Chapter 1: Military Merit
In the third month of the second year of Tianbao, Chang'an, Pingkangfang, the Left Prime Minister's Mansion.

The flowers are in full bloom and the grass is green. There is a peach forest in the courtyard with flowers blooming and vying for beauty. A few birds are singing melodiously on the branches. The spring scenery in the garden is like a vibrant painting.

Li Xuan was practicing regular script with a brush while admiring the scenery outside the window.

After two months of hard practice, his calligraphy finally looked decent.

Looking back, Li Xuan was filled with emotion.

Two months ago, the original Li Xuan was knocked unconscious by a club during a fight. A soul from 1,300 years later returned in a dream a thousand years later.

In my previous life, I was a soldier and died in a border conflict, which was a worthy death. I have let go of my past life and it is like a cloud of smoke.

Starting over again, he is Li Xuan. He accepts Li Xuan's memories and has a sense of identity as a blood relative.

In this life, he is a member of the Li Tang royal family.

His great-grandfather was Li Chengqian, the eldest son of Li Shimin.

His grandfather was Li Xiang, the eldest son of Li Chengqian.

His father is Li Shizhi, the current left prime minister.

Although Li Shizhi is also a poet, he is not well-known in the history of China, which is full of shining stars. Most people's impression of him comes from Du Fu's "Song of the Eight Immortals Drinking".

Although he had a prominent status, Li Xuan, who was familiar with the history of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, felt a chill down his spine.

In his previous life, Li Xuan studied history in college, where he studied the history of the Sui and Tang dynasties, and he also liked ancient poetry and prose.

Even after joining the army, he did not stop learning in this area.

It is now the second year of Tianbao. Li Xuan remembers that it was only in these two or three years that Li Shizhi fell into the trap of "sweet words and a sharp sword in the heart". He was deprived of power little by little by Li Linfu, demoted to the local area, and then forced to commit suicide by taking poison.

His elder brother Li Qian was also beaten to death with sticks by Li Linfu's men on the way to escort his father's coffin back to the capital.

As the seventh son of Li Shizhi, what was his ending?

There was no trace of Li Xuan in history. Could it be that he was also framed by Li Linfu?
Li Xuan was born in the 16th year of Kaiyuan. At the age of 16, he was already six feet tall, with a heroic appearance, a broad chest and extremely wide arms.

Influenced by Li Shizhi, Li Xuan learned riding and archery since childhood.

After his rebirth, all these martial arts were inherited by him.

But Li Xuan was not good at literature and his handwriting was very poor, so he had to hone his skills again.

For the past two months, Li Xuan also practiced horse riding and archery outside the city.

He was surprised to find that his strength in this life far exceeded his peak in his previous life, as if he was born with supernatural powers.

This made Li Xuan want to "return to his old job".

Although Li Shizhi was the prime minister, he only wanted to respect Li Linfu and did not want any real confrontation.

Li Linfu, who was skilled in political intrigue, could not tolerate Li Shizhi's disobedience. What he wanted was a "yes-man" like Niu Xianke.

In order to keep Li Shizhi, Li Xuan must make military achievements and win the favor of Li Longji.

Li Longji during the Tianbao period was the most contented and confident moment in his life. He believed that his civil administration was comparable to his great-grandfather Li Shimin, but in military strategy, he was not as good.

Whoever expanded his territory for him and made great military achievements would be favored by Li Longji without restraint, and he would be lavishly rewarded, and even allowed to become a prime minister for his military achievements.

Since the Kaiyuan period, many people have been promoted to prime ministers for their achievements in border defense, such as Zhang Jiazhen, Wang Jun, Zhang Shuo, Du Xian, Xiao Song, Niu Xianke, and Li Xuan's father Li Shizhi. Among them, Niu Xianke can barely recognize a few characters.

This shows Li Longji's enthusiasm for "martial arts".

Of course, becoming prime minister due to military merit was not an exception in Li Longji's era. Li Jing, Li Ji, Liu Rengui and others in the early Tang Dynasty also became prime ministers due to their military merits.

Li Longji favored An Lushan. In addition to his sweet talk and flattery, he was always able to make contributions.

Li Xuan's goal in this life is to become prime minister, to keep the prosperous Tang Dynasty standing, and to prevent the people from suffering from catastrophe.

It is difficult to get into politics. The chief prime minister Li Linfu never said anything that Li Longji didn't like to hear, and he handled government affairs in an orderly manner, allowing Li Longji time to have fun, and was deeply trusted by Li Longji.

What's more, after Li Linfu, there was Yang Yuhuan's cousin Yang Guozhong.

