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

Chapter 594: Wenxi Pei Clan, Pei Yan (First Update)
In the Zhuangjing Hall, the morning light spread silently.

Li Chengqian slowly opened his eyes, his gaze flashed, and his eyes were suddenly filled with calm strength.

A faint fragrance wafted from his side. Li Chengqian turned sideways and looked at Wang Youlan, who was lying on the soft pillow looking at him. His expression softened. "My beloved, have you been awake for a long time?"

"Just a moment." Wang Youlan slid down from the soft pillow, resting her head in Li Chengqian's arms. She whispered, "Your Majesty, you've been by my side these past few months in Luoyang. The other beauties won't say anything, will they?"

"When you were with me, I was still the crown prince. How can they compare?" Li Chengqian gently embraced Wang Youlan and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"

"It's been almost seven years, and I still haven't conceived a dragon seed." Wang Youlan's expression darkened, and she whispered, "Your Majesty has been extremely kind to me over the years, but I... Your Majesty, is it my fault?"

"What's wrong with you?" Li Chengqian just felt a burst of laughter. He reached out and pinched Wang Youlan's nose, and asked softly: "Let me ask you, how old are you this year?"

"Twenty years old!" Wang Youlan blurted out.

"So you've always remembered it." Li Chengqian hugged her and whispered, "Twenty to twenty-six years old is the best time to get pregnant. As long as I come to you more often in the future, you will naturally get pregnant. And who knows, you may be pregnant now."

"That's what I think too." Wang Youlan leaned against Li Chengqian's arms, blinking and saying, "So, people say that in a situation like mine, I should take a break."

"Who told you that?" Li Chengqian frowned slightly and said, "Did someone want me to go to them and ignore you?"

During the few months that Li Chengqian was in Luoyang, he almost exclusively favored Wang Youlan. Although the other concubines were also in Luoyang, they basically could not see him.

Besides, it would be strange if you could see it.

Ever since Li Chengqian came to Luoyang and just settled down, the heavy rain that had lasted the entire summer gradually began.

Li Chengqian was busy with these things for the entire summer.

Who has the time to deal with all that mess?

Wang Youlan was the person who was most familiar with Li Chengqian. She was familiar with all his habits, so Li Chengqian naturally had no intention of looking for anyone else.

"Your Majesty, there's no need to say that. I heard from the elders that in my condition, I need to be cared for." Wang Youlan leaned against Li Chengqian's arms, biting her lip as she spoke, "If it weren't for the child, I wouldn't want to leave Your Majesty's side."

"Then I won't touch you." Li Chengqian smiled lightly.

"Your Majesty is so kind." Wang Youlan subconsciously looked up and smiled sweetly at Li Chengqian, but she still shook her head and said, "The palace still has its own rules. If Your Majesty favors me alone in Luoyang, I won't be able to explain to the Queen when I return to Chang'an."

"You, why are you still afraid of the Queen?" Li Chengqian hugged Wang Youlan and whispered, "In that case, I will listen to you. Besides, your cousin has done a good job in Songzhou over the years. And since Tubo has been stable these past two years, I plan to transfer him back to Chang'an to serve as a Langjiang of the Left Jinwu Guard first to gain some experience. Then, he can be transferred to a provincial governor."

"Governor!" Wang Youlan looked up in surprise and said, "Brother, are you qualified to be a governor?"

"Wang Fangyi has accumulated a lot of military merit in Songzhou over the past few years. He should be able to serve as a Langjiang of the Left Jinwu Guard, and finally become a provincial governor." Li Chengqian pinched Wang Youlan's nose again and said with a smile, "That will take at least five to ten years. It's not that easy."

"That's not long!" Wang Youlan shook her head and looked at Li Chengqian and said, "Even my father was forty before he became a governor, and it was all because of me. Brother, he's only twenty-six this year!"

"Yes, twenty-six years old!" Li Chengqian sighed and said, "A capable person often becomes successful at a very young age."

