Chapter 38: A Brotherly Conversation

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“Father, only an emperor can nurture an emperor. Dismiss all the senior ministers over there. You are still so young; why rush to groom a successor? As long as your elder brother keeps abreast of the state’s current affairs and reviews the memorials, allowing him to offer his opinions is enough. And if his opinions are wrong, so be it. Mistakes can be corrected through constant refinement. What remains is that your brother will do whatever he wishes. As he grows older, he will naturally become more composed. It’s far more meaningful for him to have several children.” Li Shen had some insight into the nature of adolescence. As long as one did not stray, maturity would come with time, perhaps a couple of years later.

“If you are so insightful, then I think you should persuade your elder brother. Perhaps Gaoming will truly listen to you,” Empress Changsun interjected.

“Mother, that’s impossible. What sense would there be for a younger brother to advise his elder brother?” Li Shen refused. He had no intention of babysitting.

“I think the Empress is right. Who are those around Gaoming anyway? Let them assist him, yet despite Gaoming’s indulgent lifestyle, they have failed to steer him back on course. You should spend some time with Gaoming. Perhaps it will make him see the error of his ways,” Emperor Taizong said.

“Father, this is not an easy matter.” Li Shen suddenly thought of the people at the imperial estate, and his own lands. Moreover, he had heard from the villagers that the mountain behind the estate contained coal—bituminous coal, to be precise. That was why they could not clear the land for cultivation. The soil around the mountain was poor and yields were low. But Li Shen was intrigued. He looked directly at Emperor Taizong and rubbed his hands back and forth, indicating that while the matter was difficult, it was not impossible—it held promise.

Emperor Taizong, seeing Li Shen’s demeanor, was puzzled. When had he ever encountered a matter that required personal gain? But the chief steward whispered a few words into the emperor’s ear, and Emperor Taizong suddenly understood.

“Very well. And you even dare to bargain with me?” Emperor Taizong said angrily.

“Father, the emperor does not employ starving soldiers. My time is precious. Every quarter of an hour earns me tens of thousands of coins,” Li Shen replied.

“Come, let me hear what this ‘starving soldier’ wants,” Emperor Taizong said, laughing despite his anger.

“Father, I want the mountain south of the city. I won’t take it for free. Name your price,” Li Shen went straight to the point.

“The mountain south of the city? The one behind the imperial estate? Nothing grows well there, only some coal. It’s practically worthless. Why do you want that mountain?” Emperor Taizong was baffled.

“Father, I’ve done my research. That mountain belongs to the royal family and is worth three thousand strings of cash. Sell it to me, and I’ll help you deal with Gaoming,” Li Shen proposed.

“Five thousand strings! Plus the Gaoming matter,” Emperor Taizong countered.

“Father, are you raising the price on the spot? A barren mountain for five thousand strings? No way. As I said, supply and demand. I don’t have to buy the mountain. The matter is difficult,” Li Shen said. In any negotiation, one must grasp the other party’s needs.

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“You scoundrel, how dare you threaten me!” Emperor Taizong roared.

“Father, don’t be angry. The mountain I want is linked to Gaoming. You’ll understand soon enough,” Li Shen softened when he saw the emperor’s anger.

“Fine, when will you approach Gaoming?” Emperor Taizong agreed. He didn’t care much about the money; he just wanted to test Li Shen’s mettle. Unexpectedly, Li Shen was adept at reading the situation.

“The sooner the better, preferably tomorrow night. After all, it’s the Mid-Autumn Festival dinner,” Li Shen considered.

“Good, tomorrow night it is. I hope you succeed. Otherwise, how can the officials keep impeaching the Crown Prince?” Emperor Taizong said anxiously.

“Heh, Father, even if Gaoming reforms, the officials will still impeach him. They all want to be remembered in history, and the easiest way is by impeaching the Crown Prince. Don’t worry; when I’m in a good mood, I’ll stand up at court and tear them apart for you,” Li Shen smiled.

Emperor Taizong thought it over. Indeed, those officials would do anything for fame—they dared to impeach even him without consequence.

On the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, the Mid-Autumn Festival in the Tang Dynasty was far more lively than in later generations. The common folk rejoiced, singing and dancing, while the palace was festooned with lanterns and decorations. At dusk, near Beihai, a banquet was prepared. Palace musicians played, and dancers performed. Everyone wore smiles.

After Emperor Taizong took his seat, the others followed. He raised his cup in celebration, and all drank in one go. Naturally, they drank the palace’s finest jade liquor, supplied by Li Shen. Afterward, Emperor Taizong set a theme, and the guests composed poems and lyrics. Li Shen did not participate—no money, no interest. The most lively was Prince Wei, Li Tai, who was truly talented in literature, as Li Shen acknowledged. The other princes and princesses also performed, creating a joyous atmosphere. Near the end, Emperor Taizong glanced at Li Shen, signaling it was time to act. Li Shen lifted his cup and approached Li Chengqian.

“Elder brother, a toast from your younger brother.”

“Tenth brother, you’re drinking water while toasting me with wine—you’re too clever,” Li Chengqian laughed.

“Ha ha, elder brother, I’m still young. I shouldn’t drink wine,” Li Shen chuckled.

“Tenth brother, although young, you might be more enduring. I heard you brought several tens of thousands of coins to the harem,” Li Chengqian said.

“Brother, your information is quite sharp. It’s just petty cash. It’s noisy here with so many people; let’s talk by the pavilion at the lakeside,” Li Shen invited.

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Li Chengqian knew Li Shen had something to say and followed him to a distant pavilion.

“Tenth brother, speak your mind,” Li Chengqian urged.

“Brother, I heard they have been constantly impeaching you for your indulgent lifestyle. Is that true?” Li Shen asked directly.

Li Chengqian did not respond but looked troubled.

“Don’t misunderstand, brother. I just want to know what this ‘indulgent lifestyle’ is really like. Why not take me along sometime?” Li Shen joked.

“Hmph, just say what you mean,” Li Chengqian snapped.

“Brother, they don’t understand. Actually, I know you’ve been a bit reckless lately because Father set up an enemy for you, right? So you’ve become disheartened, thinking Father doesn’t want you as Crown Prince and is wary of you,” Li Shen asked.

“What’s wrong with me? Why is Father supporting the Fourth Brother again? I’ve been doing well,” Li Chengqian said ruefully.

“Brother, I know you’ve done well. But Father is the emperor who rose from the battlefield. At your age, he was already slaying enemies on the front lines. Father has travelled far and wide, securing the realm through battle. That forged his resolute will, his stern and decisive nature, and his calm demeanor. He is a good emperor, but not a good father. Father actually wants you to be like him, but how is that possible? How can he ask you to go to the front lines? So Father was wrong,” Li Shen explained, taking his brother’s side.

Li Chengqian looked at Li Shen in surprise. His younger brother was defending him and even saying Father was wrong.

“Father’s mistake is that his expectations for you were too high. That’s understandable. Even ordinary fathers hope their sons surpass them. He used the Fourth Brother to toughen you up but nearly broke you,” Li Shen said.