The boldest people in the Tang Dynasty were not the meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion, nor the officers of the Sixteen Guards, but these veterans who had followed Li Shimin in his early campaigns.

These veterans may not have high military ranks; some were only brigade commanders, and some were even just sergeants.

Despite their low official rank, no one in the Tang Dynasty dared to offend them, not even nobles like Yuchi Jingde.

Because they were very senior, some of them were even veterans who had followed His Majesty in raising an army in Jinyang!

Although their official positions were not high, their titles were incredibly high, some even reaching the rank of Grand Pillar of State.

Such a group of soldiers who don't want to be officials and can't be officials, they dare to say anything.

Upon hearing their words, Li Shimin immediately glared at them with displeasure.

"Don't talk nonsense!"

"Who said I like that grandson!"

"Your Majesty, please stop pretending. If you didn't like your eldest grandson, why would you personally lead the expedition with him?"

"Isn't this just blatantly letting the eldest grandson gain military merit? Hahaha!"

Li Shimin was speechless upon hearing this, and then kicked the old soldier.

"Shut your dog mouth!"

What does "earning military merits" mean?

"Does my eldest grandson need to compete for military merit?"

"If I were to actually send that kid to the battlefield, none of you blockheads would be a match for him!"

These old rascals weren't annoyed by what Li Shimin said; instead, they went along with him.

"Your Majesty is right!"

"With a loving grandfather like you teaching him martial arts, and Generals Li Jing and Yuchi teaching him military strategy and the horse spear, the eldest grandson will surely be invincible and victorious in every battle!"

"Your Majesty, the eldest grandson is truly an excellent child!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin immediately became interested and sat down with a group of veteran soldiers.

"How can it be considered good?"

"Your Majesty, I heard from the brothers of the Hundred Cavalry Commandery that the eldest grandson is a very kind and righteous child. Back when he was just a minor county magistrate in Xianyang, he donated a school to Xianyang County!"

"Later, seeing how poor the people in his fiefdom were, he built roads, canals, and ponds for them, and even set up a stall to sell wontons to save money to buy new clothes for them..."

Li Shimin nodded upon hearing this.

"That's true!"

"Your Majesty, I have also heard that the eldest grandson of the emperor is compassionate and righteous, and in order to save the people of Xianyang, he risked his life to go to Xianyang to treat the epidemic!"

"Is that so..."

"My great-grandson not only cured the plague in Xianyang, but also in Chang'an. He has made a great contribution to the Tang Dynasty!"

Everyone who heard this was deeply moved.

"Your Majesty, I have also heard that the eldest grandson lives a very simple life, eating only one chicken leg per meal..."

"This one?"

Li Shimin felt his face burning when he thought of the pot of braised pig's trotters in Li Jue's tent.

Is this grandson frugal?

This is why the army was too busy to travel, but whenever he had time, he could send a team of soldiers to search for bear paws all over the mountains and fields!

"My eldest grandson is just like me, very simple, hehe..."

Li Shimin awkwardly got up and went straight to the camp of the Jingzhou garrison. After ridiculing the group of guys, he went to the Sanglin General's Office, which was located next to theirs.

"Where is your captain?"

"Your Majesty, has our commander led his men into the mountains?"

Li Shimin looked at the vast mountains before him, and his old face immediately darkened.

"Who let him into the mountains?"

"Your Majesty, it is said that there is something unusual in the mountains. Our Commandant was worried, so he led his men to investigate..."

"abnormal?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin took it seriously and immediately ordered his men to go and meet him. He himself remained in his tent, listening to the news relayed by his subordinates.

But before he could even sit down properly, he heard a commotion of people and horses neighing outside.

Hearing the commotion, Li Shimin went out to see what was happening and saw Li Jue riding a tall horse with two bear paws and two wild rabbits hanging around its neck...

When Li Shimin saw this, he was furious.

"This is the anomaly you were talking about?"

Upon seeing Li Er, Li Jue quickly dismounted. But when he heard Li Er's sinister words, he immediately felt a chill run down his spine.

"Grandpa, please calm down. I didn't know the noise in the mountains was from a bear..."

"Based on the principle of not allowing this bear to harm my Tang soldiers, I have no choice but to order it to be shot dead!"

Li Shimin rolled his eyes when he heard this.

Do you think I'm a fool?

"When the army marches forward, all beasts retreat; has he lost his mind and come to attack the army?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jue stopped arguing and simply hung his head.

"Your grandson knows his crime and begs Your Majesty for punishment!"

Li Shimin snorted coldly upon hearing this.

"Send one to me once it's stewed!"

After saying this, Li Shimin walked away with his hands behind his back, leaving Li Jue standing there dumbfounded.

Seeing His Majesty walk away, Su Dingfang immediately said happily.

"Your Highness, saving a beating by buying a bear paw is worth it!"

Li Jue said in disbelief upon hearing this.

Is it worth it?

"I feel like the bear paw was fed to the dogs."

Upon hearing this, Su Dingfang turned pale with fright and quickly covered Li Jue's mouth.

"Your Highness, please watch your words!"

Preparing bear paws was a very troublesome task, and Li Shimin did not get to eat Li Jue's bear paws until the army marched to Hulao Pass.

Li Shimin only tasted it once, then ordered his men to pack the bear paw and personally brought it to Changsun Wuji's tent.

"Auxiliary machine operator, have you been feeling any better lately?"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji struggled to get out of bed.

"Your Majesty, I am much better now!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin laughed heartily and then pushed the food box forward.

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