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

Chapter 739 Fengchan (First Update)
In the Taiji Hall, Li Chengqian sat upright on the imperial couch.

The tassels on his crown swayed gently, and through the gaps, Li Chengqian could clearly see the expressions of the civil and military officials standing on both sides of the hall.

Li Yibiao, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, there is a document from the Tibetan Prefecture. Nepal has sent an envoy to the Tibetan Prefecture to request an audience with the emperor in Chang'an."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly and said, "It seems that even Nepal is afraid of the Tang army pressing in."

What are we afraid of? Of course, we are afraid that if the Tang Dynasty gets angry, it might send troops south and wipe out Nepal.

Changsun Wuji stepped forward from the left of the assembled officials, cupped his hands, and said, “Your Majesty, Nepal is the wife's family of Songtsen Gampo. This time, when the Tang Dynasty destroyed Tibet, Nepal made many moves. If it weren't for India restraining them from the south, they probably wouldn't have been so well-behaved.”

The Indian princess was one of the emperor's consorts, and it was because of this relationship that the Indians took action.

However, the Indians didn't make much of a move, but as soon as they did, Nepal immediately quieted down.

Li Chengqian smiled and looked at Changsun Wuji, saying, "Uncle, are you worried about Nepal or India?"

"I think so!" Changsun Wuji bowed respectfully.

"Nepal is a small country whose survival depends entirely on the rule of the Tang Dynasty, but India is a great power with a long and rich civilization, no less advanced than that of the Tang Dynasty." Li Chengqian looked at the ministers in the hall and said, "Not to mention that it was already decided that Tibet would need to recuperate after the war, even if the war were to continue, how long would it take to destroy India?"

Changsun Wuji wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn't utter a single word.

“It’s pointless.” Li Chengqian shook his head and said, “Whether from the perspective of terrain or culture, the Tang Dynasty would have to pay a much higher price than it would gain if it wanted to annex India. Instead, we would be better to send a cavalry force of 5,000 men to Nalanda Monastery. After that, I believe India will submit a letter of submission.”

The ministers nodded slightly in agreement. India's strength was only so-so; the Tang Dynasty could easily defeat it. However, if the Tang Dynasty really wanted to govern India, it would be a huge mess, and whoever got involved would be doomed.

"At the same time, leave a thousand cavalrymen to be stationed in the capital of Nepal." After a slight pause, Li Chengqian said, "Establish an embassy district. The cavalrymen will protect the embassy and will not be involved in other matters. Within the embassy district, everything will be done in accordance with Tang law. Tang people in Nepal will abide by Tang law and be under the jurisdiction of the envoy. Tang law will influence Nepal and even India. Let's see how things go in a hundred years."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed slightly.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Actually, instead of focusing on India, we should focus on Persia and the Abbasid Caliphate. If we're not careful there, it could affect the Silk Road. That's where we really need to be careful."

"Yes!" The ministers were solemn.

India could be easily defeated by the Tang Dynasty, but the Abbasid Caliphate was a threat to the Tang Dynasty.

Li Chengqian calmly looked at his ministers and said, "Given the current situation, it would take at least twenty years for the Abbasid Caliphate to annex Persia and expand eastward with all its might, and possibly even longer. So for the time being, although we need to make preparations in advance, there is no need to worry too much."

"Yes." The ministers couldn't help but relax. Twenty years, let alone twenty years, even ten or five years, it's hard to say how many of them would be left in this hall.

After the crown was lowered, Li Chengqian's expression turned cold and stern. He lightly tapped the imperial desk and said heavily, "So, my ministers, you must refocus your attention."

Changsun Wuji's expression turned solemn, and he cupped his hands before the steps of the palace, saying, "Please give your instructions, Your Majesty."

The courtiers immediately became awe-inspiring and bowed, saying, "Please give your instructions, Your Majesty."

Li Chengqian looked up at the officials in the hall and said seriously, "The war against Tibet is over. What remains is to clean up the local area and stabilize the people. The Protectorate of Tibet will handle this. From this moment on, you central officials should focus your attention back on the whole country. Spring planting and autumn harvest, river management, clearing up lawsuits, and developing people's livelihood are what you should be doing."

