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

Chapter 345: As long as I die, my father can pass the throne to Xiang'er (Part )

On March 15th, it was drizzling.

Countless imperial guards in red and golden armor stood on both sides of the long street of Jinchangfang, holding long spears in their hands and with solemn eyes.

In the Taiyi Qinghua Temple not far away, the emperor walked out with a calm expression, and his attendants beside him held up the Huang Gai.

Yin Wencao, the head of Louguan Dao, accompanied him out.

Li Chengqian, Li Zhi, Li Xiang, Changsun Wuji and others followed behind him.

The emperor nodded slightly to Master Yin Wencao, then got on the carriage and headed forward.

Li Chengqian, Li Zhi, Li Xiang, Changsun Wuji and others also bowed to Master Yin Wencao before saying goodbye and leaving.

In Taiyi Qinghua Temple, there is a bronze bell made from the queen's clothes.

The bells would ring throughout Chang'an every morning.

It is equivalent to the queen looking at the entire Chang'an.

Especially at this time of year, everyone in the royal family feels a little sad.

Li Zhi sat in the carriage and watched Li Chengqian and Li Xiang sitting in the carriage in front, following the emperor, and he couldn't help but sigh.

At the beginning, Li Tai was connected with Buddhism, and the prince joined hands with Taoism.

One built the Longmen Grottoes, and the other built the Taiyi Qinghua Temple.

The construction of Longmen Grottoes cost a huge amount of money, and the final product was half completed and half destroyed.

Not to mention the success of the Taiyi Qinghua Temple, the bells rang throughout Chang'an City every day. The emperor did not mention it, but because of this, Zhangsun Wuji stood firmly on the side of the prince in the matter of the crown prince.

Li Zhi tried every possible way, but nothing worked.

Therefore, he could only listen to Wu Meiniang and find a way to deal with Chu Suiliang...

The carriage swayed slowly, and before we knew it, we had arrived outside the gate of Hongfu Temple.

After visiting Taiyi Qinghua Temple, the emperor came to Hongfu Temple.

Both Buddhism and Taoism prayed for the queen.

Li Zhi got off the carriage and saw Gar Qinling standing not far away.

He was a little surprised. Why did the Tibetans come too?
Gar Qinling was standing at the side of the palace gate. He noticed Li Zhi's gaze and bowed slightly.

Li Zhi nodded slightly, then followed the emperor into the temple.

……

After paying homage to the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, the emperor sighed softly, stood up and walked towards the back hall.

"Master, do you have any Buddhist scriptures that you have translated before? I will go to Mount Zhongnan to recuperate in a few days, so it is a good opportunity for me to read them and calm my mind." The emperor walked slowly while looking at Xuanzang.

"I have a copy of the Diamond Sutra here, which I would like to present to Your Majesty." Xuanzang bowed calmly.

"Thank you, Master." Li Shimin nodded gently, then asked casually, "Master, Buddhism talks about reincarnation and rebirth, and the Western Paradise. If the Western Paradise really exists, do you think the Queen... will the Queen really enter the Western Paradise?"

Xuanzang was slightly stunned, and in an instant, he felt three sharp gazes staring at him at the same time.

The Crown Prince, Prince of Jin, and Prime Minister Zhangsun Wuji.

Xuanzang sighed in his heart. He knew that this question was not easy to answer.

One bad answer and he would immediately offend everyone.

Xuanzang calmly put his hands together and bowed, saying, "The Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, also known as the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha, is the land of Ultimate Bliss that lies beyond ten thousand billion Buddha lands, heading west from this world.

The Amitabha Sutra states that those who are reborn in this Buddha land experience various joys. For example, their bodies possess the thirty-two characteristics of a Buddha, and they possess the five eyes and six supernatural powers. Their five senses perceive objects with great subtlety, and their hearts are at ease and refreshing. This is the place where those saved by Amitabha Buddha are reborn.

Li Shimin glanced at Xuanzang and smiled gently.

Xuanzang did not answer his question directly, but talked about the benefits of being reborn in the Buddha's land.

But in the eyes of the emperor, these things were not that tempting.

Those people control the world in a small space.

How could he allow any Buddha to stand above his head?

The emperor nodded slightly, then asked, "Master, are you familiar with Master Daoxin?"

Xuanzang calmly shook his head and said, "When I became a monk, Master Daoxin had already gone south to Mount Lu, so I never met him, but I admire him deeply."

The emperor nodded calmly and said, "I have invited the master to the capital four times, but unfortunately, my wish has never been fulfilled."

"Yes!" Xuanzang clasped his hands together gently, but he already understood the emperor's intentions. He then asked, "I heard that Your Majesty sent an envoy to India and also sent a thousand cavalry to escort him?"

"Yes." The emperor nodded and said with a smile, "It just so happens that the Western Regions are peaceful, so I'll send someone there for a tour, and at the same time let Tianzhu see the Tang Dynasty's cavalry... The Crown Prince originally said he would send 3,000 cavalry, but I deliberately reduced that to 1,000."

"I see." Xuanzang bowed and said, "How about I write another letter to Tianzhu to let them prepare?"

"If that's the case, I'll trouble you, Master." The emperor couldn't help laughing.

After walking around Hongfu Temple, the emperor took a deep breath and said, "Okay, let's stop here for today. I will return to the palace first. When the compilation of "The Great Tang Records on the Western Regions" is completed, I will come back to consult the master."

"Yes!" Xuanzang clasped his hands together, then bowed and said, "Farewell, Your Majesty!"

The emperor nodded slightly and walked out of the temple.

