Volume One: At the Foot of Mount Zhongnan Chapter Ten: The Sturdiest Backer in the World!

The two brothers had not seen each other in years, and now, reunited, they were naturally overjoyed. After Li Sanlang observed the formal rites and paid his respects to his second brother, they moved inside to sit. Once they were settled, Li Sanlang asked, “Second brother, how did you come to be here? And how did you find me?”

At that moment, the slightly plump young man had already tied the horses at the gate and was carrying a long, wrapped bundle as he entered the house. Without waiting for the second brother to answer, he laughed and said, “Sanlang, Sanlang, you really made us work to find you! As for how we tracked you down, it all began with this blade.” With that, he took a seat, as he was a familiar friend to Sanlang and needed no formalities.

Sanlang was taken aback. “A blade? What blade?”

The plump youth, whose name was Wujie, unwrapped the bundle to reveal its contents: the treasured sword that Li Sanlang had previously entrusted someone to sell. Smiling, he said, “Now the sword returns to its rightful owner.”

The second brother let out a hearty laugh. “Last year, someone gave this treasure blade to Wujie. He thought it looked like the one you used to carry, so he came to me to confirm. At a glance, I knew it was yours. Since you left home, not a word had reached us. I have been worried, fearing misfortune had befallen you and that the sword might fall into the hands of villains, so I sent people everywhere to inquire.” He pointed at the plump youth. “It was thanks to Wujie’s efforts that we found you. Last year, I had to follow General Yun to Yanmen to relieve the frontier, so I entrusted Wujie with the search. Only after I returned victorious this year did we uncover your whereabouts.”

Li Sanlang was moved. “At the time, I didn’t think much of it. I was in the village, and the treasured blade was of no use to me. I thought it better to sell it and use the money to help the village children study. I didn’t mean to trouble you, second brother.” As he spoke, his hand unconsciously stroked the hilt of the sword, betraying his restless heart. He pressed on, “How have you and sister-in-law been lately? Has the family… has the family been affected by my actions?”

The second brother sighed. “Your sister-in-law and I are well. But… alas!” He shook his head. “Sanlang, it's not that I want to scold you, but your actions back then were rash. For a woman, you made an enemy of the Dugu family and nearly ruined our father’s plans! Originally, Father and eldest brother intended for you to marry the Dugu daughter. Our grandmother had passed, and this alliance would have secured Dugu’s full support.”

At this, Li Sanlang’s face darkened. “That daughter of Dugu Wudu is intolerant and domineering. She’s only a concubine’s child herself, yet couldn’t tolerate another woman. Green Butterfly and I were devoted to each other and had already pledged ourselves. She may have been of humble birth, but even if she bore my son and was beloved by me, she would only ever be a concubine. How could she threaten the Dugu lady’s position? Yet she could not abide the thought! To torment us before even the marriage!”

“Even so, you should not have said those things to Dugu Wudu’s face and shamed him. You know how much our eldest brother values propriety and custom. To let Dugu Wudu lose face like that—how could he ever forgive you?” his second brother admonished.

Li Sanlang gave a cold laugh at the mention of his eldest brother. “Eldest brother? Ha! A fine brother, indeed. He was so eager to curry favor with the Dugus, to win their support, that he beat me before everyone and drove me out of the house. But worse, Green Butterfly—innocent, pregnant—was beaten to death at his command! And my unborn child with her…!” Li Sanlang grew more agitated, his eyes reddening with the memory of his beloved and their unborn child’s tragic deaths, the pain nearly bringing him to tears.

His second brother knew well this old wound and did not wish to dwell on their eldest brother’s faults. “Thankfully, I managed to smooth things over with the Dugu family, offering them many benefits. In the end, the matter was settled. You know, though our Li family is noble and of imperial kin, we have never enjoyed the emperor’s favor. The Yuwen clan has always opposed us, ceaselessly making trouble for Father, so the Dugu’s support is vital. Don’t be too hard on our eldest brother. The world is in chaos now, with the Turks raiding the borders. Father has secured the necessary connections and will soon be appointed military governor of Jinyang, leading troops north to defend against invaders—leaving behind the intrigue of Chang’an.”

