Fourteen Sons of the Long March: A Memoir

  As a parent, who doesn't consider their own children and grandchildren? Especially when it comes to the inheritance of a large family, it's even more crucial.

  His eyes were fixed on the book, but his mind was preoccupied with weighing the pros and cons of everything. Changsun Wuji still couldn't make sense of it all, so he let out a sigh, put down the book, and looked up to see his eldest son, Changsun Chong, standing respectfully in front of him, holding a bowl of steaming tea and saying softly, "Father is exhausting himself with state affairs, please drink this tea and don't overexert yourself."

  Changsun Wuji let out a sigh in his heart, reached out to take the tea, took a sip, and found it not bad, very fragrant. Changsun had indeed put in effort, although he had added a bit too much mutton fat, but Changsun Wuji was a Xianbei person and also liked this flavor.

  "Chong, why have you come to see me instead of studying and practicing your writing?" Longsun Wuji sighed. Among his several sons, the only one who showed some promise was his eldest son, Longsun Chong. He had even joked with Du Ruhui that his own sons were not much better, but at least this eldest son had a gentle disposition, never causing trouble and having some learning. However, it was regrettable that he had no interest in politics and no ambition to enter government service, instead enjoying books, painting, and traveling. This made Longsun Wuji feel very depressed - would the foundation he had worked so hard to establish be abandoned? Was there really no one to succeed him?

  Chang Sun Chong looked hesitant, unable to say anything for a long time. Chang Sun Wu frowned: "If you have something to say, just say it out loud, what's the point of being so evasive? Did you do something that goes against heaven and reason? Or did your useless younger brothers do something? I've told you before, as the eldest son, when I'm not around, you should discipline and teach them. Have you done that?"

  Chang Sun Chong couldn't help but feel a little helpless, he was indeed somewhat soft-hearted, after all they were his own brothers, how could he bring himself to scold them too much? But this way, he would have even less authority, and be unable to restrain his several younger brothers.

  "Father, those things are not the child's fault. The child came to see father today because there is something else he wants to report to father." Changsun Cheon hesitated, but gritted his teeth and said it out loud. Changsun Wuji said: "Speak! What is it?" Changsun Cheon took a deep breath: "Father, the child hopes to join the army!"

  Chang Sun Wuji was furious: "Nonsense! The imperial court has never had a tradition of the eldest son going to war, you can just inherit the Chang Sun family business honestly, why do you want to go to war? I only took you out last time to broaden your horizons and open your eyes, not everyone can bear the hardships of war. My Chang Sun family is not a military family, there's no need for that, remember, you're the eldest son! Just stay at home reading books and practicing calligraphy, after a few years when you come of age, you'll be able to enter the imperial court as an official, and in the future inherit your father's business."

  Chang Sun's heart was despondent: "Father, I don't want to spend my days like this. Father, I hope to make great achievements for the Tang Dynasty and earn a good reputation, so that I can be worthy of my cousin!"

  Chang Sun Wuji was taken aback, and a multitude of thoughts flashed through his mind. He sighed deeply: "That matter is not difficult; it only needs to be mentioned to the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and your father. Since you and the Princess are young and innocent, relying on your father's merits, it shouldn't be hard for her to marry down to you. So why do you want to join the army?"

  Chang Sun fell to his knees and kowtowed: "Father, I know that as long as you are here, I can get my cousin, but Father, I hope to rely on my own achievements and let the Emperor personally agree to marry off my cousin. Only then can I proudly welcome her, Father, this is the first time I have ever asked you for anything, please grant me this wish!"

  Chang Sun didn't really want to join the army himself, the hard days in the military were just too difficult. However, he had seen his cousin's admiration for soldiers who had achieved great merit, and when talking about it, that kind of longing, how could he not understand his cousin's intentions? Moreover, he understood even more clearly that relying on his father's title and inheritance to get by was a bleak existence.

  Although the family eats well and lives well, Zhangsun Long is even more aware of some truth. Looking at the generals in the army waving their hands and shouting, the soldiers shouted in unison, leaving an indelible mark on Zhangsun Long's young heart. This is a dream that every man has had. Zhangsun Long thought to himself that when he became a pillar general, he would be able to marry his cousin with great fanfare, and at that time, it would be wonderful.

  Although the process was very difficult, but reading and writing at home felt even more uninteresting!

