The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 339: Discussion on the Eastern Expedition

Li Chengqian was looking at his children, smiling and enjoying the tranquility of the day.

Until a eunuch hurried over and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has summoned you."

Su Wan walked forward and put a coat on her husband, still putting her hand on his shoulder, and said, "Pay attention to the temperature."

Li Chengqian patted her hand and nodded, then followed the eunuch into the night.

Inside the Xingqing Hall, there is a huge map hanging.

Li Chengqian walked into the hall and saw his father holding an oil lamp and looking at a map, so he walked aside.

Seeing his son coming, he did not speak. Li Shimin asked, "Have you arranged all the affairs in the court?"

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "My son, uncle, Xu Jingzong and the others have all been arranged."

Li Shimin looked a little more relaxed and said, "Thank you for your help. Before the Eastern Expedition, these things had to be done by someone. Xuanling came to see me yesterday and said that if it were someone else, it would probably take more than two months to arrange so many things. Only the current crown prince and Jingzhao Prefecture took only half a month to arrange all these things."

"Father, the reason why it was so fast and effective is that the power was transferred to the counties and villages, which was nothing more than utilizing a huge talent system. Chongwenguan and Jingzhao Prefecture were indispensable."

Li Shimin put down the oil lamp in his hand, tightened the coat on his body, and whispered: "How do you think we should fight against Goguryeo this time?"

"In the past, Father would not ask this of his son."

"Really?" Li Shimin smiled in surprise, stroking his beard and said, "Duke Zheng and Duke Li Wei both think highly of you. You are a child who learns everything very quickly."

Li Chengqian whispered, "If your Majesty really wants me to speak, I can only speak from my own understanding of Goguryeo."

Li Shimin nodded and signaled to continue.

"Goguryeo was a small country that relied on farming for its livelihood. I have read the files on the Sui Dynasty's military exchanges with Goguryeo. Today, Goguryeo's troops are stationed on both sides of the Liao River. There are several cities stationed to the east of the Liao River. Every September and October, the Liao River will rise sharply, and the rising water can even submerge several villages."

"When attacking Goguryeo, choosing the right time is very important. If we want to attack Goguryeo, it is best to cross the river before October. There are many swamps and woodlands in Goguryeo, so the army needs to prepare more earth and stones to pave the road."

Li Shimin nodded, still looking at the map.

It is precisely when many things in the court have been settled and all matters for this year have been arranged that Li Shimin can calm down and make careful plans for Goguryeo.

The chill in Guanzhong has not yet faded, and the ice and snow have not yet melted. These days, Your Majesty and the Crown Prince often walk together to discuss, and no one knows what Your Majesty and the Crown Prince discussed.

There were even rumors in the palace that His Majesty and the Crown Prince had people collect a lot of stone, saying that they were doing so in order to study the battle against Goguryeo. They always heard some strange noises, like thunder.

No one knew what was going on, but the eunuchs in the palace became even more afraid of the Crown Prince and His Majesty.

This matter became a rumor in the palace, and soon no one mentioned it anymore.

It was mid-February, with only a few days left before the start of the court session, and Li Chengqian and his father were sitting in the waterside pavilion.

Li Shimin asked: "How should this be used?"

Li Chengqian said: "Dig a hole in the load-bearing part of the city wall and bury it, or drill a hole in the weak part of the city wall and plug it in. I have also prepared a lot of anti-virus wine."

"it is good."

A slightly warm breeze blew into the pavilion, and the sleeves of the father and son moved in the wind.

Little Yu Tu and his sister walked along the edge of Taiye Lake, looking at their father and grandfather in the water pavilion from afar, their eyes full of curiosity.

As the court session was about to begin, a man returned to Chang'an. His name was Xiangli Xuanjiang and he was an envoy sent by the Honglu Temple of the Tang Dynasty to Goguryeo. He had finally returned after two years of mission to Goguryeo.

Therefore, a lot of news was sent.

His Majesty summoned Xiangli Xuanjiang and listened to the report together with the current crown prince.

Xiangli Xuanjiang was a middle-aged man in his early forties. He handed over the file with both hands and said, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, this is what I saw and heard during my visit to Goguryeo."

Li Chengqian said, "You can talk as you please."

Xiang Li Xuanjiang bowed and glanced at the prince. Seeing that the prince looked calm and easy-going, he said, "Back then, Goguryeo King Go Jianmu returned 10,000 Han prisoners of war from the Sui Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty. Last year, a great general of Goguryeo passed away. The one who now holds military power in Goguryeo is the child of that deceased general. His name is Yeon Gaesomun."

"I have heard something about it." Li Shimin nodded slightly.

"Go on." Li Chengqian picked up the tea bowl and nodded.

Sang-ri Hyun-jang continued, "Last winter, at a banquet hosted by Goguryeo King Go Gon-mu, Yeon Gaesomun led his troops into the banquet and killed hundreds of Goguryeo officials. Yeon Gaesomun then personally killed Goguryeo King Go Gon-mu and established Go Gon-mu's nephew Go Zang as the new king of Goguryeo."

