LFHYB -Chapter 24 Li Erlang Is About to Get Scolded

Li Xuanba lazed around for several days as soon as he got home.

He knew he had many things to do.

For example, having taken so much money from Yang Guang, he could begin implementing his own money-making plans.

But Li Xuanba sprawled on the bed. No matter how much Li Shimin shook him, he kept murmuring, “Spring sleep—one never notices the dawn,” and refused to leave the bed.

These past few days, he ate, slept, then slept and ate. Even when reading, he lay on the couch, wishing he could fuse together with it.

Li Yuan and Lady Dou felt sorry for Li Xuanba—he had just suffered a serious illness and endured long-distance travel—so they indulged his laziness.

Only Li Shimin persisted relentlessly, trying to drag his younger brother off the bed.

Li Xuanba covered his ears. Not listening, not listening—second brother is chanting scriptures again.

Li Shimin said, “I’m going to play with the fourth young master of the Changsun family. Are you really not coming?”

Li Xuanba rolled over. “Not going. All you do is shoot arrows and play cuju. I’m tired.”

Today again, Li Shimin failed to pry Li Xuanba off the bed. Sighing, he went out to play by himself.

Li Xuanba yawned, grabbed a book from the bedside, propped a soft cushion behind his back, wriggled upright, and read leisurely.

After a while, he heard some rustling at the door and thought his second brother had come back. Looking closely, he saw it was Li Zhiyun peeking in.

“Xiao Wu, what is it?” Li Xuanba put down his book.

Li Zhiyun trotted over on his short little legs, nimbly kicked off his cloth shoes, and climbed up beside Li Xuanba. “Third brother, Xiao Wu wants to hear a story!”

Li Xuanba sighed. “Alright. What do you want to hear today?”

Li Zhiyun said eagerly, “Did the Calabash Brothers rescue Grandpa yet?!”

Li Xuanba said, “That… where did I stop last time?”

He thought for a moment, then continued telling the unfortunate story of the Calabash Brothers rescuing Grandpa—going one by one and getting captured one by one.

When Li Xuanba told stories to Li Shimin, Li Zhiyun had happened to overhear while Lady Wan was bringing him over to play. Encouraged by Lady Wan, Li Zhiyun then came to seek out Li Xuanba, who refused to leave his room, just to hear stories.

After coming several times, Li Zhiyun discovered that although Third Brother’s expression was cold, he was actually very gentle and easy to talk to, and so he completely stuck to Li Xuanba.

Seeing how effective storytelling was, Li Xuanba slapped his forehead and tried to use stories to lure Li Yuanji over as well—pulling the still-young Li Yuanji to his and Second Brother’s side. Maybe it could help their mother correct Li Yuanji’s temperament.

Then Li Xuanba was chased and beaten by that three-year-old little demon child wielding a wooden sword.

To protect Li Zhiyun, he drew the aggro himself. Unable to outrun the three-year-old menace, he ended up with a large bruise on his arm.

Because Old Lady Dou and Li Yuan were both extremely indulgent toward the children, Li Yuanji only received a scolding. Li Xuanba’s little treasury, however, gained again. Li Xuanba felt it wasn’t a loss and didn’t intend to pursue the matter.

But when Li Shimin returned from playing with his newly acquainted friend, Changsun Fourth Young Master, and learned of the incident, he seized the moment when their parents weren’t paying attention, pinned Li Yuanji down, and beat him severely. As a result, Li Shimin was confined for several days.

Li Xuanba failed once again to “win over” his fourth brother. Li Yuanji hated him and Li Shimin even more.

He comforted himself, hoping—just as his mother had said—that when his fourth brother grew a little older, no longer acting purely on instinct and learning to respect his elder brothers, he would try again.

If he tried his best and still failed, at least his conscience wouldn’t hurt.

This was called “exemption from liability.”

Li Xuanba told Li Zhiyun stories for a while, then deliberately stopped at the point where the fifth child was also captured. As for what happened afterward—please listen to the next installment.

Nothing was more interesting than cutting the story off mid-way.

Li Zhiyun was a little unhappy. But his temperament took after his birth mother—when he was displeased, he merely lowered his head and gently nudged Li Xuanba with it, like a little puppy.

Li Xuanba patted his puppy-like younger brother’s head. “If you can persist and finish tracing one full sheet of big characters, I’ll tell you the story of the sixth child.”

