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

Chapter 414: Wu Meiniang, Wu Shun, Two Sisters (Part )
The sky is beginning to brighten.

In the back hall of Cuiwei Palace, Li Chengqian personally fed Li Shimin medicine and then ate.

Finally, he gently wiped his mouth.

After doing all this, Li Chengqian stood up, came to the bed, knelt down in front of Li Shimin, and kowtowed, saying: "Father, I am going back to the palace."

Li Shimin sat on the soft cushion, turned slightly sideways, looked at Li Chengqian, and said in an old voice: "I told you a long time ago, don't kneel to others in the future."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian did not argue, but stood up obediently.

Li Shimin knew at a glance that Li Chengqian would do the same in the future.

Since ascending the throne, his son has become even more filial than before.

Li Shimin nodded and said, "After returning to the capital this time, do you understand what you should do?"

"I understand." Li Chengqian bowed and said, "Autumn harvest. It's already the end of June, the end of summer, and then it will be autumn. Autumn harvest is the most important thing in the world."

Li Shimin nodded slightly and asked, "You have just ascended the throne, and rent and land taxes have been exempted. Is it still necessary to worry about the autumn harvest?"

"Market taxes and other miscellaneous taxes are exempt." Li Chengqian bowed slightly and continued, "When the common people have extra money, they naturally go to the market to buy things. The more they earn from the autumn harvest, the more beneficial it will be to the court. At the same time, we must prevent some local officials from imposing land taxes and rent taxes in addition to the imperial edicts. If they do that, I will inevitably have to kill a few people."

In fact, Li Chengqian had long foreseen that even after he issued the imperial edict, there would be people who pretended not to have heard the edict, or increased taxes in disguised form by means of corvee labor.

If it were in the past, he might have warned local officials in advance and asked them to prohibit similar behavior.

But now, he did not give any advance warning, only the thundering measures after the incident.

Sometimes, no one listens to warnings, and only blood can make people feel awe.

At the same time, only blood can make the people grateful.

"Also, after the autumn harvest, the government will have to buy grain from the people." Li Chengqian bowed and continued, "This year, there are wars in Liaodong and the northwest. We can use this as an excuse to buy grain from the people at a slightly higher price to keep prices from falling too low."

The emperor exempted land tax and farm tax. Although the burden on the people was reduced, the increase in grain available for sale on the market actually led to a drop in grain prices.

Some local wealthy families and grain merchants would even deliberately lower grain prices, then purchase large quantities of grain, and then sell them to the people at high prices when a disaster strikes next year.

This is why the people will become poorer and poorer.

The emperor's grace will eventually be swallowed up by local families and corrupt officials.

Therefore, killing is necessary.

"It was only after Duke Zheng explained it in detail that I finally understood this principle." Li Shimin nodded and said with emotion, "You are better than me. At your age now, you already understand the strangeness of this."

"It is only because of my father's words and deeds that I can understand these principles." Li Chengqian bowed slightly.

"Haha!" Li Shimin smiled softly and nodded, "Go ahead. Ask your uncle more about the court affairs."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian kowtowed again and said, "Your Majesty, take care. I will come back to serve you in four days."

"Go." Li Shimin's expression calmed down.

"Your son will take his leave!" Li Chengqian stood up, took two steps back, then turned around and walked out of the hall.

Wu Meiniang was standing beside the curtain. She couldn't help but look up slightly and look at Li Chengqian, but Li Chengqian didn't even look at her and left.

For some reason, a strong sense of loss arose in Wu Meiniang's heart, and she didn't know why.

For a moment, her body couldn't help but feel weak.

But at this moment, her sharp eyes caught the others bowing at the same time, and she instantly came to her senses and bowed, saying, "Farewell, Your Majesty."

It was not until Li Chengqian's footsteps completely stopped that Wu Meiniang breathed a sigh of relief.

He stood up, walked to Li Shimin, and bowed again: "Saint!"

