LFHYB -Chapter 166 Whoever Messes With the Turks Gets Beat

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba arranged for Yang You to leave together with Li Zhao.

Yang You worried about his mother’s safety.

Li Shimin went to hand over the troops to Li Zhao, while Li Xuanba comforted Yang You: “You disappeared, so in the eyes of the nobles, your mother has lost her value. That means no one will harm her anymore.”

Yang You said gloomily, “I’ve brought harm to my mother.”

Li Xuanba replied, “No. Yang Guang caused suffering for your whole family. If it’s not your fault, don’t take the blame lightly.”

Hearing Li Xuanba’s words, although Yang You knew it was extremely rebellious to think this way, his heart felt significantly lighter.

Seeing Yang You relax, Li Xuanba continued, “Don’t worry about life in Zhangye. The former imperial princes we secretly protected aren’t just you. Your cousin, the posthumous child of my second cousin, is also in Zhangye.”

Yang You was shocked. “Back then, someone accused you of taking in my second uncle’s posthumous child… it wasn’t false?!”

Li Xuanba said, “It was a false accusation. After Li Yuanji slandered us, we found my second cousin’s posthumous child.”

Yang You: “…My heart can only be described as six points right now.”

Yes… it was a false accusation. Back then, Li Shimin and Li Xuanba… no, the two cousins hadn’t saved him yet.

Yang You asked, “Cousin… what’s his name?”

Li Xuanba said, “Yang Min, ‘Min’ as in compassion.”

Yang You lowered his eyes. “Yang Min… such a sorrowful name.”

Li Xuanba said, “But his future will not be sorrowful at all. You and Yang Min may not realize your ambitions, but your grandchildren will hold high office in the court. I promise.”

Although this Yang Min may not be the same historically as Yang Minzi (Yang Zhengdao), his position is the same.

Yang Zhengdao’s son, Yang Chongli, lived past ninety and was highly respected by the not-yet-foggy Tang Xuanzong. He was ennobled as Duke of Hongnong, retired as Minister of Revenue, and became one of the famed ministers of the Kaiyuan flourishing era.

Yang You nodded firmly.

He trusted Li Xuanba because his usefulness was only as a “puppet emperor” to abdicate. Li Shimin and Li Xuanba hiding his identity meant he didn’t have to make sacrifices himself, so Li Xuanba’s comfort was genuine.

After reassuring Yang You, Li Xuanba also talked briefly about the final moments of Yang Zhao.

Many details of Yang Zhao’s death couldn’t be told to Yang Guang, so Yang You naturally didn’t know.

Now he realized Yang Zhao had indirectly died because of Yang Guang. In his final moments, Yang Zhao only thought about preventing his child and brother from killing each other—but that alone enraged Yang Guang.

Li Xuanba patted Yang You on the shoulder: “Now think about the future and what you want to do. Just because you can’t hold high office doesn’t mean you can’t achieve anything. And if my second brother becomes even stronger, who knows—starting with you and your cousin, you might have a chance to fulfill your ambitions in the court.”

Li Shimin and Li Zhao approached from behind Li Xuanba, raising their voices. “A-Xuan, are you talking badly about me again?”

Li Xuanba said, “I spoke well of you—encouraging you to help your two cousins realize their ambitions, without waiting for their children.”

Li Shimin said, “Oh, alright. I’ll try my best. Are you done talking? Leave as soon as possible. The nobles and officials in Daxing city will probably guess that if you run away, Longyou is the only destination. I’m worried they’ll try to intercept you. Third sister, I leave this to you.”

Li Zhao smiled. “Alright.”

Her heart was so full of warmth it nearly floated into the air.

Li Shimin reassured her, “Longyou is very close to Daxing. Brother-in-law Chai probably just missed us. Don’t worry.”

Li Zhao raised an eyebrow. “I trust my husband. He’ll be fine.”

Li Xuanba muttered, “That’s not certain. Maybe he got captured by the Tuyuhun… eh.”

Li Zhao raised her hand and swatted Li Xuanba.

