Li Shimin and Li Xuanba finally returned to Luoyang.
Li Shimin stood at the bow with his hands behind his back, looking at the Luoyang City that was about to arrive, and said in a vicissitudes of life: "We have only been away from Luoyang for four months, but it seems like forty years have passed."
Li Xuanba nodded.
Yuwen Shiji and Princess Nanyang worked side by side to paint, just like parents taking photos of their cute children in later generations.
Yang Guang learned in advance that Li Yuan had arrived in Luoyang and requested to see the emperor.
Yang Guang, who had lost the patience to raise children, came over and took Li Shimin and Li Xuanba away, handing them over to Li Yuan intact.
When he and Empress Xiao arrived together, they saw Li Shimin and Li Xuanba forced to stand at the bow with their hands behind their backs, pretending to be serious, while Princess Nanyang and Yuwen Shiji were painting for them.
Seeing Yang Guang coming, Li Shimin and Li Xuanba's expressions lit up.
Li Xuanba: [This is the first time I look forward to your Majesty's arrival! ]
Li Shimin: "…" In his heart, Ah Xuan rarely called him "Your Majesty".
"Ah Xuan hasn't recovered yet, how could you let him stand on the bow of the boat to get some wind?" Empress Xiao held the two children in her arms and scolded her daughter and son-in-law with a smile.
Yang Guang looked at the paintings of his daughter and son-in-law and said with a smile, "Li Sanlang is drawn too fat."
Li Shimin pulled Li Xuanba to see what they looked like in the paintings.
Li Xuanba didn't have time to react and staggered, almost being dragged away by Li Shimin.
"Ah, I'm really fat!" Li Shimin said, "Ah Xuan, you have to work hard to grow this fat!"
Li Xuanba was almost pulled into the corner of the table by his second brother.
He shook his hands vigorously, pushed his second brother away, and looked down at the child in the painting who was as round as a steamed bun and was wearing a red bellyband.
The people in the painting, whether in appearance or clothing, don't look like my second brother and me at all, right? Then what's the point of my second brother and I standing there as models for so long? !
He glanced at Yuwen Shiji and Princess Nanyang with resentment.
The young couple both covered their mouths and laughed.
Empress Xiao stretched out her finger and tapped Princess Nanyang's forehead: "You are just naughty!"
Yang Guang said to Yuwen Shiji: "Every time I entrusted you with an important task and asked you to be a governor, you never wanted to go far away. Every day you discussed poetry and painting with Nanyang. You are really useless!"
Yuwen Shiji said with a smile: "Your Majesty, I just want to stay with the princess forever, I am so useless."
Yang Guang didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Okay, okay, whatever you want."
Li Shimin looked at Li Xuanba.
Li Xuanba: [Surprised, right? There are times when the emperor interacts with his subjects like ordinary people.]
Li Shimin blinked instead of nodding.
The emperor had always shown a moody, suspicious and wary side. He even used the so-called "emperor's mind" on the two children, Li Shimin and Li Xuanba, and tested them from time to time.
Who would have thought that someone could joke with the emperor, and the emperor would not be angry?
Yang Guang joked with Yuwen Shiji again. The two of them looked so happy and harmonious, as if they were real father and son.
Li Xuanba looked away.
Yang Guang was not kind to his own sons, and was suspicious of them to the point of having paranoia. However, he was very caring and attentive to Yuwen Shu's family.
Yuwen Shu was the father of Yuwen Shiji. His eldest son Yuwen Huaji and second son Yuwen Zhiji were the ones who murdered Yang Guang in the Jiangdu Palace.
Although Yuwen Shiji did not know about it beforehand, he and Princess Nanyang could not go back to the past.
Who would have thought that more than a decade later, Yuwen Shiji, who was as carefree as a wild crane, would become the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty known for his prudence, and that Princess Nanyang, who lived a refined life, would agree to become a nun and live a life of poverty after Dou Jiande killed her own son.
"Ah Xuan, what are you worried about?"
"I have no trouble."
He just knew that some sugars had a bitter aftertaste, so even the initial taste didn't taste sweet to him.
