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

Chapter 199: King Wei Returns to the Capital, Unable to Move Forward (Part )
The small courtyard of the post station, the study in the west wing.

Behind the exquisite desk, Li Tai, dressed in a dark black robe, held a brush in his hand and wrote an article calmly and fluently.

Preface to the Lanting Collection.

The emperor's favorite was "Preface to the Lanting Collection", but unfortunately, the only copies circulating in the world today are copies from past dynasties, and no one knows where the original copy is.

"Bang bang bang!" There was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Li Tai calmly put down the brush, looked up and saw Chai Lingwu walking in.

Chai Lingwu bowed to Li Tai and said, "Your Highness."

"Cousin, has the stuff been delivered?" Li Tai walked to the wooden rack next to him and washed his hands.

Chai Lingwu bowed earnestly and said, "It has been delivered.

Today, Madam Zhang was offering sacrifices to the mountain god at Mount Hua, accompanied by a dozen servants... I have placed them in the place designated by Your Highness."

As he spoke, Chai Lingwu pulled a scroll from his sleeve and handed it over, adding, "This is a painting of a Huashan immortal. Legend has it that an immortal riding a donkey upside down was spotted on the treacherous Huashan path, and later painted it. The immortal traverses the steep path as if it were flat ground, like an immortal."

Li Tai took it, opened it, took a look, and said with a smile, "The painting skills are ordinary, but the meaning is good. It's a perfect gift for my father as a New Year's gift."

Chai Lingwu cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, what's in that box... may I ask?"

"Of course!" Li Tai glanced at Chai Lingwu meaningfully and said, "There's a root-carved Buddha statue in there. The Zhang family also has a root-carved Buddha statue from Jiangnan. My people will exchange them and send them to the East Palace. As for what's deeper, you don't need to know, cousin. Knowing too much is not a good thing."

"Yes!" Chai Lingwu's mouth twitched slightly. He was the one who sent all the things. If there was something in it, he would be involved.

……

"By the way, cousin, what is the current situation in Chang'an City?" Li Tai put down the scroll and looked at Chai Lingwu.

"It's still about the Goguryeo expedition." Chai Lingwu said seriously, "Goguryeo is in turmoil, and the people generally believe that this is the best time to invade Goguryeo. In taverns and teahouses every day, people talk about how to avenge the shame of Yang Guang's three expeditions to Goguryeo... After all, the people in Guandong were the main force in the Goguryeo expedition back then, and many of them had their fathers, grandfathers, and brothers killed in that battle. Although they hate Yang Guang, they hate Goguryeo even more."

"What about the court?"

"The court is leaning towards caution." Chai Lingwu shook his head slightly and said, "During the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo, we have Yang Guang's lesson. Although the Tang Dynasty is now at its peak, to be honest, victory is possible, but the Tang Dynasty may also pay a heavy price, which will ultimately affect the court situation."

"Warfare is dangerous!" Li Tai sighed softly, then asked, "So what's the attitude of the East Palace?"

"The Crown Prince agrees with the eastern expedition to Goguryeo, and he has no objection to Your Majesty personally leading the expedition. As for more details, the Eastern Palace has said little to the public." Chai Lingwu shook his head and said, "The Crown Prince has been very respectful to Your Majesty in recent years, and has rarely done anything to anger Your Majesty."

Li Tai looked at Chai Lingwu and asked, "Cousin, what do you think about the eastern expedition to Goguryeo?"

"We can conquer Goguryeo, but whether Your Majesty can personally lead the expedition is still a matter of debate." Chai Lingwu bowed and said solemnly, "After all, Your Majesty has a lifetime of renown!"

Chai Lingwu was worried that the emperor's reputation would be ruined in the battle with Goguryeo.

After a brief pause, Chai Lingwu looked at Li Tai and asked, "What about Your Highness? What do you think?"

"Father is bound to launch an eastern expedition." Li Tai looked at Chai Lingwu, chuckled softly, and said, "When Yang Guang launched his third expedition to Goguryeo, he was also around 43 years old, the same age as Father. Yang Guang could launch his third expedition to Goguryeo, so why can't Father? Father doesn't want to be inferior to Yang Guang."

Throughout his life, the emperor was no less than anyone else.

It was this point that destined the emperor to personally lead the eastern expedition.

Chai Lingwu nodded, then said, "Will Your Highness say the same thing when he sees His Majesty?"

"Of course, what Father needs most right now is the support of the other princes. I, of course, cannot hold Father back." Li Tai paused briefly, then looked toward the window and door and said, "As for those unpleasant words, naturally, it will be Prince Wu who will speak. I, the prince, will then offer a few words of advice to Father to be cautious."

