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

Chapter 741 Though much hard work was involved, I ultimately lived up to the late emperor's expectations (Third update yesterday)
The third day of the seventh lunar month marks the beginning of early autumn.

The morning light was bright, and the area outside the Golden Gate was solemn.

Countless soldiers of the Imperial Guards, including the Thousand Bull Guards, the Golden Guards, the Left and Right Guards, and the Left and Right Gate Guards, stood on both sides of the main road, holding long spears and banners.

The yellow canopy stood erect, and all the officials stood at attention.

Li Chengqian stood under the yellow cane, looking calmly into the distance.

Today, the army returns in triumph.

Liang Jianfang and Su Dingfang will lead an army of 30,000 back from Lhasa.

After years of campaigning, the army finally returned victorious.

Therefore, the emperor personally led all the civil and military officials of Chang'an to the Golden Light Gate to welcome the returning army.

At the edge of the horizon, countless cavalrymen appeared on the ground like a black line, and then quickly moved towards Chunming Gate.

The thunderous sound of hooves was deafening, but they all came to a sudden stop five miles away from Chunming Gate.

Following closely behind, with the banner at the front advancing, dozens of military officers and eight hundred meritorious soldiers rode slowly toward Chunming Gate.

At the same time, dozens of wagons carrying a large number of prisoners of war, gold, silver, jewelry, books and other spoils of war followed.

The black banner stopped a hundred feet away, and Liang Jianfang, dressed in red robes and golden armor, stepped out first. He then came to the side of the yellow canopy, dismounted, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, and said loudly, "Your subject, Liang Jianfang, Grand General of the Army of Lhasa Road, Pacification Commissioner of Lhasa Road, Grand Protector of the Protectorate of Fanzhou, Inspector General of Fanzhou, Governor of Fanzhou, Duke of Dai, pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"

"Rise, my dear minister." Li Chengqian gently reached out to help Liang Jianfang to his feet. Looking at his vigorous appearance, he nodded in satisfaction and said, "It's clear that your body has adapted to the weather in Lhasa."

Liang Jianfang smiled somewhat embarrassedly and said, "Everything else is fine, but the roads in the Tanggula Mountain Pass are often shrouded in ice fog. Sometimes the sun shines brightly, and sometimes hail pelts down. When we got to the south, it was pouring rain. Plus, the high altitude made my body quite uncomfortable for a while, but thankfully I've recovered now."

"It's good that you've recovered." Li Chengqian sighed softly, looking past Liang Jianfang into the distance, and said with emotion, "In this battle, I don't know how many soldiers died on the battlefield, but today, they have all returned."

"Yes!" Liang Jianfang bowed deeply.

"Guards!" Li Chengqian stepped slightly to the side, and Liu Shenli, dressed in red robes and golden armor, entered from the side, carrying a golden goblet and a silver cup.

Li Chengqian personally poured a cup for Liang Jianfang, then picked up a cup for himself and said earnestly, "After this battle, the four barbarians were terrified. For the past twenty years, there have been few major wars in the world. I offer this cup to my beloved minister, and also to all the soldiers who fought to the end on the battlefield."

Liang Jianfang accepted the wine glass, bowed slightly, and said with a choked voice, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Come and drink!" Li Chengqian raised his wine cup and then drank the wine in it in one gulp.

Liang Jianfang joined in the drinking.

Li Chengqian turned to look at both sides.

Hundreds of cavalrymen began to head towards the distance. Among them were officials from the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of War. They would verify the soldiers' military achievements and take them to the North Garden, where fine wine and delicacies were prepared to entertain the returning soldiers.

"Let's go back to the palace and present the captives to the Imperial Ancestral Temple first." Li Chengqian turned and looked towards the direction of the palace.

Upon returning victorious from a great victory and the destruction of a kingdom, presenting the captives to the Imperial Ancestral Temple was the highest form of welcoming ceremony.

……

On the street, Li Chengqian rode his horse side by side with Liang Jianfang.

Behind him were Changsun Wuji and Li Ji, and further back were all the meritorious soldiers in the army.

Liang Jianfang's gaze swept over the countless people who were welcoming him on both sides of the long street before he looked at Li Chengqian and said, "I originally thought that the Crown Prince would come in place of Your Majesty, but I did not expect that Your Majesty would come in person."

