Changsun Wuji had simply done too many bad things, and now he saw everyone as abnormal.

In fact, Li Shimin was one of the few emperors who did not kill meritorious officials. Unless there was clear evidence of treason, he would not execute his ministers.

Moreover, Changsun Wuji was his wife's older brother, so he would never kill him.

Even when faced with the conflict between Li Jue and Changsun Wuji, he was trying to protect his brother-in-law, thinking of separating him from Li Zhi and appointing him as the garrison commander of Luoyang, responsible for maintaining the logistical supply line from Luoyang to Goguryeo.

Indeed, a year ago, Li Shimin designated Luoyang as the main rear base for this eastern expedition.

As for Chang'an...

In normal years, there isn't even enough food to eat, so where would there be any extra food to send to the front lines?

In comparison, Luoyang was much better off. Thanks to the Grand Canal built by Emperor Yang of Sui, Luoyang was connected to the prosperous Jiangnan region, making it a perfect grain transshipment base for this eastern expedition.

In fact, it would have been more convenient to transfer grain from Hebei and Shandong, but these two places suffered too much damage during the chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty. Even with the development over the past twenty years of the Zhenguan era, it was still impossible to make up for the previous deficit.

Therefore, Li Shimin could only try his best to reduce the burden on both places in order to prevent further unrest.

"Auxiliary machine?"

"What exactly do you mean? Do you really intend to fight to the death with my eldest grandson?"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji quickly shook his head.

"No, no, no!"

"Your Majesty is too kind. How could I dare to oppose the eldest grandson of the emperor? I was just wondering how staying in Luoyang could help Your Majesty's eastern expedition!"

Li Shimin smiled slightly upon hearing this.

"Actually, I would be even more pleased if you could come with me to Liaodong, hahaha!"

"this……"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji awkwardly took a sip of wine, and after a long while, he slowly spoke.

"If Your Majesty insists that I accompany you, I will follow you into battle even if it means my death!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin patted Changsun Wuji on the shoulder encouragingly.

"well!"

"You should focus on recovering first. We'll talk more after we get to Luoyang and rest for a few days..."

"promise!"

Li Shimin, carrying a half-empty bottle of wine, staggered back to his central command tent, but as soon as he returned, he sobered up considerably.

Li Shimin was very disappointed with Changsun Wuji's performance, but that was all.

He could see the resistance in Changsun Wuji's heart, as well as his aversion to Li Jue, but he really didn't have any good solutions at the moment.

After all, he couldn't very well kill Changsun Wuji.

Now all I can do is hope that Li Jue grows up quickly, and pray to heaven for a few more years of life so that I can live until the day Li Jue gets married and has children...

Three days later, the army arrived in Luoyang.

Officials in Luoyang had received the document issued by Li Jue long ago and prepared various supplies early in the morning, specifically to bring them outside the city to trade with Li Jue on a cash-for-goods basis.

Although this kind of military-civilian trade was the first of its kind in the Tang Dynasty, given Li Jue's good character, the local officials in Luoyang still chose to trust him.

Luoyang is a major city, and many supplies that cannot be purchased in smaller places can be replenished here in a timely manner.

This time, Li Shimin allocated a very generous sum of money, enough not only to provide food and drink for the army on its journey, but also to allow Li Jue to procure some small equipment for them.

For example, supplies such as leg wraps, cloth shoes, and fried noodles.

Li Jue couldn't understand why the army was stationed outside the city and why no one was allowed to enter Luoyang.

Therefore, when trading with merchants in Luoyang, he kept a straight face the whole time, as if someone owed them millions of dollars.

As one of the army's commanders, Cheng Yaojin naturally noticed Li Jue's displeasure.

"Is the eldest grandson preoccupied?"

"Uncle Cheng, I want to go to Luoyang for a visit!"

"Let's go to Luoyang..."

Cheng Yaojin fully understood the eldest grandson's thoughts, after all, the eldest grandson was only eleven years old this year, which was the age when he was still playful.

"Your Highness, how about sneaking into the city tonight?"

Li Jue's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

Is that okay?

Cheng Yaojin chuckled upon hearing this.

"Entering openly is definitely not allowed, but Your Highness can sneak in..."

"I'll have Cheng Chumo accompany you into the city. The garrison commander of Luoyang is an old friend of mine; he knows Cheng Chumo and will definitely be able to make things easier for you..."

Li Jue immediately became happy upon hearing this.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Grandpa Cheng, hehehe!"

Just as the two were chuckling strangely, Li Shimin came over carrying a leg wrap.

"Li Jue, explain to me what this item is for and why the army would procure such supplies?"

"Your Majesty, this is a leg wrap. Tying it to your calves can relieve the fatigue caused by rapid marching!"

"oh?"

Li Shimin looked surprised upon hearing this.

"It has such effects?"

"Guards, tie this up for me. I want to test if this thing works!"

Li Jue couldn't help but roll his eyes when he heard this. This old man sits in the carriage all day and doesn't need to walk at all. What's the point of tying this thing up?

"Your Majesty, if you don't believe me, just ask the Hundred Cavalry Command. They've been using it for several days now, so they should have some authority to speak on this!"

"oh?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin immediately abandoned Li Jue and Cheng Yaojin and ran to talk to Yuchi Fan and the others.

After seeing His Majesty leave, Cheng Yaojin gave Li Jue a guilty smile.

"Your Highness, this matter must be kept secret. If it gets out, Old Cheng will lose his head!"

"ah?"

Upon hearing how serious the situation was, Li Jue immediately decided against entering the city. After all, he was only going to the city for a stroll, and there was no need to cause a death over it.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!