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

Chapter 566: Master Mingkong, long time no see (Part )

On May 29th, the emperor went to Mount Zhongnan.

Worship the Supreme Lord of Dao and Virtue.

The Three Caves Dharma titles were posthumously conferred on more than a dozen Taoist masters of Louguan, including Yin Gui, Du Chong, Qi Hui, and Yu Zhang.

The last one among them is Yuan Tiangang.

……

At the foot of Mount Zhongnan, the imperial carriage returned to Chang'an.

Inside the imperial carriage, Zhangsun Wuji still looked at Li Chengqian in disbelief and asked, "Your Majesty, why is Yuan Tiangang also on the list of those to be posthumously honored?"

Li Chengqian put down the memorial in his hand, looked at Zhangsun Wuji, and said with a smile: "The apparent reason is to appease the Taoist sect. After all, when Yuan Tiangang was alive, he was also a famous Taoist immortal. After he faked his death, he hid in Zhongnan Mountain for a long time. I posthumously confer the title of Yuan Tiangang to tell the Taoist sect that I have no intention of pursuing the Taoist sect's guilt for sheltering Yuan Tiangang."

Changsun Wuji nodded slowly, then asked, "Besides the superficial reasons, what other ideas does Your Majesty have?"

"That would make some people suspect that Yuan Tiangang is still alive." Li Chengqian's expression calmed down and he whispered, "Uncle, Yang Yuzhi is dead."

Changsun Wuji was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes!"

The Hundred Cavalry Division sent people to Hongnong and bribed the maid who served Yang Yuzhi.

Yang Yuzhi was exiled from the capital because of the incident with these maids, so even though he was severely punished, he still did not change his bad habits after returning to Hongnong.

He either beat or scolded his maids.

Even killed several people.

Unfortunately, those places are deep in the mountains of Hongnong, and the Hongnong Yang family has blocked the news very strictly.

People outside have no idea about these things, so naturally they can't do anything about it.

Therefore, the last two bribed maids fled into the mountains and were never seen again after strangling Yang Yuzhi.

"But the news hasn't reached Chang'an." Li Chengqian looked at Zhangsun Wuji, his eyes narrowed slightly, and whispered, "Uncle, Duke Ande still doesn't know about this matter."

"Your Majesty, what you mean is that Yang hid the news and deliberately didn't tell Duke Ande... and kept the death a secret!" Changsun Wuji was suddenly shocked.

"Although Yang Yuzhi was exiled, he was still the son of Duke Ande. Even if he had left a grandson for Duke Ande, now that he's dead, Duke Ande would have to send someone back to check on him, even if he didn't go back himself, not to mention the princess." Li Chengqian lowered his head and chuckled softly, "Perhaps they think Yuan Tiangang killed Yang Yuzhi."

"Yuan Tiangang?" Changsun Wuji looked at Li Chengqian in surprise and couldn't help asking, "How did this involve Yuan Tiangang?"

"Maybe they think that Yang Yuzhi was not strangled to death by the two maids. They suspect that there is someone behind those two maids." Li Chengqian looked at Changsun Wuji with a smile.

Changsun Wuji fell silent.

The one who killed Yang Yuzhi was Li Chengqian.

Because Yang Yuzhi indirectly caused the death of the previous emperor, he must die.

"The Yang family did not suspect Your Majesty, so they suspected Yuan Tiangang. They suspected that Yuan Tiangang was not dead." Changsun Wuji understood a little.

"It doesn't have to be Yuan Tiangang." Li Chengqian shook his head calmly and said, "Yuan Tiangang faked his death for so many years, so he must have a few real confidants under him. If the Yang family wants to take over the power left by Yuan Tiangang, it is inevitable that they will conflict with some people, and even kill a few people."

"They are afraid that His Majesty will find out about their relationship with Yuan Tiangang." Changsun Wuji nodded slowly. Once the court knew about Yang Yuzhi's death and started an investigation, if the investigation led to Yuan Tiangang's subordinates and found out that Yuan Tiangang was related to the Yang family, then the Yang family would be in big trouble.

