After Marrying a Vegetative Princess, I Went Crazy With Joy!

by Usui Takumii

not mine, web novel and mtl nation. Beware MTL and super OP main character. Total: 758 Chapters and ongoing.

5. 41 to 50

Su Li was busy styling Princess Changle's hair in the princess's residence while the female officers and maidservants smiled warmly at the scene.

Su Li was not originally skilled in styling women's hair. Although men in this era also kept long hair, compared to women, men's hairstyles were usually simpler and rougher. Some men just wrapped their hair in a cloth or tied it up in a simple bun. Su Li used to do the same when he worked in the fields, and many people who had experienced hardships would do so as well.

Indeed, heavy physical labor and flowing long hair were not very compatible. Later, when he became a son-in-law, he naturally had maidservants to help him with his hairstyle. Men's hairstyles were relatively simple, and he quickly learned how to do them with a little practice. They were not as complicated as women's hairstyles, which had more styles and were more intricate.

Since Su Li had taken full responsibility for grooming and personal hygiene for the past month, he naturally intended to take care of tasks such as combing, washing, and styling her hair on his own as well. Indeed, even though mosquito legs were short, they were still considered meat, Weren't they?

As a result, Su Li's dedication to grooming her earned his appreciation from the female officers and palace maids. In this era, grooming a woman's hair could be considered a sign of marital affection, but washing and styling a woman's hair could be seen as inappropriate or against social norms. More accurately… there was a slight element of trying to please someone of lower status.

Su Li was naturally unwilling to sacrifice his points for the sake of social conventions. After all, even just grooming and styling her hair would take an hour. If he didn't do it himself, wouldn't he lose more than 3,000 points for nothing?

As a result, after Su Li's persistent requests and the refusal of the female officers, he took matters into his own hands and personally took care of grooming her, including washing and styling her hair.

From waking up to going to sleep, Su Li had taken full control of Princess Changle's daily life, including grooming, with very little interference from the female officers and maids, except for necessary times such as meals and using the restroom. Indeed, styling hair might appear simple, it could be challenging to learn and master. Su Li also put a lot of effort into learning a few simple hairstyles for women. It didn't matter much since Princess Changle was still asleep, and there was no need to worry about wasting time. Su Li had plenty of time to practise.

Gently cradling Princess Changle in his arms, Su Li carefully wove her long hair.

"The way you handle this, my lord, if others were to see, it would surely cause quite a disturbance," the female officer said with a smile.

Indeed, in this era of feudal society, even a simple act like tying hair could be seen as lacking in dignity. Gender equality was not a prevalent concept during this period.

That was true. Su Li was not a female activist advocating for gender equality. His motivation was solely to earn points by taking care of Princess Changle and performing tasks assigned to him.

"Indeed, it will not be appropriate for others to see such things in my household. If anyone finds out, it will be seen as a failure in managing the servants under my jurisdiction!" Su Li chuckled lightly as he spoke.

After another month of getting along, the female officer fully accepted Su Li, and the two of them became familiar with each other. Indeed, as the female officer oversaw the affairs of the princess's household as the chief steward and held authority in the princess's household as an elder, Su Li did not distance himself from her and maintained a cordial relationship.

Su Li appreciated the proactive attitude of the female officer in sharing information about the personnel and power distribution within the princess's household, as well as seeking his guidance and instructions. He found it helpful in understanding the household dynamics and carrying out his responsibilities effectively. He also made sure to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the female officer, fostering a positive working relationship between them.

However, as Su Li was busy accumulating points and trusted the female officer, he continued to entrust all the affairs of the princess's residence to her for management. Indeed, the female officer occasionally cracked harmless jokes between the two of them. After all, Su Li behaved like a devoted husband, as if he couldn't be separated from Princess Changle even for a moment.

Indeed, Su Li willingly took care of Princess Changle's personal grooming, including combing her hair, with great joy and contentment.

Yes, in that era, it could be considered quite unusual for a man to willingly and happily take care of his woman's grooming tasks, such as washing and combing her hair. Su Li's actions demonstrated his deep affection and devotion towards Princess Changle, which could be seen as touching and heartwarming.

After all, in most people's eyes, this would be seen as shortsighted and lacking ambition.

"I've heard it all. If any of you blabbermouths spill the beans, I will not spare you!" The female officer grinned at the maidservants nearby, and they giggled and nodded in agreement.

Thanks to Princess Changle's gentle and considerate personality, as well as her fair treatment of others without resorting to flattery, the atmosphere among the staff in the Princess's Mansion was actually quite pleasant, especially among the female officers and maidservants who interacted with Princess Changle the most.

The female officer naturally wouldn't let such matters be spread outside, as it would tarnish the image of the Duke's son-in-law. But the Duke's son-in-law was willing to do these things out of his affection for the princess, and they had no reason to stop him.

In Su Li's arms, Princess Changle also shared the same sentiment.

Although… this was not the first time Su Li, her husband, had combed and styled her hair for her. But every time during these moments, when Su Li's gentle fingers danced among her hair, Princess Changle felt an overwhelming warmth spreading throughout her body.

Su Li had truly achieved perfection in every sense of the word. A thoughtful and gentle man in every possible way.

Even if this man was a peasant without a prestigious family background, extraordinary literary talent, unbeatable military achievements, or the demeanor of a dashing gentleman, Princess Changle had fallen deeply in love with Su Li, unable to extricate herself from his charm.

Even at this moment, Princess Changle had begun to fantasize about their future life together.

Will Su Li always be like this? After I wake up, I will also comb my husband's hair and tie it up! Princess Changle thought.

She no longer fantasized about romantic dates that made her heart flutter. On the contrary, she started to fantasize about the ordinary life she could have with Su Li in the future.

When she woke up in the morning, she imagined herself tidying up her husband's hair and washing his face. Her husband would also weave her hair into a beautiful style. Then, she would prepare a simple but delicious breakfast for the two of them, just enough for them to enjoy. In the morning, they would spend time together, cuddling and going wherever they wanted to go.

She would still cling to her beloved in the afternoon and ask him to tell her stories. In the evening, they would bathe and shower together. And then, they would fall asleep in each other's embrace. They would repeat these seemingly routine yet infinitely joyful days day after day.

Su Li had done so much for her that she was even more eager to do more for him.

"Okay! Get the hairpin now…" Su Li easily braided and coiled her hair, carefully fixing it, urging the female officer to hurry up and hand over the hairpin. Gently inserted, the green silk cascaded down like a waterfall.

"Oops… I have to do it again…" Princess Changle smiled, filled with gratitude and warmth towards Su Li.

He shook his head gently, picked up the hairpin, and said, "I thought I could do this new hairstyle I learned today in one go, but it seems like I overestimated myself."

Su Li lowered his head and looked at Princess Changle, whose eyes were half-closed. The princess had fair, delicate skin that seemed as delicate as a blown bubble. The scattered light from the window illuminated her face, making her radiant like a fairy from a realm beyond the ordinary world.

"This… is also quite good…" Su Li looked at the petite Princess Changle in his arms, and the memories of their shared moments kept playing in his mind like a slideshow. Such an ordinary life was not as tedious as one might expect. They spent another month in the princess's residence, which seemed to be a thousand times the same, but Su Li was happy with it.

Peacefully, Su Li was braiding Princess Changle's hair. It took him three attempts to successfully complete the hairstyle, as it was his first time learning it. He gently lifted Princess Changle after braiding her hair, whose delicate body felt weightless in his arms. It wasn't that Princess Changle was too light but rather that Su Li's strength had surpassed human limits.

"Xiang Yu's innate strength attribute is probably similar to mine," Su Li muttered.

The past month had been relatively calm. Li Er and Zhangsun Wu Fei visited a few times. Zhangsun Wu Fei, as always, didn't disturb Su Li and used the opportunity to share knowledge that couldn't be found in books.

Li Er, on the other hand, seemed a bit distant. Su Li noticed that Li Er had been giving her strange looks lately, but Su Li himself knew the reason. However, his increasing attributes had also inflated his ego, and he was thinking a plausible excuse, so he didn't pay much attention to it.

Gao Yang also came a few times, but the guards of the Princess Mansion prevented her from meeting Su Li. He had no intention of interacting with Gao Yang at all.

Princess Changle's siblings also visited again…

At this time, Crown Prince Li Chengqian hadn't broken his leg yet and hadn't discovered his preference for the same gender. He still appeared decent. However, Li Chengqian didn't initiate any communication with Su Li. He only came to visit Changle. Naturally, Su Li didn't attempt to approach him, knowing his status as a commoner. It was normal for him to look down on him.

Li Ke truly resembled Li Er, as mentioned before. He also made an effort to converse with Su Li and didn't ignore him due to her humble status. Unfortunately, despite his noble bloodline, Li Ke lacked practical skills, and having the blood of two emperors seemed impressive. Still, it didn't carry much weight, making him a target of suspicion.

Li Tai shared similarities with Li Chengqian, and Su Li could even sense a hint of inexplicable hostility from this little chubby prince. The reason behind it remained unclear to him.

