The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 366 Asking for help from Lord Ying

They walked all the way to the back hall, where Dongyang brought a bowl of sobering soup. Li Lizhi was looking at a book with an unhappy expression.

Li Shimin said: "I! From now on...I will not drink like this anymore."

"It's useless for the father to talk to his daughter. You have to keep your word."

Hearing his daughter's careless words, Li Shimin smiled decadently.

Dongyang said, "Drinking the hot soup will help you sober up. I will go see the generals later."

When they arrived at the front hall, Li Chengqian was already there with several medical officers, checking the physical conditions of the generals.

Especially General Yuchi and General Qin Qiong.

Dongyang hurried to help.

Cheng Yaojin drank a mouthful of the hangover soup, then he touched the wall and vomited again.

Li Chengqian patted the general on the back and said, "It's okay. You'll feel better if you spit it out."

"I...I have lost my manners in front of your Highness, and yet Your Highness has taken such good care of me. I feel ashamed..."

After saying that, he hugged the pillar and vomited again.

After Li Chengqian finished taking care of this side, he and several medical officers took care of the remaining few.

Until more than ten generals sat in a row in front of the hall, Dongyang took their pulses. Except for a few who had caught a cold, the rest were fine.

Dongyang looked at General Cheng's tongue coating and said, "Eat something lighter when you go back."

Cheng Yaojin bowed and said, "I obey your orders."

Several eunuchs finally cleaned up the hall, ventilated it, and fumigated it again with the incense burner.

Li Chengqian had the generals sent back. Sitting in the Qianyang Palace, he listened to the eunuchs coming back one after another to report. He was relieved to learn that the generals had all returned home safely.

There were still many things to be sorted out in the court. Yu Zhining, Chu Suiliang, Cen Wenben, Liu Li, and Zhang Xingcheng walked into the hall together and talked about the Anxi Protectorate.

The five people held the same position and maintained a wait-and-see attitude towards the fall of Persia.

Firstly, Your Majesty promised to give the people a rest, so there will be no more wars in recent years. Secondly, Persia is too far away after all, and there are more than enough troops stationed in the Western Regions, so an expedition is unlikely. Thirdly, the enlightenment of the Western Regions has just begun.

Today, the Western Regions need to consolidate their foundations and strengthen the court's control over them.

Li Chengqian listened to what several people said and accepted all of them.

After the five people return, they will continue to deal with matters concerning various parts of Hebei and counties in Guanzhong.

During these three days, Li Chengqian spent the rest of his time with his children and wife, apart from handling state affairs.

This is Su Wan’s second pregnancy, so she needs to pay more attention to rest than before.

Dongyang comes to visit every three days.

Luoyang celebrated for three days. During these three days, the city of Luoyang was particularly lively, and more and more people came here. The more people under the emperor's feet, the more powerful the imperial power was.

Walking on the city wall of Luoyang, Li Chengqian saw Ying Gong who was on duty.

Ying Gong, who just turned fifty, still looks full of vigor and vitality standing on the top of the city wall. Ying Gong looks relatively young, but who would have thought that he is already a grandfather with a ten-year-old grandson.

Li Ji said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Chengqian walked along and said, "I came here to check out the city defenses."

Li Ji nodded. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had always been like this. Just like back then, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would not feel at ease until he personally inspected the city defenses.

"I heard that someone in Mobei is causing chaos again."

Li Chengqian said with his hands in his pockets, "They are the remnants who fled north when Lord Ying conquered Mobei. They are the son of Zhenzhu Khan, who proclaimed himself Duomi Khan and wanted to regain the territory of Mobei."

Seeing that Lord Ying was still worried, Li Chengqian smiled and said, "It's not a big deal. I will let Zhishishi go to quell the rebellion."

Li Ji then remembered that before the Eastern Expedition, His Majesty had let the Crown Prince take charge of the troops in Guanzhong, the Western Regions, Songzhou, Shuofang and Hetao, and the Turks were also required to obey the Crown Prince's orders.

After thinking about it again, Li Ji, who had just returned from a year-long expedition, came to his senses.

This prince is no longer the young man he used to be. The current prince is at the peak of his power and is already a crown prince who can command all the troops in the world.

Although all the troops in the world are not yet in the hands of the prince, the several prefectures that Your Majesty has allowed the prince to take charge of are all home to the most elite troops of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Ji had served in the army for many years. He knew where the most elite troops in the world were, and he also knew the significance of the Zhechoufu in each state.

In other words, it didn't seem strange that the prince could just casually say that Zhishisili should go to Mobei to quell the rebellion.

Yes, these things are easy for the prince today.

Li Chengqian said: "Mr. Ying, the emperor may not have made any arrangements yet, but the generals in the army are all old, and the emperor hopes that Mr. Ying can take charge of future military affairs."

Li Ji hurriedly said, "Your Highness, if you have any orders, I will not refuse even if I die."

