Datang's journey to death

Chapter 41

Li Chengqian looked at Pei Xuan and asked, "What do you mean?"

"I'm the one asking you again, what does it have to do with me." Pei Xuan stared down at the teacup in his hand.

Li Chengqian smiled lightly: "Of course it does matter, it depends on your willingness to part with it."

Pei Xuan looked up at him and said nothing, Li Chengqian looked at him with a smile, and after a while Pei Xuan said: "I just thought I was too impatient before."

Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows and looked at him without speaking, Pei Xuan continued: "It depends on how much the saint loves him, you can't do anything now, can you?"

Li Chengqian nodded: "That's right, so just push him down. My goal is to get into that seat." As for the settlement with Li Ke, why can't he deal with it when he takes the stage?

Pei Xuan knew in his heart that Li Chengqian was only compromising temporarily, but this was enough, he was doing his best to save Li Ke's life, and it was up to Li Ke himself next.

"Okay, don't hang around him all the time. Let's go and see what birthday gift we can give Dad. We can't be compared by Li Ke." Li Chengqian stood up and dragged Pei Xuan to look at his inventory. Since Li Chengqian knew Pei Xuan If you are not rich, you must help.

And Li Ke, who was being talked about by him, was also worried. To be honest, Li Shimin had a lot of good things, and he didn't like ordinary things!This is too worrying, Li Ke thought for a long time and finally decided to do it himself!

So in the next few days, Li Yin saw his third brother holding an ivory sculpture soaked in acetic acid every day, which made his body smell like vinegar.At first, Li Ke wanted to carve a small pendant, but then he thought that Li Shimin had so many accessories, and the ivory carved ones might not match his various crowns and clothes well, so he finally chose carved arm rests.

After all, the raw materials he got were not small, and it would be too much waste to carve a small piece. In this way, he could still carve a pair. It just so happens that ivory arm rests are not popular these days. The mainstream aesthetics are different, but ivory can also be dyed.

On the convex side of the arm rest, Li Ke thought about it and simply engraved poems written by Li Shimin on both sides, while on the concave side, he painstakingly carved pine trees and cypresses at the same time, implying evergreen pine and cypresses, and then the pine and cypress The branches and leaves are dyed.

To be honest, it took Li Ke two months to toss about this pair of armrests. After all, although he could carve, he had never carved such a fine object. He felt like he was going blind because of an ivory armrest.

But now he has developed a habit of pulling the little white cat over to pet him when he is tired, and the little milk cat is also very clingy to Li Ke, so that every time Li Yin is with Li Ke to carve ivory, he will be cold Staring at the little milk cat, at first the little milk cat was more afraid of Li Yin, but gradually the kitten became more courageous, it ignored Li Yin directly, Li Yin glared at it, and it rubbed into Li Ke's arms and acted like a spoiled child Asking for a hug, the angry Li Min gritted his teeth secretly.

When Li Ke was carving ivory, he never avoided anyone. As Li Shimin's son who was paying more attention to him, his every move was naturally reported. Of course, this also had something to do with Li Ke not intending to hide it from others.

Since it is used to please Li Shimin, even if it is not announced, let everyone know his filial piety.Sure enough, Li Shimin was very happy when he found out, and he didn’t think there was anything wrong with Li Ke’s ability to sculpt. In this era, no matter whether it’s a prince or a family member, they are not bookworms who are dead-educated. They know the six arts and have other hobbies. I don't think there's anything wrong with it either.

Because of this pair of arms, Li Ke gained a lot of limelight. Li Shimin praised Li Ke for his "filial piety" in front of all the ministers. At that time, Li Chengqian almost gritted his teeth at the scene.Originally, he had found a white jade Buddha statue, and the Eight Immortals crossing the sea carved from golden nanmu presented by Pei Xuan were all very precious gifts, but Li Ke compared them as soon as he made a move.

The ivory carving itself is not low in value, the most important thing is that it was carved by Li Ke himself!Nima, which prince has nothing to do to study this stuff?

"Li Ke can still carve ivory?" After returning to the East Palace, Li Chengqian was very puzzled. As the saying goes, the person who knows you best is your opponent. He knew Li Ke, but...he never knew that Li Ke could carve ivory!

Pei Xuan was very calm about this: "You don't know much."

"Then you should tell me."

"There are too many, I can't finish it. These are trivial details. Why are you paying attention to this?"

"Details determine success or failure. Isn't that what you said?" Li Chengqian was a little angry. Of course he paid attention. In the past, he was the most proud among his brothers, because Li Shimin liked him the most. Tai has to stand aside, but now there is Li Ke, MD, who is naturally more pleasing than him!

