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

Chapter 378: Soldiers Arrive at Mount Li (Part )

The fourth day of the twelfth lunar month.

The snow and wind came again.

The whistling sound of the wind kept swirling on both sides of Sanmenxia.

The Yellow River beneath my feet is still flowing rapidly.

On the cliff on the east bank, Bian Ji, dressed in a thick gray monk's robe, hid in a cave of ten feet square. With an expressionless face, he held a cold chisel and a stone hammer, and kept knocking on the stone wall.

On the top of the mountain, a small stone house sits in the wind and snow.

In the distance, on the side of the gentle mountain road, wooden houses are located in the wind and snow.

Xuanzang asked the emperor to grant Taiyi Qinghua Temple to Buddhism, but the emperor refused.

Xuanzang asked the emperor to grant a piece of stone wall on the south side of Sanmenxia for Buddhists to build a Buddhist temple, and the emperor agreed.

This is Sanmen Temple.

The mountain wall was so steep that only a stone house could be built on the top of the mountain for Bian Ji to live in.

Other craftsmen sent to help build the temple lived on the distant shore.

Moreover, these craftsmen are not forced laborers, but are paid craftsmen.

The court sent only a few people for labor service, only a hundred, and the supervision was not very strict.

Those who truly devoted themselves to the construction of Sanmen Temple were the nobles and common people in Chang'an and Luoyang who were sincerely devoted to Buddhism.

The powerful provide money and the people provide labor.

Only then was Sanmen Temple excavated bit by bit.

But even so, it would take at least several decades for a Sanmen Temple to be completely formed.

At the same time, they also had to open up roads on both sides.

The imperial court was unwilling to help, and everything was left to the Buddhist community and its believers to handle on their own.

The indifferent emperor.

The indifferent prince.

The indifferent court.

Bian Ji didn't know how many times he had heard others scold him.

But in fact, he knew that the reason he was sent here to build a new temple was actually a punishment for him.

He knew exactly what he had done, and the mage knew it too.

So even in the windy and snowy weather, Bian Ji was still on the cliff, chiseling the stone wall alone.

Suddenly, a slight sound of footsteps came from the plank roads on both sides.

Bian Ji turned around in some surprise. The sound of the footsteps was wrong.

They were too unfamiliar with the place, and the terrain was too unfamiliar to them, but even so, their footsteps were still light and fast.

In a blink of an eye, six men in black short robes appeared on both sides of the cave.

Each person held a crossbow in his hand, with three crossbow arrows on it.

When Bian Ji saw this scene, he sighed in his heart and then gently closed his eyes.

"Master!" A hoarse voice rang out, "I have received an order from above. Please allow the Master to enter Nirvana!"

Bian Ji acted as if he didn't hear anything and continued forward step by step.

"Shoot!" A hoarse voice sounded, and eighteen crossbow arrows were shot out in an instant, and the cold arrowheads shot directly into Bian Ji's body.

Bian Ji paused slightly, a trace of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, but he still walked forward.

Everyone else was stunned.

Before he knew it, Bian Ji had reached the edge of the cave. Looking at the still surging Yellow River water in front of him, Bian Ji took a calm step forward.

With a "bang", the body fell into the water, causing a huge splash.

The body could be vaguely seen rising and falling in the water, then moving towards the lower reaches of the Yellow River.

"Damn it, go, chase, we have to find the body."

The hoarse voice fell, and the next moment, six men in black were chasing towards the lower reaches of the Yellow River.

In the lower reaches of the Yellow River, after passing Shanzhou, is Luozhou.

The Sima of Luozhou was the father-in-law of Li Zhi, the Prince of Jin.

……

East Palace, Chongde Hall.

A huge map of the Western Regions hangs above the screen.

Minister of War Cui Dunli stood to one side, looking at Li Chengqian, Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Yang Shidao, Tang Jian, Yan Lide and others, and said, "It is not difficult to destroy Kucha. The difficult part is that after Kucha is destroyed, the three kingdoms of Shule, Khotan, and Yanqi in the Western Regions will also feel insecure."

All the ministers looked at Li Chengqian at the same time, even Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Jingde, who were sitting opposite each other drinking tea in the east side hall, looked over.

Everyone knew that how the Tang Dynasty would use military force in the Western Regions in the future would depend on Li Chengqian's attitude.

