Chapter 44: The Li Siblings

  It's New Year's Eve, wishing all friends a happy reunion and a happy new year! Also thank you to book friend 100122220343059 for the reward, thank you.

  Chen Kede handed over the list with a smile and said, "Thank you, Tang Gong, this is a detailed list left for Tang Gong as proof."

  Li Yuan originally treated Chen Kefu as a colleague, but Yuwen Huaji's words had taken root in his heart. Now when he looked at Chen Kefu again, he couldn't help but size him up with the eyes of an old father-in-law looking at his son-in-law.

  At a young age, he has an extraordinary appearance. Not only is he handsome and tall, but he also has the majestic air of a military general. What's even more rare is that he exudes a refined and elegant demeanor. The more I look at him, the more I like him. It's just a pity that his family background is not good. But thinking about my own third daughter, I couldn't help but think of Yuwen Huaji's words. Yes, although Chen's family background is not good, and he is the only one left in the Chen family, except for his family background being worse than mine, his life experience is similar to mine when I was young, having lost both parents at a young age.

  But thinking of the third daughter's personality, it might be quite suitable for her to marry into a family like the Chen's. Thinking this, his face couldn't help but break out in a smile, "Lord Chen is too polite, this is just going through the motions." As he said this, he took the list and scanned it casually, but his eyes revealed a surprised gaze. He hadn't expected that Chen Kefu, a military general, would have such beautiful handwriting. The strokes were bold and powerful, with a sense of grandeur flowing throughout the entire text.

  "Good calligraphy, truly good calligraphy! I didn't expect General Chen to not only be skilled in military tactics but also have a talent for literature. He's actually written such excellent handwriting. General Chen, Lord Yuwen, the sky is getting dark, why don't we go back to my tent and have a few cups of wine? It'll be a celebration for your great achievement this time." Li Yuan had previously thought about Chen Kefu's family background, but now he was somewhat pleased with his talent. He couldn't help but think of inviting him home, having another meal together, and getting to know more about Chen Kefu's character. Especially since all the children in the household, including the three daughters, had followed them on this expedition against Liaodong. This time, it would be a good opportunity to invite Chen Kefu back home and let his third daughter meet him herself, see what she thinks of him."

  Chen Kefu didn't know why Li Yuan was being so nice to him today, but anyway, Li Yuan was now the Minister of Logistics, and he would still have many opportunities to use his help in the future. At this moment, if he could get closer to him, it would be a good thing. Besides, who knows, maybe just like in history, Li Yuan might really become the Emperor one day, and then he would be able to enjoy the shade of a big tree.

  "Thus and so, I'll take my leave now, thank you for your kindness." Chen Kefu hastily said with a smile, unaware that Yuwen Huaji had already taken the initiative to play matchmaker for him.

  Li Yuan was the Duke of Tang, and he himself was an official in front of the emperor, but in this large camp, he was just a big tent. Several people had just entered Li Yuan's tent when they found several young men chatting inside, and Chen Kefu discovered that there was also a young woman inside. Although the woman was dressed as a man, wearing a white robe and a square scarf on her head, how could she deceive Chen Kefu, who came from later generations?

  Look at that woman, only about 28 years old, with a slender figure, beautiful face, goose egg-shaped face, especially the way she looked back with some surprise as Chen Kefu walked into the account, made Chen Kefu involuntarily sigh, this is indeed another beauty. Judging from her appearance, she must not be Li Yuan's wife or concubine, could she be Li Yuan's daughter?

  Among them, a slightly older young man walked out and said, "Father, you're back. How come Master Yuwen also has time to come to our house today? And who is this?"

  Chen Kefu withdrew his gaze from the woman and slightly bowed, saying, "I am Chen Kefu. Today, I followed Lord Tang to your esteemed residence and met several young masters. You must be Lord Tang's eldest son, Jiancheng. Indeed, you have inherited Lord Tang's elegance and refinement, a true handsome young master."

  Li Yuan smiled and said, "The dog can't be compared to General Chen. In terms of age, he is still older than the general by several years. But in terms of ability, it's like clouds and mud. The general single-handedly established his career from scratch, and now he has reached the third rank. He will definitely rise higher tomorrow. As for my sons, they are just a bunch of homebodies. General Chen, this is my eldest son Jiancheng, next to him is my second son Shimin, and on the other side are Xuanbe and Yuange, two mischievous kids who only know how to play all day. The one in the back is my nephew Yuanfang. This time, when we went to Liaodong, they insisted on following us to broaden their horizons."

  Li Jiancheng smiled slightly at Chen Kefu and hurriedly went to pour tea. Li Shimin, upon hearing that it was actually Chen Kefu, suddenly became excited and ran to the front of Chen Kefu, saying: "General Chen, I heard that the Broken Army has achieved great merit this time, and His Majesty has ordered the Broken Army to expand to 10,000 troops. General Chen, although I have just arrived here not long ago, I have already heard about all your deeds. General Chen, I also want to join the Broken Army, please accept me! Even if it's as a small soldier, I'm willing!" Li Shimin was one year younger than Chen Kefu, and at 22 years old, he was considered a hot-blooded young man.

