Zhuge Liang's Journey to Dominate the World: Starting from Another World

"You audacious madman! This is the sacred ground of the Imperial Palace, how dare you, mere warriors, act so presumptuously!" The captain of the guards roared, and the surrounding Imperial Guards quickly surrounded them, creating a tense atmosphere.

Just then, a magnificent sedan chair came to a stop at Chengtian Gate.

Upon seeing this, the guards immediately bowed and said, "Welcome Lord Changsun inside."

Changsun Wuji lifted the sedan curtain and slowly stepped out.

"Why are you doing this?"

Changsun Wuji glanced at the guards in front of him and asked.

"Reporting to Lord Changsun, a brute tried to enter with weapons, but we stopped him," the captain of the guards said respectfully.

At this moment, Li Guangling saw that it was the Emperor's brother-in-law, Changsun Wuji, and quickly walked over, saying, "This humble one greets the Emperor's brother-in-law!"

Changsun Wuji narrowed his eyes slightly, "Why didn't you stay in Yuliang? Why did you come to the capital? Do you have a death wish?"

Upon hearing this, Li Guangling showed no anger. This veteran of four dynasties was someone he greatly respected, so he simply recounted the whole story.

“Alas! When Empress Wu announced to the world that she would bestow upon you the title of Prince, I originally intended to send a letter to you telling you to accept the empty title. Why did you have to get involved in this trouble?” Changsun Wuji shook his head and sighed.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. If the late King were alive, I believe he would also approve of this action!"

"Fine! Now that you're here, you'd better watch out for Du Ruhui!"

"I can't help it," Changsun Wuji said helplessly, then his sharp eyes swept over a group of guards.

"You all, get out of the way right now!"

"Lord Changsun, this...this does not comply with the laws of the court..." the captain of the guards said with some difficulty.

"Laws and regulations? Back then, my Emperor Taizong Wu once declared that all border generals could go directly to the emperor without disarming or abandoning their weapons. Has the world really changed now?"

Changsun Wuji's tone carried an unquestionable authority, causing the group of guards to exchange bewildered glances.

"Still don't get out of the way!"

Changsun Wuji shouted again.

The guards, intimidated by Changsun Wuji's imposing presence, finally parted to make way. The prestige and status of this imperial brother-in-law were not something they could easily challenge.

The three followed Changsun Wuji toward the Taiji Hall.

"This must be Zhuge Liang, who's been making headlines lately!"

On the way, Changsun Wuji stopped and stared at the young man in front of him.

"It is indeed I, the Imperial Brother-in-law. I have heard of your reputation for integrity and uprightness, and I admire you greatly!" Kongming cupped his hands in greeting and said in a humble yet respectful manner.

"Indeed, you are a young prodigy. When I was your age, I was just an unknown nobody, but you have achieved so much in your prime. Your achievements are truly immeasurable!"

"You flatter me, Lord Changsun!"

Upon hearing this, Kongming said nothing more. The old man in front of him, who was over a hundred years old, was far older than him, even if he was actually that old. He naturally felt a bit of admiration for him.

Passing through a series of heavy palace gates, the majestic figure of the Taiji Hall gradually comes into view.

Before the hall, two rows of imperial guards in armor stood solemnly, holding long spears, their imposing presence causing them to automatically make way under Changsun Wuji's imposing aura.

Upon entering the hall, one is greeted by its resplendent gold and jade, with a dragon throne hanging high above, symbolizing the supreme authority of the mortal emperor.

Civil and military officials lined up on both sides, waiting for Empress Wu's arrival.

When the crowd saw Li Guangling and his two companions enter, they all whispered among themselves.

Du Ruhui's sinister gaze swept over Kongming and the other two. Seeing Zhao Yun holding a long spear, he didn't want to use this as an excuse to cause trouble, since he had dug a big pit for them to jump into.

He coughed lightly twice, and the officials immediately stopped their discussion. As the head of all officials, this was his authority.

This was the first time Kongming had met Prime Minister Du, who had always wanted to kill him. He waved his feather fan lightly and smiled coldly.

Come to think of it, it was this guy who helped him get rid of Su Zhuo's threat. He didn't know whether he should thank him or...

Before long, Empress Wu, dressed in a magnificent dragon robe, slowly entered the Taiji Hall. The ministers immediately became calm and composed, and the only sound in the hall could be the soft rustling of her robes.

Although she was nearly fifty, it seemed that time had not left many marks on Empress Wu, which must be related to the anti-aging methods provided by the three major sects.

The golden morning sun shone through the carved window lattice, illuminating her stunning face and adding to her dignified and mature charm.

"This is your aunt? She's quite pretty!" Kongming glanced at Li Guangling beside him and said in a low voice.

Li Guangling was speechless, secretly cursing this strange man for having such unique tastes, being so young yet liking such an old hag.

Empress Wu slowly sat on the dragon throne, receiving the homage of her ministers.

Then, with sharp eyes, she scanned the entire room, finally settling on Li Guangling and his group, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

"My beloved ministers, today I summon Prince Yuliang to the palace to formally grant him a pardon and title. Do you have any objections?" Empress Wu's voice was clear and powerful, echoing throughout the hall.

"Your Majesty is wise, we have no objection!" The crowd bowed and spoke loudly, clearly expressing their full support for Empress Wu's decision.

Changsun Wuji stood aside with a complicated expression, knowing full well the undercurrents hidden behind today's scene.

He glanced at Du Ruhui, only to see that the other man had his eyes lowered and a barely perceptible sneer on his lips, as if he had everything under control.

Empress Wu raised her hand slightly, and the eunuch beside her immediately stepped forward, unfurled a bright yellow imperial edict, and began to read it aloud.

The content was simply to make Li Guangling grateful and worthy of the emperor's favor.

Then, eunuchs brought over the crown and robes symbolizing the prince…

"Prince Yuliang, you are now a prince of our Great Tang Dynasty. His Majesty is lenient and has forgiven all your past mistakes. I hope you will lead your troops to recover the three northern prefectures and achieve great merit. Do you have any questions?"

Du Ruhui stepped forward at the opportune moment and spoke with righteous indignation.

"Prime Minister Du need not worry about this; I will naturally accept the order. However..."

As Li Guangling spoke, he glanced at Kongming beside him, signaling for him to continue.

To everyone's surprise, Kongming remained unmoved, acting as if it were none of his business.

"So what? Does the Prince of Yuliang feel so unwilling and resentful for contributing to the Tang Dynasty?" Du Ruhui asked sternly.

"It is my duty to serve the Tang Dynasty, and it is not your place to boss me around!" Li Guangling already hated this person to the bone, so of course he would not give him a good look.

"Hmph! The King of Zhongshan said the same thing back then, but what was the result?" Du Ruhui looked at Li Guangling with a sinister gaze.

"My father has never betrayed the Tang Dynasty. I'm afraid some treacherous villains are trying to frame me!"

"How dare you question His Majesty's decision! Allowing you to return to office today is already an act of great leniency, yet you still dare to utter such rebellious words?" Du Ruhui coldly rebuked.

Li Guangling was young and impetuous, and he couldn't stand Du Ruhui's cunning provocations. With just a few words, Du Ruhui was about to drag him into the abyss...