  Chang Sun Wuji obviously thought more deeply, although his family business was big and his own merits were many, but he himself was a civil servant, not a military officer. Political affairs are difficult to say, having people in the army to protect him is undoubtedly getting double insurance, and he has not yet received help from any of the great generals in the army, these generals are all masters!

  But his own son is different, it seems that only the eldest grandson can be cultivated. If he were to send him to the military, relying on his own face, he would surely be able to protect his life without worry. He will also learn some martial arts. If he can achieve some military merit and establish connections with the military, it would be a wonderful thing!

  Your Majesty isn't sending a group of officials to Dingxiang to take over, is he? And Tang Jian is going to comfort the Turks. That's perfect! Li Jing is there too, and that young man named Su Ning is also there. It's just right for them to get familiar with each other. Su Ning seems like someone Li Jing values highly, and it's very likely that he'll become Li Jing's successor and a leader in the military in the future. At that time, if Chong'er can build a good relationship with him, that would be great too! Although Chong'er is only 14 years old, Su Ning isn't much older either - he's also just 14 years old! They're about the same age, so if they can become good friends, that wouldn't be bad at all.

  Thinking of this, Zhangsun Wuji let out a long sigh: "Forget it, forget it. Your heart is no longer at home, and as your father, how can I keep you locked up? Today the officials dispatched by His Majesty to Dingxiang are about to depart. I'll go talk to His Majesty, and you can follow them to Dingxiang, go there to find General Li Jing, and fight alongside General Li Jing!"

  Chang Sun was overjoyed and bowed again: "Thank you, Father, for your support! I will definitely make a name for myself and achieve great things! If I don't succeed, I won't return home!"

  Chang Sun Wuji helped Chang Chong up, sighing: "Going to Li Jing's place is not like being at home. Military law is strict, and any offense will be severely punished. Even if your father is in the military, it's not easy to speak out, let alone you alone? You must follow military law. Although General Li Jing is lenient with his troops, the Tang army absolutely does not tolerate any offense. Do you understand?"

  Chang Sun's face turned solemn: "I understand."

  Chang Sun Wuji continued to instruct, "Next to General Li Jing, there is also a young man of the same age as you, named Su Ning, with the courtesy name Sanming. He is one of the sons appointed by His Majesty, with outstanding achievements and although his origin is unknown, he must be someone with great abilities. He obtained his title through his own abilities, so you absolutely cannot look down on him. When you get there, try to get close to him often. You are similar in age and have a lot to talk about, and don't worry that you won't have any companions in the army, understand?"

  Changsun Chong was somewhat astonished, a fourteen-year-old who had been enfeoffed as the County Duke of Kaiguo? With outstanding military achievements? What kind of person was that? Changsun Chong may not have been very learned, but he understood that his father would not harm him and that what he said must be beneficial to himself. Therefore, this way, he had to get a good understanding of this Su Ning, who could obtain the title of Duke at the same age as himself with his own abilities! What kind of ability did this guy have?

  Chang Sun Wuji successfully piqued Chang Chong's curiosity and the competitive spirit inherent in all males...

  In the palace, Emperor Li II held in his hand a secret letter written by General Li Jing and began to read it. Now, Emperor Li II attached great importance to any news related to Su Ning. It was said that Su Ning could make a kind of food called "bread" that remained soft, fragrant, and delicious even in winter, as well as a very tasty noodle dish, which was so enticing that it made people indulge in it. Moreover, Su Ning's identity had almost been confirmed - he was from the Su family of Wuji County, Hebei Province. If one visited the Su family there, they could almost confirm Su Ning's true identity. General Li Jing initially speculated that due to the great chaos at the end of the Sui dynasty, Su Ning had become separated from his family or lost them all at a young age and was rescued by a passing master who raised him to adulthood.

  "Jizhou Wuyi people? Jizhou Wuyi, why does this place name sound so familiar?" Li Er muttered to himself in a low voice. Suddenly, a gentle and soft voice came from beside him: "Jizhou Wuyi? Second Brother, I remember that Su Dingfang, General Su, wasn't he from Jizhou Wuyi? What's going on, what happened there?"

