The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 119: His Royal Highness the Crown Prince

Taiye Lake returned to its tranquility. Empress Chang Sun sighed. Under the cover of night, some fish jumped from the surface of Taiye Lake and fell back into the lake.

At dawn, a Tibetan man left the city on a fast horse and headed west.

In July, we left Guanzhong, passed Longyou, and rode at full speed across the Gobi Desert into the plateau.

A month later, the letter was delivered to Lhasa.

From the spacious grasslands of Lhasa, you can see the snow-capped mountains in the distance, and Tibetan herdsmen will bow devoutly to the mountains.

Several Tibetan warriors rode fast horses and asked the newcomers.

Then he was taken into a small house.

The nineteen-year-old Songtsen Gampo was drinking tea, which was roasted tea bought in Chang'an. The Tibetan king liked this kind of tea very much.

It was a little dark in the hut. Songtsen Gampo picked up the tsampa beside him and ate it, looking at a book on the table.

The book was written in the Central Plains language. After unifying the plateau, the Tubo king liked to read books written by people from the Central Plains.

This hobby of the young king was influenced by the Tubo Prime Minister, Lu Dongzan, who was a man who admired wisdom and power.

There were quite a few people standing in the small room at this moment. Lu Dongzan, who was just over 30 years old, took the letter handed over by the other party, removed the wax seal and carefully read the contents of the letter.

Songtsen Gampo ate tsampa one mouthful at a time and asked in a deep voice, "What did the Tang people say?"

After reading the letter, Lu Dongzan sighed and handed it to the Zamp beside him, saying, "The Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace of the Heavenly Khan told us to withdraw our troops."

Songtsen Gampo took the letter and looked at the words on it. After reading the content, he carefully admired the handwriting and said, "It turns out that the handwriting of the Tang prince is not very good. I heard that the handwriting of the Khan is very beautiful. It's a pity that I can't see it until now."

Lu Dongzan sat down cross-legged, also eating tsampa, and said, "As long as Tubo is strong enough, Tian Khan will definitely write a letter to the Zamp himself."

Songtsen Gampo said in frustration: "They said that if Tubo does not withdraw its troops, the Western Regions will join Gaochang in attacking Tubo."

Lu Dongzan looked solemn and said, "There are still Tang soldiers on the edge of Qinghai, and sometimes they enter the Tibetan territory. Several of our warriors have been injured."

The Zamp did not immediately agree to withdraw his troops. In fact, it was Lu Dongzan's idea to attack Khotan, and Songtsen Gampo only wanted to train Tibetan warriors.

Lu Dongzan said that the trade route in the Western Regions was extremely rich, and that seizing this trade route would be of great benefit to Tubo, as it would obtain Tang silk and Tang ironware.

In the history books of the Central Plains, there was a man named Fan Ju. Some people commented that it is never too late for a gentleman to take revenge.

Sometimes Songtsen Gampo felt that Lu Dongzan was too hasty.

As expected, the Heavenly Khan of the Tang Dynasty also had his eyes on the Western Regions.

"What kind of person do you think the Prime Minister thinks the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty is?"

Lu Dongzan recalled the beginning of the seventh year of Zhenguan, and said slowly: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is a humble and polite person. He said that he longed for the snow-capped mountains of our Tubo."

Songtsen Gampo hesitated and asked, "Snow mountain?"

Lu Dongzan finished eating the tsampa in his hand and said, "According to rumors in the past two years, the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace is now in charge of government affairs, and the court officials all praise the Crown Prince for his wisdom and wisdom."

In the quiet house, you can hear the sound of the wind outside, blowing all the way to the snow-capped mountains.

Songtsen Gampo said slowly: "Will this prince be the next Heavenly Khan?"

Lu Dongzan poured a bowl of tea and said, "According to the Tang people, such a wise prince will definitely become the next Heavenly Khan."

Songtsen Gampo's eyes returned to the letter again, "The Crown Prince is only sixteen years old?"

Lu Dongzan nodded again.

"Do you think we should withdraw our troops?"

Lu Dongzan said slowly: "Let the warriors come back."

Hearing this, Songtsen Gampo smiled knowingly and said to the warriors waiting outside: "Let our warriors come back from Khotan!"

Soon the neighing of war horses was heard outside the house, followed by the sound of horse hooves fading away.

Looking at the happy smile of the Zamp, who was still reading the letter from the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, Lu Dongzan's expression became a little more worried, and he said, "It would not be a good thing if the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace became the Heavenly Khan."

Songtsen Gampo asked in confusion, "Didn't the Prime Minister say that the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty is a very kind person?"

Lu Dongzan said slowly: "I also hope that the prince of the East Palace can become the future Heavenly Khan, but the affairs of the Central Plains people are always complicated."

