Tang Dynasty

(One)

The moment the arrow was shot, he finally saw the opponent's eyes clearly.

Those eyes are no longer calm, no longer alienated, but the emotions contained in them can no longer be expressed in words.

Surprise, helplessness, despair, self-deprecating... Every emotion is like a sharp sword piercing my heart.

So the arrow sank into the opponent's chest, but what he got in return was heart-piercing pain.

"Brother, I'm sorry." He looked at the other party and tried his best to calm down his emotions, but his voice was trembling uncontrollably.

But as soon as the voice fell, the person in front of him fell from the horse helplessly, and on the white robe and silver armor was blood as bright as a bright flower.

He didn't even have time to see his last expression clearly in the future.

So what if he sees clearly, at this moment, all he has for himself is a word of hatred.

The heavy falling sound rang in his ears, Li Shimin loosened his fingertips, and the longbow in his hand fell to the ground suddenly.He stared blankly at the figure lying on the ground, at the dark red blood trickling down from the other person's body, and suddenly couldn't move.

In the huge shock, there was only a blank in his mind, as if he still didn't understand what happened.He stood on his horse numbly, even forgetting that the dispute in front of Xuanwu Gate was not over yet.

Suddenly the horse under his crotch raised its front hooves, leading him forward.Only then did Li Shimin come to his senses, but he rushed into the small forest not far away.

Li Yuanji who followed closely was carrying a longbow.

"You killed elder brother! You killed him yourself!" Li Yuanji's eyes were red with anger, and with the longbow in his hand, he drew the bowstring and fired three arrows at him.However, because Li Shimin was too hasty, before Li Shimin could dodge any way, the cluster of arrows brushed past his body suddenly.

Li Yuanji simply stopped shooting arrows, and approached him closely, drawing the bowstring with the intention of strangling his neck with it.Li Shimin dodged hastily, but his clothes were caught by the branches and he couldn't get away.At the moment of panic, only a loud shout was heard, but it was Yu Chigong who came threateningly with his Zhangba spear.

Li Yuanji was startled when he saw the blow, and after hastily received the blow, he rode his horse to dodge. However, he was shot in the back by Yu Chigong with an arrow before he ran far, and fell off the horse and died.

Yu Chigong yelled: "The crown prince and the king of Qi are both dead, and those who are sensible should quickly submit to the king of Qin!" After saying that, he returned to the horse and came to Xiaolin, only to see that Li Shimin had fallen off his horse in the fight just now, but he didn't Standing up, he just knelt on the ground in this posture, his fingers sinking deep into the mud.

"Your Highness..." Yu Chigong hesitantly walked in front of him, only to feel that the other party's body seemed to be shaking, but it wasn't because of Li Yuanji that the mere three arrows just now.

Li Shimin didn't respond after hearing the words for a long time.

Li Yuanji's words just now were still going back and forth in his mind, as if until then, he didn't really realize that Li Jiancheng was dead, and died in his own hands.

Finally, he killed him with his own hands.

The fingertips became more and more forceful, firmly clasping the ground in front of him.

——Brother, you forced me to do everything, you forced me to this point.

Seeing that he didn't respond for a while, Yu Chi said respectfully: "Your Highness, King Qi is dead."

But Li Shimin still acted as if he had never heard of it, until someone rushed to report: "Your Highness, acquaintances from the East Palace and Prince Qi's Mansion have heard the news and are rushing here with their soldiers!"

Li Shimin suddenly came back to his senses, he raised his eyes and looked at the person in front of him for a moment, then slowly raised himself up and stood up, his expression regained his composure bit by bit.

He knew that he could not turn back.

"Pass down the order, all the troops in the mansion will stop them, and you must not teach them to approach here!" After a pause, he turned to Yuchi Gong, his expression not so calm that it was almost gloomy, "General Yuchi, enter the palace for me... Let the matter be reported to the emperor."

(two)

When Li Shimin entered the palace the next day and saw Li Yuan, the other party had aged a lot overnight.

The second son was slaughtered by his brothers, and he himself was coerced, so in desperation he surrendered the military and political power.At this moment, the emperor himself is already useless.

Seeing Li Shimin coming to pay his respects, he showed no expression on his face, nor did he speak.He even just lowered his eyes, unwilling to look at the unrighteous person in front of him who killed his brother and persecuted his father.

However, after being silent for a long time, he heard Li Shimin say in a low voice: "Father, I killed elder brother, I... killed him with my own hands. I have... there is no way out..."

There was choking in that voice.

Hearing the sound, Li Yuan raised his eyes, but saw that Li Shimin had knelt down in front of him slowly, repeating the words just now piecemeal, gradually he couldn't help crying, and finally burst into tears.

That voice was heart-piercing that Li Yuan had never seen before.

After being silent for a long time, he finally got up and stepped forward, holding her in his arms.

Li Shimin leaned obediently in his arms, just like when he was young, crying without suppressing his emotions.

