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

Chapter 738 Using the bloodline of the Tang Dynasty's imperial family to usurp the bloodline of the Tibetan royal family (Third update yesterday)
As the sun sets, colorful clouds fill the sky.

Li Chengqian rose from the stone pavilion, looked at the sunset, and said to Princess Wencheng, "I should go back now. I will leave the matter of the Crown Prince to my younger sister."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I know what to do." Princess Wencheng rose and followed the emperor out, saying, "I will see Your Majesty off."

"Yeah!" Li Chengqian nodded slightly.

When the emperor returned to the palace, all the palace servants, eunuchs, and guards in Princess Wencheng's residence sprang into action.

Upon reaching the front courtyard, Princess Wencheng finally couldn't help but speak up, "Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian stopped and turned to look at Princess Wencheng.

Princess Wencheng hesitated slightly, but still asked earnestly, "May I ask Your Majesty, how does Your Majesty intend to handle the matter of Tibet?"

Princess Wencheng has now returned to Chang'an and to her own residence. Logically speaking, she should no longer concern herself with matters concerning Tibet, but she has been the Tibetan Dowager Princess for many years.

Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "The Duke of Dai will serve as the Grand Protector of Fanzhou for two years, and then it will be Su Dingfang's turn. He may serve for a few more years."

Liang Jianfang will also serve as a tutor to the Crown Prince. I will have the Crown Prince oversee the affairs of Fanzhou concurrently. Two years later, Liang Jianfang will return to court to serve as the Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince.

Princess Wencheng nodded in understanding. The emperor would involve the crown prince in the internal affairs of the two protectorates of Andong and Fanzhou. However, since these two places were thousands of miles away, there was no need to worry that they would pose a threat to the court.

"As for the Fanzhou region, the main trade routes from Lhasa to the four directions, and the prefectures near the four mountain passes leading to Tanggula Mountain, Changdu, Western Turks, and Nepal, will all be directly under the jurisdiction of the Great Tang. As for other places, the wealthy areas will be directly under the jurisdiction of the Great Tang, and the remaining areas will be tributary prefectures." Li Chengqian paused slightly and said, "That's roughly it."

"Then what about Lhasa?" Princess Wencheng looked directly at Li Chengqian and asked, "Your Majesty, is he dead?"

Li Chengqian looked at Princess Wencheng, his expression turning serious.

Who is he?

Mangsong Mangtsen, the Tibetan emperor.

Li Chengqian once wrote a letter to Mangsong Mangzan.

As long as Princess Wencheng survives, even if Lhasa falls in the future, the Tang Dynasty will still appoint him as the Tibetan King and govern Lhasa.

Of course, this only applies to Luoxie, which only has administrative power. Military power is entirely in the hands of the Tang Dynasty. In fact, Su Dingfang almost burned Luoxie down because of this.

but now……

Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "If others asked, I might say that Mangsong Mangzan only fell off a cliff and went missing, not that he died. But since my sister asked, I will not lie to him. On his way to escape, Mangsong Mangzan unfortunately encountered Yin Yuan. He and the monk Jiezan fought back to the death and were eventually shot to death by crossbow bolts. Their bodies were buried and their clothes were thrown off the cliff."

Princess Wencheng fell silent, then sighed and said, "I didn't mean to ask any more questions, but after all, I watched him grow up."

Mangsong Mangtsen and Princess Wencheng were not related by blood. In fact, Princess Wencheng's imprisonment was a decision made by Mangsong Mangtsen and his mother.
However, in the first few years after Princess Wencheng returned to Tibet, their relationship was quite good, and it was their order that Princess Wencheng was not mistreated.

However, it's not accurate to say that Princess Wencheng and Mangsong Mangtsen had a deep relationship.

Compared to Mangsong and Mangzan, Princess Wencheng was actually more interested in asking about the future governance of Lhasa.