Li Zhiyun puffed out his lips. “Just one sheet—I’ll finish it quickly. Mother said Third Brother also has to write. Has Third Brother finished his writing today?”

Li Xuanba fell silent.

You’re only three years old—articulate, logically clear, and you even supervise your elder brother’s homework? Isn’t that a bit too smart? Does our Li family specialize in producing precocious geniuses?

“…Alright. Together.” Li Xuanba sighed and slowly climbed down from the bed.

Li Zhiyun followed behind him, climbing down as well—like a half-grown dog with a little milk puppy trailing after it. “Third Brother, you’ve apprenticed under Teacher Yu, such an amazing teacher. You must work hard.”

Li Xuanba sighed again. “Alright, alright, stop urging me.”

After climbing down, Li Zhiyun skillfully and eagerly helped Li Xuanba grind the ink.

Ever since he came into contact with writing, he had been especially obsessed with beautiful handwriting. Although his wrist still lacked strength and he couldn’t properly practice calligraphy yet, he still worked hard every day, tracing characters in a drawing-like manner.

Compared to children his age, Li Xuanba’s regular script was written exceptionally well.

Li Xuanba never considered himself a genius. He only looked like one—relying on an adult’s logic and perseverance to do utilitarian things where results could be achieved through persistence.

For example, practicing calligraphy.

He knew that calligraphy was the “face” of scholars in this era. Although he doubted he could become a calligraphy master, as long as he trained hard from childhood, producing a beautiful hand in brush writing wouldn’t be difficult.

Since the Wei–Jin period, regular script had gradually developed and was now one of the most popular styles, reaching its peak in the Tang dynasty.

Li Xuanba’s writing couldn’t really be considered the currently fashionable Wei-stele–influenced standard script. Instead, it carried some brushwork of semi-cursive script.

In modern times, he hadn’t practiced brush calligraphy, but his semi-cursive pen handwriting had been very beautiful. Hard-pen and brush calligraphy differ greatly, but the structure of characters can be understood by analogy. Having long been accustomed to writing semi-cursive, his brush writing naturally drifted in that direction as well.

Of course, the main reason his regular script gradually leaned toward semi-cursive was that semi-cursive was faster to write.

The first time Li Xuanba wrote in semi-cursive was when he helped his mischievous second brother copy the Classic of Filial Piety as punishment.

For this kind of punishment copying, a perfunctory effort was enough—there was no need for the characters to be written beautifully.

Unexpectedly, after Lady Dou saw Li Xuanba’s writing, she sought out copybooks from many famous regular-script calligraphers at court for him to study. Every day, after copying these models once, Li Xuanba would then write another piece of “free and flowing” regular script in his own habitual style.

After Li Xuanba apprenticed under Yu Shinan as his calligraphy teacher, Yu Shinan saw his writing and, coincidentally, taught him using the very same method Lady Dou had used.

Li Zhiyun had an innate fondness for beautiful calligraphy.

After being brought by his birth mother to grow close with Li Xuanba, he loved urging Li Xuanba to complete his calligraphy practice, lying prone at the low table to watch him write.

No one is a sage—who can be without vanity? Seeing the puppy-like, admiring gaze in his younger brother’s eyes made Li Xuanba feel greatly satisfied, smoothing away his irritation with practice.

Now he deliberately “slacked off” every day, waiting for Li Zhiyun to come urge him to practice. After finishing his own writing, Li Xuanba would then hold Li Zhiyun’s hand and teach him to trace the red characters in the copybook.

Lady Dou and Lady Wan came by one after the other, both leaving with kind smiles, not disturbing the two children as they practiced writing.

Only Li Yuan was somewhat wistful. “Fourth Son should also be practicing calligraphy.”

Lady Dou said, “Fourth Son is very obedient in front of you, my lord. Perhaps you could personally teach Fourth Son to practice writing?”

Li Yuan thought of Li Yuanji’s inability to sit still and felt a headache coming on before even starting. “Let Eldest Son teach him instead—it can also strengthen the brothers’ relationship.”

Lady Dou gently persuaded him. “Eldest Son has already been granted a palace post by His Majesty and must attend duty daily—he truly has no time. Moreover, Eldest Son will have plenty of time to get along with Fourth Son in the future, whereas you, my lord, do not have much time with him. Fourth Son is mischievous; you are the one who can keep him in line.”