…
When Li Yuan came to see the emperor, Li Shimin and Li Xuanba were shooting arrows with Yang Guang on the training ground.
Yang Guang never missed his target, and Li Shimin's arrows could always hit the target, except Li Xuanba, who had no one daring to stand around his target.
When Li Yuan arrived, Li Xuanba had just shot an arrow into the ground.
Li Shimin held his head and shook it hard, looking like he was in a state of collapse: "Ah Xuan, why on earth did you shoot the arrow towards the ground?!"
Li Xuanba argued: "I didn't shoot at the ground, I aimed at the target carefully!"
Yang Guang's laughter was as loud as a bell.
Seeing Li Yuan coming, Yang Guang joked: "Aren't you good at shooting? Why don't you teach Li Sanlang well?"
Li Yuan immediately said, "I taught Shimin how to use the bow and arrow, but Xuanba didn't!"
Yang Guang laughed even harder.
He threw the bow and arrow to Li Yuan and said, "Cousin, let me see your skills."
Li Yuan glanced at the target and shot three arrows in succession. All three arrows hit the center of the bull's eye, as if the bull's eye attracted the three arrows.
Li Shimin jumped around holding the toy bow in his hand high: "Yeah, that's awesome!"
Li Xuanba put the small bow on his shoulder and clapped his hands for Li Yuan.
To be honest, the young Li Yuan would not necessarily lose in an archery competition with General Li Shimin.
Now Li Yuan and Li Shimin can indeed be described as heroic father and son.
Seeing his two sons cheering for him, Li Yuan showed a proud smile on his face: "Your Majesty, I will not lose to anyone in archery."
Li Shimin and Li Xuanba flattered Yang Guang, and Yang Guang's fear of Li Yuan has dissipated a lot. Besides, Yang Guang had military achievements in his early years, so he would not be jealous of someone who had not yet been on the battlefield.
Yang Guang smiled and said, "Really? How does he compare to the Wuwei General Changsun Sheng?"
Li Yuan said proudly: "I have not yet competed with him. But the general of Wuwei is old, I will not compete with him."
"Bah, I think you just can't win, so you're just making excuses." Yang Guang laughed and scolded, "Come here, call the general of the Wuwei Army!"
Li Yuan coughed dryly and said embarrassedly: "General Changsun is also in Luoyang?"
Yang Guang said: "I am here, how can General Changsun not go with me?"
Li Yuan said with a slightly resentful tone: "I also want to go to Jiangdu."
Yang Guang said, "I am taking your two sons with me, so I will not take you with me. Do you, the Duke of Tang, want to go to Jiangdu as a family?"
Li Yuan said: "Why not? My family members are all relatives of your Majesty..."
Before Li Yuan finished speaking, Li Xuanba quickly interrupted: "Your Majesty, just treat my family as a poor relative who has come to seek refuge. Your Majesty is rich and you certainly won't mind adding a few more sets of bowls and chopsticks."
Li Yuan: "…"
Yang Guang frowned slightly at Li Yuan's insolence. After hearing Li Xuanba's words, he couldn't help but laugh and said, "Can you call the Duke of Tang's Mansion a poor relative?"
Li Yuan said: "Of course not..."
Li Xuanba continued to retort: "Compared to Your Majesty, who is not a poor relative? Right, second brother?"
Li Shimin nodded: "Of course! Right, yeah?"
Li Yuan: "…Although it is true."
Yang Guang nearly choked from laughing.
In the past, he only thought that Li Yuan was disrespectful to him because he was his cousin. Now that his two cousins were singing the same tune and rebuking him, why did he feel that Li Yuan was not disrespectful, but just a little naive?
"Okay, I'll bring your whole family with me next time." Yang Guang said with a smile, "I still have to take care of my poor relatives at home."
Li Yuan gave his two sons a look that said "I'll deal with you later" and said, "Forget it. We can't let people laugh at us for asking for money."
Li Xuan said domineeringly: "Father, it is our honor to be able to work with His Majesty."
Li Shimin said: "That's right."