People like Liu Rengui and Li Yifu are already considered old.

People like Wang Fangyi and Pei Xingjian are truly gifted.

Well, the court needs them right now.

……

In the Zhenguan Hall, Li Chengqian stood in front of the hall door, looking at the sunny weather outside the hall and the Luoyang City under the clear blue sky, and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"It's completely sunny today." Li Chengqian turned sideways, looked at Liu Rengui and Li Yifu, and asked, "Do you think there will be heavy rain next year?"

Liu Rengui and Li Yifu exchanged a glance, each pondering for a moment. Liu Rengui was the first to speak, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, this summer's rain is probably the heaviest since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, but that's probably all. Even if there's another heavy downpour next year, it won't be as heavy as this year."

Li Yifu nodded in agreement and said, "When yin reaches its extreme, it becomes yang. This is often recorded in history books. I'm afraid that in a few years, Your Majesty may need to prepare for drought."

"You're right." Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Two things, write them down. We should try to convert some idle and wasteland into lakes in two years and prepare for water storage. Secondly, after the war with Goguryeo is over, we should start storing grain for disaster preparedness."

"Yes!" Liu Rengui, Li Yifu, and Xu Jingzong at the back all bowed.

Li Chengqian turned around, walked towards the Danbi, and waved his hand, saying, "Let's get to work. Bring up the current summary of the disaster situation in various places."

Liu Rengui immediately picked up a memorial from the desk and handed it to Li Chengqian's desk.

Li Chengqian flipped through the memorial and looked at Liu Rengui. "Send a message to Wei Daijia. Ask him to investigate the local disaster situation and the actual situation of the local grain depots. Remember, he doesn't need to deal with it, just write it down."

"Yes!" Liu Rengui immediately bowed and accepted the order. He understood that everything now focused on disaster relief. Even if it was to investigate corrupt officials, he had to wait until all the people survived.

"Your Majesty!" Li Yifu stood up and saluted. "I have read your Majesty's decree. In addition to the affected counties, all other nearby counties have also been exempted from taxes this year. May I ask why?"

"My dear minister, you are performing your duties as a clerk!" Li Chengqian smiled and said with emotion, "The disaster-stricken counties and prefectures are naturally facing countless difficulties, and most of the time, local disaster relief is not enough, so they need to go to neighboring counties and prefectures.

If we continue to collect taxes, the price of grain in the neighboring counties will inevitably soar. But if we exempt them from taxes, not only will the price of grain be lower, but they will also have more money to help their fellow villagers."

Everyone has relatives and friends, and escaping from disasters basically means relying on relatives and friends.

If your relatives or friends don’t have any extra food at home, you won’t be able to provide any relief even if you want to. But if they do have extra food, it will be much easier.

"But Your Majesty, these grains can be collected in the form of taxes, and then handed over to local officials to distribute porridge as relief!" Li Yifu bowed seriously.

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "In today's Tang Dynasty, I trust all officials and all people, but I don't trust all clerks." Li Chengqian glanced at Li Yifu and shook his head, saying, "One corrupt clerk can cause more direct harm to the people than three corrupt officials."

Li Yifu was slightly stunned, then he bowed and said, "Yes!"

"It is easy to supervise officials, but difficult to supervise clerks. Therefore, it is better not to let this matter go through their hands. In this way, the money saved and used to benefit the people will be much more than a little bit." Li Chengqian looked at Li Yifu deeply.

"Your Majesty is wise." Li Yifu was inexplicably shocked and then bowed.

"Corrupt officials are naturally a big threat, but they are outsiders after all. If they want to do anything, even if it is bad things, they have to rely on local clerks. The more they target the people, the more clerks they need." Li Chengqian said obscurely. Li Yifu didn't quite understand. On the contrary, Liu Rengui on the side bowed solemnly.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "This requires extensive experience in local governance. If you're interested, wait a few years and I'll send you to a local area to serve as a governor. You'll understand."

