The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 340: For the Past and for the Future
Even after convincing the teacher, uncle, and Lord Zheng, there were still people who spoke out against it.

Therefore, the work of court officials has always been important, and will be even more important in the future.

Changsun Wuji held the tablet in one hand and waved his sleeve with the other, pointing at the censor who had just spoken, and said, "Yeon Gaesomun killed the King of Goguryeo and supported a young son to ascend the throne. He has committed a heinous crime. Why do you need to defend him?"

Li Chengqian suddenly smiled. He didn't expect that his uncle also had such a strong side. Today was his uncle's toughest day. Everyone could put aside their personal interests and think about the country. With such a court and such a Tang Dynasty, there would be no worries about not being strong.

Someone else said, "Duke Zhao, since you have come to pay tribute and pledged your loyalty, why do you attack a country that has pledged its loyalty?"

Chu Suiliang took a deep breath, knowing that the opportunity had come. He stood out from the court, first looked down at the censors who advised him to give up the Eastern Expedition, then turned to face the emperor and saluted, saying: "Your Majesty, throughout the dynasties, you can accept tribute from them, or you can refuse tribute."

Someone else asked, "Minister Chu, what do you mean by that?"

Chu Suiliang said to the crowd, "Everyone, Yeon Gaesomun killed the King of Goguryeo, supported the young king, and named himself the Great Moshiri. He has the intention to usurp the throne! He even dared to hunt down our envoys. Why would he accept tribute from a rebellious minister?"

Otherwise, how could it be said that Yeon Gaesomun's coup was exactly what Your Majesty wanted? Why? Did Yeon Gaesomun want to learn from Sima Zhao?
Chu Suiliang continued, "In ancient times, Zang Aibo advised against accepting the Gao Ding. You want Your Majesty to accept the tribute from the Goguryeo bandits. Do you want Your Majesty to become Duke Huan of Lu?"

"Your Majesty, we have absolutely no such intention!"

The censors who had just given advice and remonstrances all bowed down.

Chu Suiliang said in a clear voice: "Your Majesty, this villain has usurped the throne. He has evil intentions and may send troops to Youzhou in the future."

Zhang Sun Wuji said in a clear voice: "Your Majesty, Goguryeo has crossed the Liao River several times and even once allied with the Mohe. If we leave it alone, it will surely lead to disaster."

Li Ji, the Duke of Ying, who was one of the generals, stood out from the court and said, "Your Majesty, when Duke Li Wei was fighting against the Turks, Your Majesty intended to make friends with Mobei, but the Turks were pacified. Mobei grew stronger in a few years and even threatened Yinshan. Zhenzhu Khan was raised in Mobei. How can we sit idly by and watch Goguryeo threaten the territory of our Tang Dynasty?"

"I request to go to Goguryeo to recover our homeland in the Central Plains."

Chu Suiliang said, "Your Majesty! Yeon Gaesomun's ambitions have long been clear. He has the audacity to send troops across Liaodong now, and he will dare to send troops to Youzhou in the future."

Looking at the Goguryeo envoy in the court, he had already knelt on the ground.

Cen Wenben said: "Your Majesty, Goguryeo refused to return the remains of the former Sui soldiers, refused to return the Central Plains homeland, Goguryeo crossed the Liao River several times, and Yeon Gaesomun even killed Go Geonmu, the Goguryeo king appointed by the emperor. These crimes are worthy of being beheaded. I beg you to lead an expedition to Liaodong."

"I second the motion!" Su Dingfang said as he stepped out of the court.

"I second the proposal."

Seeing that His Majesty still did not speak, Changsun Wuji said: "Your Majesty, if Goguryeo is not destroyed now, it will surely cause worry to future generations!"

The implication is that if we don't fight now, it will definitely become a hidden danger for future generations.

If Goguryeo is not destroyed, Liaodong will be at peace, and the souls of the former Sui soldiers will feel unfair.

Li Shimin said: "Put the Goguryeo envoy in jail!"

The pearl that the envoy was going to present fell to the ground, and before he could open his mouth to defend himself in the Taiji Hall, he was taken away.

In fact, he had no way to defend himself. Yeon Gaesomun was too high-profile and his crimes could not be concealed.

Li Shimin added: "Pass on my decree, appoint Zhang Jian as the governor of Yingzhou, commanding the troops of Youzhou and Yingzhou to investigate the situation of the Liao River troops. Order Zhang Liang to lead 10,000 craftsmen to build warships in Laizhou, and wait for my decree to go out to sea to attack Goguryeo."

"Yes!" A loud response came from the line of generals.

Li Shimin added: "Appoint Su Dingfang as the general manager of Liaodong Road, recruit 20,000 infantry and cavalry, and prepare to rush to Liaodong."

"Here!"

The will was passed down one after another.

The emperor still increased the number of troops to 30,000, and Li Chengqian said nothing with his hands in his pockets.

