Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 128 The Crown Prince Thinks I Can’t Become a Ceremony for the Imperial Ceremony at Mount Tai (Part )

At noon, the sky was as dark as ink.

In Cheng'en Hall of the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian slowly opened his eyes.

Two soft breathing sounds suddenly reached his ears, and Li Chengqian's eyes couldn't help but soften.

It was Su Shu and her daughter Princess Ankang.

Normally, after a daughter is born, she is usually taken care of by a wet nurse. However, after Li Di was born, Su Shu suddenly decided to bring the child up herself.

Girls sleep much more soundly at night than boys.

Li Chengqian gradually accepted it. He loved this daughter who he had never had in his previous life from the bottom of his heart.

After lying down for a while, Li Chengqian stood up.

Today happens to be Princess Ankang's hundredth day, and it is also the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, the Little New Year's Day.

Many people will come to the East Palace to congratulate today.

……

After having breakfast with Su Shu, Li Chengqian arrived at the inner courtyard, where red silk and red lanterns were hung in many places.

The twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year, and it is the end of the year.

Many people in Chang'an City have already started preparing New Year's goods and other things.

The same goes for the Eastern Palace. There are many things that need to be prepared by the end of the year, and it is even too late to start preparing now.

Just as Li Chengqian reached the Chongjiao Gate, Zhang Xuansu, dressed in a dark crimson official robe, walked in from below the gate.

Seeing Li Chengqian, Zhang Xuansu immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Today is a family dinner. No need to be polite, Mr. Zhang." Li Chengqian smiled slightly, then turned and said, "Mr. Zhang, please rest in the inner hall."

"Yes!" Zhang Xuansu didn't say anything polite and followed Li Chengqian into the Chongjiao Hall.

After sitting down, Li Chengqian immediately asked, "Mr. Zhang, is the memorial ready?"

"It's all ready." Zhang Xuansu pulled the memorial from his sleeve and handed it to Li Chengqian. Then he asked cautiously, "Your Highness, His Majesty still has plenty of opportunities to perform the Fengshan Ceremony at Mount Tai. Is it inappropriate to settle for the next best thing and persuade His Majesty to perform the Fengshan Ceremony at Mount Song?"

Li Chengqian glanced at the memorial, closed it, and then said to Zhang Xuansu, "Mr. Zhang, what do you think is the probability that our father will be able to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai within three years?"

Zhang Xuansu was stunned. He did not speak immediately, but said thoughtfully, "Your Highness, are you talking about the eastern expedition to Goguryeo?"

"Mr. Zhang is also a wise man." Li Chengqian nodded and said, "The emperor has been preparing for the Eastern Expedition recently. The preparation time is at least two years. Even if the expedition goes smoothly, it will take two years. It will take four years for him to return. In other words, the emperor will not perform the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai within four years."

Zhang Xuansu nodded solemnly. He knew that it would take more than four years. Even if the emperor returned from the eastern expedition to Goguryeo, it would be impossible for him to prepare for the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai right away.

So this time will be even longer.

"Therefore, I would suggest to my father that before sending troops to Goguryeo, he should offer sacrifices to Mount Song, no, at least he should offer sacrifices to Mount Song, so as to pray for God's protection and success in the war." Li Chengqian's expression became solemn. He knew that his father had never been able to successfully offer sacrifices to Mount Tai in his lifetime.

Not to mention the eastern expedition to Goguryeo in recent years, after returning from Goguryeo, the old injuries he suffered in his early years of fighting on the battlefield would immediately flare up.

When the time comes, how can I offer sacrifices to the gods on Mount Tai while lying in bed?

Not to mention the conquest of Goguryeo, which was fought back and forth three times. Of course, the troops were not even sent out for the third time.

In fact, starting from the cancellation of Fengshan this year, the emperor's energy during his lifetime will be focused on Goguryeo, and there will be no possibility of Fengshan on Mount Tai anymore.

Li Chengqian only provided the emperor with the option of offering sacrifices to the gods at Mount Song. As for when he would offer sacrifices to the gods at Mount Song, that was his own choice.

"Moreover, the Fengshan ceremony has not been completed this year. Mr. Zhang, do you think our father is not disappointed in his heart?" Zhang Xuansu was slightly stunned by Li Chengqian's last words, and then nodded.

"With this memorial," Li Chengqian said seriously, "at the end of next spring, when the Emperor is about to go on an eastern tour, then Mr. Zhang, the Crown Prince's Junior Secretary, will be able to smoothly take the next step in the matter of assisting the Eastern Palace."

"I understand." Zhang Xuansu bowed seriously.

"Well, now that Mr. Zhang is here, I'll leave all the internal and external affairs to Mr. Zhang, An Yan, and my two cousins. I can take a break."

"Here!"

……

As the day progressed, guests gradually arrived at the East Palace.

Many people were led into Cheng'en Hall in the backyard, and Li Chengqian received guests from inside and outside the hall.

Zhao Jie, dressed in a purple robe, knelt at the side of the table and looked at Li Chengqian and said, "The other day I met General Chai Zhewei of the Right Garrison. I couldn't help but think of our childhood days when we were all equals. Now that we meet again, I have to bow to him first, and I can't help but feel suffocated."

