Chapter 44: Wei Wang Li Tai

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  Li Shimin took advantage of the situation and said, "Fuji, this is just a small friction. If we open our hearts and clarify it, it will be eliminated. Qin Mubai and Changsun Gan are both good seedlings, I must keep them by my side to train and cultivate them well. Therefore, you don't need to say more. I will never drive Changsun Gan out of the Hundred Riders."

  "This... Since Your Majesty has made up your mind, I can only obey the edict." Zhangsun Wuji bowed down and said with a hint of resentment, "However, I want to make an agreement with Your Majesty on one matter."

  "Uh-huh, you said."

  "If my son dares to violate military discipline or commits any other mistake in the future, I beg Your Majesty not to consider my face and definitely expel him from the Hundred Riders and severely punish him!" Changsun Wuji said resolutely.

  "Uh, okay." Li Shimin nodded, "The prince breaking the law is the same as a commoner, I will follow the law and regulations. There will be no favoritism, nor will there be any double standards to intentionally make things difficult for him just because he's your son."

  "Thank you, Your Majesty." Longsun Wuji turned to Qin Mubai on horseback and said, "General Qin, I also want to make a deal with you. From now on in the army, Longsun Gan is your subordinate, please don't treat him differently. Don't hold grudges against him because of past conflicts, nor be cautious because he's my son. What is what, just let it be. My intention is that no matter what, we can't let this affect the unity and normal order of the Hundred Riders."

  "Yes, I agree with you, Sir." Qin Mubai bowed his hands in return, "You have a broad mind like the sea, and it's only natural that your son would be just as great. I believe we'll get along well with Young Master Changsun in the future. You're right, no matter what, we can't forget our duties as the Hundred Riders - this is the most important thing!"

  Chang Sun Bian hastily cupped his hands and said: "General Qin, to be honest, I didn't have any prejudice against you. It's just that General Qin is too outstanding... I was a little jealous, that's all. Now that I see General Qin's exceptional talent and broad-mindedness, I sincerely admire him from the bottom of my heart. From now on, I am willing to wholeheartedly assist General Qin in leading the Hundred Riders and together serve the Emperor with loyalty."

  Qin Mubai burst out laughing and said with a smile: "Can't get what I want!"

  "Haha! We've made peace, how good!" Li Shimin laughed and said, "Fuji, it's been almost half a year since you last wore this official robe to my council chamber. I didn't expect that today, because of Changsun Wuji's small matter, you would rush to see me with such fanfare. Since you're here, I won't let you leave easily - all of you retreat, I want to have a detailed conversation with Sutu."

  "Your humble servant obeys!" Qin Mu Bai and Chang Sun Ruan bowed their hands and retreated. At this moment, another young man who had been standing on the other side without making a sound or movement, almost being ignored as if he didn't exist, also bowed his head and said: "Your child servant takes leave."

  "Hmm, Tai'er, you don't have to go far either. I will test your talent later," said Li Shimin, "You can take a walk with Qin Mubai and Changsun Gan outside the Wude Hall!"

  "Yes, Your Majesty!"

  At this time, Qin Mubai's heart moved: Taier? Could it be Li Tai, the King of Wei?!

  It has long been rumored that Emperor Taizong of Tang had a special affection for his fourth son, Li Tai. He had already moved him into the palace to live with him and had set up a special residence for him in the Wude Hall. On the other hand, Emperor Taizong was increasingly disappointed with his eldest son, Crown Prince Li Chengqian, whom he had appointed as crown prince earlier. As a result, rumors were circulating in the court that Emperor Taizong intended to depose Li Chengqian and replace him with Li Tai.

  It is precisely because of this that the imperial court has become turbulent and uncertain due to the hidden struggle for succession, causing all the officials to be in a state of confusion. Should they support the existing Crown Prince Li Chengqian or Li Tai, who seems to have a promising future?

  It is said that Li Tai's talent in literature was extremely outstanding. The people he associated with were mostly Confucian scholars and famous officials, and he himself was also intelligent and eager to learn, with a high level of literary talent. As a result, Emperor Taizong of Tang specially allowed him to set up a literary institute, where he recruited many talented scholars and officials to study together with Li Tai, interpreting classics and writing books.

  As usual, only the crown prince had the right to establish a Chongwen Pavilion to collect scholars.

  This alone is enough to make the ministers feel shocked and think that the emperor has the intention of abolishing and establishing. Because in those years, Li Shimin himself had established a literary museum in the Qinwang Mansion, and the famous "Eighteen Scholars" were his think tank, and now they have all become high-ranking officials in the court. For example, the famous prime minister Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui of the Zhenguan period were both one of the eighteen scholars.

  Moreover, the emperor exceptionally allowed Li Tai to live in the imperial palace, rather than sending him to a distant prefecture as an official like his other sons such as Li Ke, which further secretly convinced everyone that the emperor indeed intended to make Li Tai crown prince.

  ……

  The three of them walked out of the imperial study together. Qin Mu Bai casually glanced at Li Tai a few times, thinking to himself: It turns out that Li Ke is a big fat man who even gets breathless when walking... At first glance, he seems harmless with his kind eyebrows and smiling face, warm like spring.

