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

Chapter 411: There is No Two Suns in the Sky (Part )

Li Chengqian looked at Lu Dongzan who was looking down and sneered silently. Then he looked at the ministers with a solemn expression and said, "My lords!"

"Your Majesty!" All the ministers bowed.

Li Chengqian hesitated for a moment, but still spoke: "I believe some of you have heard of the Fengshan ceremony at the end of this year."

The ministers couldn't help but feel a little agitated.

Some people have simply never heard of Fengshan.

Some people have heard of Fengshan, but they did not expect that Fengshan would continue.

The previous Fengshan ceremony was performed by Li Shimin, but many things had not yet been initiated and the ministers had not submitted any reports.

Later, Li Shimin abdicated and Li Chengqian became the emperor.

Li Shimin was qualified to be enthroned, but what qualifications do you, Li Chengqian, have?

So many people thought that the Fengshan ceremony was over.

Among them was Lu Dongzan.

……

Many people had already started to leave Chang'an after the 30th anniversary ceremony of the founding of the Tang Dynasty.

As for Lu Dongzan and Gar Qinling, they were left behind. Princess Wencheng had been told that the emperor was going to offer sacrifices to the gods at Mount Song and asked them to stay.

The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty performed the Fengshan ceremony, accompanied by the chiefs of the four barbarians.

Many chiefs originally planned to leave Chang'an for several months before receiving the news of the emperor's Fengshan ceremony and then rushing back to Chang'an. However, because the emperor suddenly abdicated and became the emperor emeritus, and the prince ascended the throne, they rushed back halfway.

Lu Dongzan and his son stayed because Princess Wencheng chose to stay.

After all, the current political environment in Luosi is not very good, so it is better for the princess to stay in Chang'an.

However, after the emperor abdicated and became the emperor emeritus, they prepared to leave.

They are inextricably linked to the emperor's abdication, and if evidence is found, they will be in big trouble.

It just so happened that the new emperor ascended the throne and the retired emperor abdicated, making the Fengshan ceremony basically impossible, so they just went back.

But now, the emperor seemed to be planning to perform the Fengshan ceremony again. Lu Dongzan had an inexplicable intuition that the emperor was coming for them.

He raised his eyes slightly and looked at the emperor sitting on the imperial couch.

Li Chengqian looked at the officials who had gradually calmed down, then glanced at the retired emperor standing to one side, and then said: "The retired emperor Yuan Miao, is beyond the reach of the gods, and his reputation is extremely powerful. No one in the past three generations can compare with him. I am deeply grateful for his sincerity, so I have decided to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song at the end of the year.

The former emperor will be the chief priest, and I and the empress will be the assistant priests.

With the virtue of the abdication of the Emperor Gaozu, I respectfully inform Heaven, and ask Heaven to grant me grace, prolong the Emperor's life, and fulfill my filial duty."

After Li Chengqian finished speaking, Li Shimin, who was about to speak out to stop him, looked at Li Chengqian with complicated eyes.

After sighing softly, he stopped talking.

Li Chengqian was going to hold a Fengshan ceremony for Li Shimin. In addition to fulfilling his filial piety, there were many political calculations involved.

Li Shimin saw through it completely at a glance. Once all these calculations succeeded, it would be of great benefit to Li Chengqian and the entire Tang Dynasty.

"Your Majesty!" Li Daozon, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, since ancient times, there has never been a case of a retired emperor performing a Fengshan ceremony."

"After me, there will be." Li Chengqian shook his head slightly, then said, "From now on, when the emperor voluntarily abdicates and becomes the retired emperor, the new emperor will hold a grand ceremony for the retired emperor. If this can become an eternal precedent, I believe that a hundred generations from now, the world will congratulate me and the retired emperor!"

The ministers now understood that although the emperor was young now, he had already thought about abdicating early when he was old in order to seek the title of Fengshan.

In this way, even if an emperor in the future did not have great achievements during his reign, he would be able to be enthroned just by abdicating.

So is abdication enough to make the world a better place?
enough.

The mere act of abdication was enough to avoid countless bloody battles and even the decline of the dynasty.

Not to mention that the ancient kings regarded abdication as a high status.