Li Shimin said in a clear voice: "The Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace will command the troops and officials of the prefectures of Hebei and Henan, and coordinate the transportation of food and grass to various places. Xue Wanche, Wei Ting, and Xiao Rui, the Junior Secretary of the Imperial Household, will go to various prefectures to obey the orders of the Crown Prince. All government affairs will be handled by the Crown Prince, and all officials in the court will assist him."

All the ministers said in unison: "We obey your orders."

"It is a pity that Jingde, Qin Qiong, and Li Weigong are all old. This time I will lead all the generals to personally attack Goguryeo!"

There was silence in the court, and no one stood up to object.

The following morning court session was a normal one. Li Chengqian took a deep breath and waited until the end of the morning court session.

My father summoned several generals from the court to discuss the matter.

Li Chengqian was walking at the end of the court officials. He noticed Li Ke following behind him and asked, "What's the matter? Your mother doesn't want you to go to the battle?"

Li Ke replied, "My mother had already known that my father was going to the war, and she ordered me to follow him and stay by his side."

Li Tai said, "Aren't we going to take Liu Rengui with us?"

"Ke will go right away."

Li Tai said with emotion: "Father will eventually lead the army himself."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "If we don't destroy it now, our descendants will worry about it. This battle is for the past as well as the future."

Li Tai stopped again and said, "The Literature Museum has some records of Goguryeo's topography. Qingque will go get them and send them to father."

Li Chengqian stood in the sun, looked at the Taiji Hall behind him, and then walked towards Chengtian Gate.

When they arrived at the Secretariat, Chu Suiliang pointed at Jin Chunqiu and cursed, "You are such a coward! As a Silla envoy, you must follow the army when it goes to war."

Li Chengqian smiled helplessly when he saw this scene.

The entire court was preparing for this eastern expedition, and the government system began to operate like a huge machine.

For several days in a row, one group of soldiers after another headed eastward.

The war was about to begin again. Liu Rengui called together more than ten strong men from the militia, asked the officials of the Ministry of War to make a record, and then took them to put on military uniforms.

Li Ke looked at his good friend and said, "I'm afraid it will take three or two years for me to come back after going to Liaodong this time. I've already settled all the things at home."

Liu Rengui replied: "Don't worry, Your Highness. I have asked my wife to take the children back to her parents' home."

Li Ke nodded and patted Liu Rengui on the shoulder.

The two men walked towards the camp south of Chang'an City. There were many soldiers walking outside the gate. Guanzhong had started recruiting soldiers again.

Xu Jingzong listened to the arrangements made by the Minister of War Duan Zan and instructed the officials of Jingzhao Prefecture on each matter.

The entire country was once again tied to the emperor's chariot. The last time this happened was thirty years ago, when Yang Guang ruled the Central Plains.

The emperor had to march east to Goguryeo, and the crown prince had to control the transportation of grain and fodder in Hebei and Henan, and also take charge of state affairs. It was quite a lot of pressure.

Therefore, the whole family had to travel. Li Chengqian was going to Luoyang to take charge of all affairs and help his father stabilize the rear.

Donggong was packing his luggage, and Xiaofu and Xiaosizi took away all the things they could carry.

Li Lizhi said, "Brother, I also want to go to Luoyang."

Dongyang said: "Well, we all want to go."

Li Chengqian said: "The palace in Luoyang has been in disrepair for a long time, and it is not as big as the imperial palace in Chang'an."

Lin Chuan said: "It's okay, we lived together when we were young, and we are inseparable."

Li Chengqian looked at his sisters and said, "Well, mother and grandfather are going to Luoyang too, so let's go as a family." Su Wan packed up the furniture to take away and said with a smile, "Xiaofu, bring more food from the East Palace."

I vaguely heard a response from outside the hall again.

After half a month of preparation, the army was about to set out. The scale of the emperor's trip was huge, with a huge and dark army escorting them, and a long convoy that seemed to have no end.

Before leaving, Li Chengqian looked at his teacher standing at the city gate and said, "I'll have to trouble you with Chang'an's affairs."

Fang Xuanling stroked his beard and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. Chang'an will be even better when Your Highness and His Majesty return."

Li Chengqian looked at Xu Jingzong and Yan Qinli again.

The other party bowed solemnly and said, "Your Highness, rest assured. We will definitely assist Prime Minister Fang and take charge of all matters in Guanzhong."

Li Lizhi had helped her grandfather onto the carriage.

Wen Ting hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, can I accompany the army on this expedition?"

Li Chengqian looked at this man and asked, "It must be because of Mr. Wen Yanbo's request."

Wen Ting nodded.

"Okay, go see General Su Dingfang first and tell him that I told you to do that."

"Yes." Wen Ting left quickly after hearing that.

Yan Qinli said with emotion: "He has wanted to go for a long time."

Xu Jingzong said: "If Mr. Wen were still alive, he would definitely be pleased to see this scene."

Li Chengqian also got into the carriage. Outside the carriage, he could hear the sound of war horses' hooves and the generals' orders.

Fang Xuanling stood in front of Chunming Gate and watched the army march towards Luoyang.

