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

Upon hearing this, Murong Shun slapped his thigh: "Back then, Li Tai led 100,000 Tang troops to attack our Tuyuhun, but they were utterly defeated by us!"

At that time, there were many deserters in the Tang army, and he couldn't control them at all. Later, even he himself ran away.

Therefore, Li Tai's military command skills are really not commendable.

but,

Don't forget, he has capable people under him.

Fang Yi'ai, aren't you right?

At this moment, Fang Yi'ai felt uneasy.

When he learned that the emperor had appointed him as the military supervisor of Luoyang, he felt both excited and apprehensive. He was excited because it meant the emperor still trusted him; generally, military supervisors were trusted confidants of the court.

However, what worries him is that the Crown Prince is now in charge of Luoyang.

Back when they were fighting in the Western Regions, Li Chengan was his superior, and he was already afraid of Li Chengan.

However, even if you're timid, you can't pretend to be timid in front of others.

He sat up straight, cleared his throat, and said, "Your Highness, gentlemen, I am truly humbled and honored to have been entrusted by the Emperor to serve as the military supervisor in Luoyang."

Luoyang is located east of Chang'an and serves as a protective barrier for Chang'an.

The area east of Luoyang appears calm on the surface, but undercurrents are surging beneath, especially since Goguryeo, Baekje, and Wa are all eager to make their move.

Therefore, I feel a great responsibility on my shoulders.

From now on, I hope everyone will support my work and ensure the safety of Luoyang.

Murong Shun sneered: "Weren't you supporting Li Tai?"

"Weren't you determined to support Li Tai in seizing the position of Crown Prince?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Yi'ai's face immediately turned green.

Although this matter is an open secret, and everyone knows it but doesn't say it aloud,

However, no one has ever said that to his face.

He thought to himself, if he admitted to this in public, wouldn't Li Chenggan hate him to death?

Even with Princess Gaoyang involved, Li Chengqian probably wouldn't let him off the hook, so he absolutely couldn't admit to something like this.

Fang Yi'ai chuckled twice: "Murong Shun, you really know how to joke."

Li Chengqian was publicly appointed as the crown prince by the emperor.

My family and I all support Li Chengqian as the crown prince. How could we possibly support the Prince of Yue in his struggle for the crown prince position?

That's absolutely impossible; please don't believe those rumors.

"Really? Is it just a rumor?"

A true man must be courageous and responsible in his actions.

No, that's absolutely not true.

As you all know, the Crown Prince and I fought side by side in the Western Regions, sharing the same trenches and enduring hardships together. We were brothers in arms, and I will only ever support him as Crown Prince.

Ashina Simo drank a cup of wine, then placed the cup on the table.

He was a little drunk, and looking at Fang Yi'ai, he blurted out, "There's something I want to ask you. I heard that Princess Gaoyang married you. Is that true?"

"Yes, Princess Gaoyang and I have a very good relationship."

"So, have you slept with the princess so far? Are you good in that area or not?"

Upon hearing this, laughter erupted in the hall.

Fang Yi'ai's face turned red to the roots of his neck. He was so embarrassed and angry that he cursed Ashina Simo's ancestors in his heart. However, he could not lose his temper in front of everyone.

Of course, he wouldn't dare.

Ashina Simo was a master of martial arts, commanding over 100,000 Turkic troops. Even if three Fang Yi'ai were tied together, they might not be his match.

Fang Yi'ai chuckled twice: "As I just said, Princess Gaoyang and I have a good relationship. It's just that we're both still young and don't plan to have children yet."

"Haha, do you think you're His Highness?"

Before I knew it, I had a son.

Another burst of laughter filled the hall.

Fang Yi'ai felt utterly ashamed upon hearing this. At the same time, he was also puzzled, wondering if Li Chengqian's Crown Princess was Su Wan.

Even if he has a child, shouldn't he have a child with Su Wan?

How did he end up with Princess Gaochang? It's truly incomprehensible.

Li Chengan waved his hand, and the hall immediately fell silent.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Fang Yi'ai is the husband of Princess Gaoyang, and also the son of Grand Secretary Fang Xuanling."

He has always been very supportive of my work.

We cooperated very well with each other.

Putting aside everything else, he was very brave during our last battle with Yanqi, often charging into battle and fighting fearlessly.

