Thief Emperor

Chapter 1036 Longevity and Immortality
For a long time, Jiannan Road has been adjacent to Tibet.

It was also a natural boundary between the central dynasty and Tibet.

Because between the two places stands a mountain range that stretches for hundreds of miles, dividing the two areas in two. This mountain range is called the Qionglai Mountains.

It was precisely because of the mountain range that travel between the two sides was difficult.

However, no matter how long the mountain range is, there are always some places that are relatively easy to travel through, and Jinchuan Prefecture is located in this area.

Jinchuan Prefecture was once part of the territory of the Wu Zhou dynasty and was under its control for a long time. However, after the decline of the Wu Zhou dynasty, this area naturally fell out of control and became the domain of the enemy.

Jinchuan Prefecture is geographically very important. Whoever controls it controls the throat of the entire Tubo Kingdom and the initiative in the war.

If we can control this area, we may be able to advance all the way into Tibet from Jiannan Road in the future.

If the new dynasty's army couldn't control this area, it would be extremely difficult for them to enter Tibetan territory, let alone fight the Tibetans.

Upon hearing this, His Highness the King of Yue looked up at the map, placed his hand on the location of Jinchuan Prefecture, and fell into deep thought.

Emperor Li turned to look at his son and slowly said, "If this matter can be accomplished, I will remember you as a great contributor and grant you hereditary succession for three generations."

"You can choose the place where you are enfeoffed. You can take up your fief in Chengdu and be enfeoffed as the King of Shu."

His Highness the Prince of Yue seemed uninterested in these rewards. He stared at the map for a while before asking, "Father, who is the current General of Chengdu?"

"Yuye."

Emperor Li replied without hesitation, "He's an old member of the bandit-hunting team. His personality is somewhat similar to mine. If you meet him, you'll probably get along well with him."

His Highness the Prince of Yue turned his head again and looked at Su Sheng, who was silent to the side. He was not intimidated and asked with a smile, "Uncle, you are the Privy Councilor. At this time, won't you give your nephew some advice?"

General Su then looked at the Prince of Yue, gave a wry smile, and said, "The Tibetans have indeed weakened considerably in recent years. With the Chengdu Army here, I am not worried about Your Highness's safety on this trip, but the Jinchuan Prefecture..."

Su Sheng shook his head slightly: "Although I have never been there or seen it, I have heard some things about it. This place is the throat of the Tubo land, and its location is extremely important."

"Moreover, I heard that the terrain is extremely dangerous, and once it is controlled, it will be easy to defend and difficult to attack."

"Catapults, cannons, and even gunpowder and firearms, none of them can get up there."

Su Sheng looked at His Highness the Prince of Yue and said, "I think it will be very difficult to attack from here."

His Highness the Prince of Yue shifted his gaze, then looked back at his father and asked, "Father, if I were to go this time, would it be up to me or General Yu?"

Li Yun was speechless and said, "Jiannan Circuit is too far from the imperial court. The garrison in Chengdu alone has more than 40,000 troops. How can such a large force be entrusted to a sixteen or seventeen-year-old child like you?"

"All I can say is that I will ask Yu Ye to cooperate with you as much as possible, but I cannot give you military power."

The second prince pondered for a while, then asked, "Is Father Emperor asking me to marry the Tibetan princess under false pretenses?"

"We should go and meet them first."

Emperor Li shook his head slightly: "Your queen should be found within our own country."

After thinking for a moment, His Highness the Prince of Yue suddenly said in a low voice, "Father, I will meet with the Tibetans first, and then do my best to facilitate this marriage. At that time, I can take the opportunity to ask them to take me to Tibet."

"Looking at this map, they will most likely go through Jinchuan Prefecture."

His Highness the King of Yue said in a low voice, "The opportunity will come then."

Upon hearing this, both Li Yun and Su Sheng frowned.

General Su said directly, "This won't do, it's too dangerous."

His Highness the Prince of Yue waved his hand and said casually, "Uncle, don't worry. If they didn't fear our dynasty, they wouldn't have sent anyone to discuss the marriage. Since they have sent someone, even if something happens to me, they might not dare to kill me."

Li Zheng turned to look at Li Yun and said, "Father, if this Jinchuan Prefecture is very important, I think it's worth it."

"Even if we don't fight, at least we can see what the terrain of Jinchuan Prefecture is like. You can't see it at all on this map."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Li rubbed his temples and said, "Let's postpone this matter for two days until the Ministry of War has made a decision, and then discuss it further."

