Chapter 675: Finding an Old Acquaintance

After fully grasping Li Shimin's meaning, Li Chengqian felt both delighted and hesitant.

He was delighted because Li Shimin seemed to value him more and truly placed great expectations on him.

He was hesitant because Li Chengqian feared he might fail and ruin everything Chen Yan and Li Shimin had prepared long ago.

If he truly fails, not only will he have no face to face Li Shimin in the future, he might not even be able to face Chen Yan.

After all, Chen Yan and Li Shimin had been laying the groundwork and preparing for so long for these matters, and he knew it well.

"Zi Anxiong......"

Li Chengqian opened his mouth but stopped.

Chen Yan waved his hand lightly: "Go back. I've already told you—after we leave, don't think about maintaining the status quo; treat this as a real ascent, see yourself as an emperor."

"You stand in that position and think: what would a true emperor do when faced with this situation!"

"Your courage must be great; don't be cowardly!"

He said, staring earnestly at Li Chengqian: "If you aren't cowardly, even if things go contrary to your wishes and you truly fail, we won't blame you for anything."

"If, because of your own temperament, you can't overcome the resistance to implementation... Cheng Qian brother, don't blame me for speaking bluntly beforehand."

"I understand," Li Chengqian said gravely, nodding.

"Good," Chen Yan nodded. "Since you understand, you should consider whether your Father Emperor might need you at this time, and whether staying with me is appropriate."

Li Chengqian snapped awake, and without a moment's hesitation, rose immediately.

"Zi Anxiong, Qingque, I have other business, I'm leaving first!"

Speaking, he hurried to go out, but for some reason hesitated, stopped his steps, straightened his clothes, squared his chest, and left at an unhurried pace.

Seeing this, Chen Yan and Li Tai exchanged a smile.

Li Tai clicked his tongue in amazement: "How to put it? My imperial brother is definitely not cowardly at his core; it's just that he was suppressed for too long before."

"Moreover, he's still young, so many matters aren't considered comprehensively; in his haste, he's even a bit... immature."

"Still, his luck is great—he met you."

Honestly, Li Tai sometimes inexplicably feels that Li Chengqian is lucky.

If Chen Yan hadn't appeared, Cheng Qian might still be living a miserable life.

He had to admit that his own Father Emperor is certainly competent as an emperor, but lacks many qualities when it comes to being a father.

This is a problem Li Tai only saw clearly after he let go of his obsession with the throne, stepped out of that vortex, and viewed things as an observer.

Thinking back now, he still feels fortunate.

Because Li Shimin's favor toward him was purely without any expectations.

Now that he thinks about it, his own luck also seems pretty good.

Having also met Chen Yan, he not only found something he enjoys doing and a pursuit more suitable for him, but also no longer has to worry about all the chaotic matters all day.

Life was simply too wonderful.

"......"

Chen Yan said seriously: "I've always believed that Cheng Qian brother is absolutely not cowardly; his very bones exude a fierce resolve!"

"As the saying goes, dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes; a mouse's offspring is born to dig holes."

"Cheng Qian brother is the child of His Majesty and the Empress, how could he be weak?"

"That makes sense," Li Tai said with a grin.

He too is a child of Li Shimin and Empress Changsun.

Later that morning, Chen Yan dealt with many people, including Kang Chong and Zhangsun Wuji.

Anyway, no matter who came, Chen Yan gave them roughly the same response as Du Gou.

Then those people drifted away.

At noon, after lunch, Xue Li, who was in Weinan County following Qin Qiong, was summoned back.

"Sir, are you calling for me?"

Now Xue Li was increasingly spirited; the slight restlessness he once had had long since vanished.

Chen Yan gestured for him to sit, then asked softly: "How are you finding the military treatise that Duke Dai asked me to pass to you?"

Bringing up the matter, Xue Li was clearly pleased: "Sir, that treatise is extremely profound; many things have opened my eyes."

"Also, Duke Dai seemed to fear that I might not understand, so he added detailed annotations throughout, including his own battle scenarios, formations, and how to fight or could fight."

"The most surprising thing for me is that Duke Dai's treatise also contains analyses of various historically significant battles worth studying."

"Only..." Xue Li said, scratching his head awkwardly: "Previously I hadn't read many books; there were characters I didn't recognize, and I often had to ask others about them."

Chen Yan was taken aback, then laughed: "I hadn't thought of that, but it is indeed a problem; a competent general shouldn't only know warfare—he must also read books."

"How about this: in a couple of days you'll go out with us, and next year I'll hire a tutor to teach you to read."

"I won't demand you master all the classics, but at least broaden your horizons and be able to read and understand."

"What do you think?"

"Everything depends on your arrangement," Xue Li replied solemnly.

Everything he has now was given by Chen Yan, and he believes Chen Yan would never harm him.

Moreover, Xue Li actually doesn't understand any great principles.

But his parents taught him from childhood that one must repay kindness; if one forgets gratitude, how does that differ from a beast?

Later, recalling that Chen Yan was about to leave, he asked in confusion: "Sir, where are we going?"

Chen Yan clicked his tongue: "The destination should be Yangzhou in Huainan, but I'm not sure how many places we'll have to pass through."

"His Majesty wishes to travel incognito; safety is an issue, so I want to bring you along."

"By the way…," Chen Yan seemed to think of something, and calmly said, "Deepen your impression with His Majesty; from now on the Tang Dynasty will never lack battles to fight. I hope that one day I can call you General Xue!"

Xue Li was first shocked by what Chen Yan had just said; after regaining his composure, he quickly pounded his chest and said:

"Sir, please rest assured, as long as I can still move, I will absolutely not let anyone lay a single hair on His Majesty or you!"

Chen Yan smiled and waved his hand: "No need for that; His Majesty will certainly bring people, and he'll definitely handle safety. As long as you and I are fine, that's all that matters."

"Bringing you along is just to be ready for any eventuality."

"Fine, you go back and make some preparations, let your family know; I still need to go find an old friend."

".... …"