Li Jing showed no anger and simply took a few bamboo strips to continue weaving, which made Zhao Jin even more furious. “Li Jing, don’t be ungrateful…”

“Zhao Jin.” Li Shimin interrupted him, “Go wait for me outside.”

“Second Young Master, he…” Before Zhao Jin could continue, Li Shimin had already raised his voice and said again, “Go wait for me outside!”

“Yes.” Zhao Jin reluctantly agreed. After he left, Li Shimin said, “Yaoshi, you clearly possess extraordinary talent. Why do you abandon yourself and submit to being scorned and berated in this City God Temple?” He then said earnestly, “Yaoshi, now that the realm is in chaos and heroes are carving out territories, I truly need your assistance.”

Li Jing stopped his work and looked up to study Li Shimin. This was the first time since Li Shimin entered that he had looked at him directly. After a long while, he spoke, “If today you, Second Young Master, were surnamed Yang, you wouldn’t need to ask – I would assist you with all my strength. Unfortunately, you are not, so… please leave!”

Li Shimin stared at him, “Does being surnamed Yang or Li truly matter so much?”

“Of course.” As soon as Li Jing finished speaking, Li Shimin said, “Even if the Yang clan has made life unbearable for the people, causing families to be broken and scattered, displaced from their homes, it doesn’t matter?”

Li Jing’s expression stiffened for a moment, then he said, “True, Emperor Yang did make mistakes in the past, but you, as subjects, should have offered good counsel to Emperor Yang, advising him to be a wise ruler, rather than raising armies in rebellion. Li Shimin, no matter how well you speak, you cannot hide your identity as a rebellious minister and treacherous subject.”

“Offer counsel?” Li Shimin shook his head, “Since Emperor Yang ascended the throne, he has repeatedly employed cruel punishments. Anyone who displeased him was executed, even Elder Yang Su, who assisted in his ascension, could not escape his poisonous hand. Yaoshi, what use would counsel serve other than adding more dead souls? Perhaps in Yaoshi’s view, we are rebellious ministers and treacherous subjects, but we have clear consciences. Whether on our journey here or after entering Chang’an, my father and I have never wronged the people in the slightest.”

Li Jing was left speechless by his words. After a long while, he finally managed to squeeze out, “Regardless, I will never submit to you. Give up this thought.”

Li Shimin remained silent for a moment, then said, “Does Yaoshi think the ruler is more important, or the people?”

Li Jing answered without hesitation, “The ruler is the master of the realm, naturally the ruler is more important.”

Li Shimin shook his head, “But in my view, the people are more important. The ruler is like a boat sailing on water, and the people are the water. Water can carry the boat, but it can also overturn it. What truly caused Emperor Yang to lose the realm and even his life was not my father and I, nor Li Mi or Yuwen Huaji, but the hearts of the people. If today the people’s hearts were with the Yang clan, the realm would never have become what it is today.”

“Water can carry the boat… and also overturn it…” Li Jing murmured, repeating these words. Having lived for decades, this was the first time he had heard such words, which overturned his lifelong belief in putting the ruler first.

“I know Yaoshi is a loyal and righteous person, but have you considered that the Yang clan can no longer hold the realm? If we let this realm remain divided and war-torn, in the end, it will still be the innocent people who suffer. If Yaoshi would assist my father and me in pacifying the realm, both my father and I can guarantee that we will treat the people well and let them live in peace and prosperity.” He then bowed with clasped hands, “I hope Yaoshi can set aside considerations of surnames and put the people first, put the realm first!”

Li Shimin waited for a long time, but Li Jing never answered. Disappointment rose in his heart – he still couldn’t persuade Li Jing. He stood up, “I’ll leave first and come see you again in a few days.”

As Li Shimin stepped one foot over the threshold, Li Jing’s voice came from behind, “Will you and your father truly love the people as your own children?”

These words filled Li Shimin’s heart with joy. He quickly turned back to see that Li Jing had already put down the bamboo strips in his hands and was looking steadily at him. He said solemnly, “If I break this oath, may the Li clan lose all support from the people.”

Li Jing nodded and walked before him, saying word by word, “If you break this oath, I, Li Jing, will personally take the heads of you father and son!” After saying this, he knelt on one knee and bowed with clasped hands, “I, Li Jing, am willing to follow the Second Young Master and henceforth serve with the loyalty of a dog or horse!”

Li Jing’s change of heart filled Li Shimin with unexpected joy. He quickly helped him up personally, saying, “Yaoshi, you’re being too formal. From now on, you and I are brothers, advancing and retreating together. Come, I’ll take you to see my father.”

Li Yuan was also very pleased to see that Li Shimin had indeed persuaded Li Jing. He not only allowed him to serve under Li Shimin but also had someone select a residence in the city for him to settle in.

After Li Jing left, Li Yuan looked at Li Shimin, who was still standing in the room, “What is it? Do you have something else to discuss with me?”

Li Shimin smiled, “Father’s keen eyes see through everything – nothing can escape you.”

“Among all the children, you’re the most honest. When did you learn to be so smooth-tongued?” After Li Yuan sat down in his chair, he said, “Speak up, what is it?”

Li Shimin said somewhat embarrassedly, “Your son… wants to take an equal wife.”

Li Yuan looked at Li Shimin in surprise, not expecting him to bring up such a matter. However, it was actually a good thing, so he smiled, “Previously, your Second Mother mentioned arranging concubines for you, but you refused no matter what. Now you’re bringing it up yourself. Tell me, which family’s daughter have you taken a fancy to?”

“Reporting to Father, the person your son admires is… Princess Jinyang.” Li Shimin said anxiously, as Yunyi had after all killed Xuanba, and Father would probably not easily agree.

Sure enough, Li Yuan, who had been smiling moments before, now frowned deeply and said sternly, “Who did you say?”

“Princess Jinyang.” After confirming he hadn’t misheard, Li Yuan said coldly, “You can marry anyone else, but you absolutely cannot marry this woman. Don’t forget how Xuanba died.”

“Your son hasn’t forgotten. Although the Princess killed Xuanba, she also…”

Li Yuan interrupted him, “I know she saved our lives in Luoyang, but we also saved her and allowed her to continue staying in Chang’an with her status as Princess. All debts have been settled.”

“Since all grievances have been resolved, why can’t your son marry her?”

Li Yuan snorted coldly, “Regardless, the fact remains that she killed Xuanba. Rescuing her from Jiangdu was already my greatest concession. I absolutely cannot accept someone who once killed my son as a daughter-in-law.”

Li Shimin had expected Li Yuan to object but hadn’t anticipated such a fierce attitude. He said, “The Princess didn’t intentionally kill Xuanba, and she has always regretted what happened that year. Please, Father…”

Before he could finish, Li Yuan said coldly, “She killed a living person, my son. How can a mere expression of regret make up for that? In any case, I will never agree to this matter. Give up this thought.”