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

Chapter 693 Pingrang is to be incorporated into the Tang Dynasty (First Update)
Sunset at dusk.

It flows slowly across the Daedong River Plain and eventually merges into the Yangtze River.

Liu Rengui stood atop the city wall, his gaze sweeping across the Daedong River towards Pyeongrang City.

Pingrang City remains as bustling as ever.

A sneer of contempt flashed across Liu Rengui's lips.

Those who lack the power to protect their own lives will ultimately be left to others to smash their lives to pieces.

Liu Rengui's gaze fell downwards.

A pontoon bridge extends from Pyeongnam Castle, spanning the entire Taedong River and connecting to the opposite bank.

Countless Goguryeo people were leaving Junbi Castle in the afterglow of the setting sun, quickly returning to Pyeongrang Castle on the opposite bank.

These people come to Junbi City every day to make a living, and then return to Pingrang City at dusk.

Because they were not qualified to reside in Junbi City.

Only by serving the Tang Dynasty for five years can one obtain temporary residency in Junbi City; only by serving the Tang Dynasty for ten years can one obtain permanent residency in Junbi City; and only by serving the Tang Dynasty for thirty years can one have the opportunity to become a citizen of the Tang Dynasty.

Countless Goguryeo people fought for this cause.

They are striving for their beautiful dream of the Tang Dynasty.

It's a pity that Goguryeo was about to be incorporated into the Tang Dynasty. Otherwise, how wonderful it would have been if these guys could have worked hard for the Tang Dynasty for thirty years.

A series of steady footsteps sounded behind him, and Liu Rengui turned around.

On both sides of the city wall, countless soldiers in black armor stood behind the parapet, holding long spears, while countless flags fluttered in the wind.

Dressed in black clothes and armor, with a straight posture, Su Dingfang walked up from below, his hand on his long sword.

Liu Rengui immediately turned around and cupped his hands in greeting: "This humble official pays his respects to the Great General!"

Su Dingfang, General of the Left Guard, Deputy Protector-General of the Andong Protectorate, General of Huaihua, and Duke of Wuyi County.

Su Dingfang calmly stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Liu Rengui, and looked at Pyeongrang City across the way. He said, "News has just arrived. The Silla people have entered the designated passage. In three months, they will arrive at the gates of Pyeongrang City."

"The Goguryeo people still have some strength." Liu Rengui sighed softly. A considerable number of them, whether during the time of Yeon Gaesomun or Go Bojang, never participated in the war between Goguryeo and the Tang Dynasty, but instead steadily defended their own territory.

Therefore, even during the several upheavals within Goguryeo, they did not have much contact with them.

Now that Silla has invaded and massacred the city, these guys immediately became nervous.

“These people will definitely do their best to support anyone who rebels against the Tang Dynasty in the future. It’s not wrong to use the power of the Silla people to wipe them out now.” Su Dingfang shook his head slightly and said, “Everything else is fine, but I’m afraid that the Silla people will back down at the last moment and dare not enter Pyeongrang City.”

"The General doesn't understand the Silla people at all." Liu Rengui sneered lightly and said, "These people claim to have the ambition to conquer the universe. Let alone Pyeongrang City across the way, they would dare to venture even to the gates of Chang'an City."

"Is that so?" Su Dingfang was somewhat incredulous for a moment, but Liu Rengui had been to Silla back then, and had been ordered by His Majesty to investigate the true state of Silla.

It was the results he brought back that completely changed the attitude of the Tang Dynasty towards Silla.

After all, the two previous Silla queens had a very good relationship with the Tang Dynasty, so who could have imagined that their descendants would be like this?

Su Dingfang shook his head, handed the document in his hand to Liu Rengui, and said: "It is an official document from the court. In three months, five thousand soldiers from Hebei Prefecture will arrive at Junbi City. The court wants us to prepare everything for these five thousand soldiers, and the court will bear the responsibility for the subsequent food and fodder supply."

Liu Rengui sighed softly and said, "In the campaign against Andong, His Majesty and the court have prepared almost everything they could think of in advance. If we still cannot pacify the three kingdoms of the Eastern Island, then how can we face His Majesty!"

"Yes!" Su Dingfang nodded gently.

Unless one is on the front lines, one cannot truly appreciate the various conveniences available in the military today, which are immeasurably better than those of the late emperor.

The morale of the troops was high.

"Now we just need to wait for the Silla people to storm into Pyeongrang." Liu Rengui gently stretched out his hand and lightly shook hands with the calm Pyeongrang city opposite him, and said softly, "In this way, we can once again storm into Pyeongrang."

"Yes!" Su Dingfang looked up at Pingrang City and nodded, "This time, we don't need to leave again."

……

Chang'an is hot and humid in the summer.

The North Garden is shaded by lush trees.

Li Chengqian rode his horse past the shade of the trees, and Zhao Yuankai followed beside him, saying in a low voice: "The three counties of Fengxiang, Linyou and Yongshou in Guanzhong have generally received less rainfall than in previous years. Fortunately, we made preparations in advance, so we can barely get through it. If there is another drought next year, I'm afraid it will affect all sides."

“If there is another drought next year, it will not only affect all regions, but all regions will also suffer from drought.” Li Chengqian shook his head slightly and said, “The best way to deal with the drought is to dig wells.”

Water evaporates easily when it's in the ground, but it's not so easy for it to evaporate underground.