Pei Xuan looked at Li Chengqian's appearance and shook his head, and left without saying a word, with his hands behind his back. After returning to the mansion, he didn't bother to read a book, and suddenly wanted to know what Li Ke was doing now, so he pretended to be a little white cat again, As for the original little white cat, it was naturally served under the bed.

After Li Ke instructed Li Yin to read the book, he came back and habitually wanted to pet the cat, but when he reached out, he was slapped away by Pei Xuan's paw.Li Ke was stunned for a moment, and wanted to hug him, but this time Pei Xuan ran to the wardrobe, condescending and contemptuously looking at Li Ke.

Li Ke looked at him in a daze: "What's the matter?"

Isn't it fine during the day?Li Ke didn't understand. No matter how he rubbed the cat in the past, the cat didn't bother him. Did he take the wrong medicine today?Or have you eaten something wrong?

Although Li Ke was strange, he didn't care. At this time, Lu Yang brought in a plate of fish fillets and dried fish. Li Ke was the only one in the palace who liked to eat this food, so Li Shimin and Empress Changsun would reward him directly if they had it.

Pei Xuan couldn't sit still when he smelled the unique salty smell of dried fish. He licked his lips and thought, if Li Ke used small dried fish to coax him, no, if it was to honor him, he would reluctantly let Li Ke You can also touch it.

As a result, Li Ke seemed to have forgotten him. He pulled out the book from somewhere, and read the book while eating dried fish. He didn't think of feeding the cat at all!Pei Xuan squatted on it and swallowed his saliva. Seeing the number of dried fish on the plate decrease rapidly, he finally couldn't help it, jumped down from the top, and snatched the piece of dried fish that Li Ke was about to deliver to his mouth and chewed it. Chew it and swallow it.

Li Ke looked at Pei Xuan in astonishment: "Huh? Where did the sun come out today? Don't you don't eat dried fish?"

Li Ke also teased the kitten with dried fish before, but the kitten walked away after smelling it, as if he was not interested at all. Later, Li Ke couldn't help but tried again, and found that the other party really didn't like it at all. Why did you start eating this thing again today?

Pei Xuan's body stiffened for a moment, and he forgot to take back his tongue that was licking his mouth, and he was full of complaints: How can there be a cat that doesn't like to eat small dried fish!Is a cat that doesn’t like to eat small dried fish still a cat? !

However, it seems that in the future, you can’t pretend to be that kitten casually. It’s okay that Li Ke doesn’t know the kitten very well now. After a while, he will become more familiar with the kitten. He has some flaws that the other party may find out. He never Don't dare to underestimate Li Ke's power of observation.

Pei Xuan looked at the dried fish on the plate with some pity. Li Ke's dried fish was better than his, but it was estimated that he could only eat it once.

Because the dried fish was so delicious, Pei Xuan didn't resist Li Ke's intimate feeding method of feeding himself a mouthful, but just slapped his hands and paws.

Li Ke fed the cat helplessly, wondering in his heart if the kitten had suddenly awakened the traits that belong to cats—tsundere?

After all, the behavior of the kitten could be said to be that of a cat, but it was more like a dog. He had never seen such a clingy, obedient and quiet cat!

Li Ke ate half of a plate of dried fish, and Pei Xuan ate half. After eating, Pei Xuan was a little unsatisfied, and wanted to know where the dried fish was stored in Ningyun Pavilion. Well, if he could, he would not mind being a gentleman once. .

In the dead of night, Pei Xuan put the kitten back into the cat's nest, and left the Tai Chi Palace with some reluctance. He didn't realize until he returned to his mansion to soak in the bathtub: Did he spend a long time just to eat it? Dried fish?

Food by mistake!Pei Xuan was a little depressed, so he took out the small dried fish that was going to be eaten tomorrow, but after taking a bite, he threw it aside in distaste—it was not as delicious as Li Ke's, and he was unhappy.

On the second day, when Li Chengqian saw Pei Xuan, he felt strangely dissatisfied with the desire on the other side's face, and couldn't help but said: "Are you sure there is really no need to put two people in the room?"

Li Chengqian didn't pay any attention to Pei Xuan, and made Li Chengqian sigh with emotion: Pei Ji's wife is really harmful, and a good young gentleman is not sexually attractive after being stunned by her, how can this be good?

"By the way, you don't know yet, right? Today, my father specially wrote a copybook and gave it to Li Ke." Li Chengqian was a little depressed.

Li Shimin's Feibai calligraphy is really good. In comparison, among their children, only the unborn Princess Jinyang may have inherited Li Shimin's calligraphy talent.

It's just that even Princess Jinyang is just practicing calligraphy according to the articles written by Li Shimin. Li Shimin is so busy, how can he have time to write copybooks for his children?

