Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

Lu Yu smiled and nodded, "I reckon it will be within the next fifteen years or so." Lu Yu of course knew Monkey had been waiting for this day for far too long.

"Ha ha, that's fantastic." Monkey laughed loudly, slapping the ground.

Meanwhile, in Changan, the land of Kyushu, within the resplendent Imperial Palace, Li Yuan stood by the table, his face ashen, when the eunuch's announcement came from outside: "Your Majesty, the King of Qin requests an audience."

"Do not let him in. Tell that rebellious son to get lost. I have already made him the Crown Prince. What more does he want? I do not wish to see a man soaked in the blood of my sons," Li Yuan said angrily.

"Father Emperor, your son begs an audience," Li Shimin's voice came from outside the grand hall.

With a "snap," Li Yuan threw his most beloved teacup to the ground, tea splattering all over. He roared like an enraged lion: "You unfilial son, you executioner, get out! I never want to see you again in my lifetime!"

"You have already killed your own brothers and nephews. Now you want to kill me, your father, as well. If that's what you wish, I definitely won't pass the throne to someone like you, drenched in the blood of his kin. Get out!" Li Yuan shouted until he was hoarse, as if venting all the fury in his heart.

The eunuchs around him knelt on the ground, trembling with fear, lest Li Shimin vent his anger on them.

After all, everyone knew that since the incident at Xuanwu Gate, the real ruler of Great Tang had been this younger King of Qin.

"Wasn't everything today caused by you? If you did not wish to pass the throne to me, why give me such great power, why let me see the throne's brilliance? Since you chose the name Shimin for me, I should then 'benefit the world and bring peace to the people,'" Li Shimin's voice carried from outside.

"If Father Emperor doesn't wish to see me, then I shall take my leave." After saying this, Li Shimin left without looking back, a fire burning in his heart, determined to prove that him becoming Emperor was the best choice for the world.

Upon hearing Li Shimin's words, Li Yuan stood frozen, his gaze sweeping over the pieces of the broken teacup on the ground, the mess, the tea with its leaves lying quietly. Memories of the past surfaced in his mind.

It was many years ago when he was the Duke of Tang. On that day, the weather was fine, and his wife was about to give birth. He was hurrying back from outside the city when he encountered a gentleman in a green robe.

Li Yuan still vividly remembered how free and easy that gentleman in the green robe was, walking along the Great Dao, his leisurely stride making it a pleasant sight.

"Gentleman, where might you be headed?" Li Yuan was curious about the man in the green robe, so he had the carriage stop, lifted the curtain, and asked with a smile.

"A man from the cottages, seldom seeing an era of great peace, I wanted to take a stroll and witness the new spirit of this land," said the gentleman in the green robe with a smile, his voice calm and soothing like a gentle breeze.

"Such a free-spirited person you are, sir. Meeting you today must be fate. If you don't mind, you may join me, Li Yuan, in my carriage," Li Yuan invited with a smile.

Unexpectedly, the gentleman in the green robe looked at Li Yuan in surprise and then laughed, "If that is the case, I humbly accept your offer."

He boarded the carriage with neither arrogance nor humility, utterly at ease as if he were entering his own home, exuding a sense of contentment.

Li Yuan enjoyed talking to him, feeling as if he were basking in the warmth of spring, his ever-anxious heart, wary of the Emperor's suspicion, relaxed.
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As he conversed with the gentleman in the green robe, Li Yuan discovered the man to be well-educated on a wide range of topics. Whatever Li Yuan brought up, the man could discuss it with authority, which inspired Li Yuan's admiration for his intellect.

What most amazed Li Yuan was the man's skill in the art of tea, which seemed to merge effortlessly with nature, a return to pure simplicity that uplifted the spirit and delighted the heart.

"Hearing Master's words, Li Yuan has come to understand the profound mysteries of the art of tea," Li Yuan couldn't help but express admiringly.

"All things trace back to their roots, which are of the Great Dao. Cultivation is such, and so is the art of tea," the man in the green robe said with a smile.

"Would Master honor me with a visit to my residence? I, too, am a lover of tea. Moved by your words today, I am eager for more. I hope Master will not hesitate to enlighten me further on the art of tea," Li Yuan said, his face brimming with a smile, as he extended an invitation.

The master did not stand on ceremony but nodded with a smile.

Once they had entered the Ducal Mansion, the master demonstrated the art of tea for Li Yuan. It truly harmonized with nature, close to the Dao, making Li Yuan exclaim with admiration and request that the master teach him the art of tea.

From that day on, Duke of Tang, Li Yuan, was never without tea by his side. Whenever guests visited, he would personally brew a cup of tea for them, and he would laugh heartily amidst their praises, his heart full of satisfaction.

As the two were exchanging insights on the art of tea, a servant came to report that the lady had given birth to a son.

Li Yuan hurriedly had the child brought to him and, seeing that his second son was in excellent health, he burst out laughing. To have one's descendants thrive was a matter of great pride in that era.

He said to the master with a laugh, "Master is truly a lucky star for my household, bringing with him the arrival of an auspicious child as soon as he stepped through the door."

"It is but a fortunate coincidence," said the man in the green robe with a smile.

"Seeing that Master is so knowledgeable, what do you say to giving my child a name?" Li Yuan suddenly had a brilliant idea; he felt the master's presence and speech were extraordinary and believed his ability to name would not be lacking.

The master looked at the child in Li Yuan's arms and after a moment said, "This child at the age of twenty will surely be capable of benefiting the world and bringing peace to the people."

"Benefiting the world and bringing peace to the people," Li Yuan murmured, his face first showing joy, which quickly turned to solemnity, and then a chilling intent to kill erupted.

However, this change in expression was very swift. Within a moment's time, he had already returned to normal and said to the master with a smile, "Benefiting the world and bringing peace to the people—so be it. Let's name the child Li Shimin."

After speaking, he wore a gentle smile on his face and paid respect to the man in the green robe, "My wife has had a difficult labor, so I shall go to see her now. Please wait here for a moment."

Carrying the baby, Li Yuan walked towards the rear hall. The moment he left the main hall, the gentle look on his face faded away, replaced by a cold killing intent. He summoned a trusted aide to his side and whispered a few words into his ear, then walked towards the rear hall without looking back.

After watching Li Yuan walk away, the trusted aide softly waved his hand, and instantly a group of soldiers surrounded the main hall. Each of them was armed, their blades glinting with a cold light, their target clearly the man in the green robe in the hall.

Yet the master seemed oblivious to the scene unfolding before him, still leisurely sipping his tea as if he were amidst the clouds, with a sense of ease and composure. This nonchalant demeanor inspired great admiration in the trusted aide.