Time travel, quick transmigration

On June 14th of the eighth year of the Tianbao era, Li Longji issued an edict during the morning court session appointing Xiao Huanling as the military governor of Hedong. Since Xiao Huanling had already met privately with the crown prince and expressed that his original intentions remained unchanged, the court officials who supported the crown prince, at the crown prince's behest, were very supportive of Li Longji's edict. However, other court officials, led by several princes, strongly opposed it, while the rest remained neutral. For a time, various factions were fiercely arguing over Xiao Huanling's succession as the military governor of Hedong.

Li Longji, sitting on the dragon throne, looked down at the civil and military officials below, each with their own agendas, and felt his already throbbing head ache even more.

In recent years, rebellions have broken out in various places, and the Tibetans and Turks have repeatedly invaded and attacked the borders of the Tang Dynasty. It can be said that there are internal and external troubles. As he gets older, he is more and more disgusted with these situations, and he feels more and more powerless to deal with political affairs.

"Alright! Stop making such a racket, do you think this Taiji Hall is a vegetable market?"

"Minister Xiao is young and capable. The situation in Hedong is dire, and the Turks are particularly ambitious. A major battle is likely to break out soon. I have ordered Minister Xiao to guard Hedong, which is a great responsibility I entrust to him. I believe he can protect the border of the Tang Dynasty and prevent the Turks from invading our borders. Do you have any objections? Is it possible that someone wants to volunteer to go to Hedong to guard the border?"

The emperor's deep and majestic voice echoed in the hall, striking a chord in the hearts of some, and everyone fell silent instantly.

Several officials, led by Chancellor Li Linfu, all followed his lead. Seeing that he remained silent, they also pretended to observe. At this moment, His Majesty was already angry, and they all frequently looked at Li Linfu.

Li Linfu glanced at Li Longji's face and knew he was truly angry. He then gestured to the others with his eyes to calm down and not lose their composure. He then became serious and said solemnly.

"Since Your Majesty favors General Xiao, we have no objections. Moreover, General Xiao is young and talented, brave and resourceful. Sending him to Hedong as military governor will surely allow him to protect the borders of our Great Tang and deter the Turks..."

Xiao Huanling remained calm and composed throughout, his face showing no sign of unease. He acted as if he were not the main character in the court that day, appearing completely detached from the situation.

Unexpectedly, after Prime Minister Li Linfu spoke, he, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up.

"Your Majesty, I know that I am young and inexperienced and not yet capable of shouldering great responsibilities. However, Your Majesty has entrusted me with important tasks and placed great trust in me. I am deeply grateful and know that I have no way to repay Your Majesty. Therefore, I am determined to protect the borders of our Great Tang with my life and ensure the safety of our people. This is how I repay Your Majesty's trust."

"Now our Great Tang is beset by internal and external troubles. My colleagues do not think of serving the country or sharing Your Majesty's burdens. Instead, they question my loyalty to the court and object to Your Majesty's decision to appoint me. What are their true intentions?"

Xiao Huanling's words were resounding. The ministers who had previously questioned and disagreed with his appointment as the military governor of Hedong felt as if they had been slapped in the face in public. They were all red-faced but dared not retaliate, and could only stare at him angrily.

Li Longji's anger was successfully ignited by Xiao Huanling's speech.

"You all!"

"presumptuous!"

When the emperor was enraged, all the court officials immediately knelt down and shouted "Long live the emperor! Please calm down, Your Majesty! We dare not!"

Li Longji slammed his palm on the imperial desk.

"This is outrageous... My mind is made up. The matter of appointing Xiao Huanling as the military governor of Hedong is no longer up for discussion. Court adjourned..."

With that, he turned and left.

Upon seeing this, Gao Lishi flicked his whisk and quickly followed.

Seeing the emperor's gloomy expression as he turned and left, the crowd stood up, some trembling with fear, others exchanging bewildered glances.

After Xiao Huanling got up, he walked out of the hall, leaving the crowd with their various expressions behind.

Li Linfu squinted as he watched Xiao Huanling's retreating figure, his eyes filled with a cryptic and unpredictable glint.