As a result, now he actually gave Li Ke a copybook!Li Chengqian began to think about whether there is any way to kill Li Ke directly. Who knows what exceptions Li Shimin will make for him in the future?

After hearing this, Pei Xuan was a little surprised: "The copybook? Why did the sage suddenly give him the copybook?"

Of course it was Li Ke who asked for it himself, but he said that Li Shimin liked the arm rest that Li Ke gave him very much, and put it in the study directly. What.

Yes, Li Ke's birthday is almost here. Being able to remember Li Ke's birthday somewhat proves that Li Shimin still cares about Li Ke. Don't worry about it, or just reward a little treasure and play, this is the first time he cares about what his son wants for his birthday other than his son-in-law.

Li Ke smiled reservedly at the time and said, "There is... nothing I want."

"Say." Li Shimin is very unrestrained, anyway, he is rich in the world, as long as his son is not looking for stars and moons, he can always find them.

It's just that he didn't expect that what Li Ke wanted was very different.

"Then...let's ask father to write a copybook for my son." Li Ke said with some embarrassment after finishing speaking: "Although my son's calligraphy is practiced according to the copybook, I feel that Feibai's calligraphy is better than father's."

Li Shimin was even happier after being flattered by Li Ke without a trace, so he not only took the time to write a copybook for Li Ke, but also taught him the essentials of Feibaishu.

After Li Chengqian finished his narration, Pei Xuan had a feeling that the opposite boss had evolved. In other words, Li Ke is going to take the thigh-hugging route?why?If he just came to find him, he wouldn't have to bother so much. Could it be that he has other tasks?

Thinking of this, Pei Xuan's heart trembled and he reminded Li Chengqian: "You should observe him more recently, I suspect that he has his own purpose to please the saint."

Li Chengqian thought so too, otherwise it would be impossible for him to know what Li Ke was doing.

And Li Ke... If Li Ke knew Pei Xuan's true identity, he would definitely complain to him. Was it because Li Chengqian and Pei Xuan put too much pressure on him?He was afraid that he would be destroyed humanely by these two guys before he found the system, so if he didn't hug Li Shimin's thigh quickly and try to kill them, would he still wait for death?

Pei Xuan guessed Li Ke's intentions, but Li Chengqian was not that worried. He also saw through the big deal and destroyed it physically when the time came. As for how to destroy it... the hunting afterward would be a good time.

But before that, Li Chengqian still had to dress up and act cute by Li Shimin's side to meet the envoys.

Although the national power in the early Tang Dynasty had not fully reached the peak of the Tang Dynasty, the deterrent effect on foreigners was very strong at this time. After all, the blood on the swords of the Tang army had not been wiped clean. Anyone who dared to provoke would be beaten. .

It's not that the Turks were a little dishonest a few days ago, and the treasury of the Tang Dynasty is also considered abundant.So Li Shimin waved his hand and asked Li Jing to lead the troops to teach the Turks to be a man, and the target was directed at Jieli Khan. It's just that the Tang Dynasty once formed an alliance with Jieli Khan, and the Turks broke the contract if they broke the contract without reason, but It is impossible for Datang to do such a thing based on the facts, not to mention that sending troops as soon as they say it will easily arouse the suspicion of other ethnic minorities, which is not conducive to social harmony and stability.

So Zhang Gongjin, the governor of Daizhou, said, we also have a reason. Jieli Khan is our ally, but he once assisted the rebel Liang Shidu. What a good excuse.

Li Ke doesn't know everything now. When he explained to Li Yin why he had to find an excuse, Li Yin asked in silence for a while: "But was Liang Shidu killed by Liang Luoren not long ago two years ago? Why is it only now?" Go fight the Turks."

Li Ke patted Li Yin's head and thought, he is a child after all, and his integrity is still there, but it is a pity that he will not be there soon.

He explained: "Datang just needs an interface to send troops. As for when this excuse was made, it doesn't matter."

Children, when you play politics, just throw away those useless morals and the like.Li Yin looked at Li Ke and suddenly realized that the lower limit was brushed again.

In this way, Li Jing was the head of the march, Zhang Gongjin was the deputy head of the march, Li Ji, the governor of Bingzhou, was the head of the march of Tonghan Road, Chai Shao, the governor of Huazhou, was the head of the march of Jinhe Road, and Xue Wanche, the governor of Lingzhou, was the head of the march of Changwu Road. More than [-] soldiers split up to attack the Turks.

It has to be said that this group of people was really too cruel. They directly wiped out Jieli Khan's tribe without even giving the other party a chance to be a man. They also captured Jieli Khan by the way.

