Forty-one sword blades stained with blood

  At this time, Li Er's request was obviously within Emperor Taizong's expectation. With a natural wave of his hand, the eunuch stopped reading the imperial edict. Then, Emperor Taizong said to Yan Yueshang: "What is your request? Speak freely. You have rendered great service to the Tang Dynasty by retrieving the Imperial Seal. Whatever you ask for, I will grant it."

  Su Dingfang knocked his head on the ground: "Thank you, Your Majesty! My request is that I hope Your Majesty will take back the Chang'an mansion granted to me."

  As soon as this was said, not only did Emperor Li II find it strange, but the other ministers also found it strange. If you don't want a mansion, where will you live in Chang'an? And why don't you want a mansion?

  "Your Excellency Li Er asked strangely: 'Why don't you want a mansion?'"

  "Your Majesty, my family has only four members left after the great chaos at the end of Sui Dynasty. They are my mother, two aunts, younger sister and younger brother Su Ning from San Yuan County. After going through hardships, we have become one family in the prosperous Tang Dynasty. If we live separately, I am a soldier who often stays in the army, so there will be only my old mother at home, which makes me worried. If I live with my younger brother, we can take care of each other and I can also set my mind at ease to serve the country. Therefore, I dare to request Your Majesty's approval!"

  Su Ning discovered for the first time that Su Dingfang was also quite eloquent, and his words inadvertently elevated Li Er to the status of a savior, making Li Er feel very pleased. He then brought out filial piety as a fatal blow, without mentioning the rules and regulations of the imperial court at all. Using filial piety as a reason, even the most stubborn old Confucian would have no way to refute it. Who dares to say that filial piety is wrong?

  Suning noticed that although many ministers frowned, they couldn't say anything and didn't seem to plan to speak. It was just a sentence from Su Dingfang that pushed Suning out. Suddenly, the attention of many people focused on the real protagonist of this grand court meeting, Suning...

  Being stared at by many people feels very bad...

  Li Er lowered his brow at first, but then thought for a moment and relaxed. Although two brothers from the same family should move out to establish their own households to show independence, whether they are officials or not, there is some element of avoiding suspicion in doing so. However, Su Dingfang's reason was not one that could be refused - refusing Su Dingfang would mean Li Er was not being filial to his mother? Who would believe that? Haven't you seen that even those officials who usually speak out the most have not come forward?

  Emperor Li smiled slightly and said, "Well, Su Ai's heart is filled with filial piety, I am very pleased. So, I agree to your request, you can live in the same mansion as San Yuan County, to show that the foundation of the Tang Dynasty is based on benevolence and filial piety. And the original mansion granted to you, I will still grant it to you, to commend your filial heart."

  Su Dingfang was overjoyed and thanked: "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for heavenly grace! Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"

  Overcome with emotion, Su Dingfang was filled with gratitude towards Li Er, his emotions overflowing in words. Li Er naturally felt great joy and laughed three times.

  The eunuch saw that things had already ended and was about to continue reading the imperial edict: "San Yuan County Zi Su Ning..." "Wait!"

  The eunuch had just read the opening, when Li Er was interrupted by the emperor. This sudden change shocked the entire imperial court and also surprised Su Ning, who didn't know what kind of trick Li Er had up his sleeve.

  Only then did Emperor Li II slowly open his mouth and say, "Where is Su Ning of San Yuan County?" As soon as Su Ning heard the emperor call him, he immediately stood up, somewhat nervously came to the center of the hall, bowed his head, this was etiquette, could not look directly at the emperor; bowed his head looking at the wooden board on the ground, said: "Your minister Su Ning is here."

  Li Er's mouth curled up into a smile, and he said, "Lift your head and look at me." Su Ning lifted his head and looked at Li Er, who also stared back at him, sizing him up carefully. Only now did Li Er get a clear look at Su Ning's entire appearance. Not bad - he was handsome, neither arrogant nor servile, without the slightest hint of fawning. He bore a seven-tenths resemblance to Su Dingfang; undoubtedly they were brothers.

  Su Ning also stared at Li Er's face, and only felt that Li Er had a noble temperament and an overbearing aura, and he was handsome. As he walked closer and took another look, the pair of eyes on Li Er's face were the most striking part. A pair of starry eyes shone brightly and sharply, making Su Ning feel like he was being seen through, as if his entire person was exposed under the bright sunlight, with no secrets able to be hidden...

  It's indeed the Great Emperor, a figure who can only emerge from among tens of millions of people. How could he be so good at handling things? How could he be so good at plotting? Su Ning suddenly felt somewhat disheartened. Competing with Emperor Li in terms of magical powers was simply seeking death. Indeed, if one wanted to achieve their goals, they had to keep pace with Emperor Li, no matter what. They absolutely couldn't go against him head-on - this was the way to survive in the Zhenguan era.

  "Are you Suning?" Suning misjudged, overestimating Li Er's ability to recognize people. Li Er was still a person after all, and he didn't get anything from Suning's eyes, so he slowly opened his mouth to ask. The sharp gaze like a sword became much softer, and Suning also felt more relaxed, letting out a sigh of relief. Suning replied: "I am Suning."

  Li Er nodded and continued to ask: "You are fourteen years old this year, aren't you?"

  "Yes, I am fourteen years old this year."

  Emperor Li continued to ask: "At such a young age, facing the battlefield without fear is already rare. Why did you dare to attack 30,000 elite Xiongnu troops with only 500 cavalry? Even if it was a fire attack, it would require considerable bravery. These other things can be learned through reading and studying, such as military strategy and tactics. I don't think it's strange that you have a good teacher guiding you, and your knowledge is excellent, which is normal. However, bravery is not something that can be learned from books."

