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

Chapter 595 Don’t Let Gao Yang Starve to Death (Part )
The autumn wind is bleak and the Wei River is quiet.

The Crown Prince, Zhangsun Wuji, Ma Zhou, Lai Ji, Zhang Xingcheng, Cheng Zhizhi and others led all the civil and military officials of the fifth rank and above in Chang'an City to welcome the imperial carriage.

The imperial carriage stopped for a while at Chunming Gate in the east of Chang'an City, and then went straight into Chang'an City.

Inside the imperial carriage, Changsun Wuji looked in surprise at the young official in a green robe sitting next to Xu Jingzong. His face was extremely unfamiliar.

"Pei Yan, Secretary." Li Chengqian put down the memorial and looked at Zhangsun Wuji. "Pei's brother-in-law, I happened to mention him, and I became curious. I checked the Ministry of Personnel archives and found that he was promoted from a military officer in Puzhou to a Secretary. He studied at the Hongwen Academy in his early years and is proficient in the Zuo Zhuan and the Han Shu. He can be used to write and draft imperial edicts."

"Greetings, Sikong." Pei Yan bowed to Changsun Wuji calmly.

Changsun Wuji nodded slightly in response, looking Pei Yan up and down.

The emperor began to use more and more of the children of the Wenxi Pei family.

The Pei family was in Wenxi, on the north bank of the Yellow River, tightly blocking Hongnong's way north.

Zhang Sun Wuji immediately understood this, then turned to look at Li Chengqian and said, "Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian nodded and asked calmly, "Although I am in Luoyang, I am always paying attention to the affairs of the court. Although I am calm, uncle, how about the things that are not on the memorial?"

No matter how much content is written in the memorial, it is not comprehensive enough.

Not to mention that many things were not even written in the memorial.

Zhangsun Wuji thought for a moment and said, "Although the Western Regions are stable, Ashina Helu has begun recruiting troops and horses, and seems to be ready to make a move. However, because the Duke of Wei is suppressing the northwest, he dare not act rashly."

Li Chengqian looked at Zhangsun Wuji, sat up straight, and asked, "What are your plans, uncle?"

"After discussion in the Council of State, it is planned to let Helu send his son to study at the Imperial Academy!" Changsun Wuji bowed seriously.

"As a hostage?" Li Chengqian tapped the table lightly and said thoughtfully, "The implication is too obvious. If this guy really intends to do something during the Tang Dynasty's Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo, this will actually startle him. So, let him come to Chang'an to pay homage at the end of the year. The Tang Dynasty will send more good horses for the Eastern Expedition, and he will also attend the New Year's Day court."

"Your Majesty wants to see his attitude directly." Changsun Wuji understood a little.

"Sending him as a hostage is a test, having him attend the New Year's Day court is a reward, and transferring the horses is to reassure him." Li Chengqian smiled and said, "If he has ulterior motives, he would be like a frightened bird right now. It would be better to directly drain his strength and make him unable to do anything he wants. That way, he will actually behave himself."

"I obey your order." Changsun Wuji breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to accept the order.

Li Chengqian looked up and continued, "Anything else?"

"Although Guanzhong suffered minor damage due to the severe flooding this year, there haven't been many problems, and the harvest has even been good." After a brief pause, Changsun Wuji said, "Regarding the matter of the Prince of Xiangyi, I'm afraid Your Majesty will need to wait for a few days to settle down before I can go and burn some incense."

"My uncle is the elder, this is as it should be." Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief, then asked, "What about the others?"

"Mostly things are stable, except for the anniversary of Duke Liang, where the Fang family seems to have had another quarrel." Changsun Wuji couldn't help but shook his head.

"It's been a year since Prime Minister Fang passed away. Brothers Fang Yizhi and Fang Yiai can now be reinstated." Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Is there something fishy going on in Gaoyang?"

"Your Majesty is not here, so there are some things that I, an old minister, cannot say too harshly." Changsun Wuji shook his head with a wry smile.

It’s not that his words are useless, but Princess Gaoyang agreed on the surface, but after returning, she didn’t care about anything.

"In that case, it should be difficult to manage the Queen." Li Chengqian nodded and understood the situation in Chang'an City.

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji nodded.

"Don't worry, uncle. I will handle this matter." Li Chengqian nodded lightly. As the elder brother, it would not be easy for Li Chengqian to deal with Gaoyang's affairs.