The assembled officials bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, we will humbly obey your instructions."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly and said, "Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, from the initial planning to destroy the Eastern Turks, to the destruction of the Eastern Turks, the destruction of Tuyuhun, the destruction of Gaochang, the eastern expedition against Goguryeo, the defeat of Tibet in Xichangzhou, the destruction of Goguryeo, and then the destruction of Tibet, the Tang Dynasty has basically maintained a pattern of recuperating for two or three years before launching a major military campaign."

Now is the time for the world to rest and recuperate.

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed.

Li Chengqian turned to the side and said, "Uncle."

“Your Majesty!” Changsun Wuji stepped forward, his expression respectful.

Li Chengqian raised his head and asked, "I ask you, when was the most prosperous period in the past few hundred years?"

Changsun Wuji raised his head slightly, then bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, it was during the Kaihuang era of Emperor Wen of Sui that the country had 8.9 million households and a population of 50 million."

“Uncle did not flatter the court out of consideration for others, which is very good.” Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction and said, “Then let me ask you again, how many people are there in the world today?”

"Although the total number of households in Tibet has not yet been calculated, it is estimated that the total population of the country will be around six million households, or thirty million people." Changsun Wuji bowed deeply.

“That’s right, this is already equivalent to the number of people in the first year of Emperor Wen’s Kaihuang reign.” Li Chengqian smiled and said, “Emperor Wen of Sui used twenty years to increase the population of the country from six million households to nearly nine million households. Gentlemen, how about we also use twenty years to surpass Emperor Wen of Sui?”

"We are willing to do our utmost for Your Majesty!" The ministers felt an inexplicable impulse welling up from the depths of their bodies, and then they bowed deeply.

Some people even thought of Emperor Wen of Sui's Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai.

Although Emperor Wen of Sui failed to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, he still eventually arrived at the foot of Mount Tai. Although it was only a ceremony performed at the southern suburbs, he still reached Mount Tai.

The Fengshan ceremony was just one step away.

Fengshan, oh Fengshan.

Li Chengqian sat on the steps and said directly, "Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of War, Court of State Ceremonies."

Minister of Revenue Xue Renfang, Minister of Rites Li Baiyao, Minister of War Cui Dunli, and Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies Li Yibiao stepped forward from the ranks, cupped their hands, and said, "Your Majesty!"

"Now that the four directions are at peace, there are some things that need to be done." Li Chengqian said solemnly, "Issue an imperial decree that Zhang Daxiang, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, along with the officials from the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites, the Court of State Ceremonies, the governors and governors of the four directions, and the rulers of the vassal states, shall work together to thoroughly compile the most accurate map of the Tang Dynasty's territory and spread it throughout the world."

"Your Majesty, we obey! Long live the Emperor!" For a moment, all the officials in the hall bowed in unison. To create the most accurate map of the Tang Dynasty's territory—what a momentous event this would be!

Even the officials were more excited than Emperor Li Chengqian himself.

The Tang Dynasty's golden age will be laid with its most fundamental stroke under their emperor's rule.

"This matter was arranged many years ago. People were sent to contact Andong, Anxi, Xichangzhou, Yangtong, Fanzhou, Songzhou, Wuzhao, Dianzhou, Annam, the southeastern prefectures, the islands, Turks, Mobei, Xuanquezhou, the Western Turks, and even the Tang-affiliated countries in the Western Regions."

After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said, "Once the imperial edict arrives, send troops from the nearest location to survey the border, and then connect it with the next prefecture and the next country, completing this task as quickly as possible."

"Your Majesty, we obey the decree." The officials bowed solemnly, but as they looked down, some were already pondering the meaning of "the fastest speed."

Just then, a figure stepped forward from among the officials, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, I, Liu Yingdao, the Prefect of Yongzhou, request to speak."

“Speak!” Li Chengqian nodded calmly.

