LFHYB -Chapter 204 Persuading the Teacher to Go to Luoyang

Qieli Khagan, naturally, was furious at Li Shimin’s provocation.

Although wary of Li Shimin’s military prowess, he still mobilized cavalry from all tribes to drive Li Shimin off his territory.

Li Shimin, having spent many years in Zhangye and now learning strategies from Shibi Khagan, had also mastered steppe warfare.

“Khagan Ye Hu, your Uyghurs can dispatch five thousand cavalry, right?” Li Shimin patted Ye Hu, who no longer even looked like a steppe man, on the shoulder. “It’s your first time leading troops after becoming Uyghur Khagan—give it your all.”

Ye Hu smiled wryly, “What more effort is there? I’m already khagan.”

Ye Hu was only a member of a minor branch of the Uyghur ruling clan, managing trade routes and dealings with the Central Plains. He never expected to one day become khagan.

Here’s how it happened: the Uyghur khagan passed away without leaving an adult heir or direct relatives. The tribal leaders convened to decide who should lead.

At this time, the Eastern Turkic Khagan was sweeping the steppe, while the Western Turks, recovering from internal turmoil, attempted to advance eastward. Nearby tribes, like Xueyantuo, technically under Tiele rule but not really united, were eyeing the now-wealthy Uyghurs who had allied with Tang.

The Uyghurs were like a child clutching gold, with too many eyes on them. The leadership choice was critical.

“Then why not directly choose Ye Hu?”

“Yes! Our good life comes from Lord Li. Now that he’s emperor, we must align with him even more closely!”

“When Lord Li was still young, Ye Hu already had a close relationship with him. Is this what the Central Plains call ‘success through allegiance’? Will our Uyghurs prosper?”

“Exactly, no need to choose anyone else. Ye Hu is from a ruling clan and has the right to inherit the khaganate.”

“Call Ye Hu back quickly. Otherwise, when Lord Li ascends the throne, he’ll already be a Tang duke!”

When Ye Hu was tricked into returning by news of his mother’s grave illness, he became the Uyghur khagan, missing the chance to earn military merit by following Li Shimin in campaigns across the north and south.

By conventional logic, Ye Hu, having become the leader of the Uighurs, had already reached the peak of his personal status.

Yet he was extremely unwilling. He felt that this group had tricked him into becoming the Uighur khan, delaying his chance to achieve merit alongside his lord, leaving him at a loss.

With so many leaders among the Uighurs, how many of them actually left a mark in the history books?

If he had followed his lord on campaigns north and south and been granted a fief as a Duke, he would certainly have merited a separate biography.

Moreover, Ye Hu had lived for many years in the Central Plains under the protection of Li Shimin and Li Xuanba, indulging in the luxury and ease of high-ranking nobles. Now, being made to live in a yurt and eat barbecue every day, he was almost disgusted.

“When my son comes of age, I’ll send him to be the leader. I’ll return to serve Your Highness as a Duke,” Ye Hu pleaded. “Your Highness, you must reserve a residence for me in Chang’an City. I’ll be back soon!”

Li Shimin smiled: “A-Xuan has already reserved it for you. The trade routes to the Western Regions cannot go without you. This dukedom is yours for certain. Even if you don’t take it, you must at least send a child to take your place.”

Ye Hu breathed a sigh of relief: “Then I can rest assured. Your Highness, I will give my utmost effort.”

Li Shimin leaned in and whispered to Ye Hu: “Although by the customs of the steppe, you would need to provide troops along with horses and rations, you are my subordinate, so I will privately subsidize you.”

Ye Hu’s face broke into a proud smile. Of course, a trusted follower like him was different from the leaders of steppe tribes who had just submitted to the Tang.

While Khagan Jieli was urging various tribes to send troops, Li Shimin was also mustering soldiers on the steppe.

He sent a message to Li Xuanba, and at the same time took two eagle chicks along.

Li Xuanba rubbed his forehead: “Sending steppe people to fight steppe people? That’s exactly something he would do. But the battlefield is dangerous—first, send back sister-in-law and Zhuniang!”

Dou Huiming worriedly said: “Wasn’t he supposed to return to ascend the throne? Why is he off fighting the Turks? Will he even come back to take the throne?”

Li Xuanba replied: “My elder brother likely intends to completely erase the impact of the palace coup with a decisive victory, and then return with both the glory of this victory and the title of ‘Great Steppe Khagan’ to ascend the throne.”

Dou Huiming sighed: “Isn’t he afraid that too much time passing could create new troubles?”

Li Xuanba rolled his eyes: “He left me in Chang’an with Mother to help—what trouble could arise? He’s just wandering around as he pleases.”

Dou Huiming could only laugh and cry at the same time. Do you two brothers always do outrageous things just because you know the other will have your back?

Dou Huiming asked: “We really don’t have to provide rations?”

Li Xuanba said: “Our twenty thousand elite troops still need rations; we can’t just rely on the steppe tribes to supply everything. Having proper supplies keeps morale steady. From now on, my focus will be on providing logistics for Elder Brother. Mother, please handle more of the governmental affairs at court.”

Dou Huiming hesitated: “Can I really manage that?”

Li Xuanba smiled: “They’re just minor affairs, not much more troublesome than the mundane duties at the Duke of Tang’s residence or the charitable foundation. If you’re unsure, I’m still in Chang’an—just ask me. Besides, Fang Xuanling and Du Kemin are both experienced and steady ministers. Teacher Gao and others can also assist you. Mother, please don’t worry.”

