Volume Three: The Storm at the Gate of the Black Tortoise Chapter Seventy: Mingyu Seeks an Official Post

As they played and laughed, a hearty chuckle echoed through the hall, and Li Shimin strode in with great vigor.

Li Mingyu quickly swung his leg off Little Black and went over to pay his respects.

Li Shimin, at this moment, wore a deep purple round-collared robe embroidered with golden threads depicting a soaring four-clawed python-dragon, with silver lines outlining clusters of auspicious clouds. A jade belt hung at his waist, and his head was adorned with a gauze hat. His eyes sparkled with brilliance, as radiant as the stars and as deep as the ocean. A short mustache adorned his lips, lending him an even more imposing presence than he had at the Battle of Hulao Pass.

He was clearly in high spirits today, reaching out to help Mingyu up, and teased, "Good lad, I haven't seen you for a few years, and you’ve grown so tall! Why hasn't your master come with you?"

Mingyu replied, "Second Uncle, you know my master's temperament. His heart remains troubled, and he is unwilling to set foot in Chang'an."

"Well, that's understandable. There will come a day when all things are resolved." Li Shimin nodded, knowing Xuanba’s inner torment, and did not press the matter.

At this moment, Little Black, carrying Li Lizhi, trotted over as well. Seeing his beloved daughter so happy, Li Shimin was delighted. He laughed heartily, scooped Lizhi into his arms, and rubbed his short mustache against her cheek, making Lizhi giggle and squirm.

The other children, seeing their father's return, also came to greet him, calling, "Father!"

Li Shimin treated his children quite differently. He nodded curtly to Li Chengqian, inquired about Li Ke's studies, but doted especially on the chubby Li Tai—holding Lizhi in one arm and scooping up Li Tai with the other. The two little ones vied for his attention, tickling his neck until he burst into laughter.

Little Black circled them ingratiatingly. In the mountains, Li Shimin had a habit of giving Little Black a playful kick as a sign of affection. Now, seeing Little Black, his feet itched to repeat the gesture, but after a moment’s hesitation, he said, "Enough, since you’ve made Lizhi so happy, I’ll spare you today! Wang De! Prepare a fat sheep for Little Black as a reward!"

"Yes," Wang De replied respectfully, passing down the order. Seeing that dusk was near, he began arranging a welcoming banquet to honor Mingyu’s return.

The children, noticing that their father, who had been so troubled in recent days, finally showed some joy, were elated. They insisted on joining the lively feast and refused the maids' assistance, wanting to serve themselves. Soon, their faces and hands were smeared with food, as children do—eating a bite, playing a bit—until, tired, Li Chengqian led them away to be washed and put to bed by the maids, leaving the rest unspoken.

Once they were satisfied and the table cleared, Mingyu remained with Li Shimin, sharing wine and conversation, recounting his experiences since their last parting. Perhaps it was the joy of seeing Mingyu after so long, but Li Shimin’s mood was especially buoyant, the gloom of the previous days dissipated in the flow of wine and laughter. Mingyu spoke of having mastered his skills and now wishing to serve under Li Shimin's command.

Li Shimin, already a bit tipsy, nodded in approval. "Very good. To master both the pen and the sword, and sell your talents to the house of the emperor—this is the true path to serve the nation. Do not follow your master’s path, lost in sentimental attachments, unable to overcome the hurdles of the heart. All his abilities wasted, his years idly slipped away in the mountains."

Changsun, who had been sitting with them, rolled her eyes at this and replied, "Sanlang is a man of deep feeling. Don’t forget, his feud with your eldest brother and the Du Gu family was so bitter, and his wife died tragically. His hatred runs deep as the sea—how can he simply let it go? Besides, the situation in Chang'an may seem calm on the surface, but beneath, the currents are fierce, ready to erupt at any moment. For someone of his temperament, living quietly in the mountains is better than getting caught up in these storms."

Li Shimin stroked his short mustache with a sigh. "Guanyin, you know how it is. My brothers and I are now at daggers drawn. The Crown Prince has the full support of the powerful Guanzhong clans, and now Fourth Brother has joined his camp too. I am left isolated and alone. Do you wonder why I have been so troubled lately? Just a few days ago, someone in the palace brought me secret news—Fourth Brother has been lavishly bribing many of the consorts, currying favor with them. These women often speak ill of me to Father—some say I am disrespectful, neglectful of the concubines, others accuse me of arrogance, even of plotting with my military power. Father, swayed by their words, is growing ever more distant. If only Xuanba could let go of his hatred and come to my aid! Father always favored him, and having wronged him in the past, would surely see him in a new light. If we brothers joined forces, I would not be so passive."

Mingyu, hearing this, thought to himself that the struggle among the Li brothers had truly reached the point where no means were beneath them, even using pillow talk in the harem. Clearly, Second Uncle was at a disadvantage now. But perhaps that was for the best—when pressed, he would be forced to act, the Xuanwu Gate Incident would come soon. Arriving at just the right moment, he thought, was better than arriving early. This was the perfect time for him to emerge.