There was also a prince named Li Yan, who was Li Ke's full brother, but compared to Li Ke, there was a significant gap. He visited Changle more as a formality, with limited interaction, and Su Li couldn't form a proper evaluation of him.

After a month of coming and going from the Princess Mansion, Su Li gradually adapted to his life as the male master of the mansion.

However, during this month, Su Li hardly came across any medicinal potions that could aid in her physical recovery. He didn't even find any medicine-related items, indicating that Princess Changle's recovery was still a distant prospect.

Although he hadn't found any potions last month to help Princess Changle wake up, he discovered six or seven stable body-strengthening potions. Despite the dry spell this month, Su Li remained optimistic, hoping that he would stumble upon a valuable find in the upcoming month.

It was worth noting that after last month's various body-nourishing medications, Princess Changle's physical condition surpassed that of ordinary people. In the short term, there was little concern about complications arising from her unconscious state.

Overall, Changle's condition remained relatively unchanged from the previous month.

However, Su Li's luck hadn't been favorable this month, as he hadn't found anything valuable but had accumulated various miscellaneous items.

"Daily quest, Small gift package for attribute points!" Su Li exclaimed, rubbing his hands together eagerly.

Indeed, receiving good things would be a pleasant surprise for Su Li. He would accept them wholeheartedly if he could accumulate enough attribute points from the small gift packages. After all, attribute points were crucial for his progress.

One's background and attributes were fundamental to a person, and Su Li's foundation relied on his attributes. Even if some of the items seemed useless, he would gladly accept them as long as they provided some basic attribute points.

What Su Li needed the most were tangible, affordable, high-cost-effectiveness, and useful items. He wasn't a greedy person.

With Princess Changle in his arms, Su Li headed to the courtyard and sat cross-legged on the ground, opening today's system store.

[Product One: 10 pounds of potatoes (maybe they can be used to make french fries?) Value: 2 points!

Product Two: 10 pounds of sweet potatoes (roasted sweet potatoes, fragrant and delicious!) Value: 2 points!

Product Three: Attribute Points Big Gift Pack (Open the gift pack to randomly get 10-30 free attribute points!) Value: 88888 points!

Product Four: Photographic Memory (Do you know what hypermnesia is?) Value: 200000 points!

Product Five: Halberd Technique (Quickly develop and strengthen the body, the higher the innate attributes, the faster the body development, and the higher the lethality!) Value: 250000 points!

Current available points balance: 848346!

Product Warehouse: Salt Making Technique, Steelmaking Technique, Spitting True Elixir, Hot Air Balloon, Various sundries…

Currently mastered: Introduction to Military Strategy (You have solid and comprehensive knowledge of military strategy), Introduction to Medicine (You have solid and comprehensive knowledge of medicine), Never Lost (You will never get lost, you are the live map, even better than a compass).]

Just like before, Su Li was still earning a stable income of an average of 30,000 points per day.

It had been over a month since the last time he emptied his points balance in the blink of an eye.

After spending over 100,000 points, he was left with only 50,000 points. After about six or seven days, he visited Princess Gaoyang, and then another month passed, totaling one month and seven days.

Last time, he worked hard to save up for a month and only accumulated 190,000 points, but this time he managed to save over 800,000 points.

The main reason was that last time he spent 500,000 points on buying the Salt Making Technique and Steelmaking Technique, which were still lying idle in the warehouse.

And this time… the system hadn't shown Su Li anything affordable and highly interesting to him.

Reluctantly, Su Li spent 50,000 points to buy a hot air balloon.

As for the attribute point small gift packs, he acquired 20 of them this month in 37 days, which was a decent probability. The more of these packs, the better, and they cost him an additional 200,000 points.

In between, there were no significant expenses, just some miscellaneous items, and the rest was saved up by Su Li, allowing him to accumulate over 800,000 points.

However, it was sometimes frustrating when one couldn't find ways to spend their points. The refreshment of system goods solely relied on luck. Not only did you need to come across good items, but they also had to be affordable for you.

In reality, the items that appeared were either amazing but unaffordable or useless items worth only one or two points. Finding something that was both affordable and practical proved to be quite difficult. Su Li could spend all his points in this month and seven days because there was a guaranteed attribute point small gift pack.

However, on the other hand, even though he didn't buy any other items, just purchasing the small gift pack of attribute points brought about a drastic change in Su Li's situation.

Moreover, the items that refreshed this time nearly blinded Su Li's eyes.

Wait a minute!

Sweet potatoes and potatoes combined only sold for 4 points?

"Ah, what's this…" "Sweet potatoes and potatoes together only cost 4 points? Did something go wrong?" Su Li said surprisingly. COMMENT

As a modern individual, Su Li had been heavily influenced by online novels, especially those involving time travel. Taking high-yield crops like sweet potatoes and potatoes to ancient times, he couldn't help but imagine the reactions of people from that era. It wouldn't be surprising if they considered sweet potatoes and potatoes as precious commodities. However, the fact that they were priced at only 4 points in the system mall was unexpected to Su Li.

In the novels, sweet potatoes and potatoes are portrayed as powerful weapons. Could it be that they can't be grown and can only be eaten? Or perhaps, in this era, sweet potatoes and potatoes don't hold much value since they are already common crops, and there's no significant difference between them and other food available in the system? Su Li pondered secretly but couldn't figure out the reason.

Nevertheless, he decisively spent 4 points to buy them. After all, it was only 4 points, so he couldn't go wrong. He planned to plant them in a large flower pot once he returned since sweet potatoes and potatoes were easy to cultivate.

Finally got some good stuff today… Su Li thought.

Su Li grouped sweet potatoes and potatoes, categorized as miscellaneous items by the system, with many seasonings such as cola, monosodium glutamate, and cumin. He glanced at the remaining three items with excitement.

Perhaps it was a guaranteed harvest after a month of no items?

Regardless, this item refresh came at the perfect time—affordable and practical!

First, there was the Attribute Points Big Gift Pack worth 88,888 points. He could randomly obtain 10-30 free attribute points upon opening it. Equivalent to ten packs of Attribute Points and a Small Gift Pack, the overall price was even cheaper by over 10,000 points.

Su Li directly purchased it without hesitation, leaving him with a balance of 759,454 points.

But now, luck played an even greater role because he could make ten draws with the ten packs of Attribute Points Small Gift Pack.

If he were to obtain 15 points or less from this Attribute Points Big Gift Pack, wouldn't it be a loss?

Su Li rubbed his hands, feeling fortunate that he could draw 30 free attribute points this time. After some hesitation, he firmly grabbed Changle's soft and tender hand and vigorously rubbed it for a while.

Open it for me! Su Li thought.

No wonder the gift pack of attribute points was called a big gift pack…

It even had a lottery animation…

Accompanied by colorful flashes in his mind, the system prompt appeared.

[Congratulations! Your luck is amazing! You have drawn 28 free attribute points from the gift pack!]

It's a shame it's not 30 points! Su Li exclaimed, a mixture of joy and regret on his face.

Nevertheless, obtaining 28 free attribute points was still a great deal. On average, Su Li had only received about 2.5 free attribute points from the small gift packs he had opened before.

He decided not to allocate the extra 28 attribute points just yet and turned his attention to the fourth item.

Photographic Memory!

Su Li was very familiar with this item because he had seen it when he was caught and forced into a marriage that day. Unfortunately, he didn't have enough points to purchase it at that time, so he had to let it go, hoping it would be refreshed the next day.

But now, the circumstances were different. With over 700,000 points, Su Li no longer had to envy others.

Without hesitation, he made the purchase!

Points balance: 559,454

As Su Li took the photographic memory item, he instantly felt his mind becoming clearer. The previously blurred and even forgotten images began to surge and reemerge, becoming vivid in his mind once again.

Page by page, memories gradually became clear and distinct, as if a mosaic-filled image had the mosaics removed, then colored and filled, ultimately restored to its original form.

Memories… becoming clearer, going further back!

One by one, Su Li's memories of his time in the Tang Dynasty became clear in his mind.

And then came the memories before he had crossed over…

Scenes from modern times flooded Su Li's mind. Even images he had seen before and signs on the streets he had glanced at inadvertently resurfaced.

With the influx of memories, Su Li's brain started to experience sharp pain. The human brain… couldn't process such a vast amount of clear and valid data…

Fortunately, Su Li had an extraordinary physique, enabling him to endure the initial pain without uttering a sound…

It seemed that the system had imposed an unreasonable transformation. Still, Su Li survived the initial ordeal and gradually felt that everything he had experienced before was vividly present in his mind.

Now, Su Li could effortlessly recall any event he had experienced, anyone he had seen, or any knowledge he had acquired. His eyes became like cameras, capturing every scene with clarity.

"Spinning machine… steam engine… internal combustion engine… gunpowder…"

Su Li realized that he remembered everything he had ever read in books with crystal-clear clarity. Suddenly, he had gained invaluable knowledge that was beyond measure.

