Chapter 38: Like Father, Like Teacher

  Qin Mubai entered the imperial study and saw the emperor when he heard the faint sound of a pipa, and Li Shimin was actually playing with it.

  "Mo Bai, you're just in time." Li Shimin smiled and beckoned to him, "Come, give me some pointers. I've been pondering for a while now, but still can't get it right. What's the trick to plucking the pipa with your fingers?"

  "This... your humble servant dare not." Qin Mu Bai cupped his hands and bowed without moving.

  "It doesn't matter, come sit beside me." Li Shimin ordered the eunuchs to bring over a cushion and placed it on the imperial throne.

  It is a great honor and favor for the minister to ascend to the same throne as the king. When any minister sees the emperor, he can only look at the steps of the throne and is not allowed to look directly at the king in awe, hence the term "Your Majesty".

  Qin Mubai hesitated for a moment before walking up to the throne and sitting down. Li Shimin handed him the pipa, smiling: "Relax a bit. This isn't the Golden Hall for discussing state affairs, nor is anyone else present. My usual practice is that in the palace, we are ruler and subject, but outside the palace, we are kin. I invited you here today specifically to ask for your guidance on playing the pipa."

  "How dare I, a lowly subject, offer advice to Your Majesty?" Qin Mu Bai bowed with his hands clasped together.

  "Learning has no age, the capable one comes first!" Li Shimin said with a smile, "In fact, the principle of things in the world is like this. No one dares to say that they are proficient in all things. From ancient times to the present, even the greatest sages are not omnipotent. To put it simply, most of the sages were men. No matter how holy and wise they were, they still had to rely on women to have children and continue their lineage."

  "Haha, Your Majesty is absolutely right." The emperor intentionally created a relaxed atmosphere, and Qin Mu Bai smiled. He thought to himself: The emperor must not have specifically asked me to come and point out something about the pipa. There was a hidden meaning in his previous words - wasn't he urging me, as a leader, to unite with subordinates closely and bring out the strengths of each subordinate?

  "All right, you play a piece of music for me first. Since we parted at the Qin's residence that day, I have been missing your pipa melodies! Although Tailei followed you to learn the art, his playing is still no match for yours." Li Shimin said with a relaxed smile, "I rarely have leisure time today, and I'd like to hear this wonderful pipa piece."

  "Your Majesty has given the order, I will naturally obey." Qin Mu Bai took over the pipa and plucked a few strings, saying, "That day Your Majesty listened to 'The Hegemon's Armor', today I'll play for you a tune called 'Ambush from Ten Sides' how about it?"

  "Good!" Li Shimin nodded, "The Overlord's armor is heroic and tragic, the ten-faced ambush should refer to Han Xin's strategy when he defeated Xiang Yu at Wujiang River?"

  "It's exactly so. In comparison, 'Ambush from Ten Sides' is more generous and spirited, a victorious tune." Qin Mubai finished speaking and immediately began to play.

  A magnificent and stirring pipa martial tune burst forth, and Li Shimin listened with rapt attention. When the music ended, he couldn't help but applaud enthusiastically: "Wonderful! Truly wonderful! This is indeed heavenly music that lingers on for three days without fading!"

  "Your Majesty's praise is misplaced, a few trivial skills are not enough to enter the grand hall of elegance, I am ashamed."

  "Hmm... Mu Bai, you are a versatile and talented individual with both literary and military skills. You are a rare talent." Li Shimin smiled and nodded, saying meaningfully, "Take this pipa for example, although it's just a minor skill, it can still reveal one's character and natural ability. You are very intelligent and have excellent comprehension, so you must excel in whatever you learn. I've also seen your calligraphy, and your cursive script has a unique style that is reminiscent of the great masters. From this, we can see that you are a passionate and creative person who excels at innovation and research. Having such qualities at a young age lays an excellent foundation for future success."

  "I, a humble and untalented minister, have much to learn. There are too many things I need to study." Qin Mu Bai knew that the Emperor was about to enter into formal discussion, so he followed along with his words, "Take commanding an army for example, I am completely ignorant, always walking on thin ice, afraid of making mistakes."

  "Haha, do you think I summoned you to scold you?" Li Shimin chuckled and said directly, "You didn't do anything wrong in the matter of Wei Chi Bao Yun. If it were me, I would have done the same. As a general, one should have a strong and unyielding spirit. If one can't even control their subordinates or enforce military discipline, then they are mediocre. I've been in the army since I was 16 and have fought battles for over a decade, so I understand some things about the military. The military is a place where brave men gather. Every soldier should be born for battle and prepared to fight to the death. Such people all have their own temperaments and personalities, and it's best if they are like fierce wolves that fear nothing. Otherwise, what's the difference between them and eunuchs? Why bother being soldiers or joining the army? Therefore, not everyone can be a general. Being able to control these men and bring out their greatest strength is a profound study."

  "I, your humble servant, remember your teachings." Qin Mu Bai bowed with his hands clasped together and said, "I lead a hundred riders for seven days, feeling that every moment I need to do many things, especially learning many new things and filling in the blanks. Therefore, I feel that time is extremely insufficient."

