My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

He Gan Chengji's swordsmanship was unique and his moves were unpredictable. He defeated Qin Ying with a single move.

of course,

It wasn't that Qin Ying lacked ability, but rather that her attention was focused on Zhang Shizheng and Ashina Jieshe.

He never expected that someone would come to ambush him at this moment.

If Qin Ying had been prepared beforehand, he probably wouldn't have been tied up.

Li Chenggan rallied his spirits and engaged in a one-on-one battle with Hegan Chengji.

Li Chengqian's swordsmanship is now vastly different from before; it has reached a new level.

Every move is exquisitely executed, often striking from unexpected angles, making it impossible to defend against.

Li Chenggan launched repeated attacks and was about to stab Hegan Chengji.

Unexpectedly, He Gan Chengji used the earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a technique of escaping into the ground) method, hiding invisibly, and then suddenly leaped out of the soil, stabbing Li Chengqian in the chest with a sword.

Li Chengan cried out in pain and staggered back several steps, clutching his chest with his hand. The sword was still embedded in his chest and had not fallen to the ground.

Upon seeing this, Qin Ying burst into tears: "Your Highness, you can't die!"

He screamed in desperation, but the ropes binding him were too tight, and he couldn't move at all.

He Gan Chengji laughed loudly: "Li Chenggan, you've finally met your match!"

However, it's quite remarkable that you've managed to survive so many rounds under my command.

I'm going to take your life right now!

Sun Simiao rushed forward without hesitation and grabbed Hegan Chengji's leg.

It will be difficult for He Gan Chengji to take another step forward.

"Let go, let go now!" Hegan Chengji shouted angrily.

"I won't let you go. I won't let you kill the Crown Prince no matter what!" Sun Simiao said.

Enraged, Hegan Chengji thrust the Yitian Sword, tip down and hilt up, into Sun Simiao's back.

If he had been stabbed, Sun Simiao would have died on the spot.

Just at this time,

Li Chenggan suddenly threw back the arrow that Hegan Chengji had used to stab him.

The sword aimed straight for Hegan Chengji's left shoulder.

He Gan Chengji was greatly surprised.

He originally thought that Li Chenggan was going to die after being stabbed, but to his surprise, Li Chenggan was unharmed.

He Ganchengji leaped backward with all his might and finally broke free from Sun Simiao's restraints.

The sword flew past his chest and embedded itself in a tree trunk outside the thatched cottage, the tip of the sword reaching the hilt, while the end of the sword was still trembling outside.

He Gan Chengji opened his eyes wide, looked at Li Chenggan, and asked, "How come you're alright?"

I clearly saw you get stabbed just now.

Li Chengan tore open the front of his clothes, revealing the crocodile-patterned gold armor underneath: "Su Wan gave me this armor, otherwise, I would have really fallen into your trap today."

Qin Ying smiled happily upon hearing this: "Your Highness, you scared me just now."

Li Chenggan said to Hegan Chengji, "People often say that even thieves have their code of honor, but you actually didn't spare someone as old as Doctor Sun."

This shows that

You have a truly vicious heart.

Upon hearing this, He Gan Chengji's face flushed red and then turned pale.

Li Chengan helped Sun Simiao up: "Old man, are you alright?"

Sun Simiao, panting heavily, said, "Your Highness, I'm alright."

Li Chengan glanced at him, deeply moved, thinking that Sun Simiao was already quite old, yet he had risked his life for him.

Li Chengan gestured to Lu Zhaolin to help Sun Simiao to the side.

Then, he brandished the Qinggang sword in his hand to fight Hegan Chengji.

This time, Li Chenggan was furious and no longer showed any courtesy to Hegan Chengji.

Li Chengan stabbed several times in one breath.

The sword energy was like a rainbow, with the force of an overwhelming wave, forcing Hegan Chengji to retreat repeatedly.

Prior to this, when Li Chenggan was in Yanqi, he and Qu Zhili mastered the Perfect Union Sword Technique.

This was simply because Qu Zhili was not by Li Chengqian's side at the time.

Otherwise, if the two of them joined forces, they would be virtually invincible.

at this time,

Hegan Chengji no longer cared about any code of honor among his followers.

He shouted at Zhang Shizheng and Ashina Jieshe, "What are you two standing there for?"

Aren't you going to come and help?

