Tang Dynasty

Li Shimin's tens of thousands of troops returned to Chang'an along with the news that Duo Bi had become the new Turkic Khan.

On the day of the return, Li Yuan unfurled the guard of honor and went out of the city to meet the army in person.Li Jiancheng was reviewing the memorial in the palace, and vaguely heard the lively singing of the army returning to the city, the hand holding the pen couldn't help but pause slightly, but he also finished writing the following words stroke by stroke.

Wei Zheng observed his words, walked up to him immediately, and said, "Your Highness, King Qin's army has returned to the city."

Li Jiancheng lowered his eyes, heard the words and put the memorials he had read aside, and only gave a low "hmm" and said: "Compared with this matter, the new Turkic Khan is more worried about me."

Hearing his sudden mention, Wei Zheng hesitated a bit, and said, "I heard that His Highness and Najieli Khan... have some old friends?"

Hearing this, Li Jiancheng raised his eyes to look at him, but only smiled, and said frankly: "If I hadn't resisted the decree and released him a year ago, there would be no 'Jieli Khan' today."

This matter can be regarded as a secret in the palace, although Wei Zheng has heard about it, but when it comes to the whereabouts of the Turkic prince at that time, he can only conclude with the word "bizarrely missing".But he didn't expect that the instigator was actually the majestic crown prince in front of him.

"Sir, do you think it's unbelievable?" Seeing the repressed expression on his face, Li Jiancheng smiled calmly, "The prince of a country, did such a thing as letting the tiger go back to the mountain?"

Wei Zheng remained silent for a while, all the things he had seen and heard flashed through his mind, but he quickly understood the general idea.He smiled and said: "Your Highness's move, three points can be regarded as favoritism, and seven points are for the public."

"Oh?" Li Jiancheng raised his eyebrows slightly after hearing the words.

Wei Zhengdao: "Your Majesty has always been seeking peace and avoiding war with the Turkic since he raised his troops in Taiyuan. Even a year ago, when men and horses entered and left the pass, the war continued, and the people could not rest for a while. Under such circumstances, if we broke the alliance with the Turkic , Undoubtedly, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. Although His Highness’s move may be considered as letting the tiger go back to the mountain, it can be said that it has won several years of recuperation for my Tang Dynasty, but it can be said that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.”

There was some approval in Li Jiancheng's eyes, and he smiled after a while and said, "Sir, you are really a very smart person."

"Don't dare," Wei Zheng cupped his hands, "I just want to do it for His Highness."

Li Jiancheng looked at him, his eyes paused for a moment, and soon turned into a smile, and slowly said: "Mr. Jiancheng's heart is naturally clear."

understand?Really understand?But again... What did you understand?

Hearing this, Wei Zheng raised his eyes to look at him, but after all, he couldn't see any clues from those eyes.After a pause, he smiled lightly and said, "If that's the case, even if you die, you will have no regrets."

Li Jiancheng smiled silently and stopped talking.

Wei Zhengwei was silent for a while, but quickly brought the topic back to the original place, saying: "If His Highness really has an old friend with Na Jieli Khan, he should... know something about him."

"Naturally... I understand a little bit." Li Jiancheng nodded, but the different look in his eyes before he left that night appeared in his mind.That gaze, after nearly two years, is still as clear as yesterday in memory.

It's just because he thinks he understands aggressiveness, and even can control it to some extent.However, maybe this change was too unexpected, maybe the time of that glance was too short, he just felt that there was something in the other person's eyes that he couldn't see through.

Thinking of this, he continued the words just now: "And because of this, I feel that once this person ascends to the position of Khan, we should not take it lightly."

Wei Zheng was silent for a moment when he heard the words, and said: "The ambition of the Turkic wolves will definitely not be satisfied with the old alliance. Sooner or later, they will turn against each other, but it is inevitable in the end."

"With Turkic, don't take it lightly for a day," Li Jiancheng nodded, and looked up at the scenery outside the window, "It's just...even if it's against each other, it needs to be done well."

Wei Zheng tentatively asked, "Your Highness thinks that at this time... is not possible?"

Li Jiancheng picked up a memorial from the table, handed it to Wei Zheng and said, "Let's take a look, sir."

Wei Zheng unfolded, but what he saw above was all about Luoyang Wang Shichong's wanton attack on the city and land in Henan.He quickly scanned the black and white paper, then closed it, put it back respectfully, and said, "Your Majesty's intention, could it be..."

"Exactly," Li Jiancheng said, "after Wang Shichong became emperor himself, he took advantage of the opportunity of my main force to deal with Liu Wuzhou and Hebei Dou Jiande, and seized most of the cities in Hebei. The father probably couldn't bear it anymore. In the past few days, between words, It seems that there is a hidden intention to crusade against Wang Shichong. If this is the case, the northern Turks still need to be stable, otherwise they will be attacked by the enemy."

