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

Chapter 196: Winning People’s Hearts Where the Emperor Can’t See (Part )
East Palace, Chongjiao Hall.

Li Chengqian sat on the couch, read the letter in his hand, then looked at the somewhat nervous Zhongshu Chief Secretary Li Huaiyan, and said gently, "How is the Ankang County Duke?"

"Uncle is doing well." Li Huaiyan stood in the hall and bowed earnestly, saying, "But uncle has just arrived in Shazhou and there are many things he needs to familiarize himself with."

"Shazhou is not far from Liangzhou. The Duke used to be the governor of Liangzhou. He should be very familiar with Shazhou, especially Dunhuang, right?" Li Chengqian asked subconsciously.

Li Xiyu was the younger brother of Li Xizhi, the governor of Guizhou and Duke of Shi'an.

Li Huaiyan is the son of Li Xizhi. He is currently the seventh-rank secretary of the Secretariat, ranking below the Tongshi Sheren.

Li Huaiyan bowed carefully and said, "My uncle has just returned from the grasslands and is still getting acquainted with Shazhou. However, I have written a letter specifically for you to present to Your Highness to thank you for your help!"

The reason why Li Huaiyan was so cautious was that he only brought a letter today and nothing else.

Li Chengqian lowered his head and glanced at the letter. In the letter, Li Xiyu expressed his gratitude to the prince for suggesting that he be exiled to the Western Regions army. If it were not for the prince's suggestion, Li Xiyu would not have been able to be reinstated from an exiled prisoner to become the governor of Shazhou in just a few months.

"It's none of my business. I just thought that the Duke of Ankang was a veteran general, and it would be a shame to exile him. Perhaps he could be of some use to the Western Regions." Li Chengqian waved his hand, then said solemnly, "Although the Duke has been reinstated, he must still abide by the law and not act recklessly."

"Yes!" Li Huaiyan immediately bowed and said, "After I return, I will write back to my uncle and inform him of your Highness's teachings!"

"Yeah!" Li Chengqian nodded and picked up the teacup.

"I'll take my leave!" Li Huaiyan immediately bowed.

……

Looking at Li Huaiyan's departing figure, Ma Zhou, who had been standing beside Li Chengqian without saying a word, said with emotion: "How cautious!"

"After being impeached, dismissed from office and exiled, even if you are reinstated, you must be more cautious." Li Chengqian shook his head slightly.

Ma Zhou turned to look at Li Chengqian and said, "Your Highness, I'm still a little confused. Although the Duke of Ankang has made military achievements, isn't it a bit too much to directly reinstate him as the governor of Shazhou?"

In the battle on the grassland north of Yinshan Mountain, Qibi Heli was rescued. Thousands of people from his tribe died on the battlefield, and even more were intercepted by the Tang Dynasty and brought back to the Great Wall, including his younger brother and mother.

Xueyantuo Zhenzhu Khan ran away, leaving behind two thousand cavalrymen to cover his retreat and ran away himself.

This battle did not achieve much actual results except preventing the Qibi tribe from surrendering to the Xueyantuo.

Moreover, the military merits had to be shared among Li Xiyu, Guo Xiaoke, Zhishisili and Su Dingfang.

If it fell on Li Xiyu alone, at most he would be reappointed as the Chief Clerk of Xizhou, or the Deputy Protector of Anxi, but it would definitely not be enough for him to be appointed as the Governor of Shazhou and be in charge of a state alone.

It is also a key location on the Silk Road like Shazhou, Dunhuang and Yumen.

Li Chengqian picked up Li Xiyu's letter again, handed it to Ma Zhou, and said, "Although there isn't much substance in this letter, it does give off a sense of redress. Perhaps Father realized that the Duke of Ankang was wrongly accused, and that's why he directly reinstated him as the Governor of Dunhuang."

Ma Zhou subconsciously read it carefully. Finally, he looked up and asked Li Chengqian in surprise, "Your Highness, have you known for a long time that the Duke of Ankang was wrongly accused?"

"I can't say he was wronged, but it's clear he was framed." Li Chengqian took the letter again and sighed, "The Duke of Ankang has always been honest, upright, and dignified, and he manages his household frugally. His greatest pride was using his salary to hire copyists, claiming it was enough to support his descendants. How could a man like him easily kill someone?"

Ma Zhou nodded slowly. He had heard of Li Xiyu's character, but this case was too real, the person was indeed dead, and many people were still making a fuss, so the only outcome was to dismiss Li Xiyu from office and exile him.

"If there really is an injustice here, do you think someone would try to kill the Duke of Ankang in Anxi?" Li Chengqian suddenly looked up at Ma Zhou.

Ma Zhou was stunned, then said solemnly, "Your Highness, do you mean Liangzhou?"

"I don't know." Li Chengqian shook his head and said with emotion: "I'm afraid only my father knows these things."

"Yes!" Ma Zhou nodded slowly.