"They're most afraid of hearing the name Yuan Tiangang right now, so I'm just going to stir things up to make them even more nervous." Li Chengqian's eyes grew colder as he said, "It's a good opportunity to see them make a bigger scene with that group. At the same time, we can sneak in and, if necessary, send someone to create fake signs that Yuan Tiangang is still alive."

Changsun Wuji finally understood.

The emperor wanted the people of the Hongnong Yang family to believe that Yuan Tiangang was still alive, so that they would be suspicious of everything they did.

In this way, their attention will not be too focused on the emperor, and their actions will be more likely to reveal flaws.

The emperor will also be able to better understand the details of the Hongnong Yang family.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Changsun Wuji nodded in admiration.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Let's take it one step at a time. I still hope to see them restrain themselves at the critical moment. Only then will the world be stable and peaceful, which is a blessing for the world."

"Your Majesty is benevolent." Changsun Wuji bowed his head slightly, then asked carefully, "I heard that Your Majesty has ordered the Taichang Temple to prepare for the Xiao family's daughter to enter the palace?"

"Hmm!" Li Chengqian said with a serious expression, "Uncle, there has been a lot of rain this summer, and even many places in Henan, Qilu, and Hebei have suffered disasters. Disaster relief is necessary, and disaster relief requires food. After Xiao enters the palace, the food in the south of the Yangtze River can be transported to the north for disaster relief."

Among the aristocratic families in Jiangnan today, Gu, Lu, Zhu, Zhang, Yu, Wei, Kong and He, although each has its own style, the Xiao family is still the dominant one.

Or to be more precise, the Xiao family is the one with the deepest ties with the Guanlong clans among all the Jiangnan families.

"Also, for some things, it's time to be ruthless." Li Chengqian turned sideways and looked out the car window.

Changsun Wuji was stunned for a moment, his mind turned, his expression changed slightly, and then he lowered his head and said, "Yes!"

Looking at Chang'an City in the distance, Li Chengqian sighed and said, "Uncle, please go back to the palace by yourself. I'm going to Ganye Temple to visit the Imperial Concubine Dowager. Among all the concubines in my father's harem, she is the only one who voluntarily converted to Buddhism and sincerely prayed for my father. I am very grateful for this."

After the late emperor passed away, his concubines caused a lot of trouble over their future whereabouts.

However, only Empress Dowager Zheng was willing to go to Ganye Temple to become a nun and pray for the late emperor's afterlife.

Li Chengqian took special care of Zheng from the beginning. Although she became a nun in Ganye Temple, her behavior inside and outside was not actually controlled. Even her family could see her as long as they went to Ganye Temple.

Or to be more precise, Zheng is the owner of the entire Ganye Temple.

Changsun Wuji had known about this matter for a long time.

The emperor visited Zheng to express his gratitude for her sincerity and to show his filial piety to the late emperor.

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji nodded with emotion.

……

In Ganye Temple, Li Chengqian walked out of the inner courtyard and toured the temple with a look of emotion. After a year at Ganye Temple, Concubine Zheng had become more and more peaceful, and her understanding of Buddhism had become more and more profound.

In fact, during this year, even Concubine Zheng’s own family rarely saw her.

Before he knew it, Li Chengqian had arrived at the west wing hall.

Among the concubines of the previous emperor who became nuns in Ganye Temple, there were several talented and beautiful women of high status, and Li Chengqian sent various rewards to them.

Now in Ganye Temple, unlike in the palace, many things are scarce.

Although they can see their families once every once in a while, to be honest, even their families may not be willing to see these concubines of the previous emperor who came out of the palace, let alone give them any money.

So when Li Chengqian came this time, he also brought a small amount of money as a reward for their prayers for the late emperor.

Li Chengqian stepped into the west courtyard, followed closely by Xu An, who held a tray with several money bags on it.

Li Chengqian walked directly into the west wing.

Deep in the long and narrow room, Xu Hui knelt on a cushion, chanting scriptures to the Buddha statue.