Li Chengqian, Li Zhi, and Zhangsun Wuji all saluted Xuanzang with their palms folded before leaving the temple.

Xuanzang and the abbot of Hongfu Temple were escorted to the temple gate together.

Watching the emperor's receding figure, the host whispered beside Xuanzang, "Master, His Majesty seems to have some opinions about Master Daoxin."

Xuanzang nodded and said calmly: "The emperor is the only one who is supreme. Whether it is Buddhism, Taoism, divine monks or immortals, they all need to bow down to the emperor." The host nodded slightly.

"Fortunately, although the prince has many complaints about Buddhism, he also has a sincere heart." Xuanzang's gaze fell on Gar Qinling who had not left yet, nodded slightly, then turned and walked towards the temple.

The host followed Xuanzang with a puzzled look on his face.

Prince, is there?
Gar Qinling watched Xuanzang's back gradually disappearing in the temple, with some confusion on his face.

He knew about the deeds of Master Xuanzang.

He also knew that the Tang Dynasty had sent envoys to India, but he didn't think much of it.

The Tang Dynasty was too far away from India.

Even if there is something, it will take two or three years to send messages back and forth.

If they really had any ideas, the Tubo side would be happy to see them.

Turning around, Gar Qinling looked at Huang Gai who was walking away. The emperor, the prince, the Prince of Jin, and the crown prince had already returned to the palace.

The day after tomorrow, after the enthronement ceremony of the Crown Prince, he will return to Lhasa, and he also needs to tell the Zamp about what happened in Chang'an.

……

In the Tai Chi Hall.

Li Xiang fell to his knees.

The emperor sat on the imperial couch and nodded to Zhang Ananda, who immediately came down with the tray.

Li Chengqian stood aside, glanced at Li Ji who was reading the imperial edict, and then took the tray from Zhang Ananda.

On the tray was a golden book and a jade seal.

Turning around, Li Chengqian walked up to Li Xiang and placed the tray in front of him.

Li Xiang raised his hands and took the tray.

Li Chengqian looked at Li Xiang and said seriously, "The thunder is auspicious, and the way of inheriting the ancestral temple is here; the light is shining, and the way of guarding the instrument is here.

"The Crown Prince Xiang, if you choose, you should follow the example of the previous king. You should think of promoting the right path and ascend to the throne. You should build a palace of virtue and live up to the expectations of the emperor."

"I obey your command." Li Xiang's childish voice sounded. He put down the tray and kowtowed deeply towards the steps.

"Stand up." The emperor nodded solemnly to Li Xiang, and Li Xiang stood up and stood aside.

The emperor looked at his ministers and said, "My lords, in three days I will depart for Cuiwei Palace in Zhongnan Mountain to recuperate. During this time, all matters of the court will be handed over to the Crown Prince."

Li Chengqian immediately turned around and bowed.

"The Crown Prince will supervise the country in Wude Hall, and the Crown Prince will go to Zhongnan Mountain with me." The emperor looked directly at Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian and all the ministers in the hall bowed and said, "Your Majesty, we obey your command. May your Majesty live forever."

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

"Farewell, Your Majesty!" Li Chengqian and the ministers bowed together. After the emperor left, they took Li Xiang back to the East Palace.

In Cheng'en Hall.

Su Shu hugged Li Xiang tightly, then looked at Li Chengqian, frowning and asked, "What does your father mean by this? Why does he insist on letting Xiang'er go to Cuiwei Palace with us?"

"Don't you understand? Father is using Xiang'er to check and balance me." Li Chengqian smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Just like back then, when Father used Qingque and Zhinu to check and balance me, if I did anything wrong, Father would immediately replace me with Qingque and Zhinu. It's the same now!"

"But Xiang'er is your highness's son?" Su Shu's face was full of disbelief.

"What's the big deal?" Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "I'm in Chang'an as regent, and the emperor has taken Xiang'er to Cuiwei Palace. Normally, the emperor would have informed the officials in Chang'an. Even if I have any problems, the emperor has Xiang'er at his disposal, and he can pass the throne to Xiang'er in the future."

Su Shu nodded subconsciously.

Li Chengqian continued, "Also, Father is warning me that if I do something, you can still pass the throne to Xiang'er."

"How to pass it on?"

"It will be enough if I die." Li Chengqian looked at Su Shu calmly, not caring at all that Li Xiang heard his words.

Su Shu's pupils dilated instantly. In this way, the father and son became the biggest rivals in the fight for the throne.

"Father...Father..." Su Shu didn't know what to say for a moment.

The emperor is really cruel.

Li Chengqian smiled faintly.

Doing this is very imperial.

……

The imperial carriage swayed towards Mount Zhongnan.

Inside the carriage, the emperor was holding Li Xiang, while Xu Hui and Wu Meiniang were kneeling behind him, massaging his shoulders.

Li Zhi knelt before the emperor and kowtowed deeply.

"When you go to Jingzhou this time, remember a few things." The emperor looked at Li Zhi and said calmly, "The autumn taxes needed by the Ministry of Revenue, the craftsmen and ore required by the Ministry of Works, the warships and sailors required by the Ministry of War, and the scholars for next year's imperial examinations by the Ministry of Personnel must all be sent to Chang'an without delay."

"Yes!" Li Zhi's mouth twitched slightly.

"Zhi Nu, you must remember that the Tang Dynasty controls the rest of the world with Guanzhong, and the rest of the world supports Guanzhong." Li Shimin looked at Li Zhi and said indifferently, "There must be no mistakes on this point."

"Ah!" Li Zhi looked up in surprise and happened to see Wu Meiniang and Xu Hui who were equally surprised behind the emperor.

(End of this chapter)