Su Sheng breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement.

His Highness the King of Yue smiled and said, "Father, we can send an envoy to make contact with them first. Whether I go or not, we should at least turn this marriage alliance into a formal relationship."

"otherwise…"

He looked at Su Sheng and said with a smile, "Otherwise, Uncle Su's daughter-in-law might just disappear without a trace." His Majesty the Emperor nodded and said, "Alright, I will send someone to negotiate with them immediately. As for the rest of the arrangements..."

His Majesty the Emperor said slowly, "Let's talk about it in a couple of days."

Without further ado, Prince Yue clasped his hands in a salute to his father, then bowed to Su Sheng before heading out. As he reached the entrance of Ganlu Palace, he suddenly remembered something and turned back to bow to Li Yun, saying, "Father, I haven't seen Mother for a long time. I've come to the palace today to request a meeting with her."

Li Yun nodded and waved his hand, saying, "Gu Chang is right at the door. Have him lead you into the inner palace."

Li Zheng responded and bowed his head before leaving.

After the Second Prince left, Emperor Li shook his head and sighed, "That kid is a simpleton, he's afraid of nothing."

Su Sheng said with a smile, "In other words, the Second Prince is naturally strong, much like His Majesty was in his youth."

Li Yun chuckled: "When I was young, I was never as reckless as him."

General Su hesitated, coughed, and forced himself to swallow the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

"Alright, that's all for today. After you return, brother, gather the people of the Privy Council and draft a set of regulations, then send it to me."

Su Sheng quickly bowed his head and replied, "Yes," then clasped his hands in a salute to the emperor and said, "Your subject takes his leave."

The emperor nodded and said, "Three days from now, I will convene all the relevant military officers in the Taiji Hall for a meeting."

Su Sheng bowed respectfully and agreed, then withdrew respectfully.

After he left, Emperor Li sat alone in silence for a long time, thinking about his second son. After a long while, he finally sighed.

"For so many years, I have fought in battles and charged into the enemy lines without ever being afraid. How come now that I have become emperor, my family is being implicated?"

His Majesty's tone was rather desolate.

"I was actually a little scared."

…………

The following day, officials from the Ministry of Rites and Du Qian were invited to the Ganlu Hall to discuss communication with the Khitans. Li Yun's intention to change the marriage alliance to a direct marriage alliance was quickly issued to the Ministry of Rites, instructing them to send someone to negotiate with the Tibetans first, and then consider the next steps after obtaining the results of the negotiations.

It took Emperor Li about half an hour to finish explaining the matter. He looked at the group of officials from the Ministry of Rites in front of him, then waved his hand and said, "Alright, all of you go back to your offices. I have other matters to discuss with Prime Minister Du."

The officials from the Ministry of Rites exchanged glances but refused to leave. The newly appointed Minister of Rites, Zhang Huan, bowed to Li Yun and said, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Rites has something to report."

Li Yun glanced at him, then at Du Qian beside him. Du Qian nodded slightly, indicating that he already knew what the Ministry of Rites wanted to say.

Moreover, he also approves of this content.

Emperor Li then looked at the Ministry of Rites and said quietly, "Speak."

Minister Zhang bowed to the Emperor and said, “Your Majesty, the 29th of October this year is your 40th birthday, and it is not long away. After the Ministry of Rites reported to the ministers of the Secretariat, they all felt that this was a joyous occasion for all and should be celebrated in a grand manner.”

"If it is done well, it will also demonstrate the power and influence of the new dynasty."

Emperor Li was stunned, and it took him a long time to remember.

The emperor's birthday was also a very important festival.

This festival has varied from dynasty to dynasty; some call it the Longevity Festival, while others call it the Eternal Spring Festival.

Emperor Li's birthday, on the 29th of the tenth month, is only a month or two away now.

Li Yun frowned and looked at Du Qian. Du Qian bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I also think that this matter should be handled."

"This is not just a matter for His Majesty alone, but a major event for the entire nation."

Du Qian bowed deeply and said, "The new dynasty has just been established. If this matter is handled well, the world will recognize the new dynasty to some extent, and recognize His Majesty to some extent."

Li Yun rubbed his temples and asked, "How much?"

The Minister of Rites knelt on the ground, bowing his head deeply.

"The Ministry of Rites has made a rough estimate."

"Two million strings of cash are required."

(End of this chapter)