Volume One: At the Foot of Zhongnan Mountain Chapter Eleven: Bestowed a Name—My Name is Li Mingyu

Damn! Another legendary figure! This master truly is extraordinary—he’s the very historical prototype of Li Yuanba, the greatest hero in the “Romance of Sui and Tang,” peerless beneath the heavens! Yet Li Ming thought to himself, wait, that can’t be right. The book says Li Yuanba was scrawny as a monkey but possessed boundless strength, wielding a drum-shaped golden mace weighing eight hundred catties! But he’s never seen him brandish a mace. These so-called historical novels really do make things up—how enormous would an eight-hundred-catty mace be? What horse could carry it?

All this time, he’d been longing to seek out a powerful patron, only to realize the strongest backing had always been right at his side!

Thinking back to the conversation he’d once overheard, and piecing together clues from historical records, suddenly everything made sense! Enlightenment dawned on Li Ming—no wonder his master, Li Xuanba, had abandoned his life as a noble scion to live in seclusion in this remote mountain village. So there was such a bitter history behind it all!

As it turned out, Li Xuanba was the third son of Li Yuan, Duke of Sui and Tang. From childhood, he was clever and eloquent, outstanding in martial arts, and greatly favored by his father. Yet Xuanba was a man of deep feeling, and over time, he and the family maid, Green Butterfly, had secretly pledged themselves to each other. Soon after, she found herself with child.

At that time, Li Yuan held an empty, powerless title at court, and in his youth had offended the current head of the Yuwen clan, Yuwen Huaji, who now wielded enormous influence and made things difficult for him at every turn. Meanwhile, the Sui Emperor Yang Guang was digging canals, building dragon boats, and launching repeated campaigns against Goguryeo, causing widespread suffering and unrest. Li Yuan sensed that the Sui dynasty’s days were numbered, and, frustrated at court and oppressed by Yuwen Huaji, began to entertain rebellious thoughts under the persuasion of his eldest son, Jiancheng. But the Li clan was isolated and desperate for allies, so through Jiancheng’s efforts, Xuanba was betrothed to the daughter of Dugu Wudu, head of the Dugu family.

The Dugu daughter, sharp-tongued and jealous by nature, learned of Xuanba’s affair with the maid and her pregnancy, and stormed in to cause a scene. In a moment of angry shoving, she knocked Green Butterfly down, nearly causing her to miscarry. In a rage, Xuanba slapped her. She fled home in tears to her father, who, known for his overbearing ways, came in a fury to demand an explanation.

Li Yuan, ever indecisive, was wary of offending Dugu Wudu, fearing that if things fell apart there’d be no going back—open enmity between the families would be irreparable. So he asked his eldest, Jiancheng, to mediate.

Jiancheng, however, had his own ambitions. Seeing the empire aflame with rebellion and his own ambitions swelling, he pressed his father to revolt, hoping that if they succeeded and Li Yuan became emperor, he himself would become crown prince. But he knew his father to be hesitant and cautious, likely to waver at the critical moment, so he worked hard to win the Dugu family’s support, thinking that with the powerful Guanzhong clans behind them, Li Yuan would be committed, with no turning back.

To quell the scandal and secure the Dugu alliance, Jiancheng enforced family discipline, nearly beating Xuanba to death. But Dugu Wudu’s anger was not appeased, so Jiancheng had his servants beat Green Butterfly to death. Grief-stricken and furious at her brutal end, Xuanba seized a blade, determined to fight Jiancheng to the death.

Jiancheng, proud and obsessed with hierarchy, had always lorded it over his younger brothers. Seeing Xuanba so rebellious, he was enraged and prepared to beat him to death for defying the family. Even Li Shimin’s pleas were in vain, and merely earned him his own share of Jiancheng’s wrath.

Seeing that things could not be changed, Shimin persuaded Li Yuan to exile Xuanba—so at least a thread of the family line would survive if their plans failed and disaster befell the clan.

Xuanba, cast out and with nowhere to go, wandered the land. When he reached the foot of Zhongnan Mountain, he was caught in a downpour. Heartbroken over his lover’s tragic death, his wounds unhealed, and now laid low by the cold rain, he collapsed on the mountain, ill and unconscious.