Li Yuan couldn't help it, and punched Li Shimin hard on the head.
Li Xuanba ran away, hid behind Yang Guang and poked his head out: "Uncle, save me! Father is furious!"
Yang Guang smiled and said, "Okay, I will protect you. Li Yuan received the order and is not allowed to beat Erlang and Sanlang!"
Li Yuan was speechless: "Do I have to accept this imperial edict?"
Yang Guang pretended to be angry: "What? You want to disobey my order?"
Li Xuan said domineeringly: "Uncle, my father disobeyed my order. Hit him on the head to avenge my second brother!"
Li Xuanba: [Hurry up and shout with me. ]
Li Shimin hesitated. This is not good... It's a bit unfilial.
Li Xuanba: [Hurry up! ]
Li Shimin closed his eyes and stiffened his neck and said, "That's right! Uncle, hit Yeye on the head!"
Yang Guang said: "Li Yuan, quickly accept the order!"
Li Yuan was so angry at his two sons that his face turned blue, but since the emperor had urged him to do so, he could only kneel down and accept the oral order.
What made him even more depressed was that Yang Guang actually hit him on the head twice.
"Erlang, your uncle has avenged you." Yang Guang said with a smile.
Li Shimin bowed and said, "Thank you, uncle, thank you, Your Majesty."
Li Xuanba ran out from behind Yang Guang and also bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Seeing this, Li Yuan was so angry at his two naughty sons that he laughed.
"Get up, how long are you going to kneel?" Yang Guang pulled Li Yuan up.
The two of them now feel a bit like they did when they were in Emperor Wen of Sui's palace, and the atmosphere is much better.
Li Yuan complained: "Your Majesty, if you pamper them too much, what if they get spoiled?"
Yang Guang said confidently: "If a son is not well educated, it is the fault of the father. That means you, Li Yuan, did not teach your son well."
Li Yuan sighed deeply and glared at Li Shimin and Li Xuanba again.
The two children were obviously very well-behaved when they were in Xingyang. How come they became so naughty after accompanying the emperor for four months?
"Your Majesty, General Changsun is here." an eunuch whispered.
Yang Guang said with a smile: "Let General Changsun come in quickly. Someone, change the target. Li Yuan, don't hide!"
Li Yuan said confidently: "I won't lose in an archery competition if I don't hide."
"What a big tone! Let me test you." Chang Sun Sheng arrived before he even arrived, but his voice was already there, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"
"General Changsun, please stand up. Come and teach my overly arrogant cousin a lesson." Yang Guang helped Changsun Sheng up.
When Emperor Wen of Sui died, Yang Guang ordered Changsun Sheng to take charge of the palace and keep the death a secret. He did not announce the death until he had gained control of the court and was able to succeed to the throne smoothly. Therefore, Changsun Sheng had made great contributions to Yang Guang's succession to the throne and was Yang Guang's confidant. Yang Guang trusted him more.
Chang Sun Sheng was fifty-three years old this year. Although his face looked much more haggard than the pampered ministers of the same age in the court due to his long stay in the north to guard against the Turks, the muscles in his shoulders and arms were very strong, and his hands were like eagle claws. He was obviously a very capable military commander.
Li Xuanba took Li Shimin to salute Changsun Sheng, and at the same time explained Changsun Sheng's great achievements to Li Shimin in his mind.
The early Tang Dynasty, like the early Han Dynasty, is a period of history that is well-known but paradoxically in the "historical desert". That is, most people in later generations can tell a story about it, but they do not know the details of the history of the early Tang Dynasty.
For example, Changsun Sheng was not well-known in later generations, and many people didn't even know that he was the father of Empress Changsun.
Anyone who has completed nine years of compulsory education must know the idiom "killing two birds with one stone". The allusion of "killing two birds with one stone" is about Chang Sun Sheng.
Looking at the entire history of China, his abilities make him one of the best diplomats.
During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Turks were very powerful. The Northern Dynasties almost all needed the support of the Turks to be established. The Turks regarded the Central Plains Dynasty as a "daughter dynasty" that they supported, and often called themselves "father".
