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

Chapter 679 How can Li Zhi compare to me? (Second update)

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, a grand court ceremony is held.

Inside the Taiji Hall, all the officials stood solemnly.

On the imperial couch, Li Chengqian put down the memorial and looked at Changsun Wuji, who was at the head of the assembled officials: "Uncle, the Crown Prince has submitted a memorial requesting the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song. What is your opinion?"

Changsun Wuji stepped forward from among the ministers, then cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, I believe it is appropriate. Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have defeated the Tubo, conquered Pingrang, destroyed Quangaisuwen, and destroyed the Western Turkic Khaganate. Your military achievements are outstanding. In recent years, the country has enjoyed bountiful harvests every year. Furthermore, the imperial examinations have been held to select talented individuals, and your civil administration is efficient and effective. With such popular support, Your Majesty may perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song!”

The officials in the hall were solemn and quiet.

The Fengshan ceremony is not a particularly unusual event.

During the reign of the late emperor, he had planned to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai several times, but due to the many disasters and wars that plagued the land, he had to stop in the end.

Finally, after the late emperor abdicated, the emperor took the initiative to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song in honor of the late emperor.

Now that the emperor wants to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song, those who know the inside story understand that this is impossible to accomplish; even those who do not know the inside story know that this is not an easy task.

Li Chengqian turned to look at Cheng Zhijie on the other side and asked, "Duke Lu, what do you think?"

Cheng Zhijie stepped forward, cupped his hands in a crisp gesture, and said, "I think it's acceptable."

"The Fengshan ceremony!" Li Chengqian raised his eyes and looked gently towards the outside of the hall.

Although he himself proposed the Fengshan ceremony, in the end, it was just a pragmatic measure to keep those Western Turkic nobles in Chang'an.

As for the true meaning of the Fengshan ceremony.

Li Chengqian shook his head inwardly; he wasn't qualified yet.

He doesn't want to perform the Fengshan ceremony now, because he will only do so when he has more merit to offer to the world and to Heaven.

"Very well, since the Crown Prince, the princes, and the officials have requested it, then it shall be decided that the Fengshan ceremony will be held at Mount Song on the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month at the end of the year." Li Chengqian looked at the assembled officials, his gaze sweeping over them, and said directly, "Minister of Rites!"

"Your subject is here!" Chu Suiliang stepped forward with a serious expression.

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "You are appointed as the ambassador for the Fengshan ceremony. Be wholeheartedly devoted to the preparations, both inside and outside the palace."

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Chu Suiliang understood the emperor's meaning. Although this was a strategic deception to leave the Western Turkic nobles in Chang'an so that the court could establish and expand its system in the Western Turkic Khaganate more quickly and facilitate the court's smoother control over the entire Western Turkic Khaganate, what needed to be done still had to be done.

Although it was costly, it was worthwhile compared to the court's successful establishment of a presence in the Western Regions and its smooth control of the entire Silk Road.

Li Chengqian looked at his ministers and said, "Since we are going to perform the Fengshan ceremony, then the arrangements for going to Luoyang this year need to be adjusted."

Normally, Li Chengqian would have set off for Luoyang for his eastern tour in mid-March, but since he was going to perform the Fengshan ceremony, this time had to be postponed.

"The Empress is expected to give birth at the end of July or the beginning of August, so we will set off for Luoyang at the end of August, just in time for the autumn harvest to be over." Li Chengqian paused slightly and said, "If we set off at the end of August, then we will hold sacrificial rites at Taiyi Qinghua Temple and Da Ci'en Temple in March. In May, I will go to Zhaoling. It has been eight years since my father passed away, and I should go to pay my respects again."

"Here!" The officials held their hands in awe.

It is winter now, and those Western Turks would have to wait until at least March, when the weather warms up, before setting off to return to Western Turkic territory. In May, the emperor would be going to Zhaoling to offer sacrifices to the retired emperor. Even those Turks would not be foolish enough to return to Western Turkic territory at this time.