Though mischievous, Li Yuanji was also clever. He knew whom he could bully and whom he could not.

For instance, after Li Shimin had beaten Li Yuanji several times, Li Yuanji might secretly spit at Li Shimin behind his back, but he didn’t dare act arrogantly in front of him.

But whenever Li Xuanba came near, Li Yuanji would viciously bully this sickly older brother whom he couldn’t fight back against.

Lady Dou guessed that Fourth Son’s habit of bullying Sanlang was also because Erlang beat Fourth Son too harshly, so Fourth Son sought “revenge” on Sanlang, who looked extremely similar to Erlang.

Li Yuan was very tall and bore the identity of “father,” which had been excessively glorified by the servants attending Li Yuanji. In front of Li Yuan, Li Yuanji behaved very obediently.

Because Old Lady Dou stopped her, Lady Dou couldn’t personally teach Li Yuanji.

Now that Li Yuan was on leave at home, Lady Dou wanted him to rein Li Yuanji in.

After several rounds of persuasion from Lady Dou, Li Yuan finally overcame his inner fear of teaching a troublesome child and steeled himself to discipline Li Yuanji.

After that, Li Yuanji was beaten almost every day.

Old Lady Dou was heartbroken. But since her son had finally returned home and was educating a child for once, she couldn’t dampen his enthusiasm. She could only complain that Lady Dou hadn’t stopped Li Yuan.

Lady Dou smiled apologetically, repeatedly saying she was useless and couldn’t persuade her husband, brushing the matter off.

When Li Shimin heard that their father beat Li Yuanji once every day, he was so happy that he didn’t even go out to play anymore.

While Li Xuanba practiced calligraphy, Li Shimin took over the “work” that Li Xuanba would do afterward—holding Li Zhiyun’s hand and teaching him to trace the red characters.

“That’s great! I told mother long ago—beat Li Yuanji a few more times and he’ll behave,” Li Shimin said excitedly.

Li Zhiyun shrank his neck a little. “Zhiyun is very well-behaved. Don’t hit Zhiyun.”

Li Shimin said, “I know you’re very good. Don’t be afraid—do I look like someone who would randomly beat up his younger brothers?”

Li Zhiyun looked at Li Xuanba.

Li Xuanba said, “Yes, he does.”

Li Zhiyun shrank his head again.

Li Shimin laughed and scolded, “A-Xuan, are you asking for a beating?”

Li Xuanba replied, “See? He really does randomly beat up his younger brothers.”

Li Zhiyun said softly, “Second Brother, don’t bully Third Brother. If you bully Third Brother, I’ll tell Mother.”

Li Shimin was speechless. “You actually listen to his nonsense. A-Xuan, hurry up and explain—be careful Zhiyun really believes I bully you.”

Li Xuanba chuckled. “Zhiyun, I was teasing you. Second Brother is very good and won’t bully his brothers. Your Second Brother is especially good at fighting—if anyone bullies you later, just go find Second Brother to help you beat them back.”

Li Shimin said, “That’s absolutely no problem.”

Li Zhiyun nodded. “Okay.”

Li Yuan left through the window and patted his chest.

Ever since being hurt by Li Yuanji, he would always come here to take a look at his other three young sons.

He was healed—healed, healed—and could go back to teaching Li Yuanji to read and write.

The leisurely days passed like this for ten days.

During this time, Li Yuan and Lady Dou took Li Shimin to visit the Changsun family. The two families matched their birth charts and officially set this previously verbal marriage agreement.

When the young Miss Changsun turned six, she and Li Shimin would exchange betrothal cards and formally establish the engagement.

Because Miss Changsun was still very young, Li Shimin did not meet her. Instead, he often went to play with Changsun Wuji, and by the way learned archery and the Turkic language from Changsun Sheng.

Li Xuanba did not go along.

First, he was lazy. Second, he felt that since his second brother was going to look over his future wife, it would really be inappropriate for him to tag along for the excitement.

After that, whenever Li Shimin went to the Changsun residence to play, Li Xuanba would decline if he could.

He believed that although Miss Changsun was still young, Lady Gao would certainly bring the little Miss Changsun to quietly observe Li Shimin somewhere he couldn’t see.