"Your Majesty is benevolent and filial, and the Emperor is virtuous." Li Yifu stood up and said with a cupped hand, "This prosperous era surpasses three previous dynasties. I congratulate Your Majesty, the Emperor, and the Great Tang!"

Li Chengqian smiled. Li Yifu always stood up when he was most needed.

"Your Majesty is benevolent and filial, and the Emperor is virtuous. I congratulate Your Majesty, the Emperor, and the Tang Dynasty!" All the ministers in the hall bowed their hands.

"The matter is settled. The Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Revenue, the Imperial Household Department, and the Supervisory Office will begin preparations." Li Chengqian glanced at everyone, then looked at Fang Xuanling.

Fang Xuanling bowed, then picked up an imperial edict and said loudly: "Order from the Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty."

"We listen respectfully to the Holy Prophet's instructions!" The ministers knelt down again.

"When Emperor Yao abdicated the throne to Yu Shun, his legacy passed to another generation; when the Han emperor honored the Supreme Being, the rituals followed the empty title.

There has never been anyone who ascended the highest throne and forsaken the honour of a thousand chariots, or who served the morning and evening to transmit the weight of the seven ancestral temples. This was before Yao's plans were far-reaching, before Han's path was complete, yet he soared to great fame and surpassed all the ancients. Who could compare to the present prosperity?

The Supreme Emperor is in silence and in guilt, and the abdication has not yet been carried out. All nations are paying attention, thinking about how to follow the example of Yao and bring about justice; all living beings are looking forward to it, and are eager to see the benefits of the sage.

Since I ascended the throne, I have not sought any vain plans. I have moved Heaven and Earth with my loyalty and the gods with my filial piety. I have accomplished the internal abdication of Yao and Shun, and consolidated the destiny of the country.

There is no greater merit than matching the heaven, no greater filial piety than respecting one's parents, and no higher level of humility than passing on the teachings of saints.

Therefore, the Supreme Emperor released the burden of the world and thus achieved his relinquishment.

A great wish.

The current emperor’s title is “Tiansheng Renshou Tiankehan Taishang Huang”, and he is called “Saint”.

The celebration of the Three Officials inspires joy among all nations.

He presented the imperial edict to recommend the great emblem and led all the ministers to pay homage to the emperor.

The more respected the title, the more diligent he was in responding to the imperial edicts.

Thousands of people bowed their heads in agreement, and all of them were silent.

Admire this! "

The ministers immediately kowtowed and said, "Your servants pay homage to the Heavenly Saint, Benevolent and Longevity Khan, the Supreme Emperor. Long live the saint."

Li Chengqian bowed sincerely to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin looked at this scene and smiled with satisfaction. In addition to the desire for his own stability, he also wanted to help Li Chengqian take the throne and have a good life.

At least the Tang Dynasty's prosperity could continue.

Of course, the emperor was benevolent and filial, so he gave him the title of "Tiansheng Benevolent and Longevity Tian Khan Taishang Huang". At least the three words "Tian Khan" will belong to him, Li Shimin, forever.

"Your Majesty is benevolent and filial, and I am grateful for your kindness." Li Shimin nodded, then stood there calmly.

"Everyone, please stand." Li Chengqian raised his hand slightly. "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty." The ministers then slowly stood up.

Many people completely understood at this moment that whether the emperor was preparing for the Fengshan ceremony for the retired emperor or giving him a title of honor, he was showing his benevolence and filial piety.

A benevolent and filial emperor cannot be too bad.

With this skill alone, he was able to sit firmly on the throne without causing the people of the world to be confused and alert.

What a clever move.

In addition, all people in the world were exempted from taxes for one year.

In the future, any rumors about the emperor's abdication and the prince's accession to the throne will be completely dispelled.

The emperor firmly sat on the throne and controlled the overall situation.

The gains far outweigh the costs.

So clever.

……

Seeing the respect on the faces of the ministers, Li Chengqian smiled gently, then looked at Fang Xuanling standing beside him.

Fang Xuanling picked up another imperial edict and said to the ministers, "The Emperor of the Great Tang has issued an order."

"We listen attentively to the Holy Prophet's instructions!" The ministers bowed again.

"The Emperor of the Great Tang said: I follow the Emperor's benevolent decree to pacify the inner palace and regulate government affairs.

