The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 381 Visiting the Old Generals
Guanzhong had gone through the autumn rainy season. The dry northwest autumn wind blew across the land of Guanzhong, and a few dead leaves floated past in front of the gate of the Secretariat.

Li Chengqian put down the urgent report in his hand and looked at the officials coming and going in the Secretariat. He saw people whispering to each other and some looking hurried.

Nowadays, there are more and more officials assigned to various places, and the amount of money spent by the court is dozens of times that of the early years of Zhenguan.

After a busy day of government affairs, Li Chengqian walked to the outside of the Secretariat. The officials who came to hand in the documents saluted when they saw His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

More and more people are planting trees in Northwest China.

In the past ten years, the trees have been planted from the Hexi Corridor to Shazhou. I heard that it has become a huge grove.

Li Chengqian took a deep breath with his hands in his pockets, and suddenly felt that the court was still short of talent. Taxation, land distribution, teaching, and building new government offices all required a huge reserve of talent.

Therefore, the court cannot move too fast and should think about these things often. In fact, sometimes my uncle's thinking of maintaining stability is not wrong. We need to give some buffer space when considering things.

Although my uncle is a typical conservative, he does not have the strong coordination ability like our teacher, nor is he as radical and tough as Mr. Zheng.

My uncle's knowledge throughout his life came from aristocratic families. Although not all of it may be useful, it does have its merits.

The officials in the imperial city saw His Royal Highness the Crown Prince standing alone in front of the gate of the Secretariat, just standing there, looking like he was thinking about something.

"Report! Anxi Protectorate clerk."

A guard handed over a book with both hands and stood aside with his head bowed.

Li Chengqian took the document, untied the rope and opened the scroll. It was a painting showing a group of people from the Western Regions chiseling stones.

Looking at the note written by Pei Xingjian on the side of the document, it shows that the people of the Western Regions wanted to build statues for Tian Khan and Guo Luotuo.

The letter did not say anything else, just saying that Tang Xuanzang was still unwilling to return to secular life.

Li Chengqian handed the document to the guard and left.

The court returned to normal, but another decree came from the palace saying that His Majesty was unable to manage state affairs due to illness and that state affairs would be handed over to the crown prince.

The next day, Li Chengqian came to the General Zhenguo Mansion to visit his uncle Chai Shao.

Chai Shao's hair was already gray, but his face still looked like a middle-aged man, except that he was thinner and looked weak.

His frail body and white hair make this handsome middle-aged uncle look a little melancholy.

Li Chengqian and his uncle sat under the withered ginkgo tree.

Chai Shao took a sip of tea and said, "I heard that His Majesty is seriously ill and cannot take care of state affairs?"

Li Chengqian explained: "Father is not seriously ill at all. He should be fishing in Taiye Lake at this hour, or going out for autumn hunting with a few old generals."

Chai Shao suddenly smiled and said, "It seems that Your Majesty is no longer interested in state affairs."

"Father is still concerned about the country. After he came back, he often discussed with my uncle and teacher."

Chai Shao asked, "The government affairs now all depend on Your Highness."

Li Chengqian continued, "My uncle is joking. State affairs are heavy and I still need to discuss more with the ministers. Father just doesn't get involved in many things."

"Since the Eastern Expedition, your Majesty's spirit may not be as high as it was before." As he spoke, Chai Shao took out a seal, handed it over and said, "This is the seal of the general who defends the country. Your Highness, please accept it."

Li Chengqian looked at the seal that looked like a military token and said, "It looks very ancient."

Chai Shao explained: "The military seal of the generals who guarded the country in all dynasties was this one. It was lost for many years and was later obtained by Yu Wenzhi. It then returned to your majesty's hands."

Li Chengqian took the ancient military token and put it into his sleeve.

A smile appeared on Chai Shao's face again, as if he had accomplished something very important.

Princess Pingyang, her aunt, had two children, the brothers Chai Zhewei and Chai Lingwu, who stood at the gate of the courtyard like guards.

Seeing His Royal Highness the Crown Prince looking at his two sons, Chai Shao added: "Ling Wu has not yet held a position in the court, and he is close to the King of Wei."

After hearing what his uncle said, Li Chengqian asked, "Do we need to arrange a military position for Lingwu?"

Chai Shao waved his hand and said, "Ling Wu is not as calm as Zhe Wei, and he is used to being a playboy. It's good to let him live like this."

Li Chengqian nodded.

There were voices outside the door. Li Chengqian turned around and saw Chai Lingwu laughing and hugging someone. That person was Li Dejian, whom he had not seen for many years.

After traveling for many years, Li Dejian, who had been enjoying the mountains and rivers, finally returned.

Seeing the Crown Prince here, Li Dejian quickly saluted and said, "Greetings to His Royal Highness, General Chai."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Brother Dejian, I haven't seen you for many years."