Dou Huiming took a deep breath and slowly exhaled: “Alright. As a mother, I can’t always stand behind you waiting for you to bring me wealth and honor. If you and Erlang encounter danger, I should be at the forefront to protect you.”

She had long hated the helpless feeling of only waiting while her sons were in danger.

Li Xuanba bowed his head, letting Mother touch his forehead.

Dou Huiming said: “Leave the follow-up on those influential noble families to me. You and Erlang focus on the war.”

Li Xuanba smiled: “Alright.”

Seeing that Elder Brother would not return for some time, he sent Li Jing south again.

Wei Zheng could not tolerate the seniority-based conflicts at court, and also received orders to go to the Central Plains to pacify the people.

Although the battles in Qi, Lu, and Hebei had been settled, warfare was only the beginning; governance was the real priority.

Wei Zheng said to Li Xuanba: “Third Young Master, quickly think of a way to capture Luoyang; otherwise, it will be difficult to manage the Yellow River.”

Li Xuanba sighed: “Managing the Yellow River… who has the leisure for that now? By the way, memorize the table I wrote for you… hey? Don’t run!”

Li Xuanba chased a few steps, but Wei Zheng, leaving his escort behind, ran ahead, leaving Li Xuanba holding only the horse’s rear.

Liu Heita, who had fought under Li Shimin during the southern campaign and had been injured, laughed wryly: “Prince Jin is bullying Mr. Wei again. What table could make Mr. Wei so angry?”

Li Xuanba spread his hands: “You don’t even know what I’m talking about, so why say I’m bullying him? Wei Xuancheng has a bad temper; it’s his own doing. Catch up, or if he gets lost, he’ll scold you for being lost too.”

The former generals of the Qi-Lu volunteer army could only laugh and cry at the same time.

They knew that although Mr. Wei often scolded people, he did so reasonably and rarely lost his temper. Only with Prince Jin did he behave like a firecracker tossed into a blaze, continuously snapping and popping.

This time, the men Wei Zheng took with him were still the old generals of the Qi-Lu volunteer army. Liu Heita followed Li Jing south to gain merit, working alongside old comrades.

Dou Jiande hesitated: “Prince Jin, may I also go to Hebei? Is it really permitted? This is an order from the Crown Prince?”

Li Xuanba said: “After he goes to the steppe, he won’t care about the Central Plains. Otherwise, why would he have left me in Chang’an?”

After joking briefly, Li Xuanba replied seriously: “Elder Brother has always been straightforward and cannot handle scheming. Since he didn’t kill you and brought you back, that means he considers you an ordinary general from now on. Go and achieve merit.”

Dou Jiande clasped his fists: “Yes, Your Highness.”

Li Xuanba added: “I know your heart is not particularly broad, but being a general is different from being a lord. You must get along with other generals, don’t compete for credit. The court is dominated by influential noble families. It will be hard for you commoners to establish a foothold; you must stick together. You don’t want to be a Duke for life, remaining unknown with no other achievements. Your ability to care for the people is good. In peacetime, you should accomplish even more.”

Dou Jiande first turned bright red from Li Xuanba’s blunt appraisal. Later, when he heard Li Xuanba speak of his earnest expectations, his expression calmed to a still, watery serenity.

He cupped his fists again and bowed his head. “Your servant will remember your teachings, Your Highness.”

Li Xuanba said, “Go.”

He raised his wine cup. “I drink to the generals’ success.”

He emptied the cup in one gulp, then laughed. “Wei Xuancheng ran off too quickly, so I won’t toast him.”

The generals laughed heartily and, after finishing the farewell drink, cracked their whips and rode off.

In fact, Wei Zheng hadn’t gone far.

A hundred meters away, hidden in a small grove, Wei Zheng peeked out from behind the trees but didn’t come out.

He muttered, “I know Third Lord trusts me, but could you stop listing all the disasters for the next twenty or thirty years? Are you trying to kill me?”

After muttering, he somehow laughed.

Shaking his head with a smile, Wei Zheng said, “Ah, Third Lord just likes to amuse himself. Even when doing serious things, he won’t take them seriously.”

After seeing off Li Jing and Wei Zheng, Li Xuanba gathered those who were still fit for duty and went to Teacher Gao’s residence.

Gao Yong sighed. “I’m already so old, and you want me to lead troops?”

Li Xuanba smiled with a bold face. “Teacher, you will only be stationed at the rear. You don’t need to personally lead the vanguard like Second Brother. The old generals in history all fought until the end of their lives. You’ve been silent in the Sui for over ten years—it’s time for the world to see your talents. Teacher Yuwen also wants to fight alongside you again. Teacher Changsun and Teacher Xue are also eager.”

Gao Yong rubbed his forehead. “You don’t lack generals now. Are you deliberately giving us a bunch of old men a chance to win glory? And you want me to take those other elders too? Fine, I can let Duke Yuwen handle it. Changsun Sheng has recovered and could go to the battlefield, but are you sure Xue Xuanqing can go too?”

Li Xuanba said, “Teacher Xue is the most proactive—he even wants to go to the front line personally.”

Gao Yong scowled. “Tell him to scram!”

Li Xuanba covered his mouth to suppress a laugh.

Gao Yong tapped his disciple on the head. “Fine. Most of Yang Xuangan’s ministers are former Sui officials. I might be able to take Luoyang without shedding blood. If not, I’ll lay siege to it. You’d better have Erlang come back quickly. The credit for capturing the Eastern Capital must be his own.”

Li Xuanba said, “Understood. I’ll write to Second Brother immediately.”

With the teachers settled, Li Xuanba considered whether there were any idle but capable people he could mobilize.