Recruiting Chai Long Rumors Sparked by the Solar Eclipse

A classic curse escaped his lips, and Li Zhi coughed awkwardly. Under the questioning gaze of Chai Shao and his companion, he addressed Chai Long, saying, “Uncle, your skills are indeed extraordinary. I have truly witnessed them.” Chai Shao probed, “Would you be willing to let him remain here?” Li Zhi replied, “It is what I desire, but I fear it might be an injustice to Uncle.” Chai Shao laughed heartily and said, “We are all family—what injustice could there be? Since you are willing, I shall entrust him to you, Nephew.”

Chai Shao was greatly pleased at heart. He knew well the position Li Zhi now held in the Emperor’s eyes. To exaggerate, Li Zhi’s standing was no less than that of the Crown Prince, perhaps even subtly higher than Li Tai’s. The Crown Prince’s palace had its own guards, and even if his brother served there, he might not be much valued. But Li Zhi, at this moment, lacked reliable people around him; arranging for his own brother to join him now would surely make him a confidant.

After hearing Chai Shao’s words, Li Zhi nodded to him and then addressed Chai Long: “From now on, I must rely on Uncle.” Although Chai Long took pride in his martial arts, he was no mere brute. Seeing Li Zhi accept him, he immediately set aside his pride, respectfully saluted Li Zhi, and said, “Chai Long, your subordinate, pays respect to Your Highness.” Li Zhi, seeing Chai Long so sensible, hurried forward and lightly supported his arm. He said, “In my household, there is no need for such formality; we may address each other as uncle and nephew.” Chai Long replied, “Throughout history, there has always been a distinction between ranks. Now that I serve Your Highness, I must observe proper conduct.” Chai Shao interjected, “Indeed, the rules should not be broken. Nephew, do not refuse any longer.” Li Zhi, helpless, could only nod in agreement.

Li Zhi’s prince’s residence had no guards, which was precisely what Chai Shao had noticed. After accepting Chai Long, Li Zhi appointed him as advisor, tasking him to recruit guards for the residence. Furthermore, learning that Chai Rong was skilled in stealth and espionage, Li Zhi recommended him to Li Jing. Chai Rong’s expertise could be harnessed to train the Dragon Cavalry in infiltration and assassination, making the unit more like a modern special forces squad.

Li Zhi’s regard for Chai Long moved him deeply. Likewise, his contact with famed generals like Li Jing and the Dragon Cavalry diminished his arrogance. Through such encounters, Chai Long’s own abilities improved greatly, stirring within him the idea of introducing his fellow disciples into the Prince of Jin’s household.

The sixth year of the Zhen Guan era did not seem a favorable one. Li Shimin himself said so. On the first day of the sixth year, Li Shimin, in high spirits, held a grand banquet for the imperial clan and ministers in the Hall of Two Principles. As the guests drank merrily, the sky suddenly darkened. Seeing this, Li Shimin’s face fell. He knew the solar eclipse that Li Chunfeng had privately foretold had indeed come to pass. Though he had experienced such events several times in recent years, his heart was still uneasy.

Since the first year of Zhen Guan, nearly every year had seen a solar eclipse, and each year brought disasters—floods, droughts, or turmoil—never a moment’s peace. Sure enough, before long, Zhang Anan came to report, “Your Majesty, a solar eclipse has occurred outside.” Li Shimin’s mood instantly soured. Palace maids began lighting lamps. Li Shimin glanced about and could not help but complain, “I have not wronged the people since ascending the throne, yet why do these eclipses keep appearing?”

Fang Xuanling, seated at his left, tried to reassure him, “Your Majesty need not worry. Though such events occur annually in Great Tang, the realm remains secure.” Across from him, Yuchi Jingde added, “Indeed, Your Majesty. Only a few years ago, we conquered the Turks!” Li Shimin reproached himself, “Yet Great Tang has indeed suffered calamities these past years.” Wei Zheng said, “In my view, these are but blemishes that do not obscure the jade. Your Majesty’s achievements are more than enough to outweigh such misfortune.” Seeing even Wei Zheng, who was usually the Emperor’s harshest critic, offer comfort, the others chimed in to console him.

Li Zhi, sitting aside and watching the scene, could not help but smile wryly. People’s understanding of disasters was primitive; they believed such calamities were Heaven’s punishment for wrongdoing in the mortal realm. The Emperor’s morality was always a target for such attacks. Li Zhi wished to explain the causes of disasters but, firstly, his own knowledge was lacking; secondly, these people’s beliefs would not allow them to accept scientific reasoning.

Complicating matters, Great Tang had experienced unusually high temperatures in recent years. Thus, snow was scarce in winter and rain frequent in summer, resulting in spring droughts and summer floods. The court had actually done much—reducing taxes for disaster victims, building granaries, and digging canals. Some efforts directly alleviated burdens, others laid groundwork for the future. Yet the people rarely noticed, seeing only the continuous disasters.

As if to reinforce their superstitions, from New Year until March, not a single drop of rain fell across the realm. Li Shimin repeatedly dispatched officials to oversee well-drilling and canal-digging, consuming much manpower and resources. Still, opportunists launched a campaign against the court, using the eclipse as a pretext to attack its religious policies. These were none other than the religious factions harshly suppressed last year—Buddhists and their allied officials, clans, and wealthy merchants.

Now, throughout Great Tang, a popular saying prevailed: the Emperor’s restrictions on religion had reduced the number of believers, provoking Heaven’s wrath. The rumors included other slanders—taxing temples was said to be extorting Heaven, requiring monks to bow to their elders was forcing the gods to submit. Hearing these rumors, Li Shimin grew even more anxious, and even ministers like Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng began urging him to rescind his previous orders.

When Li Jing mentioned this matter to Li Zhi in the Dragon Cavalry camp, Li Zhi immediately rushed to find Li Shimin. Arriving at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he found the Emperor and his ministers discussing the repeal of religious restrictions. The first words out of his mouth were, “Father, I believe we must not relax control over religion.”