Chapter 19: Treating Me Like a Charlatan

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The main hall of the Prince of Qin’s residence was already tightly encircled by armored Xuanjia Guards. Anyone caught spying would be immediately apprehended. Inside the hall, the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense. Civil officials and military generals stood distinctly in two rows. Tonight, every member of the Prince of Qin’s faction was present. Each wore a grave expression, all eyes fixed solemnly on Li Shimin at the head of the room. They all understood clearly that after this night, the Tang Dynasty would have a new master—either Crown Prince Li Jiancheng or Prince of Qin, Li Shimin.

When Wen He followed Changsun Wuji inside, the oppressive atmosphere affected him so deeply that even his breathing became cautious. Those positioned toward the back were the first to notice him.

“Who is this person?”

“I’ve never seen him before. Judging by his clothes, he looks like a servant.”

“Brought personally by the Duke of Changsun County, his status must be considerable.”

They whispered quietly as they watched Changsun Wuji lead Wen He to the front row. Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui turned their heads simultaneously. Alongside them stood several men of similar age, all casting curious glances.

“Keming, do you know who this is?” a middle-aged man in a brocade robe asked, frowning. At a time like this, the sudden appearance of an unfamiliar person, especially one personally introduced by Changsun Wuji, made his identity all the more intriguing.

“A remarkable individual,” Du Ruhui replied casually.

“Oh? Remarkable?” The others scoffed. In these recent years of chaotic wars, countless self-proclaimed remarkable figures had appeared, but what became of them? They all faded into oblivion like fleeting smoke or a handful of dust.

As the two men entered the main hall, Wen He observed those around him. Apart from Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and the recently arrived Yuchi Gong, Qin Qiong, and Cheng Yaojin, he recognized no one. However, he knew these were the key figures destined to shape the future of the Tang Dynasty. Unfortunately, only a few would be commemorated in the Lingyan Pavilion; the rest...

By the way, which one was Hou Junji? The thought of this man, who would one day stir up rebellion against Li Chengqian out of dissatisfaction, piqued Wen He’s interest. He seemed to have forgotten to warn Li Shimin earlier.

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During the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Hou Junji should have been removed to prevent him from gaining merit.

“Cough!”

Changsun Wuji frowned and gently nudged him. This boy had no sense of the present atmosphere, still looking around with curiosity.

“Hurry and pay respects to His Highness!”

Feeling that if he did not remind Wen He, the boy might remain dumbfounded, he urged him.

“Oh, oh, I pay respects to Crown Prince,” Wen He said carelessly, bowing deeply to Li Shimin.

Boom!

A thunderous sound seemed to erupt in the hall. Several people wanted to scold him but stopped mid-step, holding back. Had Wen He misspoken? Certainly—this was an overstep, a grave disrespect. Yet who dared to rebuke him now?

“This child is interesting, quite to my taste, ha ha ha,” came a hearty laugh. Without looking, everyone knew the voice belonged to Cheng Zhijie, the only rogue bold enough to speak up now.

“Young Wen, do not speak nonsense,” Li Shimin pretended to be angry, but his words were more of a tacit acceptance than a reprimand.

“Your Highness, at this point, if you are not the Crown Prince, then you cannot be the Prince of Qin either. The future Tang Dynasty needs a wise ruler like you. You must not hesitate any longer,” Wen He said passionately, bowing deeply again.

For such a meeting, Changsun Wuji need not have brought him along. Li Shimin could have taken him to Xuanwu Gate with a single word. That Changsun Wuji personally led him here suggested, if Wen He guessed right, that Li Shimin wanted him to help rally support.

“This child speaks rightly. Both the Crown Prince and the Qi King plan to move against you. If you cannot bear it, let me go. Even if it means storming the Liangyi Palace, one word from you is all I need!” Yuchi Gong snorted and stepped forward to volunteer.

“I am willing to follow General Yuchi!” A youth of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight emerged from the back and knelt to pledge his loyalty.

“Although I do not respect Old Yuchi, his words make sense. And you, Hou Junji, a mere Left Guard, why are you stepping forward? I haven’t even spoken yet—go back!” Cheng Zhijie puffed his beard and widened his eyes. He was always eager to show loyalty, but this time Old Yuchi had beaten him to it, and now that scoundrel Hou Junji dared to step up as well.

“I only wish to serve Your Highness faithfully, without considering the consequences. I did not mean to offend the Duke of Su,” Hou Junji replied.

“Get lost! Don’t try to poison the well in front of me. Back in the Wagang Fort, when I was scheming and plotting, you were still drinking milk in your cradle!” Cheng Zhijie mocked.

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Recalling those humiliating days, he seemed proud rather than ashamed. Fearing disbelief, he called out to a familiar face from the opposite line.

“Old Xu, Xu Yanzu, Xu Jingzong, I’m talking to you. You weren’t innocent in those shady deeds either. Why the eye-roll at me?”

The middle-aged man called out to, exasperated, rolled his eyes and turned away, unwilling to engage.

“Duke of Su, let’s discuss serious matters. Save your past deeds for private conversations later,” an elderly man in brocade standing in front reminded them.

“Heh, Yuwen Sima, enough, enough,” Cheng Zhijie grudgingly stepped back, clearly wary of this elder.

Yuwen Sima... Wen He pondered for a moment and suddenly recalled a name—Yuwen Shiji, Li Shimin’s first Secretary.

While Wen He examined those named by Cheng Zhijie, Li Shimin observed his expression closely. When Wen He heard the name Hou Junji, Li Shimin’s face briefly flickered with a mixture of amusement and surprise. At the mention of Xu Jingzong, Wen He’s eyes glimmered with a spark.

Li Shimin said nothing but silently noted the two names. Among the many talented individuals at the Heavenly Strategy Headquarters, these two were relatively insignificant.

“Jingde, I understand your meaning. Thanks to this young man before us, I shall no longer hesitate today,” Li Shimin said, signaling Yuchi Gong to return to his duties, then gesturing toward Wen He.

Everyone was astonished. Wen He himself was shocked. What was happening? Was Li Shimin about to reveal his identity? Impossible—he was Li Shimin, how could he be so foolish?

“Cough!”

Just as Wen He was taken aback, Changsun Wuji stepped forward, turned to face the gathered officials in the Prince of Qin’s residence, and spoke solemnly:

“Yesterday, this young man predicted that Venus would appear due south today, a sign from the immortals foretelling that the Prince of Qin shall seize the realm. Furthermore, on June 3rd, Venus will appear again, marking the arrival of a sage ruler to the Tang Dynasty.”

Damn!

Wen He understood. This was not an exposure of his identity as a time traveler; they were treating him like a prophet!