Then came the year-end Fengshan ceremony, which Ashina Misha and Ashina Buzhen—any Western Turkic noble of any standing would not refuse this grand event.

Of course, if someone really wanted to go back to the Western Turkic Khaganate, they couldn't return even if they left Chang'an.

Because their travel permits were entirely in the hands of the imperial court.

If these Western Turks go to Luoyang, they will not be able to return to Chang'an until March of next year, and they will not be able to return to the Western Turkic Khaganate until autumn of next year.

Next autumn, within two years, Du Fengju will have enough time to complete all his plans.

From now on, everything in the Western Turkic Khaganate will be in the hands of the imperial court.

till the end……

Li Chengqian looked up at his ministers and said, "Since we are going to perform the Fengshan ceremony, we must pay attention to all matters of the world this year, especially the spring planting and autumn harvest. I hereby issue this decree that all prefectures and counties in the world must ensure a good harvest within their jurisdictions this year to celebrate the grand occasion of the Fengshan ceremony. No one shall be negligent, and those who violate this order will be severely punished."

"Yes, sir!" The assembled officials bowed respectfully.

A hint of mockery flashed in Li Chengqian's eyes. Although the ministers had taken it seriously enough, they still hadn't figured out his true intentions. Li Chengqian's expression turned serious, and he said earnestly, "I don't ask for much. I just want to ensure that no one in the country starves to death this year."

The ministers looked up in astonishment.

Li Chengqian leaned forward slightly and said, word by word, "I wish to perform the Fengshan ceremony, but few can announce it to Heaven. Whether it is civil administration or military achievements, nothing can move Heaven more than saving the people from hunger."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji was the first to react, and then solemnly cupped his hands and said, "Your subject respectfully accepts the imperial decree!"

"Your Majesty, we respectfully accept your command!" The assembled officials quickly followed suit, bowing in unison.

At the same time, they also understood that the emperor's words were not actually directed at this particular Fengshan ceremony, but at the entire Fengshan event; he was serious.

If the emperor were to perform the Fengshan ceremony in the future, he would require the prefects and magistrates of all prefectures and counties to ensure that the people within their jurisdictions would not starve to death due to food shortages.

Of course, this does not involve those tributary states.

But this is extremely difficult. There are countless impoverished places in the world, and who knows which remote corner might have someone starving to death due to food shortages.

But then again, if one could truly accomplish this, what an unparalleled achievement that would be!

The emperor hereby proclaims this to the world; this is his true intention.

The imperial edict was made through the Fengshan ceremony, and all prefects and magistrates throughout the land were required to exert their utmost efforts in this endeavor.

As the courtiers bowed, they felt immense admiration for the emperor's magnanimity.

...The spring rain was misty, and fog shrouded the entire city of Chang'an.

Li Chengqian stood in front of the Zhenguan Hall, looking down upon the entire world.

The Heavenly Khan—what he wanted was far more than just the title of Heavenly Khan.

He aspires to achieve even greater things.

If Li Zhi dared to call himself the Heavenly Emperor, what wouldn't he dare to do?

Li Chengqian couldn't help but sneer inwardly. He had already accomplished almost everything that Li Zhi had done.

Aside from Li Zhi's shameless Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai.

However, for Li Chengqian, it would be extremely difficult for him to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai. The population of the country exceeded 50 million, which was a promise he himself had made, and he did not intend to break it. But if he could destroy Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, the Western Turks, and Tibet, and the country would be at peace and free from famine, then he could achieve his goal.

Such an achievement would surely earn him a second glance from the heavens.

"Eh!" A soft exclamation came from behind Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian turned slightly and looked at Wu Meiniang, who was sitting on the right side of the hall, reading through hundreds of densely packed memorials.

These memorials were all submitted by officials of the court after they made their wishes, or rather, their grand aspirations, at Li Chengqian's request.

Many of them solemnly assured that they would definitely follow the emperor's sacred instructions.

Of course, there were also some earnest memorials with many useful suggestions, which Li Chengqian had Wu Meiniang copy down.