"Yeon Gaesomun appointed himself as the Great Molizhi of Goguryeo, controlling the government with one hand and the military power with the other. When I escaped from Goguryeo, Yeon Gaesomun seemed to have noticed the unusual movement of troops in Youzhou and arranged heavy troops to guard the Liao River."

In Sang-ri Hyun-jang's narration, the emperor and the crown prince listened to the bloody power struggle within the Goguryeo royal family.

Li Shimin had a blank expression on his face, and Li Chengqian was silent for a long time.

Xiang Li Xuanjiang bowed and said, "I have recorded the military strength and population of Goguryeo in the files, but I haven't recorded them all yet because I was in such a hurry when I fled Goguryeo."

"It's not easy for you to go back and forth, so go back and rest first."

"Here."

After everyone left the hall, Li Chengqian whispered, "Father, what is Xiangli Xuanjiang's background?"

Li Shimin put down the file in his hand and said, "This man was born in Guan family of Weizhou and joined the army many years ago."

"The position of Minister of Rites remains vacant to this day."

Knowing what his son meant, Li Shimin said in a deep voice: "We should be more shrewd when employing people. Let him be the Minister of Rites first."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Thank you, father. I will promote him in the future."

Li Shimin picked up the tea bowl and prepared to take a sip, but put it down again and said unhappily: "Do you still think you don't have enough wings in the court?"

"Ministers who have made contributions will naturally be promoted and rewarded."

Li Chengqian wanted to say that the officials of the six ministries in the court were all his father's confidants, so what was the support of the Eastern Palace? He took out a folded paper from his sleeve and said, "This is the opinion of the officials of the Secretariat on the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo."

Li Shimin took the paper and frowned, "Did you write down their words?"

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Father is good at listening to advice and remonstrances. I should follow his example and listen more to the opinions of the court officials."

Li Shimin put the paper on the table. In the past few months, Cheng Qian had a private conversation with Xuanling, visited Duke Zheng, and tapped the auxiliary machine. He had been preparing for the Eastern Expedition.

"I have heard from Lord Zheng that the crown princes of all dynasties have won over the hearts of the people or arranged marriages to bind the court officials in order to accumulate power in the court."

Li Chengqian sat aside and listened quietly to his father's story.

Li Shimin said: "But Zheng Gong said that you disdain to use these methods and have never used them, so he has a high opinion of you. After you went to see him, he must have told you a lot of things."

Li Chengqian nodded, "That's because of the good teachings of my teacher and uncle. It was my uncle who taught me how to be a crown prince, and it was my teacher who taught me how to exercise the power of a crown prince."

In the quiet imperial city, the door of the Ministry of Personnel was open, and a group of officials from the Ministry of Personnel were walking hurriedly and busily delivering documents to various counties in Guanzhong.

While busy, Zhang Xuansu glanced at Duke Zhao's face again and said, "I heard that the envoy from Goguryeo has arrived."

Zhang Sun Wuji was writing a document, concentrating on it and not paying attention to the people around him. There were still a few people in the Ministry of Personnel who were talking.

Zhang Xuansu added: "Xiangli Xuanjiang has returned, and the Goguryeo envoy has also come to Chang'an. I heard that he is here to pay tribute."

Seeing that Duke Zhao still ignored him, Zhang Xuansu stopped talking.

Someone came closer and asked, "Does this mean that since Goguryeo has paid tribute, Your Majesty is not planning to march eastward anymore?"

Chang Sun Wuji looked up at a few people with displeasure, and they quickly lowered their heads and continued to work.

The envoy of Goguryeo was led to Sifangguan by the envoy of Honglu Temple. As soon as he arrived at Sifangguan, he aroused the hostility of Silla envoy Kim Chunchu.

The two sides even had a fight at Sifang Pavilion.

By the time Li Chengqian heard about this, he had already finished discussing the arrangements for the court meeting with his father, and was listening to Chu Suiliang complaining in front of Chengtian Gate.

Listening to the court officials complaining was a headache. He said, "Your Highness, the court is about to march east. Now Goguryeo is coming to pay tribute and pledge allegiance. Some people say that they will not march east this time."

Li Chengqian stood with his hands in his pockets, looking at the sunset and listening to Chu Suiliang's chattering.

In front of Chengtian Gate in the setting sun, there were only the emperor and his minister, their shadows stretched very long by the setting sun.

"Chu Suiliang must have read a lot of books."

"I consider myself to be a learned man."

"Then you must have heard the story of Zang Aibo. I saw this story again when I was reading the Spring and Autumn Annals."

Upon hearing Zang Aibo's words, Chu Suiliang understood and said, "I understand. He is just an envoy from Goguryeo. It is nothing to worry about."

"Then what are you complaining about?"