It was then that Zhou Jian, known as Second Brother Zhou, came by while hunting, found him, and took him down to the village, nursing him back to health over a month. The village’s peace and quiet soothed Xuanba’s battered soul, and in his despair, he chose to remain in seclusion.

Having pieced together the whole story, Li Ming was struck by sudden understanding. No wonder the history books recorded that Li Xuanba died at sixteen—the reason was now clear! Still, after his father became emperor, why didn’t he return? Ah, surely it’s because, after the Xuanwu Gate Incident where Li Shimin killed his two brothers, he’d hardly balk at killing another. Most likely Xuanba feared for his life and dared not show himself. It seemed that even his master’s backing was not so reliable after all. If, one day, Li Shimin meant to kill his master, should he help his master or Li Shimin? Li Ming’s thoughts ran wild.

Meanwhile, Li Xuanba saw Li Ming standing there daydreaming, occasionally giggling foolishly. Embarrassed by such a silly disciple, he raised his hand and rapped Li Ming’s head, scolding, “Have you gone stupid today? Hurry and pay your respects—don’t let people say I failed to teach you manners!”

Li Ming snapped back to his senses, hastily knelt, and called out, “Your nephew greets you, dear uncles! My respects to you both! I didn’t know your identities before and may have been disrespectful—please forgive me!” He then carefully performed the proper rites for a junior greeting his elders.

Li Shimin smiled and said, “Rise, little one. You’re a clever and spirited child. Since this is our first meeting, I shouldn’t be stingy. I came in a rush this time and brought little with me. Hmm, here, take this jade pendant I always carry.” He unfastened a fine piece of jade from his belt and handed it to Li Ming.

Li Ming accepted it with both hands, thinking, “A jade pendant? When you’re emperor, just make me a duke or prince instead.” He put it away, then turned to look at Changsun Wuji, his eyes clearly saying, “I’ve called you uncle too—he gave me a gift, shouldn’t you do the same?”

Changsun Wuji blushed. He hadn’t prepared any gifts; he’d left in a hurry, and the Changsun family was long since fallen. He and his sister had been raised by their uncle Gao Shilian, and even as head of the Changsun clan, he now depended on his brother-in-law Li Shimin to get by. How could he casually hand out a jade pendant worth hundreds? Embarrassed, he said, “I truly left in haste this time and have nothing prepared. Once we’re back in Chang’an, I’ll send you something.”

Li Ming thought, “No wonder you’re notorious for your scheming—always playing a masterful round of Tai Chi!” Of course, he couldn’t say that aloud, so he simply thanked him politely.

After some more conversation, seeing that night had fallen, Xuanba brought out wine and dishes to entertain his second brother before they returned to Chang’an.

The mountain wine was all homemade—smooth on the tongue, yet with a powerful kick!

During the meal, Li Ming, eager to please Li Shimin, busied himself serving food and pouring drinks, attentive to every detail. He held no pride as a transmigrator; to his mind, whether it was Li Shimin, the peerless emperor of ages, or Changsun Wuji, first among the heroes of the Lingyan Pavilion, or Li Xuanba, the real-life model for the greatest hero of Sui and Tang, all were legendary figures worthy of a toast.

At midnight, as the moon hung high and the wine had flowed freely, Li Shimin—slightly tipsy—asked, “Little one, tell me, your master is famed as the bravest warrior, horse and lance unmatched. How much of his skill have you learned?”

Li Ming’s face fell. “Not a bit! Master is stingy with his skills and refuses to teach me! I’ve begged him several times, but he always says I’m too young.”

Li Shimin laughed and teased Xuanba, “Sanlang, you’re in the wrong here! I see your disciple is bright, agile, and a rare talent indeed!”

Xuanba smiled wryly. “It’s not that I won’t teach him, but he’s only just over three years old, his body not yet fully grown. I planned to start his foundation training next year, but he’s gone and tattled first!”

Li Shimin roared with laughter. “Your little disciple truly is clever and lovable. And where is his tiger? Why haven’t I seen it?”

Changsun Wuji chimed in, “That tiger is no ordinary creature! Sanlang, tell us—how did you get such a beast?”

Xuanba recounted the whole story, leaving Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji astonished and full of praise.

Li Shimin nodded. “Sanlang, it seems your disciple is not ordinary. Born under auspicious signs, accompanied by a black tiger—his future will be limitless!”

