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

Chapter 439: Liaodong Victory, Storms and Fires (Part )
East of Luoyang City, outside Jianchun Gate.

A Qianniu Guard, exhausted from the worldly affairs, came riding quickly from a distance.

Before they even reached Jianchun Gate, the intruders were already shouting, "Victory news, victory news! A great victory in Liaodong! General Niu Jinda of the Left Guard and General Su Dingfang of the Right Guard have routed the Goguryeo invaders on the Yalu River, beheading 20,000. This victory is a triumph! Long live the Emperor."

The commander of Jianchun Gate immediately ordered his men to drive the people out of the city and clear the road. At the same time, he ordered his men to beat the signal drum.
The rapid beats of drums accompanied by galloping horses quickly delivered the news to the palace.

In Huiyou Hall, Li Chengqian was delighted and said to Li Shimin, "Congratulations, father, on the great victory in Liaodong."

Li Shimin nodded and said, "Congratulations, Emperor."

"Thank you, father!" Li Chengqian bowed with a smile.

"Go ahead. You've painstakingly planned this." Li Shimin raised his head slightly, then said with a smile, "I won't get involved!"

Who is Li Shimin?

He didn't even take seriously such a small achievement as beheading tens of thousands of people.

"Yes!" Li Chengqian bowed solemnly, then turned and left Huiyou Hall.

……

At the gate of Daye, Li Ji, the Duke of Yingguo, dressed in a purple robe, was already waiting.

Seeing Li Chengqian walk out, Li Ji immediately stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, a month ago, Liaodong reported that Gai Suwen was suspected of making a move. Niu Jinda, Duke of Langya, and Su Dingfang, a man from Wuyi County, followed Your Majesty's plan and retreated to the north bank of the Yalu River, leaving the city on the south bank to Gai Suwen. They also hid a large amount of incendiary materials inside..."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly.

In the summer, when Li Chengqian first ascended the throne, he ordered Niu Jinda and Su Dingfang to clear the vast land from the north bank of the Taedong River to the south bank of the Yalu River.

At the same time, the Goguryeo navy was wiped out.

At that time, Gai Suwen didn't know what was happening and could only order his men to retreat.

In the end, all the fields they had secretly cultivated under the nose of the Tang Dynasty were destroyed.

The army then retreated.

By the time the news of Li Chengqian's ascension to the throne reached Goguryeo, it was too late for Gai Suwen to react.

After spending several months planning a counterattack, they didn't expect that it was a trap set by Li Chengqian long ago.

Although we don’t know what exactly happened, Gai Suwen must have suffered a great loss this time.

Li Chengqian continued forward and said with a little more ease: "I want to know now whether Gai Suwen is in front of the army and whether he is dead."

……

In the Zhenguan Hall, Li Chengqian sat on the imperial couch.

Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji, Li Ji, Chu Suiliang, Yu Zhining, Tang Jian, Yan Lide, Li Daozon, Liu Dewei, Yuchi Jingde, Cheng Zhijie and others all stood on both sides of the hall.

The Qianniu Guard knelt on the ground and shouted, "Your Majesty, I, Xu Chang, the Qianniu Guard, follow the orders of the General of the Left Wuwei and the Duke of Langya, and report the victory... On November 17th, Gai Suwen led 50,000 troops to the south bank of the Yalu River. The army abandoned the city on the south bank, and the Goguryeo army of 20,000 entered the city. That night, the north wind howled..."

Li Chengqian sat on the imperial couch and couldn't help trembling.

He looked at the ministers in the hall, and all of them had the same expression.

The north wind blew violently and a fire broke out in the city.

In a short time, the fire spread throughout the city.

Li Chengqian was almost certain that this north wind was within Su Dingfang's calculations, and even the entire battle situation was within his calculations.

On a deep and cold night, the north wind blew up the fire, which, fueled by the wind, spread across the sky almost instantly.

Immediately, the ships that had been prepared long ago quickly carried the army across the river.

Charge into the chaotic enemy army in one fell swoop.

"Ten thousand people in the city were burned to death in the fire, and the rest were killed and scattered in the chaos." Xu Chang bowed and said, "In the final count, over twenty thousand people were beheaded. In the end, less than twenty thousand returned to Pingrang City, and another ten thousand fled into the mountains or disappeared."

Li Chengqian really wanted to directly count the military merits as 30,000 people, but unfortunately that was not possible. After all, it was very likely that half of the 10,000 people would return to Pingrang City.