Furthermore, it wasn't just about remembering past memories. Su Li could also memorize anything he read in the future and recite it back word for word. However, unfortunately, having a photographic memory didn't directly enhance Su Li's understanding and application abilities. In other words, although Su Li's brain was now like an encyclopedia, he still needed time to convert that knowledge into practical use.

After all, Su Li had chosen the path of combining physical strength and cultivation, and his level of understanding was only slightly higher than that of an average person.

It seems I need to focus on improving my understanding… Otherwise, I'll have a vast knowledge base but won't be able to utilize it , Su Li contemplated.

For an ordinary person, categorizing and integrating a plethora of information would be challenging, even if they spent their entire life attempting to do so. Most people only grasp the facts without understanding the underlying principles. Throughout any era, 99% of individuals contribute minimally in the field of academia, only able to imitate others.

At present, Su Li felt his mind was in chaos, submerged with a flood of memories. Though there was no system crash due to the intervention of the system, it was evident that he needed time to adapt. His attention shifted to the final item,

Item Five: Overlord's Spear Technique (enhances the body's combat skills rapidly, the higher one's innate attributes, the faster the body develops, resulting in greater killing power!). Value: 250,000 points!

Su Li's physical attributes had now surpassed human limits, but he had always struggled with a lack of combat skills. The only valuable knowledge in his mind was the battle experience of a seasoned soldier on the battlefield. While this experience provided practicality, enabling Su Li to proficiently wield any weapon and employ basic maneuvers, his skills were not refined.

The true worth of the battle experience lay in capturing opponents and utilizing various covert tactics. It had given Su Li, an inexperienced combatant, the expertise to handle unexpected situations and ambushes. However, it still fell short as Su Li lacked a combat style that suited his own physical attributes.

The "Overlord Halberd Technique," valued at 250,000 points, effectively resolved this issue for Su Li.

Without further delay… I would take it!

Points balance: 309,454

The five items were swiftly taken away, and as points were rapidly consumed, a new world unfolded in Su Li's mind. Suddenly, a vivid scene materialized before him.

It depicted a young teenager, a boy blessed with extraordinary powers. The visuals continued to play, showcasing the boy's unbeatable gambling skills at such a tender age. Su Li witnessed the boy effortlessly lifting a heavy tripod when he was merely thirteen years old. The young man's determination to polish his physique day after day, even when no one could match him, was also revealed.

Next, Su Li observed the young man dressed in armor, heading fearlessly into battle as blood flowed like a river. He witnessed the young man's resolute crossing of a treacherous river, engaging in a battle where retreat was not an option. The screen unfolded to exhibit him sweeping through legions of soldiers, the prince bowing down before him in respect. The rebellion of the prince brought the entire world against him, but he stood alone, wielding a halberd and defying all odds.

Internal conflicts plagued his kingdom, his generals betrayed him one after another, and renowned figures from history employed cunning tactics against him. However, armed with only a halberd, he shattered every conspiracy in his path. Su Li observed him confronting formidable adversaries like the martial immortal Han Xin, the strategist Zhang Liang, Prime Minister Xiao He, and the pioneer of guerrilla warfare Peng Yue, along with numerous other renowned historical figures from later periods. Even with a formidable lineup of enemies, he dared not relax or show the slightest hint of carelessness. Yet, in the end… he was defeated.

The Battle of Gaixia… a desperate last stand!

One man, one halberd, fighting until exhaustion overcame him!

Even though the corpses were densely piled up, he was the sole survivor, yet no one dared to approach.

While still alive, even Liu Bang wouldn't come within a hundred paces when Xiang Yu was surrounded, left standing alone.

He was a man similar to a Demi-God, feared and revered. Fatigue finally caught up with him, and his boundless energy was depleted. Gazing at the timid Han soldiers, hesitant to advance, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in a daze.

Yes, Xiang Yu was once an illustrious leader with loyal followers at his command.

"Haha… Farewell, my fellow people of Jiangdong. I shall bid you farewell with a grand display of riches and prosperity!"

He laughed uproariously, and with his last ounces of strength, he severed his own head and cast it towards that unknown figure…

The Han soldiers rushed forward in union…

The scene faded, but Su Li knew that even after Xiang Yu's self-inflicted demise, his body, fought over by the Han soldiers, would eventually lead to boundless riches and fortune.

And the fortunate soul who snatched one of Xiang Yu's thighs revived the Hongnong Yang family and propelled the entire Han Dynasty to fame.

He faced the country's top warriors single-handedly, and even in death, he didn't comprehend the extent of the glory and wealth he had attained.

With his own strength, he confronted the heroes of the realm, experiencing victories and defeats, repeatedly turning the tide.

Indeed, from Su Li's perspective, Xiang Yu's governance and personnel management appeared disorderly and ineffective.

Livelihoods withered, internal affairs fluctuated day and night, and some of the trusted subordinates were reduced to insignificant roles.

An ordinary person would have fallen victim to the early Han Dynasty's might…

Consequently, relying on his personal might, Xiang Yu leaped and bounded throughout the early Han Dynasty.

At the Battle of Pengcheng, he even defeated nearly two-thirds of Liu Bang's main force in their initial encounter, despite being at an absolute disadvantage. He cast fear upon his adversaries.

By the scene's conclusion, Su Li had mastered the art of the Overlord's halberd technique. Whether standing or lying, he embodied his own set of rules, as if it had become second nature, ingrained in his very being.

Combined with Su Li's attributes that surpassed human limitations…

A true anomaly… Su Li shook his head in awe.

After witnessing the imagery in his mind, Su Li realized the monstrous nature of Xiang Yu.

In modern times, he would have been an unprecedented Hercules… After all, it wouldn't have made a difference if you shot him once.

But in ancient times, Xiang Yu's prowess on the battlefield was nothing short of a formidable monster, an invincible force.

Ordinary low-quality swords couldn't even penetrate his muscles.

He swung casually, with the power of a thousand pounds.

Even with two hundred pounds of armor on his body, he could still move freely.

Such individuals could not be dealt with in ancient times, and Liu Bang had already found the only solution.

He gathered a force of tens of thousands to surround him and let him fight… then waited for him to exhaust his strength.

Yes, the early Han Dynasty strategists employed various tactics, including division and psychological warfare, to eventually eliminate all of Xiang Yu's subordinates. Ultimately, the only solution left was to surround him with a large force and wait for him to exhaust his strength.

Even Liu Bang dared not appear when observing this battle in Xiang Yu's sight.

If given an organized army of thousands of people, this kind of monster could easily break out of the siege of a hundred thousand people.

If given an organized army of 10,000 people, he would dare to turn around and fight to the death.

Before the advent of weapons of mass destruction, one must admit that a character like Xiang Yu was almost impossible to overcome.

In the Battle of Pengcheng, Xiang Yu attacked…

Liu Bang's 560,000 troops attacked Pengcheng…

Xiang Yu was attacked from the front and back, and the remaining generals continued to attack Qi. He alone commanded 30,000 troops to return and help.

Xiang Yu's superior tactics were evident in his first battle, as Liu Bang's 560,000 troops were decisively defeated.

What? You said Liu Bang's 560,000 troops were a disorganized mob, while Xiang Yu led 30,000 elite soldiers?

Indeed, Xiang Yu faced the challenge of fighting on two fronts, with a significant disparity in forces. He was surrounded by enemies, leading a lone army deep into enemy territory, enduring long-distance marches, and facing betrayals from allies. These disadvantages would have been enough to make most renowned generals feel despair.

When personal bravery exceeds the limits that the era can handle, it becomes unparalleled in mowing down enemies.

Although Su Li's current stats were not as impressive as Xiang Yu's, he might be unmatched in mowing down enemies on the battlefield.

It was probably because Su Li's attributes of strength and physique surpassed the limits of human beings a while ago, making them anomalies in the real world.

Expand your personal attributes , Su thought.

The Overlord's Halberd technique was suitable for Su Li, likely because it encompassed the essence of Xiang Yu's lifelong battles with a physique different from ordinary individuals.

Correspondingly, the higher the attribute, the more powerful the technique would become.

The power yielded was disappointingly small when the attribute was low to a certain extent. Even with 100% effort, it could only produce around 30% of the desired result.

Currently, according to his estimation, Su Li's personal attributes were likely not far from Xiang Yu's.

Name: Su Li

Age: 23

Strength: 111 (points can be added)

Constitution: 111 (points can be added)

Acuity: 63 (points can be added)

Comprehension: 69 (points can be added)

Charisma: 63 (points can be added)

Available free attributes: 28

In a little over a month, Su Li purchased a total of 20 attribute point gift packs, resulting in the release of 50 free attributes. On average, this equated to 2.5 attributes for each attribute point.

He followed his previous strategy of adding points to both strength and body, with no exceptions this time.

Having just utilized 28 free attributes from the attribute point spree, he now possessed the Overlord's Halberd Technique. This move capitalized on higher innate attributes and wielded greater power, which proved to be incredibly advantageous.

"I wonder what Xiang Yu's attributes are!"

"Let's add a bit more!"

With a single thought, the personal attribute panel was updated accordingly!