Li Chengqian gently raised his head and said, "I have already spread the word that he is not dead. In fact, I will issue an edict to announce to the world that as long as he returns to Lhasa, he can immediately assume the positions of King of Tibet and Governor of Lhasa Prefecture. But as you know, he will not be coming back."

Princess Wencheng nodded silently.

"Therefore, three years later, I will officially announce his death on the grounds that he has been missing for too long. Then, I will select a young son from the Tang imperial family to be adopted by my younger sister, so that he can continue the lineage of Songtsen Gampo. I will then appoint him as the King of Tibet and the Prefect of Lhasa Prefecture, and appoint the Chief Secretary of the King of Tibet as the Prefect of Lhasa Prefecture to govern Lhasa." Li Chengqian finished speaking calmly.

Princess Wencheng was utterly shocked. She murmured, "Doesn't that mean the future Tibetan king is actually a member of the Tang imperial family?"

Using the bloodline of the Tang imperial family, they usurped the bloodline of the Tibetan royal family, and then ruled over Lhasa, and even the entire Tibetan prefecture.

Princess Wencheng had never even heard of such a method.

Li Chengqian calmly shook his head and said, "This is only one way. In fact, what I hope for most is to see you, my sister, remarry, marry a good husband, have two or three children, and then have your second son succeed as the King of Tibet and govern Lhasa."

Princess Wencheng believed that the emperor had the means to do this, and that her son, inheriting everything from her deceased husband, was even somewhat justifiable in terms of law.

Princess Wencheng shook her head gently and said bitterly, "For many years, my heart has been as still as water, and I have no thoughts about other matters."

"No need to say that." Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "No one knows what will happen in the future. Next year, next month, or even tomorrow or the next hour, my sister may meet her ideal husband... The most important thing in life is to have a happy ending. My sister has reached this stage, and I am open to everything. Everything is up to you, and I will fully support you."

“Royal brother.” Princess Wencheng couldn’t help but look up.

"Rest assured, the entire Tang Dynasty wishes you well." Li Chengqian paused slightly and said, "I, and my father, also wish you well."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Princess Wencheng couldn't help but lower her head, a hint of sadness in her expression.

……

Li Chengqian rode his horse into the palace through Yanxi Gate and then into Taiji Palace through Changle Gate.

Standing beneath the Chang Le Gate, Li Chengqian took a deep look into the depths of the gate, then sat in his imperial carriage and said, "Go to the Wude Hall."

The Hall of Martial Virtue was a place that showcased the emperor's abundant martial virtue.

Li Chengqian walked to the imperial couch and sat down, then looked to the side.

Li Wu emerged from behind the curtain and bowed to Li Chengqian, saying, "Your Majesty!"

"Yeah!" Li Chengqian nodded slightly.

Li Wu took out a memorial from his sleeve and handed it to Li Chengqian, saying, "This is a record of the events that occurred in Lhasa, detailing the events before and after. Please preview it, Your Majesty."

Xu An stepped out from behind Li Chengqian, took the memorial, and placed it in front of Li Chengqian.

Li Wu returned to Chang'an with Princess Wencheng. His deeds had been mentioned in a memorial to the throne, but only briefly, without being recorded in detail.

Some things can only be said face to face.

After all, even revealing just a few words about these things to the outside world could be fatal.

Li Chengqian opened the memorial and then carefully read its contents.

These things are divided into two directions.

One is Luo Binwang's record of everything that happened from the Anxi Protectorate to Lhasa, and the other is Li Jia's record.

One is Li Wu's record of various military affairs, his communication with Li Jia, and the final killing of Mangsong Mangtsen, as well as the capture of Mengjiechiga.

The rest is about what happened afterward: Li Jia stayed in Lhasa to handle the aftermath and purge the Shadow Army, while "Li Zhi" returned to Chengdu.

Li Chengqian put down the memorial, raised his head slightly and said, "Please take good care of Prince Jin. Those meritorious young men should be rewarded accordingly. Don't be stingy."

