I have already established my power and prestige, so how did Li Shimin come back to life?

Li Chengqian sat up straight.

"In addition, I will send a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to manage the northern grasslands."

His tone left no room for doubt.

"From now on, you and your tribe will no longer need to guard the gates of the Tang Dynasty. You only need to help me raise horses and train cavalry."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Li Simo kowtowed to express his gratitude, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

"Don't rush to kowtow and express your gratitude. This is not a reward from me; it's a way of sidelining you."

Li Chengqian spoke frankly, his eyes revealing a deeper meaning.

"Of course, don't think that helping me raise horses and train cavalry is a small matter."

Li Chengqian's expression turned solemn.

"Li Simo, heed my decree!"

"I'm here!" Li Simo responded quickly.

"Once the northern grasslands are pacified, we will find a suitable place there to establish the Tang Dynasty Royal Cavalry Academy."

Li Chengqian said, enunciating each word clearly, "Li Simo is appointed as the vice principal of the cavalry school, holding the rank of third grade."

Upon hearing the rank of third grade, Li Simo's eyes lit up. Third graders were the core figures in the Tang Dynasty court!

He never imagined that he would receive such an honor one day, and his heart was filled with surprise and gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

This time, Li Simo kowtowed so profusely that he wished he could bury his head in the ground to express his gratitude to His Majesty.

After Li Simo and Li Ji retreated, the aura of their departure seemed to still linger in the Liangyi Hall.

Li Chengqian frowned slightly and whispered an order to the young eunuch beside him. After receiving the order, the young eunuch quickly replaced a lamp in the Liangyi Hall with a brighter one.

In an instant, the light in the hall became clearer, and light and shadows swayed on the golden nanmu windows.

Li Jing still sat quietly in his seat, his posture as straight as a pine tree, but he said nothing, like a silent mountain.

Li Chengqian did not say anything either. He just waved the brush in his hand with peace of mind. In front of him were piles of memorials sent by Fang Xuanling for him to make decisions. He sometimes frowned slightly, sometimes a trace of determination flashed in his eyes, and he reviewed them attentively. Every stroke of his pen was accompanied by an unquestionable majesty.

In the silent Liangyi Hall, the sound of the brush rubbing against the rice paper is particularly clear. The rustling sound seems to be the footsteps of the passing of time, echoing in this empty palace.

In this way, time passed slowly in silence, and half an hour passed without realizing it.

Li Jing finally couldn't help himself. He coughed lightly, breaking the silence. "Your Majesty! May I ask why you summoned me?"

His voice was low and hoarse, carrying the vicissitudes of life. Li Chengqian simply raised his head slightly to glance at Li Jing, his eyes as deep as the abyss, but did not answer him. He then lowered his head and continued to review the memorials in his hand, as if he had not heard Li Jing's words.

Only after he finished reviewing the memorial did Li Chengqian slowly put down his brush and let out a long sigh of relief. He picked up the already cold tea, took a sip, and frowned slightly, as if he could feel the coolness of the tea.

"Come here, General Li's tea has gone cold. Make him another cup of hot tea."

he shouted.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The young eunuch waiting outside the door took action immediately. After a while, he brought a cup of freshly brewed hot tea to Li Jing. The steaming tea aroma instantly filled the air.

After the young eunuch left, Li Chengqian spoke again.

"General Li, I have a question for you."

Li Chengqian stared at Li Jing closely, with a probing look in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, please ask. I will tell you everything I know."

Li Jing bowed slightly, a trace of fatigue on his face. After all, he was old, and at this point sleepiness was already coming over him like a tide, and he tried hard to stay awake.

"Are you old?"

Li Chengqian's question was simple and direct, but it was like a sharp blade, stabbing straight at Li Jing.

"Your Majesty, I am seventy years old this year. I am already old."