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

Chapter 376: Mount Li, Hot Spring Palace, and the Hall of Eternal Life (Part )
In Wanchun Hall, Li Chengqian carefully put the emperor down and laid him down before looking at Wu Meiniang: "Earlier in Liangyi Hall, my father, I, and the ministers discussed the military affairs of Kucha. Unexpectedly, my father's injury suddenly flared up and he almost fainted.

The Imperial Physician's treatment requires immediate cleaning and medication, and the Imperial Physician's supplies are still at the Shang Pharmacy, so we'll take Father back to Wanchun Palace as soon as possible."

Seeing Li Chengqian explain the whole story in a few words, Wu Meiniang nodded subconsciously.

"Now please ask Lady Wu to give father medicine immediately to stabilize his condition." After Li Chengqian finished speaking, he stepped back a few steps.

Only then did Wu Meiniang calm herself down and began to find medicine to give to the emperor.

Li Chengqian stood aside, watching very skillfully.

Wu Meiniang took out the alcohol and began to wipe and clean, then applied new medicine, wrapped it, and finally covered the emperor with clothes.

After completing this step, the ministers breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhangsun Wuji looked at the emperor lying on the bed and could not help but say, "Your Majesty, please rest well in Wanchun Palace for the next few days. The affairs of the army will be handled by me and the Crown Prince. Let the Crown Prince report the details to Your Majesty every day. Your Majesty should not go to Liangyi Palace."

Only Changsun Wuji could say these words in front of the emperor without any scruples.

Li Chengqian then added, "Father, what your uncle said makes sense. Now you should prioritize your health and take good care of yourself."

Li Shimin lay on the bed, looked at the imperial physician Zhang Baozang standing beside him, and asked: "Zhang Qing, how is my condition? Please tell me."

"Yes!" Zhang Baozang pondered and said, "Your Majesty, although he looks healthy..."

"Huh!" Li Shimin couldn't help laughing and said, "I still look strong and healthy."

Zhang Baozang lowered his head slightly and remained silent.

The emperor's heart skipped a beat and he nodded, "My dear, please continue."

"Although your Majesty looks strong, you are actually very weak inside. Now is the time to rest and recuperate. If you continue to hold on like before, the end result will be exhaustion and loss of vitality..." Having said this, Zhang Baozang had completely stopped.

"My dear minister, please continue." Li Chengqian looked at Zhang Baozang and said, "How should we treat our father's illness so that he can recover his vitality and even prolong his life?"

"Yes!" Zhang Baozang bowed slightly to Li Chengqian and said, "Your Majesty's illness, in the final analysis, is still due to the wound never truly healing. It still requires a long period of rest, and you must avoid any fatigue during this period. This period is not just a year..."

"Mr. Zhang!" The emperor's voice interrupted Zhang Baozang, with a hint of anger in his eyes.

If an emperor ignores state affairs for more than two years, there will be problems.

"Imperial Physician Zhang, tell us about the current situation." Changsun Wuji spoke from the side and looked at Zhang Baozang.

"Your Majesty needs to rest and recuperate. Besides not being too busy, a good place to rest is also very important." Zhang Baozang looked around helplessly and said, "Although the Taiji Palace is much higher, it was originally the lowest depression in Chang'an City. It is hot and humid in the summer and freezing cold in the winter. It would be better if the Daming Palace could be completed..."

The emperor immediately understood that Daming Palace was a new summer palace built for Emperor Gaozu to show his filial piety.

He is highly respected by the people and his filial piety is known throughout the world.

The Daming Palace is located in Longshouyuan, northeast of the imperial palace. It is located on a high ground and overlooks Chang'an. Although it is not exactly in the center of Chang'an's North Pole, the terrain is indeed good.

But unfortunately, the construction of Daming Palace stopped after Emperor Gaozu passed away.

Now, more than a decade has passed, and there has not been much progress.

"How is the Hot Spring Palace?" a voice came from behind.

Wu Meiniang suddenly looked up and stared at the figure behind her.

Suddenly, Dou Huaiqi, the Junior Eunuch and Princess Lanling's husband, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I received a report yesterday from the envoy of the Hot Spring Palace stating that rainbows had appeared in the palace for seven consecutive days, suggesting an auspicious omen.

The hot spring palace is naturally warm, and it is even more pronounced in winter, which is even more beneficial for your majesty's recuperation. Furthermore, a rainbow has appeared for seven days..."

"Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?" Changsun Wuji frowned and looked at Dou Huaiqi.

Dou Huaiqi was not only the son-in-law of Princess Lanling, he was also the emperor's cousin. His father was the emperor's cousin, the former Shaofu Supervisor Dou Desu, and his grandfather was the emperor's uncle and Empress Taimu's brother Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao is to the emperor what Changsun Wuji is to Li Chengqian.

Dou Huaiqi is to the emperor what Changsun Yan, the eldest grandson of Changsun Wuji and the eldest son of Changsun Chong, the husband of Princess Changle, is to Li Chengqian.

"It's you, my humble servant." Dou Huaiqi bowed and said with a slightly wry smile, "I originally planned to submit my memorial when there was a nine-day rainbow."

Changsun Wuji immediately understood that although there was a rainbow in the hot spring palace, the rainbow was actually not that big. One or three days would be meaningless, only nine days would be meaningful.

The emperor glanced at Dou Huaiqi, then looked at Zhang Baozang and said, "How is the Hot Spring Palace?"

"Yes!" Zhang Baozang nodded and said, "The Hot Spring Palace might not be a good place to go in the summer, but now is the perfect time. Hot springs are very effective for rheumatism and other illnesses, so they should also help alleviate your Majesty's condition."

"Will it get better before the end of the year?" Li Chengqian asked, looking at Zhang Baozang and said, "Father must return to the palace before the New Year's Day court..."

Before Zhang Baozang could speak, the emperor nodded and said, "I may go to the Hot Spring Palace, but I must return before the New Year's Day court session."

On New Year's Day, all the officials in the court, provincial governors, envoys from various foreign countries, retired officials, and even scholars from the Imperial College would go to court to pay homage to the emperor.

If the emperor does not show up at the New Year's Day court, everyone in the world will know that there is something wrong with the emperor's health.

The tedious and time-consuming nature of the New Year's Day court ceremony was the most harmful to the emperor's health.

His health is really not good and something is going to happen.

"I will do my best." Zhang Baozang bowed and said, "A month is enough time for me to properly nurse Your Majesty back to health."

"That's all." Li Shimin nodded directly and said, "I will go to Mount Li to recuperate for a month. The affairs of the court will be handed over to the Crown Prince..."

"Your Majesty, I will go with you." Li Chengqian bowed and said, "Your Majesty, your son, your uncle, Prime Minister Fang, and Prime Minister Yu will all go with you. The affairs of the three provinces and six ministries will be sent to Mount Li every day..."

"No need to go to such trouble. Just let Chu Qing follow me." Li Shimin suddenly smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Besides, I'm going to Mount Li to recuperate. You don't need to worry about these government affairs."

"I will go to Mount Li every three days to report everything to my father." Li Chengqian looked at the emperor sincerely.

Li Shimin thought for a moment and said, "I will only be in Mount Li for a month, so there is no need to go there too often. Once every five days is a good time to rest."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief. "When you travel back and forth, remember to bring more people with you. If you don't, it will easily give ambitious people an opportunity." The emperor raised his hand slightly and said casually, and Wu Meiniang and Dou Huaiqi nodded slightly.

"Yes!" Li Chengqian bowed seriously.

"Alright, everyone, go down. I'll take a rest!" The emperor waved his hand, and all the ministers, except Zhang Baozang, bowed and said, "We will take our leave."

Wu Meiniang stood beside the bed, watching everyone leave, and her eyes gently swept over Dou Huaiqi.

She really didn't expect that Li Zhi had a backup plan.

Although the Dou family has declined somewhat in recent years, its foundation is still there.

For example, Dou Dexuan, the Prince's Secretary, Dou Deming, the Governor of Changzhou, and others were all direct descendants of the Dou family. They were even closely related to Dou Huaiqi, but Dou Huaiqi actually chose Li Zhi.

By the way, he is also the consort of Princess Lanling, and Princess Lanling has always been known for her courtesy and restrained expression of emotions.

These children of the emperor.

"Mei Niang!" As soon as the emperor's voice sounded, Wu Meiniang turned around. The emperor glanced at her and asked in a low voice: "What do you think of me going to Mount Li?"

Wu Meiniang's heart instantly calmed down. She looked at the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, for the sake of your health, you should go to Mount Li to recuperate.

