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

Chapter 747 Epilogue 1: Changsun Wuji
In late July, the autumn air is cool and refreshing.

In the Qian Yuan Hall, Li Chengqian, dressed in a black robe with gold thread, placed the memorial in his hand on the table, and then looked at Li Ji, Du Zhenglun and Zhao Yuankai on the side, and said indifferently: "Issue an edict to Liu Rengui, from this moment on, block all waterways and trade routes from Japan to the Tang Dynasty. Andong, as well as all the prefectures in the world, shall not have any dealings with Japan."

More than two months had passed since the Fengshan ceremony. Li Chengqian went to Qufu to pay homage to Confucius, then went to Bozhou to visit the Laozi Temple, and finally returned to Luoyang.

However, taking advantage of this time, the Japanese brazenly gathered the remnants of the Three Kingdoms and attacked the Binhai Governor's Office. In the end, Liu Rengui, Xue Wanche, Heichi Changzhi and Shachi Zhongyi burned thousands of ships and killed tens of thousands of people in the Battle of Baijiangkou.

The Japanese were defeated in one battle.

"Your Majesty, are we not going to march on Japan?" Du Zhenglun, the Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, couldn't help but look up at Li Chengqian with surprise.

“No.” Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, “The focus of the Tang Dynasty now is on its own development. The cost of foreign wars is too high, especially against Japan. Blocking the sea lanes and preventing any goods, people, or even written communication between the Tang Dynasty and Japan is enough.”

"Yes!" Li Ji solemnly cupped his hands in greeting.

Li Chengqian smiled; he had his own plans regarding Japan.

Although Japan has abundant gold mines, the biggest blow to Japan was the Tang Dynasty's complete cessation of all trade and cultural exchanges with Japan.

When Japan runs out of products in the future, it will inevitably come to the Tang Dynasty for help. At that time, the Tang Dynasty will sell its goods at high prices in exchange for Japan's gold mines.

This is the best of the greatest Tang Dynasty.

At the same time, he wanted to exert great control over cultural exchanges between the Tang Dynasty and Japan.

Things like the eastward transmission of Buddhism should be avoided if possible.

Only through these means can some things be avoided a thousand years from now.

"Let Liu Rengui handle the matter concerning Japan," Li Chengqian said with a serious expression. "Since the Fengshan ceremony, officials have been indulging in pleasure and becoming lax, causing many inconveniences. Issue an edict to the Censor-in-Chief to rectify official conduct and investigate illegal activities."

"Yes!" Li Ji, Du Zhenglun, and Zhao Yuankai all bowed respectfully.

Since the Fengshan ceremony, a major change has occurred in the court.

Although Changsun Wuji was still Grand Commandant and head of the Council of State Affairs, he rarely went to the Council of State Affairs and rarely interfered in court affairs, focusing on recuperating at home. On the other hand, Li Ji, although he resigned from his position as Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, actually headed the Council of State Affairs as Minister of Works.

Du Zhenglun, the Grand Secretary, was promoted to Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel; Yu Zhining, the Grand Secretary, retired; and Sun Fujia, the Attendant-in-Ordinary, was promoted to Grand Secretary.

Xu Jingzong, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, was promoted to Attendant-in-Ordinary; Li Yifu, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, was promoted to the same rank as the Chancellor; and Liu Shi, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, was promoted to Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

Ma Zhou, the Vice Director of the Secretariat, retired, and Gao Jifu, the Vice Director of the Secretariat, was appointed as a third-rank official in the Secretariat and Chancellery.

Yan Lide, Minister of Personnel, retired; Li Qianyou, Vice Minister of Personnel, was promoted to Minister of Personnel; Dai Zhide, Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, was promoted to Vice Minister of Personnel; and Zhang Wenguan, Secretary of the Secretariat, was promoted to Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

Li Baiyao, Minister of Rites, retired; Changsun Xiang, Minister of Works, was transferred to Minister of Rites; and Yan Liben, Prefect of Qizhou, was transferred to Minister of Works.

Cui Dunli, Minister of War, was promoted to Grand Secretary; Han Yuan, Vice Minister of War, was promoted to Minister of War; Cen Changqian, Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, was promoted to Vice Minister of War; and Shangguan Yi, Attendant-in-Ordinary, was promoted to Junior Director of the Imperial Secretariat.

Others included Li Jingxuan, who was appointed as a secretary in the Ministry of Personnel; Ouyang Tong, who was appointed as a secretary in the Secretariat; Pei Yan, who was appointed as a censor and concurrently as a recorder of the emperor's daily life; and Changsun Yan, who was appointed as a recorder of the emperor's daily life.

After the Fengshan ceremony, a large number of officials were transferred, and young officials began to fill the court.

……

“Tell all my ministers that although the Fengshan ceremony was a temporary peak, there will be even higher peaks after the peak. Emperor Wu of Han’s Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai is still ahead. You must not slack off.” Li Chengqian raised his head slightly and said with a sigh, “For many years, although the Tang Dynasty has been prosperous both internally and externally, the people in many places still live in poverty and are barely surviving.”

Li Ji, Du Zhenglun, and Zhao Yuankai immediately became serious.

"Agricultural innovation must continue, river works across the land must be overseen, the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review must investigate lawsuits, schools across the land must increase student recruitment, the Ministry of War must reform the entire military system, transferring military personnel of the required age to local government offices while simultaneously recruiting new ones, and trade along the Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Road must be increased."

After a slight pause, Li Chengqian said seriously, "In short, by the end of this year, I want to see a considerable increase in the country's taxes and population, and by the end of next year, there should be the same increase. The Ministry of Revenue and the Department of Finance should draw up a plan for me based on the actual situation in various places. I want to see if I will have the opportunity to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai in twenty years."

Li Chengqian's last words were very profound.