In order to gain benefits, the Turks often helped weak forces and suppressed powerful forces so as to keep the Central Plains divided.
Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty was very tough on the Turks and wanted to expel them from the Central Plains. However, the military strength of the Sui Dynasty was not strong enough to completely confront the Turks when it was first established, and the southern part of the country had not yet been unified, so the Sui Dynasty was very worried that the Turks would take advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble.
The one taking the lead at this moment is Chang Sun Sheng.
Emperor Wen of Sui authorized Changsun Sheng to take full charge of Turkic affairs. Changsun Sheng traveled among the Turkic tribes for many years, implementing the strategy of "making friends with distant tribes and attacking nearby tribes, separating the strong and uniting the weak".
He used superb diplomatic skills to split the Turks into Eastern and Western Turks, thus resolving Emperor Wen of Sui's worries about going south to destroy Chen.
He used one faction to fight against another, supported Qimin Khan, eliminated Bujia Khan, and almost did not engage in large-scale battles with the Turks, but turned the Turks into a mess. In the year when Yang Guang ascended the throne, the threat of the Turks in the north of the Sui Dynasty was basically eliminated, and there were no border troubles for the next ten years, which gave Yang Guang the capital to act recklessly.
Li Xuanba: [When the Sui Dynasty was established, the Turks could still call themselves the "father" of the Central Plains dynasty. Then, they were played half-crippled by General Changsun Sheng for 23 years. If General Changsun Sheng was in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, he would definitely be able to compete with Zhang Yi and Su Qin. Whether it is ability, perseverance or loyalty, General Changsun Sheng deserves to be remembered by the world. ]
Unfortunately, he is not remembered by the world.
The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!
Li Xuanba thought that the only thing these people in the early Tang Dynasty lacked was a copy of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Romance of Sui and Tang Dynasties was really not good enough. He wondered if he could make up for it.
Anyway, he would definitely be a dandy and idle prince in the future, which was just right for him to write novels.
After listening to Li Xuanba's introduction, Li Shimin's big eyes turned into stars.
Awesome!
Chang Sunsheng had been traveling in the Turkic region for a long time and had a very keen sense. He immediately noticed Li Shimin's sight and shot his eagle-like eyes at Li Shimin.
Li Shimin: Starry eyes!
Changsun Sheng: "..." Who is this child?
Li Xuanba: [Introduce yourself quickly! ]
Li Shimin immediately straightened his chest and bowed: "Greetings, General Changsun. My name is Li Shimin. I have heard that General Changsun killed two birds with one stone and traveled alone in the Turkic region for 23 years, helping the Sui Dynasty eliminate the threat of the Turkic region! Seeing you today, I can hardly suppress my excitement and admiration. Please forgive me, General!"
"I'm not alone..." Chang Sun Sheng's expression warmed up. He looked at Li Shimin carefully. "Are you the twin prodigies from the Duke of Tang's Mansion?"
Li Shimin immediately pulled Li Xuanba, who had shrunk to the back to reduce his presence, to his side: "My brother and I are the twin prodigies together."
Chang Sun Sheng was amused and laughed: "Indeed."
Li Yuan felt a little sour: "Shimin, you said before that the person you admire most is Yeye."
Li Shimin looked up and said in surprise: "Ye Ye has also been to the Turks? Ye Ye is amazing!"
Li Xuanba: "..."Brother, you are awesome, are you really not sarcastic?
Yang Guang laughed so hard that his stomach hurt. He was a little reluctant to let this pair of funny people out of the palace.
Li Yuan was speechless because of his son's blockage. He said with a red face: "I will go, I will go right away! Your Majesty, please send me to the Turks immediately!"
Yang Guang: "Hahahahahaha!"
Chang Sun Sheng couldn't help laughing and couldn't stop.
Li Shimin looked at his blushing father, then at the laughing emperor and General Changsun, and silently hid his body, which was a circle bigger than Li Xuanba, behind Li Xuanba.
He held Li Xuanba's shoulders with both hands, lowered his head and locked his shoulders to hide.