This arrangement by the court is exactly what I wanted.

"You don't need to take those rumors seriously," Li Chenggan paused here,

"As for Fuyu Fengzhang, I have already sent Lu Zhaolin to treat his illness. Lu Zhaolin is not only a good writer, but also..."

Moreover, his medical skills were superb, having received the true teachings of Sun Simiao.

Don't worry, Fuyu Fengzhang will definitely be fine.

As for the losses suffered by his army, I will certainly find a way to compensate and make amends.

Songtsen Gampo advised, "Your Highness, those black-clad assassins weren't sent by you, so why are you talking about compensation?"

Once the mastermind is identified, he will compensate Buyeo Pungjang.

Upon hearing this, Fang Yi'ai's heart pounded, because he knew perfectly well what was going on.

Li Chenggan sighed: "The Baekje army came to rescue me, but they were ambushed and killed. I am heartbroken."

"I also bear responsibility. I didn't consider everything beforehand and oversimplified the situation, thinking that as long as Father Emperor didn't pursue their responsibility any further, everything would be fine."

King Yamabe apologized to Li Chenggan: "Your Highness, I was a little emotional just now. I hope you can forgive my rudeness."

Li Chengan waved his hand: "I completely understand how you feel, it's nothing."

Although the emperor ordered King Dojong to surround the Baekje army, he ultimately pardoned them.

I hope you will not have any ill will towards Father Emperor.

"The Heavenly Khan has always been a god-like figure in our hearts."

This time, we came to Chang'an and, as we had hoped, admired the splendor of the Heavenly Khan. The Heavenly Khan looked wise, mighty, and awe-inspiring.

"How dare we have any opinion about the Heavenly Khan?"

Hearing this, Li Chengan felt much more at ease, because he understood.

Although the five-nation alliance has now surrendered to the Tang Dynasty,

However, this happened right after they surrendered, and Li Chenggan's task was to minimize the negative impact of this event.

Li Chengan stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth in the hall. He slowly said, "The martial arts examination is the Lantern Festival the day after tomorrow. People from all over the country who are going to take the exam have already gathered in Chang'an. Would you like to participate in this grand event?"

Zhang Shizheng stroked his beard and said, "Your Highness, I've heard that this martial arts examination will select one general, one vanguard commander, and one deputy vanguard commander. Is that true?"

Li Chengan nodded: "That's right, that's true."

Zhang Shizheng smiled slightly: "Then, how many troops will that general command?"

Li Chengan crossed his arms and said, "Back then, when I campaigned against Yanqi, I led an army of 100,000, which must have been no less than 100,000 men."

"Can he command an army of 100,000?"

Everyone was shocked when they heard this, because 100,000 troops was no small number.

Whoever commands 100,000 troops can roam the world freely and has the opportunity to achieve great things like Huo Qubing, who sealed the wolf's lair and became famous throughout history.

"Yes."

"Does the imperial court care about the background of military officers?"

"No, as long as he is loyal to the court and the Tang Dynasty, it doesn't matter what his background is."

"Can the imperial court really do this?"

Li Chengan looked intently at everyone: "Everyone, you can rest assured."

My father once said that he would treat all people, whether they were Tang people or barbarians, the same. He said it, and he did it.

In the imperial court, many high-ranking officials were not Han Chinese; some were barbarians who had surrendered.

You all surely understand this; since Father can use them with complete confidence, he will also trust you.

After listening to Li Chengqian's words, everyone thought about it and realized that Li Shimin was indeed a monarch who kept his word.

Zhang Shizheng laughed and said, "Your Highness, since you put it that way, the three of us would also like to join in the fun."

The three people Zhang Shizheng mentioned naturally referred to Hegan Chengji, Ashina Jieshelu, and himself.

Li Chengan nodded: "There's nothing wrong with that."

Ashina Simo picked up his wine bowl and drank another: "Your Highness, I've long heard of the Tang people's superb martial arts skills and have always wanted to witness them firsthand."

However, to be honest, so far, apart from Xue Rengui, I haven't encountered any rivals.

Ashina Simo was a member of the Turkic royal family, and that's how he spoke—without any politeness.

Xue Rengui quickly waved his hand: "Please don't say that. There are many masters in the Tang Dynasty, and I only have a superficial understanding of martial arts."

