The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 317: The Court Officials Are Unsettled
Li Lizhi added, "All he knows is to hang out with Xu Jingzong."

Li Zhi had a bitter face and lowered his head to put food into his mouth.

It is not easy for Zhinu to become Xu Jingzong's apprentice. It should not be too difficult for him to learn well and to be invincible in Chang'an.

At night, the Taiye Lake is still very lively.

Li Tai said, "Royal brother, Qingque plans to visit brother Yan Liben's home during the New Year."

"Well, since you married Yan Lide's daughter, you should go out and visit. The Yan family can be useful to your career."

"Thank you for the reminder, brother."

"After all, our Li family is an imperial family. Sometimes we brothers and sisters should be more rational. This way we can protect ourselves and make this family stronger."

The two brothers walked a little further away, and the laughter of their younger siblings also became a little farther away.

Li Tai said: "My uncles' affairs, my royal brother, do not mind. Qingque always remembers that only when our family becomes strong can we avoid being criticized by others. Only when we become strong can we avoid being influenced by outsiders."

Li Chengqian smiled and patted Li Tai on the shoulder.

How to become the arm of this powerful empire?

First of all, you need to be strong yourself. If you are not strong enough, you can only rely on others, but if you rely on others, you will be controlled by others.

Arms do not live in the eyes of others, nor do they live in the recognition of others.

Little Sizi was looking at the stars again. She stood by the Taiye Lake, holding a compass in her hand, looking at the starry sky and muttering to herself, "Tomorrow will be a sunny day."

Just as Xiao Sizi said, the next morning the sun shone early on the land of Guanzhong.

In the huge city of Chang'an, Li Chengqian stood on the Drum Tower. There was still snow on every house he looked at. When the sun shone down, the whole city of Chang'an seemed to be emitting light.

I haven't read Xuanzang's letters yet.

And no one knew where the scroll of letters had gone. Perhaps it was taken away by my younger brothers and sisters after they had dinner at Taiye Lake last night, or perhaps it was lost.

But none of this matters anymore. Xuanzang is now in Shazhou, just waiting for the monk to decide to return to secular life and serve the country before considering whether to let him come back.

Besides, there are still many things to do in the Tang Dynasty now and we don’t want to be distracted by him.

Now many monks in Chang'an are about to leave. They are going to Shazhou to visit Xuanzang, most of them to ask whether the Buddhist scriptures from India have really been brought here.

Until now, Li Chengqian still couldn't remember what Bo Po looked like.

Before the death of that Indian monk, he was still wishing Xuanzang could come back soon.

In fact, if Xuanzang could pass through Tubo to go to India, the journey would not be too far.

But Xuanzang had been gone for more than ten years, and the journey back was not smooth. In the end, Popo never saw him or the scriptures until his death.

As Li Chengqian walked down the drum tower, Xue Wanbei hurried over and said, "Your Highness, there is an urgent report from Tubo."

"explain."

"Yes." Xue Wanbei opened the military report and read: "After Xuanzang was taken to Shazhou, the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo sent envoys to India and Nepal. The king of India was very angry when he learned that the Tang Dynasty treated Xuanzang so badly. He was angry that the Tang people treated Xuanzang as a prisoner."

"Your Highness, General Niu Jinda and General Li Zhen who are guarding Qinghai are both worried. India, Nepal, and Tubo are joining forces to attack the Tang Dynasty. Even if India lends troops to Tubo, it will be a problem that cannot be underestimated."

Li Chengqian took the military report and read its contents. Xuanzang encountered many twists and turns on his way back to the Tang Dynasty.

Songtsen Gampo asked Xuanzang to stay three times, but Xuanzang insisted on returning to the Tang Dynasty.

Due to the protection of the King of India, Songtsen Gampo did not dare to force Xuanzang to stay.

Songtsen Gampo was also worried that Xuanzang would become a prisoner and die in the Tang Dynasty, which would harm Xuanzang.

Because of this incident, Songtsen Gampo persuaded Xuanzang to stay several times.

Now that Xuanzang had returned to the Tang Dynasty, Songtsen Gampo went to inform India and Nepal, hoping to use this to threaten the Tang Dynasty.

After losing Lu Dongzan, Songtsen Gampo is still not to be underestimated, and everything he did before and after makes sense when you think about it.

Li Chengqian whispered, "Zanpu, you chose the most inappropriate path."

Xue Wanbei asked, "Your Highness, will the Indians bring war elephants to attack Qinghai?"

"Not in a hurry."

A monk named Bai Fang killed the Persian monk Alopen. The Arabs were approaching Persia and were about to destroy what is now Persia.

The situation over there is very turbulent. Recently, more and more Persian merchants have gone to the Western Regions, and most of them have escaped.

"Your Highness, I heard that Songtsen Gampo is recruiting soldiers and has deployed a lot of troops along the border between Qinghai and Tubo. Even herdsmen are not allowed to enter and leave freely. I'm afraid something unexpected is going to happen."