"Back then, my father asked Duke Wei, and he discussed with my father about the future arrangements. Duke Zheng is still recovering from illness and can no longer manage government affairs. My teacher is also old. Duke Wei said that the power of the army can be handed over to Duke Ying."

Li Ji stood behind the prince and bowed with both hands, still showing respect.

Li Chengqian looked at the prosperous and bustling Luoyang and said slowly: "I am a third-rank official in the Secretariat."

"I don't deserve it."

"The emperor has not issued an order yet, but even in the future, Lord Ying should be in this position. I want to lead the troops of the world, so I ask for Lord Ying's help."

Li Ji quickly prostrated himself on the ground.

What the prince wants is to take charge of all the military forces in the world and to take control of the throne, even though the current emperor has not abdicated yet.

Li Chengqian helped the venerable Lord Ying to his feet and said, "I am very fortunate that the Tang Dynasty has a great general."

The emperor and his minister walked on the top of the city wall. Li Chengqian asked many questions and Li Ji answered many questions.

They are all about the strengths and weaknesses of the generals in various places, or the military strength. These are the conditions and situations that an emperor, or an intern emperor, should be clear about.

Lord Ying talked about his understanding of generals from various places and described the geographical location of Tianxia Zhechoufu.

Li Chengqian asked, "The court officials have advised Father several times to perform the Fengshan ceremony. Father should not refuse any more."

"I heard that when your majesty went on a trip, he looked at Mount Tai from afar for a long time, but he never climbed up Mount Tai."

"Father may have a knot in his heart."

Li Ji nodded.

The knot in his heart is nothing more than the Xuanwu Gate incident back then, but now the achievements of Tian Khan are already enough.

In the palace, when Li Chengqian came back, he heard screams. Su Wan was beating little Yu Tu, and the child was crying in grievance.

Seeing this scene, Li Chengqian smiled first. Su Wan has always been a strict mother. Even though she is now four months pregnant, she still can't stop her strict mother's demeanor.

Li Chengqian asked Ning'er who was standing beside him, "What kind of trouble did this kid get into?"

Ning'er whispered, "Yu Tu was outside the palace today, cursing my father as a tyrant and a tyrant."

"Why?"

"This child said that my father is a tyrant if he doesn't abdicate, and he also said that this was taught by the Four Sages. Now the Four Sages are kneeling outside my father's palace to apologize."

Li Chengqian understood and said, "That's right."

Ning'er covered her mouth and smiled.

The emperor will not bother with the four sages. This is just a joke made by an ignorant child.

Yu Tu lay on the bed and said, "Sister, can you give me a snack?"

Que'er turned her head and said, "My brother is ignorant. Mother doesn't allow me to talk to him."

Yu Tu was about to stand up, but he felt a sharp pain in his buttocks and continued to lie down.

The four sages were sent back by their father, who rewarded each of them with a piece of brocade and asked them to continue teaching the emperor's grandson.

That night, Li Shimin came to the house where his father lived. The elderly Li Yuan ate his soup and rice, looked at his son and said, "The ministers asked you to go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods, why don't you go?"

"My son..."

Li Yuan put down his bowl of rice, took his son's hand and said, "Look at you. In a few years, you will be as old as me."

Li Shimin wiped away the tears from his eyes and said angrily, "I don't know how Cheng Qian raised his children. Yu Tu actually asked me to abdicate and said that if I didn't abdicate, I would be a tyrant."

Li Yuan chuckled and said, "Can you still handle state affairs now?"

"Naturally."

"really?"

Li Shimin looked away with a guilty look, facing his father, and said in a deep voice: "It's just that my energy is not as good as it used to be."

Li Yuan said again: "Erlang."

"My son is here."

Li Yuan looked into the distance with his cloudy eyes and whispered, "Let's go to Mount Tai."

Gao Shilian, who was sitting next to him, also said, "The old man always wants to have a son he can be proud of. If you don't go to Mount Tai, how can Cheng Qian dare to offer sacrifices to the gods if he has more achievements in the future, or if he becomes an emperor in the next few generations?"

Li Yuan smiled and nodded.

Li Shimin bowed to his father and uncle again.

Li Yuan smiled and said, "My child, after so many years, I am very proud to have a son like you."

Li Shimin's eyes were red as he held back his tears. "Thank you, father. Your son..."

The father and son did not mention Xuanwu Gate, but they understood each other in their hearts.

Gao Shilian remained silent. In fact, he knew that Li Yuan had already let go of his worries. Which father in this world could consider himself a good father?

Now only Your Majesty has not let it go, and has not let it go for twenty years.

Now, looking at Li Shimin crying in front of Li Yuan, after the great victory of the Eastern Expedition, it is time to let go of the knot that has remained in his heart for twenty years.

After all, it’s been twenty years.

Li Chengqian knew that his father had gone to see his grandfather and uncle, but he didn't know what his father had said.

At today's morning court session, the ministers once again made a petition asking Your Majesty to offer sacrifices to the gods at Mount Tai.