Not only Wu Zetian, but Xu Hui would also read half of the memorials.

These two were the women in Li Chengqian's harem whom he trusted most, because as long as Li Chengqian did not grant them the true status of his concubines, they would never be able to interfere in the affairs of the court.

This will truly prevent the calamities of the empress's interference in politics.

At this moment, Wu Meiniang's face was full of surprise.

"What's wrong?" Li Chengqian's voice came from the side.

Wu Meiniang looked up at Li Chengqian with a blank expression and said, "Your Majesty, here is a memorial from the Imperial Household Department. The palace is selecting women from good families to fill the ranks of the court. I saw the name Minyue here. Helan Minyue is my niece."

"Oh?" Li Chengqian took it with some surprise, and said as he looked at it, "The reason I made this arrangement is because the princes are gradually growing up, and in a few years they will be getting married one after another... Helan Minyue, found, here!"

Helan Minyue, the daughter of Helan Anshi and Wu Shun, is gentle and beautiful.

This is the comment from the Imperial Household Department.

Of course, Li Chengqian knew this even better.

Helan Minyue and Wu Meiniang did not have a very good relationship.

Li Chengqian handed the memorial to Wu Meiniang, frowning as he said, "They are really acting recklessly. I will have them remove Helan Minyue's name from this list."

"Your Majesty!" Wu Meiniang grabbed Li Chengqian's arm and shook her head slightly with some worry: "There may be something else behind this matter. With my sister's temperament, she would not send Minyue into the palace without consulting me. There may be something to do with the Helan family. The Helan family and my sister have always been at odds. They must be forcing her to do something."

Li Chengqian turned to the side and looked away: "Go investigate what happened."

Xu An immediately cupped his hands in greeting, then turned and walked out of the Zhenguan Hall.

Li Chengqian sat down, embraced Wu Meiniang, and whispered, "There are still many disappointments in this world. Helan Minyue is, after all, a daughter of the Helan family."

"Hmm!" Wu Meiniang nodded gently. She keenly realized that there might be some problems here. After all, Helan Minyue not only had a aunt who was the late emperor's concubine, but also an uncle who was Wu Yuanqing, the chief administrator of Chenzhou. She was not so easy to bully.

Soon, Xu An returned and bowed to Li Chengqian, saying, "Your Majesty, the name was reported by the Helan family."

Wu Meiniang's brows furrowed in surprise, and she gritted her teeth, saying, "The Helan family truly deserves to die."

“That’s not right. Helan Anshi has more than one daughter.” Li Chengqian shook his head slightly as he looked at Wu Meiniang.

Wu Meiniang was taken aback, then slowly nodded.

Wu Shun and Helan Anshi had two children, Helan Minyue and Helan Minzhi, but Helan Anshi's concubine also gave birth to a son, Helan Wuwen.

It's inevitable that people will say the Helan family is up to something here.

"Forget it, don't overthink it. Remove Helan Minyue from this list." Li Chengqian shook his head slightly and said, "As for the Helan family, send someone to warn them..."

"Your Majesty!" Wu Meiniang looked up at Li Chengqian and said, "Let's forget about it. It's not a big deal for Minyue to enter the palace. After all, there are my nieces in the palace, as well as the two Yang Consorts. Adding Minyue to the mix is ​​fine. Moreover, it might be a good thing for Minzhi."

Li Chengqian was slightly taken aback, then turned to Xu An and waved his hand.

Xu An immediately bowed and retreated.

Li Chengqian lowered his head to look at Wu Meiniang and said, "Meiniang, have you thought of yourself?"

Wu Meiniang lowered her head gently. She ultimately had no children, nor could she have any.

Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "Very well then, let Minyue enter the palace. When my beloved concubine gives birth to a child, let it be registered under Minyue's name."

Wu Meiniang couldn't help but look up, tears already glistening in her eyes, then nodded vigorously and said, "Yes!"

Li Chengqian embraced Wu Meiniang and looked up.

At this moment, his eyes were unusually indifferent.

Wu Zetian failed in this round!
(End of this chapter)