"Prime Minister, this boy is bound to be a major threat to us."

A middle-aged man in a red court robe beside him whispered.

Upon hearing this, Li Linfu's expression darkened further.

"It's alright. His Majesty merely wants to cultivate new talent and give young people some opportunities. He is not worth fearing."

Upon returning to Xiao Garden, Xiao Huanling went straight to his study, where Jiang He and Zhang Liang, who was then serving as a military advisor, were already waiting for him.

"General."

"Brother Xiao."

Upon seeing Xiao Huanling, the two men stood up from their chairs to greet him.

Xiao Huanling nodded and gestured for the two to sit down, indicating that there was no need for further formalities.

The two of them sat down again without any formalities.

"His Majesty issued a decree at the morning court today, and I will depart for Taiyuan Prefecture to assume the post of Military Governor of Hedong in five days. I have already received His Majesty's approval in advance, and he has requested the two of you, as well as ten elite soldiers from the Imperial Guard, to accompany me. Are you two willing?"

Jiang He had been looking forward to going to Taiyuan Prefecture with Xiao Huanling for a long time, and was overjoyed to hear the news.

"Of course I'd like to."

Xiao Huanling could tell what Jiang He was thinking just by looking at his radiant appearance.

"You must be determined to face any hardship on this journey. Don't think you're still in the capital. We'll be facing the Turks."

Jiang He's expression turned serious, and he stopped smiling.

“Brother Xiao, I understand. I am ready to fight the Turks. I am not afraid of hardship.”

Xiao Huanling then went to see Zhang Liang, who had been silent all along.

“Zhang Liang, if you have difficulties and are unwilling to go to Taiyuan with me, you are free to stay in Chang’an. I will inform His Majesty to arrange a more suitable position for you in the Imperial Guard.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Liang immediately replied urgently.

"General, you trust me and even asked His Majesty to let me accompany you to Taiyuan Prefecture. Since I started following you, I have been taken care of and promoted by you. I am happy to be able to follow you all the time, so how could I not be willing? When I first heard the news that you were going to Taiyuan Prefecture to serve as the Jiedushi of Hedong, I was so excited that I forgot myself and that is why I was so rude. I hope you will forgive me."

Xiao Huanling's expression softened.

"I see. Since you are willing to come along, we will set off together in five days."

Jiang He and Zhang Liang were still clearly excited, their voices loud and powerful.

"Yes."

"You two stay for lunch before you return."

Xiao Huanling glanced out the window and said to the two of them.

Jiang He and Zhang Liang nodded in agreement.

"General, we'll head out now, so as not to disturb you."

Seeing that Xiao Huanling clearly had something on his mind, the observant Zhang Liang gave Jiang He a wink.

Jiang He paused for a moment, then looked at Xiao Huanling, who seemed preoccupied, and agreed.

"Then Liangzi and I will go for a walk outside, and we'll come to Brother Xiao's house for a meal later."

With that, she dragged Zhang Liang out the door.

Seeing that the two had left, the study became quiet. Xiao Huanling, thinking of Shi Yan in the palace, went to the desk, spread out some writing paper, picked up a pen, dipped it in ink, and began to write a letter to Shi Yan.

In the Mianhua Pavilion of Nanxun Palace, Shi Yan was lost in thought, having just heard from Aman the news about Xiao Huanling that had been gathered by her during the court proceedings that day.

Xiao Huanling has received the imperial decree and will soon be going to Taiyuan Prefecture to serve as the military governor of Hedong. Shi Yan is happy for him but can't help but worry about him. The journey to Taiyuan Prefecture is long and arduous, and she doesn't know when she will return. Just thinking about not seeing Xiao Huanling for a long time makes her very reluctant to part with him.

Should she meet with Xiao Huanling one last time before she leaves?

Seeing Shi Yan lost in thought, Xiao Die knew that her mistress must be worried about Xiao Huanling. After hesitating for a moment, she finally spoke.

"Your Majesty, although the border is dangerous, Young Master Xiao is a blessed and long-lived man, he will be fine."