Wei Zheng pondered for a moment, and said: "Then, who does His Highness think will be the one to attack Wang Shichong?"

"Sir, don't you know what you said?" Hearing the faint sound of singing in his ears, Li Jiancheng smiled lightly and said, "Everyone knows the meaning of the father and emperor, but who else can there be besides the King of Qin?"

Wei Zheng looked at him fixedly, and slowly said: "King Qin recently...is really in full swing."

Li Jiancheng raised his eyes and looked at him, then he smiled again, slowly stretched out his hand and put it under his eyes, looking down at the faint scar on the back of his finger.

"Although the sword is sharp..." After a long time, he opened his mouth, whispering to himself, "It's a pity, but it's no longer controllable..."

Wei Zheng stood beside him, watching him quietly, without saying a word.

After a while, he said word by word: "Then... let's break the front."

Hearing this, Li Jiancheng raised his eyes to look at him, and the two looked at each other for a moment, neither of them said a word, but they could see each other's mind like a mirror.

After a long time, Li Jiancheng laughed softly and said flatly, "Mr. was joking."

"Please forgive me, Your Highness," Wei Zheng also smiled, cupping his hands and said, "I don't know that His Highness has already made a decision in his heart, so I just dared to speak nonsense."

Li Jiancheng looked at him with a calm smile on his face, but he didn't say much.

----

Since Li Shimin returned to Beijing, he has been up and down, but he has not been seen for three days in a row.

Li Jiancheng was skeptical and did not ask Li Yuan until the third day. Li Yuan said: "The people of the world are said to be very tired after fighting for days, so I granted him a three-day leave and taught him to rest."

Li Jiancheng gave a low "huh" and heard Li Yuan say: "He alone withstood the pressure and led the whole army to confront Song Jingang. It took a whole cold winter, and then he forced himself to chase the fleeing army for more than [-] miles a day and night. ... The people of the world have such aspirations, but I have to sigh with emotion."

Li Jiancheng paused, then smiled softly, "Shimin is no longer as impulsive and immature as he was back then. Today... he is really able to stand alone."

Li Yuan nodded approvingly, and said: "After Jiancheng, the crusade against Wang Shichong is imminent. I intend to send the people of the world to lead the army. What do you think?"

Although it was an inquiry, if Li Yuan hadn't already made a decision in his heart, how could he open his mouth according to Li Yuan's nature?Therefore, when Li Jiancheng heard the words, he just cupped his hands and said, "Among the courts, apart from the people of the world, who else is worthy of this job?"

"Cheng Jian is really a man with a broad mind," Li Yuan nodded slowly, and said, "I only want you to fight against the Turks. I didn't let you lead troops to attack Liu Wuzhou last time. You must be blaming me."

"Don't dare," Li Jiancheng said with his head bowed, "Jiancheng completely obeys his father's will."

"In fact, your intention to make up for your mistakes, I understand." Li Yuan sighed, "It's just that you need to remember yourself as a prince, and the position of heir is far from what it used to be. The foundation of the country is unshakable, but it is not easy to leave Beijing. of."

"I understand." Li Jiancheng said slowly.

"That's all, you go." Li Yuan waved his hand, "If you have time, go and see the people of the world for me."

"Yes." Li Jiancheng nodded, and quickly withdrew.

Leaving the Hall of Martial Virtue, he stood there quietly for a while, sighed softly, and finally headed towards Prince Qin's Mansion.

Although Qin Wang's mansion has closed the door to thank guests these few days, but the servants know that Qin Wang and the prince have a deep friendship, seeing Li Jiancheng coming, they dare not stop him, they only know that Qin Wang is alone in the room, don't know if he is sleeping or awake.

Li Jiancheng asked a few words casually, and he knew that since Li Shimin returned to Beijing, he put aside many trivial matters and rested for three days without any worries.

Surviving the whole cold winter with little food and rice... two hundred miles a day and night forcibly... the past six months must have really exhausted my energy.

Thinking about it in his mind, the man had already walked to the door and gently pushed the button.

Li Nei didn't respond for a while, Li Jiancheng hesitated for a while, and finally pushed the door open.

Although the movement was extremely light, the sound of "squeak" still woke up the person leaning on the head of the bed.Li Shimin opened his hazy eyes, and vaguely saw a white figure walking towards him.

He struggled to sit up, but when he moved, the scrolls scattered all over his body were suddenly pulled, and immediately scattered all over the ground.