“In places where there is still some water, we can use ponds to store water, or even dig ditches to divert water for irrigation. But in places where water is scarce, digging wells is the best solution.” Li Chengqian slowly urged his horse forward and continued, “Go all over the country to find people who know how to find and dig wells, and then compile the relevant experience and techniques into a book and distribute it throughout the land.” “Yes!” Zhao Yuankai respectfully bowed.

"Furthermore, it is inevitable that some powerful families will take advantage of this to profit from it, cut off the channels between the upper and lower levels, and steal the world's technology for their own selfish gain." After a slight pause, Li Chengqian said, "In years of drought, a warning will suffice; there is no need to resort to too many measures. Once the wells are dug, I will deal with them severely."

"Yes!" Zhao Yuankai's expression was solemn. The emperor could not hide the private affairs of the powerful families in the world.

"Finally, we should promote drought-resistant crops as much as possible and deepen farming techniques." Li Chengqian turned to Zhao Yuankai and said, "There are many methods in the 'Essential Techniques for the Common People,' most of which come from the experience of the people. Go to the countryside and look for more methods. The people have far more methods than you and I can come up with out of thin air."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Zhao Yuankai bowed respectfully. He was personally mentored by the emperor and understood the emperor's thoughts best in this regard.

Many people are reluctant to communicate with the common people because of their status and official position, but the emperor deeply understands that the common people have a wealth of experience, and even gaining one piece of their knowledge would be of great benefit to the country.

Unfortunately, few people are willing to think in this direction.

With Xuanwu Gate just ahead, Li Chengqian turned to the side and asked, "How is the situation in Tuzhou? I was referring to agriculture?"

"Things in Tuzhou are progressing well." Zhao Yuankai couldn't help but smile and said, "Liu Rengui is very capable in Tuzhou. After the expansion of Junbi City was completed, he recruited farmers from Hebei who had already moved to Tuzhou to cultivate the land, so agriculture in Tuzhou is proceeding smoothly. However..."

"how?"

“In the past two years, Pingrang has gradually recovered. Even after the Tang Dynasty withdrew a portion of its resources, they still have enough to meet their needs, so there are far fewer people going to Jiangbei this year.” Zhao Yuankai said with some worry on his face.

“This is not a bad thing.” Li Chengqian slowed down the reins and said, “Send people to Tuzhou to start summarizing the various experiences and lessons learned in Tuzhou’s agriculture over the past few years, then make improvements and extend them to Tuzhou to increase grain production.”

Li Chengqian paused briefly and said, "Remember, keep this completely secret from the Goguryeo people. It would be best to drive all the Goguryeo people in the north back after the autumn harvest."

"Yes, sir!" Zhao Yuankai bowed respectfully. If the Goguryeo people didn't want to come, then none of them should come.

Li Chengqian continued riding forward, saying, "Pyeongrang should have a good harvest in the fall. Send people to Pyeongrang to buy grain, even if the price is high. Before the Silla people invade Pyeongrang, transfer all the grain to Junbi City in the north of the river."

Once the Silla people invade Pyeongnam, Pyeongnam will inevitably descend into chaos, and grain prices will inevitably rise.

Zhao Yuankai knew perfectly well that their emperor did not want to sell grain when prices in Pingrang rose; what the emperor wanted was for Pingrang to be completely starved after the war.

The Tang Dynasty intervened only when Pingrang City was in despair.

That's why they revered the Tang Dynasty as a god.

They revered His Majesty as a deity.

……

In front of the Ganlu Hall, Li Chengqian watched Zhao Yuankai enter the Ganlu Gate, then turned and headed towards the Ganlu Hall, preparing to take a midday rest.

Zhang Anan followed beside him and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Persian governor Peroz will have an audience this afternoon."

Li Chengqian paused slightly and said, "It's about the Arabs again. Well, it's time to deal with it."

"Yes!" Zhang Anan bowed and withdrew.

Li Chengqian stepped into the Ganlu Hall, and Xu An, who was standing to the side, immediately led Xu Xuan forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian's gaze fell on Xu Xuan, who was dressed in a light yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), had a graceful figure, wore gold ornaments in her hair, and had a beautiful face. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why is she here?"

"By the Empress's decree, Consort Xu may be granted the title of Talented Lady and reside in the Shang'en Palace." Xu An bowed slightly.

"I've finished learning the rules from the Empress." Li Chengqian immediately understood.

This was a practice that gradually formed in the palace after he ascended the throne: women from outside the palace who entered the palace would basically have to learn the rules from the Empress for a period of time.

This was Li Chengqian's way of showing respect to Su Shu, and also a means for him to control the infighting in the harem.

The concubines in the palace all learned etiquette from the Empress, so naturally they would develop a natural fear of her.

With the Empress keeping order, Li Chengqian's harem wouldn't descend into chaos.

Li Chengqian walked up to Xu Xuan, looked at the somewhat timid and charming woman, and smiled gently: "Do you still have the wedding dress you brought when you entered the palace?"

"It's still here!" For some reason, Xu Xuan blushed and lowered her head, not daring to speak, looking exceptionally charming.

"Everything will be done as the Empress wishes." Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Xu An and said, "Take Consort Xu to Shang'en Hall, change her into her wedding dress, and then bring her to Ganlu Hall to pay her respects tonight."

"Yes!" Xu An bowed immediately.

"Go and make the arrangements," Li Chengqian waved his hand slightly.

"Yes!" Xu An then bowed with Xu Xuan and left the Zhenguan Hall.

Li Chengqian glanced at the departing figures of the two men, then turned and walked into the inner hall, where he lay down on the cool couch.

(End of this chapter)