Xue Rengui tilted his head and glanced at the sky.
It was already October in Chang'an.
The sun hanging overhead no longer burned like molten fire the way it did in June or July, yet it still showed no restraint in scattering its lingering heat. There was not the slightest hint of winter in the air.
Thanks to this weather, Xue Rengui was wearing nothing more than a simple front-opening robe, and felt no chill at all.
The thin fabric breathed well—and just as conveniently outlined his tall, well-built physique.
Ordinarily, one would wear an outer robe on top. But for one thing, Xue Rengui found it too hot; for another, the fact that his hair was tied up without a crown made his youth obvious. No one bothered to nitpick his attire.
His only real headache was passing through Pingkang Ward.
Every time he did, dealing with the courtesans was unavoidable.
Xue Rengui could discuss archery techniques with His Majesty without so much as blinking—but when it came to those women, he inevitably ended up flustered.
Those ladies, fragrant and polished like jade, were bold to the point of fearlessness. Some even wore low-cut garments, laughing brightly as they asked for his name and hometown.
Xue Rengui had been so startled that he fled the street outright.
When he mentioned this afterward to Pei Xingjian, the boy's eyes went wide in disbelief.
"How can anyone dress like that if she's not a princess or commandery lady? That's a violation of regulations!"
Su Dingfang scoffed and gestured at Pei Xingjian's height.
"Give it another five years—no, four years. You'll know just how wonderful those flower ladies are."
He then eagerly pressed Xue Rengui for details about what the courtesans were wearing, before slapping his thigh in regret.
"If only old Su were sweeping streets near Zhangtai Street—what a life that'd be!"
Pingkang Ward's main road had been called Zhangtai Street back in Han times. Because of that, courtesans were sometimes called "people of Zhangtai," a term the ladies themselves quite liked.
Young men cared deeply about height. Su Dingfang's remark immediately set Pei Xingjian off.
The short-tempered youth grabbed at the Left Guard's Zhonglang General, determined to duel him—not with fists, but in calligraphy and prose.
One was a prodigy carrying the Pei family's reputation on narrow shoulders.
The other was a veteran general who had thundered across Yin Mountain and trampled enemy royal tents.
Xue Rengui clearly remembered Pei Xingjian praising General Su Lie in private, yet somehow, whenever they spoke face to face, sparks flew.
Shaking his head, Xue Rengui turned another page of the military manual in his hands.
The book was said to have been personally written by the Duke of Dai himself.
It contained ideas unseen in other military texts—terms like annihilation, explanations of effective combat strength, and even a concept called technological generation gaps.
But thinking of the captivating courtesans outside Pingkang Ward, Xue Rengui felt another kind of trouble creep in.
Should I… maybe string those silver rings together and hang them on my chest?
But then the thought of silver rings reminded him of the young lady of the Liu family who had given him one—and his mind drifted.
Pei Xingjian and Su Dingfang, nearly twenty years apart in age, still arguing stubbornly.
Xue Rengui holding a military book with a foolish look on his face.
That was the scene Li Jing walked in on.
Pei Xingjian was sharp-eyed. The moment he spotted Li Jing, he shouted loudly:
"Greetings, Doctor!"
Su Dingfang and Xue Rengui were half a beat slower, but quickly followed suit.
Xue Rengui immediately sensed something different.
On ordinary days, the Duke of Dai always carried himself with calm composure—but today, the fatigue and urgency between his brows were unmistakable.
Almost instantly, Xue Rengui heard Su Dingfang's breathing quicken beside him.
Does General Su know what's happening?
Li Jing never liked to keep people guessing. He looked at the three of them and spoke directly:
"You are to return home immediately and pack your belongings. Tomorrow at dawn, assemble at Kaiyuan Gate. You will accompany me to Liangzhou on official duty."
With that, Li Jing nodded to them and strode out without pause, turning toward another building—likely to find Fang Xuanling.
Su Dingfang punched the air several times, venting his excitement.
Xue Rengui pieced things together quickly.
Liangzhou…
Combined with recent military discussions focusing on Hexi and the Western Regions—
There was only one possibility.
Tuyuhun.
He clenched his fist, emotions tangled.
