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

After nightfall, the river calms down and the banks are quiet.

Countless torches and bonfires illuminated the darkness, making the six- or seven-mile-long riverbank virtually impenetrable.

Jin Shengman's first attempt to probe the enemy camp ended in failure; they were unable to get close to the Guhezi military camp at all.

After midnight, she began her second operation, sending people to cross the river by a roundabout route, hoping to find an opportunity to rescue people through a flanking maneuver.

But before they could even cross the river, they were driven back by the Han army's arrows.

The entire riverbank defense line was impregnable; even if you got in, you couldn't get out.

The next morning.

With mist swirling around both sides of the river, Queen Zhende, having exhausted all other options, was forced to abandon her rescue plan and instead took the initiative to cross the river to request an audience.

Upon learning that the people had already reached the shore, Li Yuanchang remained calm, as everything was under control, and agreed to Queen Zhende's request to bring fifty guards.

Then some hot tea was prepared for Queen Zhende.

The atmosphere in the Guhezi military camp was tense and solemn, with rows of armored soldiers and sharp eyes converging in the middle of the road.

"They're here!"

"This is the woman, Queen Zhen De!"

"So tall!"

"They're really brave!"

The sound of hurried footsteps filled the air, and the Silla guards tensed up, alert to their surroundings.

Queen Zhende, walking at the very front, was expressionless and cold, her steps quick and swift, displaying the demeanor of a female general.

"stop!"

"Your men must wait outside the tent," Guo Chao said, blocking their way.

Queen Zhende glanced at her subordinates.

His men were scattered outside the tent, keeping a close watch on the densely packed Han army guards in the area.

Queen Zhende lifted her leg and walked inside.

"Wait, we need to search you." Guo Chao stopped him again.

Queen Zhende's face instantly turned cold.

However, Guo Chao was bound by his official duties and naturally could not allow it. He looked at the Queen, and the two sides remained deadlocked.

Then Li Yuanchang's voice rang out from inside the tent: "Guo Chao, do not be rude. The Queen has come in person, so there is no need for a body search."

"Yes!" Guo Chao nodded.

"Hmph!" Queen Zhende snorted coldly, glanced at Guo Chao, and then shoved him aside.

Whoosh!

She lifted the curtain and stepped into the main camp.

This was the first time the two had met, and Queen Zhende's face was cold, even showing strong hostility.

Li Yuanchang looked Queen Zhende up and down, slightly shocked by her height.

She wasn't just tall; at 1.8 meters, she was a rare sight even in later generations. She was the tallest woman Li Yuanchang had ever seen in the Tang Dynasty.

Rumor has it that this woman was the last queen of Silla to possess sacred relics.

"Li Yuanchang, release them or not!" Queen Zhende spoke, her voice carrying a strong demand and command.

"Hahaha!"

Li Yuanchang laughed heartily and stood up: "Queen Zhende, I am delighted that you have come!"

"But I didn't like the tone of your voice when you spoke to me just now."

Kim Seung-man laughed angrily: "Who do you think you are? I am the ruler of Silla, the late Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty whom I follow, and one of the fourteen official monarchs."

"And you're just a regional official!"

"In terms of seniority and status, do I, the king, need to bow and scrape before you?"

Her attitude was very bad, and her words were barbed, which made several of her confidants in the tent look cold.

"Then it seems there's no way to talk," Li Yuanchang said calmly, and sat back down.

Jin Shengman stepped forward, her eyes coldly fixed on Li Yuanchang: "Li Yuanchang, don't go too far!"

"If things really get out of control, you'll be in deep trouble!"

Li Yuanchang took a sip of tea by himself.

"Is that so?"

"Then let's wait and see."

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere between the two seemed to freeze.

Their eyes met, king to king, without even blinking.

Without a doubt, Li Yuanchang was superior, sitting there as if he were facing his own subject.

Queen Jin Deok-man felt powerless, unable to intimidate Lee Won-chang, and was caught in a dilemma.

a long time!

"They are not pirates, but a merchant caravan I sent to the Tang Dynasty. If you are unhappy because I did not reply to you and expelled your envoy, you could have done it more openly and honestly. What kind of hero are you, resorting to such methods!"

"When Emperor Taizong was alive, he was magnanimous, unlike you!" Kim Seung-man clenched his fist, his tone softening slightly, but he was still clearly resistant.

"Heh heh, then do you dare disobey Emperor Taizong and expel his people?"

"If you were to try, the consequences would be far worse than they are now," Li Yuanchang said indifferently.

Kim Seung-man was speechless for a moment, then clenched his fist and said, "But you are not Emperor Taizong, you are just a king of the Tang Dynasty. Why should I bow and scrape before you? Why should you take away my Silla's pastures!"

"What right do you have?!"

She suppressed her anger.

Li Yuanchang stood up: "I am indeed not Emperor Taizong, so I do not need to act according to anyone's rules."

"Furthermore, when have I ever made you bow and scrape?"

"It's just that the Queen is judging people by their narrow perspective and underestimates them. She has repeatedly rejected my good intentions, so I have been forced to act this way."

"Heh, you finally admit it." Kim Seung-man's eyes were filled with extreme disgust.

Li Yuanchang replied noncommittally, "It's still early today. If Your Majesty is willing, we can sit down and have a proper chat, shall we?"

"What are you going to talk about?"

"Shall we cede the ranch to you?"

"Or shall we talk about rebelling against the court together and becoming traitors?" Kim Seung-man retorted sarcastically.

"What did you say?!"

"You bastard!"

The tens of thousands of people inside the camp were furious.

Kim Seung-man sneered and remained silent, truly unafraid.

Li Yuanchang spread his arms to stop his men and brought the situation back under control.

He was genuinely not angry. Firstly, he couldn't touch Kim Seung-man, and secondly, he, Li Yuanchang, had the magnanimity to do so. If he were to take this opportunity to kill someone, it would be too difficult to convince the public.

"I must say, the Queen is incredibly bold. Not only does she dare to come here, but she also dares to speak to me like this. Even the imperial court would never dare to say such a thing."

"You're the first one."

Kim Seung-man said calmly, "I won't be the last one either."

"You!" Wan Jun and the others were furious. If Li Yuanchang hadn't stopped them, they would have attacked.

They've come all this way and still dare to be so arrogant. Who's begging whom here? Is this how you ask for help?

"Hahaha!"

"I didn't realize the Queen was such a chatterbox."

"So, in that case, it seems the Queen will never submit to me? Not even to sitting down for a cup of tea."

"You can drink the tea, but you'll release them after you finish!" Jin Shengman said.

"Tsk tsk, you woman, how can you be so materialistic? You want me to release him after just one cup of tea? If I were to drink a cup of nuptial wine with you, I would be banished from my post on the spot."

"What did you say?!" This time it was Jin Shengman's turn to be furious. Her voice rose, and anger flashed in her sharp eyes.

"Just kidding, Your Majesty, don't take it seriously."

Jin Shengman clenched her fists, every inch of her face radiating disgust and anger; no one had ever dared to harass her like this before.

Even when Emperor Taizong was alive, he treated him with courtesy and respect.