Yeah yeah can't see me, yeah yeah can't see me.
Li Xuanba was speechless. He was grateful to his second brother for attracting his father's anger. Perhaps when they left the palace later, his father would only beat his second brother.
Li Yuan was extremely ashamed and angry, and he pulled Chang Sun Sheng aside, insisting on competing with him in "killing two birds with one stone".
Yang Guang also wanted to watch the fun and was willing to take out his beloved hunting eagle to give it a try.
Li Xuanba mourned in silence. Poor Diao Diao.
Li Yuan didn't allow people to talk about the ending, but Yang Guang laughed so hard anyway.
Li Xuanba: [Obviously, my father's archery now mainly focuses on shooting at targets and relatively docile prey, and he is still not as good as General Changsun who often stays in the Turks.]
Li Shimin glanced at his brother. Didn't he say that he was not allowed to speak? If he spoke in his heart, it was not called speaking?
"No, you can't win like this!" The young Li Yuan was a cheerful and free-spirited person.
After he lost, he didn't get angry, but grabbed Chang Sun Sheng's shoulders and acted like a rogue.
Yang Guang laughed and scolded: "Cousin, can't you afford to lose?"
Li Yuan said: "I just can't afford to lose. I must win something back, otherwise I will feel uncomfortable."
Chang Sun Sheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "What does Duke Tang want to win?"
Li Yuan looked down at his two sons.
Li Xuanba immediately pushed his second brother.
Li Shimin rushed forward a few steps and looked back in confusion: "Ah Xuan, why are you pushing me?"
Li Yuan smiled and said, "General Changsun, what do you think of my Li Shimin?"
Although he didn't know why his father mentioned him, Li Shimin still puffed out his chest.
I'm awesome!
Chang Sun Sheng thought thoughtfully: "A child who can be taken care of by His Majesty is naturally good."
Li Yuan said, "I heard that you had a little girl a few years ago, who is exactly the same age as my son Shimin."
Li Yuan did not do this on a whim.
After learning that Empress Xiao wanted to find a matchmaker for their two children, Madam Dou and Li Yuan were anxiously looking for suitable daughters-in-law.
But Li Shimin and Li Xuanba were still too young, only six years old. It was almost impossible for girls of the right age to be brought out by their parents to visit relatives, and there was no way to know their character.
Li Yuan and Madam Dou could only choose family background first and see which suitable families had daughters of the right age.
Changsun Sheng's family happened to have a three-year-old daughter born to his second wife. Li Yuan had previously only chosen Changsun's daughter as one of the candidates, but after meeting Changsun Sheng today, he decided on this family.
With such a powerful father, the daughter of the Changsun family must be no bad person.
Li Shimin respected Changsun Sheng so much, so he would definitely treat his daughter well. The couple would definitely have a harmonious relationship.
So Li Yuan took this opportunity to act recklessly.
Zhang Sunsheng was stunned for a moment, then he yelled, "My maid Guanyin is only three years old! Li Yuan, have some shame!"
Li Yuan said shamelessly: "My Shimin is only six years old, isn't this just right? Your Majesty, Your Majesty, don't just stand there and watch, help me. My son is also your Majesty's junior. General Changsun is such a powerful man, how can his daughter be given to other families!"
Yang Guang said slowly: "That's perfect, my eldest grandson is exactly three years old."
Li Xuanba: "!!!" Fuck! No! Emperor Sui Yang, shut up!
Li Xuanba: [Brother! Your wife is about to run away! Hurry up and hold on to your father-in-law's thigh! ]
Push, push, push hard!
"Ah?!" Li Shimin was pushed to the side of Changsun Sheng by Li Xuanba. He scratched his head in confusion, "What Madam? Ah, never mind!"
Hold on!
Chang Sun Sheng looked down at the silly boy who was hugging his waist.
Li Shimin looked up at Changsun Sheng stupidly.
Yang Guang covered his eyes, "Hahahahaha, I can't hold it anymore. I can't breathe from laughing. Hahahaha. Li Yuan and Li Erlang have become bad people. It's all your fault! You and your son are really shameless! Hahahaha! Forget it. I won't compete with you. General Changsun, just agree to him."
