Tang Dynasty

In July of the fourth year of Wude, the Li brothers returned to Chang'an.

Li Yuan originally complained about Li Shimin's disobeying and leaving, but seeing that he really returned with Li Jiancheng, he only reprimanded him a few words and punished him for three days.

Then he left Li Jiancheng alone, and said, "I know that you have always had opinions, and you are not a person who does not discriminate between right and wrong. It is only half a year since you left Beijing, and you will not return after resisting the edict... You should have an explanation to your father about this matter." .”

He knew that although Li Yuan was old, he was definitely not a foolish person, so if he asked such a question, he probably already knew something in his heart.Li Jiancheng no longer concealed it, and told the truth word by word.

"My son thought that at that time, the king of Qin had one enemy against two. If my son went to war in the north, no matter whether it was food, grass, equipment, or military equipment, there was no guarantee. If both sides win the battle, it will be fine, and if one side loses the battle, the other side will definitely suffer from the enemy. If so, it’s better to keep the troops and wait for another battle in the future.” Li Jiancheng paused slightly and said, “The old minister made his own decision, using food and grass and using his body as a condition in exchange for a half-year easing of the war.”

As expected, Li Yuan never showed any surprise when he heard the words. He was silent for a long time, and sighed, "Your behavior seems moderate, but in fact it is really a dangerous move. I miss you, the dignified prince of the Tang Dynasty. If you are a little careless, The consequences are unimaginable." Speaking of this, he sighed again.

Li Jiancheng smiled and said: "I know that my safety is unpredictable, so I keep it secret."

Thinking about making this decision at the beginning, I had three points in my chest, and seven points was a gamble.Bet on your understanding of Kaobi, and bet on Kaobi's feelings for yourself.

Thinking about it now, even though it might be used, if not for this bet, some things might not be seen so clearly.

So, it is enough.

While he was pondering, he heard Li Yuan say again: "Since this matter is over, others don't need to know about it anymore, but they need to remember their identity in the future, so they can't take such risks again."

"Yes," Li Jiancheng cupped his hands, "I will always remember my father's teachings."

Li Yuan nodded slowly, hesitated for a while, and said: "The people of the world have defeated Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong's army, captured Luoyang and captured it alive. I have thought about it for a long time. If the reward is not effective, it will be difficult to appease the hearts of the courtiers; The reward is too much, but it may make him arrogant." After a slight pause, he said, "I don't know what to think about this matter?"

Li Jiancheng smiled when he heard the words, but just cupped his hands and said: "If you have meritorious service, you will be rewarded. It is common sense that you will be punished if you have done something wrong. It is the father's decision to make the decision."

Li Yuan looked at him, nodded slowly and said: "Forget it, then you can step back."

Li Jiancheng retreated with his hands folded, walked out of the hall, and chuckled unconsciously.

Why didn't he understand that with Li Yuan's nature, how could he have no other decision in his heart?If I have this question today, it's just insinuating, telling myself the plan in my heart in advance.

In fact, there is no need to do this, and he already knew a thing or two.

He should have been ready for this day.

----

A few days later, Li Yuan issued an imperial edict, conferring on Li Shimin the rank of Chief Tiance General, conferring the title of Situ, and still holding the position of Shangshuling.

Admiral Tiance was specially set up for Li Shimin, and he ranked first among all the officials and princes, second only to the emperor and prince.Li Yuan allowed him to set up his own mansion in Luoyang, named Tiance Mansion, and had the right to set up his own officials.The implication is to hand over all the civil and military power of the Luoyang generation to his hands.

Therefore, after Li Shimin pacified Liu Wuzhou and his party feathers spread all over Shandong, the land of Guandong was also under his control.General Tiance's status in the court and his overthrow of power are incomparable.

Li Shimin stood under the hall with his hands folded, and after hearing Li Yuan's will word by word, his heart surged.It is like the waves of a river beating and agitating in the heart, making people even tremble slightly uncontrollably.

He didn't remember when he made such a long-cherished wish, but until now, he felt very clearly that this was the result he wanted.

No longer following the elder brother step by step, obeying his orders, but standing closest to his side, even... sitting on an equal footing with him.

——Brother, half of the country you want is now taken down by me.

——This world has already branded my name, you...

Thinking of this, he turned his face slightly to the side, and looked at Li Jiancheng, who was standing in the first place not far away, dressed in a uniform, extremely gorgeous, and the other party was also looking at him.Li Shimin's heart became hot, and he raised the corner of his mouth to smile at him. He paused slightly, but returned a smile.

A very faint smile, like melting ice and snow, is touching.

Li Shimin was overjoyed, and hurriedly looked away, but he never saw Li Jiancheng's face that suddenly turned cold after turning his head.

Just now he was really in a trance, Li Jiancheng smiled calmly, but this time, he was full of self-deprecating.

----

It was night, after Li Shimin feasted on Zhongwen Wu's loyal ministers, he came to the East Palace slightly drunk.

The two brothers, Su Zi, had a close relationship, there was no need to inform them, and the servants of the mansion did not stop them. They all bowed down when they saw him, and said that the prince was alone in the room.

