Tang Dynasty

When the two went out, Li Shimin said unhappily: "Brother, Yang You will abdicate soon, and he will be of no use to you or me. Why should you care about him?"

"Rabbits are dead and dogs are cooked, and birds are all hidden. Although this has been inevitable since ancient times, this Yang You was the Sui Lord we supported after all. If he does not treat him favorably, how can he show my Li family's bearing and attract people from all over the world?" Submit?" Li Jiancheng paused for a moment and wanted to say something, but he just lowered his eyelashes and sighed softly, "Shimin, it's pitiful to be here because of involuntary actions... How about you have to forgive others and forgive others."

In fact, he knew in his heart that no matter how many reasons he could utter from his mouth, he still couldn't match the most unspeakable one in his heart.

Being in a high position but falling into the abyss, you lose everything overnight.This kind of feeling, for him... is too empathetic, so he probably has some pity for Yang You.

Li Shimin turned to look at him, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He originally thought that his elder brother was the most gentle and calm person in the world.This gentleness and calmness are contradictory, but they are also unified, and finally belong to a kind of indifference that can be shaken by anything.

It's just that at this moment, Li Shimin was slightly stunned by the inadvertent flash of silence in the other party's eyes.

However, if you take a closer look, the eyes have returned to normal, and you can't see any emotions.For some reason, he felt a slight pain in his heart, quietly held the other's hand through his sleeve, and said in a low voice: "If elder brother really thinks this way, the people of the world will listen to elder brother."

Li Jiancheng stared sideways at him for a moment, then nodded, with a faint smile in his eyes.

----

A few days later, Yang You issued an edict in the court, expressing his intention to abdicate, and wishing Zen to be in Tang Wang Li Yuan.No one in the court was surprised by this edict, and naturally no one spoke out to persuade him.

It's just that Li Yuan, who secretly controls everything, at this time, actually doesn't accept it because of this, and only says that he is loyal to Sui with all his heart and has no intention of disobedience.However, everyone in the court knew that Li Yuan was going to do enough of the show, so they followed his wishes and took turns asking for an audience.

One side tried hard to persuade, but the other side just refused. After more than a month of delay, there was still no result.

On this day, Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin were called to the Xiangfu.

Li Yuan stood with his back in the hall, looking at the huge map hanging on the wall.Pei Ji sat at the side, and when he saw the two, he immediately stood up and saluted respectfully.

At this moment, Li Yuan turned around upon hearing the sound, looked at the two of them and said with a smile, "Jiancheng, Shimin, you are here."

The two went to the hall and bowed their hands together.

Li Yuan nodded, and said straight-forward: "I'll tell you two, my father called you here this time for the purpose of going east. I don't know what opinion do you two have on this matter?"

When chatting with Li Yuan about this matter, I heard Li Yuan mention it, but it seems that this time he has moved his mind.Upon hearing this, Li Jiancheng stepped forward and said, "Jiancheng thinks that now that Yang Guang is dead and the new emperor is standing, the situation in Luoyang is unstable. Leading the army at this time, one is easy to understand the enemy's situation, and the other is..." Suddenly After a pause, he finally continued, "Before my father ascends to the throne, shock my prestige."

Hearing that he mentioned his ascension to the throne, Li Yuan did not deny it, just nodded, and turned to Li Shimin with a smile: "What do you think of Shimin?"

"What elder brother said, Shimin deeply agrees." Li Shimin also stepped forward and said, "Shimin is willing to lead an army to attack Luoyang, and heal father's heart trouble!"

"The people of the world, don't worry," Li Yuan laughed when he heard the words, "This time, my father intends to let the two of you go together, how about it?"

Li Shimin was stunned, glanced at Li Jiancheng very quickly, clasped his fists and said, "Shimin is willing to go with elder brother!"

Hearing that the other party's voice was full of excitement, Li Jiancheng smiled and stepped forward and said: "It's all up to my father's arrangement." He knew it in his heart, but in fact Li Yuan had a plan in mind, and it was just a way to call the two of them to ask questions It's just a trial.

But at this time, Pei Ji stepped forward, bowed his hands and said: "My lord, two young masters, I have a word of advice, I don't know if I should say it or not?"

Li Yuan always respected him, and said with a smile, "Jian Pei is fine with talking."

Pei Jian said slowly: "I think that we must go to the East for a battle, but we should not act too hastily."

Li Jiancheng looked at him and said, "Master Pei, please enlighten me on what you said?"

"Don't dare," Pei Ji smiled, still speaking slowly, "I only have one sentence here, and I only hope that the son can benefit from it."