Li Chengqian grasped the reins and smiled, saying, "Just as I said before, after this battle, there will be few major wars in the world for twenty years, and even twenty years from now, it will probably be the same. That's why I came out for a walk. After all, this may be the last time I have the chance to welcome the army back after conquering the country."

"Your Majesty's military might is so great that no barbarian dares to disobey you." Liang Jianfang bowed slightly.

Li Chengqian smiled and waved his hand, saying, "It's all thanks to the soldiers. I'm just in charge of logistics for them."

“Your Majesty is too modest!” Liang Jianfang shook his head and said, “If Your Majesty had not stabilized the hearts of the people in Chang’an, the campaign would not have gone so smoothly.”

"Such flattering words are not something you, Duke of Dai, are good at saying, so please don't say them anymore." Li Chengqian couldn't help but smile, and then sighed, "I originally planned to move Songzan's coffin to Chang'an so that he could be buried with Zhaoling, but after thinking about it carefully, it would not be a good thing to let a deceased person be far away from his homeland and cause unrest both inside and outside the palace, so I gave up the idea in the end."

Liang Jianfang nodded slightly, his expression solemn.

The emperor's words can be interpreted in one way, but from another perspective, they can mean something else entirely.

Far from home, with unrest both inside and outside, isn't it just about digging up graves and coffins, and then being buried like a sinner beside Zhaoling?

The emperor's hatred for Songtsen Gampo and the entire Tibetan Empire is clearly evident.

"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. How is Fanzhou doing now?" Li Chengqian turned to the side and looked at Liang Jianfang gently.

"It's better than expected." Liang Jianfang smiled with some relief and said, "Because the army is strong and its actions are bound by Tang law, the nobles of Tibet have all felt at ease... However, their only complaint is that Tibet will abolish slavery like the Tang Dynasty."

Slavery was the foundation of Tibet's existence.

For many years, the strength of Tibet was largely due to the extreme exploitation of the lowest-level slaves.

In many ways, what they did far exceeded people's imagination.

Now that the Tang Dynasty is practicing benevolent governance in Tibet and wants to abolish slavery, the Tibetan nobles are naturally unwilling. However, the laws of the Tang Dynasty are still in effect. Tibet is now part of the Tang Dynasty's territory, and although there are some tributary states, they all follow the Tang laws.

Although the local nobleman held the title of governor, his chief secretary was an official of the Tang Dynasty.

Moreover, the local military and judicial powers were in the hands of the Tang Dynasty, and all armed forces were controlled by the Tang Dynasty.

Although the local nobles had governing power, they could not actually do much.

Of course, they also had their own tribal soldiers.

"The abolition of slavery must be resolutely carried out." Li Chengqian's cavalry moved slowly as he spoke, "Apart from those who have been reduced to slavery due to war and criminal law, everyone else can only be a servant, not a slave."

During the Tang Dynasty, many people voluntarily became slaves when they could no longer survive, but the slaves here were maids, not slaves.

Slaves are slaves for generations, from the moment they are born, while servants are different.

Anyone who becomes a slave must be registered with the government. The slave's master even needs to pay a fee. Unlike slaves, slaves cannot be beaten or killed at will by their masters. Under the Tang law, if a slave is beaten or killed at will, the master will still be punished, and severely punished. Many slaves are killed or injured, and some may even be beheaded.

The son of a slave is born a slave, but the son of a servant is not born a servant; before adulthood, he can redeem himself if he saves enough money.

They did not belong to the master, and there was not much difference between them becoming normal people from being slaves.

Of course, he wasn't from a respectable family; he belonged to the category of bad people.

“Those old nobles won’t accept this so easily.” Li Chengqian slowly urged his horse forward and said, “Before, there was a large army in Fanzhou, so they didn’t dare to resist. Now that half of the army has withdrawn, it’s inevitable that some people will want to stir up trouble. Therefore, we need to select a large number of people from those who were converted from slaves to join the government troops.”

They were no longer slaves, but rather soldiers of the Tang Dynasty; these men were absolutely loyal to the Tang.

“Use these soldiers to deal with those powerful and influential people.” Li Chengqian’s eyes turned slightly cold as he said, “When you’re about to strike, be ruthless.”