Li Shimin smiled and looked outside the palace. The mountains and fields were serene and quiet. He said softly, "My son is becoming more and more like me."

Wu Meiniang was stunned.

What does it mean.

……

The imperial carriage descended the long road from Mount Zhongnan, and the horse's pace was slow.

Li Chengqian sat in the carriage, calmly handling the memorial in his hand.

Every time he opened a memorial, a local prefecture or county would appear on the map of the Tang Dynasty in his mind.

Mountains, rivers, climate and geography.

Taxes, criminal cases, and cultural exchanges.

Everything became completely clear in his mind.

It even connects and contrasts with other places, giving him a clearer understanding of the place.

Just as Li Chengqian was reading the memorial, the Imperial Secretary Li Yifu appeared at the carriage door and bowed to Li Chengqian, saying, "Your Majesty, someone is here."

Li Chengqian raised his head calmly and said, "Scream!"

"Yes!" Li Yifu bowed, then opened the door, and Wu Shun, dressed in a green skirt, appeared at the door of the car.

Xu Jingzong, the attendant sitting nearby, didn't know for a moment whether he should get up and leave or continue sitting.

Wu Shun walked to the carriage and kowtowed to Li Chengqian, saying, "Your Majesty, may your Majesty be blessed with good health and happiness."

Li Chengqian nodded calmly and said, "Madam Helan, please stand up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wu Shun then stood up and continued to bow to Li Chengqian.

"Sit here." Li Chengqian pointed to the right. Wu Shun glanced at the place next to Li Chengqian, and her body couldn't help but tremble slightly.

You know, the last time she saw Li Chengqian, he almost grabbed her collar in the car... Now, he is the emperor.

Thinking of this, Wu Shun forced a smile on his face, then walked to Li Chengqian's right side, knelt down, and bowed gently, saying, "Your Majesty!"

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded, looked at Wu Shun calmly, and said, "Madam Helan, I called you here today because I have something to ask of you."

"Your Majesty, please give your orders." Wu Shun felt inexplicably relieved.

"Go to Changlefang and buy a house." As soon as Li Chengqian finished speaking, Wu Shun's expression changed slightly, Xu Jingzong's mouth twitched, and only Li Yifu looked calm.

Li Chengqian said calmly, "The money for the house was provided by the Imperial Household. In name only, it was the money I bestowed upon Consort Wu in the palace as a reward for her dedicated service to the Emperor."

Wu Shun looked up with some confusion.

"The house of Lady Yingshan in Chang'an belongs to the Yang family, right?" Li Chengqian looked down at Wu Shun.

Wu Shun's expression changed slightly, and he bowed and said, "Yes, my mother is from the direct line of the Yang family, and her brothers are all noble, so it's okay for her to live in the Yang family's house."

"Take Madam Yingshan to the new house occasionally and tell her that this house will be where Consort Wu will live after she leaves the palace." Li Chengqian looked at Wu Shun and said, "That way, she'll feel closer to you."

"Your Majesty!" Wu Shun didn't quite understand what Li Chengqian was going to do.

"You can follow Madam Yingshan and visit more of the noble families of the Yang clan, using the title of Wu Cairen." Li Chengqian turned around and saw Wu Shun's face was a little unhappy. He snorted coldly, "What nonsense are you thinking? After you have established a good relationship with the Yang family, you can then visit the halls of other noble families in Chang'an. With the title of Wu Cairen, you can even go to the princess's house."

"Your Majesty!" Wu Shun couldn't help but frown.

"There are some things that the Hundred Cavalry Division can't easily pry into, but women don't have to be so cautious when speaking to each other." Li Chengqian looked at Wu Shun and said, "If you can find out any valuable information, send it back to the house in Changlefang. The people there will pass the news on to the palace."

Wu Shun, Li Yifu, and Xu Jingzong all understood everything at this moment.

Wu Shun is just a chess piece.