Name: Su Li

Age: 23

Strength: 125 (points can be added)

Constitution: 125 (points can be added)

Acuity: 63 (points can be added)

Comprehension: 69 (points can be added)

Charisma: 63 (points can be added)

Available free attributes: 0

…

This book establishes the attribute reference.

Xiang Yu

Force: 138

Body: 117

Mind: 109

Attribute settings in the book

After attributes surpassed a hundred, they exceeded human limits. The higher the attribute, the wider the gap between attributes.

The attribute has been improved once again, with a one-time increase of 14 points in strength and physique. Su Li could clearly feel the significant boost this time.

I feel that in terms of strength and physique… I'm not far behind Xiang Yu , Su Li thought.

He had many images of Xiang Yu fighting and training, and he had also learned the Overlord Halberd Technique from him, allowing for a clear comparison. While he might still be slightly weaker in terms of strength, his physique, including battery life and physical recovery, should be stronger than Xiang Yu.

As for agility, it wasn't mentioned but wasn't a major issue. Su Li had put in a great effort, and it was a miraculous improvement. With his current strength and physical fitness, even renowned generals like Cheng Yaojin, Wei Chigong, Shan Xiongxin, and Qin Qiong would struggle after facing him.

With Su Li's dual attributes of strength and physique, he was more than capable of mowing down enemies on the battlefield, and his agility surpassed that of ordinary individuals as well.

Physical strength should still take priority , Su Li silently contemplated.

The higher the attribute points, the greater the bonus for each point of increase. While the difference between 60 and 61 attribute points was negligible, anything above 100 was considered quite high. Su Li's strength and physique attributes had far surpassed other attributes, reaching an astonishing 125 points each, surpassing the limits of human capability.

In this situation, the best cost-effective choice was undoubtedly to focus on the main attributes. Allocating 30 attribute points to wisdom would elevate Su Li's perceptiveness to a first-class level. However, when it came to strength, with 150 attribute points, even the world's renowned generals would be injured or killed with a single touch.

It's a pity… I can't view other people's attributes, Su Li thought.

He rarely left his home and focused only on earning points with Princess Changle. He could gauge his true strength if he had access to others' attribute points, he could gauge his true strength.

Lastly, a memory of Xiang Yu emerged in Su Li's mind. Su Li believed he could match Xiang Yu in physical strength, but he remained uncertain about his standing in Tang Dynasty.

Su Li believed that he would be unbeatable throughout the Tang Dynasty with his exceptional physical attributes and techniques of the Hegemon's Halberd. However, he was uncertain about the gap between himself and famous generals like Qin Qiong and Wei Chigong. Su Li was confident in his ability to fight in terms of pure strength. His only weakness was his lack of sharpness, but even with his strength reduced by ten times, he would still be formidable.

How many opponents could I take on? This was Su Li's biggest question in his mind.

Unfortunately, he had no friends and didn't know any generals, so he was unaware of the Tang Dynasty's top combat power. Without military encounters, he couldn't accurately gauge his own strength.

Su Li didn't necessarily desire to engage in fights or show off his skills, but he genuinely wanted to know his own level.

Once Changle wakes up, I must witness the pinnacle of combat power in the Tang Dynasty. If they can't even withstand a single blow, then wouldn't I become invincible? Su Li thought.

In this era, without long spears or cannons, becoming invincible like the ancestors was a much more challenging feat compared to the modern era.

However, Su Li didn't even know how powerful he had become once Princess Changle awakened.

It feels so satisfying to silently grow stronger , Su Li thought happily while holding Princess Changle.

He had previously imagined becoming a revered civil servant or a formidable warrior, expanding territories and leaving a mark in history after time travel. But after living as a peasant for several years, Su Li had grown to appreciate peace.

Although life in the princess's mansion was monotonous, it was serene and comfortable without disturbances. Above all, he could personally experience his growth and daily self-improvement, acquiring more and more possessions.

You are truly my lucky star! Su Li embraced Princess Changle, his face beaming with joy.

In the blink of an eye, more than two months had passed. If Su Li hadn't fortuitously married Princess Changle, he might still be toiling away as a peasant, far from being comparable to Xiang Yu or possessing the power to revolutionize the world with his salt-making and steel-making skills. He might have led an ordinary life, marrying a peasant woman with a big butt and toiling away until old age before falling victim to despair.

Although Su Li might have appeared pitiful to others, but for himself every day was filled with brightness and a promising future. His hardships were the catalysts for his progress.

On the other side, Su Dingfang was strolling towards the princess's mansion accompanied by the eunuch.

This…astonishing news…, Su Dingfang thought.

As they left the palace, Su Dingfang noticed the absence of any onlookers and discreetly tugged at the eunuch's sleeve. He retrieved a coin from his pocket and secretly slipped it into the eunuch's sleeve, making sure not to leave a trace.

"General, Is there something on your mind?" The eunuch effortlessly pocketed the copper coin, sporting a smile that revealed his proficiency in such transactions.

Eunuchs liked him and typically had extra income, often obtained by trading in advanced knowledge. While it might not have compared to the influence of a powerful eunuch, it was a safer approach. The information they leaked was generally inconsequential.

"I have a question for you. Where is my younger brother now? It has been over a decade since we last saw each other, and I wish to know about his current circumstances… I must brace myself," Su Dingfang inquired with concern.

Upon hearing this, the eunuch's face took on a peculiar expression.

"This… Well, left and right, it's not that significant… General will remain composed upon learning this," the eunuch responded, aware that Su Dingfang's younger brother was likely the ill-fated son-in-law 'Su Li'.

That unfortunate soul who married Princess Changle…

Observing the genuine warmth displayed by Su Dingfang, the eunuch couldn't help but inwardly sigh.

Truly unlucky…

Had they crossed paths earlier, with the connection between Su Dingfang and Li Jing, perhaps they could have persuaded Li Jing to avoid this tragic outcome.

But now…

Su Li was already wedded to the princess, and altering that union was out of the question…

As for the princess… she lay bedridden, her life hanging by a thread…

Even if Su Li didn't have to meet the same fate… it seemed unlikely that he would be able to carry on the family lineage in the future…

Recognition held no value at this point…

Furthermore, Su Dingfang held only a fourth-rank position. Su Li's impending burial was inevitable unless Li Jing was persuaded to join forces.

Truly unlucky…

Wearing a perplexed expression, the eunuch sighed and began to divulge the information.

"What…my brother is that ill-fated son-in-law!"

As Su Dingfang listened, his eyes widened, and his weathered face portrayed a mixture of shock and bitterness.

The incident involving Princess Changle's joy had become the talk of Changan, reaching even the common people's ears.

Su Dingfang had once remarked with empathy that the fortunate son-in-law seemed to have transformed from a humble creature into a phoenix on a tree branch. He did not know that the unlucky soul he had sympathized with was his own younger brother.

"Left Marquis General Su Dingfang is here to visit?" Su Li looked at the female officer with a hint of confusion on his face. Now that Su Li had awakened his photographic memory, he could recall everything from the past with clarity. In just a moment, he retrieved Su Dingfang's information in his mind.

Su Li had read about this name when he was researching. Su Dingfang, the renowned general of the later Tang Dynasty was born in the tumultuous era of Sui and Tang, he rose to prominence at a young age, following Li Jing in pacifying the Turks. He achieved his first victory against the Turks and was promoted to the rank of Left Marquis General of the Fourth Class.

However, during the reign of Li Er in the Zhenguan era, for some unknown reason, Su Dingfang, despite his talents, did not receive much recognition for half of his life. It wasn't until Li Er ascended the throne that the famous generals of the Tang Dynasty were growing old.

At the age of forty or fifty, Su Dingfang, who had wasted half of his life, was finally employed by Emperor Li Er of the Tang Dynasty. The famous general, who had wasted half his life, finally got his own stage. In an era when the renowned generals of the Tang Dynasty were gradually fading, he carried the banner and made significant military exploits for the Tang Dynasty.

In other words, Su Dingfang's actual ability, even in the star-studded Tang Dynasty, was still in the top echelon, and very few people could compare to him. Now that he was in a dilemma, with no negative aspects to his reputation, Su Li was happy to make friends with him.

However, the relationship between Su Dingfang 'the Left Marquis General' and himself 'the accidental son-in-law' was distant. Now, Su Dingfang suddenly visited—what could be the reason behind it?

"Please come in…" Su Li pondered for a moment and spoke. Regardless of the reason for his visit, they had to meet each other.

The female officer nodded, but she was also a little puzzled. Princess Changle and Su Dingfang had nothing to do with each other, and Su Dingfang mentioned meeting the consort, not Princess Changle. But… Wasn't Su Li a peasant before? How did he become involved with the Left Marquis General?

...

When Su Dingfang stepped into the princess's mansion, he couldn't quite grasp the atmosphere. His heart was filled with conflicting emotions. On the one hand, he didn't want this unlucky son-in-law to be his younger brother. After all, Princess Changle's situation was surrounded by turmoil and rumors that her life was in danger. But on the other hand, he secretly hoped that this unlucky son-in-law was indeed his younger brother.

