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

Chapter 617 Uncle, You Are All Old (First Update)
On the first day of July, the autumn wind is cold and solemn.

In the east of Chang'an City, outside Chunming Gate, countless densely packed Jinwu Guards stood solemnly on both sides of the Wei River, holding long spears.

"Woo..." The horn sounded, and the five-masted royal ship slowly started moving. Dozens of large ships guarding in front and behind, as well as countless accompanying soldiers, all followed along the Wei River towards Luoyang.

On the imperial ship, in the top deck.

Li Chengqian stood inside the window and looked outside. His eyes fell on Su Shu and Li Xiang who were surrounded by countless officials.

Li Yuanchang and Li Fu stood on both sides, followed by Zhang Da'an, Lai Heng, Li Baiyao, Su Jun, Su Liangsi and others.

On both sides stood Zhang Shigui, Chang He and other veteran generals in the army.

With these people around, it is enough to ensure the stability of Chang'an City during the time when Li Chengqian is away from Beijing.

As expected, before leaving, Gao Yang and Yang Sina's gang were eliminated, so Li Chengqian left with peace of mind.

Li Chengqian nodded gently at Su Shu, and Su Shu responded with a sweet smile.

Li Chengqian gritted his teeth, then turned and entered the cabin.

Zhangsun Wuji, Tang Jian, Yu Zhining, Yan Lide, Liu Dewei, Cui Dunli, Zhangsun Xiang and others all stood on both sides.

Li Chengqian walked to the short couch in the middle and sat down, then looked at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "Uncle, I have already explained everything that should be explained in advance. The rest is to proceed step by step."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji nodded slightly. They had spent the whole day yesterday reviewing all the arrangements for Chang'an City. Only after confirming that everything was correct did they relax.

After all, this was the first time that Li Chengqian had left Chang'an for such a long time since he ascended the throne, and he was afraid that the arrangements item by item were not detailed enough.

Changsun Wuji came to see him off. He would send him to Chenzhou and only return to Chang'an after the matter of the Hongnong Yang family was completely settled.

"The only person in Chang'an who needs to be vigilant is Ashina Helu of the Western Turks." Li Chengqian looked at the ministers and said, "This time, I have confiscated 20,000 war horses from him. He may behave himself for a while, but after the Jing Prince's rebellion, he may begin to regret it and make another move."

Changsun Wuji's expression became solemn.

"My uncle should discuss with the Duke of Weiguo and try to influence the internal affairs of Western Turkestan by controlling the Silk Road. If nothing else, Western Turkestan will not be in chaos for at least two years." Li Chengqian made the final decision.

"Your Majesty, are you sure that the war with Goguryeo can be resolved within two years?" Changsun Wuji looked up in surprise.

"Ending the war within two years would be ideal. I can accept three years, but if the war drags on to four, we'll have to consider withdrawing our troops if we can't conquer Goguryeo." With a slight smile, Li Chengqian said, "Perhaps at that time, we could stage a major strategic deception, tricking Quan Gaisuwen into thinking we're withdrawing and then storming out of Pingrang City. Then, we could just turn back and attack them."

Changsun Wuji nodded in agreement and said, "If this is the case, and we still can't take Pingrang City, we really have to withdraw our troops."

"Think about defeat before thinking about victory. This is how great powers must act when going to war." Li Chengqian's expression grew serious.

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed.

Li Chengqian turned sideways to look at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "As long as the war in Goguryeo is under control, I am not afraid of the Western Turks causing chaos."

"I understand." Changsun Wuji nodded seriously.

"Finally, we need to prepare for a possible drought in a few years." Li Chengqian sighed and said, "Uncle, while the rain has been good over the past two years, we should find a way to dig lakes and wells in some barren land to store as much water as possible. This way, we can cope with droughts in the future."

This is the deduction made by Li Chengqian, Li Chunfeng and others about the weather changes in the next few years.

Their judgments on floods around the world in recent years have been enough to prove that their experience in this area is quite valuable.

