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

Chapter 508: Ultimately, it’s still about the events of Xuanwu Gate (Part )

"Duke of E." Zhangsun Wuji looked at Yuchi Jingde with a serious expression and said seriously, "The Tang Dynasty follows the Han system, taking the founding emperor as the ancestor, that is, Emperor Gaozu Taiwu. The previous emperor was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty, so he is called the ancestor, that is, Emperor Taizong."

"Emperor Guangwu of Han Liu Xiu, Emperor Ming of Wei Cao Rui, and Emperor Yang of Sui Yang Guang." Cheng Zhijie stood up and bowed. None of them were founding emperors.

Li Chengqian was slightly stunned, and his eyes swept lightly over Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Zhijie. He began to understand what was going on.

"The reason Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, is called the Emperor of the Later Han is because the Former Han was usurped by Wang Mang, and Liu Xiu was the founding emperor of the Later Han." Zhangsun Wuji gritted his teeth and looked at Cheng Zhijie, saying, "Could it be that Duke Lu is trying to say that the late emperor was the founding emperor of the Later Tang?"

Cheng Zhijie didn't look at him either, but looked up at Li Chengqian.

Zhangsun Wuji felt a surge of rage rising in his heart, but he suppressed it and said, "Emperor Ming of Wei, Cao Rui, gave himself a temple name while he was still alive, a name that later generations have been laughing at for hundreds of years. And Yang Guang, he was a king who brought about the downfall of his country. Duke Lu, do you want the Tang Dynasty to perish as well?"

"These are two different things. We only need to call the late emperor our ancestor. We don't care what other names we call him, such as Liezu, Xianzu, and Chengzu." Yuchi Jingde looked arrogant.

Cheng Zhijie pulled Yuchi Jingde, then bowed to Li Chengqian on the imperial couch and said, "Your Majesty, although many people worked hard to establish the Tang Dynasty, most of this world was conquered by the late emperor. Why can't the late emperor be called the ancestor?"

Changsun Wuji and all the ministers in the hall were stunned.

It turned out that these military generals were still fighting for the military achievements of the late emperor.

Is it excessive to call the late emperor an ancestor based on his military achievements?

All the ministers couldn't help but look up at the emperor sitting on the imperial couch.

"Alas!" Li Chengqian looked at Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Jingde, shook his head slightly and said, "In the final analysis, it's still about what happened at Xuanwu Gate back then."

The faces of the ministers in the hall couldn't help but change.

The Xuanwu Gate Incident involved the legitimacy of the previous emperor's ascension to the throne.

When the late emperor was alive, no one dared to say a word, but after the late emperor passed away, these old stories of Xuanwu Gate were bound to resurface.

Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Jingde were not denying the Xuanwu Gate Incident, but what they said today was still influenced by the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

"When the Tang Dynasty conquered the Sui Dynasty, my father certainly made outstanding contributions, but can we erase my grandfather's contributions?" Li Chengqian looked up at the Minister of Rites, Li Xizhi, and said, "Duke of Shi'an County!"

"I'm here!" Li Xizhi stood up and bowed.

"Li Xuansi, the General of the Imperial Guard!" Li Chengqian called out the name again.

"I'm here!" Li Xuansi, dressed in red and golden armor, stood up.

"Back then, more than 60 counties and cities in Lingnan submitted to the Tang Dynasty. It was all thanks to you and your son. Tell me, who was in charge of this matter back then?" Li Chengqian raised his head calmly.

Li Xizhi bowed and said, "It is Emperor Gaozu. I have received a letter personally written by Emperor Gaozu."

Li Xuansi then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I was ordered by Emperor Gaozu to deliver the letter to Lingnan and hand it to your father."

"During the chaotic times at the end of the Sui Dynasty, father and son were separated." Li Chengqian nodded and asked, "Li Xuansi, why did you appear beside Emperor Gaozu? Lord Shi'an, why did you accept the Emperor Gaozu's imperial edict?"

"My father and I are from the Longxi Li family. Although we are not members of the royal family, we are also relatives of Emperor Gaozu." Li Xizhi bowed seriously.

