Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 11 The Gold Content of East Asia's Strongest Carbon-Based Life Form

A bead of cold sweat rolled down Wen He's cheek and onto the ground.

"Hehe, just kidding, to lighten the mood." Wen He gently pushed the sword away from her neck with her finger.

Facing Li Shimin's fierce and scrutinizing gaze, he cleared his somewhat dry throat.

Even though he knew Li Shimin wouldn't kill him, he still couldn't help but feel afraid.

"However, if you really intend to withdraw, then I really have to think about it, not only for my own sake, but also to save those who will be implicated by you and will make great contributions to the Tang Dynasty in the future."

Li Shimin needed a reason to convince him, and Wen He gave him one.

He rebelled not for his own life and fortune, but for those who followed him.

Li Shimin remained silent and sheathed his sword.

He stared at Wen He for a long time before asking, "I had doubts before, why didn't you choose the Crown Prince?"

"You say that I am the future victor, and that even without you, I can still sit on the throne. But the Crown Prince is different. If you help him change his fate, you will gain much more."

Is this a test of me?
Wen He pondered.

He felt that his provocation had been too over-stimulating.

He opened his mouth, about to speak, but Li Shimin interrupted him, saying earnestly, "This is not a test, but a heart-to-heart talk between the ruler and his minister."

Ha ha.

Wen He sneered inwardly.

What kind of heart-to-heart talk is this between a ruler and his minister? Do they really think I'm some greenhorn?

We've only known each other for less than half a day, how can you be so familiar with me that you can have heart-to-heart talks?
He understood the saying that serving a ruler is like serving a tiger.

The reason he spoke so freely and acted so unrestrainedly before was to let Li Shimin know that he was a sincere person without any guile.

If a time traveler possesses extremely deep cunning and is difficult to control, then even if Li Shimin has a great desire for the future, Wen He will only have two paths left: either death or imprisonment until death.

Therefore, sincerity is the ultimate weapon.

But you can't be too honest either.

"Since Your Highness has said so, I will also be frank. In fact, I have considered that if I were to seek refuge with the Crown Prince, Prince Qi might have to come and apologize to me."

Wen He hummed twice, as if she had actually thought about it.

Li Shimin remained calm, waiting for him to continue.

"But I don't know what my actions will bring to the Tang Dynasty. Perhaps it will be better, perhaps it will be worse. But I can't afford to gamble. Choosing you at least guarantees one thing: the Tang Dynasty will at least have a good start."

This is what he truly felt.

Although many people online in later generations say that Li Jiancheng was no worse than Li Shimin.

But Wenhe couldn't afford to gamble.

He is now in the Tang Dynasty, a part of history, and the future of the Tang Dynasty will also be related to him.

Li Jiancheng may have been stronger than he thought, but in the history books of later generations, Li Shimin was the victor.

With a successful template already in front of him, why should he make things difficult for himself?

"Is that all?" Li Shimin squinted, clearly somewhat disbelieving.

Wen He nodded frankly and looked at him sincerely.

"Of course, if you ask history, who has ever been humiliated and then avenged themselves within three years, even making the enemy chieftain perform a dance for them?"

On this point alone, Wen He sincerely admired Li Shimin.

The Han Dynasty suffered the siege of Baideng Mountain, and it was not until decades later, during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, that they were able to avenge themselves.

The Song Dynasty signed the Treaty of Shanyuan, but they never avenged themselves until the Liao Dynasty was destroyed, and were even defeated and routed.

Not to mention the emperors who used the gate-calling system in the Ming Dynasty.

"Unmatched?" Li Shimin was clearly somewhat proud, but he still pretended to be profound.

Wen He nodded firmly and gave a thumbs up: "Unprecedented and unparalleled."

"Ahem, I haven't done enough."

He stood up, supporting himself on the table, his steps becoming much lighter.

"After finishing my meal, I should go to the palace to see my father." He walked outside, leaving behind these casual words.

He spoke calmly, but Wen He, who knew what was going to happen, couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Although it was only one day earlier, it might change a lot of things.

"Oh, right." Li Shimin, who had just reached the door, suddenly stopped. Wen He looked over curiously.

