Chapter 27: The Arrogant Turkic Delegation

Inside the Taiji Palace, Li Shimin was pacing back and forth in a state of great agitation.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived," Li Sijian announced hurriedly as he reached the entrance of the main hall.

"Let him in. Everyone else must stand guard outside; no one is permitted to enter without my express order," came Li Shimin’s anxious voice from within.

Li Shimin was truly desperate, having been waiting for Li Chengqian.

"Your son, Li Chengqian, pays his respects to Father," Li Chengqian said, bowing hurriedly as soon as he entered the Taiji Palace.

Li Chengqian observed Li Shimin out of the corner of his eye and saw that his father was burning with anxiety. In the past, Li Shimin would always sit composed on the dragon throne, but this time was entirely different.

"Chengqian, you’ve come at just the right time. A major event will occur in the court tomorrow. The Turkic envoys claim they wish to present a treasure to the Great Tang, but with a condition: the officials of the Great Tang must be able to identify it. If they cannot, the Turks will refuse to acknowledge the Great Tang as the Celestial Empire."

Li Shimin rushed through the explanation in one breath. He was deeply troubled; he had already learned from secret intelligence that the treasure was a rare animal. He had sent men to inspect it at the embassy, but not a single person had recognized it. Recalling Li Chengqian’s recent behavior, he suddenly realized that perhaps only his son would know what it was.

"Father, what sort of thing would the Turkic delegation present? The Great Tang Empire is rich in resources; do we truly need them to present us with treasures?" Li Chengqian looked up, his face filled with confusion.

"Chengqian, rise quickly. Sit and we shall talk," Li Shimin said, waving his hand and pointing to a stool nearby.

"Yes, Father." Li Chengqian stood up and sat on the stool, feeling somewhat uneasy.

"This is a drawing I had someone make. The Turkic delegation is presenting an animal, but I have shown this sketch to many officials, and none of them recognize it. If tomorrow in the court, the monarch and officials of the Great Tang cannot identify this creature, what will become of our dignity? How am I to answer to the people of the Great Tang?"

As he spoke, Li Shimin took a drawing from his robes and handed it to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian took the paper and examined it carefully.

"Father, I believe I recognize this creature. It seems there is information on such a thing in the Crown Prince’s Palace. Let me look into it, and I promise I will not let you lose face in the court tomorrow," Li Chengqian promised, full of confidence.

In truth, Li Chengqian had known the answer the moment he glanced at it. It was merely a common animal, and it was no surprise that the officials of the Great Tang did not recognize it, as they had never seen one before. However, Li Chengqian kept his wits about him. He could not reveal all his cards at once. If he named the animal now, he might not be the one to shine in tomorrow’s court—it could easily be Li Zhi or others. This was a rare opportunity to prove his capability and solidify his position as the Crown Prince; he would certainly not yield it to anyone else.

Li Shimin nodded upon hearing this, though he still harbored doubts. He could tell that Li Chengqian was holding something back. Yet, being a man of great intellect, Li Shimin immediately understood his son's mind: Li Chengqian wanted to dazzle the court tomorrow and did not want to share the credit with anyone.

"Chengqian, are you certain? This matter is truly of great importance to me."

"Please rest assured, Father. I have confidence and will certainly not lose face for you."

"Well done. That is exactly what I was waiting to hear. Once tomorrow’s matter is handled, it will silence the gossip and let everyone know that my Crown Prince is the most capable of all."

"Yes, Father. You may rest easy; I will give it my all. Leave this matter to me."

"Good. The Turkic envoys promised that if we can identify this creature, they will remain obedient from now on, acknowledge the Great Tang as the Celestial Empire, and pay tribute and submit as subjects every year."

"Rest assured, Father, I am certain," Li Chengqian said, looking up at Li Shimin with a calm expression.

"There is no time to lose. Take this drawing and return at once to study it. I shall await your good news in the court tomorrow."

"Yes, Father." Li Chengqian bowed, accepted the order, and turned to leave.

On the way back, Li Chengqian felt brimming with confidence. This would be the icing on the cake. After tomorrow, the entire court would see him in a new light. His reputation would spread across the Great Tang and the Turkic lands, and his position as Crown Prince would be more secure than ever. Once the steam engine was unveiled in a few days, who in the entire Great Tang Empire would dare to challenge him? Li Tai? Or Li Zhi?

Back at the warehouse, Li Chengqian continued to oversee the construction of the steam engine while secretly taking out the drawing Li Shimin had given him. He examined it once more and confirmed that it was indeed an animal he knew. At that moment, Li Chengqian understood that the glorious moment belonging to him was about to arrive.

Tomorrow in the court, Li Tai and the others would undoubtedly be humiliated. He firmly believed that, other than himself, no one in the entire Great Tang Empire would know what this animal was. This was the source of his confidence and strength. He would use this opportunity to force those who opposed him, doubted him, or worked against him to look at him with new eyes.

