The room was excessively quiet, with only the sound of each other’s breathing audible. After an unknown amount of time had passed, a bird’s call came from outside. Xia Houduan looked at Li Yuan with burning eyes: “Actually, Brother Li has already thought of this point, hasn’t he?”

Li Yuan sighed heavily: “I remember when I was Governor of Fufeng, I obtained several fine horses. My wife knew that the current emperor loves dogs and horses, so she advised me to present these horses to His Majesty to avoid having someone report to the emperor and bring disaster. I was reluctant to part with them, and I also felt that His Majesty and I are maternal cousins, and I’ve always been loyal to His Majesty, so he wouldn’t make things difficult for me over such a small matter. Therefore, I didn’t present them. As a result, I truly incurred His Majesty’s displeasure and suffered greatly. Later, I extensively sought hawks and hounds, presenting them several times, before finally being promoted to general and appointed to my current position.”

“I also know of this matter. His Majesty is obstinate and suspicious. Although he has reinstated Brother Li, he may not harbor no grudges against you. Combined with that folk song, he now sees Brother Li as a thorn in his side and wants nothing more than to eliminate you!” After saying this, he asked: “Does Brother Li remember what I told you before?”

Li Yuan suppressed his thoughts: “What words?”

“Brother Li has extraordinary bone structure and will surely become a ruler!” Before Xia Houduan finished speaking, Li Yuan already said urgently: “I told you then that such words must never be mentioned again. Why do you bring them up again…”

“Brother Li!” Xia Houduan interrupted him: “Now His Majesty wants your life. You may have avoided it the first time, but can you avoid the second time, the third time? Moreover, once he gradually gains control of Hedong, you will lose your usefulness. At that time, when an imperial edict comes down, will you die or not? And what about Jiancheng and Shimin – do you think they will have a way to live? Peach and plum children, don’t…”

Li Yuan, agitated by his words, interrupted: “That’s just a folk song – it can’t be taken seriously!”

“You consider it a folk song, but His Majesty considers it a death warrant. Given His Majesty’s nature, he would rather wrongly kill a thousand than let one slip by.” Speaking earnestly, he continued: “Heaven is about to fall into chaos, and the one who can stabilize it is you, my lord. The sovereign suspects all surnamed Li – the strong and talented are executed first, Jincai is already dead, and surely my lord is next?” “My lord” was Li Yuan’s honorific title. The meaning of Xia Houduan’s words was to persuade Li Yuan to raise troops against Sui, as only this way could he preserve his life.

Li Yuan’s expression alternated between dark and light. Although Yang Guang had been dissolute and tyrannical these years, causing the people to live in misery with rebellions everywhere, and had once suspected him, he had never thought of rebelling one day.

However, as Xia Houduan said, Yang Guang had already become suspicious of him, even sending assassins for secret murder. This time he had luckily escaped, but what about next time? Moreover, once action was taken, Yang Guang would not spare his family – Jiancheng and the others would all die, and the Li family lineage would be severed!

Li Yuan contemplated for a long time, then gritted his teeth: “Although His Majesty has his faults, my Li family has always been loyal to the sovereign and patriotic. How can we become rebellious subjects and traitors? Furthermore, His Majesty and I are cousins after all. I believe he won’t be too heartless.”

“Brother Li, you…” Xia Houduan was so anxious he didn’t know what to say. Just as he was about to speak again, he suddenly glimpsed a figure passing by outside the room and immediately shouted: “Who’s outside?”

What they were discussing now was the great matter of rebellion. If someone overheard and reported it to Yang Guang, both the Li and Xiahou families would surely be executed, with none surviving!

Just as Xia Houduan was preparing to go out and catch the person, the door was pushed open and someone with a slightly lame right foot entered. Seeing who it was, both Li Yuan and Xia Houduan breathed sighs of relief. The former spoke: “Jiancheng, why were you outside?”

“Your son originally wanted to report some matters about the assassin to father, but didn’t expect…” Li Jiancheng glanced at Xia Houduan: “Father, Uncle Xiahou’s words are absolutely correct. Rather than sitting and waiting for death, it’s better to fight for a way to live.”

Li Yuan’s expression changed, saying in shock: “You heard everything?”

Li Jiancheng didn’t deny it, lowering his head: “Yes. If His Majesty can send assassins to kill father today, tomorrow he might fabricate some trumped-up charges to condemn father to death, just like the Left Military Guard General.”

“It won’t happen.” Li Yuan said in a heavy voice: “Although His Majesty is suspicious, he’s not someone who completely disregards family affection. Moreover, we have the princess in the palace speaking for us. He…” Before he could finish, Li Jiancheng already said: “Has father forgotten how His Majesty ascended the dragon throne? He could even kill his legitimate elder brother – what is there he cannot kill, cannot eliminate?”

“Impudent!” Li Yuan said with a dark expression: “Who gave you permission to say such things? Shut your mouth!”

Li Jiancheng walked to the bed and knelt down: “Father, even if you want to punish your son this time, your son must speak. These years, His Majesty has acted perversely. As soon as he ascended the throne, he ordered the construction of the Eastern Capital and moved the capital to Luoyang. In ten months, he conscripted no fewer than two million laborers each month. At the same time, he also ordered the excavation of canals and the construction of tens of thousands of dragon boats, causing the people to live in misery with disasters and rebellions everywhere. Even so, he issued an edict conscripting troops from across the realm to attack Goguryeo. Your son has heard that His Majesty intends to send troops to attack Goguryeo again. At that time, there will again be wailing everywhere with countless deaths and injuries. These years, although you have treated the people well, the court’s harsh policies are numerous. Despite your best efforts to mediate, they still struggle to have enough food and clothing, and still die under harsh policies. Father, can you bear to watch them die one by one? Can you bear to watch the Li family’s years of management destroyed overnight?”

Xia Houduan looked at Li Jiancheng approvingly: “Brother Li, I know what you’re concerned about. If the sovereign were wise, and you raised troops, you would naturally earn the reputation of a rebellious subject and traitor. But now the sovereign is cruel and tyrannical. Raising troops would be to save the people of the world from dire straits – it would be a great merit. And the Li family could also continue to survive. Moreover, to speak bluntly, this is now Brother Li’s last opportunity. Once His Majesty issues an edict to strip you of military power, even if you wanted to raise troops, you wouldn’t have the ability. Opportunity knocks but once!”

Faced with their persuasion, Li Yuan hesitated and couldn’t decide. In his heart, he knew deeply that once he stepped onto this path, there would be no turning back. If he won, naturally all would be well, but if he lost…

He sighed: “This matter is of great importance. Let me think about it some more.”

Li Jiancheng was about to speak again when Xia Houduan had already given him a meaningful look: “Very well, I’ll come see Brother Li again tomorrow.”

After leaving Songtao Residence, Li Jiancheng said puzzledly: “Just now father was clearly somewhat moved by our words. Why didn’t Uncle Xiahou let me continue speaking? What if father changes his mind again and refuses to…” He glanced around and lowered his voice: “What should we do then?”

“Your father understands everything better than anyone. He just has a mental barrier he can’t overcome. We’ve said everything we should say. The rest is to give him some time.”