Tang Dynasty

Yuchi's mansion was full of eyes, weeping again and again.

At the mourning hall, the incense burner that he had put in just now was almost burned out, but Li Shimin still stood there, silent for a long time.

His gaze was fixed on the handwriting on the ranking, but under the gloomy expression, he was a little erratic, as if nothing had fallen into his eyes.

Not a few days after Yu Chigong was killed, the real culprit was soon caught.The murderer believed himself to be a farm boy from a suburban area, and accidentally injured Yu Chigong when he went out to shoot and hunt, which led to a tragedy.A longbow and similar clusters of arrows were found in his home, and neighbors pointed out that this person had been hunting for a living on weekdays.In this way, it can be said that there are all witnesses and physical evidence.

However, even so, the courtiers of King Qin's faction still raised doubts one after another, and pointed their finger at the East Palace.The prince and his party were not to be outdone, the two sides attacked each other openly and secretly, and did not give in to each other. Even though the righteous master did not speak, there was already a dark tide in the court.

Li Shimin personally comforted the family members of Yu Chigong's mansion, but to everyone in the mansion, he only told everyone in the mansion that there is no need to pursue this matter further, and he didn't say much about the rest.

He knew very well in his heart that the arrow shot into Yuchi Gong's chest had a precise angle and profound force, how could it be something that a mere peasant boy could do?

Laughed self-deprecatingly.In fact, this answer, I have been very clear from the beginning.

At this moment, there seemed to be a commotion outside the door.Li Shimin looked back and couldn't help raising his eyebrows slightly.

Li Jiancheng, dressed in plain white robes, strode in from the door.

Because of the recent disputes between the two factions of Prince Qin and the King of Qin, most of the people in Prince Qin's Mansion who came to mourn at Yuchi's Mansion at this moment had obvious hostility towards him.As if Li Jiancheng hadn't seen him, he went to the spiritual tablet and lit three sticks of incense.

Li Shimin watched his movements steadily until Li Jiancheng put the incense in his hand into the incense burner, then he looked away, bowed his hands and said, "Brother."

Li Jiancheng glanced at him, with an indifferent expression, only nodded slowly, and said: "I heard that General Yuchi's new funeral, and I'm here to express my condolences."

"Thank you...Brother." Li Shimin wanted to laugh, but he couldn't move his mouth no matter what.He turned around and stood side by side with Li Jiancheng, and the two looked at the spirit tablet in front of them together.

A shoulder away, but Li Shimin stared at the front, listening to the other person's clearly audible breathing, but seemed to be close at hand, he could feel it with one side of his face, and he could hug him as soon as he turned around.

Even though he didn't want to admit it, Li Shimin knew from the bottom of his heart that the distance between the two was getting farther and farther.

Slowly clenched his fists, trying to say something, but he couldn't open his mouth no matter what.

Silent air flowed between the two, only the voice of chanting sutras behind the mourning hall was hoarse and low, unchanging.

After a long time, Li Jiancheng raised his eyes to look at Li Shimin, and said: "There are still important matters in the house, so I won't stay any longer." After saying that, he lifted up his clothes, turned around and left.

However, before he even took a step, he heard Li Shimin say from behind: "My right-hand man, to my elder brother, really... sooner or later, will I get rid of it?" His voice was calm, but somewhat hoarse.

This was what he said himself on the night the two broke up.Li Jiancheng stopped in his tracks, but didn't look back, he only said: "Maybe, maybe not."

After a moment of silence, Li Shimin said, "Why...is Yuchi Gong?"

"Because he has a reason to die." Unknowingly stretching out his hand to hold his heart, Li Jiancheng laughed, "But maybe...he is just the first one."

"Brother, you...are really ruthless." Hearing this, Li Shimin suddenly laughed in the same way.He slowly walked to Li Jiancheng's side, looked at him very closely, and said, "Shimin...can't be tolerated by you anymore?"

Between the words, the breath gushes to the side of the ear.Li Jiancheng turned his head and finally looked at him squarely.

Li Shimin asked sincerely, but his voice was full of gnashing of teeth, and his expression was more like a smile than a smile.After the words fell, he just lowered his eyes, and his gaze moved around Li Jiancheng's face with burning eyes.

Li Jiancheng stared at him for a moment, then suddenly raised his voice and laughed, "What are you talking about, Shimin?" Seeing that the other party raised his eyes to meet his gaze, he moved a little closer, and said word by word almost breathlessly, "This Born from the same root, as the elder brother, how could he not tolerate his second younger brother?"

Li Shimin looked at him steadfastly, but after the other party finished speaking, he turned around and left, no longer thinking about it.

——Second brother... In the end, he is only the second brother after all.

Standing there, laughing silently and weakly.Li Shimin knew in his heart that this was the answer given by Li Jiancheng.

It was also a decision he forced himself to make.

----

When Pei Ji came to the main hall according to the order, Li Yuan was sitting behind the imperial case, flipping through piles of memorials on the table.