"Duke Lu, Duke E." Li Chengqian looked at Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Zhijie and asked, "Let me ask you, Emperor Gaozu conquered Luoyang and pacified the people. During the entire Wude period, who didn't acknowledge him? Not to mention, the Tang Dynasty was founded by Emperor Gaozu. Is it excessive for him to call himself Emperor Gaozu?"

The corners of Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Zhijie's mouths trembled slightly, but they couldn't say anything.

Because the temple name Gaozu was decided by the previous emperor.

Back then, the reason why the Tang Dynasty was able to be established was that Emperor Gaozu recruited the Guanzhong families in the name of the Longxi Li family. He established the foundation of Guanzhong with his own prestige.

At that time, the late emperor had not yet attracted much attention.

Everyone present was aware of this.

……

"The Tang Dynasty follows the Han system, where grandfather is called the Great-Grandfather, so father naturally cannot be called the Grandfather." Li Chengqian set the tone completely. Looking at Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Zhijie, who were about to say something, he waved his hand and said, "As for the Xuanwu Gate incident back then, have you forgotten, my dear ministers? I was also half-involved in it."

Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Zhijie were slightly stunned, then lowered their heads together.

At the time of the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Chengqian was already seven years old.

He can remember things now.

Li Chengqian looked at the two people and said, "You see things from one perspective back then, but I see it from another perspective."

"Please teach me, Your Majesty!" Changsun Wuji turned around and bowed seriously to Li Chengqian.

All the ministers in the palace had the same attitude. Most of them were members of the Xuanwu Gate back then. The attitude of the new emperor Li Chengqian towards the Xuanwu Gate was related to his recognition of them.

"I often wonder, if my father had failed at Xuanwu Gate and Crown Prince Yin had succeeded, what would he, with all his might, have done after capturing my father?" Li Chengqian looked at the ministers and asked softly, "Would he have handed my father over to my grandfather and relinquished his military power?"

The ministers in the hall suddenly looked up, their faces filled with shock.

Many people couldn't help but show a hint of surprise in their eyes.

"No." Li Chengqian shook his head and said calmly, "Prince Yin would have stormed through Xuanwu Gate and forced Grandfather to abdicate, or even killed the king and his father. Therefore, when Father acted decisively at Xuanwu Gate, he was actually saving the emperor and the country."

There is no greater merit than saving the emperor.

Many people were surprised and delighted, but also a little confused. Could things be explained in this way?
"Although some may harbor doubts, this is indeed the case." Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, my father became the Crown Prince, but he didn't advance any further. He later ascended the throne because my grandfather abdicated. You all witnessed those events, so what I say should be correct."

That's right, but...

But did Emperor Gaozu have any other choice at that time?
Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Jingde remained silent.

"Since my father's throne came from my grandfather's voluntary abdication, then why not make my grandfather the Great-Ancestor and my father the Great Emperor?" Li Chengqian turned to look at Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Jingde and said, "I have some things I don't want to say that may be unpleasant, but I have to say them now. My father's temple name is Zu today, so can I, a hundred years from now, also be called Zu?" Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Jingde suddenly looked up and quickly bowed, saying, "Your Highnesses are mistaken."

Li Shimin was called the ancestor because of his merits in the past, and forcibly destroyed the merits of Emperor Gaozu in the process of founding the Tang Dynasty. So if Li Chengqian was called the ancestor one day, Li Shimin's merits would be wiped out.

Once this topic is opened, it will never end.

Once everyone calls someone "zu", the word "zu" will no longer have any meaning.

"Looking through the annals of history, Taizong is a title second only to the founding emperor. I think it's a good one." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian sighed softly, "A hundred years from now, I hope to be able to emulate my father and be called the ancestor."

"Your Majesty is benevolent, filial, wise, brave and heroic. You are the blessing of all people and the cornerstone of the country. With the sincerity of a wise ruler, you will build a great cause for thousands of years and an era of supreme prosperity." The ministers all bowed their hands with sincere expressions.

Li Chengqian smiled lightly, his eyes falling lightly on Changsun Wuji.

What he said just now, describing the Xuanwu Gate incident as a rescue of the emperor, was actually very forced and the explanation was very simple.

After all, Emperor Gaozu had been under house arrest since the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

Although Li Shimin was still the crown prince, he sat in the Eastern Palace and ruled the world as the crown prince, forcing everyone to persuade Emperor Gaozu to abdicate.

This is the historical truth.