From a geographical point of view, if Tubo moved westward to India, it would have the geographical advantage to attack India.

But can the Indians send troops to aid Tubo?
This seems a little unrealistic. Aren’t the Indians afraid of acclimatization problems?

Songtsen Gampo's behavior was very strange. A smart man like him would not make such a plan.

Or maybe he received more accurate news, that Persia was about to perish and the territory of the Tang Dynasty would border the Arabs?

If the Tang Dynasty goes to war with the Arabs, the Tang army will probably have no time to take care of Tubo.

Is it realistic that a rapidly rising Arab Empire would go to war with the Tang Empire?

Maybe another five or ten years?
On the way back, Li Chengqian thought about many issues. There will be wars in the future. At present, the most powerful empire on this continent and the small countries waiting for an opportunity to rise are all waiting for an opportunity to rise.

It was already very difficult for the Tang army to attack Tianshan, let alone cross the Pamir Mountains. Pei Xingjian submitted memorials several times to express his predicament. It was not so easy to build Suiye City, and more time was needed to give the Anxi Protectorate.

Liang Jianfang stationed his troops in Beiting. No matter how effective the military training was, they could not withstand the long journey.

Li Chengqian ordered: "Send a message to General Niu Jinda, asking him to take good care of Qinghai."

"Here."

After returning to the palace, seeing that his son and daughter, who were about to spend another year together, became more and more lively, Xiao Yutu took whatever he could lift and threw it far away.

He tried to lift the small stool with great effort, just like a child who wanted to become a strong man.

Three palace maids chased the two little ancestors, fearing that they would bump into anything. All the table corners, chairs, and stools in the East Palace were wrapped with thick cloth, for fear that the children would bump into anything.

But is this useful?
This was of no use, and only encouraged the two children to become more arrogant and lawless, challenging them to defeat all the furniture they could.

Finally, when Xiao Yutu broke a bowl, Su Wan finally scolded him.

The cry of a child was heard in the East Palace.

The East Palace is noisy because there is a child.

The noise continued like this until the 16th year of Zhenguan.

This is the sixteenth year of my father's reign. When the court was about to open, my father still did not return to Chang'an, but was still traveling outside.

I heard that my father has been to Shuofang.

Running all the way from Mount Tai to Shuofang, I have to say that my father's travel route is quite strange.

Li Chengqian had a vague feeling that if Duke Ying suffered a loss in the battle at the front, his father might put on armor and go into battle himself, and then Duke Zheng would definitely die for his advice, and the situation would get out of control. In the end, Duke Zheng would die for his advice, and his father would not want to come back after going to the battle.

Because from Shuofang to the north is the Houtao Plain, and further ahead is the Yin Mountains.

In order to inflict a heavy defeat on Zhenzhu Khan of Mobei, Tian Khan of the Tang Dynasty personally commanded the army, and it was most likely that the battle would not be lost.

However, now Li Chengqian no longer hopes that his father can save some money outside, he only hopes that his father can come back safely. This year's grand court meeting was presided over by the Crown Prince of the East Palace. This grand court meeting was a bit sloppy. Li Chengqian stood in the Taiji Hall and accepted the envoys from various countries to meet him.

What was rare was that Zhang Xuansu, who had returned from Luoyang, stood out from the court and said, "Your Highness, the situation in Yinshan is changing rapidly. Please write a letter to persuade Your Majesty to return to Chang'an."

Cen Wenben also stood up and said, "Your Highness, as the crown prince, should advise His Majesty. This is a matter concerning the country and the state. The safety of the emperor cannot be compromised."

Chu Suiliang stood out from the court and said, "Your Highness, please advise His Majesty."

More and more censors came forward to give advice.

Li Chengqian watched the scene and stood in front of all the officials in silence.

Cheng Yaojin stood out from the court and said in a loud voice: "Your Highness! I am willing to go to Shuofang in person to protect Your Majesty."

"Hehehe..."

A sneer came from the hall.

Cheng Yaojin heard the familiar laughter and knew the source. He shouted, "Old thief Changsun! What are you laughing at?"

"Zhijie, I'm afraid you are not only here to protect His Majesty, but also to go with His Majesty to the expedition to Mobei?"

Cheng Yaojin said angrily: "If your majesty goes to war, I will naturally guard you."

"You are really just looking for an excuse to lead the troops to war. If you had just said you were going to fight, I would have thought more highly of you."

"Your eldest grandson has been having trouble using the toilet lately, and someone knows about it."

The hall was silent for a moment.

Cheng Yaojin added: "Three days!"

Someone in the hall laughed, and it seemed that they couldn't help laughing. The sound was very small, but very harsh.

Chang Sun Wuji's old face turned from red to blue. He quickly walked out of the court and pointed at Cheng Yaojin and said, "This is the main hall. How can you be so presumptuous?"

