The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 183 Understanding the Big Picture
Fang Yi, who was standing outside the palace, said, "It's okay. Just wait here for a while. I'm worried that my mother won't be able to support my drunk father."

Standing next to Fang Yizhi, Li Chengqian watched the groups of people walking out of the palace and asked, "Brother Fang, can you serve in the court?"

"I occasionally move around the Secretariat, but I don't hold an official position."

As the two were talking, loud voices came from Xingqing Hall again. It was the eunuch reading out the imperial decree, "Xuanling and I have been in harmony for many years. He has never slacked off in handling government affairs and has carefully taught the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace. Now that the Crown Prince has reached adulthood, he has arranged for Jingzhao Prefecture to manage agricultural affairs in Guanzhong and opened Chongwen Hall to recruit capable officials. This is not the work of the Crown Prince alone, and it could not have been accomplished without Xuanling. Now I grant him the title of Duke of Liang. Madam Fang is extremely courageous and a heroine. According to the custom, I will grant her the title of Madam of Liang..."

After an edict was recited, the banquet finally ended.

Li Chengqian looked at his teacher and his wife coming out of the hall and bowed, "Teacher."

Fang Xuanling was a little drunk and whispered, "Your Highness, please do not be arrogant or self-conceited. You must always be alert."

"The teacher teaches, and the students remember it in their hearts."

Fang Yizheng supported his drunken teacher and walked out of the palace step by step.

Li Chengqian took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and prepared to walk towards the East Palace, when he saw a lantern waiting not far away in the direction of the East Palace.

When I got closer, I realized that Ning'er was already waiting here.

Thinking about what happened at today's banquet, Li Chengqian walked towards the East Palace with his hands in his pockets. The Li family is very big, so big that some people can only see it once every few years.

Just like General Chai Shao, who was his uncle.

When walking into the East Palace, Ning'er noticed that under the light, the prince seemed to be worried. She didn't say much and silently prepared hot water for washing.

Li Chengqian wiped his face and asked, "Isn't it time for me to be proud yet?"

Ning Er said, "There are those who are arrogant and conceited in the world, and there are those who are complacent and contented with their lives, but Your Highness is not an arrogant person."

"Why do you say that?"

Ning'er whispered, "Because Your Highness has never felt that the princesses' homework is well written, except for accuracy, there is nothing else. From this, I think Your Highness is not an arrogant person."

"Your Highness treats others like this, and he is even more strict with himself."

After listening to her, Li Chengqian hung the cloth back on the rack, put down his sleeves, looked at the night sky where he could see stars, and smiled.

The prince's smile was different from usual. It seemed a little silly.

Ning'er took another look at the prince's smile, and felt that the fact that His Royal Highness could have such a smile showed that although He was usually strict with himself, he still had some innocence in his heart.

The next morning, there were more people coming to the morning court than usual.

As soon as the morning exercise ended, Li Chengqian met Li Baiyao.

"Your Highness, this year the Turkic Khan Heluohu still did not come to pay tribute."

Li Chengqian put his legs on the rack, pressed them to relax his muscles, and said, "The little Khan of the Turks is only thirteen years old. He is probably still playing on the grassland."

Li Baiyao smiled and said, "I heard that this little Khan is an extremely weak child."

Li Chengqian nodded and signaled him to continue.

Li Baiyao said, "Gaochang will send an envoy this year, but they haven't set off yet, so I don't know who they will send."

"The Tubo will not come to pay tribute this year."

Li Chengqian put down his legs and stretched his back. "Have breakfast. So many people got drunk in Xingqing Hall yesterday. Most of them won't come."

Li Baiyao bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

The wines and beverages served at last night's banquet were all donated by the counties in Guanzhong, and some were tributes from various parts of the Central Plains.

The fruits were brought by Feng Ang from Lingnan, and with the Queen Mother's careful budgeting, last night's banquet didn't cost much.

As the court session was about to begin, Li Chengqian walked towards the Taiji Hall.

Along the way, I saw that the generals all looked unhappy. After a hangover last night, they had to attend court early in the morning.

From the perspective of humanitarian concern, it is not a bad idea to take a day off.

After entering the hall, Li Chengqian stood at his seat. The discussions and whispers that were heard before the morning court became less frequent.

As soon as the emperor walked into the Taiji Hall, the eunuch shouted loudly and the morning court began.

After each department reported its own affairs.

An imperial censor stood out from the court and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, I impeach the General of the Left Guard, Qiu Xinggong."

A voice rang out in the hall, and everyone perked up.

The censor picked up a memorial and said in a loud voice: "The Luoyang Chief Secretary submitted a document and it was delivered to Chang'an yesterday. Qiu Xinggong and his brother competed for the burial of his mother, which violated human etiquette!"

Everyone in the hall was talking about it, and the harmonious atmosphere among the generals last night was broken in an instant, and a voice of impeachment resounded in the hall.