  "I too was over ten years old when I first went to war, and at the beginning of my military career, I was also anxious in my heart. I am very curious about you, who are also new to the battlefield. In your first battle, you captured Dingxiang with a hundred elite soldiers; in your second battle, you burned down the Turkic army's camp and defeated them in one go. This is not something that an ordinary young man can achieve. I am very curious, where did your bravery come from? How did your teacher instruct you? As for the secret techniques of your school, I naturally won't ask too much, but since you have already made a name for yourself as a Tang official, there are some things that you should tell me."

  Su Ning couldn't help but admire, indeed a legendary emperor for the ages. The way he asked questions was so profound, it immediately got to the root of the matter. It's true that knowledge of military strategy and tactics can be acquired through reading books, but truly great generals are those who possess both the ability to command troops and boldness, which is closely tied to battlefield experience. To achieve such a great feat at the start of one's military career would make anyone suspicious.

  Li Er's question hit the nail on the head, no mistake about it. The secret skills of our school are not to be transmitted outside, everyone has a number in their heart, and it is inconvenient to ask more questions. However, as officials of the Tang Dynasty, these things should indeed be said, otherwise, the emperor and his subjects will still have some doubts, and once there are doubts, it is absolutely not good for oneself.

  Zhangsun Wuji, Li Jing, Li Shimin, Tang Jian and many other officials, all showed great interest in this matter, Su Ning must give an explanation.

  However, this was also within Su Ning's expectations. Su Ning had long been prepared to be thoroughly investigated by Li Er, in order to put Li Er at ease. Through this interrogation, Su Ning wanted to tell Li Er that he was absolutely loyal to the Tang Dynasty and that he was harmless to the Tang Dynasty.

  "This is something I naturally won't conceal; it's true that this is my first time on the battlefield, but not my first time seeing blood." Su Ning decided to speak the truth, and the old man's methods were indeed the main reason for shaping his personality. As soon as he finished speaking, whispers began to circulate in the imperial court, and many officials started talking among themselves.

  Li Jing suddenly remembered that moment of sparks flying everywhere, and in an instant, he understood. It turned out that this kid was so quick to react because it wasn't his first time seeing blood!

  Li Er's expression changed to a serious tone: "Oh, you've killed someone? Where did you kill them? Who was it that you killed? Why did you kill?"

  Four consecutive questions left Su Ning somewhat stunned, and he smiled, saying: "Your Majesty, I did not kill a man, but a wolf."

  The noise on the court grew louder and louder, Wolf? This kid has killed a wolf? Wolves are fierce beasts that eat people! This kid has killed a wolf? Emperor Li's interest became more and more obvious, he hastily asked: "What's going on? Tell me the truth." Su Ning honestly said: "It's because of a sentence from my master, my master told me, ten years of hard work on paper is not as good as one day of blood on the sword blade, some things, if you don't see blood, you won't understand." These are the old man's exact words, not a single character has been changed.

  Li Er's eyes narrowed, his heart growing more astonished by the second. Ten years of hard work on paper was no match for a single day of bloodshed on the sword's edge. What kind of extraordinary person could grasp this truth? Li Er deeply understood this point: without seeing blood, one cannot accomplish great things. One must see blood to be ruthless enough to abandon some things; if you don't abandon some things, you won't get what you want!

  "So, Master left me with a dagger when I was ten years old and abandoned me on the mountain road. It was nighttime, and I was alone, not knowing any martial arts. As a result, I encountered two wolves that wanted to eat me, and they bit me. Of course, I managed to kill one and bite another to death. I survived until dawn, when Master came and took me away. From then on, I understood many things." Su Ning said honestly.

  At the age of ten, with a single dagger, on a mountain path at night where not a soul was in sight, he encountered two wolves. This kid managed to survive, killing one and biting the other to death - what kind of situation is that!

  Li Er was shocked by this teaching method: "This, this is too cruel! One mistake and it's a matter of life and death!"

  Li Erba was born into a noble family, and from a young age, he had the best food and clothing. How could he have experienced such hardships? Even if he learned to endure hardship on the battlefield, at the age of ten, Li Erba felt that he couldn't even contend with two mountain wolves, but Su Ning managed to do so. It seems that he possesses a ruthless and decisive heart, which is not surprising for someone like him. That master, truly is a real master!

  Li Shimin looked at Su Ning, and at this moment he could only see a back view. However, in a daze, he suddenly saw the back view sitting on a horse, holding a steel spear, with brocade flags fluttering behind him, and 100,000 troops standing behind him. He raised the steel spear in his hand high, and instantly war drums shook the sky, and roars shook the sky. Li Shimin was startled, and everything in front of him returned to normal. This is not a battlefield, but the imperial court!

  Chang Sun-chung looked at Su Ning, shocked in his heart. It turned out that he had gone through all this, which was why he could be so decisive and ruthless. The decisiveness and ruthlessness that had been cultivated since childhood were not something that someone who had only participated in one battle like himself could compare to. Thinking of the strange cloth with a temperature, Chang Sun-chung's gaze towards Su Ning was once again filled with trust and warmth...

  Su Ning said: "If you want to get something, you have to pay the price. There is no free lunch in this world. So I naturally can't get it for nothing either. Master will always leave me eventually. When the old man was around, he could protect me, but what about when he's not? I'm alone and can only rely on myself to protect myself. If I want to survive, that's all I can do."

  "So that's how it is, I understand now. It seems I was ignorant of the circumstances. I've heard that you were rescued and raised by your master in the midst of a chaotic army. Now it appears that although you were separated from your family for 14 years, it wasn't entirely a bad thing. Good fortune can arise from misfortune, and misfortune can be hidden within good fortune. I can understand all this now. Your ruthless treatment of the Turks, burning down the Yin Mountains with one fire, was also to avenge your loved ones and countrymen, right?" Emperor Li asked slowly.