Li Shimin crossed his arms. “Deserved. Can’t you say something nice?”

Li Xuanba said, “Fine, maybe he just got lost… eh, Third sister, is that not okay either?!”

Li Zhao ground her teeth. “I’ll leave first, then teach you a lesson.”

She pinched Li Xuanba’s thin face. “Why haven’t you changed since you were a child?”

Li Xuanba’s face remained expressionless. “Why change? I am who I am.”

Li Zhao released her hand, sighing. “Second brother, keep an eye on the Third.”

Li Shimin, arms folded, smiled. “Got it.”

They quickly sent Li Zhao off.

Li Shimin brought 5,000 cavalry. Li Zhao took her 5,000 elite troops but left her trusted Ma Sanbao with Li Shimin.

After leaving, Li Zhao looked back. Seeing neither Li Shimin nor Li Xuanba, she covered her face on horseback and wept.

Yang You, feeling slightly awkward, made conversation: “Cousin, are you worried about brother-in-law?”

Li Zhao shook her head through her tears. “I trust Chai. He’ll be fine. I’m sad for the Third brother. He was weak as a child, spent years getting healthy. Last time I saw him, his cheeks were full, looking more and more like the Second brother. Today…”

Li Zhao choked up for a moment, then continued: “I pinched the Third brother’s face, and there was only a thin layer of skin left, barely any flesh. How much suffering has my Third brother endured? How much pain? I am heartbroken…”

Yang You remembered Li Xuanba’s appearance. So the third maternal uncle wasn’t always so thin?

Li Zhao ground her teeth and said, “Father has always spoiled Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, while Mother treats all the children equally. They… they…”

Since Yang You was an outsider, and Li Zhao was highly emotional, she didn’t finish saying what was truly on her mind.

Although Chai Shao was close to Li Jiancheng, as a girl, Li Zhao didn’t interact much with the male members of the household and wasn’t close to Li Jiancheng. Only Li Xuanba often played with her. Even after she was married, he didn’t mind her new status as a married woman and continued to treat her with great familiarity.

Li Shimin himself wasn’t particularly fond of conversing with his elder sisters, but he always looked after Li Xuanba. Wherever Li Xuanba went, Li Shimin followed. Being naturally talkative, he eventually conversed more with the sisters than Li Xuanba did, and over time, his bond with Li Zhao deepened.

In Li Zhao’s heart, only Li Shimin and Li Xuanba were the brothers she felt closest to. She barely even remembered the faces of the other brothers.

As the legitimate daughter of the Tang Duke’s household, Li Zhao had fairly frequent contact with her brothers. The other half-sisters likely barely remembered their brothers’ appearances at all, seeing them only a few times each year.

When she learned of Li Xuanba’s misfortune, Li Zhao fell seriously ill. If Li Shimin hadn’t written to her, instructing her not to interfere, she would have gone to Taiyuan to confront Li Jiancheng.

When she saw Li Xuanba, she hid her emotions well.

Li Xuanba’s illness was in the past. Now that he was fine, Li Zhao didn’t want him or Li Shimin to recall the pain of those days.

Only after leaving her two brothers did Li Zhao break down and cry.

When her two brothers met her, it was just like when they had put her in charge of the soap shop back then—everything they said and did was for her benefit, without the slightest concern for worldly judgment.

Where in the world is there a daughter entrusted to a general?

And where is there a father who withholds military power from his children?

Her two brothers sent her to Longyou, implying that if the position of crown prince was not fixed, she didn’t need to obey her father’s orders. She just needed to hold Longyou and guard the rear for her brothers.

Longyou was vast, with bandits inside and barbarians outside. Her brothers entrusted all of this to her.

She didn’t even fully trust herself to manage Longyou, yet they believed in her and even said they would make her a princess.

How could her brothers be so good? With such good brothers, why should Li Jiancheng dominate over them? Father, are you blind?!