Another imperial censor stood out from the court and said loudly: "Your Majesty, Qiu Xinggong is a harsh person and his methods are cruel. This style of behavior has become more and more serious. Now that he holds an important position in the army, he even said that he would eat others alive."

There was another uproar in the hall.

Li Shimin said in a deep voice: "Call Qiu Xinggong."

There was still a lot of discussion in the hall. After a while, a general in armor stood outside the hall. He saluted and said, "General Qiu Xing respectfully greets Your Majesty!"

Li Shimin closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, then said, "Come into the palace."

There was some anger in His Majesty's words.

Qiu Xinggong walked into the hall, his footsteps accompanied by the sound of armor clashing. He walked all the way to the center of the two rows of court officials, clasped his fists and saluted, saying, "I am here."

Imperial Censor Ma Zhou stepped out of the court, looked at him and said, "The Luoyang Chief Clerk submitted a document saying that you and your brother were competing for the burial of your mother. Is this true?"

Qiu Xinggong lowered his head and said nothing.

Zhang Xingcheng, the Imperial Censor of the Palace, stood out from the court and said, "Qiu Xinggong, everyone in the court knows that you are cruel. Everyone in the court is afraid of you! I am not afraid of you! Tell me! Is this true?"

Qiu Xinggong's heavy breathing could be faintly heard in the hall, but he still did not respond.

Ma Zhou also questioned, "Qiu Xinggong, were you also at the banquet last night, saying that you wanted to enter the Lingyan Pavilion?"

Qiu Xinggong stared at Ma Zhou and Zhang Xingcheng ferociously.

Li Shimin held his forehead and tried to speak several times. One could see his jaw rising and falling due to the force of gritting his teeth.

The hall was very quiet, and everyone was waiting for Qiu Xinggong's reply.

Li Shimin picked up a wine bottle beside him and smashed it heavily on Qiu Xinggong's head, angrily saying: "You have corrupted the moral principles and etiquette, and you have brought shame to the army."

The wine jar fell heavily to the ground, and the sound echoed in the hall.

Qiu Xing bowed to the ground and knelt down, saying: "I know I am wrong!"

"You know you're wrong?" Li Shimin laughed angrily. He endured his anger and said slowly, "Dismiss him! Investigate him! Take him to the Dali Temple."

"Yes!" The guards in front of the hall dragged Qiu Xinggong out of the hall.

As harmonious as His Majesty was last night, as angry He is now.

Finally, Prime Minister Fang stood out from the court, said a few words briefly, and ended the morning court.

There are good and bad generals in this army. Some have outstanding military achievements, while others have military achievements but behave uncharacteristically like Qiu Xinggong.

Li Chengqian walked out of the hall. He had been enjoying the banquet happily yesterday, but today he was disturbed by Qiu Xinggong's incident and lost all interest.

Following behind a group of civil and military officials, Li Chengqian walked straight out of Chengtian Gate, thinking of visiting his teacher first. Suddenly, a cry of surprise came from the imperial city, and Qiu Xinggong also broke free from the escorting guards and strode towards an imperial censor.

"How dare you impeach me? You don't want to live anymore."

Qiu Xinggong pounced on the censor like a mad beast.

As soon as the man was knocked to the ground, Qiu Xinggong was about to punch the censor in the face, but he realized that his fist was held by a huge force and he could not hit him any further.

Turning his head, he saw a young man in court robes.

Qiu Xinggong's face lit up and he said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Li Chengqian smiled coldly, grabbed the other's wrist and said, "You dare to take action in the imperial city. I really admire your courage."

"If His Royal Highness likes it, I will kill this censor right now and share his flesh with His Royal Highness."

As soon as the man finished speaking, he found that his hand was firmly grasped by the prince and he could not move at all.

Li Chengqian raised his foot and kicked Qiu Xinggong to the ground, saying, "Mad man!"

Suddenly, the imperial guards from all directions gathered around and surrounded Qiu Xinggong.

He wanted to push aside the guards and said anxiously, "Your Highness, I have made great military achievements and nothing will happen to me. I will go hunting with you some other day."

What awaited Qiu Xinggong was the prince's cold words, "This man has been dismissed from his post, yet he still dares to talk about military achievements. What crime should he be punished for?"

The officials around the imperial city were all watching.

Xu Yushi stood up and said, "If you talk nonsense about military achievements, you will be slapped eighty times."

Li Chengqian asked again: "This man was just in the imperial city and tried to beat up the censor. What crime should he be charged with?"

This man was extremely strong and was about to break free from the guards.

Xu Yushi added: "80 strokes of the cane and three years of hard labor. If the person knowingly breaks the law, an additional ten years will be added."

"You are so brave!" Qiu Xinggong yelled again, his voice so loud that it was almost deafening.

He faced Xu Yushi with his bloody mouth wide open, and forced his way through the guards' encirclement, causing a group of people to fall to the ground.