Only think about choosing the virtuous and place them in the right position.

I look up to the three palaces and look down upon them, and they are so kind to me.

The Crown Princess, surnamed Su, was a model of palace etiquette and a benevolent person. She raised four sons and continued the royal family line.

She can be made a queen, and be regarded as a role model in the inner chamber. She can assist the monarch in his virtues and bring grace to the world.

Admire this! "

The ministers kowtowed again: "Your Majesty, may you live long and prosper, and may the Empress live in peace and happiness."

As the voice fell, a crisp sound of footsteps was heard at the door of Taiji Hall. Then, Su Shu, dressed in a green phoenix robe and a phoenix crown on her head, suppressed the joy and excitement in her heart, walked step by step among the ministers, and then walked up to the Danbi.

The Minister of Rites, King Jiangxia Li Daozon, presented the empress with the golden book and seal, then stepped back and knelt aside.

Su Shu walked to Li Chengqian's side, then slowly sat down, her eyes first looking at the retired emperor.

Bow sincerely.

Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction.

Apart from anything else, the sons and daughters-in-law he chose were all kind and filial people, and capable enough to handle the world.

When it comes to choosing an heir, even Emperor Wen of Han and Emperor Jing of Han could not compare to him.

As for the remaining ancient emperors, there is nothing much to say.

Under the imperial desk, Li Chengqian reached out and gently held Su Shu's soft hand, and Su Shu immediately smiled sweetly at him.

The couple turned around at the same time and looked at the entire hall and the entire world in front of them.

The emperor and empress returned to their thrones, and the people of the world were content.

……

Under the cover of night, Lu Dongzan sat in a carriage, swaying back to the embassy.

He reeked of alcohol and his chest was churning slightly.

The emperor ascended the throne and held a grand banquet for his ministers.

This is a rare thing.

Historically, emperors ascended the throne only after the previous emperor died of illness.

Therefore, even when the emperor ascended the throne, he had to prepare for the funeral at the same time.

There was no such thing as an emperor holding a grand banquet for his ministers after ascending the throne.

Actually there are, such as reverse movement.

This was the case with Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty.

Lu Dongzan smiled lightly. This time, Li Shimin abdicated as the Supreme Emperor and Li Chengqian ascended the throne. According to the information they had received, it was essentially still an abdication.

It's just that the means are extremely gentle and extremely secretive.

Almost no one noticed it except the two emperors.

However, forcing abdication is forcing abdication.

"Prime Minister, we're here." A voice came from outside the carriage, and the carriage slowly stopped.

The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and outside was the inner courtyard of the Tibetan Embassy in Pingkangfang.

Lu Dongzan calmly got out of the carriage and hurried towards the study.

In the study, Gar Qinling saw Lu Dongzan and stepped forward, bowing and saying, "Father, I heard that the emperor is going to offer sacrifices to the emperor. Are we unable to leave?"

"Yeah!" Lu Dongzan nodded after sitting down: "That's right, I even have a feeling that he is coming for us.

If it was really caused by what we did that night, he would not let us go, after all, we had our hands in the palace."

"Father." Gar Qinling bowed and said, "They are still investigating that matter, but it's very slow. However, no matter how slow they are, half a year will be enough to find us. If they get evidence and take action against us, the Zamp..."

"If that were all, it would be fine. I'm worried he's going after the Zamp." A hint of fear flashed in Lu Dongzan's eyes, and then he said, "Over the years, he's been focusing a lot on the plateau, and with his plans, he must have made some moves on the plateau."

If the Tang Dynasty and Tubo went to war, and if Li Chengqian had killed both father and son in Chang'an with good reason, then Tubo would have lost the initiative from the very beginning, not to mention that Songtsen's mind was still in India.

"We have to go back." Lu Dongzan looked up at Gar Qinling and said seriously, "At least you have to go back."

"Father!" Gar Qinling's face changed.

Lu Dongzan waved his hand slightly and said, "With the princess here, you can go back again. Dad can protect himself in Chang'an. Besides, the matter between them, the father and son, is not so easy to end."

"Ah?" Gar Qinling looked puzzled.

Lu Dongzan raised his head slightly: "There is no other sun in the sky!"

(End of this chapter)