“Your Majesty, I understand.” Liang Jianfang nodded seriously and said, “Your Majesty, rest assured, Yin Yuan has stayed in Fanzhou to take charge of this matter. As the Left General of the Thousand Ox Guard, he is most adept at doing these things.”

"Hmm!" Li Chengqian's expression relaxed, and he said, "You've heard about the Fengshan ceremony, haven't you?"

"Yes!" Liang Jianfang nodded and said, "After the destruction of Tibet, there are no major events in the world. Your Majesty's time to perform the Fengshan ceremony is just right."

Li Chengqian looked at the Taiji Palace not far away and said softly, "The Fengshan ceremony must be performed, but there are many things to do before that." Liang Jianfang nodded silently. He knew that after Liu Yingdao first petitioned for the Fengshan ceremony, the emperor refused, and then immediately issued an edict to renovate all the schools in the country, from the Imperial Academy and the National Academy to the state schools, county schools, township schools, and even village schools have been opened in wealthy villages.

Moreover, as the academies expanded and the number of students increased, so did the number of teachers.

Many scholars who were originally unable to come to Chang'an to participate in the imperial examinations due to their limited family wealth will now have this new opportunity to come to Chang'an to participate in the examinations more often.

Many things were being done in Fanzhou, but from the perspective of the chief administrator, Liang Jianfang was able to perceive some of the emperor's intentions.

In Fanzhou, many sons of former Tibetan nobles began to study, and while the people's hearts were won over, the nobles also began to disintegrate.

If this is true in Tibet, then what about in Chang'an, or in the whole world?
……

At the Imperial Ancestral Temple Square, drums and music resounded, and the Qin King's Battle Song echoed in the air.

A large number of prisoners, gold, silver and jade artifacts, various treasures, Tibetan official seals, and even the Tibetan king's seal and Tibetan household registers were placed on the offering table in the square.

Liang Jianfang, Su Dingfang, Li Junxian, Qibi Heli, Li Dejian and other military generals stood behind the offering table and in front of the prisoners.

Changsun Wuji, Li Ji, and many other civil and military officials of the court solemnly observed the ceremony after the prisoners were captured.

Among them were even Li Jing, Cheng Zhijie, and Yuchi Jingde, who had long since retired from officialdom, and were also invited today, which was quite rare.

Yes, Li Jing is still alive.

Although he has rarely appeared in public over the years, and even his hair has turned white, he is indeed still alive and even looks healthy and energetic.

The reason he reappeared today is largely due to Li Dejian.

With this military achievement, Li Dejian can be considered truly qualified to take over the mansion of the Duke of Wei and establish a firm foothold.

Today's ceremony of presenting prisoners to the Imperial Ancestral Temple features Liang Jianfang, Su Dingfang, and other military generals, along with the Emperor.

Li Chengqian knelt inside the offering hall of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, before whom were the spirit tablets of Emperor Taizong, Emperor Gaozu, and many other ancestors of the Tang Dynasty.

On the offering table in the inner hall were sacrificial offerings, jade and silk, fruits, and an imperial edict, an edict from the emperor to offer sacrifices to his ancestors.

Li Chengqian bowed slightly, muttered for a moment, and then turned to the side and said, "Call in the Duke of Dai and the Duke of Wuyi County."

"Yes!" Li Fengci, the Grand Temple Master, bowed and walked out of the temple, saying to Liang Jianfang and Su Dingfang, "His Majesty has decreed that the Duke of Dai and the Duke of Wuyi be summoned to the Grand Temple."

"Look!" Liang Jianfang and Su Dingfang were taken aback, then quickly followed Li Fengci into the hall.

Li Chengqian raised his head and said calmly, "Kneel down and join me in offering sacrifices to the late emperor and the ancestors of the Tang Dynasty."

When the emperor offered sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, ordinary people were not allowed to enter the temple hall.

Only officials in charge of ceremonies, as well as prime ministers such as Changsun Wuji and Li Ji, were ever allowed to enter.

However, today, the generals presented the captured prisoners to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Liang Jianfang and Su Dingfang were the commanders-in-chief of the army and had made great contributions in destroying the Tubo Kingdom. Therefore, Li Chengqian summoned the two of them. At the same time, there was also a hint of something else in this.

After bowing, Liang Jianfang and Su Dingfang knelt down on the prayer mat with trepidation, their eyes unconsciously sweeping around.

