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

Chapter 678 Is His Majesty planning to release Prince Wei from the palace? (First Update)
The twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month.

The first rays of dawn swept across the sky above Chang'an.

Finally, they landed in the Daming Palace in the north.

Zichen Palace.

On the bed, Li Chengqian, who had already woken up, gently ran his fingers along the slender waist under the fine gauze, and then followed the exaggerated curves upwards.

"Your Majesty!" Wu Shun turned around sleepily and gently leaned into Li Chengqian's arms.

A refreshing fragrance emanated from Wu Shun, which made Li Chengqian feel somewhat relaxed.

He had been constantly making arrangements in the court during this period, which made him somewhat tired, so he summoned Wu Shun to the Daming Palace.

Ten years have passed, and Wu Shun remains as young and charming as ever.

That's true, she's only in her early thirties.

Gently embracing Wu Shun, Li Chengqian whispered in her ear, "Are you happy here with me?"

"Mmm!" Wu Shun responded subconsciously, then blushed slightly with embarrassment.

"Has anything happened lately?" Li Chengqian slightly lifted Wu Shun's chin and asked, "You seem to have something else in mind."

Many things can be seen from a person's every move, especially Wu Shun's behavior last night, which was too obvious.

A look of worry immediately appeared on Wu Shun's face as he said, "Your Majesty, it's about Min Yue's marriage. The Helan family wants to interfere in Min Yue's marriage."

Li Chengqian's expression darkened slightly: "Don't these people have any other skills?"

"Your Majesty!" Wu Shun grabbed Li Chengqian's collar tightly.

"The palace will be recruiting a batch of female officials next year. If you are willing, you can let her enter the palace as a female official." Li Chengqian hugged Wu Shun and said, "With me and Meiniang here, it will be appropriate to arrange her. However, it would be even more appropriate for her to enter the palace directly. I can use Meiniang as an excuse to wait for her to become a concubine. You can choose for yourself."

Wu Shun's body stiffened slightly, but she quickly softened and whispered, "I'll go back and ask her, and tell her it's Meiniang's idea?"

"Can't you make your own decision?" Li Chengqian shook his head slightly, pulled Wu Shun closer to him, and sighed, "Fine, I'll make the decision myself. Let her enter the palace as a concubine. Remember, this is an imperial decree."

"Yes!" Wu Shun raised her head, her expression gentle. Although there was hesitation in her eyes, there was no sign of refusal.

Li Chengqian chuckled softly and once again held the gentle and charming Wu Shun tightly in his arms.

This is a woman who can't say no.

……

Li Chengqian stepped into Hanyuan Hall in the morning light.

Changsun Wuji and Li Ji stood on either side, with Yu Zhining and Xu Jingzong standing behind them.

Li Yifu, Shangguan Yi, Cen Changqian, and Pei Yan stood on either side of the corridor pillars.

Li Chengqian sat down on the steps, and everyone bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Today is the last regular court session before the end of the year." Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities."

"Here!" Everyone raised their hands in unison.

Li Chengqian looked up at Changsun Wuji and asked, "Uncle, how are those Turkic nobles?"

"Your Majesty, no one wants to go back." Changsun Wuji smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "It is winter now, and the weather is bitterly cold. If it is like this in Chang'an, let alone the Western Regions. If the weather in the Western Regions is to warm up, it will be at least March or April next year. In addition, Chang'an is bustling with activity. Many people are drunk in Pingkang Ward and refuse to leave."

“This is a tactic, but we can’t use it too much.” Li Chengqian pondered for a moment and said, “The imperial examinations will be held next February. In January, have someone from the Court of State Ceremonies take them to the Imperial Academy and the Golden Guard. The Western Turks might prefer the military.”

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed seriously.

“In the first month of the year, the matter of the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song should be settled. Let the Court of State Ceremonies handle it and keep them all in Chang’an.” Li Chengqian smiled and said, “We’ll squeeze all the gold and silver out of their pockets in two years.”

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji cupped his hands, then cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, who should propose the Fengshan ceremony, in case it fails?"

“If we were truly going to perform the Fengshan ceremony, naturally the Crown Prince, civil officials, and military generals would all submit a memorial at the same time. However, since this is just a pretext, there is no need for that.” Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said, “Let the Crown Prince submit it. Li Yifu, you write the memorial.”

"Your subject obeys the decree." Li Yifu immediately stood up and bowed.

“Your Majesty, the Fengshan ceremony itself is not difficult, but the problem lies with Goguryeo. King Go Bojang of Goguryeo has been requesting an audience with Your Majesty!” Li Ji bowed slightly.