Li Jiancheng bent down and picked up the scrolls one by one, seeing that they were all about the art of war, he didn't say anything, just sorted them out gently, and put them on the table beside him.

"Brother..." Li Shimin was fully awake at this time and saw the person in front of him clearly, but when he called out, his voice was still a bit hoarse.

Li Jiancheng walked back to his bed and sat down, said with a smile, "I heard... Shimin slept for three days?"

Li Shimin was slightly embarrassed when he heard the words, and was about to speak, but the back of his hand that was on the quilt was gently covered by the other party, and the cool touch came over him. For some reason, his heart was suddenly warm and abnormal.

"Shimin, you really worked hard."

Hearing this, Li Shimin instinctively wanted to hold the opponent's hand behind his back, but after hesitating, he pulled his hand out of the opponent's palm.

He couldn't tolerate his attachment to this person in his heart.

"I'm sorry, brother." He smiled and said, "Since you are leading troops to fight, you must be prepared to pay for it with your life." As for why he bet his life, he didn't want this person to know.

Li Jiancheng looked slightly surprised, but he quickly returned to normal.He smiled calmly and said: "The people of the world are so happy, big brother is really pleased."

After saying a word, for some reason, the two of them were speechless for a while.

Li Jiancheng could feel that, unknowingly, there were already too many hidden things in the other party's heart that could not be seen.

He was no longer the Li Shimin who had no defense against him.

Li Jiancheng laughed at himself secretly.

In fact, on this day, how can I be surprised by myself?Even if he drew his longbow to himself again, it should be expected.

Thinking of this, he smiled silently, stopped obsessing, just stood up, and said: "Shimin, let's rest, brother, don't bother me anymore." After saying that, he turned and walked towards the door.

"Brother..." After a while, Li Shimin's low call sounded behind him.

Li Jiancheng turned around and said, "What else is there for Shimin?"

"Brother..." Li Shimin sat on the edge of the bed, stared at him intently, sank little by little, "I have something, can you... tell Shimin yourself?"

Li Jiancheng said slowly, "What's the matter?"

"Liu Wenjing..." Li Shimin's expression was extremely solemn, but he couldn't get rid of his wandering expression. After a long while, he sighed and laughed at himself, "Why should I be so obsessed when I'm already buried in the ground."

In the end, I couldn't ask the exit.

Li Jiancheng stared at him steadily, his face gradually became calm as water.Hearing the second half of the other party's words, he smiled imperceptibly, and said, "Shimin remembers that Liu Wenjing is only for you."

Li Shimin was startled when he heard the words, but when he raised his eyes, the other party had already opened the door and walked out.

Li Jiancheng closed the door, stepped into the courtyard and stopped suddenly.

——Shimin, is it true that everything...is because of this?

In fact, although Li Shimin never asked, he already understood the meaning of the words.

Dropping his eyes and shaking his head, he quickly chuckled.

It turns out that apart from Liu Wenjing, nothing can be changed after all.

The only blame is that I was soft-hearted that day, the only blame is that I never made up my mind to destroy that sharp sword... completely.

There was a sudden tearing pain in my heart.Li Jiancheng froze, and instinctively reached out to feel for the medicine in his arms.However, with a slip of the fingertip, the porcelain bottle dropped to the ground and rolled to his feet.

Li Jiancheng hurriedly squatted down to pick it up, but when he was about to touch the porcelain vase, a hand stretched out from the side and snatched him away.

Looking up, Li Shimin was squatting in plain white underwear, and he was already in front of him.

He looked at himself quietly, with a sense of sternness in his calm expression.But he didn't know when he got out of bed, when he opened the door, when he came to the courtyard... and how much he saw in the courtyard just now.

"Shimin..." Li Jiancheng tried his best to calm down, but he couldn't hide the severe pain in his heart, so he could only stretch out his hand and reach for the porcelain bottle in the opponent's hand.

Li Shimin didn't dodge or dodge, and let his opponent hold his hand tremblingly.

He just stared at Li Jiancheng intently, looking at the people in his eyes, showing fragility and helplessness uncontrollably.

For a moment, I couldn't restrain my heart.

I'm used to seeing Li Jiancheng's usual calm and indifferent appearance, even rejecting others for thousands of miles.Therefore, the other party's expression at this moment broke down all kinds of defense lines in Li Shimin's heart too easily.

He has been like this for a long time, and he loves the other party's fragile demeanor very much.

Li Shimin let go of his hand suddenly, and let the porcelain bottle in his hand fall again, but he clasped Li Jiancheng's wrist with his backhand, and pulled him forward.

The other hand had already clasped the side of the other's neck, leaned forward, and kissed him hard.