The 27th year of the Kaiyuan era.

The great Tang Dynasty, which received envoys from various nations, continued its prosperity and golden age.

Shangyuan Festival.

In the rare absence of curfew in the city of Chang'an, the people reveled throughout the night, and every street and alley resounded with voices.

Approaching midnight, snowflakes fluttered down.

Li Shimin, dressed in a heavy cloak, ascended the city gate accompanied by Gao Lishi.

He looked down from a high place.

Even though there was a considerable distance between them, he seemed to hear the joyful laughter and voices of the people.

Men spoke with boldness and heroism.

Women spoke with gentle and affectionate words.

Children's voices were pure and tender.

"Your Majesty, it's snowing. Let's go back," Gao Lishi spoke boldly against the wind and snow, offering his advice to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin, however, paid no attention. He didn't feel the cold; in fact, he felt a surge of blood even belatedly.

"Gao Lishi," he spoke in a deep voice, a smile in his eyes and on his lips, "do you think the people will remember me fondly?"

Remember him for putting an end to the oppressive rule of the Sui Dynasty, remember him for creating the prosperous era of the great Tang Dynasty.

"Naturally," Gao Lishi didn't understand the deeper meaning behind his words, merely expressing his own opinion as usual.

Li Shimin smiled casually.

"Never mind, why bother about such things? Everything I have done is simply following my heart's desire."

Whether it was raising an army against the Sui Dynasty or the fratricidal conflict at the Xuanwu Gate.

Or perhaps...

Reviving the crumbling Tang Dynasty and ushering in a prosperous era.

Everything Li Shimin did was always what he wanted to do, not what he had to do.

The snow gradually thickened.

A dark figure silently landed next to Li Shimin.

"What's the matter?" Li Shimin asked without turning his head.

The officer reported, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the commander of the Pinglu Army, General Si Zhugan, embezzled military resources, secretly killed the regional commander, and intends to rebel."

Si Zhugan.

Li Shimin remembered who this person was. He had been busy dealing with Zhang Shougui and An Lushan and had forgotten about such an important figure.

Suddenly, Li Shimin burst into laughter.

"Gao Lishi, issue an order for the Ministers of the Ministry of War and Ministry of Household, and the General of the Pingyuan Army to enter the palace and attend an audience immediately."

"Yes!"

A new year, new troubles.

If he couldn't have a peaceful New Year, then no one else could!