Tang Dynasty: Starting at Xuanwu Gate, this prince is better off not being one.

"you……"

Quan Wanji opened his mouth wide, pointing at Cheng Yaojin for a long time without making a sound.

Before Lao Cheng could utter a few more venomous words, he saw his eyes roll back and he fainted.

"A staged accident!"

Li Yu immediately shifted his body, indicating that there was no law in the Tang Code that allowed someone to die of anger.

"Alright, alright!" Seeing that the situation was getting out of control, Li Er waved his hand and ordered Gou Da, who had been promoted to personal eunuch, "Summon the imperial physician!"

After the Imperial Physicians carried Quan Wanji away, he asked Li Yu, "Boy, according to you, what is Jieli's motive?"

Watching the Imperial Medical Bureau personnel leave, Li Yu turned back and replied, "Naturally, we just want His Majesty to take more...more money and valuables."

Li Yu quickly changed his mind and didn't dare to utter the word "tribute".

He knew that Li Er had always felt aggrieved about his father's initiative to pay tribute to the Turks, and that if he were to utter that word at this moment, he would surely be in big trouble.

Li Er glared at Li Yu, but didn't pursue the matter of him almost saying the wrong thing. He continued, "If Jieli really brings an army of 300,000, what should I do?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yu rolled his eyes and said speechlessly, "Your Majesty, wouldn't it be reassuring to send a scout to the Wei River to investigate? Why do you need to confirm with me?"

Yup!

Li Er slapped his forehead, thinking to himself that he had worried about such a simple matter for so long. Not only that, but not a single one of the civil and military officials in the entire court had thought of it.

I was about to say something reprimanding, but then I thought better of it. After all, they were just like me, busy and stressed these past few days, so it was understandable that they couldn't calm down for a moment.

"Alright, I understand. You may leave!" He waved his hand and said to Li Yu.

"Alright!" Li Yu bowed and then turned to leave this place of trouble.

He had only taken two steps when Li Er suddenly called out to him, "By the way, you just spoke recklessly, which is a grave offense. You are to be punished by copying the Classic of Filial Piety ten times and submitting it to the Empress tomorrow!"

"what?"

Li Yu was so startled that he turned around and jumped up. He was about to argue when he saw Li Er glare at him, so he had no choice but to reluctantly reply, "Yes, sir..."

Upon seeing this, the officials gaped in astonishment and all looked at Li Xuanba.

Given his son's words that so directly attacked the emperor's heart, anyone else in that situation would have been punished, even if their merits and demerits were balanced. Yet Li Yu was only punished with copying the *Classic of Filial Piety* ten times, which was then submitted to the Empress. This made them wonder whether Li Yu was Li Xuanba's biological son or Li Er's…

.........

Three days passed quickly, and Li Er arrived at the Bianqiao Bridge on the Wei River as promised, leading an army of 50,000 and a group of ministers.

Gazing at the massive, dark Turkic army on the opposite bank, Li Yu couldn't understand why Li Er had brought him along. However, he wasn't too worried about his safety, since he didn't need to negotiate with Jieli.

This was the first time Li Yu had ever seen so many people, especially an army clad in armor.

However, compared to the Turks, their armor appeared much rougher. Apart from a few generals wearing lamellar armor, the rest of the cavalry wore black leather armor. In contrast, the Tang army's 50,000 cavalrymen were almost entirely covered in black hammer armor, and even Li Yu, the "Cloud Banner General" with no real power, was wearing bright armor.

The armor was exquisitely crafted, with a helmet, neck guard, shoulder guards, body armor, knee guards, and leggings covering him completely. Two gleaming breastplates adorned his chest, making him appear imposing while riding a horse. The only drawback was its immense weight, making it difficult for Li Yu to breathe. The difference in armor between the two countries was so vast that it's no wonder Yuchi Gong, with only 20,000 men, could chase away Jieli's 50,000-strong army.

The army stopped a mile from the Wei River. Looking at Jieli and the others waiting by the bridge, Li Er ignored everyone's advice and led only six people to meet them on the other side of the bridge.

The entire court knew that for the proud emperor, submitting to and paying tribute to a barbarian tribe like the Turks was a disgrace, an immense disgrace. Even if it was merely a delaying tactic, this history would ultimately appear in the annals of history, indelible no matter what.

"Jieli! I've brought my men!" Li Er shouted towards the opposite bank.

"Hahaha!"

Seeing that Li Er had only brought six men and a eunuch, the burly-bearded Jieli laughed before speaking, and after a few laughs, he shouted, "New emperor of Tang, is your Tang Kingdom lacking in talent? I, the Khan, heard from Zhishi Sili that your Tang Kingdom is full of talented people. Where are all those talents?"

"Hahahahaha!"

Hearing the voice from the other side, Li Er laughed a few times and turned to introduce them: "These six men are the backbone of my Great Tang!"

As he spoke, he pointed to the six people behind him and introduced them one by one: "This is Changsun Wuji, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel; this is Fang Qiao, the Chancellor; this is Du Ruhui, the Minister of War; this is Gao Shilian, the Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Secretariat; this is Hou Junji, the General of the Left Guard; and this is Yuchi Gong, the General of the Right Martial Guard. They are all the talents you mentioned! And everyone behind me is also one of the talents you spoke of!"

"Hahaha!"

As if he couldn't speak without laughing twice, Jieli laughed loudly again, "These talents you've mentioned, can they stop my thousands of troops?"

"Then you're welcome to try! At worst, I'll fight you to the death!" Li Er sneered.

"A fight to the death?"

Jieli clicked his tongue twice: "As expected of the new emperor of Tang, you actually chose to fight outside the city. You are indeed notoriously arrogant! But even your father has submitted to me and paid tribute. Do you think your 50,000 men have the chance to fight me to the death?"

"Isn't it you who's arrogant?" Li Er laughed smugly. "I've fought countless battles where my forces were dozens of times outnumbered by the enemy. Do you think I'm afraid of your 100,000 troops?"

At this point, Li Er stroked his short beard and continued, "You probably don't know, but Li Jing's troops are currently on their way to Chang'an. Do you think you still have a chance of winning?"

Upon hearing Li Jing's name, Jieli visibly panicked for a moment. Emperor Taizong (Li Er), noticing his expression, continued his intimidation: "Unless you truly have 300,000 troops, you'd better retreat!"

Hearing Li Er's words from afar, Li Yu was so frightened that he wished he could rush over and cover his mouth immediately.

Damn it! Couldn't you have said less? In novels, anyone who says something like that never ends up well!

However, Li Er was clearly not killed by a talkative villain, and Jieli clearly did not have 300,000 troops.

"Your Tang Kingdom can't let this Khan come for nothing! The Tengri god of the grasslands needs tribute, and the men of the grasslands need support!"

Knowing that Jieli was truly afraid, Li Er suppressed the anger hidden deep within his heart and smiled, saying, "That's easy to discuss. The gifts Father King gives each year will remain the same. In addition, I will add ten thousand bolts of gold and silk, and three thousand bolts of silk, how about that?"

"If it succeeds, tomorrow we will swear an oath by slaying a white horse on the bridge; if it fails, then let's go to war!"

.........