"Wow!" Cheng Yaojin rolled up his sleeves and said with wide eyes, "You bastard, try pointing at me again."

Changsun Wuji had not put down his hand that was pointing at the other person.

Seeing that the fight was about to begin, Zhang Shigui hurried forward, grabbed Cheng Yaojin and said, "Zhijie, don't do it!"

Zhang Sun Wuji snorted coldly: "You are just a common man! You lack strategy and wisdom!"

Cheng Yaojin was quiet for a moment, then angrily said, "Hey! Old thief Changsun, I, Grandpa Cheng, will tear you apart."

After saying that, Cheng Yaojin pushed Zhang Shigui away and strode forward to rush towards Changsun Wuji.

He was stopped again by Su Dingfang and Qin Qiong.

Chu Suiliang immediately stood beside Zhangsun Wuji and shouted, "What do you want to do? Do you dare to take someone's life in the hall?"

Zhang Shigui asked, "Is it your turn to speak here?"

The civil and military parties were becoming more and more noisy. Fang Xuanling sighed and decided that the court meeting could not continue.

Li Chengqian simply left the Taiji Hall.

The guards in front of the palace came hurriedly to report, "Your Highness, there is a fight in the hall."

Li Chengqian looked back at the chaotic palace and instructed, "Have the Imperial Medical Bureau prepare."

"Here."

"Let the Jinwu Guards come and mediate."

"Here."

Every move of the emperor is not a trivial matter. I wonder if his father, who is far away in Shuofang, knows how difficult it is for him, the crown prince, because of his trip.

Seeing Yu Zhining coming out of the hall in a panic, he saluted and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Chengqian stood outside the hall, waiting for the fight inside to end.

Yu Zhining straightened his court dress and said, "Your Highness, I am willing to write a letter for you, asking your Majesty to come back."

"Well, even if Father doesn't come back, please don't let Father stay in Shuofang for too long. It will make things difficult for me."

"Here."

When the Taiji Hall fell silent, the doctors from the Imperial Medical Bureau walked into the hall and began to treat the wounds of the most important officials.

Only then did Li Chengqian prepare to leave.

Walking out of Chengtian Gate, I saw Lu Dongzan and Sangbuza standing there again.

"His Royal Highness."

Li Chengqian continued walking with his hands in his pockets, saying, "My Tang Dynasty civil officials and military commanders are all tough and sturdy. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Brother Prime Minister."

Lu Dongzan replied: "This foreign minister has experienced this several times."

"Have you heard about the Tubo incident?"

"I heard last winter that because of Xuanzang, the Zamp did something he shouldn't have done."

"Do you think it was wrong for Songtsen Gampo to send envoys to India?"

"Exactly."

Li Chengqian said: "Not only did your Zanpu's move not cause any damage to himself, but it also alerted the Tang army. Some people in the court said that they would send more troops to Qinghai. Brother, if there are too many troops in Qinghai, some things will easily get out of control."

Lu Dongzan said quickly: "Zanpu will never borrow troops from India. Your Highness, please trust me. If you are still worried, I can write a letter to persuade Zanpu."

Li Chengqian said, "Okay, then let me see whether your friendship with the Tibetan king is still as good as it was in the past. Can you trust each other?"

Lu Dongzan bowed and saluted.

If an emperor forgets that he is an emperor, it will be a serious problem.

It is so serious that some people complain that if the country does not manage its affairs well, the country will be destroyed.

What's more serious is that there are rumors in the court that the current crown prince can ascend the throne as soon as possible. As long as the crown prince ascends the throne, His Majesty will become the emperor emeritus.

The emperor emeritus did not have so many concerns when he went to war.

The longer the emperor is away, the more people's hearts will be unstable.

Half a month after the court session began, Taoist Li Chunfeng returned. Li Chengqian went to the Imperial Observatory in person to listen to the Taoist's stories about his experiences in various places after he left.

Mostly, they were all about Taoism. For example, he went to Mount Zhongnan and met several old Taoists. He wrote "Yi Si Zhan" on Mount Zhongnan. He calculated the exact calendar era and named it Yi Si among the sixty Jiazi.

In the eyes of Taoist Priest Li, he arrogantly believed that his understanding of astrology had surpassed that of all the sages of previous generations and could even look down on the past and present.

Li Chengqian congratulated Taoist Master Li on reaching the pinnacle of his practice.

"Your Highness, shouldn't you be in the Secretariat to handle government affairs at this time?"

Before the crown prince could reply, Little Sizi at the side answered first, "Father has not been home for a long time. There have been many unusual changes in the civil and military officials in the court recently. My brother has seldom been around in front of the court officials recently. I submit all the memorials to him. I am worried that someone is encouraging my brother to ascend the throne first and then become emperor."

(End of this chapter)