Prince Wu Li Ke was Yang Guang's grandson.

Li Ke's identity meant that he could never easily agree with the emperor on this matter, so he had to say the unpleasant words.

When Li Ke said unpleasant things, Li Tai flattered him, which actually made Li Tai win the emperor's favor.

Although it may not look or sound that good, it is the best way to do it.

"Yes!" Chai Lingwu bowed slightly, but he couldn't help but look a little disappointed.

He originally thought that Li Tai could come up with something substantial, but now it seems that Li Tai is still the same Li Tai.

……

"After the audience with His Majesty, I will go to see the Crown Prince." Li Tai looked up and sneered softly, "It's been a long time since I last saw the Crown Prince. I really miss you!"

Chai Lingwu lowered his head subconsciously. You brothers are fighting with each other, but you have involved all of us.

But Chai Lingwu had no choice. Now he was the Sima of King Wei, and his relationship with Li Tai was even closer than before.

Li Tai lowered his head, his expression becoming indifferent. He looked at Chai Lingwu and said, "Cousin, this time when I returned to the capital, besides staying as close to my father as possible, I also hope to meet with Duke Chen in private."

Chai Lingwu suddenly looked up and said in surprise, "Your Highness, the secret of Duke Chen's Mansion has not yet been fully investigated. How can we meet him?"

"The emperor is going to march east to attack Goguryeo... Cousin, what do you think Duke Chen will think?" Li Tai lowered his head and looked at the scroll on the table.

"Duke Chen has privately communicated with the generals, hoping that everyone will support Your Majesty's Eastern Expedition." Chai Lingwu shook his head and said, "Actually, he doesn't need to say it. All the soldiers in the army will follow Your Majesty unconditionally. Why would he need to say it?"

"No, he wasn't saying that. He was telling Father that he, Hou Junji, also hopes to accompany Father on the Eastern Expedition." Li Tai directly pointed out Hou Junji's thoughts and sneered, "However, Hou Junji never saw clearly that Father would not allow him to go."

"Your Majesty, don't you trust Duke Chen?" Chai Lingwu frowned, then asked carefully, "If Your Majesty doesn't trust Duke Chen, then you wouldn't feel safe keeping him in Chang'an. Could it be that Your Majesty will transfer Duke Chen out of Chang'an before the Eastern Expedition?"

"That's the most likely scenario." Li Tai looked up and said, "Grand Commander of Yangzhou, Grand Commander of Jingzhou, Grand Commander of Bingzhou, Grand Commander of Yizhou—all are possible. Being transferred from the Minister of Personnel to the position of Grand Commander of a local area is a promotion."

Chai Lingwu nodded, then sighed softly that once Hou Junji was transferred out, he would be further and further away from the position of prime minister.

"The Minister of Personnel is a third-rank official, while the regional commander-in-chief is a second-rank official. This transfer is theoretically justifiable, and with your father on his eastern expedition, local stability is even more crucial." Li Tai sneered softly and said, "And your father will surely be able to convince Duke Chen."

Chai Lingwu nodded, there was no need to say more about the emperor's ability.

"So, I want to meet Duke Chen. He has been a coward for so many years. It's time to reveal the secret he has hidden in the backyard of his mansion. It's also time to let him know that he can never become the prime minister." Li Tai's face darkened.

Chai Lingwu nodded slowly with a serious expression.

Hou Junji had spent the past two years stuck in his positions as Minister of Personnel and Chief Clerk of Yongzhou, a position he undoubtedly harbored resentment. His only hope now lay in accompanying the Emperor on the Eastern Expedition. But if he were to tell Hou Junji the truth, knowing he would never become Prime Minister, Chai Lingwu didn't dare to imagine how he would react.

So what happens next? Hou Junji and Li Tai must be connected.

With Hou Junji's support, Li Tai would certainly not lose to the crown prince in any aspect, and his chances of competing for the throne would be greater.

"Your Highness, if the Crown Prince promised Duke Chen something..."

"My royal brother wouldn't dare. If he dares to make any random promises, I will write a letter to impeach him for treason." Li Tai sneered disdainfully.

Li Tai went one step further and wanted to become the crown prince, and the crown prince went one step further and wanted to do something.

"Cousin!" Li Tai suddenly looked at Chai Lingwu.

"I'm here!" Chai Lingwu immediately bowed.

Li Tai looked deeply at Chai Lingwu and said, "Cousin, Qingque needs the assistance of Duke Chen, but cousin, Qingque needs your help even more. Your full support."

"Yes!" Chai Lingwu bowed his head, and he couldn't help but think of Zhang Liang in the depths of his eyes.

Li Tai didn't need his help, he needed Zhang Liang's help.

