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

Chapter 642 Uncle, Long-term is what I want (Part )
A gentle breeze blows across the top of Mount Song.

In the large cauldrons around, all kinds of paper money, sacrifices, jade, and silk were burning, turning into wisps of green smoke that rose straight into the sky.

Li Chengqian was wearing a scarlet and yellow dragon robe, a twelve-tassel white jade hat, and holding a golden jade tablet. He stood on the Fengshan platform and bowed solemnly to the altar in front of him.

Behind him were Concubine Zheng and Prince of Yan Li Jiu.

Following them are Zhangsun Wuji, Tang Jian, Yu Zhining, Yan Lide, Zheng Rentai and other prime ministers and countless civil and military officials.

Further back, there were endless Jinwu Guards standing on both sides of the Songshan Mountain Road, holding spears and guarding solemnly.

The Fengshan Terrace in Songshan is where the late Emperor Taizong performed the Fengshan ceremony.

Now that Li Chengqian came here, it was naturally not for the Fengshan ceremony.

He wanted to use the Fengshan Terrace to offer sacrifices to heaven, earth and the former emperor.

Because this is the place in the whole world, apart from Mount Tai, that is closest to God and the late emperor.

Pan Shizheng and Minister of Rites Dou Dexuan stood on both sides of the emperor, assisting in the sacrifice.

……

The sky was clear, and it seemed that behind the endless sky, there were pairs of eyes looking at him.

Li Chengqian naturally knew in his heart that this was not the case, but sacrifices were all about sincerity and consideration.

"Father, Pingrang City has been broken." Li Chengqian couldn't help but pause with mixed emotions. In his previous life, the fall of Pingrang City was at least ten years later.

After Li Zhi purged the Changsun clan and Changsun Wuji's power in the court, he accumulated strength for ten years and completely captured Pingrang City.

However, just ten years later, Pingrang City fell into the hands of Silla.

The Tang Dynasty spent countless military resources and sacrificed countless young men, but in the end it just made wedding dresses for others. How ridiculous.

But now, Li Chengqian has captured Pingrang City ten years ahead of schedule.

This is enough to show that he, the legitimate prince, is much better than the impostor Li Zhi. Father, you were really wrong in your previous life.

Li Chengqian lowered his head slightly, gazing at the towering mountains and the vast sea of ​​clouds before him. He spoke softly, "Pingrang City has been captured, and Goguryeo's resistance to the Tang Dynasty has been completely shattered. They only have two million civilians left, and Silla and Baekje are watching closely. I believe that within a few years, Goguryeo will be destroyed by Silla and Baekje. By then, I, your son, who is well prepared, will issue the order to destroy Silla and Baekje simultaneously."

All the ministers, high and low, bowed their heads.

Facts proved that the emperor's strategy was correct.

If the Tang Dynasty continued to move south after capturing Pingrang City, not only would it face obstacles, but the delayed food and military supplies would flow out like sea water every day.

Moreover, it is estimated that it will take at least two years, not to mention that the three kingdoms will rebel against the Tang Dynasty together in the future. The final result may be that the Tang Dynasty will exhaust countless resources and still cannot fill this hole.

It would be better to withdraw now, digest what has been obtained, provoke civil unrest among the three countries, and then nibble away at it step by step.

This is the best way to destroy the Three Kingdoms.

"The Duke of Ying will return to Chang'an by the end of next year. He will come to Gao Baozang and join the other two rulers in paying homage to the emperor. I will offer Quan Gaisuwen's head to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, while letting the three of them watch over it until the Three Kingdoms are finally destroyed." Li Chengqian gritted his teeth and said, "Then I will go to Zhaoling to offer sacrifices to my father."

All the ministers, both high and low, looked solemn and bowed seriously.

What the emperor said was what they had to do.

Li Chengqian took a deep breath, held the golden jade tablet in his hand, and then bowed solemnly and said: "May God bless the Great Tang Dynasty and prosper for eternity."

The ministers stood in awe, and bowed in unison, saying, "May Heaven bless the Great Tang Dynasty and its prosperity last for eternity."

"Father, please bless me." Li Chengqian raised his head, looked at the sky and shouted loudly: "May your blessing be upon the Great Tang Dynasty for ten thousand years, and may it prosper forever."

"With the blessing of the late emperor, the Tang Dynasty will last for ten thousand years and prosper endlessly." All the ministers inside and outside the court, as well as the generals and soldiers, could not help but shout at the same time.

The sound echoed throughout the valley.

It rushes straight up to the sky and fills the wilderness.

Never ending.

……

At the foot of Mount Song, Liu Dewei was surprised after hearing what Changsun Wuji said.

Watching the imperial carriage passing by, Liu Dewei couldn't help but bow deeply.

Inside the imperial carriage, Zheng Shuang'er glanced outside before looking at Li Chengqian and asking, "Your Majesty, why did you ask the Minister of Works to inform the Duke of Pengcheng in advance? Even if you didn't tell him in advance, it wouldn't be a big deal, right?"

Li Chengqian lowered his head and carefully read the memorial in his hand, then said calmly, "Now that he knows, he can thank me once. When I tell him about it next year on New Year's Day, he will need to thank me again."

Zheng Shuang'er was puzzled. She didn't believe that Li Chengqian could do things so easily.

Li Chengqian put down the memorial and sighed softly, "The Duke of Pengcheng has never represented just one person, but a large group of important officials from the Zhenguan period. They will gradually retire in the next few years to a decade."