Songtsen Gampo drank his tea and said with a smile, "Prime Minister, please also write a reply to the Crown Prince of the East Palace."

Lu Dongzan nodded, picked up the brush and began to write. This Tibetan prime minister was very skilled in using the brush and wrote the Central Plains characters very well.

In fact, there are many books from the Central Plains in this small house, all of which were bought from Guanzhong.

Songtsen Gampo learned the governance strategies of the Central Plains people through these books to govern the Tibetans, and he also wanted to formulate the Tibetan people's rituals and administration.

If Tubo wants to be strong, it needs wisdom.

When Lu Dongzan finished writing his reply, Songtsen Gampo walked out of the hut, facing the snow-capped mountains, and said in a loud voice: "Zhongyuan is the teacher of Tubo!"

Lu Dongzan ordered his men to deliver the reply to the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, and also promised to withdraw troops from Khotan. He whispered: "Zamp is right. I shouldn't be so anxious."

Songtsen Gampo said: "It is either now or in the future."

Lu Dongzan nodded and stood aside without saying a word.

It was almost September when the reply from the Tubo Prime Minister arrived in Guanzhong.

The scorching summer in Guanzhong was over, and the emperor decided to end this year's summer vacation in September.

The urgent report from the border was delivered to Taiye Lake one day earlier than the Tibetans' letter. Li Shimin looked at the urgent report and said in a deep voice, "They really have withdrawn their troops."

Yuchi Gong said: "Your Majesty, it seems that the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace and Lu Dongzan really have contacts."

Li Shimin stood by the Taiye Lake with his hands behind his back and sighed, "But Cheng Qian often said that he didn't have much contact with Lu Dongzan."

Yuchi Gong bowed and said, "That is, the Tibetans want to make your Majesty and the court officials believe that the Crown Prince has a good relationship with the Tibetan Prime Minister."

"Why are they doing this?"

Yuchi Gong replied: "It is clear that their plan is even bigger."

Li Shimin stared at the surface of Taiye Lake and asked, "Does His Royal Highness know about this?"

"Lu Dongzan's letter will not arrive in Chang'an until tomorrow."

"Hehehe... a Tibetan prime minister knows how to advance and retreat. Is Songtsen Gampo a person who is willing to accept good advice?"

Yuchi Gong bowed and stood aside without saying a word.

The next day, before dawn, Li Chengqian did his morning exercises, practicing archery as usual.

It was still dawn when two familiar figures were seen approaching from a distance. They turned out to be General Li Ji and the Emperor's uncle Li Xiaogong.

Li Chengqian shot an arrow, which hit the center of the target accurately.

Seeing this, Li Xiaogong took out a silver cake and threw it to Li Ji.

Li Ji smiled and put the silver cake into his arms.

Li Chengqian asked curiously, "What are the emperor's uncle and the general doing?"

Li Ji, wearing court robes, replied, "I made a bet with the Prince of Hejian, and I'm sorry to have embarrassed the Crown Prince." Li Xiaogong lamented, "I thought that since I was away for a few days, the Crown Prince would slack off in his training."

Li Ji added: "From the arrow just shot, it is clear that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has not only not neglected his training, but his archery skills have become even better."

Li Xiaogong sat aside and said, "I admit defeat."

Li Ji laughed out loud, looking as if he had expected it.

Li Chengqian continued to practice archery, but he still felt uncomfortable about the two men making a bet with the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

"It takes a normal year or two for an archer in the army to be trained and ready for use. I dare not neglect it."

Li Ji looked at the target 150 steps away and said, "The prince's archery skills are getting better and better."

Li Xiaogong nodded and said, "My body has become stronger too."

Now the bowstring control in archery is more stable, the arrows shot out are more powerful and more stable.

Seeing his uncle throwing up a rattan ball, Li Chengqian drew his bow and arrow, aimed at the rattan ball that was about to fall, and shot an arrow. The arrow passed through the rattan ball and landed accurately on the target.

Li Xiaogong clapped his hands and said, "Very good!"

Xiaofu brought out three bowls of noodles, and the three of them sat in front of the East Palace gate to eat breakfast.

"Damn it!" After taking a bite of noodles, Li Xiaogong couldn't help but say, "The food out there is really not for human consumption."

Li Ji tapped the bowl with his chopsticks and said, "This is what people eat."

Officials can already be seen walking into Chengtian Gate in groups of three or four. My father will be attending court today. My younger brothers and sisters will probably wake up and return to the East Palace in another hour.

Li Chengqian ate noodles in silence, thinking that he would not be able to supervise the government affairs at the morning court today, and all power in the court would return to his father's hands.

Xiaofu stood aside, and if there were any court officials who wanted to have dinner with His Highness at this time, she would scoop some noodles out of the pot.

"Uncle Emperor?"

"Ok?"

"How is the construction of Tongguan going?"

