This made Li Shimin anxious, and he wanted to trade one for one with me.

"That bastard Changsun Wuji deserves to be taught a lesson."

Cheng Yaojin sneered, "He wants to send Chuxia to the front lines, so I'll whip his horse every day!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Zhong said no more, simply replied "Yes," and took the reins, instructing the servant to lead the horse to the stable.

Cheng Yaojin then looked at his three sons and slowly said:

"I have some news for you. The list of those to lead the campaign against the Turks has been released, and I'm on it."

"In a few days, I will be going to war with the army."

As he spoke, Cheng Yaojin looked at Cheng Zhong and said:

"When the time comes, I'll take this white horse to the front lines."

"If the Changsun family insists, then find them a donkey."

Cheng Zhong immediately responded with a "Yes."

Cheng Chumo asked curiously, "Father, why is your name on the list?"

Cheng Yaojin raised an eyebrow and said, "Isn't it normal to have a father?"

"I'm a military general; it would be abnormal if I weren't around!"

That's what they say, but to me, you're really not normal... Cheng Jun thought to himself. Historical records show that Cheng Yaojin did not go on the expedition against the Turks in the third year of Zhenguan.

It seems my time travel has had some impact after all...

Just then, Cheng Chuliang's voice rang out:

"So shall we go?"

Cheng Jun felt a pang of anxiety upon hearing this and also looked at Cheng Yaojin.

Cheng Yaojin snorted and said, "You are not qualified."

After saying that, he looked at Cheng Jun, "As for you..."

Cheng Jun decisively said, "Leave professional matters to the professionals. I don't know how to fight, so I won't go!"

Cheng Yaojin clicked his tongue and said, "If you want to go, you'll need His Majesty's permission."

After saying that, he sighed, "This year, I definitely won't be able to spend the New Year at home. You guys will have to make do with what you have at home."

Cheng Chuliang said with a smile, "Father, don't worry. My elder brother and I have discussed it. On New Year's Eve, we'll have the staff from Leyunlou prepare the food and send it over."

"..."

Cheng Yaojin was silent for a few seconds before speaking, "Now that you mention it, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to stay and celebrate the New Year."

Cheng Chumo said seriously, "If you want to stay, that's fine too. It's just a matter of having one more pair of chopsticks."

Cheng Yaojin couldn't help but kick him in the backside and curse:

"You talk as if you're the one running this household!"

"I'm not dead yet!"

Cheng Jun, watching from the side, almost couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Cheng Zhong asked, "My lord, would you like this old servant to come along?"

Cheng Yaojin waved his hand and said, "You stay here and watch over them. I'll take my troops."

Cheng Zhong understood that Cheng Yaojin was saying this because he felt he was getting old. He felt a little lost, but still nodded and agreed.

After chatting with them for a while, Cheng Jun returned to his room, feeling a pang of emotion as he thought about what they had just said.

The Lunar New Year is almost here! Time really flies...

.............

For several days in a row, Cheng Jun followed the routine of going to court, leaving court, performing his duties, and going home.

In the past few days, Cheng Jun has clearly sensed the impending great battle.

It seems like it will be in the next few days... Cheng Jun thought to himself.

It was just dawn that day.

Cheng Jun woke up, yawning, and walked into the yard.

After washing up with the help of servants, he changed into his official robes, ate a meal with Cheng Yaojin in the main hall, and then went to court.

On their way to court, unlike usual, Cheng Yaojin and Cheng Jun traveled to the palace together.

Cheng Jun looked at Cheng Yaojin, who was behaving strangely, and asked, "Father, is there any news today?"

Cheng Yaojin rode alongside him, nodded a few times, and said in a deep voice:

"Yes, it's settled, today."

"His Majesty will issue an edict at the morning court session today."

Cheng Jun asked, "When are you leaving?"

Cheng Yaojin said, "At the latest, this afternoon."

Cheng Jun said no more and rode with him to the palace.

Inside and outside the Taiji Hall, civil and military officials stood in two rows, not chatting and whispering in groups as usual, but solemnly gazing out of the hall.

Waiting for the arrival of the main character.

Cheng Jun kept glancing around.

He felt that since Li was going to issue an edict today to attack the Turks, he must have made careful arrangements.

He soon noticed something different from before.

Several unfamiliar faces appeared in the ranks of military officers.

"Your Majesty has arrived——"

Just then, Zhang Anan's voice interrupted his thoughts.

As he spoke, all the civil and military officials looked up and saw the ceremonial guard leading the way.

Li Shimin walked in the middle, with Crown Prince Li Chengqian and his personal bodyguard Zhang Anan on his left and right sides.

Under the watchful eyes of civil and military officials, Li Shimin led the crown prince into the palace.

The Crown Prince ascended the steps and stood aside, watching as Li Shimin settled into the dragon throne before bowing to the civil and military officials.

"I will pay my respects to Your Majesty."

"My esteemed ministers, please rise and disregard the formalities."

Li Shimin looked at the civil and military officials who had straightened up and spoke directly:

"My dear ministers, you must have already sensed the recent developments in the capital."

"The Turks have always been a major concern for me."

"It is also a major concern for the people of our Great Tang Dynasty."

Li Shimin said in a deep voice, "Now, the Turks have unilaterally broken the alliance between the two countries and sent troops to harass our Hexi region. What do you think we should do, my dear ministers?"

As soon as the words were spoken, a burly military officer in his thirties stepped forward from the ranks of officers and announced in a loud voice:

"Your subject Zhang Gongjin believes that we should launch an immediate counterattack!"

All the civil and military officials turned their attention to the scene.

Zhang Gongjin said in a strong and resonant voice:

"In my opinion, there are at least six reasons why a counterattack now would be beneficial to our Great Tang!"

Li Shimin asked, "Which six points?"

Zhang Gongjin's voice resounded throughout the Taiji Hall:

"Khan Jieli is cruel and extravagant. Loyal officials are killed by him without his knowledge. Moreover, Jieli associates with treacherous officials, thus losing the hearts of the people. This is one of the reasons!"

"Jieli is now deserted by his followers. The Xueyantuo and other tribes have secretly pledged allegiance to our Great Tang. The Turks are now more isolated than ever before. This is the second reason!"

"The relationship between Tuli, the Lesser Khan of the Turks, and Jieli, the Great Khan, was one of irreconcilable enmity—this is the third point!"

"The nomadic lands of the Turks suffered from frost and drought, resulting in food shortages and a decrease in cattle and sheep. This is the fourth reason!"

"Khan Jieli has distanced himself from his relatives and entrusted important matters to outsiders. Ashina is plagued by internal strife. When our army arrives, internal strife will surely occur. This is the fifth reason!"

"Many Han Chinese fled to the northern frontier in their early years and have suffered from the Turkic invasion for many years. Therefore, as long as our army marches out of the frontier, they will surely respond. This is the sixth reason!"

Zhang Gongjin solemnly said:

"With these six conditions, our Great Tang will surely prevail! Your Majesty, I humbly request that you issue an edict to send troops to counterattack the Turks!"

Li Chengqian stood aside and listened, the more he listened, the more familiar it seemed.

Soon, he remembered that when he first met Cheng Jun at Hongwen Hall, he had heard him say these words.