Chang Sun Sheng's face was a little broken: "Your Majesty! My Guanyin maid is only three years old! Three years old!"
Li Yuan smiled and said, "My Shimin is really not bad. Look, Shimin is so handsome."
Li Xuanba: [Stand up straight. ]
Li Shimin stupidly let go of his hand and stood up straight.
Li Yuan said: "He is already skilled in archery, and he will surely win an imperial decree for his wife in the future."
Li Xuanba: [Draw the bow.]
Li Shimin took the small toy bow from the eunuch in confusion and pretended to bend the bow and shoot an arrow.
"Puchi!" Yang Guang, who had just tried to hold back his laughter, couldn't help it again.
Li Yuan said proudly: "My family's Shimin's literary talent, the same generation of Zheng family in Xingyang competed with Shimin and Xuanba, and they were completely annihilated. Do you understand?"
Yang Guang wiped the tears from his laughter and added: "Also, Yuwenbi and Gao Jiong, two arrogant old men, are vying to accept Shimin and Xuanba as their disciples. These two cousins of mine are indeed very smart."
When Changsun Sheng heard the names Yuwen Bi and Gao Jiong, he finally showed a look of surprise.
Changsun Sheng was somewhat moved by the child who was favored by Yuwen Bi and Gao Jiong.
He looked at Li Shimin, who had put away his toy bow and still had a silly expression on his face, and then looked at Li Xuanba standing beside him.
Li Xuanba immediately coughed and pretended to be weak.
Li Shimin's stupid expression immediately became wise.
He frowned and ran to the eunuch, handed him the toy bow, took a cup of honey water and ran to Li Xuanba: "Moisten your throat, did you catch a cold from the wind? Why are you coughing again?"
Li Xuanba quickly said, "I just accidentally choked on my saliva. It's okay."
Li Shimin said: "Drink some water first."
Li Xuanba sighed: "Okay."
After he finished drinking the water, Li Shimin felt relieved when he saw that his brother stopped coughing.
Li Shimin took off his small fur cape and put another layer on top of Li Xuanba's small fur cape of the same style: "Brother is a little hot now, you wear it first."
After saying that, he pointed to his forehead and said, "Look, there are beads of sweat on my forehead. It's really hot."
The three adults couldn't help but have kind expressions on their faces as they watched the two brothers interact.
Yang Guang wiped away the tears from his laughter and said, "General Changsun, I think this marriage is feasible."
Chang Sun Sheng sighed and said, "Your Majesty has already proposed a matchmaker, what else can I say? It's just that my daughter is weak..."
Li Yuan said, "How about we make a verbal agreement first and then exchange the engagement letter when your daughter is ten years old?"
Zhang Sunsheng said: "Duke Tang thinks highly of me, so I will boldly acknowledge this relative."
He bowed to Yang Guang and thanked him: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for being a matchmaker. If this can be accomplished in the future, I will dare to invite Your Majesty to have a drink at the wedding."
Seeing Li Yuan was stunned, Li Xuanba pulled his second brother and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for being a matchmaker."
Li Shimin looked silly again: "Thank you, Your Majesty." I am so confused as to what I am doing.
Three people present saluted. No matter how foolish Li Yuan was, he saluted immediately and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. This time, thanks to Your Majesty, I finally got what I deserved! Can Your Majesty find some more powerful people to compete with me in archery next time? I still have three sons."
Yang Guang was stunned, then he scolded with a smile: "I will never let anyone compete with you in archery again! If I win, I will lose my daughter. Who would be willing to compete with you in archery? Get out of here!"
Li Yuan chuckled foolishly.
Yang Guang and Zhang Sun Sheng both covered their eyes with one hand, looking as if they couldn't bear to watch.
Li Xuanba also wanted to cover his eyes.
This expression, this expression, my second brother and my father are indeed father and son.
Li Yuan winked at Li Shimin: Look, Ye Ye has "lost" you a little wife, are you happy?
Li Shimin tilted his head, not understanding what his father's strange expression meant.