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

Chapter 729 Deputy Prime Minister of Three Provinces, What is that? (Third Update)
On the sixteenth day of the first month of the fourteenth year of Yongwei.

Before the New Year was over, a fast horse had already rushed into Chunming Gate and then sped along the imperial road towards the palace.

Soon, the weary Imperial Guards delivered an urgent memorial to the Liangyi Hall.

In the East Upper Pavilion.

Li Chengqian sat on a low couch and handed the memorial to Changsun Wuji, who was kneeling on his left. At the same time, he looked at the prime ministers, including Li Ji, Zhao Yuankai, and Du Zhenglun, and said: "Su Dingfang urgently reports that Pei Xingjian's troops have joined forces with the troops of Duke Xue and Xue Rengui and stopped five hundred li away from Lhasa City."

Changsun Wuji handed the memorial to Li Ji, then looked at Li Chengqian and said, "Your Majesty, before the New Year, Xin Liao'er had already cleared the mountain road to Changdu, and the transport of grain and fodder has been accelerated. In March, the army can set off to attack Lhasa."

“The weather in Tibet is mild, and there are mountain roads in Changdu for transporting grain and fodder, so it would have been feasible to go to Lhasa at that time.” Li Chengqian smiled slightly, then shook his head and said, “I really didn’t expect that it would be so short, and we would already be at the gates of Lhasa.”

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!" All the ministers bowed in unison.

Li Chengqian waved his hand slightly and said, "It is all thanks to the concerted efforts of my ministers that we have achieved today's success, as well as the benefit to the people of the world..."

At this point, Li Chengqian suddenly paused. Finally, he raised his head slightly and said, "The people have it tough. Uncle, pass on the message to all the governors, noble families, and common people in the land. Tighten your belts this year. If we can destroy the Tubo Kingdom this year, then next year, I will begin to focus on resting the people, reducing taxes, ensuring domestic order, and bringing peace to the people."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty is benevolent."

Li Chengqian smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Once Tibet is defeated, there will be no more wars in the world. At least in my lifetime, that will probably be the case. As long as I am here, no one will dare to provoke the Tang Dynasty. After me, it is hard to say. But before that, the Tang Dynasty needs to do more internal governance, reconcile conflicts, and make the world more prosperous. Maybe I will really have the opportunity to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai."

Emperor Wu of Han set an example by performing the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, demonstrating to later emperors what the highest honor was.

"We also hope to have the opportunity to perform the Fengshan ceremony with Your Majesty at Mount Tai in the future." Changsun Wuji bowed earnestly.

"Yes, I hope that day will come." Li Chengqian's expression turned serious. He said, "In any case, all departments and local prefectures and counties must work harder this year. Also, while there is still time, send more crossbows and arrows to the front lines. They are the true foundation for the Tang Dynasty to establish its rule over the world."

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

……

The imperial carriage emerged from the Liangyi Hall and slowly headed towards the Ganlu Hall.

Under the tutelage of Ganlu, Li Chengqian slightly raised his head.

Xu An stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty!"

"Tell Li Wu that once he arrives in Luoxie, take a close look at what he has and see if there are any usable opportunities." Li Chengqian's eyes turned cold.

"Yes!" Xu An bowed and accepted the order.

"Finally, I issued an edict to Su Dingfang, telling him not to rush. I am prepared for him to take three years to conquer Lhasa. Don't rush, you must not rush." ​​Li Chengqian's eyes were deep and mysterious.

While there is the possibility that pressure from the court could cause mistakes by the military, there are other hidden reasons behind this.

"Yes!" Xu An bowed again.

"Alright, that's settled." Li Chengqian looked ahead and said with a smile, "Let's go to the Shang'en Hall and see Consort Xu and the Fourteenth Prince."

"Yes!"

……

As night deepened, Li Chengqian lay on his bed, his eyes slightly open.

In all these years, since he ascended the throne, he has never slept straight from one night to the next morning.

He always habitually wakes up in the middle of the night.

Only when he hears the quiet sounds of the night can he feel at ease and continue to sleep.