Liu Yingdao took a deep breath, cupped his hands and said, "Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have repeatedly defeated the Tubo, and today you have destroyed the Tubo kingdom. In addition, you have also destroyed the kingdoms of Goguryeo, Silla, Baekje, Western Turks, and Western Tuyuhun. The four barbarians have submitted, and the world is prosperous. On behalf of all the people of the world, I humbly request Your Majesty to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song!"

The officials immediately realized what was happening. While they were annoyed that Liu Yingdao had acted faster, they all knelt down and bowed in unison, saying, "On behalf of all the people of the world, we humbly request Your Majesty to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song."

Li Chengqian looked at the assembled officials with a calm expression and said, "My virtue is too meager to bear this responsibility. The request is denied. Court is adjourned."

The ministers kowtowed again and said, "Your Majesty, we respectfully see you off!"

……

When the emperor set off, all the officials respectfully saw him off.

After the emperor disappeared, the officials in the Taiji Hall rose.

But everyone's face was already beaming with barely suppressed smiles.

Fengshan ceremony, Fengshan ceremony.

The greatest event in history is the Fengshan ceremony.

Countless dynasties have existed, but very few emperors have performed the Fengshan ceremony.

The Tang Dynasty is now holding its second Fengshan ceremony.

Most of them had even participated in the previous Fengshan ceremony.

Thinking of this, many people couldn't help but look at Liu Yingdao, the Prefect of Yongzhou, and Liu Xiangdao, the Vice Minister of Rites.

These two brothers were, one a trusted confidant of the emperor in the Eastern Palace, and the other one of the presiding officials of the Fengshan ceremony held by the late emperor.

This time, Liu Yingdao was the first to propose the Fengshan ceremony to the emperor. This time, their status in the emperor's heart was raised by an unknown amount.

However, despite their envy, the officials did not take it too seriously. Requesting the Fengshan ceremony was one thing, but the actual Fengshan ceremony was what they truly desired.

Thinking of this, many people's joy intensified, and some even couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Gentlemen!" A calm, cold shout came from the left side of the hall.

The officials immediately became solemn, looked at Changsun Wuji, who was at the upper left of the group, and bowed in unison, saying, "Grand Commandant!"

Changsun Wuji nodded calmly and said, "Your Majesty's Fengshan ceremony is a major event for the world, but everything has not yet begun."

The officials bowed, their expressions solemn: "Yes, sir!"

Even if the emperor is very willing to perform the Fengshan ceremony, he still has to go through the procedure of declining the offer three times. What we have done now is only one invitation and one refusal, which is far from the truth.

"It's alright." Changsun Wuji's expression turned cold as he looked at everyone and said, "Now the world is at peace, the barbarians are subdued, the weather is favorable, floods and droughts are no longer seen, and plagues have been eradicated. Therefore, if any of the three provinces, six ministries, nine temples, five directorates, or any of the three hundred and sixty prefectures in the world are negligent in their administration and affect His Majesty's grand Fengshan ceremony, then don't blame this Grand Commandant for being ruthless."

"Order that the Grand Commandant's instructions be strictly followed." The officials bowed deeply, their eyes solemn.

When the late emperor was about to perform the Fengshan ceremony, he was forced to stop due to drought, plague, and war. Although there were natural disasters involved, there were also many man-made calamities.

If someone were to interfere with the emperor's Fengshan ceremony due to their own mistakes, they would offend not only the emperor, but also countless officials throughout the court.

"If any of you have fellow townsmen, classmates, or even relatives and friends, and you notice anything amiss with anyone, please offer a reminder. If that doesn't resolve the issue, then come to me, Grand Commandant." Changsun Wuji swept his gaze across the crowd and said coldly, "At that time, I will not only handle the matter myself, but also reward those who inform me. Trust me, and trust His Majesty."

To report, to whistleblower.

As the Grand Commandant, the Prime Minister, the Emperor's maternal uncle, and the head of the Guanlong aristocratic clan, Changsun Wuji's words were not to be taken lightly.

"Your subordinate obeys." As everyone bowed and accepted the order, they also looked cautiously at the others.

While they are watching others, they are also wary of others watching them.

For the officials, the Fengshan ceremony was not necessarily a good thing.

(End of this chapter)