Zhao Jie was the son of Princess Guiyang and inherited the title of his father, Zhao Cijing, Duke of Kaihua County.

Chai Zhewei was Princess Pingyang's eldest son and inherited the title of his father, Chai Shao, Duke of Qiao.

Zhao Jie, Duke of Kaihua, and Chai Zhewei, Duke of Qiao, were both sons of princesses, but one was a duke and the other a duke. Both were nephews of the emperor, so Zhao Jie couldn't help but feel some resentment in his heart.

It wasn't just Chai Zhewei. The sons of Duke Ji Duan Lun and Duke Shen Dou Dan all played with each other when they were young.

Thinking about the fact that he would be the first to greet others when they meet in the future, and that there would be many such things in the future, Zhao Jie felt more and more uncomfortable.

In his previous life, the reason why Zhao Jie got involved in Li Chengqian's affairs was for the position of Duke.

"The past cannot be reversed." Li Chengqian shook his head slightly, looked at Zhao Jie and said, "Although the emperor has admiration for me, it is only in private. When it comes to government affairs, the emperor values ​​ability more. Apart from others, Chai Zhewei's ability is probably higher than your cousin's. If your cousin wants to surpass him, he has no choice but to become a prime minister. After that, he can also be granted the title of Duke."

Zhao Ji's eyes twitched slightly, but he immediately gave a wry smile and said, "If I had that kind of ability, I wouldn't have to worry about these things."

If you want to be arrogant because of your talent, you must first have talent.

Zhao Jie thought that he was far inferior to Chai Zhewei in this respect.

"I will ask you a few questions. As long as you can answer them, you will definitely not be inferior to Chai Zhewei in front of our father." Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows.

"Your Highness, may I ask?" Zhao Jie looked at Li Chengqian with some curiosity. What method could he use to make his weight in the emperor's heart higher than Chai Zhewei?

"First, how much has the total tax amount in Yangzhou increased this year compared to last year?" Li Chengqian looked solemn.

Zhao Jie was stunned. If the question was about the total amount of taxes this year, he could still barely give a number, but he had forgotten last year's number.

"Second, how many criminal cases have there been in Yangzhou this year? How many are serious cases? How many are minor cases? How many have been sentenced to death or exile?"

Zhao Jie's face had turned a little ugly.

"Third, how many farmlands are there in Yangzhou this year, and how much new land has been reclaimed?" Li Chengqian looked at Zhao Jie, who had a grim expression on his face.

Now, there was no need for Zhao Jie to say anything, Li Chengqian already knew the answer.

Zhao Jie suddenly turned over and kowtowed to Li Chengqian, saying, "Your Highness, I have failed in my duty."

Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said, "It's okay for me to behave like this today, but if the emperor asks about it someday, I'm afraid I'll be dismissed and demoted." "I understand. I'm at fault." Zhao Jie bowed heavily. Li Chengqian's questions really made him realize the gap between himself and Chai Zhewei.

"My cousin, starting tomorrow, gather the assistants at home and sort out these things." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian continued, "Once these are sorted out, next year, when my cousin goes to the local areas, as long as he can make some progress in clarifying the local affairs, then we can report to the emperor..."

"Your Majesty will certainly praise me." Zhao Jie nodded vigorously and said, "After that, who among them would dare to give me a cold shoulder?"

Li Chengqian couldn't help but smile.

Zhao Jie, Wang Jingzhi, Li Yuanchang and others arrived one after another, and Li Chengqian met them one by one.

……

In Cheng'en Hall, former Prince's Secretary Wang Ye, former Prince's Secretary Wei Gui, former Prince's Secretary Liu Yingdao and others walked out of Cheng'en Hall one after another.

Li Chengqian had just seen off Zhang Daxiang, the attendant of the Crown Prince of Tan, and his brother Zhang Da'an, when Li Anyan immediately entered the hall and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, the Prince of Jin has arrived."

"Oh!" Li Chengqian stood up immediately. At this time, Li Zhi, Xu Shuya, Li Yifu and others walked in from outside. They immediately bowed and said, "Your Highness, we pay our respects to the Crown Prince."

"Today, it's a family matter, so no need for formalities." Li Chengqian looked at Li Zhi and said, "Zhi Nu, where is Si Zi?"

"My dear brother, Sizi is with the emperor." Li Zhi saluted seriously and said, "Sizi and the emperor will come over in a while."

"I see." Li Chengqian nodded, looked at Li Yifu and said, "I would like to thank the Censor for giving me a lot of advice during this period. With you assisting the Prince of Jin, I feel very at ease here."

"Your Highness praises me." Li Yifu was an insightful person. He knew that Li Chengqian said this to avoid suspicion from Li Zhi.

After all, Li Yifu is now the secretary of Prince Jin, and it would be somewhat taboo for him to get too close to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian nodded, looked at Li Zhi and said, "Zhi Nu, go see Fu Chang'er first. Then have Li Qing take Zhi Nu to talk to Zhao Jie, Wang Jingzhi and the others about local affairs. As for the other young people in the Eastern Palace, Zhi Nu should also get to know them better."