For a long time, Su Dingfang had been searching for his younger brother without any success. His parents had already passed away, and the once lively Su family was now sparsely populated, with only Su Dingfang and his son remaining. He had raised his younger brother himself for over ten years, and he even began believing that his younger brother might have passed away. So even if his younger brother turned out to be this unlucky son-in-law, at least he would still be alive.

As Su Dingfang stepped into the courtyard of the Princess Mansion, he caught sight of a handsome young man sitting quietly under the gazebo with a beautiful woman leaning on him. They appeared like a couple of celestial beings. However, upon closer inspection, Su Dingfang noticed that the woman seemed frail and weak, and Su Li was supporting her, not the other way around.

Observing the handsome young man, Su Dingfang realized that Su Li didn't resemble him or their father 'Su Chao'. But with just one glance, Su Dingfang was certain that Su Li was his younger brother. The resemblance was striking. Su Li's face bore an uncanny resemblance to their stepmother.

Su Dingfang and Su Li were half-brothers. While Su Dingfang resembled their father, his mother had passed away early. On the other hand, Su Li was the son of Su Chao's second wife. The Su family, originally a prominent family in a small local county, didn't possess vast wealth. Moreover, their stepmother treated Su Dingfang with great kindness, filling the gap left by his own mother's early demise. The age difference between Su Dingfang and Su Li was over ten years, so they didn't indulge in petty disputes like many siblings do.

Despite not sharing the same biological mother, the bond between the two brothers was stronger than that of many blood-related siblings. Their stepmother had passed away shortly after giving birth to Su Li, during a troubled time when Su Chao was often away from home due to his ambitions. As a result, Su Li and Su Dingfang spent more time with each other than with their parents. Over the years, Su Li developed a lack of respect for their father…

Unlike the rough and rugged features inherited from the old Su family, Su Li's face had inherited his stepmother's exquisite beauty since childhood. But the Su Li standing before Su Dingfang now could easily be mistaken for a carbon copy of his stepmother.

With just one glance, Su Dingfang was certain that this was Su Li, his younger brother, who had been lost due to robbery when their family was moving.

"…" Su Dingfang opened his mouth several times, but no words came out.

Su Li looked at the potential famous general before him with a perplexed expression. Su Dingfang also seemed to wear a strange expression, displaying surprise and sadness in his eyes. He hesitated to speak several times.

Unbeknownst to Su Li, he gradually retreated from the screen after a moment of contemplation.

"Step back for now," Su Li waved his hand. The female officer nodded in response and left the courtyard along with the maids.

With the female officer's full recognition, Su Li, as the male head of the Princess Mansion, would not idly wander around and accidentally eavesdrop on Su Dingfang's conversation.

Only Su Li, Su Dingfang, and Princess Changle remained in the courtyard, with the latter leaning on Su Li's shoulder.

"Now that everyone else has left and the Left General of the Martial Department has come from afar, you may speak freely," Su Li said with a smile.

Su Dingfang's voice trembled slightly as he spoke, "Little brother… don't you recognize your elder brother anymore?"

In reality, Su Dingfang was extremely puzzled. According to logic, his younger brother, Su Li, was already nine years old when he went missing, so he should have memories of their past.

"Huh?" Su Li couldn't help but feel perplexed at Su Dingfang's words. He couldn't understand why this man who had come from afar and worked as a peasant for several years without causing any trouble suddenly claimed to be his older brother.

Was it true? Or was this renowned general, Su Dingfang, playing some elaborate game?

Su Li distinctly remembered his family being a simple peasant family devoid of grandeur.

"I am your elder brother, Su Dingfang… Our father is Su Chao… You were only nine years old when you disappeared. Don't you remember anything at all?" Su Dingfang's face displayed a complex expression that was difficult to describe.

"No… the amount of information is a bit overwhelming… Could there be a misunderstanding, or perhaps you should explain it in more detail," Su Li didn't outright deny it.

As a soul inheritor, he had transmigrated into the body of a nine-year-old child. He had just arrived in Longyou with his parents to settle down. The memories of the original body were absent, erased.

Since awakening his photographic memory, Su Li had no recollections before the age of nine, resulting in a complete blank during that period. He couldn't entirely reject what Su Dingfang was claiming.

"I don't recall anything before the age of nine. My parents mentioned that I was frightened by robbers on the road…" Su Li's words trailed off.

"That's right… I am indeed your big brother!"

Su Dingfang began narrating the story—from Su Li's birth to the Su family's relocation and the encounter with robbers on the road. It all culminated in Su Li's disappearance. COMMENT

It was a perfect setup for a tragicomedy…

Su Li never imagined that such a bloody confession could happen to him. Fortunately, it was not Li Er claiming to be their relative. If he and Changle, the newlywed couple, were siblings, it would have been a typical plot with an improbable familial connection, like something out of a novel.

Officially, 'Su Li' as the husband of the princess, held a higher position than Su Dingfang, who was only a Left Marquis General, a fourth-ranked official. Despite being a political marriage, Su Li's nominal status was still higher than Su Dingfang.

Furthermore, Su Dingfang had been abandoned by Li Er now, and the entire Zhenguan Dynasty remained silent. This situation was not as dramatic as Su Li had expected.

From Su Dingfang, Su Li learned the details of the incident. Li Er was investigating him.

Su Li pondered, It seemed that Li Er had already noticed something unusual about him and was determined to get to the bottom of it, eventually discovering their familial relationship.

But today was different. If Su Li had just married Princess Changle, he might have been concerned about being exposed and facing suspicion from Li Er (Emperor Taizong).

However, Su Li's attributes had now exceeded human limits, and he possessed the Overlord's Halberd Technique. Although his sharpness was slightly lacking, he was still a formidable force.

In another month or two, Su Li's attributes would improve significantly. By then, it would be futile for Li Er to harbor suspicions. Su Li could ascend to become the ancestor of the Tang Dynasty directly.

Su Li didn't doubt Su Dingfang's words. After all, Su Dingfang's demeanor didn't appear fake, and Li Er personally conducted the investigation.

"Brother… it's… it's all my fault," Su Dingfang said, looking at Princess Changle on Su Li's shoulder with a sigh of emotion.

Su Li understood what Su Dingfang meant. Previously, most imperial doctors and eminent monks were unable to cure Princess Changle's condition, and it seemed like an impossible feat. However, after Su Li used systemic medicine to treat her gradually, Princess Changle's health improved. This incident remained undisclosed.

To most ordinary people, marrying a dying princess was far from ideal. It meant being unable to continue the family line and potentially even being buried with her.

"But that's not entirely true… At least I no longer have to worry about food and clothing," Su Li said, shaking his head and smiling.

His poison had become his remedy.

Although others believed that Princess Changle had a limited time left, Su Li knew that it was only a matter of time before she woke up, so he had no reservations. Where else could he find such a fortunate situation? He had gone from being a peasant digging for food in the soil to become a high-ranking son-in-law, gaining a beautiful wife without any effort.

Su Li understood Su Dingfang's perspective. After all, Su Dingfang had mentioned that the Su family was small, and with Su Li's presence, there were now only three men in the family. Su Dingfang had raised Su Li since he was a child and held preconceived notions that Princess Changle's life was short, so his words were understandable. No one wanted their brother to marry someone with a limited lifespan and unable to continue the family line.

"If only I have discovered your identity earlier, even if I have to plead with my teacher or rely on Yuan Tiangang's divination, things will not have turned out like this… I have heard before that Princess Changle's life is limited, but I never expected that her husband will be you!" Su Dingfang exclaimed in frustration, pounding his thigh.

"It is just that I am a little too late," Su Dingfang sighed, burdened with self-blame.

Su Dingfang blamed himself deeply. If only they had discovered news about his younger brother earlier. Although Su Dingfang was not highly regarded, his mentor was Duke Dai Li Jing, and while they did not have an official master-disciple relationship, their bond was similar to that. Despite Li Jing's political setbacks and lack of trust from Li Er, he achieved numerous military successes, which even Li Er had to suppress.

If only Su Dingfang had found his younger brother earlier, even if Yuan Tian Gang had predicted that his brother would be the groom in the bridal escort, Su Dingfang could have sought the help of his mentor Li Jing to mediate. Li Er would have had to consider Li Jing's influence in that case. Even if they couldn't completely avoid the situation, it would have been much better than the current circumstances.

As Su Dingfang spoke, he was filled with self-blame, and Su Li was deeply moved by his sincere words, even though he had no recollection of Su Dingfang's appearance. Su Li could feel the profound brotherly love that Su Dingfang held for his younger brother from their brief encounter and a few words.

However, for Princess Changle, witnessing such tenderness and serious words had a different impact. As her health improved and Su Li took care of her meticulously, providing balanced nutrition and the system's medicines, Princess Changle's consciousness was now the same as that of an ordinary person.