"Your subject understands." Li Wu bowed slightly.

"In addition, the lads who are away have been away for too long. Let's rotate them back to Chang'an to guard the city." Li Chengqian raised his head slightly and said, "Also, we should start sending people to place people around the current leaders of various regions in Tibet."

After the Tang Dynasty destroyed Tibet, many tribal leaders directly betrayed Tibet and surrendered to the Tang Dynasty.

Their numbers were so great that even Li Chengqian hadn't expected them.

However, upon reflection, there aren't actually that many problems. Tibet itself was a tribal confederation system. Although it was transforming into a kingdom, the transformation wasn't thorough, especially since Songtsen Gampo's death and the enthronement of a young ruler. Instead of progressing, many things regressed significantly.

That's why so many people sat and watched during the war between the Tang Dynasty and Tibet.

Things were somewhat better when Dama Rinchen was alive. After he died in battle and Shang Jiezan was promoted to Grand Chancellor, the various states began to conserve their strength. Whenever the Tang army advanced, they would immediately surrender after a brief engagement.

After all, the Tang Dynasty was much stronger than Tibet.

Some people are even harboring sinister intentions.

Chang'an was too far from Tibet. If the Tang Dynasty made any mistakes in governing Tibet and caused a major upheaval, then these people would have the opportunity to replace the Tang Dynasty and become powerful rulers like Songtsen Gampo.

Li Chengqian sneered lightly.

This is a method used by aristocratic families, no, it's a flexible method that many people use to survive.

"Your Majesty!" Li Wu stood to one side, calmly cupping his hands and saying, "Should we follow the example of Luo Binwang in Tibet and set up traps to target Nepal, India, and the Abbasid Caliphate?"

South of Tibet lies Nepal and India, which are related to Songtsen Gampo by marriage.

To the west of Tibet lies the Western Regions, and further west lies the Abbasid Caliphate.

These will inevitably become rivals of the Tang Dynasty in the future. Should we take measures in these areas?

After pondering for a long time, Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "Nepal is ultimately a small country. Tibet has been destroyed, so they will not act rashly. Moreover, given the current strength of the Tang Dynasty, if Nepal really makes any moves, the Tang Dynasty no longer needs to treat Nepal the same way it treated Tibet. It can simply be swept away without any further trouble."

Nepal is not Tibet; they are not worth Li Chengqian's various methods.

“As for the Abbasid Caliphate, they have very little interaction with the Tang Dynasty. Even if they wanted to set traps, there is no middleman to gain their trust, so the methods would not work.” Li Chengqian shook his head and then said, “Besides, at least for the next twenty years, the Tang Dynasty will not encounter any major wars. Even if we make plans now, it will probably be difficult to achieve results. So, we should just use normal methods to infiltrate Nepal, India, and the Qin Dynasty.”

"Yes!" Li Wu bowed and accepted the order.

Li Chengqian calmed down and looked at Li Wu, saying, "The affairs in the Northwest are over for you. Your focus should return to the world."

"Yes!" Li Wu's expression turned serious.

Li Chengqian raised his head slightly and said, "Next, the Secret Guard will begin to rely more on the local government troops, and even the military and legal departments, to set up outposts in all the prefectures and counties across the country, to secretly monitor the world. If any incident occurs, they can adjust their manpower as quickly as possible."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Li Wu cupped his hands in greeting. He understood that the emperor was about to begin to completely seize control of the empire.

Li Chengqian's expression softened as he looked at Li Wu and said, "You've worked hard these past few years. Take a rest when you return to Chang'an before you start serving me properly."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Wu calmly cupped his hands in thanks.

"Alright, that's settled then." Li Chengqian waved his hand slightly.

Li Wu cupped his hands and said, "Your subject takes his leave."

……

Only after Li Wu retreated into the tent did Li Chengqian calm down.