Li Dejian bowed and said, "Your Highness, it's been many years since we last met."

Li Dejian, who had just returned from a trip, had a beard and his clothes looked like they had just been changed, and were quite neat.

When His Royal Highness the Crown Prince withdrew his gaze, Chai Shao understood and said, "Let's go out and play."

Chai Lingwu took Li Dejian in his arms and quickly left the mansion, the two of them talking and laughing.

Chai Zhewei said, "I heard that Li Dejian got married outside."

Before he knew it, the tea in the pot had been finished. Li Chengqian said, "Brother Dejian is older than me, and it's time for him to get married."

Seeing his uncle cough twice again, Li Chengqian stood up and said, "There are still things to deal with in the court, so I will go back first."

Chai Shao ordered, "Send His Highness."

Chai Zhewei said loudly: "Yes."

Walking to the gate of the General's Mansion, Chai Zhewei said, "My father is seriously ill, my brother is naughty, sometimes I really..."

Li Chengqian looked at the pedestrians on Zhuque Street and consoled them, "I am also the eldest son in the family. Whether it is state affairs or family affairs, I sometimes feel exhausted."

The two smiled at each other with deep feeling.

Li Chengqian said, "I will go back first, no need to see me off."

Chai Zhewei saw Xue Wanbei and others standing at the door guarding the prince, and said, "Your Highness, please take care."

Li Chengqian walked into the bustling Zhuque Street.

In the General's Mansion, Chai Zhewei came to his father's side again, "Your Highness has gone back."

Chai Shao nodded and said, "Your mother passed away early, and she only had you two children. Although Lingwu is playful, he still has a good heart."

"My child understands."

Chai Shao stood up with the help of a cane, looked up at the ginkgo tree, and said, "Your mother loved ginkgo trees the most. This is the tree she planted. There is also a ginkgo tree in front of Xingqing Palace, which was also planted by your mother."

Staring blankly at the tree and the treetops on the trunk, Chai Shao suddenly smiled.

In the palace, after meeting Chai Shao, Li Chengqian came to Taiye Lake. Several deer were growing stronger and stronger. They walked by the Taiye Lake with their heads raised.

A deer came to the side and bumped the prince, whom he had not seen for a long time, with its antlers.

Li Chengqian patted its back in response.

Inside the water pavilion, my father was arguing with my grandfather.

In fact, after returning to Chang'an, my father has been recuperating and has not dealt with state affairs. He is still in good health. It's just that he has been a little lacking in energy after the Eastern Expedition and has needed to exercise regularly recently.

After the Eastern Expedition, I climbed Mount Tai again. The past two years seemed to have drained my father's energy.

It was not only the emperor who was exhausted, but also most of the Central Plains, so he had to rest with the people and restore productivity. There was even a period of time when the Huang-Lao trend reappeared in the court.

Looking at the entire Zhenguan period, starting from the campaign against Jie Li, the Tang Dynasty launched many national wars, and also pacified the countries surrounding the Tang Dynasty.

It laid a solid foundation for the future of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Chengqian stopped outside the waterside pavilion, with his hands in his pockets, listening to the argument between his grandfather and his father, who were arguing about the abdication of the throne.

Looking at the other side of Taiye Lake, my uncle with white hair and beard was fishing. The fish took the bait and he couldn't pull it up, so he asked the eunuch beside him for help.

Li Yuan walked out of the pavilion angrily. The conversation between his grandfather and his father was not pleasant.

Li Chengqian wanted to greet his grandfather, but when he saw his grandfather quickly leave, he had to swallow back what he wanted to say.

Walking into the waterside pavilion, my father threw his fishing rod aside and peeled a pomegranate with a sullen face.

Li Chengqian walked into the waterside pavilion, took out the military token, and said, "This is what my uncle gave to me."

After taking a look at this ancient military token, Li Shimin said, "You can keep it."

Li Chengqian took back the military token and said, "Grandfather is trying to persuade Father to abdicate again."

"I am not yet fifty."

My father is indeed not yet fifty years old. To be precise, he will be fifty next year. Moreover, in all dynasties, emperors have never retired when they turned fifty.

Li Chengqian sat down, picked up an almond, peeled off the shell and put it in his mouth to chew.

The father and son sat in the waterside pavilion. Li Shimin looked at the ducks swimming in the Taiye Lake and became more and more annoyed. He ordered, "Someone come."

The eunuch hurried forward and said, "Your Majesty."

Li Shimin said: "Kill two ducks tonight."

"Here."

Li Chengqian peeled another almond.

"How are things going in the court?"

Seeing that his father's tone had slowed down, Li Chengqian replied, "Father has exempted most of the taxes in the Central Plains. Now the court and the people are quite quiet and not so busy. It's time to let the court officials breathe a sigh of relief, too."

Li Shimin asked, "I heard that Silla is going to use military force against the Japanese?"