After calming down a bit, Li Chengqian said, "Uncle, there is only one year left before the army marches east to attack Goguryeo. If nothing serious happens, I should go to Luoyang in May of next year.

After this trip to Luoyang, I'm afraid I won't be able to return to Chang'an for more than a year, so before I leave, all hidden dangers in Chang'an must be eliminated."

"I understand." Changsun Wuji nodded solemnly.

During the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo, the emperor had to personally stay in Luoyang and control the situation in the world.

Changsun Wuji needs to stay in Chang'an and stabilize the rear.

In this situation, we are not afraid of chaos on the front line, chaos in Hebei, or even chaos in Luoyang. What we are afraid of is chaos in Chang'an.

Changsun Wuji knew what the emperor was talking about.

Yang Sixun has been transferred to Hongzhou, and Yang Siyi will be transferred to Guizhou in March next year.

What happened to Yang Siyi had to be done. Only when Yang Siyi left could they transfer Yang Sina out of Chang'an.

None of the three brothers could stay in Chang'an.

By the end of next year, Yang Siyi could be secretly transferred.

In this way, this hidden danger can be ended.

……

The imperial carriage entered the Suzaku Gate and then stopped at the Chengtian Gate.

Li Chengqian walked out of the imperial carriage, followed by Changsun Wuji, Xu Jingzong, Pei Yan and others.

Civil and military officials lined up in two rows at Chengtian Gate and all bowed and said, "Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "You all have worked hard today. Go back and rest for a day. Starting tomorrow, the three provinces, six departments, nine temples, military supervisors, sixteen commanders, and the governor of Yongzhou will come in order to report on all matters."

"I will accept the order." All the ministers raised their hands at the same time.

Li Chengqian turned around and sat on the imperial carriage, then slowly entered the palace.

Chengtian Gate slammed shut in an instant.

Outside Taiji Gate, Li Anyan walked beside the imperial carriage.

Li Chengqian looked up and said, "Go."

"Yes!" Li Anyan bowed, then turned around and left quickly.

Li Chengqian looked at Li Anyan's back as he left, and his expression gradually relaxed.

Li Anyan was the general of the Left Thousand Oxen Guard, in charge of the Left Thousand Oxen Guard and the Hundred Cavalry Division. On the surface, he was responsible for transmitting information in the army, but in fact he was responsible for investigating the illegal activities of the generals.

Once the Zuo Qianniu Guard under Li Anyan took action, it meant that Li Chengqian could completely control all the actions of the sixteen generals of the guards, the generals of the center, the generals, the captains of all levels, and the school guards.

Any movement of soldiers with more than 300 men will be reported to Li Anyan immediately.

In addition, all the officials, common people, and kings in Chang'an City, as well as everyone's attention and public opinion trends, will all be passed on to Li Chengqian through Li Anyan.

Li Anyan is Li Chengqian's eye in the dark.

On the surface, Li Chengqian's eyes are on Zhangsun Wuji.

Through him, all things in the world are controlled.

In addition, Li Chengqian has a third eye.

That is the secret guard that outsiders have never known about, and is controlled by Zhang Ananda himself.

In the open, in the dark, and with the third eye.

The emperor controls countless lands covering billions of kilometers throughout the Tang Dynasty.

The imperial carriage passed Taiji Hall, Liangyi Hall, turned east to Xianchun Gate, Lizheng Gate, and finally stopped in front of Lizheng Hall.

Empress Su Shu, Princess Zhaoyuan Su Yi, along with Prince Yong, Prince Dai, Prince Liao, and Princess Yongkang, stood before the Lizheng Hall and saluted the Emperor on his palanquin, saying, "Your Majesty, Father!"

"Stand up." Li Chengqian signaled the imperial sedan to lower, and then walked down from it.

Su Shu stood up, walked to Li Chengqian's side, looked behind him, and asked, "I thought Your Majesty would bring a few more concubines with him when he returned from Luoyang this time?"

Li Chengqian smiled bitterly and said, "This time I'm on my way to Luoyang. It's extremely difficult to control the floods across the country. I don't have the energy to think about anything else... By the way, are the children okay?"

"All good." Su Shu nodded and waved.

Princess Ankang immediately threw herself into Li Chengqian's arms and whispered, "Father!"

"Yes!" Li Chengqian whispered, picked up his daughter, and walked into the hall.

Only after examining the knowledge of the various scholars did Li Chengqian let the children leave.

Turning sideways to look at Su Shu, Li Chengqian asked, "Did Gaoyang make a big fuss after I left?"

