Chapter 25: Farewell at Weishui
At sunset, Li Xuan took Li Yuying home.

Li Xuan dismissed the group of scholars and ladies with a poem by Han Yu of later times called "Late Spring". They did not care about the meaning of Li Xuan's poem, but only cared about Li Xuan reciting a new poem.

In fact, Li Xuan implied that he would seize this opportunity to fight against the Turks to show his worth to the country and the emperor.

"Seventh Brother, they all said that people will die on the battlefield. Can you not go?"

Li Yuying said reluctantly when she learned that Li Xuan was going to fight in a faraway place.

"A man's destiny is here, his family, his country and the world. Don't worry, brother will return safely."

Li Xuan touched Li Yuying's head.

She doesn't quite understand.

Li Shizhi had been in the Youzhou military camp and would return to Chang'an once in a while, and she thought Li Xuan would do the same.

The next day, early morning.

When the morning drum sounded for the first time, Li Xuan got up and washed.

His maid Shuang'er counted the gifts for Li Xuan again.

Qilang is about to leave, and Shuang'er is even more sad. For so many years, Li Xuan has been her support.

"You stay home and take care of my garden. I'll be back any minute."

Li Xuan saw through Shuang'er's thoughts and comforted her.

When Li Xuan took up his post in the army this time, he only brought Luo Xing with him.

"Don't worry, Qilang. I won't let a single flower tree wither."

She had no right to tell Li Xuan to be careful, she could only wish Li Xuan the best in her heart.

Li Xuan smiled. He had asked Li Yuying to take care of her and not let other servants in the mansion bully Shuang'er.

"Luo Xing, take my strong bow made of one stone and the carved bow given by the emperor."

Li Xuan emphasized his instructions to Luo Xing.

There might not be a stone cavalry bow in the army, so Li Xuan had to prepare his own.

There is no need to bring lances and guns, as they are essential in the army.

The horse lance was not as magical as later generations portrayed it to be. No matter how good a lance was, it had to be repaired like armor after several battles.

Those famous swords handed down from generation to generation remain sharp for thousands of years because they are never used on the battlefield.

The test of iron and blood has made the weapons of this era consumables.

On this day, Li Xuan's brothers all came back to see him off and asked about his well-being.

They will set off after Li Shi returns to court.

As for Li Xuan's friends and Wang Wei, he deliberately told them that he would leave next month as he didn't want them to see him off.

Not long after the morning hour, Li Shizhi hurried back. He repeatedly reminded Li Xuan to bring enough gold, silver, and clothes.

"Qillang now also has a fish symbol. It is like your clothes, which embodies the will of the country and the people. You must always remind yourself to be magnanimous and virtuous. Although your wisdom is not as good as yours, I have been an official for many years and have never lacked these." Before Li Xuan got on the horse, Li Shizhi personally tidied Li Xuan's clothes.

Li Xuan not only had a jade pendant with a flying bird holding a flower given by the emperor hanging around his waist, but also a silver bag containing a fish symbol.

Li Shizhi took out the fish symbol from the silver bag and reminded Li Xuan.

"The child knows."

Li Xuan nodded. He attached great importance to principles.

"Father, Li Bai is my friend. If possible, please take care of him."

Li Xuan was very regretful that he only met Li Bai once, at the willow bank of Qujiang River.

"Li Bai wants to rise to prominence overnight, but I, your father, can't do it." Li Shizhi frowned.

What this means is that Li Bai wanted to become prime minister overnight.

"He wants to go to heaven and become a god!"

Li Xuan knew that Li Bai's poems did have this meaning, but he still explained it to Li Shizhi humorously.

After all, it was the secular road that made Li Bai fall into contradiction and struggle.

Forget it, Li Xuan stopped persuading Li Shizhi and decided to just let things take their course!

Mounting their horses with swords slung over their shoulders, Li Shizhi and Li Xuan's brothers escorted Li Xuan all the way out of Tonghua Gate and to the Weishui Bridge in the north of Chang'an.

Li Yuying originally wanted to follow, but was stopped by Li Shizhi.

Li Yuying was most afraid of Li Shizhi.

She naively asked Li Xuan to come back to see her next month.

Li Xuan just promised to bring a flower from the grassland when he came back next time.

"Take care of yourself!"

On the bank of the Wei River, the brothers dismounted and talked for a long time before bidding farewell reluctantly.

