The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 385 Ascending the Throne
Tonight, I listened to a lot from my mother, especially about the first two years of Zhenguan and the various difficulties my father had to face, and even the scolding from people all over the world. Several times, I felt like giving up in the torment.

Natural disasters, man-made disasters and wars almost occupied the early years of Zhenguan.

As he was talking to his mother, the old eunuch came over quickly and said, "Your Highness, everything is ready."

Li Chengqian asked: "Is it midnight?"

"Half a minute."

This is the most trusted eunuch around the emperor, and also the most loyal. Because the people who do these things are all mute, this is the most secretive matter in the palace, and only the father and his son know it.

Little Sizi put his hands behind his back, looked at the bright moon in the night sky, and said in silence for a moment: "It's midnight."

Xiao Que'er led a group of children and shouted, "Congratulations, Grandpa."

This is certainly a cause for celebration, and nothing could be better for this family.

A bell rang, and suddenly there was an explosion in the distance. A ball of fire shot up into the sky, and a beautiful flower bloomed in the night sky.

There were several more explosions and fireworks exploded in the sky.

Li Shimin held a child in one hand, wishing he could have another child sitting on his shoulders. He looked up at the fireworks blooming in the sky, and everyone was shocked.

The flash of fireworks was like a true auspicious sign appearing in the night sky. There was no more beautiful auspicious sign in the world. It was celebrating the Tang Dynasty.

Empress Changsun quietly wiped away her tears, looked up at the night sky with a smile.

Tonight, the soldiers guarding in front of Xuanwu Gate also saw this magnificent scene. They were all moved and looked up. Even the guards who were dozing off suddenly perked up.

The six deer raised their heads and looked at the beautiful scenery in the night sky.

In Chang'an City, there was no curfew in the twelfth lunar month. People found fireworks exploding in the night sky around Chang'an City, and pedestrians stopped to look up at the beautiful scenery in the night sky.

Bai Fang looked up at the night sky and said loudly: "Chang'an is indeed the most beautiful place in the world."

The fireworks only appeared for a moment. When the Taiye Lake became quiet again, Li Chengqian heard the eunuch's story and realized that many of them had misfired. The fireworks were not too high, barely higher than the city wall.

But that's enough.

After tonight, many people stayed awake all night, when Empress Changsun led a group of children to rest.

Li Chengqian sat opposite his father and talked a lot.

These are all some ideas about how to govern the country in the future, as well as some things that should and should not be done.

This was a lecture from a father to his son, teaching the successor to the Tang Empire how to exercise power, how to get along with court officials, and how to command troops across the world.

It was almost dawn when the father and son stood up together.

Today is the first day of the first lunar month, also the first day of the new year, a brand new day for the Tang Dynasty.

A new emperor will ascend the throne on this day and become the ruler of the empire.

Under the gazes of his younger brothers and sisters, Li Chengqian and his father walked into the Xuanwu Gate and headed towards the palace gate.

Before daybreak, the city of Chang'an was already bustling with people, as groups of officials and generals walked into the Suzaku Gate one after another.

Changsun Wuji stopped in front of the door.

Li Ji asked, "Why haven't you entered yet?"

Changsun Wuji closed his eyes and remained silent.

Watching the officials coming in one after another, Li Ji said, "Your Majesty and the Crown Prince are wise."

Chang Sun Wuji whispered, "It's just that I feel guilty towards Your Majesty."

Li Ji said, "Hurry up, we have an appointment with His Majesty to go winter hunting."

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji stepped into the Suzaku Gate.

All the officials have taken their positions inside and outside the Taiji Hall. Today's event is unprecedented. The open space in front of the Taiji Hall is filled with officials and generals.

Row after row, all dressed in neat official uniforms.

Looking from the city wall, the officials kept the same distance in front, behind, left and right, like a row of neat chess pieces, standing in front of the Taiji Hall.

Pei Xingjian was also in the crowd. He looked around and saw officials he didn't recognize, and he himself was one of them.

Behind the Taiji Hall, Empress Changsun personally put on makeup for her son.

Then Li Shimin put the emperor's robe on his son.

Empress Changsun put the imperial crown on her son.

Li Chengqian, wearing a heavy robe, took a deep breath and adjusted his expression.

"Yes, it fits very well." Empress Changsun watched her son walk around and said with a smile: "Chengqian's emperor's majesty is even more majestic than your father's."

Li Shimin looked at the sky and said, "From now on, this country will be handed over to you."

"My son, please remember your teachings."

"Actually, I don't need to teach you anything."

The Queen fixed Su Wan's makeup again. Today, Su Wan wore the Queen's phoenix crown and bridal robe.

Li Chengqian was still confirming the imperial edicts one by one. These edicts had to be read out in the hall, and most of them were edicts of bestowal.

