Chapter 339: To Peace

Duke of Chu, Bai Lang, this counts as the Tang Dynasty's reward to the Grand Master, and they even grant a small award every three days and a great grant every five days, lest this man cause trouble. Meanwhile Li Mi, Dou Jiande, and Wang Shichong, after surrendering to the Tang, died one after another, while the generals under their command enjoyed wealth and honor. The two great heads of the Twin Dragon Army, now wandering in the world, were this day captured alive and taken to Chang'an.

Interestingly it was still the Buddhist Sect that acted. Speaking of which, Xu Ziling had always been under the protection of the Buddhist Sect, but this day the sect suddenly turned against him, and a few newly promoted holy monks seized the two of them and delivered them to the authorities. As for the southern Song faction? It was basically useless; after the Tang army arrived, it surrendered.

Even Song Que could not defeat Li Shimin on the battlefield; he was old. The so‑called great strategists have in fact never fought a real war— the world‑sketcher of Hongzi is only at that level, so don't expect him to write about any famous generals of the world. The weapons were used, but the Song family was simply routed; after a minor defeat the Song faction defected.

Song Que faced a famed general who could enter the Ten Sages of the Martial Temple; as for Li Shimin, if he were not the literary emperor of the Great Tang, he would still have his own place in the Martial Temple. The Heavenly Sword Song Que may be extremely skilled in martial arts, but Bai Lang holds sway in the Tang heartland; if the Tang were to summon him, Song Que truly lacks confidence that he could win.

And wasn't it Li Tang who secretly captured Fan Qinghui and quietly handed him to Song Que......

Li Tang is indeed the world‑chosen enlightened ruler selected by the Buddhist Sect, but since he is an enlightened ruler he would inevitably target the Buddhist Sect that hoards wealth— even before the realm is fully unified, he has already acted. The travel‑permit system and the monk‑official system are good cards, and taking it a step further, unlike history, this time Li Tang outright issued a decree that monks, nuns, and Taoist priests must serve together and pay grain taxes.

Temples without land that live off almsgiving may be exempt from land tax, but must pay conscript tax; those with land obviously must pay land tax. Donations to temples also incur tax, which essentially severs the Buddhist Sect's backbone. However, state‑run temples that enjoy privileges can be exempt from such obligations— and it is for this reason that the holy monks of the Buddhist Sect seized those two youths and delivered them to the authorities......

When Wei Zhenzhen learned that the two youths had been captured, Bai Lang had just heard the news as well; execution seems unlikely, sudden death is uncertain, but for now each has been given a grand general title and a civil post and is being kept in Chang'an by Li Tang. There may be changes in the future, but given their ages and backgrounds, they are unlikely to meet a sudden death like Wang Shichong did.

Bai Lang was in Jiangling, watching Li Shimin's triumphant return; on the way back Li Shimin also visited Bai Lang. Seeing the young Bai Lang before him, he realized this was certainly not the Li Er he had once captured. This youth's bearing was lofty, truly worthy of the description "dragon‑phoenix visage, shining like the sun", born to be dazzling.

Even though Bai Lang was still young, with a beard and thick eyebrows looking about thirty, and the world's top swordsman, he still could not match Li Shimin's brilliance— they are different. Prince Qin should be like that, and Bai Lang would not judge the current Li Shimin, but this Li Er recalled being captured by Bai Lang years ago and laughed heartily, raving with endless praise for Bai Lang's valor.

Moreover, this Li Er solemnly told Bai Lang that, if ever he could be sent to pacify the Turks and Tuyuhun, or continue the campaign against Goguryeo, he hopes to witness Bai Lang's peerless battlefield heroism with his own eyes. "No wonder the later histories say that to win a man, with this level of social skill, one could not possibly fail."

Bai Lang also sighed deeply; he thought Li Er was far superior even to the other emperor he had seen, Emperor Chongzhen, whose abilities were incomprehensible. Chongzhen's skill as emperor was probably not even as good as Li Shimin's soles, his ability as commander not better than the mud under a shoe, his prowess as a charging hero… enough, one cannot say too much to a man who hung on Coal Mountain with a crooked neck, but at least he still possessed some talent for defending the state.

If back in the Ming Dynasty he was appointed Junior Protector only because it was the duty of a Han son to slay the Tartars, and also to honor the face of the Ming Taizu for driving out the Tartar barbarians, then people like Chongzhen were truly unworthy of his life. That emperor would not even take responsibility for his subordinates; under him, even dying at the enemy's hands was a luxury— most deaths were caused by his own men, so it's no wonder the Ming's destiny was exhausted by his meddling.

"Alright, alright, at least he's being treated decently, so I won't mention him further," Bai Lang thought. If it's Li Shimin, then fighting for him and slaying bandits everywhere would be fine; this emperor would certainly grant the appropriate reward.

At present Li Er still has an obstacle: he is not yet emperor; there is an emperor father above him and a crown prince brother. He must first kill his brother and enjoy it, then force his father to abdicate. If Bai Lang could help with such deeds it would be great, but he can't say that now, so he must find a way.

Bai Lang knows about the Xuanwu Gate Incident, so when he looks at Li Shimin he always feels that Li Er is trying to win him over. Yet perhaps Li Er is not trying to recruit him, but to prevent him from being recruited by the big bosses. In any case, staying in Jiangling may be best; no matter what changes occur, he need not factor in such a massive variable.

The Xuanwu Gate Incident erupted half a year after Li Shimin returned to Chang'an; this time even Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were involved in the coup. Moreover they were on Li Shimin's side: Li Jiancheng was killed by an arrow from Li Shimin himself, and Li Yuanji was pierced to death by Wei Chi Jingde's spear, while Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling led dozens of cavalry to scatter the subordinate generals under Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji.

Seven days later Li Yuan abdicated in favor of Li Shimin, becoming the Retired Emperor. After all the dust settled, Bai Lang once again received rewards; the Duke of Chu, Bai Lang, also obtained the post of Minister of Rites, with Li Daozong delivering the imperial edict and personally inviting Bai Lang to take up his appointment in Chang'an.

The appointment left Bai Lang both laughing and crying, "Minister of Rites and also Duke of Chu—do you think I'm Yang Xuangang? A second tyrant?" Yet there was no real point to the remark. Bai Lang always remained silent at court, merely closing his eyes to compose himself— in this world Li Shimin forced a palace coup earlier than in history; had he died at the same age as historically, the Zhenguan era would surely have lasted thirty years.

Shang Xiuxun's three women were all ennobled as State Consorts— this was a special favor to Bai Lang, whose martial prowess as Duke of Chu was known throughout the world. That year the Turks attempted an invasion, and Li Shimin led civil officials and generals with over ten thousand troops to meet them. "I shall go out first!" Bai Lang declared, "Where is such a good opportunity! Let the humble ruler go first!" Li Shimin also shouted— Li Shimin is a combative fellow; these days without leading from the front, the literary emperor's hand would have been itching.

The other generals also clamored to go first, while the civil officials urged Li Shimin not to do so again. In the end Bai Lang gave the final decision, "I will charge ahead; Your Majesty follow behind and shoot arrows!" The generals muttered curses under their breath, yet none dared to challenge Bai Lang. Li Shimin was overjoyed, "We shall ride side by side with the Duke of Chu! Let's see who breaks the formation first!"