Li Yifu's eyes twitched, and he bowed and said, "Yes!"

"Okay, let's get to work." Li Chengqian lowered his head and continued to look at the memorial in front of him.

Floods have hit the entire country, especially the major grain-producing areas such as Henan and Hebei. This has affected the grain reserves for the expedition against Goguryeo. How can we make up for it?
……

"Your Majesty!" A voice woke Li Chengqian who was sitting on the imperial couch.

Li Chengqian looked up, and the attendant Zhang Da'an bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Luozhou Governor Li Wenliang requests an audience!"

"Announce!" Li Chengqian waved his hand slightly.

Zhang Da'an turned around and left quickly.

Soon, Li Wenliang, with a white cloth wrapped around his left arm, staggered into the hall.

Li Wenliang knelt straight down in the center of the hall, then kowtowed with a sorrowful look on his face, saying, "Your Majesty, Aye, Aye, it's gone!"

"What!" Li Chengqian couldn't help but stand up immediately, looking at Li Wenliang in disbelief and said, "Say it again!"

Li Wenliang kowtowed and said, "My brother sent a message from Chang'an overnight. My father never woke up after his nap yesterday. My family didn't dare disturb him. Later we found out it was... Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian stood there, standing straight.

His eyes became moist silently.

Li Shenfu, Prince of Xiangyi, was the youngest grandson of Emperor Taizu Li Hu, the cousin of Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan, and the younger brother of Li Shentong, Prince of Huainan.

Emperor Gaozu was the youngest among the three generations of emperors, but lived the longest.

He was the last great-uncle of Li Chengqian within the five generations of his kin.

His death means that the people of Gaozu's generation have completely died out.

The next generation was that of Li Chengqian's father.

The actual eldest member of the royal family became King Jing Li Yuanjing.

Li Chengqian came back to his senses instantly, looked at Li Wenliang, and whispered, "My condolences, uncle!"

"Your Majesty!" Li Wenliang sobbed softly, and it was difficult for him to recover.

"Uncle Gong, go back and pack up. We must return to Chang'an today. I grant you a golden medal, allowing you to travel all the way." Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said, "My great-uncle has been a steward of the imperial clan for many years, respected by everyone inside and outside the clan. He has been of great assistance to me. I hereby decree that my great-uncle be given the posthumous title of 'Gong', posthumously awarded the titles of Sikong (Minister of Works) and Grand Commander of Jingzhou, and buried with him in the Xian Mausoleum."

"I thank Your Majesty!" Li Wenliang kowtowed in tears.

Li Chengqian looked up and continued, "The floods have just receded, and I have no time to return to Chang'an. I will let the crown prince go to pay my respects on my behalf. In addition, among the princes, those who live nearby and have time to go back can go themselves. If they live far away and are busy with government affairs, they can let their descendants go on their behalf. Tell your uncle not to blame me." "Governance of the world is the most important thing for the royal family. Your Majesty is just hoping for this." Li Wenliang bowed.

Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said, "Uncle, please get up. The dead are gone, and the living should look to the future. Uncle, you have been at home in mourning for the past two years. Please help me see if there are any young people in the royal family who can be used. In March of next year, I will arrange for a group of royal family members to enter the court."

"I obey your order." Li Wenliang bowed gratefully. He understood that the emperor was considering the younger generations in his family.

He needs to observe mourning for three years, while his grandchildren can basically be released from mourning after a hundred days.

Li Chengqian withdrew his gaze and slowly sat down. He looked at Li Wenliang and said, "Uncle Gong, let's go. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can return to Chang'an. When we arrive, please burn a stick of incense for me."

Li Wenliang could clearly hear the trembling in the emperor's voice. He couldn't help but tear up again and said with a bow, "Yes!"

Li Chengqian turned sideways and waved his hand, and Li Wenliang then bowed and took his leave.

