Chapter 12: Is This Kid Talking Nonsense Again?

“Are you referring to Li Jing?”

“The renowned God of War, who doesn’t know him? His tactics are as elusive as changing flowers, and he defeated the Turks so decisively they cried out in defeat.”

Wen He nodded excitedly.

Among the strategists in history, besides Han Xin, he admired Li Jing, Xu Da, Wei Qing, and Yue Fei the most.

When he traveled back to the Tang dynasty, he had hoped that someday he might have the chance to fight the Turks alongside Li Jing.

Emperor Taizong of Tang saw a bright gleam in his eyes.

This made him secretly sigh with relief.

“My intention is to have the Physician replace Li Yi. Would that be possible?”

Was this question directed at me?

No, such a critical military matter wouldn’t be discussed with me.

Then it must be…

Suddenly, he thought of Li Yi.

He immediately understood—earlier when he mentioned that Li Yi might rebel in the future, it had aroused the emperor’s suspicion.

But what if Li Jing or others also turned out the same way?

That was why he asked Wen He if Li Jing could be used, hoping to extract some information from him.

Understanding Emperor Taizong’s intent, Wen He smiled calmly and said, “Duke Wei, no—he’s still acting as Duke Dai. Although he hasn’t supported Your Majesty yet, your rise to the Heavenly Khagan owes at least half the credit to him. This has made him very cautious.”

Noticing the emperor’s expression shift, he hastily explained, “This caution is purely self-imposed. He fears his achievements might outshine the sovereign, so he feigns illness. After being frightened once by your use of Sima Yi’s example, he has become even more careful.”

“That Physician, huh.”

Emperor Taizong chuckled.

“Is this still the Li Physician I know? How did he become so prudent?”

“It’s because you and Your Majesty frightened him repeatedly. Besides, he’s getting older and must consider his descendants.”

Li Jing later reached the pinnacle of ministerial power.

Apart from honorary titles, Emperor Taizong could offer him nothing more.

If he refused to step down, the executioner’s blade would soon fall upon him.

Posterity often said Emperor Taizong did not kill meritorious ministers and treated his subjects kindly.

Firstly, because most of these men came from noble families, he dared not act rashly.

Secondly, apart from a few like Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang, most ministers knew when to advance and retreat.

The only reckless and arrogant one, Su Dingfang, was merely sidelined by Emperor Taizong and later reinstated under his son.

“What do you mean by frightened? I was just… Well, never mind. Let’s talk about future matters another time.”

Emperor Taizong forcibly cut off the topic.

He did not know how his future self would think.

But he was relieved to know that Li Jing posed no threat later on.

Right now, Li Jing was in Chang’an, commanding half of the troops at Kunming Pool.

The Crown Prince and Li Jiancheng were both trying to win him over, as was Emperor Taizong himself.

Thus, he worried that if Li Jing sided with the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi, his own position would be precarious.

Fortunately, Li Jing remained neutral.

“Luckily, he is impartial.”

To Emperor Taizong, Li Jing not supporting anyone was the greatest help.

“You want to transfer Li Jing to Jingzhou? Then what about Li Yi?”

“If this goes wrong, it might force him to rebel prematurely. Then the Turks could seize the opportunity to invade southward.”

Wen He tried to dissuade Emperor Taizong from acting rashly but stopped halfway when he saw the enigmatic smile on the emperor’s face.

“Ah, you have already thought of that?”

“Of course I won’t summon Li Yi to the capital by my own authority. Li Ziting won’t obey me, but he wouldn’t dare disobey his father, the emperor.”

Wen He understood that Emperor Taizong planned to use Li Yuan’s order to call Li Yi to Chang’an.

If the city’s information was tightly controlled, Li Yi would receive no news for some time. Once he arrived, Emperor Taizong would have a hundred ways to deal with him.

“Impressive.”

Wen He gave two thumbs up.

Emperor Taizong did not know what it meant, but seeing Wen He praise him every time, he mimicked the gesture back.

“It’s getting late. Let’s dine together. Your stomach must have been growling for a while, and it irritates me to hear it.”

Though he said this, his face was full of smiles.

Wen He rolled his eyes irritably. “It’s all your fault, your good secretary locked me up and didn’t feed me, only giving me a sesame cake this morning. I’m starving.”

“Then I apologize on behalf of the secretary. From now on, in the Prince of Qin’s mansion, eat as much as you want. I’m not so poor as to starve you.”

“Heh, that’s good. The Prince of Qin is much better than Zhangsun Wuji, who’s full of schemes and conspiracies, always comparing himself with Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui. Yet on the surface, he pretends to be friendly with them. After Fang Xuanling died, Zhangsun Wuji’s treatment of his son was just…”

Before Wen He finished, the side courtyard door opened, revealing a stern-faced Zhangsun Wuji glaring at them.

On either side stood two elderly men in coarse robes.

Emperor Taizong was also taken aback but maintained his composure, glanced briefly at the two old men, cleared his throat, then shot Wen He a warning look to stop talking.

“Your Highness, is this scoundrel spouting nonsense again?”

“Brother Kemin, Brother Xuanling, don’t listen to this rogue. He’s used to spinning tales. I conduct myself with integrity and have never envied you two!”

They say never speak ill of others behind their backs, but Wen He didn’t believe it—until this very moment, when he unexpectedly met the very subjects of his gossip.

All three of them.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui looked at Wen He curiously.

They hadn’t heard exactly what was said but vaguely caught something about Zhangsun Wuji envying them.

This was hardly surprising.

Not only Zhangsun Wuji, but everyone among the so-called Eighteen Scholars of the Prince of Qin’s mansion was constantly competing.

Who wasn’t jealous of those two?

As they scrutinized Wen He, he too was surprised by the appearance of these seemingly ordinary old men.

He recalled Fang Xuanling was only about forty-seven, Du Ruhui about forty-one—how had they aged so prematurely, their beards nearly touching their chests?

It was quite at odds with the image of great men he had imagined.

Fang’s stratagem and Du’s decisiveness turned out to be two ordinary old fellows—how disillusioning.

“Ahem, since Kemin and Xuanling have arrived, excellent. Come dine with me first.”

Emperor Taizong diverted their attention to himself.

He somewhat regretted not stopping Wen He’s loose talk earlier. Fortunately, he hadn’t gone further, or if Fang Xuanling had heard it, trouble would surely arise.

Yet he kept a watchful mind.

He clearly remembered Wen He mentioning that after Fang Xuanling’s death, Zhangsun Wuji would take revenge on the Fang family.

With him around, Zhangsun Wuji wouldn’t dare.

But what if he died?

Emperor Taizong couldn’t help recalling Wen He’s words in the study—that his yet-unborn son would one day force Zhangsun Wuji to his demise.

At the time, Wen He had cleverly dismissed it with the word “power.”

Originally, he had thought that if Zhangsun Wuji’s son remained childless and Li Chengqian ascended the throne, this might be avoided.

But if Zhangsun Wuji’s ambitions only grew?

Would his son, no matter how capable, be able to deal with his formidable uncle?

Emperor Taizong’s expression remained composed, but his heart was in turmoil.

He suddenly glanced at Zhangsun Wuji, who instantly felt a cold shiver and inexplicably grew anxious.