Chapter 28: Li Shimin Ultimately Chooses to Trust

Taiji Palace, Imperial Court.

Li Shimin’s expression was grim. Li Chengqian, who had previously promised to handle the matter, remained silent. The answers provided by Li Zhi, Zhangsun Wuji, and others had all been dismissed as incorrect. Could a mere small animal really stump him, the "Heavenly Khan"? He felt humiliated, wishing he could disappear into the floorboards.

"My esteemed ministers, whoever can identify this creature brought by the Tujue delegation shall be heavily rewarded!" Li Shimin announced, casting a hopeful glance at Li Chengqian.

"The Great Tang Empire? Bah!" the Tujue envoys spat, their tone dripping with disdain. "This is the 'Great Tang' I've heard so much about? It’s nothing but a pile of trash!"

At this moment, the delegation was incredibly arrogant, showing no respect for the most powerful figures in the empire. They looked upon Li Shimin—the once invincible Heavenly Khan—with open mockery. The envoys were practically bursting with glee, laughing aloud and sneering at the ministers. They felt as if they had reached the pinnacle of their lives.

Their derisive laughter infuriated Li Shimin. He could not believe that in his entire court of civil and military officials, not a single person recognized this small animal. He looked toward Li Tai, who appeared remarkably calm.

"Qingque, do you know the name of this creature?" Li Shimin asked slowly. Despite his thorough preparations, he knew Li Chengqian should have been able to handle it, but he felt compelled to ask Li Tai as well. Li Tai was surrounded by capable advisors; surely, they could provide the answer.

Li Tai had originally intended to watch from the sidelines, only speaking at the last moment, but his father’s direct question forced his hand. He and his guests had debated the matter for half the night, concluding that since the creature was covered in thick, woolly fur, it must be an "alpaca." While his subordinates were merely guessing, Li Tai had no choice but to answer.

He bowed to Li Shimin. "Father, I shall answer." Turning to the Tujue, he smiled confidently. "If I am not mistaken, this creature is neither a sheep nor a camel, though it resembles both. Its name is..."

Li Tai paused, playing a riddle with the envoys. The Tujue delegation grew tense. They realized this prince possessed some knowledge; he was dangerously close to the correct answer. The head envoy’s voice trembled slightly. "Well? What is it? Speak!"

"It is neither a camel nor a sheep," Li Tai said with a faint, cold smile. "It is an alpaca."

Li Tai stood triumphantly, certain he had secured the victory. However, the moment he finished, the envoys erupted into raucous laughter.

"An alpaca? Why not a pig-sheep?" the head envoy sneered. "If it were that simple, do you think we would have traveled so far to bring this treasure to the Tang?"

Li Tai was mortified. His attempt to impress his father had backfired completely. The answer was wrong. While he wouldn't face his father's wrath, he had certainly failed to gain any favor.

"Is there no one in this entire court who knows what this is?" Li Shimin stood up, his fury mounting.

"It seems the Great Tang Empire is nothing but a collection of cowards and soft-bellies," the head envoy declared, stepping forward with even greater arrogance. "Not one of you recognizes this treasure. It’s laughable."

The arrogance of the envoys shocked the court. The Tang generals, such as Cheng Yaojin and Li Ji, were incensed. This was a direct provocation, an attempt to incite conflict. Their blades were thirsty; if these people were seeking death, the generals were happy to oblige.

"Tujue envoy, you are courting death!" Cheng Yaojin roared, standing up. "If you know how to speak, speak properly. If not, get out!"

"You must be the Duke of Lu," the envoy retorted. "If you want to continue fighting our people, we are not afraid! We came with sincerity; is this how the Great Tang practices hospitality?"

The envoy was furious, but he refused to back down. He knew the Tujue were not easily intimidated. They were a people raised on horseback, and they would not yield until they were thoroughly defeated.

"You..." Cheng Yaojin was momentarily silenced. As he opened his mouth to retort, Li Shimin raised a hand to stop him.

"Still can't answer?" the envoy mocked. "Let me tell you. In our land, even a three-year-old child knows this animal. To think that in the 'talented' Great Tang, no one knows... ha! It really is laughable." He even gestured with a dismissive hand.

"You bring such a thing here and dare to spout such nonsense? You truly don't know the immensity of heaven and earth," a calm, resonant voice cut through the air.

The envoys froze. A young man stood up, dressed in special attire distinct from the other officials—it resembled the Emperor's dragon robes, save for the four-clawed dragon instead of the five-clawed one.

"Boy, who are you to speak so wildly in the Imperial Court?" the envoy demanded, though his voice faltered in the presence of the youth.

"You ask who he is?" Li Shimin lifted his head, his voice ringing with authority. "He is my Crown Prince, Li Chengqian, the heir to the Great Tang Empire and its future Emperor."

Li Chengqian had waited for the perfect moment to deliver a fatal blow to the envoys' arrogance.

"A great general always makes his entrance at the end," Li Shimin thought.

"Oh, so it's the Crown Prince," the envoy sneered. "I heard the Crown Prince of Tang was nothing but a fool. Are you here to make a fool of yourself too?"

"Do you dare to enter into a wager with me?" Li Chengqian asked, his fists clenched.

"A wager? Gladly. How would you like to bet?" the envoy replied, full of disdain.

"I not only know the name of this creature, but I also know its habits and its origin."

"And if you are wrong, Your Highness?"

"If I am correct, your people will withdraw 300 miles immediately, refrain from heading south for 40 years, and submit to the Great Tang as vassals, doubling your annual tribute starting this year."

"And if you are wrong?"

"If I lose, I will submit to your will," Li Chengqian declared confidently.

"If you lose, the Great Tang shall submit to the Tujue and pay five times our current tribute," the envoy countered, his eyes lighting up with greed. He knew the strength of the Tang military was unmatched, but this was a chance to win back in diplomacy what they could not take on the battlefield.

"Insolent! You want my Great Tang to submit to you? Have you lost your minds?" Li Shimin roared.

"Great Sage of the Tang, if you do not agree, simply admit defeat and acknowledge that your empire is full of ignorant peasants," the envoy laughed.

"Who gave you the courage to think you could win this bet?" Li Chengqian stepped forward. He felt victory within his grasp; to him, identifying the animal was as simple as eating or drinking.

"Great Sage of the Tang, your Prince wants to bet. Does he have the authority?" the envoy pressed, looking directly at Li Shimin.

Li Shimin hesitated. He was caught in a trap of his own making, and the tension was palpable. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead as he wiped them away surreptitiously.

"Chengqian, are you certain?" Li Shimin asked, his voice strained. If they lost, the consequences would be catastrophic for his standing in the empire.

"Father, rest assured. I have full confidence. There will be no mistakes!" Li Chengqian knelt, his expression resolute.

Seeing the absolute certainty in his son's eyes, Li Shimin waved his hand and laughed heartily. "I have decided. I entrust this matter entirely to Chengqian. He has the authority to act."

A wave of shock rippled through the court.