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

Chapter 702 Offering Sacrifices to the Former Emperor and Burning the Royal Seal (One update today)
Luoyang, Qianyuan Hall.

The bronze crane stood still, with wisps of blue smoke rising from it.

Li Chengqian sat on the imperial couch, calmly looking at the seals of the Goguryeo king, the Silla king, and the Baekje king before him.

In an instant, the light and shadow shifted.

My mind involuntarily drifted back to all the military campaigns the Tang Dynasty had waged on the Eastern Island over the years.

When Emperor Taizong of Tang launched his eastern expedition against Goguryeo, with his secret assistance, the Tang army marched all the way to the Daedong River, thus establishing the Tang Dynasty's dominance in Andong.

Countless soldiers died in Andong.

Cen Wenben and Ashina Simo also died from injuries sustained from frostbite.

Even his father, the emperor, suffered a relapse of his old injuries and, in his final years, entrusted the affairs of state entirely to him.

Li Chengqian withdrew his gaze, gently raised his head, and looked outside the hall.

What about himself?

Since his ascension to the throne, after defeating the threat from Tibet on the western front, he focused his efforts on the eastern islands. In particular, Li Ji had been stationed in Junbi City for many years, and through internal and external planning, he finally defeated Quan Gaisuwen. However, he instigated internal strife among the three kingdoms, causing them to fight each other. In the end, he seized control of the military power of the three kingdoms, forcing Gao Baozang to surrender his country to protect himself.

Although some methods were unscrupulous, everything was ultimately accomplished for the sake of the Tang Dynasty.

With the three kingdoms of Dongdao completely incorporated into the Tang Dynasty, the number of armies in Dongdao can be gradually reduced. The military expenses of Dongdao will also be greatly reduced due to the acquisition of the wealth of the three kingdoms of Dongdao, allowing the court to relax considerably.

"Your Majesty!" Changsun Wuji stood to the side, cupping his hands in greeting, and said, "Gao Baozang, Jin Famin, Fuyu Long, and all the members of the three royal families are on their way to Luoyang..."

Li Chengqian waved his hand gently and said, "Go to Chang'an. After they arrive in Luoyang, I will set off back to Chang'an, and then offer sacrifices at Xianling and Zhaoling. The Tang Dynasty's military campaign against the Eastern Island, which began with Emperor Gaozu, has now come to a complete end."

From this year onward, the Tang Dynasty's deployment on the Eastern Island will no longer involve military force, but rather internal suppression of rebellions.

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed respectfully.

He knew that the emperor had once said that he would have the kings of Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje come together to present captives to Zhaoling.

Let the late emperor see that his wish has been fulfilled.

"Furthermore," Li Chengqian said gently, turning slightly to the side, "Issue an imperial decree that I will use these three royal seals to offer sacrifices at Mount Song, to inform Heaven and also to inform my father."

"Yes!" Xu Jingzong stood up from the side, then solemnly cupped his hands, and quickly turned and left.

"Your Majesty!" Changsun Wuji waited until Li Chengqian calmed down a bit before continuing, "Your Majesty, the Tibetan envoy is still waiting in Chang'an."

"Send someone to deliver a message, allowing him to accompany me to offer sacrifices at Xianling and Zhaoling. Afterwards, I will find time to see him." Li Chengqian waved his hand gently.

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed seriously.

Starting in late March of this year, Li Chengqian made an eastern tour to Luoyang, appointing Crown Prince Li Xiang as regent, while Li Ji, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, remained in Chang'an to assist in governance, and Changsun Wuji accompanied the emperor to Luoyang.

Although the matter in Andong has only progressed to this point today, it is actually entirely under the control of the imperial court.

In fact, starting this year, the strategic focus of the Tang Dynasty has gradually shifted towards Tibet.

Therefore, when the Tibetan envoy came to Chang'an, Li Chengqian went to Luoyang for an eastern tour ahead of time, leaving the Tibetan envoy stranded in Chang'an for almost half a year.

……

"Before the sacrificial ceremony at Zhaoling, some matters on Dongdao Island also need to be dealt with in advance." Li Chengqian pushed the three royal seals aside and then said seriously, "The officials who were appointed to serve in the Andong Protectorate in the past two years can now set off in batches... Pass down the word that those who leave early will be given preferential treatment when they go to Andong."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed solemnly.

The closer the Andong Protectorate is to the sea and the north, the closer it is to the Central Plains, and the more convenient it is to conduct business both inside and outside the region.

These positions are usually reserved for scions of aristocratic families, but now the emperor assigns the best positions to whoever arrives first.

Is this a problem?
This is of course no problem.