A young Shani, about sixteen or seventeen years old, stood beside him with his head bowed.

Seeing Li Chengqian, the little Shani was startled and quickly clasped his hands together in greeting, saying, "Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Please leave. I have something to discuss with Master Mingkong."

"Yes!" Little Shani immediately retreated.

Li Chengqian walked over to Xu Hui's side and knelt down, looking at the Buddha statue in front of him, clasped his hands together in greeting, and said, "Master Mingkong, it's been a long time since we last met."

"Your Majesty!" Xu Hui's lips trembled slightly, and then she lowered her head.

Li Chengqian stood up, then stood in front of Xu Hui and looked down at her.

Xu Hui lowered her head, and even her breathing became much lighter at this moment.

She knew that although she had been in Ganye Temple for a year, she was always under his control and had never been able to escape.

Even his own Buddhist name, Mingkong, was forced upon him by him.

Li Chengqian stood in front of Xu Hui without saying a word. A heavy pressure suddenly appeared in Xu Hui's heart. She couldn't help but look up: "Your Majesty!"

At this moment, a hand pinched her jaw with a little force. Xu Hui couldn't help but whispered, "It hurts."

Li Chengqian didn't let her go. He half-knelt down, looked into her eyes, and said, "You know about your sister entering the palace in July, right?"

Xu Hui couldn't help but feel a chill. She nodded slightly and said, "I understand."

"After she enters the palace, I will issue a special decree for you to enter and live there as well. When she has a child, you will be responsible for taking care of her." Li Chengqian finished speaking, and before Xu Hui could react, he leaned close to her ear and whispered, "It can also be your child, and let her take care of you."

Xu Hui suddenly looked up and looked at Li Chengqian in surprise.

Li Chengqian's eyes softened as he stroked Xu Hui's cheek and said, "If you are willing, you can become my concubine in the future, or even a concubine. If you are not willing, after the child is born, it will be known as your sister's child."

Xu Hui suddenly felt aggrieved and she subconsciously lowered her head, but Li Chengqian still pinched her jaw hard and laughed softly.

"Don't worry, I won't let you down." Li Chengqian stretched out his hand and picked up Xu Hui.

Xu Hui suddenly said in horror: "Your Majesty, don't."

Li Chengqian ignored her, carried her to the square table on the side, and then put her on the table.

Looking at Xu Hui's horrified eyes, Li Chengqian scratched her nose lightly and said with a smile, "I still know the difference between serious and minor offenses."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xu Hui finally relaxed completely and leaned weakly against Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian put his arm around her and asked in a low voice, "Who was that little Shani just now? Do you want to bring her into the palace with you in the future?"

"No need." Xu Hui lowered her head and said, "Her name is Huijue, her secular name is Chen Dani, and she is from Muzhou. Her family suffered a disaster, and the local officials were incompetent in dealing with the disaster. They were eventually forced to flee to Luoyang, and she was sent here from the Luoyang temple to serve her."

Even if the concubines of the previous emperor became nuns and lived a life of seclusion, it did not mean that they would be treated badly.

In fact, compared with most temples and most monks and nuns in the world, their lives are much better.

On weekdays, he is always accompanied by one or two nuns.

Li Chengqian raised his eyes and looked outside the house.

Huijue, Chen Dani, Muzhou.

Chen Shuozhen.

Empress Chen Shuozhen.

Li Chengqian's eyes were slightly cold.

How could he not investigate the people around Xu Hui thoroughly before coming here?

Especially since Yuan Tiangang had been here before.

Many things seem unconnected and broken, but in Li Chengqian's eyes, they are extremely clear.

Yuan Tiangang is dead, and now the one behind Chen Shuozhen must be the Hongnong Yang family.

Muzhou rose up in rebellion.

Li Chengqian would certainly not let things come to that, but if Chen Shuozhen forced something to happen in the future, it would be difficult for the Hongnong Yang family not to be dragged into it.

Who implicated whom, Chen Shuozhen or Hongnong Yang?

(End of this chapter)