LFHYB -Chapter 70 The Strategist Decides to Yield

Changsun Sheng’s gaze was complicated as he looked at Li Xuanba.

Li Xuanba put away his smile, expressionless, and faced him.

Changsun Sheng’s fingers twitched inside his sleeves.

It itched—he wanted to slap this brat in front of him.

He took a deep breath, speaking calmly: “So this is the confidence that lets you tell me these things without fear? You think that if I tell His Majesty, I too would be unable to escape death?”

Li Xuanba didn’t answer. After being repeatedly interrupted and having his initiative snatched, he asked again: “Uncle, are you curious about the fate I am destined for?”

Before Changsun Sheng could reply, Li Xuanba spoke first: “I will die at sixteen.”

Changsun Sheng’s eyes widened slightly, lips pressed into a straight line.

But Li Xuanba, mimicking Changsun Sheng’s earlier expression, curved his lips into a gentle smile.

In a calm voice tinged with amusement, he said: “Although I am working hard to stay healthy now, who knows if I can live past sixteen? And if I do… with a body like mine, even a minor illness could be fatal. Every day I live, I don’t know if I’ll see tomorrow.”

“At times, my mind…” Li Xuanba tapped his head, “…is full of too many secrets. It’s so hard to bear.”

Changsun Sheng’s pupils trembled slightly. As a strategist, he was extremely perceptive. He thought he had seen through Li Xuanba thoroughly, but now it felt like he was looking at a different person. It was a novel sensation.

Li Xuanba lowered his hand from his head: “Your analysis is correct. Apart from Second Brother, four people know of my prophetic ability. Aside from you, there are Teacher Gao, Teacher Yuwen, and Fang Xuanling.”

“Before revealing the future, I did consider safety. Teachers Gao and Yuwen were opposed to Emperor Yang of Sui, and when they became my teachers, they would soon face mortal danger.”

“Fang Xuanling is from a minor branch of a moderately prominent family. Before achieving distinction, his background was no different from that of a common scholar. By the time he neared thirty, he had become mature and wise—a person whose future as a ‘Prime Minister Fang’ is enough to ensure he keeps a secret.”

“As for you, Uncle…” Li Xuanba’s smile deepened. “You are right—I think the same. But to be frank, all of this is prediction, it’s a gamble. Even with a ninety percent chance of success, it’s still a gamble. The best approach is to say nothing and wait until the Duke Tang Mansion is well established. Right?”

Changsun Sheng didn’t answer Li Xuanba’s question; he wasn’t even entirely sure why Li Xuanba had said that.

He just murmured, “Emperor Yang of Sui…”

Li Xuanba didn’t wait for a reply. He seemed to be talking to himself: “But at that time… I might already be dead. Even if the end of the Sui is turbulent and magnificent, it has nothing to do with me.”

Changsun Sheng’s eyelid twitched sharply. “You tell others about the future… is it just because of that?!”

To feel a bit of involvement in the turbulent end of the Sui?!

Li Xuanba nodded. “Yes. I could die at any moment, so I need to find something interesting to relieve the pressure on my mind. Actually, Tang isn’t particularly great either. Though it lasted three hundred years, it went downhill after a little over 130 years. Even if later generations take pride in Tang, the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms that followed were even more chaotic than the Jin, Wei, and Southern and Northern Dynasties. After that, several states coexisted until the Turks took over… Well, it’s all steppe people anyway, so just call them Turks.”

Changsun Sheng: “…How many years into the future can you see?”

Li Xuanba: “Over a thousand years.”

Changsun Sheng nearly bit his tongue. He began to worry about Li Xuanba’s mental state.

Li Xuanba frowned, looking sullen: “So, uncle, you understand now, right? I’m actually a bit bored with my current life.”

“Although I carefully chose whom to confide the future to, I don’t really care about it. Even if Tang falls, another dynasty will rise. Maybe a different dynasty won’t even have the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms or the Song and Yuan.”

