The Great Tang General

Chapter 90 Goodbye Yang Yuhuan

Li Longji and a stunningly beautiful woman, accompanied by palace maids and eunuchs, appeared in everyone's sight.

She was none other than Yang Yuhuan, who was beautiful in red makeup and the most stunning beauty in the world.

Although it was winter, her palace dress still showed off her graceful figure.

The ministers were terrified.

At such a banquet, the one who accompanied Li Longji was not a concubine, but Yang Yuhuan, who was nominally a "female Taoist priest".

It's never happened before.

Although all the officials knew that Yang Yuhuan was in charge of the harem as "Madam", she still had no official status.

It was not that Li Longji did not want to give Yang Yuhuan a legitimate status, but his son Li Heng was still in mourning for Prince Ning and was not allowed to get married according to etiquette.

If Li Heng did not marry again, Li Longji would not have the face to make his wife Yuhuan a concubine.

"Greetings to the Saint, greetings to my lady..."

No one dared to criticize this matter, and everyone in Hua'e Xianghui Tower saluted.

Together with Yang Yuhuan, he paid his respects.

At this moment, Li Heng seemed to feel that everyone's eyes were focused on him. He wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Yang Yuhuan took one look at her former husband and quickly looked away. She was also very embarrassed.

"No need to be polite! The whole world is celebrating, everyone can have fun as much as they want, there is no need to be restrained."

Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan sat in the first seat of the Hua'e Xianghui Tower and asked everyone to waive formalities.

When everyone was seated, the Secretary of the Central Secretariat came forward and read a document.

The general meaning is that in the past year, the weather was good, the country was peaceful, and the saints were wise. It also narrates the great achievements of destroying the Turks.

Everyone congratulated together and the banquet began.

Under the rhythm of the musicians, although there are many instruments, it does not seem messy at all, but sounds beautiful and pleasant.

One by one, palace maids entered the hall and placed wine and snacks on the low table.

Beautiful dancers and singers came on stage one after another, performing songs and dances for the saints and princes and ministers.

Sometimes the musicians stopped and a famous musician in Chang'an played solo.

For example, the famous Li Guinian would definitely play a few solo pieces at such a banquet.

To the left of Li Xuan's seat was Fan Heng, whom he had once defeated on the field.

He and Li Xuan became acquainted with each other through fighting and drank together several times.

At this kind of banquet, you can leave your table and sit in front of others.

You can also play some small games to add fun.

But there must also be rules of respect and hierarchy. People in the third rank cannot be approached, and people in the position of saints cannot be looked up to.

Only a third-rank minister can go to a lower-ranking area.

The banquet hall is huge, and if you sit at the back, you may not be able to hear the saint's words clearly.

After Li Xuan toasted the military officers in front, behind, and on both sides of him, he took his wine glass and wine pot and went to the area for literati.

Li Xuan was the first one to arrive here with a gold bag hanging around his waist.

Li Longji first invited some prestigious old ministers who were retiring in official positions of the second rank or above to sit in front of his desk.

Although they had no real power, they had to be given priority at the banquet, and even their seats were placed before Li Linfu and Li Shizhi.

Li Longji did not ask about their political affairs, but only asked about their well-being.

Then Li Longji called the left prime minister to the stage, enjoyed a song and dance, and encouraged them.

Then, the six ministers and the left and right prime ministers such as Wei Jian came on stage and left after a song and dance.

"Sanlang, you see Qilang is among the literati, why don't you let him come on stage and recite a poem during this festive occasion."

Yang Yuhuan's bright eyes moved and she whispered to Li Longji.

Compared to Li Bai, Yang Yuhuan appreciated Li Xuan more because he was gentle, polite and sweet-spoken.

Li Xuan's feat of capturing two khans alive also shocked Yang Yuhuan, as if she had seen a hero in history books.

What's more, Gao Lishi always spoke well of Li Xuan to Yang Yuhuan.

"it is good."

Li Longji was very obedient to Yang Yuhuan and immediately asked the eunuch to summon Li Xuan to the stage.

