Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 152 The superior skills are now in your hands.

Wen He didn't go to court today, but specially brought Li Chengqian to the Hundred Cavalry Training Ground.

The child is about to go to the battlefield, so it's time to let him get used to it.

Unexpectedly, he wanted to learn how to ride a horse as soon as he arrived.

Given his status, if he wanted to learn, there would naturally be a group of people eager to teach him.

But why did they drive all those people away?

“My father said he could ride a horse when he was ten years old!” Li Chengqian said, somewhat unconvinced.

"Others can do it at ten, but you can't. Wait a few more years."

Although historical records do not specify the exact age at which Li Chengqian fell from his horse, some unofficial histories suggest he was around eleven or twelve.

At least we should avoid this timeframe so that he doesn't become a disabled crown prince.

Actually, falling off a horse and sustaining external injuries is not considered a serious illness in the Tang Dynasty; as long as one recovers well, it's fine.

Unfortunately, the Li family has a hereditary history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar.

People with high blood sugar, in particular, are extremely difficult to recover from injuries.

“Sir, but we can’t very well ride in a carriage, that would be too embarrassing.”

Li Chengqian pouted; this was the first time he had ever contradicted Wen He.

It seems this child has grown up.

"Don't worry, I won't let you down."

Wen He had already had this idea for a while.

This time, he can't just ride a horse with someone else like before.

That's really embarrassing.

"Alright, stop looking. After you've chosen your personal guards, go to Yichun Palace to see the Empress."

Wen He patted his head and glanced at the hundred riders galloping not far away.

If time weren't so tight, he would have liked to find a foal to train with.

It would be a real shame to come to the Tang Dynasty and not ride a horse.

A man should roam the world!

Li Chengqian left with some doubt, and after arriving at Yichun Palace, he burst into tears.

When I got home, my eyes were still red.

The separation between mother and child is undoubtedly painful.

After Wen He went to complain last time, he heard that Li Shimin stayed in Lizheng Palace for a few days. He figured that Empress Zhangsun must also think that it was too dangerous for him to send Li Chengqian to the battlefield.

Why didn't you take me with you?!

Knowing that Li Chengqian and Wen He were going to Jingzhou, Li Tai looked at them with a hint of resentment.

"I can go up and fight too!"

"Going there will only get you killed!" Li Ke retorted without any politeness.

The former flew into a rage, rolled up his sleeves, and was about to fight him, but Wen He had someone grab his collar.

"Stop arguing. You all stay home and study properly. Review the math problems I taught you before, so you don't forget them when I come back."

Wen He felt that she was destined to worry.

Li Ke had a calm personality and, apart from his habitual bickering with Li Tai, he didn't do anything outrageous.

He doesn't talk much normally.

Li Tai is a bit eccentric, but he's much better than before.

Raising pigs can indeed temper one's character.

"Don't worry, sir, I will definitely not neglect my studies, and I will take good care of you..."

Taking advantage of Wen He's inattention, Li Ke glanced at Wen Rou before quickly looking away: "Take good care of the family."

"With Wenzhong here, it's not your place to take care of things here. Why don't you and Li Tai go back to the palace to live?"

With him gone, I'm genuinely worried that something might happen to those two boys at home.

“No, Xiao Hei, Xiao Hua, Jie Li, and Mao Dun… all need me.” Li Tai quickly shook his head, and the names he gave were not of people, but of the pigs he raised himself.

If Jieli on the grasslands knew this, he would probably want to kill Li Tai.

“I need to keep an eye on Li Tai,” Li Ke said earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Wen He had no choice but to give up.

However, I believe that Empress Zhangsun will definitely send someone to take care of them.

What he's worried about now is gentleness.

The little girl had been tugging at his sleeve the whole time, her little mouth pouting as she tried to hold back the tears in her eyes.

Since arriving in Chang'an, the brother and sister have hardly been apart.

“Brother, I don’t want you to leave.” “Little Rou, be good. Brother will be back soon, just like last time when we went to the Forbidden Garden, didn’t he come back soon too?” Wen He gently rubbed her little head.

But the little girl knew that this time would definitely be different from before.

"You lied to me!"

"I'm not lying to you. When I come back, I'll bring you lots of delicious food."

"really?"

"of course it's true."

Having never raised a child before, this was the only way he could offer comfort.

Seeing that she nodded gently, he genuinely believed that she had been convinced.

Little did he know that in the instant he turned around, he was taking Li Chengqian to change his clothes.

A tear fell from her gentle eyes.

"It's okay, your husband will come back. I'll protect you until then. Don't cry, you'll look even uglier if you cry."

Li Ke walked up to Wenrou's side without anyone noticing.

"You're the ugly one!" Wenrou was so angry that she forgot her sadness, glared at Li Ke fiercely, and stormed off.

Seeing this, Li Tai burst into laughter.

Li Ke glanced at him coldly, but the former showed no fear and retorted, "Hmph, don't think I don't know what you're up to. You wanted to bribe Xiao Rou and then curry favor with Mr. Li, didn't you? Hehe."

"hehe."

Li Ke was initially startled by his words, but after hearing the rest, he realized that he was worrying unnecessarily.

They all have the same father, how could he be so stupid?

They both had the same mother, but his older brother was much smarter than him.

Li Ke sighed, put on a grown-up act, shook his head and left.

Li Tai was left standing there, feeling a little embarrassed. He coughed lightly and followed Li Ke's example, walking away as he had done earlier.

Day two.

The sky is bright.

A gentle breeze caressed the morning dew.

Outside Chang'an City, the firelight resembled the rising sun.

The garrison troops were rapidly assembling.

The generals leading the army are awaiting their emperor.

In front of the city gate.

Li Shimin had Li Chengqian stand beside him, while Wen He and Yuchi Gong stood behind him.

Seeing the army gathering, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

Unfortunately, he can no longer lead troops at will.

He turned around, looked at the radiant Wen He, and couldn't help but chuckle.

"You little rascal, you've changed your appearance since you put on armor."

This set of Mingguang armor is said to have belonged to Li Shimin when he was a child. He had it specially modified before giving it to Wen He.

"It's like saying clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse."

Wen He smiled, though he was actually quite uncomfortable in his clothes.

Wearing armor weighing over ten kilograms made movement extremely difficult.

"Aye."

Li Chengqian was not wearing armor, but he was wearing a beige round-necked robe and a short sword at his waist.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin looked at him and said, "Brilliant! Remember this, don't be afraid!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I am not afraid!"

Li Chengqian looked at his father.

"I entrust Gao Ming to you." Li Shimin looked at him solemnly, his eyes piercing.

This is not an emperor's order to his subject, but a father entrusting his child with his trust.

Wen He also bowed to him earnestly: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

Li Shimin nodded and stopped talking about Li Chengqian.

As a father, he has told everything he needed to.

And now he is an emperor!
He was going to see his soldiers.

"The Tang Dynasty is victorious!"

(End of this chapter)