Amidst the swirling incense smoke, one could vaguely see the memorial tablets of Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling, Gao Shilian, Xiao Yu, and other senior officials of the Zhenguan era, arranged in the side halls on both sides, enjoying the incense offerings of the Tang Dynasty alongside the late emperor and Emperor Gaozu.

Liang Jianfang and Su Dingfang trembled slightly, because they understood that the emperor's summons was a blatant message to them.

In the future, a hundred years from now, they will be like other meritorious officials of the Zhenguan era, enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple of the late emperor, and worshipped by the emperor and the entire Tang Dynasty.

Su Dingfang was alright, but Liang Jianfang couldn't help but lower his head slightly, his nose tingled, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Li Chengqian slightly raised his head to Li Fengci, who bowed, took the imperial edict from the offering table with both hands, and then walked to the entrance of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, loudly proclaiming to the assembled officials: "Is this decree issued?"

All the officials knelt down.

Li Fengci then looked at the imperial edict and loudly proclaimed: "In the fifteenth year of Yongwei, the year of Guihai, on the third day of the seventh month, the Emperor decreed:
Yu Xi!

The principle of a true ruler is to prioritize the upbringing of his children.

Every time someone is punished for violating the law, I am deeply troubled by it.

There was a Tibetan tribe that started by invading Songzhou in the twelfth year of the Zhenguan era. In the first year of the Yongwei era, they invaded Dongtuyuhun again, and in the twelfth year of the Yongwei era, they invaded Xichangzhou again, but were repeatedly defeated.

For thirty years, they repeatedly invaded the border and harassed the people. Finally, in the fourteenth year of Yongwei, heavenly troops descended and destroyed Tibet in one fell swoop.

Today, Liang Jianfang, the Grand General of the Luoxie Road Army, Su Dingfang, the Vanguard General, and all the generals, upon the fall of the Tubo Kingdom, present the captives to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices to the late Emperor and the ancestors of the Tang Dynasty.

May the spirit of the late emperor bless the Tang Dynasty, ensuring its long reign and lasting prosperity.

Festival! "

Around the Imperial Ancestral Temple, four large cauldrons immediately burst into flames.

A great deal of sacrifices, including jade, silk, and paper money, were thrown into the large cauldron, where they turned into wisps of smoke that rose straight into the sky.

The ministers then kowtowed in unison, saying, "We pray that the spirit of the late emperor will protect the Tang Dynasty, ensuring its longevity and lasting prosperity."

A single sentence evoked a profound sense of sorrow in many people's hearts.

For no apparent reason, tears welled up in their eyes.

Inside the Imperial Ancestral Temple, Liang Jianfang could no longer contain his grief and wept, sobbing softly, "The late Emperor!"

The Imperial Ancestral Temple is where the spirit tablets of the late emperors are enshrined.

It is the place closest to the late emperor among the court officials and ministers, apart from Zhaoling.

Liang Jianfang was a veteran official during the Zhenguan era. He was Yuchi Jingde's deputy general and had fought alongside the late emperor since the time of the Prince of Qin.

When the late emperor was alive, Liang Jianfang was not particularly prominent. It was only after Li Chengqian ascended the throne that he was gradually put to use.

He was the commander-in-chief who destroyed the Western Turkic Khaganate, the Western Tuyuhun Kingdom, and the Tibetan Kingdom.

Liang Jianfang was well aware of many things.

He himself was not capable enough to be the commander-in-chief of the army. It was only through the emperor's meticulous arrangements in Chang'an and the presence of capable generals such as Su Dingfang, Li Dejian and Pei Xingjian that the enemy was defeated in one fell swoop.

The same applies to the destruction of the Tibetan Empire. Everything was personally directed by Su Dingfang. In reality, he was just coordinating the transportation of supplies and moving them around from all directions. That was all.

However, he remained the commander-in-chief of the army.

This allows him to kneel in the Imperial Ancestral Temple today for his merit in destroying a country, and even in the future, after his death, he can accompany the late emperor and share incense offerings with him...

Thinking of this, Liang Jianfang couldn't help but burst into tears.

In the end, it was completely out of control.

Many officials outside the palace, upon hearing Liang Jianfang's cries, also couldn't help but burst into tears.

Despite the hardships they endured, their actions today have ultimately been worthy of the late emperor and the Tang Dynasty.

(End of this chapter)