After Li Xuan bowed, he sat down in front of the jade table.

The ministers looked at Li Xuan with envy. Being invited individually by the sage meant that he was extremely popular in the sage's eyes.

"Qi Lang, is the wine still flowing?"

Li Longji asked Li Xuan if he had a good time, but did not ask Li Xuan to write a poem right away.

"The palace wine is like nectar, I am honored to receive it!"

Li Xuan expressed.

"It could have been better. The Ministry of Personnel's affairs made me very unhappy."

After only a day or two, Li Longji didn't calm down so easily.

"The saint made a wise and wise decision. They have been punished. In the future, ministers will take this as a warning and serve the country and the people."

Li Xuan did not say anything that would spoil Li Longji's mood.

"A huge country is still difficult to govern. There are always maggots attached to the bones, stirring up trouble. I don't know which emperor I will be like in the future!"

Li Longji asked Li Xuan with a sigh.

He enjoyed talking with Li Xuan because Li Xuan was a great poet.

Men of letters have always been aloof.

No other great poet had ever spoken as beautifully and comfortingly as Li Xuan did.

"I like two poems of Emperor Taizong. One is "Revitalizing Military Achievements" and the line 'He ruled the world with his clothes hanging down, and he was upright and upright in his carriage and writing', which is a brilliant civil governance. The other is "Celebrating Military Achievements and Good Deeds" and the line 'He commanded the eight wildernesses to settle down, and he won over the barbarians of all nations', which is a brilliant military achievement. Saints have achieved this, and even more than Emperor Taizong."

Li Xuan compared Li Longji to Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin.

Because Li Xuan knew that Li Longji always imitated his great-grandfather Li Shimin.

"In terms of martial arts, although I have defeated the Turks, I still feel that I am a little short of it."

Li Xuan's words made Li Longji feel very happy, but Li Shimin's military achievements were too brilliant, and more than half of the Tang Dynasty was conquered by Li Shimin. Not to mention the reputation he established during the "Heavenly Khan" era.

"Then wait until I destroy Tubo, who dares not to respect you as the 'Heavenly Khan'? When I push the territory of the Tang Dynasty to the Leizhu Sea (Aral Sea), and let the Arab Kingdom send envoys to pay homage every year, you will be the common ruler of the world and the first person in the history."

Li Xuan once again made big promises to Li Longji.

During the Tianbao period, Li Longji was ambitious and wanted to follow in the footsteps of Emperor Wu of Han.

Li Xuan drew these big plans not to complete them, but to make Li Longji have expectations and believe that only Li Xuan could help him accomplish such achievements.

By then, no matter how great his contributions were, he would not be abandoned.

Because the birds are not all gone, the rabbit is not dead.

"Qi Lang is truly a great general. I will use him as soon as possible."

Li Longji couldn't wait to hear it. Li Xuan's performance on the battlefield made Li Longji believe that Li Xuan had such ability.

"I never intended to be a noble or a general. I grew up listening to the great talents of the saints. When I was little, I thought the saints were the gods from heaven. I hope to achieve the same feats as Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, and let the saints' great age shine through the ages."

Li Xuan was excited and spoke more fluently.

The "importance" that Li Longji mentioned must have been appointing him as a general.

He created the illusion that he had admired Li Longji since childhood, making Li Longji believe that he was loyal.

"Ha ha!"

"Qilang's mouth is as sweet as honey, Sanlang is the emperor of heaven, what am I?"

After hearing what Li Xuan said, Li Longji stroked his beard and laughed, looking very happy.

Yang Yuhuan also took this opportunity to ask Li Xuan.

"My lady, you shouldn't be in the human world. You are the goddess Yao Chi from heaven, who came down to earth to reunite with the Emperor of Heaven!"

Li Xuan himself felt that his words were corny.

But it’s better than the shameless An Lushan who just knelt down and became his godson.

It's better than An Lushan dancing and acting like a clown in front of Li Longji.

"Pfft..."