Yang You knew it wasn’t his place to comment on the Tang Duke’s family affairs, but being young, he couldn’t hold back: “What is the Duke thinking? Does he really want Li Jiancheng as crown prince? After raising an army, he couldn’t even leave Taiyuan, yet the second and third maternal uncles already hold Longyou. Since Duke Gao sent me to my two uncles, he will probably hand over Daxingcheng to them in the future. Letting Li Jiancheng be crown prince—wouldn’t that just create unnecessary conflict?”

Thinking of his grandfather, who indirectly caused his father’s death and directly caused his second uncle’s, Yang You’s expression darkened: “Just like my grandfather.”

Li Zhao said, “Who knows what he’s thinking? But it doesn’t matter. Li Jiancheng will never be emperor. I won’t let the Erlang and Sanlang face danger again.”

Their mother cared for the whole family, with little spare time. Once she grew a bit older, looking after Li Shimin and Li Xuanba fell to her.

She often carried the weak and sickly Li Xuanba, who could barely walk, while chasing after the overly lively Li Shimin around the courtyard.

When joking with Chai Shao, Li Zhao said that her strength was probably built from carrying Li Xuanba while chasing the mischievous Li Shimin.

The eldest sister is like a mother. Li Zhao didn’t have children yet. Although her brothers were only a few years younger, she looked after them as if they were her own children.

How could such good brothers of hers ever be harmed?

Before, she had been trapped in the back courtyard and, as a married daughter, could do nothing beyond managing the Daxingcheng estates for her brothers.

But now, things were different.

Tears still flowed from Li Zhao’s eyes, but now they also gleamed with determination and anger.

Yang You looked at Li Zhao and was a little scared.

Could it be… that if Li Yuan really made Li Jiancheng crown prince, this cousin of his could actually rise up against Li Yuan? No way—that’s her father and her uncle! Filial piety is paramount.

While Yang You was lost in his thoughts, Li Shimin and Li Xuanba met Gao Yong, who had found an excuse to leave the city for a tour but had actually sneaked out.

“Teacher!” Li Shimin laughed and ran up to embrace Gao Yong.

Gao Yong kicked at Li Shimin.

Li Shimin dodged, pouting: “Teacher, why did you kick me?”

Gao Yong didn’t frown: “Why did you just pounce on me? You’ve spent so long among barbarians that you’ve forgotten Central Plains etiquette? Do you think you’ve become a barbarian? What a disgrace! …”

Li Shimin obediently stood and listened.

Why did he have to be scolded as soon as he saw Teacher Gao? Sigh.

Li Shimin: [Annoying!]

Li Xuanba: [You deserved it. You know Teacher Gao is strict. You’ve been scolded by him your whole life, yet you still rush to hug him? Are you trying to make him angry?]

Li Shimin: [Forgot.]

He really had forgotten. It had been ages since the last scolding; why would he still remember it?

After lecturing Li Shimin, Gao Yong straightened his disheveled collar and hair, complaining: “You will be emperor one day. Always maintain your appearance. Your appearance is part of an emperor’s majesty.”

Li Shimin: “Yes, disciple understands his mistake.”

Li Shimin: [Not really.]

Li Shimin: [Annoying.]

Li Xuanba: [Second brother, what’s this? Humble when accepting advice but “the emperor does not listen,” huh?]

This is indeed how Tang Taizong behaved in his time.

Tang Taizong was famous for accepting advice humbly, but a wise ruler with ambition and capability is always decisive. He would listen to others’ suggestions, but ultimately act according to his own judgment.

So when reading Tang Taizong’s biographies, one often sees that he accepted advice, rewarded those who offered it, and then—“the emperor did not follow it.”

The remonstrating ministers (usually Wei Zheng) were hopping mad, continuing to admonish the emperor.

Emperor Taizong of Tang humbly admitted his mistakes—and yet would still dare to repeat them next time.

What difference is there between this Tang Taizong and my current second brother?!

Uh… second brother is the future Tang Taizong, so never mind.

Li Xuanba muttered to himself, grumbling and sharing all his complaints with Li Shimin.

Li Shimin’s face twitched slightly, almost unable to suppress a laugh.

