Chapter 15: A Messenger from the Imperial Palace Has Arrived—His Majesty Summons Me

"Yes, definitely there is."

The notorious reputation of the greatest cuckold in the Tang Dynasty still held some weight.

At the very least, it served as a warning to future generations: never marry a woman who is too domineering.

Fang Xuanling stroked his beard with a hint of pride. Having fathered a son late in life, his hopes for his child’s success were naturally even greater.

“I wonder what achievements my son will have in the future—could he possibly be remembered alongside his old man in the annals of history? Surely, he will become a pillar of our great Tang.”

He cast a sidelong glance at Du Ruhui and, not far off, Changsun Wuji, his eyes gleaming with a measure of pride.

“Did you hear that? Not only will this old man be remembered, but my son will also leave a lasting legacy.”

He failed to notice that Wen He was subtly signaling to Emperor Taizong.

He dared not truly mention Fang Yiai’s affairs; otherwise, Taizong would surely devour him whole.

Emperor Taizong looked at him, puzzled by his exaggerated expressions.

Previously, Wen He had been outspoken and straightforward, so why was he so cautious this time?

But he did not dwell on it. Clearing his throat lightly, he interrupted Fang Xuanling.

“With Xuanling here, your son will surely achieve greatness. There’s no need to rush. Do not forget the matter at hand today.”

Taizong smiled gently as he reminded him.

Fang Xuanling immediately suppressed his smile, realizing he had lost composure, and quickly apologized to the emperor.

The two exchanged polite words and successfully steered the conversation back to the main topic.

Wen He breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

When he looked up, he caught Du Ruhui glancing at him, as if sensing something.

Wen He pressed his lips together and nodded to him with a smile.

Du Ruhui hesitated for a moment, then chuckled and nodded back.

Ahead, Emperor Taizong was discussing arrangements with Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling when he suddenly shifted the topic to the Wei River Alliance and Li Yi.

“Today, Wen He informed me that Xieli will take advantage of my ascension to the throne to invade, and that the treacherous Li Yi did not warn Chang’an, and will rebel in the future.”

“Li Yi is plotting rebellion?”

Everyone present was taken aback.

It was unexpected, yet upon reflection, it made some sense.

“Your Highness, are you considering employing Li Yaoshi?” Du Ruhui’s question struck at the heart of the matter.

Emperor Taizong smiled ambiguously and pointed toward Wen He.

“It was also this lad who told me that in the future, Li Yaoshi will be a pillar of the Tang Dynasty, yet under the current circumstances, he is unwilling to support me.”

---

“That’s not a problem,” Fang Xuanling shook his head indifferently. “Li Yaoshi has always been cautious. Not making a choice is the best choice for now. As long as Your Highness upholds righteousness, it will only require a decree.”

“What I worry about is whether Li Yaoshi will be like Li Yi...” Fang Xuanling hesitated, then looked toward Wen He.

Others also glanced over at the same time.

Wen He disdainfully pushed the tea in front of him aside.

Whoever prepared this had given him a cup of boiled water, but insisted on concocting some bizarre dark brew.

Seeing the Sichuan peppercorns floating in it gave him goosebumps.

“I’ve already aligned myself with Emperor Taizong. Maybe I should try brewing some tea leaves—wonder if that would work.”

Changing the dietary habits of an entire era was no easy task.

Unlike those predecessors who came before him and tried to popularize liquor, which was certainly not profitable.

Alcohol alone was fine, but among these pampered nobles, who would willingly drink such strong spirits?

“Cough!”

Seeing Wen He daydreaming, Emperor Taizong cleared his throat impatiently.

But Wen He seemed not to hear and was staring off toward the door.

Taizong exchanged a look with Changsun Wuji, who quickly strode over and lifted Wen He up.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

Suddenly yanked like a little chick, Wen He was so scared his heart nearly leapt out of his throat.

“Everyone is waiting for you. What were you just thinking about?”

“Ah? Waiting for me? To eat?”

You bigwigs are discussing serious matters—what does that have to do with me?

Wen He struggled to escape, but his small frame was no match for the scholar Changsun Wuji.

“I’m talking about Li Yi and Li Yaoshi.”

“What’s the big deal? Didn’t Your Highness already decide? Once you become Crown Prince, lure Li Yi to Chang’an, then have Li Jing lead the army to Jingzhou... wait, I just thought of something!”

Wen He suddenly widened his eyes and exclaimed, “No, no. Li Jing previously defeated the Turks in Lingzhou, so Xieli bypassed Lingzhou and moved south from Jingzhou. If Li Jing is stationed in Jingzhou this time, might they change their route and come through Lingzhou instead?”

Wen He recalled an analysis he had read online in his previous life.

After being defeated several times by Li Jing in Lingzhou, Xieli feared that area and took a detour through Jingzhou.

“This...”

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui hesitated.

“No matter. Lingzhou differs from Jingzhou. Lingzhou’s terrain is unsuitable for large cavalry forces. If the Turkic army wants to move quickly, they would never choose Lingzhou. This has nothing to do with whether the commander is Yaoshi or not.”

---

Emperor Taizong chuckled lightly, somewhat skeptical.

These future people seem to overestimate Li Yaoshi.

Am I supposed to have only one Li Yaoshi under my command?

“Oh, I see. Sorry, I don’t know much about warfare, haha.”

Wen He had barely read any military manuals, let alone participated in battles.

Fortunately, Tang was not like the Song; there were plenty of renowned generals in this dynasty.

“Since that’s the case, what’s there to hesitate about?” Wen He looked at everyone puzzled.

Fang Xuanling cleared his throat awkwardly.

“My concern is that Li Yi wields great military power. The troops stationed in Jingzhou are all his loyalists. If Li Yaoshi goes there and cannot suppress them, what then?”

“Do you really believe that?” Wen He scoffed.

Li Jing’s reputation was earned on the battlefield.

Especially among the soldiers around Jingzhou and Lingzhou, who would dare defy him?

Even Li Yi respects him; how much more his subordinates?

Li Yaoshi would not be going to Jingzhou alone.

Moreover, given the current Tang militia system, as long as the commander does not rebel, his forces will not act rashly.

Wen He understood Fang Xuanling’s concern—it was simply the fear that Li Jing might turn out like Li Yi.

“Your Highness, trust in your people. If you doubt them, they are of no use. Besides, this is a perfect opportunity to win hearts and minds. It was your trust in Li Jing that made him wholeheartedly follow you. Even when he rose to power, he did not become like Sima Yi; instead, he quietly retired to the background and nurtured the next generation of commanders for you.”

“If it really comes to it, you can ask Yang Ji, the commander stationed in Jingzhou, to assist. Historically, he and Zhao Cihao were the ones who eliminated Li Yi.”

Wen He worried that his butterfly effect might alter Li Yaoshi’s original history.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Taizong laughed heartily.

“Never thought you lad would dare to advise me. I am not a suspicious person. Xuanling’s concerns are just that—concerns, not doubts about Yaoshi. What happens today must not be leaked.”

He dispelled Wen He’s worries and issued a warning.

Everyone stepped forward, bowed, and silently vowed to keep the matter to themselves.

Emperor Taizong assumed a solemn expression and settled the matter.

Having finished discussing Li Jing, it was now time to address the matter of the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

But before Taizong could speak, a whistle sounded outside the door.

The expressions of all inside instantly changed.

Changsun Wuji quickly went out and soon returned, anxiously saying, “Your Highness, someone from the palace has arrived. The Sage requests your presence.”