Li Chengqian turned to the side and looked at Xu Xuan.

Her hair was black and flowing down her shoulders, her skin was as white as snow, and her face was innocent and charming, like that of a sleepy child.

Li Chengqian smiled gently, his expression tender.

Last year, Xu Xuan gave birth to Li Chengqian's fourteenth son, Li Ying, and Li Chengqian then promoted her to the rank of Jieyu.

It is better to stop before it overflows than to hold on to something that is already full.

To retire after achieving one's goals is the way of Heaven.

Li Chengqian gently hugged Xu Xuan and, seeing that she was sleeping soundly, got up from the bed and silently went to the West Palace.

On the bed in the west palace, a woman who bore a resemblance to Xu Xuan lay on the bed.

Xu Rou, daughter of Xu Jingzong.

Since Xu Xuan became pregnant last year, Xu Rou has been serving Xu Xuan in the palace.

Li Chengqian walked to the bed and gently lay down, then gently held Xu Rou in his arms.

Xu Rou woke up groggily, turned to her side, glanced at Li Chengqian, then gently snuggled into his arms and murmured, "Your Majesty!"

"Mmm!" Li Chengqian hugged Xu Rou and didn't say anything more.

Xu Rou lay quietly in Li Chengqian's arms and drifted peacefully into sleep.

Li Chengqian looked at Xu Rou, then raised his gaze, his expression calming down.

Li Yifu was a smart man. He knew that Li Chengqian had ulterior motives in using him and Xu Jingzong.

In the past two years, the two of them have presided over the Money Supervision Bureau and done a lot of things, but it is not enough.

If they want to go further, they must do what Li Chengqian truly wants them to do, and what only they can do.

But before that, they must be more deeply bound to the emperor's emperor.

Because of that matter, if you don't do it, you don't do it at all; but if you do it, it's a momentous event.

Li Chengqian's breathing became heavy.

Li Chengqian shook his head slightly. Xu Jingzong is now the prime minister, so even if Xu Rou enters the palace, she will not have any official title. Only after Xu Jingzong retires will Li Chengqian grant her a title.

This wait will take at least ten years.

After an unknown amount of time, Xu Rou had fallen asleep again. Li Chengqian got up from the bed, walked to the main hall, looked at the night outside, and his expression calmed down.

Li Chengqian woke up late in the early morning. He was off duty today and did not need to attend the morning court.

Li Chengqian left the Shang'en Hall.

Sitting on the imperial carriage, Li Chengqian took out a copy of the Analects from his sleeve, handed it to Xu An, and said, "Send this to Prime Minister Xu's residence."

"Yes!" Xu An bowed and accepted the order.

……

Yiyangfang, the residence of Xu Jingzong.

Backyard den.

Xu Jingzong sat on the short couch, holding the Analects in his hand, his expression thoughtful.

Xu Ang walked in from the doorway, cupped his hands to Xu Jingzong and said, "Father, lunch is ready."

Xu Jingzong regained his composure, glanced at Xu Ang, and said gently, "How have you been lately at the Eastern Palace?"

"The duties of the Crown Prince's Attendant are not busy, everything is fine." Xu Ang bowed, looked at the Analects in Xu Jingzong's hand, and asked cautiously, "Father, what is this?"

"This was just sent by His Majesty." Xu Jingzong raised his head slightly.

"Oh!" Xu Ang looked puzzled and cupped his hands, saying, "Father, does His Majesty have something to say?"

Xu Jingzong smiled gently, holding the Analects, and said, "The so-called self-cultivation, family management, and world peace can all be achieved with just one copy of the Analects."

"Father?" Xu Ang frowned.

Xu Jingzong waved his hand and said, "I am good at self-cultivation and managing my family. Although it is not easy, I am not bad either. Your Majesty's meaning is that you have succeeded in self-cultivation and managing your family. Then all that is left is to bring peace to the world."

"My son doesn't understand!" Xu Ang still looked puzzled.

