"Your Highness, at seventeen, you followed Yun Dingxing to rescue the Emperor at Yanmen Pass, then raised troops in Taiyuan and won several battles. Though young, you have rich experience in warfare. Have you ever seen gods, Buddhas, or Yao Guai participating in human wars?"
"Never."
"Since the War of the Gods Investiture, there has been an unwritten rule in Jambudvipa, and later, after Ancestral Dragon… In short, generally speaking, if Your Highness encounters Yao Guai causing trouble among enemy troops, you should light incense and make offerings, inform the city god and earth god, and naturally, immortals will come to eliminate the Yao Guai. There's no need to worry about it."
Li Shimin listened with great interest.
This indeed aligned with his consistent understanding of the mystical side. Although Demons and Monsters existed, gods and Buddhas would naturally deal with them.
At most, he would go to a temple to offer incense, murmur prayers, and donate some incense money.
If one temple wasn't effective, he would go to another—praying to Guanyin, then to Buddha Ancestor, then to the Three Pure Ones, then to the Jade Emperor. If he encountered temples of Nuwa or Houtu, he could also go there to lodge a complaint.
Whoever was effective, he would believe; whoever could solve problems was a good deity.
Pragmatic faith was just that flexible.
"Your Highness, Lord Zhangsun has arrived," someone came to report.
"Then I shall take my leave," Yuan Tiangang said.
"Won't you stay for a cup of wine, sir?" Li Shimin was in high spirits, smiling cheerfully.
"When the young master hatches, for the full moon or first birthday, when the Qinwangfu celebrates, I will shamelessly come to enjoy a feast," Yuan Tiangang rubbed his eyes and also smiled.
"Thank you for your auspicious words, sir. When the time comes, Shimin will personally deliver an invitation and request your presence at the banquet."
Both host and guest were pleased.
Li Shimin saw him out, watching Yuan Tiangang depart before happily going to meet Zhangsun Wuji.
"Why the urgent summons? Did something happen?"
"Wuji, let me tell you…" He chattered away, leaving his brother-in-law stunned.
"This…" Zhangsun Wuji was speechless.
Li Shimin looked at him expectantly, but his brother-in-law could only disappoint him.
"There are no records, so we'll have to make it up on the spot," Wuji reacted quickly. "Compared to its origin, it's easy to come up with some prophetic sayings. But have you considered that the Dragon child itself is likely to attract gossip?"
"Yes," Li Shimin's political acumen was no less than his military talent, not even by a tiny bit.
Zhangsun Wuji sighed, "Why you, and not the Taizi? How can we say this without inviting criticism?"
The existence of Dragons, after all, was not like cats or dogs. Since the era of the Yellow Emperor, they had held extraordinary significance. Coupled with later emperors' and mainstream cultural circles' reverence, layer upon layer of meaning had been added, almost to the point of being bound to imperial authority.
"Let's suppress the news first," Li Shimin said decisively, pulling Zhangsun Wuji along to see Wuyou.
Such matters always needed to be discussed with her. Even if he already had a plan, discussing it with the two siblings would ensure internal and external alignment, making things twice as effective.
Wuyou struggled to sit up, a soft pillow behind her waist, her shoulders outside the quilt covered with a thick cloak. Though weary, she had been waiting for Li Shimin to return.
The makeshift swaddling nest was beside her, a small golden quilt wrapped cocoon-like, empty—just like her heart.
Only when she saw Li Shimin bringing the child back did she finally relax.
The three of them continued this not-at-all-light topic in a relaxed manner.
"With the attack on Xue Ju imminent, Father may send me to lead the campaign. There must be no issues at home. This matter must be kept secret for now, and everything will wait until I return victorious." After expressing his thoughts, Li Shimin habitually asked, "What do you think?"
"I will do my utmost to manage everything within the household." Changsun Wuyou fully supported his decision.
Li Shimin squeezed her hand. "You should be resting and recuperating…"
"Don’t worry about me," Wuyou replied with a calm smile. "You’re facing far greater dangers than I am."
"Should we inform Fang Xuanling?" Zhangsun Wuji inquired subtly.
"Xuanling…"
Fang Xuanling had voluntarily joined the Li family before they captured Chang'an. Li Shimin had taken an immediate liking to him, and their rapport grew swiftly, with trust deepening rapidly. He was quickly rising to become the top strategist in Qinwangfu.
Steady in temperament, gentle and humble, thoughtful and meticulous in his plans, he left no room for error and was fond of recommending talent—exactly the type of assistant Li Shimin favored most.
"Let’s wait a little longer. If he asks you, tell him to come to me." It wasn’t that Li Shimin distrusted Fang Xuanling, but the matter was too extraordinary, and he preferred not to spread it for now.
He had yet to firmly establish himself, with much still to accomplish, and his child remained an egg that seldom moved.
After discussing serious matters for a while, the three of them unconsciously turned their attention to the egg nestled in the swaddling clothes.
Li Shimin recounted Yuan Tiangang’s words, adding some of his own thoughts, vividly describing the details.