Gao Jiong, seeing their expressions, immediately knew they were communicating in some way he couldn’t understand again.

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba had been like this since childhood, outwardly obedient but mischievous at heart.

Gao Jiong recalled the times he had personally guided the two of them and felt utterly exhausted.

“You captured the khan of the Tuyuhun when you were so young, and now you’ve captured two Turkic khans in a single battle. Looking at the annals, your achievements are truly unparalleled,” Gao Jiong said sternly, then praised, “Erlang, very well done. Your teacher is proud of you.”

Li Shimin raised his index finger to rub his nose, smiling with a mix of embarrassment and pride. “I really am impressive!”

Gao Jiong sighed helplessly with a smile.

Erlang had never changed since childhood—always so confident.

He looked at the overly thin Li Xuanba, his heart aching until it almost overflowed.

No—it had already turned into tears spilling out.

Gao Jiong gently stroked Li Xuanba’s cheek, choking up: “Why have you become so thin? Your health isn’t fully restored yet. Stay put and rest properly. Why are you running around chasing after Erlang? Nothing is more important than your health.”

Li Xuanba obediently allowed his teacher to stroke him and said, “Don’t worry, teacher. My health is fully restored. It’s just that my face hasn’t filled out yet. I’ll eat more these next few years and recover quickly. Second Brother loves to personally lead the vanguard in battle. If I’m not by his side, no one can rein him in.”

Gao Jiong immediately turned and glared fiercely at Li Shimin.

Li Shimin shrank his neck.

Gao Jiong scolded: “I’ve told you before—you are the lord and the commander, not some dueling warrior! Although I know that personally leading the vanguard may be the easiest way to defeat the enemy, I would rather delay victory or see twice as many men die than risk your life!”

Li Shimin muttered, “Teacher, saying that will undermine morale… I know, I know, I’ll be careful!”

Li Xuanba tattled: “Teacher, Second Brother must be thinking, ‘If I just brush this off now, I’ll continue doing as I please later.’”

Li Shimin’s eyes widened. “A-Xuan! Shut up! I won’t!”

Gao Jiong pressed a hand to his forehead, holding back tears of exasperation from his two disciples.

They were perfect in every way—except for being infuriating!

Luckily they weren’t always around; otherwise, he wouldn’t have survived to this age, being driven mad by the two of them.

“All right, enough bickering. What’s your current plan?” Gao Jiong interrupted the twins’ squabble. “If you want to take Daxing, you’ll have to face me in battle.”

Li Shimin pouted. “Those people want the prestige of being loyal ministers of the Sui?”

Gao Jiong said calmly, “Besides the prestige of being loyal Sui ministers, what other ability do they have to establish themselves in a new dynasty? You must understand them.”

Li Shimin frowned. “I understand, but I don’t want my soldiers to die over such trivial matters.”

Gao Jiong said, “A ruler must not act on impulse.”

Li Shimin lowered his head. “I know.”

Gao Jiong continued, “Li Yuan has already declared himself emperor. You can only compete for the position of Crown Prince, so you must achieve merits he cannot suppress. This city of Daxing—you must take it.”

Gao Jiong’s chest filled with frustration just recalling this.

Li Yuan—is he out of his mind? Yang Guang is already abandoned by all; why not wait and see how the situation unfolds before mobilizing troops? Yang Guang hasn’t pressured you; your position as governor of Taiyuan is stable. Is it really necessary to rush into battle?

Gao Jiong had assumed Li Yuan must have been well-prepared to act so hastily, but looking at the situation in Taiyuan, Li Yuan had just suffered a defeat against bandits, was still recovering from injuries, and his troops weren’t ready for rebellion. The logistics weren’t ready either.

Shortly after Li Yuan left Taiyuan, Liu Wuzhou seized Fenyang Palace, creating problems at the rear. On top of that, Yaos Junsu and others pursued and blocked him, and a sudden storm made the roads impassable. Li Yuan had no choice but to retreat and consolidate his forces in Taiyuan, suppress Liu Wuzhou, and secure the rear.