Xu Jingzong raised his head slightly and said, "Over the years, Your Majesty has investigated hidden land and illegal funds, suppressed the encroachment of aristocratic families on land, destroyed Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, Western Tuyuhun, and Western Turks. Now, destroying Tibet is just a matter of time. Eldest son, what do you think is the most important thing Your Majesty should do next?"

Xu Ang thought for a moment, then carefully cupped his hands and asked, "Father, is it the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song?"

“Yes, the matter of Fengshan.” Xu Jingzong nodded seriously and said, “Since the founding of our Great Tang Dynasty, both the late emperor and the Gaozu Emperor had the idea of ​​Fengshan at Mount Tai. However, the Gaozu Emperor abdicated too early, and some of his ideas ended before they could even be implemented. The late emperor tried to Fengshan at Mount Tai three times, but in the end, nothing came of it.”

Xu Ang nodded in agreement; that was indeed the case.

"After the late emperor abdicated, Your Majesty performed the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song to fulfill the old memory. However, since the late emperor performed the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song, Your Majesty must surpass the late emperor in all achievements, both in civil and military affairs, if you wish to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song. Even if you destroy Tibet, it will still not be enough." Xu Jingzong's expression became solemn.

"Does Your Majesty want Father to do something sinful?" Xu Ang couldn't help but frown.

“Of course, otherwise His Majesty would not have promoted me to the position of Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat from the very beginning, a position equivalent to the third rank of the Chancellor.” Xu Jingzong shook his head slightly and sighed, “What is a prime minister of the third rank of the Chancellor? In the Hall of State Affairs, I dare not raise my voice.”

Among the prime ministers of the Council of State, from Changsun Wuji and Li Ji to Zhao Yuankai, Yu Zhining, Du Zhenglun, Ma Zhou, Sun Fujia, as well as Su Xu, Cui Renshi, and Yan Lide, whose seniority and merits were not above Xu Jingzong's?

In the Hall of State Affairs, Xu Jingzong was actually a figure who sat at the very bottom of the table.

They don't have much say.

“Therefore, if you want to have a stronger voice in the Council of State Affairs, I must go further and become a Grand Councilor. Moreover…” Xu Jingzong looked up at Xu Ang and sighed softly, “Even if we don’t consider me, but consider you and Yanbo, your future careers will benefit you if I can become a Grand Councilor and the Prime Minister of the Three Departments.”

At this point, Xu Jingzong couldn't help but sneer: "Vice Chancellor of Three Provinces, what is that?"

Xu Ang dared not reply, but cupped his hands to Xu Jingzong and said, "Father, His Majesty is going to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song. Is there anything else Father can do for His Majesty?"

Xu Jingzong suddenly fell silent, looked up at his son, and then sighed softly, saying, "There are some things you shouldn't ask. Knowing too much is not a good thing."

"Yes!" Xu Ang was startled, then gently cupped his hands in greeting.

Xu Jingzong raised his head slightly and looked out of the study.

What is His Majesty thinking?
Xu Jingzong looked down at the Analects in his hand.

Confucius said: "In education, there should be no discrimination."

Poor family!

……

March, Baishan Pass.

Su Dingfang, dressed in red robes and golden armor, emerged from the closed door with a solemn expression.

Beyond the city gates lies the vast Tibetan land.

Fifty thousand elite Tang cavalrymen stood solemnly, holding their flags.

The wind was cold and sharp, and the banners fluttered in the breeze.

Su Dingfang rode through the army on horseback, the black banner moving with him.

Li Junxian, Fang Renyu, Xi Junmai, Wei Hongji, Wei Daijia, Di Renjie, and others followed closely behind the banner.

Su Dingfang only stopped his horse when he arrived in front of the army.

In an instant, everyone outside the city gate bowed slightly, looking at Su Dingfang with awe.

With a clang, the long sword was drawn.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Su Dingfang calmly said, "Send troops to destroy the Tubo Kingdom."

"Hah!" Countless soldiers suddenly raised their long spears, their expressions filled with excitement.

The mere two words, "annihilation of a nation," were enough to ignite the excitement and murderous intent in everyone's hearts.

In an instant, everyone's eyes turned toward the direction of Lailuo, their gazes fierce.

(End of this chapter)