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

Chapter 321: It’s almost the th year of Zhenguan (Part )

The imperial carriage traveled west along the Yellow River.

Pass through Hangu Pass and Tong Pass, and enter Guanzhong.

The Wei River flows slowly and the fields are vast.

After returning to Guanzhong, the emperor's complexion improved visibly.

But at this time, he had already changed to six carriages again, with flags flying and spears standing in rows, heading towards Chang'an in an extremely solemn manner.

Li Chengqian, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, rode beside him on horseback. After returning to Guanzhong, he felt much more relaxed.

The Tang Dynasty ruled the world from Guanzhong.

The Tang Dynasty's generous treatment of the people in Guanzhong was extremely envied by the people in other regions.

It is only in recent years that Luoyang, Taiyuan and Chengdu have gradually caught up, and the contrast is not so stark.

But it is also because of this that the people in Hebei and Jiangnan seem to have a more difficult life.

In fact, it is indeed difficult.

The treatment of the people in Guanzhong has increased, but the taxes levied by the court cannot be reduced, so naturally the money needs to be compensated from other places.

These places are Hebei and Jiangnan.

Li Chengqian held the reins tightly in his hands and turned sideways to look at Li Zhi on the other side.

Li Zhi and Li Chengqian are somewhat similar, not only in appearance but also in temperament.

Of course, conversely, Li Chengqian and Li Zhi are somewhat similar.

Li Zhi was an emperor in his previous life. If it weren't for Wu Meiniang's political chaos, I'm afraid his evaluation in history books would definitely not be low.

Li Chengqian smiled. He had a deeper foundation than Li Zhi, and with the experience of Li Zhi, Li Chengqian would definitely be a better emperor than Li Zhi.

Even better than the emperor in his carriage.

Li Chengqian withdrew his gaze from Li Zhi.

Li Zhi is too young now. Although he has some ideas, it is too difficult to put them into practice.

Especially now, if the emperor really transferred Li Zhi away from Taiyuan and removed him from his position as the governor of Bingzhou, he would lose a lot of things.

With all these changes, many of Li Zhi’s plans might be aborted.

Similarly, many of Li Chengqian's methods against Li Zhi also failed in pregnancy.

A trace of worry flashed in Li Chengqian's eyes. If Li Zhi was really transferred far away, even many people in Li Zhi's Jin Palace would be transferred out.

This ultimately led to Li Chengqian completely losing control over Li Zhi.

If Li Zhi does not return to Chang'an before the emperor dies, then let him leave. After Li Chengqian ascends the throne, there will naturally be countless ways to deal with him, but the fear is that he will not be willing to do so.

Li Chengqian's eyes fell on the carriage. It was already the end of the 19th year of Zhenguan, and it would soon be the 20th year of Zhenguan...

For some reason, Li Chengqian felt a lump in his chest.

When the emperor was alive, Li Chengqian was able to use his power to suppress the world.

just in case……

Is Li Chengqian really capable?
There are countless barbarians in all corners of the world.

Ambition was everywhere in the court.

……

Chang'an City, outside Chunming Gate.

Fang Xuanling, Gao Shilian, Yang Shidao, Xiao Yu, Yu Zhining, Liu Dewei, and others, along with all the civil and military officials of Chang'an, bowed to the emperor in his carriage and said, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to you. May your Majesty live a long and healthy life."

"Please stand up, everyone." The emperor got off the carriage, and Li Chengqian and Li Zhi hurried forward to support him.

Li Shimin walked up to Fang Xuanling and looked at the white-haired Fang Xuanling. He couldn't help but sigh and said, "I'm sorry for tiring you during my absence for the past two years."

"Your Majesty!" Fang Xuanling's nose couldn't help but feel sore, and tears immediately welled up in his eyes. He quickly bowed his head and said, "Although I have tried my best, there are still many things to do..."

"No need to say more." Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "You and I have been king and subject for nearly thirty years. If I don't trust you, who else can I trust?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Fang Xuanling bowed quickly and then took a step back.

Li Shimin looked at Gao Shilian standing beside him and said in surprise, "Uncle, I haven't seen you for two years. How come you look much better?"

"Thank you very much, Your Highness." Gao Shilian laughed loudly and bowed, saying, "Your Highness has always sent me to Luoyang when he has arranged inspections over the past two years. Luoyang has good weather in spring and summer, perfect for recuperation. The Duke of Song and I are very comfortable here."

Li Shimin turned to look at Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu bowed solemnly and said, "Your Majesty, although the Crown Prince is filial, I and Duke Shen have been inspecting Henan Province without slacking off. All matters in Guanzhong are under the supervision of all officials, and nothing has been missed by the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate."

"I trust the Duke of Song." Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction, then looked at Yang Shidao...

Li Chengqian followed the emperor, and his eyes accidentally swept over Li Zhi.

Li Zhi was looking at someone among his ministers.

Li Chengqian followed his gaze and saw Li Yifu in the crowd.

But at this time Li Yifu bowed his head respectfully.

Li Chengqian suddenly remembered what happened at Li Yifu's mansion.

The emperor asked Li Yifu to return to Chang'an, using the excuse that there was something going on with the Censorate.

Chang Sunxiang's focus was on the emperor's adjustments to the Prince of Jin's Mansion and Li Zhi's official position.

However, Li Chengqian felt that the emperor's focus was on the matters concerning the Censorate.

Who is the emperor? How could he possibly say such nonsense? So the emperor must have something to do when he summoned Li Yifu back to the court. So what was it?
……

On Chang'an Street, the emperor returned to court.