……

Li Chengqian was lying on the bed in the Chongjiao Hall, snoring softly. Li Anyan came in from outside the hall and waved to the servants and waiters inside. Everyone immediately retreated quietly.

Li Anyan then stepped into the inner hall, then bowed and said softly, "Your Highness!"

"Has the person been sent away?" Li Chengqian turned around and looked at Li Anyan calmly.

"Yes!" Li Anyan bowed and said, "The young minister was here just now, so Li Huaiyan didn't dare to say anything more."

"What does the Longxi Li family have to say about this matter?" Li Chengqian asked directly.

"The clan is very grateful to Your Highness." Li Anyan bowed seriously with a solemn expression.

Although the Tang Dynasty royal family originated from the Longxi Li clan, only the emperor's branch within five generations was considered a royal family lineage. However, the Longxi Li clan also had several other branches, including Danyang, Wuyang, Guzang and Ankang.

In today's world, we can only say that the emperor's line is the main branch, and the other branches are side branches.

It is a side branch, not a secondary branch.

Even before the founding of the Tang Dynasty, they were aristocratic families on par with the royal family.

The Longxi Li family and the Zhaojun Li family are also among the five surnames and seven families.

The lineage of Li Jing, Duke of Weiguo, is the Danyang branch of the Longxi Li family. Moreover, during the early Sui Dynasty, Li Jing's reputation was even higher than that of Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan.

The Duke of Wuyang County, General Li Daliang of the Left Guard, was born in the Wuyang family.

Li Huaiyan's grandfather, Li Qianzhe, was a general of the Northern Zhou Dynasty and the governor of Jinzhou. He was born in the Ankang family and was granted the title of Duke of Ankang County.

Li Qianzhe's eldest son, Li Jingyou, was a former general of the Sui Dynasty, the Grand Commander, the Governor of Taizhou, and inherited the title of Duke of Ankang County.

Li Jingyou's eldest son, Li Xizhi, was the magistrate of Shi'an County in the former Sui Dynasty. He occupied Lingnan at the end of the Sui Dynasty. After entering the Tang Dynasty, he immediately surrendered and was granted the title of Duke of Shi'an County.

Li Xizhi's eldest son, Li Xuansi, is now a General of the Imperial Guard, and his second son, Li Huaiyan, has recently entered the officialdom and is the seventh-rank secretary of the Secretariat.

Li Xiyu was the military commander of Guanjun Mansion in the former Sui Dynasty. After entering the Tang Dynasty, he became the Shaoqing of Taifu, the Duke of Ankang County, the Governor of Luzhou, the Chief Secretary of Yangzhou Grand Marshal's Mansion, the Inspector of Jiangnan, the Minister of Taifu, the Governor of Liangzhou, the Governor of Tongzhou, and now the Governor of Shazhou.

"The clan has always been concerned about the dismissal and exile of Duke Ankang. Therefore, when Your Highness first suggested that Duke Ankang be exiled to Anxi to serve in the army, the clan expressed gratitude. Now that Duke Ankang has been appointed Governor of Shazhou, the clan is even more impressed by Your Highness's discerning vision." Li Anyan bowed earnestly. Although Li Anyan was born in Dunqiu, Henan, his ancestors were from Didao, Longxi, and he was a legitimate descendant of the Longxi Li family.

It’s just that the Longxi Li family is close to Emperor Gaozu.

Li Jing was once appointed as the Minister of War by Emperor Gaozu.

Therefore, many direct descendants of the Longxi Li family were actually very close to Crown Prince Li Jiancheng before the Xuanwu Gate, just like Li Anyan.

Therefore, in this dynasty, although the Longxi Li family was still valued, their relationship with the emperor was not close.

This is also the case with Li Xiyu. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that he was framed, but that is why the emperor eventually dismissed him from office and exiled him.

……

"You didn't say much when you sent Li Huaiyan off just now, right?" Li Chengqian sat up from the bed and looked at Li Anyan seriously.

"No!" Li Anyan bowed, then asked carefully, "Your Highness, do we really not need to do anything more?"

"No need!" Li Chengqian shook his head, looking forward calmly, and said, "Li Xiyu is in Liang Province. The only ones who can plot against him are the old-fashioned clans in Gansu and Liang. My father appointed the Duke of Ankang as the governor of Shazhou. He wants to strangle those people's trade with the Western Regions from Dunhuang. They will definitely be anxious."

Although the Ganliang family also headed eastward, their main focus was actually on the Silk Road.

But if Li Xiyu retaliates, they will suffer great losses.

It is hard to imagine how much the Shazhou governor, who came from the Longxi Li family, could do.

"By then, they'll undoubtedly become anxious and head east to Chang'an to find Zhang Liang." Li Chengqian looked up at Li Anyan and asked softly, "Do you think Zhang Liang would take care of this kind of thing?"

"No!" Li Anyan shook his head and said, "If my prediction is correct, Duke Xunguo will stay away. Although he is related to the Qinghe Zhang family, he is ultimately from a humble family. He will not and dare not interfere in the Longxi Li family's revenge this time."