Zhang Shizheng and Ashina Jieshe thought to themselves, "You were the one who told us not to interfere, and now you're asking us to help you."

but,

Regardless, Hegan Chengji is now highly valued by Li Tai and holds a position above the two of them.

Therefore, the two dared not disobey and joined the battle.

Three people surrounded and attacked Li Chenggan.

Although Li Chengqian's swordsmanship has improved significantly compared to before,

but,

How could he possibly be a match for the three great assassins?

Li Chengan barely managed to hold on for another ten or so rounds before feeling his strength waning.

He can't attend to everything, whether it's the left or the right, or the front or the back.

Qin Ying watched from the side, completely helpless.

The four people moved around like a revolving lantern.

suddenly,

Ashina Jieshe led a dart that struck Li Chengqian in the throat.

Zhang Shizheng launched another volley of flying knives, aiming straight for Li Chengqian's face.

He Gan Chengji thrust the Heaven-Slaying Sword in his hand toward Li Chengqian's thigh.

Because he knew that Li Chengan was wearing soft armor on his upper body, which could not be pierced.

Therefore, we shift our attack to their lower body.

Li Chengan dodged the darts and knives with all his might.

but,

There was no way to dodge the attack of the Heaven-Slaying Sword.

He closed his eyes, waiting to be stabbed.

He thought to himself, "It seems this is fate. If I can die on Zhongnan Mountain today, it will be a fitting end."

However, at this very moment,

Li Chengan suddenly heard a loud "bang".

That was the sound of two weapons clashing together.

Li Chenggan was also puzzled, so he opened his eyes.

It turned out that someone had come to the thatched cottage.

The man appeared to be about eighteen or nineteen years old, tall and handsome. He wore no hat, a white robe, and carried a thunderous bow. A sword quiver hung at his waist, containing several cloud-piercing arrows. He was imposing and exuded a powerful aura.

Behind him, he was carrying a basket.

Li Chengan thought to himself that the arrow he had just shot must have been fired by the man in white.

Looking at He Gan Chengji again, his tiger's mouth had been shattered, and blood was dripping down the Yitian Sword. His right hand was still trembling incessantly.

He Gan Chengji stared at the man in white outside the door and asked, "Who are you?"

"Xue Li, Xue Rengui," the man in white said in a loud voice.

"Xue Rengui?"

"Never heard of such a nobody daring to meddle in our affairs. Do you even know who I am?"

"Who are you?"

"I am Hegan Chengji, have you heard of me?"

Hegan Chengji was a very famous figure in the Tang Dynasty; who didn't know his name?

"You are Hegan Chengji?" Xue Rengui was also somewhat surprised.

"Exactly, are you tired of living?"

"I went up the mountain to chop firewood and passed by this place when I heard the sounds of fighting."

I've been observing for a while now.

However, I noticed that you had too many people and were bullying those who were few.

"I couldn't stand by and watch, so I had to step in." Xue Rengui showed no fear.

Hegan Chengji was the greatest assassin of the Tang Dynasty, and he never submitted to anyone.

However, that arrow just now had made him realize that Xue Rengui was incredibly strong, and he knew that this young man in front of him was not someone to be trifled with.

"This is none of your business. You should go chop wood."

In fact, when Hegan Chengji said such things, it was a sign of weakness; if it were anyone else, they would have killed him with a single sword stroke.

Xue Rengui stepped into the thatched cottage: "Everyone in the world should manage the affairs of the world. If I can't stand something, I have to take action."

Furthermore, your attempt to poison this old man was even more excessive.

Hegan Chengji asked, "Do you know them?"

"I don't know any of them. I'm just stating the facts." Xue Rengui said, his eyes sharply fixed on Zhang Shizheng.

at this time,

Zhang Shizheng clutched his stomach and said, "Ouch, my stomach hurts, I need to go to the toilet. You guys chat here, I'll be going now."

After he finished speaking, he carried the broken zither on his back and, without waiting for Hegan Chengji's consent, made his escape.

Ashina Jieshe, dragging his injured leg, said, "Old Zhang, don't walk so fast, wait for me!"

He slipped away too.

After all, no one's life comes from a sudden storm.

They could all see that the man in white was extremely skilled.

Hegan Chengji thought to himself that Zhang Shizheng and Ashina Jieshe were really not fair. He had come to help the troops, but he didn't expect that these two slippery guys would run away first and leave him here alone.

He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I also have things to attend to. We'll meet again sometime."

As he spoke, he used the earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a type of escape technique) and disappeared.