Hearing Pei Ji's greetings, he said lightly "Excuse me", then picked up the memorial that had been left alone at the corner of the table in advance, and said, "These few notebooks, Supervisor Pei will take a look for me."

Pei Ji stepped forward to take it, unfolded it, and saw that Chen Ju on it was a report on how the King of Qin recruited talents and expanded his power. Thinking of the incompatibility between the Prince and the King of Qin in the court a few days ago, he should understand it. Although the emperor was silent on the surface, his heart was as clear as a mirror.

It's just that this is the emperor's family matter after all, even though Li Yuan called him to come here, as a subject, he should not speak in vain.So after seeing it, Pei Ji just stood with his hands down and remained silent.

But Li Yuan sighed, but he said: "As a clan member, it's not a big deal to have private parties in the court. A few days ago, he and the crown prince each expanded their party members, so I made a few remarks on the sidelines. Now that the Crown Prince is about to withdraw, and the King of Qin is getting worse, where does this leave me?"

Seeing that there was an angry look on his face, Pei Ji said: "Your Majesty, please calm down."

Li Yuan sighed, and said again: "The king of Qin has been fighting outside all year round, and he has made great achievements in defeating the enemy. I have already made great efforts to reward him for this. The title of General Tiance is only under the crown prince. Why is that not enough?"

Hearing this, Pei Ji raised his eyes to look at Li Yuan, then lowered his eyes again.

"Why does Supervisor Pei hesitate to speak?" Li Yuan looked at him and said slowly, "If you have something to say, it's okay to say it."

Pei Ji hesitated for a moment, and said: "I dare to ask, I don't know what your majesty thinks... how about the crown prince?"

He spoke very euphemistically, but Li Yuan understood what he meant as soon as he heard it.After a moment of silence, he smiled and said: "Jian Pei wants to ask me, does he intend to abolish the crown prince?"

Pei Ji cupped his hands and bowed deeply, "I dare not."

"If I intend to abolish the crown prince, why would I wait until today?" Li Yuan stood up, walked to the window, looked at the scenery outside the window, and said, "To tell you the truth, the people of the world are born famous generals, who show their sharpness. I really don't want to wrong him." After a pause, he turned around and said, "But I don't know if I have given him the highest honor so many times, could it be that he is the initiator of such arrogance?"

Pei Ji said slowly: "I think that although His Majesty's heart is good, his achievements since ancient times cannot be overshadowed. King Qin's power will definitely endanger the Crown Prince. His Majesty should try his best to balance the power of the two."

"Jian Pei's words are justified. It is probably because I indulged the people of the world too much the day before yesterday, which led to the undercurrents in the court today." Li Yuan pondered for a moment, then sighed slowly, "It's just that I can't believe that the two brothers were deeply in love with each other. , how can it be like water and fire are incompatible in one day and one night?"

Pei Ji knew that this was the last thing Li Yuan wanted to see.In fact, this is not a difficult puzzle to solve. Being in this court, with courage and courage that is not inferior to others, the eyes will naturally turn to the pinnacle of power.

However, how can the person who is far from the peak of power be easily replaced by others?From this point of view, the current undercurrent will come to the surface one day.

But he couldn't say a word about these thoughts, and he knew that Li Yuan didn't understand these reasons.It's just that as the emperor, he was decisive, but as a father, he might be a bit indecisive after all.

So at this time, I can only say: "Your Majesty, please don't blame yourself. Since the love is deep, there must be a chance to turn around."

Li Yuan was silent for a while thoughtfully, and then said to Pei Ji: "I'm a little tired, so Supervisor Pei will step down first." After a pause, he continued, "I talked to Supervisor Pei today about what was in my heart. I might not say it to the second person a second time."

Pei Ji knew what it meant as soon as he heard it, and immediately said: "Your Majesty, please be at ease, I will not mention today's matter to anyone."

"Forget it, you go." Li Yuan nodded, seeing Pei Ji exiting the hall, he couldn't help sighing again.

----

In July, there was an urgent report from the front that Jieli Khan led his army to attack Yanmen.The army was overwhelming, and the situation was critical. The next day, Li Shimin called for a war to destroy the Turks. However, as soon as the words fell, Li Jiancheng followed, and what he did was also a call for a fight.

This was the first time the two confronted each other in the court under the undercurrent of the court.The courtiers waited with bated breath, but at last they heard Li Yuan's order, appointing Crown Prince Li Jiancheng as the chief general, and Qin Wang Li Shimin as the deputy general, and the two immediately assembled the army and headed for Yanmen.

As soon as this order came out, there was silence in the hall.The ministers never expected that Li Yuan would take such a compromise strategy and take the initiative to let the crown prince leave the capital, and he would still be with King Qin.

Amidst the doubts of the ministers, Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin were ordered to accept the order.Li Shimin turned his head to look at the person beside him, but the other person just stared straight ahead without moving his gaze.

Li Shimin withdrew his gaze and laughed silently.

After the tide ebbed, Li Yuan summoned the two of them alone and said: "You two brothers have not fought together for a long time, this battle needs to advance and retreat together, and support them together."

