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

Chapter 614: This way, they will be grateful to the Queen (Part )
End of June, late autumn.

A sudden rain dampened the restlessness of the entire Chang'an City.

After the rain, people's hearts inexplicably calmed down.

In the harem, Su Shu, dressed in a scarlet and yellow phoenix robe, came to the outside of the Zhenguan Palace with a dozen maids.

Xu An, who was standing at the palace gate, saw Su Shu and quickly bowed and said, "Greetings to the Queen."

Su Shu nodded calmly and asked, "Where is Zhang Ananda?"

"Reporting to the Queen, Zhang Jian went to Hongnong." Xu An bowed solemnly.

"He went to Hongnong in person?" Su Shu frowned and asked, "Is there really such a thing as the late emperor's will?"

Xu An bowed and said, "I don't know."

Su Shu raised her eyebrows slightly, looked outside the palace, and asked, "Where is His Majesty?"

"His Majesty has been in the palace for two days." Xu An bowed and made way to the side.

"Yes!" Su Shu nodded calmly, then walked towards the hall, and the other maids immediately followed in.

……

Li Chengqian, who was lying on his bed reading in the inner hall of Zhenguan Palace, saw Su Shu walk in, put down his book and said, "The Queen is here."

Su Shu asked the maid to put the lotus seed soup on the table, and then waved her hand to let them leave the inner hall.

Su Shu walked to the bed and sat down, looking at Li Chengqian with some distress and said, "Your Majesty, is Yang's matter difficult to handle?"

"It's not difficult to handle." Li Chengqian smiled lightly, stepped back, and then patted the bed lightly.

Su Shu rolled her eyes at Li Chengqian, then lay down on the bed and leaned into Li Chengqian's arms.

Holding Su Shu in his arms, Li Chengqian whispered, "A lot of people have come to the palace to see the Queen these past two days, right?"

"Yes!" Su Shu nodded and said, "The princesses of various families, the princes of Wei, Pei, Xue, Liu, Yang, Du, Cui, Lu, Zheng, and even the Gu, Lu, Zhu, Zhang, Xiao, Dou, and Li families of Zhao Commandery have all requested to see you.

I met with several people, and all they talked about was the Yang family's affairs."

"I hope the Queen will persuade me to spare the Hongnong Yang family." Li Chengqian couldn't help but smile, then sighed, "Hongnong Yang family, it's not easy to marry into a foreign family for hundreds of years."

"Yes!" Su Shu raised her head slightly and asked, "What exactly is your majesty planning? Do you really want to cause a bloodbath?"

Although each family has sent people to plead for mercy, the Left and Right Qianniu Guards, the Left and Right Jinwu Guards, and the other sixteen generals are already ready to make a move.

Although it is still unclear what the late emperor's will that Yang Sina obtained was about, it did not prevent the meritorious veteran generals of the Sixteen Guards from hating the Yang family.

There are people who actually use the last emperor's will to make a fuss, with the intention of clearing out the emperor's court and plotting a rebellion.

These people hated Yang to the extreme.

As long as Li Chengqian gave the order, they would really dare to kill people.

Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The cause of this matter is actually the same prophecy: After the Tang Dynasty has passed through three generations, a female ruler, King Wu, will succeed the Tang Dynasty."

"Isn't the matter of the prophecy settled?" Su Shu looked up in surprise.

"It's resolved, but the prophecy hasn't been resolved at all." Li Chengqian raised his head slightly and said, "Before my father passed away, he told my uncle that the prophecy itself was not very powerful. The only way it could truly harm the Tang Dynasty was when it was combined with changes in the overall situation."

Su Shu's expression gradually became serious.

"Although the world's population isn't too large these days, Chang'an's population is growing significantly every year, leading to a yearly food shortage." Li Chengqian sighed and said, "Even if Guanzhong has a good harvest, it's still difficult to meet Chang'an's needs. Sending grain from Bashu to Chang'an would result in excessive losses, so the most convenient way is to transport it from Luoyang."

"Luoyang." Su Shu chewed on the two words and gradually tasted some of their flavor.

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Yes, Luoyang. Back in the Sui Dynasty, during the reign of Emperor Yang Guang, the construction of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal was to meet the needs of Luoyang's huge population. The reason why Yang Guang moved the capital from Chang'an to Luoyang was because Chang'an was too populated. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, there were several severe droughts in Guanzhong.

Of course, there are other reasons to control the southeast, weaken the Guanlong forces, and strengthen internal and external defenses.

Moreover, moving the capital to Luoyang is very necessary."