The plump youth, Wujie, also advised, “Sanlang, let the past be past. Father acted as he did out of necessity and for the greater good! The Dugu family may be overbearing, but Dugu Wudu holds great power as head of their house. Father’s ambitions, even with the full support of the Zhangsun, Gao, and Dou families, rest on fragile foundations. The Dugus are an old and powerful clan, leaders among the Guanzhong aristocracy, with the Houmochen family following their lead. At court, Yuwen Hu’s influence is at its height; Father’s position is precarious. Had he further offended the Dugus, there would have been no hope of any grand endeavor—perhaps even disaster.”

His second brother added, “Sanlang, Father drove you from the house not only out of anger at your offense to the Dugus, but for another reason.” He lowered his voice. “Father’s ambitions are boundless, and this is all or nothing. If he succeeds, our Li family will rise to the heavens; if he fails, we face extinction. I advised him to use this as a pretext and say you died of grief and illness after leaving the house. In case of disaster, at least there would be a living branch of our bloodline in the world.”

Li Sanlang’s resentment softened at this, for after all, they were family. “So Father has truly made up his mind?”

His second brother nodded. “Within a year or two, yes. Leaving the mire of Chang’an is the chance to read the true shape of the world and bide our time.” He turned to Li Sanlang. “But enough of us. Do you plan to stay hidden here for good? Will you never marry?”

Li Sanlang replied, “Indeed. I owe Green Butterfly too much. She died for me. I swore at her grave never to take a wife again, and I shall keep that vow.”

His second brother wished to persuade him, but knowing Sanlang’s character, he let it be. After all, Sanlang was still young; time would tell. He changed tack. “You’ve such skill—will you really pass on nothing to the next generation?”

Li Sanlang laughed. “No need to worry, second brother. I have already found a disciple!” Just then, he caught sight of a small head darting past the window and called out, “You rascal, you’re back—why are you eavesdropping out there? Come in!”

Li Ming, returning from the village gate, was puzzled. The mountain village was so secluded that outsiders would never find it, yet today two strangers had come, dressed and bearing themselves unlike common folk, asking for a man named Zhou Jian. Curious, he asked around and learned that Zhou Jian was actually Uncle Zhou, who must have made friends in Chang’an. Assuming they were harmless visitors, he started home.

At the door, he saw two fine horses tied outside and thought to himself that the visitors must have come to accuse him of some mischief. He sent away his dog to avoid startling the horses and tiptoed to the window to listen. Inside, he heard every word clearly.

Li Ming had always suspected his master came from an extraordinary background, perhaps the scion of a fallen noble house. But now, hearing names like the Dugu family, the Yuwen clan, and even the emperor mentioned, he was shocked. “Is my master truly someone remarkable?” he wondered, but his eavesdropping was soon discovered.

Realizing he had been caught, Li Ming was relieved; at least they weren’t here to scold him. He dusted himself off and entered the room.

The two visitors saw a boy of three or four, with red lips and white teeth, bright eyes full of mischief—the same child they had seen at the village gate. Both men burst out laughing. The plump youth teased, “Boy, we really did come to your house to tattle on you. Prepare for a beating!”

Li Ming, knowing he was being teased, glared and puffed up his cheeks. “Adults shouldn’t quarrel with children! A true gentleman is generous. To hold grudges and pester endlessly is no way for a hero to behave!”

The two men roared with laughter. The second brother said, “Well put, little one! That makes us seem rather petty, doesn’t it?”

Li Sanlang scolded, “Mind your manners, you rascal! This is my elder brother, Li Shimin. And this is his cousin, Zhangsun Wuji. Go and greet your uncles!”

When Li Ming heard the introductions, he was dumbfounded. Good heavens—Li Shimin? Zhangsun Wuji? One would become the Heavenly Khan, the other the greatest hero of the Lingyan Pavilion—how could such legendary figures appear in his home?

Wait—elder brother by blood? Then Li Shimin’s own brother… Li Ming turned mechanically to his master and stammered, “Master, forgive my boldness, but may I ask your name?”

Li Sanlang smiled. “Now that you know so much, there’s no harm in telling you. My surname is Li, as you know. My given name is Xuanba.”