Li Shimin nodded, and then went there.

There was no one in the small courtyard, except for the rustling of the branches and leaves when the wind blows, and even the lights from the corridor swaying dimly.

Li Shimin walked to the door of the room, heard the faint sound of flipping books inside, and pushed the door open before knocking on the door.

The room is slightly dark, only the lamp on the desk is dimly glowing with warm yellow light.Li Jiancheng was flipping through the scrolls in his room with his coat on, his figure looked a little thin and thin.

"Brother..." Li Shimin walked over with the help of his drunkenness, leaned over and hugged him forcefully.

For some reason, Li Jiancheng had a vague hallucination.I just felt that at this moment, the person in front of me seemed to have returned to the beginning, but it was Li Shimin who would follow behind him and call him "big brother".

However, he also knew that this was just an illusion.The vicissitudes of life have changed, and the world has changed, and everything can no longer go back to the beginning.After today, he, Li Jiancheng, could no longer turn back.

After being silent for a long time, he said: "Congratulations Shimin, no, it should be congratulations... Admiral Tiance."

Li Shimin paused slightly when he heard the words, and let go of his hand.It wasn't until the other party uttered these words that he felt that even though Li Jiancheng still didn't respond to his hug, this time, he was completely cold.

It's not just the coldness of the limbs, it even seems to be bitingly cold from the bottom of his heart.

With doubts, he looked up at Li Jiancheng, but the other side smiled, coldly.

With a pain in his heart, Li Shimin leaned forward again, but Li Jiancheng turned his head to avoid him, avoiding gently but decisively.

"Shimin, let's stop here."

Li Shimin's heart tightened suddenly, he couldn't even believe what he heard.Unbelievably, he slowly asked: "Brother, what do you mean by that?" When he opened his mouth, his voice trembled uncontrollably.

Li Jiancheng pushed him away, stood up slowly, and stood with his back to him.

"It's about you and me, but it was a farce when we were young at the time." After a long time, Li Shimin heard him speak, his voice was so calm that it was almost an understatement, "Now you and I are not what we used to be, and we should stop each other .”

As soon as the words fell, Li Shimin turned his body vigorously and pressed him against the wall.

Li Jiancheng looked at him calmly, continued what he said just now, and said, "Shimin, with your prominence today, who can you want? Why..."

"What about others, what does it have to do with me?" Li Shimin suppressed the resentment in his heart, looked at him fixedly, and interrupted word by word, "Brother, what if I must have you?"

"Want me?" Li Jiancheng smiled when he heard the words, looked at him and said, "How much do you know about me?"

Li Shimin was startled when he heard the words, and was speechless for a while.

Feeling that the opponent's pressure on him was slightly relaxed, Li Jiancheng smiled clearly, and said: "It seems that the people of the world really know very little. So, why don't you let the elder brother tell you a few things?"

Li Shimin looked at him fixedly, and the strength of his fingertips suddenly increased.

Li Jiancheng suffered from shoulder pain, but his expression did not change, he just said: "Shimin, Liu Wenjing's death, could it be that you have never doubted me?" Seeing the other party's expression changed slightly, he snorted and said, "He instigated you to stand on your own feet Do you think I really don't know anything about the door?"

Li Shimin's expression froze, and he said, "This matter...is it really your fault?"

Li Jiancheng nodded lightly, and said with a smile: "In this court, who can really turn the clouds upside down and put people to death, except for the father?"

Li Shimin was silent for a long time, and said: "It's because... he instigated me to betray my elder brother?"

"Your right-hand man will have to be removed sooner or later." Li Jiancheng was noncommittal, laughed a little self-deprecatingly, raised his eyes to Li Shimin, and said, "It's a pity that in the end, you are still on an equal footing with me."

There are too many things in my mind, and it has become a mess.Li Shimin suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness. He looked at Li Jiancheng and said slowly, "Brother...if I tell you, everything I did in the past was for you. Would you... believe it?"

Li Jiancheng smiled when he heard the words, and there was a rare sharpness in his smile.

"For me?" He said lightly, "How do you know whether I need it or not?"

Li Shimin was stunned suddenly, as if struck by lightning.Suddenly, what Liu Wenjing said to herself many years ago came to mind.

"Shimin, who do you think the son is? Have you ever thought that with his ability, he really needs your protection everywhere?"

"Shimin, I'm afraid you underestimated your elder brother."

"The son looks gentle and gentle on the outside, but he is very hard on the inside. You have been with him for so many years, how can you not see it?"

"Since ancient times, the master of great achievements has always been tabooed by the king...Men, have you ever thought that maybe one day you will not be tolerated by him?"

……

The words that I have forgotten for too long, when I think about them again, they are extremely clear.

Li Shimin suddenly punched the wall with such force that the entire wall trembled.

At this moment, he suddenly realized that everything he had done was in vain.

The sword I blocked for him, the wound I received for him, the battle I risked my life for, the search for him who disobeyed orders...

He didn't need it, he didn't need it at all.

I wished I could give my all to him, but in the end, in his eyes, it was nothing more than "I was young at the time, it was a farce".

Li Jiancheng looked at Li Shimin quietly for a moment, then broke away from his force with a blank expression, and walked away.

