Chapter 29: Brotherly Love and Respect—Second Brother Li!

Li Jiancheng stared at the screen showing himself lying in a pool of blood, and worse—the slaughter of his five sons and their entire household!

His eyes burned with a crimson rage. His eldest son was merely ten, and his youngest was still an infant in swaddling clothes.

"Shimin... how could you be so heartless? They were your own nephews!"

Li Shimin’s eyes were also bloodshot, his voice raspy. "Big brother, I never wanted it to come to this. But if I hadn't acted, it would have been me, my wife, and my children who died. You were the Crown Prince, backed by numerous factions. If I hadn't struck first, my entire family would have been fish on the chopping block. And have you forgotten, brother, that you once sent men to poison me?"

Li Jiancheng shoved Li Yuan aside and stood up, laughing maniacally—a laugh so desolate and wretched.

"Fine... fine. That little play you staged was indeed impressive, but if I had truly wanted you dead, I would never have let you recover. I don't want the crown anymore. You are the 'Emperor for the Ages'... you are the 'Emperor for the Ages'... Hahaha!"

Li Shimin’s eyes welled with tears. "Brother, brother... it wasn't me..."

Li Yuan watched his two sons at each other's throats, his body swaying unsteadily. He had never imagined such a thing had occurred, which explained why they had reached this tragic end. Based on his knowledge of his three sons, if Jiancheng hadn't been the one to poison him... then it must have been that brat Li Yuanji!

Thinking of this, Li Yuan marched toward Li Yuanji with a dark expression, staring daggers at his youngest son. "You little wretch, was it you who poisoned your second brother?"

Li Yuanji looked panicked, stammering and unable to form a coherent defense. Seeing this, Li Yuan confirmed his suspicions—it was that little bastard! He raised his foot and began to lash out with a flurry of kicks.

Li Jiancheng felt a surge of fury. His own third brother had dared to frame him? It made sense; if he and Shimin had fought until both were crippled, this boy would have been the greatest beneficiary.

"Fourth brother... my dear fourth brother... I didn't even suspect you, even when I suspected Shimin. Is this how you repay your eldest brother?" With that, he joined Li Yuan, unleashing a barrage of blows upon Li Yuanji.

Li Shimin was dazed. The poisoned wine... it was his fourth brother who had done it? Was his brother even capable of such a scheme? Once he realized the truth, his rage ignited, and he rolled up his sleeves to join the fray.

A moment later, the three men were exhausted.

Li Yuanji lay on the ground, whimpering—he was clearly fading. A thousand curses ran through his mind. They were all sons, so why was the treatment so different? And he hadn't even said a word yet! Did Li Yuan only recognize two of them as his real sons? Was he just an accident?

Li Yuan finally sighed, tears streaming down his face. "It is all my fault. My indecision is what made you brothers turn against each other."

***

In the Tang Dynasty, during the Zhenguan era.

Li Er’s study was packed with people—Empress Zhangsun with their children, Wei Zheng, and many other officials. Li Er watched the scene on the screen, his expression unreadable. Memories of the Xuanwu Gate Incident flooded back, stirring a complex mix of emotions: the guilt of killing Li Jiancheng and the cold thrill of having eliminated Li Yuanji.

Empress Zhangsun, watching her husband’s shifting face, knew well the nightmares that plagued him every night. Heartbroken, she stepped toward him and said softly, "Your Majesty, the past cannot be changed. Today, the Tang Empire is prosperous and peaceful; this is the best outcome. Besides, you are now the Emperor for the Ages. Act like one!"

Li Er took a deep breath and nodded slowly.

Wei Zheng, watching his former master lie in a pool of blood, could not claim he felt no pain. But upon reflection, he realized that by serving under Li Er and criticizing him for years, he had, in a way, avenged his former master.

Zhangsun Wuji bowed and said, "Your Majesty, although this matter is in the past, it serves as a warning for our Tang Empire. Conflict within the imperial family brings ruin to the nation. I hope Your Majesty will take this history as a lesson and handle matters of the imperial house with care."

***

In the Ming Dynasty, during the Yongle era.

Zhu Di gathered his three sons and his beloved grandson, pointing at the screen. "We must never learn from this Li Er! From now on... none of your hands shall be stained with the blood of your own brothers."

His sons reacted differently. Zhu Gaochi nodded silently; he was inherently kind and naturally opposed to fratricide. Zhu Gaoxu curled his lip, unimpressed; he prided himself on his military achievements and had long coveted the position of Crown Prince. Zhu Gaosui’s eyes flickered, his true thoughts hidden.

Zhu Zhanji, however, looked resolute and declared loudly, "Do not worry, Imperial Grandfather. Your grandson will surely take your teachings to heart and will never touch the blood of his own brothers!"

After all, uncles didn't count as brothers.

***

The image on the screen shifted once more as the narrator spoke.

"626 AD. Li Shimin ascended the throne and named Li Yuan the Retired Emperor. Jiali Khan led over a hundred thousand troops south, splitting into eastern and western wings."

"The western line, led by Jiali Khan himself, passed through Jingzhou and Wugong to reach the West Wei Bridge. The eastern line, led by Liang Shidu, marched south from Xiazhou to attack Gaoling and Jingyang."

"August 24th. The Turks captured Gaoling. Li Shimin appointed Yuchi Jingde as the commander of the Jingzhou campaign to resist the enemy."

"August 26th. Yuchi Jingde fought in Jingyang, defeating the Turks and capturing Ashide Wumeichuo."

"August 28th. Jiali Khan reached the north bank of the Wei River with his main force and sent his envoy, Zhishi Sili, to Chang'an to flaunt his strength and probe for weaknesses. Li Shimin had him placed under house arrest."

"Li Shimin then personally led six riders, including Gao Shilian and Fang Xuanling, to the banks of the Wei River to confront Jiali and condemn him for breaking his treaty!"

On the screen, Jiali looked at Li Er across the river, feeling perplexed. A mere six men? He couldn't fathom Li Er's intentions.

However, just as Jiali was speculating, Li Er suddenly unleashed an overwhelming aura! It was a presence few could possess, and Li Er's reputation as the "General of Heavenly Strategy" was thunderous. Jiali’s deputies were so shaken by Li Er’s presence that they dismounted and knelt, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.

Jiali watched, seething with rage. He glared at his kneeling deputies and roared, "Damn it! There are only six of them! We have over a hundred thousand soldiers! The advantage is clearly ours—what are you afraid of!"

His roar echoed across the river, but his deputies remained trembling, heads bowed. Just as Jiali prepared to scold them further, a thunderous shout rang out from the opposite bank:

"Ashide Dubi, I will [censored] your [censored]!"

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