The most important thing is that Li Xuan doesn’t have much time. He needs to make a name for himself and accomplish meritorious service on the frontier within two years.

It is now early March, and after the Guangyuntan event, Li Xuan will join the army in the northwest.

"Qilang, something bad has happened..."

After Li Xuan wrote four huge characters "出将而予相志" on the paper, which were so powerful that they could be seen through the back of the paper, Luo Xing, a servant in the mansion, ran into the back garden in panic.

The Zuo Xiangfu was a nine-courtyard compound awarded by the emperor to the prime minister. Li Xuan lived in the seventh courtyard, and the back garden was located in the seventh courtyard, which was considered the most unique courtyard in the Zuo Xiangfu.

"Why are you so nervous?"

Hearing Luo Xing's call, Li Xuan put down his pen and walked out of the room.

"Qilang, Shuang'er... was captured by Li Yi. I wanted to save Shuang'er, but they were outnumbered and beat me up."

After seeing Li Xuan, Luo Xing, with a bruised face and nose, was out of breath. He bent over and reported to Li Xuan.

"Doesn't Li Yi know that Shuang'er is a servant in the Left Prime Minister's Mansion?" Li Xuan frowned.

He was about to leave Chang'an, and didn't want to get involved unless it was absolutely necessary.

"Li Yi knew. He threw down a piece of gold and said..."

Luo Xing took out a piece of gold from his pocket, but he hesitated and did not dare to continue.

"say what?"

Li Xuan glared at Luo Xing.

Slaves were the lowest class in the Tang Dynasty's untouchable system, analogous to livestock, and could be bought and sold freely.

The powerful and wealthy in the Tang Dynasty not only traded maids and concubines with each other, but even forcibly abducted decent women.

For example, Li Longji's elder brother, Prince Ning Li Xian, abducted the wife of a decent family who sold cakes as his concubine. After the great poet Wang Wei satirized him with a poem "Madam Xi", Prince Ning had no choice but to let her go.

But Shuang'er was a maid in the Zuo Xiangfu after all, which made the Zuo Xiangfu lose face.

"He said that our Zuo Xiangfu was poor and offered us a hundred times the price to buy our slaves..."

Luo Xing could only reply reluctantly.

"Too deceiving!"

Li Xuan clenched his fists, burning with anger.

Li Yi was the eighth son of Li Linfu.

Li Linfu had many wives and concubines, and had twenty-five sons and twenty-five daughters.

In this regard, only Li Longji in the entire Tang Dynasty could surpass him.

Li Yi was the most dissolute of Li Linfu's many adult sons.

Li Linfu had been prime minister for nine years and had long been in control of the government.

In contrast, Li Shizhi was appointed prime minister only last August, and was far behind in every aspect. Therefore, the princes and sons of the royal family went to curry favor with Li Linfu's children, making Li Linfu's children arrogant and domineering.

Especially when Li Xuan still has conflicts with Li Yi.

Two months ago, Li Xuan had a fight with Li Yi and was beaten with a club because he was outnumbered.

It is obvious that Li Yi is humiliating Li Xuan.

"Where is Li Yi now?" Li Xuan asked Luo Xing in a deep voice.

Li Xuan had no choice but to respond to such a provocation.

Li Xuan is no longer the same person he was before, and is ready to settle both new and old grudges.

Even if Shuang'er was just a slave, Li Yi's forced sale was against Tang law, so he was not afraid of making a big fuss.

In Li Xuan's memory, Shuang'er had been the maid who took care of Zuo Xiang's daily life since she came to his residence three years ago.

In the two months since her rebirth, she has taken great care of him and worked hard without complaint.

Letting someone like Li Yi become Shuang'er's master, one can imagine what Shuang'er's fate would be.

According to the law, if a master put a slave to death, the punishment he would receive would not be as severe as stealing an animal. The rich and powerful could even avoid punishment and let the matter go.

Li Xuan would not allow this to happen.

"Qilang, Li Yi went to Lingcui Tower in Nanqu, and Shuang'er should have been taken there by him." Luo Xing answered uncertainly.

Li Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, fortunately Shuang'er was not brought into the Right Prime Minister's Mansion.

Because there were hundreds of slaves in the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, Li Xuan couldn't get in at all.

Compared with the noble mansion of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, the Left Prime Minister's Mansion does seem shabby.

"Qi Lang, can you please ask your husband and Da Lang to come back and make a decision!"

When Li Xuan was about to go out, Zhao Zong, the steward of the Left Prime Minister's Mansion, stopped Li Xuan and persuaded him.