“It must be the pressure from Baekje and Silla that’s putting him under so much pressure, which is why he came to Chang’an to ask for my support.” Li Chengqian suddenly shook his head with a sigh and said, “I never thought he would come to Chang’an in person. Now that he’s here, Goguryeo has lost its backbone and will be in a mess dealing with the pressure from Baekje and Silla.”

"This will bring us closer to the destruction of Goguryeo." Changsun Wuji cupped his hands with a ruthless look in his eyes.

“That’s true, but he’s in Chang’an, and he was also involved in the matter of being granted the title last year. I still need to meet with him and appease him.” Li Chengqian sighed and said, “I can’t just send a letter to Silla and Baekje to rebuke them. I need to think about how to end this matter.”

“Your Majesty, in my opinion, since he has already arrived in Chang’an and there is the Fengshan ceremony next year, the Three Kingdoms will be in chaos by the end of the year.” Changsun Wuji said with a cold expression, “Your Majesty, why not let him stay in Chang’an forever?”

Instantly, the entire hall fell completely silent.

For a moment, everyone was shocked by Changsun Wuji's bold idea.

The emperor was quiet on the imperial bed, but after a while, everyone realized that he was seriously considering the proposal.

Everyone couldn't help but shudder slightly.

The ruler of a country was thus effectively imprisoned in Chang'an until the day his country was destroyed and his family perished.

Finally, from the imperial bed, the emperor's voice slowly came: "Very well, let it be so."

"Yes!" Everyone bowed solemnly.

"Make sure everything is arranged properly." After a slight pause, Li Chengqian said calmly, "Tell him that I will see him after the New Year."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed and accepted the order.

……

“It has been more than two years since Gao Baozang restored his kingdom, and he should have enough power to recover in Goguryeo.” Li Chengqian raised his head slightly and said, “Try to control the power of these people and use it to fight against Silla and Baekje in the south, so that their hatred for each other will deepen.”

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed.

"Goguryeo is under our control and is not a problem. Baekje is located by the sea, and with our navy on the ground, it will not be easy to conquer. The real trouble is Silla."

Li Chengqian glanced at the assembled officials and said, “Although hatred for Goguryeo will cause Silla to withdraw most of its main forces from the mountains, as long as a portion remains or a city blocks the way, the war will be prolonged. Therefore, we must thoroughly control Goguryeo’s deployment in the mountains and then learn Silla’s secrets through them.”

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji and the others bowed in unison. The war in Andong was most afraid of being delayed.

Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Although it's still a few years before the Three Kingdoms are destroyed, it's necessary to start stockpiling grain in Andong. After all, once the Three Kingdoms are destroyed, for better or for worse, those two or three million people will be a problem for the Tang Dynasty." "Yes!" Everyone nodded solemnly.

"Finally, there's the relocation of people from Hebei and the development of shipping trade in Jiangnan. The Ministry of Personnel must expedite these two matters," Li Chengqian said, looking at Changsun Wuji and Li Ji.

The two men immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Your subjects obey your command."

"The remaining matter is the imperial examination next year." Li Chengqian looked up and pondered, "Who will be the chief examiner?"

"Your Majesty!" Changsun Wuji subconsciously looked up.

Li Chengqian came to his senses and said, "Let's make him the Minister of Personnel; it will be more convenient for him to get things done."

"Yes, sir!" Changsun Wuji couldn't help but immediately cup his hands in greeting.

For the past few years, the emperor has always used the prime minister as the chief examiner for the imperial examinations, while Zhang Xingcheng, the Minister of Personnel, has always served as his assistant. Now it's finally his turn.

"That's all for before the New Year." Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Tomorrow, Uncle will check to see who in the court hasn't received their New Year's gifts yet, and send someone to deliver them to those who need them."

"Your subject obeys." Changsun Wuji bowed easily.

"That's all for now." Li Chengqian raised his hand slightly and said, "May all of you enjoy a good New Year."

"May Your Majesty enjoy a peaceful and healthy New Year." Everyone smiled and bowed together.

……

Changsun Wuji watched the backs of Li Ji and the others, then turned back into the hall and bowed to Li Chengqian on the imperial couch, saying, "Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian nodded and looked at Changsun Wuji, saying, "I called my uncle back because there is a private matter I need to discuss with him."

"Please give your instructions, Your Majesty!" Changsun Wuji bowed.

"It's about Prince Qi." Li Chengqian stood up from the imperial couch, walked into the hall, looked outside, and said softly, "We all know that there were some suspicious things about Prince Qi's rebellion back then, which is why Father Emperor imprisoned him in Mangshan to prevent any further changes. Now, more than ten years have passed, and Prince Qi has long since reformed, so I want to release him."

"Release the King of Qi?" Changsun Wuji looked up in surprise.

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "I have been on the throne for almost nine years. Now the world calls him the Heavenly Khan, and the country is stable. Releasing him will not have any impact. Moreover, we will be performing the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song at the end of next year. It would be good to use this excuse to show brotherly respect and filial piety."

