Chapter Ninety-Seven: Fortune Favors the Bold

For Li Jiancheng, the greatest threat posed by Li Shimin lay in his military achievements. Due to the necessities of appearances, Li Jiancheng could not easily leave Chang’an, whereas the Prince of Qin was free to lead troops into battle without such constraints.

Now, Li Jiancheng had finally managed to leverage the ambitions of Li Mi from Wagang and Du Fuwei from Jiangnan to seek alliances and attract the court’s primary attention, thereby dispatching Chen Ying to support Lingzhou. Whether Chen Ying succeeded or not, Li Jiancheng would bear full responsibility.

If Chen Ying could successfully relieve Lingzhou, it would lessen Li Yuan’s dependence on Li Shimin. Naturally, Li Jiancheng was unwilling for Chen Ying to encounter any setbacks. When Chen Ying requested armor, Li Jiancheng, using his official capacity, exceeded expectations to fulfill those needs. When Chen Ying needed artisans, Li Jiancheng did not hesitate to provide them as well.

Li Yuan’s agreement to support Lingzhou at this time was largely due to Chen Ying having invented down-filled clothing. The advent of such attire greatly reduced non-combat losses. However, the aristocratic families of Chang’an had already snapped up the down-filled garments, meaning Chen Ying could not complete his mission smoothly.

When it came to the exorbitant profits from down-filled clothing, Li Jiancheng did not see it that way. Although down was warm, it was still less luxurious than the finest furs, which true nobles disdained. Moreover, the high cost was beyond what commoners could afford. The frantic buying of down in Chang’an was very likely orchestrated behind the scenes by Li Shimin.

Their real intention was not to seek profit but to trip up Chen Ying and to exacerbate the conflict between Li Jiancheng and the powerful aristocratic clans of Chang’an.

Chen Ying was not a scion of the aristocracy and naturally did not comprehend the true terrors of these noble families. The aristocratic clans had intermarried for generations, intertwining their interests and connections in a complex web. The notion of “killing the chicken to warn the monkey” was simply not feasible. Should Li Jiancheng dare to draw his sword, the situation would inevitably descend into chaos, and regardless of who was at fault, responsibility would fall squarely on Li Jiancheng’s shoulders.

To back down and admit defeat was simply not in Li Jiancheng’s nature. He wrapped a down quilt carefully and personally carried it to the residence of Li Gang, Minister of Rites and tutor to the Crown Prince.

Li Gang’s steward, Li Nianbo, was around forty years old. It is said that one who dwells near vermilion becomes stained red, and one near ink turns black. Having served as Li Gang’s attendant and disciple for over a decade, Li Nianbo, though only a steward, was a man of considerable learning, especially adept in classical texts and essays.

Upon seeing Li Jiancheng, Li Nianbo immediately bowed deeply, saying, “Humbly greet Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”

“I am the humble and unworthy Li Jiancheng, seeking an audience with Senior Master Wenji,” Li Jiancheng said respectfully outside the closed gates of Li Gang’s residence.

However, Li Jiancheng’s choice of address startled Li Nianbo. Calling someone a senior or a master was one thing, but to call him “Senior Master” was not a title to be bestowed lightly. For thousands of years, only Confucius and Yan Hui had been honored with that title. For Li Jiancheng to address Li Gang as such was hard for a lifelong devotee of Confucianism like Li Nianbo to accept.

Yet Li Jiancheng clearly bore no such ideological burden. He waited reverently outside, truly like a devout disciple paying respects to a sage of the Confucian school.

Li Nianbo shook his head and returned to the inner courtyard to relay Li Jiancheng’s words to Li Gang verbatim. Li Gang sighed deeply: “When one humbles oneself before another, there must be a purpose. It seems the Crown Prince faces considerable troubles!”

Li Gang was a famed minister from the late Sui period and had served as tutor to three crown princes across the Sui and Tang dynasties. After Li Yuan established the Tang dynasty, he appointed Li Gang as Minister of Rites and tutor to the crown prince. Though Li Jiancheng was the heir apparent, before Li Gang, he was still a student.

With a face full of reverence, Li Jiancheng bowed respectfully to Li Gang: “The humble and unworthy one pays respects to Senior Master Wenji!”

“Senior Master is far too exalted a title,” Li Gang said. “For the Crown Prince to condescend thus, your intentions must be significant indeed!”

Li Jiancheng blushed not in the slightest and replied confidently: “Master Wenji is well-versed in grand strategy and thoroughly knowledgeable in classics and history. If he is not worthy of the title Senior Master, then I ask, who in this world is?”

There is a saying that a palanquin is always carried by many. Though Li Gang was not fond of material wealth, he cherished a good reputation. He sternly said, “Your Highness, please do not say such things; you risk inviting ridicule!”

Still, Li Gang’s eyes betrayed his excitement and joy.

Li Jiancheng smiled faintly, understanding perfectly. He then related at length the matter of the aristocratic clans of Chang’an hoarding down materials for private gain.

After hearing Li Jiancheng’s account, Li Gang slammed the table and declared, “They deserve death, utterly deserve it! The Tang dynasty now faces troubled times; gentry and scholars bear the responsibility to stabilize the realm. To seek personal profit while allowing our soldiers to freeze and starve is utterly reprehensible. I accept no excuse!”

Though Li Gang was only Minister of Rites, his reputation was stellar—none surpassed him, not even Kong Yingda. In the court, Li Gang represented the incorruptible faction. These upright officials did not care about noble lineage or family background; anyone caught would be impeached mercilessly.

By calling upon Li Gang, Li Jiancheng was sure to stir quite a commotion at court.

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The Tang military also employed medical officers, but their numbers were extremely limited—roughly one medical officer per 12,500 troops. A commander who emphasized medical care might add two assistants. While adequate for treating minor ailments and training injuries, these numbers were insufficient during battles with heavy casualties.

Deaths on the battlefield were often few; most succumbed to blood loss or infection afterward, causing significant losses. Many factors affected troop morale, and neglecting timely and effective treatment of the wounded, though not the sole factor, was certai