"I understand." Changsun Wuji bowed slightly.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Alright, that's about it. Everyone, go and rest. It's been a long journey, and there are still many things to deal with."

"Yes!" The ministers stood up and bowed to take their leave.

With tens of thousands of people heading to Luoyang together, if any detail is not taken care of, chaos will occur.

Among them, officials of all ranks, princes and nobles, as well as the emperor and his concubines, still needed some time to sort out their affairs when they first set out.

……

The imperial carriage set out very early, but at the beginning it was impossible to increase the speed.

By dusk, we had just passed Mount Li.

Li Chengqian stood alone at the window, looking at Mount Li in the distance.

He heard footsteps behind him, and Li Chengqian turned slightly to see Changsun Wuji and Yan Lide coming.

Yan Lide bowed and said, "Your Majesty, everything in Tongguan has been arranged. Your Majesty can stay in Tongguan tonight."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded gently and said to Yan Lide, "Let's follow Mr. Yan's arrangements."

"Yes!" Yan Lide bowed and then retreated.

Li Chengqian looked at Yan Lide's back, thought for a moment, then looked at Zhangsun Wuji and asked, "Uncle, what do you think of granting Yan Qing the rank of Tongzhongshu Menxia, ​​the third rank?"

The third rank official under the Secretariat is the prime minister.

Zhang Sun Wuji glanced at Li Chengqian, who was clearly tempted, and asked, "Your Majesty, why do you suddenly think of this?"

Li Chengqian retracted his gaze, waved his hand, then walked to the short couch and sat down, then looked at Changsun Wuji and said, "Uncle, the prime ministers in the court are all old, and the Duke of Ju is already seventy-three years old. Ma Qing is in poor health, Yu Shi and Lai Qing tend to advise and review, and although Zhang Gong has local experience, he was mostly a county magistrate and a local military officer." Changsun Wuji knelt down aside and looked up at Li Chengqian.

"Yan Qing is fifty-six years old, and in good health. If there's any urgent matter in the future, he can go there in person." Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Hard work always requires young people to do more work."

"Judging from what Your Majesty said, I am only two years older than Yan Lide." Changsun Wuji smiled bitterly.

"Uncle is in charge of the central government, so you should pay more attention to your health so that you can live longer." Li Chengqian looked at Changsun Wuji with concern.

Changsun Wuji was stunned for a moment, then nodded slightly.

Li Chengqian sighed and continued, "Moreover, in the next few years, I won't have to worry about the wars ahead, nor will I need to worry much about the transportation of military rations in Hebei. What really needs my attention is the grain tax collection throughout the country. Therefore, he, the Minister of Revenue, will need to travel more often in the wind and rain. Giving him the same rank as the Prime Minister under the Secretariat will give him more peace of mind."

Changsun Wuji nodded seriously and said, "Your Majesty, what you said makes sense."

"Well, let's settle it. I'll issue another decree to the empire at the beginning of next year." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said, "As for the Minister of Rites, Du Xingben, he will retire at the end of the year. I will grant him the title of Grand Master of Imperial Households to allow him to enjoy his retirement. As for the Minister of Rites, I want Chu Qing to hold the position concurrently."

"Is he still the governor of Chenzhou?" Changsun Wuji vaguely understood what Li Chengqian meant.

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "My recent tours to the east have taken at least two years at best, and three or four years at worst. In this situation, Chenzhou's location is crucial... Using Chenzhou as a link between Chang'an and Luoyang, uncle, is the only way I can rest assured."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed solemnly.

Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Also, let's transfer Hu Yan, the Junior Secretary of the Dali Temple, to the post of Governor of Shezhou. He should gain some experience outside and then be transferred back in the future."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji looked up and looked at Li Chengqian in surprise.