And in the rest of his life, there will never be such a day again.He will be cold, dignified, and will not show even an iota of real emotion in front of anyone.

Li Yuan sighed.Of the three prostitutes, two are lost.Now, he has no choice.

(three)

"Since the crown prince and the king of Qi have been expelled from the family, why did you stay here?" Wei Zheng knelt down, his expression as calm as a pool of stagnant water.

Li Shimin sat down and looked at him, and said slowly: "I have always disregarded past suspicions for those who abolish the prince's mansion and want to submit."

Wei Zheng bowed his head and said: "Then please Your Highness give Wei Zheng a death."

"Want to die?" Li Shimin's eyes sharpened suddenly, and he sneered, "You want to prove your will by dying?"

"No," Wei Zheng said, "It's bitter cold under the spring, and I'm willing to accompany the crown prince..."

"Delusion!" Li Shimin snapped at the case suddenly, gnashing his teeth and said, "None of you...don't even think about going down to accompany him!"

Wei Zheng couldn't get up on the ground, his expression was calm.In fact, he already understood that Li Shimin regretted it, and he ordered not to hunt down and kill the remaining party of Prince Qi, but he did not want to take another life.

It's just that the Sri Lankan has gone, so what's the use of regretting?Wei Zheng smiled secretly, but in fact he had already made a decision in his heart...

However, at this moment, he heard Li Shimin speak.The voice was no longer furious, and was low, even vaguely sad.

"Wei Zheng, he only has this country in his heart all his life. If you really care for him, you shouldn't abandon his wish."

Wei Zheng was slightly startled when he heard this, and then gave a wry smile.It was for this reason that he did not commit suicide immediately after the Xuanwu Gate incident.

Against Li Shimin, he has never been inferior, only this time, even though he knew he was using him, he had no other way.

——Your Highness, Wei Zheng has never spared his life, but this time, he might be greedy for life and fearful of death.

(four)

In the first year of Zhenguan, Li Shimin, who was already the king of a country, ordered Li Jian to be the king of Xi, with the posthumous title of "Yin";At the same time, the two were restored to their original places and reburied with rituals.

That day Li Shimin stood at the Yiqiu Gate sadly, speechless for a long time.When he returned, tears were streaming down his face.

Everyone only says that in posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous law, it is said to be hidden if it cannot be brushed, it is called hidden in a country that does not show its corpse, and it is called hidden in a country that does not show its body.But I don't know, hidden, hidden, hidden, subtle.

The word "hidden" is just the hidden pain of forgetting each other but not being able to forget.

(Fives)

On both sides of the Wei River, the armies confront each other solemnly.

The leading generals have already stood out, separated by the wide river bank, silent for a long time.

Finally, Jieli Khan opened his mouth aggressively, but said with a smile: "I left last time, see you today, the King Qin of that day is already the Emperor of today, killing my brother in front of the Xuanwu Gate is really a good trick!"

Li Shimin's expression didn't change when he heard the words, he only said: "Could it be that Jieli Khan invaded our territory of the Tang Dynasty not for his own selfishness, but to avenge King Yinxi?"

Hearing him mention such a posthumous posthumous title suddenly, Doubi felt a slight pain in his heart, gritted his teeth, and finally calmed down.

Seeing this, Li Shimin said again: "You and I have been fighting for more than a few months. Even though our people's livelihood in the Tang Dynasty has not yet recovered, the power of the Turks is still not enough to completely defeat me. Today, Khan is willing to come to the bank of the Weishui River to meet us. Thinking about it, I must be well aware of this matter. In fact, I don't want to be an enemy of the Turks, and I want to sign an alliance with the Khan. If the Khan also has this intention, I will offer the gold, silk and property."

Now Li Jiancheng's remnant party is still in trouble, and the people's livelihood is not good under the years of wars. Li Shimin knows that this time is definitely not an opportunity to fight the Turks.

Duobi pondered for a long time after hearing the words, and said: "The only thing I want is one thing."

Li Shimin said: "What is it?"

"I heard that Your Majesty acquired a set of calligraphy in the early years, which was called "The Preface to the Collection of Lanting"," Duobi said with a smile, "Although I am not from the Middle Earth, I am also a bit elegant. I have heard of its reputation for a long time and I can't get it... ...But I don't know if His Majesty is willing to part with you?"

Li Shimin's complexion suddenly darkened upon hearing this.

Ju Bi looked at him for a moment, and said: "If Your Majesty is not willing to give up love, I will not force it. It's just that it is inconvenient to delay here today, so I will leave first. Everything... I hope Your Majesty will think twice."

Li Shimin looked at his receding back, his complexion became gloomy little by little.

But Duo Bi led the army back on horseback, but suddenly burst out laughing.The laughter is heroic, yet desolate.

And that night, an envoy from the Tang Dynasty ushered in the Duobi tent, and what he was holding in his hand was the rare treasure - "Preface to the Collection of Lanting".