In the hall today, except for the military generals, among the civil officials, even if someone is temporarily confused, they will be able to react immediately after a while.

However, since Li Chengqian has already given the direction, some of the civil officials will naturally follow his direction and beautify the Xuanwu Gate Incident as much as possible.

The blame will be put on Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji.

"Alright, everyone, please stand." Li Chengqian raised his hand calmly, then said, "Father's temple name will be Taizong. No further discussion is needed. What about his posthumous title?"

As soon as the ministers stood up, Zhangsun Wuji immediately stood up and said, "Your Majesty, we believe that the posthumous title for the Grand Emperor could be Wen, Ren, or Xiao."

The control of heaven and earth is called Wen; morality and knowledge are called Wen; kindness and love for the people are called Wen; loyalty, trustworthiness and courtesy are called Wen.

To accumulate righteousness and accomplish great deeds is called benevolence; to be kind to the people and to cherish things is called benevolence; to restrain oneself and to return to propriety is called benevolence; to respect the virtuous and to love one’s relatives is called benevolence.

To bring peace to the five elements is called filial piety; to be kind and loving to one’s parents is called filial piety; to cooperate with the times and promote enjoyment is called filial piety; to uphold virtue and not waver is called filial piety.

"Benevolence!" Li Chengqian pondered the word carefully.

It is somewhat inappropriate to give Emperor Taizong the posthumous title of "Xiao".

Although "Xiao" is a beautiful posthumous title, it is not appropriate for Emperor Taizong.

The filial emperor in front of the Suzaku Gate, the sound of patricide in the Xuanwu Hall.

It sounds like the irony is too strong.

Emperor Wen was the original posthumous title of Emperor Taizong, and naturally the best.

But the word "benevolence" suddenly made Li Chengqian feel moved.

Li Chengqian raised his head, looked at Zhangsun Wuji, and asked, "What do you think, uncle?"

"Although 'Xiao' is an excellent word, the posthumous title of Emperor Hui of the Former Han Dynasty, Liu Ying, was 'Xiao'. I think this is slightly inappropriate." Changsun Wuji bowed and said, "'Wen' is also an excellent word, but the late emperor was a master of both civil and military virtues. A single word cannot adequately summarize his life. Therefore, I believe 'Ren' is the best word."

Emperor Taizong of Tang.

Many of the ministers in the hall nodded slightly in agreement.

The late emperor fought wars in the east and west and made countless contributions to the founding of the Tang Dynasty.

After the founding of the country, he destroyed the Eastern Turks, Xueyantuo, Tuyuhun, Gaochang, and defeated Goguryeo. His military achievements were unmatched throughout history.

If the posthumous title Wu had not been taken by Emperor Gaozu, then it would have been most appropriate for Emperor Taizong to use the posthumous title Wu.

Although he was extremely good at civil affairs during his lifetime, he was still far behind in martial arts.

The word "benevolence" best describes Li Shimin's life.

Li Chengqian suddenly smiled, looked at Zhangsun Wuji, nodded with emotion, and said, "Uncle is right. The word 'benevolence' is indeed the most representative of my father's life. But I want to ask, among all the posthumous titles, which one is the best?"

Zhang Sun Wuji hesitated slightly, but still bowed and said, "Your Majesty, it is the word 'wen'."

Posthumous titles are a thing used by literati.

Naturally, the word "wen" is the best, and is usually only used for founding a country or epoch-making monarchs, symbolizing their pioneering literary governance, such as Emperor Wen of Sui.

"The criterion of heaven and earth is called 'wen'." Li Chengqian raised his head slightly, tears welling in his eyes as he said, "I think this sentence is most suitable for my father. My father crisscrosses heaven and earth, and there is no one in the world who can surpass him. Therefore, I think that my father's posthumous title should be 'wen', that is, Emperor Taizong Wen."

Emperor Taizong of Tang.

……

Emperor Taizong of Tang.

Li Chengqian's voice was not loud, but all the ministers in the hall felt a heavy pressure coming towards them.

It was not because of the emperor's voice, but because of the six words "Emperor Taizong Wen".

There were only six of them, but they felt the image of the late emperor suddenly appear in their minds.

Everyone subconsciously bowed and said, "Emperor Taizong Wen, forever."

(End of this chapter)