Li Jiancheng said: "Master Pei, please tell me."

Pei Ji said slowly: "War and advance and retreat, I still hope that the prince must play by ear."

"Play by ear..." Li Jiancheng pondered for a while, then laughed, bowed his hands and said, "What Mr. Pei said, Jiancheng will remember it in his heart."

Pei Ji also smiled, and only replied: "Don't dare."

Standing in the hall, Li Yuan could see it clearly, but he didn't point it out. After a long time, he said: "Since that's the case, you two should hurry down and get ready."

"Yes!"

The two greeted each other with a salute, and when they left the door, Li Shimin said: "Brother, what did Pei Ji really mean?"

Li Jiancheng kept walking, and said slowly: "Just teach me to wait, fight if you have to; if you can't, just push back, don't worry about it."

When Li Shimin heard the words, he seemed to understand a little bit, and pondered: "Brother thinks, if my army is here, can we take Luoyang?"

"If it is a strong attack, it is natural to attack. However, if the price is too heavy, it is not worth it." Li Jiancheng paused, and said, "Pei Ji's words may also be the intention of my father. I will wait... just play by ear .”

----

At the end of March, Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin were the generals of the left and right respectively, commanding a force of [-] troops, heading straight for Luoyang.

The army marched eastward all the way, with great momentum, almost never encountered stubborn resistance, and came to the outskirts of Luoyang.

After Chen Bing left the stove that day, Li Jiancheng lifted his tent and went out to the side of the slope to look into the distance.But seeing the mountains everywhere and the pleasant spring scenery, Luoyang city is surrounded by the colorful flowers, and the music can be seen.

However, according to the report from the subordinates, the gate of Luoyang City has been closed tightly for several days.Even though the army is already approaching here, there is no tendency to fight at all.

Originally, he knew that with 10 horses in his hands, even if he forcibly attacked the city, he would not be left behind.It's just that at this time, Luoyang city is solemn and the army is well-organized, except that the city is full of plains, but there is no sense of turmoil at all.

Thinking of Pei Ji's point, Li Jiancheng couldn't help but fell into deep thought.

I don't know how long I stood there, but suddenly I felt a coolness on my shoulders, and I shrank slightly involuntarily.When I came back to my senses, I saw that it was already raining from the sky.

The light rain in March was not strong, but it carried a little bit of cool wind, but it actually added a bit of chill.Li Jiancheng looked up, and when he was about to turn around and return to the camp, his shoulders suddenly felt warm.

Li Shimin stood behind him, stretched out his arms, and tied the cloak for him.He moved very slowly, clearly obsessed with this embracing gesture.

Li Jiancheng quietly looked at Luoyang City in the distance, and said with a smile, "Thank you Shimin."

Li Shimin finally withdrew his hand, walked to his side, stood shoulder to shoulder with him and said, "Brother, are you hesitating whether to advance or retreat?"

Li Jiancheng didn't move his eyes, but nodded slowly.

"This battle is not in a hurry. Brother, you don't need to worry too much," Li Shimin persuaded instead of rushing forward, "Let's see how the rain will be tomorrow."

I know what he said is right.If the rain can't stop and the roads are muddy, even if you intend to attack the city, you won't be able to, let alone... just look at God's will.

Fang nodded, and then listened to Li Shimin say: "It's raining here, let's go back to the camp quickly." After saying that, he took his hand and impatiently took it to the camp.

Back in the tent, Li Jiancheng didn't have time to take off his cloak, but when he raised his eyes, he saw a person standing respectfully in the tent.

Just as he was about to ask a question, Li Shimin said, "Brother, Shimin heard that there is a doctor in Luoyang City, and he sent people to make unannounced visits earlier, intending to invite him to Chang'an." After a pause, he walked behind the doctor and said with a smile, " Unexpectedly, the doctor never arrived in Chang'an, but we have already come here. Fortunately, he was invited out earlier, otherwise the gate of the city is so closed at this time, I am afraid that we will not have the chance to meet each other."

It was only because Li Jiancheng didn't want to publicize this matter that he sent someone to investigate secretly before inviting him.

Li Jiancheng looked at him quietly, his eyes fluttered slightly, until the doctor cupped his hands and said, "Caomin has seen Tang Shizi."

Then he looked back at the doctor, stretched out his hand to support him, and said with a slight smile: "Then there will be Doctor Lao." After speaking, he sat down on the chair according to the other party's words, and rolled back his sleeves a little, revealing his fair skin And thin wrists.

The doctor stretched out two fingers, put them on the veins, pondered for a long time and asked: "When did this disease start?"

Li Jiancheng said silently, "Three years ago."

