Having swept away two major forces in one stroke, Li Yuan was undoubtedly pleased. This time, he not only appointed Li Shimin as Grand Supervisor of Shandong Circuit but also bestowed upon him a special title—Celestial Strategy General—and declared his position to be above that of important ministers.
In April of the same year, Li Jing pacified Xiao Xian and annexed the resource-rich lands of the south.
In July of the same year, Liu Heita in Hebei rebelled. When court generals suffered defeats, Li Shimin once again led troops to campaign. Though he ultimately let Liu Heita escape, he at least recovered Hebei and once again accomplished great merit.
Just as Li Jiancheng had predicted, though the Great Tang had countless military generals, none could compare to Li Shimin’s military talent. He was like a sharp blade of the Great Tang—wherever he pointed, nothing could withstand him.
While continuously expanding territory for the Great Tang, his name as War God grew ever more resounding, causing those who opposed the Great Tang to flee in terror while gnashing their teeth in hatred!
By the end of the fifth year of Wude, Liu Heita, who had suffered a great defeat under Li Shimin, made a comeback, successively capturing Yingzhou, Luozhou, and Cangzhou, retaking the territory he had previously lost to Li Shimin.
Li Yuan naturally couldn’t allow Liu Heita to run wild, but the Tang armies sent to suppress him retreated repeatedly, completely outmatched by Liu Heita.
Send Li Shimin to suppress him? Li Shimin was undoubtedly the best choice, but Li Yuan had heavy concerns in his heart. When Li Shimin had swept away both Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande in one stroke, he had appointed him Celestial Strategy General with position above important ministers. If he won again this time, combined with his previous merits, aside from this realm itself, he could find no appropriate reward. But the realm… could absolutely never be left to Li Shimin.
Just when Li Yuan was in a difficult position, Li Jiancheng, who had always been overshadowed by Li Shimin’s brilliance, voluntarily requested to go to battle. This was his first request for battle since his defeat in Western Qin.
For Li Jiancheng, though he allowed Li Shimin to campaign east and west, he absolutely wouldn’t allow himself to be suppressed by Li Shimin. This request for battle was to tell the world that the Great Tang didn’t have only one Li Shimin!
Li Yuan, who was equally wary of Li Shimin, naturally supported this, dispatching two hundred thousand troops plus dozens of battle-hardened generals to accompany Li Jiancheng in the campaign against Liu Heita.
In terms of military talent, though Li Jiancheng was inferior to Li Shimin, he was far superior to ordinary generals. The reason for the defeat in Western Qin could be said to be thanks to Li Yuanji. Otherwise, according to his plan, even if he couldn’t achieve great victory, he wouldn’t have lost!
This time, Li Jiancheng learned from previous lessons, proceeding steadily and cautiously. Combined with some luck, he not only achieved consecutive victories but even captured Liu Heita alive.
On February 28th of the sixth year of Wude, the Liu Heita brothers were executed outside Mingzhou City. Li Jiancheng returned in triumph. This victory made his position as Crown Prince even more secure—at least in Li Yuan’s view!
As enemies fell one by one, the Li Tang realm had become the most powerful nation on this land. Looking around, aside from the Turkic forces beyond the Central Plains, no other power could contend with it.
As the Great Tang gradually became a colossal entity, Li Shimin, who had once been the Great Tang’s sharp blade, was gradually losing his usefulness. Li Jiancheng understood this point, and Li Shimin understood it equally well. The calm could not be maintained much longer.
In early summer of the seventh year of Wude, Li Yuan brought his three sons and some important ministers to hunt in the suburbs of Chang’an City. Though the three brothers each had their schemes, they still maintained an appearance of brotherly harmony before Li Yuan.
Li Yuanji took the horse reins handed to him by an attendant and said: “I’ve long heard that Second Brother’s horsemanship is superb. Since all three of us brothers are here, why don’t we have a competition?”
Li Shimin smiled and said: “Since Fourth Brother has such interest, I as Second Brother should naturally oblige. I just don’t know if Elder Brother will compete?”
Seeing the two of them looking at him, Li Jiancheng said: “My legs have been somewhat uncomfortable these past few days, so I won’t compete with you. But Yuanji, using this new Ferghana horse that Father Emperor recently rewarded you to compete with Shimin isn’t fair.”
Li Yuanji chuckled and patted the horse’s back: “But I only brought this one horse. Surely you won’t forbid me from riding it?”
“You always know how to take advantage.” Saying this, Li Jiancheng said to Li Shimin: “This fellow is always opportunistic like this. Since I’m not competing, you can ride my Qingyun. Though Qingyun isn’t as good as a Ferghana horse, it’s not bad either—it can leap across water ditches several zhang wide.”
Li Shimin quickly said: “This is Elder Brother’s beloved mount. How dare Shimin take what you love?”
Li Jiancheng laughed heartily: “I’m just lending it to you for a while. You’d think I was giving it to you permanently!” Speaking thus, he said to the attendant following behind: “Go bring my horse.”
Seeing him say this, Li Shimin could only say: “Then I won’t be polite. Thank you, Elder Brother.”
Soon after, an attendant brought the horse. Li Jiancheng said: “Qingyun is good in every way, just has a somewhat fierce temperament. But with your horsemanship, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Elder Brother.” Before he finished speaking, Li Yuanji had already leaped onto his horse and galloped away: “Second Brother, if you keep dawdling, you’ll really lose to me!”
“Wanting to beat me isn’t that easy!” Saying this, Li Shimin also mounted his horse and spurred it to chase after Li Yuanji, who had already galloped some distance. But before he had gone a few steps, the horse went wild, bucking to try to throw Li Shimin off. With no choice, Li Shimin could only dismount, wait for the horse to calm down, then remount. This cycle repeated, and though he tried his best to be on guard, he was still thrown off.
Duan Zhihong had been following on horseback behind. Seeing him fall, he quickly dismounted to help: “Your Highness, how are you? Is it serious?”
Li Shimin rubbed his back and stood up with his assistance: “Nothing serious, just took a fall. My back hurts a bit.”
Duan Zhihong said angrily: “Where was the Crown Prince’s good intention in lending the horse to Your Highness? He clearly wanted to use this horse to throw Your Highness to death. To deal with Your Highness, he really stops at nothing.”
Li Shimin glanced at Li Yuanji, who was galloping toward them, and said: “Enough, stop talking. I’m not seriously hurt. Be careful not to give others ammunition.”
Li Yuanji arrived quickly. Before Li Shimin finished speaking, he was already near. Seeing Li Shimin’s disheveled state, he said with concern: “Second Brother, how did you end up like this?”
“It’s nothing, just carelessly took a fall. You won this competition. Tell me, what prize do you want? As long as Second Brother can manage it, I’ll definitely give it to you.”
Li Yuanji said with a grin: “If I said I wanted a Zhanlu sword like the one Second Brother once gave Elder Brother, would Second Brother be willing to give it?”
Li Shimin was startled, then smiled: “The Zhanlu sword is unique in the world. Where could I conjure up a second one for you? But I could try to find another famous sword to give you.”
“Then I’ll thank Second Brother in advance.” Saying this, Li Yuanji continued: “In a few days, it will be my birthday. I’d like to invite Second Brother to my residence for a gathering. Would Second Brother honor me with your presence?”
Li Shimin said with a smile: “At least you still remember to invite me, your Second Brother. Otherwise, I’d have nowhere to give the gift I’ve already prepared.”