Chapter 31: Li Chengqian, the Crown Prince of the Great Tang, Is Not to Be Trifled With

The civil and military officials in the grand hall were instantly stunned. These Tujue (Turkic) envoys did not look like good people; while it is common courtesy to accept defeat gracefully, they, on the contrary, demanded another challenge after losing. Their assumption that the Great Tang was truly afraid of them was childish and simplistic.

"If you have any other treasures, bring them out," Li Shimin said. "Let Us also see what kind of good things the Tujue possess that We have not yet seen."

"As you command, Holy Emperor of the Great Tang," the leader of the Tujue envoys replied. He took an object from his robes and shook it in his hand. "Do you recognize this? And more importantly, can you untangle it?"

The Tujue envoys wore triumphant smiles. They believed that with this item, the Tang monarch and his subjects would be left completely helpless. Perhaps the Crown Prince had learned about the alpaca from books, but this treasure was something they could not possibly solve, even if they recognized it. They were convinced that final victory would be theirs.

"Present it," Li Shimin said quietly. A guard hurried forward, took the object from the envoy, and handed it to the Emperor. Li Shimin weighed it in his hand; it was heavy, crafted from refined steel. However, after a few glances, he was dumbfounded. He did not recognize the item, nor could he figure out how to undo it. It consisted of nine iron rings interlocked together; let alone opening them, even shaking them vigorously would not necessarily separate them.

"What... what is this? My ministers, do any of you know?" Li Shimin looked at the crowd, awaiting an answer. He knew that compromise was impossible; to compromise was to lose face. Since the envoys had brought it up, he had to resolve it.

"This is merely a few iron rings linked together," Li Tai stepped forward, looking disdainful.

"It is indeed a few iron rings linked together. If the Tang monarch and his officials can open this, then we of the Tujue shall be truly convinced," the envoy said with a rogue’s grin. They were certain no one in the Tang court could solve it, as even back in their own land, almost no one could. Only the creator knew the method, and after teaching it to them, he had been secretly executed to prevent the secret from leaking out.

The officials looked at one another, faces full of confusion. Not a single one could answer. Almost all of them looked dejected, staring at the interlocked rings with no solution in sight.

"How is it? The Great Tang Empire is nothing more than this. You cannot even solve such a simple thing. It turns out the Tang monarch and his officials are just a bunch of wine-guzzling, rice-bag cowards. With no real skills, why are you here making a fool of yourselves?" The envoy’s leader became increasingly arrogant, acting like a victor.

"Qingque, can you open these rings?" Li Shimin asked again. He wanted to give Li Tai a chance; it was not good for Li Chengqian to take all the credit. He hoped his sons would share the achievements to help balance power.

Li Tai was in a difficult position. These nine linked rings were a mystery to him. He had only heard of such things but had never seen one. His face turned a sickly liver color.

"Father... I... I will try..." Li Tai decided to attempt it. He picked up the treasure and studied it intently for a long time, but every attempt failed. After half a stick of incense had burned, he remained at a total loss.

"How about it, Holy Emperor of the Great Tang? The prince only has this level of skill, yet he wants to solve our Tujue treasure? It is laughable." The Tujue envoys were now mocking them openly. The Tang officials, especially the military generals like Cheng Yaojin, were turning bright red with shame, their hands drifting to their waists, ready to strike if the envoys pushed any further.

Li Shimin snorted coldly. "A mere iron ring, trying to stump Us and the Tang court? How utterly ridiculous."

The Tujue envoys laughed even harder. They were now certain that the Tang court could do nothing but bluster.

"Holy Emperor of the Great Tang, tell us, who among you can solve our treasure?" the leader asked, his expression turning serious.

"If you lack the ability, just admit the strength of the Great Tujue. You don't need to do much, just offer tribute and submit as subjects..."

"Haha... just thinking about the Great Tang paying us tribute makes us feel wonderful..."

The envoys continued to spew insults, eventually demanding that Li Shimin recognize their Khan as a Holy Khan, equal to the Heavenly Khan. The Tang officials could no longer hold back. The generals looked to Li Shimin, waiting for the order to execute these arrogant foreigners.

Li Shimin, the Heavenly Khan, felt his beard twitch with fury. He had never encountered such a situation since ascending the throne; all his usual displays of military might felt like striking cotton. He stood up, slamming the table. "This is the Great Tang, and this is Our court! Do not think that the talents of the Great Tang are made of paper! Every minister, try to solve this! I will reward the one who succeeds handsomely!"

The ministers tried, but it was all in vain. Even Li Zhi and Li Tai tried again and failed. Except for Li Chengqian, everyone in the hall had attempted it, and no one could find the solution. Li Shimin was burning with rage. These Tujue were too insufferable.

"Holy Emperor, we respect you, but this treasure has truly stumped your court. We have waited for an incense stick to burn out, and you are still helpless," the leader said, though he backed off slightly seeing the Emperor's rage. "If the Great Tang cannot handle this, it is no shame. In our land, fewer than ten thousand people can solve this. Perhaps give your officials a month to study it... haha..."

Li Shimin sat down, drained, and looked at Li Chengqian. Li Chengqian nodded, understanding it was time to deflate the Tujue's arrogance.

He stepped forward, his voice booming. "With such meager skills, you dare to show off here? This is nothing but a child's toy that we in the Great Tang have long since finished playing with..."

The Tujue envoys looked up in shock. It was the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian. They had already suffered a loss at his hands regarding the alpaca. Now, he had stepped forward again. Was the mystery about to be revealed? The Tujue envoys fell into a deep, uneasy silence.