“Besides, my second brother has destiny on his side. Before he appears, people praise the sage kings Yao and Shun. After he appears, both scholars and rulers often compare the sage king to Emperor Taizong of Tang. I don’t think he will die that easily.”

“I try hard to restrain myself, but if I misjudge, it might be interesting if you, or Teacher Gāo, Teacher Yuwen, or Fang Xuanling, were to leak this.”

“Emperor Yang of Sui certainly wouldn’t kill me immediately. He’d want to verify what you said and summon me for questioning. Could I deceive him? Or might I flee with my second brother to the deep mountains and forests and become the leader of a peasant uprising during the Sui’s chaos?”

Li Xuanba asked earnestly: “Uncle, do you think such a development would be more interesting than now? Returning to your earlier question—why I dare tell others about the future—I think it’s because I really don’t care about the consequences. Uncle, are you satisfied with that answer?”

Changsun Sheng poured some water for Li Xuanba and pushed the plate of milk cakes closer: “Eat more. You might be hungry.”

Li Xuanba obediently picked up another piece.

Cold sweat soaked through Changsun Sheng’s clothes.

Having spent decades moving among the Turkic nobility, Changsun Sheng had nearly perfected the art of reading people.

He could tell that Li Xuanba was speaking the truth, not pretending.

Although Li Xuanba carefully selected his “prophecy targets,” he genuinely didn’t care whether the precautions worked.

He wasn’t afraid of harming himself, but did he fear harming Li Yuan, Lady Dou, or Erlang?

No. He did care.

Changsun Sheng reached that conclusion immediately.

If Li Xuanba didn’t care, he wouldn’t have carefully chosen whom to tell.

Gao Jiang and Yuwen Bì would never leak the secret. Once they are alert, no one else could extract anything from them.

They almost got killed by His Majesty simply because they didn’t know he would kill them.

Changsun Sheng prided himself on knowing His Majesty well. Even when he sensed the intent to kill Gao Jiang and Yuwen Bì, he wondered why His Majesty would do something so harmful and pointless.

As for Fang Qiao, he didn’t know him well. But Li Xuanba mentioned “Chancellor Fang,” so this man must be the trusted aide and right-hand man of Erlang, a great talent according to the Book of Tang. Fang Qiao was nearly thirty; all the talents he should possess by now, he had. So even knowing he could never rise in the Sui, he would surely seize the opportunity to become “Chancellor Fang.”

Moreover, Fang Qiao was the son of Fang Yanqian. With Fang Yanqian’s integrity, his son must have a good character.

The only uncertain factor in Li Xuanba’s selection was himself.

If he were loyal enough to His Majesty, he might not believe Li Xuanba’s prophecy.

Prophecies are intangible; he cannot see them. The rising Sui, however, is right in front of him.

Most people would choose to believe the present reality and dismiss prophecies as “bewitching words to mislead the public.”

To put it bluntly, Li Xuanba’s words could almost be seen as inciting betrayal—a genuine “bewitching” message.

Changsun Sheng almost laughed with anger.

Because reaching this conclusion only strengthened his belief that Li Xuanba’s “looking for fun” attitude was genuine.

If Li Xuanba wanted to persuade him not to go to the Western Regions, he could have used another method!

These words, almost bordering on “rebellion,” had nothing to do with persuading him not to go west!

Even using “prophecy” as a way of persuading, he could only have told himself that Anye would mistreat his stepmother and younger siblings. He could even tell himself that Anye would fall out with the Tang Duke’s mansion, leading to death!

Li Xuanba finished another piece of cake, wiped his hands, and rinsed his throat with warm water.

“Uncle, have you calmed down?” Li Xuanba asked.

Changsun Sheng replied, “Shouldn’t it be me asking you, Dade? Have you calmed down?”

Li Xuanba: “I’ve been calm all along.”

Changsun Sheng almost laughed in frustration.

He got down from the couch, walked over to Li Xuanba, and firmly pressed the boy’s head: “Does your second brother know your mental state? Do you want to find a high monk to chant some sutras for you?”