This time, the emperor did not refuse.

It has been many years since the emperor went to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven, a ceremony in which the emperor reports his achievements to heaven.

Therefore, there were very few emperors throughout the dynasties who were able to go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth.

Since the emperor did not refuse, the court officials began to discuss the process of this Fengshan ceremony. They generally wanted to refer to the Fengshan process of Liu Xiu of the Han Dynasty.

Although I didn't agree, I didn't refuse either.

Standing in the hall, Li Chengqian was afraid that his father would say, "I won't perform the Fengshan ceremony anymore."

As I was thinking about it, my father actually spoke.

Li Shimin said: "I will go to Mount Tai with the Crown Prince and climb Mount Tai together."

Li Chengqian bowed and said, "Your son obeys your command."

"You all should go with me."

"I will take your orders."

Chu Suiliang stood out from the court and began to talk about the matters of this Fengshan ceremony, and the date of Fengshan lasted from March to September of the following year.

After the court session, the ministers will discuss the date for going to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods, but there will probably be no result in the short term.

Li Chengqian walked out of the hall with his hands in his pockets.

Li Tai said: "Congratulations, brother, for climbing Mount Tai with father."

"I believe that my father and my brother will jointly offer sacrifices to the gods."

Li Chengqian was confused and said, "Fengshan is a big event. We can't break the rules. How can we treat it as a joke? Brother Ke, you are joking."

Li Tai laughed and said, "Qingque is going to get drunk tonight."

Guanzhong had entered late autumn, and the emperor's Fengshan ceremony was scheduled for September of the following year, which was September of the 20th year of Zhenguan.

Little Yutu asked: "Grandpa, what is Fengshan?"

Li Shimin held his grandson in his arms and explained: "Fengshan is a very troublesome thing."

Yu Tu scolded his grandfather for being a tyrant, but the grandfather and grandson soon reconciled and returned to their previous state.

Li Shimin put the puzzle together and asked, "Do you want to go to Mount Tai as well?"

Little Yu Tu pursed his lips and said, "My grandson wants to learn from the four sages."

"Then take the Four Sages with you."

"Okay." Little Yutu's worries were gone. He jumped for joy from his grandfather's arms and said, "Grandma, Grandpa is going to take his grandson to Mount Tai."

Empress Changsun smiled and said, "Your grandfather is going to Fengshan, what are you going to do?"

"My grandson will also be enthroned!"

Empress Changsun frowned and looked at him and said, "Why are you, a little kid, doing Fengshan?"

Little Yu Tu raised his head and said, "When my grandson grows up, he will go to Fengshan."

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Great! My grandson has great ambitions. The emperors of the Tang Dynasty must have achievements worthy of being enthroned as emperors."

Empress Changsun still felt sorry for her grandson. "Your grandfather had to have such great achievements to be enthroned. How great must your achievements be to be enthroned?"

Little Yutu was quiet again. He was analyzing and thinking about the cause and effect of everything that happened.

But soon, his thoughts came to an end. A bowl of freshly baked buns interrupted his thoughts. Now he had nothing to think about except eating.

Some people felt that the imperial palace in Luoyang was not big enough, so Xu Xiaode submitted the next reconstruction plan for the imperial palace, especially the reconstruction of the imperial city.

The Ministry of Works had learned Shen Di's drawing method, and the craftsmen used dots, dashes, and three-dimensional drawings of various positions to depict the future appearance of the Luoyang Palace.

Li Chengqian flipped through the map sheets. If the palace on the sheets was built, it would be a huge palace two thousand feet wide from east to west and three thousand feet deep from north to south.

There are numerous palaces, pavilions and waterside terraces, and this palace is almost more luxurious than that during the Yang Guang period.

But one can imagine how much manpower and material resources will be consumed.

Li Chengqian put the stack of drawings aside and was thinking about it when he heard his father complaining that paper was too cheap nowadays.

"Your grandfather is not complaining about the cheapness of paper. He is actually complaining about the fact that there are too many state affairs to report to the emperor from his ministers," Li Chengqian said to his daughter.

The little magpie held a baked bun in both hands and felt happy when he saw his grandfather's angry expression.

She picked up another one and handed it over, saying, "Dad."

Li Chengqian took the baked buns and sat with his daughter, eating quietly.

The autumn wind blew through the palace, making the papers nearby rustle.

There are also ripe persimmons on the table. Looking at the clouds floating in the sky, I suddenly feel that the weather is getting cooler and winter is getting closer.

Reports came from the north that heavy snow had begun to fall on the grassland, and the herdsmen on the grassland moved to Hetao to avoid the severe cold.

Songtsen Gampo in Tubo sent a lot of gold and silver, as well as his letter from the throne.

Songtsen Gampo and Hetian Khan won a great victory in their eastern expedition.

Li Chengqian saw Songtsen Gampo's letter and asked in surprise, "Oh, he's still alive?"

(End of this chapter)