"What did you mean by feeling humiliated?" He had been too happy to notice it earlier, but now that he suddenly remembered, his brows furrowed.

He turned around abruptly, like a wild beast awakening.

Sensing the aura emanating from him, Wen He swallowed hard.

"This happened after you ascended the throne. The Turkic leader Jieli wanted to take advantage of the instability of the court after your ascension to lead an army of 100,000 to attack Jingzhou. Then he advanced all the way to Wugong and directly threatened the capital Chang'an. At that time, Chang'an only had a few thousand soldiers, and you were forced to sign the Wei River Alliance." He said halfway through when he saw the murderous aura on Li Shimin's face.

No sooner had he ascended the throne than the Turks slapped him hard across the face. No man could swallow such an insult.

Why didn't Li Yi issue a warning?

The Li Yi mentioned by Li Shimin is the prototype of Luo Cheng's father in the novel "Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties".

Originally named Luo Yi, he was enfeoffed as the Prince of Yan in the third year of the Wude era and changed his surname to Li.

However, in real history, he did not have a son named Luo Cheng, nor was he a loyal minister.

Now that he is stationed in Jingzhou for the Tang Dynasty, and the Turks are attacking his garrison, he should be alerting Chang'an.

But he didn't do that, and watched as the Turks marched straight towards Chang'an.

"Well, he's Li Jiancheng's man, and..."

"And what?"

"And he later rebelled."

After Wen He finished speaking, she pursed her lips and took a few steps back.

He was afraid that Li Shimin would lose his temper and implicate him.

To everyone's surprise, Li Er didn't get angry but laughed instead: "Good, good, Li Ziting, I know about it, you deserve credit for this."

"Ah, is that all? Aren't you curious about how you persuaded the Turks to retreat?" Wen He thought he would ask her more questions.

Li Shimin snorted coldly.

"It's nothing more than sending money, grain, and women. However, the Turks have always been greedy. They came with an army of 100,000, so they certainly won't leave easily. If I'm not mistaken, I should have sent Jingde or Shubao to make the Turks suffer a great loss."

"Fuck!"

Wen He covered her mouth, too shocked to utter a word.

He revealed nothing, yet Li Er had already guessed most of it.

"Furthermore, you mentioned the Wei River. The terrain there is ideal for setting up ambushes and feints. If I'm not mistaken, Jieli must be terrified of me."

You are awesome!

You guessed right again.

"Your Highness, you're not from the future, are you?"

"Hmph, besides, the Turks are already divided. This retreat has tarnished Jieli's prestige. The Xueyantuo and Uyghurs are already dissatisfied with him. If I were to send someone to persuade them, the Turks would collapse. No wonder you said I took my revenge in three years. So that's how it is."

Wen He covered her cheek and opened her mouth wide.

Have you seen Van Gogh's "The Scream"?

That's the expression he has right now.

"Amazing, truly amazing. Now I understand the significance of being the strongest carbon-based life form in East Asia during the seventh century."

"Ahem, but that's just how it is."

Seeing Wen He's surprise, he was quite pleased.

This boy from the future always had a rebellious air about him.

His words often revealed a sense of disdain.

Wen He herself was unaware of this, but Li Shimin saw it.

Now we've finally managed to intimidate this brat.

It wasn't that he was a prophet, but rather that there was precedent for it.

During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao set up a feint at the Wei River to mislead Ma Chao.

He had just verified with Wen He that after the Turks launched a surprise attack on Chang'an, he sent a general to lead an army that inflicted heavy losses on the Turks.

Given Jieli's personality, he would certainly be suspicious.

Furthermore, given the instability within the Turkic Khaganate, he had no courage to maintain the stalemate for too long.

Therefore, Li Shimin was able to guess the general idea from Wen He's few words.

However, it's one thing to guess.

But stopping it is another matter entirely.

Li Yi is a potential threat, but now there is no one by his side who can replace him.

No, it's not that there's no one there.

Li Shimin thought of someone.

"Wen He, do you know Pharmacist Li?"

I've heard that next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are crucial, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays after that are also important. I hope all of you who are currently reading will make sure to catch up to the latest chapters during these days. Thank you.
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(End of this chapter)