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

Chapter 47 Why are you so sure that Jieli will come from Jingzhou?
Li Shiji was startled by his sudden action, but quickly realized that Li Jing was telling him not to continue.

This indicates that there are outsiders present, and that they have a close relationship with His Highness the Prince of Qin.

Li Shiji glanced at Mo Ran and found it laughable; this Kunlun slave was Li Yaoshi's confidant.

Then there's only one person left, the doll?
He couldn't help but wonder why His Highness the King of Qin would send a child to Pharmacist Li.

"Master Mao, let me introduce you. This young man is the future magistrate of Gaoyang County and a distinguished guest of His Highness's residence. He has come to me today with important matters to discuss, and I have taken the liberty of introducing him to my three treasures."

Li Jing's words were perfectly watertight, seemingly introducing Wen He's identity.

In reality, he wanted to remind Li Shiji to be careful with his words.

Wen He wasn't stupid; she could naturally tell what was going on. But sometimes, you have to play dumb.

"Young Master Wen, this must be Duke Cai," Li Jing said with a smile.

Wen He stepped forward and bowed to Li Shiji.

"Junior Wen He greets Duke Cai."

Speaking of the Duke of Cai, Wen He couldn't help but feel sorry for Li Jing.

In the imperial court, Li Jing held a higher official position than Li Shiji. When they went on expeditions, the former was either the Grand Commander or the Deputy Grand Commander.

The latter are all managers, subordinates of the former.

Unfortunately, because Li Jing had previously betrayed him, although Li Yuan later said he didn't care, he must have been resentful in his heart, so he is still the Duke of Yongkang County.

Li Yuan favored Li Shiji, considering him a loyal and righteous minister. He was granted the titles of Duke of Cai and Grand Pillar of State shortly after surrendering to the Tang Dynasty.

However, one reason for this is that Li Shiji was already the Duke of Wei when he was with Li Mi.

Before surrendering to Li Yuan, Li Jing was merely a county prefect.

Later generations have said that when Li Shiji met Li Jing, he always treated him with the respect due to a disciple.

But now it seems that their relationship is more like that of close friends.

"Oh, it's you, Wen Xiaolang. You're very kind."

As a dignified Duke, if he were walking down the street, Li Shiji wouldn't even give him a second glance, let alone a future county magistrate.

But since he appeared here and received such a warm welcome from Li Jing, we have to take him seriously.

"Your Highness just summoned me to the palace because of Li Yi's affair with the Turks. Now that you've arrived, I originally intended for you to accompany me to Jingzhou."

"Li Yi?" Li Shiji was taken aback. He frowned and pondered for a moment.

"Is the Prince of Yan going to rebel?"

"This is not the place to talk. Let's discuss this in my study." Li Jing did not give him a direct answer, but these words confirmed his thoughts to Li Shiji.

These are the two military geniuses of the Tang Dynasty?
Only now did Wen He realize the true value of Li Jing and Li Shiji.

The matter can be analyzed from just a few words.

Li Jing instructed Mo Ran to take the tiger and the Ferghana horse from the hall away.

He led the way, bringing Wen He and Li Shiji to the main hall.

As soon as Wen He entered, she saw a young man standing with his hands at his sides in the main hall.

Upon seeing him, Li Jing's expression turned sour.

"Why are you here instead of studying today?"

Before the young man could speak, Li Jing reprimanded him.

“Father, you were not home just now. Uncle came to visit, so the children came to greet you.”

The young man was extremely nervous in front of Li Jing, and spoke very cautiously.

"Hmph, what kind of behavior is this, all so subservient... Fine, go and make some tea, and have your mother prepare some snacks."

Li Jing wanted to reprimand him, but considering that Li Shiji and Wen He were both there, he held back.

Although he was annoyed by his son's lack of ambition, he also understood the principle of not disciplining one's son in front of outsiders.

The young man breathed a sigh of relief, bowed to Li Jing, then to Li Shiji, before hurrying out. As he passed by Wen He, he couldn't help but give him a curious look, and the former glanced at him in return.

"This is my eldest son. He has always been timid. I couldn't help but scold him a bit. I hope I didn't scare him."

When Li Jing saw Wen He suddenly fall silent, he thought he had been too fierce and scared him.

Wen He shook his head, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "May I ask, Duke Yongkang, is your son named Li Dejian?"

"Oh? Young master, you've heard of my son's name?" Li Jing asked in surprise.

Li Shiji, who was standing to the side, was also secretly observing him.

The eldest son of Pharmacist Li had only recently arrived in Chang'an, and not many people knew him, let alone knew his name.

But this young man Wen was able to say it so clearly. Could it be that His Highness the Prince of Qin said it?

"I've heard some of it." Wen He chuckled dryly twice.

He's heard of far more than just it.

Li Jing's illustrious reputation was ruined by this son.

"I rarely see my eldest son, and his mother has been the one who has taken care of him. She wanted him to become a civil official in the future, but she never expected that it would create such a weak character. On the other hand, my second son is idle and uneducated all day long, and his character is more like his mother's."

Speaking of his two sons, Li Jing couldn't help but sigh.

He was old, and no one knew when he would die on the battlefield.

If he leaves behind these two useless children, how will they be able to support his family business?

Wen He now understood why Li Jing had been so low-key.

It was to leave a way out for his two sons.

"Never mind, let's not talk about it anymore."

Li Jing chuckled self-deprecatingly and invited Wen He and Li Shiji to sit down.

After Li Dejian served the tea and snacks, Li Jing asked him to stand aside and listen, and then began to discuss the important matter.

"Since you are here, let's get down to business. I wonder what advice you have for me on this trip to Jingzhou?"

Li Dejian looked at his father looking at Wen He, and a look of surprise appeared in his eyes.

Who is this child?
Even his father was asking him for advice?

Wen He noticed his gaze and nodded kindly at him.

History has been changed. Given Li Shimin's current mindset, he will definitely establish the eldest son as heir.

Without pressure, Li Chengqian is unlikely to rebel in the future.

Then Li Dejian, the Junior Supervisor of Works, would not have joined the rebellion.

"I dare not accept such kind words, but I know that Zhao Cihao and Commander Yang Ji in Li Yi's army are loyal to Your Highness. After you arrive in Jingzhou, you can bribe these two to help you suppress the Jingzhou army."

"However, Li Yi's arrival in Chang'an this time will definitely alert the Turks. Although the Turks have not yet received the news, if they know about the changes in Chang'an, they will definitely come to harass us. At that time, they will definitely go straight from Xihui Prefecture to Yuan Prefecture to attack Jing Prefecture, and then take Chang'an directly from the Jingyang Trail."

These are all records from later generations, and the timeline is somewhat vague, so Wen He cannot be certain.

"As for the timing, it will be as late as August, or as early as June or July."

He guessed that even if the Turks knew the news now, they would not act rashly.

After all, they had just been defeated in Lingzhou and were currently regrouping their troops.

Therefore, they will definitely wait until Li Shimin ascends the throne.

Li Jing and Li Shiji listened quietly without interrupting Wen He, and their expressions suggested they were analyzing the situation.

After a while, Li Shiji spoke first.

"What Wen Xiaolang said does indeed fit the character of the Turks, but I have a question: why is Xiaolang so confident in asserting that Jieli will come from Jingzhou?"

He squinted, his gaze wary and scrutinizing.

(End of this chapter)