Changsun Wuji pondered for a moment, then cautiously asked, "Does Your Majesty also intend to release the Prince of Wei from the palace in the future?"

“Uncle understands me best.” Li Chengqian smiled bitterly and said, “It’s my own selfish decision. After a few years, once the three kingdoms of Dongdao are destroyed, I want to release Qingque from Beiyuan.”

"Where does Your Majesty intend to settle the Prince of Wei?" Changsun Wuji's expression became cautious.

Li Chengqian pondered for a moment, and finally said, "Go to Puzhou, demote him to Prince of Puyang, and let Qingque live out the rest of his life in peace."

Changsun Wuji thought for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is benevolent."

"As for the Prince of Qi," Li Chengqian said calmly, "let him go to Fujian to serve as a prefect. These few years should be enough for him to settle down. Let him go to the deep mountains of Fujian and serve as a pioneering minister."

Fujian is mountainous and home to many ethnic minorities. The local governors there had to do a lot of work, such as leading these people down from the mountains, settling them in the prefectures and counties, and then assimilating them.

This is not an easy task.

“Your Majesty, I think the position of governor is not appropriate, as the Prince of Qi is guilty after all.” Changsun Wuji pondered for a moment and then said, “I think he should be appointed as a regional prefect, which would be convenient for both internal and external affairs.”

Li Chengqian's brow twitched, then he slowly nodded.

“If the Prince of Qi and the Prince of Wei can be arranged in this way, then what about the Prince of Jin?” Changsun Wuji looked at Li Chengqian carefully and asked, “Your Majesty, after we destroy Tibet, should we also treat the Prince of Jin well?”

Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "Let's see. Two years ago, he already took a concubine in Qianzhou. After I destroy Tibet and perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song, I might let Zhinu find a place in Qianzhou to serve as a prefect and live out his old age in peace."

"Your Majesty is benevolent!" Changsun Wuji solemnly cupped his hands in greeting.

"There's not much I can do, this is all I can do. I've done my duty to my father and mother." Li Chengqian looked at Changsun Wuji and said, "Compared to Qingque and Zhinu, Fang Er has already risen to the rank of captain in the army thanks to his military achievements. He will be able to make more contributions in future battles. After the three islands are destroyed, I will have Fang Yizhi send his sons over to reunite with his family."

“Fang Yi’ai was trained by Prime Minister Fang after all, so he does have some ability.” Changsun Wuji nodded and said, “He might even have the opportunity to serve as governor of Andong in the future.”

"I hope so." Li Chengqian raised his eyes slightly and sighed, "In that case, I will be able to give a proper account to Father Emperor and Mother Emperor."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed with emotion.

Li Chengqian's spirits dampened for a moment, and he waved his hand slightly.

Changsun Wuji respectfully bowed and then withdrew from Hanyuan Hall.

Watching Changsun Wuji's departing figure, Li Chengqian's expression calmed down, but his gaze remained complex as he looked at Changsun Wuji's back.

……

On the first day of the first month of the ninth year of Yongwei.

Zhengdan Dynasty.

The assembled officials, princes, local governors, envoys from various foreign kings, students of the Imperial Academy, and retired elders all stood solemnly on both sides.

Li Chengqian, dressed in a crimson dragon robe, stood before the palace gate.

Turning to the side, Li Chengqian looked at Su Shu behind him, who was wearing a golden-red phoenix robe, a phoenix crown, and a slightly protruding belly, and then gently extended his right hand.

Although Su Shu hesitated for a moment, she still stretched out her left hand.

Li Chengqian held Su Shu's hand, and then they stepped into the Taiji Hall together.

The assembled officials respectfully held their tablets and clasped their hands in a gesture of respect.

The Empress's pregnancy is an auspicious sign for the country, but regardless, today's events have made her even more important in the hearts of the court officials.

After Li Chengqian and Su Shu sat down on the imperial couch, the ministers knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years."

Li Chengqian glanced at the eunuch in charge of ceremonies to one side, then slightly raised his hand.

The Imperial Attendant immediately stepped forward and loudly proclaimed, "Rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The ministers then bowed respectfully.

Sun Fujia, the Attendant-in-Ordinary, stepped forward from among the officials, walked to the center of the hall, bowed deeply to the emperor, and then solemnly said, "Your Majesty, I, Sun Fujia, the Attendant-in-Ordinary, report that in the eighth year of the reign of Emperor Yongzeng, the weather has been favorable, the people are happy, all undertakings have been successful, and the world is at peace. On behalf of all the subjects of the world, I wish Your Majesty a long and prosperous life."

Li Chengqian looked at his ministers through his crown.

The crown tassels sway, marking the beginning of a new year.

(End of this chapter)