"Issue an order to promote General of the Left Guard, Duke of Langya, Niu Jinda, to the rank of Grand General of the Left Guard." Li Chengqian looked up at the ministers and continued, "Promote General of the Right Tunwei, Su Dingfang, a male of Wuyi County, to the rank of Earl of Wuyi County, and grant him an additional fief of 200 households."

Fang Xuanling stood up and bowed, saying, "I obey your command!"

Li Chengqian raised his head and said, "Guanglu Temple!"

"I'm here!" Changsun Xiang, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, stood up and bowed.

"The Guanglu Temple should prepare a batch of wine and meat and send it to the front of the army as quickly as possible." Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "Reward the soldiers. At the same time, have the Duke of Langya send the list of military merits to Chang'an as soon as possible. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel will verify it and then award the rewards."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji and Tang Jian stepped forward and bowed.

Li Chengqian raised his head, looked at the ministers, and said, "The front army has won a great victory. I hereby issue an order. The curfew in Chang'an and Luoyang will be lifted for three days. Let the whole city celebrate!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" All the ministers bowed in unison.

"Stand up." Li Chengqian turned sideways and looked at Zhang Ananda who was standing beside him. "Tell the food bureau to prepare lunch. I and the other ministers will celebrate our great victory together."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The ministers cheered in unison.

……

The night is falling and the lights are coming on.

Li Chengqian gently opened his eyes.

There was darkness in front of him.

A soft breathing sounded in his ears, and Li Chengqian smiled softly. He could recognize Su Shu's voice at once.

Bursts of firecracker sounds could be heard faintly outside the hall.

Li Chengqian reached out and gently held Su Shu in his arms. At this moment, he didn't think about anything.

Suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall.

Su Shu was suddenly awakened, opened her eyes hazily and asked, "Your Majesty is awake?"

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "The Queen, please continue to rest. I will go out and see what is going on outside."

"Hmm!" Su Shu responded in a daze. Li Chengqian had already stood up and walked out of the inner hall.

The palace maid on the side had already stepped forward to help Li Chengqian put on his outer robe.

Li Chengqian walked to the door, his expression calm. Today, the ministers were celebrating Liaodong's victory, and everyone had drunk quite a bit, especially now that curfew was about to begin...

Li Chengqian tapped his forehead lightly and exempted Luoyang City from curfew for three days.

"What's the matter?" Li Chengqian walked to the door. Outside the thick curtains, Dou Zhijie bowed solemnly and said, "Your Majesty, Luozhou Chief Clerk Xiao Jun requests an audience. He said there's something important!"

Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows and nodded, "Tell him to go to Zhenguan Palace. I will rush over immediately."

"Yes!" Dou Zhijie bowed outside, then turned around and left quickly.

Li Chengqian put on his outer robe, then opened his arms. The maids on both sides quickly helped him tie the jade belt and hang the accessories.

Li Chengqian then quickly walked out of the Zhuangjing Hall and strode towards the Zhenguan Hall.

In the distant night sky of Luoyang, patches of red glow float in the air.

Li Chengqian stepped into the Zhenguan Hall. Xiao Jun, dressed in a purple robe, bowed solemnly and said, "Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live long!"

"Stand up." Li Chengqian glanced at Xiao Jun. Although he looked energetic, there was still a hint of drunkenness in the corner of his eyes.

He also drank a lot at today's lunch.

Li Chengqian sat down on the imperial couch, then looked at Xiao Jun and asked, "What's the matter? Why is it so urgent?"

"Your Majesty, I've found him!" Xiao Jun cupped his hands and said seriously, "Your Majesty asked me to find the man behind Xu Shouyi, and I've found him."

Li Chengqian paused, then sat up straight, his face serious: "The person has been found. Where did you find him?"

"The Prince of Han's Mansion!" Xiao Jun bowed and said, "Luozhou Prefecture has been investigating for half a month, mobilizing all the detectives, delinquents, and wardens from Luoyang and Henan counties, and finally found the man today... Or rather, he suddenly emerged from the Prince of Han's Mansion for some fresh air, and that's why he was spotted!"

"Today, we won a great victory in Liaodong. Why is he unhappy about our great victory in Liaodong?" Li Chengqian sneered and gritted his teeth, "Send an order!"

Dou Zhijie on the side bowed.