Li Xuanba held his head: “I’m more inclined toward destroying Buddhism.”

Changsun Sheng gasped: “You really say whatever comes to mind. How could I have a son-in-law like you?!”

Li Xuanba: “Because your daughter is, according to history, a posthumously celebrated sage empress? Perfect in everything, she bore three sons and four daughters, seven children in total. Later generations speculated she died from giving birth too many times, passing at thirty-six.”

Changsun Sheng staggered and roared, “Li Xuanba!”

Li Xuanba said, “Why are you in such a rush? I haven’t even mentioned Changsun Silang yet…”

Changsun Sheng quickly waved his hand, “Don’t say it, don’t say it!”

Li Xuanba continued, “Then Changsun Anye…”

Changsun Sheng took a deep breath, “Stop talking!”

Li Xuanba reassured him, “Don’t worry too much. The one who eventually became emperor was your grandson. Although Changsun Silang’s later years were troubled, he was eventually exonerated, and Changsun’s line regained its titles and remained prosperous.”

Changsun Sheng ground his teeth, “Li Xuanba, I told you to stop!”

Even when he had been detained by the Turkic Khagan, he hadn’t been in such a bad mood!

Li Xuanba jumped down from the seat and bowed to Changsun Sheng, “To avoid future tragedies, please take care of your health, Uncle.”

“After your passing, Changsun Anye drove Lady Gao, Changsun Silang, and the younger Changsun daughter out of the household. The three lived with Uncle Gao Shilian, who raised them.”

“Although Uncle Gao treated his nephews and niece very well, being dependent on others left an indelible mark on them. Moreover, Uncle Gao himself was not wealthy and could not provide a lavish life. Lady Gao passed away early, burdened with grief. My second sister-in-law was married to my second brother at the age of thirteen to escape danger.”

Li Xuanba lifted his head, “Just like mother.”

Changsun Sheng’s lips trembled, but he didn’t repeat his command for Li Xuanba to shut up.

Li Xuanba said, “Looking at imperial consorts and daughters of meritorious officials in history, it was rare for a primary wife from a good family to die from excessive childbirth. You must understand, a primary wife of childbearing age has the right to refuse if it is unsuitable.”

After giving birth to Li Yuanji, his mother had arranged for Li Yuan to take many concubines. Li Yuan mostly complied, often just sleeping beside his mother under the covers.

In later history, Empress Ma, like Empress Changsun, had many children, but most were born before Zhu Yuanzhang rose to power. After becoming empress, Empress Ma also made old Zhu sleep with his concubines.

Li Xuanba continued, “My second sister-in-law had too many children because, first, she had no elders to guide her; second, she may have known but lacked the courage to refuse. Without you around, the Changsun household became purely an external kinship, not a union of merit and emperor. If you were there, she might have had more confidence. My second brother respects her, but she, having been dependent on others since childhood, had no sense of security.”

Changsun Sheng took several deep breaths before sitting on the couch, feet touching the floor, hands gently rubbing his chest. “You even bring up palace affairs?”

Li Xuanba said, “My brother’s later years were also troubled. The root of it all was your early passing and him raising the children, which he really wasn’t skilled at.”

Changsun Sheng finally calmed down, saying irritably, “Good thing there’s Li Erlang to keep you in check.”

Li Xuanba frowned, “Don’t make me sound like a mad dog.”

Changsun Sheng said, “Your self-assessment is fair.”

Li Xuanba threatened, “Uncle, if you insult me again, I’ll tell you that second sister-in-law developed a chronic respiratory illness when she was driven out of the Changsun mansion.”

Although later speculation suggested that Empress Changsun’s illness was congenital, Changsun Wuji had no such disease. Any hereditary illnesses among her children came from Li family cardiovascular issues. Her respiratory illness may have stemmed from poorly healed pneumonia in childhood.

