LFHYB -Chapter 109 A True Man Doesn’t Live Under Others

Li Xuanba finally understood why second brother had that kind expression.

If this brat had fallen into his hands, he would have surely beaten him first, and if he couldn’t, he’d have others hold him down to do it.

A thirteen-year-old boy, alone, carrying a bag, riding a thin horse, crossing more than half of Huaguo — even in modern peaceful times, this would make one’s scalp tingle.

Although Li Xuanba and Li Shimin traveled when they were younger, they had a whole group of servants and guards, totally different from this brat.

“Do you want to stay with us at the mansion or at the barracks?” Because Luo Shixin’s actions were so shocking, Li Xuanba’s earlier delight — “What? Luo Shixin already in hand?” — was completely overshadowed.

He was left completely exhausted.

With one wildly impulsive Second Brother and one equally reckless Luo Shixin, the dynamic duo of reckless commanders was now complete. Whatever a “deputy” Second Brother could do—history books had already recorded it.

He would say things like, “I wield the bow and arrow, you carry the spear and follow me. Even if there were a million troops, what could they do against us!” Then he’d charge into the scouting lines with just Yuchi Gong by his side. But does the “Yuchi Gong” next to Prince Qin Li Shimin have to be the spear-wielding Yuchi Gong? Couldn’t the long-spear-wielding Luo Shixin do just as well?

Two young, reckless warriors—absolutely perfect for it!

Li Xuanba felt like burying his head in his hands and banging it against the wall.

Luo Shixin might be great, but before his four friends—Fang Qiao, Du Ruhui, Xue Shou, and Changsun Wuji—arrived to share the burden, please don’t torment me with double the reckless young warriors!

Yes, yes, yes—charging alone into a thousand enemies was Second Brother’s highlight, but as family, Li Xuanba hoped that his brother would never have to experience such “highlights” in life.

The logistics and military support I provide you are meant to make your victories safe and overwhelming—not to let you risk your life or get hurt!

Luo Shixin said, “I don’t want special treatment! Don’t underestimate me! I can endure any hardship!”

Li Xuanba, keeping a straight face, said, “First, write a hundred sheets of large characters.”

Luo Shixin stared in disbelief: “I came here to be a soldier! Why do I have to write characters?”

Li Xuanba turned to Li Zhiyun: “Your Second Brother and I are busy most of the time. Didn’t you say you were bored? Luo Shixin is about your age—he can teach you martial skills, and you can teach him the classics.”

Li Zhiyun nodded: “Okay! Don’t worry, Third Brother, I’ll make sure he writes properly!”

Li Shimin couldn’t help but chuckle: “Shixin, you said you could endure any hardship—don’t run away now.”

“I won’t.” Luo Shixin said with a bitter face. “Third Brother letting the young one teach me calligraphy is actually kind. I’m not unreasonable. It’s just… sigh, I really don’t like reading or writing.”

He sighed a few times, his bitter expression making him laugh at himself.

Li Xuanba, Li Shimin, and Li Zhiyun all laughed along.

Li Xuanba pushed aside his worries about the future and said, “As long as you understand, come with us.”

Luo Shixin nodded vigorously.

Li Zhiyun leaned over and said, “No need to call me Fifth Lord. We’re learning from each other—you can call me by my courtesy name, Jihong. You should pick a courtesy name for yourself too; calling you by your given name feels awkward.”

Luo Shixin said, “What’s awkward about it? I’ll wait until I achieve success at twenty-one and then request the emperor to give me a courtesy name!”

Li Zhiyun gave a thumbs up: “Impressive.”

Luo Shixin boasted, “I’ll definitely achieve it!”

Li Xuanba and Li Shimin walked behind the two boys.

Li Xuanba looked at Li Shimin.

Li Shimin stroked his chin, pondering what courtesy name to give Luo Shixin.

Li Xuanba: “Why not rename him Luo Cheng to celebrate his future success, and make his original name his courtesy name?”

Li Shimin raised his eyebrows, silently asking why.

Li Xuanba: “In later generations, there’s an influential early-Tang legendary novel called Shuo Tang that changed Luo Shixin’s name to Luo Cheng. Many later novels, storytelling, and adaptations followed suit, so in later generations, most people only know him as ‘Luo Cheng,’ not ‘Luo Shixin.’”

“Adaptations” or whatever—never mind, not important.

Li Shimin continued to look at his brother with a puzzled expression.

