Chapter 29: Hearts Can Be Won

Li Chengqian’s slender, powerful fingers tapped incessantly against the imperial desk. The rhythmic sound echoed through the silent palace, each tap striking like a hammer against the hearts of those present.

The three men seated before the desk kept their heads bowed, not daring to cast a single wandering glance, their entire focus pinned to the movement of Li Chengqian’s hand.

"Bring tea for these three officials!" Li Chengqian’s voice, majestic yet tinged with warmth, resonated through the hall.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The attendants responded in unison, their well-trained forms moving with swift and orderly precision.

Before long, three steaming cups of tea were placed steadily before the men. A delicate fragrance curled upward, permeating the air.

"This is excellent tea, the first harvest, picked and pan-fired just these past two days," Li Chengqian said with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The three men replied hastily in chorus, though their eyes remained cautiously fixed on the steaming cups before them, their hands resting properly at their sides, not daring to reach out.

Seeing this, Li Chengqian chuckled softly, the sound as gentle as a spring breeze. "There is no need for such restraint. Relax; you are all my elders, after all." His words carried a soothing tone, intended to ease the palpable tension.

"Li Ji!" Li Chengqian suddenly raised his voice, the sound reverberating through the palace.

"I am here, Your Majesty!" Hearing his name, Li Ji immediately rose from his seat, bowing respectfully with cupped hands. His posture was as straight as a pine, his eyes filled with loyalty and reverence.

Li Chengqian waved his hand, signaling Li Ji to sit. "War is upon us, Minister Li. I summoned you today because I need a definitive answer from you."

As he spoke, he extended a finger toward Li Simo, his gaze sharpening. "Do you see this man? He is a loyal subject of the late Emperor, driven into exile by the bullying of the Xueyantuo and forced to flee to Chang'an to beg for my aid."

Li Chengqian shifted his gaze from Li Simo back to Li Ji. "Tell me, what do you think should be done?" He looked at Li Ji with a faint, enigmatic smile, his eyes seemingly capable of peering into one's very soul.

Li Ji’s eyelids twitched slightly; he understood the gravity of the situation. Just as he was about to speak, Li Chengqian cut him off.

"The Xueyantuo have now assembled two hundred thousand troops from various tribes and are stationed at Baidaochuan." Li Chengqian’s voice grew heavy, his brows knitting together. "That is a strategic stronghold of our Great Tang."

He stood up and began to pace before the desk, his expression darkening. "I do not understand—have the Xueyantuo come to treat our borders as if they were an empty, lawless land?" He picked up his tea cup, blew on it gently, and took a small sip, as if to quell the rising fury within him.

Hearing these words, cold sweat broke out on Li Simo’s forehead, trickling down his cheeks. He scrambled to his feet. With a thud, he knelt on the floor, his body trembling with fear.

"Your Majesty, it is I, Li Simo, who is incompetent! I have failed to guard the empire’s northern gate for you." Li Simo pressed his forehead to the ground, not daring to look up, his voice heavy with guilt and self-reproach.

"The northern desert is a fine land—abundant in water and grass, with herds of cattle and sheep. It is a perfect place for raising horses," Li Chengqian mused, as if lost in thought. He then looked down at Li Simo. "Li Simo, do you know how to raise horses?"

Li Simo did not dare to raise his head, replying with his brow pressed to the floor: "Your Majesty, I am a Turk. My people have lived on the grasslands for generations; I know how to raise horses!"

"Rise, Li Simo. I do not blame you." Li Chengqian’s tone softened once more.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Li Simo stood up with trepidation and returned to his chair, though his body remained rigid.

"Sit," Li Chengqian said kindly, though a flash of complex, unreadable emotion crossed his eyes. "Li Simo, your original name, translated into a Han surname, should be Simo." Li Chengqian raised an eyebrow, a flicker of inquiry in his gaze. "It was the late Emperor who bestowed the surname 'Li' upon you. Do you still remember what you said to him back then?"

Li Simo, who had just sat down, rose and knelt once more. "Your Majesty! I told the late Emperor..."

"That I would be the dog of the Great Tang for generations to come, and for generations to come, I would guard the northern gate of the Great Tang for him!" As he spoke, Li Simo broke down in tears, his wailing filled with loyalty to the late Emperor and agony over the helplessness of the current situation.

"Stand up, do not carry on like this. A true man sheds blood, not tears. Is it not just the loss of a gateway?" Li Chengqian’s voice rang out again, carrying an unquestionable majesty.

"Li Ji!" Li Chengqian turned his gaze back to him.

"I am here!" Li Ji responded immediately.

"The northern gate of the empire is lost! I will provide you with all the logistical supplies and grain you require!" Li Chengqian’s eyes were filled with iron resolve. "Whatever is lacking, I shall provide!" His tone was passionate, revealing an unyielding determination.

"Since the Xueyantuo dare to invade our borders and hunt down our officials, I will give you a direct objective." Li Chengqian returned to behind his desk and stood still, his eyes burning like torches. "I do not want merely to drive the Xueyantuo out!" He gestured forcefully with his hand. "If we do not strike them with our own fists, the invasions will only continue time and again."