The historical truth is unknown, but Li Xuanba had indirectly observed this world’s version of his second sister-in-law; she did not have congenital asthma.

Changsun Sheng’s mouth twitched, “You’ve already told me. If I die prematurely, it will be from your anger.”

Li Xuanba repeatedly bowed, “I dare not, I dare not.”

Changsun Sheng rubbed his chest again. “Would you like to be my disciple?”

Li Xuanba looked puzzled, “I already apprenticed under you when my second brother studied archery with you.”

Changsun Sheng sneered, “You learned archery from Li Yuan, not me. I can’t lose face here. Anye was indeed spoiled; Silang, though clever, isn’t skilled at reading people; you were born to follow my path. Bow to me, and I will teach you everything I’ve learned. If you want fun, go bother the Turks. When the Turks fall, there are plenty of small states around to cause trouble.”

Go abroad for fun! Don’t trouble your own people!

Li Xuanba felt the full weight of Changsun Sheng’s disdain.

Li Xuanba said, “Shall I call my second brother here to apprentice?”

Changsun Sheng said, “Gao Zong and Yuwen Bi are suitable to teach him, but your mastery of their skills isn’t very useful; Xue Daoheng and Yu Shinan’s techniques, if you study with him, are only somewhat beneficial; my own skills—Li Erlang doesn’t need to learn. He only needs to learn how to manage people.”

Li Xuanba shook his head, “No, I absolutely won’t allow my second brother to do less work than me.”

Changsun Sheng: “…” This disciple is hopeless!

He wished Li Xuanba’s wife were more assertive, to give him an extra lock. Li Erlang’s ‘lock’ was too loose, too indulgent with Li Xuanba.

This person really is a troublemaker!

Changsun Sheng said, “Fine. Then call Silang too… and the Guanyin. She can learn some skills as well.”

Previously, Li Erlang suggested the Guanyin dress as a boy to attend classes with them; Changsun Sheng just wanted to hit Li Erlang.

Ridiculous!

Now he knew the Guanyin would become empress, so let the foolishness continue.

Although the lady is kind, she’s not skilled at scheming. It’s a pity to waste one’s strategic prowess in the harem, but it’s better than learning nothing.

Moreover, the Guanyin will fight alongside Li Erlang to unify the country; her skills won’t be limited to the palace. Once she becomes empress, even the Western Regions will require the power of capable women.

His majesty will eventually become like Emperor Yang of Sui. The Turks, it seems, will not be destroyed, and may even revive at the end of the Sui. Marrying into the Turks can secure their non-aggression toward the Central Plains, just as Emperor Wen of Sui did; later, the Tang would do the same. A princess married to the Turks might at best influence their decisions, at worst be a sacrificial pawn.

Whether it was raising and educating a princess, or interacting with a powerful noblewoman who had influence over the Turks, it all depended on Guanyin’s own abilities.

In his heart, Changsun Sheng sighed. If Guanyin focused more on external affairs, she probably wouldn’t care so much about Li Erlang. Being the wise empress who oversaw the three thousand women of the harem was no easy task.

The Empress and the Grand Empress Dowager might represent the pinnacle of a woman’s status, but in Changsun Sheng’s view, he would rather see his youngest daughter become an ordinary nobleman’s wife.

Even if Li Erlang were to become Duke of Tang in the future, if he mistreated Guanyin, Changsun Sheng would not hesitate to take her back home.

As Li Xuanba had hoped, Changsun Sheng felt his survival instincts kick in, temporarily putting aside his unfinished mission of completely defeating the Turks. He focused all of his life’s goals on maintaining health and nurturing the next generation.

The only thing that gave Changsun Sheng comfort was that although Li Xuanba was a troublemaker, he treated his daughter kindly. Once she married Li Erlang, there would be no need to worry about her relationship with Li Xuanba and his wife.

Li Xuanba pulled his second brother, who was nearly nodding off on the steps, into the house, and made him, in a dazed state, kowtow to Changsun Sheng three times and serve tea.