A chess piece used by the emperor to lurk in the home of a noble lady in Chang'an to gather information.

"I have just ascended the throne, and the administration in the future is bound to be fierce. Please help me listen to what the nobles in Chang'an have to say about me and the major policies of the court." Li Chengqian's words completely changed the ideas of Wu Shun, Li Yifu and Xu Jingzong.

The three of them even felt a little ashamed for a moment.

"The Baiqi Division will pay you a salary every month." Li Chengqian glanced at Wu Shun gently. Wu Shun looked up subconsciously. Her eyes couldn't help but become moist. She bit her lower lip tightly, her breathing became heavy, and she was almost about to cry.

"Okay, that's it, you go down." Li Chengqian said lightly.

Wu Shun was startled and was about to salute, but at this moment, Li Chengqian turned around and looked at Xu Jingzong: "Why are you still standing there?"

Xu Jingzong was stunned for a moment before he realized the emperor was talking about him. He quickly bowed and said, "I'll take my leave."

"I'll take my leave." Li Yifu on the other side also bowed and stood up, then they all left the imperial carriage together.

For a moment, only Li Chengqian and Wu Shun were left in the imperial carriage, along with a few palace maids and eunuchs standing in the corner.

……

Li Chengqian hooked his finger at Wu Shun and said, "Come here."

"Yes!" Wu Shun hesitated a little, but finally came to Li Chengqian's side and knelt down.

Li Chengqian stretched out his fingers and gently stroked Wu Shun's fair chin, finally touching the edge of her lips, and then stroked it little by little.

For some reason, Wu Shun felt a slight shiver on his back.

"Stay well in Chang'an City and socialize with people more often, okay?" Li Chengqian raised his eyes and looked into Wu Shun's eyes.

"I understand." Wu Shun murmured in reply.

Li Chengqian suddenly put his left hand around Wu Shun's waist and pulled her into his arms.

Wu Shun clung tightly to Li Chengqian's body, and in an instant, her face flushed terribly.

"Haha!" Li Chengqian smiled smugly, then shook his head slightly and said, "Alright, I'm not that impatient. Next time, the next time we meet, I'll eat you."

"Your Majesty!" Wu Shun's voice was extremely charming.

"Alright, go ahead." Li Chengqian patted her lower back and whispered, "Let's go back to Chang'an soon. Duke Zhao should be waiting for me outside the city."

Wu Shun suddenly woke up, quickly climbed up from Li Chengqian, bowed slightly, and then tried to get off the carriage.

"Wait!" Li Chengqian raised his head calmly and said with a half-smile, "Wipe your face with a wet towel. Your face is too red."

Li Chengqian's words made Wu Shun's face turn red.

"Someone come!" Li Chengqian suddenly said indifferently: "Send the message to General Li Anyan of the Left Thousand Oxen Guard."

"Yes!" The eunuch bowed and left.

Wu Shun subconsciously raised his head and looked at Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian nodded calmly: You two can contact each other later.

……

Li Yifu and Xu Jingzong followed the carriage on horseback. They had just mounted their horses when they saw Wu Shun calmly getting off the carriage. Then they saw Li Anyan quickly board the carriage, and then Wu Shun was sent away.

Half an hour later, everyone had returned to Mingde Gate in Chang'an City.

Changsun Wuji had already brought the left and right Jinwu Guard generals, as well as countless Jinwu Guards, and was waiting outside the city.

Li Yifu and Xu Jingzong dismounted from their horses at the same time and respectfully saluted Changsun Wuji, saying, "Sikong!"

Changsun Wuji nodded calmly, passed between the two of them, and then boarded the imperial carriage.

They both bowed their heads at the same time.

　Wu Ji conspired with the late emperor to seize the world, and the world admired his wisdom; he served as prime minister for thirty years, and the world feared his power; if he were to rebel one day, who would Your Majesty send to take charge?

　　
　
(End of this chapter)