"I will go back and write a memorial right away. I will definitely not ruin the important matter of Your Majesty and Your Highness."

If you say that Chu Suiliang is smart, he is indeed talented. If you say that he is clever...but he is like a candle that cannot light up without being lit.

Among the officials of the Tang Dynasty, they should have become more shrewd as they grew older, but Chu Suiliang was already middle-aged, and it seemed that he was becoming more honest as he grew older.

Soon little Sizi came, bringing little Yutu and little Lingque back with her. Today she took the two children to the Imperial Observatory to play for a day.

On the 20th day of late February, after the Lantern Festival, everything is done.

After the imperial city was cleaned again, the grand court meeting would be held the next day.

When it was almost dawn, there were still a few eunuchs in the Taiji Hall wiping the floor and opening the windows for ventilation.

A group of officials at Chengtian Gate were waiting for the palace gate to open so they could go to the morning court.

This was the first morning court meeting in the 18th year of Zhenguan. Everyone was in high spirits, except for a group of officials from the Ministry of Personnel who looked listless.

Everyone present cast sympathetic glances, as they had probably heard that the officials in the Ministry of Personnel were very busy during the New Year holidays.

After Chengtian Gate was opened, the ministers walked towards Taiji Hall in twos and threes.

Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji walked at the front of the court procession.

"How is Lord Zheng's health?" Fang Xuanling asked.

"He's still recuperating. His Majesty has arranged for the medical officer from the Imperial Medical Bureau to live in Lord Zheng's house." Changsun Wuji replied in a low voice.

A group of people walked into the Taiji Hall, waiting for the morning court to begin.

Li Tai and Li Ke also came to the morning court today.

Seeing that Li Ke was in such good spirits, Li Tai frowned and said nothing.

As the sunlight outside the hall grew brighter, everyone finally saw His Royal Highness the Crown Prince walk into the hall.

The crown prince came to court on time, the country was stable, and the ministers were relieved.

Soon, with a loud shout from the eunuch, all the ministers bowed and the emperor walked into the Taiji Hall.

Li Shimin sat down slowly and looked at the civil and military officials in the court. The only difference was that there were fewer old generals and civil officials in the court this year.

The eunuchs read out this year's imperial edict aloud, most of which were words of encouragement to the ministers.

Li Chengqian looked towards the civil officials. Chu Suiliang nodded slightly and gave the prince a reassuring look.

After the edict was read out and each department reported their respective matters, Cen Wenben stepped out of the court first and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, I heard that Xiangli Xuanjiang, who was sent to Goguryeo, has returned to the court."

Li Shimin nodded.

Cen Wenben said again: "I ask Xiangli Xuanjiang to explain all the affairs of Goguryeo."

At this year's grand court meeting, before the envoys from various countries entered the palace to pay congratulations to the Tang Dynasty, Cen Wenben was the first to bring up the matter of Goguryeo.

Li Shimin said: "Call Xiang Li Xuanjiang into the palace."

Everyone stood quietly in the court, waiting for people to enter the hall.

When Xiang Lixuanjiang entered the hall, he bowed and said, "Your Majesty!"

Cen Wenben first asked: "May I ask what is the situation in Goguryeo?"

Xiangli Xuanjiang replied loudly: "When I was in Goguryeo, Yeon Gaesomun led his troops to attack Silla and captured several cities. I advised him to return the Silla cities. He said that the Sui people attacked Goguryeo because Silla took advantage of the emptiness of Goguryeo's rear and took the opportunity to attack Goguryeo. Now they have conquered the old territory."

"I also said that the lands to the north of Goguryeo have been the territory of the Central Plains since ancient times, so why not return them? But they did not listen to me and drove me out. Yeon Gaesomun launched a mutiny and killed the King of Goguryeo. He even wanted to kill me!"

Inside the hall, everyone had different expressions when they heard Xiangli Xuanjiang's words.

Fang Xuanling said, "Your Majesty, I heard that the envoys from Goguryeo also came to pay tribute this year. Why not invite the envoys into the palace?"

Li Shimin still nodded.

The eunuch hurriedly walked outside the hall and said a few words. Then a Goguryeo envoy dressed in Han Chinese clothes walked into the hall with his head lowered.

Goguryeo followed the Han people's etiquette and rituals. That was because a long, long time ago, Goguryeo was originally a territory of the Central Plains, and their people were all educated by the Han people.

The Goguryeo envoy, who looked to be about fifty years old, stepped forward and handed over a box of pearls, saying, "Foreign minister..."

"Wait a minute." Changsun Wuji stopped the envoy and asked, "Did Yeon Gaesomun send people to hunt down the envoy? Is this true?"

The messenger lowered his head and stammered, not knowing what to say.

"Your Majesty, since Goguryeo has already pledged allegiance and paid tribute, whether or not to launch an expedition to the east remains to be discussed." Someone in the court stood up and said loudly.

Li Chengqian stood in his seat, silent.

(End of this chapter)