Everything should be prioritized for the sake of national affairs; who cares about your petty squabbles?

Over the years, Changsun Wuji has come to understand Li Chengqian better and better.

Support the poor, suppress the nobles, investigate hidden lands, crack down on illegal money, and lure powerful families to shift their main focus to the three kingdoms of the Eastern Islands and the Western Turks.

The reason was that the emperor learned from the lessons of the fall of the Han Dynasty and tried his best to prevent powerful families from seizing the taxes of the country.

Taxes are the foundation of the nation.

"Furthermore!" Li Chengqian raised his head slightly and said, "Although this time we destroyed Baekje and Silla in the name of Goguryeo, the soldiers in the army contributed a lot, and we cannot erase them all. Therefore, the matter of awarding land to those who have made military merits must be implemented in Andong as soon as possible."

"Does Your Majesty mean that this time the land grants for military merits will all be placed in Andong?" Changsun Wuji looked up in surprise.

“Where else could it be?” Li Chengqian tapped the table lightly and said, “The land granted to the soldiers should be concentrated in one place as much as possible. Tell them that if they are willing to move their families to Andong, they will be exempt from taxes for three years and will be granted additional land. If they are not willing to move their families, then they should hand over the land to the military farms of the Andong Protectorate.”

"Hmm!" Changsun Wuji didn't quite understand.

“When the term of service is over, upon returning to the capital, the land can be sold to the Protectorate General of Andong, which will then handle the land in a unified manner.” Li Chengqian paused slightly and said, “The land allocation in Andong, whether for commoners, noble families, or soldiers, will all be in accordance with the rules of the court, with each person receiving one hundred mu.”

"Your Majesty, rest assured, those aristocratic families will still abide by the rules." Changsun Wuji cupped his hands and said with a smile, "They will ensure that enough clansmen migrate to Andong. They will simply use the power of the clans to take some fertile land first, and the clans will draw some people from each family to join the clan."

"That's good." Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief and said, "What I want is simply enough tax revenue. As long as the land isn't hidden from the beginning, everything is negotiable."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji's expression turned solemn.

"Finally, there is one rule that must be made clear regarding matters in Andong." Li Chengqian looked at Changsun Wuji and said, "As long as the people of the Three Kingdoms are completely loyal to the Tang Dynasty, then everyone in the Andong Protectorate, as well as all the clans and families, must regard them as Tang people from the bottom of their hearts and not allow any oppression."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Changsun Wuji bowed respectfully and said, "The people of Andong have not come easily. As long as they are willing to submit to the Tang Dynasty, they are naturally Tang people, and one of our own."

Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction.

There are some things that, no matter how many times he tells them to do so, the concept of equality is simply impossible for Anton to grasp.

Members of the imperial family, aristocratic families, migrants, and natives who returned to the Tang Dynasty—those who sincerely wished to return, those who did not, and those who opposed the Tang Dynasty's restoration.

All kinds of things.

But those locals who are willing to submit to the Tang Dynasty must all be treated as Tang people.

Only when more and more people in Dongdao consider themselves Tang people will the entire Dongdao truly return to the heart of the Tang Dynasty.

"As for the rest, I won't ask any more questions. The entire Protectorate of Andong can handle things cleanly." Li Chengqian leaned back slightly and said, "The powerful families of the world have entered Liaodong. I don't need to worry about their methods. They can easily control the old families of the Three Kingdoms."

The methods employed by powerful families include: marriage alliances, taking students as students, recommending them for official positions, and business partnerships.

To win them over, and to suppress them.

Invite them to a feast, behead them, or accept them as your dogs.

They are very familiar with these methods.

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji cupped his hands, then looked up and said, "This time Liu Rengui specifically reported that Japanese people were found to be involved in Baekje."

“Japan!” Li Chengqian sneered softly, “Aren’t they afraid that I will take the opportunity to send people to Japan and wipe out the entire country?”

"Your Majesty!" Changsun Wuji's expression turned solemn.

Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "I have no intention of fighting the Japanese. After all, that sea route is not easy to travel... Of course, on the other hand, if they are interested in intervening in Andong, they can also travel by sea in the future. Tell Liu Rengui and Liu Demin to be careful."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed solemnly.

"And one more thing," Li Chengqian said, taking a deep breath. "Summon Cui Renshi, the Prefect of Shenzhou, back to Chang'an."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed respectfully. He knew that Su Xu was never the official candidate to govern the Andong Protectorate. The emperor truly favored Cui Renshi.

Cui Renshi served as Vice Minister of Revenue, Vice Minister of Personnel, Prefect of Jianzhou, Prefect of Dingzhou, and Prefect of Shenzhou.

