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

But the problem remains, and the ministers are divided on the issue.

The young Li Zhi sighed helplessly, not wanting to make things difficult for Li Ji, knowing that only Changsun Wuji's intervention would be effective in this matter.

He couldn't help but look at Changsun Wuji, his eyes pleading, hoping that Changsun Wuji could step forward to quell the conflict, at least to prevent further trouble during the war.

"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, changing the commander-in-chief and the supervising officer is both inappropriate!"

When Changsun Wuji stepped forward, he made the final decision. As the head of the Guanlong aristocracy, the head of the civil officials, the head of the veteran officials of the Zhenguan era, and even the head of the entrusted regency, his words were undoubtedly of great weight and had more influence than Li Zhi, the new emperor.

Upon hearing this, Li Ji was surprised.

The civil officials in the imperial court all changed color.

"Lord Changsun!"

Many ministers came out, their faces filled with confusion.

Changsun Wuji frowned in displeasure: "His Majesty is still in the court, how dare you all behave so presumptuously!"

The officials were startled by the rebuke and then retreated.

Li Zhi, sitting on the dragon throne, breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Changsun Wuji, his eyes filled with genuine admiration.

It's as if it's saying that when faced with matters of great importance, the uncle is the most righteous!

"Since both of you think so, then I think it is indeed the case. Such a small matter should not be blown out of proportion."

"If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them."

"Changing the commander is not an option, nor is supervising the army. I will issue an imperial edict to express my condolences to the soldiers on the front lines and inquire about the land reclamation project. I will also have the Prince of the Far East submit a memorial to see what the situation is like there."

With the emperor speaking and the two chief ministers also speaking, the matter was practically settled.

Even if the ministers were wary of Li Yuanchang and ostracized him, they dared not urge him on at this time.

"yes!"

"Your Majesty is wise."

With a chorus of agreement, the matter was considered closed at the court meeting.

After the meeting, Changsun Wuji ignored the invitations and inquiries from his colleagues and subordinates and returned directly to his residence.

"Father, why did you defend Li Yuanchang in court just now?"

"He and you are like oil and water."

A man in his thirties followed behind Changsun Wuji, his face bearing a striking resemblance to Changsun Wuji's; he was refined and handsome.

He was not Changsun Huan, but Changsun Chong, the eldest son of Changsun Wuji, and the husband of the famous Princess Changle, Li Lizhi. He held the official position of Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat.

She was considered one of the more outstanding members of the second generation of the Zhenguan era.

Changsun Wuji stood with his hands behind his back, looking old and frail, his face almost expressionless.

"I failed to protect him."

"Li Yuanchang doesn't need me to protect him."

Do you think His Majesty will remove Li Yuanchang even if I speak up?

Changsun Chong pondered for a moment, then looked up and said, "Father, shouldn't we at least send a military supervisor to keep him in check? It was the imperial court that sent troops to Tuyuhun; we can't let him monopolize the prestige."

Changsun Wuji smiled: "Restrictions?"

"Unless Emperor Taizong is resurrected and goes there in person, no one can stop him."

"The Far East Army is Li Yuanchang's private army. Sending anyone to monitor it would be humiliating."

"Moreover, if I were to unilaterally request the punishment of Li Yuanchang, it would only provoke His Majesty's displeasure. His Majesty would think that we are forming cliques for personal gain and would instead favor Li Yuanchang."

"what?"

"Father, aren't you the one who entrusted the young emperor with important responsibilities? It was you who helped His Majesty ascend the throne when he was still the Crown Prince."

"Moreover, the one who poses a threat to Your Majesty now is Li Yuanchang. Even if Li Yuanchang is a peerless hero, his achievements are so great that they overshadow the emperor, and his granting of land and titles of kings threatens imperial power—this is an indisputable fact!"

"How can His Majesty be so close to Li Yuanchang and distant from you?"

Changsun Chong was astonished, his face filled with disbelief.

As they spoke, the father and son had already crossed several thresholds and arrived at the secluded spot deep within the mansion.

Changsun Wuji straightened his clothes, sat down in the pear blossom chair, and picked up a cup of tea.

Changsun rushed forward, knelt down, and took off his shoes for him.

"Chong'er, you are the smartest of your brothers, but your vision is too short-sighted."

As he spoke, a hint of regret and helplessness appeared in Changsun Wuji's aged eyes.

Changsun Chong said, "I am foolish and wish to hear Father's explanation."

Changsun Wuji glanced at him and said quietly, "Many things in officialdom are not simply black and white, nor can they be judged by right or wrong."

"In the grudges of the Zhenguan era, no one was really at fault."

"It's just a difference in perspective."

"If you think His Majesty should, and has already, targeted Li Yuanchang, then you are mistaken."

"His Majesty must use Li Yuanchang's sword, not only against foreign tribes, but also against internal threats."

"Inside?" Changsun Chong exclaimed in surprise.

Changsun Wuji nodded.

"Don't you think His Majesty is completely different now than he was three years ago?"

Changsun Chong hesitated: "This... seems to be true."

Changsun Wuji said, "When His Majesty was the Crown Prince, all he wanted was brotherly love and harmony, peace throughout the land, and everything would be fine."

"But he is His Majesty now, and his thinking is different."

"Li Yuanchang is powerful, but what about the Changsun family?"

These words instantly plunged the entire mansion into a deathly silence, a wake-up call for all.

Changsun Chong looked up in shock.

"Then, Father, what about us?"

"Does this mean we can no longer target Li Yuanchang?"

Changsun Wuji shook his head: "We and Li Yuanchang are destined to be irreconcilable enemies."

"This man already possesses the prestige and ability of the late emperor. He is not rebelling; he is just waiting for an opportunity. If he wins, the entire Changsun family will be drenched in blood."

Changsun Huan was shocked.

"He dares?!"

Changsun Wuji chuckled, his aged and deep-set face etched with the marks of time and composure: "There's nothing I dare not do."

"If I win, I will spare no one from the Far East Royal Palace!"

Changsun Chong looked on in disbelief: "Father, then this brings us back to the point. If that's the case, why did you insist on going against everyone's wishes today?"

"If Li Yuanchang can command a large following in Tuyuhun, he will be incredibly powerful. The twenty-one tribes of the grasslands will listen to him, the Far East will listen to him, and Japan will be his backyard."

"What if that day really comes..."

Changsun Wuji exhaled a breath of stale air and said, "Because His Majesty doesn't want to break ties with Li Yuanchang right now, understand?"

"If I were to insist on making things difficult at this time, I would only be asking for trouble. It would be better to do a favor and let those above and below know that I, Changsun Wuji, am the one who puts the greater good before personal grudges."

Changsun Chong seemed to understand, but not quite.

Changsun Wuji added, "Don't think that His Majesty is still the same trembling crown prince he was back then. Time and environment can change a person."

"Your Majesty actually knows everything."

"Let me tell you, in the past two years, the matter that has reached His Majesty is not limited to Tuyuhun."

"Do you still remember Consort Yin, who was deposed by the late emperor and imprisoned in a temple?"