For some reason, Chai Lingwu felt as if Li Tai had tied him up completely with countless tight silk threads.

Then pulled into the abyss.

……

East Palace, Chongjiao Hall.

Li Tai, Li Ke, and Li You stood side by side and bowed earnestly to Li Chengqian, who was sitting in a black wheelchair, saying, "Your humble servants pay their respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Chengqian looked at the three of them, raised his hand and said with a smile: "No need to be polite, we are all brothers."

"Thank you, Your Highness!" The three of them bowed at the same time and then stood up.

Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "Please sit down, everyone. You've all had a hard time coming back. How are you? Have you met the Emperor?"

"I have already paid my respects to the Emperor." Li Tai sat down at the upper left, then looked at Li Chengqian and said, "But the Emperor seems to be preoccupied with Goguryeo right now. I only said a few words before he chased me out."

"Really?" Li Chengqian looked at Li Ke and said seriously, "Sanlang, there are some things that other people can say, but you can't say a single word!"

"My dear brother!" Li Ke couldn't help but look up, and said stubbornly, "My dear brother..."

"King Wu!" Li Tai interrupted Li Ke coldly.

Li Chengqian raised his head and frowned, "Sanlang, haven't you already said something?"

"When my brother met father before, he advised father not to use military force against Goguryeo. Father's face immediately turned gloomy. Prince Wei tried to persuade him a few times, but it was ineffective. Then the three of us were driven out by father." Li You looked at Li Ke and Li Tai with a sneer in his eyes.

Li Tai shook his head helplessly, but no one knew what he was thinking in his heart.

Li Chengqian took in everyone's gaze, then looked at Li Ke and said, "Sanlang, I know there are some things you can't help but say."

"Yes!" Li Ke nodded bitterly and said, "I didn't intend to say anything, but when I saw my father studying the map of Liaodong, I couldn't help it..."

Li Chengqian nodded solemnly, then looked at Li Ke and said, "After returning home, before the New Year, except for necessary social activities, try not to go out. If you can avoid socializing, try not to go out. This is good for you."

"Yes, thank you, my royal brother!" Li Ke quickly bowed.

Li Cheng smiled, then waved his hand and said, "I know there are some things you can't help but say. If you really don't say it, you won't be yourself anymore."

"Thank you for your understanding, my royal brother." Li Ke breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Chengqian turned to look at Li Tai, a look of scrutiny flashing in his eyes.

To be honest, he hoped that Li Tai could stand up and show some wisdom, and then gather all those who opposed the emperor's eastern expedition together to form a force. But now it seems that although Li Tai has some ability, he has little to offer in terms of actual content.
"Qingque, how is your sister-in-law doing now? She's been pregnant for more than seven months, right? The trip back from Chang'an was bumpy, but is everything okay?" Li Chengqian asked seriously and concernedly.

"I was feeling a little unwell, so I didn't come to the palace to meet my royal brother and sister-in-law." Li Tai quickly lowered his head.

"That's all right." Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "Your sister-in-law's health is the most important thing. I'll bring back some supplements from the Eastern Palace to help her recuperate. When we have time, I and the Crown Princess will go visit her."

"I dare not trouble my royal brother and sister-in-law. I have already asked my mother-in-law to come to the mansion to take care of me." Li Tai looked up and said with a smile, "This is not the first time."

"That's right!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Xin'er should have a brother."

"Yes!" Li Tai breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Chengqian looked at Li You and his expression became serious.

Li You quickly bowed: "Royal brother."

"Prince Qi has done quite well this year. At least you've met all that my father and I asked of you." Li Chengqian looked at Li You and said, "Last month, when my father and I discussed this, he said that Prince Qi was a teachable child. Prince Qi, you must keep up the good work!"

"Yes!" Li You immediately looked up with joy.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "However, governing a place requires a lot of attention. If you have time, you should visit the residence of the Imperial Censor more often. He can teach you a lot. Remember to listen carefully and learn, so that you can become a qualified local governor."

"I obey your command." Li You bowed, but his expression was a little embarrassed.

Li Tai, who was sitting at the top, lowered his head slightly, and a flash of resentment flashed across his eyes.

……

Watching the retreating figures of Li Tai, Li Ke, and Li You, Li Chengqian turned sideways and asked, "Have those people from Ganliang Road arrived yet?"

"We're here!" Li Anyan walked out from behind the palace gate and said, "They were blocked by the Duke of Ankang in Shazhou and had no choice but to come to Chang'an for help. I believe they will go to the King of Wei soon."

"Yeah!" Li Chengqian nodded slightly, with a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"Also, Your Highness, news has also come back from Jiangnan..."

(End of this chapter)