Now the empire was in chaos, with war raging everywhere. Seeing Li Yuan retreat to Taiyuan and make no move on Luoyang or Daxing, Yaos Junsu and others also withdrew to consolidate, first repelling Yang Xuangan’s attack on Luoyang.

Gao Jiong, the only strategist of the Sui, had spent his life facing brilliant and foolish opponents alike. No matter how brilliant or foolish their decisions, he could always guess their intentions. But Li Yuan’s troop movement this time left him completely baffled.

Now Li Yuan was trapped in Taiyuan; Erlang and Sanlang couldn’t freely deploy troops and had to travel a thousand miles from Longyou to Taiyuan to rescue him—otherwise, they would be unfilial.

Is Li Yuan just looking for trouble, dissatisfied that Erlang and Sanlang made things too easy for him?

Gao Jiong had always despised Li Yuan.

Li Jiancheng’s narrow vision and jealousy of the two disciples—wasn’t it all because Li Yuan was incompetent? Even if Li Yuan hadn’t secured titles for all his sons like Li Jiancheng, he could have at least earned them a merit rank equivalent to Kaifu Yitong Sansi.

Gao Jiong looked at one disciple, leading a few thousand Sui soldiers to defeat hundreds of thousands of Turkic troops and rescue Yang Guang from Yanmen; the other disciple captured two khans in a single battle, burned the Turkic headquarters, and achieved the legendary “Yanran Inscription.” Only then did their ranks reach what was originally “Kaifu Yitong Sansi.” How could he not call Li Yuan a fool?

Even if Li Yuan had minor achievements on the Tuyuhun or Goguryeo fronts, it wasn’t necessary for his two young disciples to start beheading steppe khans just to earn merit. With high-ranking nominal positions, Li Jiancheng wouldn’t have interfered out of jealousy.

Still, he knew that although he despised Li Yuan, Li Yuan was already more capable than most people in the world. Being a prince was no problem.

Li Yuan’s timing for this campaign was so terrible that for the first time, Gao Jiong questioned his own judgment.

When Yang Guang received universal praise from the court and people alike, Gao Jiong had correctly predicted that Yang Guang would destroy the Sui dynasty’s foundation. Could he have misjudged Li Yuan?

Later, Gao Jiong saw a letter from the Lady of the Tang Duke’s household through Li Zhao and realized that Li Yuan had been forced into rebellion by Li Jiancheng, and that Li Jiancheng had been instigated by the Zheng family.

Gao Jiong muttered under his breath.

At least his own judgment hadn’t failed—Li Yuan wasn’t so useless that even he couldn’t understand him.

As for Li Jiancheng and the Zheng family’s plan, Gao Jiong could easily understand it. For them, making Li Yuan declare himself king or emperor before Li Shimin was more important than anything else.

The war was chaotic? No matter—Li Shimin, “peerless under heaven,” and Li Xuanba, “calculating every possibility,” would certainly win. At worst, it would just leave the two brothers a little more flustered.

But… isn’t that even better?

Ideally, they would force Li Shimin and Li Xuanba to come to aid Taiyuan. Once Li Shimin and Li Xuanba met Li Yuan, they could persuade him to take back the military authority from them. And given the “father-son” relationship, they couldn’t refuse.

Of course, Li Yuan would immediately return the military command to Li Shimin and Li Xuanba. But this act of taking and returning would cement Li Yuan’s position as their superior.

Even if Longyou was conquered by Li Shimin, even if the troops were raised by Li Shimin and Li Xuanba, the world is unfair. Li Yuan only needed this nominal authority to effortlessly take away all the power and influence Li Shimin and Li Xuanba had accumulated, and no one could reproach him.

If Li Shimin and Li Xuanba refused, they would be seen as unfilial sons who defied their father, causing the scholars of the realm to lose faith. And at this point, Li Shimin and Li Xuanba were not yet strong enough to oppose the scholars.

Even if the brothers could later pacify the empire after being branded unfilial, Li Shimin’s reputation would suffer, making it extremely difficult to stabilize the realm.

