After a moment of silence, a palace servant outside said quietly: “Your Majesty, Governor Li Yuan of Honghua Commandery has sent people to present a black fox cloak and a pair of fine hunting falcons. They are now waiting outside the palace. Should they be summoned in?”

“Summon those presenting the tribute into the palace.” Following Yang Guang’s words, a palace servant entered carrying a wide black cloak without a single trace of other colors. Behind him were two green-clad young women with majestic hunting falcons perched on their fragrant shoulders. They knelt down and said sweetly: “Governor Li Yuan wishes Your Majesty ten thousand years without end, long live, long live, long live!”

Yang Guang raised his hand to lift their smooth, flawless chins, his gaze sweeping across those two bright, alluring faces. That day, the two falcon maidens Li Yuan had presented along with their respective trained eagles had been seized by Wang Wei and another, greatly angering him and causing him to dismiss them from their posts. Unfortunately, those two women could not be recovered. He had thought the matter ended there, but unexpectedly Li Yuan had always remembered it, and had specifically sought out another pair of falcons and falcon-training women to present to him. It was rare for him to have such thoughtfulness.

“Take them to be settled in the Lateral Courts.” After the two falcon-training women left, Yang Guang said: “Master An, can Li Yuan be employed?”

An Jiatuo pondered for a long time before saying: “If Your Majesty truly wishes to employ Li Yuan, it’s possible, but before that, this humble one believes we should first summon Li Yuan and his family to Luoyang.”

Yang Guang’s eyes showed a trace of surprise: “Why?”

“Previously, Li Yuan couldn’t obey the imperial edict to come to Luoyang due to being attacked by assassins, but this time, there are no assassins, no illness—everything is peaceful. This is precisely a good opportunity to test whether he is truly loyal to Your Majesty.” After a pause, he continued: “If he’s willing to come to Luoyang, it proves he is indeed loyal to Your Majesty without ulterior motives. Otherwise… this person and his family cannot be allowed to remain!”

Yang Guang lowered his eyes in thought. The military power of thirteen commanderies was truly no small matter, forcing him to be extremely cautious, especially after the Yang Xuangan incident.

After a long while, he finally made up his mind: “Very well, let’s do as you say. I’ll immediately have someone draft an edict summoning Li Yuan to the capital. Also, Master An can take this opportunity to carefully examine Li Yuan’s physiognomy to see whether he is truly loyal or treacherous.”

“This humble one obeys the edict!” Thus, the matter was immediately settled. The special envoy carried the imperial edict and rode at full speed toward Honghua Commandery, arriving at the Governor’s mansion on the twelfth day of the second month.

After being summoned to Songtao Residence, Li Jiancheng looked at the edict with surprise: “His Majesty is summoning Father to the capital again?”

Li Yuan nodded heavily: “His Majesty has ordered me to reach the capital before the third month.”

Li Jiancheng immediately shook his head: “His Majesty is extremely suspicious by nature. Although Father has spent these past two years pretending to be indulged in pleasure and women, His Majesty may not believe it. This summons to the capital, I’m afraid it’s the same as last time—nothing good.”

Li Yuan sighed: “I also know this, but this time there are no assassin disturbances, so I have no reason to refuse entering the capital.”

Li Jiancheng thought for a moment: “Without assassins, Father could claim illness. Surely His Majesty wouldn’t send Imperial Physician Zhu to diagnose Father again.”

“No.” The one speaking was not Li Yuan, but Li Shimin, who had also been summoned to Songtao Residence. He said: “Many things can be done once but not twice. Father has already declined once. If he declines again this time, it will surely incur His Majesty’s displeasure.”

Li Jiancheng glanced at him and said coldly: “Then according to your meaning, we should just watch Father step into danger?” Since that incident, although he and Li Shimin had no further disputes, they were no longer as intimately close as before.

A trace of sadness flashed through Li Shimin’s eyes, then he said: “Elder Brother is right—Luoyang is indeed dangerous at every step, like a dragon’s pool and tiger’s den. But now the timing, geographical advantages, and popular support have not yet fully come to us. It’s really not the time to raise an army. What’s most urgent now is to stabilize His Majesty’s suspicious heart.”

Li Yuan had the same thoughts. He stroked his long beard and sighed: “It seems this trip to Luoyang is unavoidable.”

“No!” Li Jiancheng objected: “What if His Majesty truly intends to harm Father? What then?”

“Perhaps things aren’t as bad as we think. I’ve heard that uprisings are frequent in Shanxi and Hedong areas now. His Majesty may very well want me to suppress the rebellions.”

Li Jiancheng shook his head: “If that were truly the case, His Majesty could simply issue an edict directly. Why must Father enter the capital? Going back and forth would only waste time.”

“Entering the capital may not mean death, but not entering the capital will certainly mean His Majesty will exterminate our entire Li family. We… have no choice.” Saying this, he continued: “Jiancheng, after I leave, immediately send a message by carrier pigeon to have Shunde quietly bring those thousands of rebel troops to Honghua Commandery. If nothing happens, fine. Otherwise, have them join with the soldiers willing to follow us and raise an army against the Sui before His Majesty orders our execution. The people of Honghua Commandery are quite supportive of us father and son. I believe we can at least secure popular support. Shimin, you must assist your elder brother well and preserve the Li family bloodline.”

Li Jiancheng bit down hard and said: “Please allow your son to accompany you to Luoyang.”

“Nonsense!” Li Yuan immediately scolded: “I have no choice but to go. Why are you joining in this mess?”

“As a son, how can I watch Father take risks without caring?” Saying this, he knelt down: “Please allow this.”

“No!” Li Yuan flatly refused: “Besides, if you go, who will oversee the overall situation here?”

“But…” Before Li Jiancheng could say more, Li Yuan had already interrupted: “My mind is made up. You needn’t say more. The safety of the entire Li family is entrusted to you two brothers!”

Li Jiancheng bit his teeth hard and said nothing. Li Yuan went over to personally help him up and comforted him: “Don’t worry, I will definitely return safely.”

Although Li Yuan spoke lightly, Li Jiancheng understood in his heart that this trip to Luoyang would surely be a narrow escape from death. He really didn’t want to see his father, already over fifty, take this risk, but as Li Yuan said, he had no choice.

After a long while, Li Jiancheng clenched his fists tightly and said word by word: “If Yang Guang dares to harm Father in the slightest, in the future your son will make him pay back a hundredfold!”

At this moment, Li Shimin, who had been silent since earlier, suddenly said: “Father, since Elder Brother must stay in Honghua Commandery to oversee the situation, why don’t I accompany you to Luoyang instead?”

Seeing both sons care about and worry for him so much, Li Yuan was moved, but for the safety of both brothers, he had to harden his heart: “How are you also starting to talk nonsense? This is truly a time of many troubles. With so many matters inside and outside Honghua Commandery, how can your elder brother handle everything alone? Listen to me and stay here properly to assist your elder brother.”

“But if Father enters the capital alone, Elder Brother and I will surely worry day and night and be unable to remain at peace in Honghua Commandery. When the heart is unstable, it will inevitably lead to unstable military morale. In such a situation, if we really have to fight, we’ll have already lost half the battle before the two armies even clash. If I go with you, should His Majesty truly intend to harm Father, I can also try to rescue you!”