But we still need to bring more people. After all, Your Majesty hasn't been to Mount Li for a few years. Who knows what's out there in the mountains? We need to send people to clean it up and resettle it in advance..."

"Haha!" Li Shimin couldn't help but laugh as he watched Wu Meiniang speak word by word.

……

The emperor visited Lishan Mountain.

Li Chengqian and Zhangsun Wuji prepared for three days before setting off from Chang'an with a large army.

It was not until the evening that everyone arrived at Mount Li.

The rocks are like screens, and the springs and valleys are elegant.

There are countless pavilions and terraces interlaced up and down.

Li Chengqian stood at the foot of Zhaoyang Gate, gazing at the mountains and forests in all directions. He said to Xue Rengui, who stood beside him, "Father once visited Mount Li a few years ago, but a soldier's arrow once shot into the Star Bath from outside. Therefore, this time, Father will reside in the Hall of Eternal Life, where it's warm but not too humid, while also being protected from threats from above and below."

"Yes!" Xue Rengui looked solemn.

"At the foot of the mountain, at the foot of the mountain, the four city gates, towers, inner and outer camps must all be guarded by our own guards. We must strictly follow the patrol orders, and no one who does not comply with the regulations is allowed to enter or leave. At the same time, we must strictly check everyone inside and outside. After all, my father hasn't been here for a few years. Who knows what the people here are thinking now? We must keep a close eye on them." Li Chengqian looked around.

There are countless guards armed with swords and spears guarding various checkpoints, but in addition, there are also many people from the Hot Spring Palace itself.

After all, even if the emperor came every year, he would only stay for a while before leaving, and the Hot Spring Palace still had to be maintained by its own staff.

And they knew the Hot Spring Palace better than the emperor's men.

These people are also easy to be infiltrated.

"I understand." Xue Rengui nodded seriously.

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Let's go to the Hall of Eternal Life."

"Yes!" Xue Rengui bowed, then followed Li Chengqian towards the Hall of Longevity.

A row of palace maids walked by, holding these items in their hands, and quickly entered the Hall of Longevity.

Li Chengqian looked at Dou Huaiqi standing outside the hall, calculating carefully, and asked with a smile, "Cousin, how are the arrangements going?"

"Your Highness!" Dou Huaiqi bowed to Li Chengqian, then said with a wry smile, "We're short of everything here. Even though we've prepared a lot in advance, we still need to transfer a lot of things from Chang'an."

"Take your time." Li Chengqian smiled encouragingly, glanced at the hall, and then said, "After the New Year, and until the end of January, when the weather warms up, Father will probably be recuperating in Mount Li. Coincidentally, apart from the events around the New Year's Day court, there won't be any major events in January."

"Yes!" Dou Huaiqi bowed in agreement.

Li Chengqian smiled, then walked in from Dou Huaiqi's side, and Dou Huaiqi and Xue Rengui followed in at the same time.

It was warm inside the Hall of Longevity, making people feel very comfortable, even drowsy.

The emperor lay on the imperial couch with his eyes squinted, and Wu Meiniang sat on the inside, helping the emperor press his shoulders.

Li Zhi, Li Xiang, and Princess Xincheng were kneeling on the left.

Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Chu Suiliang and others knelt on the right side.

Hearing Li Chengqian's footsteps, the emperor raised his head slightly.

Li Chengqian immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the inner and outer guards have been largely deployed. Additionally, General Li Junxian of the Right Guard is stationed at the foot of the mountain with 5,000 Right Guard cavalry. Every day, memorials are delivered from Chang'an City. If Your Majesty needs anything, someone will immediately deliver it to Mount Li."

"Hmm!" Li Shimin raised his hand slightly and said, "You can take care of the arrangements. We'll be back to Chang'an soon. Keep an eye on the war in Kucha."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian's expression became serious.

The emperor fell because he was too focused on the war.

But then again, with the mobilization of nearly 100,000 troops, the daily food and fodder consumption is a terrifying figure.

"If all goes well, I will probably set off back around the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month to attend my last court session." The emperor smiled and said, "If things don't go smoothly, I will have to trouble the officials in Chang'an to come to Mount Li."

"It's just right for us to come together and relax." Changsun Wuji nodded with a smile.

Li Zhi also bowed, his expression solemn as he lowered his head.

The twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Time stuck.

(End of this chapter)