"When I was young, there was a farce..." At this moment, he heard Li Shimin facing the wall, and muttered, "Brother... If you really thought about it, how could you give me the most precious treasure in the world?"

""Preface to the Collection of Lanting Pavilion"?" Li Jiancheng stopped and said, "Shimin, do you remember a sentence in it?"

Li Shimin was silent, waiting for his next words.

Li Jiancheng recited silently word by word: "'Xiangzhi's joy, but between pitches, it is a thing of the past.'" After a pause, he gave a very shallow smile, "The changes in the world, for me or General Tiance, should be There are more important things."

At the end of the speech, the title that was suddenly born was like a thorn, piercing into the heart fiercely.Li Shimin turned around suddenly, stretched out his hand again, pulled the person back to the wall, and fell heavily under him.

Li Jiancheng felt pain in his back, and couldn't help arching his body slightly.But Li Shimin had already shrouded him in the shadow of his body, lowered his head, and said slowly: "Brother, you are mine. No matter what... I want you."

Since childhood, there was only room for this person in his eyes; when he grew up, he was still thinking about that white figure with satisfaction.All kinds of big brother's things seem to be embedded in his own blood and blood, and they are inseparable. How could he give up so easily and withdraw so easily?

Li Jiancheng heard that the other party suppressed his full of indignation, and there was a bit of sinisterness in his voice, and he already felt it in his heart.However, before he could react, Li Shimin raised his lower jaw, lowered his head and bit it.

The predatory possession between the lips and teeth was more ferocious than ever.As if venting the anger and helplessness in his chest, Li Shimin firmly resisted the other party, kissing deeper and deeper, wishing to integrate the two into one.

A kiss with all the strength, almost suffocating.When they finally parted, the breath they exchanged with each other already carried a strong smell of blood, but it was unknown whose it was.

"Brother..." Li Shimin still called these two words out of habit, panted for a moment, then instinctively leaned over again, put his lips and teeth on the other's collarbone, and gnawed.

However, a strong force came from his right shoulder suddenly, pushing him back a step unconsciously.Li Shimin recovered from his lust, looked down, and saw that a gleaming short knife had already touched his left chest.

Li Jiancheng stretched out his sleeve and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, looked at him, and said slowly: "You go. As I said, everything ends here."

Li Shimin stared at him for a long time, suddenly laughed, and said, "Brother, if I don't leave, what will happen to you?" He glanced at the dagger, "Kill me?"

The words fell, but Li Jiancheng raised his hand, and the knife flashed, and he really stabbed in.

Li Shimin dodged in a hurry, and under severe pain, the front end of the dagger sank into his left chest.The blood immediately flowed out, and slowly fell down along the wound, staining the dark blue clothes with deeper traces of fishy smell.

He looked up at Li Jiancheng, stared blankly, and remained silent for a long time.

Li Jiancheng was still holding the knife, looked at him, smiled, and said, "Shimin, do you think that big brother won't do anything to you?"

Li Shimin was still looking at him, a rare coldness flashed in his eyes.Suddenly, he stretched out his intact left arm, encircled the opponent, and with a sudden force, he clasped it into his arms.

The force was so great that the two almost collided with each other.At the same time, there was only the sound of flesh being torn, and the short knife had already pierced through Li Shimin's right shoulder, but he didn't realize it, and the hand that was holding the other party became more and more forceful.

Li Jiancheng's body shook slightly, and the hand holding the handle of the knife slowly loosened.Then the sky twirled, he was pulled to the ground, and his face was shrouded in the opponent's shadow.

Li Shimin knelt on him, tore open his front, and took off his shirt.

The body that went in and out of the battlefield was lean and strong, containing infinite courage, but upon closer inspection, it was also full of scars.Li Shimin leaned down slowly, pointed to a huge scar on his right chest, and said, "Brother, do you remember that this is the injury I received when I blocked the sword for you during Huo Yi's battle?"

Li Jiancheng looked at him quietly, without saying a word, and there was no wave in his eyes.

Li Shimin smiled self-deprecatingly, then pointed to the bowl-sized scar on his left shoulder, and said, "This is the wound left by the Sui army afterward when I rescued my elder brother in the fire."

Li Jiancheng was still just looking at him.

Li Shimin shook his head, turned his head to look at his right shoulder, the whole right arm was almost soaked in blood.He gave a soft laugh, and suddenly stretched out his hand to grab the handle of the knife, and pulled it out forcefully.

The bright red blood splashed out, and with an almost scorching temperature, half of Li Jiancheng's vision was immediately stained red.

But Li Shimin looked like a wounded beast, dragging his bleeding arm, but still bent down bit by bit.

"Brother, I was born and died on the battlefield almost every day, so why have I ever been afraid of anything?" His voice gushed on the side of Li Jiancheng's neck, paused, and suddenly bit him, "Today you just crippled my arm. , I want you too..."

Feeling the opponent's lips and teeth raging and spreading all over his body, Li Jiancheng raised his head, and in a slight shaking, he stared blankly at the half-red roof in front of him.

After a while, he closed his eyes and laughed silently.