If Cui Dunli hadn't become Minister of War first, Cui Renshi would probably have become Minister of Personnel long ago. One step behind means one step behind!
"As for other formal appointments, we'll discuss them after the Zhaoling ceremony," Li Chengqian said solemnly.

"Here!"

……

The autumn wind has risen, and the red leaves are beginning to wither.

The imperial carriage landed at the Zhuangjing Hall.

As Li Chengqian approached and nodded, Su Yi stepped forward and curtsied, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Rise." Li Chengqian waved his hand slightly, then walked to the main couch in the inner hall and sat down.

Su Yi personally accepted a bowl of tea and served it to him.

Li Chengqian took a sip, then waved to Su Yi.

Su Yi then shyly sat down in Li Chengqian's lap.

Li Chengqian embraced Su Yi, pressed his cheek against hers, held her fingers, and whispered, "Yi Niang, your father-in-law will be able to come back next year."

"Huh?" Su Yi looked up in surprise and couldn't help but ask, "Really? Father is coming back?"

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "However, it will not be in Chang'an, but in Luoyang. I will appoint my father-in-law as the governor of Luozhou."

"Luozhou?" Although Su Yi was somewhat disappointed, she still said, "Your Majesty now makes an eastern tour to Luoyang every year. As long as I go with you, I can see Father for half a year each year, and Mother can also come to Luoyang with you."

Every year when the emperor made his eastern tour to Luoyang, a large number of officials from the court would accompany him.

At that time, Li Chengqian's aunt, Princess Nanchang, can also come along.

“Of course.” Li Chengqian raised his head slightly and said, “My father-in-law is the governor of Luozhou, the Consort’s father is the governor of Yongzhou, and Minister Qiu is the general of the Imperial Guard. However, your brother will be transferred out of the Eastern Palace.”

"Hmm?" Su Yi asked, somewhat surprised, "Why is it that Father was just transferred back to the capital, and now Brother is being transferred away?"

“He has been the Crown Prince’s Household Steward for ten years, it’s time for a change.” Li Chengqian shook his head and said, “It just so happens that the position of Prefect of Shenzhou has become vacant. Let him be transferred to the position of Prefect of Shenzhou. Anyway, my father-in-law was the Prefect of Shenzhou before, and the Prince of Liao’s Mansion is also in Shenzhou.”

Su Yi's son was Li Miao, the seventh son of Li Chengqian and the Prince of Liao. Liaodong's location was crucial for Andong to stabilize.

Upon hearing about her son, Su Yi said no more and nodded, "Everything will be arranged according to His Majesty's plan. However, before you leave, brother, could you spend some time with your father?"

Li Chengqian gently pinched Su Yi's nose and said with a smile, "Of course, those are things for next year."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Su Yi smiled happily.

"Let's go, accompany me for a nap." Li Chengqian picked up Su Yi and carried her to the bed.

Even though they've been married for a long time, Su Yi still couldn't help but blush.

……

Inside the Wensi Hall, people were constantly coming and going in the side halls on both sides.

Li Chengqian sat on the imperial couch.

Secretary Lu Dunxin stood below the steps and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the Tibetan envoy in Chang'an has been staying quietly and there is nothing unusual about him."

Li Chengqian put down the Spring and Autumn Annals in his hand, calmly shook his head, and said, "The Tibetans have always acted in a cunning and treacherous manner. If the Tibetan envoy doesn't act, it means that someone is already making moves in private. He's just using this as a pretext to attract attention." Lu Dunxin's expression was solemn, and he cupped his hands and said, "Then, Your Majesty, how should we deal with this?"

Li Chengqian raised his head slightly and said, "If the Tibetans want to make a move, the only people they can use are the Guangjun's people who are lurking in Chang'an, to gather intelligence and find some weaknesses."

"A flaw?" Lu Dunxin's expression hardened, and he cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Your Majesty, we cannot let this go unchecked!"

“It’s alright.” Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, “The Tang Dynasty does have some weaknesses against Tibet, but these weaknesses are gradually being addressed. The Tang Dynasty has plenty of patience, and I have plenty of patience. However, if Tibet wants to exploit these weaknesses, then they must fight their way down from the plateau.”

"Is it like the great battle between Dongtuyuhun and Tuyuhun back then?" Lu Dunxin understood somewhat.

“This is an open strategy.” Li Chengqian nodded and said, “Either they break out from the depths of the plateau ahead of time, or they wait for the Tang Dynasty to be ready and then launch a full-scale attack into the depths of the plateau. What do you think they will do?”

