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

Chapter 289 Empress Xiao (First Update)
The second day of the first lunar month, the nineteenth year of Zhenguan.

Standing beside the lake in the backyard of Prince Jin's Mansion, Li Zhi looked at his tall reflection in the water with a faint smile on his face.

He is now eighteen years old.

"Your Highness!" Ji Jiafu stood behind Li Zhi and bowed gently, saying, "The Crown Prince has gone to the Temple of Heaven to offer sacrifices."

"I understand." Li Zhi's expression turned cold.

The emperor issued an edict, fearing that the ancestors of heaven and earth would be blamed for the inadequate sacrifices, so he ordered the prince to offer sacrifices to the ancestors of heaven and earth on the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month and the second day of the first lunar month.

It would be fine if he just led the kings to offer sacrifices to the Xianling Mausoleum on the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month, but offering sacrifices to heaven and earth on the second day of the first lunar month has always been the emperor's privilege!

Li Zhi took a deep breath, his expression calmed down, and asked, "What else has happened outside recently?"

"It's about the Buddhist monk returning to Chang'an." After a brief pause, Ji Jiafu said, "It is said that he arrived in Chang'an on the fifth day of the first lunar month."

"That's quite fast!" Li Zhi leaned slightly to the side and said thoughtfully, "If I remember correctly, my father's imperial edict arrived in Chang'an on the 26th, right? Even if it was an express 600-li journey, it should have just arrived in Shazhou on the first day. So it returned to Chang'an from Shazhou in the past five days?"

"I heard that the mage traveled 60,000 miles for 17 years. Perhaps he possesses some magical powers." Ji Jiafu looked at Li Zhi cautiously and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, there have been quite a few Buddhist monks surrounding the palace recently..."

"Don't pay any attention to me!" Li Zhi's face suddenly turned cold.

"Your Highness?" Ji Jiafu looked confused.

"Father doesn't like Buddhism." Li Zhi turned around, looked at the lake before him, and shook his head. "Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, starting with my grandfather, we have always respected Taoism and suppressed Buddhism. Especially in the last years of the Wude era, when the Grand Historian Fu Yi proposed a petition to abolish Buddhism. Although my grandfather didn't agree, he eventually issued the Edict to promote Taoism first and Buddhism later, clearly stating that Taoism was superior to Confucianism and Buddhism."

"Yes!" Ji Jiafu suddenly realized.

"Not only that, my grandfather almost abolished Buddhism." Li Zhi sneered and said, "Buddhism and Prince Yin are very close. The subsequent Yang Wenguang incident was also due to their influence.

Among them, the Buddhist Falin sect was particularly prominent, causing great chaos. My grandfather finally issued the "Edict to Eliminate Monks and Taoists" on the grounds that the temples and monasteries in the capital were not peaceful enough. However, when my father succeeded to the throne, he did not implement it, perhaps for the sake of stability.

Ji Jiafu bowed slightly. He had no idea that such a big thing was going on here.

"Since my father ascended the throne, he has clearly stated that Taoist priests and nuns are superior to monks and nuns. The Buddhist community has had many disputes and has won many victories, but unfortunately, they said the wrong thing." Li Zhi raised his head and looked at the sky above him. He said softly, "Falin once said that the Li family of the Tang Dynasty are not descendants of Laojun, but people who changed their names by the Hu people. 'The descendants of Laojun are actually the seedlings of the left path.' Humph!"

"They deserve to die!" Ji Jiafu nodded and bowed.

Li Zhi said softly, "The Tang Dynasty Li family is indeed a descendant of the Longxi Li family. However, during the Five Barbarians' invasion of China, they were forced to change their surnames to Hu. This happened to countless other noble families in the north, including Cui, Lu, and Zheng. The Buddhist sect's claim angered not only my father, but also all the powerful families. In the end, my father convicted Falin and exiled him to Yizhou, where he died en route."

"Yes!" Ji Jiafu was still young at the time and didn't know about this court case, but Li Zhi knew it clearly.

"There's something very interesting. Monk Falin's surname is Chen, and I heard that Master Xuanzang's surname is also Chen." Li Zhi smiled and said, "During the Yongjia Southern Migration, countless aristocratic families migrated south. The ancestors of these two families had close ties to Buddhism. Perhaps they are actually from the same family."

Ji Jiafu bowed slightly, not knowing what to say for a moment.

"Now that Master Xuanzang has returned, I'm bound to have to talk about these things. I'll let my brother worry about them." Li Zhi looked at the lake in front of him and said softly, "Anyway, I've done what I should do. All that's left is to study in peace."

Li Baiyao became the chief secretary of Prince Jin.

Although Li Zhi had tried his best to be well-behaved, he could still see that Li Baiyao came just to "teach" him.

Li Baiyao had no intention of becoming one with the Prince of Jin's mansion.

Under such circumstances, Li Zhi had to be on guard against Li Baiyao.

Especially since he came from the East Palace.

Maybe he was keeping an eye on me for the prince.

It is inevitable to be careful.