"Heart’s blood?" The siblings tensed simultaneously. "Will it affect your ability to fight?"
"It shouldn’t," Li Shimin replied nonchalantly, even taking out the needle to show them, spreading his hands. "I didn’t feel a thing."
"Even so…" Wuyou hesitated, leaving her words unfinished.
"You’re the one who lost a lot of blood. You need to replenish it properly."
"Am I a bit redundant here?" Zhangsun Wuji joked.
"Of course not!" Li Shimin chuckled, playfully poking at the eggshell.
The Dragon Egg rolled around with a soft rumble, as if annoyed, then burrowed deeper into the small blanket, hiding until only a sliver the size of a fingernail remained visible before going still.
"Eh? It can move?" Zhangsun Wuji exclaimed in surprise, rubbing his eyes. "So it can move after all!"
"Right? Clever, isn’t it? My son! Isn’t he amazing?" Li Shimin beamed with pride, eager to proclaim this marvel to the entire world.
Unfortunately, it still had to remain a secret.
But it didn’t matter. Given his nature, in a couple of years, he would undoubtedly boast to everyone he met, a hundred times more proudly than Li Yuan had shown him off to guests in his youth.
"Will you carry it with you at all times?" Wuyou glanced at the swaddling clothes, then at Li Shimin, uncertain. "Is that… practical?"
"I don’t think it’s very practical," Zhangsun Wuji whispered.
"If it’s about the parents’ essence and blood, I could also…" Wuyou didn’t even finish her sentence.
"No!"
Li Shimin vetoed her suggestion outright. Zhangsun Wuji thought it over and still supported him, given how weak his sister truly was.
And so, the matter was settled.
Sure enough, within two days, Li Yuan summoned his three sons to discuss the campaign against Xue Ju.
As soon as Li Shimin entered Taiji Palace, an unidentified creature charged toward him like a wild boar—both in appearance and demeanor.
Instinctively, he sidestepped to avoid it, but the boar-like figure, as if blind, insisted on crashing into him.
He remained expressionless, continuing to dodge, raising a hand to his chest to shield the Longdan in his embrace from any potential impact.
Fortunately, it was hidden in the inner pocket of his undergarments, not particularly conspicuous.
Thud—a solid, heavy impact.
Li Shimin stood as steady as Mount Tai, unmoving.
“Oh! It’s Second Brother. Sorry for bumping into you.”
How could someone make an apology sound so sarcastic?
With that tone, Li Shimin didn’t even need to look to know who it was.
“I don’t see any sign of you being sorry,” Li Shimin retorted bluntly.
Li Yuanji was the type to push his luck, so Li Shimin never indulged him.
“So much anger this early in the morning? Did Second Sister-in-law upset you?” Li Yuanji teased with a grin.
“What, are you jealous?” Li Shimin smiled faintly, glancing at him with a dismissive air.
Li Yuanji’s expression darkened. Those two simple words seemed to have struck a nerve, and his face immediately turned grim.
Though they were full brothers, sharing the same father and mother, the treatment he and Li Shimin received was worlds apart.
He had been abandoned by Lady Dou at birth, despised to the point where she couldn’t bear to look at him. Li Shimin, though the second son, had enjoyed a long period of being the sole favorite, accompanying his parents on their official postings since childhood. Wherever Li Yuan was transferred, he and Lady Dou would take Li Shimin along.
Because Li Shimin was clever, lively, and charming as a child, well-liked by all, and not in the best of health, Li Yuan had gone to great lengths, praying to gods and Buddhas for his well-being.
As he grew older, it became even more absurd—most relatives and friends who knew Li Shimin held him in high regard.
Li Yuanji was like a rat in the gutter, watching all of this year after year, year after year!
How could he not be jealous?
“What’s going on again?” Li Jiancheng, seeing them confronting each other from a distance, hurried over and, as usual, pulled Li Shimin aside. “Yuanji is young and doesn’t know better. Just let him have his way.”
“Haven’t I let him have his way?” Li Shimin was somewhat annoyed. “When have I not?”
“Enough, enough. Don’t stoop to his level. How old is he, and how old are you?”
“He spoke disrespectfully of Second Sister-in-law. Do you think I should be angry, Elder Brother?” Li Shimin sneered.
Li Jiancheng was left speechless. He turned and scolded Li Yuanji, “What did you say? Aren’t you going to apologize?”
“I won’t apologize! I didn’t say anything!” Li Yuanji stubbornly retorted. “It’s him who dislikes me, always reporting on me. Last time, I just trampled a few farm fields, and he…”
“What’s all this noise outside? Is this proper?” Li Yuan’s voice boomed from inside the hall. “Come in, all of you!”
When the three brothers entered, the second and fourth sons were glaring at each other, neither willing to meet the other’s gaze. Li Yuan sighed helplessly. “Yuanji, really, why do you always provoke your Second Brother?”
“Why does everyone say I provoke him? Clearly, he’s the one who hates me!”
Li Shimin crossed his arms and spoke coldly, “You led your subordinates to trample farm fields on horseback and dragged the farmer who came to stop you for over a hundred steps. Did I wrong you?”
