Chapter 66

With such thoughts in his mind, Luo Shixin was greatly moved. The Han, Tang, and Ming dynasties were the three most militarily powerful Han Chinese dynasties in Chinese history. During the reigns of Emperor Wu and Emperor Xuan of the Han dynasty, the early years of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong of the Tang dynasty, and the reign of Emperor Yongle of the Ming dynasty, the Chinese empire's military strength was almost unparalleled, virtually invincible, and a time when all nations paid tribute.

Now, he was in the period when the Tang dynasty was about to reach its peak. With a millennium of knowledge, who could match him in preventing potential disasters?

The urge to take action welled up in his heart. Since he had already rewritten history, why not make a big splash?

With this thought, Luo Shixin smiled and said, "After destruction comes establishment; this is a situation every dynasty will go through. After years of turmoil at the end of the Sui dynasty, the world is now almost unified, and it will only move towards prosperity. The Turks are merely a minor nuisance. There will come a day when our troops will point directly to the grasslands. At that time, the information that Brother Suding has gathered will surely be of great use."

"Let's hope so!" Su Dingfang, however, was not as confident as Luo Shixin, for he was born in a peculiar and disappointing era.

The Sui dynasty, which had finally unified after the great turmoil of the North and South, was gradually moving towards its peak, a time of peace and prosperity. But it unexpectedly and miraculously collapsed, ending after just two generations. Who could have predicted that? With this precedent, who could be sure that the rising Li Tang would not also be a fleeting flower?

Seeing Su Dingfang's attitude, Luo Shixin also recalled the fall of the Sui dynasty and awkwardly smiled, "The Sui dynasty is an exception, an absolute exception. A person like Yang Guang, who squandered the empire, only appears once in a thousand years." In his view, Yang Guang did have some achievements, but in the early Tang and late Sui, no one spoke of Yang Guang without mentioning his incompetence. After all, the great land of the Sui dynasty and the foundation left by Emperor Wen (Yang Jian) were undoubtedly destroyed by him.

Su Dingfang looked at Luo Shixin for a long time, then suddenly stood up and bowed, saying, "Since the general is so optimistic about the Li Tang, I, Su Dingfang, am willing to join the general in building great achievements."

"Ah!" Luo Shixin was taken aback and quickly helped Su Dingfang up. Su Dingfang, in his mind, was like Huo Qubing and Wei Qing, one of his idols. The idea that he would follow him was almost unbelievable. He hurriedly said, "If Brother Dingfang wants to rise to prominence, there is not much room for you to shine under me. I can introduce you to Prince Qin. With his ability to recognize and use talent, you will surely shine within a year."

"Prince Qin! He is indeed a remarkable person..." Su Dingfang thought of the strategic layout of Li Shimin, the helplessness of watching the Han Dong army step by step towards destruction, and felt a chill. He smiled and shook his head, "But I don't trust him!"

Su Dingfang was a very rational person. He had already been deceived once and would not be deceived again.

Because of his adoptive father Gao Yaxian, Su Dingfang had joined Liu Heita's army. Liu Heita, who appeared to be a heroic and chivalrous person, was actually a coward who feared death and was jealous inside, far from being a wise ruler. The future of the Li Tang was uncertain, and Su Dingfang had planned to stay in seclusion in his hometown until the situation was clear, then come out to achieve his ambitions.

Now, by chance, he had met Luo Shixin and been saved by him. Looking at Luo Shixin, who was full of fighting spirit and sincere, a new idea emerged: instead of waiting for the situation to change, why not create an ideal future himself?

In the end, Su Dingfang was a person who could not bear to be idle. If there was no opportunity, he could wait patiently, but now that the opportunity was in front of him, his blood was boiling. People like him would never truly be content to stay in seclusion.

Luo Shixin pondered Su Dingfang's words. Not trusting Li Shimin implied trusting him, right?

In fact, he somewhat underestimated his own presence. Luo Shixin was already a famous figure, and after the Battle of Ming Water, his reputation grew even more. He held the position of one of the twelve generals and had created the陌刀战法 (Mòdāo Zhàn Fǎ, a unique battle formation), defeating the Turks twice with 20,000 troops, causing even the Turks to fear him. More importantly, he was only twenty years old, a brilliant new star that no one would underestimate.

Su Dingfang did not feel that serving under a younger Luo Shixin would be beneath him. Instead, he felt that he could learn a lot and have a good start. He said, "Does the general look down on me, Su Dingfang?"

"Of course not!" Luo Shixin, who was currently in dire need of capable people, especially a successor to the position of Right General of the Cavalry, had only Xue Yong and Mo Huer at his disposal. Many things required his personal attention. Fortunately, Xue Yong was mature and steady, helping to maintain the smooth operation of the Right General of the Cavalry. If Su Dingfang could join at this time, it would be a great help. However, he was very aware of Su Dingfang's talent and was concerned about not being able to give him a suitable position immediately, so he said, "I saw your abilities at the Battle of Ming Water. You are more than capable of leading an army. I have just arrived in Chang'an and have no foundation, so I cannot give you a suitable position."

Su Dingfang smiled, "What does it matter? I, Su Dingfang, am a man of honor. Even as a lowly soldier, I can still become a leader. Why should the general worry about it?"

"True man!" Luo Shixin was also inspired by Su Dingfang's words. Was status and position so important? Thirty years on this side of the river, thirty years on the other. Do not look down on the poor young man. Being a lowly soldier, what's the problem? As long as you have the ability, there will always be a chance to rise.

So, Su Dingfang did not care what position Luo Shixin gave him. He only believed in himself, believing that even as a lowly soldier, he could step by step achieve prominence.

"Right General of the Cavalry, welcome you!" Luo Shixin extended his hand.

Su Dingfang also extended his hand with a smile.

The hands clasped together, and at that moment, no one knew that this golden duo on the battlefield would soon create a terrifying storm that would sweep across foreign lands.

Luo Shixin brought Su Dingfang back to the camp. He would not really let Su Dingfang be a lowly soldier. He submitted a request to Princess Pingyang to appoint Su Dingfang as a commandant. Although Su Dingfang had no achievements, he was a well-known brave general, and giving him the position of commandant was reasonable.

Princess Pingyang approved without hesitation.

Luo Shixin specially invited Xue Yong and Mo Huer for a meal to introduce Su Dingfang to them.

The two saw how much Luo Shixin valued Su Dingfang and greeted him warmly.

Su Dingfang was not a person who looked down on others and responded friendly.

Xue Yong was steady, Mo Huer was quick-witted, and with the addition of the intelligent and brave Su Dingfang, Luo Shixin found that his core group was starting to take shape.

"If we had a scholar who understands military strategy, we would be complete!" Luo Shixin looked at the three chatting together, and this thought flashed through his mind.

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