Changsun, equally shocked, said, "Is it really so dire? Erlang, what will you do? Now that you and the Crown Prince are locked in this struggle, you’re like a pawn that’s crossed the river—there’s no turning back. If Father grows ever more distant, I fear..."

Li Shimin sneered, "It’s nothing—just a few scheming concubines. What can they really accomplish with their pillow talk? I have achieved the feats of a kingdom’s conquest, I hold military power. In the past, I was cautious for the sake of brotherhood and refrained from ruthless measures. Now, with them pressing me so hard, I am resolved to fight them to the end. I may not lose."

With that, he raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.

Changsun did not press further, only advised, "If so, Erlang, you must be cautious. Consult with your advisers before making any moves."

Li Shimin, flushed from the wine, looked at Changsun with increasing tenderness. He took her hand and sighed, "Guanyin, these days my heart has been troubled, and you have suffered with me, sharing my worries."

Changsun replied with heartfelt sincerity, "We are husband and wife, of one mind and one heart. If I cannot share your burdens, I can at least laugh and cry with you."

Li Shimin was moved by her affection. Already somewhat drunk, he embraced Changsun around the waist, and she nestled into his arms.

As the two of them exchanged tender glances, poor Li Mingyu sat awkwardly by. He had no wish to continue witnessing their affection, which seemed on the verge of turning into a living spring painting. He cleared his throat and said, "Second Uncle, isn’t this a bit much? I’m still just a child!"

Changsun suddenly remembered that in her focus on conversation, she'd forgotten Mingyu was present. Her cheeks flushed, she pushed Li Shimin away and stammered, "I’ll go see if the children are asleep," then hurried off in embarrassment.

Li Shimin, ever the great man, showed no sign of discomfort; he simply picked up his cup and downed his wine as if nothing had happened.

Mingyu pressed on, "Second Uncle, now that I’ve come to join you, shouldn’t we settle the merits I’ve earned in the past as well?"

Li Shimin nodded, "Of course. I keep my word. But you are still only twelve. To grant you a title or office—you're too young to command respect."

Mingyu grinned, "So what? Xiang Tuo taught Confucius at seven, Gan Luo was made prime minister at twelve—am I any less than them? Don’t worry, Second Uncle. As for a title, if I’m too young, that can wait. For now, just give me a post. I think your Xuanjia Army would suit me well—I know everyone there. If anyone refuses to obey, I’ll beat them into submission."

Li Shimin laughed, "You know of Xiang Tuo and Gan Luo? But do you know what became of them? Both were famed child prodigies, but talent that stands out invites the wind’s wrath. They became pawns in the power struggles of the various states, and their fame was but a fleeting flower. In the end, they came to nothing."

He fixed Mingyu with a piercing gaze. "Mingyu, you are naturally gifted, quick to learn, and have gained great skill from your master. Your future is limitless. But I hope you will proceed steadily, build your foundation, and strike only when the time is right. The court is in turmoil. If I let you show yourself too early, it might only harm you."

Mingyu knew Second Uncle’s words were reasonable, but he had his own thoughts—not just an obsession with office. From Li Shimin’s words, he could tell the Xuanwu Gate Incident was near, and afterwards Li Shimin would ascend the throne. Such a great opportunity was at hand—how could he let it slip by? He had to seize the moment, earn his achievements, and secure a place on the roster of founding merit, so he could live comfortably ever after.

Moreover, Mingyu always felt a sense of looming danger. He knew well what kind of ruthless man Li Shimin was in history. Though he was now treated as family, people’s affections fade, and Li Shimin had not hesitated to kill his own brothers and nephews—let alone someone without a blood tie. Even his master’s lineage was not entirely safe. Even Li Shimin’s own sons had ended up imprisoned or exiled; few met good ends. In the Zhenguan era, the only ones who lived well were the founding generals—so long as they did not rebel, they enjoyed peaceful and prosperous lives to old age.

Growing anxious, Mingyu was about to argue his case when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his ear—someone had grabbed and twisted it. Mingyu smiled wryly, not needing to turn around to know, by the familiar force, that Changsun had returned.

Having fled just moments before, embarrassed, she had barely taken a few steps when her annoyance grew. That brat Mingyu—how dare he tease her! The more she thought about it, the more indignant she felt, and she decided to teach him a lesson.

As she reached the doorway, she heard Mingyu asking Li Shimin for an official post. Changsun laughed angrily, "Well, well, I didn’t realize you were so eager for office! Your handwriting is like a dog’s scrawl—worse than Qingque’s. I wonder if you’ve improved at all these years!"

Mingyu was thoroughly embarrassed—his handwriting was indeed atrocious, and with Changsun away, he’d long neglected it. He retorted, "Holding office doesn’t depend on penmanship! Besides, I’m applying as a military officer—aren’t there clerks for the writing?"

Changsun twisted his ear harder. "Still not convinced? You barely know anything and want to be a general? Haven’t you heard that an incompetent general dooms his entire army? If you want to hold office, you’d better study hard first, or you’ll be the laughingstock of the court!"