"I obey your command." A hint of joy flashed in Li Zhi's eyes.

……

"The Emperor will inquire about the Guangzhou matter in a few days." Li Chengqian looked at Su Liangsi, who had just returned from Guangzhou, and said, "In the next few days, you should prepare everything carefully. You must be familiar with all the details. If this matter succeeds, we will move forward. If not, I am afraid it will be affected."

"I understand." Su Liangsi nodded seriously. The case of Guangzhou Governor Dang Renhong's corruption was far more complicated than people imagined.

At this moment, Li Anyan appeared at the door: "Your Highness, His Majesty has arrived."

Li Chengqian immediately stood up, and then called Su Shu, Zheng Shuang'er and Li Di from the inner hall, Li Xiang and Li Jue, and went to Chongde Gate together to welcome the emperor.

"Your Majesty, we are here to pay our respects. May Your Majesty live forever." All the court officials in the East Palace bowed their heads solemnly to the ground.

The emperor walked out of Chongde Gate, accompanied by Consort Wei, as well as several princesses including Jinyang, Chengyang and Gaoyang. Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Gao Shilian, Li Tai and others also followed him.

Li Shimin stopped and looked at the entire palace, especially Li Zhi.

He saw clearly that Li Zhi was with Zhao Jie, Wang Jingzhi, Li Yuanchang, Dai Zhide, Li Dejian and others.

Those are the prince's confidants.

The emperor's gaze fell on Li Chengqian, and he nodded and said, "Stand up."

"Thank you, Father." Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief and stood up. He nodded calmly to the others and finally looked at Li Xin and said, "Xin'er, go play with your cousins."

Li Xin smiled and nodded, then ran towards Li Xiang and Li Jue. The children immediately started playing and fighting in low voices.

Li Chengqian bowed and said, "Father, the golden lock, golden chain, and colorful rope are all ready. Please come into the back hall and take a look."

"Hmm!" Li Shimin withdrew his gaze from Li Xin, Li Xiang and Li Jue, and then followed Li Chengqian into the back hall.

"Didn't Prime Minister Wei come today?" Li Chengqian couldn't help but ask as he walked.

"He caught a cold last night." Li Shimin sighed lightly.

"Then I will go to visit Prime Minister Wei on behalf of the Emperor tomorrow. He has been very helpful to me this year."

"it is good."

……

In Cheng'en Hall, Li Shimin looked at the memorial in his hand, looked at Li Chengqian puzzledly and asked, "Enshrinement at Mount Song?"

"Yes!" Li Chengqian bowed and said, "As far as I know, many ancient emperors performed Fengshan rituals on Mount Tai, and later on Mount Song, so I asked Mr. Zhang to sort it out in detail."

"I'm going to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song. Cheng Qian, do you think I can't perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai?" The emperor frowned tightly.

"What are you talking about, Father?" Li Chengqian looked up in surprise and said, "I just felt that your Majesty's Fengshan at Mount Tai was not going well this year, so I made up the idea of ​​Fengshan at Mount Song to help you relieve your boredom."

"Before the army sets out, I will offer sacrifices to the gods at Mount Song." Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian deeply and said quietly, "Prince, do you still think I can't offer sacrifices to the gods at Mount Tai..."

Li Chengqian knelt down with a thump. Finally, he looked up and said, startlingly, "Yes, I don't think your Majesty can perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai. And not just your Majesty. I don't think anyone in the three generations of the Tang Dynasty could perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai."

"Within three generations, not even you can do it?" Li Shimin frowned tightly and asked, "Why, why do you think so?"

Li Chengqian sighed deeply and lowered his head. Finally, he looked up and said sincerely, "Population, Father. During the heyday of the Sui Dynasty, the world had a population of nearly 60 million, while the Tang Dynasty now has only 15 million. Your Majesty's achievements in civil and military affairs are indeed comparable to those of the Qin and Han emperors, but with insufficient population, how can Heaven comfort us?"

Li Chengqian's words left Li Shimin completely silent.

The lack of a basic population base is its biggest flaw.

"That's why you think I should perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song instead." Li Shimin finally spoke again.

"Yes!" Li Chengqian kowtowed again.

"So, if you ascend the throne as emperor, you won't perform the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai?"

Facing the emperor's stern gaze, Li Chengqian smiled bitterly and said, "This son is not as good as the emperor in everything... This son thinks the emperor can set down a family precept that the emperor of the Tang Dynasty cannot perform the Fengshan ceremony if the population of the country is less than 50 million."

Li Shimin stared at Li Chengqian deeply, and finally he said, "Sixty million."

"Yes!"

……

On the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, at the residence of Wei Zheng, Duke of Zheng.

The yellow-covered carriage drove directly into the backyard.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Crown Princess are here to pay their respects." At Wei Zheng's home, everyone except Wei Zheng who was bedridden came to welcome Li Chengqian and Su Shu.

"Everyone, please stand up." Li Chengqian smiled and looked towards the bedroom.

Inadvertently, a shy, curious young lady who had just raised her head suddenly caught Li Chengqian's sight.

(End of this chapter)