Although there are still many things to deal with regarding the Tibetan issue, it is now time to turn all attention back to the governance of the entire world.

Moreover, there are some things that need to be put to rest completely.

Slightly relieved, Li Chengqian stood up and turned to enter the East Hall.

A plump woman dressed in a pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), who seemed to have just sat back on the bed, hugged a quilt and looked at Li Chengqian with a terrified expression.

She was beautiful and had fair skin. Although she was in her early thirties, she looked like she was only twenty-two.

Mengjiechiga, the Great Consort of Tibet.

Songtsen Gampo's daughter-in-law, the principal wife of Gongri Gongtsen, and the mother of Mangsong Mangtsen.

Mengjiechiga married Gongri Gongzan when she was very young, but Gongri Gongzan died less than two years after their marriage.

Moreover, Gongri Gongzan's health had always been poor.

This means that Meng Jiechiga, this mature body, has not been touched for fifteen years.

Li Chengqian calmly walked to the bedside, looking at Meng Jiechiga with a cold gaze.

Meng Jiechiga wore a silk ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and her entire body was clean and white.

Since she entered Chang'an, she has been under the tutelage of an old woman in the palace, and her entire being has long since become incapable of threatening Li Chengqian.

Even her will to resist had long been destroyed.

"Do you know where this is?" Li Chengqian asked calmly, his gaze falling on Meng Jiechi's terrified and somewhat bewildered face. He said softly, "This is the Hall of Martial Virtue, a place to display the emperor's martial virtue. Do you know what the emperor's martial virtue is?"

Meng Jiechi's eyes narrowed slightly.

“Destroy the country, of course it is the destruction of the country.” Li Chengqian leaned forward slightly, then lifted Meng Jiechi’s smooth chin with his right index finger and looked into her eyes: “After the destruction of the country, the royal seal, household registers, pearls, gold, silver, calligraphy and paintings, and beauties, the finest of them will be sent to the Wude Hall.

Meng Jiechi couldn't help but bite her lower lip.

“You’re right. They are spoils of war. After conquering foreign lands and destroying nations, they are piled up in the Hall of Martial Virtue. They are spoils of war belonging to me. And you…” Li Chengqian stared into Meng Jiechi’s eyes and said, “You are my spoils of war.”

"Let...let me go!" Meng Jiechi looked at Li Chengqian with some fear.

Li Chengqian's fingers slid down slightly, landing on Meng Jiechi's collarbone, then he stroked her neck and said, "I would like to let you go, but why won't you let the Tang Dynasty go?"

Meng Jiechi suddenly looked up.

“If you hadn’t attacked and conquered the Western Turks directly after Father’s abdication, we wouldn’t have suffered such a crushing defeat back then.” Li Chengqian couldn’t help but grit his teeth and say, “If you hadn’t begged so desperately after your defeat, I wouldn’t have let my sister return to Lhasa. But after the Tang Dynasty destroyed Goguryeo, you were still not satisfied. Taking advantage of my eastern tour to Luoyang, you once again invaded Tibet, trying to disrupt the Tang Dynasty. Tell me, should I let you go?”

"I, I...I don't know." Meng Jiechi's lips were slightly pale.

“So, since you’ve done something wrong, you must be punished.” Li Chengqian pulled down hard and then lifted it up, causing the pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) to fly up and block out all the prying candlelight.

……

As night deepened, Li Chengqian slowly awoke from his deep sleep.

In his arms was Meng Jiechiga, her face streaked with tears, her skin smooth and clear.

Li Chengqian withdrew his gaze, then got up from the bed, dressed, and turned to walk out of the Wude Hall.

Standing in front of the palace gate, Li Chengqian looked at Xu An and said, "Send someone to keep an eye on her. If she is pregnant, inform me immediately."

"Yes, sir!" Xu An bowed respectfully.

Li Chengqian turned around and strode into the night.

(End of this chapter)