Chapter 128: Xue Rengui

When it comes to scheming against the aristocratic families, Li Shimin certainly won't be troubled.

If you simply ask him to hand over some treasures for money, he'll probably be unwilling.

But if he can make money while also scheming against the aristocratic families, he'll definitely raise both hands in agreement.

"Ah, Zi An, I knew you little rascal were full of tricks."

"Quick, speak up; I'm all ears."

Chen Yan chuckled, jogged forward, and whispered something into Li Shimin's ear.

At first, Li Shimin's brows knit instantly, but the more he heard, the brighter his eyes became.

Until finally he even slapped his thigh excitedly.

"Alright, alright, this method is good; we'll do as you say. I approve; you may go ahead."

The Empress Changsun beside him looked somewhat surprised.

What exactly did Chen Yan tell Li Shimin that made him so excited?

It even made her a bit curious.

However, although she was curious about Chen Yan's scheme, she didn't ask further.

Because she knew Li Shimin would certainly tell her later.

Seizing the chance, Chen Yan spoke: "Your Majesty, about the collection…"

Li Shimin was silent for a moment, then gritted his teeth, "You go back first; I will later personally select a few items and have Wushe deliver them to you."

"Rest assured, they'll be delivered before tonight and won't delay your auction."

"That will do."

Chen Yan felt relieved, bowed, and said, "Then I will take my leave."

"Wait a moment." Li Shimin called him, "Tomorrow prepare a place for me and the Empress; I want to see it personally."

"Huh?" Chen Yan was startled for a second, then agreed.

"No problem, Your Majesty. I understand your intent and will guarantee a good spot for you and the Empress."

It is inappropriate for the Emperor and Empress to attend such commercial affairs.

The place Li Shimin referred to is, of course, a hidden location where he won't be discovered.

"Hmm, you may return."

Li Shimin waved his hand; he still felt confident about Chen Yan's handling.

After Chen Yan left, Li Shimin pondered for a while, then laughed heartily, "The Grand Historian was right last time; Zi An is treating the aristocratic families like the Göktürks."

Empress Changsun timely reminded, "Your Majesty, the Göktürks have already been destroyed by the Duke of Dai."

"Hahaha, indeed, the Göktürks have already been wiped out by my Duke of Dai leading troops."

Li Shimin became even happier.

Otherwise, how could it be said that other concubines can never surpass Empress Changsun?

Setting aside the deep bond between Li Shimin and Empress Changsun, this brief exchange alone is enough for concubines to study for a lifetime.

The Göktürks' defeat has now spread throughout the Tang Dynasty; who doesn't know?

And Li Shimin's disdain for aristocratic families is no secret to the discerning.

He said Chen Yan treats the families like the Göktürks, while Empress Changsun said, "The Göktürks have already been destroyed by the Duke of Dai."

The implication is self‑evident.

"......"

Chen Yan sat inside the carriage, traveling from the Imperial Palace back to his Weinan Marquis's Residence.

Just after alighting, he saw not far away Xiao Shunzi leading a youth dressed in plain cloth, wearing grass‑rope woven sandals, his skin slightly tanned and his expression resolute, walking toward him.

"Lord Bo!"

Xiao Shunzi, of course, also saw Chen Yan and hurried over, saying, "Lord Bo, the person you asked me to find has already been found."

"Take a look, it's him."

"...... Hmm?" With many events these days, Chen Yan couldn't recall at first.

But he quickly remembered who Xiao Shunzi was referring to.

He instantly became excited, "Really?"

"Lord Bo, could I still dare to deceive you?"

"Look at this."

Saying so, he handed over a piece of information he had found.

Chen Yan immediately opened it to examine; the more he read, the more delighted he became.

"Good, very good!"

Xiao Shunzi cheerfully pulled the somewhat restrained youth beside him over.

Chen Yan turned his head, saw the youth imitating Xiao Shunzi and saluting, "Lord Bo, I am Xue Li."

To be honest, Xue Li felt very uneasy at that moment.

He had previously been a humble farmer, never having left home, and couldn't understand why a noble from Chang'an City named him personally, asked him to become a guard, and offered terms he could not possibly refuse.

At first, when the person Chen Yan sent found him, he was bewildered and had no idea what to do.

But after a night of discussion with his parents, he decided to accept.

Because the conditions were so generous, he didn't want to refuse, perhaps lacking the right to do so.

So he came.

What Xue Li didn't expect was that the noble seeking him was so young.

He seemed only two or three years older than him.

Chen Yan didn't mind his secret measuring gaze and said, "Xue Li, haven't you taken a courtesy name yet?"

Xue Li hurriedly replied, "Lord Bo, I have not yet come of age; the elders at home have not given me a courtesy name."

"I see…" Chen Yan thought for a moment and asked, "Then is your ancestor the Southern and Northern Dynasties famous general Xue Andu?"

"This…" Xue Li hesitated briefly but decided to answer honestly.

"Yes, Lord Bo, my ancestor is indeed Xue Andu, but the Xue family has already fallen into decline, and few know this."

"Then that's correct!" Chen Yan instantly understood; Xiao Shunzi really hadn't chosen the wrong person.

This is Xue Li, later praised by Li Shimin as the White Robe Heroic General, Xue Rengui who shot three arrows to subdue Tianshan.

"Do you know why I am looking for you?"

"I know a bit; I've heard those people say, Lord Bo needs a guard…"

"That's right, your ancestor is Xue Andu, so you should have practiced martial arts, right?"

Speaking of that, Xue Li's eyes grew dim, "Lord Bo, my ancestor indeed passed down some fist‑and‑foot skills."

"However, I am usually busy farming; although I learned a bit, I'm not proficient."

"Moreover, practicing martial arts is very costly; I don't have the means."

Xue Li had heard his father speak of the ancestors since childhood; sometimes, in his spare time, they dreamed of being able to ride the battlefield like their forebears, defending the country.

Unfortunately, things went contrary to their wishes.

The Xue family had already fallen into decline, and they could only make a living by farming.

If they practiced martial arts and didn't help the family farm, several younger brothers and sisters would likely starve.

The youthful aspirations and wishes were deeply buried in their heart.

"Do you want to practice martial arts?"

Chen Yan stood before them and asked seriously.

Xue Li for a moment didn't know how to answer; they hadn't expected this Lord Bo to ask such a question.

"I..... I....."

Chen Yan continued on his own, "Xue Li, born of the Xue clan of Hedong, a descendant of the Southern and Northern Dynasties famous general Xue Andu."

"Although you are only sixteen this year, you have been different since childhood; your appetite is enormous—while ordinary people are satisfied with two mantou and a bowl of thin porridge, you still need ten."

"Of course, that is unimportant; what matters is that your strength matches your appetite."

"At thirteen, when your younger sister was abducted and sold, you rose in resistance, wielding an ordinary staff and injuring four adult men."

"I ask you, is this true?"

Xue Li was silent for a moment, then nodded.

Chen Yan gave a slight nod, "Then I'll ask in another way."

"Do you… want to join the army?"

"......"