"Well, I want to ask for the title of a great general for him. When the value of Jin Chunqiu is used up, I will let him come to Chang'an to spend his old age."

"Why?"

"People like him cannot stay in Silla. He has stayed in Chang'an for several years and has also fought with the army. He is ambitious. Such people can be used, but after using them, everything from him must be taken away, and the entire territory of Silla must be taken over by the Tang Dynasty. Moreover, if he can become a minister of the Tang Dynasty, he should be extremely happy to offer the entire Silla to the Tang Dynasty. After all, he dreams of becoming a Tang citizen."

After saying this, Li Chengqian smiled and said, "To be honest, I didn't expect the Japanese to dare to invade Baijiangkou so early, but now it seems that when winter comes this year, the title of the general will be sent to Silla, and Jin Chunqiu's army will also cross the sea."

Li Shimin was confused and asked, "So early? To attack Baijiangkou?"

"Jin Chunqiu has already sent a report that the Japanese go to Baekgangkou to plunder almost every year, but father probably didn't read it."

Li Chengqian made up an excuse to get away with it.

An eunuch hurried over, and the sound of his feet treading on the wooden plank road could be heard. He held a stack of memorials and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty, the Minister of the Central Secretariat Cen Wenben, the Assistant Minister of the Central Secretariat Chu Suiliang, and Yu Zhining request your order."

Li Shimin looked very tired, sitting lazily in the waterside pavilion and asked, "What are they asking for?"

The eunuch replied, "Please ask for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to ascend the throne."

Li Chengqian took the memorial and took a look at it, then asked, "Is this arranged by the Emperor?"

"No."

"Cen Wenben and Chu Suiliang shouldn't say such things."

The eunuch placed the memorial on the table, then bowed and left.

Li Chengqian picked up several memorials and read their contents. Most of them said that the people wanted the prince to ascend the throne. Both the court officials and the people of the world were asking the prince to ascend the throne.

Li Chengqian took a sip of tea and remained silent.

"Is there going to be another imperial examination next year?"

"Ah."

The father and son exchanged a few words casually.

In the next few days, Li Chengqian gave Jin Chunqiu the title of General of Silla, ordering him to command all the troops of Silla.

Just as this appointment was sent out, another piece of news came that the Queen of Silla had passed away.

The prince's life returned to normal. After dealing with state affairs every day, he could spend his free time with his family or visit his elders in Chang'an City.

In November of the Guanzhong month, Ashina Helu was escorted to Chang'an. It was said that he tried to escape several times along the way, but was caught every time. Therefore, he wasted a lot of time on the way.

However, this fellow who always betrayed the Tang Dynasty became extremely honest once he entered Chang'an City, and spoke with certainty about how loyal he was to the Tang Dynasty and how he was willing to die for the Heavenly Khan.

Until he was taken into Suzaku Gate, he was still saying that he was willing to die for the Heavenly Khan.

The one handling state affairs now is not the Khan, but the current crown prince. No matter how much he shouts, it will be useless.

It was snowing heavily in Chang'an, and Li Chengqian was walking on Zhuque Street in the snow today.

The wind and snow fell on the twenty-seven-year-old prince.

Compared with his childhood, the prince looked taller, with bright and sharp eyes. Even those who did not know the prince on the street bowed and saluted when they saw a group of guards with swords and spears escorting young men in luxurious clothes.

In the eyes of the people of Chang'an, this young man has an upright posture and steady steps. Long-term exercise has made him full of energy and spirit. His expression is serious, and the aura he exudes is shocking and gives people a sense of control over everything.

The person escorting the prince today was Xue Rengui. Perhaps infected by the prince's demeanor, Xue Rengui remained silent along the way, but he also raised his head slightly and walked with his back straight.

We arrived at the Duke of Yiguo's Mansion, which is the residence of General Qin Qiong.

He asked a group of guards to stand at the door, and Xue Rengui walked in standing beside His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

The elderly Qin Qiong hurried to greet him.

Li Chengqian hurriedly helped the general up and took him into the house, saying, "General, how are you these days?"

Qin Qiong bowed and said, "Everything is fine with me."

Although everything was fine, Li Chengqian knew in his heart that the general was still suffering from his old illnesses, all of which were left over from the war. Dongyang had told him about his condition, and now he just needed to not overwork, rest, stop drinking and go to bed early.

Li Chengqian walked into the house and picked up a book beside the stove. The general was reading the Huang-Lao school of thought.

Qin Qiong said: "It is said that Huang Lao's teachings can cultivate the body and mind, so I often take them out to read."

Li Chengqian said: "It would be great if the spirit of Huang Lao could be used for self-cultivation."

"Your Highness, please forgive me for making a fool of myself."

Li Chengqian knew that if he didn't sit down, the old general wouldn't sit down either, so he waved his sleeves and sat down.

Qin Qiong then sat down on one side.

(End of this chapter)