……

Li Chengqian sat on the imperial couch, tilted his head back slightly, and looked at the golden dragon hanging above with a sad expression.

"Your Majesty!" Tang Jian's voice came from under the steps.

Li Chengqian came back to his senses and looked at Tang Jian and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Your Majesty!" Tang Jian bowed and said, "I, Prime Minister Yu, and the Minister of Personnel have discussed that the Governor of Luozhou should transfer the Governor of Guangzhou, Du Zhenglun, back to his post. As for the Governor of Guangzhou, the Governor of Lanzhou, Du Fengju, should be transferred. The General of the Left Thousand Oxen Guard, Xi Junmai, should be transferred to the post of Governor of Lanzhou."

Li Chengqian paused for a moment and said, "Each of the three will be promoted to a higher rank. The court will be preparing for an eastern expedition next year, so Lanzhou and Guangzhou need to remain stable. No transfers will be made for the time being."

"Yes!" Tang Jian, Yu Zhining, and Li Qianyou all bowed.

Just as he lowered his head, everyone looked a little surprised.

You know, these people are all the emperor's direct confidants.

The emperor has been on the throne for three years, why hasn't he transferred the people back yet?
"As for the governor of Luozhou, after much deliberation, I have decided to let General Zheng Rentai of the Left Guard temporarily serve as the acting governor of Luozhou." Li Chengqian looked up and said, "The Eastern Expedition is imminent. We need a suitable person to prepare the troops and rations. The Duke of Susong County is the most suitable."

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed their hands. They seemed to understand something. The emperor's eyes fell on Zheng of Xingyang.

The only two major families in Henan were the Hongnong Yang family and the Xingyang Zheng family.

By transferring Zheng Rentai, the Zheng family of Xingyang can be used to resist the Yang family of Hongnong, and at the same time the resources of the Zheng family of Xingyang can be mobilized to supplement the court in times of emergency.

Good means.

But Zheng Rentai is not in charge of the Left Guard General...

"Oh, right." Li Chengqian looked at Liu Rengui standing beside him and asked, "Where is the Duke of Langya now?"

"Your Majesty!" Liu Rengui bowed and said, "The Duke of Langya is currently in Youzhou. The flood in Youzhou is not serious. He will be able to leave for Liaodong soon."

"After the Duke of Langya arrives at the army, let Su Dingfang set off back immediately." Li Chengqian raised his head slightly.

"Yes!" Liu Rengui bowed in response.

"After the Duke left Youzhou, he asked Pei Xingjian, a doctor in the Ministry of War, to inspect the military preparations in various states in Hebei Province." Li Chengqian raised his head slightly.

"Yes!" The ministers bowed seriously.

"Okay, let's stop here for today." Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "Prince Xiangyi has passed away. I am in a bad mood. I will suspend court for half a day."

"Your Majesty is wise and benevolent." All the ministers in the hall stood up and bowed, then turned around and left the hall.

Li Chengqian turned sideways to look at Xu An and said calmly, "Pei Fei is good at music. Let her come and play the zither with me for a while to ease my worries."

"Here!"

……

The gentle sound of a piano rang out in the east upper pavilion of the Zhenguan Hall.

Li Chengqian was lying on the imperial couch, looking at Pei Qian in surprise. She was wearing a white gauze dress and a waist-length red skirt.

The piano sounds elegant, but there are a few mistakes in the tune from time to time.

When the music of the zither died down, Pei Qian bowed to Li Chengqian with some trepidation and said, "Your Majesty, my zither playing is very poor. Please forgive me."

Li Chengqian waved gently at Pei Qian.

Pei Qian breathed a sigh of relief, then quickly walked to Li Chengqian and sat down on the bed at his gesture.

Li Chengqian reached out and grabbed Pei Qian's hands. Looking at the faint marks on her fingers and the calluses on her knuckles, he looked at Pei Qian with amusement and said, "My beloved, these hands don't look like the hands for practicing the piano. Instead, they look like the hands for holding a knife or a sword."

