After Li Shimin and his entourage arrived in Dingzhou, the army split into three parts.

One group of his entourage followed him at full speed back to Chang'an. The other group, led by Cheng Yaojin, followed slowly behind.

As for Ashina Duer's Turkic cavalry, Ashina Duer arranged them himself.

They could go to the territory of the Mohe people to beg for food, or they could graze their horses outside the pass; it all depended on Ashina Duer's ideas.

Li Shimin's entourage was warmly welcomed by the people of Chang'an upon their return.

Almost without any government organization, every citizen of Chang'an spontaneously came to the city gate to personally welcome their great emperor.

Although Your Majesty's victory this time is far inferior to that at Hulao Pass, it should be noted that Your Majesty defeated Goguryeo, which caused Emperor Yang of Sui to suffer three heavy losses.

Its historical significance is no less than capturing two kings in one battle!

Li Shimin was also very excited to see the people's enthusiasm. He frequently waved and interacted with them, putting great pressure on Yuchi Fan, the leader of the Hundred Cavalry Division.

"Your Highness, why don't you go and persuade His Majesty to stay obediently in the carriage..."

Li Jue smiled slightly upon hearing this.

“My grandfather was an emperor, but he was also a human being.”

"It's normal for people to have a little vanity..."

Upon hearing this, Yuchi Fan poured out his grievances.

“This humble servant knows it’s normal, but since Your Majesty is already standing on the carriage, if someone shoots arrows from the houses on either side of the road, Your Majesty’s life could be…”

Upon hearing this, Li Jue tilted his head and thought about it, and realized that it was indeed true.

But at this moment, it was clearly unrealistic to expect Li Shimin to obediently sit back in the carriage.

"Here's what we'll do. You control the speed of the convoy for now, and I'll have the people from Sanglin General's Office help you out."

"Them..."

Yu Chi Fan revealed a disdainful expression.

"Your Highness, it's not that I look down on the guards, but they haven't received professional training, I'm afraid..."

Upon hearing this, Li Jue kicked Yuchi Fan.

"Shut up!"

"Have you forgotten who designed the Hundred Riders Division's organizational structure?"

"Your Highness, it's true that you set up the organizational structure, but..."

"No buts!"

"Xue Shisan and Shan Daozhen, listen to my command!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Guards must be stationed along the route from the city gates to the palace, and no one is allowed to harm His Majesty!"

"promise!"

As soon as Li Jue gave the order, Xue Shisan and Shan Daozhen each led five hundred men and marched in sections along both sides of the road.

They divided their 500 men into five teams of 100 men each, and each team of 100 men was further divided into 20 smaller teams. They brute forcefully broke down the doors of buildings along the way and then firmly occupied the high ground.

Although the actions of the Sanglin General's Office were simple, they left Yuchi Fan completely dumbfounded.

As the saying goes, the layman sees the spectacle, while the expert sees the details.

Yu Chi Fan had been a bodyguard for over a decade, and he could tell the significance of Sanglin Zhechong Prefecture's operation at a glance.

Don't underestimate them just because they only have a thousand people. Through repeated divisions, they actually accomplished the work of tens of thousands of people!

What surprised Yuchi Fan even more was that these people were not stationary, but moved with His Majesty's carriage, searching forward as much as possible to ensure His Majesty's safety!

"Your Highness, did you train them all?"

Li Jue responded noncommittally upon hearing this.

"No, I only gave them a training plan; the rest they figured out themselves!"

"this……"

"Your Highness, if it weren't for your lofty ambitions, I would truly have recommended you to His Majesty for the position of Commander of the Hundred Cavalry..."

"I have lofty ambitions?"

Upon hearing this, Yuchi Fan spoke solemnly.

“Your Highness, there is no need for you to hide it now, or rather, you can’t hide it even if you wanted to.”

"The battle against Goguryeo has exposed your prestige and your true strength. Now the entire Tang Dynasty knows that your goal is the position of Crown Prince!"

"Therefore, you might as well go ahead and fight for it openly and honestly!"

"Only in this way can we avoid disappointing those who have always supported us!"

Li Jue let out a long sigh after hearing what Yuchi Fan said.

"well!"

"Now I finally understand why my father chose to rebel even when he had no advantage in any way..."

"It's not that Father wants to rebel, it's that the people around Father are forcing him to rebel!"

"Uncle Yuchi, if I really try to compete for it, will you help me?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Chi Fan shook his head without even thinking.

"Won't!"

"This humble servant is loyal only to Your Majesty!"

"But I can assure you, I will not aid the Prince of Jin!"

"Oh oh oh..."

"However, Your Highness need not worry. His Majesty's affection for you has long surpassed that for the Prince of Jin, and even exceeds that for the Crown Prince back then."

"As long as you are loyal to His Majesty, the Tang Dynasty will be yours sooner or later!"

"Yeah?"

Li Jue didn't quite believe this, because he knew who his opponents were: not only Li Zhi, but also Changsun Wuji, and the seemingly invincible Wu Meiniang.

Besides that, he has a greatest enemy: destiny!

After all, he was an outsider, and it was difficult for him to be favored by the heavens of this land.

If I really put in a lot of effort, and then get struck by lightning at the crucial moment, wouldn't all my efforts have been for nothing?

"I understand, thank you for clearing up my doubts, Uncle Yuchi!"

With the protection of over a thousand people from Sanglin Prefecture, Li Shimin's carriage finally arrived at Taiji Gate without any major incident.

Once Li Shimin crossed this gate, he would be completely safe.

Li Jue also wisely recalled his men and gave them a leave of absence so they could go back and reunite with their families.

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