If Luo Shixin could enter legendary novels of the future, his presence in the historical records couldn’t have been insignificant. Were his courtesy names recorded in the history books?

Li Xuanba: “He died too young—only twenty-three in battle. His family wasn’t prominent, so there are very few records of his life.”

Li Shimin blinked, unexpectedly hit by a sudden mental shock.

He looked at the proud little boy happily chattering with Fifth Brother, unable to believe it.

Li Xuanba: “Want to know more details?”

Li Shimin shook his head vigorously, his head leaving a faint afterimage.

This time, Li Xuanba spared Second Brother, not giving him a psychological burden.

Luo Shixin died while following Prince Qin Li Shimin in the campaign against Liu Heita.

Li Shimin needed someone to hold Ming Shui City to buy time. Wang Junkuo’s abilities were average, and Li Shimin worried he couldn’t hold the city. Luo Shixin volunteered to take Wang Junkuo’s place. Wang Junkuo broke through and exited the city, while Luo Shixin took over the defense.

But after Luo Shixin entered, heavy snow fell, visibility was terrible; the city was surrounded by rivers, making Tang forces’ support difficult. When Ming Shui City fell, Luo Shixin refused to surrender and was killed by Liu Heita.

Even a genius commander like Li Shimin had victories and defeats; even if the campaign was ultimately successful, small battles along the way could still be costly.

For example, Luo Shixin died just across the river from Li Shimin.

History books record the names of survivors, with very few fallen generals remembered.

But those generals remain obscure in later generations.

Li Shimin remembered every single officer who died or was used as bait during his campaigns.

Mercy does not command troops.

Second Brother could remain lively and cheerful—his willpower was extraordinary.

Luo Shixin’s death was still far in the future; he would slowly spoil Second Brother later. For now, since they just met, let him enjoy himself first.

Li Xuanba: “Who can predict ten years from now? Maybe even enemies will become friends.”

Li Shimin scratched his head: “Makes sense. And with you here, I’ll definitely not repeat past mistakes.”

Li Xuanba nodded: “Mm.”

Luo Shixin continued to chatter and gesture animatedly.

“I’d just charge forward, poke him in the neck with the spear, and swish—his head would fall! If I swing again, it’d be over!”

“Wow! Sounds even stronger than my Second Brother!”

Li Shimin’s expression changed: “What? Stronger than me? Come, let’s compare!”

He quickened his pace to catch up.

Li Xuanba sighed, walking behind alone. The house would be lively in the future.

…

Luo Shixin’s letter to his parents was sent along with the letters from Li Shimin and Li Xuanba.

Perhaps it was because people with high combat abilities tended to be tall and imposing. Luo Shixin’s build was similar to Li Shimin’s, so Li Shimin temporarily gave him his own clothes to wear.

After traveling all that way, Luo Shixin’s clothes were nearly in tatters.

Li Xuanba once again marveled at Luo Shixin’s stubbornness.

In truth, if Luo Shixin hadn’t run off, he could have had the chance to gain fame and merit under Zhang Xutuo this year.

Who would have thought that his second brother would achieve fame early, acting like a butterfly’s wing to redirect the course of events—causing this young prodigy general to no longer wait for an opportunity under Zhang Xutuo, but instead travel thousands of miles to join another already-famous young prodigy commander?

Legendary novels of later generations would no doubt embellish this miraculous episode of Luo Shixin with countless stories.

After eating and washing up, Luo Shixin, though not the pale-faced young general portrayed in later Sui-Tang TV dramas, was quite handsome.

His family background wasn’t prominent, but even as a young boy without accomplishments, he had been recognized by Zhang Xutuo. Naturally, his appearance was not lacking.

The Li family, being somewhat particular about looks, treated Luo Shixin even more kindly.

Luo Shixin could hardly believe the treatment he was receiving now.

Although confident in his own prodigious talent, and aware that General Zhang had treated him well, he had worried about being too young and inexperienced to be given battlefield opportunities.

But the care shown by General Zhang and that shown by the three Li brothers were entirely different.

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba had both become famous at a young age, and as the children of the top tier of noble families, pride and ambition were in their nature.

Luo Shixin had already prepared himself to remain humble, hoping first to prove himself on the battlefield and then gradually elevate his status. What he was receiving now was beyond even his wildest dreams.

Luo Shixin was the type to remember kindness. Because the three Li brothers treated him well, he didn’t even mind writing in large characters, which he usually disliked.

Li Zhiyun, bored until now, was delighted to have a playmate.