The chance to restore the Xue family's glory was right in front of him—yet the nerves of facing the battlefield for the first time surged up all the same.
Perhaps his expression was too obvious. Su Dingfang slung an arm over his shoulder, grinning.
"We're heading to Liangzhou tomorrow. Who knows when—or even whether—we'll return to Chang'an in one piece."
"In that case—" Su Dingfang wiggled his brows. "How about your elder brother takes you to Pingkang Ward today for a bit of worldly education?"
Xue Rengui's face instantly flushed red, all the way to his ears.
Su Dingfang burst into laughter and patted the shoulder of this not-yet-crowned young general.
"A commander must exercise restraint. Staying away from places of trouble is good."
"Though I do know this—east of Pingkang Ward, past the Eastern Market, there's Daozheng Ward. The wine there is unrivaled in all of Chang'an."
"Fine wine strengthens resolve. You and I shall drink."
There was no reason to refuse.
But thinking of Su Dingfang's words about not knowing if they'd return alive made Xue Rengui's mood sink slightly. He nodded and followed along.
Seeing Xue Rengui agree, Su Dingfang turned and ruffled Pei Xingjian's hair with a grin.
"No drinking for you. Go home and bid farewell to your wet nurse. Just say you're going to Liangzhou for a short stay—don't make her worry."
Pei Xingjian had never traveled far before. His mood was heavy as well, and he nodded without bothering to argue.
The Guozijian was located in Wuben Ward. After leaving the ward, Xue Rengui and Su Dingfang circled behind the academy.
From afar, they spotted a generously built courtesan, laughing loudly as she called out to passing young men.
Su Dingfang sighed deeply.
"So close to the Guozijian—and I never knew."
Seeing Su Dingfang's gaze sink dangerously into the lady's generosity, Xue Rengui could only return his words verbatim:
"General Su, a commander must exercise restraint."
Su Dingfang nodded vigorously.
"Indeed! A commander must exercise restraint!"
"This general serves as Left Guard Zhonglang General—must not forget his duty and must share His Majesty's burdens!"
"This attire smacks of regulatory violation! I must reprimand her in person!"
In the end, Su Dingfang failed utterly.
Overpowered by Xue Rengui's brute strength, he was dragged away with a face full of longing.
Past Pingkang Ward lay the bustling Eastern Market.
Looking at the crowds, Xue Rengui frowned slightly.
"There seem to be more people in Chang'an than when I first arrived."
Pingkang Ward was already forgotten. Su Dingfang examined a glass cup at a stall, then shook his head.
"You forgot? The imperial examinations are about to begin."
Half a year earlier, the court had announced the reopening of the examinations, scheduling them for mid-October.
Thus, after the recent light-screen revelations, the court was anything but idle.
Examinations. Military campaigns. Maritime policy. The Directorate of Works. Mathematics.
Just these five matters alone consumed most of the Three Departments and Six Ministries.
And Su Dingfang knew—this was only the beginning.
Tang was never short on talent. Even those benefiting from hereditary privilege were all loudly praised as "talents."
Once the emperor pushed the examination system further, shifting fully to merit-based selection, resistance would be fierce—even Su Dingfang could imagine it.
But none of that mattered.
As long as they crushed Tuyuhun, they would crush opposition at court as well.
And—glancing at Xue Rengui beside him—Su Dingfang felt utterly reassured.
Xue Rengui nodded quietly.
Without the imperial summons, he would've waited until his coming-of-age years to return for the military examination.
Now, there was no need.
Only… how would Doctor Li arrange him when they faced Tuyuhun?
The thought set his blood racing. He wished he could enter the camp immediately and test everything he had learned.
And finally, he couldn't hold it back.
"General Su… this Tuyuhun—"
They walked through the Eastern Market, surrounded by stalls and crowds.
Su Dingfang shot him a sharp look.
Only then did Xue Rengui realize his mistake—among these people could easily be Tuyuhun merchants.
He clasped his hands apologetically. Both fell silent.
They crossed into Daozheng Ward, where the scent of wine drifted over the walls.
Only then did Su Dingfang mutter:
"Military matters are for military places. Drinking matters are for here."