Zheng Shuang'er nodded, not quite understanding, and said, "Father is already fifty-three. In another ten years, he will be sixty-three."

Although there are many officials in their sixties and seventies in the court today, they are actually rare officials in high positions. As Li Chengqian's position gradually stabilizes, he will use more young people.

These veteran officials naturally understood this in their hearts, so before they reached the age required for positions, they inevitably had complicated feelings.

"Now, with the Duke of Pengcheng becoming prime minister, this is effectively telling everyone that as long as they serve the court and me long enough, anyone will have the chance to become prime minister." Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "Even if this is just a dream, it's enough for them to walk the final leg of their journey with peace of mind."

Zheng Shuang'er nodded slightly.

Li Chengqian raised his head and looked outside the car.

Changsun Wuji's voice was faintly heard outside.

There were many things that even Changsun Wuji himself was not aware of.

In this eastern expedition to Goguryeo, the proportion of Shandong gentry was actually much greater than at any other time.

Liu Dewei was not only an old minister since the Zhenguan period, but also one of the most important leaders of the Shandong gentry.

Xuzhou is located in a key position among Henan, Qi and Lu, Huainan, and even Jiangnan, and its personal connections also serve to connect the north and the south.

Having him as prime minister would not only win over the southern families, but also make the old ministers who had served the court for many years more inclined to Li Chengqian between Li Chengqian and Zhangsun Wuji, and at the same time serve as a considerable buffer.

In many cases, with one great victory after another, Li Chengqian's confidants will grow rapidly in the next ten years.

By then, not to mention then, even now, they have begun to desire the positions in the three provinces, six ministries and nine temples in the court.

The great victory in Liaodong is just the beginning.

But just this beginning will cause the entire court structure to change drastically.

Liu Demin, Liu Rengui, Su Dingfang, Cui Renshi, Yang Wulian, and a large number of Shandong gentry children will be rewarded for their military achievements at the end of next year.

Especially this time, in the eastern expedition to Goguryeo, borrowing the power of Shandong gentry will far exceed the past.

Once they are promoted due to rewards, their voice in the court will increase, and conflicts will increase.

Andy Lau is the buffering role here.

……

In the Zhenguan Hall.

Li Yifu, Xu Jingzong and Pei Yan sat behind the right column and wrote quickly.

Li Chengqian sat on the imperial couch and looked at Zhangsun Wuji standing in the hall. He said, "Uncle, after returning to Chang'an, you must keep an eye on Tubo. If the Tang Dynasty and the Western Turks go to war, if Tubo intervenes, the war will inevitably be delayed indefinitely, which is beneficial to Tubo."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed with a serious expression.

"Also, the Persian prince has sent people to Chang'an. Don't let them come to Luoyang for the time being. Uncle should find someone to ask about the Arabs." Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "I don't want an Arab to show up when I'm at war with the Western Turks."

"I understand." Changsun Wuji bowed seriously.

"Also, there will still be no imperial examinations next year, but by the year after, I'll have returned to Chang'an. Not only will we have to hold the examinations, but we'll have to do it on a grand scale, with nearly fifty Jinshi (Jinshi) positions available." Li Chengqian tapped the imperial desk gently and said, "After all, there haven't been any examinations in the court for two years, so we'll have to make up for it in the third year. Let's get the news out first so the people can prepare early."

"I obey your order." Changsun Wuji lowered his head with a stern look on his face.

The imperial examination is not a simple matter. If you are not careful, even the prime minister will be in trouble.

Yang Shidao is the most typical example.

"Finally, it's Prince Yong's business." Li Chengqian raised his gaze from Zhangsun Wuji and looked outside the palace. He smiled and said, "Uncle, tell the Dou Lu family to prepare in advance. When I return to Chang'an next year, I will choose a good time to hold the wedding... Oh, and Prince Yong's Mansion must also be properly tidied."

"I obey your order!" Changsun Wuji bowed deeply.

Li Chengqian retracted his gaze and looked at Zhangsun Wuji, saying, "It's the end of the year now, uncle, you should take care of your health. Let the subordinates handle things that should be done, and don't worry too much... Uncle, long-term development is what I want."

"I obey your command. Thank you, Your Majesty." Changsun Wuji bowed seriously, somewhat moved.

Zhang Ananda stood to one side, his eyes passing over Changsun Wuji calmly and indifferently.

"Uncle, take care. I won't see you off." Li Chengqian stood up and looked at Changsun Wuji seriously.

Changsun Wuji smiled and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty has worked hard. I will do my best. Your Majesty, take care. I will take my leave."

"Yeah!" Li Chengqian nodded, then watched Changsun Wuji leave Zhenguan Hall.

……

With a light sigh, Li Chengqian turned to look at Pei Yan and said calmly, "Send the Minister of Revenue Yan Lide, the Vice Minister of Revenue Zhang Daxiang, the Deputy Director of Revenue Wang Zhenru, the Minister of War Cui Dunli, and the Vice Minister of Personnel Li Qianyou to see the emperor. When the army returns to the capital next year, promotions and rewards for everyone, both high and low, must be prepared in advance."

"Yes!" Pei Yan stood up and bowed seriously, then turned around and left quickly.

Li Yifu, who was sitting on the side, raised his head slightly, then quickly lowered it.

His expression had unconsciously become solemn.

(End of this chapter)