  "That's right. Whoever is positive and upward will have such a feeling." Li Shimin nodded with a smile, "Although I haven't set foot in the Hundred Riders' camp, I know you're still doing a good job. The training plan you formulated is very creative, it's quite impressive. Your way of gathering military hearts is also good, and establishing prestige has some means. Although there are flaws, you still have some places that are not quite right."

  "Please, Your Majesty, make clear the punishment!"

  "No need for punishment, you didn't do anything wrong, just a bit of inappropriateness." Li Shimin still had a smile on his face and spoke in a relaxed tone, "Mu Bai, I'm asking you. What kind of image should a general have in front of their subordinates, what should they do?"

  "This...," Qin Mu Bai thought for a moment and said, "In my humble opinion, I think that as a general, one should make their subordinates admire, appreciate, fear, and respect them. For all matters big or small in the army, the general must be thoroughly familiar with them, otherwise they will not have the power to correct and command others. Moreover, they should love their soldiers like their own children, take responsibility themselves, keep their promises, and establish a balance between kindness and severity."

  "Not bad." Li Shimin nodded and smiled, "If you can do these things, it would be a rare good general. In my Great Tang, there are not many people like this, your father Qin Shubao is one of them. I'll ask you again, how does your father Qin Shubao compare to Wei Gong Li Jing and Li Yao Shi?"

  "This... I don't know." Qin Mubai naturally didn't dare to speak nonsense. One was the totem of the Great Tang army, the undefeated legend Li Jing, and the other was his own father, who dared to discuss?

  "I'll tell you. The difference between them is the boundary of being a commander." Li Shimin said, "For a general, doing what you just said is already quite good. But if you want to become a commander who can hold his own, it's still far from enough. If you understand Li Jing, you will naturally understand this point."

  "This... your humble servant naturally does not know."

  "I can tell you something," said Li Shimin. "Your father is a man of loyalty and bravery, with a sense of justice that touches the sky. As a general, he loves his soldiers like his own sons, and puts himself in harm's way before them. He has earned the unanimous admiration and respect of his officers and men, and countless people are willing to die for him. Qin Qiong is indeed a great general and a minister of the state. But Li Jing is different from him. Li Jing has a deep understanding of strategy and tactics, and is able to lead troops and plan for the country. He is wise and brave, with a strong sense of justice. What's more, when he is in command, I don't have to worry about anything related to the war situation, and can completely trust him. Even if the fate of the Tang Dynasty hangs in the balance, I can still be at ease. Do you know why?"

  "Your humble servant is unaware, please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

  "Big picture." Li Shimin stroked his beard and smiled, "Li Jing's big picture, no one can match. When commanding a war, he first thinks of the country and the imperial court, strategy and tactics are all-encompassing, rather than just fighting for the sake of fighting. At the same time, he also has a most commendable advantage - under his command, all ministers and generals can exert their greatest strength. The army he leads must be united and unanimous. In fact, everyone has private thoughts, and there are more rough and impulsive people in the military who are not obedient to discipline. It is impossible for there to be no conflicts or friction between people. But under Li Jing's influence, his ministers and generals also have a big picture. Even if someone has a personal vendetta, they will put it aside for the time being and work together to manage national affairs and win battles."

  "I understand, Your Majesty..." Qin Mu Bai bowed his head and saluted, secretly letting out a sigh of relief in his heart: After talking for half a day, the Emperor was actually teaching me about 'the Art of War' and 'the Way of Being an Official'. He was undoubtedly hinting at my severe punishment of Wei Tai Yun. Having personal vendettas with subordinates within one's own ranks would definitely make it difficult to lead the troops in the future. However, since a personal vendetta had already been formed, one must have magnanimity and a broad perspective, not getting bogged down on this point. At the same time, one must also strive to make their subordinates forget about the personal vendetta, uniting them with a common purpose.

  Li Shimin really has the art of leadership and the skill to handle people, he actually wanted to criticize me, but used praise and metaphor to guide me, encouraging me to improve my character, standing at a higher level to think and solve problems... It seems that I am still very immature compared to Li Shimin, this kind of seasoned politician.

  Learn slowly!

  "Mo Bai, I know you have a great deal of insight and are a talented individual. That's why I'm telling you all this, hoping you can understand the good intentions behind my words." Li Shimin said with a chuckle.

  "Your Majesty... I am deeply moved by your words of guidance and wisdom, as if from a teacher or father. Your humble subject is filled with gratitude and respect. From now on, I will strive to improve myself in every way, so as not to disappoint you." Qin Mu Bai bowed respectfully.

  "Very well. I also hope that I am not mistaken." Li Shimin stroked his beard, and patted Qin Mu Bai's shoulder like a kind elder, "You haven't left the Hundred Riders' Camp for seven days, have you? Take this opportunity before the palace closes at night to go home and visit your father. He is ill, so when you have time, go back and take a look."

  "Thank you, Your Majesty, I bid farewell!"

  As he walked out of the imperial study, Qin Mubai let out a long sigh and thought to himself: Whether it was in his past life or this one, he had repeatedly heard about Li Shimin's extraordinary character, talent, and wisdom that surpassed everyone else. His ability to recognize talent, promote worthy officials, and use people effectively was a rare sight among emperors throughout the ages... Today, he personally experienced it, and indeed, it was true!

  .??，！