"I don't know," Lu Dunxin shook his head and said, "The Tang Dynasty and the Tibetan leadership have not had any contact for many years, so I really don't know what the Tibetan leadership wants to do."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Knowing them as I do, they will be hoping for the best."

"Why?" Lu Dunxin asked, his face full of confusion.

“Because they are unwilling to accept it.” Li Chengqian looked up and said calmly, “Songtsen developed Tibet into such a prosperous country. Whether it is Mangsong Mangtsen or Dama Rinchen, they will not allow me to gradually stifle Tibet’s chance to become even stronger. Therefore, they will inevitably find a flaw, tear open the flaw, and make their move from the place I least expect.”

"Your Majesty!" Lu Dunxin's expression had become serious.

“It’s alright, it’s not a big deal.” Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, “This is both a risk and an opportunity. If it succeeds, Tibet will be destroyed.”

"Yes!" Lu Dunxin could only bow.

……

Night fell, and the imperial carriage moved forward.

The imperial carriage alighted in front of the Zhenguan Hall.

A figure emerged from behind a pillar, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty!"

"An Yan!" Li Chengqian nodded slightly to Li An Yan, then looked at Xu An to the side and said, "Clean it up."

"Yes!" Xu An cupped his hands in greeting, then turned and led all the eunuchs and guards around him to a distance of several dozen meters.

"Your Majesty!" Li Anyan stepped forward, came to the side of the imperial carriage, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the Tibetans have contacted Luo Binwang."

"Huh?" Li Chengqian looked up in surprise and asked, "How did they know about Luo Binwang's side?"

Over the years, under the rule of Li Chengqian, the Tang Dynasty gradually reached its zenith.

Luo Binwang and his men originally hid in Longxi, but they could no longer hide there and eventually fled to Anxi.

Anxi's checks on household registers were relatively lax, making it easier for them to conceal their activities.

“The Tibetans say it was a message left by Gar Tongtsen Gampo.” Li Anyan bowed slightly.

Lu Dongzan was a name Li Chengqian hadn't heard in a long time.

"It seems that when Gar Tongtsen Yulsung and Gar Trinling were willing to surrender to the Tang Dynasty, they had made preparations behind the scenes. This was a plan they had been keeping hidden for ten years!" Li Chengqian couldn't help but sigh.

Behind Luo Binwang and his group, the real power behind the scenes was held by Li Anyan and Li Chengqian.

In fact, even Luo Binwang himself was unaware of the truth behind this.

Especially after Gongsun Chang passed away and Luo Binwang took sole power, he no longer believed any rumors.

However, he had no idea that although he was the leader of all the men under his command, the rest of them were all secret guards!
Over the years, Luo Binwang had not been idle. He had made contact with the Eastern and Western Tuyuhun and the Western Turks, but unfortunately, he had not achieved anything. As a result, Li Chengqian almost forgot about this pawn.

Unexpectedly, the Tibetans picked him up again.

"They've hidden it for ten years; once it's useful, it will be the time to completely annihilate Tibet." Li Chengqian looked at Li Anyan and asked, "What do they want to do with it?"

"The Tibetans want to use him to contact Wu Yuanshuang and then probe for secrets within the palace and the court." Li Anyan bowed respectfully.

"Go ahead and do it. I'll give them this opportunity." Li Chengqian waved his hand gently and said, "Let's see just how much of a surprise they can bring me."

"Yes!" Li Anyan bowed and then retreated into the darkness to the side.

Li Chengqian sat on the imperial carriage for a long time before rising from it and stepping up the golden steps, finally entering the Zhenguan Hall.

Xu Xuan then carefully stepped out of the inner hall, cupping her hands in greeting, "Your Majesty!"

"Hmm!" Li Chengqian nodded, opened his arms and said, "Help me change my clothes."

"Yes!" Xu Xuan breathed a slight sigh of relief, then stepped forward to help the emperor unbutton his clothes. He subconsciously looked up and saw the emperor's burning eyes staring at her.

The night was deep, and Li Chengqian lay on his bed.

Beside him lay Xu Xuan, exhausted and fast asleep.

Li Chengqian looked into the deep darkness before him, his eyes gradually becoming wary and filled with fighting spirit.

Many things were orchestrated by him behind the scenes.

Tibet is also gradually walking into a trap.

They may decouple at any time, but the opportunity has finally arrived.

If he could destroy Tibet and annex its millions of people, he could then use that to truly perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song.

If several generations of Tang emperors had only performed the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song and not at Mount Tai, Mount Tai's status in the world would have declined.

Of course, that's a story for later.

And then there's Wu Zetian.

The Tang dynasty lasted for three generations, with a female ruler, Empress Wu, succeeding the Tang. This was the last thing that Li Chengqian was worried about.

