Chapter 39: Su Li’s Background!


    It was fruitless to indulge in wild thoughts at this moment. Su Li sensed that something was amiss with Gao Yang, but he didnt feel rushed. Instead, he instructed the maid to inform Gao Yang to return and promptly declined her presence.


    Jumping to conclusions about Gao Yangs character solely based on assumptions and negative impressions would be incorrect. Furthermore, Princess Changle was still unconscious, and Su Li did not want any trouble.


    The following days remained uneventful. Su Li continued to diligently attend to Princess Changles needs, scrubbing her body and asionally administering medicinal potions to aid her recovery.


    Princess Changlesplexion improved day by day, reaching a state of unparalleled health. Su Li examined her pulse and found it to be as follows, using the descriptions found in martial arts novels.


    Her blood surged with boiling anger. Even a well-nourished, robust adult male couldnt match the vigor and vitality coursing through Changles body.


    In the blink of an eye, a month had passed. The tranquility within the Princess Mansion remained undisturbed as nothing noteworthy urred. Since Princess Changle had yet to awaken, Su Li maintained his seclusion and strictly adhered to male virtues. Even if any incidents urred outside, they would not affect Su Li.


    However, within the pce, peace was not the prevailing sentiment. Ever since Li Er grew suspicious, he intensified his investigation into Su Li.


    Initially, the investigation focused on Su Lis social connections. It revealed that Su Li had no notable affiliations. Since relocating to Longyou in the sixth year of Wu De, Su Li had dutifully and peacefully farmed alongside his parents.


    In the eighth year of Wu De, Su Lis parents fell victim to illness, leaving him to farm thend alone, relying on the support of the vigers to survive.


    Su Lis ventures were limited to the county seat without ever setting foot in Changan City. Without any schrly pursuits, his life was that of an ordinary peasant.


    Despite an extensive investigation into Su Lis life experiences since his family relocated to Longyou in the sixth year of Wu De, Li Er couldnt find anything unusual. However, while continuing his investigation, he came across a piece of news in the vige. It turned out that Su Lis family had fled to Longyou to escape the war, and his parents didnt appear to be his biological parents. This revtion raised Li Ers suspicions, prompting him to delve further into this clue.


    Given that their migration urred during a turbulent period, with unrest prevailing in the six years of Wu De, the trail of clues abruptly vanished after a few initial inquiries. However, a breakthrough came when Li Er stumbled upon a pawn shop. Su Lis parents had hocked a sword when they fled with him, and what made it notable was the swords maker, a renowned artisan from Jizhou. The sword bore his name, connecting the dots of the investigation.


    Unfortunately, the swordsmith had passed away as early as the second year of Zhenguan, and his son had not continued his craft. After significant effort, Li Er managed to locate the former student of the swordsmith. After several identification attempts, the student finally recognized the sword and revealed that Su Chao, a powerful local figure in Shiping County, hadmissioned it.


    Upon further investigation, the pieces fell into ce for Li Er, as he personally knew Su Chao, the influential figure in Shiping County. It was revealed that Su Chao had a son who happened to be working under Li Er. While Su Chaos reputation wasnt widespread, his son had a connection to Li Er. It was further discovered that Su Dingfang, a Lieutenant General of the Left Guard, was Su Chaos son.


    <em>Su Dingfang</em>


    <em>Su Li</em>


    Li Er pondered, tapping on the table.


    Though Su Dingfangs name might be unfamiliar to most people today, his aplishments were noteworthy. However, during the Zhenguan period, Su Dingfang hadnt been given significant opportunities to showcase his abilities. Moreover, Su Dingfang wasnt directly rted to Li Er. Before Li Er ascended to the throne, Su Dingfang had served under Dou Jiande and Liu Heita, who rebelled against the central government.


    After the rebellion led by Liu Heita was quelled, Su Dingfang spent several years living a low-profile life. He eventually regained his position and received a new role through Li Jings rmendation. In essence, Su Dingfang initially followed Dou Jiande. After the Tang Dynasty pacified Dou Jiande, Su Dingfang joined Liu Heita, but thetter eventually rebelled with Dou Jiandes old troops. Surviving such a tumultuous career trajectory was already considered fortunate.


    Later, following theplete unification of the Tang Dynasty, Su Dingfang was reintegrated into service based on Li Jings rmendation. However, Li Jings position within the Li Tang dynasty was precarious. Despite being honored with the title of God of War, he couldnt earn Li Ers trust. This was because, during the critical moment of the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Jing failed to take a clear stance and support Li Er in eliminating his brothers and seizing power. Thus, Su Dingfangs return to prominence was a rather awkward situation.


    Li Er took a moment to reflect on theplex connections and histories surrounding Su Dingfang and Su Li. The pieces were finallying together, presenting apelling puzzle that demanded further investigation.


    In the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, Li Jingunched a war against the Turks, following the instructions of Li Er. Su Dingfang, a distinguished military officer, served as a vanguard and achieved great military exploits, contributing to the destruction of the Turks. However, despite his significant aplishments, Li Jing faced impeachment by numerous civil officers.


    Grand Secretary Wen Yanbo falsely used Li Jing ofcking discipline in his army, alleging that valuable treasures had fallen into the hands of unruly soldiers. This was merely a ploy to target Li Jing, but Li Jing had ensured Su Dingfangs survival. Consequently, even though Li Jing had achieved a great victory against the Turks, he was awarded the title of Zuo Wu Huan Zhonng General.


    Unfortunately, this sealed Su Dingfangs fate within the Zhenguan Dynasty. It was not until Li Er passed away and Li Zhi ascended the throne that Su Dingfang, a renowned general known for hister achievements, had the opportunity to showcase his remarkable abilities. During the chaos involving the Western Turkic and Pingcongling, Su Dingfang, the illustrious general who had defeated Baekje, conquered Goguryeo, and pacified Tubo, emerged.


    Due to his unfavorable background, Su Dingfang faced limited prospects within the Zhenguan Dynasty and remained in the Zuo Wu Hou Zhonng General position, which was a rtively idle role as the fourth-ranked officer. Su Dingfang did not dare to strive for real authority without actual power tomand troops. His teacher, Li Jing, had already warned him not to pursue real power or lead troops into battle unless he could remove Li Jing from the picture.


    However, Su Dingfang held onto his sense of righteousness. If not for this, he would not have continued to rebel against Liu Heita without hesitation after Dou Jiandes defeat. Additionally, when his teacher, Li Jing, achieved great military exploits but faced impeachment, Su Dingfang, a minor vanguard officer, even vented his anger towards Doctor Yu Shi in court. Su Dingfang had no regrets.


    Today was the day Su Dingfang was supposed to start working, yet he remained at home. For a man whose future seemed destined for gloom, it seemed meaningless not to seek employment. His past experiences had already determined that no matter how hard he tried, he would not be able to gain the trust of the Emperor.


    Rather than taking risks and pursuing a military career, Su Dingfang might as well have stayed at home and enjoyed the stable ie of a fourth-ranked officer. However, a special guest arrived at Su Dingfangs mansion on this particr day.


    By order of His Majesty, it is announced that Zuo Wu Hou Zhonng will bring Su Dingfang to the pce for an audience!


    Su Dingfang, who was drinking at home, was taken aback by the sudden visit of this esteemed messenger. As someone who appeared insignificant in the grand scheme of things, he couldnt understand why the Emperor would remember his existence.


    An absurd thought crossed his mind, perhaps muddled by the effects of the drink. <em>Could it be that His Majesty had recognized his peerless talent and couldnt bear to let such a valuable asset go unnoticed?</em>