  Emperor Li was startled, looked up and saw Empress Longsun holding a bowl of lotus seed porridge standing beside him, looking at him with concern. He let out a sigh of relief and took the bowl from her: "How come you came without announcing yourself?" Empress Longsun smiled: "Looking at your deep contemplation, how could I interrupt? It's just that when I heard you mention Ji Zhou Wu Yi, I remembered some things."

  Li Er's interest was piqued: "Guanyin, you just said that Su Dingfang is from Weizhou, Hebei?"

  Empress Changsun said hesitantly, "Yes, Su Dingfang is indeed from Weizhou, Hebei Province. That's the person who had a feud with Erlang. I remember it! What has he done again?"

  Emperor Li II smiled and shook his head, handing the secret letter from Li Jing to Empress Changsun: "Take a look for yourself, this kid is really interesting!" Empress Changsun took the letter, read it, and put it down after a while: "Second Brother, isn't this Su Ning, not the same clan as Su Dingfang?"

  Li Er smiled and nodded: "It's likely that ten years ago, during the great chaos, Ji Zhou Wu Yin was in a state of turmoil, and it was inevitable for people to become homeless. It's possible that Su Ning became an orphan at that time and was later rescued and raised by his master. In this way, although they share the same surname, these two men may indeed be from the same clan. Even if they are not from the same clan, being from the same village is enough for them to support each other."

  The Empress Longsun furrowed her brow and hesitated, saying: "Su Dingfang, he..." Emperor Li waved his hand and laughed, saying: "Guanyin, I have always been one to use people without suspicion and suspect those who are not used. Su Dingfang is a clever person and will not make foolish mistakes. Moreover, I pity his talent. If I were to abandon him just because he once opposed me, it would be too wasteful of his abilities. I was able to use Wei Zheng, so why not Su Dingfang? Guanyin, I even have a premonition that the gathering of these two will stir up a storm! This Su Ning is determined to take on literary posts, while Su Dingfang is a born warrior - one civil and one military, they complement each other perfectly! Hahaha!"

  The Empress Changsun gazed at Li Er with a doting expression, this was her man, her emperor! As for Li Er's magnanimity, it was beyond doubt. Throughout the ages, few founding emperors did not slaughter their meritorious officials, and those who treated them well, Li Er was the first. Those officials, whether they followed him from the beginning or later, even those who had rebelled against his father, he dared to treat with favor, making them arrogant and complacent beyond recognition.

  As long as one does not commit treason, Emperor Taizong of Tang can basically tolerate everything. Even for those who have committed the great crime of treason, there are some who did not get their nine clans exterminated, such as Hou Junji. This is enough to show his broad and magnanimous heart and mind. He is indeed a great emperor for all eternity, regardless of any possible hidden motives or interests involved. In any case, Emperor Taizong of Tang is far superior to the likes of Liu Bang and Zhu Yuanzhang, haha, it's really like comparing heaven and mud.

  "Ah, Erlang, General Li's letter mentioned that even in winter, there is a type of bread that remains soft and palatable. What a peculiar name! I've heard that the military often has dry rations during campaigns, which become hard and difficult to swallow in winter. This bread seems to make up for that shortcoming! And then there's that extremely delicious noodle dish... although I've eaten my fill of noodles, they're not very tasty, how can it be described as fragrant and rich? Erlang, General Li has achieved a great merit, not only did he bring back Yang Zhengdao, but also retrieved a treasure." Empress Changsun smiled as she looked at the two types of food mentioned in the letter.

  Li Er nodded: "Yes! This Suning, was discovered by the pharmacist for only a month or so, but has already done so many things for our great Tang Dynasty. This bread is enough to be used as dry rations for the army, and these noodles can also be tried out, they can also be eaten in the military, if it can be implemented, it would be considered a great achievement! Guanyin, I find myself becoming more and more interested in this little guy."

  The Empress Dowager Changsun smiled and said: "Why can't the Second Prince issue an edict to summon Su Ning to the capital, wouldn't that be simple?"

  "Impossible," said the Emperor Li, shaking his head. "The war on the front lines is urgent, how can I intervene in the command of the pharmacists? The words of the previous sages are correct, to control from a deep palace and make decisions on the battlefield is a way to defeat! Moreover, this Su Ning is clever and has many plans, leaving him by the pharmacist's side will give our Great Tang more chances of winning! Guanyin maid, this battle, we cannot afford to lose! I also want to see how much merit and wealth this Su Ning can take from my hands!"