Though three-year-olds couldn’t speak of love, getting familiar early and building a bit more goodwill—growing from childhood sweethearts into newlyweds—was always better than a blind, arranged marriage.

In just ten days, Li Shimin had completely gotten close with Changsun Wuji.

Changsun Wuji no longer mentioned Li Shimin’s age. An eleven-year-old youth was actually able to play very happily with a seven-year-old child, even forgetting his former friends.

Li Xuanba truly didn’t know how to evaluate this matter. He recorded it in his diary to use later as material for Romance of the Sui and Tang.

After ten days, just as Li Yuan and Changsun Sheng were preparing to return to their respective posts to continue working, an imperial edict arrived.

Li Yuan was summoned into court, while Changsun Sheng was allowed to rest at home for a bit longer.

At present, the Turks were very well-behaved, and the emperor planned to stay and enjoy himself in Luoyang for a while. There was no need for Changsun Sheng to serve as guard, so he generously granted him additional leave.

Changsun Sheng was not young anymore and had spent years enduring wind and sand among the Turks. At the persuasion of Crown Prince Yang Zhao, Yang Guang issued an edict ordering Changsun Sheng to recuperate properly.

Yang Guang had already planned out his path as a great ruler.

First, he would campaign against Goguryeo. After Goguryeo surrendered, he would complete the late emperor’s unfinished enterprise and conquer the Turks.

Changsun Sheng was the person who understood the Turks best. Yang Guang hoped that when he conquered the Turks, Changsun Sheng could still be of use to him.

Changsun Sheng had been busy his whole life. Now that he finally had time to be with his family and raise his children, he was very happy. He specially had his neglected legitimate eldest son, Changsun Anye, take leave and return home, watching him every day as he resumed studying and martial training.

Changsun Sheng had four sons. The eldest son by a concubine, Changsun Xingbu, had died two years earlier in the rebellion of Prince Han, Yang Liang. Xingbu’s full younger brother was therefore granted the title of Yingyang Langjiang. Changsun Anye was born of the first wife. Changsun Wuji was born of the second wife, Lady Gao.

When Changsun Sheng’s first wife was alive, because she had only Changsun Anye as a son, she spoiled him greatly. Changsun Sheng was also stationed beyond the borders year-round and couldn’t teach his son.

Now that he finally had some leisure, he discovered that his son had turned into a hard-drinking, dissolute wastrel. He was so angry he nearly fainted.

When his elder brother Changsun Chi learned of this, he even wrote a letter specifically to mock him.

In her letters, Changsun Sheng’s first wife always said that Changsun Anye was outstanding. As the second wife, Lady Gao did not dare to discipline or offend Changsun Anye, and often told Changsun Sheng that everything at home was fine.

Changsun Chi disliked Changsun Anye. But for many years Changsun Sheng had only Changsun Anye as a legitimate son, and he also cherished memories of his deceased first wife, so he always thought that although Changsun Anye had some dissolute habits, such things were common among the second generation of meritorious families and didn’t amount to much.

Distance lends enchantment; closeness breeds contempt. Now Changsun Sheng could no longer tolerate this “not much” of a wastrel son.

Li Xuanba heard this “joke” from Li Shimin.

Although Changsun Anye was also Li Shimin’s elder brother-in-law, Li Shimin seemed particularly interested in watching this elder brother-in-law get beaten. He often went to watch the spectacle and even fanned the flames.

Li Xuanba couldn’t help covering his face. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll hate you?”

Li Shimin widened his innocent eyes. “How could that be? I’m just a child!”

I, Li Shimin, a seven-year-old child—what bad intentions could I possibly have?

“Alright then.” Li Xuanba didn’t take it seriously. Anyway, in the end Changsun Anye would at most rebel once more and then be exiled. The one who would suffer wouldn’t be his own second brother.

“It’s time to get moving.” Seeing that his father had obtained the post of Palace Attendant a few years earlier than in the original history, Li Xuanba felt that his butterfly effect seemed to be at work again. His springtime drowsiness and laziness lifted a little.

If he didn’t rouse himself soon, his elder sister would be getting married.

Thinking of his elder sister’s marriage, a trace of vexation arose in Li Xuanba’s heart.

