The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 56 Deep Love for His Son
Li Xianmu took a longer time to think this time.

"The Prince of Yan is utterly incompetent!"

Li Xianmu gave his judgment and then explained: "Although I am not knowledgeable in military strategy, Father once said that among all the heroes since the end of the Yuan Dynasty, none were as capable as the late Emperor in military affairs. The military system of the Ming Dynasty was designed by the late Emperor. He had experienced many battles and had a lot of experience. It was impossible for him not to have thought of today's events. Therefore, the court must be much stronger than the vassal kings."

Li Qi was even stunned for a moment upon hearing this, and then he chuckled. He never expected Li Xianmu to give such an answer. Although the words were simple and even a bit opportunistic, they showed a deep understanding of the principle of "making the best use of everyone's talents".

He couldn't help but exclaim, "You not only have the potential to become a sage, but also the talent to be a prime minister!"

Even though Li Fang and Li Mao were already used to Li Xianmu's intelligence, they were still very shocked. They were born to the same parents, so why was he so smart?

Li Xianmu was still young, and he scratched his head shyly.

“You’re all right. Judging from the odds, the Prince of Yan is indeed at a great disadvantage. Theoretically speaking, he only has a 10% chance of winning.”

Li Qi solemnly said, "But why did the military strategist Sun Tzu say: 'War is a matter of vital importance to the state; a matter of life and death. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.'"

The upper troops attacked the plot, the second attacked the Jiaotong, the second attacked the soldiers, and the lower attacked the city.

"Weapons are instruments of destruction; even a sage uses them only as a last resort!"

Li Xianmu's three sons knew that their father was instructing them, so they all listened attentively.

Li Qi sighed, "Because once the war begins, no one knows the outcome until the very end!"

During the Battle of Kunyang under Emperor Guangwu of Han, a meteorite suddenly fell from the sky; during the Battle of Red Cliffs under Cao Cao, an east wind blew in their face and a major epidemic broke out in their army; there have also been countless sudden heavy rains and dense fogs throughout history that made it impossible to discern directions.

So many unexpected events, such as soldiers suddenly breaking camp or commanders suddenly falling ill and dying, have occurred that could change the fate of a war or even a country.

Moreover, the strength of the soldiers on both sides of the war, the commander's ability to lead troops, or even a single arrow shot by a soldier can change everything!
Whether the celestial phenomena will influence this war, I do not know, but Geng Bingwen is merely a general, skilled only in defending cities, while the Prince of Yan excels in open field battles. If the two clash, Geng Bingwen's chances of victory are slim.

The three sons received the instruction, but Li Xianmu hesitated slightly. Seeing this, Li Qi asked, "Mu'er, is there anything you still don't understand?"

Li Xianmu hesitated and said, "Father, the Emperor said, 'Do not let me be accused of killing my uncle.' I think this statement is very inappropriate and may cause great harm."

Li Fang asked in bewilderment, "What great harm is there? His Majesty is merely feigning politeness because he is constrained by public opinion due to the death of the Prince of Xiang. On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes. Even if His Highness the Prince of Yan is killed, does His Majesty...?"

Li Xianmu said in a low voice, "The old story of Chengji!"

Upon hearing this, Li Fang immediately stopped talking, her eyes filled with horror, and her body even trembled slightly!
In ancient times, even the most uneducated person could not possibly be unaware of Cheng Ji, the first person to assassinate the emperor in the street, and who was then used as a scapegoat by his master Sima Zhao, who exterminated his entire clan!

Given His Majesty's character, the person who disobeyed his orders and killed the Prince of Yan would most likely not receive any reward, but would only be thrown out as a scapegoat to die.

Li Qi smiled faintly, didn't mention the matter again, and instead told the three of them to leave first.

Half an hour later, Li Xianmu entered the study again. Li Qi was not surprised at all. No one knows a son better than his father. He knew that Li Xianmu had deliberately left something unsaid, which was why he had the three of them leave.

"There were some things I didn't finish saying earlier, now say them all." Li Xianmu looked at Li Qi, his eyes filled with deep doubt and curiosity, and said in a deep voice, "I believe that the Prince of Yan will succeed in suppressing the rebellion!"

Li Qi paused, then remained silent.

Li Xianmu's eyes were filled with endless filial piety. "Although my grandfather was a hero of the world, there have been few people throughout history who could compare with him."

But my father was a celestial being, possessing extraordinary talent, which even my imperial grandfather could not compare to.

Throughout his life, my father had distanced himself from the emperor more than once, even at the cost of giving up readily available power and status, which showed that he had a very low opinion of the emperor.

Although I don't understand why, my father is never wrong!

Li Qi finally put down the book in his hand. He looked at his son, who was only eight years old this year. He was born with outstanding talent and intelligence, and was a unique genius in the entire Ming Dynasty!

Despite repeatedly telling himself not to treat Li Xianmu as a child, Li Qi was still shocked time and time again.

"What if I, your father, had long foreseen the change of the Mandate of Heaven, the shift of the divine cauldron, and that the Prince of Yan would ascend the throne in Yingtian and become the new emperor?"

"Then everything makes sense."

"Don't you think your father is too hypocritical? He has seen through everything all along, but he pretends to be a loyal minister, and even gains the praise and respect of scholars all over the world because of it."

The father you admire may not be as noble and virtuous as you imagine, like a hermit in the mountains!

Li Xianmu knelt before Li Qi, his eyes filled with endless sincerity and filial piety. "Father, please don't say that. How could your son think such a thing?"
Father is exceptionally gifted, able to discern the past and present, know what came before and after, and distinguish right from wrong. The Li family fell into the clutches of a criminal clan because Father led the family to its current state step by step. The son is merely a reaper who has benefited from the family's success, so how can he criticize his father?

Moreover, the father said he was hypocritical, but the son did not think so.

As the saying goes, no one knows a son better than his father, but no one knows a father better than his son!

My father is a man of deep feelings who would repay even the smallest kindness with the greatest gratitude. If Zhu Yunwen treats his father with sincerity, even if his father knows that Jianwen is in the wrong, he will do his best to mediate and even go to great lengths to help him.

Although my grandfather has treated me very well, I know that he has always harbored doubts about my father and cannot fully trust him. His Majesty is even more harsh and ungrateful, and is not a wise ruler worthy of my assistance.

Both emperors treated my father the same way, and the fact that he didn't utter any resentful words already shows he was a loyal and good minister. How can we demand more of him?

Li Xianmu kowtowed on the ground again, his voice already choked with emotion, "What's more, Father clearly has extraordinary talent, yet he is frustrated and unable to achieve his ambitions. Ten years of scheming and planning, all for the sake of my child being able to remain innocent in the world, all for the sake of my child so that I can rise with the wind!"

A father's love for his son is such that if the son so vehemently doubts his father, he shall be struck by lightning, reduced to dust, and never to be reincarnated!

[Your son Li Xianmu's filial piety towards you has reached the limits of human endurance. Reward: Mystic-rank item - Divine Incense.]

[The Incense of Divine Intervention has been added to the exchange shop and can be redeemed using Incense Points.]

(End of this chapter)