As the so-called Feng Shui turns, the former Jieli Khan who led his troops to the city of Chang'an in high spirits is now just a prisoner of Datang. After hearing the news, Li Shimin was naturally very happy, and he finally got out. , although it is said that the Tang Dynasty did not lose anything from the bridge alliance at the beginning, but it is a shame for Li Shimin to have the worst plan to deceive Li Shimin when he was sent to the city by soldiers.

The news of Jieli Khan's capture quickly spread. Under such circumstances, the various tribes who were originally cautious became extremely honest. After communicating with each other, they pretended to be quails and bowed their heads and continued to pay tribute. .

Kangsumi surrendered to Tang Dynasty, and Jieli Khan was captured. In the hearts of foreign people, besides Tang Dynasty, Turkic is the most powerful. Now that Turkic has fallen, they all quickly packed up and began to ask for internal attachment, and the heads of various clans came in person towards.

For a while, there was a scene of all nations coming to court, and Li Ke squatted in the harem rather depressed, he also wanted to go and see, thinking that Li Chengqian, who was only less than one year older than him, could already wear the crown prince's crown and Receiving those people behind Li Shimin, Li Ke couldn't help but sigh.

Forget it, there is a difference between his concubine and his concubine, and he has nothing to reconcile to, but he is just a little disappointed that he can't watch the excitement.

As a result, Li Yin suddenly ran over at this time and said, "Why didn't Dad let the third brother go?"

Among Li Shimin's older sons, only these two have the ability to participate in and discuss state affairs, but Li Chengqian was brought by Li Shimin's side to teach, while Li Ke was left here, Li Yin was quite aggrieved for a while.

Li Ke held the cat in his arms and pinched its little paws to help it cut its nails. While cutting, he said, "I'm not old enough. I'll just wait until I'm older."

He took a closer look at the kitten's four paws and found that they were almost cut, so he raised his head and smiled at Li Yin and said, "Liu Lang wants to watch the fun too?"

Li Yin looked at Li Ke's careful care of the kitten and felt jealous. Before this kitten came, Li Ke's appearance of taking care of the kitten was only for him. After that, Li Yin felt that his status had plummeted in an instant.

"But brother is no worse than the prince."

With a shake of Li Ke's hand, the kitten fell from his arms. The kitten's body instinctively changed from lying on its back to lying on its stomach. It lay on the ground and looked up at Li Ke with a weak meow. Just throw it down?But soon it didn't care about these, and climbed up Li Ke's legs with difficulty.

Li Ke hugged the kitten in his arms again, stroked it comfortingly, and then said: "It's bad, you were too young before, I can't tell you some things, but now you should grow up."

Li Yin seldom saw Li Ke look so serious, so he couldn't help but straighten his body and listen to Li Ke seriously.

Li Ke organized his language before saying: "Liulang, you know that there is no such thing as fairness in this world. Even if there is, it is within a certain range of meaning. You have been born as a prince, and you are already better than many struggling civilians." The common people will be much happier, and people must always learn to be content."

"Third brother?" Li Yin looked at Li Ke and was a little puzzled why he compared them with ordinary people. Wouldn't that be self-defeating?

Li Ke smiled self-deprecatingly: "Liu Lang, I'm talking to you, and I'm also talking to myself." At this point, he restrained his smile and became expressionless: "From the beginning, the prince and you and I have not been together. Similarly, it’s not like you don’t understand what the patriarchal clan is, the son and concubine are different after all, don’t always compare, it will make your ambition expand infinitely, you just need to accept and enjoy.”

Li Ke was keenly aware of Li Yin's various dislikes towards Li Chengqian. Logically speaking, he should be happy to hear this. After all, the more Li Chengqian's opponents, the more Li Ke's teammates.

However, Li Yin is really not a good teammate. Although he hasn't shown any destructive power now, when he thinks about what he may do in the future, Li Ke has to exclude this pig teammate first.

But Li Yin is his younger brother, and he is still in charge of him now. If something happens to him, he will definitely be imprisoned. In desperation, he can only educate Li Yin well.

Li Yin was hit hard that day. Concubine Yang Shu instilled in him the idea that you are no worse than anyone else, and your bloodline is nobler than Li Chengqian!

Of course, in terms of bloodlines, Li Ke and Li Yin, who bear the bloodlines of the two dynasties, are indeed not simple. How can a family that is recovering compare to the eldest grandson's family?

Besides, Concubine Yang Shu is just a concubine even though she is a princess. Li Ke didn't need Li Yin's help, but only asked him not to hold back, but he didn't expect Li Yin to have a rebellious psychology.

The more Li Ke said that, the more unconvinced he became, and even faintly felt that Li Ke was not as good to him as before.It must be the cat's fault!

So, after a lapse of nearly a year, Li Ke had to face the fact that his pet died again.

Li Ke: ...Am I fucking with cats?