Of course, if Li Zhi could dispel the "misunderstanding" of himself by the Minister of the Imperial Clan Affairs Ministry by being well-behaved for a year, or even get him to speak for him, then he would make a lot of money.

"Go ahead and do your work. Tell the princess not to get close to those Buddhists. No one in the palace is allowed to get close to those Buddhists." Li Zhi waved his hand.

Ji Jiafu bowed and retreated.

Li Zhi looked at the reflection on the lake. He knew his father best.

Although the emperor was only slightly close to Taoism on the surface, he actually had strong trust in Taoism and was very wary of Buddhism.

Only Li Tai could not see the pros and cons here.

Royal brother, what about you?
……

It’s the fourth day of the first lunar month and the sun is shining brightly.

In the Wude Hall, the stove was warm.

Li Chengqian sat on the couch, carefully reviewing the memorial.

It was quiet outside the hall.

Suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall. Li Chengqian couldn't help but frowned and put down the brush in his hand.

"Your Highness!" Xu An bowed outside the hall, then said, "The Crown Prince's servant Yao Chuping requests an audience."

Li Chengqian was slightly stunned, raised his hand and said, "Ask him in."

Yao Chuping, dressed in a green official robe, walked into the hall and bowed to Li Chengqian, saying, "Your Highness!"

"Is there something?" Li Chengqian leaned back slightly.

"Yes!" Yao Chuping bowed and said, "I wonder if Your Highness has heard of this matter?"

"What's the matter?"

"Duke Song wants to send his granddaughter to a Buddhist temple to become a nun." Yao Chuping said this and bowed solemnly.

Li Chengqian sat up straight immediately, looked at Yao Chuping, and asked through gritted teeth, "The daughter of the Minister of the Imperial Household and the Imperial Sister of Xiangcheng?"

"Yes!" Yao Chuping nodded, then said, "Master Xuanzang will return to Chang'an tomorrow, and in order to pay homage to the Buddha, the Duke of Song wants to send the Minister of the Imperial Household and the second daughter of Princess Xiangcheng to a Buddhist temple to become nuns as a sign of his sincerity."

With a loud bang, Li Chengqian slammed his palm on the table, then shouted angrily, "Call him here, call him here now. If he doesn't come, I will tie him up."

"Yes!" Yao Chuping bowed, then turned around and left quickly.

Li Chengqian clenched his fists tightly. Princess Xiangcheng was two years older than him. When they were young, it was Princess Xiangcheng who often took Li Chengqian to play together.

The relationship between them is very good. Her daughter is Li Chengqian's niece.

Princess Xiangcheng and Xiao Rui now have two sons and two daughters, and the youngest daughter is only three years old.

Only someone like Xiao Yu could do such a thing as sending his three-year-old granddaughter to become a nun.

His own eldest daughter was sent to Buddhism when she was three years old.
After that came the third daughter, who became a nun at the age of thirteen.

The fifth daughter became a nun at the age of sixteen.

His fifth daughter is even two years younger than Li Chengqian.

However, Li Chengqian had no control over Xiao Yu's own daughter, but he would absolutely not allow Princess Xiangcheng's daughter.

People of royal blood and royal bones are absolutely not allowed to become nuns easily.

If she were older, married, and had children, she would be free to do as she pleased, but they were only three years old...

Li Chengqian slammed his fist on the table again with a "bang".

When the guards and officials outside the hall heard Li Chengqian's angry voice, they all lowered their heads.

……

Xiao Yu, dressed in a purple official robe, hurried towards the Wude Hall.

Yao Chuping followed behind Xiao Yu, always keeping his head down.

When he arrived outside the Wude Hall, Xiao Yu stopped and looked at the silent Wude Hall. He couldn't help but turn around and glare at Yao Chuping.

Yao Chuping kept his head down and didn't dare to speak.

Xiao Yu took a deep breath. He knew that Yao Chuping must have been found by Xiao Rui.

Yao Chuping was from Hangzhou. With Xiao Jun, the Crown Prince's Secretary, taking up the post of Chief Clerk of Luozhou, Yao Chuping was the only one who could convey the news to the Crown Prince as quickly as possible.

After calming himself down again, Xiao Yu stepped into the Wude Hall.

As soon as he entered the hall, Xiao Yu carefully looked at Li Chengqian who was sitting on the couch. The prince's anger had spread throughout the palace in a very short time.

However, what was strange was that when Xiao Yu saw Li Chengqian, Li Chengqian's expression had already calmed down.

"Your Majesty, Minister Xiao Yu, pays homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Xiao Yu bowed earnestly to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian nodded slightly and waved his hand, saying, "Duke Song, please take a seat. Someone, serve tea."

Li Chengqian looked at Xiao Yu calmly, but the calmer his gaze was, the more uneasy Xiao Yu felt.

Xiao Yu knelt down respectfully on the left side, then bowed to Li Chengqian again and said, "Your Highness!"

Li Chengqian nodded slightly, then said, "Duke Song, you are an old minister. Do you still remember how many times the emperor father has attempted to perform Fengshan?"