Proud to hear others praise his disciple, Xuanba—already a little drunk—agreed, “My disciple may be young, but he’s naturally strong—ordinary five- or six-year-olds can’t beat him. He’s quick-witted and has a remarkable memory. I never taught him to read, but just by listening to my lessons, he’s learned most of his characters. He doesn’t like reading, never touches the classics, and shows no interest in military strategy. Yet he’s insightful and sometimes utters profound truths, thought-provoking indeed!”

Listening on the side, Li Ming thought, “Of course I can read—I just know simplified characters! And your teaching isn’t that great anyway. I only play along to suit my needs; if I started reciting classics off the cuff, you’d be scared out of your wits!”

Changsun Wuji added, “Such a fine gem of a pupil must be well instructed. But, Sanlang, with such talent, is it not a waste for him to spend his life hidden away in the mountains? Why not let him come with us and make his mark in the world?”

Xuanba shook his head. “You’re right, Wuji. I’ve thought about it too, but there’s no hurry. The world outside is in chaos—it’s better he stay here and master his skills. Once he’s accomplished, then he can venture out.”

Li Shimin nodded as well. “Xuanba is right. He’s only a child—bringing him out now would be dangerous.” He then turned to Li Ming. “Little one, learn well from your master. When you’re grown, come out and help me.”

Li Ming was overjoyed. This was a promise from Li Shimin himself! He hadn’t expected to latch onto the future emperor’s coattails so easily. He hurriedly replied, “Thank you, Second Uncle! When I’m grown, I’ll come find you—please, for my master’s sake, look after me! And if I ever get into trouble, I hope you’ll forgive me!”

Li Shimin, full of wine, laughed heartily. “Of course! You’re my junior, and since you’ve knelt and called me uncle, I’ll be sure to watch over you.” Little did he know that his drunken promise today would become Li Ming’s lifelong shield—there’d be no one Li Ming dared not cross, no trouble he wouldn’t stir up! In later years, whenever Li Shimin thought back on this, he’d regret it bitterly, sighing that the ancients were right—drunken words bring disaster!

As laughter rang around the table and the three men grew increasingly merry, Changsun Wuji, hearing Li Shimin’s promise, suddenly remembered something and teased Li Ming, “Boy, is your name really Li Dalan? Hmm, that won’t do—your uncle is called Erlang, your master is Sanlang; you can’t be ahead of them in ranking! Ha!”

Li Ming laughed awkwardly, embarrassed. “Uncle Changsun, please don’t tease me. I just made that up on the spot. My master hasn’t given me a name yet.”

Xuanba quickly interjected, “Hmm, when I saw this boy’s exceptional talent, I wanted to give him a good name, but haven’t found the right one. So the matter’s been delayed. Since my second brother is here today, why not have him bestow a name?”

He certainly couldn’t say it was because the boy refused to call him ‘father’ that he’d withheld a name—that would make him look petty. So he offered this excuse instead.

“Very well, let me think,” Li Shimin said, not standing on ceremony, and fell into thought.

Li Ming silently protested—he didn’t want his name changed, he liked it just fine. He quickly said, “Second Uncle, pardon me. Seeing my master had not yet named me, I chose one myself. I take his surname Li, and Ming as in ‘sun and moon,’ Li Ming. I just haven’t told anyone yet, and was about to ask for master’s approval.”

Li Shimin, deep in thought, responded automatically, “Sun and moon as Ming? Not bad—bright as the midday sky, clarity of heart and mind…” Suddenly he slapped his palm and smiled, “Done! Since you chose Ming, let me add Yu—‘Yu’ as in the universe, four directions and all under heaven. With your Ming, together they evoke ‘fame resounding through the universe.’ May you be wise and loyal, renowned in all corners!”

Xuanba nodded in approval. “Indeed, an excellent choice! Enlightened and courageous, dignified and noble!”

Changsun Wuji also laughed, “Erlang, you have a way with words! This ‘Yu’ is perfect—sun and moon shining together, palaces in the clouds! Come, let’s drink a grand toast!”

With that, the three burst into hearty laughter.

Li Ming pouted inwardly. “I was perfectly happy as Li Ming, but you insisted on adding a character. Oh well, resisting would only arouse suspicion.” So he forced a cheerful smile and said, “Thank you, Second Uncle, for bestowing the name. From now on, I’ll be called Li Mingyu!”