When everyone was ready, Li Chengqian put down the decree in his hand and strode towards the Taiji Hall.

When the new emperor stood before everyone, all the officials bowed and saluted.

Beside the new emperor stood the Heavenly Khan and the Queen.

The new emperor walked steadily and unhurriedly to the front of the Taiji Hall and faced the officials.

The eunuch took the decree and said in a loud voice: "I am old and seriously ill. The crown prince is wise and virtuous. The ministers request that I pass the throne to the crown prince. Now the crown prince ascends the throne of emperor. The Turks, the Western Regions, Tibet, Mobei, Silla and other countries and tribes request that you confer the title of Heavenly Khan."

"On the principles of governing the country, he appointed only those with meritorious service, and divided Shaanxi into several counties, in order to express his sincere gratitude to the wise and virtuous, and to celebrate with the world."

After reading it, Li Shimin personally handed the imperial seal to his son.

Li Chengqian held the imperial seal in his hand and thanked God for his grace.

Then the eunuch picked up another decree and read it aloud: "I have ascended the throne and rule over the people of Qian. I will try my best to follow public opinion. I am still young, so I hope you will help me. The world is exhausted, and I wish to give the people a rest. I thank God for His grace and respectfully go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. The reign is called Qianqing."

The 28-year-old prince ascended the throne and became emperor. He was a young and powerful emperor.

Under the gaze of his father and mother, Li Chengqian walked into the Taiji Hall step by step, walked past the civil and military officials, and came to the throne step by step.

Dressed in the emperor's crown and robes, he walked steadily to the throne, looked at the civil and military officials in the court, and slowly sat down on the throne.

This process had actually never been attempted or practiced before, but this prince completed it very well.

The eunuch read out the decree aloud again, saying: "Appoint the Duke of Zhao as the Grand Commandant to assist in state affairs, and appoint the Duke of Yingguo as the Third Official to be in charge of the military dispatch of all prefectures and counties."

"Zhongshu Ling Cen Wenben was given the title of Silver and Green Guanglu Dafu and concurrently the Minister of Personnel."

"…Ma Zhou, the Imperial Censor, was given the title of Zuo Guanglu Dafu and concurrently took charge of the Imperial Censorate. Chu Suiliang, the Imperial Secretary, was appointed as the Minister of Civil Affairs and given the title of Guanglu Dafu."

"Appoint the Secretary of the Central Secretariat Xu Jingzong as the Minister of Rites and Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, and grant him the title of Silver and Green Guanglu Doctor, and order the Prince's Secretary Yu Zhining to be in charge of the Ministry of Personnel..." One decree after another was issued, and court officials came out one after another to receive the orders. The rank of almost every official in the Secretariat was greatly promoted. As expected, those who had followed the prince were all promoted.

Since then, the structure of the court has been completely renewed, with a team headed by Duke Zhao and Duke Ying, and under them were Cen Wenben, Ma Zhou, Yu Zhining and others.

Li Chengqian sat quietly on the throne, listening to the imperial edicts being read out one after another. This court meeting was long.

Gao Shilian was sitting behind the Taiji Hall and could vaguely hear the loud shouts coming from within the hall.

Li Yuan smiled and said, "Are you happy now?"

Gao Shilian whispered: "Aren't you happy?"

The two old men went back to the time when they first met and talked like friends.

Gao Shilian said: "I am old now, and I can die with my eyes closed."

Li Yuan said: "I am not dead yet, and I still owe my grandson so much money. Use your property to pay it back."

"You're kidding. The only property I have left is the house in Chang'an, and I've given away everything I deserve."

Li Yuan stroked his beard and said, "That house is also valuable."

Gao Shilian said: "You, the Li family, are all very capable. You forced Fu Ji to stand up and stand on the side of the Crown Prince. Whether it's Er Lang or the Crown Prince, they are in collusion, and who can stop them?"

Li Yuan said: "What are you complaining about? Cheng Qian is also your grandson."

"I was just thinking that a lot of people are going to die in this world in the future. Um... a lot of people are going to die."

"Yes." Li Yuan looked at the ground and said, "Erlang is a man who values ​​friendship and loyalty, but Chengqian is a very rational child. He has never been soft-hearted, nor is he a soft-hearted person."

Gao Shilian said: "People who are in charge of the country should not be soft-hearted."

In Chang'an City, Bai Fang was tied to Zhuque Street again. He raised his eyes and wanted to see the Zhuque Gate, but the Zhuque Gate was already surrounded by people. People wanted to see what the current emperor looked like. The rumored prince had ascended the throne, and the people of Chang'an City were very curious.

Bai Fang felt that he was a very lucky man because he witnessed the ascension of the new emperor when he came to Chang'an for the first time.

Chang'an's bad commander Wei Chang ran back home quickly. He hugged his wife Xue Wuniang and shouted, "Haha! The prince has ascended the throne."

Xue Wuniang was carried on her husband's shoulders. She patted him on the back and said, "I know. The whole of Guanzhong is celebrating."

Wei Chang said: "I saw that several gates of Chang'an City were crowded with people. The crown prince's ascension to the throne was popular and everyone was congratulating him."

Xue Wuniang said: "That's because this prince is the most popular among the people. I heard Princess Changle say that as long as the prince ascends the throne, the villagers in Guanzhong will be able to feel at ease, because the current Guanzhong was built by the prince. I don't understand these things..."

Until Xue Wuniang could no longer stand the children's laughter, and she could no longer stand her husband's behavior in front of the children, she beat her husband again.

The door was slammed shut, and Wei Chang sat at the door with a bruised face and nose, his expression showing no sign of grievance, only happiness.

In other words, it’s also peace of mind.

In Wugong County, Su Tan caught a cold and could not go to Chang'an to celebrate. He walked out of the house coughing and knelt down in the direction of the Taiji Hall.

Su Xu said: "From now on, we can live in peace."

Su Tan whispered, "Wan'er said that the prince has great ambitions. After the prince ascends the throne, it will be time to change the Tang Dynasty."

Su Xu stroked his gray beard and said, "What else is left in this world?"

Su Tan shook his head and said stupidly, "I don't know."

Du He stood in front of a tall building, looking towards the direction of Chang'an City, and also bowed down in greeting.

Then he turned around and looked at the tall building. This building was used to teach people to study production technology and was the key to boosting productivity in Guanzhong.

Du He is no longer very interested in doing business, but he has a lot of manpower now, so he no longer has to do some things personally.

In Chang'an City, the cheers of the residents continued.

Lu Dongzan sat in the Sifang Pavilion and compiled today's files. He whispered, "This is the first year."

Sambuza asked, "The great prime minister?"

"How many years have we been in Chang'an?"

Sambuza replied, "It has been four years since I left Tubo."

Lu Dongzan asked in a low voice: "Now that the prince has ascended the throne, will he pardon us?"

Sambuza also lowered his head and said, "The Zamp regards the new Tang emperor as an opponent. In the future, Tubo and Tang will only be opponents. But the Zamp sent a letter of congratulations to the new emperor on his ascension to the throne. I'm afraid the new emperor will pity us?"

The loss of the two Tibetan envoys was in stark contrast to the cheers around them.

The Japanese envoys were also heartbroken. When they learned that Silla was planning to cross the sea to attack, they tried several times to ask for permission to let the Japanese go, but the court turned a blind eye.

In the first month of the new year, the coronation ceremony lasted until the evening.

Inside the Xingqing Palace, Li Chengqian had not yet changed out of his imperial crown and robes, and the young emperor's eyes occasionally revealed a sharper edge than ever before.

There were piles of memorials neatly arranged on the table, most of which were congratulatory.

Standing before him were Duke Ying and Duke Zhao.

The two were talking about the officials who came to Chang'an this year, as well as some people who should have come but did not.

Li Chengqian held a list in his hand and then put it down.

The eunuch hurried over to report, "Your Majesty, the Censor Li Yifu has handed in a memorial."

Li Chengqian gestured to put the memorial aside and let Duke Ying and Duke Zhao continue the story.

After a long time, it was already night outside, and Li Chengqian suddenly looked out the window at the night scene again.

The sound of the emperor and his children laughing and talking could be heard outside the palace.

There were also busy eunuchs walking around. They had to move many things to the residence of the retired emperor and move the utensils from the Eastern Palace.

Changsun Wuji said: "The people of Luoyang have requested that Your Majesty repair the Luoyang Imperial Palace."

Li Ji said: "The people of Luoyang are still recovering, and the production of workshops in various counties has already overdrawn the people's strength. We must not recruit corvée labor at this time."

From the perspective of the old system, it was natural for the emperor to conscript corvée labor. However, with the rise of the workshop industry, most of the surplus value of agricultural production had already been occupied by the workshops. In exchange for a full treasury, the same problem also existed, that is, it was impossible to conscript corvée labor that could be used free of charge with a legitimate reason.

In fact, there was corvée labor. The prisoners who were sent to the Western Regions to plant trees were very good corvée laborers.

Do we need to revise the criminal law?
At this moment, many thoughts flashed through Li Chengqian's mind, and he whispered, "We can't build the Luoyang Palace now."

In fact, the new emperor probably doesn't need too much advice.

After saying this, he placed his hand on the pile of memorials on the table and said, "Send more teaching staff to Shandong, the Yangtze River and the Huai River."

Changsun Wuji said: "Yes."

Li Chengqian continued: "I heard that Ashina Chebi is unwilling to come to Chang'an?"

On the last day of this month, remember to vote for the monthly ticket (very loud, very honest)

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(End of this chapter)