Su Shu nodded heavily and said, "Prime Minister Fang has passed away. According to the rules, he should observe mourning for three years. After that, Your Majesty can appoint him to a new post based on the circumstances."

Li Chengqian leaned back and raised his hand, saying, "Queen, please continue."

"But no matter what, the court would first appoint Fang Yizhi, and then consider Fang Yiai. However..." Su Shu couldn't help but shake her head and said, "But the princess asked Fang Yizhi to give up the chance to be reinstated, and then give this opportunity to Fang Yiai."

Li Chengqian's brow furrowed instantly. "Before Fang Yizhi could even say anything, Fang Yize and Fang Yiyi had already spoken out against him." Su Shu spread her hands helplessly and said, "After that, Gao Yang and the brothers Fang Yize and Fang Yiyi started arguing fiercely... Even if I wanted to say something about this kind of thing, it's hard to say."

"Why shouldn't I say it?" Li Chengqian glanced at Su Shu and said, "Filial piety and brotherly love have their own principles and are in their proper order. Gao Yang's request is unreasonable. How can we grant it? The Queen should naturally restrain Gao Yang with moral etiquette and laws."

"What should we do?" Su Shu spread her hands helplessly and said, "I have already summoned Princess Gaoyang into the palace and reprimanded her, but she agreed to it in person, but after returning, she did as she pleased."

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "The Queen still can't bear it. In fact, the Queen is in charge of the education of women in the world. Apart from other things, depriving Gao Yang of some of her fiefdom is entirely within the Queen's power. In addition, she can also require Gao Yang to live in the palace and copy the "Female Rules" three hundred times. She can also be confined to her house and reflect on her mistakes behind closed doors."

"That's true, but Your Majesty, will this really help solve the problem?" Su Shu looked at Li Chengqian with a wry smile.

"Indeed, Gao Yang is just that kind of person. If she isn't severely punished, she might not even realize where she went wrong." Li Chengqian raised his eyes, looked at Su Shu, and said, "Today, I will teach you a punishment that the Queen can use."

"Your Majesty, please teach me!" Su Shu quickly stood up and bowed to Li Chengqian curiously.

Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "The Queen can call Gao Yang into the palace. She doesn't need to see her. Just have someone take her to the Princess Courtyard. She's not allowed to go out or see anyone. She's supposed to reflect on her mistakes behind closed doors in the palace."

Su Shu nodded slowly and said, "There's no one to serve him, and no one he knows. I'm afraid Gao Yang will be scared to death."

Li Chengqian nodded gently and said calmly, "Remember, you must ensure food supply. If Gao Yang starves to death, it will be a big trouble."

"Of course." Su Shu nodded. She didn't care much about the deeper meaning of what Li Chengqian said.

Li Chengqian sighed in his heart and looked towards the palace, where Wu Meiniang was playing with Princess Yongkang.

Reflection behind closed doors is only the most basic form of punishment.

Then came house arrest.

Then, on this basis, we will reduce food intake and impose punishments.

Of course, a more cruel thing is to forget to deliver the food.

Starve to death.

Being imprisoned in the Princess's Courtyard is nothing. Being imprisoned in Beiyuan or Ye Ting, there are many ways of punishment.

If the queen was angered, she could even carry out caning.

If you are not careful, you can kill someone.

Of course, there was no need for Li Chengqian to tell Su Shu about this.

There are indeed many emperors in history books who were treated like this.

Think about King Wuling of Zhao.

"I will rest here with the Queen tonight and start handling state affairs tomorrow." Li Chengqian lay back slightly.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid you've forgotten." Su Shu leaned over to Li Chengqian and shook her head. "Concubine Xu and Concubine Yang are both pregnant now. Concubine Yang is fine, she won't give birth until two months later, but Concubine Xu only has a few days left. Your Majesty should go to Concubine Xu tonight and comfort her so that she can give birth safely."

"How could I have forgotten?" Li Chengqian stroked Su Shu's hair and whispered, "I had originally planned to go there tomorrow night. After all, I just came back from Luoyang."

"Your Majesty, please go tonight. I am not that stingy. After all, offspring are important." Su Shu looked straight at Li Chengqian and shook her head firmly.

"Okay." Li Chengqian sighed and said, "Shu'er, it is my greatest blessing to have you become the queen."

Su Shu smiled sweetly.

……

The night is filled with darkness and the stars hang low.

The imperial carriage landed at the Shanshui Pavilion.