Yang Yuhuan smiled softly, covering her mouth. She was extremely beautiful. She admired Li Xuan even more.

With Li Xuan around, a boring party will become cheerful.

When Li Longji saw Yang Yuhuan’s beautiful smile, he also smiled even more happily, and then drank it all in one gulp.

He then signaled Li Xuan to drink up the wine in the jade cup.

"Pour it for Shichiro!"

Originally, a minister could only drink one glass of wine in front of the jade table, but Li Longji obviously would not let Li Xuan step down like this.

The palace maids slowly filled Li Xuan's glass.

"Qilang, on the New Year's Day, can you recite another poem so that I can see your talent again?"

Yang Yuhuan took the initiative to say to Li Xuan.

"Today's saint is divine in literature and martial arts, surpassing Yao and Shun. The third year of Tianbao is called Zai to commemorate it. This is a change from the old to the new. I will write a poem based on the meaning of the first day of the first lunar month and the change of the first year to Zai. Please give me paper and pen!"

Last night, Li Xuan thought that Li Longji would ask him to write poetry at this time.

He has a lot of poems in his mind, and he can bring out a poem for any scene.

When the people in the audience saw the paper and pen spread out in front of the jade table, they knew that Li Xuan was going to write a poem. In particular, the literati and poets were whispering, looking forward to what kind of poem Li Xuan could write.

Li Xuan's poems are all masterpieces, each with its own unique charm.

The title of the poem is "New Year's Day".

With the sound of firecrackers a year old, the spring breeze sent warmth to Tusu.

Thousands of families always exchange new peaches for old ones.

When Wang Anshi wrote this poem, his intention was to reform the political system.

Li Xuan brought it out, implying the change of the reign title to Zai, truly bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, and making the Tang Dynasty more prosperous.

Yang Yuhuan felt that Li Xuan was indeed a talented man.

Li Longji praised the poem highly, saying it was exactly what he wanted. He decided to hang the poem in the lower hall of the Zhongshumen.

Afterwards, Li Longji asked his ministers and literati to read this poem.

Everyone praised Li Xuan's talent.

Only Li Linfu's face changed slightly. The new peach replaced the old one, as if hinting that he should resign as the Minister of Personnel and that Li Shizhi would walk ahead of him.

When he held the poem, he looked at Li Xuan, only to see Li Xuan smiling at him.

This bastard will kill you sooner or later.

Li Linfu suppressed his anger and passed the poem to Li Shizhi.

Li Xuan drank several cups in front of the jade table before he took the initiative to leave in order not to be too conspicuous.

Li Longji specifically instructed Li Xuan to come to Xingqing Palace more often to play with him and the imperial concubine.

The banquet lasted until the afternoon. When Li Guinian finished his last song, everyone respectfully saw the saint and his wife off.

From this day on, Yang Yuhuan began to officially appear in people's sight, waiting to be canonized by the saint.

The banquet was over and the ministers left one after another under the guidance of the palace servants.

The next day, Li Xuan, Li Bai and Wang Changling made an appointment to go for an outing to Longshouyuan and returned in the same day.

On the fourth day of the first lunar month, we officially started work.

Li Xuan also had to attend court. He was not used to the complicated ceremony, and it was quite boring for a military general to attend court.

You have to get up before the hour of Mao in the morning and can't come back until the hour of Si in the morning.

So Li Xuan submitted a report on the seventh day of the first lunar month, hoping to pacify the pirates immediately.

The sage agreed and ordered them to set out in ten days.

At the same time, He Zhizhang resigned from his post due to illness and returned to his hometown to become a Taoist priest. He gave up his home in his hometown to build a Taoist temple and asked for several hectares of Zhougong Lake to be used as a pond for releasing animals. Li Longji issued an imperial edict to allow this and also granted him a song called Jianhu.

Li Xuan finally spent a day sightseeing with Pei Huang and Pei Zhou, and after learning musical instruments from Wang Wei for a day, he prepared to leave Beijing with the Left Thousand Oxen Guard.

(End of this chapter)