Seeing that the thug was about to rush to Xu Yushi, Li Chengqian took the longbow from a guard nearby, put the arrow on it and aimed it at Qiu Xinggong who was running.

An arrow was released, and it cut through the air, with a shrill whistling sound.

Qiu Xinggong was still some distance away from the main gate of the Secretariat when he felt a pain in his thigh. His left leg lost strength and he fell to the ground.

Li Chengqian returned the longbow in his hand to the guard beside him and said, "Take it to the Dali Temple!"

"Yes!" A group of guards dragged Qiu Xinggong out of the imperial city.

Li Chengqian stretched his arms and said to the people present: "I hate people who disrespect the officials of the Tang Dynasty the most. If you encounter such a thing again in the future, you should unite to punish them. If anyone sits back and does nothing, or dares not fight back after being beaten, then..."

At this point, Li Chengqian wanted to deduct your salary. After all, this was the only power he had.

I can't just ask my uncle to transfer them all away or dismiss them from their posts.

This is not quite appropriate either.

Li Chengqian simply stopped talking and walked straight to the Secretariat.

There was a brief silence in the imperial city before people dispersed in twos and threes.

Outside the imperial city, even though Qiu Xinggong was hit by an arrow in the leg, he gritted his teeth and tried to break free from the guards.

Several figures were standing by the Suzaku Gate. He saw that it was Li Ji who was staring at him, with Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, and Cheng Yaojin standing beside him.

The eyes of several people were cold towards each other.

The anger that had originally risen up in Qiu Xinggong suddenly subsided.

No matter how fierce and ferocious he is, he would not dare to face so many generals alone.

The smile from yesterday seemed to still be there, and now he shouted loudly: "Your Majesty! I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong."

The shouts echoed in the street. The leg pierced by the arrow was still bleeding, and he could no longer stand up.

The news of the incident in the imperial city reached the Wude Hall.

Soon, Sun Fujia, the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, and Yuchi Gong hurried into the palace and came to the Wude Hall to explain the cause of the incident.

Li Shimin, who was resting with his eyes closed, heard the news and asked, "Is there anything wrong with the prince?"

Sun Fujia replied: "Your Highness the Crown Prince rescued an imperial censor, and he is not seriously injured."

If this incident did not affect the crown prince, Qiu Xinggong's crime would at most ruin his reputation.

But this matter involved the crown prince, Li Shimin's breathing became heavier, and he said in a deep voice: "Jingde, what do you think?"

Hearing this, Yuchi Gong clasped his fists and replied, "Your Majesty, if Qiu Xinggong is not killed, it will be difficult to intimidate the generals."

Sun Fujia said again: "Your Majesty, some things will happen again if they happen once. I can see that Qiu Xinggong will never repent."

Li Shimin stood with his hands behind his back, his back to the two men, "Qiu Xinggong has corrupted human etiquette, corrupted the morale of the army, corrupted social principles, and disregarded laws and discipline. This person cannot be tolerated by the country, behead him!"

Sun Fujia said loudly: "Yes."

Yuchi Gong was still standing there, waiting for instructions.

At this moment, Li Shimin felt quite tired. He sat down slowly, put his weight on the mahogany chair, and said, "I heard that Cheng Qian called Chai Shao "uncle" last night?"

"Your Majesty, I have seen it with my own eyes."

Li Shimin raised his head and rubbed his brows and said, "Li Chengqian is a child who values ​​old friendships."

Yuchi Gong stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, but the prince has never had any compassion for some people, and he has not been lenient."

Looking around, Li Shimin saw that the tea bowl was empty, patted the armrest of the chair, and suddenly smiled, "In your eyes, Cheng Qian is a good boy."

"I think the prince has a sense of propriety. He is not afraid of such a vicious person and is able to draw his bow calmly."

"That arrow was enough to kill Qiu Xinggong, but the prince held back. Perhaps at the moment he drew the bow, the prince realized that if Qiu Xinggong, this beast, was to die, he had to be executed by Your Majesty, not by the prince's hands."

Li Shimin thought that the Crown Prince was still young, and it would not be a good thing for the Crown Prince to have a life too early, so he smiled and said, "This child is very capable of understanding the overall situation."

Yuchi bowed respectfully to show that what he said was from the bottom of his heart.

Li Shimin swallowed his saliva, closed his eyes and said: "Jingde, follow me to visit Chai Shao."

When Your Majesty went out to visit General Chai Shao of the Zhenjun Army.

Several executioners came and stood outside the Dali Temple.

Sun Fujia ordered his men to escort Qiu Xinggong out of the Dali Temple, and the executioners followed.

Outside the Suzaku Gate, Sun Fujia recited the emperor's order in public.

When he read the words "the country cannot tolerate it", Sun Fujia paused for a moment and said loudly: "Behead him!"

The big knife fell, blood splattered, and Qiu Xinggong's head fell to the ground.

(End of this chapter)