Li Chengqian stepped down from the imperial sedan chair and looked at Xu Hui, who was standing at the bottom of the steps and bowing. He nodded calmly without even glancing at her before walking into the hall.

Xu Hui couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness in her heart.

She had been in the palace for a long time, and today was the first time she saw the emperor.

Li Chengqian walked into the hall at this time and saw Xu Yi lying on the bed in the inner hall. She was ten months pregnant and wanted to get up, but her face was full of weakness.

Li Chengqian quickly walked to the side of the bed and sat down, then let Xu Yi lie in his arms, and then asked in a low voice: "My beloved concubine, how are you feeling?"

Xu Yi raised her head, looked at Li Chengqian, and said with satisfaction, "I thought Your Majesty wouldn't be able to come back in time."

"How could I possibly not be able to make it back? I have the imperial physician diagnose your pulse every day, just to know your actual condition." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said, "If it weren't for the imperial physician's approval, I wouldn't have been able to calmly make it back while dealing with the floods across the country. You see, I'm not too late, am I?"

"Yeah!" Xu Yi nodded with satisfaction.

Li Chengqian patted her shoulders and whispered, "I'm going to sleep here with you tonight. I'm not going anywhere."

"Yeah!" Xu Yi didn't ask any more questions. At this moment, she couldn't think of anything else.

Drowsiness in pregnant women.

Li Chengqian and Xu Yi chatted idly, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.

"My beloved concubine, my beloved concubine!" Li Chengqian called Xu Yi softly twice.

Xu Yi didn't respond at all, but fell into a deep sleep.

At this time, Xu Hui stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Concubine Xu goes to bed at this time every day. It's actually a little late today."

"Yeah!" Li Chengqian nodded. He looked at Xu Hui again and waved gently.

Xu Hui glanced at Xu Yi, then walked respectfully to Li Chengqian and knelt down beside the bed.

Li Chengqian reached out and gently stroked Xu Hui's cheek, and asked in a low voice: "You have been in the palace for so long, and I haven't come to see you. Do you blame me?"

Xu Hui lowered her head and said, "Your Majesty is very busy..."

"You still have some resentment!" Li Chengqian smiled softly, then reached out and touched Xu Hui's earlobe, saying softly: "But this is a good thing, don't you think?"

Xu Hui was very smart and naturally understood. She lowered her head and said, "Yes!"

Li Chengqian put his hand on her shoulder and whispered, "Just stay here peacefully. How could I treat you unfairly?"

"Ok!"

……

In the Taiji Hall, Xu An walked quickly into the hall and bowed to Li Chengqian who was sitting on the imperial couch, saying, "Your Majesty, Princess Gaoyang has been sent to the Princess Courtyard."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Send paper and pen in, and pass on the Queen's order, asking Princess Gaoyang to copy the "Rules for Women".

After I finish writing, I will go see her again."

"Yes!" Xu An immediately turned around and left.

Under the Danbi, Changsun Wuji could not help but bow and said, "Your Majesty, 'Rules for Women' has 70,000 words. It will take some time for the princess to finish copying it."

"If not, how can I control her?" Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "Alright, let's leave Gao Yang's matter as it is. This time I'm using the Empress's name, so I have to let the Empress learn how to manage the women of Chang'an when I'm away."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed seriously.

Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said, "Uncle, it's time to get down to business. This year, there have been severe floods, and the military grain reserves in Hebei Province are far below expectations. We must find a way to increase food reserves, while also preparing for heavy rains next year. We can't raise taxes on the people, so what can we do?"

"There is definitely a way. The most direct solution is to reduce the number of troops heading east to attack Goguryeo." Changsun Wuji shook his head and said, "But these have already been carefully calculated. Any fewer troops will likely affect the campaign."

"Let the Ministry of War come up with a plan. After all, the entire army doesn't need to be deployed all at once." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said, "There's also a strategy for the army to attack Pingrang City. The sooner we capture Pingrang City, the less food we can lose."

"Your Majesty, it depends on what the Duke of England says." Changsun Wuji sighed helplessly.

"That's fine. The Duke of England should be back by the end of the year." Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "Let the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Works work together to find a solution. We can always come up with a strategy to deal with this."

"Yes!"

……

Before I knew it, more than ten days had passed.

Princess Gaoyang copied "Rules for Women" day and night in the Princess's Courtyard and finally finished it.

One day, a series of footsteps were heard outside the temple.

Princess Gaoyang couldn't help but look up.

His eyes were full of expectation.

(End of this chapter)