Li Ji and the other two bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, we will respectfully obey your instructions."

"Alright, go ahead and get busy." Li Chengqian raised his hand slightly.

Li Ji and the other two bowed and said, "We take our leave."

Li Chengqian relaxed a little. After the Fengshan ceremony, the atmosphere in the court became inexplicably lazy. Now it was time to tighten the reins on these people.

Li Chengqian got up and walked out of the Qianyuan Hall.

There still needs to be a carrot dangling in front, but Li Chengqian didn't want to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai. He could always perform it at Mount Song a second time.

As he sat in the imperial carriage, Li Chengqian turned to the side and asked, "How is everything at Yaoguang Palace?"

"It's alright." Xu An bowed and said, "Beauty Helan just passed by."

"Okay!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Let's go to Huaguang Courtyard."

"Yes!" Xu An bowed. The imperial carriage passed through the Zhulong Gate, the Daye Gate, and the Zhenguan Hall, then turned towards the Huaguang Courtyard.

Kakoin is located at the westernmost part of the entire imperial palace, adjacent to Kyushu Pond.

As the imperial carriage approached the Flower Light Courtyard, the faint sound of a baby crying could be heard from within.

Li Chengqian's expression immediately softened.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from behind, and Li Chengqian turned around in surprise.

A palace attendant hurried up from behind and bowed to Li Chengqian, saying, "Your Majesty, the Grand Commandant has fallen ill."

"Hmm!" Li Chengqian suddenly stood up, looking at Xu An incredulously, and said, "Go to the Grand Commandant's residence immediately."

"Here!"

……

In the inner courtyard of the Grand Commandant's residence, in the master bedroom.

Li Chengqian sat on the short couch, looking at Changsun Wuji lying on the bed, and asked, "Uncle, are you really sure everything is alright?"

"It's nothing!" Changsun Wuji smiled and said, "I just wasn't careful last night. I drank some wine and caught a cold from the cold wind. The imperial physician has already examined me and there's nothing wrong with me."

"That's good." Li Chengqian breathed a slight sigh of relief, then looked at Changsun Wuji and said, "Uncle still has to go back. Without you, everyone in the court has become lazy and can't muster the energy to do anything."

“This is normal. After the late emperor destroyed the Eastern Turks, there was a period of time like this. However, the officials were all capable, and it didn’t take long for them to adjust on their own.” After a slight pause, Changsun Wuji said, “Moreover, I believe Your Majesty has a solution.”

“What can we do? It’s nothing more than making an example of someone. But if we actually do that, it won’t look good.” Li Chengqian shook his head and sighed, “It’s still thanks to my uncle in court that a single word from him can command respect from the entire court.”

“Now Your Majesty is the same.” Changsun Wuji looked at Li Chengqian and said, “As long as those people in the Censorate make the slightest move, no one will dare to slack off. However, Your Majesty is able to realize this and has not fallen into complacency. As wise as Your Majesty is, there is even less need for me to worry about you.”

"Hehe!" Li Chengqian smiled slightly and waved his hand, saying, "I can't handle everything myself. It's better for you to come back and keep an eye on things for me. Besides, I'm in Luoyang now, while the Empress and the Crown Prince are in Chang'an. I don't know what's going on in Chang'an, so you'll have to keep me busy."

"Your Majesty's words leave me speechless." Changsun Wuji said with a wry smile, "Very well, I will return to Luoyang to serve the Crown Prince once I am feeling better."

"Thank you for your trouble, Uncle." Li Chengqian relaxed.

Just then, Zhang Da'an walked in from outside and whispered a few words in Li Chengqian's ear.

Li Chengqian suddenly looked up: "What? The Arab envoy has arrived in Chang'an?"

Changsun Wuji's expression immediately turned solemn: "Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian raised his hand slightly and said, "Uncle, please take care of your health first. Let Xiangli Xuanjiang, the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, handle the affairs in Chang'an for now. The Arabs have come to Chang'an because of the Persian issue. I can talk to them about it. Moreover, their arrival shows that the Arabs do not want to wage war!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Changsun Wuji's eyes widened in surprise.

"Alright, Uncle, you should rest and recover first. I'm going back now." Li Chengqian stood up and looked at Changsun Yan beside him, saying, "Eldest son, take good care of your grandfather!"

Changsun Yan cupped his hands and said, "Yes!"

Li Chengqian nodded to Changsun Wuji before striding away.

There will never be a day when the world is completely at peace.

……

Changsun Wuji watched as Changsun brought over the medicine and fed it to him with a spoon, and asked, "Yan'er, how are you doing by His Majesty's side?"

Changsun Yan is now serving as the Imperial Diarist, accompanying the emperor to record his daily life.

“I have learned a lot. His Majesty is calm, decisive, insightful, and ambitious, which is beyond the reach of ordinary people.” Zhang Sunyan nodded, then whispered, “Grandpa, take your medicine. His Majesty is surrounded by capable people, and I have grown a lot by following them.”

"That's good." Changsun Wuji couldn't help but smile.

Changsun Yan was the eldest grandson of the third generation of the Changsun family and the emperor's nephew. His career prospects were not a concern at all, but how far he could go depended on himself.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the room, and the butler stepped into the room.

Changsun Wuji looked up with some confusion. The white-haired steward immediately stopped, smiled, and cupped his hands, saying, "Young master, congratulations, young master! The young mistress has just been diagnosed with pregnancy. Congratulations, young master, may the family line continue."

"What!" Changsun Wuji couldn't help but smile, and then he turned to look at Changsun Yan sitting to the side.

Changsun Yan remained calm and steadily held up the spoon, saying, "Grandpa, drink your medicine first."

Upon seeing this, Changsun Wuji was first stunned, then he couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Hahaha..."

(End of this chapter)