The emperor is in poor health. Even if he can still attend court in the future, the decision on such major policies will fall entirely into the hands of the crown prince.

"The destruction of Kucha is inevitable." Li Chengqian looked at the map in front of him, shook his head slightly, and said, "There is no need for the Tang Dynasty to destroy Shule, Yanqi, and Khotan. After occupying Kucha, we can send a small number of troops to garrison the capitals of the three kingdoms. If the three kingdoms have no objection, we can build castles on the edge of their capitals to maintain the Silk Road."

"Your Highness, are you worried about the Western Turks?" Li Daozong stepped forward from the side and said to Li Chengqian, "Your Highness wants the Western Turks to be stabilized for the time being."

"Hmm!" Li Chengqian looked at the map and said, "For the Tang Dynasty today, the best way to wage war against foreign powers, except for Goguryeo, is to deploy troops for three months each year. During those three months, with sharp and sudden attacks, the court can sustain itself and still achieve some gains. If the war is to be prolonged, preparations must be made several years in advance. The Tang Dynasty is not currently prepared to annihilate the countries in the Western Regions."

All the ministers in the hall nodded.

It’s not that the Tang Dynasty cannot fight, but it cannot get bogged down in the quagmire of war.

Gaochang is already far away from the Tang Dynasty. After conquering Kucha next year, if it fails to stabilize and continues to advance its troops, the cost will double.

The point is that there isn't much benefit.

There is no name either.

"Because of the increase in warhorse transportation, the consumption of grain and fodder transportation this year is still under control, and it will not have much impact on the Goguryeo war next year." After Li Chengqian finished speaking, the faces of the ministers couldn't help but sink.

There is another big problem that needs to be solved next year. The emperor is going to march east to attack Goguryeo.

In May, thirty years after the founding of the Tang Dynasty, the entire court would turn its attention to preparing for the eastern expedition against Goguryeo. The emperor would naturally be unable to personally lead the army, but how to persuade the emperor, and to what extent, was still uncertain.

"The war must end by March of next year." Li Chengqian paused briefly and said, "Don't put pressure on the front lines. Transport as much military equipment as possible. At the same time, have the Honglu Temple send people to the various countries in the Western Regions to calm people's hearts and divide the enemy..."

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed.

Li Chengqian turned around and looked towards the palace gate. Li Baiyao, the Minister of Zongzheng Temple, was already standing in front of the door.

Li Chengqian beckoned, and Li Baiyao quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said to Li Chengqian, "Greetings, Your Highness!"

"Hmm!" Li Chengqian lowered his head, took the memorial from Li Baiyao's hand, took a look at it, and frowned.

"Uncle!" Li Chengqian looked at Changsun Wuji, handed him the memorial, and then walked into the inner hall.

After taking a look, Changsun Wuji frowned slightly, then waved to the ministers, and then followed Li Chengqian into the hall.

The ministers immediately understood that this had nothing to do with them and went about their own business.

"Bian Ji has disappeared." Li Chengqian sat on the short couch in the inner hall and looked at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "Master Xuanzang has not been informed of this matter yet."

"If the body hasn't been found, there's no need to rush to notify them." Changsun Wuji knelt down on the left and said, "Who knows if Bian Ji returned to Chang'an without even saying goodbye, or even went to Luoyang, or if he faked his own death and hid himself."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Then let's suppress this matter for now and don't let any news spread in Chang'an."

"At least that was the case before Your Majesty returned to the capital." Changsun Wuji looked up at Li Chengqian.

"Yeah!" Li Chengqian nodded.

Zhang Sun Wuji hesitated slightly, but still spoke: "Your Highness, it's almost the end of the year. Princess Jin is pregnant. I think we should ask the princesses of each family to visit her every day and take care of her."

Li Chengqian fell silent for a moment. After a moment, he nodded and said, "Let's do as my uncle says. Also, there was heavy snow last year, and I'm afraid it will happen again this year. To prevent snowstorms, I suggest that the Yongzhou government repair any buildings that might collapse in Yongzhou ahead of time, and also take a census of the population, so that we don't lose track of anyone who died."

"Okay!" Changsun Wuji completely relaxed and smiled with satisfaction.

……

Time passed slowly, and it was already the 16th day of the twelfth lunar month.

Everything is stable in Chang'an City.

As the New Year approaches, various government offices will distribute New Year benefits, and there are rumors that the sixteen guards in the army will also give out drinks on New Year's Eve.

