Chapter 20

Persuasion

The room was eerily quiet, with only the sound of their breathing filling the space. It was hard to tell how much time had passed when suddenly a bird’s call was heard from outside. Xia Hou Duan fixed his gaze on Li Yuan, his eyes burning with intensity. “Actually, Brother Li, you must have already thought of this, haven’t you?”

Li Yuan sighed deeply, his expression heavy. “I remember when I was appointed as the Prefect of Fufeng, I received several fine horses. My wife knew that the current Emperor was fond of dogs and horses, so she advised me to offer these horses to the Emperor, to prevent someone from reporting it and causing trouble. I, however, couldn’t bear to part with them. I thought that since the Emperor and I were cousins, and I had always been loyal to him, he wouldn’t mind such a small matter. So I didn’t offer them. In the end, I was indeed reprimanded by the Emperor and suffered greatly. Only after I sought out falcons and hunting dogs and presented them several times did I finally receive a promotion to General, and have been in this position ever since.”

“I know about this matter too,” Xia Hou Duan said. “The Emperor is stubborn, with a deep sense of suspicion. Even though he reappointed you, he may still harbor some grudge against you. Added to that is the rhyme, which makes him see you as a thorn in his side, and he is eager to remove you!”

He paused and then asked, “Brother Li, do you still remember what I told you before?”

Li Yuan suppressed his thoughts and replied, “What did you say?”

“Brother Li, you have great potential, and you are destined to be a ruler!” Xia Hou Duan’s words were barely out when Li Yuan quickly responded, “I told you before that such words should never be spoken again. Why would you…”

“Brother Li!” Xia Hou Duan interrupted. “The situation now is that the Emperor wants your life. You may have avoided it this time, but can you avoid it the second or third time? Moreover, once he has fully secured control of Hedong, you will become useless to him. At that point, when an imperial edict comes down, will you live or die? And what about Jiancheng and Shimin? Do you think they will have any chance of survival? ‘Peach and plum trees, don’t speak idly…’“

Li Yuan was unsettled by his words and interrupted, “It’s just a rhyme! It shouldn’t be taken seriously!”

“You may think of it as just a rhyme, but the Emperor sees it as a death sentence. With the Emperor’s temperament, he would rather wrongfully kill a thousand than let one escape,” Xia Hou Duan said, his tone grave. “The heavens will be in turmoil, and the one who can stabilize them is a wise ruler. The Emperor suspects the Li family, and those with strong talents are the first to be eliminated. Jin Cai is dead—aren’t you next? ‘Peach and plum trees, don’t speak idly…’“

Xia Hou Duan’s words were a clear suggestion: Li Yuan should rise against the Sui dynasty to preserve his life.

Li Yuan’s expression flickered between stormy and calm. Although Yang Guang had been indulgent and tyrannical in his reign, causing widespread suffering and rebellion throughout the country, and had even suspected Li Yuan in the past, Li Yuan had never once considered rebellion.

However, as Xia Hou Duan had said, Yang Guang had already begun to harbor suspicions about him. He even sent assassins to kill him. Li Yuan had been lucky enough to escape this time, but what about the next time? Moreover, if he were to act, Yang Guang would not spare his family—Jiancheng and the others would all die, and the Li family’s line would be severed.

Li Yuan remained deep in thought for a long time, before finally gritting his teeth and saying, “Although the Emperor has acted unjustly, my family has always been loyal to the throne. We could never become traitors. Besides, the Emperor and I are cousins, and I believe he won’t be completely heartless.”

“Brother Li, you…” Xia Hou Duan, worried, didn’t know how to respond. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly noticed a figure passing outside the door. He immediately called out, “Who’s there?”

They were discussing treason, a matter of great consequence. If anyone overheard and reported it to Yang Guang, both the Li family and the Summer Hou family would certainly be wiped out, and none would survive!

Just as Xia Hou Duan was about to go out and catch the intruder, the door was pushed open, and a man with a slight limp entered. Upon seeing the newcomer, both Li Yuan and Xia Hou Duan relaxed. Li Yuan spoke first, “Jiancheng, what brings you here?”

“I had been thinking about the assassin’s identity and wanted to report it to Father, but I didn’t expect…” Li Jiancheng glanced at Xia Hou Duan and continued, “Father, Summer Hou Uncle is right. Rather than sitting here waiting for death, we should fight for a way out.”

Li Yuan’s face changed with shock. He asked, “You overheard everything?”

Li Jiancheng didn’t deny it and lowered his head, saying, “Yes. If the Emperor could send an assassin to kill Father today, tomorrow he could fabricate any charge to condemn Father to death, just like with the Left Military Guard General.”

“That’s impossible.” Li Yuan replied in a deep voice, “The Emperor may be suspicious, but he’s not entirely without family loyalty. Besides, there’s the Empress in the palace to speak on our behalf. He…”

Before Li Yuan could finish speaking, Li Jiancheng interrupted, “Father, have you forgotten how the Emperor ascended to the throne? He even killed his own older brother—what’s there that he wouldn’t kill, or eliminate?”

“Preposterous!” Li Yuan’s expression darkened as he scolded, “Who gave you permission to say such things? Silence at once!”

Li Jiancheng knelt beside the bed. “Father, even if you want to punish me, I can’t remain silent. Over the years, the Emperor has become increasingly tyrannical. Right after taking the throne, he ordered the construction of the Eastern Capital and the relocation of the capital to Luoyang. In ten months, over two million laborers were conscripted every month. At the same time, he ordered the excavation of canals and the building of thousands of dragon boats, leading to widespread suffering and unrest. Despite all this, he issued a decree to send troops to attack Goguryeo. I’ve heard that the Emperor plans to send troops again to invade Goguryeo, which will only result in more devastation and countless deaths. Although you’ve been kind to the people, the government’s harsh policies still make it difficult for the people to survive. They will die under these cruel policies. Father, can you bear to watch them die one by one? Can you bear to see the Li family’s years of effort destroyed in an instant?”

Xia Hou Duan gave a look of approval to Li Jiancheng and said, “Brother Li, I understand your concerns. If the Emperor were wise, and you raised an army, you’d be labeled a rebel. But now, the Emperor is cruel and unjust, and raising an army would be to save the people from disaster. It would be a great merit, and the Li family could continue. Moreover, let me say something that might not be pleasant—this is your last chance. If the Emperor issues an order to strip you of your military power, even if you want to raise an army, you won’t have the capability. Opportunities like this won’t come again.”

Faced with their persuasion, Li Yuan hesitated. He knew in his heart that once he took this path, there would be no turning back. If he succeeded, everything would be fine, but if he failed…

He sighed deeply and said, “This is a matter of great importance. Let me think it over.”

Li Jiancheng was about to speak again, but Xia Hou Duan gave him a look and said, “Alright, I will come back tomorrow to speak with you, Brother Li.”

Once they left the Pine Waves Residence, Li Jiancheng asked with confusion, “Just now, Father seemed to be somewhat moved by our words. Why did Summer Hou Uncle stop me from continuing? What if Father changes his mind and refuses…”

He glanced around and lowered his voice. “What should we do then?”

“Your father is more aware than anyone else. It’s just that there’s a mental barrier he can’t overcome. We’ve said everything we need to say. Now, let’s give him some time.”