Li Chengan looked Xue Rengui up and down: "I won't thank you for your great kindness. I'll be the one to express my gratitude."

Xue Rengui was taken aback when Li Chengan referred to himself as "I," and asked, "Who do you say you are?"

"I am Li Chenggan."

Upon hearing this, Xue Rengui immediately knelt down in front of Li Chengqian with a thud: "This humble subject was blind to your greatness; it turns out you are the Crown Prince of the current dynasty."

Li Chengan walked up to him, reached out his hands, and helped him up from the ground: "No need for formalities!"

Xue Li stood up and stood aside.

Li Chengan asked, "Where did you come from?"

"I heard that Chang'an is going to hold a martial arts examination. I overestimated myself and came all the way from my hometown to give it a try."

Li Chengan patted his shoulder and nodded slightly: "Your martial arts are not bad."

If you take the military exam, you should have a chance to become a general.

Xue Rengui laughed heartily: "Your Highness, you flatter me."

I don't want to be a general, I'd be happy to be a vanguard, or even just a common soldier.

At this moment, Qin Ying called out from the side, "Your Highness, could you please untie the ropes binding me? I'm about to suffocate."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan laughed, thinking to himself, "I almost forgot about Qin Ying."

Lu Zhaolin ran over and untied Qin Ying's ropes.

Qin Ying's hands and feet were numb from being tied up.

He stretched his limbs and cursed, "Those two bastards went too far, they tied them up too tightly, and the rope is too thick!"

"If they hadn't been tied so tightly, I would have snapped the ropes long ago and helped you out."

Li Chenggan thought to himself that no matter what, Qin Ying would never forget to save face for him.

Lu Zhaolin tidied up the thatched cottage, and Sun Simiao and Li Chengqian sat down again.

Qin Ying stood behind Li Chengqian, while Lu Zhaolin served her from the side.

Xue Rengui refused to sit down no matter what.

Li Chengan looked at Xue Li, clearly quite fond of him.

Li Chengan believed that this was a rising star in the Tang Dynasty.

Li Chengan asked Xue Rengui, "Your martial arts skills are so outstanding, haven't you achieved any official rank or fame yet?"

"No, when I was in my hometown, I tried to join the army a few times, but I was turned away for various reasons." Xue Rengui said, his expression turning somber.

"Oh, is that so? Why is that?"

"To be honest, it's probably because I come from a poor family and have no connections."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan's heart skipped a beat.

In his view, talent is of paramount importance to a nation.

but,

Isn't it a tragedy of the Tang Dynasty that people like Xue Rengui had no way to serve their country?

Li Chengan covered his chest with his right hand.

His chest still ached slightly, and he asked, "Where is your hometown?"

"East of the River".

"So, who's in charge of recruiting soldiers in your area?"

"Zhang Shigui".

Li Chengan was taken aback when he heard this.

Because he knew that Zhang Shigui was no ordinary person.

During his father's campaign to pacify the realm, Zhang Shigui repeatedly distinguished himself in battle, achieving remarkable feats.

He was as famous as Cheng Yaojin, Qin Qiong, and Yuchi Jingde.

Moreover, Zhang Shigui also played a significant role in the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

Therefore, he was regarded as a close confidant and trusted subordinate by his father.

Why wouldn't he allow you to enlist?

"When I first went for the job interview, he said that wearing white clothes was unlucky and rejected me."

The second time I applied, he said that both my name and his name contained the character "贵" (gui, meaning noble/expensive), and since there was no taboo against using it, he wouldn't hire me.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan thought to himself, "What does this have to do with anything?"

However, Li Chengan knew that Zhang Shigui had made great military achievements and was not a simple person.

but,

Unexpectedly, this person dared to be so bold as to shield the court from virtuous officials.

If this matter were reported to the imperial court, it would be a capital offense.

Li Chengan was furious: "I already know about what you're talking about."

On the Lantern Festival, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, you can participate in this martial arts examination. I hope you can achieve good results and serve the imperial court in the future.

Xue Rengui sighed: "To be honest, I have been in Chang'an for some time now and am waiting for this opportunity to take the martial arts exam."

However, judging from the current situation, the hope is slim.

Getting through the preliminary exam to the final exam is probably not that easy.

I was in Chang'an, a place I knew absolutely nothing about, and completely clueless.

"What do you mean by that? Is someone preventing you from entering the examination room?"