  But all the previous TV dramas have told me that, no matter whether Li Tai is a harmless person or a ruthless one, and no matter how much he is favored now, in the end, neither he nor Li Chengqian became the crown prince, let alone ascended to the throne. Moreover, the ending of these two guys seems to be quite miserable... Ah, when the nest is destroyed, there will be no intact eggs left, so it's better for us to keep a distance from him and not follow others in trying to curry favor with Prince Wei, hoping to gain some benefits after he ascends to the throne due to his "meritorious service".

  In comparison, the eldest son Li Tai born to Empress Zhangsun was much more cunning than his younger half-brother Li Ke, and it can be said that everyone knew what was on his mind. Trying to get close to him is even more dangerous than following Li Ke!

  "Would the two generals like to take a stroll with me in the nearby Imperial Garden, if you don't mind?" Li Tai said with a hearty laugh, his chubby hands clasped together in invitation.

  "We have received an order from the King of Wei and must follow it." Qin Mubai and Changsun Gan bowed together, saying, "Your Highness, please!"

  "Haha, no need to be so formal!" Li Tai laughed and said, "Chang Sun brother, it's been a while since we last met. You've become the deputy commander of the Hundred Riders, and I haven't even congratulated you yet! ——And Qin brother, although we've just met, your great name is like thunder in my ears. Your pipa skills, wine brewing, especially your martial arts talent, are all things that His Majesty the Emperor can't praise enough. Meeting you today is truly a blessing from three lifetimes!"

  "Your Majesty's praise is misplaced! My humble skills are truly not worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as the great masters." Qin Mu Bai said, "I have long heard that Your Majesty's talents are boundless and your learning is vast, earning you the admiration of the most renowned scholars of our time. As a mere martial artist and wanderer, I have always looked up to those who are learned and talented. And towards Your Majesty, my admiration knows no bounds."

  "Haha!" Li Tai burst out laughing: "Can't we stop flattering each other like this? Brother Changsun, Brother Qin, we're all young people. Let's travel together and talk about some happy things that young people like. What do you say?"

  "Hehe, Your Highness is absolutely right." Changsun Wudi and Qin Mubai could only smile and agree.

  The three of them walked and chatted as they went, arriving at the Imperial Garden, where they strolled around for a while, until the sun was low in the west before dispersing.

  It is clear that Li Tai and Changsun Gan have a good private relationship. Moreover, he also intentionally pulled in Qin Mubai, occasionally getting close to him and subtly hinting that Changsun Gan should not quarrel with "his own people". Especially advising him, after returning, to persuade Yu Chigong to come and apologize to Qin Mubai voluntarily.

  Wei Chi Jingde is now serving as an external official, and Wei Chi Bao Yun's matter may still be unknown to him. Li Tai has this attitude, which somewhat replaces Wei Chi Jingde in emulating the approach of Changsun Wuji.

  Changsun Yan naturally agreed. In front of Li Tai, Changsun Yan also expressed several times that he wanted to put aside his past grievances with Qin Mochi and shake hands to make peace, from then on cooperating closely and getting along like "close brothers".

  Qin Mubai felt a sense of discomfort in his heart.

  Very hypocritical, very hypocritical.

  He could clearly feel that Zhang Sunyan still gritted his teeth in hatred towards him, yet he managed to squeeze out a smile on his face and spoke those grandiose words with extreme sincerity.

  On the side of Zhangsun Wuji, regardless of whether he was sincere or not, or just pretending to be so, these are actually unimportant. His son had a falling out with an outsider, this kind of trivial matter is not worthy of him, as a minister, to personally handle. The only reason he did so, probably because the emperor found out about this incident, and he extremely hoped that his son could continue to stay in the position of commander of the imperial guards.

  Changsun Wuji couldn't help but wonder if the Emperor would dislike Changsun Yan because of this matter, which would affect his son's future career and development, or bring some shadow or hidden danger to the Changsun family.

  Someone who can bring out a player of the level of Zhang Sun Wuji is naturally someone of the same level or even higher - he's targeting only the Emperor. Perhaps, he hasn't even taken a good look at a small fry like Qin Mu Bai.

  As for Li Tai, his intention was even more obvious - he was pulling people over.

  Although Qin Mubai is now just a low-ranking official, he will soon become the emperor's trusted aide and confidant. This means that Qin Mubai can see and hear many things that even the most favored princes cannot.

  This was too useful for Li Tai, who had been competing with him all along.

  Moreover, Li Tai had a habit. Around him were gathered many young masters from noble and aristocratic families of high-ranking officials. For example, several brothers of the Changsun Yan family, Fang Xuanling's son Fang Yiai, Shi Shao's son and imperial son-in-law Shi Lingwu, Du Ruhui's son Du He, Wei Zhengde's son Wei Baoyun, etc. This was the backbone of the "Prince of Wei Party" that everyone in the capital knew about.

  Then Qin Mu Bai, son of Qin Qiong, went in, as if it was also a matter of course.

  But in Qin Mubai's heart, he had already made up his mind: stay away from Li Taifeng, I don't want to be with him and suffer together in the future.

  As the time for dinner at the military camp approached, Qin Mubai and Changsun Gan walked together towards the Hundred Riders' Camp. The two of them seemed to have truly abandoned their previous animosity and were like a pair of good brothers who didn't know each other before, calling out "Qin brother" and "Changsun brother" as they walked side by side into the military camp.

  Everyone present was stunned: what's going on? One mountain can't accommodate two tigers, how did these two old tigers become friends?

  .??，！