Li Shizhi handled government affairs in the Zhongshu Menxia Hall, and Li Xun was the Shaoqing of the Weiwei and also had official duties to attend to.

Li Xuan's second brother died of illness, and his sixth brother died young.

The third brother, Li Qi, served as the county magistrate in Qiyang County and usually did not come back.

My fourth brother Li Jiqing passed the Mingjing exam and then took the Boxue Hongci exam and worked at the Imperial College.

The fifth brother Li Lang was making a living in the Zuo Yulin Army.

In addition, Li Xuan has three older sisters and one younger sister. All of her older sisters are married, and her younger sister is three years younger than Li Xuan.

Household matters are generally decided by Li Shizhi and Li Qian.

"When they come back, it will be too late..."

Li Xuan directly pulled Zhao Zong away.

He knew Li Shizhi. She was just a maid and would most likely keep quiet.

Li Shizhi always wanted to defend his position as the left prime minister rather than challenge Li Linfu's authority.

Little did they know that Li Linfu could not tolerate even a grain of sand in his eyes.

Zhao Zong is almost fifty years old, how can he match the strength of Li Xuan.

He couldn't persuade Li Xuan, so he could only dispatch the remaining seven or eight servants in the mansion to follow him.

"I am going to protect the dignity of the Left Prime Minister's Mansion. I am not going to gather a crowd to fight. There is no need for anyone to follow me."

In the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, martial arts were valued, and there were unwritten rules among the princes and sons of the royal family. If conflicts arose, they should be resolved privately. If a slave was allowed to take action, it would not only be a disgrace to the master. If something went wrong, the slave would be executed.

Even Li Xuan didn't let Luo Xing follow him.

Zhao Zong was anxious but helpless and could only send someone to convey a message to Li Shizhi.

"Qilang, Qilang...we are here to help you..."

As Li Xuan walked out of the Left Prime Minister's residence, two young men came trotting towards him.

"Pei Huang, Pei Zhou..."

Li Xuan recognized the two teenagers.

Pei Huang was the grandson of Pei Kuan, the governor of Fanyang. He was a tall and strong man and often practiced riding and shooting with Li Xuan.

Pei Zhou is a fair-skinned man, and is Pei Kuan's nephew.

Pei Huang is seventeen years old, two years older than Pei Zhou. According to seniority, Pei Huang has to call Pei Zhou "uncle".

"What are you doing here?" Li Xuan asked uncle and nephew Pei Huang and Pei Zhou.

"My uncle saw Li Yi snatch your maid away and knew you would not sit idly by." Pei Huang replied very loyally.

"It's none of your business, just go back..."

Li Xuan didn't want them to get involved.

"Qilang, last time Li Yi played dirty tricks on us, so this time we'll bring our weapons with us to teach him a lesson."

Pei Huang said this as he lifted up his robe, revealing two sticks tucked inside.

Pei Zhou, the frail young man, also lifted up his clothes, revealing a longer stick hidden inside.

"Let's go..."

Seeing this, Li Xuan stopped trying to stop him.

When Pei Huang and Pei Zhou followed Li Xuan, they offended Li Yi many times.

Li Yi also hated them, but he had no chance to take action.

The influence of the Pei family in Wenxi during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty was no less than that of the Five Surnames and Seven Families. During the Kaiyuan period, two prime ministers came from the Pei family, as well as more than a dozen officials of the fifth rank and above, and there were also military governors and military envoys such as Pei Kuan.

A group of people headed towards Nanqu in a mighty manner.

To the east of the north gate of Pingkangfang, there are three curves, which are where prostitutes gather.

Among them, southern opera singers are called "Yuju", who are proficient in poetry, music and have both outstanding talent and beauty.

During the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, the custom of visiting prostitutes was prevalent. Many high-ranking officials and nobles went in and out of southern music, lingered in the land of tenderness, indulged in decadent music, and lived a life of drunkenness and dreams.

Among them, Lingcui Tower is the most famous southern opera. Even princes and nobles would invite famous prostitutes from Lingcui Tower to accompany them at their banquets and outings.

"Young Master invites you..."

Outside Lingcui Tower, the women dressed up in fancy clothes could tell at a glance that Li Xuan and others were of noble status. They immediately came forward and spoke in fluent Heluo dialect in a soft voice, which sounded very comfortable.

Although they were all from Pingkangfang, Li Xuan and the others were relatively young and preferred to play Cuju at Princess Changning's mansion, or go to Longshouyuan outside the city for horseback riding and archery. They had never been to brothels.

(End of this chapter)