Su Shu turned slightly sideways and looked straight at Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "The Tang Dynasty is now gradually following the footsteps of the Sui Dynasty. The importance of Luoyang is obvious. That's why my father has often made eastern tours to Luoyang. As for me, I spend almost half a year in Luoyang every year, just to take those powerful and influential people there with me."

As soon as the emperor went to Luoyang, almost half of the powerful officials in the court would follow him.

At least 40,000 of the Sixteen Guards must follow directly, and the other guards also need to make adjustments in various aspects.

All these circumstances directly alleviated the food pressure in Chang'an.

To put it bluntly, it is enough for the people to have food to eat.

The real problem is the lack of restraint in extravagance and waste.

They could only go to Luoyang to relieve the pressure on Chang'an and the transportation pressure.

……

"The problem was exposed at this moment." Li Chengqian's expression became serious, and he said solemnly, "Luoyang is most deeply influenced by two aristocratic families in the world: the Zheng family of Xingyang, and the Yang family of Hongnong."

Su Shu nodded slightly.

"The Xingyang Zheng family was already deeply affected by the Hidden Concubine Zheng Guanyin in the early years of the Wude era. The only remaining family is the Hongnong Yang family." Li Chengqian sighed and said, "Over the years, the Hongnong Yang family has produced two prime ministers, six or seven concubines, countless princesses and princesses, and more than a dozen provincial governors, not to mention intermarriages within the family."

Su Shu thought of the people who had come to plead for the Hongnong Yang family in the past few days. She personally felt the huge network of contacts of the Hongnong Yang family.

"It was in the last few years. Yang Gongren passed away early, Yang Shidao retired, and their generation gradually died out. There aren't many other young people serving as provincial governors, and most are in the fifth rank. But the next rank above the fifth is the fourth rank, and below the fourth rank is the provincial governor." Li Chengqian looked at Su Shu and asked, "Does the Queen think this step will be difficult for the Yang family's descendants?"

Su Shu shook her head slightly. It’s not difficult, it’s just a matter of gaining experience.

"So, under these circumstances, as the Tang Dynasty's center of gravity shifts eastward, the Hongnong Yang family, which holds a significant influence over Luoyang, will become increasingly influential in the court." Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "Aristocratic families are adept at hiding behind the mists of history, allowing you to remain unaware of their growing threat."

Su Shu nodded subconsciously. This was indeed the way aristocratic families acted.

"Looking back at the prophecy that 'Tang will last for three generations, and a female warrior will replace the Tang', does the Queen think that someone else might replace the Tang in Chang'an?" Li Chengqian asked seriously.

"It's difficult," Su Shu shook her head. The royal family's favors to the people of Chang'an were enough to buy their loyalty for hundreds of years. "So, it must be in Luoyang." Li Chengqian took a deep breath and sighed. "Anyone who can see through this must have a clear understanding of history and the general trend of the world, and must be carefully calculating... or perhaps reflecting on the reasons for the fall of the Sui Dynasty."

"The Yang family of Hongnong." Su Shu nodded subconsciously. Only the Yang family of Hongnong, who were descended from the former royal family of the Sui Dynasty, would respond to the reasons for the fall of the Sui Dynasty.

"So, before his death, my father deduced that the prophecy was made by the Hongnong Yang family, which means that they had the intention of rebellion." Li Chengqian's eyes turned cold.

"Therefore, all these events of King Jing were pushed by the Yang family behind the scenes." Su Shu now completely understood all the reasons inside and outside.

"To be more precise, it's Yang Gongren's lineage. Only they harbor the ambition to restore the Sui Dynasty, which is why they began to stir when the opportunity arose." Li Chengqian sneered softly and said, "The Queen, do you still remember the Prince of Jin's restless actions before and after your father's return from the Eastern Expedition? He also had the support of the Yang family behind him, but they hid it very well."

"Yes!" Su Shu nodded, then looked at Li Chengqian and asked, "So, what is your Majesty's plan?"

"Yang Gongren's lineage must be defeated, but the other lines can be put on hold for a while." Li Chengqian smiled lightly.

"Then why does Your Majesty ask them to stay behind closed doors?" Su Shu looked at Li Chengqian with some confusion.

"Of course it's for the Queen." Li Chengqian hugged Su Shu and whispered, "I'll pretend to be ready to fight and kill. Naturally, they'll get nervous and come to the Queen to plead for mercy. If the Queen comes to me, I'll show them some mercy. That way, they'll be grateful to the Queen."

"Your Majesty is preparing for the eastern tour to Luoyang." Su Shu understood a little.

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "After this incident, the Queen's popularity among the families in Chang'an has greatly increased. Even if she doesn't interfere in government affairs, the Queen's prestige among the people in Chang'an is still very strong, even surpassing that of her uncle at times. This, coupled with the rewards given every season, will naturally bring peace of mind to the people of Chang'an."

