Time travel, quick transmigration

Xiao Huanling glanced at Youpanan and saw that he had been looking unfriendly since they met. He was indifferent to them and didn't care about them. What could Youpanan do if he was unwilling to accept defeat? He was a defeated opponent and had to put away his claws, suppress his resentment, admit defeat, and seek peace.

"Lord Jielifa, I presume your Khan has already told you that this peace negotiation requires you to send an envoy to Chang'an to personally present the peace treaty to His Majesty the Emperor of our country, so as to show that our two countries are to restore our old friendship."

"On this trip to Chang'an, I will have Deputy General Zhang accompany me, so Lord Jielifa can rest assured."

Ubhana let out a soft snort through his nose with a cold expression.

Xiao Huanling seemed not to notice his rude and disrespectful behavior, and only turned to say a few words to Zhang Liang.

Youbanan felt annoyed at Xiao Huanling's behavior, but he could not vent his anger. He could only instruct his men to ensure that Juzhui was safely returned.

"Thank you for your arrangements, General Xiao. Once I arrive in Chang'an and meet His Majesty the Tang Emperor, I will tell him the truth about your bravery, your heroic deeds on the battlefield, your beloved reputation among the people on the border, and the courtesy I have received from you."

Upan's words had a hidden meaning, which not only Xiao Huanling, but also Feng Xiang and Li Moyan, who were standing nearby, clearly understood. Realizing Upan's sinister intentions, the two glared angrily at Upan at the same time.

Seeing Yupanan's ambiguous smile, as if he had the upper hand, Xiao Huanling glanced at him indifferently and said without a care.

"So it turns out that Lord Fan Jielifa holds me in such high regard and cares about me so much. Why don't I write a letter to your Khan and ask for you?"

Youbanan's face immediately flushed red, and a surge of anger welled up in his heart. However, he was worried that Xiao Huanling might have some scheme to create a rift between him and Jiuyeli, so he could only keep quiet for the time being.

Feng Xiang and Li Moyan were deeply impressed by how easily Xiao Huanling had made Youbanan suffer and make a fool of himself.

Before Zhang Liang set off, Xiao Huanling had someone specially inspect the two carts of precious treasures and medicinal materials loaded by the Turks. Only after confirming that everything was correct were they loaded onto the carts along with other spoils of war that had been prepared earlier to be transported back to Chang'an and presented to His Majesty the Emperor.

After watching Zhang Liang and Youbanan leave the mansion, Xiao Huanling turned his attention back to his study to write a letter to Shi Yan.

In Chang'an, in the Nanxun Hall of the Imperial Palace.

"Your Majesty, this servant has already gone to the front to find out. Young Master Xiao defeated the Turks, and the Turkic Khan wrote a peace treaty as agreed, and sent an envoy to Chang'an with the peace treaty and tokens of the alliance."

"His Majesty is currently meeting with the Turkic envoy in the Xingqing Hall..."

Aman reported to Shi Yan with a hint of joy in her eyes.

Upon hearing this, Shi Yan felt relieved, as she had been anxiously worrying about Xiao Huanling for days. She believed that Xiao Huanling could defeat the Turks, but she couldn't help but worry about him.

"The border conflict has ended, and the people can live and work in peace and contentment—this is a great thing."

"Give the order that everyone in Nanxun Palace be rewarded with five qian of silver and some snacks today, and that they may take a half-day off without having to go to work."

Seeing Shi Yan so happy, A Man immediately greeted her with a smile and a curtsy.

"On behalf of everyone, this servant thanks Your Highness."

Shi Yan smiled and nodded slightly.

"Go down and tell everyone the news, so they can all be happy. After all, we've won a battle, and we should have something to celebrate."

Aman nodded in agreement.

"Then this servant will go."

Shi Yan waved her hand, indicating that she could leave on her own.

In the Xingqing Hall, Li Longji sat upright on the dragon throne, displaying the majesty of an emperor.

Youbanan had witnessed the grandeur and magnificence of the Tang Dynasty throughout his journey, especially marveling at the prosperity and bustle of Chang'an. The vast Central Plains, like a colossal behemoth, possessed an imposing aura that the small Turkic tribes could not easily shake. Previously, he had followed the ambitious Jiuyeli, always believing that he could help the Turkic cavalry sweep across the Tang Dynasty, conquering the once-powerful and weakened Tang with his own bravery. His defeat at the hands of the inexperienced and previously unknown Xiao Huanling was a devastating blow.

As he presented the letter to His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, enduring the arrogant, triumphant, or disdainful glances from some of the civil and military officials in the hall, Upan felt deeply frustrated.

Although the Tang emperor displayed a benevolent and gentle demeanor towards them, Upan felt humiliated after accepting the return gift from Li Longji and hearing his words, which were a mix of kindness and threats. Despite their resentment, the situation was already set; their king had sent the peace treaty as agreed, and they could not easily break their promise, especially since Xiao Huanling was still stationed in Hedong.

The Turks presented a peace treaty, and the border was pacified. Logically, the emperor should have summoned Xiao Huanling, the meritorious official, back to Chang'an. However, apart from bestowing lavish rewards, the emperor never mentioned sending Xiao Huanling and the others back to Chang'an.

On the day Youbanan and his entourage left Chang'an to return to the Turkic court, Shi Yan received a letter from Xiao Huanling, delivered to her by Cang Yu. In the letter, Xiao Huanling made no mention of the dangers of the battlefield, only briefly describing how he confronted Jiuyeli, using a clever strategy to turn the tables on them, making Jiuyeli make their own agreement, and then defeating Jiuyeli's Shuoli army with the Xuan Ce army, forcing Jiuyeli to voluntarily admit defeat and fulfill their agreement. Even without describing the perilous nature of the battle, Shi Yan could imagine the situation. This battle gave her a new understanding of the person she admired; Xiao Huanling's decisiveness, bravery, composure under pressure, and flawless strategy all impressed her greatly.

The letter contained very little about himself; it focused more on the people on the border, the generals, soldiers, and officers who participated in the battle, and his concern and longing for her.

Shi Yan was moved by this and, with a heart full of longing, immediately sat down at her desk, picked up her pen, and began to write. After finishing the letter, Shi Yan folded it, put it in a bamboo tube, tied it to Cang Yu's foot, and then released it into the air.

Far away in Taiyuan, Xiao Huanling was staring blankly out the open window at the misty rain, longing for and yearning for the one he loved.

Before they knew it, it was the eleventh year of the Tianbao era. During Xiao Huanling’s absence from Chang’an, Shi Yan always conveyed her concern and longing for him through letters. With the help of Cang Yu, the two sent their heartfelt feelings to each other through brocade letters. Although they had never met, their feelings for each other grew stronger with the passage of time, just like the mellow wine that became more and more fragrant.

In November, following the death of Chancellor Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong, who had gained Li Longji's favor and trust over the years through his own methods and abilities, and also through his connection with his cousin Yang Guifei, was appointed by Li Longji as Right Chancellor, concurrently serving as Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, while retaining his previous position as Imperial Censor. Yang Guozhong rose from Censor to Chancellor, holding over forty positions. He was truly enjoying immense prestige.

By carefully serving Li Longji and catering to his preferences, Yang Guozhong finally achieved his goal after years of hard work and scheming.