At the same time, the salary will be doubled.

Luo Binwang, dressed in a long green robe and with a calm expression, rode past the home of General Tian Renhui of the Right Jinwu Guard.

Across the street, he had already seen some figures peering around the corner.

Those should be the men of Zuo Kuangzheng, General of the Left Jinwu Guard.

Although Luo Binwang did not participate, he knew that Li Zhi should deliver the news about Gongsun Chang to Zuo Kuangzheng today.

After three or four days of investigation, Tian Renhui would be forced to surrender before Zuo Kuangzheng delivered the news to the emperor.

After all, to deal with a general like him, the emperor needs to step in personally.

If nothing unexpected happens, Tian Ren will definitely give in.

The General of the Right Jinwu Guard is in charge of security patrols in Gyeonggi Province and can directly command 5,000 elite soldiers of the Right Jinwu Guard.

A sneer flashed across Luo Binwang's lips.

Traitors should die.

Moreover, three clans will be implicated.

……

Li Zhi sat in the wooden pavilion in the backyard, and laughter could be heard from the front yard from time to time.

The princesses and princesses from various families came to visit Princess Jin.

He asked and it was his uncle's idea.

Li Zhi felt a little uneasy in his heart. He wondered if his uncle had noticed something.

Or is it simply that he is concerned about his future offspring?

Li Zhi looked towards the East Palace. For more than half a month, everything had been developing as he expected.

The prince went to Mount Li every five days, and he went to Mount Li every three days. While paying his respects to the emperor, he also allowed Xue Yuanchao and Xue Rengui to get acquainted with each other as quickly as possible.

Everything is going smooth.

But now, he felt that his uncle had noticed something.

Is it my illusion, or is there really something wrong with me?

I must have made some mistake, and my uncle noticed it. What is it? Should I correct it?

"Zhi Nu, come out, Zhi Nu..." An angry voice came from the front yard, and Li Zhi's thoughts were instantly interrupted. Then he couldn't help but sigh.

Li Zhi looked up and saw Princess Gaoyang rushing in from outside the courtyard with a knife in hand. She rushed in front of him and pressed the knife directly to his neck, shouting angrily, "Did you send someone to kill Bian Ji?"

Li Zhi was stunned, looked at Gao Yang and said coldly: "Are you crazy? If I kill Bian Ji, what good will it do me?"

"You are the only one who knows about Bian Ji." Gao Yang stared at Li Zhi.

"Wait!" Li Zhi waved his hand and said, "You said Bian Ji was dead, how come I didn't know anything?"

"Someone from Sanmenxia brought back news that Bian Ji has been missing for more than half a month. Do you think he is dead?" Gao Yang still stared at Li Zhi.

"Missing?" Li Zhi reached out and gently pushed the blade away, then frowned and said, "Bian Ji has been missing for half a month, are you sure?

Why is there no news about this in Hongfu Temple or the palace? Does my brother know about this? Does my father know about this?"

"The emperor is recuperating, and the prince is handling state affairs..." Gao Yang suddenly understood something and his expression changed slightly.

"My father is in Mount Li, which is not far from Sanmenxia." Li Zhi looked at Gao Yang calmly.

With a clang, the sword fell to the ground, and Gao Yang walked out of the palace with an expressionless face.

Li Zhi watched Gao Yang leave. Half an hour later, Ji Jiafu reported back, "Your Highness, Princess Gao Yang has gone to Mount Li."

"Tell my uncle that he will accompany me to meet Tian Renhui tonight." After a brief pause, Li Zhi said, "Tomorrow, Tian Renhui, the Wei family, and the Dou family will have their personnel ready. Tomorrow evening, I will leave Chang'an City. Tomorrow night, bring your personnel and accompany me to Mount Li."

"Yes!" Ji Jiafu bowed, then whispered, "Your Highness, Princess Gaoyang went to Mount Li today. Wouldn't it be too late for us to take action tomorrow night?"

"No!" Li Zhi shook his head slightly and said, "Prime Minister Chu has news. Father goes to bed early these days. When Gao Yang arrives at Mount Li, he will be asleep and no one can disturb him. Tomorrow, he will know about Gao Yang and Bian Ji. He will be so angry that he will fall ill. Tomorrow night, I will get the news and go to visit him. It's just in time."

Tomorrow night, everything will be settled.

(End of this chapter)