Li Shimin also stopped going out to play wildly. Besides losing the novelty of visiting the Changsun residence, it was also related to his low mood over their third elder sister’s impending marriage.

The two children sulked because their sister was getting married. Lady Dou noticed and had Third Lady Li—who was staying home embroidering her dowry—take Li Shimin and Li Xuanba out to get some fresh air.

Li Sanniang was so happy that tears were about to spill out.

She had been confined to a small courtyard and forbidden to go out—she was practically suffocating from boredom!

“Second Brother, Third Brother, where do you want to go have fun? Big Sister will play with you as much as you like!” Li Sanniang hugged her two younger brothers one by one, filled with gratitude.

Li Shimin said, “Let’s listen to A-Xuan. A-Xuan is finally starting his money-making plan.”

Li Xuanba said, “Big Sister, come with me to the workshop behind the bookstore where they print Buddhist sutras. I want to print some other books.”

Li Sanniang led her two brothers onto the carriage. “Print what? Did you get new Buddhist scriptures from His Majesty?”

Li Xuanba shook his head. “Confucian classics.”

Li Sanniang was startled. “Third Brother, Confucian classics can’t be printed. They must be hand-copied!”

Li Xuanba said, “Now that the realm is stable and prosperous, there are gradually more scholars. I’ve already consulted Mister Gao and Mister Yuwen. They agree to have the Confucian classics with their family commentaries printed and sold cheaply to poor scholars, in order to revive Confucian learning.”

He smiled obediently at Li Sanniang and continued, “In the future, Eldest Brother will surely associate closely with the great aristocratic families. Second Brother and I shouldn’t mingle too much with the scions of those families, lest we divert Eldest Brother’s connections and incur his displeasure. I heard from His Majesty that a new ‘Presented Scholar’ (jinshi) category will be added this year. In the future, I want to take the jinshi route to become an official.”

Li Shimin added, “In the future I can go fight the Turks and earn a noble title, but A-Xuan definitely won’t be able to go to the battlefield. Relying only on inherited privilege to hold office means living at others’ mercy—better to earn an official post through examinations. For poor scholars who want to become officials, besides attaching themselves to high aristocratic families, this is probably also the path they must take. So A-Xuan wants to accumulate connections among poor scholars in advance.”

After listening carefully, Li Sanniang sighed. “You’re all growing up far too early—thinking so much, and so far ahead.”

Li Shimin puffed out his chest proudly. “A-Xuan and I have both accompanied the emperor on the southern inspection tour—we’re obviously amazing!”

Li Sanniang laughed. “That’s true. But A-Xuan, the officials at court all look down on poor scholars, and noble families are unwilling to associate with them. As a son of the Duke of Tang’s household, if you get too close to poor scholars, people will sneer at you.”

Li Xuanba said, “I know. Right now, holding office through inherited privilege is considered the most honorable. Those who enter office through examinations like the Mingjing are immediately considered inferior.”

At present, the examinations not only required recommendation by officials of fifth rank or above to even qualify, but those who became officials through them also suffered discrimination.

By the Tang dynasty, the great aristocratic families still looked down on officials who rose through the examinations.

“But I just want to take the exam—to compete with the scholars of the realm,” Li Xuanba said. A look appeared on his face that even his twin brother could not understand. “I just want to take it once.”

Looking at Li Xuanba’s expression, Li Sanniang didn’t understand it either, yet for no reason her heart felt sour.

She immediately said, “If Third Brother wants to take the exam, then take it! Poor scholars aren’t necessarily inferior to those from great families. Competing in learning with the poor scholars of the realm—how exhilarating that would be! Big Sister supports you!”

Li Shimin also said, “Big Brother supports you too. A-Xuan, do whatever you want!”

Li Xuanba nodded. “Mm.”

Li Sanniang said, “Come on, let’s go print and sell Confucian classics right now! If they don’t sell, Big Sister will make up the loss! My dowry is quite substantial!”

Li Xuanba laughed. “There’s no need to use Big Sister’s dowry. Don’t worry—among Confucian scholars, Mister Gao and Mister Yuwen are very famous. There’s no way their annotated Four Books and Five Classics won’t sell. Besides, I won’t only sell the classics. I also want to sell some fictional storybooks.”

Li Shimin said smugly, “Big Sister, you have no idea how good A-Xuan is at telling stories. His storybooks will definitely sell well!”