This treatment had originally only been afforded to Gao Zong and Yuwen Bi; they had not performed such strict teacher-student ceremonies for Yu Shinan or Xue Daoheng.

After drinking the tea, Changsun Sheng said, “I will prepare gifts for my disciples. Once you return, let Lord Li also complete your formal teacher-pledging ceremony.”

Li Xuanba said, “Yes, Teacher.”

Li Shimin, still dizzy, said, “Ah? Oh.”

Changsun Sheng looked at his prospective son-in-law with disdain at his utterly blank expression.

So this was the Tang Taizong, who in Li Xuanba’s words “might not dare to be called the emperor of all ages, but dares to be called the sage ruler of all ages”?

He had always admired Li Shimin before, but now that he knew of his future achievements, Li Shimin seemed full of flaws in his eyes.

Changsun Sheng said, “Dade, in the future, if you wish to reveal any prophecies, and the circumstances are appropriate, you may tell me. I will help you analyze them.”

Li Xuanba sighed, “Yes, Teacher.”

Li Shimin turned to his brother, “A-Xuan, what did you tell Uncle… Teacher?”

Li Xuanba said, “I said my second sister-in-law bore you three sons and four daughters, and she was completely worn out from childbirth, passing away at thirty-six.”

Li Shimin: “……”

Changsun Sheng: “……”

Li Shimin immediately burst into tears and snot.

And it was really a full-on outburst.

His knees buckled, and he fell to the ground with a thump. “A-Xuan! What did I ever do to you! Why didn’t you tell me first! Father-in-law! I was wrong! Please, don’t regret the marriage! I would never let Guanyin have so many children!”

Li Xuanba had already explained to Li Shimin why Lady Dou’s personality changed drastically while giving birth to Li Yuanji, so Li Shimin understood the hardship of Lady Dou’s pregnancies. Thus, when Li Xuanba mentioned “three sons and four daughters” and “passing at thirty-six,” he immediately got it.

“All right, all right, get up,” Changsun Sheng quickly helped Li Shimin to his feet.

Li Shimin was the future emperor; he could not be allowed to suffer too much injustice here. Even though Li Shimin was a good child who did not hold grudges, who knew if, once emperor, he would not dig up old grievances like today’s emperor? Any suffering he endured now could later become a source of trouble for his daughter.

Although Changsun Sheng was beginning to feel disdain for Li Shimin internally, on the surface he treated him with even more kindness.

“You will have a good relationship with Guanyin, and that is a good thing,” Changsun Sheng gently wiped Li Shimin’s tears and snot. “But in our family, it is not the number of children that brings happiness; health is more important. Guanyin is a bit weak, and I, as her father, am at fault. Could she marry you after sixteen and consummate the marriage after she comes of age? I will help her build her strength.”

Li Shimin nodded fervently, “Yes, yes, I agree! I will tell Father and Mother!”

Changsun Sheng smiled, “For such matters, I will discuss with your parents. How could I make it difficult for you? But your feelings are also important, so I must get your consent. As parents, we wish our children a happy marriage and family. In the future, the one who will accompany Guanyin to old age is not me; her reliance is you.”

Li Shimin patted his chest, “Don’t worry, father-in-law, I will take good care of Guanyin.”

Changsun Sheng nodded, “I hear that your feelings with Guanyin will be strong, so I am at ease with this marriage. But hearing about the discord among the brothers in the Tang Duke’s residence, I was worried whether Guanyin would suffer neglect in your household.”

Li Shimin quickly shook his head, whipping his twin topknots into a blur, “I will never let Guanyin suffer neglect.”

Li Xuanba said, “That is not certain. While you are present, she won’t suffer neglect, but in the future, when you lead troops elsewhere, the household will be left to my second sister-in-law alone… oh!”

Li Shimin jumped in front of Li Xuanba, pressing his brother’s head down and hitting it hard, “A-Xuan! Are you itching for a beating! Are you looking for trouble today?!”