Li Chengqian took a deep breath and calmed down. "Tell the Prince of Han to come to the East Palace and tell him I need to have a few drinks with him. Also, leave the arrest to the Earl of Wushui County and have the Hundred Cavalry Division do the work. All the people from Luozhou Prefecture must withdraw. This matter must be kept absolutely confidential and no one should be alerted."

"Yes!" Xiao Jun bowed.

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Luozhou Prefecture has done its best in this matter. My dear minister, please prepare a list of rewards and titles when you return. I can't give too many, but a few civil and military officials will not be bad."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xiao Jun bowed deeply.

……

The palace is deserted and the crescent moon is shining brightly.

King Li Yuanchang of Han stepped into the Eastern Palace. A sense of desolation filled the air all around the Eastern Palace in Luoyang.

He knew that this was the reason why the prince rarely came to the East Palace in Luoyang.

No, he shouldn't be called the prince.

Should be called the emperor.

When the emperor was the crown prince, he rarely came to Luoyang. Even when he came, he only stayed for a short time and then returned to Chang'an.

Of course, there are people cleaning and guarding here on weekdays, and they are people under the name of the Eastern Palace, but they rarely go back to Chang'an.

Therefore, Li Yuanchang was a little confused as to why the emperor suddenly asked him to come here today.

Xu An stood at the entrance of Mingli Hall and bowed to Li Yuanchang: "Your Highness, please come in!"

Li Yuanchang nodded, then stepped into the hall.

In the spacious and deserted central hall, there were only two maids standing on both sides of the main couch, and there was no sign of the emperor.

"Uncle Wang is here, please come into the inner room!" The emperor's voice came from the west hall.

Li Yuanchang hesitated slightly, but still stepped into the west hall.

A warm feeling greeted him in the hall, and Li Yuanchang breathed a sigh of relief. He then bowed to the emperor, who was sitting on the couch reading, and said, "Your Majesty, I, Li Yuanchang, the Prince of Han, pay my respects to you. May your Majesty live a long and healthy life."

"Uncle Wang, please stand up." Li Chengqian put down the "Spring and Autumn Annals" and looked up at Li Yuanchang.

He was wearing a purple robe with stars on it, a black hat on his head, and there was a hint of alcohol in his eyes, but he was just trying to look cheerful.

King of Han Li Yuanchang, Li Chengqian couldn't help but think of his previous life.

In his previous life, Li Yuanchang conspired with him to rebel and was finally ordered to commit suicide.

At that time, everyone else had something to ask for, be it an official position, power, or a title, but only Li Yuanchang asked for a beautiful woman.

Some people may say that this was an act of Li Yuanchang's lust, but in fact, Li Chengqian knew that Li Yuanchang was not lustful. What he really loved was calligraphy and painting.

If he had not joined him in the rebellion in his previous life, Li Yuanchang's achievements in this regard might have been even higher than those of the two Yans.

He is a simple person, but smart enough.

The so-called request for a beauty is actually just a token of allegiance.

Unfortunately, he still lacks understanding of the deceitfulness of human nature.

Li Chengqian looked up at Li Yuanchang and asked softly, "Uncle Wang, the palace's internal affairs are managed by the palace steward, right? Who is that?"

"Sun Shi, the household official of the Prince of Han." Li Yuanchang looked at Li Chengqian in confusion and asked, "Your Majesty, what is this?"

"Tomorrow, Sun Shi will be transferred to Liaodong as a Sima." Li Chengqian glanced at Li Yuanchang, sighed softly, and said, "Sun Shi is a relative of the Han Wang Taifei, right? Uncle Wang, do you know that he has a concubine and lives in the palace?"

"Yeah!" Li Yuanchang nodded somewhat dazedly.

"That's Xu Shimo's illegitimate daughter." Li Chengqian's eyes turned cold.

"What's wrong with Xu Shimo, the former King of Han, Sima?" Li Yuanchang looked puzzled.

"He's not dead." Li Chengqian stood up, walked to Li Yuanchang's side, patted Li Yuanchang on the shoulder, and said, "Chang He has already gone to the Prince of Han's Mansion to arrest him."

"He's not dead?" Li Yuanchang was extremely shocked.

"He's not dead. He's hiding in the palace." Li Chengqian walked out of the palace and said, "Uncle Wang, you should resign as the Governor of Longzhou!"

Li Yuanchang's expression changed slightly, and then he bowed and said, "Yes!"

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Transferred to the position of Junior Minister of Rites!"

Li Yuanchang was stunned.

(End of this chapter)