He eagerly introduced his second and third brothers to Luo Shixin and said, “Go first to achieve merit in the army. My second brother said that next year I’ll also be able to go with you!”

Luo Shixin replied, “Alright, I’ll wait for you.”

A friendship could sometimes be formed in just a few sentences. Li Zhiyun and Luo Shixin had already become good friends.

Seeing Li Zhiyun happy and no longer bored or frustrated, Li Xuanba breathed a sigh of relief and devoted more time to assessing the resources of Zhangye.

South of Zhangye had originally belonged to the Tuyuhun, and had not yet been fully incorporated into the Sui dynasty; beyond the Qilian Mountains to the west lay Dunhuang Commandery, and further west was the newly established Yiwu Commandery, part of the still-unsecured Silk Road in the Western Regions.

Before returning to the Central Plains, these two areas would serve as their training grounds.

Control of the Silk Road meant control of wealth; control of the former Tuyuhun lands meant control of horse pastures. Both were indispensable.

“Given our current forces, it’s impossible to open the Western Silk Road ourselves. But by leveraging the ‘close relationship’ between the Sui and the Western Turks to pass through, it shouldn’t be a big problem,” Li Shimin said, sitting cross-legged on a couch with the map on his lap, pointing to the Western Turkic territories with a slightly troubled expression. “Their lands are really vast.”

Li Xuanba said, “The lands held by nomads are vast, but they merely occupy them without governance; their regimes are hard to sustain.”

Li Shimin replied, “True, the khans’ regimes are hard to sustain, but for us, it doesn’t matter who becomes khan—it’s still Turks. Is Luo Khan of the Western Turks still with Yang Guang?”

Li Xuanba nodded. “Yang Guang took him along with the king of Gaochang and other envoys from the Western Regions to attack Goguryeo.”

Li Shimin scoffed, “Attack Goguryeo? That’s just showing off military power. One failed display, and then a second—if that fails too, the Western Regions will fall into chaos. Hmm, according to your logic, that’s a good thing. The emperor is far away and the heavens high; we just need a reason to suppress the remaining Tuyuhun factions to take the already-uncontrolled Xihai Commandery…”

He pressed firmly on the map. “Control Zhangye and Xihai, and we cut off the Western Regions’ route to the Central Plains. Then we can freely expand in the West.”

Li Xuanba’s gaze also fell on Xihai Commandery.

Although Yang Guang successfully campaigned against the Tuyuhun, he did not fully annex their territory. The Tuyuhun were now split into independent tribes, and Sui decrees still couldn’t reach Xiping Commandery.

Xihai Commandery lay west of Qinghai Lake. Though the lake was saline and unsuitable for irrigation, many rivers ran nearby, making it long a gathering place for nomads.

The current ruler occupying Xihai Commandery was the Tuyuhun’s prestigious lord Murong Xiaojun, the most trusted minister of King Murong Fuyun.

When Murong Fuyun fled, he left Murong Xiaojun behind to secure the territory for his eventual return.

After Fuyun’s death, Murong Xiaojun supported Fuyun’s young son as khan, occupying Xihai Commandery and declaring himself the “King of Xihai.” South of Xihai was He Yuan Commandery, held by the most powerful Tuyuhun lord, Tianzhu Wang; the remaining Tuyuhun palaces were scattered across other fertile areas of the Qinghai Plateau.

Each Tuyuhun lord commanded his own tribe and subordinates, generally ruling about a thousand households of herders.

Murong Xiaojun, commanding roughly three thousand households, “held the khan in his hands”; Tianzhu Wang controlled three tribes, with over ten thousand households and more than two hundred thousand livestock.

In history, when Tang Taizong later eliminated the Tuyuhun, Tianzhu’s tribes contributed two hundred thousand livestock to feed the soldiers.

Seeing the intelligence Li Xuanba had gathered, Li Shimin’s eyes lit up: “If we could take Tianzhu Wang, we’d have nothing to worry about for food and supplies.”

Li Xuanba said, “Good. I support you, Second Brother—attack! Send just one man first!”

“Idiot!” Li Shimin laughed and scolded. “Start with Xihai Commandery. Murong Xiaojun’s forces are just remnants of Fuyun’s army; their combat strength isn’t strong. A-Xuan, how do you plan to drive a wedge between Xihai Wang and Tianzhu Wang? You’ve surely already set things in motion.”

