The year-end had passed!
Winter had gone, and spring had come!
At last, the day had arrived for Li Shimin to personally lead an expedition against the three kingdoms of the peninsula!
After several months of round-the-clock work at the Firearms Directorate, with extra funding and materials poured in as well!
The new weapons Li Shimin had previously demanded—cannons, firearms, explosive packs, and the like—had all been prepared in fairly sufficient quantities, enough to handle this war!
Inside the Hall of Establishing Governance!
Considering that tomorrow was the day of his personal expedition, Li Shimin had specifically summoned his three sons—Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and Li Ke!
As well as Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Cheng Yaojin, Li Jing, and the other weighty ministers of the court, for one final closed-door meeting!
"Chengqian! While I am personally leading the expedition, you will continue to oversee the realm. Azure Sparrow and Ke'er, the two of you must assist your elder brother well. At the same time, learn how to read memorials and how to properly handle court affairs!"
"I am leaving Xuanling and Xuancheng behind for you, along with Hou Junji, Li Shiji, and the other ministers. They will help you keep the court steady and handle its affairs!"
"Also, the Imperial Preceptor will be heading to the battlefield with me this time. While we are away, ask more, observe more, learn more, and practice more. Do you understand?"
When he thought of the future—of how Li Chengqian would inherit his position and become the Tang Dynasty's third emperor!
And how Li Tai and Li Ke would likewise be sent overseas to open up new lands, establish kingdoms of their own, and fulfill the grand plan of scattering China's culture and bloodline across the entire world!
Li Shimin was like an old