Gao Jiong, though outraged on behalf of his disciples, could do nothing.

Although the Zheng family’s scheme was despicable, it hit precisely where it hurt most.

Gao Jiong recounted the full sequence of the Taiyuan uprising to Li Shimin and Li Xuanba. Both lowered their brows and looked expressionless.

Li Shimin sneered, “I see that no one who claims the throne is truly heroic. As long as my father doesn’t hold me back, my brother and I will be unstoppable, sweeping across the land like an unstoppable storm.”

Li Xuanba said coldly, “Perhaps Li Jiancheng and the Zheng family trusted our abilities too much, which is why they selfishly plotted the succession at the very start of the uprising.”

In the original history, the younger fans all argued over who deserved credit for the Taiyuan uprising.

What kind of credit is that? Li Yuan had prepared everything, had the troops ready, and even secured the Turks. All that was left was a single nod of approval. Not only Li Shimin or Li Jiancheng, but probably all the subordinates persuaded Li Yuan according to his wishes, and Li Yuan then pretended to agree, much like the “bestowing of the yellow robe.”

Merit isn’t about flattering the leader; it’s about exhausting one’s mind in strategy and risking life in battle! Only utterly useless people would claim, “The leader is about to undertake a major task. I went along, so I deserve merit and a larger share of the rewards.”

The uprising in Taiyuan was completely led by Li Yuan alone. If one were to name the first person persuaded, it would be Pei Ji, Li Yuan’s most trusted friend, who also invested resources—truly deserving credit.

But fans of Li Jiancheng in this timeline were lucky—they could now argue over “who was chiefly responsible for the Taiyuan uprising.”

Li Xuanba said, “Li Jiancheng aside, he always focused on the rear courtyard, learning domestic political skills. It’s normal he couldn’t see the bigger picture. The Zheng family, having been absent from the central decision-making for so long, was too shallow-eyed. Father was still contending for the empire—the second emperor was also a founding ruler, not a routine heir. Their selfishness not only exposed Li Jiancheng’s narrow-mindedness and foolishness but also undermined Father’s prestige.”

Li Xuanba’s cold expression softened, and he smiled lightly, “I was initially worried that if Father were too brilliant in his military feats and joined us at Daxing, we would not know how to refuse his demand to hand over military command. Thanks to the foolishness of Li Jiancheng and the Zheng family.”

Gao Jiong’s eyelids twitched. “You wouldn’t have already thought of opposing your father, would you? Sanlang, I know you’re rebellious, but this concerns not just your reputation, it concerns Erlang’s future as emperor.”

Li Xuanba said, “Rest assured, Teacher. I care about Second Brother’s reputation.”

Li Shimin nonchalantly said, “I don’t care. As long as I am a good emperor, what does being unfilial matter? Even if posterity reproaches me, they’ll have to admit I am a sage ruler of all time.”

Li Xuanba nodded. “Indeed. If they have grievances, they can go cry at Zhao Mausoleum.”

Li Shimin complained, “A-Xuan, I haven’t even come of age yet. Can you not start talking about which tombs I will build?”

Gao Jiong pressed a hand to his forehead. “Sanlang, silence! Do not speak rashly about future events!” Apparently, in Sanlang’s prophetic texts, Erlang was meant to contend with Li Yuan and gain the title of emperor only after being branded unfilial.

Gao Jiong’s anger flared. If Li Yuan were here, he would not hesitate to kick him twice.

Li Xuanba said, “Teacher, we won’t take Daxing. Father is fine in Taiyuan—he doesn’t need our help, nor does he have the energy to attack Luoyang or Daxing.”

Li Shimin, fuming inside, was gloomy at first, but when his brother said this, he immediately brightened. “I think so too. A-Xuan, where should we strike?”

Li Xuanba said, “We are loyal ministers of the Sui and filial sons to our father. Loyalty and filial piety cannot both be perfectly fulfilled. We don’t wish to help Father, nor oppose him—so let’s remain neutral.”

Li Shimin said, “Huh? Continue guarding Longyou? How boring.”