From this day forward, there would be only one Crown Prince of the Great Tang, and it would be him, Li Chengqian. The others shouldn't even dream of it. Whoever dared to overstep would be silenced by Li Chengqian himself.

That night, Li Chengqian slept soundly. However, Li Tai and the others were filled with worry. Li Shimin had subsequently shown them the drawing, but to his disappointment, not only did they fail to recognize it, they had never even seen such a creature before. Unsurprisingly, only Li Chengqian knew what it was.

The next day, in the Taiji Palace, the civil and military officials stood on both sides as Li Shimin sat in the center.

"Long live the Sage, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years. We pay our respects to the Sage." The officials knelt in unison, bowing to Li Shimin.

"My dear officials, please rise," Li Shimin said, waving his hand, looking quite pleased.

"Present your memorials if you have any; otherwise, the court is dismissed," the unique voice of the eunuch beside Li Shimin rang out.

"Reporting to the Sage, the Turkic delegation is waiting outside the main hall," a guard entered and knelt before Li Shimin.

"Summon them."

"Yes, Sage." The guard turned and left.

A moment later, the Turkic delegation walked in.

"This foreign subject pays respects to the Sage of the Great Tang, long live the Heavenly Khan!"

Li Shimin looked at the delegation and waved his hand. "Turkic delegation, please rise."

"Thank you, Sage of the Great Tang."

The envoys rose, but their hearts were full of defiance. While they appeared to be paying homage, they had actually come to stir up trouble. The animal they brought had been specifically chosen; they were certain Li Shimin had never seen it and would not recognize it. Today, they intended to humiliate the monarch and officials of the Great Tang.

"I hear you have brought a treasure?"

"Indeed, Sage of the Great Tang."

"Bring it forth. Let me broaden my horizons."

"As you command, Sage of the Great Tang." The delegation spoke with outward respect but wore triumphant expressions. They knew that once this creature was revealed, the monarchs and officials of the Great Tang would be left in bewilderment. Even the Turks themselves were not entirely familiar with it; it was a creature they had bought at a great price specifically to challenge the Great Tang.

The delegation signaled to those behind them, shouting loudly, "Bring it in!"

A moment later, a very strange creature appeared in the court. It looked somewhat like a sheep, yet not quite; it also resembled a camel, but was much smaller.

"Sage of the Great Tang, please take a look. What is the name of this treasure? If you can name it, the Turks will henceforth be truly convinced, pay taxes and submit as subjects every year, and we shall never break our word."

The Turkic envoys were incredibly arrogant. This was a meticulously planned scheme. As long as they seized this opportunity to silence the so-called learned scholars of the Great Tang, the empire would be disgraced.

"My dear officials, take a look and see if anyone recognizes this creature." Li Shimin gestured, placing great hope in his ministers.

However, to Li Shimin’s dismay, the officials remained silent. The usually bustling court became deathly quiet; not a single person spoke. It was not that they did not want to speak, but that they dared not, for none of them knew what it was.

"Zhangsun Wuji, you are widely learned. Tell us, what exactly is this thing?" Li Shimin suddenly turned his gaze to Zhangsun Wuji.

"Reporting to the Sage, this subject believes... this must be a sheep... no... it is a goat." Zhangsun Wuji’s face turned pale; he was completely baffled, as he truly did not know. It looked like a sheep, but its head resembled a camel’s—though, most strangely, it lacked a hump.

"Ha-ha..." The Turkic delegation burst into laughter. "So these are the widely learned talents of the Great Tang? This is truly laughable, enough to make one's teeth fall out from mirth."

The court fell into chaos, and the officials began to whisper among themselves.

"It is a sheep; it has the build of a sheep."

"No, it is a goat, not a sheep."

"No, it is a camel... look, its head looks just like a camel’s."

The crowd began a heated debate. Li Shimin’s face turned ashen as he looked at the officials he once took such pride in; he was furious. Yet, he remained silent, observing quietly to see if anyone in the Great Tang truly recognized the creature. Soon, however, he was disappointed; the court remained quiet, and no one stepped forward.

Li Shimin suddenly looked toward Li Chengqian and gave him a suggestive glance. But Li Chengqian pretended not to notice and even closed his eyes. Li Shimin’s expression sank into despair. Could it be that even Li Chengqian did not recognize the animal?

"It must be a camel; look, its head looks just like a camel’s," Li Zhi said, stepping forward as the other officials remained silent.

"Ha-ha..."

Immediately, sounds of mocking laughter erupted from the Turkic delegation.

"Is this all the Great Tang Empire is capable of? Yet you call yourselves the Celestial Empire, and you wish to submit to us with this?"

After the laughter died down, the Turkic envoys heaped scorn upon them.

"Insolence!" Zhangsun Wuji stepped out and snapped.

"Insolence? We are being insolent. Can you identify it?" The Turkic envoys looked at Zhangsun Wuji, squinting with cold, mocking smiles.

The court was now in even greater disarray.