The two said yes.Li Shimin held his fists in his hands, he didn't know that Li Yuan's move was either to transfer the two of them out of the capital, to suspend the undercurrents in the capital, or... it was to divide the military power he single-handedly.

Thinking of this, he raised his eyes to look at Li Yuan, and said, "Father, I think that this battle can be done by one person, and there is no need for the crown prince to leave the capital."

Hearing this, Li Jiancheng still lowered his eyes, his expression unchanged.But Li Yuan paused for a moment, but said with a smile: "Once the military order is issued, there is no reason to withdraw it. My actions are justified, and the people of the world don't need to say any more. You should hurry up and make preparations early."

Li Shimin saw that his expression was firm, and also saw that Li Jiancheng was unmoved. He thought he had a plan in mind, so he sneered in a low voice.

The sneer fell into Li Yuan's ears, and he frowned slightly, but he never said anything after all. He only told Li Jiancheng: "The Turks dominate the north, and they have always been a serious problem. If this war can be defeated, it will be destroyed. If not, it will be destroyed." We must not lose Yanmen!"

Li Jiancheng cupped his hands and said, "I obey the order."

Li Yuan glanced at the two of them, and finally waved his hands and said, "Forget it, you two can go."

The two left the hall side by side, except for the humming of their feet, no one spoke.After being silent for a long time, Li Shimin suddenly said: "Brother, you are like this... Is it to prevent me from doing something in Beijing, or is it not to prevent me from enjoying the military exploits to myself, so I came here to share a piece of the pie?"

In the beginning, Li Yuanji was placed as his right-hand man. After the victory, he fought with him openly and secretly for the results of the battle.

Li Jiancheng didn't stop and didn't look at him, he just said indifferently: "Maybe, I just have someone I want to see."

Li Shimin's heart tightened when he heard the words, he suddenly made a move, pushed the person to the base of the wall, and resisted firmly.

Suffering from the pain in his back, Li Jiancheng frowned slightly, raised his eyes, but said with a half-smile: "Shimin, do you want everyone in the palace to watch a good show of brothers against each other?"

Li Shimin followed his gaze and looked back, but saw a few court ladies standing not far away with pale faces. Seeing Li Shimin's gaze, they hurriedly knelt down.

"Get out!" Li Shimin suddenly shouted angrily, startling the maids, they didn't dare to stay for a long time, and scattered like birds and beasts.

There was no one else in the corridor, so Li Shimin turned around, reached out and grabbed Li Jiancheng's jaw, then tilted his head and bit it.

Li Shimin knew that what Li Jiancheng said just now was intended to anger him.No one knows better than him what he cares about and what he cannot let go of.

So he easily turned his words into sharp knives, stabbed the forbidden area until blood flowed into rivers, and provoked himself into a rage.

Brother, if this is the effect you want, then I will give it back to you!

The beast in his body, which had been sleeping for too long, was instantly awakened by his words, ready to come out.Li Shimin closed his eyes, and let the beast bite the person under him vigorously, wishing to tear him to the bone and smash him to pieces together.

Lips and tongues intertwined frantically, leaving almost no room for breathing.After the kiss was over, Li Shimin, as usual, buried his face in the neck of the other party's white jade, seemingly nostalgic for it.

Li Jiancheng recovered from the unexpected kiss just now, and took a few low breaths, only to find that the other party's body was heavily pressed against him, and his knees were also stuck between his legs, as if in a completely imprisoned and possessive posture.

He didn't resist, just raised his head and pressed the back of his head against the wall, and smiled.

After a while, he said slowly: "Let go, someone will pass by again in a while." His voice was so calm that everything just now had never happened at all.

This kind of calm, bottomless.It seems that no matter how strong the wind blows, no matter what kind of boulders are thrown, it can't stir up any waves.

Li Shimin clasped the opponent's shoulders hard, got up and moved him to look at each other very closely, and said every word clearly, "Brother, you are forcing me to hate you."

"Don't you dare?" Li Jiancheng just lowered his eyes and smiled slowly.

As soon as the words fell, he felt the strength on his shoulders tighten again.

Li Shimin turned his face sideways, and suddenly approached him, so close that his breath connected, and so close that he moved forward a little bit, and there was another kiss.

However, after all, there is still such a distance.

"Brother, I will do what you wish." The voice clearly gritted his teeth, but the smile on Li Shimin's face gradually became darker, "It's just that when I get the throne, I don't know what it should be." Who hates whom."

Seeing Li Jiancheng's expression changed slightly, Li Shimin felt a burst of pleasure.Suddenly letting go of the other party, he said with a smile: "Brother, you and I still have a long time, so it's probably too early to say the words 'stop here' at this time."

After that, he turned around and strode away.

Li Jiancheng still maintained his posture leaning against the corridor wall, and after the person left for a long time, he suddenly let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

——Shimin, have you really confessed everything you want in your heart?

——In the next life, there are some things that really cannot be changed.

——Is there a long way to go?Perhaps, not long.