Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 556 - 308: Accidental Killing

Ten days later, Li Shimin received news that Yuan Tiangang had passed away. He summoned the person who had been secretly monitoring Yuan and asked with a solemn voice, "Did you look carefully? Is Yuan Tiangang truly dead?"

"Your Majesty, your humble servant saw it clearly. Yuan Tiangang is dead, and his body has been buried on Dragon Tiger Mountain," the person, hidden within the shadows, replied respectfully.

Li Shimin pondered for a long while before saying, "Then let it be. Since he died forecasting Heaven's Secret for our Great Tang, we should still honor his wishes. Do not investigate further in the future."

"Did you find any information on the person surnamed Wu that I asked you to investigate?"

The person from the shadows extended a hand, unexpectedly fair, and respectfully handed over a white paper filled with densely written names, all sharing the surname Wu.

However, when Li Shimin reviewed the detailed information about all these people, he discovered that none of them had the means to rebel. It was impossible for them to replace the dynasty of Great Tang within thirty years after his death.

"Could Yuan Tiangang's prophecy have been mistaken?" Li Shimin murmured to himself. After speaking, he took out the Tui Bei Tu left by Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang and pondered over it closely.

Within a few days, a grand banquet was held in the Imperial Palace of the Great Tang, where numerous military generals who had made significant contributions to this powerful dynasty gathered together. They were the sharpest swords of the dynasty, the fundamental reason why Li Shimin could become the Celestial Khan.

Regarding these military generals, Li Shimin felt both apprehension and affection, but fortunately, his strength and prestige were enough to suppress these proud and unruly warriors.

During the banquet, where the lights were bright and cups were interchanged freely, being a group of straightforward men, their greatest pleasure was competing in drinking. However, since it was an imperial feast, they could not be too unrestrained, so someone suggested playing a drinking game.

Since it was a drinking game, there of course needed to be a penalty. Thus, one of the generals spoke out, "Whoever loses the drinking game must not only drink a penalty but also reveal their childhood nickname. Do you dare?"

In that era, because the child mortality rate was high, to ensure that children could grow up safely, elders often gave their children humble names. It was rumored that such names would not attract the attention of the King of Underworld, thus avoiding the Soul-Reaping Messenger. As such, childhood nicknames were usually Dog Leftover, Dog Egg, and similar, which could be quite embarrassing for men who had since become successful and powerful generals.

Therefore, these words immediately sparked enthusiastic responses, as all were proud individuals. On the battlefield they had to determine who was superior, and in a drinking setting, they were unwilling to show weakness and admit defeat.

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Among the military generals was a person named Li Junxian, the title of Marquis of Wulian County and the position of General of the Left Martial Guard, stationed at Xuanwu Gate.

This man was handsome and graceful, with eyes like sharp swords that showed his spirited energy. He was the rising star in the military, a bright and promising general of the Great Tang. When it was his turn to reveal his childhood nickname, he merely smiled as if a breeze was brushing his face, unlike the loud voices typical of generals. His voice was very mellow, making people feel good upon hearing it, "Actually, to not hide from everyone, my childhood nickname was 'Wu Niang.'

Immediately, one of the generals burst out laughing, "Wu Niang sounds like a woman's name, I do not know what your parents were thinking to give you such a childhood nickname."

"This name was given by my parents; as their child, it would be wrong to hold any disdain," Li Junxian responded with a smile, not at all upset by the comment, which made everyone around him instantly feel his magnanimity, and they toasted to him one after another.

Li Junxian appeared very at ease among them. He seemed to naturally adapt to this environment, flourishing as naturally as a fish swims in water.

Meanwhile, sitting at the head table, Li Shimin's expression subtly changed. He quietly observed Li Junxian, took out the cherished Tui Bei Tu, and saw a painting of a distinguished woman wearing a Golden Crown, holding a Golden Hammer, and striking a Golden Drum. Next to it was a short poem: "A woman surnamed Wu, holding a golden talisman, sits in the central plains. Dressed in a multicolored garment bathed in rosy light, she wields a Golden Hammer to beat the Golden Drum."

Every time he saw this picture, he always felt as if it was depicting the future fate of the Great Tang. Could the person surnamed Wu mentioned by Yuan Tiangang correspond to this picture? But a woman ruling as Emperor was something he fundamentally did not believe in. Throughout history, there had never been such a case; a woman ascending the throne would face tremendous opposition and challenges. Even thinking about it, he felt the possibility was minimal.

It was only today, upon hearing what Li Junxian had said, that this robust man unexpectedly had a childhood nickname like that of a woman's, which suddenly made his heart skip a beat.

He gently called over Li Junxian with a smile and said, "Li Qing, that's quite an interesting name. What is your current official position?"

Seeing that Li Shimin was inquiring, Li Junxian was overjoyed. Having one's name remembered by the Emperor undoubtedly meant that one was on the verge of soaring to great heights. He promptly knelt down and said, "Your humble servant has been granted the title of Marquis of Wulian County for my military merits, and thanks to Your Majesty's favor, I currently serve as the General of the Left Martial Guard, with a mandate to guard Xuanwu Gate."

Li Shimin was stunned upon hearing this. Xuanwu Gate, such a familiar name, it was right here that he had engaged in deadly conflict with his own brothers. The blood had soaked the blue bricks of Xuanwu Gate that day. Even now, he could faintly sense the smell of blood. It was the most unforgettable day of his life, as well as the most perilous day.