Li Xiaogong wiped his mouth after finishing his noodles and said, "It went smoothly. It's not a big project."

Li Ji nodded and said, "In fact, the change in the water level of the Yellow River was noticed as early as ten years ago. I didn't expect that there would be a road that could bypass Hangu Pass. In this case, Tongguan is extremely important."

Li Xiaogong nodded continuously, put the bowl and chopsticks aside, patted his fat belly comfortably, burped, and said, "It feels so good."

Li Ji took a bite of the scallion, finished the rest of the noodles, and then ate the remaining half of the scallion.

Li Chengqian packed up and prepared to go to the morning court together.

Along the way, Li Xiaogong asked, "I heard that the counties in Guanzhong impeached Xu Jingzong?"

Li Chengqian put his hands in his pockets and said, "The counties are used to being tough, but everything has been arranged."

The court of the Tang Dynasty was related to the customs of the people, and the customs of the people were simple and tough.

Therefore, the current Tang Dynasty is still very pragmatic. Whether you are a county magistrate or an official of Jingzhao Prefecture, if you favor one county over another, you will inevitably be impeached.

"I think we should continue to understand the situation and needs of each county."

Li Xiaogong said: "I didn't understand these things. I thought the East Palace was bullied. If Maogong hadn't stopped me, I would have ridden my horse back to Chang'an."

Li Ji smiled awkwardly.

When they reached the Taiji Hall, Li Chengqian said again, "I'm sorry that my uncle missed me."

Li Xiaogong sighed, walked to his seat in the class, and greeted all the friends he hadn't seen for a long time.

At this moment, in the Taiji Hall, all the ministers have arrived at their seats.

Li Chengqian walked between the rows of civil and military officials and saw many people looking at him and talking in low voices.

Coming to his seat, he had to wait for his father to arrive before he could start the court. He looked at Li Tai beside him and asked, "What are they talking about?"

Li Tai was surprised and asked, "Don't you know, brother?"

Li Chengqian was stunned and asked again: "What should I know?"

"Because of a letter from my brother, the Tubo Prime Minister Lu Dongzan withdrew his troops. The envoy from Khotan in the Western Regions knelt in front of the Suzaku Gate to thank my brother for his help."

Li Chengqian frowned and said, "I really don't know."

Li Tai's fat face was somewhat discouraged, and he whispered, "They all said that a letter from my brother could make the Tibetans withdraw their troops. The favor of the Crown Prince of the East Palace is really worth thousands of troops."

Li Chengqian looked aside again and asked, "Do you know about this?"

Li Ke nodded heavily and said, "Now I know."

With his hands tucked into his sleeves, Li Chengqian looked solemn. The civil and military officials in the Taiji Hall were still discussing.

With the eunuch's loud shout, the hall finally became quiet.

Li Shimin walked to the throne and sat down, watching all the civil and military officials bowing in salute.

Li Ji stepped out of the court and began to report on the repair of Tongguan and the condition of the Yellow River.

Because the water level of the Yellow River has dropped, the strategic position of Hangu Pass is no longer as important, and the most important pass in Guanzhong has moved back. The current Tongguan will play a crucial role in the next few hundred years.

Li Chengqian stood aside and listened to the various departments in the court taking turns to report matters to the emperor.

The longest reporting period was for this year's summer harvest, which was another bumper year for Guanzhong.

Wei Zheng stepped out of the court and reported on the Tibetans' retreat from Khotan.

Time and again, Tubo wanted to flex its muscles to the Tang Dynasty, and again and again challenged the sensitive high-voltage line of the Tang emperor.

Li Shimin looked at the prince who was standing below. He was standing in front of the three brothers. At this moment, he stood with his hands in his pockets, eyes closed, motionless like a wooden sculpture. It was unknown what his son was thinking.

It is said that the Heavenly Khan commands all directions. Now, a letter from his son can make the Tibetans withdraw their troops and save Khotan from the critical moment.

Although Khotan was very weak and not as powerful in the Western Regions as it once was.

As for Khotan, which survived in the cracks of the Western Regions, if it really perished one day, it would not seem to be a big deal and would be reasonable.

It was common for the many small countries in the Western Regions to annex each other.

Even the change of a Khan in Western Turkestan every month was not a big deal; it was commonplace.

Although Tubo is poor, its land is not small at all, and it is not clear how many troops Tubo has hidden. Niu Jinda is still sending people to investigate.

The prince was able to make the Tubo army withdraw its troops with just one sentence. Was it because of the relationship between him and Lu Dongzan?

At this moment, as the prince's father, Li Shimin was very conflicted and even a little envious of his son's abilities and connections.

Fortunately, Cheng Qian was not really able to command Tubo.

Ma Zhou stepped out of the court and said, "Your Majesty, I received a document from the Hexi Corridor today and I have something important to report."

(End of this chapter)