Li Chengqian raised his voice. "I want the entirety of the northern desert grasslands incorporated into the territory of the Great Tang." His eyes shone with ambition and dominance. "From this day forward, the northern desert shall be the pasture of the Great Tang!" He looked directly at Li Ji. "Give me a timeline, Li Ji! How long will it take to destroy the Xueyantuo and wipe out their tribes?"

Li Ji felt a jolt in his heart. He pondered for a moment, thinking of the wealth and materials required for such an expedition, and steeled his resolve.

"Your Majesty! Three months! In three months, the northern desert will be the horse ranch of the Great Tang!" His eyes were filled with confidence and determination.

"I will give you six months." Li Chengqian frowned slightly. "A previous combat plan must be altered. I had intended to send my 'Three Thousand Battalion' to strike directly at the Xueyantuo’s main camp. Now, I have other uses for this cavalry."

Hearing this, Li Ji looked up, a trace of disappointment flickering in his eyes. After seeing the combat plan that day, he had specifically sought out Qin Ruzhao to inspect the equipment of the Three Thousand Battalion. Those were three thousand heavy armored cavalry! The Great Tang had only managed to raise one unit of Black Armor Cavalry with the strength of the entire nation; he had not expected the current Emperor to possess such an elite force.

The northern grasslands were a paradise for heavy cavalry! If he could utilize those three thousand heavy horsemen, it would be enough to leave the Xueyantuo unable to catch their breath for a century. It was a pity, he thought—heavy cavalry were precious, and not a single one could be lost.

Seeing Li Ji’s disappointment, Li Chengqian smiled and pulled a pitch-black jade Qilin from his robe. "General Li, although I cannot lend you my Three Thousand Battalion, you may take the late Emperor’s Black Armor Cavalry and the Hundred Riders." Li Chengqian handed the command tally to Li Ji. "Do not suffer too heavy a loss!"

Seeing the command token being handed over, Li Ji was stunned for a moment, then his face filled with joy!

"Your Majesty! Within three months! I will surely conquer the northern desert and make it the pasture of our Great Tang!" He spoke with excitement, his eyes gleaming.

"I said, I give you six months. Aside from the Turkic tribes, leave no other tribes behind. Have Li Simo accompany you to assist in identifying them," Li Chengqian instructed sternly.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Li Ji responded respectfully.

Li Simo, listening from the side, was terrified. This Emperor was indeed vastly different from his predecessor. The late Emperor had always employed a policy of appeasement, using the strength of the tribes for his own ends—the Great Tang was the most powerful tribe, and the smaller ones served to guard its borders. But this Emperor intended to wipe out all the tribes of the grasslands, leaving only his own.

"Li Simo!" Li Chengqian looked at him.

"I am here!" Li Simo responded hastily.

"Li Simo, you lost the northern gateway, but I do not blame you; it was the late Emperor who misjudged you." Li Chengqian’s eyes held a scrutinizing glint. "You are suited to be a warrior who can fight and kill, but you are not suited to be a commander." Li Chengqian paused. "As a Khan, do you find that you cannot suppress those beneath you?"

Li Simo was shocked; he had not expected the Emperor to understand him so well. He nodded helplessly. "Yes, Your Majesty. I truly cannot control the troublemakers in our tribes." For years, managing the Turks had exhausted him; every winter, his subordinates would begin to plot rebellions and dream of raiding the Great Tang. It had become harder for him to suppress them with each passing year.

"You are too soft-hearted! I will dispatch a team of Embroidered Uniform Guards to return with you. Tell them everyone in the tribe who harbors thoughts of rebellion." Li Chengqian’s gaze grew sharp. "They will take care of them for you."

Li Chengqian straightened his posture. "Furthermore, I will send a Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guards to oversee the northern desert." His tone was brooked no argument. "From now on, you and your people do not need to guard the gate for the Great Tang anymore. You only need to raise horses for me and train cavalry."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Simo kowtowed in gratitude, his heart a storm of conflicting emotions.

"Do not be in such a hurry to kowtow. I am not rewarding you; I am stripping you of your power," Li Chengqian said bluntly, his eyes deep with meaning. "Of course, do not think that raising horses and training cavalry for me is a trivial matter." His expression grew solemn. "Li Simo, hear my decree!"

"I am here!" Li Simo responded quickly.

"Once the northern desert is pacified, find a suitable location there to establish the Great Tang Imperial Cavalry Academy." Li Chengqian enunciated each word clearly. "Li Simo is appointed Deputy Dean of the Cavalry Academy, with the rank of Third-Class Official."

Hearing the rank of Third-Class Official, Li Simo’s eyes lit up. A Third-Class official was a core figure in the imperial court of the Great Tang! He had never imagined he would receive such an honor; his heart filled with surprise and gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" This time, Li Simo kowtowed so deeply he wished he could bury his head in the earth to express his immense gratitude to the Emperor.