Daozheng Ward sold wine and had places to drink, but Su Dingfang preferred caution. He bought wine and dragged Xue Rengui back to his own residence to drink.
On the return trip, after passing Pingkang Ward yet again—and forcibly saving Su Dingfang from his "duty"—Xue Rengui was stopped near the Guozijian by a palace eunuch.
"His Majesty summons you?"
Under Su Dingfang's regretful gaze, Xue Rengui exchanged a farewell bow and entered the palace.
Today's emperor was noticeably less easygoing.
The moment they met, Li Shimin said sharply:
"Your entry into the army was personally guaranteed by me. Only then did the Duke of Dai agree."
Pei Xingjian, due to age, was only going along to broaden his horizons—he'd remain in Liangzhou.
Xue Rengui was different.
The Son of Heaven was making it clear: you will fight.
All of Xue Rengui's tangled thoughts collapsed into gratitude.
"Thank you, Your Majesty—"
Before he could finish, the second blow landed:
"I hear you went to see courtesans and drink flower wine with Dingfang today?"
Xue Rengui flushed crimson, swearing he was already pledged to the Liu family's young lady, and insisting they had only gone to Daozheng Ward to buy wine for a farewell drink.
Only then did Li Shimin's expression soften.
"Visit Zhangtai Street less… though drinking to strengthen resolve is fine. Leave a jar of wine here with me. When you return victorious, we'll drink it together—it will taste all the sweeter."
Xue Rengui could only thank him.
When talk turned to war, Li Shimin grew animated, strolling through the palace with him while casually sharing insights from his own campaigns.
Xue Rengui benefited immensely.
As the emperor's interest waned and dismissal loomed, Xue Rengui finally voiced his lingering doubt.
"I am unworthy—why does Your Majesty value me so highly?"
Li Shimin had expected the question. He turned and patted the young general's shoulder.
"Over a month ago, a divine figure entered my dream and said you are a divine general of Tang—able to break the Western Regions and pacify Liaodong."
"Rengui—are you Tang's divine general?"
Leaving Taiji Hall, Xue Rengui felt as if he were walking on clouds.
Those two words echoed endlessly in his heart:
Divine General of Tang.
I, Xue Rengui, will strike down enemy chiefs and bandits for Tang, and forge my name like Doctor Li.
Lost in thought, he nearly collided with someone at a corner.
It was a richly dressed boy—about eleven or twelve years old.
Behind him was another similarly dressed boy, equally young, holding a baby with an impressively long trail of snot.
Several palace maids followed anxiously.
Realizing his own distraction, Xue Rengui stepped back and bowed.
"I beg pardon for my discourtesy."
The boy didn't seem to mind and nodded before passing.
As they went by, Xue Rengui heard the younger boy whispering to the baby:
"Zhinu, don't talk later. Just cling to Father's leg and cry, understand?"
"I don't know how you offended him, but if you cry, Father won't be able to do anything."
"Oh—and don't wipe your nose on his leg this time. Where's your handkerchief? I'll wipe it now."
Father… inside the palace…
Even a fool would know their identity.
Xue Rengui felt a surge of relief.
But then the leading boy turned back, staring curiously at Xue Rengui's uncrowned head.
"I haven't seen you before. Who are you?"
Xue Rengui straightened.
"Reporting to Your Highness, this humble one is Xue Rengui."
Li Chengqian's face lit up.
"Father mentioned you—said you have the reputation of 'three arrows settling Tianshan.'"
Xue Rengui immediately felt sweat bead on his back.
After Li Tai finished wiping Li Zhi's nose, he urged:
"Elder Brother, if we don't see Father now, there won't be time."
Li Chengqian nodded, then tried—and failed—to pat Xue Rengui's shoulder, settling for his forearm instead.
"May your martial fortune flourish."
The exchange ended there. The three princes headed toward Taiji Palace.
The wind carried back Li Tai's complaint:
"Walk faster—or I'll have to wipe Zhinu's nose again at the gate."
Xue Rengui stepped aside, watching the maids escort the princes past.
One maid glanced at him briefly, curiosity flickering—why is there a little girl among the attendants… which princess is that?