Awake during the day and sleep at night. Sleeping peacefully in Su Li's arms at night, quietly listening to Su Li recount the surrounding scenery and all the changes during the day, feeling the serene warmth between husband and wife. Even Princess Changle had become accustomed to this kind of life.

Though she couldn't move or even see Su Li, she undeniably regarded him as the most important person in her life. Since Su Li's arrival, she had never complained about anyone else. Even in her paralyzed state, she was content. She didn't even long for the time when she was healthy, as long as she had Su Li by her side.

Today, as usual, she woke up in Su Li's embrace and relished his attentive care. The girl's worries were minimal, aside from occasional concerns that Su Li might get bored or that she wouldn't wake up again. Princess Changle was completely immersed in the sea of love.

Today was just like any other day. After waking up and being fed, Su Li carried her to the yard to bask in the sun and described the surrounding scenery. Then she overheard the female officer discussing Su Dingfang's visit.

Princess Changle didn't know Su Dingfang personally. Being a princess, she considered Su Dingfang, a mere fourth-grade officer, unworthy of her attention. However, curiosity was inherent in her nature as a young girl, and she couldn't help but be intrigued by the situation.

She remained by Su Li's side, openly eavesdropping on his conversations. That was when she heard about the emotional confession scene. Later, when Changle interacted with Su Li, she introduced herself more fully to him.

Changle learned that Su Li was a peasant, his parents had passed away early, and he had a difficult life in his teenage years with no one to rely on. Changle always felt sorry that Su Li had no relatives by his side, and she believed he had no one to share his distress with.

Now, hearing that Su Li actually had an older brother and that Su Li himself was accidentally lost, Princess Changle felt genuine happiness for him. From the depths of her heart, she sympathized with Su Li's past and was truly glad that he had found his family.

In this way, her husband was no longer alone. Finally, my husband had a family he could rely on. Princess Changle always felt sorry for him, thinking about her own privileged upbringing with loving parents and siblings, while Su Li had nothing. But now, it turned out that Su Li also had a happy family and an elder brother who loved him dearly. Princess Changle was initially happy for him until Su Dingfang spoke up.

Su Dingfang's serious words reached Princess Changle's ears. She couldn't describe the feeling that overwhelmed her. Su Dingfang didn't directly target Princess Changle, but his words emphasized every aspect. Princess Changle, a woman with a short life expectancy. Even if she could live, she couldn't continue the family line for Su Li or ensure the prosperity of their lineage.

She realized that she had caused trouble for Su Li and delayed his happiness. Even Su Li, who had initially been lonely and helpless, had found his relatives. But because of her, a disabled person who couldn't wake up, he could only be trapped in the princess's mansion, guarding her like a lifeless tree.

All this time, she had been too selfish in craving the tenderness, care, and security that Su Li provided. Subconsciously, she had started avoiding these issues. Now, everything was shattered by Su Dingfang's sincere and honest words.

That was right. No matter how helpless Su Li was, he came from a respectable family and could continue the family line. Even after the brothers had reunited, Su Li could have had a good life. And all of this was ruined by her.

Princess Changle had to face this harsh reality.

Su Li… I'm sorry… Su Li, I'm so sorry, Princess Changle thought.

When everything was mercilessly revealed, only the harsh truth remained, and the young Princess Changle had nowhere to escape.

"You can't say that…" Su Dingfang watched as Su Li beat his chest, stamped his feet, shook his head, and smiled, taking Princess Changle's hand. "Her arsenic is my medicine!"

"If there is no eternal happiness, how can I be noble one day?" Su Li said.

To put it bluntly, as a time traveler, Su Li's stumbling in this unfamiliar era was enough to leave him frustrated. But Su Li was just an ordinary person in his previous life, lacking the knowledge and skills he needed now.

While he had read about salt refining and soap making in novels, he struggled to remember the exact process for a long time. As for taking the imperial examination to become an officer? Forget it. He hadn't passed the college entrance examination in his previous life, let alone become a class monitor. How could he become an officer through the imperial examination and govern a region after time travel?

Furthermore, the system he possessed was of little use. Until he married Princess Changle, he had to rely on it…

To be honest, Su Li contemplated starting his life anew.

"Besides, Princess Changle and I are now husband and wife. As husband and wife, we are one. You and I share happiness and adversity together. Brother, you can't speak of this anymore. Besides, who said Changle can't wake up?" Su Li's words remained as firm as ever.

Princess Changle heard these words, but they only brought a fleeting warmth after the disguise was stripped away. Su Li's voice was gentle and resolute, just as it had always been.

This brought joy to Princess Changle's heart, as it meant that Su Li didn't look down on her as a disabled person with a frail body.

However, after Su Dingfang's words revealed the truth, deep self-blame, and guilt spread within Princess Changle's heart.

Although Su Li unwaveringly chose her as before, even defending her, Princess Changle knew deep down that Su Dingfang was right.

As long as she remained unconscious, everything was a mere illusion.

Su Li still couldn't pass on the family line and continue the lineage…

Su Li had simply married a useless person, and if she truly died like this, she would leave Su Li with nothing.

Even if she wasn't buried alongside him, Princess Changle would likely be left alone in the princess's mansion.

Princess Changle wished to wake up as soon as possible. She had never felt such a strong desire. She no longer wanted to live like a disabled person, incapable of doing anything. She yearned to tell Su Li loudly that she loved him and wanted to become his true wife and bear his children. She longed to see his face and feel his touch. She wanted to hold Su Li's hand firmly and unwaveringly, just as he had held hers.

She… couldn't leave Su Li anymore.

"I… I really can't do it, brother. Please go ask the teacher…" Su Dingfang attempted to speak but was earnestly interrupted by Su Li.

"We can't dwell on these thoughts, big brother. Today should be a happy day. Why do you keep bringing up these matters?" Su Li interjected.

Su Li understood that Su Dingfang was concerned for his well-being, but marrying Princess Changle was a great blessing for him.

Besides… it would be too naive to seek help from Li Jing.

Due to his photographic memory, many of Su Li's hazy memories became clear.

He knew that Li Jing's position during the Zhenguan period was precarious.

Su Dingfang, as a fourth-rank officer, had no contact with the core of power. He was unaware that Li Jing treaded carefully with every step he took.

Now that Su Li and Changle were already married, what use would it be for Su Dingfang to ask Li Jing? Thinking that Li Jing could persuade Li Er to annul the marriage was truly outlandish.

The result couldn't be changed, so where should Li Er's dignity be placed? If Li Jing were to intervene, it would only further jeopardize his already precarious political environment.

Seeing Su Li's serious expression, Su Dingfang opened his mouth but ultimately held back his words. The atmosphere turned awkward and silent for a moment.

"Alright, let's not bring this up for now," Su Li said with a smile, attempting to ease the tension.

With the matter settled, Su Li called in the female officer and maid, instructing the female officer to take Princess Changle away, leaving only Su Li and Su Dingfang in the room.

"Brother, You are a general of the country. How skilled are you in martial arts?" Su Li asked curiously.

Just moments ago, Su Li had been lamenting the fact that although his attributes had greatly improved and he had acquired the Overlord's Halberd Technique, he had no point of reference to gauge his own strength in the Great Tang. And now, he suddenly had an older brother.

Su Li knew Su Dingfang's future better than anyone. If it weren't for Li Er's suppression, Su Dingfang might have already made a name for himself and risen to the top ranks of the Tang Dynasty.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Su Dingfang could help Su Li gain a clearer understanding of his own strength.

"Leading troops in battle is no easy task, but those who can physically overpower me can be counted on one hand!" Su Dingfang replied confidently, speaking about his area of expertise.

Su Dingfang was highly skilled. While serving under Dou Jiande and Liu Heita, he achieved numerous military exploits due to his bravery and was always invincible on the battlefield.

However, during that time, Su Dingfang was merely a brave general who could control the situation on a small battlefield. Without a sufficient military strategy, he couldn't change the ultimate direction of the war.

Later, he had the fortune of being valued by Li Jing, who taught him the art of war, allowing Su Dingfang to truly accumulate knowledge in this field.

Unfortunately, after studying military strategy under Duke Li Jing, Su Dingfang only had the opportunity to participate in one battle before being sidelined. He had few chances to demonstrate his skills and apply what he had learned, leaving him uncertain about his proficiency in military strategy.

However, martial arts were more intuitive. Su Dingfang had been in the army and had an easy way of assessing the specific skill levels of the famous generals of the Tang Dynasty.

Su Dingfang was renowned for his bravery and martial prowess. He was a fearless general who was always willing to take the lead under the command of Dou Jiande.

Moreover, Li Jing personally stated that when it came to bravery on the battlefield, only five individuals in the entire Tang Dynasty could surpass Su Dingfang. Li Jing's evaluation carried significant weight, and it was a source of pride for Su Dingfang.

Unfortunately, despite Su Dingfang's exceptional bravery and martial skills, his capabilities were limited to small-scale battles and skirmishes on the battlefield. Throughout history, only a few individuals, such as the hegemon, could reverse the world situation through their martial prowess. This was precisely why Su Dingfang followed Li Jing and learned the art of war.