He Gan Chengji was also a very proud person.

He was very indignant when he heard Ashina Simo say such things.

Hegan Chengji suddenly stood up: "Ashina Simo, I think we don't need to wait until the martial arts exam. Today is a great opportunity."

"How about we have a contest?"

Ashina Simo stared wide-eyed at Hegan Chengji: "And who are you?"

"My name is Hegan Chengji."

Ashina Simo was also surprised to hear this, because he had long heard that the number one assassin of the Tang Dynasty was Hegan Chengji. He had heard of his name for a long time, but had never met him. He never expected to meet him here today.

Ashina Simo laughed and said, "So you are the famous Hegan Chengji. I thought Hegan Chengji had such a great name that he must have three heads and six arms. I didn't expect it to be you."

He Ganchengji's face darkened, and he snorted, "What, you don't think I look like it?"

"No, that's not it. I've long heard that your swordsmanship is unparalleled in the world. There's even a rumor that no one has ever seen what you look like."

Because everyone who saw you was killed by you.

"I really can't believe that someone with such a clean-cut appearance could be a serial killer!"

Hegan Chengji gripped his sword: "That's all in the past. Since I submitted to Your Highness, I have been law-abiding and a good citizen."

Ashina Simo laughed wildly upon hearing this: "Now that you've already stepped into the martial world, do you think you can just withdraw from it as you please?"

That's the biggest joke I've ever heard!

Upon hearing this, He Gan Chengji's expression changed slightly, and with a clang, he had already drawn his sword.

The sword tip pierced straight for Ashina Simo's throat.

Ashina Simo felt a flash of cold light before his eyes.

The tip of the sword was right in front of him.

He thought to himself that Hegan Chengji's move was not a martial arts contest, but a clear attempt to kill him.

Ashina Simo quickly leaned back, and Hegan Chengji's sword pierced past the tip of his nose.

Although Ashina Simo dodged the sword, he was still startled and broke out in a cold sweat.

He quickly somersaulted backward several times, turned around, and grabbed the long Japanese sword in his hand.

He Gan Chengji and he started fighting in the hall. It was supposed to be a martial arts competition, but they were both incredibly fierce.

Ashina Simo was the leader of the Turks, known as the greatest warrior of the Turks. Even Qin Ying was no match for him, let alone Zhang Shigui's four sons, all of whom were taken prisoner by Ashina Simo.

This shows that Ashina Simo's martial arts skills were indeed extraordinary.

It should be noted that Qin Ying's kung fu skills are well-known. He is a true Shaolin disciple, and his style is powerful and fierce, with the strength of a thousand pounds in his arms.

However, when he encountered Ashina Simo, he also failed to recite the incantation.

Hegan Chengji and Ashina Simo were arguably the two greatest martial arts masters of their time. At the beginning, their movements were slow, each one clear to the eye.

However, as time went on, their movements became faster and faster, like two wisps of white mist swirling around in front of everyone's eyes.

The layman sees the spectacle, the expert sees the details.

Li Chenggan's swordsmanship and knife skills have improved significantly since then.

He could also tell that these two people were indeed not simple.

He secretly memorized Hegan Chengji's swordsmanship and Ashina Simo's knife skills.

Li Chenggan possessed such abilities: he had a photographic memory and could apply what he learned to other situations.

Li Chenggan thought to himself that he should practice properly when he had the chance.

They probably both understood that this is what it's like on the battlefield—it's either you die or I die.

In the blink of an eye, twenty rounds had passed, and the two remained evenly matched.

He Gan Chengji couldn't help but feel anxious, and he unconsciously increased the force in his hands.

He used a move called "The Immortal Points the Way," thrusting his sword towards Ashina Simo's chest, the sword energy like a rainbow.

Ashina Simo suddenly felt an overwhelming force coming at him, like a roaring tsunami, pressing down on him so hard he could hardly breathe.

He quickly leaped backward, retreating two or three zhang (approximately 6-9 meters) to dodge Hegan Chengji's sword energy.

When he looked down, he found that the red carpet on the ground had been split in two by the sword energy. Ashina Simo was furious and thought to himself, "You Hegan Chengji, what grudge do I have against you?"

You unleash a deadly move right away, do you think I'm really afraid of you?