Chapter Sixty-Two: Teaching the Arrogant Young Master a Lesson—Exhilarating!

Those circles were precisely the ones led by Li Tai, the notorious group of drug users. To call it drug use is a stretch; they indulged in Five Stone Powder, a concoction said to have survived since the Jin Dynasty—mildly addictive, little more than a subtle narcotic. Li Tai himself was no saint. Li Yi knew little about him, only that he possessed some talent and a fondness for literature, winning Li Er’s favor. Li Chengqian’s rebellion was directly linked to him, for Li Er’s partiality towards Li Tai ultimately drove Li Chengqian mad, pushing him to revolt.

The other cliques belonged to Li Shimin’s sons—Li You and Li Yin. One was deemed a beast by Li Er, the other worse than a beast. Neither amounted to much. Finally, there was another circle of wastrels led by Chai Lingwu and his companions.

Li Chengqian frowned as he glanced at those circles, his face betraying disgust.

Li Ke furrowed his brow slightly. “Yi, our circle is just these few. If you have something to say, speak plainly!”

Li Yi, truth be told, disliked that crowd as well. His earlier inquiry had been mere caution. “Since that’s settled, I’ll speak. Brothers, aside from the Crown Prince and the Prince of Shu, the rest of us are sons of meritorious officials. We’ve never worried about food or clothing, nor about our future prospects. Even if we are mediocre, so long as we don’t err, our lives will remain secure. But are you truly content to live out your days so ordinary, so unremarkable?”

Cheng Chumo’s expression darkened. “What else can we do? Join the army? I’m the eldest son, heir to the Duke's title. My father would never allow me on the front lines. Politics? Do you think I’m suited for that?”

Li Zhen’s eyes lost their light. “Who isn’t? Even if we could serve in the army or government, we’d always live in our fathers’ shadows. Surpassing them is near impossible. Better to live our lives without worry.”

Zhangsun Chong said, “The more you do, the more mistakes you make; do nothing, and you won’t be wrong.”

Yuchi Baolin chimed in, “Why bother thinking so much? I feel just fine now—no worries, no restraints.”

Duan Gui remarked, “No one controls me, since I’m the second son and the title goes to my brother. But what can I do? Join the battlefield? Is it really so easy?”

Fang Yiai added, “I’d like to see the battlefield, but my old man simply won’t agree!”

“Enough!” Li Yi suddenly shouted, his face grave as he gazed at them. “A few days ago, I discussed a small business venture with His Majesty. I sought partners. His Majesty asked me who would be fit, and without hesitation, I said I’d choose you. I said, ‘If the youth are wise, the nation is wise; if the youth are wealthy, the nation is wealthy; if the youth are strong, the nation is strong; if the youth are independent, the nation is independent; if the youth are free, the nation is free; if the youth progress, the nation progresses; if the youth triumph over the world, then Great Tang triumphs over the world!’ I have always believed that, ‘Each generation produces its own talents, each dominating for hundreds of years!’ Yet I never expected that the young men of Great Tang would be content to idle away their lives as feckless cowards.”

“You all say, ‘It’s difficult, it won’t work,’ then give up. That is cowardice. Anything you wish to do will yield rewards. There is no mountain too high, no river too wide. No one is a god, able to do as they please. Everyone faces difficulties; difficulty does not mean failure, but giving up does. Even if there’s only a one-in-a-thousand chance, if you persevere, who can say you’re not that one? But if you give up, I can guarantee you’re one of the other nine hundred ninety-nine!”

Li Yi’s words left the wastrels in shame, especially Yuchi Baolin, who had been a perfect example of giving up—his face now flushed red.

After hearing Li Yi’s speech, Li Chengqian suddenly rose and bowed to him. “Yi, you are truly gifted! The other day in my Eastern Palace, you bested Master Kong with your argument of inaction. I thought you were merely quibbling. Later, you told me your ambition was ‘to establish a heart for heaven and earth, to create a destiny for the people, to continue the sacred learning of the ancients, and to bring peace to all generations.’ I took it as drunken rambling. Only now do I realize you are a man of true talent, great ambition, and deep learning. I apologize for my misunderstanding of you!”

Li Yi hurriedly helped Li Chengqian up. “Ah, Your Highness, that’s too much. It’s been a while—you all know what kind of person I am. If you look at it small, it’s honesty; if you look at it big, it’s lack of decorum. I take no gifts, speak my mind. I have wanted to change, but then I thought, Great Tang can do without a well-mannered Li Wenyong, but if it lacked a carefree Li Yi, how lonely would you all be! Perhaps, Your Highness, you might consider—shall we be friends?”

Li Chengqian was startled. In all his years, he had never had a friend—not one. Even his siblings, after he became Crown Prince, kept their distance. To say he wasn’t lonely would be a lie; he had always yearned for friendship, but it had only been a dream—after all, he was the Crown Prince. Yet now the opportunity was before him. Li Chengqian gazed at Li Yi, and with unprecedented solemnity declared, “Yi, from now on, you are my friend.”

Li Yi laughed. “Haven’t we always been?”

The two shared a glance and burst into laughter.

Li Yi, while laughing, stole a look at the others. Their faces were odd—becoming the Crown Prince’s friend couldn’t be so simple, could it? If it were, would the Crown Prince have no friends? This involved the throne, involved factions. With their status, such a thing could never be taken lightly. Even Zhangsun Chong, whose father Zhangsun Wuji was Li Chengqian’s staunch supporter, dared not say it so openly! Among them was a shadowed figure: the Prince of Shu, Li Ke, who had always coveted that position.

Li Yi took in their expressions. He was well aware of their anxieties—more than anyone, he understood the ruthlessness of the struggle for the throne. He never intended to participate in it. He spoke openly for two reasons: first, to rescue Li Chengqian, the problem child, for among Li Er’s sons, he had to admit Li Chengqian was the best candidate for succession. Li Ke’s lineage doomed him to miss the throne; the fact that Li Chengqian and Li Tai fell, and Li Er never named Li Ke as Crown Prince, showed how deeply Li Er distrusted his lineage. Li Tai was even less worthy, his character too poor. As for Li Zhi, that little brat, he lost the Li family’s empire—his abilities speak for themselves! Thus, Li Yi hoped, both emotionally and rationally, that Li Chengqian would inherit the throne smoothly, though this did not mean Li Yi would help him fight for it.

Second, it was to give Li Er an account. Li Er made him the Crown Prince’s companion precisely to draw Li Chengqian to him. If he showed nothing for it, he would be disrespecting Li Er. As for whether Li Er would misunderstand, Li Yi was certain he would not; some things are less serious when laid out openly.

As for Li Ke’s frustration—he was a child. Later, he’d give him a lesson in politics. A man may lack ability or status, but must always have self-awareness. Otherwise, regret will tear at his soul, his tears will become rhythmic, and his death, senseless.