zhi promised, it was useless; human nature is the one thing you can't gamble with.

Even if he isn't sentenced to death, he'll probably never have any freedom for the rest of his life. Perpetual house arrest, or dismantling and controlling all the forces within the Han Prince's mansion, would be the best outcome.

Chu Yanbu was not giving up and tried to persuade him twice more, delivering impassioned and righteous speeches.

But in the end, Li Yuanchang refused with this reason, remaining unmoved and refusing to return no matter what.

Chu Yanbu ultimately gave up.

He was disappointed, but not desperate.

"Your Highness, since you cannot go back, then you will not go back. His Majesty has not made a firm request on this point."

"But as you know, rumors circulating in the court and among the public claim that Your Highness has rebelled. Even if His Majesty wishes to clear your name, he cannot withstand the clamor of public opinion!"

As he spoke, a bitter look appeared on his face.

Li Yuanchang smiled and said, "Lord Chu, you can speak frankly about your words and conditions."

"There are no outsiders here, so we can talk openly and frankly."

Chu Yanbu, though seen through, was not embarrassed. Instead, he cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness is wise."

"To be honest, there are indeed some conditions, but these conditions are not directed at Your Highness. Rather, His Majesty wants to work with Your Highness to silence the gossip and rumors circulating in the court and among the people."

"Your Majesty is tired of reviewing memorials and receiving ministers, and wants to solve this problem once and for all."

Li Yuanchang gave Chu Yanbu a second look. This guy had really mastered the art of language; he was definitely not a pedantic scholar.

Later TV dramas often portray Han Chinese civil officials as stubborn and incorrigible Confucian scholars, but in reality, Han Chinese officials were all shrewd and extremely skilled in language.

Chu Yanbu was definitely an outstanding one. With the sentence "Your Majesty wants to unite with His Highness," he immediately narrowed the distance. Who wouldn't feel uncomfortable hearing that?

However, what he said was also true; there would definitely be someone constantly putting pressure on Li Zhi to deal with Li Yuanchang.

It's certain that he came from a powerful and influential family, and it's also certain that Li Zhi was caught in the middle and put in a difficult position.

"Alright, just say it. I must give His Majesty face. If you can cooperate, then cooperate fully."

Chu Yanbu was overjoyed and immediately said, "Your Highness, this clause means that Your Highness must submit a memorial to the court, ordering the fiefdom to acknowledge His Majesty as the master, and declare yourself a subject of the Great Tang, to obey the orders of Chang'an."

"no problem."

"The second rule is that Your Highness's troops must not exceed the prescribed limits, nor may they arbitrarily change the military flag designations; they must continue to follow the system established during the reign of Emperor Taizong."

"No problem."

"Article Three..."

"..."

Chu Yanbu presented his conditions one by one without any draft.

This is similar to two countries at war reaching a permanent ceasefire agreement.

Of course, this was purely based on Li Yuanchang's vision of not wanting to divide the nation; otherwise, the imperial court would have no ability to control or make demands on Li Yuanchang outside the territory.

Of the thirty-seven conditions, Li Yuanchang agreed to thirty-four directly.

The imperial court required Li Yuanchang's fiefdom to pay tribute and taxes on time every year, and he even agreed to it.

But he absolutely refused to agree to three of the conditions.

The former king of Goguryeo, Go Bo-zang, refused to hand over the goods.

The court appointed some officials to go to Goguryeo, but Yi Won-chang refused to allow them to be managed by the government.

He was firmly refused permission to share the formula for gunpowder.

Despite Chu Yanbu's best efforts and numerous promises of benefits, Li Yuanchang still refused to agree.

The negotiations stalled.

They dragged it out until sunset without reaching any agreement, but he clearly didn't want to give up, so the two sides took a "halftime break".