Pei Qian lowered her head awkwardly and said, "My mother passed away early, and my father was often employed in local positions. I grew up with my cousins, so I practiced martial arts a lot."

During the chaotic times at the end of the Sui Dynasty, both the Hedong Xue family and the Wenxi Pei family produced some world-famous military generals.

The four brothers Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanche from the Xue family, and Pei Xingyan, Pei Xingjian, Pei Xingfang and others from the Pei family are all first-class military prospects.

Pei Qian's father is Pei Xiji, the Sima of Bingzhou, who is also quite skilled in martial arts.

Pei Qian's uncle was Pei Xizai, the Shangshu Zuocheng, who also served as a Langzhong in the Ministry of War in his early years.

"Then how was my beloved concubine chosen to enter the palace?" Li Chengqian leaned aside and looked up curiously.

"I am the cousin of Concubine Shu." Pei Qian couldn't help but lower her head slightly. Her father and Wei Wei's mother were cousins ​​within the three clans, so she was finally chosen to enter the palace.

"My beloved, don't be nervous." Li Chengqian simply stretched out his hand and pulled Pei Qian into his arms.

Pei Qian lay down obediently, with her back leaning against Li Chengqian, held in his arms.

Li Chengqian held Pei Qian's fingers and said softly, "Your Highness also likes to practice martial arts. When you are free, you can spar with each other."

"Yes!" Pei Qian felt relieved immediately. She knew that the father of Concubine Zheng Shuang'er was the General of the Left Guard, and he had made many contributions in the wars over the years.

Zheng Shuang'er also practiced martial arts for a period of time in her early years.

Li Chengqian uncrossed her fingers and casually whispered, "Are all your brothers good at fighting?"

"My cousin Pei Judao is the best." Pei Qian nodded and said, "He is now the captain of the Left Jinwu Guard."

"Oh my." Li Chengqian looked up in surprise. The Left Golden Guard Guoyi Duwei was a military officer of the fifth rank, second only to the Left Golden Guard Lang Jiang.

"That's really good. Your Pei clan is truly full of talented people." Li Chengqian nodded and asked, "Does my beloved concubine know of any other talented people in the Pei clan?"

"Yes!" Pei Qian thought for a moment and said, "Nanlai Wu Pei has a cousin named Pei Yan, who is currently serving as a military officer in the warehouse department of Puzhou. He was a Jinshi in his early years, and his family says he has a promising future."

Pei Yan.

Li Chengqian couldn't help but look up slightly with a look of surprise.

Li Chengqian knew Pei Yan. In his previous life, after Li Zhi died, Li Xian ascended the throne. Pei Yan was dissatisfied with Li Xian, so he joined forces with Wu Meiniang to depose Li Xian and enthrone Li Dan as emperor on the grounds that Li Xian had appointed his father-in-law Wei Xuanzhen as prime minister in violation of the rules.

However, he never imagined that he was actually letting a wolf into the house.

Just ten months later, Pei Yan was beheaded outside the city by Empress Wu.

Li Chengqian didn't expect to hear Pei Yan's name from Pei Qian's mouth.

Li Chengqian's eyes flickered.

Pei Yan, Pei Yan, how should he use Pei Yan?

Although Pei Yan will face many dangers in the future, such a good sword will not break on its own because of the vague dangers in the future.

Pei Qian and Li Chengqian talked a lot about the Pei family. Before they knew it, it had become completely dark.

The candlelight in the hall lit up, and Pei Qian, blushing slightly, asked, "Your Majesty, would you like me to wait on you and let you rest?"

Li Chengqian looked at Pei Qian's shy expression, hugged her tightly, and then whispered, "Let's do it tomorrow. My great-uncle passed away today, so I'm not in the mood."

"Yes!" Pei Qian looked a little disappointed.

"Why, are you still afraid that I won't eat you?"

"His Majesty!"

(End of this chapter)