When I woke up three years ago, all the Xuanwu Sect seemed like a dream, but the pain in my heart was extremely real.

The doctor nodded, then withdrew his hand after a while, and said slowly: "There is nothing wrong with watching Shizi's pulse. It should not be due to internal breath. But I don't know that Shizi's illness is caused by trauma?"

Li Jiancheng immediately raised his eyes when he heard the words, but touched the eyes behind the doctor looking at him.He withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "No."

The doctor frowned when he heard the words, stood up and bowed: "The grassroots are incompetent, please forgive me, my son."

Li Shimin sighed secretly when he heard this.But Li Jiancheng's expression was unusually calm, he stepped forward to help him up, and said: "This is a chronic illness, the doctor should not blame himself."

The doctor sighed and said: "If you don't give up, here are two prescriptions from Caomin: one dose of sedation and pain relief, it may be useful when you are sick; the other dose of regulating internal energy, long-term use, it will be beneficial and harmless."

Li Jiancheng nodded and said: "Then there will be Doctor Lao." After saying that, he signaled his servants to take the doctor down to fetch medicine.

The doctor walked to the tent door, paused, and said: "The Sui Dynasty is exhausted, and the people are in dire straits. The people of the world place their hopes on the Li family, and also hope that the king of Tang can quickly end the war, and the world will be united."

Li Jiancheng smiled and said, "You should do your best."

After the doctor left, Li Shimin walked to the opposite table and sat down with a look of frustration on his face.

Li Jiancheng looked at him, and finally sighed: "Shimin, I have already said that there is no cure for this disease."

As early as in Chang'an, Li Shimin invited many doctors overtly and secretly, and placed a cabinet of various herbs.Li Jiancheng didn't point it out, but he always knew in his heart: These are just futile.

The trouble should end it.Heart disease, only heart medicine can solve it.

When Li Shimin heard the words, he shook his head and said, "Whether there is really no cure, the only way to know is to consult all the famous doctors in the world." I don't want to, and I can't bear to see you again.

Every time I think about that picture, I feel a slight pain in my heart.

At this moment, a servant's voice came from outside the door: "My lord, Second Young Master, the medicine is ready."

"Bring it in." Li Jiancheng watched the servant put the medicine on the table, turned and stepped back, Fang wanted to reach out to pick up the bowl, but Li Shimin stepped forward and snatched it.

Li Jiancheng smiled and said, "Could it be that Shimin wants to drink the medicine for me?"

Li Shimin nodded, but walked up to Li Jiancheng and stood still.

"Brother, do you still remember the first time Shimin served elder brother to drink medicine?" He looked down at the person in front of him, with a smile on his lips, but his eyes were extremely deep.

The chaotic rainy night, the exchange of swords, the red blood, the galloping horse, the heart-breaking pain... And, the mouthful of medicine, the intertwined lips and teeth, the breath of each other...

Messy, yet clear as yesterday.

If he hadn't experienced that whole night of anxiety and regret, if he hadn't had that daring kiss...he would probably never have understood how important his elder brother was to him...how important it was.

As far as he is concerned, that kiss is the first step he took; as far as the two are concerned, that intimacy is the real beginning of everything.

To this day, such an incredible possession.In retrospect, it seems like a dream, but so real.

Thinking of this, Li Shimin smiled unconsciously.He lowered his head and stared at Li Jiancheng silently and earnestly, then turned his head away suddenly, and drank half a bowl of concoction in one gulp.

Li Jiancheng didn't speak, just raised his face and looked at him quietly, already understanding what the other party was about to do.

Sensing the approach of the other party and the shadow slowly cast in front of him, he slowly lowered his eyes until they were closed.Waiting for the very familiar breath of the other party, waiting for the eager but lingering entanglement of lips and teeth, waiting for the blending of breaths...

The concoction comes in from the other party's articulate words, and it doesn't distinguish between you and me.The strong aroma filled the mouth, and gradually turned into a vortex, dragging myself into it bit by bit.

Fight hard, want to fight, but in the end, don't fight anymore.

All of a sudden, the sound of the rain falling gradually and rapidly, tick-tock, turned into a wonderful rhythm.

This rain, I'm afraid it won't stop for a while.

With this vague thought in mind, Li Jiancheng slowly stretched out his hand, climbed onto the opponent's shoulder, and clasped it firmly.

In fact, he understands better than anyone else that if there is really a cure for his angina, it is no more than Li Shimin, and it can only be Li Shimin.

However, there are two methods of medication.

To kill, or...to love...

This question never ceased to circle in his mind, but at this moment, he just wanted to throw it away.