“I was just riding my horse. Who told him to run under my horse’s hooves?”
“But he died,” Li Shimin said through gritted teeth.
“So he died. What’s the big deal? It’s not like I can’t afford to compensate.”
“Father!” Li Shimin glared angrily at Li Yuan. “Aren’t you going to do anything about this?”
"I have already sent people to placate them, so there's no need for you to keep pressing the matter." Li Yuan smoothed things over. "Alright, alright, your temper is growing fiercer by the day. Sit down. I summoned you all today to discuss the major campaign against Xue Ju. Let's not waste time on these trivial matters…"
"…" Li Shimin took a deep breath and suddenly felt a chill in his chest.
Half of it came from his heart, and the other half from the tiny egg nestled within it.
To conceal itself, the child seemed to have shrunk even smaller. When Li Shimin lowered his gaze, he could no longer detect any unusual protrusion.
A faint coolness, like ice-cold jade, seeped through the fabric and reached his senses.
The child seemed to be comforting him.
So well-behaved.
Li Shimin clenched his hands, struggling to steady his emotions and suppress his anger.
Li Yuan had brushed aside Li Yuanji's misdeeds with such nonchalance, and among those present, aside from Li Shimin, no one else voiced any objection.
He sat a little farther away from them, listening as Li Yuan outlined his strategic vision.
After Yang Guang's grand enterprise collapsed, the Sui dynasty rapidly fragmented into pieces, like a jigsaw puzzle of bizarre shapes.
Large pieces devoured smaller ones, expanding their territories, none willing to submit to others.
Xue Ju had raised an army in Longxi last year and soon declared himself emperor in Lanzhou, establishing the state of "Qin." His forces were strong, his horses sturdy, and his provisions abundant. He advanced with formidable momentum. If the Great Tang did not take the initiative to strike, they risked being cornered.
Li Shimin pondered this, remaining silent for a long while. When it came to military matters, he was always calm and collected.
"…This battle is of utmost importance to us. If we suffer defeat, we may struggle to maintain our footing. Therefore, we must appoint one of our own to command. Eldest Son, Second Son, what are your thoughts?"
Li Yuan looked at them.
Li Jiancheng hesitated for a moment before saying, "I should share your burdens, Father, but…"
"You are the Crown Prince. This is no longer the early days of our uprising. There is no need for you to take risks anymore. Just hold the rear." Li Yuan offered a comforting, affectionate smile and shifted his gaze to Li Shimin.
"What about you, Erlang?"
Truth be told, from the very beginning, Li Shimin had been his preferred choice.
During the founding of a dynasty, emperors should personally lead their armies into battle, let alone the Crown Prince. The reason for not considering Li Jiancheng was not solely because he was the Crown Prince but more because his chances of victory were not sufficiently high.
Last year, on their westward march into Guanzhong, they clashed with Song Laosheng at Huo Yi. Li Yuan and Li Jiancheng initially suffered setbacks, and Li Jiancheng fell from his horse into peril. It was Li Shimin who led a sudden assault, splitting the Sui army in two, rescuing Li Jiancheng, and turning the tide of the battle.
The Tang Army thus reversed their defeat and continued their triumphant advance, capturing Chang'an.
In times of crisis, it was always Erlang who proved most reliable. Li Yuan saw this clearly.
Li Yuan preferred to use his own people, the closer the better. Who could be closer than his own son?
Before Li Shimin could speak, Li Yuanji leaped up, jumping so high he seemed afraid others wouldn't notice him.
What was the point of having him attend such a meeting in the first place? Li Shimin found his presence irritating.
"Father, surely you don't intend to appoint Second Brother as commander? How old is he to lead an expedition? Will the veteran generals accept his authority?"
"He is indeed young, but warfare isn't about age." Li Yuan smiled. "Huo Qubing was only twenty when he marched to the Qilian Mountains. Emperor Wu did not hesitate to employ him because of his youth. On the contrary, natural-born military talents often emerge early."
The pride on his face, with each word spoken, flowed everywhere like a winding stream.
Li Jiancheng managed to remain composed, but Li Yuanji was so envious his teeth nearly fell out.
He was sixteen this year, and likely had been envious for all sixteen years.
Sometimes the gap between people is greater than that between humans and dogs.
Li Shimin had long been prepared with a plan. Immediately, he rose with a flourish of his sleeves and declared resoundingly, "Father, rest assured. In this campaign against Xue Ju, I will not disappoint you."
"Excellent! My good son!" Li Yuan praised profusely. "Then you shall take command, with Liu Wenjing and Yin Kaishan as your deputy generals. Lead the Western Expeditionary Army and capture Xue Ju. This time, it all depends on you."
For this battle, Li Shimin had been quite confident. Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling had also analyzed the situation, believing the chances of victory were high.
But human plans are no match for heaven's will. As soon as the Tang Army reached Gaozhi City, Li Shimin contracted malaria and fell gravely ill.
The being within the Longdan stirred anxiously, its consciousness awakening.
It had awakened.
Author's Note: