The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 90 Huge Misunderstanding

To contribute to the country, everyone needs to work together.

Of course, there are a lot of things going on in the court, and we still have to be down-to-earth.

After the imperial examination policy was implemented, there were still many voices of opposition in the court.

The policy of covering the names of candidates in the imperial examinations was finally implemented under the leadership of Fang Xiang, Duke Zhao, Wei Zheng and others in the court.

As for the voices of opposition, no one cared much about them. There have always been people cursing the emperor and the court.

After getting used to it, you won’t feel anything.

Are they going to go against the emperor's 300,000-strong army?
This is obviously impossible, so even if there are objections, this policy must still be implemented and the imperial examinations must be conducted fairly and reasonably.

After finishing the current tasks, there will be a grand court meeting tomorrow.

Li Chengqian sat in the Chongwen Hall drinking tea with his grandfather and talking about things that men should say to each other.

The Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty is sixteen years old. This is good news, extremely good news. Having a crown prince who is sixteen years old during the Zhenguan period is of special significance for stabilizing the political situation.

The dynasty now has a formal successor, and since this successor is over sixteen years old, there is no need to worry that the emperor’s brothers will come to compete for the throne.

In fact, Tian Khan’s brothers did not dare to do so, because after the Xuanwu Gate Incident, the generals of the Li Tang royal family lost their military power or retired to the countryside.

There was a peaceful atmosphere among the court and the royal family.

Li Chengqian listened to his grandfather's words and frowned, "Isn't it too early to talk about the selection of the Crown Princess now?"

Li Yuan snorted coldly, "It's early. Your uncle started talking about it when you were fourteen years old. Your uncle Xiaogong started urging His Majesty to arrange a concubine for your Eastern Palace last year."

The old man smiled and continued, "When you have a concubine, the East Palace will be different."

Li Chengqian asked in a low voice: "Have the emperor and the queen mother chosen anyone?"

Li Yuan sighed, "Some people are trying their best to send their daughters to the Eastern Palace. Don't worry, the Tang Dynasty has such a wise prince, and there will definitely be people vying to marry into the Eastern Palace."

Hearing this, Li Chengqian drank his tea in silence.

Soon, Li Zhi came over quickly and said, "Royal brother."

"Ah."

"I don't know what's wrong with Lord Zheng. He has passed by the East Palace three times."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Really? Lord Zheng wants to see me for something?"

Li Zhi sat aside, made himself a cup of tea, and said, "I asked Duke Zheng, but he didn't say anything. He just said he was just walking around."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Go and tell Lord Zheng that if he has anything to do, he can just come to the East Palace. There is no need to report to me."

Li Zhi added: "My brother has said that, but the old man still won't come in."

"Well, maybe Lord Zheng was just taking a walk in front of the East Palace."

It was not until nightfall that Duke Zheng finally left and no longer lingered at the gate of the East Palace.

Li Chengqian looked at the bright moon in the sky. Although it was only a half moon, some bumps could be vaguely seen on the moon. The moon of the Tang Dynasty was very beautiful. No wonder the ancients liked it so much.

Raise the glass to the bright moon and sing to the wine.

Most of the romance of the ancients was related to the moon.

Li Chengqian put all his weight on the rocking chair, and could still hear the sounds of his younger brothers and sisters playing, even though most of them were poor students for him, the prince.

When it's time for them to play, try to make them happy.

The moon has accompanied the earth, or rather the entire human civilization, for countless years. Human beings have never been tired of it, nor have they ever been tired of looking at this bright moon.

Li Lizhi came over holding the clothes and said, "Brother, this is the crown and clothes that the Queen Mother sent for you to wear in the morning court."

Li Chengqian stretched comfortably and said, "Leave it to Sister Ning'er."

Li Lizhi smiled brightly and said, "Okay."

After waiting until his younger brothers and sisters went back to rest, Li Chengqian also returned to his own bedroom.

On the first day of February in the eighth year of Zhenguan, it was not yet fully light.

As usual, Li Chengqian had breakfast at the gate of the East Palace after morning exercise with General Li Ji.

Ning'er stood at the back and combed the Crown Prince's long hair and put on a hair crown. Although His Majesty had not bestowed it yet, the crown and clothes prepared by the Queen had been delivered, so he had to wear it.

After putting on a crown and the new clothes prepared by the Queen, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince stood up and looked much more energetic.

Li Chengqian said: "It fits me well."

Li Ji clasped his fists and saluted, saying, "Congratulations, Your Highness, on your coronation."

"General, it won't be too late to congratulate me when I officially hold my coming-of-age ceremony. There's no need to be so polite."

Li Ji took the horizontal sword from his waist, presented it with both hands, and said: "Your Highness, this sword has been with me for many years. When the army mobilized troops in a hurry, I used this sword to mobilize. When the soldiers saw this sword, they saw me."

Li Chengqian took the sword and drew it out of its sheath. One could see that the blade was old and had some traces of having been recently polished.

This knife is old, but it has great significance.

Li Chengqian smiled and handed the knife to Ning'er, saying, "General, you are so kind, I am ashamed to accept it."

Li Ji smiled and said, "I was worried that Your Highness would be unhappy."

"I like it very much."

Ning Er reminded, "Your Highness, it's time for the morning court session."

Looking ahead, there were many people walking from the gate of the East Palace to the Taiji Hall. This should be the most grand court meeting since last year's autumn hunt.

Although a lot of things happened this winter, Jie Li died, the envoy from Mobei was killed, and Ashina She'er declared war on Mobei.

The turmoil and setbacks continued until the eighth year of Zhenguan.

Today, many court officials were standing outside the Taiji Hall.

If you think about it carefully, the twelve counties in Chang'an City mean twelve county magistrates, and the twenty-four counties in Guanzhong Zuofu to the east of Chang'an mean twenty-four county magistrates.

Apart from the ministers who came to court, the county magistrates of each county were in charge of a population of over one million in Guanzhong, and the grassroots level of these over one million people was the county.

The government system with three provinces and six ministries as the core further elevated the centralization of the county system.

Li Ji said, "Your Highness, it's time to go to the morning court."

Li Chengqian put down his bowl and chopsticks and walked towards the Taiji Hall.

The ministers stood in their respective seats in the court, and Li Tai and Li Ke also arrived early.

When Li Chengqian stood in his seat, Li Ke bowed and said, "Brother, I haven't seen you for a long time."

"Well, I heard that you were still on duty during the break. You must have worked hard."

Li Ke clasped his fists and said, "Brother, I have military duties to shoulder and I dare not slack off."

Li Chengqian looked at Li Tai next to him again. The two of them did not speak but smiled at each other.

These two younger brothers look harmless. I hope a big family should always be so harmonious.

The Taiji Hall was unusually lively, with court officials chatting with each other about family matters. The Tang Dynasty had passed another year in peace, so they were naturally happy.

If we really have to talk about the problem this year, the only thing left is the imperial examination.

In fact, as long as the court does not cause trouble and everyone works happily, it is also good. Although holidays are uncertain, high-ranking officials must be available to the emperor at any time.

But overall, everyone was very friendly. Li Chengqian looked over his teacher, uncle, Duke Zheng, and a group of court officials.

It is said that Lord Zheng passed by the East Palace several times last night but did not go in. I don’t know why. He didn’t want to mention it, and I was too embarrassed to ask.

In fact, outside Chengtian Gate, there were quite a few envoys from various countries, including some unknown small countries in the Western Regions and some small countries in the south, and it was not clear whether they were called Nanzhao.

It's quite complicated anyway.

Following the eunuch's loud shout, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty walked into the Taiji Hall step by step, waved his sleeves, turned around and sat on the throne. He had a gloomy and serious face, and his eyes were all over the civil and military officials in the court.

As Li Chengqian followed the other ministers in paying their respects, he inexplicably had a feeling in his heart that no matter when he was supervising government affairs or guarding Chang'an, he could only gain control of state affairs for a short period of time.

But as long as the emperor sits on the chair that symbolizes the throne, all power will return to the emperor.

In terms of centralized form, the person sitting on the emperor's throne is determined to be the boss.

In the autumn, he supervised the government affairs for more than two months, and during the rest period, he supervised the allocation of money and grain in the court for another two months.

So what? In the end, power will return to the emperor.

Li Chengqian stood in front of the court with his hands in his pockets, closing his eyes and thinking.

Today's morning court began as the eunuch finished reading the decree for the opening of this year's court.

Li Daliang stepped out of the court first, handed over a file with both hands, and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, the Turks have an urgent report that Ashina She'er led 100,000 Turkic cavalry through Tongluo and has already engaged in battle with the Mobei people."

As soon as he finished speaking, some people in the court began to talk.

Li Shimin took the military report handed over by the eunuch and frowned, "Does the Ministry of Rites have anything to say?"

Hearing this, Li Baiyao stepped out of the court, holding a tablet in his hand and bowing, saying, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Rites has sent three envoys to Mobei to lobby for peace with the Turks, and we are still waiting for a reply."

Wei Zheng stood up and said, "Your Majesty, as the Heavenly Khan, you should mediate the grievances between the Turks and Mobei. However, in the twelfth month of this year, Jie Li passed away, and Ashina She'er killed the Mobei envoy. I'm afraid the grievances have been accumulated for a long time and cannot be resolved in a few words."

Li Shimin said: "I know that too."

After saying this, Fang Xuanling stood out of the court, handed over a file with both hands, and said, "Your Majesty, this is the policy for the imperial examination at the beginning of this spring."

Li Shimin took the file and looked at it silently, and the Taiji Hall also became quiet.

Waiting for someone to raise an objection.

What’s strange is that no one stood up to oppose it this time.

After His Majesty finished reading the files, he glanced around the court, as if waiting for someone to come forward. Seeing that no one spoke, he nodded and said, "The imperial examination is related to the foundation of the country. This matter will be supervised by Prime Minister Fang."

Fang Xuanling bowed and said, "I accept your order."

Next, each department began to report on matters, and everything went smoothly.

Until Li Baiyao stood out from the court again, he said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, the envoys from various countries are already outside Chengtian Gate ready to see you."

Li Shimin nodded.

The eunuch in the palace shouted, "Call the envoys from all countries into the palace."

When the voice reached outside the hall, the guards outside the hall once again shouted the message, one after another until it reached Chengtian Gate.

Glancing sideways, he saw a group of people walking in from outside Chengtian Gate. They were wearing strange costumes, with costumes from various countries particularly eye-catching. They walked towards the Taiji Hall step by step.

The one walking in front was the Prince of Gaochang. He walked in a very proud manner, for no other reason than that the envoy had bought 10,000 bars of soap from Jingyang.

Li Chengqian stood there with his hands in his pockets, feeling uncomfortable when he thought of the wealth of Gaochang and the Western Regions.

If everyone is poor, and the countries are simple, and everyone lives a simple life, then there will still be unity and friendship.

The people of the Tang Dynasty were still suffering from the lack of material foundation.

People from the Western Regions come to Chang'an and spend a lot of money. How can people not be jealous of their arrogance?

The Gaochang prince walked into the hall and bowed, saying, "I am here on behalf of my father to see the Khan. I wish that the Tang Dynasty and Gaochang will always be friends..."

Li Chengqian stood in his seat with his hands in his pockets, closing his eyes and not looking at the Gaochang prince.

Next came the envoys from Tubo and the countries in the Western Regions.

In addition to some furs and herbs, they also offered some agate and jade.

The Tibetan envoy Sambuza said: "Your Majesty, this is the safflower of our Tibetan people. It is a good medicine for curing diseases in Tibetan people."

Li Chengqian looked up and saw that the box contained saffron from Tibet.

Although this safflower is good, it was presented by the Tibetans, so I felt a little unhappy about it.

Sambhota said: "Your Majesty, the Khan of Heaven, on behalf of the Tibetan king, I would like to ask the Tang Dynasty to marry the princess. From now on, the Tang Dynasty and Tibet will be friends forever."

Li Chengqian looked up at the Tibetan envoy, then looked at the civil and military officials who were discussing in the hall.

It was not just Tubo that wanted to make peace with the Tang Dynasty.

There is also Mobei, but now there is a mad Ashina She'er in Mobei who kills anyone he sees, and the people of Mobei are unable to spare the time to come and marry the princess.

Li Chengqian stepped out of the court and said, "This Tibetan envoy, I heard that the Tibetan King of Tibet, the Zanpu you are talking about, is about the same age as me. Is it too early to talk about marrying the princess now?"

Sambuza bowed and said, "Your Highness, I am here to convey the meaning of the Zamp. Whether the Tang Dynasty agrees or not, I will convey it back."

Li Chengqian bowed and said, "Then I'll have to pass it on."

Sambuza bowed again.

The dialogue between the Tibetan envoy and the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty could not be described as hostile, nor was it full of anger.

Only His Majesty, who sat on the throne, said nothing.

The prince rejected the marriage proposal just like that, but Your Majesty said nothing.

Since the Han Dynasty, the Central Plains has always had marriages with foreign ethnic groups, so they naturally thought that as long as they showed their fists to the Tang Dynasty, they would be able to marry the princess.

What a huge misunderstanding.

Of course, these words were never said in the Taiji Hall.

Li Chengqian really wanted to shout out.

Let the envoys of various countries take the marriage alliance for granted and their self-righteous attitude be eliminated at the root.

Zhang Sun Wuji stood up from the court and said, "Your Majesty, I second the proposal. Your Highness the Crown Prince is right."

Fang Xuanling also stood out from the court, bowed and said, "I second the motion."

Li Chengqian looked at his uncle and teacher with gratitude.

Li Shimin smiled and said, "You have seen this, Tibetan envoy. With the court officials acting like this, I cannot make the decision."

Sambuza saluted silently and stepped aside.

The marriage proposal from Tubo was rejected. After the envoys from other countries presented gifts and expressed their admiration and congratulations to Tian Khan, the grand court meeting lasted until noon.

This morning court session did not end until the afternoon.

Li Tai stopped outside the palace and looked at his brother who was walking alone again.

During the court's rest period, the prince's wise words had already spread throughout the court and the country.

Even so, this royal brother still keeps to himself.

(End of this chapter)