During this expedition, Prime Minister Fang guarded Chang'an and was in charge of Guanzhong, while the crown prince went to Luoyang to preside over many affairs of the prefectures in Hebei and Henan. He also took away the entire Secretariat and officials from various ministries.

Fang Xuanling looked back and saw Yuchi Gong and Li Jing, and sighed: "Your Majesty has finally led the army in person."

Li Jing said: "However, we are already old. If we can mount a horse and fight again, why would we let Your Majesty go to fight in person? Jingde is still young."

Yuchi Gong, with gray hair and beard, sighed: "Mr. Li Wei is joking. He is already this old."

Li Jing held the cane in his hand and said, "I really want to fight for your majesty for a few more years."

Li Xiaogong looked at the three old guys sighing and said depressedly: "I can still fight. Lian Chengfan went, but His Majesty didn't let me go."

Seeing the team moving further and further away, the three old men returned to Chang'an City.

Li Xiaogong was left standing alone in front of the city, looking frustrated. Thinking of the troubles of the royal family, he became even more annoyed.

Li Tai said: "If the emperor's uncle can arrange the affairs of the Zongzheng Temple properly, father will most likely let the emperor's uncle go."

"Ugh……"

Li Xiaogong sighed and walked back to Chang'an City.

The scenery in Guanzhong in March is beautiful. The ice and snow have melted, and the clear Wei River is rushing towards Tongguan.

Sitting in the carriage, Li Chengqian could see one silt dam after another being built, and people were already working and cultivating on the silt land.

The daughter sat in Su Wan's arms. She looked out the car window and at the scenery along the road, her face full of joy and curiosity.

The son is in his father's carriage, maybe the boy is happy now.

The large team rested in Tongguan for two days.

Li Chengqian stood by the river and looked at the now rebuilt Tongguan City. Li Daoyan was still guarding Tongguan with 60,000 soldiers and horses.

However, these 60,000 soldiers will not go with the army to Liaodong. During the time when the prince is away from Guanzhong, these soldiers are needed to guard Tongguan.

The prince was going to Luoyang to prepare food and fodder for the emperor's personal expedition. Therefore, before arriving in Luoyang, Li Chengqian, Cen Wenben, Yu Zhining, Chu Suiliang, and his uncle began to prepare food and fodder.

The emperor's order to march eastward to Goguryeo was announced to the world by teams of troops sent to various places.

Changsun Wuji reported the situation of the prefectures in Hebei and Henan to the prince, and spoke very carefully.

The prince liked to dismiss officials, but was afraid that they might not speak well, so he said he wanted to replace them.

At that time, officials in all counties in Guanzhong had been replaced, and the prince wanted to replace all officials in Bozhou, Shandong, and he was just short of replacing all officials in all provinces and prefectures in the world.

Such a strict prince will be able to take charge of the power to govern the world once he arrives in Luoyang.

The various provinces and prefectures in the Central Plains had no idea what kind of prince they would be facing.

Because of this, Changsun Wuji was very worried and did not sleep well these days.

The next day, the army set out again.

The large army passed Hangu Pass and took another three days to reach Luoyang.

Luoyang was right in front of them. Li Shimin, sitting in the carriage, was holding his grandson. He said to Li Ke, who was escorting the carriage, "Order the army to camp on the east side of Luoyang and not to disturb the villagers in the counties."

"Yes." Li Ke stepped on his horse's belly and went to give orders with the generals of the front army.

When the team arrived in front of Luoyang City, Ma Zhou was leading all the subjects of Luoyang to welcome the emperor.

The emperor's carriage did not stop, but went straight into Luoyang city.

Today, Luoyang City is very prosperous and has a large population. The streets in the city are not as wide as Zhuque Street, but it has enough houses.

Xu Xiaode, the Minister of Works, had already arrived in Luoyang and brought people to repair the palace.

As the carriage stopped, Li Shimin walked towards the palace first.

Li Lizhi and her mother's carriage entered from the other end of the palace.

Li Chengqian got off the carriage and asked Su Wan and Ning'er to take people to the palace first. Then he looked up and saw the Luoyang Palace for the first time.

The temporary palace is guarded by two palace walls. In terms of shape, it is not much different from the imperial city of Chang'an, but it also looks a little smaller.

This imperial palace was destroyed several times in wars. The most recent one was rebuilt in the Sui Dynasty. In later historical books, it was also called Ziwei City, symbolizing Ziwei.

Later, Luoyang was called various names such as the Capital of Gods.

Li Chengqian stood still for a moment, then looked back and saw a group of officials standing in neat rows behind him.

Ma Zhou was also in the team. He saw that when the prince walked towards the hall, all the officials followed behind him.

"I haven't been back to Chang'an for many years. I didn't expect that the prince's power has reached this level now."

Shangguan Yi, who was standing next to Ma Zhou, said, "Your Majesty will be on the Eastern Expedition this time, and the Crown Prince will be in charge of state affairs."

An eunuch came hurriedly and said, "His Majesty has ordered that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince should arrange all matters in Luoyang and then inspect the entire army with His Majesty."

(End of this chapter)