In the dim prison, Li Shimin sat outside the bars in brocade robes and spoke to the man locked within—
"Your uncle Han Qinhu won such distinguished honors in his day that he rose to Supreme Pillar of State and Great General. Your grandfather Han Xiong was a formidable hero too. He followed my grandfather through campaigns north and south and won glorious victories! Senior Brother Yaoshi, are you willing to bare your neck for the blade and die on the execution ground? That is no place for a hero to end!"
Inside the cell, a man of imposing bearing sat cross-legged and motionless. He gave no response to Li Shimin's words.
Li Shimin sighed. "Senior Brother Yaoshi, my mother's Dugu family and the Han family have been friends for generations, and you bear the surname Li. By sentiment or by duty, I cannot stand by and watch you go to the execution ground. The old Sui has fallen now, and at Poyetou's hands, no less. If you truly want revenge, you should join forces with me, put your abilities to use, and bring peace to this land!"
At last, the man in the cell stirred.
He raised his head. "I know the King of Qin means well, but if I pledge allegiance now, your lord father will not value me. I must wait for the right opportunity."
The man was Li Jing, born to a branch of the Longxi Li and thus a descendant of an Aristocratic Clan. He had served the Sui Dynasty as governor of Taiyuan. From the smallest clues, he had detected Li Yuan's intent to rebel and contrived to escape so he could carry word to Jiangdu. Unrest in the Northern Lands had stranded him, however, and Li Yuan had eventually captured him and thrown