Li Xuanba smiled, “We pledged to His Majesty… oh, now the late emperor. We pledged to him to attack the Turks, so we continue against the Turks. The succession struggle of Eastern Turkic Khanate is over. Killing a khan in the steppes is futile. Once the dust settles, they can regroup. Now, Ashina Duobi has become Khagan, claiming he is even stronger than Shi Bi Khagan.”

Round and round, Second Brother captured Shi Bi Khagan and the future ruler of Eastern Turkic, yet the khanate still went to Ashina Duobi. Khagan Jelri appeared earlier than in the original timeline.

Li Xuanba had long planned all this; he just waited due to the uncertainty in the Central Plains. Now that Li Yuan is trapped in Taiyuan, and Yang Xuangang is attacking Luoyang, as long as Li Yuan does not leave Taiyuan, the Sui army has no plans to attack him. Li Yuan is safe. Li Xuanba can now implement the perfect strategy from his plans.

Li Xuanba raised an eyebrow: “Back in the era of the Wei, Jin, and the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Central Plains were in chaos. The Five Barbarians moved south, and foreign tribes grew strong. The Turks were at their peak, and the Central Plains’ states all paid them tribute. The Turks even called themselves the suzerain of the Central Plains and boasted of being the father of the emperors there. Now the Central Plains have again entered a period of chaos, but the Turks are strong. I suspect Khagan Yieli wants once again to be the father of the Central Plains’ emperor, while many people in the Central Plains secretly wish to become vassal emperors under the Turks.”

“Vassal emperor…” Anger flared in both Gao Jiong’s and Li Shimin’s eyes.

In history, the Central Plains had once submitted to the Turks, and the feudal lords there had shown no dignity—a grievance that later generations found deeply frustrating when reading historical records.

When the Sui dynasty was newly established, the Turks also tried to demand tribute. Later, when Changsun Sheng divided the Eastern and Western Turks, Gao Jiong led armies to repeatedly defeat the Turks, forcing both Eastern and Western Turks to submit to the Sui, thereby avenging past humiliations.

And now the Turks again dared to interfere in the Central Plains, acting as if they were the suzerain?!

Li Shimin immediately understood his younger brother’s meaning.

In fact, Li Xuanba had discussed strategies with Li Shimin before, but there were many plans under consideration, and without more information, they could not decide on their next move immediately.

But now, they could.

Intelligence coming from the Eastern Turks, the Central Plains, and Li Yuan had made their path very clear.

Li Shimin raised his eyebrows and smiled: “I do not wish to oppose the Emperor of Sui; my heart is devoted only to honoring the oath made to the late emperor. So whoever dares to pay tribute to the Turks, I’ll beat them, starting from the closest to Longyou.”

Gao Jiong was silent for a moment, then asked: “Erlang, Sanlang, in your opinion, how many people in the Central Plains would submit to the Turks?”

Li Shimin snorted coldly: “All of them.”

Li Xuanba said: “All except our father. In matters of principle, he will not fail.”

Li Shimin glanced at his brother, muttering to himself that he absolutely could not let his brother meet their father alone.

Gao Jiong sighed: “All of them… indeed, the Central Plains is divided, with many contenders vying for power, attacking each other. Only the Turks are strong and well-equipped—the sole external support for the warlords. Even if they despise the Turks, they will pretend to comply and pay tribute to seek their aid. Those who can become emperors do not fuss over small matters. This is just a temporary submission, like King Yue enduring hardship in secret. They will all do this, they all will…”

Gao Jiong took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and exhaled between them: “…submit to the Turks.”

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba silently watched their teacher.

After another deep breath, Gao Jiong closed his eyes. After a while, he opened them again, his voice and expression calm: “Erlang, Sanlang.”

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba replied: “Here.”

Gao Jiong said lightly: “Leave Daxing to me. Whether it’s Li Yuan or anyone else, no one can break through Daxing. You two go and eliminate all the Turks’ dogs.”

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba clasped hands and bowed: “Yes, Teacher.”