Even if one was incredibly powerful, without the ability to be invincible like an overlord, one could only fight against tens of thousands of soldiers on the battlefield. If they were to encounter Li Jing, a renowned general in the world, they could easily be outmaneuvered and defeated.

After all, every human has their limits.

"So powerful?" Su Li said while beaming with joy.

This was truly a pleasant surprise. After all, Su Dingfang wasn't famous for his martial arts prowess. However, considering the confident demeanor of his elder brother Su Dingfang, claiming that only five individuals in the entire Tang Dynasty could defeat him, it didn't seem like an exaggeration.

With this knowledge, Su Li could compare himself to Su Dingfang and quickly ascertain his position in the Tang Dynasty.

"On the battlefield, individual bravery alone cannot determine the outcome of a battle…" Su Dingfang shook his head upon seeing Su Li's surprised expression.

"I don't agree!" Su Li shook his head and spoke to Su Dingfang excitedly.

"Come on… Big brother, it has been a long time since we last met. Let's test each other's skills!"

"You…" Su Dingfang paused, carefully assessing his younger brother 'Su Li' whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

Su Li's physique was still tall and robust, though he didn't appear as strong as before. After getting lost, he had chosen an honest life as a peasant and had not dedicated himself to martial arts training. Additionally, honing martial arts required not only diligent practice but also an ample food supply. While the hardworking life of a peasant could provide some strength, it couldn't compare to someone like Su Dingfang, who had been nurtured and trained in martial arts since childhood.

Su Dingfang initially contemplated refusing, but upon seeing his younger brother's determination, he ultimately chose to accept. However, he decided not to go all out, mindful of not hurting Su Li. It wasn't that Su Dingfang was arrogant, but his martial arts prowess was top-notch in the entire Tang Dynasty.

"Shall we wager then?" Su Dingfang asked.

Wagering, a sport deeply rooted in Zhu Xia, resembled wrestling but had distinct differences. It involved unarmed combat and could be traced back to the Spring and Autumn. Even in modern times, some regions, such as Northeast China and Shaanxi, continued to uphold this tradition.

Su Li nodded and silently removed his outer garments, leaving only the inner layer. Having been separated from the life of a peasant, Su Li hadn't worn sportswear for a long time. Similarly, Su Dingfang typically wore regular clothing unless engaged in hunting or military service.

To shed their outer attire, Su Dingfang and Su Li each retained a white inner lining.

Gambling games were widespread throughout the country. As a peasant, Su Li would participate in the annual autumn festival games held in the village. The winners would receive two jugs of thin wine as a reward. After two rounds, he would usually be defeated.

Although not skilled in gambling, Su Li was familiar with the rules. Moreover, his attributes had long surpassed ordinary standards. If he were to participate in the autumn festival games again, he might be able to overpower his opponents.

Standing three steps apart, facing each other, both assumed a solid posture. Their legs were spread apart, steps firm, hands clasped in front of their chests, and fingers extended forward. The stance resembled wrestling, but their palms didn't make contact.

"You go first…" Su Dingfang stood firm and spoke to Su Li.

He made it clear that he wanted to let Su Li go.

There were three steps between the two gambling rounds, regardless of whether it was a long or short distance. The crucial point was to seize the opportunity and give the command to take action.

Whoever acted swiftly would be able to gain an advantage, with their efforts resulting in an effect greater than the sum of its parts.

Those who moved slowly and reacted sluggishly would be at a greater disadvantage when starting later.

Su Dingfang remained still, essentially giving up the opportunity to close the three-step gap with Su Li for nothing.

Su Dingfang did not believe that he would lose even if he gave Su Li three additional strides to close the distance.

Although Su Dingfang hadn't played many gambling games, he had honed his body and practiced martial arts tirelessly since childhood, proving his skill. On the other hand, Su Li had gotten lost along the way. Despite possessing great strength, being a mere peasant meant that he was useless, and he couldn't compare to Su Dingfang.

But because his younger brother wanted to play, Su Dingfang followed him.

After all… Su Dingfang had raised Su Li. Since he was a lively and active child, he used to pester him to play games when he was four or five years old.

Back then, just like now, Su Dingfang would have him stand three steps away and easily touch his younger brother's head as he rushed over.

"Brother, be careful. I'm coming!" Su Li smiled without warning Su Dingfang.

After pondering for a while, Su Li suddenly stood up and sprinted.

His speed was not particularly fast.

Although Su Dingfang had underestimated his opponent, Su Li wasn't going all out either, nor did he use the three-step distance to sprint.

After all, Su Dingfang was his elder brother, not an enemy.

If he really exerted his full strength with his abilities, Su Li was genuinely afraid of hurting Su Dingfang.

With a smile, Su Dingfang watched as Su Li rushed toward him. The speed was not particularly fast, and the movements were not particularly agile.

His pace was still steady, suggesting some tricks up his sleeve. Su Li wasn't particularly keen and didn't shoot quickly.

With Su Dingfang's level, it was easy for him to anticipate Su Li's hand movements. With a smile on his face, Su Dingfang planted his feet firmly and reached out to intercept.

The moment their palms made contact…

Snap ! It happened so quickly!

Su Dingfang's body flew uncontrollably.

It was so swift that even the smile on Su Dingfang's face couldn't be restrained in time.

Su Dingfang felt as if Su Li's hands hadn't struck him but rather by a charging bull.

His body soared through the air, struggling to regain stability but still retreating uncontrollably for more than ten steps.

"I told you to be careful!" Su Li's face beamed with a smile.

"Take it seriously, brother!" Su Li said.

Su Li had come here to test his skills!

Upon hearing those words, Su Dingfang dismissed his previous contempt.

Setting aside whether Su Li knew martial arts, his strength alone was enough for Su Dingfang to treat him with caution.

This kind of strength… to put it frankly, if Su Dingfang were struck hard by Su Li, even with his well-known robust physique, he might not withstand it.

Seeing that Su Dingfang had finally gotten serious, Su Li stood still once again.

Su Dingfang assumed his stance, and Su Li mirrored him.

He's too powerful… I have to avoid his attacks as much as possible… Su Dingfang thought.

Just from their brief contact, he could tell that Su Li's attack speed wasn't too fast, and he could potentially dodge it entirely. If Su Li didn't have any martial arts knowledge, Su Dingfang might still be able to evade his strikes.

As for winning?

Forget it… Su Li was much stronger than him. Even if Su Dingfang took a few blows at full strength, he suspected he wouldn't be able to endure it unless he managed to exhaust Su Li. Until Su Li became fatigued, winning was out of the question.

There was no other way… overwhelming strength trumped all!

With his own skills, he had exerted 120% of his strength, yet the opponent had only mustered 30% of his strength in a hasty counterattack, and he still couldn't resist.

"Coming!"

Su Li focused all his attention. Every move of the Overlord's Halberd Technique came to his mind instinctively. Even though it was a halberd technique, it incorporated body conditioning and bare-handed martial arts. Su Li approached with a halberd in one hand.

His attacks were not particularly fast, nor were the angles tricky. There was no way to dodge except to retreat. The Overlord's Halberd Technique was created by Xiang Yu, who emphasized leveraging his greatest strengths.

Abandoning unnecessary defenses, Xiang Yu's technique relied on overpowering opponents with strength. Wide openings and closings made dodging futile. Thankfully, both combatants were empty-handed, leaving Su Dingfang with limited options.

However, Su Li relentlessly pressed forward forcing Su Dingfang to engage in combat within a few exchanges. One clash meant subsequent collisions were unavoidable. After more than ten moves, Su Dingfang was completely overwhelmed. His arms trembled from a punch, and as Su Li closed in again, Su Dingfang hurriedly retreated.

"I give up… I give up…"There was no way to continue the fight. Su Li's strength was too immense, and he deeply understood martial arts. Moreover, Su Li's tactics were intimidating, relying solely on strength and exploiting opponents' weaknesses.

Fortunately, this was an empty-handed battle, allowing Su Dingfang some room to evade. Otherwise, with Su Li's incredible strength and physique combined with a large halberd…

Not to mention lasting more than 20 rounds against Su Li, even enduring five rounds would be incredibly challenging.

"Your strength is uncanny… I can't possibly match it. Fortunately, we fought without weapons. If we were to fight with a large halberd, I doubt I'd last five rounds against you," Su Dingfang admitted with a serious expression. His facial expressions were captivating.

"And I noticed that you have your own rules and techniques. You don't seem like someone who hasn't practiced martial arts… If you were inexperienced, I could still fight you. But you're simply too slow…"

"As long as I don't get entangled by you, you won't be able to stop me if I decide to flee…" Su Dingfang said.

Su Dingfang exuded an air of unwavering confidence as he spoke. "I'm going to run… You can't stop me," he declared boldly, although he felt embarrassed at uttering those words.

Turning to Su Li, he continued, echoing their previous conversation, "As you mentioned, considering my courage and martial prowess, how would I fare in the mighty Tang Dynasty?"