"Let's transfer the vacant position of Junior Secretary of the Dali Temple to Dai Zhide. Dai has held the fifth-rank position of Deputy Secretary of the Dali Temple for over ten years, and his performance is excellent. He deserves a promotion. Moreover, he is the son of Duke Daoguo, which can be considered as reassuring for the meritorious officials."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji could only nod. The emperor's real intention was to promote Dai Zhide to the position of Shaoqing of the Dali Temple.

Although the Taichang Temple is the most superior among the nine temples, the Dali Temple is where the emperor's majesty lies.

The Dali Temple investigated major cases throughout the country, reviewed lawsuits, and was specifically responsible for handling illegal activities of officials.

Dai Zhide, a close confidant of the emperor who came from the Eastern Palace, could often do more than Yin Jun, the Minister of the Dali Temple.

Although Changsun Wuji wanted to refuse, he couldn't give a reason for his refusal.

Firstly, the emperor gave him many benefits. Secondly, Dai Zhide was the son of Dai Zhou, an old minister of the Prince of Qin's Palace, and he had to be given some face for his merits.

Besides, Dai Zhide’s abilities and resume are basically sufficient, so it’s not justifiable to suppress him any further.

……

"Let's get down to business." Li Chengqian's expression grew serious. He looked at Changsun Wuji and said, "Uncle, although the Jing Prince's rebellion case has been resolved, the remaining matters still need to be dealt with one by one."

"I understand." Changsun Wuji nodded seriously.

Princess Gaoyang, Fang Yiai, Li Yuanjing, and Yang Sina were either spared or killed by Li Chengqian, and their immediate family members were also dealt with one by one, but in addition to these people, there were still a large number of their subordinates who had not been dealt with.

For example, Li Yuanjing was the governor of Anzhou and the King of Jing. He had many subordinates in his fiefdom, not to mention many confidants in his official residence.

There is also Yang Sina. If he wants to rebel, he will definitely not need to mobilize one or two people.

If these people are not dealt with, they will all become hidden dangers.

Some people were involved and were either killed or demoted; some people were not involved or were not aware of it at all, but some occupied key positions and had to be transferred.

"With my uncle in Chang'an, I don't have to worry about major matters." Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "What I care about is the affairs of the princes. In the past few years, they have gradually entered school. My uncle can go to the inner study hall to check on them when he is free. Although Zhang Gong and the Queen are here to check on them now, I am still a little worried."

Changsun Wuji listened quietly. Based on his understanding of the emperor, he knew that there must be a follow-up to what the emperor said.

"As the saying goes, be close to virtuous officials and stay away from villains. Some of the younger generation of young men from various families are unruly and misbehaving. If there are any problems, they should be kicked out of the Inner Academy and replaced by someone else." Li Chengqian's expression turned cold, and he said, "The Crown Prince is already an adult. I hope that he will become an upright and capable ruler in the future, and not be led astray by others."

"I understand, Your Majesty, don't worry." Changsun Wuji nodded seriously.

Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The rest is to give gifts to the people during festivals and to take care of the price of firewood every winter. That's it. Uncle has been doing this for many years, so there's no need for me to say anything more."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji nodded slightly.

"Finally, let's deal with the Hongnong matter." Li Chengqian raised his head, sighed softly, and said, "Now that the Hongnong matter is dealt with, this case is basically over."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji nodded in agreement.

"After the Hongnong incident is over, we can focus on state affairs." Li Chengqian looked at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "Uncle, with the Goguryeo war underway, what the world needs most is stability. I intend to be more lenient with the people and continue to impose more restrictions on the powerful and wealthy to maintain peace and stability in the world."

"Your Majesty is right. The late emperor would have done the same when he was still alive." Changsun Wuji nodded in agreement.

"Yes," Li Chengqian sighed, then said, "As long as we win the war against Goguryeo, we can further address the chronic problems that my father left unfinished, and continue the prosperous Zhenguan era in my reign... Uncle, perhaps history books will list my father and me alongside the reigns of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing, praising us all."

"I definitely will." Changsun Wuji nodded vigorously.

Li Chengqian raised his head, his expression full of longing.

Most definitely.

(End of this chapter)