That's why he made his plans.

But, Meiniang, what will you ultimately choose?

……

On the 20th day of the eighth month of the eleventh year of Yongwei.

The emperor returned to Chang'an.

The entourage included royal families from Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla.

The Crown Prince, Duke of Ying, Li Ji, led his court officials to greet him outside Chunming Gate.

The emperor entered Chang'an.

Then, the imperial carriage stopped at the Chengtian Gate of Taiji Palace.

Li Chengqian stepped out from the imperial carriage, and Li Xiang, Changsun Wuji, Li Ji, Qiu Xinggong, Yuchi Jingde and others bowed and said, "Your subjects pay their respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years."

Li Chengqian calmly raised his hand and said, "All of you, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The ministers then stood up.

Li Chengqian surveyed his ministers and said calmly, "King Goguryeo, Go Bojang, was foolish and warlike, exhausting his resources with his military campaigns, to the point that his food supplies ran out, the people suffered, and there were even signs of cannibalism. But Heaven has finally seen the light of day, and Go Bojang has finally repented and is willing to offer his royal seal, maps, household registers, and other items, and submit the entire country to the Tang Dynasty, so that the people may prosper and the world may be at peace."

The assembled officials solemnly clasped their hands, bowed deeply, and lowered their heads.

“I also find this matter difficult to decide.” Li Chengqian raised his head and said, “Issue the decree that tomorrow I will offer sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and report to the ancestors; the day after tomorrow I will offer sacrifices at the Xianling Mausoleum and report to Emperor Gaozu; on the 23rd of August I will offer sacrifices at the Zhaoling Mausoleum and report to Father Emperor. I humbly beg Father Emperor’s divine guidance.”

The assembled officials bowed deeply and shouted in unison, "Your Majesty is benevolent, filial, and virtuous! Long live the Emperor!"

"The Ministry of Rites has made arrangements for the royal families of the three kingdoms. On the 23rd of August, they will join me in offering sacrifices at Zhaoling Mausoleum." Li Chengqian waved his hand, then turned and entered the imperial carriage.

The assembled officials bowed in unison, saying, "Your Majesty, we respectfully see you off."

Li Chengqian sat inside the imperial carriage and then entered Chengtian Gate.

The next moment, Chengtian Gate slammed shut behind them.

Li Chengqian turned to the side and said, "Issue an imperial decree ordering Zheng Rentai, the Duke of Tong'an, to guard Chengtian Gate."

"Here!"

……

In the Zhenguan Hall.

Li Chengqian and Su Shu sat facing each other.

Three royal seals were placed on the table in front of the two men.

Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "This is the final result of hundreds of thousands of soldiers fighting on the battlefield from the time the army set out in the seventeenth year of Zhenguan to the eleventh year of Yongwei."

"Your Majesty forgot to mention, there are still three million people." Su Shu smiled as she looked at Li Chengqian.

"The Empress understands me best!" Li Chengqian couldn't help but laugh.

A soft footstep sounded outside the hall, and Xu An immediately reported, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince requests an audience."

"Let him in." Li Chengqian waved his hand slightly.

Li Xiang carefully entered the inner hall, cupped his hands to Li Chengqian and Su Shu, and said, "Your subject pays respects to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."

"Rise." Li Chengqian turned to look at Li Xiang and gently beckoned, "Come and see, this is the spoils of war that I have finally obtained after many years of hard work."

“Yes!” Li Xiang stepped forward, carefully examined the three royal seals, and then cupped his hands and said, “Congratulations, Father Emperor.”

“Look at it more. In the future, you will need to obtain more royal seals than I do to be considered to have surpassed me.” Li Chengqian glanced at Li Xiang, then looked at the three royal seals again and said, “No matter what I do these years, I am still a little worse than Father Emperor.”

Fortunately, there was still Tibet.

"Yes!" Li Xiang took a deep breath and solemnly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Furthermore, Su Jun will be transferred to Shenzhou early next year. The entire Eastern Palace must prepare for him in advance. I will review his performance every year." Li Chengqian looked up and said, "His performance is your performance, and his mistakes are your mistakes."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Li Xiang bowed solemnly, his expression stern.

Li Chengqian chuckled softly. Putting pressure on his son was indeed very satisfying.

……

The fire burned brightly.

The three royal seals were thrown directly into the raging fire.

Above and below Mount Jiuzong, before the Zhaoling Mausoleum.

The princes, countless court officials, envoys from both inside and outside the court, and even Li Xiang were all stunned by what they saw.

The royal seals of the three kingdoms of the Eastern Islands were burned just like that?
(End of this chapter)