The battle between Su Dingfang and Su Li had reached its conclusion. Su Dingfang, who had claimed that he could defeat the entire Tang Dynasty with just five fingers, was clearly no match for Su Li. The difference in their strengths was immense. It was evident that even with Su Dingfang's skills if Su Li focused his efforts on him, there would be no chance of escape within a hundred steps. The only limiting factor was Su Li's low acuity attribute, which affected his speed and agility.

Is the gap really this significant? Su Li pondered.

He knew that his strength and physical attributes would easily overpower Su Dingfang. Being a super first-class warrior like Xiang Yu, he had surpassed the limitations of the human body.

Su Li remarked, "If Luo Shixin were still alive, perhaps he could put up a fight against me. But as things stand now, in terms of martial prowess alone, it would be difficult to find an opponent throughout the entire Tang Dynasty."

Su Dingfang gazed at the composed Su Li, a hint of emotion flickering on his face. Moments ago, Su Dingfang had been contemplating the limitations of human beings. It was the overwhelming pressure of the all-around strategic prowess displayed by the Tang Dynasty's generals in Dou Jiande's camp that had prompted Su Dingfang to abandon his focus on martial prowess and wholeheartedly embrace the study of military strategy in his twenties.

It was during his encounter with his younger brother, whom he hadn't seen for over a decade, that Su Dingfang had come to this realization. He discovered that he had limits, while his younger brother had none. Su Dingfang was confident that, in terms of personal martial prowess alone, none of the existing Tang Dynasty generals could surpass Su Li. Reflecting on the past, he concluded that perhaps only Luo Shixin, who had died from exhaustion, could have posed a challenge to Su Li during the Sui and Tang Dynasties.

Su Li's strength and physique exceeded the boundaries of ordinary imagination. Su Dingfang, known for his bravery, didn't dare engage in a direct confrontation with Su Li. Merely blocking Su Li's attacks proved to be arduous enough. Su Li's abilities transcended the capabilities of an ordinary human, evoking a sense of hopelessness in others. Observing Su Li's relaxed demeanor after the fight, devoid of any signs of sweat, indicated that he had merely been warming up, leaving Su Dingfang wondering how long Su Li's physical strength could sustain him in battle.

History had shown that only tactics bordering on foolishness could be employed in the face of such unparalleled bravery. The strategy involved severing Su Li's wings and surrounding him with a massive army to force him into exhaustion and ultimately defeat.

Xiang Yu fought fiercely for half a day, leaving behind a mountain of corpses and blood. Luo Shixin, on the other hand, bravely defended a city alone, battling relentlessly for an entire day and night until exhaustion claimed his life.

According to Su Dingfang's assessment, the only way to overcome Su Li's extraordinary bravery was to employ a large number of powerful bows and crossbows or surround him with heavy troops. Given Su Li's current display of strength, he seemed to have very few apparent weaknesses, except for his speed. He was arguably on par with the legendary ancient Overlords in terms of sheer strength and physique.

"With your exceptional skills, the only way to defeat you on the battlefield would be to encircle you with overwhelming forces or employ formidable bows and crossbows to bring you down. If you commanded thousands of elite soldiers with consistent provisions and logistical support, you would be an unstoppable force capable of maneuvering at will!" Su Dingfang remarked, his face reflecting a mix of admiration and emotion.

He never anticipated that his younger brother, whom he hadn't seen in over a decade, would possess such extraordinary abilities. The younger brother he could easily lift up, the little child who used to pester him to play games, had now become a fearless warrior. What was even more impressive was that Su Li had developed a unique fighting style perfectly suited to him, one that showcased both openness and precision, particularly effective with long weapons. An opponent would struggle to last even five rounds against Su Li when wielding a mighty halberd and striking with all his might.

True generals should not be judged by their bravery alone. Personal bravery ceased to be the primary criterion for evaluating a general a long time ago. As armor grew stronger, weapons became sharper, the crossbow's range and power increased, and personal bravery's influence on the battlefield diminished. Su Dingfang, having learned from the disadvantages of relying solely on bravery without understanding strategy, shifted his focus to the art of war.

He recognized that personal bravery's role in battle would continue to dwindle, gradually losing its impact on the overall situation. However, some exceptional individuals defied common sense, such as Overlord Xiang Yu and the late Luo Shixin. Despite lacking strategic acumen like Su Dingfang once did, Luo Shixin dominated the world with his unparalleled bravery. Xiang Yu, the Western Chu Overlord, possessed not only military strategy and tactics but also harnessed his martial prowess to the fullest, achieving remarkable military accomplishments that resonated throughout China for decades, establishing his dominance on the early Han Dynasty battlefield.

In Su Dingfang's opinion…

If his younger brother was just a simple reckless man, the lowest limit he could reach would be Luo Shixin's level, making him a renowned first-class general solely based on his bravery.

However, if someone could master the art of war and strategic strategies fully utilize their abilities, the upper limit of their potential could surpass that of Overlord Xiang Yu… or even go even higher.

Xiang Yu's military strategy primarily focused on the battlefield. If he had been more proficient in internal governance, Liu Bang might not have threatened him as much.

Undoubtedly, Xiang Yu, with his combination of wisdom and strength, was a formidable figure on the battlefield.

Even renowned military genius Han Xin, with all the advantages of the Han Dynasty's internal governance, logistics, support base, and various bribes, alliances, and maneuvers against Xiang Yu's forces, only narrowly managed to defeat Xiang Yu.

Su Li possessed exceptional personal bravery that surpassed ordinary understanding. His upper limit was extraordinarily high.

Su Dingfang wholeheartedly praised and expressed his admiration for his younger brother Su Li, considering him capable of becoming a king with his power.

However, despite the high praise from Su Dingfang, Su Li only paid attention to his brother's words regarding encircling and killing heavy troops and using bows and crossbows. Su Dingfang quickly suppressed his own little pride.

Although Su Dingfang affirmed that Su Li was no match for him in terms of martial prowess alone, there were still ways to overcome this limitation. This was not surprising, as the lessons from the downfall of the Western Chu overlord were still remembered.

Even if one possessed military strategy and battlefield intuition similar to the Overlord of Western Chu, coupled with personal bravery that defied common sense, they could still be defeated by the combined forces of the Han Dynasty.

Su Li's personal bravery was even three points inferior to that of the Overlord. Regarding the art of war, he only possessed some common sense and basic knowledge learned from veterans who had fought many battles.

The Early Han Dynasty's Heavenly Regiment, which defeated Xiang Yu, undoubtedly had many talented individuals. However, the Heavenly Squad of the Tang Dynasty was not to be underestimated either.

Setting aside Li Er's character for the time being, Xiang Yu's methods and tactics were slightly inferior to those of the Tang Dynasty's Heavenly Squad.

Regarding military affairs, Li Jing was likely no less capable than Han Xin, the legendary soldier.

Indeed, the early Tang Dynasty's Heavenly Squad consisted of formidable generals renowned for their bravery and combat skills. It included renowned figures like Li Shimin, Yu Chigong, Cheng Yaojin, Qin Qiong, and many others.

Even Li Er himself gained fame for his military exploits. Apart from being an emperor, he was also a first-class general.

Not to mention internal affairs, as individuals like Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Zhangsun Wuji managed the Great Tang in an orderly manner.

However, it was too early for Su Li to aspire to become an ancestor of the Tang Dynasty.

"But… I am not Xiang Yu!" Su Li grinned.

Unlike Xiang Yu, Su Li was not as reckless. He didn't want to antagonize the entire world needlessly.

Looking at it optimistically, there was only a slight difference between his strength and physique compared to Xiang Yu's, with just over two months having passed.

"In another two or three months, maybe I can take on the Tang Dynasty's Heavenly Squad all by myself," Su Li said with a smirk.

He would have no rivals in the entire Tang Dynasty if he waited another year and a half.

Hence, Su Li remained calm and composed. They were heroes in the later stages, after all. He was determined to keep progressing.

"With your skills, I fear you are already invincible. However, you must learn some war tactics if you don't want to exhaust yourself and meet the same fate as Luo Shixin. Have you learned any?" Su Dingfang asked after a moment of contemplation.

Su Li was delighted upon hearing this. Could he really achieve what others couldn't?

He was still in the early stage, and there was a long way to go before reaching the late stage. However, Su Li didn't reveal this harsh reality. In Su Dingfang's eyes, someone like Su Li was already extremely terrifying. He might consider him a monster if he were to find out that this was just the beginning.

Nonetheless, Su Li listened attentively to Su Dingfang's words. There was a limit to personal martial prowess, although he wasn't aware of where his own limit lay. If he could understand and apply the strategies well, it would have an effect greater than the sum of its parts.

Besides, Su Dingfang was a first-class general renowned for his military exploits in later generations, with a world-renowned understanding of the art of war.

Su Li had already acquired some knowledge of the art of war, and his foundation of common sense in this field was solid. However, he lacked the means to adapt and cleverly use these ideas. Wasn't it time to seek guidance now?

"I have learned a little bit… It's just that most of it is superficial knowledge without truly understanding the underlying principles!" Su Li honestly confessed.