Chapter Thirty-One: Mobilizing the Troops

"Alright, let's play again. But Father, you can't cheat this time!" Li Zhi said.

"Agreed!"

"A ruler never jokes!" Li Zhi pouted.

He was speechless. The very person who had just gone back on his word now uttered the phrase, "A ruler never jokes"—what a thick-skinned man.

"No, no, let's play another round!" A dozen minutes later, Li Shimin lost again, and in frustration he declared, "Zhi'er, this time I was careless. Let's play again!"

"Father... How can you not keep your word?"

Empress Zhangsun rose, preparing to leave.

Li Zhi grabbed her arm. "Mother, please bear witness—did I not win just now?"

"I was dozing earlier, didn't see it. Perhaps... you two should play again?"

Li Zhi was so angry he nearly gasped for breath.

He never expected even Empress Zhangsun would bend the rules for Li Shimin.

Fine!

Let’s play again!

Li Zhi brought out brush, ink, and paper, swiftly writing out their wager: if he defeated Li Shimin once more, he would gain the right to deal with those who violated the curfew decree.

Li Shimin agreed without a second thought, signing his name.

He was certain he would win this time.

Such was the gambler’s mindset—never considering the consequences, only fixated on victory!

"Your Majesty, you must be careful this time," Empress Zhangsun whispered as she sat beside him, her meaning clear: this time, with black-and-white proof, cheating would not be so easy.

If Li Zhi won, Li Shimin would have to honor his promise.

"Don't worry, I’m completely confident," Li Shimin said.

Empress Zhangsun nodded, equally confident in him.

Li Zhi scoffed and couldn't be bothered to argue.

Hopeless chess player, arrogant fool...

Others might let you win, but I certainly won’t!

"Let’s begin!"

"Let’s!"

The two set up the board, resuming their battle.

...

The outcome was no surprise.

Li Shimin, full of confidence, was defeated once more—this time even more decisively, losing within minutes.

"How strange! I’ve familiarized myself with the board, yet I still lose?" Li Shimin stared at the remaining pieces, utterly baffled.

***

Li Zhi calmly took a sip of tea, produced the written agreement from his sleeve, and said, "Father, you won't try to cheat again, will you? If you do, I’ll send this document to Uncle Wei Zheng!"

At the mention of Wei Zheng, Li Shimin felt a headache coming on.

"When have I ever cheated?"

"You haven’t... Fine, I won't quibble over the past, as long as you honor the deal this time. Father, there are many in Chang’an who have violated the curfew but gone unpunished. If this continues, crime will only worsen. I request permission to address the matter!"

"Zhi'er, you're still young... How can a three-year-old handle state affairs?" Li Shimin still felt uneasy.

"Father, you’re not thinking of cheating again, are you?"

"Mind your words!"

Li Shimin paused, realizing his repeated dodging was unbecoming—especially before Li Zhi, he ought to set a good example.

"In light of your young age, I’ll have Duke Lu accompany you. Learn from him. If you handle things well, the credit is yours. If not..."

"It’ll be Duke Lu’s responsibility?" Li Zhi grinned widely.

He was already scheming how to shirk responsibility once he acquired the restaurant.

"Wishful thinking!"

"Whatever happens, you must be brave enough to take responsibility!"

"Yes!"

Clearly, he’d been overthinking.

But with Duke Lu involved, clean withdrawal was impossible. Who would bear responsibility in the end remained uncertain.

Li Zhi readily agreed and urged Li Shimin to draft an imperial edict.

He was granted full authority to deal with violators of the curfew, with the city’s martial posts, the constabulary, and the Chang’an County Office all under his command to strike down crime.

...

Li Zhi slept with the edict in his arms.

Early the next morning, before dawn, the city was shrouded in thick mist.

Li Zhi rose, washed, and prepared himself.

"Brother Zhi, where are you going? Take me with you!" Li Lizhi appeared behind him, mischievously.

Bringing Li Lizhi would make things easier, since her status was much like his.

Many matters could be delegated.

"Alright, you can come too!"

"Yay!" Li Lizhi cheered, thinking, "That wretched innkeeper made me go hungry for a day—it's time for revenge!"

They spent the morning studying in the imperial library.

After class, they went straight to Duke Lu’s residence.

Cheng Yaojin waited at the door, greeting them, "Your Highness, Princess, you’re here—please, come inside!"

"Uncle Cheng, how did you know we’d come?"

***

"Of course!" In the drawing room, Cheng Yaojin explained, "At today’s court meeting, His Majesty was furious, saying many in the city violated the curfew and went unpunished. He demanded strict punishment and rebuked several departments for negligence. As a result, you, Prince Jin, were appointed Chief Inspector of Chang’an’s law and order, with me as your deputy, to rigorously combat crime..."

"Prince Jin, what plans do you have? Share them with me?"

Plans, of course, he had—but none to share with Cheng Yaojin.

To put it bluntly…

Cheng Yaojin’s role was to provide support and take the fall if something went amiss. There was no need to involve him further.

If he knew too much, it could only cause trouble!

Li Zhi smiled, "Uncle Cheng, just follow me. No need to handle everything yourself. Watch how I punish these lawbreakers!"

"Alright!" Cheng Yaojin nodded happily.

He wasn’t angry—in fact, he seemed pleased.

Why?

Li Zhi thought for a long time before realizing: those bold enough to violate the curfew were all officials, or backed by powerful patrons. Offending them could make life difficult in the future.

"Ha ha..."

"In any case, I’m only three years old!"

"What’s there to fear?"

For him, apart from Emperor Li Shimin, no one could pose a threat.

He would deal with whoever needed dealing with!

No scruples!

"Uncle Cheng, here’s the imperial edict—please take a look." Li Zhi handed him the decree.

"I expected as much!"

Cheng Yaojin rolled up the edict. "Since His Majesty appointed you Chief Inspector, all matters are for you to decide. I’ll simply accompany you!"

"Let’s go then!"

Led by Cheng Yaojin, the group set off for the county office.

Chang’an was vast.

There were two county offices: Chang’an County and Wannian County.

Since both the Eastern and Western markets were within Chang’an County, they went there to marshal forces.

County Magistrate Sun Jiali, upon hearing that Duke Lu, Prince Jin, and the Princess had arrived, dared not be lax and led all the county staff to welcome them.

Without a word, Li Zhi read out the imperial edict.

Sun Jiali declared, "Your Highness... all county forces are at your disposal!"

"General Cheng, how many troops do you think we should deploy?" Li Zhi asked.