Changsun Sheng happily watched Li Xuanba get beaten for a while before pretending to stop it.

“Don’t be angry. Dade is not wrong. In the future, Guanyin will have to face many difficulties on her own,” Changsun Sheng said gently. “When I give you lessons in the future, Guanyin will also attend, so she can learn ways to handle difficulties. You two must not reveal this outside, or it will ruin her reputation.”

Li Shimin clamped his brother’s head under his armpit, “Good! I’ll keep my mouth shut! A-Xuan’s mouth is tight too!”

Changsun Sheng smiled and nodded while muttering a curse in his mind.

Dade’s mouth shut my ass!

The frightened-looking Li Shimin, after Changsun Sheng instructed them to return and formally present the teacher-pledging ceremony to Li Yuan, hurriedly dragged Li Xuanba away, almost saying “Quick, get moving!”

Once on the carriage, Li Shimin smoothed his chest and complained, “You really know how to cause trouble for your brother! Not only did you say that… what was that expression?”

Li Xuanba ground his teeth, “Damn it, I hate dealing with people who are worldly-wise and high-ranking!”

Talking with Changsun Sheng had given Li Xuanba PTSD!

As a lower-class commoner, Li Xuanba’s cleverness had been hard-earned from years of scrabbling and scheming. Every time he encountered high-ranking officials in business negotiations, he ended up at a loss.

Not only did the other party have higher status and seniority, but, even more aggravating, he was sharper than me! He suppressed me in everything, leaving me under tremendous mental pressure, and most of the time, I couldn’t gain any advantage—my own interests were hard to protect.

Fortunately, Changsun Sheng hadn’t yet been exposed to “mad literature,” so Li Xuanba could give him just a small taste of mental shock, a little glimpse of “mental illness entertainment.”

By the end, Li Xuanba no longer cared about the purpose; he just wanted to dominate Changsun Sheng, to break him down.

This was straight-up PTSD! Tsk!

Li Xuanba slapped his thighs: “Damn it! I hate clever old men the most!”

Li Shimin watched his younger brother losing it and said sympathetically: “You’ve worked hard. Seeing your reaction, Xuan, I can finally see a bit of my father-in-law’s skill in letting the Turks fall into division and decline.”

It was rare to see his brother’s defenses crack, and Li Shimin felt an indescribable joy welling up in his heart.

Watching others get their defenses broken by his brother was fun, but seeing his brother break down himself was just as delightful.

Li Xuanba shot his second brother a sharp glare.

Li Shimin quickly flattened the corners of his mouth.

Li Xuanba said sarcastically: “Your wife could have married you at thirteen and started living together by sixteen or seventeen; now she married you at sixteen and only started living together when she reached adulthood. Are you upset?”

Li Shimin said seriously: “Xuan, what nonsense are you talking? Is there anything more important than your wife’s health? Go write to Doctor Sun and ask him how men and women can avoid pregnancy without harming the body.”

Li Xuanba replied: “Oh.” Why ask Doctor Sun? Ask me! I may have no personal experience, but my theoretical knowledge is rich.

There is no completely foolproof method of contraception, but avoiding dangerous periods and using auxiliary methods like lamb intestines could reduce the chances of pregnancy as much as possible.

At worst, let the wife give birth and then stay up late, gain weight, and perhaps develop polycystic ovaries. In ancient times, polycystic ovaries were a “life-saving wealth disease” for women. Ahem. Li Xuanba shook off the impractical thoughts in his mind.

Li Shimin patted Li Xuanba’s head, guiding his brother to lower it, and re-tied the “childhood knots” that had been unraveled in his brother’s mind: “Can father-in-law’s life be saved?”

Li Xuanba said: “I don’t know.”

Li Shimin said: “Do what you can, and leave the rest to fate. We’ve done our best; don’t let it weigh on your mind.”

Li Xuanba looked puzzled: “What burden could I possibly have?”

Li Shimin smiled: “Consider me talking to myself.”