Li Sanniang said, “Third Brother can print whatever he wants! We’ll split the profits, and any losses are on Big Sister! No refusing—it’s settled!”

Li Xuanba and Li Shimin exchanged a glance. Under Li Sanniang’s “intimidating” stare, they could only clasp their hands and thank her. “Then many thanks to Big Sister.”

Li Sanniang smiled. “That’s more like it! You should rely on Big Sister more!”

She ruffled the little topknots on Li Xuanba’s and Li Shimin’s heads, then carefully retied them.

“Let’s go! We’re printing new books!”

“Okay!”

The three siblings arrived at the woodblock printing workshop behind the West Market bookstore, where they met Chai Shao, who had been waiting there for some time.

Chai Shao: grinning foolishly.

The smiles on Li Shimin’s and Li Xuanba’s faces vanished at the same time.

Li Shimin stared with dead fish eyes. “I remember that before marriage, men and women aren’t supposed to meet?”

Li Xuanba stared with dead fish eyes as well. “I remember that too.”

Chai Shao immediately said, “It’s just a chance encounter—a chance encounter!”

He rubbed his hands together. “Since it’s a chance encounter, how about I act as your guard?”

“Cough. Chai Beishen, could you not smile so… so indecently?” A chubby young man walked out from the side.

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba were startled and immediately moved to bow.

The young man waved his hand to stop them. “I followed Sichang to take a look at my cousin’s bookstore. Surely my cousin won’t refuse to welcome his cousin, right?”

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba both put on bitter expressions. “We wouldn’t dare. Welcome, Cousin.”

Cousin? Li Sanniang pondered for a moment, looked over the young man’s build, and suddenly realized. “Could it be…?”

Through her veil, she shot Chai Shao a glare, then slowly bowed. “Greetings, Cousin.”

This young man was none other than Crown Prince Yang Zhao.

Yang Zhao said gently, “Greetings, Cousin.”

Li Shimin was big-hearted. After being startled at first, seeing that the Crown Prince Cousin was as gentle and easygoing as ever, he relaxed.

“Cousin, weren’t you in the Eastern Capital? Why have you come back?” Li Shimin asked curiously.

Yang Zhao winked at Li Xuanba and said, “You’ll have to ask your younger brother about that.”

Li Xuanba pointed at himself. “Me?”

Yang Zhao smiled without answering.

Li Xuanba’s eyes widened. Could it be because he had told the Crown Prince that if he ever encountered Yang Guang and was told to return to Daxing, he shouldn’t hesitate and should come back immediately?

But wait—wasn’t that supposed to happen in July? It was only April now!

Could it be that before July, Yang Guang had already told Yang Zhao to return to Daxing once, but Yang Zhao said he wanted to stay in Luoyang a bit longer, and Yang Guang then allowed him to stay an additional three months?

This was indeed very possible.

Yang Zhao said, “Father told me to return to Daxing. I thought I might as well come back to drink Sichang’s wedding wine, so I returned. When Duke Gao and Duke Yuwen heard that you were going to print Confucian classics, they also asked Father for leave. They should be back in a few days.”

Li Shimin exclaimed in shock, “Huh? The two teachers are coming back too? I’m done for, I’m done for—A-Xuan, I’m finished!”

Li Shimin immediately put on a face as if he were attending a funeral.

Yang Zhao asked curiously, “Second Brother, what’s wrong? Aren’t you happy that the teachers are coming back?”

Li Xuanba let out a heavy sigh. Though his tone was mournful, the smile at the corner of his mouth simply wouldn’t go away. “Well, you see, before Second Brother and I returned to Daxing, the teachers assigned us a lot of homework. After coming back, Second Brother met a new friend—Fourth Young Master Changsun—and has been running wild outside every day. As for the homework…”

Li Xuanba spread his hands and shrugged. “Cousin, you know how it is.”

“Ah!” Li Shimin clutched his head and shook it hard. “It’s over, it’s over, I’m finished!”

Yang Zhao looked at Li Shimin’s utterly collapsed expression, then at Li Xuanba’s face full of schadenfreude, and couldn’t help laughing. “Alright, I understand. Second Brother—well—my condolences.”

Duke Gao and Duke Yuwen were extremely strict. Second Young Master Li was truly doomed.