Countless people came out of their homes and knelt on the street to welcome the emperor back.

At the same time, he couldn't help but pay attention to the countless guards behind the royal carriage.

When the emperor marched eastward, the troops he mobilized were still mainly from Guanzhong.

After two years of fighting between Liaodong and Goguryeo, although they returned victorious, no one knew whether their families had returned alive.

Cross Chang'an Avenue and arrive at Zhuque Gate.

Li Shimin walked out of the carriage, stood at the front, and watched the carriage drive into the Suzaku Gate little by little.

On both sides of the palace gate were familiar soldiers guarding the gate. They were the people the emperor was most familiar with, and they were all veterans who had fought with him all the way.

The carriage slowly headed towards Chengtian Gate.

The Chengtian Gate, which had been closed for two years, suddenly opened at this moment.

His master has returned.

Li Chengqian followed the emperor into the palace and finally into the Taiji Hall.

In the Taiji Hall, all the ministers held their tablets and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to you. May your Majesty live a long and healthy life!"

The rumbling sound echoed throughout the hall, the entire palace, and the entire Chang'an.

This voice spread silently throughout the world, announcing to the world and all directions that the master of the Tang Dynasty, the Khan of all countries in the four directions, had returned to the court.

Li Shimin sat on the imperial couch and looked at his ministers calmly. His eyes gradually became cold.

At this moment, he is the emperor who holds all power in the world.

……

"Three things." Li Shimin raised his head and calmly looked at his ministers. "The army has been on the eastern expedition for two years. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel need to calculate the military merits and reward the ministers."

"I obey your order." Yang Shidao and Cui Dunli stood up and bowed.

"The fact that the Duke of Ying is still leading his army north must also be taken into consideration." After a brief pause, the emperor continued, "The army is marching north. The Ministry of Revenue will provide food and fodder, the Ministry of Works will provide weapons, and the Ministry of War will coordinate. We must not slack off."

"We obey your order." Tang Jian, Li Daliang and Cui Dunli all bowed.

"I have been away from court for two years. I will report on the important matters at court. I will also summon the provincial governors to report on their work at the end of the year." The emperor looked at Yang Shidao and said, "It has been two years, and there have been few changes in provincial governors. The Ministry of Personnel will report the results of the assessments and make appropriate adjustments."

"Yes!" Yang Shidao immediately bowed solemnly.

"That's right." After a brief pause, Li Shimin said, "When I was in Dingzhou, I issued an edict that the Crown Prince would attend court. Now that I have returned..."

The ministers looked up subconsciously.

"Everything remains the same." The emperor's expression remained calm and composed. He looked at Li Chengqian and said, "That's all for today. All the ministers, please return home and reunite. The Crown Prince will hold court in Liangyi Hall tomorrow. Any matters in the Political Affairs Hall will be discussed in Taiji Hall. Let the Crown Prince also hear what is being discussed in the Political Affairs Hall."

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed.

"Okay, let's adjourn the court!" The emperor waved his hand.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully bid you farewell!" All the ministers bowed in unison.

……

Li Chengqian sent the emperor to Ganlu Gate before returning to the East Palace.

The emperor hasn't returned to the palace for two years, and he wonders what the concubines in the harem are like.

Of course, at this moment, the emperor's first priority was to see the princes and princesses in the palace.

Li Chengqian thought the same thing.

After being away from Chang'an for a while, he missed his children.

Su Shu stood at the foot of Cheng'en Gate and bowed to Li Chengqian, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Li Chengqian looked at Su Shu in surprise, then glanced at the few maids behind Cheng'en Gate. Then he looked at Su Shu in surprise and asked, "My beloved concubine, why are you here in the cold winter? Let's go to Cheng'en Palace!"

"Your Highness has been away from Chang'an for some time now, so naturally I have come to greet you." Su Shu stood up and accompanied Li Chengqian into Cheng'en Hall, saying, "However, Your Highness needs to change some of his habits. He can't always bring back a concubine for the Crown Prince every time he goes out."

Li Chengqian was slightly stunned, then looked at Su Shu and whispered, "Has Cui sent someone over?"

"I have been settled in Yihua Palace." Su Shu took the hot tea from the maid beside her and handed it to Li Chengqian, looking at him with some resentment.

Li Chengqian felt a little amused for a moment. He reached out and pinched Su Shu's jaw, then whispered, "It's not my fault. Father didn't say a word and directly issued the imperial decree."

Li Chengqian took the teacup, then turned sideways to look at Xu An and said, "Spread the word to all the palaces that I will not be going there today. I will be accompanying the Crown Princess tonight."

"Yes!" Xu An immediately bowed, then turned around and left quickly.

Li Chengqian took Su Shu's wrist, walked over to the couch, sat down, and took a sip of hot tea before speaking to Su Shu, "Although everything is under control on this trip eastward, there are still some risks. Speaking of the Cui family's affairs alone, it's actually quite simple. Your Majesty is using me to win over the aristocratic families of Hebei. At the same time, Your Majesty intends to confer the title of Crown Prince on Xiang'er and the title of Prince of Hengshan County after the New Year."

"Prince of Hengshan?" Su Shu frowned, then shook her head and said, "Your Highness, please talk about the risks first. How could there be any risks in going to Dingzhou to meet the emperor?"

"Okay!" Li Chengqian smiled lightly.

……

"What? He's busy and can't come?" Li Zhi looked at Ji Jiafu in disbelief and asked, "I've returned to Chang'an, and this official from the Prince of Jin actually refused to see me?"

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)