Xiao Yu was slightly taken aback, then he saluted and said, "Three times. The first time was in the fourth year of Zhenguan. The country was prosperous and the barbarians were submissive. Your Majesty was given the title of 'Heavenly Khan'. Your Majesty wanted to perform Fengshan, but later gave up because the country was just beginning to be stabilized. The second time was in the eleventh year of Zhenguan. The ministers requested it again, but unfortunately, there were heavy rains in the early autumn. Luoyang was almost flooded, and more than 6,000 officials and civilians drowned..."

"The third time was in the fifteenth year of the Zhenguan reign." Li Chengqian looked up at Xiao Yu and said, "But it happened to be due to the great epidemic in Zezhou and the war with Xueyantuo, so it finally stopped."

"Yes!" Xiao Yu cupped his hands and said, "I was not in the capital during the third time."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Father has attempted to enshrine the Buddha three times, but for various reasons, it always failed. Has Duke Song ever considered the reasons?"

"What was the reason for the three failed Fengshan ceremonies?" Xiao Yu was slightly stunned, then carefully bowed and said, "The first time was due to Wei Zheng's opposition, the second was a natural disaster, and the third was a plague..."

At the end of his words, Xiao Yu inexplicably sensed that something was wrong, frowned, and completely restrained his voice.

"I've discussed this matter with my father," Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "Three attempts at enshrinement and zen, but it ultimately failed. It's most likely because Heaven doesn't allow it."

"Your Highness!" Xiao Yu couldn't help but interrupt Li Chengqian. Such words cannot be said casually.

"It's alright. This happened several years ago. Father didn't take it seriously, so you don't need to worry about it either." Li Chengqian waved his hand calmly, then looked at Xiao Yu and said, "I discussed this with Father. The reason Heaven didn't approve of it is because Father doesn't have the qualifications for the Fengshan ceremony..."

Xiao Yu's expression couldn't help but change slightly.

"And the reason for this is that the Tang Dynasty currently lacks a large population." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian sighed and said, "In the early years of the Sui Dynasty, the population of the empire was 50 million, but now in the Tang Dynasty, the population is less than 15 million. In comparison, my father has been extremely wise, but the Tang Dynasty is far from a prosperous era. Do you agree, Duke?"

Xiao Yu lowered his head, cupped his hands and said with a bitter expression: "I dare not speak carelessly."

"Don't worry, Duke. Even the Emperor would agree with this." Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "So the Emperor's Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo was to bring back the people who were displaced from Goguryeo during Yang Guang's three expeditions. This would lay the foundation for the future population development of the Tang Dynasty."

"Yes!" Xiao Yu nodded slightly. He was Yang Guang's brother-in-law, so of course he knew all these things.

"Population, population, population." Li Chengqian repeated this three times in a row before staring at Xiao Yu and saying, "Duke Song, my father has been fighting in Liaodong for the sake of population. I've also been focusing on agriculture and sericulture to ensure the people have enough food and clothing. I've been doing my best, but there are still people who are holding me back..."

"Your Highness, I..." Xiao Yu suddenly looked up. He had understood what Li Chengqian meant, but Li Chengqian linked this matter to the emperor's eastern expedition, and Xiao Yu didn't know what to say for a moment.

"I have always revered the Buddha, but I have always had some objections to the Buddhist rules. Unfortunately, I cannot control the Buddhist sect or its rules. However..." Li Chengqian suddenly shouted angrily, slamming the table, "But I can control the ministers of the Tang Dynasty, especially the officials."

"Your Highness, please calm down!" Xiao Yu bowed, then looked at Li Chengqian and said, "Your Highness, this matter concerns only me..."

"You are the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the Prime Minister, the Duke of the current dynasty, and the leader of all the scholars in the south of the Yangtze River. You want to send your granddaughter to become a Buddhist nun. Have you ever thought about how many scholars in the world will follow your example?

In one year, three years, five years, ten years, at least thousands of women without cause will be sent to become Buddhist nuns, and the population growth of the Tang Dynasty will stagnate."

Li Chengqian pointed at Xiao Yu and said coldly, "Duke Song, you are the most sinner in the world. If our father cannot perform the Fengshan ceremony, you are one of the main culprits. Are you deliberately trying to prevent our father from performing the Fengshan ceremony?"

"Your Highness!" Xiao Yu immediately knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "I don't have such thoughts."

"No, that's great. Then let's leave it at that for this time regarding sending our granddaughter to Buddhism." Li Chengqian simply waved his hand.

Xiao Yu knelt on the ground, silent for a long time.

"Why, you still don't want to?" Li Chengqian narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke in a faint voice.

"Your Highness!" Xiao Yu kowtowed, then said, "I would never have wished to send my granddaughter to Buddhism, but I am doing this because my elder sister is old. I am sending my granddaughter to the temple to pray for her. I beg for your permission, Your Highness."

Eldest sister, Empress Xiao,

(End of this chapter)