"Given past experiences, it's hard to say now."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ying began to curse: "What kind of person is that Zhang Shigui?"

He took advantage of the fact that his daughter had married Li Daozong and become a member of the imperial family, and then did whatever he wanted.

"If I ever run into him, I'll pluck out all his beard."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan rolled his eyes at Qin Ying, thinking to himself, "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

Li Chengan asked Lu Zhaolin to fetch pen and ink, wrote a letter, and handed it to Xue Rengui, instructing him: "Take this letter with you. If anyone forbids you from participating in the martial arts exam, take out this letter; it might be useful."

Xue Rengui naturally knew that Li Chengan was being modest, and that the Crown Prince's personal letter was certainly useful.

He took the letter with both hands and put it in his pocket: "Thank you, Your Highness."

Li Chengan then took out a bag of silver from his pocket, which was at least fifty taels, and handed it to Xue Rengui: "Take this money and find an inn to stay in, so you won't have to go up the mountain to chop firewood."

Xue Rengui declined repeatedly: "Your Highness, no need. I'll go up the mountain to chop firewood, and I can sell it at the market to earn some pocket money."

On the other hand, it is also to train the body and strengthen leg strength.

but--."

"But what?"

"However, in recent days, people are only allowed to enter Chang'an City, but not leave, which is a bit troublesome."

"I don't know why." Xue Rengui gazed in the direction of Chang'an.

Li Chengan paced back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back, and slowly said, "The martial law in Chang'an is to prevent me from escaping."

Xue Rengui was puzzled and asked, "Your Highness, what do you mean by that?"

Aren't you the Crown Prince?

Why did they treat you like that?

"It's a long story!"

Li Chenggan then recounted how a group of ministers, led by Fang Xuanling, had gone to the Zichen Palace to impeach him from his father.

After listening, Xue Rengui seemed to be deep in thought.

He was also very angry, with veins bulging on his forehead: "Your Highness, so they have wronged you."

When I was in my hometown, I had already heard that there was a crown prince in our Great Tang Dynasty who was exceptionally handsome and wise.

I have long heard of the achievements you made in the Western Regions, and I greatly admire Your Highness's literary and military prowess.

This time, you went to the Wa Kingdom to mediate the relations between Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, stabilizing the situation in the east of the Tang Dynasty.

They bought our Great Tang Dynasty time to develop; their merit is immeasurable.

How could they possibly accuse you of treason?

This is simply unacceptable.

Li Chengqian looked out the window: "The things that happen in the palace can't be explained in just a few words."

Sun Simiao stroked his beard and advised from the side, "Your Highness, please don't think about it so much."

There's a saying: "Since you're here, make the best of it."

Your father is angry right now, so don't go looking for trouble.

After some time, when his anger subsides, perhaps he will change his mind.

Back then, Emperor Wu of Han and his son Liu Ju were embroiled in a bitter dispute over witchcraft.

Emperor Wu of Han dispatched imperial troops to suppress the rebellion.

Liu Ju was defeated and forced to commit suicide.

but,

After some time, with Tian Qianqiu's guidance, Emperor Wu of Han gradually realized his mistakes.

He issued an edict of self-reproach and built the Palace of Remembrance.

Unfortunately, the dead cannot be brought back to life.

Therefore,

History serves as a mirror.

You must not act impulsively.

Why don't you come with me to Penglai Island?

We can play chess, fish, read, chat, and enjoy tea every day; aren't we living a carefree and happy life?

Li Chengan crossed his arms, pondered for a moment, and said, "Old man, thank you for your kindness."

However, I cannot leave now.

If I were to leave without explanation, many people would certainly be implicated.

Moreover, the martial arts exam is just around the corner.

I also want to see what kind of military generals the imperial court can select.

Before this, I had never participated in the war in the Western Regions, so I had no experience of it.

but,

Only after I arrived on the battlefield in the Western Regions did I truly realize how important it is to have a general who is skilled in battle.

Sun Simiao smiled and said, "Your Highness, our Great Tang has no shortage of talented people."

As far as I know,

Among the older generation of military generals were Cheng Yaojin, Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, Hou Junji, Li Jing, Li Ji, Li Daliang, and Xue Wanche.

These were all generals who were skilled in battle; how can you say that the Tang Dynasty had no generals?

Li Chengan waved his hand: "You're right, they are indeed very capable."

However, many of them are quite old; how many more years can they fight?

Our Tang army lacks young generals.