Chapter 1629

As long as the word "filial" still stands, the successor will surely uphold her reputation, her everything.

Otherwise, to violate filial piety would mean a great loss of the people's hearts.

She had considered these questions for a long time, and had already made her decision in her heart.

But—she did not want to abdicate right now.

Just as she was thinking, she saw Heavenly Soldiers descend one by one from the clouds, landing within the imperial palace.

And the original Qianniu Guards, upon seeing the Heavenly Soldiers descend, had not the slightest will to resist, and directly threw down their weapons, prostrating themselves on the ground.

Two Li Shimins also landed in the palace, striding forward.

"The imperial palace here really looks quite similar to the one on my side!"

"The general layout is about the same, just parallel worlds."

The two chatted and laughed heartily, as if they had returned to their own home.

In fact, that was exactly the case.

Whether the palace maids or the Qianniu Guards prostrated on the ground, all looked at the two with faces full of worship.

At this time, it was less than fifty years since the Taizong of this world had passed away, and his heroic and illustrious name was still passed from mouth to mouth, still very much winning the hearts of the people.

This was something Wu Zetian could never achieve no matter what.

Wu Zetian looked at the two, and saw that they had proper features, extraordinary bearing, and the bearing of youths; she could not help being greatly shaken.

"So it is you who would seize my Jiangshan?"

"No, it is taking back Jiangshan. Wu, step down. Daoist Di has already spared your life. Otherwise, given what you have done, exterminating your nine clans would not be excessive."

"Your Majesty is truly overbearing!" Wu Zetian laughed, turned to look toward the inner palace, her gaze complex, "Just as I knew it would be."

Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined Jiangshan would be lost so trivially.

She turned and walked toward the palace gate.

Step by step, her figure grew ever more desolate, her body gradually stooped, and the imperial dignity gradually faded.

In the eyes of the crowd, she was merely an aged old woman.

"々｀ Daoist Di, as originally agreed, arrange for someone to look after her life," Li Shimin waved his hand, "What I promised you, I shall deliver in full, not a fraction short."

Di Renjie cupped his fist: "Many thanks, Your Majesty."

He turned and left, catching up with Wu Zetian.

That very day.

The Heavenly Soldiers occupied the entire territory of Great Tang, giving all the people of Great Tang a feeling as if they were dreaming.

Beyond the realm.

"The Heavenly Khan has returned; will you not yet surrender?"

In the Turkic lands, several dozen Heavenly Soldiers brandished their weapons, blasting apart a small mountain in the distance, and shouted sternly.

The Turkic horsemen were startled, and immediately dismounted and prostrated themselves.

"Dare we ask the immortal, is the Heavenly Khan His Majesty Taizong?"

"Precisely!"

"His Majesty Taizong has returned!"

The Turks were overjoyed, "We are willing to die for Your Majesty!"

Although the Turks (Li's Turks) had been hammered by Li Shimin many times.

Yet, they held little hatred in their hearts, and instead worshipped him greatly.

This emperor was a man of great talent and bold vision, daring to do what others would not dare.

Whether toward the Turks or toward other alien races, he promoted solely on merit; as long as one had talent, one could enter Tang and serve as an official.

For them, this was simply an earth-shattering move.

The Central Plains dynasty was actually treating them as human beings!

And because of this, Li Shimin became the Heavenly Khan revered by all peoples, recognized by every tribe around Great Tang.

This recognition was not mere lip service.

The prestige of Great Tang far exceeded the imagination of later generations; with but one order from Li Er, all the tribes would dispatch their men to answer the decree of Li Tang.

Unfortunately, after Taizong, such things no longer existed.

After Taizong, they became alien races once more, once again not treated as human beings!

Now, Li Shimin had returned with the Heavenly Soldiers, and the Turks were overjoyed in their hearts, nearly shouting aloud: "We are willing to be dogs of Great Tang."