Regarding his surrender, Li Shimin neither accepted nor refused, only saying he would consult with Li Yuan after returning to the city.

As soon as Xue Rengao left, Liu Hongji and Du Ruhui entered. Before the latter could sit down, he said, “Does Your Highness truly intend to accept Xue Rengao’s surrender?”

“It seems you heard everything.” Li Shimin opened a blank memorial while saying, “What, you’re unwilling?”

“Xue Rengao killed tens of thousands of our soldiers. General Liu and General Murong both died at his hands. Accepting his surrender might cause dissatisfaction among the soldiers. Moreover…” Seeing his hesitation, Li Shimin said, “Speak freely whatever you have to say.”

“This Xue Rengao is cruel by nature. Even if he serves under Your Highness in the future, he’ll probably find it hard to change his ways and will sooner or later cause trouble for Your Highness. Therefore, in this general’s opinion, this person is not worth keeping.”

Li Shimin smiled without speaking. After grinding the ink in his hand, he looked at Liu Hongji, who had remained silent, and said, “What does Sir think?”

Liu Hongji smiled slightly, “Doesn’t Your Highness already have a plan in mind? Why ask for my opinion again?”

Hearing this, Du Ruhui immediately became anxious, “Sir, this Xue Rengao is like a bomb that could explode at any time. Please persuade His Highness – we absolutely cannot keep him.”

Liu Hongji glanced at him and said coolly, “When did His Highness ever say he wanted him?”

Du Ruhui was stunned by his question, then said, “Didn’t His Highness just accept his surrender…”

Liu Hongji interrupted, “Think clearly. When we were listening outside the tent just now, did His Highness truly accept Xue Rengao’s surrender?”

“This…” Du Ruhui carefully recalled Li Shimin’s words from earlier, word by word. Indeed, Li Shimin had only said everything would wait until they returned to the city and consulted with Li Yuan, and had not directly accepted Xue Rengao’s surrender.

“His Majesty’s side…” Before he could continue, Li Shimin said, “Imperial Father will absolutely not agree.”

Under Du Ruhui’s puzzled gaze, while taking up his brush and dipping it in ink to write a brief report for Li Yuan, he said slowly, “Liu Gan was the general Imperial Father most relied upon and trusted. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have entrusted him with guarding such an important place as Jingzhou. Xue Rengao not only killed Liu Gan, but did so in such a cruel manner. Do you think Imperial Father would spare Xue Rengao’s life?”

Hearing this, Du Ruhui suddenly understood. Yes, Li Yuan would absolutely not let this debt go unpaid. The reason Li Shimin didn’t directly refuse Xue Rengao’s surrender was to avoid cornering him like a desperate dog. After all, Xue Rengao still had some loyalists, and if pushed too far, who knew what he might do? The day they returned to Chang’an would be Xue Rengao’s death day.

Understanding the situation, Du Ruhui quickly bowed, “This general was slow-witted. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

Li Shimin smiled, “You were only concerned for me – what fault is there to forgive? Now go and properly watch over those surrendered soldiers. With such a large number of prisoners, we cannot be careless.”

“Yes.” Du Ruhui responded and bowed as he withdrew. The tent returned to quiet, with only the subtle sound of the ink-soaked wolf-hair brush moving across paper.

After the time of one incense stick, Li Shimin finally finished writing the brief report. He raised his head to stretch his muscles, but was surprised to see Liu Hongji still there. “Why is Sir still here? I thought…”

Liu Hongji smiled, “You thought I had withdrawn with Counselor Du?”

Li Shimin lowered his head and smiled, “Exactly. I was careless about this matter. But since Sir is here, why didn’t you call out to me?”

Liu Hongji lowered his eyes, “I had nothing urgent, so waiting for Your Highness was only proper. How could I dare disturb you?”

After gesturing for him to sit down again, Li Shimin said, “Sir has been waiting here for quite some time. You must have something to discuss with me.”

Liu Hongji nodded, staring into Li Shimin’s eyes, “What does Your Highness think the situation will be like after this battle?”

Li Shimin pondered for a moment, then said, “Western Qin was the first enemy of our Great Tang since founding the nation. Pacifying Western Qin is of utmost significance. I estimate that after news of this spreads, some of the regional warlords around Great Tang should surrender one after another, such as those in Xiangping and Youzhou. Their strength is not great, and they lack the power to contend with Great Tang. Surrender is their only way out.”

“Additionally, our Great Tang has very few horses, which has affected our cavalry numbers. Now that Western Qin is pacified, the Longyou pastures they controlled naturally belong to our Great Tang. Those areas raise large numbers of horses that can be used as war horses. I believe we can soon organize a considerable cavalry force. Furthermore, although Xue Rengao’s forces here lacked grain, Western Qin’s rear areas have abundant supplies that can all be used by us to pacify other regions.”

Liu Hongji nodded, “Your Highness speaks absolutely correctly, but what I’m asking about isn’t the national situation, but the court situation.”

Li Shimin said puzzledly, “In the court, naturally spirits will be high and everything stable. Could there be some problem?”

Liu Hongji stared at him and said meaningfully, “Others naturally have no problems, but Your Highness… that cannot be said.”

Li Shimin couldn’t understand his meaning and bowed, “Shimin is foolish. Please enlighten me, Sir.”

Liu Hongji smiled, “If Xue Rengao heard Your Highness call yourself foolish, he’d surely vomit blood. Your Highness strategizes brilliantly on the battlefield with ingenious plans that none can match, but in gauging the thoughts of court officials, you’re somewhat lacking.”

Under Li Shimin’s confused gaze, he said, “After Your Highness returns from pacifying Western Qin, your prestige will surely soar and your military achievements will be unmatched. This will inevitably make you intolerable to some people.”

Li Shimin frowned and asked, “To whom does Sir refer?”

Liu Hongji met his gaze and slowly spoke four words: “His Highness the Crown Prince!”

Hearing this, Li Shimin rose abruptly with a serious expression, “Before the expedition, the Crown Prince instructed me to definitely pacify Western Qin. During the four months we contended with Xue Rengao, it was the Crown Prince who fully mobilized supplies to ensure our rear was secure. It can be said that half the credit for this victory belongs to the Crown Prince. How could he be dissatisfied?”

Liu Hongji lowered his head, stroking the hand warmer in his hands. His health had always been poor, and now with the sudden heavy snow, his hands and feet were ice-cold. Li Shimin, being considerate, had specifically had someone find a gilded copper hand warmer with charcoal inside for him to warm his hands.

“In Your Highness’s view, the Crown Prince deserves half the credit, but in the Crown Prince’s view, all the military glory belongs entirely to Your Highness, and he gets none of it. He might even be severely slapped in the face by Your Highness, considering that just months ago, he suffered a crushing defeat at Xue Ju’s hands.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Shimin waved his hand, “Elder Brother has always been magnanimous. He wouldn’t think this way. Sir, please don’t overthink it.”