"So, those people have to find someone else. Who do you think they will find?" Li Chengqian smiled lightly.

"Chai Lingwu, and King Wei." Li Anyan understood everything completely.

Zhang Liang did not dare to get involved in these matters, but Li Tai had no concerns at all.

"And right now, Qingque needs help from all sides. He'll grab any help he can get, especially from established families like Ganliang. They'll come together." Li Chengqian lowered his head and muttered to himself, "Especially if Li Xiyu presses harder in Shazhou, they'll..."

Li Anyan couldn't help but interrupt Li Chengqian: "Then what about the Duke of Xunguo?"

"Zhang Liang?" Li Chengqian raised his head and said softly, "After so many years, it's time for some things to backfire."

"Yes!"

……

In the Liangyi Hall, Li Chengqian sat calmly in a black wheelchair.

Qibi Heli, the Left Army General, kowtowed to the ground and wept bitterly before the Emperor on the steps, saying, "Your Majesty, I am guilty. I neglected the management of my tribe, which led to the current situation. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

Looking at Qibi Heli, whose left ear was wrapped in white cloth, Li Shimin's eyes were already red. He suppressed his emotion and said, "Your fault is not yours. Your loyalty to me and the Tang Dynasty is truly evident, and I am deeply grateful... I hereby decree that Qibi Heli, Duke of Guzang County, be promoted to Duke of Guzang Commandery and granted the title of General of the Right Guard."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace!" Qibi Heli kowtowed again, and the "bang bang bang" sound made even the floor make noises.

He raised his head, looked at the emperor, and sobbed, "Your Majesty, I am willing to give everything I have in exchange for the reduction of my mother and brother's crimes. Please, Your Majesty, grant me mercy."

Li Shimin's expression faded. He looked at Qibi Heli seriously and said, "I will relocate your mother and brothers to Jiannan Road, where they can spend their old age in peace in a slightly remote place. You don't have to worry about anything else. As for the rest, you have many relatives in the Tang Dynasty, including the Princess of Lintao, me, and the Crown Prince..."

Li Shimin turned and looked at Li Chengqian, who bowed slightly.

Li Shimin then looked at Qibi Heli and said, "You are in danger now. The Crown Prince, the Duke of Zhao, and the Duke of Liang all have great trust in you. Also, the Duke of An, Su Dingfang, Guo Xiaoke, Li Xiyu and others led their troops to the grasslands and rescued you directly. They are all your relatives."

"Yes!" Qibi Heli stood up from his kneeling position, then looked at Li Chengqian, Zhangsun Wuji, and Fang Xuanling, and said with tears in his eyes: "I thank His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the Duke of Zhao, and the Duke of Liang for their trust!"

In front of all the ministers in the hall, Qibi Heli kowtowed again.

"Alright, my dear, please rise." Li Shimin sat on the imperial couch and raised his hand slightly towards Qibi Heli. Then he looked at Zhishisili and said, "Duke Anguo, please take the Duke of Guzang away and let him recover. After he recovers, my dear, you will be of great use to me."

"I obey your command." Qibi Heli then restrained his expression a little, stood up and left the hall.

Looking at this tall man with tears in his eyes, the ministers felt a surge of emotion in their hearts.

Zhishisili bowed to the emperor, then followed Qibi Heli out of the hall.

……

On Suzaku Street, Zhishishili was riding on his horse. He looked at Qibi Heli, who still looked sad. He approached him, patted his shoulder, and said, "Let's go, let's go have a drink together. I have something to tell you."

Qibi Heli looked at Zhishisili in surprise and nodded, "Okay!"

Zhishisili brought Qibi Heli to the backyard of a private distillery, where someone brought over some prepared wine and food.

Zhishisili picked up the bowl, looked at Qibi Heli, and said seriously, "This time, the person you really have to thank is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince hadn't seen the strangeness in this, then even if His Majesty trusted you, under the doubts of Duke Zhao and Duke Liang, I'm afraid you..."

"Ah?" Qibi Heli had never expected this scene to happen.

"The reason Anxi was able to dispatch troops so quickly was because Ankang County Duke Li Xiyu was exiled to serve in the Western Regions." Zhishisili drained the wine in his bowl in one gulp before continuing, "The reason Ankang County Duke was exiled to the Western Regions was because of the Crown Prince's advice. Brother, you're incredibly lucky, otherwise His Majesty would have really been forced to trade the princess for you!"

Before Cui Dunli, the assistant minister of the Ministry of War, arrived north of the Yin Mountains, Qibi Heli had already been rescued, and the princess's matter naturally came to nothing.

Qibi Heli knew about this, but he didn't know that Li Xiyu had this kind of relationship with the prince.

Qibi Heli raised his glass and drank the wine in it in one gulp. Then he looked at Zhishisili and said with emotion: "Your Majesty is kind and the Crown Prince is wise. The Tang Dynasty has a successor!"

"Of course." Zhishisili nodded affirmatively.

(End of this chapter)