"Your Majesty is always scheming for me." Su Shu leaned gently into Li Chengqian's arms.

"Hmm!" Li Chengqian leaned on Su Shu's shoulder, inhaling her fragrance. He placed his hand on her collar and whispered, "Queen, stay with me for one night. Tomorrow I will begin to deal with you."

Su Shu looked up and asked, "What does Your Majesty intend to do?"

"Go get Concubine Yang to pass on a message." Li Chengqian smiled and said, "It's time for Yang Sizhi, the ten-thousand-year-old county magistrate, to play his role."

Su Shu grabbed Li Chengqian's hand, which had already unbuttoned her clothes, and then shook her head playfully, "Your Majesty, please go find Concubine Yang and deal with the matter first. I will take my leave now."

After saying this, Su Shu slipped out of Li Chengqian's arms.

Su Shu got up from the bed, straightened her clothes a little, then walked out of the hall and said with a wave of her sleeves, "Let's go back to Lizheng Hall."

"Yes!" More than a dozen maids followed Su Shu and left.

Xu An stood at the door and bowed, saying, "Farewell, Queen."

Li Chengqian was lying on the bed and couldn't help laughing for a moment.

His eyes fell on the lotus seed soup on the side, and he felt warm.

……

In Linzhao Palace, the breeze is slightly cool.

Li Chengqian, dressed in a scarlet and yellow dragon robe, walked calmly into the hall.

Yang Mi, Yang Shan, Wu Meiniang, and the other maids in the palace all bowed and said, "Your Majesty."

"Stand up." Li Chengqian nodded and walked into the inner hall.

Chen Wang Li Ji, who was already ten months old, was lying on the wooden bed, biting his fingers, blinking his eyes, and looking at his father who suddenly appeared, he began to squeak.

Li Chengqian smiled and started playing with his son.

Yang Mi stood behind Li Chengqian, watching the father and son playing. After a long time, the worry in her heart gradually settled down.

After having dinner in Linzhao Palace, Li Ji was taken to the West Palace by Wu Meiniang and Yang Shan.

Li Chengqian changed his clothes and rested with the help of Yang Mi.

They made love in the middle of the night and Yang Mi stopped only when she was exhausted.

Li Chengqian turned over and hugged Yang Mi and lay down on the bed. He wiped the sweat off her face and asked in a low voice: "You know what happened outside the palace."

"Hmm!" Yang Mi snuggled into Li Chengqian's arms, opened her sleepy eyes, and said, "I didn't deliberately seek out news from outside, but someone in the palace still passed the news in. Some said that Your Majesty wanted to purge all descendants of the Yang family."

"Nonsense." Li Chengqian hugged Yang Mi and whispered, "My beloved concubine is the mother of Prince Chen. In the future, my beloved concubine will give me more princes. Do you think I will purge you?"

"But Your Majesty." Yang Mi looked at Li Chengqian with concern and said, "Uncle San's offense this time is truly too serious."

Li Chengqian calmed down, looked at Yang Mi and asked, "What do you, the Hongnong Yang clan, think about this matter?"

"I don't know." Yang Mi shook her head, then said, "In fact, many major decisions regarding family matters were made by my uncle and his branch. Sometimes, even my seventh uncle couldn't control them, and later on, he simply stopped caring about them."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "I understand a little bit."

Yang Shidao was an upright and open-minded person, but he turned a blind eye to many matters involving the Hongnong Yang family.

In fact, it’s not that he doesn’t want to care, but that he can’t care.

Li Chengqian turned Yang Mi over, looked into her eyes and said, "If you want this matter to be resolved, I have a few requests. Please have someone spread the word outside the palace tomorrow."

"Your Majesty!" Yang Mi was so moved that her eyes were filled with tears.

Li Chengqian smiled and whispered, "I'm telling you, Father, if he's willing, I'll grant him a golden medal and have him return to Hongnong immediately. Together with the elders of the family and the other branches, we'll expel the entire lineage of Yang Siyi, Yang Sixun, and Yang Siné from the Hongnong Yang family and remove their names from the family tree."

Yang Mi was a little stunned and whispered, "Expel the uncle and his family from the clan."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "If we accomplish this, the charge of treason against their branch will no longer be related to the other branches.

In addition, the title of Duke of Guan will also fall to your father, and in the future it will be your brother... My beloved, think about Prince Chen's future."

Li Ji would have no chance of inheriting the throne in the future, so he would have to serve outside the capital.

If his mother's family is strong enough, there is no need to worry about his future.

Duke Guanguo is the main branch of the Yang family.

Although Yang Mi was embarrassed, she finally nodded slowly.

She was moved.

(End of this chapter)