"Qillang is decisive and powerful. But you should do everything within your ability and don't be impatient. If you have any problems, you can write to your father and brother." Li Qian patted Li Xuan's shoulder.

"Brother."

Li Xuan held Li Qian's hand tightly.

The eldest brother is like a father. Before Li Shizhi became the Minister of Justice, he was not in Chang'an, and Li Xun was the one who took the best care of him.

"Many farewells in Chang'an happened on this Wei Bridge."

Li Shizhi sighed on the side.

"Father needs to think carefully about the child's suggestion last night."

Li Xuan didn't want to say this, but instead reminded Li Shizhi again.

Last night, Li Xuan and Li Shizhi had a long conversation until midnight. The main purpose was to rectify the Ministry of War to prevent Li Linfu from finding any evidence against them.

As long as Li Shizhi can firmly control the Ministry of War, given Li Longji's trust in Li Shizhi, even if Li Linfu uses the "Luo Qianji Network", it will be impossible to "capture" the Ministry of War.

Li Shizhi could even sue for slander, which would be enough to make Li Linfu suffer.

In his previous life, Li Shizhi was dismissed from his position as prime minister because of corruption among officials in the Ministry of War. At that time, Li Longji no longer trusted Li Shizhi and he didn't even have a chance to explain himself.

"I know what to do now. If there is anything in the future, I will discuss it with my trusted staff to prevent it from being a conspiracy by the old man." Li Shizhi nodded slightly and said, "Give the letter written by your father to Wang Zhongsi. He will take care of Qilang. Chen Huiguang, the military envoy of Feng'an, may not be able to wait for you to come and will be transferred back to Chang'an."

"My child understands."

Wang Zhongsi was upright and strict in military management. Li Xuan estimated that Li Shizhi's handwritten letter might not be useful.

Li Xuan also did not intend to hand it over to Wang Zhongsi.

"During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Sima Daozi often drank too much, which greatly disappointed the nobles and nobles in the court and the public, and he was deserted by his relatives and friends. Father should be more restrained."

After getting back on the horse, Li Xuan reminded Li Shizhi.

The main reason was that Li Shizhi was a heavy drinker and could hardly survive without alcohol.

Especially when he was not attending court, he would get drunk. Li Xuan was worried that this would be taken advantage of by someone with ulterior motives.

"I will drink less wine in the future!"

Li Shizhi said it casually, but did not take it to heart.

Who among the Tang people doesn’t love wine?

What’s more, they are the Eight Immortals of Drinking.

"Big brother, third brother, fourth brother, fifth brother, goodbye, father, please take care of yourself."

Finally, after paying his respects to Li Shizhi and his brothers, Li Xuan rode his horse onto Wei Bridge.

At this time, there were many pedestrians and passing merchants on the Weishui Bridge.

They all knew that this was a noble from Chang'an, seeing off their son, and they did not dare to get close to him or offend him.

Li Xuan stood in the middle of the Weishui Bridge, reined in his horse, turned sideways, and sang loudly to Li Shizhi:

"I am determined to leave my hometown and will not return until I have accomplished great deeds.

Why bury your bones in your hometown? There are green mountains everywhere in life. "

It is a simple little poem, yet very touching.

The sound traveled far away, and Li Shizhi on the shore could hear it clearly.

"Shichiro!"

When Li Shizhi heard the poem Li Xuan recited for him, he felt reluctant to let it go and wanted to stop Li Xuan.

But Li Xuan had already ridden his horse across the Weishui Bridge, raising dust farther and farther.

Luo Xing hung two bows on his horse and followed Li Xuan with a bag on his back.

The sentence "There are green mountains everywhere in life" touched Li Shizhi's heart and made him cover his eyes.

He is the prime minister, how could he cry in public?

Li Qian and Li Jiqing hurried forward to comfort Li Shizhi.

Thinking of Li Xuan's age, they felt sad. This period of Li Xuan's life was a manifestation of time, which made them forget that Li Xuan was only sixteen!

Seeing Li Shizhi, Li Qian, Li Jiqing and other fathers and sons hugging each other and crying, passers-by who heard it shed tears.

After this poem spread, it had a huge impact on the young people in Chang'an.

It caused a temporary craze for joining the army.

Even if you die in battle, why should you be buried in your hometown? The country is full of beautiful and magnificent mountains and rivers.

After reading it, Li Longji praised Li Xuan for his "loyalty, resoluteness and perseverance" and hoped that he would "establish meritorious service."

……

(End of this chapter)