Great Tang: In the Second Year of Zhenguan, I Made Li Er Call Off the Attack on the Turks

[Ancient-era homesteading + Building a fortune + Unmasking identities + Hidden expert]

Lin An's little restaurant put the Sha County snacks on its left, Lanzhou noodles on its right, and even the braised chicken-and-rice shop and Longjiang pork-knuckle rice shop across the street out of business. It also landed him in the second year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, where he became the owner of an eatery in Chang'an. Two regulars at the shop, Old Li and Old Sun, often asked him about affairs of state.

Old Li: The Turkic Quli Khan is asking for help. Shopkeeper, do you think the Tang should attack the Eastern Turks?

Lin An: Why attack them? There's heavy snow in Turkic territory and a severe drought east of the Yellow River. If the Tang launches a campaign now, it'll lose for sure!

The next day, the emperor issued an edict ordering an investigation into the east-of-the-Yellow-River region and rejecting an alliance with the Western Turks.

Lin An: Use bronze as a mirror to straighten your clothes and hat; use people as a mirror to see your gains and losses...

At court, Wei Zheng immediately earned Li Shimin's favor and was promoted.

Several years later, after the Tang had conquered the Turks and destroyed Goguryeo and Tibet, Old Li brought Old Sun, Old Fang, and Old Wei to the eatery for a drink. As the wine flowed...

Lin An: Old Li... no, Li Er, you're quite the old geezer!