  At his age, as a young master of a noble family, he was relatively obedient due to Li Yuan's upbringing and wasn't like Yuwen Huaji, who was arrogant. He yearned for achievements and rebuilding the glory of his family. However, this time when following to Liaodong, Li Yuan disagreed with his request to join the army, and also because he hadn't seen any troops that impressed him. With his background, at first, he could only enter the emperor's personal army as a guard, but he was unwilling to accept such an outcome. Having been in Liaodong for half a month, he spent his days idle. At this moment, seeing Chen Kefu made his heart move, after all, although the Broken Army had been established for a short time, it had won several battles and gained great fame.

  "Second brother, you're going to the Broken Army Camp, I'll go too." As Li Shimin's voice fell, Xuān Bà also hastily followed behind, his face a bit pale.

  Chen Kede took a look at the two men, Li Shimin's face was pale and looked like a bookworm, while Li Yuanba seemed thin and frail. He really didn't want to associate the two people in front of him with the two people in his past mind. It was hard to believe that the Li Shimin in front of him, who was full of hot blood, would become the Emperor Taizong who created the Zhenguan era later on. And it was even harder to believe that the thin and pale-looking young man in front of him, who looked like he was only 15 or 16 years old, would be Li Yuanba, also known as the number one good man at the end of the Sui Dynasty.

  "The two young masters are still too young, at this time they should stay at home with their parents more often, read more books. If you really want to make a name for yourself and establish a career, it's not necessarily on the battlefield." Chen Kefu was not very willing to accept these two into his Broken Army Camp, firstly because of their noble identities, secondly he didn't want those aristocratic young masters to join his Broken Army Camp. If he opened his mouth today, who knows how many aristocratic young masters would come to his Broken Army Camp tomorrow to seek fame and fortune.

  "Father, let us go to the Broken Army Camp. You had promised us that we could come to Liaodong to join the army. Now there's such a good opportunity to join the Broken Army Camp, how can you not support us?" Li Shimin saw that Chen Kefu did not agree, and immediately turned around to persuade his father.

  Li Yuan was still quite good to his two sons. After some consideration, he turned to Chen Kefu and said, "General Chen, my several sons are disobedient and incompetent. If they can be trained in General Chen's army for a while, it would also be a good thing. I just don't know if General Chen is willing to help them mature."

  Chen Kefu did not expect that Li Wen would be so formidable, willing to throw a few sons into the military for training. This is not a peaceful era, going to the military is not just about experiencing life. This is in Goguryeo, where one might have to fight against enemies at any time, and it's possible to lose one's life. However, thinking about these Guanlong aristocrats who were originally from a military background, this should be considered a tradition.

  "General Tang is indeed a man of great temperament, but I have always been strict in governing the army. If General Tang's sons really want to join my Broken Army, although I am acquainted with General Tang and his sons, once they enter the Broken Army, there will be no room for personal relationships. Everyone must start from scratch as a small soldier. How about it? Are you all willing?" Chen Kefu asked seriously, if they were truly willing to follow military discipline, he wouldn't mind taking these guys under his wing and playing along. However, the prerequisite was that they had to completely obey orders. He just didn't believe that these sons of the Duke's manor would be willing to lower themselves to start from scratch as small soldiers.

  As expected, as soon as Chen Kefu's words fell, the youngest Li Yuange was unwilling to accept it. He looked up at the sky and said, "We are the young masters of the Guo Gong Fu, when we arrive at the Broken Army Camp to join the army, even if you don't give us a position like Yue Qi Xun Wei, at least we should be a Lu Shuai or a Dui Zheng or something. Starting from being a small soldier, isn't that saying we'll have to listen to those muddy-legged people's orders in the future?"

  Li Shimin pulled Li Yuanji aside and said with a smile, "General, from being a small soldier to now, we are all equal. We have no issues, we will follow you back today."

  "Yes, no problem, but I want to be with my second brother." Li Xuan said hastily, it can be seen that he and Li Shimin should be the closest.

  "I won't go, you guys go. If I were to join the army, I wouldn't be able to join a broken military camp and become a low-ranking soldier, being bossed around by those muddy-legged people. I'd never do such a stupid thing." Yuanji said disdainfully.

  Chen Kefu smiled and didn't say anything. He turned to Li Jiancheng and said, "Brother Jiancheng, are you also going to go to the Broken Army Camp for some training?"

  Li Jiancheng poured a cup of tea for several people, smiled and said, "I won't go, I'll stay here to take care of Father. Although the soldiers in the military camp are at our beck and call, it's still not very reassuring. Shimin and Xuande are willing to go, please ask them to take care of themselves afterwards. As for Yuanji, he is still too young, let him stay at home with me to take care of Father." Li Jiancheng, as the eldest son, was not very enthusiastic about building achievements, the title of Duke of Tang would be his in the future, why bother going to such great lengths? He should just steadily inherit the Li family.

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