Li Xuanba said, “I sent envoys disguised as merchants bearing tribute to Tianzhu Wang; they’ve already become his honored guests. Tianzhu Wang controls over ten thousand households, while the Tuyuhun khan has lost all his subordinates and herders, barely managing three thousand households by patching things together. A true man shouldn’t remain under another for long; Tianzhu Wang should become khan himself!”

The last few sentences were delivered by Li Xuanba with passion and intensity, his expression fully invested in the performance.

Li Xuanba, rare for him, showed a mischievous side, and Li Shimin laughed so hard he almost toppled off his seat: “Well said, ‘A true man cannot long remain under others.’ If Tianzhu Wang doesn’t listen, he isn’t a true man. I’ll just add a little more fuel to the fire.”

Li Xuanba asked, “Second Brother, are you going to meet Tianzhu Wang in person?”

Li Shimin rolled his shoulders. “Lately all I do is paperwork, it’s driving me nuts. I need to get out and move around. Once Luo Shixin returns, I’ll set off. That kid wiped out a small Eastern Turkic tribe and captured nearly a thousand people. His pride is genuinely backed by ability.”

Li Xuanba said, “Since Luo Shixin is going with you, I won’t stop you. Just don’t rely on your and Luo Shixin’s strength to do anything too reckless.”

Li Shimin spread the map on the table and stretched. “Don’t worry.”

Li Xuanba’s face fell. “Every time you say that, I worry even more.”

Li Shimin laughed heartily. “It’ll all work out in the end; the process isn’t important. Relax, relax—I’ll be back soon. Give me a few extra bars of soap; I’ll bribe him.”

Li Xuanba said, “I’ll handle the gifts. Come back before the snow falls. Heavy snow will block the roads; don’t get trapped out there.”

Li Shimin waved him off. “I’m no Yang Guang, not that stupid. Hmm… I wonder what’s happening in Goguryeo?”

Li Xuanba said coolly, “We can’t fight. Yang Xuangan probably rebelled. Hopefully Father can hold Luoyang and not scare Mother.”

Originally, Lady Dou would have accompanied Li Yuan this year to Zhuojun to supervise the transport of provisions, and she would have contracted the epidemic and passed away.

The roads around Zhuojun were littered with the rotting corpses of laborers; the epidemic had already spread widely.

Now, Li Yuan not only became the Right Xiaowei Zhonglang Jiang early but also stayed to defend Luoyang, assisting Crown Prince Yang Xian, so he did not go to Zhuojun. Therefore, Li Xuanba did not need to warn their mother about the epidemic.

Li Shimin smirked mockingly. “Yang Xuangan? He isn’t even worthy of holding our father’s shoes.”

Li Xuanba agreed. “Indeed.” Though their father’s abilities might not match other founding emperors at their prime, comparing him to a worthless figure like Yang Xuangan is an insult.

Li Yuan had also been a mighty general in his youth. It was only after becoming emperor that he became stationary, refusing even ceremonial inspections of the army, which made him seem ineffectual as a founding emperor.

Now, Yang Xuangan is facing the Li Yuan of his prime—strong, skillful with the bow, hitting every target, commonly called the Great Li Shimin.

Li Shimin said, “Besides, there’s also Second Cousin. I’ve discussed military strategy with him; he has solid theoretical knowledge, and he’s experienced in actual combat. With Father assisting, Second Cousin’s ability to defend the city will not be lacking.”

Li Xuanba recalled when, in history, Yang Guang was surrounded by Eastern Turks and cried pitifully, while Prince Qi Yang Xian led the Western army and built fortifications in Guo County to resist the Turkic forces—he had done quite well.

Li Xuanba asked, “Wouldn’t Yang Xuangan find Luoyang too hard to take and give up on it to attack Daxing instead?”

Li Shimin laughed uproariously, tears streaming down his face. “There’s Teacher Gao there! Even if he isn’t the governor of Daxing, the governor will surely ask Teacher Gao to help defend the city. Teacher Yuwen is there too. Last time we parted, Teacher Yuwen was still vigorous enough to take me on. How could Yang Xuangan survive a few strikes from him?”

Li Xuanba rubbed his chin.

Li Mi had given Yang Xuangan three strategies: the low strategy—to attack Luoyang; the middle strategy—to attack Daxing; the high strategy—to attack Zhuojun. Considering Luoyang’s prosperity, the young governor being only nine years old, and the Minister of Civil Affairs Fan Zigai having no prior military experience, Yang Xuangan naturally chose the low strategy and stubbornly attacked Luoyang—but unsurprisingly, he failed.

What would Yang Xuangan choose this time?