Duobi unfolded the painting slowly, staring at it inch by inch, silent.After a long time, he carefully put away the painting and said to the emissary, "Go back and tell your emperor that the matter of the covenant is hereby finalized. The detailed rules will be discussed in person at another day."

A few days later, the two sides signed the "Weishui Alliance", and Duo Bi personally killed the white horse, swore an oath of blood alliance, and returned with his troops in a short time.It's just the matter of Weishui asking for paintings, but no one knows what happened.

(six)

In the 16th year of Zhenguan, Li Shimin had a dream.

The face that had been away for 20 years, appeared in front of him for the first time, so clear, as if he could touch it with his hand.However, when he instinctively stretched out his hand, the other party turned into a puff of white smoke in an instant.

When he woke up, Li Shimin sat on the head of the bed in a daze, his expression was as cold as it had been for 20 years.However, when he touched the surface with his hands, his fingertips were covered with wet traces.

Suddenly he laughed, smiled, but burst into tears again.

After deliberately forgetting and deliberately suppressing this dream for such a long time, he suddenly realized that the 20 years without that person's company was really like a dream.

It turned out that in the past 20 years, there was not a day when I could forget him, and there was no day when I could get rid of his shadow.

As if it had already been embedded in his own flesh and blood, this torture had no beginning and no end.

Three days later, Li Shimin once again issued an edict to restore Li Jiancheng's crown prince title as "Hidden Prince".

A year later, under repeated persistence, he finally took over the "Book of Tang" from Du Ruhui as he wished.It took him a whole day and night to personally change all the content about Li Jiancheng beyond recognition.Looking at the descriptions in the book such as "Simply financial, no regular inspection, desolate and alcoholic, hunting without restraint, and all he follows are masters and heroes", he smiled instead, as if after years of torture, he finally found a way to vent. export.

—Brother, you are nothing more than that.Why should I never forget you...

(Seven)

"Preface to the Collection of Lanting, bring it to me..." Li Shimin lay on his back on the bed, looking at the ceiling and said slowly.

The palace servants left in response, and returned with a scroll painting in their arms after reminiscing about the past.When it was unfolded by the bed, it was surprised: "Your Majesty, this painting...is it blank?"

"Bold! This is clearly a rare calligraphy, how could it be blank?" Li Shimin said angrily, but he couldn't help coughing, and continued, "Give me the painting... give me..."

The palace servants were too frightened to speak any more, so they just obeyed the words and handed over the picture scroll.

Li Shimin held the painting in his arms, turned his body inside, and said: "You go back now." Then there was no more sound.

The palace man was about to retreat, but was stopped by Li Shimin.

"What orders does Your Majesty have?"

"This painting... can't be seen by anyone," Li Shimin's voice was a little muffled, "After a hundred years, I must be buried in the ground."

Hearing the words, the palace man hurriedly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty is in good health, how could..." but was interrupted by Li Shimin.

"That's all, you go."

After the palace man left, Li Shimin slowly closed his eyes with a calm expression.

Ever since he was shot by an arrow during the conquest of Korea, his health has deteriorated day by day.Since then, he often had hallucinations, and would see Li Jiancheng appearing beside him, talking to him, his appearance was like a ghost, but his face was as beautiful as before.

He knew that this torture would follow him to death.

So, he began to take pills, not for immortality, but just to get rid of this torment.But now, his body was probably buried under these pills.

Holding the painting tightly in his arms, Li Shimin dimly remembered his past 50 years.

In the first half, I was accompanied by my eldest brother.The second half is alone.

He knows that even though the Tang Dynasty under his rule is unprecedentedly strong, even though he single-handedly created the rule of Zhenguan, even though he has made countless achievements in his life... However, he has never been truly happy for a single day.

He didn't even really laugh, because the lingering shadow never ceased tormenting him, making him miserable.

But now... Feeling that his time is approaching, he is much calmer and calmer.This suffering will eventually come to an end.

After an unknown amount of time, I felt something moving behind me.Li Shimin turned around and sat up, and immediately saw Li Jiancheng standing beside the bed.

Shengxue in white clothes, with a smile on his face, just like the one he was most obsessed with back then.

"Brother, when a person is about to die, his words are good. Today, brother, would you believe me?" He lowered his eyes, smiled softly, and said slowly, "To tell you the truth, I regret it, I regret it. I really... regret it..." He raised his eyes, leaned over suddenly, and hugged him tightly, "Brother, if there is an afterlife, I don't want this world, I only want you..."

Feeling that the other party hugged him with his backhand, that touch is a long-lost familiarity.Li Shimin hugged the other party more tightly, buried his head in the other party's arms, and suddenly smiled.

From the ninth year of Wude to the 23rd year of Zhenguan, a total of 23 years, he had never laughed like this.

"Brother, it's 23 years late, are you willing to wait for me?"